#but yeah very silly I love this event dearly

[stormspryzen]

AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH LETS FUCKING GO

[pedgito]

𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐈𝐒 𝐁𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 | Lucien Flores x reader

↝ other fics | requests? | ao3 | update blog | fic rec | ko-fi

summary | this is for @iamasaddie's kinky may writing challenge, a mix of a kink i haven't tried writing before and character i adore dearly but know next to nothing about. this was really fun to try out and my first fic back in almost four months, cheers to finally being back ig? may we christen it with smut.

content warning | heavy smut, literally pwp (there's some backstory if you squint), sensory deprivation, safe words, some food consumption as foreplay, some bodily fluid exchange/consumption, gags/restraints/ect and all that good stuff, oral (m/f receiving), p in v unprotected sex, established relationship, lucien is still a relatively blank character so none of this is canon (just how my silly little brain likes to imagine him rn)

word count — 4.7k

The rain is quiet against the apartment window, a soft and slow pattering that matches the slow beat of your heart. You can’t see it, not in your current position as Lucien leans his knee into the mattress behind you and the bed dips, warm fingertips brushing over your cheeks and the shell of your ear as he carefully and methodically secures the blindfold in place with a knot that feels secure. He brushes his fingertip over your nose as he nitpicks and mumbles something under his breath, fixing the black material until your vision is completely hindered.

“Princesa,” His voice is a soft caress, “everything alright?”

Constant check-ins, reassurances, comfortability and security—it was all you felt with Lucien. Things had clicked with him so easily. It made your heart drop into your stomach with the first realization, unlucky with love to a fault that never let up. He had eyes on you from the moment you first met and they never drifted.

A mid-life crisis. You were younger, a subordinate under his wife, and unattainable by most standards and rules. Fetching coffees, keeping Rose on schedule and reminding her of all the never-ending events she kept yes-ing—Lucien and her had long been divorced but a chance encounter at an industry mixer had landed you here. A routine you’ve both upheld for the last six months and it felt real. You had solid ground to stand on with Lucien and he never diminished how you were feeling, even if you felt so embarrassingly naive about things.

And the sex had never steadily climbed and crescendoed—Lucien liked to ravish and devour in a way that had you holding your breath and helped him realize very quickly how overwhelmed you could get. It wasn’t necessarily bad, but there was too much outside distraction—him, the droning buzz of traffic outside of his apartment, the distant muffled television a room away that Lucien always forgot to turn off before settling down for the evening with you. 

You needed focus, grounding—given Lucien’s illustrious history and Hollywood rumors and all the things you’ve heard from around town and within the social networks you shared, he seemed like the furthest thing from a good choice.

But, the care and attention he showed you drowned it out entirely. 

Hell, he gave you a key to his apartment within a month and you’ve never seen anyone else visit him—he doesn’t host parties here, he doesn’t even let his ex-wife set foot past the threshold. It was your own little sanctuary.

You lift the blindfold slightly and ruin the work he’d done to get it just how he wanted, but he doesn’t seem to care.

“Hmm?” He’s got an eyebrow half-raise, features relaxed but masking an obvious worry that he didn’t want to harp about. “Yeah, yeah. I’m good.”

Lucien tilts his head, “How good?”

Just good. Kinda good. I’m only telling you I’m good so you don’t worry about me.

His thumb rubs at your chin and the thoughts float away and you allow yourself to live in the moment, reaping in the undivided attention this man showed you.

“Really good.” You reply salaciously, using the angle to your advantage as he towered over you on the bed, foot dragging along the inside of his thigh and pressing into the back of it until he lost his footing and slipped further into the deep pockets of the comforter. “Better if you start touching me like you kept promising over dinner.”

“Eager today?” Lucien teases as he crawls until he’s found his way between your legs, resting on his outstretched palm as he fixes your blindfold and darkness floods your senses again.

“Game recognizes game.” You retort, allow Lucien to use a guiding hand to settle you against the plush headboard, buttons pulling in on the fanned, velvet material. “I really need this today.”

There’s a soft shuffling and the familiar clink of expensive jewelry scattering against the bedside table—it was the forewarning that Lucien was prepared to make a mess of you, hammering that final nail in the coffin as he drags three fingers in a harmonious unison over your clothed pussy, the thin shirt you were wearing rubbing against the inside of his forearm as he applies just enough pressure to have you chasing after it when it fades away.

“I know, baby.” His voice drips like a warm honey, sticking to your skin and making you sweat. “Say your word.”

“Luce, we do this every time. I know it, we’re good.”

Silence lingered and you cleared your throat, the dip of pressure in the mattress between your legs from his hand, not allowing himself to touch you until you repeated it back to him.

You nod, “Peach.”

The small tick of a fond memory shows on his face, lips curling up at one side. It happens every time and Lucien knows it was meant as a playful jab in the beginning, but it quickly became something so sacred. 

You've only used it once and never out of fear or miscommunication—Lucien understood your limits and liked to push when you agreed, but one too many orgasms by his tongue as he buried his head between your thighs had eventually became too much and it was said through a shaky laugh, yanking at his curls until he surfaced.

Lucien, almost instantly, is there—mouth pressed against the barrier of your underwear, fingers curling around your thighs and spreading you apart with ample pressure, exploring your skin like uncharted territory, a new exploration. Like he hadn’t been going down on you for the last several months and already mapped out every inch of your body, knew all the shortcuts and quick routes.

The wetness soaked your underwear, the fleshy fat of his tongue rubbing hot and lapping at the heady taste of your arousal with a sigh before his fingers curl around the edges of your underwear where they cling to your hips, moving them down your legs and suddenly, despite being surrounded by darkness, the feeling of exposure is still daunting. Every time. 

“Tell me about your day.”

Then he’s licking a slow stripe down your center and you’re curling at the sudden touch, but quickly relaxing as he settles in, letting your fingers rest back in his soft curls, using your other senses while they are still available. Your mind wanders and wonders, thinking about the expertise and dexterity of his tongue. How if he really wanted you to come, he would have you there in less than a minute, but he was going easy.

“Boring,” Is all you have, “Most of the same.”

He’s just trying to fill the air, giving you a solid distraction outside of his filthy mouth. It’s not exactly his aim to bring up work during sex, especially when it’s in relation to his ex-wife.

“And dinner? How was it?”

Lucien purposefully flicks his tongue over your clit and you gasp softly, tugging at the strands of hair under your fingertips and you feel a hand rub at your lower back as it arches, a tender touch that you give into.

“Perfect,” It’s the truth, eternally grateful for his choice of personal chefs, because as much as you adored Lucien, he was not to be let into a kitchen, “delicious, as always.”

Lucien groans, deep and low against your pussy as his mouth sucks greedily at you, feeling his fingers inching closer and closer to your core, like he’s trying to take things slow for now, but the impatience is winning out. They’re tight at the apex of your thighs currently and just bordering on discomfort when he squeezes every time you moan or sigh or make even the smallest reaction to his mouth.

“R-right there,” You direct, canting your hips up despite his strong grip, “fuck, just—yeah, right there.” Lucien has always responded well, course-correction and sensing the way your body pulls him in, thighs squeezing around him as he dips a finger inside of you in time with his tongue, working you over mercilessly.

The lack of sight is making everything that more intense, searching for something to ground you, using your grip in Lucien’s hair, your other hand placed over his where it’s curled around your thigh as an anchor, feeling him speak against your cunt, filthy words you can’t quite catch but if you could see him, he would be sporting a shit-eating grin. 

The heat in your stomach coils, feeling the sensation down your spine as you whimper, one final swipe of his tongue over your clit within the immense build up of tension has you brokenly moaning out, “Come—fuck, I’m c-coming, Luce.”

Lucien laps at your greedily, prying your thighs apart forcefully.

“Shit—” His voice encourages, “—such a sweet fuckin’ pussy. Makes me fuckin’ crazy. Need you to taste it, baby.”

He’s already moving up your body as your lips part, your tongue dipping blindly into his mouth and tasting the headiness of you on his tongue, a sweet tang that isn’t unwelcomed. You don’t often make it a habit to kiss him after he’s gone down on you—he’s often messy, face a mix of saliva and you, smeared all over his chin, but the frenzy in his voice is hard to deny, giggling softly into his mouth as your teeth graze his bottom lip.

You’re still effectively blind, rubbing your palm over the inseam of his silk lounge pants, pulling at the delicate string that was struggling, tight against the length of his cock. Lucien grunts into your neck at the touch and widens his knees against the mattress, biting playful at your skin to soothe it moments later. His hands rub at your weak thighs, still shaking post-orgasm and you can’t help but be eager despite how much energy Lucien had worked out of you.

“Sit up,” You pointedly squeeze at his shaft and lean up, feeling the movement of his body follow. “—my turn.”

Lucien huffs in amusement, shuffling back on his knees as you sit upright. You reach for your blindfold but his hand engulfs your own, “Not yet.” He orders calmly.

You relinquish control to his guidance and sit on your calves as he places your hands flat against his bare chest, just above the softness of his stomach, feeling his heartbeat under your palms. “Like this.”

“But, I want to see you for this.” It’s nearly a beg, more of a test to see how easy he gives into your wants, but he chuckles in response and taps at your chin once. So, that was a no.

Despite how quickly he got off from a single look, his cock stuffed into your mouth and his hand gripping hard at the root of your scalp—maybe he was actually doing himself a favor.

Your shoulders slump slightly, barely noticeable but you smile and trail your fingertips down his abdomen, featherlight as the muscle flexes underneath your touch and they hover around the hem of pants as you lean forward and aim to press a kiss to his sternum, his chest, down and down until you feel your lips brush against the waistband.

“Take it out,” He encourages, “wanna watch you.”

You pull at the waistband with your teeth playfully, curious of just how quickly you're driving Lucien up the wall with the way you're acting, the material catching over his stiff, hard cock and allowing your hands to help you get them the rest of the way down. 

Lucien is kind enough to be a guiding hand, thumb pressed against the side of your jaw as he guides you forward, feeding the head of his cock past your lips, tongue dragging along the tip and under, the brush of foreskin like soft, warm velvet.

And you have him in the palm of your hand like this, despite how helpless you must look. It only takes a few minutes before Lucien is louder, mouthier with his words and harsh with his matching thrusts into your mouth.

Frustrated, Lucien pulls at the knot on your blindfold hastily, the soft grunts of his impending orgasm loud in your ears, feeling so starved of sight that when the blindfold falls away and your eyes open and you’re overwhelmed with light, ignoring the fact that Lucien’s cock was nearly pressing against the back of your throat.

But, it’s quickly nulled out by Lucien, towering over you and blocking most of the harsh fluorescence that drown out the room around you, eyes falling close again despite being free of the blindfold as you take him until your nose is pressing against his groin, the fingers resting at the back of your neck squeezing harshly.

Selfishly, he wants to keep you here for a while longer. A few minutes, a few hours.

“Relajate,” Lucien forces out, his mouth hanging open on the word as you pull away, now wide-eyed and wiping away the string of spit that connects you to him, “there’s no rush.”

You smirk at his words, grinning up at him before you lick at the head of his cock, wrapping your hand around his shaft as you respond, “For you, maybe. But, I want you to fuck me.”

Lucien’s fingers dance along the shell of your ear, drifting down the column of your neck until his palm covers the expanse of it before gripping firmly, a soft gasp ripping from your throat as he forces you to straighten, leaning down into your space.

“Slow, princesa,” Lucien demands, “Or you’ll regret it later.”

As if that didn’t already intrigue you enough, you nod subtly and return his mischievous grin.

Slow is what you give him, long strokes as you circle your tongue around the head of his cock, occasionally dipping your head down to lick the underside of his shaft, too dangerously close to his balls, taut from how obviously he was straining to hold off, his usually perfectly quaffed hair sticking to his forehead and every which way.

There is no wondering—you could do this all day if you wanted, bringing him right to the edge but never quite falling, like he enjoyed doing to you, a shared pastime you’ve explored a few times but clearly not enough—because eventually you just get impatient.

Thankfully he seems to understand, nodding as your lips hover near his cock, playful kisses pressed against his pubic bone and scattered around until you finally decide to swallow him down, a few minutes later and he’s coming down your throat, eyes watering at the force but his eyes are locked on your own and you swallow on instinct, taking a sharp breath when he finally pulls back, seemingly just as wrecked as you were a half hour ago as he slumps into the bed, landing on back beside you, his hand rubbing over your knee tenderly.

“Are you up for a snack?” 

You look at him quizzically, bemused at his question.

“Is that code?” You tease, fingers scratching at his overgrown stubble beard, “Should I be worried?”

“No, I’m hungry,” Lucien laughs gruffly, groaning as he turns on his side and slips off the bed, walking naked to the door and out of the room casually, coming back into the room with a sizeable plate of cut fruit and you grin, his heel forcing the door closed behind him. “See?”

He offers the plate up as proof as he sets it at the bedside table, though his fingers linger near the closed drawer a few centimeters beneath it. And you know where things are heading, the routine isn’t always the same, but Lucien liked to cover most, if not all the bases on nights where he was really needing the distraction. It seemed to be one of those nights, watching as his fingers dipped inside the drawer to grab the wrist restraints that hooked to the center of his headboard, a soft material that helped with comfort but made it damn near impossible to slip out if you really wanted to while your hands were hooked up.

But, that’s what Lucien wanted. The ability to trust that he would know your limits or that you would trust him enough to react to the safe word if you ever, for any reason, needed to use it.

“Oh—” Your gaze lingers and Lucien rubs the material in his hands.

“This alright?” He wonders, though the glint in your eye is enough of an answer.

You laugh softly through your nose and take the binding in his hand, slipping your wrist through the loops, leisurely scooting back until you hit the headboard, raising your arms above your head, “You tell me?”

Lucien chews absently at his bottom lip as he takes a rogue bite out of one of the strawberries on the plate before leaning onto his knee against the mattress, securing the restraint into place. A small latch that was also accessible to you if needed. He leans down quickly and you’re unprepared for the suddenness of it but he presses against you in a slow, sloppy kiss that leaves you chasing after the sweet juice that lingered in his mouth, mixed with the glass of malt whiskey he’d had earlier.

“Blindfold too?” You ask curiously.

Lucien shakes his head distractedly and takes his seat beside you on the bed, facing in the opposite direction so you’re both facing each other. The lack of clothing should feel distracting, but you’re too focused on his face, watching as he carefully bunches up the leaves on a strawberry and presses it to your lips, tongue curling around it and biting into it with a soft crunch.

‘What’s with the food?” You ask with a slightly furrowed brow, food stuffed in your cheek as you chew, “Not that I’m complaining but…this is…”

“Baby, relax,” He notices the tensing of the muscles in your forearm, nodding in the general direction—you hadn’t realized how hard you were curling your hands into fists until he pointed it out, “—remember the new assistant I hired?”

Another bite and the strawberry is done for, Lucien’s finger following as he wipes away the mess of juice around your bottom lip, savoring it for himself as he presses his thumb against his thumb and sucks and if he sees the way your thighs inch together, he doesn’t say anything. 

You hum in acknowledgment and chew at the fruit, remembering the fresh-faced and terrified young man who Lucien had given a shot to after firing his old assistant—the embezzling funds was a problem, but he also insisted that he needed a fresh start, but you didn’t think he meant that fresh.

“I was craving it,” Lucien shrugged, “He went and picked up a bunch of shit.”

“Craving it,” You mince the words and Lucien chuckles, noticing your pointed gaze, “—for a sex thing, clearly.”

Caught. Sort of. 

Lucien was big on trying new things—it was harmless, but the way he had tore into a peach during the picnic luncheon at for the acting agency both he and Rose worked under, eyes locked on you as he split it in half and shared the other half with you, less than careful about the way he cleaned up the juices on himself and you, finding yourself unexpectedly drooling over him in one of your less than finest moments. It was either the delicious fruit or an oral fixation. Maybe both. 

He shoved a slice of kiwi between his teeth and leaned forward, pressing the fruit into your mouth and following with his tongue, devouring you into a kiss that has you whining quietly into his mouth, pulling away as you leaned forward to chase after him, chewing at the fruit in annoyance as you slumped back.

“Play nice, princesa.” Lucien teases.

“I am,” You retort with a sharp bite in your town, “you are making me wait.”

Lucien takes the ringlet slice of pineapple and squeezes it over your bare chest, down the valley of your breasts and you gasp at the sudden change in temperature against your hot to the touch skin, eyes snapping to the liquid traveling to your belly button.

“Lucien!” 

You shriek, watching as he tossed the mangled fruit aside and made his ascent, licking from your belly button to the junction of your neck in one go, hovering over you with a devilish smile.

“If you don’t fuck me right now—” You gritted through clenched teeth and he presses his forehead against your own, giving you nowhere to hide as he stares you down, “I swear to god, Luce—”

“You trust me, right?”

“Stupid question,” You retort, nudging him back with your nose, “of course.”

Lucien hides the bemused expression on his face as he looks away, leaning over the side of the bed for a couple items that are out of your line of sight but quickly come into view as he lays them against your stomach, his thighs slotted underneath your own, taut muscle rubbing against your skin.

“Thought we could,” He separates them out carefully along your abdomen, “try a few at once.”

A gag—familiar and frequently used, black leather around a silicone black ball. A different blindfold, more like a sleep mask—it looked like Lucien’s sleep mask, actually. He could use the traditional one he tends to stick with but it seems he’s aiming for comfort here, fingers tracing along the last item with a raised brow.

“Ear buds? Really, Lucien? Headphones?” You giggle softly, “You want me to listen to music while we—”

“No, no—” Your laughter is infectious and he chuckles too, “baby, they’re just noise canceling.”

“Oh?” Your wrist yanks in interest before you realize you’re still restrained.

“If it’s too much, we don’t have to.” Lucien is very clear about that, fingertips pressed into the sheets beside your hips. 

“You really like when I give over control, don’t you?” You tease playfully.

“Como siempre.” He says softly before leaning down to nip at your breasts, eyes flicking up at you.

“Okay, yes. But—” You look up at your hands, bound but not uncomfortable, “maybe no blindfold. I’ll keep my eyes closed but I want to see you. I like being able to see you.”

Lucien nods in agreement, a slow and treatours pace he takes as he retreats, tongue dragging down the center of your body and still tasting slightly of citrus. He smirks at your obvious squirming before doing away with the blindfold and allowing himself to get everything else in order.

The gag comes first, a small muffled grunt as he tightens the strap around the back of your head, adjusting it until you give him a solid nod. It helped that despite your inability to communicate verbally that Lucien had created a way for you to rid yourself of your wrist restraints whenever everything felt a little too much but you weren’t worried about using your safe word, a small latch connected to the metal chain that linked you to the headboard, easily accessible. And then the headphones, an odd experience to say the least—you can’t imagine what kind of money Lucien wasted on these because they immediately drown out all noise, the small buds resting in your ears and relatively out of sight.

It feels ridiculous, but when Lucien speaks and you can’t hear, your heart races with an anticipation you’ve never felt before. Exhilaration, more like.

You have no other choice than to watch—watch as Lucien settles comfortably back, kneeling as he runs his fingers along the underside of his cock and down to his balls, cupping them and rolling them around leisurely, your eyes watching every single movement, teeth baring down gently around the ball as he fists him, fingers dragging over his shaft and working himself up quickly, his chest slightly flushed from a mix of your previous activities and now, his eyes never settling on one piece of your body for too long.

You communicate through nods and eye contact, feelings incredibly vulnerable in the moment, watching as Lucien pressed himself inside of you with slow intention and you swear you can hear the deep exhale he forces out through his nose as it flares before he settles and gives you no time at all to prepare, a small gasp escaping you as your finger tighten around the slack in the strap connection your wrist cuffs to the bed, a slow but deep snap of his hips that shatters your focus, back arching into his touch as his fingers run along your spine and dig in, gripping you tight, practically sitting in his lap with the angle he has you held at.

“Mi vida,” He sighs, knowing you can’t hear him, “mi vida, mi vida, mi vida,” growing quiet with every utterance of it, “too perfect for me, baby.”

The vibration of his voice is pressed against your collarbone, his nose dragging along the junction of your neck and you’re so curious of what he’s saying, but you try not to let your mind wander—not that he allows much of that, gradually switching the pace to something stronger.

You wished you were stronger than Lucien liked to give you credit for, but you do find that your impatience eats away at you, coming in short whines and pleading looks and Lucien catches your gaze, eyes soft and watery. 

He’s breathing out in short grunts through his mouth and you can see his nose scrunch up as he groans, fingers digging into your skin, squeezing tight at your hips—you can’t do it anymore, reaching your fingers up to grasp at the latch keeping your arms hoisted up, falling back in a heap with Lucien pressed against your chest, hastily slipping your hands out of the binding.

Lucien catches on quickly, working the gag off and tossing it aside, hearing it clink heavily against a nearby object but neither of you bother looking and quickly discarding the headphones on the nightstand, his forearms coming around your head to barricade you in.

You’ve never felt more safe.

“Pobrecita, come on,” Lucien coos, “ask for it, yeah? You want me to touch you?” Lucien moans heavily against your skin, your own hands twisting it his hair, fingers curling gently around the back of his ears, “Want me to make you come with my cock inside you? Is that what you need?”

“Yes,” You whine softly, “touch me—please, just touch me.”

He doesn’t move quick enough, finding that your hand quickly searches for his own, pressing it between your bodies and his fingers know you, working like muscle memory as he circles your clit a combination of his middle and ring and it’s nearly instantaneous, a mix of built up tension and desperate need for release. Your fingers pinch at the skin of his neck as you come, pulling the hair at the nape of neck and breathing in a sharp gasp, mouth hung open in silence as your eyes squeeze shut.

“That’s it, baby.” Lucien breathes quietly, pressing a gentle kiss to your breast as you come, eventually finding your lips and kissing you thoroughly, silencing your weak moans, chest heaving deeply in the aftermath as he pulls back, nothing he’s on the edge himself.

“I want you in my mouth again,” You sound desperate, tilting your chin up to meet his gaze from where he towers over you, fists gripping the sheets, “wanna taste us together, baby.”

Lucien rises suddenly, one palm pressed against the headboard as he grips his cock with the other, quickly spilling over your stomach, a sigh punches from his chest as he comes down, flush with a slight embarrassment at how easily it was for you to work him up.

“Or not,” You say through a tired laugh, soft and airy, “too much?”

“Never.” Lucien assures, brow furrowing in amusement as he drags a finger through the mess he made, bringing it to your mouth and allowing you to suck, lick, and make an over the top and unnecessary show as you swallow his cum and Lucien feels his cock twitch between his legs, despite how tired his body felt. 

“Jesus, princesa,” He laughs, “—greedy tonight?”

You mirror his actions, bringing your own finger into the mess before pressing it into his mouth—and Lucien opens with a lust-drunk grin, capturing your wrist in a tight grip and licking off his own spend from your finger.

“Absolutely.”

And thank god, because your night was far from over.

↝ beta: @ramblers-lets-get-ramblin

↝ divider credit: yours truly.

[phxntomhives]

Welcome to my sideblog

That has most likely become my main one. But idk how to change main and second one. So yeah. So if you see @phxntomhives-98 it's still me. I just don't know why sometimes I can't switch accounts and sometimes I can.

I will try to keep this blog mostly related to Kuroshitsuji and twst but who knows what I will like next. From memes (mostly repost because I am not that funny) to theories you can find anything here.

I am not spoiler free BUT I try my best to protect the new fans and hide things under the cut. Unfortunately, I am human, so you may run into spoilers, I am truly sorry.

I am 25, she/her pronouns, INTP. I would love to get to know more people in the fandoms I am in, but eeeh my social skills are lacking. So feel free to hit my dms, I don't bite I promise. I am trying to make more moots/mutuals pls

Here most thing you can find me posting about/comments etc (under the cut because it became long ops)

Kuroshitsuji/Black Butler

Sebaciel shippers do not interact. I will just block and move on. If you see me liking one post tagged like that it's because I am stupid and I don't always read the tags, pls let me know and I will fix the problem.

Now that the important part is over: I AM SO EXCITED FOR THE NEW SEASON AAH. The Weston College arc is my favourite so I am very happy and it feels so nice to see my children here :3

I am up to date with the manga as well, so if you need to cry with someone, I am here. Sobbing.

My fave is Ciel, and Lizzie slander shall not be tolerated (half joking, you are free to dislike her but I am ready to fight at any time to defend her).

A couple of things you may want to check? If you are bored???

New manga chapter comments under: #Phxntomhives Kuro manga yapping

Analysis/theories

"The Parade of Battlers" song analysis

Finny grew up (chapter 211 spoilers)

Short analysis of the GFantasy May cover

The unlucky fate of the P4

Silly theory of the cricket's ending dance

Edgar sure is very much unlucky when it comes to life decision...

About Lizzie's anger (reblog theory)

Chapter 209 crack theory (to welcome denial)

Short analysis of Bluewer talking to Ciel during the Midnight party (from a reblog)

Short analysis of Undertaker's GFantasy cover

Headcanons

P4 headcanons

My kuro AU, kuro AU pt 2

Gregory scream headcanons (kind of angst)

Pandora Hearts

Very new to the fandom and I understood like half of it. Anyway it's beautiful and you all should read it! Come cry with me!

Here some fresh thoughts after I read the last chapter

Headcanon to hurt my soul

Vanitas no carte/The case study of Vanitas

Up to date with both anime and manga! And not so patiently waiting for each update. I miss them, I hope for a new chapter soon.

Twisted Wonderland (JP SERVER)

Up to date with main story and eons behind with the events ops. No I do not know japanese, tho I am trying to learn, but I started the game when that was the only version avaiable and I will not start again on eng server sorry. (Technically I have started but I had no more space on my phone and one had to go)

If you are curious about what I think about the story check #phxntomhives twst yapping (because I plan to type a lot and refuse to keep updating this list it's supposed to be pretty after all)

Theories

Events are canon. Part 2: wish upon a star.

Silver gets a title copium.

Tokyo Aliens

READ IT LEGALLY. FOR FREE. HERE I TELL YOU HOW.

WHY IS THERE NO FANDOM IT'S SUCH A NICE STORY. PLEASE GIVE IT A CHANCE.

I AM LIVING OF HALF A POST AND FANMADE TRANSLATION. HELP.

Parallels between Tokyo Aliens and Negai no Astro

Spoiler/Analysis from scans: chapter 41, chapter 42, chapter 43, chapter 44, chapter 45, chapter 46, chapter 47, chapter 48, chapter 49, chapter 50 (After I added these I basically took over the tags plsssss)

Dr stone

It's appearing more on my feed so I had the feeling I had to add this lol. I love it dearly, I finished the manga and I need to catch up with the anime. I am extremely worried about the rumored (?) new volume that is coming ngl

Negai no Astro

Damn, I am hooked.

Parallels between Tokyo Aliens and Negai no Astro

Aaand honestly many more, feel free to ask! If it helps, here is my not updated because it takes forever MyAnimeList! But I probably missed many of them so really, just come and ask.

I may drop some suggestions to read too sometimes, here they are

Suggestions for you <3

Why you should read Merry Marbling

If you like Negai no Astro or Tokyo Aliens PLEASE CHECK THE OTHER SERIE MENTIONED.

[columbiastapshoes]

so if a modern version of frank-n-furter, janet, columbia, and magenta from the rocky horror picture show formed a riot grrrl/rock/sometimes other genres girl(ish) band would that be crazy or what?

AU TIME YIPPEEEEE!! made this one with irl friend @hatsunerandal a while back and i’ve been meaning to post about it i just keep forgetting LMAO so yeah!! band au!!

this band is called the transsexual pussycats because. yeah.

we have everyone on vocals, janet on drums and guitar, frank also on drums and guitar (they switch which one does which (that was a lot of rhyming)), columbia on bass, and magenta also on guitar and keyboards :D

“don’t be cringe about it” NEVER. COLUMBIA IS SCENE NOW RAAAAHH 🦅🦅🦅🦅

janet’s style is just. lana del ray vinyl. and magentas goth and franks punk yaaay!!!

irl friend and i have put together a total of. 4 albums i think? and i am almost done with the fifth one! our process is just. find already existing songs, plop them in a playlist, and then write paragraphs about who sings what and who wrote what and what they wrote the songs about etc etc! quite a fun process if i do say so myself :3

albums 1, 3, and 4 were done by me, album 2 was done by irl friend!! their names are “mcpussy meal” (we almost named the band mcpussy but after i said “old mcpussy had a farm eieio” we changed our minds), “lord of the lesbian jellyfish”, “one girl, 69420 women”, “honestly,” and the fifth one which im not quite done with is “rose blood”!! we’re slaying with the names as u can see! the songs mostly stick to a rock/riot grrrl sound, but they can also do some more pop/hyperpop or electronic songs, and i felt REALLY silly and added a folk song to rose blood :3

now. u might be asking. where is the rest of the cast? what part do they play in this au? well!! for one thing columbia and eddie broke up (she’s with magenta now i love lesbians) and she has written at least one song about him per album 🫶 but other than that he’s out of the picture, along with pretty much everyone else…

EXCEPT FOR BRADLEY MAJORS.

i told my friend about brad in this au and they just said “brad def has groupie energy that 1000% works” and i think about that a lot LMAO he’s not actually a groupie he’s just their biggest fan ever even though he doesn’t even listen to their style of music. he attends every concert, has all the merch, is basically just so embarrassing about it i love him dearly. he’s also in a qpr with janet and dating frank yahoo!! i fucking LOVE the brad/janet dynamic in this au because all of her concert outfits are so slutty and so pink and after the shows and after hugging her aggressively he’s like “you’re wearing so little are you cold :( wear my jacket i don’t want you getting sick” and in one of the songs she is quite literally screaming her lungs out and im just imagining him watching that at a rehearsal and being like “Yay!! :-D” he’s the silliest ever actually

it’s also a canon event that the band got interviewed by that one guy with the hat who goes WHO ARE YOU i hope u know who im talking about if u don’t im so sorry that was so vague

ok those are the basics!! if ppl see this and enjoy it feel free to ask me questions about it i love talking about my silly guys so very much and thank u so much for reading this far 😭😭

[limerental]

I'm reading the Witcher books for the first time and I just wanted to ask: did you have any difficulty enjoying your time reading them? It says in your bio that you're a Witcher books enjoyer, but have they ever been difficult to swallow at any point for you? I don't know, sometimes I feel like I'm getting through by the skin of my teeth. Like that weird shtick with Dandelion during the dragon hunt, or the way Triss was acting during her time in Kaer Morhen and in regards to Geralt in general. I'm still in Blood of Elves, but I fear more moments I'm going to dislike are coming as I go on. I really want to catch up on the events that've only been hinted at in the games, but God it's been hard, and I just want to know if other people have experienced this or if it's just me. Do you have any advice? Sorry for the long ask, thanks for your time!

Oh I don't think you're alone tbh, my initial impression of the books from others when I was freshly in the fandom was that they weren't worth reading because of those moments. The books fully are written by an old white European dude in the 90s, and I don't think the translation does it any favors at times.

But no, I personally didn't have trouble continuing the books for those reasons, because the characters and the story overall and the method of story-telling fully gripped me. You just have to discount some stuff as written by a man disease to embrace the rest frankly. Of course, there is stuff I hate and reject. And it's all down to your tolerance.

Some people find Ciri's story later on to be bleak torture porn, but I don't think that that's a fair assessment. I love Ciri's story very dearly as a story of defiance and trauma and survival. You may disagree, who knows!

A lot of my love for the books comes from the potential of rolling around in a really diverse, open-ended canon that's basically 20 different stories in a trenchcoat but the dark comedy satirical tone of the books also gives me permission to take any of it as seriously or as flippantly as I want. There's a lot of vague politics and a lot of "anachronisms" and a lot of silly fantasy tropes and a lot of characters that exist purely to tell someone else's story and a lot of commentary on the fantasy genre as a whole.

And yeah, there's nipples. There's a lot of nipples. Sorry.

[kobiiioo]

complicated.

brief summary and context for the hanpunk animatic i posted:

tbh,

the whole lyrics of the song pretty much explains how lihan feels towards hobie like there’s not much to really talk about ig ?? but actually ☝️🤓 if yall want a better description of the situation,

the whole scene takes place in HQ (wasn’t it obvious) and it’s one of lihan’s routine to sit at a random table with her morning coffee and just watch other spider people passing by, spending her afternoon in peace.

after a while being part of the SS, she starts to get along better with other people, meaning getting along with him.

she’s conscious of how she behaves around him and how she feels towards him. she’s not so obvious with it since she’s an expert at hiding her emotions and she’s definitely not the type to tell ANYBODY that she has a crush on someone in general (nor does she know how to express herself)

bUT she guessed that he probably already caught her many times being all flustered, clumsy and annoyed by his teasing and that he pretends to be clueless about it (which is true) since she’s just really silly and sometimes gets nervous around him AUAUAU ☹️

anw she then spots him being surrounded by people, seeing how everyone looks at him with sparks in their eyes, their gaze filled with admiration and intimidation.

and in that moment, she starts to feel a strange feeling she’s felt once before. she hates it because she exactly knows why others looks at him that way.

i mentionned on my previous post that lihan has always been envious of her brother.

that’s how she feels towards hobie too.

he’s just so cool, so confident, charismatic, clever and especially honest. he’s everything that she could never be. and this reminds her so much of her brother but it’s srsly not new since she kinda saw it coming.

she also realizes how often she zones out when watching him and forgets the fact that she’s literally staring unbothered like-👁️👁️ and hobie sometimes would catch her and just stare back at her as well so they’re just staring at each other like 👁️👁️ and then she snaps out of it before turning away all flustered LMFAO idiots 😔

anw this is not what i wanted to talk about but basically while she’s zoning out, she gets reminded of one specific event (will talk about this on another post as well) that made her realize that she totally had the wrong image of him, only seeing him as annoying and as a silly guy. and it’s this part where she’s staring up at him as he’s facing his back and then looking back at her.

the fact that she’s down and staring up at him is also a way of showing that he seems to be untouchable and unattainable to her, someone she can never truly hold in her embrace, someone she can only look at from afar and appreciate their beauty, someone she can never call “mine”.

this emphasizes with the only part where there are no blue shade (it’s kind of like a flashback) where they’re just smiling at each other and their hands are almost about to touch but as you can see, only lihan’s hand moves but not hobie’s.

yall know what that means ?

yeah.

it’s one sided. it’s not reciprocal.

but who knows what he feels towards her ? right ? as she’s walking away, hobie reaches his hand out to stop her, to hold back and maybe catch something that’s more important than he thought, slipping out of his hand.

but did he ended up catching it ?

nope.

and yes,

that’s exactly why their relationship is a unrequited love (i have a very serious problem with this trope)

and thus she knows. she knew from the beginning as soon as she sensed that she started feeling something stronger towards him.

she sensed the tension between them and that whatever they had and whatever it was, it could never happen.

she didn’t even had expectations in the first place. she never even imagined she’d fall for someone like him. and even though it’s hard for her to even believe this truth,

she loves him.

so dearly and wholeheartedly.

and she doesn’t want to love him just for the hope to become something more than what they are. she’s satisfied with what she has and she’s simply grateful to have him around.

she doesn’t want to complain because whenever she did, she always lost something. (suhhan *COUGHS*)

even though it does make her sad that they’ll probably not (unless 👀) be more, what truly agonizes her the most is that until the end, she’ll never have the guts to reach her hand out to hold his.

(ps: she’s such an idiot i hate her ugh she makes me so freaking sickkk AAAA💔 this is so stupid she is me i am her we are the same person ahagshhs 😁)

[crashlapine]

so uh, adventure time spoilers even though it's been a good decade i guess

elaborating on the tags on that last reblog, i've been goin in hard on marathoning the original adventure time series. i say 'original' because the fionna and cake thing apparently got made into a full-blown series of its own that takes place quasi-post mainline adventure time or something? who knows. been trying to remain spoiler-free

anyway. what the fuck is this show dude.

like i've always heard people mention it gets heavy, but vague memories of what i remember watching as a kid (back when cable was something i had access to, roughly during just seasons one and two) all made it very hard to put aside the original impression i had that it was just some funny quirky thing i used to watch. some fun little show where "mathmatical!" is a family-friendly exclamation for adventure and all swears and expletives are substituted with random g-rated humor

like, willing to bet everyone at this point is at least sorta familiar with the post-apocalyptic setting/backdrop running underneath it all; i remember back in its airtime when everyone treated it as a big deal, how folks here loved to theorize about it before the explicit confirmation in-show

but... now, actually sitting down to watch this all in order, seeing this silly thing slowly turn into this heavy episodic mess about loss, manipulation, the legacy you're expected to leave behind, identity (and a lack of ties to one's own), and god knows what else... the post-apoc theming's much less a Shocking Reveal, and more just... "yeah, that's just the setting. life goes on. this is how we've dealt with the fallout in trying to rebuild society, fixing our mistakes" since s03/s04.

as funny as it feels to get into a long post about a show aimed at kids and teens, we also have literal episodes like [spoilers] finn getting his own dominant arm completely torn off while trying to chase down his absent father, with the only thing stopping him from bleeding out is a mix of Cursed Artifact and Pool Of Healing fantasy tropes, going on to spend the next episode, and i mean the full fucking runtime of the episode [s06e04, "The Tower"], in a dissociative/depressive state, absentmindedly building a tower to the heavens above in some vain revenge-driven attempt to find his father again just so he can rip /his/ arm off as eye-for-an-eye payback, operating off the vague notion the dude escaped earth's orbit and is just 'up there' somewhere. the only thing that stops him and snaps him out of that state is passing out from a lack of oxygen at the elevations he reaches.

like, imagine tuning into a rerun of a random episode of this show and eleven minutes of /that/ is what you get, devoid of context. there's no adventure there. this isn't fun. but you can't bring yourself to fault the kid, either, seeing the events of the past dozen episodes that built up to that point. this little story arc is hardly the only time this kind of thing happens, and the consequences of each one of these events is never neglected by the writing team. it resonates through the rest of the story, constantly

all taken together, it feels like the main motto of this series season four and on has become some reassurance to the viewer that "life can throw a lot of shit your way, and we don't always know how to handle these things. but for better or worse, life goes on. it has to."

marathoning this series properly has been a trip that resonates close to home too often in too many ways, as weirdly high-fantasy complete nonsense as it can be. feels weird to acknowledge that.

i'm gonna miss this show dearly once i'm through with it

[ashuribbon]

NO YOU'RE RIGHT because imagine Pure Vanilla i like 98% corrupted or something and nothing is working to stop him

But at the very last moment White Lily admits her feelings for him after so, so many years and they kiss or something and it works

If that happens, the Ashuribbon prophecy will be fulfilled /j /silly

"Goddamnit, Pure Vanilla! F*cking kiss the woman already!"

YEAH!! Like Pure Vanilla was one step away from corruption in the entire event, and when Shadow Milk was sealed away, I didn't feel an ounce of relief (okay, maybe I did), because like I said, seeing Shadow Milk Cookie's warning, he will escape again. It feels like he is trying to break White Lily through the person she loves dearly. We've seen him try to succeed, and to no avail because of White Lily alone.

May my theories become real within the next episode. /lhj

"Ah, but I care for the earth!" /quote

[spotaus]

Hi. So. I'm here to go feral over this rq-

Okay gonna be 100% with you chief, I'm not sure where this rb is going to end up going because my brain just keeps going between how masterfully you write bonding moments and thinking about Horror absolutely scruffing Nine and Rahna- so, my apologies if it's a little silly this time around!

So, first off, YAY!!! NINE PERSPECTIVE!!! Gods you write him SO good, Ancha. He's got such a personality and it makes so so so much sense for his character and lore! Him being a conniving bastard was a central part to his lore and you caught it perfectly (ex. Joining Regius (spelling it wrong-) in a feigned attempt to get into the meeting with a secret agenda the whole time-) and it just! Doesn't stop! He keeps going!!!

And boy when I tell you when I picked up on the fact that the direction Nine's opinion of Cross went was that he was useless and didn't have any personality? And that Rahna and assumedly the others share that belief? (I know it's because they didn't let him flourish or support him at all, it was mostly Ink, Night, the Knights, and Ccino who did the heavy lifting but!!!) Ough I was gonna explode because. Yes. For this self-important skeleton, who believes he is always in the right? Cross was exactly that, and if he hadn't grown out of it since the last time they saw each other, then nothing must have changed. Ougghhhhhh

And!!!! HARPER AND SHEP!!!! The scream I scrumpt at figuring out they were the ones guarding the hall! Like, one: yeah, that checks. Two: THE BABIES!!!!!! Oh Harper being so so chill (whether it's because she knows she could probably take both of them or because she's very aware Horror is nearby, either and/or both are amazing-) and Shep being Shep!!! Harper acted as the initial, unmoving, roadblock. Shep acted as the absolutely bonkers second act- And their banter!! They're friends! (or at least Harper's been on duty with him enough to use humor-) Nine and Rahna are having horrific imagniations of what happened to Shep and Shep is just standing there like 'hehehhehe got 'em >:]' Thank you so dearly for bringing these two back to my doorstep <3

And Rahna sensing that they were gonna get decked if they didn't move along is SO fun! Was that absolutely a hint in my book that either Killer or Horror was there? Yeag. Is it absolutely even funnier to know that neither of them knew 'who' was the danger, just that there was some and that they should scoot off?

And then the tapestries... I love the fact that this implies that, about 3 years after announces his current form and continued rule, that he eventually decided to have the tapestry finished and ready to continue for the next generation. The three new panels made me SO giddy as I was reading about them. The portion where the goopy Night is sending little Dream away. Goopy Night symbolically passing the crown to Little/current night (though I imagine it's more directly saying, by overlapping them, that 'hey, this is the same guy') and then the rule with the twins together again with the merged symbols and the visible age difference??? Waugh???? This is SUCH a good way of showing everything that happened, my goodness! And I adored the way Nine perceived it with his -5 knowledge to go off of! It was still extremely clear to readers who would know the ritual and events by now (me. i'm talking about me, I'm crazy-) and yet the interpretation makes sense for Nine and could totally be believed by any other person in-universe to believe as well, which would be entirely useful for Nightmare later on down the line! Genius!

Also poor Rahna- The folks in Nightmare's castle are so free from the fears of bad flirting and predatory behavior that they really just said 'haha, she's weird. Let's just send these guys straight towards the knight least-likely to take their shit :)' And went about their days. Gods I know this is my story but like, you bring the energy to life just right!! Raugh!!!!! (Also Nine throwing shade at his bestie like that, omg...)

Every bit of the Dust and Cross moments were beautiful to me... Nine and Rahna watching from behind barrels, eavesdropping for sure, but god-honestly just gobsmacked by the horses for 80% of it was beautiful.

Okay. Okay. Limestone and Cross are so great to me, especially with how it's obvious he's used Limestone for rides, but much less combat-based moments, so he's still uncertain and nervous. Perfect for him to learn, perfect for Dust to teach. And Dust explaining to him that he needs to trust Limestone as much as Limestone needs to be able to trust him?? Chef's kiss!!! (Also I loved the touch from Nine about how little force was needed to get Limestone moving. And on the topic of Nine, how degrading he was and how obviously frustrated he was getting when just *watching* someone teach Cross. Oh boy, his impatience knows no bounds, no wonder Cross was so anxious about learning/being taught!)

Also I love the way you wrote all the parts where they were riding, the techniques and the toes and such! Did you have to do research or did you know that off the top of your head??

Fun Geno mention btw! I giggled and kicked my feet about that one. Not only was it great timing to show off that, yes Nine they DO have powerful cool magic things, but also a nod to the healing relationship! (And Cross being frustrated over it was still do so funny- "You're literally the only one who would need something like this, Dust" he's not wrong!) And when it came back into play during Dust's showing off tricks?? Ough. I've said it before, I'll say it again, Geno's flirting style would have absolutely worked on me- Who said that?

Anyways. Back to the scenes with the horses. I liked the little worldbuilding bits too that reference back to unseen scenes from way before, when Cross was still in Ritten and under Xgaster's watch. Because Nine mentioning that Cross never used to seem anxious, or wriggle, or talk with his hands, or smile (that one hurt-) and so surely this was something wrong and different, right? Surely they had done something to his little brother. But it becomes more and more apparent that. no. This is natural healing and something done with help and something that he brother always had in him but never had the safe-space to do so, and he only shakes the initial villainization by twisting the narrative to convince himself that Dust must've been the reason Cross seemed to be doing relatively better.

Which. Btw. Nine was so funny at the start. I loved how he badmouthed Nightmare internally and swore that he was a fake, weak, false king (the 'taking too long' and 'he doesn't know how they secured a treaty with Sanctuary' is SO funny to me with narrator knowledge. Knowing Night's basically putting them through a test that they aren't even aware is happening-) and mentioning Prince Dream (Yippe!! glad to see Dream by Nightmare's side again!!!) should take over because Nightmare is obviously younger than him, and it's only a matter of time before things can go south- And then badmouthing internally the knights for being inattentive as he snuck around (Shout-out to the Cats <3) and calling Horror weird and surely no good with the hole in his skull (Ancha ur the funniest author ever for having Nine think 'injuries like that don't just happen' because he is SO wrong-) and Killer just. For being Killer and telling him off like he had. And then the presumptions about Ccino and that his 'Head of House' title was just a front for something else. And THEN assuming Dust was only a Knight by title because of how well he handled the horses and Nightmare just needing to keep him around through any means nessicary. He fumbles almost every assumption possible and I love him for that <3 but then. Sorry. Back on track. Dust. he looks at Dust being a good (Brother, but he's not processing that) Teacher to Cross and decides that. Yeag. This guy is tiny and I'd tower over him and he has a freaky connection to horses and he's kinda cute... Dammit why didn't I wear the good armor! Bro thinks he's going to seduce Dust back to Ritten when he takes Cross- I was cackling at how that bit was included, it meant the world to me to see this man gain a crush and then immediately fumble so so badly.

And the- ough the scene with Dust letting Cross speak and listening and then absolutely reassuring him that it was okay and that he is 'perfect' the way he is now and he doesn't have to be who he was before or bend to anyone's expectations??? Helo??? Hello can anyone hear me, I'm sobbing!!! Having Cross walk away from it a little bleary-eyed too? That's some good brotherly heart to heart I swear- Oh and the hug, and Cross being so worried about it and Dust just reassuring him- I'm weeping

And Horror. Horror Scruffing Nine and Rahna before they could go and screw it all up? Holding them down behind the barrels and telling them (but very pointedly Nine) to just shut up and listen to Cross for once? Oh the shock they both had about being spotted and snuck up on, the realizations from both of them as Cross spoke about his fears, the gut-punch of Dust being so kind to Cross and Nine getting the first edges of a wake-up call finally? And the moment Dust spells it out, referring to Lust as Cross' boyfriend? That being the final nail in the coffin that, yes, he appears to have been wrong. Friends, colleagues, they all could have ulterior motives or be forced to be around you, but a partner? Partners were probably one of many many things that never even occurred to Nine for Cross to have, and it being spelled out that Cross has a partner, who he would like to go spend time with, who supposedly was known to other and who would help him calm down? Cross has to have changed if that was the case. Ten could hardly hold a conversation, Nine couldn't imagine that little soldier trying to hold hands, let alone be in a committed relationship. And as it was, everything, all the evidence, weighed up!

And dudeeee. Dust finding such a good way to get Cross so leave (for his own good) and not ruining the mood was so tasty. Not the way he strolled over and made a straight stare at them! Talking over them just to Horror! The two of them calling them children and Nine realizing just how long they were trailed and how oblivious he's been?? And them getting pulled back inside and passing the maids- gods those two need a raise because their drama-loving vibes totally paid off in the funniest way possible (again, rip Rahna-). The two of them continuously bringing up the time-out and Horror sticking around and Dust taking up his shift- I love them!!! This is horror-scenario levels of embarrassment for Rahna and Nine, but absolutely the best bonding time for Dust and Horror- Imagine getting a crush and then ur Crush immediately calls you childish and you get locked in jail-

And I love how harmless the punishment really is. It's not really clicking for him but the Knights are having a bit of fun with it. This is the brother who treated Cross so poorly and who keeps making their little brother uncomfortable, of course they're going to embarrass the shit out of him the moment he slips up! But they're not hurting them, not shackling them or using it to extort the Ritten royalty. They're literally doing exactly what they said, putting the kids in time-out! And they're having a good time about it too. petty revenge one might call it.

Oh. right! last note!! Nine realizing how much like his dad he's become!!!! WAUGH!!!! SUCH a good ending note!!! Bro got time-out to think about why he acts so much like Xgaster and maybe that's why his little brother is trying so hard to avoid him.

Okay I feel like there's more I could say but I think this ran a little long but. Oh this was so fun Ancha istg your cooking is amazing-

NewAgeAU Drabble - Nine does not equal Ten

Hi @spotaus ! I am not even sorry at this point!! I had an idea and I think by the title you can guess what it is about this time :3

We are in post story again! (i am keeping my strike going lmao) but this time? very different character. Nine :3 (also. Xundyne's name for now is Ranha, from piranha... because she is a fish monster and well... I wanted a fish themed name for her lmao)

Also warning. Nine think very degrading and judgemental. in case that bothers you.

He is also a very unreliable narrator lmao.

*----------------*

Nine makes sure to frown as he crosses his arms while his king, and co-king honestly, disappear into the meeting room with the brat that calls himself a king.

Nine only acts annoyed of course. He knew he wouldn't be allowed into the meeting room and he had been planning on it. It is hard to search this place if he is suposed to be in one room.

Ranha stands by his side, huffing and puffing as she mutters stuff under her breath. She is honestly annoyed with not being allowed inside the meeting room. Nine is sure she will be fine with it after he shares his plan.

Nine watches the brat acting as king lead his own king and his right hand inside. They would both be named king after the coup but the resistance hadn't wanted to push the people of Ritten too far. Nine watches as the crown prince, prince Dream, follows the child and Nine still doens't understand why Dream hasn't taken the crown yet. It can't be that hard to take the power from the younger skeleton. How Nightmare is still seen as king is a mystery to Nine.

Sure it seems like things are okay after three years but Nine knows not to bindly believe people. He had hoped that Ten would have finally learned that lesson by now but it seems that wasn't the case. But that is okay. Nine will be the great brother he was meant to be and get through to Ten and get him home. Easy.

The meeting room door closes and Nine nudges his best friend "Hush." and he nods towards the side. Ranha tilts her head and her red hair shifts slightly. She glances at the door before following him down the hallway.

"What is the big deal Nine?" She seems puzzles.

Nine looks back over his shoulder but nothing happens. Hah. See? And this is why Nightmare still being seen as king is a mystery to him. Those Knights are nothing but hot air as he doesn't even see any of them following him, no wonder Ten got accepted into the role so quickly, the knights clearly can't spot a single threat even when it is right in front of them. All he sees behind them is a prestine looking cat watching them.

"I knew they weren't going to let us join the meeting."

Ranha looks annoyed "Then why did you ask me to join you? I could be exploring the town and checking the stalls and stuff! See what people really think about their weird king and the weirdos here." the shark monster huffs.

Nine rolls his eyes "Because I am in the castle now. Which means I can finally find Ten and talk some sense into him."

Ranha stares shocked before she smiles broadly "Nine you are a genius! Lets go!"

Nine grins as he waves Ranha to follow him.

It isn't the first time he is in this castle. It is the fourth now. Each time Nine would just watch and wait only to not see Ten. This time he is going to search himself. Nine is lucky that Nightmare is a brat and clearly inexperienced with getting allies as it is taking his king and the brat king ages to get a treaty finalised. Honestly how Orchard managed to get Sanctuary as ally is still a mystery but Nine doesn't have time to figure out how this fake king is managing.

If Nine knows one thing is that kings like that will always fall by the brave people who are willing to stand against them.

But that isn't Nine's job. He already made the wrong choice like this before. When he picked the coup over his brother. When he didn't bother to help his brother adjust to all the heavy changes.

Nine had needed time. Time to even believe there were other options. To see that these options weren't wrong and could work for him. His friends had helped him see this. Yet Nine hadn't permitted Ten these insights and moments.

This time though! This time he will make this work! Even if Nine knows that Ten will never be able to fully adjust and become like them. He has gone through too much conditioning to ever be his own person again. But Nine can lead him in the right direction at least.

Ranha knows the way and it seems that she has the same plan as Nine had. Which is going straight towards the private wing.

None of them had allowed access to a whole wing of the castle. Apparently that was the royal's private wing. Which who needs a whole wing to themselves?!

Selfish pricks. All of them.

They turn the corner and get out into the hall. Nine ignores the many many tapestries. Ranha is right behind him as they make their way all the way through the next hall with large windows. They finally reach the right hallway and slow their running. They walk side by side with confidence as the near the entrance. There are two guards there but that doesn't matter. Nine is a visiting guard from a country their stupid king wants a treaty with. It will be easy to gain access.

Nine is a step away from entering the royal wing. He can't help but look at the arch leading into the next wing. The arch is large and high and seems to almost be like tree roots or branches. With small leaves and everything. It looks so livelike and Nine wonders who carved it, it straight up looks like living tree branches. Many other decorations and details just like this one are all across and around this castle.

He can't wonder much longer as the two guards cross their spears in front of Ranha and him.

Ranha glares "What are you doing? Let us through!"

A cat like monster, orange of colour, sounds very unamused "No one is allowed access into the king's wing." She looks unbothered.

The dog monster next to her grins "What Harper said. Shoo little kiddos." the grin makes the slight greying around his snout stand out. He has short trimmed fur and most obviously, the cut tail.

Nine huffs as he stands taller, easily towering over the black and white dog "I was allowed access."

The dog hums and taps his chin before shaking his head "Nope! Doesn't work like that!"

Harper nods "Indeed. Only the royal family and those allowed acces by either them of the Head of House are allowed entrance."

Nine wants to roll his eyes at the stupid head of house title. Everyone should know that is just some stupid coverup. Nine has his theories but for now he sees his in. He gives a charming smile as he nods "I know of course. But he told me himself he needed me to grab something for him." he grins as he wiggles his eye brows. Hinting at a secret meaning.

The dog and cat share a look before Harper looks unimpressed "We do not allow entrance to anyone unless he told us himself he allows entrance."

Ranha luckily sees what Nine is trying and joins in "We seriously got the go ahead! It is an emergancy that we are allowed in."

The dog shakes his head again "No can't do! The last time I didn't follow the orders they cut off my tail! And I only have one of those and I don't want to imagine what will go next."

Nine feels sick to deep in his soul. They... They did what?!

Harper glances at her partner unamused "Shut it Shep."

Shep grins at her "What do you think Harp! What will be next?"

Harper looks umimpressed "If I am lucky it will be your tongue."

Nine feels sick. What is wrong with these people? Why are they still here? What kind of hell and torture kingdom did his stupid younger brother get himself stuck in? Well not for long! Nine will make sure to tell the others everything.

But only after he managed to get Ten home. To get Ten away from this place before they realised that Nine was going to bring this whole kingdom down. He won't make the same mistake of ignoring his brother just because it would be harder for him. No. He will first free his brother and then they will bring this hellhole down and people will be celebrating them.

Harper looks unamused at them "You are not welcome here. Please remove yourself from this area or we will be forced to remove you ourselves." She sounds bored as she says this.

Nine is very sure he can take them but Ranha huffs and walks away. Nine looks back betrayed before following her.

They walk through the halls until they end up in the tapastry hall again. Nine glares at Ranha "Why would you-"

Ranha stops as she shakes her head "You don't understand. You know how I sometimes have these feelings? Of incoming attacks?" Nine nods. It was one of Ranha's many talents and how Ranha was undefeated.

Ranha continues to speak "When you got ready to get us inside. I felt it. This large... presence. Suddenly and ready." she shakes her head "Danger. I felt it was better to retreat and make a better plan."

Nine frowns but sighs "Fair enough. The chance that Ten would be there is rather small..." He may be one of his knights but Nine doubts they truly get anything aside from a title and more dangerous jobs. Well and the masks, those are rather cool. Nine would like a mask. He thinks he would look amazing and very cool in one.

Ranha nods as she mutters "Where could he be... or who would know?" She rubs her chin "The knights probably. But i doubt they will want to help us. I have no doubt that whatever the king used to keep Ten listening to him also works on the other knights. Do you think it is somekind of mind control? or like blackmail? mind control would be okay to break but blackmail is much more sensitive, especially as it implies he got it somehow. We could also wait until the treaty is signed and go by Sanctuary and see if we can get more support through them. Make an allyship with them and then overthrow this whole country."

Nine should be listening. But all he can do is stare at the tapastries.

They happened to end before a set that Nine had been ignoring. Almost like the world itself is trying to force Nine to see and consider them. The first in the set that calls his attention is one showing two small skeletons. One in yellow and one in purple. A sun shown above the one in yellow and a moon shown above the one in purple.

It isn't hard to connect the purple skeleton with the brat king. But Nine doens't understand. Because the yellow one is clearly the crown prince. But they look the same age here. Same height and everything. It had already been confusing that the younger brother had gotten the crown before the older one but this made it seem as if they are much closer in age than the real them shows. It confuses him. It could be something to play up the dramatics but when they had their tour it was implied that these tapastries are a way to document the past.

Though the actual historic events could have gone down differently and this is just another piece of propaganda.

The next one shows a picture of a dark and seemingly partly liquid monster. A skeleton still but large and dark and with tentacles on his back. He stands tall with an arm pointed outwards, the young yellow skeleton is being send away. As the tall one remains with a crown on his dark skull.

Nine looks at the third that caught his attention. This one shows the dark skeleton standing behind the young king. The dark goop skeleton however doens't look menacing. Instead the sockets are closed as the large imposing figure stands with open hands towards the young skeleton in purple. The young skeleton has his sockets open and seems to stare outwards. The tentacles all hang around him as well, not ready to strike but in a way that seemed to surrender. a crown held within the young skeleton's hands.

Nine ponders. He wonders if the gooped skeleton had been Nightmare's parent. He knows that Nim was suposed to be the king before Nightmare and that the gooped skeleton took over. Something about taking the crown from the rightful heir. Nine knows that the gooped skeleton had been named Nightmare as well and Nine is very sure that this one just named the now ruling Nightmae after himself, like a Nightmare the second. This also ties in with the whole head of house theory he has. Nine knows that the head of house is a useless title often given to a favourite servant. Somekind of excuse to keep someone close without needing to put actual time and effort into them standing out as consort or advisor. And the tiny skeleton had to have come from somewhere.

Of course his theory still has holes in it. Mostly what the deal with Dream is and where he fit in. But Nine hopes to eventually figure it out. He already figured out a lot of the situation after all.

He looks at the last one and huffs. It shows the young skeleton in purple holding hands wiht an older looking skeleton in yellow. The moon and sun having been united into one symbol. On the moon side were figures which resembled the different knights. Nine can't help but stare at the one with the snow leopard mask. His brother... stuck in some legacy and played like a pawn... If Nine had tried harder to make Ten feel included would Ten have been okay? Not perfect but maybe a bit better?

On the skeleton in yellow's side was some warrior in blue with a large hammer and a skeleton with many colours and brown clothes with a tail.

Nine stares at the title 'Reunited.' Seems like all these pictures have names. Nine doesn't understand but figures it is some sort of propaganda. Something to mellow out people and make it seem like it is okay.

"Nine?"

Ranha looks worried before she looks at where Nine is staring and her smile turns gentle "Hey... I know you want to help him. And even if we can never truly make him fully whole. We can at least give him a safe place."

Nine sighs and nods "It is something." The damage that his father and old king did was too large. There is no way his simple and naive brother will be able to fully get over it. To be able to move past it. But Nine will do his duty as brother and keep Ten somewhere safe. Some simple jobs will be good. Some normal routine.

Ranha looks around and sees some maids walk by and Nine follows her as she rushes over. She smiles brightly at them before making some small talk. The maids seem happy and content. Easily talking back and giggling once or twice. Though Nine can't help but feel like this is not the way girls normlaly giggle when Ranha flirts with them. This seems more... amused? It is hard to explain. He notices a black cat on the window sill. Lounging as it stares at them with large yellow eyes.

Ranha is casual as can be once she asks the question "I was wondering if we could see a knight! You know. Maybe the one with the white panther mask?"

The maids share a look before one snorts "You mean Cross?" Nine just barely manages to keep his annoyance is. His brother's name is not fucking cross. It is Ten! That is his name and Ten will always be Ten! The maid hums and looks at her friend "Is it training time?"

The other shakes her head "I don't think so. I believe I saw sir Cross with sir Dust."

The first one laughs and nods "Oh that is easy then." she smiles brightly at them "They will be at the ranch. That is where Sir Dust always is."

Nine blinks confused. The ranch? Why? Ranha however asks where they can find it and the maids tell them how to get there. They do warn them to not bother this Dust knight when he is working with the horses before walking off together. Giggling and whispering stuff. They shoot them a look before rushing off giggling again.

Ranha grins and flexes her arms "Still got it." Nine isn't sure she does but he won't challange her on it. They follow the hallways and Nine can't help but stare at the walls around them.

The walls look strange. They have ridges and dips and when Nine feels them they feel like they are made of wood yet he knows for a fact that they are suposed to be rocks and bricks.

Nine once again wonders which masterful crafter and builder made this castle. It almost seems alive. It is warm and beautiful. Everywhere there is signatures of nature or references to it.

The castle he is used to. That of his father. It was all sharp lines and precision. Nothing was allowed to be out of place. No dust or dirt anywhere. Everything had to be perfect.

This castle was wilder. That is the best way Nine can explain it. It is wild and uncontained. It branches outwards. Stuff is uneven and different. The pillars aren't exactly the same even as they are all that same carved stone to look like roots. It feels alive. It feels living. It seems the breath. It feels like there is something larger at play.

Yet it doesnt feel welcome, he doens't feel welcome. Nine can't explain it exactly.

They get outside and follow the path. It takes them a while as they walk past some trees and through a small forest and then they see it.

It is a large ranch. Build with this deep greenish wood of all colours. WIth multiple large pens nearby. It is open and large. But the trees give it privacy. It is beautiful.

Nine feels Ranha tug on his armour and follows where she is pointing. In a pen he can see his brother! Ten is there but... he is seated on a beige horse. Large and strong looking. Antoher skeleton is nearby and seems to be messing with the reins of the horse.

Nine begins to walk closer but he starts to slow his steps. Because... Ten isn't wearing armour. Nine can't rememebr the last time Ten hadn't been wearing armour. Back at home he always had to be ready. Ten.... Ten didn't have time to relax in a casual outfit. Or do things for himself. And yet... here he is... under another tyrant yet... he is wearing casual clothes? He is sitting on a horse? is this somekind of trick of that king? Let Ten relax to make him more loyal? Maybe the brat is smarter than Nine thought.

Ranha shoots him a confused look before going to step closer to the pen but Nine stops her. He can't explain. it is just... Ten looks... He looks different. Not just his clothes but... something else. Nine can't quite explain what it is or put his finger on it. He needs more information. He needs to be prepared to break through any trick or lie. He nods towards the side where a large fench is located and some barrels. Ranha nods and sneaks there with Nine right by her side. They hide behind the barrels and Nine focusses his magic. He quickly enhances his sight and hearing and focusses in. Strangely enough he also feels like there is rian in the air but a glance up shows a cloudless sky. But any thought about the weird feeling in the air is forgotten as soon as Ten speaks.

"Are you sure about this Dust? I still don't think I am ready. What if he throws me off?!"

The other skeleton, Dust is just wearing a large sweater. It looks to be made of high quality. He also seems to be wearing just a beanie to cover his skull. A large red scarf wrapped around his neck. The scarf looks a different quality than everything else.

The other tilts his skull at Ten. Seemingly considering his answer "If you fall off. We can try again."

Ten glares "Dust this isn't funny."

Dust seems to disagree as he grins slightly, just a slight upturn of the teeth "It is fine Cross. Just a matter of trying again. And you and Limestone need to practise this."

Nine feels himself get angry as they use the fake name for his brother but he needs to remain calm. He needs to watch and learn.

Ten grumbles unhappily as he glares down at the horse "I just... I don't get why you can't just train him... You trained Basalt... and Granite for that matter!"

Dust tilts his skull "I did. But he needs to get used to you while running. Get used to how you move and your weight." he pets the horse, the horse leans into Dust's touch "There needs to be trust Cross. You need to trust Limestone that he won't throw you off. And Limestone needs to be able to trust you that you will lead him into the right direction."

Ten blinks and seems to stare at Dust for a moment before looking down at the horse. The animal just stares at him. "I... euh... oh..."

Dust tilts his skull the other way "Do you want to try galloping first?"

Ten looks up and Nine finally figured out what is different. Why Ten looks different. Ten is... smiling. He is smiling brightly and nods excited at the idea.

Nine... Nine can't remember the last time he saw Ten happy and smiling... It is a face he never saw on his brother.

Ranha mutters softly "Wow... I never... He looks so differnet now... so much... more like... A person? i guess? It is weird. I am used to him just. Standing straight and like saluting and being still and unmoving? Like some statue and not like a person?"

Nine nods because he notices it now. The way the Ten is messing with the reins. The way his leg seems to tap the stirrup. The way he seems to almost... wiggle in place a little.

Dust chuckles and nods as he pets the horse a few more times "Go for it. Limestone wants to move." and he takes a few steps back.

Ten gets a large smile on his face as he kicks his heels lightly back, Nine is very surprised when the horse starts moving. He thought you had to be rougher and kick harder to get horses to move. That was hardly a tick.

Yet it works. As Ten starts to ride the horse and the horse speeds up quickly. Very quickly. Ranha suddenly gasps "Holy shit. That horse still has like the three toe system."

Nine blinks in shock. He knows that the wild horses form Orchard were rumoured to be faster and much more diverse than the horses in other places. The wild horses continued to adapt and where made to travel long distances for faster speeds unlike the normal horse endurance. The toes give extra stability and would make the horses able to travel all kinds of terrain while still being fast.

Nine stares in awe as the horse speeds up and than continues to go full speed ahead. Ten tugs lightly on the reins and the horse reacts instantly. Making sharp turns and Nine notices that the back looks longer and sligthly bigger than the horses Nine is used to.

These. These truly are a different breed.

Maybe Nine can convince his king and friend to keep this allyship going for a bit longer. Or maybe get a few horses out of the deal. Nine has no doubt these horses could be much better with good riders.

Ten is.... surprisingly okay with riding the horse. Makes okay turns but well. It is just Ten so NIne is sure he is doing stuff wrong that they can work on back in Ritten, once they find his shortcomings.

Ten eventually returns to Dust and Ten smiles brightly and Nine can't help but stare. He looks happy. He is happy. That is what is different about him. He is relaxed and happy and he doesn't stand as a statue anymore.

Ten laughs as he grins at Dust "Limestone is even faster than before!"

Dust nods but has a tiny smile on his face. Looking very content and proud "Limestone is a strong horse. He is fast and loves to exercise and run. It is honestly a bigger problem to make sure he rests than anything." he crosses his arms and raises a brow at Ten "Remind you of someone."

Ten blushes and looks to the side as he rubs his neck "I have been getting better with the whole work life balance."

Dust nods and agress easily. He pets the horse and looks at Ten "Want to try going faster?"

Faster?! How do you go faster than that!?

Ten looks deeply unhappy and unsure "I don't know..." he pets the horse.

Dust seems to stare at him before speaking "Would it be better if I lead the path with Pearl?"

Ten looks up and a look of pure relieve on his face. Had... had Ten always been this expressive?

Ten nods "Please."

Dust nods and looks to the side. He clicks his tongue and teeth and one of the horses looks up. A smaller but beautiful grey horse with striking purple eyes. The horse starts running and jumps over the fench before trotting over to the two skeletons and horse.

Ten laughs and grins at Dust "Pearl is showing off again."

Dust sighs and nods "I can't manage to unlearn her to jump fenches." the horse stops before him and pushes her whole head into his chest and arms. Dust pets the head and neck "You ready to lead Cross and Limestone?" The horse pulls back and tussles her head around before waiting patiently.

Dust puts his hand into his hip bag and pulls out this curious stone and metal item. He taps the side and bright gemstones light up and runes start to shine.

Ten looks alarmed "What is that!?"

Dust glances at him and a small smile appears "It is a prototype. Geno gave it to me to test it as I ride horses. It is suposed to be something to make it easy and quick to saddle up horses."

Ten looks deeply unhappy as he glares at the item as if it personally offended him "That stupid smug bastard. He is just trying to buy you over with stupid gifts."

Dust looks deeply amused "It is a prototype."

Ten throws up his arms "You are the only person who would find a good use for this!"

Dust chuckels as he lets the item get near the horse and it shines before it starts unfolding and a few clicks later and the horse is equipped with the normal rider things. Dust gets on top of the horse with a grace and confidence that leaves Nine open mouthed. He never... Even the people at home...

Dust looks at Ten "Ready?"

Ten grins as he nods "Yes. Lock the reins and just hold on right?" as he says it he messes with the headpiece on the horse and Nine wants to roll his eyes.

Dust nods and speaks "Indeed. Just make sure it is ready as if you are going to make a get away." and he waits.

Shit he really is patient... Is that why he is teaching Ten?

Ten nods and sits up straight "Ready!"

Dust chuckles as he turns his horse. He checks back over his shoulder to Ten "Go for it. Get him to follow Pearl." Dust doesn't even tug on the reins and Nine can't even spot an obvious movement to direct the horse to start moving. How did he do that?

Ten takes a deep breath before he leans closer to the horse and grabs hold on some extra handbars on the headpiece of the horse. The horse immediantly looks around as Ten nudges the horse to look at Dust and the leaving horse.

The horse stares before it starts to trod after the other skeleton and horse. Ten meanwhile stays as he is. Relaxing against the horse as his horse just follows Dust and his own horse.

It is fascinating. Especially when Dust starts to speed up with some unseeable comment and Ten's horse follows right along. There is no doubt. There is full commitment of both horses.

While Nine had no doubt that Ten still has much to improve with horse riding. Dust seems to be a master. He directs the horse with minimal movement and the horse seems to react immediantly to any unheard and unseen comment.

Soon both horses are running through the pen but it still isn't the gallop speed of before. Dust speaks up casually "We are going to practise you trusting Limestone. Just get into the position to blind ride. We are going to have Limestone follow Pearl's lead."

Ten nods "Okay. Okay. I can... I can do that." He lays fully against the horse and pulls his feet out of the saddle footholds. He messes with the saddle and the footholds get a lot higher and further towards the back. Cross does some weird combination of laying and crouching on the horse as he tugs his feet back into the holsters.

Dust looks back over his shoulder. Not at all seeming concerned about having to look where he is going as he blindly tugs at the right moment to make his horse make a turn "Not quite there but this is fine to practise with for now." he pets the horse's neck before leaning closer to the horse and the horse shoots of.

It goes faster than any horse Nine has ever seen before. It is fast and nimble as Dust truly rides the horse. The other horse with Ten blindly following-

Blind Riding. They don't mean it with looking. They mean it as they don't control the horses beyond the minimum. They are minimising the pressure and bother they could give the horses which enables those to run faster than before.

And if this is just the start... How fast can they go?

Ranha watches with her own mouth open before she mutters "This... this must be why he is a Knight. Not fighting or anything like that. He has a way with the horses."

Nine agrees and thinks she is right. The guy on the horse is fragile and delicate looking. Nine has no doubt that he towers over the other. Soft spoken too... But if he is this good with the horses. If he is able to train the wild horses and make them do this kind of stuff? no wonder they immediantly snatched him up and gave him the higest position they could. Make him stay.

The two horses are almost flying around the running pen. Then Dust leads his horse towards the middle where a small pond is located. Then Dust nudges the horse and it just jumps over the pond! It lands easily and keeps running. The horse with Ten doesn't pause a single step and copies the first horse. It lands safely and without a single issue.

Dust holds up an arm and fist and the horse with Ten starts to slow down and continues walking another round before stopping. Dust lets his horse walk by before just jumping off before nudging his horse. It huffs before continuing its trot across the ring.

Ten pants as he grins widely at Dsut "That was awesome!"

Dust chuckles "It is rather fun to just let the horses do their thing isn't it? and you made the jump first try. Killer fell at least twice."

Ten blinks as he looks up shocked "Twice?"

Dust nods "At least. I am pretty sure he snuck off to practise with Granite while I had my private training." he is by Ten's side as he checks the horse "How are you feeling? You were rather tense."

Ten laughs as he rubs his neck "I am fine... thanks for checking... It is just. I think I am done for today. Thanks again for... being here i guess."

Dust pauses his movements as he starts to undo the horse harnass "It is no problem. I am always here." and he clips it fully off.

Nine has made the decision that he likes this knight. The one he met first, the one wiht goop? The one that claimed Ten as his brother? Nine doens't like him. Weirdo with always having tear trails on his face. Not to forget how cocky and confident he acts. Must be some kind of trick and lie that he keeps up to fool and intimidate others. But Nine isn't fooled. He can see through that easily.

He also doesn't like the bigger guy. Dude moves too quietly for someone his size and that hole in his skull? You don't just get that on accident. Something sinister is in that one's past no doubt.

This one? Just a guy trying to train horses and help Ten with his horse and training? Nine can appreciate that. And sure! The fact he looks cute and pretty helps a lot too. Nine would in theory be fine with this guy joining them in Ritten as well. It would be nice for Ten to have someone who is already his friend. Help him feel at home even more. And then Nine can work on impressing the other by showing his skills! It would be quick and easy!

Ten is by Dust's side as they mess with the saddle and headpiece. They talk about settings and prefered length. Nine is honestly not sure what any of it means so Ten probably doesn't either.

Ten looks at Dust and looks down a bit embarrassed "I... I know I am asking a lot... But i don't really feel like going inside already... Mind showing some tricks? again?" and he looks hopeful.

Dust looks at him and nods "I don't mind."

Fuck he is so patient with Ten... Maybe this guy was a good influence on Ten. Helped him with his lessons and training. someone had to be as Nine doubts the king or those other two knights were.

Ten looks downright excited as he waits by the fench as Dust leads the horse towards the other pen where the beige horse joins the other horses. Nine can count at least ten in there, a whole herd of horses all slightly different shaped and colours. All looking healthy and strong and interacting.

Dust returns and gets on top of his grey horse with practised ease. Ten leans against the fench as he watches.

Dust turns his horse around and starts galloping through the area. Even faster than when he had been leading Ten on the other horse. Ten cheers as he grins widely. It looks so... unlike the brother Nine is used to... So very different.

Dust meanwhile makes the horse take a large turn and Ten grins as he looks around before grabbing a cap and throwing it into the pen. Dust aims the horse and straight up leans sideways and off the back of the horse. Almost fully upsidedown to easily snatch the cap of the ground before pulling himself back on the horse's back. Not once slowing down.

Ranha gasps "Hole shit that is so difficult... How?! Without slowing down!?" She is sitting up straighter to enable her to see everything easier. Pure awe on her face and Nine feels like he may have been not fully aware of how difficult that seemingly easy trick is...

Dust runs with the horse by Ten and straight up puts the cap on his skull. Again without once slowing down. Ten laughs and cheers "Go Dust go!" as he grins.

Dust keeps moving the horse around quickly and now he has started to zigzag with it! Nine blinks and looks at Ranha "Isn't that like... suposedly very hard for horses?"

Ranha nods as she doesn't look away from the display "It is insane! Horsese make large turns because of their back. I don't know how that horse is that flexible or how that guy can just direct the horse to make the turns by not actively turning but instead almost twisting in a jump?!" she stares "Is this what the rare horses can do? That inhabit this land? We need to get Regius to get some horses!"

Nine glares at his best friend "Don't speak the king's name so casually."

Ranha waves him off "It is fine. We were all friends before he became king so we are good."

Nine huffs as he focusses on the display of masterful horse riding. It is just that not speaking the title is disrespectful and he will not make them seem unprofessional or like they don't take their ruling class seriously. Regius only became king after the fall of the old one and Nine doesn't want people to think he is an easy target just because of that. And he doubts a brat like this country's king can see how much work they had to put into bettering what they had and helping their land and people heal from all the damage.

Ranha makes a curious noise close to choking and Nine pays attention just to see Dust standing on the back of the horse. Perfectly balanced and even balancing on one leg as the horse keeps running around the pen. He steps off the horse on a fench where he runs alongside the horse, the horse finally slowing a bit down, before Dust steps back on the back and the horse speeds up again.

Dust crouches down as he puts his hands on the horse's back before just making a handstand!

Nine can't imagine how hard standing on a horse could be. much less making a handstand?! He knows how to make a handstand of course and it is easier to do it with momentum. Dust did it without that.

Ten keeps cheering for his friend as Nine stares in awe. Ranha is muttering about how insane this is and how there has to be magic at play. Yet aside from the presure of the rain he has felt since the start he hasn't noticed any spells of any type. Not even to help lead or control the horses like other riders do. Nine can't help but just keep staring.

Dust sits back on the horse but backwards as he calmly undoes the saddle. The saddle falls off the horse and as soon as the saddle hits the ground it seems to disappear. Right, the saddle was part of that magic item Dust is testing. All while Dust remains seated on the powerful beast that is still running. Dust turns back around and messes with the reins that seem to make handholds on the headpiece.

Dust next grabs hold of the handholds and lays his legs on the back of the horse. He taps the side of the neck of the horse nad motions forwards before he lays fully against the horse.

The horse going fast before is nothing compared to how fast it runs now. It is bolting through the pen and there seems to be zero control that Dust has over it. Instead Dust just holds on and lets it do its things.

"He minimised his contact and hold on the horse. he freed the horse from the saddle to enable it to move even more freely and go faster!" Ranha looks downright excited as she just stands there and stares. Nine glares at her and pulls her back down to hide wiht him.

"Stop standing! They may see you!" Nine feels an anxiety at being caught snooping now. Not like before where he would just lie and say he wasn't snooping or spying. Now he is nervous about how it would reflect on him as a person, especially to the smaller and skilled skeleton. Fuck he wishes he was wearing his better armour than this one. He hadn't wanted to seem like he was trying to impress Orchard's ruler or make it seem like they thought they needed to impress this leader but he is regretting it now. How can he show him his best side when he isn't prepared!?

The horse continues to run before coming to a slow stop near Ten. Ten is grinning widely as he claps his hands "That was so cool! Dust it is nuts how fast you can go with Pearl!"

Dust shrugs as he gets off and grabs a brush to start taking care of the animal while Ten stands near his side. "I was wondering soemthing." Dust voice is soft and calm. Even.

Ten nods as he watches Dust work "Ask away."

Dsut shoots him a look before speaking again "I figured you would want to be near Nightmare with the guests here. Why with me?"

Ten goes quiet as he looks down. Nine nudges Ranha and nods. It is their time to act! This is the perfect set up-

A hand grabs him by the neck and pushes him flush against the barrels he had been hiding behind. Ranha makes a shocked sound and Nine can barely see her in the same position as he is in.

A deep voice speaks up "Dont you know that eavesdropping is rude? But what could be expect from snooping immature children."

Nine freezes. That is the voice of the big knight guy. The one wiht the lion mask. Horror. how... when? Nine hadn't even heard him! When did they get exposed and found out!?

Horror continues to speak "But if you wish to listen in. You will listen. You will hear what Cross has to say instead of speaking for him."

Ranha growls "His name isn't-UGH!" she chokes for a moment before the kngiht releases his grip a bit again.

"Listen."

Ten finally answers "It is dumb..."

Dust hums as he leans against the horse "Try me."

Ten isn't looking up as he rubs his own arm "I... I didn't expect them to be happy with me... That is fair. I just. Didn't expect them to hate me without knowing me." Ten frowns as he softly pets the horse "It is like... They are unhappy with who i am now and want me to be who i used to be, who i don't want to be anymore. Yet they hate that person." Ten hunkers in on himself "I don't... like feeling like that."

Dust frowns as he puts a hand on Ten's shoulder "That is on them."

Ten frowns as he looks away "It isn't... I" He frowns as he moves his hands around. Had... Had Ten always moved this much? That can't be right. Nine remembers him being still and unmoving. Their father had always been strict about staying in line and acting as they had to and-

and...

and being... the way he wanted... to be...

Like Nine wants Ten to be.

Oh...

Ten isn't the problem... is he?

Dust takes Ten's face between his hands and makes Nine's younger brother look at him "Cross. Look at me. No i mean it. Look at me." Ten stares at him and Dust looks at him "You are you. No one else. No one telling you how you should be or act is right. You are fine like this. You are happy like this. You can be however you want to be, whatever makes you feel good and feel like you are you." Dust gentle bonks their skulls together "I think you would do best if you visit Lust for a bit and you two hang out and focus on something else. Okay?"

Ten frowns but gives a slow nod "Okay."

Dust nods as he keeps holding the taller skeleton "And this is not me sending you away. I enjoy us spending time together. But i think being here while they are here is stressing you out. Making you second guess yourself. Go to a different environment and let yourself relax. When you come home we can try more horse riding or you can help Killer trying to get Kingdom Devourer out of a tree again. Go relax."

Ten frowns before nodding and just hugging the other. Dust chuckles and pats his back "You are fine the way you are Cross... In matter of fact. You are perfect the way you are." Ten's breath seems to hitch as he just holds the other tighter and continues to hold him. It isn't until some time passed that Ten lets go and steps back with an embarrassed expression and... and slightly hazy looking eyes.

"Sorry... I know you don't... don't like... I am sorry."

Dust chuckles and pats his back "It is alright. Go hang out with your boyfriend while I clean up."

Boyfriend... but... why would he... who would even want to date Ten? He doens't even have a personality and is just a tool and an idiot-

Except everything he has seen now shows otherwise and... Why does Nine expect Ten to be the same way that their father wanted them to be?

Ten walks away with a wave and goes straight towards the castle. Looking a bit better as he is smiling and seems to have a small bounce in each step.

Dust watches him go before he just walks straight towards their hiding place oh shit when did-

Dust stops before them and looks unamused. His gaze cold and seemingly able to look straight into his soul. Nine would have been frozen even without the hand holding his neck.

Dust looks at Horror "Good catch H. Trouble?"

Horror hums "They tried to get into our king's wing. I was ready to give backup."

Nine feels himself grow cold. They had been followed? The whole time? They had been watched the whole time and they hadn't even noticed!

Nine... Nine may have been wrong about how capable these guys are...

Dust hums "Lets put them in the jail cell as time out. Children should know not to wander after all."

Nine feels humiliated as he and Ranha are dragged towards the castle. Dust walks behind them as Horror leads the way, Horror does not let them walk.

They walk by some servants and Nine sees it are the same maids that they met in the hallway. The maids giggle and nod respectfully to both Horror and Dust and greet them with "Hello my Knights." before they shoot a glance at Ranha and Nine before gigglign together.

They are dropped off in a cell each and the door is locked. Nine goes to check the lock only to realise there is magic woven into the very bars and walls. These locks aren't just physical but also magical. He can't break them out.

Horror hums "There. Children have their time out." he looks highly amused as he nods to Dust "Mind taking over watch?"

Dsut shrugs as he walks towards the exit "I will take your shift. you make sure the children behave." and he leaves.

horror looks at them amused and Nine feels terrible...

Not just the fact he looked like an idiot to the pretty and skilled skeleton. But he also made a fool out of himself to be caught snooping and trying to get into places he isn't allowed to be.

He sits on the bed and can't help but look at his own hands.

Does... does Ten really not want to come home? How can Nine get him to come along? Will he be forced to drag his brother home.

Nine pauses at the thought and feels a new horrifying feeling overtake himself.

When did he become so much like his father?

[purplekiwis]

Hi I hope you are doing well ❤️ I just want to say that your ceo harry fic is one of my absolute favs, it’s so well written and so fun to read ❤️ any new chapters coming soon? Can’t wait to read them, have a nice day ❤️

The Party (PART 6 of CEO!Harry having a crush on adorable and chubby Y/N)

You can read:

PART 1; PART 2; PART 3; PART 4; PART 5

hii lovely readers!!! i'm so sorry for keeping you waiting for a ceorry update for so many months 🥲 i know you guys love this story very dearly so, i really hope you like where its going. this chapter is a bit different from the ones before so i'm excited to hear your feedback on it ❤️

**

“I should probably head back to my table but… this was great! Seeing each other outside the office, I mean. Maybe we could um… do it again soon,” Harry ventured. He knew Y/N was probably a bit too tipsy to process anything but he couldn’t help himself. He wanted to test the waters. Get a feel for her reaction, so to say. They'd been chatting by the bar for a bit, and she looked to be enjoying herself. He'd stay with her the rest of the night if he could, but when he caught her sneaking a glance at her friends, he knew it was time to say goodbye. She wanted to return to her table, and Harry wasn’t going to stand in the way.

“Oh! You mean like an office party, right?” Whether it was for the better or for the worse, the prospect of a party appeared to have reignited Y/N's focus on him. “That would be so fun! People at work have told me you guys used to do that sometimes…”

“Uhh… we-um… yeah, I guess we used to do that. Haven’t in a while though…” Harry faintly recalled having thrown a party or two, and while that was far from what he'd had in mind, he was frankly lacking the guts to correct Y/N after seeing her so excited. 

And his guts only shrank when she told him that if he was ever looking for ideas, she had one. It goes without saying that he hadn't been looking, but the fact that she had an idea piqued his interest. “What’s that?”

It was that question that ended up with Harry organizing an office party. It was ridiculous… especially at such a time when everyone had important projects they were working on. If someone else had suggested he’d throw a party, Harry would have told them to take a walk, but as it was Y/N, he went along with the damn thing.

Her idea was that they would host a Murder Mystery event, where the team would have work together to find out ‘who killed the boss’. Harry will admit he didn’t find that last bit very amusing, but Y/N had looked so cute while drunkenly explaining everything to him that night at the bar that by the time she was finishing, he was smiling and nodding along without even realizing.

On the bright side, the idea would be easy to follow. Harry would only have to purchase a silly little game kit, and perhaps play dead for an hour or two (he didn’t really know what the game consisted of yet, but he was assuming that should be part of it). But then, of course… once they went to present the idea to the rest of the team the following Monday, everyone wanted to have a say on the matter.

They also wanted dinner… which Harry was fine with. That was what the corporate card was for after all. He would even let them pick the restaurant themselves… and as long as he got to spend time with Y/N and the food tasted decent, he wouldn't even think to look twice at the bill before swiping his bougie debit card. But that wasn’t enough for them, the greedy little bastards… they didn’t just ask for ‘regular dinner’, they wanted a potluck dinner. It was Margaret's idea, of course... because she could never pass up the opportunity to flaunt her cooking skills. Harry on the other hand, was well aware that his weren’t that impressive. He could put about five dishes together successfully, and none of those were party foods.

The fact that everyone was bringing food from home instead of going out to eat would save his corporate money, but not him from the potential humiliation of showing up with something that didn’t taste that good. And yes, he could always play it safe by bringing in the good ol’ trail mix bowl, but there was nothing particularly exciting about that.

He could also opt to buy some fancy pastries at a bakery… those would be a surefire hit, but everyone would know he hadn’t made them. That’s the annoying thing about in-store baked goods… they always look a little too elaborate to pass as homemade.

So Harry did the unpredictable, he settled upon trying to cook something himself. Figuring that, if everything went to shit, he could always pick something up on his way to work the next day. He searched for recipes that were fun, easy, and suitable for most dietary preferences. Mostly because he didn’t know if Y/N was a vegetarian and whatnot, and he didn’t want to give her any reasons to not eat his food. Not if he could help it anyway...

So he made spinach puffs from scratch.

Okay, maybe it wasn’t entirely from scratch because he used frozen puff pastry… but the filling part he did all himself! And he still had to cut, fold and egg brush his pastry, which had to count for something, right?

All in all, Harry was quite enthusiastic the moment he got to showcase his plate full of golden brown treats to his team, but nothing could beat his excitement to taste whatever it was that Y/N had brought in.

His entire evening was consumed by food and other people, so when Y/N finally spoke to him, it was the highlight of his evening that far. She complimented him on his food, and he returned the compliment, “These look spectacular.” He said regarding her cake pops. That she had made look extra cute by tying little ribbons around the ends.

“Really? Thank you!” She looked happily surprised. “I figured that since Simon has been pestering me to bring him cake, now would be the perfect time.”

“Oh.” Well, that certainly caught Harry off guard. “So you two have been getting along, then?”

“Mhm. I’d say we're becoming good friends.” She raised her finger to her lips in thought. “Now that I think about it, I think I actually have you to thank, because the first time Simon and I talked was when you asked me to call him to your office.”

The knowledge that Simon got to hang out with Y/N often unsettled Harry… and kind of enraged him too, mainly because he was jealous that she was spending her time with somebody else other than him. Did this mean they were together? Harry couldn't resist the impulse to ask, “Good friends as in… just friends?”         

“Yeah, of course. Just friends.” She replied immediately. “But why? Do we have a policy on dating coworkers or something? Not that I’m asking because of Simon, it's just... I’d like to be informed, on the off chance that we have one…”

Y/N’s question caused a quickening in Harry’s pulse. “Uh, no. We don’t. But… personally, I'd say it would be best not to date someone you're working on the same department with… just in case, you know… things get off-kilter.” Harry ended the subject by bringing one of Y/N’s cake pops to his mouth and taking a bite. “These are really good...”

“Oh, thank you! I’m glad you like them… and yeah, I get that. Thanks for the advice.”

Her reaction blindsided Harry. He was just hoping she didn't think she'd have to follow his advice. Because one, it was very biased advice, and two, it was only referencing her and Simon, not the entire company… much less the executive department, where the only option available was Harry himself.

“Were you able to use that coupon I told you about to buy the game?” She asked when her eyes fell on the store bag that Harry had brought to the table with him.

He looked down as well, having completely lost sight of why they were standing there talking in the first place. “Oh, yes. I did use that. Thanks for recommending it. Struck us a deal.”

“Oh, cool! If you’re ever looking for any other coupons, remember I'm the person to ask!” She smiled goodbye at him once one of her coworkers interrupted them to steal her attention, and suddenly Harry feared that none of the beverages available at dinner would be powerful enough to help him beat the heat coming up his neck.

What the hell was he doing? Why had he given her that stupid advice? Like she would ever take it into consideration if she was seriously contemplating dating Simon... If his advice was going to serve for anything, it would be to remind her of how hypocritical he was being whenever he eventually asked her on a date. And yes, as for the latter, he was still planning to do it... but as usual, his biggest challenge was finding the right opportunity. What only got harder once they started playing the game, because just as Harry had already been expecting, his only role in it was to be absent.

Which was annoying, all Harry had wanted was to eat a decent dinner and talk to Y/N… and now he was being made to stay inside the meeting room by his team. Lounging on the office sofa and staring at the blue wall painting. How fun.

Everyone else seemed to be having fun though… at least judging by the commotion outside. Harry wouldn't be too shocked if everyone accidentally forgot about him by the end of the evening… he was actually kind of expecting them to, until a soft knock on the door pulled him out of his self-absorbed reveries. “May I?” A sweet voice made him sit up. Y/N. Harry didn't need to peek at the door to know it was her.

“Yeah, of course.” He replied as he swiftly moved into a more flattering position. “Is everything okay? How’s the game going?”

“Good. It’s good. I just got killed off, though.” She smiled, sighing and laughing at the same time. “Is it okay if I wait in here with you?”

“Oh, by all means… I’ll definitely enjoy the company.” Harry smiled back, shifting to give her a space to sit beside him. “I thought I was going to be the only one getting killed, though...”

“Oh, no. Someone will on every round until they figure out who the killer is. The story is just like any other serial killer mystery... Which, in hindsight, also explains why the bigger girl was killed first.”

Harry could tell that Y/N was kidding, but the implication she was making didn't sit well with him. “I doubt that was the case; I think they just killed you first ‘cause they knew how much I wanted your company…”

“Oh, I wasn't whining about getting killed.” She quickly began to explain. “I'm sorry if I sounded like I was sympathy-seeking- I wasn’t. I was just trying to break the tension with a joke.”

Harry shook his head. “It’s not that. It's just no fun listening to someone as great as you underestimate yourself.”

“Yeah, I know. I try not to, but these types of jokes usually come to me when I'm nervous.” She acknowledged with a sigh. “I’m sorry if that was awkward.”

“It wasn’t. But what is it, that's making you nervous? Is it me?”

“Kind of. Not you in particular, but it's just a different situation being here with you this way.”

“Would it make you less nervous if I turned on the overhead lights?”

“Oh no. It's not that kind of nervous.” She laughed softly. “It's more like never knowing what to say or what to talk about…”

“Tell me about you, then…” He asked her honestly. “What do you usually do when you’re not at work?”

“I don't do much, to be honest. I used to go out with friends a lot, but since I’ve gotten my dog I’ve been spending most of my time at home with him instead.”

“Oh, you’ve got a dog. How’s he like?”

“He’s uh… white and tiny?” She chuckled. “Would you like to see a picture?”

“I’d love to.” Harry said, leaning closer to look at the photo Y/N was showing him on her phone. “Aw, look at this little guy!”

“His name is Mochi, like the dessert.”

“It’s a good name.” Harry had never heard of Mochi and had no idea what it was, but after learning that Y/N enjoyed it, he really wanted to try it. “I have a cat, by the way. My lock screen is a picture of her, actually so… I can show her too if you'd like to see.”

“Yeah, ‘course I’d like to see.” She said, and so he took his phone out to show her. “My goodness! Is that really your cat? Look at that hair- it’s so fluffy!” Harry smiled at the comment. He was definitely proud of how well-groomed Atlas’s fur was in that picture, and it made him feel good that Y/N could tell it was well taken care of. “How much did you give for her? She looks expensive.”

“Oh, that's a touchy subject. We don’t talk about that.” He shook his head, smiling. “A little over two thousand. I know it’s a lot for a cat, especially when I could’ve easily gotten one for free but… I don’t know. To be honest, I had never considered owning a pet before, but after seeing her I just couldn't let her go. She was too cute.”

“No, I’m not judging. I completely get the appeal. I saw her and wanted to have her right away.” Her face drew back once she was done admiring Atlas. “I have to say I’m surprised, though. I would’ve never pictured you as a cat person…”

“Really? What did you make of me, then?”

“I'm not sure, but you look like someone who would be more into dogs.”

“I like dogs.” He’s not a big fan, to be totally honest… but as long as they don't growl or bite at his shins he can sympathize with them. “Do you like cats?”

“I do, yes. But I wanted a dog because I was hoping it would help me become somewhat more active. That backfired though, because Mochi’s a couch potato like me, so we basically just stay home and watch Netflix.”

That, by Harry's standards, sounded like a perfect weekend. That's exactly how he spends his too, but God… if he had Y/N there, it'd take things to a whole other level of perfect. He adored the concept, and he really wanted to know what her favorite shows were. “What have you been watching on Netflix, anything good?”

Harry could tell she was excited that he’d asked, which made him wonder whether she had been waiting to tell someone. “I started watching this show called The Umbrella Academy. It’s pretty fun if you’re into goofy, sci-fi shows.”

“No way! That’s what I’m watching too!” He was the one getting giddy now. “I’ve binged through the entire first season on Sunday. Haven't had the chance to start season two yet, sadly… What season are you on?”

“I’m halfway through season two. I won't give anything away since you haven’t seen it yet, but it has been fantastic so far.” Harry could tell she was enjoying the conversation by the way her body had turned entirely to face him. “What’s your favorite character?”

“Hmm… I’d say it’s a tie between Five and Klaus for me. Yours?”

“It’s the same for me, but I think I might like Klaus a little bit more...”

“That’s fair. He’s a great character…” Their legs brush as Harry adjusts on the sofa. He noticed she didn’t draw away, which he interprets as a favorable indication. His body is itching to make a move. They’re alone, the lights are dim, and she looks so lovely under them. Harry cannot keep that question bottled up inside his chest anymore, he has to ask her now. “So… Is that also all you're planning to do next weekend—just Netflix?”

“I believe so. I won't lie; the weekends are usually very unexciting for me.” She laughed, and Harry gulped.

For a moment, he feels the words tremble in his throat. Harry's not too sure on how to approach this with her. He doesn't want to lose out on the opportunity… he's done it before and regretted it immensely after. He really wants to spit it out and get this over with, but he's so nervous that his tongue feels tied to his mouth. And, to add insult to injury, she was staring right at him with those pretty eyes. He couldn’t wait any longer though, so he does the only thing he knows will benefit him in this situation: He takes a deep breath to settle himself before speaking, “I was thinking it could be fun to go do something together, since you're free. We could, er... watch a movie. Perhaps have dinner or grab a drink... whatever you'd prefer, really.”

Y/N’s brows furrowed for a little, but then she made a face as though she had finally grasped what he was saying. “Oh. So you're saying like you, me and...”

“Just us, that's what I’m saying.” Harry could feel the reddening forming on his cheeks, but he hoped Y/N wouldn't be able to notice it in the low light. “I’ve been trying to push away my interest but I… can’t. I think you’re great, and I’d like to get to know you better, if you let me, of course.”

Her face was giving him the impression that she was perplexed by this suggestion, like she couldn't believe her ears. “I, um… I’m sorry. I’m really confused.”

“That’s okay. I know that this was most likely unexpected, but don't be scared to speak your mind. I’m a grown man. I can take rejection. And, course, whatever you decide won’t have any implications on your job or anything. I shouldn't even have to mention that, but just in case it wasn't clear enough.”

Harry noticed her glancing down at his hands, gaze focused on his many rings, possibly looking for a wedding band. Her puzzlement seemed to ease some when she didn’t find one. “Right. So, um...”

Before she could finish her sentence, there was another knock on the meeting room's door. It slid open, as Mark, the fucking cockblocker, walked inside to announce that he, too, had been killed off in the game and was hoping he could join them. Despite the unwanted company in the room, Harry’s gaze still remained glued to Y/N for another moment, hoping she'd at least give him a hint on where her answer was going.

She didn’t. In fact, all she did after Mark's arrival was putting more space between them by giving up her seat next to Harry. He wasn't sure if she was nervous or trying to keep up appearances, but the rest of the night he had the impression she was wary of his proximity and avoided standing too close to him. Her distance was making Harry anxious. He desperately wanted to believe that the way she was acting was because he was making her sweat the same way she was making him, so he tricks his mind into believing so. His optimism begins to waver however, when the party’s over and he notices that Y/N doesn't linger around for him. On the contrary, she appeared to be in a mad dash to get to her car.

“Y/N…” Harry rushed after her. A pasted smile on his face since he had not yet realized how much her demeanor had changed since their talk. He did however notice it the moment their gazes met. She seemed uneasy and quite frankly unhappy to see him. “Hey, er… before you go, I wanted to ask on that thing from earlier, since Mark came in and I missed your answer.”

“Right, um… about that...” He noticed her eyes darting about the parking lot, as if she was anticipating someone to be staring. “I didn't give it much thought since I didn't think you were serious.”

Harry's brows furrowed. “Why would I ask you out if I wasn't serious?”

“I don’t know.” She looked frustrated. “I’m not trying to invalidate your feelings, but I feel like you're playing a joke on me and if that's the case, I don't find it funny.”

With each word she uttered, Harry's confusion intensified. “What makes you think it's a joke?” He waited for her to respond, but she didn't. “Do you not like me? Is that it? Cause if that's the case, I'd honestly rather you tell me than pretend it's not serious.”

“No, I- of course I like you. You're a good boss, and I've always appreciated that.”

Harry was unable to control his shaky laugh. “Don’t give me that… you know that's not what I'm asking.” She finally met his gaze at that point. The slight pout on her lips was beyond Harry's understanding, but he knew exactly what he wanted to do about it. He couldn't, though. Not there. Not yet. “Do you like me as a man, or… find me interesting in any way?”

Y/N went quiet for a moment. “Yes, I think you're interesting,” She finally confessed. “But I also genuinely love working here and I really, really am not looking to jeopardize that.”

Harry noticed Y/N turn towards the driver side of her car, so he took a step further, in a nonverbal request for her to halt. “You won’t. I assure you.”

“Whether or not that's the case, you're still my boss, and I don't think it would be appropriate for us to spend our free time together under these circumstances.” She hastily unlocked her car door. As far as Harry could tell, she seemed to want to end the conversation there.

“I understand that, but what if we look past the circumstances? One date, Y/N. You don’t have to compromise… just let me get to know you, it’s all I want.”

“I'm not that type of new hire, Harry.” Based on her words and expression, it seemed that his insistence had irked her. “I don’t know if this is something you typically do, but I respectfully ask that you do not bring up this topic with me again. Otherwise, you'll leave me with no choice except going to HR.”

“Y/N, hold on... You're reading this wrong. I'm not that kind of guy; please... let me clear things up.” He stood next to her car, pleading with her not to flee the parking lot the way he knew she wanted to.

“Have a good night, Harry.” That was all she said before shutting the door and starting her car. So Harry stood in that practically empty parking lot and watched her leave. He couldn't believe this had happened to him. It had felt like a nightmare, but it was real. The lingering scent of Y/N’s perfume emanating from the spot where her car had just been parked confirmed so.

His biggest worry wasn't whether Y/N would go to HR or not, that was the least of his concerns. He just felt awful that he made her feel like she would need such drastic measures to keep him away. Had he been too insistent? He didn't want that at all; all he wanted was for her to see past the downsides and give him a chance.

Maybe Harry was arrogant in thinking she should have. He was quite spoiled in that regard. When he asked women out, he wasn't used to getting a no. Of course he'd been dumped by exes before, but he couldn't exactly say he was used to getting turned down right away... they usually always let him have what he wanted first. If not for his looks, then most likely for his money.

Granted, he had never had to deal with such ethical dilemmas when persuing someone before, but still, he couldn't help but think that Y/N’s reaction had been slightly overkill. But perhaps Harry was just looking at things from his privileged point of view. The truth was that if shit went down, the worst thing he would have to face was getting marketed as a boss who sleeps with his employees. Meanwhile, Y/N could have to deal with much worse. He’s heard stories, after all. He knows people would feel much more at liberty badmouthing her and questioning her accomplishments than they would his.

So, he gets it. He does. He despises it, however. It's not even about the rejection for him; of course, that bothers him, but he can live with it. The knowledge that Y/N probably thinks he is a scumbag, however, is what’s killing him the most. He can't even look at himself. He wants to punch his reflection whenever his eyes land in the side view mirror as he drives, the same way he wants to punch himself in the bathroom mirror the next morning. He looked as miserable as he felt, but he wouldn't have expected anything less after drinking himself into that state the night before.

He had half the mind not to show up at work that morning. The alcohol and the lack of sleep had led to a severe hammering behind his eyeballs. His vision was still slightly skewed, and he felt absolutely rotten. It's not like anybody would bother checking on him… they'd just assume he had to attend a surprise meeting or was doing something more important. Speaking of, Harry did have some major stuff he needed to take care of at the office that day. That realization was only making him want to get back under his covers and never get out of bed again more.

But somehow he pushed through.

Because truth be told, he was acting like a wimp. He knew facing Y/N would be painful, like removing a bandage from a fresh sore. That’s why part of him wanted to put it off for as long as he could, even if the other was aware that wasn't a workable option. Logically speaking, he knew it was only a matter of minutes, or perhaps seconds until they ran into each other. And yet, never in a million years did he expect it to happen as quickly as it did.

Harry had just finished dragging his grumpy self inside the building’s elevator and was about to hit the button when she walked through the door and slid in beside him. The fragrance of her perfume engulfed him, what instantly transported him back to the previous night and made him shudder, but he inhaled it anyway.

“Good morning,” She greeted cordially while searching through her purse, oblivious to who the person standing next to her was.

“G’Morning.” Harry muttered back. The recognition of his voice eventually jolted her into looking at him. By then, he had already figured she hadn't consciously stepped inside the elevator with him, but it still stung to see her face drop at his presence.

Judging by her reaction, Harry was guessing her eyes had failed to recognize him at first glance. Sunglasses and jeans, after all, were not his style when it came to workwear. He liked to put in effort when it came to his appearance, and naturally that was only heightened by his not so little crush. His pants were always ironed the night before, and his clothes were always perfectly coordinated. On that day however, he had barely mustered the patience to comb his fingers through his hair, let alone put on something nice.

From that moment on, there was an awkward tension.

Harry desperately wanted to apologize for what had happened the night before, but he was trapped by shame. He couldn’t even look at her. His gaze was fixed on the elevator floor, and he had no intention of raising it until they arrived at their floor. He assumed hers was fixed somewhere within those close-fitting walls too, probably as far away from him as possible.

“I’m free on Saturday.” She suddenly said, to his great astonishment. “If you still want to hang out, we can, as long as it’s at a place where we are unlikely to run into anyone that works here. It isn't a date though, so don’t have any expectations.”

Despite his exhaustion, Harry couldn't keep a giddy smile from breaking out on his face. “Can I give you my number, then?”

**

taglist: @tenaciousperfectionunknown @kissyh94 @gviosca @mimischaos @marlananicole17 @sad-capuccino @princess-asteria @elenagilbert0 @thismaydestroyme @daphnesutton @ally5sos @imaddicted2hs @inlovewitheveryhandsomeguy @palenickelheropickle @hs-rry @harrysficreblog ; @80spinkharry ; @swiftmendeshoran ; @willie-ivy ; @soymilkwriter @itsjustsel @dopetravelanimedonkey @buckymydarlingangel @sassqwn

[minho-hoho]

Protect You

GENRE angst, fluff PAIRING prince!childhood best friend!Lee Know × royal!gn!reader WARNING verbal abuse, kisses REQUESTED yes, 400 followers event WC ≈1k NOTE happy Lee Know day!!

MASTERLIST

Once again, you locked yourself in your bedroom, tired of being degraded for existing. No matter what you did, you kept getting insulted and it was wearing on your heart.

You felt a knock on your door and sighed, knowing it was probably one of the house cleaners coming to get you.

“Miss Y/N could I come in?”

“Yeah, come in.” the house cleaner carefully entered your room, knowing you were in a bad mood.

“You need to go downstairs; your parents are looking for you.”

“Tell them I’ll be there in a minute.” you looked in the mirror and fixed any stray hair on your face before going to join your parents.

As you went down the stairs you scanned the room and saw your favourite person sitting on the sofa, Minho. Your face instantly lit up and you hurried up to the living room. You at once greeted Minho with the biggest smile that he returned. Your parents glared at you but you couldn't care less, now that he was with you, you knew it was going to be all right. As you were about to sit next to your friend, your mum spoke up.

“Go sit next to your sister.” She ordered sternly, and you obliged, pouting to Minho.

“We are here today to talk about marriage plans.” You dad said, making your sister smirk. You anxiously looked over to Minho, scared of the next words that were about to come out of your father’s mouth.

“You are all growing, and it’s time to marry one of you. That’s why we brought Minho here.” Your father looked over to Minho who was avoiding everyone’s eyes. Your heart was pounding in your chest, were you about to lose Minho? You knew how your parents were, and there was no reason to marry you off first, as you were the youngest and they seemed to have something against you. The thought of Minho marrying one of your siblings made your heart shatter, you were the one who had always loved him, you were the one who had always stayed at his side. They didn’t deserve to be at Minho’s side, you did.

“While nothing is decided, we thought that Mina could be a very fitting choice.” You examined your sister, that seemed proud and smug. Your eyes went over to Minho, who displayed clear discomfort.

“What do you think, Mina?” Your mother asked.

“I’ll be glad to marry Minho.” Your mother nodded. You scowled to your sister.

“And you Minho?” Your throat closed, apprehending you dear friend’s answer.

Minho reluctantly started to talk “I’m not sure about this, I don’t think Mina would be a good fit for me.” You relaxed onto your seat a little, pleased to hear response. However, your parents did not seem as pleased as you were.

“Are you sure? Don’t tell me you like Y/N. They are quite literally worthless. I thought you had grown up and got over that silly crush of yours.” Minho frowned upon hearing those words.

“I don’t think this is something proper to say about your own child. I think Y/N is an awesome human being and that they are in no way ‘worthless.'” He defended you.

You felt embarrassed, getting insulted within your family was already hard enough, but getting insulted in front of Minho was absolutely crushing you. He did know about the way your family treated, but he had never seen it in person. Tears were welling up and Minho clearly noticed how uncomfortable you were getting.

“I mean, you’re handsome and smart. And you choose Y/N? Aren’t they the opposite of that?” Your mother laughed as tears were threatening to flow any second now.

“Y/N is just as beautiful and smart and has so much more to them. Please don’t ridicule Y/N like that, they are wonderful and don’t deserve it.” Minho retorted, hating to hear such words about you, someone he treasured and loved dearly.

You, on the other hand couldn’t bear being in the same room as your family, and rushed to your bedroom to lock yourself and finally let your tears spill freely. Minho looked at you with worry and ran to join you but you managed to lock your door faster.

“Y/N, please open the door...” And you did, wanting nothing but comfort.

Minho sighed as he hugged you tightly, “Please don’t believe them, okay? We both know how amazing you are and them saying the opposite is not change the truth.” he rubbed your back in soothing motions.

You kept sobbing uncontrollably on Minho’s shoulder, his heart breaking at the sight of you being so heartbroken.

“Don’t forget that you’re the one that I love. Not them, but you.” You lift your head up to look at Minho’s face.

“You... you love me?” You asked, not believing your ears. He smiled softly and answered with a kiss on your forehead.

“Of course, I do.”

“If you truly do love me, then hold my hand and promise me that everything will be alright.” You said through sobs, and Minho did just as told.

You both stayed like this for god knows how long until no tears were coming out and only a smile could be seen on your face.

“Is my baby feeling better?” You hummed lowly in response and buried your face in Minho’s neck, not used to the nickname. “That’s good. Once you’re ready, we’ll go and talk to your parents.” You hummed back again, he then kissed the top of your head and hugged you harder.

“I promise that as long as that I’m by your side, I’ll do my best to protect you, no matter what. Because that’s all you deserve.” Minho cupped your cheeks before quickly pecking your lips, “I love you.”

“Love you too” You said blushing, burying yourself once again in his neck making him giggle.

PERM TAG LIST! : @stacey-stonem, @sh1mzu, @axartia, @echantedrose, @leeknowbuttsmasher, @nikipedia07, @deafeningballoonnacho, @sristsblog,

[yandere-daze]

YAHOOO 🖼 ANON HERE I JUST HAD A VERY COOL BURST OF SOMETHHING (THIS)

SO LIKE SELF AWARE AU RIGHT. YEAH.

i dont know if you play jpstars, but when you play the anniv and theme mvs (the one that has a little orange square bubble in the left corner of the music option, theyre in the farthest below among the unit categories n all that) basically the all stars mv, the one thats gonna sing are your team members and the character in your center will be the lead singer! I JUST THINK THATS AWESOME LIKE YOU CAN CHANGE IT WHENEVER AND YOU CAN MAKE ANYONE YOU LIKE SING, in my case I always put mika in the center heheheh my silly little scrunkly!!

theres also this thing abt the surprising thanks!! mv (7th/recent anniv mv) that theyll give the main three in your mv (center and the ones beside them) a special outfit change! there are 4 options that you can pick before the mv, the first being random (among the ones thats gonna be mentioned) and the others being cherry (the outfit stays the same), 777 (changes to the one like in the official/yt mv, super awesome and sparkly) and jackpot! in jackpot i assumed theyre gonna choose a random one, so its basically a gamble.

FUNNY THING MY FIRST TIME PLAYING THE MV AND PICKED RANDOM THEY GAVE ME JACKPOT AJD GAVE ME MY TWO FAVORITE MIKA AND ARASHI FEATURE SCOUT 5* OUTFIT THAT I DONT EVEN HAVE THE CARD OF I WAS RLLY HAPPY, they gave ritsu the 6th anniv uniform (he was wearing the meowsketeer costume LMAO).

afterwards I tried to put shu in the main 3 to see my absolute favorite feature scout outfit that i REALLY want but have never gotten the chance or luck of getting and set it to jackpot, but he kept getting rlly generic and lame ones 💀 i was so distraught like i tried over 5 times and it aint doing shit.

they did gave mika the bunny⭐️puffy uniform two times and thats cute though!! i love him so much.

SORRY FOR THE RAMBLE AND RANTING LMAO 😭😭 i just think itd be a very very interesting thing to talk abt self aware au wise!! i wanna hear your thoughts abt it too if you dont mind hehe, thank you for your hardwork as always!

oh and ps the others in my mv team was midori and koga, i have midoris dollhouse card and kogas prison card thingy, my naru 5* is her pretty 5 one. i also picked mama from the initial option! hehe yeah im a mamap too, and he came home rlly easily too!! you can give your thoughts on these or not, its up to you, this is so fun wauuu

HAVE A GREAT DAY TOO WAHAHA ⭐️

I do indeed play jp stars too, though I've been on a bit of a break since the acanthe event that basically took all of my dias away to get Mika djdjd So it's been a while since I last played!

I love the songs where the voices actually change depending on who you put on your team! I also love making Mika my center, I can't help it, his voice is just so beautiful 🥺 I love him so dearly I'm not even kidding

I hope you have a great day too!!! 😊💕💕

gn reader

tw yandere

I imagine that in a self-aware AU they would be even more honored to be put on the team if you played a song like that! Usually all they can do is follow the moves and watch as you play the game. They perk up when you choose one of their own songs because it means they can show you their passion properly and sing just for you! Meanwhile they probably don't enjoy dancing to someone else's song that much. Why choose their song over one of their own?

But with the ones where the voices change? Oh, they're very happy!! You could have chosen anyone else but you put them on the team! These songs don't have an advantage for any particular color or unit members so you had complete free reign when it came to picking the idols you wanted.

So when you chose them over all the others? They're so so happy!! Especially the one you decide to put as the center. You love them the most, don't you? Oh they love you so much too!!!

And omg I didn't know that that was a thing for surprising thanks??? I actually haven't played the song yet so this was completely news to me! That's such a cool feature! I already was impressed with the way the beatmap would change in fusionic stars depending on who you put as center but now we also get outfit changes? And it's even possible to get them to wear outfits you don't even have? That's so cool!!

Imagine if this wasn't actually in the game originally and the characters just put that feature into the game themselves in hopes of impressing you with all the outfits they have to offer. You may not have pulled for their cards but that's okay, they'll just have to show you what you've been missing out on and maybe then you'll reconsider and give them some more attention!

At the same time, maybe the idols try to mess with the wardrobe of the ones you seem to prefer and only give them the really basic outfits you'll find boring. Don't they shine way brighter compared to them?

So direct your gaze their way and forget about those idols that couldn't even be bothered to dress up properly for you!

Meanwhile your favorites in question are upset that someone replaced their clothes without their knowledge. They wanted to show off an outfit you sadly didn't manage to get to cheer you up a bit but now that was so rudely taken away from them.

Please choose them again, they promise they'll make it up to you next time!!

[3pirouette]

Fic: A Red, White, and Blue Christmas (13/?)

By: TriplePirouette/3Pirouette

Disclaimer: They’re not mine.

Distribution: AO3 Anyone else please ask first :)

Story Summary: White Christmas AU. Peggy is pulled from Project Rebirth, setting off a chain of events that leaves Steve and Bucky unharmed at the end of the War, but never having met. Until, that is, their paths cross as professional performers. Steggy Secret Santa gift for @roboticonography

Chapter 12: Love, You Didn’t Do Right by Me

Chapter Notes: They finally talk, and sing, and little comes of it

Chapter A/N: We’re at 98 pages and 39K words. And still a good 20 minutes left in the movie. I hope you’ve all been enjoying the changes and how we’re moving along.

And thank you to @roboticonography for being the MOST PATIENT HUMAN EVER. I swear this will be done before summer.

~*~

Peggy felt empty.

It wasn’t exactly the kind of empty she’d felt before. It wasn’t the lack of anything fulfilling or the darkness of being surrounded by the enemy as she sang.

No, as she’d moved into her little hotel room she’d felt alone. It had been years since she’d been by herself and the silence seemed too loud and she found herself humming and talking to herself as she tried to settle in.

As she moved through the Stork Club she felt like an oddity. They’d had to change the marquee when they found it was only her, and the manager looked at her like she’d somehow betrayed his trust when she asked him to put Carter instead of Martinelli on the board.

She knew the feeling was loneliness, and loss, and the absence of the bright excitement that had fluttered in her belly every time she’d been around Steve. She felt so silly, giving in to such emotions after only knowing the man a few days, but she’d been drawn to him for so many reasons.

All through her dress rehearsal she tried to put it in the back of her mind.

It was hard, though, making all the decisions herself when she was so used to splitting them up and talking on pieces to make a whole show. It had been so long since she’d been a single place without Angie, she ached for the woman’s presence beside her. She missed her dearly, missed the hole she filled for a friend and a sibling and a confidant, but she still felt the crushing weight of her betrayal, too.

She tried to wipe her mind clear, she didn’t want to think about him, or Angie, or Vermont anymore as the day wore on.

She didn’t want to do anything but sing tonight.

The backstage was empty. She was the only act, aside from the band, and the dressing room felt lonely and haunted as she pressed powder over her face.

She wasn’t sure which of these feelings was because of what had happened in Vermont, and which of them were from the stirred-up vestiges of war.

The ghosts seemed so near lately, and the loneliness only made them stronger.

Afterall, the last time she’d sang solo, she’d very nearly died at the hand of a German Officer.

“Miss Carter,” the stage manager called, “Five minutes.”

“Thank you, five,” she called back, acknowledging his warning. She pulled out her lipstick and ran it over her lips, feeling at least a little more powerful as they changed from their natural pink to a bright, strong red.

She wasn’t sure what her next step was, what tomorrow or the day after would bring, but she had a job, and a hotel room, and her own name. For today, that was better than nothing.

~*~

Bucky found her behind the barn, sitting on a crate. “Finally! I’ve been looking for you all over the place! We have to—” He stopped short when Angie looked up at him, skin blotchy and red with tears in her eyes.

“I’ll, uh- I’ll be there in a minute, yeah?” She swiped hard at her face. “We’ve got to work on that finale?”

He sat down next to her slowly. “How about you tell me what’s wrong first?”

She laughed, shaking her head. “Oh, you know. Same old same old. Just drove my best friend away and I don’t know if she’ll ever speak to me again.”

“Come on.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “You know that’s not true.”

“This is all my fault, though,” she mumbled, wiping at her tears.

“The only person who can actually take any blame here is Jarvis.” He pulled her tight for a second. “He was eavesdropping, didn’t have the whole story, and started a rumor. All him.”

Angie leaned back and looked up at him, shaking her head. “I shoulda known, though. Peggy’s my best friend. I always know when it comes to her, but I—” She sighed, looking away. “I was so wrapped up in this show, and trying to get her set up with Steve and I just wasn’t paying attention to how she was really feeling.”

“Mistakes were made.” Bucky smiled softly at her. “We all made ‘em. You can’t beat yourself up over them.”

She settled back against his side. “You know, Bucky, this show is a dream for me. The kinds of shows you and Steve put together, the kinds of stages you play? That’s all I’ve ever wanted and a couple of days ago I never, for a second, would have thought anything would stop me from joining.”

He looked down at her, concerned. “You’re not gonna join us?”

“It’s swell and all,” she started, sighing, “but it means nothing if I have to do it without my best friend.”

~*~

Steve stepped into the Stork Club, looking around cautiously. He wasn’t sure what was going to come out of his mouth when he opened it when she was finally in front of him, even if he had rehearsed and written out a dozen or more different versions while he’d been on the train. The maître d seated him at a small, reserved table right at the edge of the dancefloor.

“Has Peggy Carter performed yet?” Steve asked as he sat.

“No. In a few minutes, sir.”

“Good.” He smiled, looking out at the floor. “I’m also expecting Tim Dugan. Show him over when he gets here?”

“Of course, sir.”

He had at least a few minutes to think on what he’d say, to really try to figure out how to start it off. Everything he came up with seemed so patronizing, and he didn’t want that.

No, he wanted a second chance to get to know her. To kiss her. To find out if the butterflies in his stomach every time he saw her were the real deal.

And, at the very least, he needed to get her back to Angie and straighten out this whole mess.

~*~

She could see him from the wings and started rubbing her hands up and down the velvet of her gown. A million questions ran through her mind as the emotions started to well in her chest.

Of all the clubs in all of New York, Steve Rogers had to walk into hers.

There was the tiniest spark of hope that bloomed with in her: maybe it wasn’t a coincidence, maybe it was on purpose.

She shut the spark out: even if it was on purpose, it wouldn’t change anything about what he was doing, or why he was doing it.

She hurried back to the bandleader, calling his name from offstage as the band finished their song. “Dick!”

“Yeah?” He smiled as he stepped offstage.

“Let’s not do the number we rehearsed this afternoon,” she begged, fingers still twisting in her skirt, “Play Blue Skies, play anything.”

“It sounded so good, though,” he replied, knowing nothing of why she was asking and not caring a lick for it. “You’re gonna kill with it. C’mon, we’re ready for you.”

Peggy tried to stutter out a rebuttal as he guided her on stage in the dark behind the scrim, but she knew he was right. It was a fabulous number.

She took a deep breath as the band started the first few notes and she got into place behind the microphone. If Steve was going to have to hear this song, she damn well was going to make it hurt.

The Club was still brightly lit, and as the stage lights shifted and the curtain lifted, she could see him clearly, right in front of her, his fingers rolling around the stem of a glass. She stood tall and proud, smirking her little smile and calling back to every ounce of professionalism she had to take in the whole crowd and not just leave her eyes on him.

As the notes grew stronger, though, she caught his glance, and held it, as she sang. “Love,” she let float out before dropping her voice low, “you didn’t do right by me.”

She saw his eyes fall to his glass before she turned her gaze out to the rest of the club, singing on. “You planned a romance that just hadn’t a chance, and I’m through.”

~*~

Steve’s heart was pounding in his chest. If there had been any question about how she was feeling, well, there wasn’t one now. “I’m back on the shelf and I’m blaming myself, but it’s you.” Her honeyed voice dipped low, and he felt the same rumble in his belly he’d felt the first time he’d heard her sing.

It hurt him that she’d chosen this song, that she looked so profoundly sad while singing it, though to the other patrons they’d think it was just her fabulous performance. He knew what the sparkle looked like in her eye, and tonight it was dull.

He didn’t like seeing it dulled like that.

~*~

“My one love affair didn’t get anywhere from the start.” Peggy kept singling, clutching at the microphone like a lifeline. She focused on the sounds, the notes, and trying to keep her performance moving. She didn’t think about the tears starting to prick at the back of her eyes, didn’t want to acknowledge there was only one reason they were there. “To send me a Joe with winter and snow in his heart, wasn’t smart…”

She moved the microphone across the stage, letting every inch of emotion pour out through her words and not through her eyes.

She’d cried enough for Steve Rogers.

She wouldn’t do it again.

Not when she needed this gig.

Not when she couldn’t go back.

She turned and belted.

~*~

He hadn’t heard her belt before, and though he suspected she could, hearing her powerful voice and just assuming it was there were two different things. It didn’t help that she seemed to be speaking right to him, accusing him of the hurt and pain she felt.

For all she knew, he was the reason.

He hadn’t second guessed himself before, but he was now. She wouldn’t be happy with him, and she wouldn’t be happy with him showing up.

When her voice and the notes of the band slowed to an end, he was the first on his feet, clapping loudly and wolf whistling. He may have looked a fool, but for once he didn’t care.

He watched her disappear behind the curtain, and he sat heavily, turning back to his drink. It wouldn’t get him drunk, and would do little more than make an expensive tab, but he liked to pretend it gave him some courage. He was still afraid he’d somehow make things worse. More so, even, after hearing her song choice.

She came out from the back not a minute later, still in the extravagant velvet gown she’s performed in. He stood, pulling out a chair for her.

“What a surprise,” she started as he sat, in what Steve imagined was the exact tone she’d used while at Military bases and when humoring officers. “What brings you here?”

“I, uh,” he was already off kilter, and felt like a teen again talking to a pretty girl. “I have some business here.” Peggy’s eyebrows lifted and her eyes rolled before she could contain herself, but Steve nodded along. “Yeah, that was…”

“Just come out with it, please.” Peggy folded her hands and set them on the table. “I have another song in a few minutes.”

“Right, well, they’re not engaged. Angie and Bucky, that is.” He looked down at his own hands, then up at her, trying to keep his thoughts straight. None of his rehearsals started out like this, he didn’t know what part of his apology to jump to next. “I’m not even sure I could explain it if I wanted to, but Angie seemed to think you needed an excuse to go out on your own.”

Peggy looked away. “On my own?” She turned back swallowing heavy. “Like I… I…”

“But the real kicker is that you got some bad information.” Steve interrupted her. This conversation hadn’t started right and it wasn’t getting better. “Jarvis was eavesdropping and—”

Her lips pressed together and she grew indignant. “Oh, I know very well about what he heard!”

“What he heard,” Steve interrupted her, placing his hand on both of hers, “well, I promise I can explain it.” He held her eyes, “Look, Angie’s a wreck without you, and she and Bucky are sorry for all the meddling they were doing about us…”

She swallowed hard, but didn’t pull her hand away. “Us?”

“Yeah, I…” He looked down and back up, leaning closer. “I like you, Peggy. I know you wanted to go slow, and I know this whole misunderstanding has really messed with how you see me, but… come back. We all want you to come back.”

She squeezed his hand. “I don’t know if I can.”

“I’d understand,” he started, looking down at his glass, “if it’s been too much. If talking about the war and all has…” He cleared his throat, looking up at her sincerely. “Me and Buck, well, we’re both having those nightmares again and—”

“Cap, come on!”

They were interrupted by Tim Dugan moving quickly past the maître d, coat over his shoulder and bowler hat in his hands. “We’re gonna be late!”

“Dum Dum!” Steve stood, gesturing to Peggy. “Tim Dugan, Peggy Carter.”

He gave a little bow, but turned back to Steve quickly. “Boy, what I had to go through for you. The network, sponsors, all kinds of red tape, but I finally got it squared away just the way you wanted it!” He smiled, then let it drop and tilted his head. “But we gotta go now, Cap. I got a cab waiting, we’re late.”

Peggy stood as Steve turned to her. “I’m sorry I—”

“Go ahead,” her smile was fake and placating.

“Listen, can I see you later tonight?”

He reached out for her hand, but she pulled away, bewildering him. “I can’t, I have a date.”

“Tomorrow, then?” He asked, stepping towards her even though Dum Dum was slowly inching away.

“No, I’m busy all day.”

He caught her eyes, and wondered if he was imagining the pain in them.

“You better go, you’re keeping Mr. Dugan.”

He looked over at Dugan, who seemed at least a little apologetic for dragging him away so quickly, then back at Peggy. “What should I tell Angie?”

She looked down, playing with the edge of the table cloth. “I don’t know. I’ll have to think about it. Goodbye, Steve.” She gave him no choice and moved away quickly. He watched her slip backstage as Dugan pulled him toward the front door.

“Kills me to pull you away from a dame, Cap,” Dugan muttered as he shoved him in the cab, “but we got a schedule to keep.”

~*~

Peggy paced backstage. She wanted to call up that Inn and holler at Angie. That engagement had been the last straw, it was what made her pack her bags and go.

But his words… he’d promised he be able to explain something. And the way he’d looked at her…

She felt it, deep in her gut. She’d gotten things so very, very wrong.

“Miss Carter? Are you ready for your next number?”

“Yes,” she replied, turning sharply, moving along with the stage manage back to the floor. “Is there a television here?”

“We have one in the break room, why?”

“I’ll be taking my break tonight during the Tim Dugan Show.” She looked down her nose at him with the face she knew had scared a thousand recruits. “It’s non-negotiable.”

~*~

Phillips made his way to the lounge five minutes before the show was set to start, on the dot. “Your Bourbon, sir,” Jarvis set the tumbler down next to his chair, just as he did every week. “Is there anything I can get you?”

“No, no.” He shook his head, settling in. “Not unless you can explain to me how it seems like all my soldiers ended up in show business?”

Jarvis pressed his lips together tight. “I have still not come up with an answer for that, sir.”

Phillips smirked at Jarvis’ proper answer as he sipped his drink. Just as he was reaching for the television Ana stepped in. “Oh, Colonel, just the man I need. The battery on the Jeep has died.”

“Oh, I’ll get to it tomorrow,” he waved her off, then tiled his head towards the seats next to him. “Don’t make me ask you to join me again. I know you two like this show, too.”

Ana began to object, hoping to pull him away from the television, when a cry sounded from the other room.

Angie skidded through the door, horror written on her face. “Oh, you have to help!” The Colonel jumped to his feet, marching out followed by the Jarvises. “He fell! It’s horrible!”

They all found Bucky at the bottom of the stairs, clutching his leg, rolling in pain.

“Barnes!” The Colonel bent low. “What happened?”

“Just a slip, sir,” he pushed through grit teeth, “I should be fine in a few minutes.”

“You’re damn clumsy for a dancing man,” Phillips muttered as he helped him stand, Bucky still holding his left leg in his hand. “You think you can put weight on it?”

“Sure can,” he tried to step on it, but lifted it right back up with a cry. “Not. Cannot, sir.”

“We should call a doctor,” Phillips set his shoulder under his arm.

“No, oh no, I don’t think it’s that bad.” Bucky argued, trying to smile. “I’m rolling my ankles all the time, just need to walk it out a bit and I’ll be just fine.”

Phillips looked at him and nodded, knowing his own penchant for avoiding doctors. “Ok, then, let’s put your weight on it real slow.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he panted, then made a show of crumbling to the floor as he tried to stand on it.

“Ana, call a doctor!” Phillips called, looking down at him.

“No!” He called, hauling himself up by a railing. “I just need to get it going again.” He snuck a quick look at his watch under the guise of steadying himself.

“Ok, then. Why don’t you come in the lodge, watch Dugan make a fool out of himself and—”

“If you don’t mind just helping me back to the bungalow…” Bucky leaned forward, “I wouldn’t want to faint in front of everyone, sir.”

Phillips raised his eyebrows then rolled his eyes. “I guess it doesn’t matter which one of you boys I watch make a fool of themselves tonight,” he muttered, putting his shoulder under Bucky’s arm. “Let’s go, Barnes.

[ssson-of-sparda]

Two Dresses (Dante x Fem!Reader)

Summary: Patty desperately wants to know what happened between Dante and Y/N. Hopefully, Morrison is here to help. (Part 3 of A Tab To Erase) (Part 1) (Part 2)

Tags: Pre DMC3 Dante / Dante is Tony Redgrave / Love / Fluff / Slight ANgst / Implied Sexual Content / Explicit Language

Author’s note: Part 3 is out. Sorry for keeping you waiting. The story is coming to its end. Only one or two chapters left.

MISSION 3

Indifference is the worst form of contempt. But how can you be indifferent when a squeaking tiny voice as unbearable as fingernails on a chalkboard constantly splits your ears with endless whining? Dante wished to know.        “Pleeeeaase Dante. You promised.” Patty begged again as she almost sprawled on the man’s desk, strangely not caring about the grease or the tomato sauce that were disgustingly splattered on the wooden surface.      “I didn’t do such thing.” Dante nonchalantly took a bite of his pizza, trying to ignore Patty’s pleading blue eyes and her feeble attempt at convincing him to tell her the rest of his ‘love story’ (she had decreed it was one) with Y/N. “Come on, Dante! You have to tell me!” The frustration in every single word coming out of her mouth was growing stronger. You could hear it in the way her voice was becoming more and more piercing by the minute. And in spite of all the time spent with Patty, Dante had never succeeded in really ignoring her childish whims. “Don’t you watch TV shows?” She added. “You know full well I don’t.” And it was the truth. Except for adults programs once in a while, Dante cared less about television, contrary to Patty who was a professional binge-watcher capable of watching a dozen of episodes a day and still yearning for more.        “Well, even if you don’t, haven’t you ever experienced the frustration of a cliffhanger? Like, in Bolero in Spring, when Jenna has a car accident right after she decides to run after Josh to finally tell him he is the love of her life and that she loves him too and you know you’ll have to wait a whole week to know what happens next?”                Dante’s brain shut down after the first question, or maybe even before that, finding a not-so-surprising fascination for the slices of salami on his pizza and their perfectly round shapes. “Like I told you, I don’t watch TV.”      “Haven’t you ever longed for anything?”            “Yes actually. Right now, I long for peace … and quiet … and for you to finally shut up.” The girl glared at him, shooting daggers at him as sharp as a thousand Rebellions.

“What’s going on here?” Relief immediately shone in both Patty’s and Dante’s eyes when Morrison pushed the door of Devil May Cry, replacing the tension in the room with paternal warmth that was so like him.                 “Morrison! You got to help me. Dante doesn’t want to tell me what happened between him and Y/N” She complained with her small fists clenched tightly, a childish attitude that would have made Morrison smile if it hadn’t been for his surprise.“ You told Patty about Y/N? How weird of you.” “Not for free.”  “You know her, Morrison?” There was a gleam in Patty’s eyes, one only curiosity and excitement could create.       “By reputation. Everybody in the mercenary business knew who she was and was aware not to touch a hair on her head. I bet even demons knew. Y/N. Tony Redgrave’s beautiful girlfriend. And probably the only girl that could make Dante act somewhat … mature.” He said as he chose his words wisely, though he wasn’t sure they were fit for the memories of Dante he had in mind.                  “ What are you talking about? I’ve always been mature.”        “ Yeah. Because eating strawberry sundaes and pizza everyday is very adult.” Dante frowned, pretty sure he had once heard a similar reprimand coming from someone else’s mean mouth. His mother? No … but close. “Have you been spending time with Trish lately?”           “ Stop changing the subject and tell me the story!” Dante eyed at Morrison with an insisting look that meant ‘Get me the hell out of here.’ but today, he would not receive any help from his friend. “You know she won’t let go, Dante. So, should I tell her or should you?”              Dante sighed. “Two dresses off my tab and it’s yours.”

TWO DRESSES

Two star-crossed lovers in fair Redgrave City, where we lay our scene …

Are you kidding me?! What? I thought you loved that kind of lovey-dovey crap. Dante! Fine …

The rest of the story was no Shakespearian play. There was no betrayal, no sword fighting, no friend or parent tragically murdered, no forbidden love, no unfair ending, no … Who was Dante kidding? There was all that and worse. Another reason why he hated Shakespeare so much.                But when love started to bloom and with it the chances at a normal peaceful life, Dante never considered those dramatic events. Not even a slight second. After all, he was an overly enthusiastic nineteen year-old with the girl of his dreams on his arm and a long-awaited roof above his head. What could go wrong? Especially when all he thought about, all he imagined were simple mornings waking up with the one he loved so dearly and nights with his silver head in between…

“In between what?” “ Y/N’s fingers... Y/N’s fingers of course.” “ You’re not so good at making this story family-friendly you know that, Dante?” “I’m doing my best here, Morrison.”

And his epicurean – though quite lewd - plans were all shared to the utter despair of Y/N’s parents who constantly reminded Y/N of the big mistake she was making in getting involved with a boy like ‘that vermin Tony’.                 “What about college? What about that confortable life we wanted for you? How can you throw all this away for that boy?” Dante remembered the time Y/N’s mother had said that with a menacing finger and a poisonous tongue. That and the infamous “Is breeding with that trash and raising his filthy bastards truly what you want Y/N?”    So long the time that family had generously taken him under their roof for a few days. Guess money does make you stuck-up assholes after all. That’s what he had wanted to reply. But instead, he had just stood still, arms crossed over his chest and had remained silent, out of respect for Y/N and also because, deep down, he was sometimes thinking the same.

He wanted the best for Y/N. He wanted to give her the best life had to offer, all the things she wanted, all the things she needed but he only had a few dollars in his pocket and a list of debts he didn’t really know how the erase. And even though she seemed like she didn’t mind now, what would happen in a few years, or even just a few months. What would happen when the little he had to offer would not be enough anymore?

“Will you love me all the same in a few years?” She asked him, soft hands placed over his strong naked chest and (colour) eyes staring deep in his looking for the truth. “I’m sure I will love you even more if that’s anything possible.”               “Then stop worrying and stop with the silly questions already.” And she kissed him with all the comfort and the love she could gather. She kissed him like there was no tomorrow, like there was just them, only them, together, on that mattress on the floor in this furniture-less and decaying shop he had just been allowed to rent for an astronomical amount of money. “A neon sign.” “ What?” Dante asked a bit confused.                  “You should get a neon sign, like the one my parents had at the restaurant.” She added with a soft smile. “You want me to get a pink neon sign?” He joked and took delight when she laughed. She was so insanely beautiful when she was laughing. “It wasn’t pink. It was red.”                “ My coat is red. That sign was definitely pink. And pink doesn’t scream ‘menacing devil-hunter in the house’?” “Menacing devil-hunter?” She repeated, arching an eyebrow suspiciously. “Where?” Dante looked at her smirking mockingly at him. “Watch it you!” He pushed her on the mattress and went to lie his burning yet still sweaty body over hers to place a multitude of hungry lovely kisses on her neck, wishing this moment would never end.

But it ended, as all good things end eventually. Thanks to Enzo Ferino, once again. That piece of shit had the knack to ruin things after all.                “Tony! Per l’amore di Dio! Tony!” He shouted from downstairs, visibly alarmed if not terrified. “Speaking of the Italian midget.” Dante sighed, his lips still on Y/N’s skin, thinking that maybe ignoring Enzo would make him leave. “Tony!!!”           “Damn it.”          “Pretty sure the menacing devil-hunter hiding in this shop will scare him away?” Y/N taunted again and Dante grinned before pressing his lips on Y/N’s one last time. “Oh, he sure will. Wait here. I’ll be right back.” Dante said as he reluctantly left his girl’s loving embrace to put on a pair of pants and go welcome his unwanted guest fidgeting in the hall.                    “ You’d better.”

“It better be important, Enzo.” Dante demanded as he lazily walked down the creaking stairs to show him how annoyed he was to see him here. “You’ve just ruined a perfect moment with my girl.”               “Y/N? Y/N is with you?” The man’s eyes were widened with fear and distress and even though Dante knew how much of a coward Enzo was, he had never seen him that way. “How many girls do you think I have?”  The short man leant against the wall and took a deep sigh. “Well, that’s relief I guess.” Dante frowned, unsure if he should remain annoyed or start asking questions. Hell, why not both. “Will you tell me what’s going on?”     “A man came to Bobby’s Cellar. Looking for you.”          “Not a first.” Dante walked pass Enzo to grab a bottle of whisky he had left early on on one of the many boxes he had not yet unpacked. “One of Denvers’ goons presumably.” He leant against the wall and took a mouthful of amber alcohol, thinking about the girl waiting for him upstairs and how he should have never left her.        “No. Not Denvers. That man was working alone and he asked about a certain Dante.” The half-demon froze for a second and his blue eyes darted a brief astonished glance at his partner. A man looking for Dante - Dante, not Tony - was no good news. “I said I didn’t know any Dante but then he described you and I thought che cacchio è. Then he threatened me and … He was scary, Tony”     “What did you tell him?”  Dante frowned. He had the feeling Enzo had fucked up. He could feel it in his guts. Otherwise he would have never rushed to his new place in the middle of the night to warn him. “That you weren’t here. That you certainly were with Y/N. And then he had me, Tony. I …” “ You mentioned Y/N?” Enzo took an immediate step back when he heard the anger in Dante’s voice. “ I … I’m sorry. He … He tricked me.” Then he took another step and another one, trying to stay as far away as possible from Dante, until his back bumped against the door and he was able to spot a terrifying red flame burning with rage in the mercenary’s eyes who was towering him menacingly. “What did you say about Y/N?”                           If the weird man in Bobby’s Cellar had scared the shit out Enzo early on, what he had felt back then was nothing in comparison to he was feeling right now. Paralysed with fear, he couldn’t move anymore, couldn’t speak. He could only stare at the raging fire in Dante’s eyes and feel a burning warmth emanating from the young man’s body against him. Were those the flames of Hell? Was he about to be punished for his sin? For betraying his partner?    “What did you say?” He shouted and Enzo trembled and squealed like a pig, arms covering his face to protect himself. Yes, his man Tony was about to flay him alive. He was sure of it. “What are you?” He mumbled.

“Tony.” Enzo thanked all the gods for that divine intervention. Though whom he should have truly thanked was Y/N and her soft reassuring voice that had miraculously pulled Dante from his dark rage.

I like her. Dante smiled.

“Stop please.” Enzo felt Dante calm down and when he finally walked away from him, the small man took a deep breath. “If something happens …” Dante didn’t finish the sentence. He didn’t need to and Enzo was already nodding furiously. “I know.” He blindly grabbed the handle behind his back and quickly opened the door to run away as fast as he could.

Dante watched him running in the cold night with a frown until he couldn’t see him anymore. Then he swiftly strode back to Y/N waiting for him on top of the stairs to pull her in a strong protective  embrace. And when his lips pressed in her silky hair and she realized he couldn’t let go, she started worrying. “What is it?” She had never felt him like that.                  “It’s nothing.” He replied softly even though the voice in his head was screaming things like Don’t you get out of my sight, even for a second. I can’t lose you. Not like my mother. I love you so freaking much. “Stay with me tonight.”

But deep down, Dante wasn’t sure this was the smartest decision.

***

“And so was it?” Patty curiously asked as she stared at Dante with her big blue eyes. “ Was it what?” He replied, pretending not to understand. He loved teasing her. “ The smartest decision?” She clarified with an enthusiasm that clearly showed her interest and her will to know more. “ I thought you loved cliffhangers.”

[jmalkki]

From head canon to on-screen reality 

Episode 6 of Season 3. You, guys.

My. Goodness.

What oddly specific joy.

One has secretly hoped a scene of this nature to eventually make it onto the show, and the promo images promised it was coming now. So, one went in expecting to finally see on screen the sweet sweet scene of the couple all domestic, chilling on their bed, sharing thoughts; the one one has imagined so many times in various forms, be it in text or in illustrations. Seemingly topped with a kiss, as well -  gorgeous for the unremarkable mundanity of itself, without any story points or grand gestures tied to it.

Though the promo image promised kiss was not to be seen, what the domestically set scene itself delivered in substance was such a validating treat one could not feel one bit amiss; something one couldn’t have expected, hoped for, or imagined to come worth.

The end scenes of the episode made some major personal head canons true on screen! Namely the fact of Paul immediately recognizing the nature of one talking by oneself as if to a lost loved one, and admitting carrying Hugh similarly with him after Dear Doctor’s death. And, the fact, that both of the men hate the augmentations on Paul’s arms.

Seemingly tiny things perhaps, but these have both been some of the most persistent themes in my past writing of these two. And much as I abhor to go back to my past scribbles, I felt compelled to quickly go through whole of the Honey Mushroom series, and collect below all of the narratives focused on Paul talking to Hugh in his mind, and the instances mentioning the shared bother of the spore drive augmentations.

Which now suddenly as if offer possible context for the on-screen dialogue:

“God, I hated those things.” “I hated them more.”  

I realize this is quite individual a glee, specific to curious personal head canon nuggets (and perhaps to those who might’ve enjoyed the nuggets / nursed any similar own ideas), but I am beyond ecstatic for those nuggets to have now made it on screen and/or fit into the canon, complementary to the narrative!

How ever coincidental, I think one must thank at least Anne Cofell Saunders, the writer of the episode, for including these specific allusions / plot directions, and in doing so making reality of one’s particular head canons. And, that gratitude must also be extended to anyone else, who might’ve been involved in what ever capacity in the process of bringing these into the show’s in-universe reality.

Feels like such an immense affirmation of one’s year(s) spent passionately imagining these unmentioned-in-canon dimensions (regardless how ever fumblingly). Such joy to see these once dearly envisioned behind-the-scenes aspects brought on screen, and into the canon.

More small, but notable glees: Paul’s PADD on the nightstand. And the men sleeping on the ‘correct’ sides of the bed, which has also been a theme in exploring the character of Paul.  (And, in fact, Paul scratching the augmentations/residuals, too *heehee*).

Okay. Let’s go.

Passages of the augmentations being a bother:

From my second ever narrative, and the first to mention the augmentations, if not yet for the precise shared discomfort factor. Also the first to feature Paul talking to Hugh after the death:

[He shifted on the chair and reached for his forearm. Feeling out the hard plastic augmentation with his fingers. Rubbing it in a circular motion on top of his muscles, letting the gentle pressure push against his bones.

They were another reason - the augmentations - why he had felt so bare at the gym dressing rooms. He had only ever really bared them in the engineering for their designed purpose, and with Hugh around in the sickbay or in the confinements of their quarters. He had showed them to few others of course on occasion, but on his own discretion. He wasn’t comfortable letting them ‘hang out’ like he had just done. It too left him feeling exposed.

“They keep insisting I go in for a medical examination”, Paul muttered out quietly, while skimming through his calendar, like he was expecting Hugh - his resident consultant on all things medical - to actually answer.]

- We Are Undone, But Soldier On

From my only ‘alternative future’ story, with the first ever allusion to the shared discomfort with the apparatus. Also the narrative, which solidified the idea of Paul harboring Hugh ‘alive’ in his mind well after the death:

[ Paul smiled. He put his hand in his hair again, mussed it around a bit, adjusting it from side to side, observing it closely from the mirror. “And you won’t mind this either?” He asked with a faint look of apprehension on his face, “it’s still getting thinner and thinner each year.” “You know I always loved that”, Hugh spoke to him with most affectionate tone, as Paul could feel fingers play with the little swirl of thinning hair on the back of his head, “it makes you look irresistibly manly.”

“Like these”, Hugh continued, as Paul raised his arms in front of himself, displaying the thick, fluffy white hair covering his forearms, “I love falling asleep into this softness.” “Well, you’re in luck then. They sure aren’t thinning any”, Paul snickered, “I think the hair on my head might be migrating there in fact”. He could hear Hugh chuckle and felt a light encouraging pat on his hips.

Paul turned away from the mirror and walked slowly to the small kitchen cabin in the corner of the room. “Always hated shaving any of that off for those spore drive ports, just so you know.” he could hear Hugh’s voice commenting back at him. Paul was replicating his morning drink. “You won’t mind me saying then, how glad I was to get those off eventually”, Paul conversed in his head as he watched the replicator form a cup of tea.

“Of course not, Mushroom”, Hugh sounded to respond from the bed, “we’ve been through this many times. You don’t need to feel sorry for getting rid of those.”

“Yeah…” Paul muttered as he walked back to the room with a fresh cup of tea in his hands, “it just felt then like I was throwing something of you away”, he thought sitting down on the bed, “I know it’s silly.”

“It is. You know I wasn’t too keen on those things ‘hogging’ your arms either”, Hugh let out a little laugh, “and you really haven’t thrown any of me away.”

Paul looked sheepishly down to his tea. He knew what was coming.

“Don’t you think you should?” Hugh asked with a slight hint of worry in his voice.]

- Becalmed

A short, based solely on the premise of the discomfort of the augmentations:

[ Hugh wakes up to it again. To Paul’s arm wrapping around him. Dang, it used to be one of the best feelings in the mornings to wake in the safety of his Honey Mushroom’s manly arms. Now, there’s often this unforeseen complication. And Hugh has in part himself to blame for it too.

“Mushroom”, Hugh tries to carefully arouse the sleeping man’s attention by shaking him a little. He gets no response.

“Honey, can you move your arm a bit”, Hugh tries a little louder and attempts to wiggle himself from the man’s grip, but Paul just mumbles something in his sleep and won’t move. The arm wants to hold on to Hugh. Dammit. He loves it, but just not like this.

“Paul!” Hugh makes no attempt to discretion anymore, “will you let go of me!”

“What!?” Paul wakes up shouting irately at the abrupt wake-up call.

“Your damn augmentation is boring into my hip again”, Hugh lets the understandably agitated response get to him and snaps back in equal tone, which is far more harsh than necessary.

“Well, who the fuck’s fault is it, it’s there!?” Paul huffs back, fiercely as only provoked Paul would - even when half asleep, like he is right now.

“I know, I know. And you’re very welcome, by the way”, Hugh sneers, “just move it”.

“Fine!” Paul scoffs and yanks his arm to his own side of the bed, turning his back to Hugh as he does so. Hugh turns back to face his side as well.

The doctor then immediately feels regret for having gotten so agitated. He’s upset for the situation - lamenting over losing those comfy arms for the good of this ship -, not mad at the man.

How difficult for the man himself it must be to adjust? And Paul hasn’t once complained. Oddly so.

Hugh had just let his own less than satisfactory wake-up ruin Mushroom’s morning as well, hadn’t he?

“I’m sorry, Paul”, Hugh turns to look at the man over his shoulder,  "I didn’t mean to yell. I’m not upset with you".

“I know”, Paul’s sleepy voice sounds faintly somewhere behind the man’s back. He’s not turning back around.

Hugh worries his outburst might scare Paul to thinking twice before embracing him again. And he loves his cuddly Paul.

“Of course you’re still welcome to snuggle”, Hugh assures Paul, letting the regret sound in his voice.

But the man doesn’t hear him, he’s fast asleep again. And Hugh’s bed feels that much emptier without the safety of his man’s arms around him.]

- Losing Your Arms

From one, which references events referenced on screen, namely the introduction of the (preliminary) augmentations by revealing them installed on Paul’s arms:

[ Maybe it had indeed been but a dream after all. Like all of this. Perhaps like all the other times he remembers too. Those instances when they had been somewhere quite surprising - and admittedly quite exciting -, getting distracted by each other from their intended tasks.

Like, when at the Medbay, setting up these brand new spore drive ports on his arms, for a brief stolen moment before the evening shift had arrived to relief Hugh.

Indeed, occasionally he had been back as they were in the middle of hurriedly moving that task to their quarters to follow up on those distractions. Like they must have done just now, judging from the state in which their clothes lay scattered around the room and by the selection of tools haphazardly laid on the coffee table next to them. Like they ever really had any intention to use those once here on this couch.

Paul regards the augmentations on his forearms.

He’s getting a lot of extra orientation practice to the devices through these repeats however, Paul muses. Would Hugh notice anything? Will Mushroom have hard time explaining to the doctor after all of this, how he’s so well adjusted to these things so soon after installation?

He realizes this right now as he catches himself cursing them, positioning his arms so that the ports wouldn’t chafe against their bare skins. Is it too late to rethink these apparatus?]

- Come Again

From one, where Paul regards the augmentations at Hugh’s wake:

[ Paul remembers wrapping his arms around that waist each and every night.

He shifts his arms. The spore drive ports on his forearms, beneath the layers of sleeves, suddenly feel so alien again right then.

It’s not his first time in civilian clothing with them (thanks to his insistence on own comfort wear out of the uniform), but it is the first time with them off duty, since he’s off the ship. And they feel grossly out of place in these Earthly settings.

Hugh too had come to dislike them - his own invention - as soon as it had become apparent how they were an obstruction between their embraces.

Paul should get them removed, if they’ll no longer serve a purpose.

He takes his hands out of the pockets, folds his arms over his chest and goes back to staring across the room with what must appear quite a stern look.]

- Honoring One’s Heart

There was also one about the conceiving of the idea of the augmentations, where, however, the bother factor was not yet in sight:

Doctor, Not an Engineer

And this one, which doesn’t technically count for similar 'shared bother’ reasons either, perhaps, but is a whole narrative very much build around the inconvenience of the augmentations:

Performance Issues

Plus, couple saucy ones, which I won’t list here, lest I actually ever want to share this post *ha* More below:

While at it, (and, perhaps more importantly) here are the narratives build around the idea fact (!!) of Paul living with Hugh ‘alive’ in his mind after the death - in narrative order (some already featured above, too). Hardly captured by a single quote, but for a taste:

[ He had finally heard it. The voice. Hugh’s voice trying to calm him down, “Paul. You need to let yourself be upset. You need to let the tears come.” ]

- We Are Undone, But Soldier On

[ ‘Honey? Are you drunk?’

A delightful, relieved curiosity filled Paul’s mind momentarily as he peered into the darkness of the room wide-eyed, to see where the gentle, familiar voice calling him out was coming from.

Then he remembered, and with a loud, derisive scoff sank back into his darkened state of mind, slumping back down on the couch.

“So fucking what!? If I am.” ]

- A Better Man

[ None of this should matter. Not the suit, not the event, not the crowd. Paul is not here, and Hugh is not gone. Not yet anyway. They are still very much together, and just about to leave somewhere off by themselves, once done with this circus. To enjoy each others’ company somewhere away from all of this dreary pretend. Such a presentation, and for whose sake? “You don’t mind, if I’m not honoring you in accordance to the Fleet standards, do you?” He still gets no response. Hugh hasn’t talked to him since Paul disembarked that cursed ship. He’s still here though, isn’t he? Paul would surely feel it, if the man left.]

- Honoring One’s Heart

[ “Yes. We are too damn young to be thinking about retiring yet.” Paul said and turned to look by his side instinctively, only to see there was really no-one there, of course. He let out a little huff and smiled to himself. Then turned back to face the beach in front of him, and paused to think again. “It will surely be painful to be near it all on the Discovery”, his mind went on, “but I’m not quite ready yet to let go of what we had there either”. “Our only home together?” Hugh came back beside him. “Our first home together”, Paul specified, “so far…"]

- First Home

[  “Dear, I’m home”. He can just imagine himself standing there at the door of their cabin, staring into the empty, cold room that used to be. All the pleasant memories now tainted. How exactly will this be helping him to get over? “But please, do remind me again”, Paul whispers to himself, and hears a heavy, sympathetic sigh in reply, as if preparing itself for telling him of all the ways he’s doing the right thing to move on, and how it’s proud of him for not giving up, and how it supports him, and all that fucking sentimental nonsense, it’s had to tell him already, over and over. And which yet Paul needs to hear. To keep faith. To not forget. ]

- Watching Over You

[  “Hmh”, Paul shrugs, taking in the thought, suddenly a slight twinkle in his eyes, “…but I have too much ‘unbridled passion’ you say?” he then yields, disregarding his persistent gravity, as he apprehensively turns his playful smirk at Hugh, readying himself for this blessed dream to end short. But the man stays here. Startlingly, staring right back at Paul’s surprised gaze with almost haunting clarity. Paul’s grip on the newly corporeal man tightens in a moment of incredulity. For the first time in weeks - but which feels like a year - Paul is able to see the man, to look into those loving eyes again, bathe in that radiant smile, and respond to all of the emotions he now thirstily reads from the man’s beautiful face. And fuck, if there aren’t tears on Paul’s own. The man really is right here.]

- Passion of a Vulcan Like Mind

[ He could feel Hugh’s gaze on himself. “You realize, you actually wanted me gone today?”, he heard Hugh speak out gently, “I got in your way”.

Paul’s smile turned to an anguished frown. The tone of understanding in Hugh’s voice hurt him. “Never”, he attested firmly. He lay there as still as possible, staring at the ceiling, afraid to move too much, or turn to glance at his side, lest it chased away this sensation of Hugh beside him.

“You are being stubborn again, Mushroom”, Hugh whispered with a hint of worry in his voice, “why do you still cling on so desperately?”. He was so close Paul could almost feel the breath on him - or was that the sea breeze perhaps - “You said you’d be okay, if I left - why won’t you let me then?”]

- Becalmed (alt)

[twistedlymad]

Was It... Just A Dream? (Ft. Grim, Ace, Deuce, Jack, Epel and Sebek)

Guys, uh... I... May or may not have been letting my brain go dead for a while... And I came up with this idea/theory: What if Twisted Wonderland was an endless loop of a dream? 

And my mind just went: You need to write this down, NOW. And so I did :) I hope you guys would like this little idea-turned-story of mine and I hope you all have a lovely day!

(P.S, This story takes place after battling Overblot!Grim and I wrote the reader as gender neutral.)

“GRIM!!”

A voice yelled out. Multiple sounds of running on grassy fields can be heard. You were making those sounds. You had yelled, you had ran, and now, you were kneeling in front of a passed out furball.

A furball, that you loved oh so dearly.

“Is… he okay?” A certain Heartslabyul student asked. You scooped up the furball into your arms.

“I… I don’t know.” You replied, unsure of the status of the creature in your arms.

“Grim… Please… Don’t do this to me.” You croaked out, tears falling out of your eyes as you hugged the furball closer to your chest.

“I need you. Don’t do this to me.” You repeated. Students and faculty members gathered around the two of you.

“(Y/N), we tried, let’s just hope for the best.” The Headmaster of the prestigious school, Night Raven College, said to you and placed a hand on your shoulder.

Silence ensued for a few moments. Your best friends, the first years, all had tears coming out of their eyes too as they watched you in silence. All the students were lowering their heads. The dorm leaders, vice dorm leaders, upperclassmen and everyone, feeling sorrowful for you and the creature in your embrace. You closed your eyes, hoping, praying that the worst did not just happen in front of your very eyes. You hoped for a sign to signify that the little furball in your arms was alright.

Silence continued.

That was until you felt movement in your arms. You felt tossing and turning coming from the furball in your arms. You snapped your eyes open and immediately looked at the creature you were holding.

“Yanno… Don’t hug me so tight like that… It gets hard to breathe!” A voice squeaked out. More tears fell out of your eyes.

“GRIM!!!” You yelled once again.

“Yeah yeah, that’s me, after all, I am The Great Grim…” Grim managed to say after looking at you and giving you one of his cheeky smiles.

“You… YOU SCARED ME.” You said, in a somewhat angry tone, but you tightened your hug with the furball nonetheless.

“GRIM!!” A few more voices were heard. You looked to see your best friends, the first years, running towards the two of you at full speed and tackling you and the furball into a giant hug.

The students around you cheered. Sure, it may have been a tough and ruthless battle against the creature in your hands, but in the end, they were glad that it all had went well.

“Never do that again you raccoon!!” Ace yelled out to Grim as the first-years pulled away from the hug.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m… sorry.” Grim said and you planted a kiss on his forehead.

“No one blames you silly. We’re just glad you’re safe.” You said with a smile and loosen your grip on him.

“Come on! We’ll get you patched up back at school.” Deuce said as the students were already heading back to campus.

“Yea, you put up one heck of a fight.” Jack said.

“Who knew something as small as you can rival the powers of Malleus-sama himself?” Sebek spoke out.

“Hey!! I take offense to that!” Epel glared at Sebek. Sebek sweatdropped before muttering an apology to the Pomefiore first-year.

“Guys, we should really get back…” Grim said out. The sound of a low growl continued as he sheepishly laughed.

“I’m kinda hungry.” The furball said. You and the boys just stared at him for a few moments before laughing out loud.

“That’s Grim for ya!” Ace said, wiping away a tear from either crying earlier or laughing too much.

“But, yeah, we should head back now.” Deuce said and he and the boys began to walk back to campus. Grim left your arms and began walking too.

“(Y/N), let’s go!” The furball said to you. You smiled and nodded in response.

“Sure, let’s go.” You said, standing up.

But as you did, you felt… Dizzy. As you raised a hand to support your head, the dizziness increased.

The last thing that you saw was the boys turning around and reaching out for you. The last thing that you heard was the boys calling out your name.

“(Y/N)!!” And with that, you had completely blacked out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When you came to, you heard muffled voices calling your name. As you slowly began to gain consciousness, those voices became louder and clearer.

And… It wasn’t a voice you recognized, at least, it wasn’t a voice you recognized from Twisted Wonderland.

For it was a female’s voice.

“(Y/N). (Y/N). (Y/N).” The voice repeated.

You were getting more and more awake now, so you fluttered open your eyes. You were immediately greeted with bright lights that shone into your eyes. When you looked around a bit more, you saw machinery and equipment that would be used in hospitals, bouquets and bouquets of flowers sitting on a table beside you with a tag saying ‘Get Well Soon’.

But most importantly, you saw faces. Faces, in which you haven’t seen in a long time. Your family’s faces.

“(Y/N)! You’re awake!!” Your mom who was beside your bed embraced you gently, fearing that she would cause you discomfort if she hugged you too tightly. Your dad was beside your mom, smiling at you with teary eyes.

“I’m… Awake?” You questioned.

What did your mom mean by this?

Haven’t you always been awake?

Did you find a way back home already?

As you hugged your mom, you took notice of your surroundings. Your earlier assumptions of you being in a hospital were correct.

But… Why were you in a hospital?

“Oh sweetie! I was so scared for you!” Your mom said as she pulled away from the hug, visible tears flowing out of her eyes.

“Scared? For me? But, why?” You questioned. You were confused and you needed answers.

“(Y/N)… Don’t you remember?” Your dad asked you.

“Remember… what?” You questioned again. Your mom and dad exchanged glances before talking.

“You… Were in a car accident.” Your mom said and your eyes widen.

‘No, this can’t be true.’ You thought to yourself.

“You were injured very badly, the doctors had to perform an emergency operation on you in order to save you.” Your dad said.

‘Stop, you’re lying! I was in Twisted Wonderland! I was at Night Raven College! Not here!’ Your mind had yelled out.

“The operation had ended in success, but, you were left in a coma…” Your mom croaked out.

“How… How long was I in a coma for?” You asked your parents.

“A year.” The answer was something you had expected, at the same time you didn’t want to believe it because…

You were at Night Raven College for a year.

‘You’re both wrong, I was at Night Raven College, not in a coma! I had friends, REAL friends! They’re not just my imaginations!’ Your mind was yelling out all the events that had happened at Night Raven College. All the time you spent with your friends, all the events that had happened, all the chaos and overblottings. They were imprinted into your mind very clearly and they felt surreal. You felt that as if you had just finished battling an overblotted Grim just a few moments ago.

So, how did you end up here? You didn’t have a single clue.

After a few days of checkups and tests, you were free to leave the hospital.

When you arrived home, you were fairly silent. You ate your meals without a word and would always be inside your room. You still refused to believe that your time at Night Raven College was ‘just a dream’ for it had felt so surreal for you.

After having your dinner on the third day, you retreated back to your room once again. But, before heading into your room, you heard your parents gossiping about you, you decided to eavesdrop a little before heading into your room.

“(Y/N) is so moody lately. You’d think as a person who just woke up from a coma, he/she would be more cheerful.” Your father said.

“Oh, give her/him a break, they’re still situating himself/herself in… It’s hard to catch up on everything after being in a coma for a year.” Your mother said.

“Could’ve been a lot nicer if he/she were more cheerful and thankful for being alive.” You father said.

You sighed, rolled your eyes and went into your room.

You lied down on your bed, trying to remember the events that happened at Night Raven College.

How the first years always brought you trouble, how the dorm leaders and your upperclassmen had little chit-chats with you and invited you to various events with them, how Grim would always flash his cheeky smile at you whenever you told him about a plan. Yeah, your life at Night Raven College was the highlight of your life. It didn’t take too long of reminiscing for you to drift off into dreamland.

However, you woke up in the middle of the night, for a bright light was blaring at you from… Your mirror?

You rubbed your eyes as you stared at your mirror.

“What?” You muttered in a soft voice. You slowly inched closer to the mirror, only to find a hand reaching out for you.

“Take the hand that appears in the mirror.” A very familiar voice boomed.

You blinked a few times to make sure you weren’t dreaming. Your mind had been sending off all sorts of alarms of telling you ‘NO, DO NOT TAKE THE HAND.’

But… 

Your curiosity got the better of you. So you did, you took the hand, and you were pulled into the mirror, leaving no trace behind.

And so… The cycle begins anew.