#celebratory rats

[stardestroyer81]

After many a shovel-swinging adventure throughout the Valley of Landurr, it's always nice to kick back and relax at a billowing campfire with the friends you've made along the way.

💙 Happy 10th Anniversary, Shovel Knight!!! 💙

[cypric-rat-hyperfixation]

oh I'm late but I just found out that #ratblr is/was trending?? In addition to #aromantic and #asexual 👀👀👀👀

[willcodehtmlforfood]

Wut?

“and the fans are throwing celebratory rats on the ice” god I love hockey

[amegeddon]

Celebratory pizza rat draw-over because I have a new favourite video game, featuring Dante from the Devil May Cry series!

[bones4thecats]

Their S/O Is Twisted From Prof. Ratigan

Characters: Ruggie Bucchi, Jade Leech, Deuce Spade, and Rook Hunt Inspired By: Me watching a clip of him looking overjoyed A/N: This took me almost three days to write, it was hard, but worth it! Hope you guys enjoy this! You should totally watch The Great Mouse Detective, it is a true hidden gem in Disney films! ⚠️ Spoilers/Trigger Warnings for: Mentions of crime, plans of harming another, bribery. Also, a hair bit (not even that descriptive) of seduction topics being in Rook's ⚠️

Bits of Information on TWST Ratigan! Reader

A 3rd Year student at Night Raven College hailing from the intelligent, yet feared Octavinelle dorm. Reigning from a family centered around underground crime, they are widely known for their incredible intelligence yet-steamy nature. Beware calling them a rat- they may just throw you into the hands of their right and left-hands, Manasseh Omnia and Felix Cattus.

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╚═════ Ruggie Bucchi ═══════════════════════════╝

🍩 As a member of a very high-ranking family, you always surrounded yourself among powerful figures. Ranging from royalty to even those involved in what your family was against, the law

🍩 Once you joined Night Raven, you were surrounded by many new characters. Both stupid and intelligent, but you had to admit, those from stupid dorms (Savanaclaw), were intelligent in their own ways. Like their unofficial Vice-Housewarden

🍩 Ruggie Bucchi was an interesting character in your opinion. He wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but he wasn't the most dull either. You don't think anybody could be more dull then Manasseh Omina (Fidget)

🍩 One day, you were in need of some assistance with luring a couple beastmen into your scheme. They were far to hesitant with your plans in getting an upper-hand on your rival at Royal Sword Academy, so you had come to the hyena-beastman and asked for a little assistance in the matter

"What's in it for me?" He had asked, an eyebrow cocked down while the other was up, matching his interested tone.

"I shall give you whatever you want. You want food, you've got it. Money is also negotiable with any amount. My family does work in some notable places." You said. The snap of your fingers alerting Manasseh to bring out a list of things for the beastman to chose from.

"Hmm~ What can I go against here? Alrighty, Sir/Madame L/N, I can help ya' out for this all. What kind of info do you need exactly?"

🍩 After that day, you would come to him for information on any of your men inside of his dorm, and he happily accepted pretty much every offer you gave him. From helping with his home payments to giving him and his grandmother anything you need, nothing was off the table for you to give him

🍩 This exchange was one that allowed you two to grow close, and allowing him to see why your men feared you so much. He really got the point when a beastman that he knew fairly well, but didn't exactly like, was getting upset with you and called you a rat

🍩 Instead of keeping calm like the rest of your fellow Octavinelle students, you lunged at him, grabbed his collar and dragged him to look into your eyes, making Ruggie stare in both shock and fear at what you were possibly going to do to the ill-fated male

"Do you wish to repeat yourself, Zachery?" You asked him, your obviously angry gaze burning holes into his skull as you waited an answer.

"N-no, Sir/Madame! I meant to call you an intelligent leader- yes that's what I meant to say!"

"It better have been." You replied, your temper cooling quickly as you let go quickly, leaving claw-made holes in his uniform's collar as you snapped up and announced a celebratory party being held at one of your family's many homes at the ending of your school year.

"Also, Ruggie, may I speak to you in my office, please?"

🍩 The man practically sprinted to follow you into your room's small office. And despite the limited space, you made your organization work excellently with it. And when you closed the door and hung your cape a top hat on the nearby coat hanger, he noticed a slight shift in your mood. It wasn't bad, thankfully for him

"Ruggie, we have been working together for many months, perhaps a year and four months if I remember correctly. But, throughout that time I have come to feel a growing connection with you. One incomparable to any other I've had throughout my life. At the start of our bond, you were a mere piece of the machine I call my work, but now you are a heavy-hitting ally of mine, one that I value far beyond my others. What I am attempting to word is that- well, I would really enjoy it if you and I stepped up our bond from a close-knitted friendship to a possibly romantic one."

🍩 Ruggie couldn't image what you were saying was real. You wanted a relationship with him?! And not just a friendship, but a romantic relationship?

"What do you say, Ruggie?"

"Yes."

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╚═════ Jade Leech ════════════════════════════╝

🍄 As a fellow Octavinelle student, Jade knew you far better than most students at the College. And since Azul liked your, let's just say, connections when it came to business, you grew to have a close relationship with the trio

🍄 Jade loves to mess around with Manasseh. He's just like a fish out of water, but instead of a fish, he's a bat-beastman, and instead of out of water, he's out of, air I guess?

🍄 Anyways, because of his job being the right-hand to Azul, he was normally the one to hand over some special documents that the octopus-mer needed you to look over just in case there could be a plot hole in the papers

🍄 One day, Jade had come by with maybe 10 contracts in a file, while it was quite the hard fit to carry, he was doing it relatively easily. And when he passed your two helpers, Manasseh and Felix, he just gave them his calm smile and went into your office

🍄 You had given him, and only him, allowance into your office without knocking. While if any of your other subordinates did this, you would give them to Felix as a 'little treat for being such a good helper'

🍄 Jade closed the door behind him and noticed you were writing down some information on a random student at the school. And while he normally could keep his curiosity to himself, he couldn't help but voice a question to you

"If you do not mind me asking, Sir/Madame Y/N. Who is this and what are you planning on doing with them?~" A teasing tone was evident in his voice, but you just stayed stoic and answered him without an issue.

"This little mouse was caught being a double-agent for that wretched detective at Royal Sword Academy. I cannot have any kind of holes being punctured in my blimp of operations, now can I?"

🍄 The eel smirked and nodded, agreeing. If he was in your similar footsteps he would've done the same. Though, who's to stay he hasn't done the same already?

🍄 Jade laid the papers down and asked if he could look at a photograph of the man. To which you nodded and handed him a small Polaroid of him and went back to writing down some more plans on his background. From ransacking your office one time to even stealing from you. To which these were all fabricated, but who's to say he hasn't done it without your awareness?~

"How devilishly unexpected. I have seen this one around Mostro Lounge so much more often now. What a coincidence." Jade chuckled before continuing. "You know if you wanted some help with catching this, mouse, I would be willing to do so under the right payment."

"What is it you want in return?"

"Oh nothing to extravagant, my family is quite high up on the food-chain as well. Perhaps a few extra trips of allowance from the Headmaster for me to go for some hikes to retrieve more mushrooms. Yes, that would suffice quite well."

🍄 Cocking an eyebrow and smirking sneakily back, you began laughing. Jade looked at you calmly as you reached out and grabbed his hand, bringing it into yours and interlocking your fingers tightly. You were thankfully strong enough to endure a good bit of this guy's strength

"I just love how twisted your little mind is, Jade."

"What can I say, love? I can't help it~"

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╚═════ Deuce Spade ═══════════════════════════╝

♠️ Deuce has heard your surname, L/N, many times before he began his stay at Night Raven College. Back when he was a younger teenager and a member of a gang of delinquents, your family was one of their biggest connections. Meaning, your family was how most of them stayed out of the news and out of jail

♠️ When he heard your name get brought up by Yuu when he came back from a meeting with you. Deuce just froze as he remembered you being mentioned many times by his old friends for getting them out of trouble

"Deuce? Are you alright?" Jack asked, looking at the blue-haired male with a questioning look.

"Uh... y-yeah! I'm perfectly fine. Why?"

"You just zoned out when that Octavinelle person was mentioned by Yuu." Epel answered.

♠️ Deuce sighed and bunched his hands into fists before letting them go. He then looked at his friends and began his small story, explaining what your family, specifically you and your father, had done for his old delinquent gang

♠️ They were shocked to hear just how close he seemingly knew you. While it certainly wasn't person, you did have the connection through slight illegal activity

"Oh, talking bad about our boss, huh, first years?" A scratchy voice echoed.

♠️ Looking up from their friends, everybody could see a scary trio, a bat-beastman, a cat-beastman, and a fairly tall lizard-beastman, walking up to them, holding either a stern and cold expression or a teasing and scary one. Much like the eels from your same dorm

"Why, I never expected such a betrayal from a close friend of Sir/Madame Y/N's. How saddening, Yuu. For shame."

"Shut it, Felix."

♠️ Grabbing Manasseh's shirt collar, Deuce glared down at the bat-man, making him quiver in fear. He knew how wimpy he really was, he did grow up with him in the same gang

"Butt out or I'll make sure the next time L/N sees you, it'll be with more than a couple bruises on your face."

♠️ Practically throwing him down, the defeated man stood up and dusted himself off, the sound of his peg-leg hitting the ground making the only sound against the heavy breathing of Deuce and himself

"No wonder Y/N admired you so much, Spade."

♠️ You... admired him?

"Felix, Wylie, let's go."

♠️ Deuce looked back at the group as they stared with wide eyes, you may have a deeper connection than they first thought...

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╚═════ Rook Hunt ═════════════════════════════╝

🏹 Rook admired you from afar ever since your first years at Night Raven. And while you were annoyed to the point that you kept Felix around you at all times, over time, you warmed up to his gaze. Maybe it was your 'slight' arrogance or your love of being admired, who knows?

🏹 This hunter began to pop out of nowhere as you would make plans on finding some members and getting the information you needed out of them. Not caring who you needed to manipulate or bribe into assisting you

🏹 But with him? He could care less about some material things and he was so admiring of you that using manipulation tactics would just waste your time and patience

🏹 As he spoke about how amazingly gorgeous you were while giving a pep-talk to your close men, he was interrupted as a nearby mouse, who was most likely illegally drinking. Classic Mewl then called your dearest Rook a 'rat', making you go stiff and make your eye twitch in hidden anger

🏹 Everyone else went silent and Rook watched as you walked up to the man and put a hand on his shoulder, slightly shaking it and patting his other with the opposite hand as you chuckled darkly, making all hearing it shiver in fear. Well, everyone other than Rook

"Oh Mewly, I'm afraid that you have gone and upset me... you know what happens when someone upsets me, don't you?" You asked, pulling out a small hand-bell and make it ring loudly in the ears of all there.

🏹 Felix then stood up, his burly muscles being more obvious as he took off his jacket and began to stock his way towards Mewl. The poor guy just watched drunkly as he was dragged away by Felix and down the hallways of Octavinelle, probably outside of the school for a 'punishment' for offending your beloved

"Are you alright, Rook? I understand how some idiot's words could end up taking a mental toll on someone." You asked, cupping one of his cheek's and making him look into your eyes.

"Oh no, I'm far from upset, chérie. Rather, I'm quite... active from your previous attitude. The way you handled him was quite admirable. La façon dont tu le regardais avec une colère si contrôlée était magnifique~" He said.

🏹 Your eyebrow went up as your eyes went halfway, a smirk appearing as you grabbed his hat and yours, swapping them quickly before booping his nose and kissing it before announcing that the celebration would now continue without the presence of Mewl

🏹 Rook just watched with half-lidded, matching your previous ones, and sighed lovingly. You really were one-of-a-kind, weren't you?

(Chérie ; Dear / La façon dont tu le regardais avec une colère si contrôlée était magnifique ; The way you looked at him with such controlled anger was beautiful )

[via-l0ve]

hello! can you please do a johnny x fem!reader smut? thank you!

Gift - Johnny Cade Smut

A/N: omg my first request! thank you so so so so much! i’m happy to write this for ya! i hope it’s up to par, it’s my first time writing a request so i hope you enjoy!! <3 (also i suck at titles, my apologies haha)

warnings: Unprotected sex (wrap it before you tap it), oral (f receiving), praise, nicknames, female reader, use of Y/N. might be a little OOC for johnny but i tried! not proofread

It was the end of y/n’s birthday. the day had been filled with celebratory gifts and hugs from the gang. Darry had made her a big cake and made sure that all of the boys made her handmade cards. She spend most of the day with her boyfriend, Johnny, and the gang. Johnny had woken her up that morning to a small gift box wrapped in gold wrappings. y/n opened it and it was a small, dainty necklace with a small ‘J’ pendant.

“i jus’ thought that it would be cool for ya to have a part of me with ya all the time. Shows everyone how tuff i am, huh?” he laughed slightly and pulled you into a kiss.

eventually, after the party festivities, y/n and Johnny went back to y/n’s house. Her parents (who she believed didn’t give a rats ass about her) were gone for her birthday weekend, but she was determined to not let that get to her. she was here with Johnny, the love of her life. how could things get better?

“hey.. y/n?” Johnny broke the comfortable silence between you both. You looked up from your position on the couch, swallowing the chocolate covered strawberry you had been eating.

“what’s up, Johnnycakes?” you asked, smiling at your boyfriend. his raven hair was messy across his forehead but he managed to look as cute as ever.

“I want to make this birthday a good one for ya.” he said, walking over to you.

“awh, baby, you’ve made it amazing already!” you said, smiling at him.

he chuckled quietly, looking down at you as he stood over your frame.

“well.. i got another surprise for ya, Doll.” he smiled.

Without another word, Johnny picked you up, pressing your body against the wall and capturing your lips in a soft kiss.

“let me show you how much i love you, doll. let me take care of you.” he whispered against your lips, his hands running up and down your sides in slow, soothing motions.

“yes please.” you whisper, threading your hands through his hair.

He took you over to the bed, closing the door behind you both and setting you down so you were sitting on the edge. He took off his shirt slowly, letting it fall to the floor with a smile. his hand found its way to the back of your neck, pulling you in for another kiss. His free hand moved down your throat, over your collarbone and down your arm, giving it a gentle squeeze before continuing its journey down your body. He pulled away to breathe momentarily, pressing his forehead against yours.

“you’re so beautiful, baby. so gorgeous.” he whispered, letting his hands roam down to your thighs. they were bare due to the shorts you were wearing, the Tusla heat could be a bitch some days.

he gently squeezed your thigh, his other hand still holding the back of your neck as he moved to sit on his knees in front of you.

“such a pretty girl.” he smiled, running his hand down your chest and resting them both on your waist.

you blushed, tangling a hand in his hair.

“you want me to take this off for you, baby?” he teased, pulling on the hem of your shirt gently.

“Yes please, Johnny.” you smiled down at him, still playing with his hair.

“say it again, sweets?” he teased again, pressing a soft kiss to your thigh. “didn’t hear you too good.” he smiled.

“johnny.. please.” you repeated, pouting a little bit.

he tsked softly, smiling at you and pressing another kiss to your thigh.

“how can i say no to you, doll.” he smiled, reaching up and taking your shirt off, pressing his lips to yours again in a more heated kiss than before, running his hands over your bra and squeezing your tits gently, causing a soft, breathy-moan to fall from your lips. his mouth disconnected from yours, trailing down your neck. his tongue ran over your skin, sucking gently and leaving a hickey in its place.

Johnnys hands moved down to your shorts, undoing the button on them and unzipping them.

“can I take these off, doll?” he asked, his lips hovering on the skin of your chest. You nodded, but he just shook his head.

“words, darling.” he smiled.

“yes, Johnny. take ‘em off.” you whispered, watching him and biting your lip.

“yes ma’am.” he smiled, watching as you lifted your hips and he pulled your shorts off, admiring your near naked body.

“beautiful.” he smiled, letting his hands spread your legs apart a little bit, pressing a soft kiss to your inner thigh. he squeezed the skin there gently, pressing kisses closer to your cunt that was getting wetter by the minute.

“d’ya want me to touch you?” he asked, moving so that he was kneeling inbetween your legs.

“yes.. please touch me.” you whisper, moving your legs so they rested atop his shoulders. he smiled, moving your panties down your legs and staring at your bare pussy.

“so pretty, baby.” he smiled, moving his hand so he separated your folds with his pointer and middle finger, admiring just how wet you had gotten for him.

“mmh.. baby. so wet for me, huh?” he teased, blowing air on your clit, making you inhale sharply.

“johnny i-please..” you whimpered. He knew exactly what you wanted and smiled.

He pressed his tongue flat against your clit, flicking slightly and sucking, moving his mouth so he could lick a stripe up your pussy. a moan ripped from your mouth, accidentally squeezing your thighs around his head.

“taste s’good for me, doll.” he moaned into your pussy, the vibrations traveling through your clit and adding a whole new layer of pleasure. his mouth kept working against your hole, pushing his tongue inside and rubbing his nose against your clit as moans ripped from your throat. he sucked and licked, wanting you to feel as good as he could make you.

“y’feel good, baby?” he asked, parting with your pussy for a moment before diving back in.

“feels so fucking good.” you moaned out, his hands tightening on your thighs. he slipped a finger inside of you, pumping and curling it so he hit your g-spot as he licked and sucked on your clit. loud moans fell from your mouth and your hand tightened in his hair.

“f-faster baby.. please.” you moaned, your back arching slightly as a couple of whimpers fell from your lips.

Johnny did what you asked, moving his tongue faster on your clit and pumping his fingers in and out, curling them inside of you and rubbing against your g-spot.

“cum for me, baby.” he whispered, adding more pressure onto your clit and moving his fingers faster. You were finally pushed to your climax and your pussy clenched and throbbed against his fingers as multiple loud moans left your lips, your back arching and your eyes squeezing shut.

“oh.. baby. you should see yourself. so gorgeous..” he whispered, detaching from your pussy and leaving a couple hickeys on your thighs.

you eventually came down from your high, little moans still leaving your mouth as your eyes met with his again. you could see your slick and cum covering his chin, mouth and nose and a bright blush covered your face. he just chuckled quietly.

“can i fuck you, princess?” he smiled an almost innocent smile as he looked up at you. you nodded quickly, moving back on the bed so that he could get on top of you. He smiled big, moving on top of you.

“take it off, doll.” he said, moving your hands to his belt. You grabbed it, undoing the belt buckle and unzipping his pants, pulling them down and shamelessly staring at the outline of his thick, hard cock through his boxers.

“No matter how many times i see you like this you always shock me with how fucking big you are.” i giggled softly, running a finger over the small wet patch of pre-cum on his boxers.

“lay back, doll.” he groaned softly at your touch, pulling off his boxers and smiling down at you.

He took his dick into his hand, pumping it a couple times and carefully rubbing it over your hole, dragging the tip over your sensitive clit, dragging a soft moan from your mouth. he repositioned himself to be able to push into you.

“you ready, baby? you ready for me?” he whispered, pushing his tip right at my entrance.

“yes please Johnny.. please fuck me.” you moaned quietly, feeling him push inside of you more.

He continues filling you up, his cock stretching your pussy from the mere girth and size. You lowly moaned his name, dragging it out. he whispered some sweet nothings into your ear, pressing kisses to your neck before starting to thrust in and out slowly.

“feel good baby? you like the feel of my cock? huh?” he asked, soft moans and breaths leaving his mouth as he sped up his thrusts, rubbing your clit with his thumb and pushing gently on your lower stomach. All you could do was nod, moans falling from your mouth as he sped up even more.

“mmh~ oh, Johnny.” you moaned, back arching slightly. you could already feel your release coming, his thick cock pushing and hitting exactly where it needed. He hit your g-spot, making a gasp slip from your mouth in a moan. he just smiled, going even faster, hitting the same spot over and over. words of praise left his lips and he moaned into your ear, soft grunts and groans left his mouth as he sped up more.

“oh y/n.. so fuckin’ tight for me.. so wet.” he moaned quietly, continuing to thrust into your pussy.

“i-i’m gonna cum soon baby. where do ya want me?” he asked through moans, speeding up his thrusts and the sound of skin against skin filled the room.

“i-inside.. i-i’m on something.” you moaned, his finger still rubbing your clit.

He sped up even more, adding more pressure to your clit. You could feel the knot in your stomach unwind and a loud moan left your lips, finally reaching your climax.

a loud moan spilled from Johnny’s lips, ropes of cum filling you up to the brim. he pulled out after a moment, shamelessly watching his cum drip from your abused hole.

“what a pretty girl.” he whispered, leaning up to you and pressing a kiss to your lips.

“so good for me baby.” he said, rubbing his fingers over your cheek.

“i love you.” you whispered to him.

“i love you so much, princess,” he smiled at you.

“what do you say we get in a bath? clean up?” he smiled at you, scooping you up in his arms and leading you to your shared bathroom.

[andreisvechnikov]

“And for the first time the celebratory rats are cleared off the ice.”

I love you, hockey.

[caesariawritesstuff]

Hi dearest!!!! Since you’re taking requests on Cat&Mouse verse, could you write relationships headcanons (or full fic if you wish) between Edward & the Detective? Like say they’re moved in together, how would it go? How would be their relationship dynamics? Love you babes keep up the good work!!!! 😘😘😘😘

Moving in Together

Summary: Just some headcanons about what it would be like for Detective and Edward to move in together.

Word Count: 1.1k

A/N: This fic is currently not canon to the official Cat&Mouse!Verse storyline, but I plan on incorporating some of this into the official story eventually! As always, I am so so sorry this took me so long to get to!

You never expected to actually move in with Edward. Never thought it would be a possibility, never ever even thought it would be allowed by City Council, and in fact, you never thought you would ask.

But one night, after a particularly tender round of sex, you’d been lying on top of him, tracing your fingertips across his chest, trailing against the soft curls of chest hair woven into his pale skin – when you heard it. A little whining noise that made you peek your head up – just in time to see a rat scurry across the floor.

You screamed, jumped up, yanking blankets over your naked body as if a rat would somehow gaze at your naked body like it actually gave a crap. The rat raced out of the room, leaving Edward staring at you like you were a terrified little mouse. But, the moment had been a wake up call: you’d looked around his crappy apartment, taking in the smell of must and mildew, the water stains on the ceiling, the fact he had barely any furniture and that you were lying on a mattress and not even a full bed.

The words had slipped out of you then, “Move in with me.”

Edward stared at you like you were the crazy one. “What?” he’d asked, as if he hadn’t heard you correctly.

“Move in with me,” you’d said again, unable to stop yourself. “You can’t keep living here, Edward. This place is…”

“Not to your standard, your highness?” he’d asked with a quirk of his brow.

You laughed and playfully swatted at his chest, but he pulled you back into his arms, pulling you back down onto the bed with him. But as you laid there, listening to his heart beat, one question left his lips, “Would you really let me move in with you?”

“Yes,” you’d whispered without a beat of hesitation. The idea of Edward moving in with you didn’t even hit until later, the slow implications of what you’d asked eventually settling over you like a weighted blanket. And at first, you didn’t even think Edward was seriously considering the offer – until he approached you about the idea the next day.

And so, when it seemed like you both wanted it too, the slow process began: Edward approached City Council with the idea. They were reluctant, at first, and required several lines of tape for him to cross: competency hearings, parole board hearings, an increase in his weekly therapy appointments, a hearing with Dr. Murphy, and even with you to ensure the reasons for this relationship actually were legitimate. You were required to surrender your guns and sign paperwork swearing you wouldn’t keep any weapons in your apartment that he could get ahold of. It took weeks. Months. And when it finally seemed that the answer would be no – a call from a city council member came in.

You and Edward huddled by the phone with bated breath as the woman said, “Mr. Nigma, after much discussion, we’ve decided to grant your request to move in with Ms. —”

You’d practically cried out in joy. For so long, it’d felt like every meeting and hearing was for nothing – but you and Edward thanked the woman, before hanging up and engaging in a bit of celebratory, passionate sex where he fucked you against the wall and whispered your name like a prayer when he came inside of you.

A few weeks later, Edward officially moved out of his apartment and into yours. He didn’t bring much more than his clothes, a few puzzle books, and his laptop. You made as much room for him as you could, rearranging furniture and your closet for his things.

What you did not expect, however, was how quickly the two of you fell into a routine. Of course, it helped that you both worked at the GCPD and could carpool together, but life settled into a strange domestication that you’d never quite experienced before.

Edward always awoke before you and prepared your morning coffee just how you liked. He kept the apartment clean, often cleaning up your messes. You cooked the meals and did the grocery shopping.

Edward generously agreed to split the bills between you and him, which surprised even you, but he paid his share on time and always on the dot every month. He even complained to the apartment manager whenever something went wrong, something you found yourself too shy to do.

The two of you fell into a routine that felt so natural and peaceful. Fights were far and few between and when they happened, it was because Edward often said something out of left field without empathy or care, or if he got a little too jealous over a coworker talking to you for too long.

Once a month, you attended a therapy session with him and Dr. Murphy to ensure your relationship was still healthy for the both of you. It was a time to air out any grievances still affecting your relationship – which often culminated from Edward’s jealousy and, at times, his complete disregard for your feelings when he felt whatever he was doing was the best course of action. Empathy, it still seemed, was a struggle for him to learn.

The sex was great. The two of you had so much sexual chemistry that almost every night ended with you two tangled in each other’s arms, sweating and panting, talking long into the wee hours of the morning, only to do it all over again by the time the sun came shining in through the blinds.

However, despite all the good that came from moving in with Edward, also came the bad. The dark moments when Edward broke down and fell into old patterns, when his anger rippled through him, palpable and unyielding – whether it be because of his jealousy, his irritation at the “stupidity of Gotham’s citizens���, or simply his own frustrations at his own human limitations – you often found yourself having to pull Edward back from the ledge.

It took time, and your own patience, to keep Edward from spiraling into the insanity that often threatened to pull him back into his own dark place. A lot of soothing words and touches, a lot of reminding him that you would not leave him or stop loving him when he got into one of his moods – moods you knew you’d decided to weather the moment you decided to be his girlfriend.

And so it seemed, when he finally made it through the storm and kissed you and reminded you all over again why you’d fallen in love with him, that every day was worth it, just to be at his side. And you never regretted him moving in with you for a second.

[mslanna]

It Was Only A Kiss

Playing strip lanceboard with the devil you know. 😏 Inspired by this post by @devils-little-mouse Read it On Ao3

He's letting you win. Each time you take one of his pieces, Raphael smirks knowingly and obliges. Slowly. Gracefully. It's not a show but he knows how to catch your eye and keep it on him.

You swallow. The devil knows no shame (unlike you) and started from the top down. Bracers (which were usually not separate parts of his doublet. It made you frown but it's a clever move on Raphael's part). Doublet. And now you are confronted with his bare chest. Your fingers itch but not for the lanceboard pieces before you.

"My, my. You are on a roll tonight, are you not?" The devil leans back in his chair. His chest preens and you are hard pressed not to get lost in the smattering of hair.

Burdened with mortal shame, you started with your boots. Socks. He lets you win and you know because he doesn't stop you from counting knives as separate items from their sheaths.

You've been playing lanceboard in the Devil's Den for a while now. It helped Raphael relax from the war in the hells (he claims) and you just pounced on the opportunity to see him again. He's been teasing you all campaign long and the celebratory dinner almost ended in a carnal catastrophe.

A long scar runs down your back from infernal claws. Raphael apologised and you, too surprised by the sudden changes, didn't manage to say that his ascended from didn't scare you. Yes, you froze, but for being overwhelmed by your own desire for his monstrous form. Who cared about logistics when you could fuck that?

Raphael cared (or so it seemed). And the subject of frolicking with each other in sinful ways hasn't come up again since. Rat bastard. The devil relished in teasing you. Accidental touches. Short intrusions of your personal space. But whenever you reciprocated, his demeanour turned cold.

Raphael plays his own game. And he sets the rules. Sometimes you wonder if it is worth it. And now you stare more at his naked chest than the board. Maybe two can play that game. You hold his gaze as you pick up your bishop and move it straight ahead until it comes upon one of Raphael's pawns. You remove the pawn.

Raphael keeps smiling. "A daring move, I say." Then he reaches down and dutifully takes off his second boot.

Your heart races. This stopped being a game of lanceboard. It is now – you are not sure. A battle of wills? A duel of seduction? "Your move, Raphael." You taste his name like an expensive sorbet.

He keeps to the rules and doesn't take one of your pieces. He could. He doesn't. Your feet tap under the table as if movement can solve this. It can't and for a while your pieces dance around each other, threatening, retreating, aggressive without ever making a hit.

Tempting fate, you move a pawn sideways and remove Raphael's last knight. Mischief dances in his black hole eyes and his second sock is placed neatly over the boot.

Following the rules, he takes the pawn.

You take a sip of wine and stand to remove your belt. Soon you will have to decide whether shirt or trousers are to go first. But there is a jacket and a vest before those yet. You sit again and try to concentrate on the board. It's a tangle of meaningless bits and bops. It doesn't help that Raphael's red chest looms behind it.

You lick your lips and reach for a piece. Just before you touch it, you reconsider. Your knight jumps across half the board and fells Raphael's mystra.

He shakes his head but rises and slowly undoes his trousers. Your eyes are glued to his fingers even though you try to pull free and look at his face. His chest. His feet. Anywhere else but his crotch.

You succeed but only for a moment. Despite your best efforts, you inhale sharply when it becomes clear that under his trousers, the devil wears nada. Dark curls frame an infernal cock that abounds with ridges. You swallow and just barely refrain from licking your lips.

Raphael sits down as if nothing happened and studies the board. The table blocks the view of his perfect parts and when he puts his right ankle over his left knee you are granted buy a seductive window into nothing.

Calmly, he takes another of your pawns and you shrug out of your jacket. Maybe you should have asked when the game is over. Do you still have to win with the other buck naked? Your tongue wanders over your lips deep in thought. Did you win? Is he toying with you? Do you mind? And what will he remove if you take another of his pieces? Not that there are many left.

You mull it over and finally decide to see what happens. It's even a legal move that takes his pawn.

Raphael smiles knowingly. As if he can smell the heat pooling between your legs, can hear the blood rushing through your veins. "What would you have me remove, little mouse?" He throws his arms wide and offers a look at his body. You curse the table.

His question is very board, too. If only you dared answer "my inhibitions". Or he table, though the unhindered view of him might make you die of nosebleed. Anyway, if there is nothing he can remove, maybe there is something you can add.

"How about instead of removing something, I get to kiss you. Just a peck, nothing more."

"How very modest," Raphael hums. And he is right. Faced with the whole buffet, you ask for a spoonful of soup. "We seem to have forgotten to name a prize for the winner as well."

You shrug. It's a fun little game and the prize is never big because it always went to Raphael. "We'll think of something." You tilt his king to lie on the board in declaration of your victory.

"Then I am ready." He sits up in his chair and you rise.

The way around the table is the longest walk in your life. Soon enough you can see all of Raphael again and your mouth waters. Maybe his cock is always that big. Maybe it is just a little aroused. You smile. Just a peck.

Raphael raises a brow as you kneel before him. His cock is definitely hardening. You reach for it and feel blood rushing into it, building it up even more. With an innocent smile, you bend over and place a chaste kiss on the soft tip.

Raphael inhales sharply. He watches closely for signs you are going to repeat this as you rise but you only smile.

"One kiss. Thank you."

The ball is in his court now.

[cuupidsss]

Aidrn clark with an idol girlfriend??

Yess! I like this one. I’m figuring that this means K-pop idol, soo imma do that. ermm.. i’m lazy so imma do some headcanons and possibly a little more !! i’m sorry this is so late btw :(

—

-You and Aiden had been friends for a short amount of time, you really liked him. he was goofy but also strangely endearing and it was pretty much impossible to not become attached to such positive(?) energy!

-after some time you guys got together and you eventually told him you were debuting, he was a little confused but then he immediately knew what you meant.

-i can totally see him being into K-pop, like A LOT, he probably loves black pink and claims to be a original fan (he’s not but in heart he is), probably isn’t secretive about it.

-whenever he see’s you rehearsing by yourself he practically kicking his feet and giggling.

-has definitely gave you choreography ideas in which you most DEFINITELY gave to your choreographer.

-you had to keep your relationship on the low because you don’t want a shitty scandal, it’s annoying for Aiden cause he just wants to get your attention all the time (selfish little rat) but he understands! or does he?

“Aiden! no.” you mutter, you guys are in public at the moment, you decided you wanted to go shopping, a few people glance at you in recognization but don’t approach, your clearly busy.

Aiden tried to pull you over by holding your hand but you quickly pulled back, he turns to you, he’s still smiling but he doesn’t look as excited as he once did.

“huh?” he says, tilting his head, tho sigh at his incompetence, he sighs with you before laughing. “eh, come on!” he grabs you by the shoulder and you groan, following after him.

he doesn’t get the memo btw. (he just doesn’t care)

-has undoubtedly funded for things without your consent.

-likes to buy hair pieces that he thinks goes with your performance outfits, he likes everything to color coordinate.

-attend EVERY show, he buys tickets (even if you say you can give him some for free) and then makes sure they are front row. he loves watching you dance.

-doesn’t like dieting, he finds it weird. the first time you denied food he was kind like, ‘just eat it, no one’s watching’ and you were like, ‘bro… i just.. god, give it to me.’

-oddly skilled at makeup.. like can do some FIRE eyeliner 🔥🔥🔥

“Aiden, where did you learn this?” you ask, looking at your reflection in the mirror. he was standing above you, in between your legs to get closer.

“i don’t know, i just winged it.” he grins, putting his hand on your forehead and pulling your head back to examine his handy work.

“ow.” you say, your tone monotone, he doesn’t say much just stares at your face.

awkward.

-broken a bone on stage? he’s literally here for you pooks. thirsty? he bought like 10 extra water bottle. literally wanna go home? you can’t.

-when people throw stuff at you on stage he literally starts internally tweaking, who in the freaky deeky did that?

-brings the whole gang to your shows, or just some of them if the others aren’t free.

-jokes about Ayego on the regular, when you side eye him he’s just like; 🤗

-loves and i mena loves when you show off your outfits for your shows, sometimes they aren’t super extra and other times your fully decked out and he just adores it.

-listens to your music proudly, if anyone asks for music suggestion best bet he’s naming AT LEAST ten of your songs.

-quick tyler headcanon, if this was about him i would say he would be someone like, “you know my girlfriend band\girl group? name 5 songs.” okay, done.

-anyway, back to Aiden!!! :9

-i don’t view him as someone who gives a lot of kisses.. at all, but he likes celebratory hugs.

“Aiden! holy shit! my groups music video got like.. 19 million views!” you run up to him at lunch, you ecstatic, so ecstatic and Aiden turns towards you and you both are looking at one another for a minute.

give it a minute and you both are jumping around and giggling, he’s like “that’s so cool!”

-all in all, he’s genuinely your biggest fan.

lemme know if the mischaracterization goes crazy y’all 🥰😦

[its-a-rat-trap]

BOB GELDOF: OFFICIAL STATEMENT REGARDING CITIZENS OF BOOMTOWN

From The Pen of Bob Geldof:

My Fellow Citizens…

Time moves on alas and Boomtown needs to re-purpose its infrastructural modalities. That’s right Citizens we need to up-scale, downsize and re-position ourselves vertically but on a horizontally focussed axis to be better prepared online-sly speaking for the coming mega-celebratory 50th Boomtown Birthday.

The Citizens of Boomtown site and forum will shortly be seamlessly absorbed into the NEW BOOMTOWN SUPERSITE!! still giving you all the current extraordinary benefits of Citizenship, geeky discursive debating platforms but not really! Wow!!

Basically there’s no point in having two sites in effect doing the same thing so some maddened managerial time and motion efficiency freak begged Pete (blame him) to allow Mayor Jennifer and Techno buff Joke to “rationalise” our online presence, be slightly more professional (who? Us? The Rats? - you’re joking mate) and frankly get it together webbily-speaking. So…

COB is a great album but being released two days before lockdown, like a lot of things and people it got obstructed by Covid 19. So goodbye promotion, tour and what we had hoped would be a different route of approaching the band and music through a site or device where fans would be the same as the band in a shared experience of being Citizens of the “idea” of what Boomtown might be or could be and which, as a result become self-growing, outside of the band where the band and its members became irrelevant to the ongoing life of the site/idea/citizens. But still the background hum that united it all was the music coming out of that towering imaginary Ratopolis.

So feel free to jump in your leaky inflatable rubber dinghy, don your useless safety vest, pay a scumbag Rat-trafficker and migrate the tricky electric tides away from the doomed but forever beautiful city to the fun-lovin’, hip-swingin’, ga-roovey, ca-razey sunny uplands of brand new/old Ratland! That country where even the Rats roam free and zephyr winds carry wafts of gentle heavenly Ratmusik to all the green corners of its lush pastures. Where parliaments of citizens still carry on arcane esoteric deconstructive debates over the “true” meaning of “Do The Rat” and it’s global implications to the coming US elections particularly with regard to the swing states of Pennsylvania and Wisconsin wherever the fuck that is.

So..thank you for all the fun of COB and hello to Ratsite 2. If you think it’s crap you’ll let us know and remember Pete is the one to blame..

Rat On..

BG xxx

[jerswayman]

THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HAPPY AND CELEBRATORY AND NOW TINY RAT MAN IS SAD

[modern-day-bard]

Other Duties As Assigned: A Joel Miller AU Fanfiction

Content Warning: 18+ This story includes mature themes such as drinking, stalking, violence, and explicit smut. Minors, do not interact.

ao3 | wattpad

word count: 4.5k

Chapter 21: Protocol

Gwen

I’m late. For the first time in months, I’m sprinting my way over to the curb to hop into Rodney’s car. In hindsight, I hope that Ada didn’t see that from where I left her in the café.

“That seemed to go well.” Joel muses as he settles in the front seat.

“It did,” I can’t help but beam, “I negotiated and signed the contract in under two cups of tea. Record timing.”

“Congratulations,” Joel’s voice is low, and I know he’s hiding a smile.

It was the first good thing that had happened all week. The first thing that made me feel like I was doing something outside of Russell Corp. Something that was all mine. A contract with Brissel, all from attending that Halloween party. Well that, and thanks to Harper, whom I’m currently late to meet for drinks. At least now it will be celebratory.

The bar she texted me was in SoHo, and though I wouldn’t admit it to anyone, I was glad to have the excuse to leave both my apartment and my father’s several neighborhoods behind. For all I know, maybe the stalker has unlimited resources. But even if that’s the case, it can’t be easy to chase a car in New York all the way down to the lower edge of Manhattan.

Joel walks extra closely to me once we arrive, as the bar is flooded with people. Even from the corner of my eye, I can see how tightly his jaw is clenched. I feel a sudden wave of guilt, knowing how many people he’ll have to keep an eye out for. But as my favorite redhead comes into view, I try to push that from my mind.

Harper gives me a hug before revealing both Landon and Nyah behind her.

“Surprise! I obviously knew you’d get the contract, so I figure we might as well celebrate together.”

“You could not have known, Harper,” I roll my eyes affectionately.

“No, we knew.”

“Miss M.I.A.!” Landon kisses my cheek. “Where have you been?”

“We’ve barely heard from you since the Halloween party,” Nyah joins in, hugging me a bit tighter than normal.

“Just busy, like you guys. Nothing to write home about, though.” I feel the gravity of guilt again, lying to them. Landon squints at me a little, but they let it slide while we take a seat.

They all say hi to Joel, who takes a seat on one of the stools right behind me, his back turned to me so he could face the door. The place really is packed, but it feels intimate in this corner by the window, more like a pub, especially with our little table.

I change the subject quickly to their work lives, Elijah, Harper’s latest conquests, and any updates from Nyah’s touch-and-go love life. We are almost three drinks deep each when I slip up, complaining that my father will come home in a couple of days, so I’ll need to get a move on.

“What do you mean?” Harper asks.

“Hm?” I take another sip of my mule, hoping we can breeze over it.

“Has he been hounding you at work, or something?”

“No, I hardly ever see him. You know how it is.” Something about this group of people completely erases any of my talents of deception. They just stare back at me, waiting for me to elaborate.

“I’ve just been staying at my father’s place for the past week. I want to be out before he comes back,” I shrug.

“Why would you be staying there?” Nyah asks.

I look at all three of them individually, wracking my brain for a valid excuse. “My apartment is being fumigated. There’s a bunch of rats randomly and some crazy mold thing. They say it could take a few weeks.”

Joel clears his throat behind me.

“Maybe a few months for all I know.”

“Really? God, that’s awful,” Harper gasps.

“I’m sorry, Gwen. You’re always welcome to stay with me!” Nyah adds. I thought about it the days that followed the brick indecent. I even expressed to Joel that I would feel more comfortable. I could tell that he struggled to tell me that it was putting my friends in more danger, as whoever was following me most likely knew them, and where they lived. Statistically, it was unlikely a stalker would go near them if I wasn’t there. Nyah’s apartment sounds like a haven to me, but not enough to be selfish about it.

“Thanks, Nye,” I reach across and squeeze her hand, “But I come with some extra cargo now. And we’ve found a place for me to rent in the meantime.” I notice Joel twist his head toward me a bit at the comment, but at least this part wasn’t a lie. We did find a place, and we were able to rent it under a pseudonym. Plus, it was on the Upper East Side and had multiple units on the same floor available for both Joel, Carlos, and Jace. The latter of the two were setting up the security system today.

“Oh, well, that’s good at least. If you get sick of it, maybe you could join me in Paris.” Nyah wiggles her eyebrows.

“Paris? Since when?”

“Since Andre Bacri hired me as the exclusive photographer for his editorial shoot.”

“Nyah! That’s incredible! Why have we been celebrating me tonight?” I turn to the other two, “You both knew?”

“She couldn’t wait. Spilled the beans as soon as she walked in.” Landon smiles.

“Are you guys going?”

“Naturally, I have two events the week she’s going, so I’m out. Though I did consider quitting my family business so I could go, more than once.” Harper sighs. I shoot her an apologetic look before setting my sights on Landon.

“I’m still up in the air. I’m trying to coordinate with this new sculpturist of mine. If their exhibit dates don’t fall on the Paris dates, I’m all in.”

“I’m so proud of you, Nye. Seriously.” It would be a massive effort to stop smiling at this point.

“Thank you,” Her eyes shine, “But honestly, if I don’t go to the bathroom soon I’m going to regret it.” She hops up, and Harper follows suit.

“I’ll come with!”

They both scurry off through the crowd, and Landon drapes an arm on the back of their chair, narrowing their eyes at me.

“Yes?” I ask as sweetly as possible.

“Your apartment is being fumigated?”

“Correct.”

“So how long have you been staying at your dad’s?”

“About a week.”

“Right…right.” Landon twirls the spear of their martini around and around, toying with it. “Remember when my apartment was fumigated when we were in college? I sent you pictures of my makeshift room at my friend’s place?”

Fuck.

I had not remembered that. Not until now. I wonder if that’s why that excuse came to mind first…

“Oh god, yeah. That must have been so frustrating.”

“Yeah. It was a pretty grueling seventy-four hours.”

Oh, no.

“It was a smaller building, though.” I add, hoping for some reason that would justify a month of living at a new place.

“True. You’re right, I remember them saying sometimes it can take up to a week.”

There is some humor in their eyes, and I know Landon isn’t angry with me. But there is so much I can’t say. All I can picture is something bad happening to them because of me.

“You caught me, okay? It’s not being fumigated.” Joel coughs again behind me, clearly a nonverbal plea for me to shut up. Landon leans back in their chair with a smug smile.

“So what is it, then?”

I watch as their eyes grow progressively worried the longer I remain silent, and the guilt pulls me down further. I lower my voice, hoping I can convey everything I need to without actually answering them.

“I can’t say. And I really don’t want to worry anyone, especially Harper. Just…please trust me that I’m doing everything I can to stay safe.”

Landon goes pale. “Gwen…I’m sorry. I was sort of joking, I didn’t think it could be something like…” They tilt their head towards Joel.

“It’s okay. I was surprised, too. And I’m fine.”

“I want to offer my apartment, too, but I’m guessing it will have the same response as Nyah.”

I nod, giving them a sad smile.

“Okay…if it helps, you can still know that it’s there. At least, spiritually.” That does make me laugh a little. “Also, in that case you really should consider coming to Paris. I mean, if it’s safe. It might be good to get away.”

“I will definitely consider it,” I smile, and Landon places a sympathetic hand on my arm. “So who’s this new sculpturist of yours? Would I know any of their work?”

Landon laughs. “Would you know any sculpturist’s work?”

- - -

The second blessing of tonight is that it’s the last night before we have the all clear to move into the temporary apartment. The downside that comes with it is that it will be expected for Joel to sleep in a separate bedroom.

I hadn’t meant to keep asking him to stay. And I felt lucky, because I usually didn’t have to. He would ask, as if he could sense my unease. I feel guilty about that, too, as he did insist now on sleeping on the floor or in one of the wingback chairs. The only night he had slept in the bed with me was the first one here, and not that I’d say anything, but I miss it. I also won’t tell him that this is the longest any man has stayed in the room with me. Or that usually, I can barely sleep if someone else is in my bed. Yet that first night here, I only felt secure if he stayed. And every night since has been the best night sleep I’ve ever had in this house.

I try to watch him now as he gets ready for bed, and settles his back against one of the chairs, only half facing me. His poor back…it can’t be comfortable. I want to invite him over here again, or at least insist that I take the chair this time. But that would bring up some very unprofessional recent memories, and I don’t want to put him in that position again. Even as my guilt grows, admiring how broad his shoulders look in his white t-shirt. Even as I glance downwards, wondering how he’s slept in jeans for so many nights. If that meant that normally he would just be in his boxer shorts…

Deciding to look at the ceiling instead, I throw my head back so fast that I smack it against the headboard.

“Ow,” I moan quietly. Keeping my eyes upward, I hope Joel didn’t hear it.

“You alright?” He asks, a possible hint of humor in his tone.

“Fine. Totally fine.” I start to twiddle my thumbs over the top of the covers, and I’m glad he can’t see my face from where he’s sitting.

After a moment, Joel speaks again. “I don’t mean this to sound…condescending, but, you did a good job tonight. With Landon.”

And fuck if him saying good job in that low voice didn’t make my stomach muscles clench.

“It’s not condescending. Thank you. I wish I didn’t have to lie…I should have known Landon would see through it. Or any of them, for that matter.”

“You won’t have to lie forever. And you’re only doing it to protect them.”

Something about the softness of his voice makes me sit up again to watch his reaction as I ask tentatively, “Is that something you have to do a lot…in your profession?”

He considers it for a minute, running a hand through his hair. “I usually have to lie for clients, not to them. Simple things like giving someone the wrong location for a meeting, withholding exit strategies. Everything is on a need-to-know basis.”

Joel twists in his chair so he can make eye contact with me, and I must look worried because he adds, “I’ve never lied to you. I did withhold telling you about that second package, and I regret it.”

I nod, trying not to get too focused on his lips. “I believe you,” I whisper, surprised that I mean it. I have a feeling he would have lied to protect me. But now that I’ve told him I want to know whenever anything happens, I know he will tell me. Even if it makes me uncomfortable.

Joel’s eyes fall, and his mouth curves into a smirk. “If it helps…I’m actually a horrible liar.”

“What?” I let out a small giggle. “There’s no way. You’re so…stoic. It would be easy.”

“Stoic? I guess that’s a fair take. But yeah, I feel like you can always hear it in my voice. It’s easy if I’m talking to someone I don’t know, but if it’s anyone else, you can tell.”

“Huh,” I prop myself further up on my elbows. “I kinda want you to lie now so I can hear it.”

Joel huffs. “Okay, uh…I’m eight feet tall.”

“No, no it has to be something realistic. That sounds truthful because we both know that’s a lie. Tell me…” I flip my hair to the side, giving him a crazed smile. “Tell me I’m the most beautiful woman you’ve ever seen.” I meant it as a joke, but Joel’s smile fades, taking in a sharp breath.

“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

I’ve stopped smiling now, too.

It didn’t sound like a lie. It sounded like a secret.

The gruff and husky timbre of his voice when he said it…It sounded like something that frustrated him. Something he’s thought about before, and never been able to say. The silence has spanned too long, so I cocked an eyebrow, attempting to tease him.

“You’re a better liar than you give yourself credit for.” Oh, no. Was it teasing, or flirting?

Joel doesn’t smile or laugh. The only acknowledgment that he heard me was that familiar creasing in between his eyebrows.

Again, that guilt grips me by the ankles, pulling me to sit up and regain my composure. My civility.

“Okay. Secret for a secret.” I clasp my hands together, thinking of what I could give him that wouldn’t further compromise this professional relationship.

“Secret for a secret?” He asks.

“Yeah. You told me one—how you’re a bad liar—so I’ll tell you one. A classic for sleepovers.”

Thankfully, this allows him to smirk again. “Alright.”

“Secretly…I’ve felt more calm here than I thought I would.” That doesn’t give away too much, right?

We stare at each other again before Joel’s smile turns teasing. “You? Calm? Is that even possible?”

I resist the urge to throw a pillow at him. “I said more calm than I thought, to be fair.”

Joel sighs, leaning back in his chair, “That’s hardly even a secret.”

It is if you knew the reason.

“What were you hoping to know?” I feel sleep tugging at me as I watch Joel caress the side of his jaw.

“Anything—nothing in particular.”

“Okay,” I yawn, “I was on the debate team in high school.”

Joel chuckles. “Also not exactly a secret.”

“Why? You looked that up too?”

“No. I just think you thrive going toe-to-toe,” I’m glad he can’t see my toes kicking under the covers as he says it. “But, I think you’d thrive more if you actually go to sleep.”

I’m about to protest, but my lip quivers trying to keep another yawn at bay. “Fine, maybe you’re right…just this once.”

“We can go over that in the morning,” I can hear the smile in his voice, and I get a small wave of panic, knowing that tomorrow, it will just be me, alone in an unfamiliar place.

- - -

I had only just stepped back into my office when the phone rang.

“Arthur! It’s been a minute. How’s it going?” He couldn’t attend last Wednesday's dinner, and since then, he’s been in China with my father.

“Guinevere. You sound chipper. I’m glad, because I have a favor to ask.”

“Figures.”

“You know the Maloy fundraiser tonight?”

“Sure do.” I clench my phone a little tighter, almost certain of what he’ll ask me. The Maloy’s were old friends of my parents, meaning they would send us a gift every Christmas in hopes that they could count on our annual donations the following year. I’m not entirely sure what the fundraiser is for, as I’ve been able to get out of the event since undergrad. And after recent events, I wouldn’t expect to be invited to many fundraisers…

“Well, our last meeting here has been pushed to tomorrow. We won’t make it back in time. I’m hoping you can represent the company.”

I roll my eyes to the ceiling. “I can do that. Send me the details.”

There's a short pause on the other end. “Really?”

“What did you think I was going to say?”

“Nothing. Sounds good, I’ll send you the invite.”

I had big plans tonight of going to the new apartment, checking all the cabinets for signs of hidden cameras, freaking out a little, and maybe watching a movie with a glass of wine. The fundraiser throws a major wrench in that plan. But if it keeps my paranoid thoughts at bay for a few more hours, I’ll take it.

I tell Joel and Rodney as soon as we’re back in the car, or rather, the new car, since Rodney changed it today while I was at work. Joel’s idea in an effort to confuse whoever was watching.

“I’ll probably need to get a dress…but I have to be there in two hours.”

“We’ve had most of your wardrobe delivered to the new place, if that helps.” Joel says.

“Okay, I can work with that. I wonder if Aria and Mateo could meet me…”

I can tell from the way Joel runs his hand down his thigh that he has something to tell me. “I’m sorry, Miss Russell, but we can’t have anyone coming to the new place. I’d be happy to escort you to them, if you wish.”

“No that’s…that makes sense. I’ll make it work.”

We take a roundabout way to the new place, adding on an extra thirty minutes, which Joel apologizes for twice.

The building is smaller than I anticipated, being that it’s only six floors instead of twelve. There’s four units on each floor, and somehow they managed to get us three on the top floor. Managed, meaning that they definitely agreed to pay a year’s worth of rent up front. Minimum.

When Joel opens the door for me, I’m relieved to see that it’s a studio. A relatively spacious studio, as there’s still space for a couch and a small dining table. You enter into the kitchen, and there are floor-to-ceiling windows next to the bed directly across from the front door.

“At least you can see everything in one spot,” I mumble.

“That was the idea.”

Joel shows me the basics. Light switches, the security system they installed and how to arm it, and the most time-sensitive information: where they put my clothes. I start sifting through the closet, looking for something appropriate.

“I’m sorry to drag you to another black tie event,” I pull out a tea-length maroon dress that will probably suffice.

“I’m sorry you have to go,” Joel smooths his hand across the top of the dining table. “I also wanted to let you know that I think it’s best that Jace and Carlos come with us. They can stay in the car, but having them there as a precaution could be beneficial.”

The thought of Joel having backup wasn’t something I was going to argue with. “That’s fine.”

“I’m going to get changed. The door will lock automatically, and I’m out the hall to the right, Jace and Carlos are to the left. You can text or call if you need anything in the meantime.”

I give him a smile and a nod on his way out. I know him leaving wouldn’t bother me too much right now. It’s later I’m worried about.

First, I need to get through this dinner. Only, when I got in the car and Rodney started driving, I realized I had no idea where we were going. I open up the text from Arthur again.

“Carnegie Hall?” I whisper.

“Yes, Miss Russell.” Rodney responds. “Did you need to make any other stops?”

“No, thanks. I’m just surprised.” I figured it was a dinner, but reading the message over again, it’s just a cocktail hour followed by a show. That offers me some relief. I won’t have to talk for too long at least.

My phone rings in my hand, and I feel uncomfortable answering it when I’m sandwiched between Carlos and Jace. That is, until I see who’s calling.

“What?” I snap.

“Well, hello to you, too.” Daniel’s crisp, irritating voice fills my ear.

“What do you want?”

“I heard you were coming to the Maloy event. I’m outside to pick you up.”

My shoulders stiffen. No one is supposed to know where I am, and I think it’s best if I don’t lie completely. This weasel will sniff it out. “Why would you do that?”

“You, Cyrus and I are representing Russell Corp tonight. Why not?”

“I’m already on the way there. Thanks, though.”

“How far? We could still carpool.”

“Don’t tell me you fired another driver. Take a cab if you need to, Daniel. I’ll see you there.” Unfortunately.

He hangs up with one last huff. Maybe that was his own bizarre way of trying to apologize for his behavior the other night.

There are a few photographers outside the event, and with a guest list like this, they’re looking for more popular fish to fry than me. I pose for a few polite frames before Joel leads me into the lobby. A lobby that had been transformed into two bars and several white cloth tables. Looking around the expansive room, I stop in my tracks, nostalgia softly washing through me.

“What is it?” Joel hovers his hand near my back, never truly touching. I have the desire to lean against him, to somehow share what I’m feeling through the contact.

“I forgot about the last time I was here. My mom brought me when I was little…At the time, I thought it was boring,” Joel smiles as I speak, “My favorite part was how high the ceilings were.”

“What did you two see?” His voice is so gentle, and curious. I suddenly wish we weren’t here for work, but just for pleasure.

“I can’t remember, actually. I know that there was a flautist and a big orchestra. And I remember I had these amazing sparkly shoes.” I laugh, feeling the same bout of excitement I had when my mom brought them home for me.

Joel looks down at me just as soft as his voice had been, and carefully, carefully, cups my lower back, caressing soft lines with his thumb. My face heats, and I want to lean my side into his.

“I’ve changed my mind,” He murmurs.

“About what?”

“My New York bucket list. I think I just checked one off.”

I survey the room again. “Carnegie Hall? It’s a good one.”

He shrugs, looking around with moderate interest. “Something like that.”

I scan his face again, but he shifts away from me, leaving me feeling much colder than I was when we entered. Only a moment later, I see why.

“Guinevere,” Cyrus comes up and gives me a kiss on the cheek. “Glad you could make it last minute.”

“Me too. Should be a good show.” I still had no idea who we were seeing tonight.

“I hope the traffic wasn’t too bad.”

“Oh no, it was fine. It’s not that far from my place.” It wasn’t, from my typical apartment that is.

“Right. That’s true.” He takes a long sip of whatever dark liquor was in his glass. “Should we go say hi to the Maloys? Daniel should be here any minute.”

Great.

“Sounds good.”

The Maloys were happy to see us, even when Daniel showed up. We only had to exchange a few pleasantries, asking for updates on their grandchildren, their business practices. Much more painless than what I thought this night would become. Until the lights flicker, and everyone starts to shuffle inside. Daniel is close enough to raise my blood pressure, his hand often grazing my lower back.

“We should get a drink after the show,” He says as we’re escorted to our seats.

I hope my shock isn’t too evident on my face. “I don’t think I can. I have an early morning tomorrow.”

His eye roll doesn’t go unnoticed. “It won’t take that long. We can go somewhere close.”

Joel shifts slightly, having been behind me before, he now pokes his hand between Daniel and I, guiding my waist into our row. Daniel looks up at him, horrified.

“I believe you can sit behind us,” He hisses, “Being staff and all.”

“Protocol.” Is all Joel says.

Daniel must still be a little afraid of him from the other night, because he actually lets Joel in next so we’ll be seated with each other. When he’s busy getting settled, I mouth a silent thank you to Joel, who gives me a smile in return.

The show is incredible. The ensemble on stage is vast, and the performance is long enough that we get to hear solos from almost every section. Every time I glance over at Joel, his eyes seem to be looking at the ceiling, and my heart leaps. And then, in the final third act of the performance, when my eyes are shiny and my hands are tightly clasped together, he presses his knee against mine. And he doesn’t move it away.

Instinct takes over for a split second, as I move my hand, wanting to take his. At least I’m able to stop myself before that happens.

After the performance, I say goodbye to Cyrus and Daniel, who, looking at Joel, doesn’t mention drinks again. We’re able to get back in the car without speaking to anyone else, and I’m relieved to have an evening where nothing goes awry as I slide in next to Jace. Carlos is in the front seat next to Rodney, leaving Joel to sit next to me.

This time, I don’t want to go to the apartment as soon as possible. I don’t want to go back there and lay in a new bed, ruminating on the same old fears. I know, logically, that I’m safe there. But what if someone broke into Joel’s apartment first? What if he was alone, and asleep…completely defenseless?

As if Joel could hear my current spiral, he presses his knee against mine once again. And when I finally dare to look up at him, the city lights illuminating his face as we drive through the night, I’m amazed there was ever a time where I would do anything to make him leave.

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Masterlist

[madratmonday]

Today is the 4th Anniversary of MRD!

I don't have anything special planned, but if anyone posts on celebratory fan art I'll make an exception for Mad Rat Mtuesday. : )

[jimkinnz]

homunculus facts¡

your average homunculus has no desire to take over the world or even kill god for more power• we 2% who do just give the others a bad name• sad¡

a homunculus, hypotenuse is always equal in length to the square root of the sum of the squares of his legs if you know what i mean (⁠ ͡⁠°⁠ ͜⁠ʖ⁠ ͡⁠°)

there are rats in my favorite drawer' making it now my double favorite drawer•

my earlier pikmin comparison was actually not valid because i just remembered that i have never known a fireproof homunculus that has a nose•

homunculi do not usually live in attics or basements• that is a sign of extreme emotional distress• this video is not cute•

i threw a brick at a wizard cop this week to get in a celebratory mood•

[shevee-the-word-wielder]

Elfilis day is rapidly approaching us!

As many people probably know, 8/6 is Elfilis day (and 8/7 Elfilin day) (and technically due to how America is weird when writing dates there's two Elfilis and Elfilin days, the 8th of June and July for most places and August 6th and 7th for America), I hope that day goes great for everyone and all the celebratory art and stuff is also amazing!

Let's here the plans some of you might have for the day dedicated to the sea foam lanky rat!

Personally I'll be posting a new chapter for my work.