#chat it feels like someone is strangling my head

[ron456]

My head hurts but Im too lazy to get water-

[hoonigiris]

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

l. heeseung x reader

1.2k

chat, what do you do when you accidentally sleep with your TA that you didn't know was your TA? asking for a friend.

fuck my life.

it's the only thought you've had in the last two hours, maybe even three, if you count the expletives that flew out of your mouth this morning when you woke up to an alarm clock blaring the wrong set of numbers at you.

the clock on the wall ticks with each bounce of your knee. you swallow hard, palms clammy, eyes darting to anything that isn't the man sat at the desk in front of you. it's like some kind of sick joke—maybe even cruel and unusual punishment—to be sat in this chair with too-soft cushioning in deafening silence as you wait for someone to say something.

(not you though. you think you've done enough to last a lifetime.)

if there was one thing you liked about your major, it's that everything was predictable. the same classmates sat next to you, the same bespectacled old professors teaching at the front of the classroom, the same books lining the shelves of every office you enter. until today, that is.

predictable my ass. you distantly wonder if it's too late to switch to another major in the last semester of your senior year. maybe even switch schools.

objectively speaking, heeseung looks downright sinful: perfectly mussed hair, forearms exposed, thin-wired glasses drooping a little on his nose. your eyes catch onto the bit of skin left bare from where he's kept his shirt unbuttoned. you almost can't help yourself, trailing your eyes down, down, down—you blink hard. maybe you need holy water.

he hums in thought, drawing his thumb up to his lip to lick and flip to another page in the packet, and you let out a small, strangled sound. like a shark to blood in water, his eyes flit to you through his glasses, an eyebrow raised.

are you okay? you're pretty sure he asks, but it all comes muffled in your ears when all you can think of is how that's the same exact look he gave you a few nights ago. back when he was just some guy at the bar who offered to buy you a drink, someone that was nice enough and, most importantly, hot enough, to help you forget about the fact it was holiday season and you were freshly alone.

(at the time, you had told yourself that it didn't matter that you hadn't flirted with anyone since your break up with your long-term ex—you'd never learn if you didn't try. at least that's what you had told yourself when you went up to the mystery man you'd been exchanging glances with all night.

hi, he'd said, tilting his head. i'm heeseung.

dark eyes, messy hair, kissable lips, it was exactly what you needed to get off your training wheels again. pulling out the stool next to him, you sat close enough to ignore the way your head spun a little at the sudden movement.

you definitely downed your drinks too fast after your friends left you alone, but you pushed the feeling aside and fixed your eyes on heeseung as best you could in the lowlight. come here often?

no, actually, i'm new in town.

really? it was hard to believe anyone would willingly come to a town where nothing ever happened except stagnancy. not for fun, i'd imagine.

he laughed. i start my new job in a few days, at nearby university. would you call that fun?

you hummed, intrigued. hot and smart, you really scored big time with this one. but small talk could only ever interest you so far, especially when the top thing rolling in your mind was the scent of his cologne, the bob of his adam's apple, the chain around his neck just close-fitting enough to catch the eye and lead your gaze downwards to the dip in his throat. at least this one, you know to be indecent. i could show you something more fun, if you wanted?

he raised his eyebrow, setting down his glass and leaning close. bergamot, lilac, patchouli. maybe i'll take you up on that, then.

the rest you remember was getting an uber home, tugging him into your apartment the second you managed to push the door open after fumbling with your keys for god knows how long, making out with him in the kitchen for longer than you care to admit, and the trail of scattered clothes you found the morning after, leading from the living room couch to the bedroom.

well, you remember this too: the hot touch on the couch cushions, the laughing against the softness of each other's mouths as you tried to shuffle your way to the bedroom while keeping as much intimacy as possible, and of course, the actual sex—)

"you're off to a good start, but you need to work on your sentence structure." you jump, back straightening. heeseung looks up at you, neutral-faced as ever. "there are only so many loopholes to not ending a sentence before you just have to use a period."

ok. you frown. that was uncalled for. "that's not—"

"also," he turns the paper around, pointing at the third paragraph. "make sure to check if your em and en dashes are used appropriately. it's a sloppy look, otherwise."

it's like it never happened. he hasn't even spared you an extra glance, not when you saw him during discussion section, not when everyone else filed out of the classroom, not even when he called you in for individual office hours to check over your paper. you'd made the appointment days ago, of course, before you knew of the...predicament you would land yourself in, but the nonchalance in which he barely looks at you has the wolf inside you howling the longer you sit here pretending nothing happened.

(if you didn't know better, you'd think you were mistaken—it's what you'd initially thought when you saw him in front of the blackboard. maybe Hot Guy At The Bar had a twin brother. if he was also named heeseung, that was more of their parents' concern than yours.)

but you do know better, which means you know there are sinister intentions beneath his act. he's playing mind games on you, watching carefully, waiting to see when you'll crack. a trap laid specifically for you.

if there's one thing you don't do though, it's lose. so you push aside all memories if his hands anywhere on you and the feeling of his bare back underneath your nails and his mouth on your neck and you clear your throat, blinking rapidly.

"are you listening?"

"yes." he looks up at you again through his ridiculously slutty glasses, gaze smoldering. a sudden vision hits you, of the big pile of papers on his desk getting shoved in a big sweeping motion to the floor, of you and him getting up to no good in this very office, on the chair, on the desk, under the desk—

"—understood?"

"i agree."

he blinks. you blink back at him. "sorry," you clear your throat, speech jilted. "i mean yes. completely understood."

you grab your bag and scoot your chair out, standing to leave before any more beastly imagine spots threaten to further shatter your academic and professional life to pieces.

maybe this is a good thing, you think. maybe you were being paranoid and he didn't even remember you at all. maybe if you played it cool, you could pretend like nothing ever happened at all, dignity in tact. your pride was another matter, but you'll soothe that over with a nice trip to the college bar tonight, a strict 'NO TEACHER ASSISTANTS' sign plastered on your forehead for your next hookup.

"thanks, heeseung," you say oh-so-professionally, turning back to nod him goodbye.

heeseung nods back, a slight smile tugging at his lips. "i look forward to working with you, miss y/n. i'm sure we'll have a lot of fun this semester."

it's nothing special, you're sure he says that to everyone, but the way he says it... you freeze, hand on the doorknob.

he remembers you.

[lihhelsing]

Part 4 - Catfish Steddie

Author's Note: This part turned out to be bigger than I expected, so I also decided to take this to AO3. I'll update when I have the link, but I'll keep posting over here too, and doing the tag list at the end. Thanks for reading! Look out for two more parts after this one!

Now on Ao3

It's not that Steve didn't care that someone was using his face to catfish people. He knew, from how little Eddie wanted to discuss it, how it affected him. How it messed with his self-image and his ability to trust others. 

Steve could feel it in the way Eddie always seemed to be ready to bolt from him. He offered something real and then pulled back again. It was a slow back and forth that Steve didn't mind, because he knew what he wanted. 

Eddie. He wanted Eddie. 

He felt the way he retracted every time Steve complimented him, hiding behind jokes or self-deprecating comments. Steve tried to reassure him, and he felt like he was winning. 

But when Eddie called the catfish number, that he still had on his phone under Steve's name for some reason, it was like every inch they had walked towards each other had disappeared. Eddie retracted again, as if he was certain he was reading the situation right when he possibly couldn't be. 

"I don't understand," Eddie says at first and Steve tries reaching out for him, seeing the exact moment Eddie flinches away. 

It hurts more than he can admit. 

"Eddie, let's talk about this," Steve says, but he can see it in Eddie's eyes, how he just wants to run out of there. 

"Why do you have two phones?"

"It's not my phone," Steve says calmly. Eddie's not calm. 

"It's in your house. Your couch!" his voice comes out a little strangled, and he jumps from the couch, the other phone still gripped hard in his hand. 

"Can I see it?" Steve raches his hand, but Eddie shakes his head. "Please. It's not mine, I swear."

But Steve can see how his words go through Eddie and doesn't really make an impression. It's just words, especially if he doesn't try to see how crazy it would be. Why would Steve invite Eddie over to his place and not hide the phone better? 

Why would Steve be so careless about the whole thing? 

"Eddie, I swear. This phone is not mine. I have no idea what's-"

"I have to go," Eddie says, his hands are shaking and Steve wants to hold him and make him listen but Eddie is not in the mood to listen and Steve can't force him so he just nods, lets the fight leave his body and Eddie hurriedly gets his things and leaves. 

Before closing the door, he drops the phone on the table and doesn't look back. 

Steve thinks his heart could explode from how fucked up he feels right now. 

x

It's not really surprising, but Steve doesn't sleep at all. He tries a couple of password combinations and when he gets to Chrissy's birthday, the phone unlocks in his hands. 

Steve is scared as he scrolls through it. 

Robin always seemed nice, even if they weren't all that close. Sometimes Steve even thought they were friends. He didn't have much experience with those and most of his friends were kids that he used to babysit when he was in high school, but he thought he and Robin could've been friends, somehow. 

Maybe he was wrong. 

But when Steve pulls on one of the only apps he sees on the phone, he feels… 

He doesn't know how he feels as he looks at a profile with his picture and name on it. There are a bunch of chats in there and he sees himself flirting with lots of girls - and guys. 

He doesn't remember mentioning to Robin he's bisexual, but she must've picked up on it for some reason. Steve doesn't mind, he feels comfortable with his sexuality but he doesn't feel comfortable with a bunch of people thinking they are talking to him when in reality… 

It's not surprising that he doesn't get much sleep, really. 

x

Steve is in his room when he hears the front door unlocking. It's still before nine and Robin doesn't usually come home that early on the weekends. She likes to spend the day with her girlfriend Chrissy and Steve gets it. 

He listens carefully as she walks inside, doesn't even stop to take off her boots, so Steve hears the click, click, click as she moves through their tiny apartment. He hears rustling sounds and then.

"Shit," Robin's voice is low, muffled by the closed door. Steve thought a lot about how to do this and yet he feels sick to his stomach. "Where the fuck did I put it?"

He gets up and slowly makes his way to the door, opening it a little. 

"Robin?" he asks. Her head snaps in his direction and she looks panicked. 

"Steve? What are you doing up?"

"Couldn't sleep. Is everything ok? You look-"

"Yeah, yeah! Everything's great," Robin forces out a smile. "I just forgot something Chrissy really needed and you know her, she gets really mad at me and I need to fix it, otherwise she will hate me forever and I-"

"I don't know."

Robin frowns. "What?"

"I don't know her. You never… Introduced us."

Steve doesn't know what he's saying, but neither does Robin. She looks frazzled, on the verge of a breakdown. Steve can't say he's not enjoying it, though. 

"Well, we should. You know, do something, the three of us!" Robin is talking frantically now, her voice taking on a high-pitched tone that shows Steve how desperate she is. "Anyway, we can decide on that later! Don't worry about me, just go back to sleep! I'll be super quiet!" 

She finished her sentence whispering and smiling at Steve, but he doesn't buy it. Her smile is completely fake and her hair is a mess, sticking up to all sides. 

"Ok," he says, playing along. He moves to close the door and Robin isn't even looking at him anymore. She's kneeling on the ground and looking under the couch. "Oh, Robin?"

She almost hits her head as she looks up at him. 

"Did you happen to be looking for this phone?"

Steve holds it out for her and she squints her eyes, processing, and then all the color gets drained from her face. 

Steve can't say he hates it. 

x

Robin fidgets nervously with her hands as she and Steve sit side by side on the couch. The phone is almost burning a hole through their table and Robin hasn't tried anything too crazy like grabbing it and running away. 

Maybe even someone like her can tell when she lost a battle. 

"So… Care to explain?"

Steve tries to keep his tone neutral but from the way she flinches, he knows he failed. Robin takes a deep breath, then another. 

"I'm sorry," she says, not looking at him. Steve raises a brow.

"For what? Catshing people? Using my picture and my name without permission? Lying to my face?" He sounds so angry he barely recognizes his own voice. Steve is not a guy to get really angry, he's good at taking a punch, but this feels… Too much.

Robin shakes her head. "All of the above?"

The worst of it is that Steve wants to laugh. Robin looks outright miserable and his entire chest feels heavy when he remembers how Eddie looked at him, but this is too crazy for him not to laugh. 

"I'm really sorry Steve, I didn't mean-"

"Can you just… Not? Just tell me. Why? Why me?" He says sharply and has to pinch his hand to try and get himself in check. He already knows there's nothing Robin can say that will make this ok to him. 

It's not only that she lied to him. She used him to lie to other people. She hurt other people. But she made Steve think he was doing something wrong. She watched Steve try and try and try knowing she would never let him in because she couldn't stand the guilt. 

Robin sighs dramatically. 

"It started as a joke, I swear. When you first moved in, I kept telling Chrissy how you looked like a hot model from a magazine. How I had never seen a guy so good looking in my life and mind you I don't like guys. But you're… You know, objectively attractive."

"Uh… Thanks?"

"Chrissy found that super funny. She said you must've been one of those guys who were always hooking up with girls and I agreed. Like, it took me six months to gather the courage to ask Chrissy out and I still wasn't sure she was going to say yes, and then Chrissy was saying how you probably didn't have this problem because anyone would say yes to you."

Steve frowns at her. Robin has a tendency of rambling and talking really fast and Steve feels he's not following. 

"So it was a prank?"

"I mean… Yes! At first. Chrissy and I wanted to see what it was like to be you on Tinder. You know, how many people we would match with, so we just swiped right non-stop. On the next day, there were thousands of messages for you."

Steve pinches the bridge of his nose and he sees a faint dust of pink on Robin's cheeks. She's embarrassed. 

"Chrissy laughed and moved on, but I kept thinking about it and I started talking to people there because why not? It was kind of addictive, being someone else. I know it's wrong and honestly I have no interest in anyone other than Chrissy, but it was fun to like, make up this whole persona and just see what people would do. I was curious about life as Steve Harrington. It must be easier than trying to flirt as, you know, me."

"And Chrissy doesn't know?"

Robin shakes her head. "She thinks I dropped the whole thing, but I couldn't. So I got a new phone, I deleted everything from my phone and I just kept going. I wanted to know how long it would take people to want a date. I started analyzing data, and I thought it would be a good study subject. But it's like I said… I only have eyes for Chrissy. I don't even like men. It was just… A test, I guess."

Steve exhales. He has to be honest, this is way more complicated than he thought it would be. It still doesn't make it ok, and it still confuses the hell out of him.  

"Robin, this is fucked up."

"I know ok? But there's just this… Adrenaline thrill. Of creating a personality for you, talking to people and seeing how they act, how they flirt with someone that looks like you. I never experienced any of that because I'm awkward and weird and I like girls. I told one of my professors I was doing it and he said it was fascinating. I couldn't just drop it. He wouldn't let me drop it. He kept saying how I had a chance of a lifetime with it and I just… How the fuck do I say no to that?"

Steve knows it still doesn't make it ok, but he's starting to feel sorry for Robin, so he tries to hold on to the anger. It's easier that way than if he tried to understand her. But there's still this one thing that doesn't make sense. 

"But how the hell did that evolve into you setting up a date with Eddie? And that's why you kept telling me to not go out with him isn't it?"

And that… That felt awful. He liked Eddie. He had liked him from the start and because Robin fucked up he had felt a little unsure about asking him out. When she finally speaks, she's not looking at Steve. 

"I didn't set up a date with him. I knew I could never do that because there was no way I could keep up the farce if I started doing it. But I should've been more careful. One of the pictures I set up on your profile had the coffee shop in the background. It didn't take a genius to make the connection, but I never thought he was just going to show up like that!"

"Well, that does sound like Eddie," Steve pointed out and he was assaulted with mixed feelings. An ache spreading on his chest as he thought he might never see Eddie again. Because of Robin. 

"I panicked when I started getting weird messages from him saying like 'surprise' and 'stop messing around' and I didn't get it. I sent a bunch of question marks and Eddie never got back to me. I figured it out after you told me what had happened and, well, you know what happened next."

After that, Steve stays silent for a long time. Robin keeps fidgeting with her hands as if she's waiting for a death sentence of something. 

Steve feels… So many things. He's mad at her, of course he is. But the frustration right now feels so much bigger. Even if Robin thinks it's easier being like him, Steve is tired of all that comes with it.

And Eddie was the first person in a long time that saw Steve in a different way. Sure, he might've started talking to not-Steve for his looks, but right now Eddie knew him. And Steve wasn't ready to let that go. He had no idea how to fix it and his head was pounding with lack of sleep and Robin was… Talking. Always fucking talking. 

"Robin!" he said, his voice going up an octave and making her shut her mouth. He got up from the couch and pressed the heels of his hand on his eyes. "I'm just… Please delete the whole thing. I don't care what you're going to tell your professor, but I'm not your little experiment. I just wanted to be your roommate. Maybe even your friend.But right now I just… Just leave me alone, please."

Steve walks to his room without looking back and he only hears when Robin leaves the apartment, a couple of minutes later.  Previous | Next

[fleur-a-whump]

Overloaded (#4)

Rocky Reunions Pt. 1

Surprise! This shit went FAST.

Guys I’m so excited. Caretaker has joined the chat! Fair warning, our caretaker cusses like a sailor (aka I’m indulging my fondness for the word fuck)

CW: physical violence, electrocution, shock collar, hero whumper, ex-villain whumpee, veiled threats

previous | masterlist | next

Kai was idling in the hall, absolutely dreading the impending meeting. He knew it was important; knew the reasoning behind regular Hero League briefings. But they were just so boring.

He had sent his team ahead of him into the massive semi-circle auditorium that was currently filling to the brim with just about every hero in the League. If he already wasn’t looking forward to spending the whole meeting sitting still, he definitely didn’t feel like going in early and suffering small talk with teams he didn’t know.

He was planning to pace the hall just outside one of the main entrances until the meeting started, but the weird looks he’s getting combined with the cacophony of chattering heroes spilling out quickly becomes too much. He wanders deeper into the maze of hallways as he tries not to think about what the meeting will be about. He’s sure it will either stress him out or piss him off. Or both. That’s happened before.

There was a bathroom down this hallway. Figures he’d make his way to water. He lets his core pull him even closer, feeling the water flow all around him through the pipes. Kai turns the sink’s faucet just long enough to manipulate some water flow through the air. He sends it flying back and forth between and around his hands, playing with it like a fidget toy. The water flattens down to a thin disk between his hands before he pops it up to spin on the tip of his finger. It was his newest trick he’d been working on.

Kai is suddenly startled by a rough groan and a shaky, quiet voice exhaling a curse. The precarious disk splashes down over his hand as he loses his concentration. He shakes it off as he peeks down the bathroom corridor. The stalls are all open, but he can make out someone kneeling in the last one.

He sighs as he moves towards it, knowing he’ll probably regret it. He knocks lightly as he edges his way in.

“You good, man?” he calls.

The man kneeling in front of the toilet nods and takes a breath, only to lurch forward, dry heaving. He shudders violently in his crouched position, swaying.

Kai is behind him in a moment, steadying him by one shoulder. He stands there sort of awkwardly while he makes sure the dude isn’t about to crack his skull on the tile.

“Is, uh, is there anyone I could get to help you maybe?” he asks, equal parts concerned and uncomfortable.

It seems like the man hesitates before shaking his head. He spits into the toilet one last time before slowly, shakily rising to his feet. Kai backs off to give him space. He wipes his mouth and flushes the toilet before turning towards Kai.

Time seems to slow as the man turns towards him. Kai’s eyes narrow as he meets unmistakeable bright blue eyes and curly brown hair, mussed and sweaty but recognizable. Despite not wearing his typical gas mask-like villain disguise, Kai’s all but sure he’s looking at a notorious villain.

“Tinker?”

Tinker stiffens just slightly, enough to confirm Kai’s suspicions.

He lunges.

Two pipes on either side of the villain suddenly burst at the pull of the superhero’s powers. Water rushes fast and unforgiving, slamming into the villain’s chest with sufficient force to throw him into the tiled wall. Kai directs the water to pin and encase his charged hands for good measure. He lets out a strangled groan at the pain of being thrown into the wall and gasps to catch his breath.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Kai growls.

He lets out a breathy chuckle as he adapts to the situation, scrutinizing Kai for a moment. “Nalu! I missed you, man. Didn’t you miss me?” the villain jokes with a playful grin, only a slight strain to his words hinting at the immense pressure of water on his chest.

“I'm not fucking playing around, Tinker,” he snaps. “Look around. We're in a bathroom. I could drown you without even trying.” His powers pull at the water just beyond his fingertips, ratting the pipes and fixtures for good measure.

Tinker's grin melts off his face, just fast enough that Kai knows it was a front. “Look man, I'm supposed to be here. I promise, just ask Miguel Toro, ask Shadow.”

“How the fuck do you know that name?”

“I—because, dude!” Tinker bursts, then immediately flinches slightly at his own outburst. Kai raises an eyebrow at him, and Tinker sighs with another little groan.

“I-I know him because, I told you, I’m supposed to be here. I’m on his team,” Tinker says in measured words, clearly trying to control his frustration.

Kai glares down at him, trying to read the kid. He was a few inches shorter than Kai and looked skinnier than he’d last seen him. Dark circles like bruises stained his under his eyes, making his already intense blue eyes stand out even more. He’s slightly green still—a subtle sheen of sweat across his forehead—from being sick. From this close, he could just make out the faint edge of a bruised jaw and cheek covered with makeup. The kid doesn’t look too hot. Weird.

Most importantly, though, Kai can’t see any sign the villain is lying. He is a villain and being a good liar is practically Villain 101, but Kai can’t imagine how he could possibly know Shadow’s real name besides him now, bizarrely, being with the Hero League.

He sighs, easing back on the water pressure. Tinker drags in a deep breath.

“What do you mean you’re supposed to be here?” Kai prods.

“I’m—the new villain reform initiative, I’m the guinea pig. I came to the Hero League; they—they’re giving me a chance,” the villain says quietly.

Kai scrutinizes him one more moment before sighing and pulling the water away from. The kid slumps against the wall when he’s released, breathing heavily. If he didn’t know any better, he’d think Tinker was more hyperventilating with fear than anything else. But this is Psychosis’ protege; he’s one of the most notorious new villains in the city. He's bested Kai several times. There’s no way he’s that afraid.

Kai forces the water back into the pipes he burst, wincing slightly at the damage. Two very burst pipes and maybe a dozen destroyed tiles. Plus the holes in the wall. He might’ve gotten a little carried away again. He grabs the villain’s arm tightly, freezing the holes in the pipes shut and making a mental note to let his supervisor know. Mari was gonna kill him. Six pipes this month. He sighs and shakes his head.

“Come on, let’s go find Miguel,” Kai grinds out, frustrated that this was now his problem. He pulls the pliant villain out of the bathroom with a tight grip on his arm.

They make their way through the halls in tense silence, only occasionally interrupted by Kai’s huffing and annoyed grumbling as it takes longer and longer to find Miguel in the maze of hallways around the auditorium.

Kai is just about ready to start yelling again when he suddenly feels a sharp, painful jolt of electricity shoot up his arm. He swears loudly, dropping the villain’s arm as fast as he can. He’s about to burst some more pipes in preparation for a fight when he realizes Tinker has yelped in clear pain and completely collapsed to the ground. The kid’s muscles are so tense it looks painful as he twitches and groans on the floor.

What the fuck, Kai thinks.

He crouches next to the villain, who’s clearly in severe pain, not sure what to do. Since when did Tinker’s electricity hurt him? Kai’s seen him use his powers plenty of times before, and he’s never seen anything like this. Is this some kind of weird trap? He doesn’t touch the kid, not wanting to get shocked himself, but his hands hover over him, not sure what to do.

Eventually, it seems like the electricity that’s rendering the villain totally immobile subsides and he gasps, tears suddenly spilling over. He shakes and quivers through the aftershocks, gulping oxygen. His pain seems too genuine for this to be a trap.

He puts his hand on the kid’s arm and he flinches like he’s been burned. The kid whimpers in pain, eyes glazed over and not quite there. Kai realizes he’s mumbling something under his breath and leans closer. He can just barely make out what the kid is saying.

“I-I’ll be g-good, I’m sorry. I’m trying, p-please, I’m s-sorry,” he stutters.

Kai grabs his arms a little more firmly this time and doesn’t let go even when the villain flinches again. He shakes the trembling kid lightly, trying to get him to snap out of it.

“Tinker? Come on, man. What the hell is going on?”

Tinker’s eyes eventually clear. He blinks up at Kai—so openly vulnerable and confused and scared that it startles him. He’s not sure what to do with that, so he decides to focus on anchoring Tinker in the moment, clearing his throat.

“There you are. You good?”

Tinker gives him a hesitant and shaky nod that’s not really convincing. Kai watches as the kid blinks a few times and a clearly well-practiced mask slips into place, hiding the raw emotions he just witnessed. He struggles to push himself into a sitting position, and Kai helps him sit up.

“What the fuck was that?” Kai asks when he seems more lucid.

“Uh, it’s—well, it’s a warning. Miguel must be l-looking for me. I-I have to get back to him, like now,” he says, a little panicked.

He struggles to his feet before Kai can do anything to help. He has to stand quickly himself to steady the villain before he crashes to the floor again. His steps are clumsy and unsteady, but urgent as he looks around, trying to find his way back to Miguel.

Kai hurries after him, even more confused and alarmed now.

“Wait, what the fuck do you mean ‘a warning’? Was that not your powers?”

Tinker shakes his head, pulling the collar of his shirt to the side wordlessly to expose a thin metal ring around his neck. Like a collar.

“Again, and I cannot stress this enough, what the fuck?” Kai exclaims.

The villain shakes his head, dismissing Kai’s question, and suddenly lets out a very relieved sigh when he peaks around the corner.

“Miguel! I’m right here!”

Kai follows after the villain, now jogging towards Toro.

Miguel does not look happy. “Get the fuck over here, Jasper. Where the hell did you go?”

Jasper? Kai thinks. It’s strange to think of the villain as anything other than his villain moniker.

Jasper slows slightly, nerves returning to his shaking frame. “I-I’m sorry, I’m really sorry, I was sick and, and then, uh,” he breaks off, looking back pleadingly at Kai for support.

Kai’s really not sure why he opens his mouth. But he does.

“Yeah, I, uh, held him up. That’s my bad.” It wasn’t technically a lie. He fixes his gaze on the team leader, “Um, he’s on your team, Miguel?” he asks.

“We’re keeping an eye on him.”

Kai could swear he sees Jasper deflate a little out of the corner of his eye.

“You’re getting ready to hear about it. Why don’t you head in to sit with your team, Kai? We’ve gotta go get Tinker here set up,” Miguel says, stiffly, grabbing Jasper’s arm tightly and starting to tug him away.

Jasper looks back at him once more, gratefulness and something else hard to read, something maybe like resigned fear, swirling in his eyes.

Kai watches the pair go, Miguel pulling Jasper close by the collar of his shirt as he drags him down the hall, whispering something sharp and terse in his ear. The villain tenses, stiff but yet still pliant in Miguel’s grip.

Kai sighs to himself.

What the fuck.

~~~

Grumpy caretaker is grumpy! Not sure when or how that happened because I really didn’t plan on him being grumpy he just kinda manifested that way lmao. He a little confused but he’ll get the spirit I promise. Elijah might have to bully him into it a little bit tho.

tags!! hello again!! I love you!! I hope this actually works this time!! lmk if you wanna be added or removed anytime :)

@whumpsday @sergeant-jasper @watermelons-dont-grow-on-trees @crystalrose141 @aloafofbreadwithanxiety

@paingoes @elizaisnotokay @quaggasus @defire @tonystark604

@writereleaserepeat @whump-queen @clickerflight @gliittergelpens @kawaii-cakes

@whump-in-a-million @scoundrelwithboba

[gabbytheplatypus]

Kiss cam

In disbelief, Jake stared at the kiss cam, its lens squarely focused on him and his girlfriend, who was happily chatting away with her friend over the phone. He knew she wasn't interested in sports at all, yet she had joined him and his friends to watch the event. Now, she was on her phone the entire time, which he considered very rude. She was talking so loudly that everyone around them was beginning to stare. And now, because of that stupid kiss cam, they had become the center of attention.

Softly, Jake nudged her, but she ignored him. He shook his head, hoping the camera would move on. But it remained fixed on them. "Babe—" he began.

"Shut up for a second, Jake," she snapped, her voice cutting through the noise of the stadium like a knife. He heard his friends on his other side suck in their breath, and he turned to glare at them. They were only making an already embarrassing situation worse.

Bradley leaned over, "If you wanted someone to boss you around, you could've just asked me." Jake shot him a pointed look, but couldn't help but grin slightly. The small comment had at least somewhat eased his nerves.

"Babe, look, please—" he tried again, desperation creeping into his voice, wanting to just get over with it.

"Jake, this is important. Kate just broke up with her boyfriend," she interrupted, her eyes still glued to her phone.

"Can't you deal with that later?" He had to stop himself from rolling his eyes. His patience was wearing thin.

"No. Now shut up."

Relief washed over him when the kiss cam finally moved to another couple, a nice-looking elderly pair who kissed, smiled, and waved at the camera. His shoulders slumped as he exhaled. Maybe this day wouldn't get any worse. Except, of course, it did.

The kiss cam zoomed back in on them. He heard Phoenix and Coyote whispering to each other but couldn't care less. He was stressed. Usually, he was good at dealing with pressure—as a fighter pilot, he had to be—but all the stares made him uncomfortable. He was seconds away from standing up, finding whoever was responsible for the camera, and strangling that person with his own hands.

"Babe—"

"How are you so annoying, Jake?" she shot back, her tone full of irritation. A gasp sounded from behind him, and the people around them stared in shock. His girlfriend either didn't notice or didn't care.

This whole situation was starting to make him worry if he would get his first gray hair that day.

Bradley leaned in again, "You know Jake, if this doesn't work out, I think I know a guy who might be interested." But Jake chose to ignore him yet again.

Mercifully, the kiss cam switched to another couple. The man held a sign that read, "She's my sister," sending laughter through the crowd. The cam then moved on to Hangman and his girlfriend yet again. Jake wanted to disappear. Maybe he could just throw himself off the building.

He shook his head and crossed his arms, feeling utterly defeated. Then, suddenly, a hand was at his jaw, turning his head to the side. He felt soft lips on his, and a mustache rubbed against his skin. His eyes closed instinctively, then opened in confusion. Firstly, his girlfriend didn’t have a mustache, and secondly, she didn’t kiss nearly as well as this person did.

His skin prickled with electricity as he stared at Bradley, who held his chin while kissing him like his life depended on it. Slowly, Jake's eyes closed again, and he kissed back, snaking his arms around the other man's neck. One of his hands wandered into Bradley's hair, and he heard him gasp when he slightly tugged at his hair, the noise making him smirk a little.

His girlfriend punching him brought him back to reality. He stared at her in shock as she went to slap him again, but Rooster caught her hand. She stood up and walked away in a huff, but as much as Jake wanted to feel bad for her, he couldn’t bring himself to care. Not when the man next to him was kissing him again, the kiss cam long gone, and the crowd clapping.

It felt like a movie. Phoenix and Coyote high-fived each other. Jake couldn't bring himself to be mad. Not while he was kissed with such passion that the rest of the world faded away.

As they finally pulled apart, Bradley's eyes searched Jake's. "You okay?" he asked, his voice a soft murmur that only Jake could hear.

Jake nodded, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. "Yeah. More than okay."

Bradley smiled, his hand lingering on Jake's cheek. "Good."

Jake glanced around, noticing the amused and approving glances from their friends and the crowd. Slowly his body relaxed, all tension fading away from his body.

"Let's get out of here," Bradley suggested, his voice full of promise.

Jake didn't need to be asked twice. He stood up, his hand still entwined with Bradley's, and they made their way out of the stadium, not caring in the slightest that the match wasn't even finished yet.

[yuri-is-online]

Hello, hello! Congrats on making the 500 follower milestone!🥳🎉🎆 For the masquerade event, may I request prompt no. 12 with Leona, Riddle and Azul, please? Thank you!

12. You had a wonderful time dancing and flirting with someone at the ball, only to find out from your friends the next day that was your crush. And you have no idea if they knew it was you they were dancing with.

Hi hi friend!!! I am very happy to see you, in both my inbox and my notifications. I really hope you like what I came up with here, and look forward to any future requests you may have.

notes: they/them used for Yuu, SUGGESTIVE WARNING FOR LEONA (he gives Yuu a hickey) Leona? Self-destructing? It's more likely than you think, Riddle is a fragile Victorian maiden, and Azul is himself, a reference is made to his chat with Jade. This got a bit angsty but everything is ok in the end. The other event requests can be found on my masterlist here.

Leona

Just one night. That's what Leona told himself, one night with you in his arms, all your attention focused on him; your smiles, your laughter, the heat of your breath against his lips as he steals all of your air and pockets the sound of your gasps in the back of your mind right by all those times he got the last word in an argument with Kifaji. You were going to be his for one night and one night only, with a mask, hat, and cape to shield him from all your typical banter and sweep you up in the allure of the Masquerade. And it had worked, like the predictable herbivore you were you let him sweep you off your feet and monopolize all of your time for the entire night.

Your eyes had been drawn away by a particularly loud shout from the lizard's annoying retainer, that pointless concern drawing you away from him once again. He touches just under your chin and moves your head back towards him, trying not to let his smirk grow any further when you melt into his touch and completely ignore the commotion.

"Sorry," you do sound like it "where were we?"

"You were about to stop telling me how nice my costume is and do something more productive." The hears the heart rate increase before he feels it, tastes Yuu before he kisses them, and knows long before he pulls away that this was a mistake. He was supposed to tie off his feelings by proving to himself that attending one of these shitty formal events with you would suck.

And it sort of had, but only because he had to hear your strangled disappointment when he left you alone instead of ditching the soirée to come home with him.

Home. As if either of you would be welcome there. ~~~~ "So you wanted me to be sitting down for this conversation?" You have a feeling you know why Ruggie is here. It has something to do with the extremely inhuman teeth marks that would have been your death warrant if looks could kill.

"You already know you were sucking Leona's face last night right?" You aren't quite sure who Ruggie is trying to be polite to with keeping his descriptions to that already vivid medium.

"Yes," you look off just past Ruggie as if it will save you any embarrassment "I found out when Vil started slapping foundation on my neck and demanding I call my therapist."

"You should still do that." So it's you Ruggie is trying to be polite to, sweet that makes eye contact a little bit easier. "But- no after you do that would you mind talking to Leona? I'd say call him but he's just going to ignore you and I am sick of it."

"Oh come on," you try to lighten the mood with a laugh "it's only been one day right?"

"Try since you met." Ruggie mutters and your mood falls back to the stressful buzz of nonsensical energy that you had been stitched in all day. He probably didn't mean for you to hear that, just like Leona didn't mean for you to see him as vulnerable in anyway at all.

"Did he send you to pick something up?" It's not a question Ruggie jumps to answer, but he doesn't have to. "Mind letting me deliver it?" ~~~~ "You've got some nerve showing your face here." Leona knows it's you, and you wish you could say you're surprised he is able to tell with his eyes closed, you wish you could say the deep breath he takes before he opens his eyes is ugly or terrifying in some way so you have an excuse to run.

But for some ungodly reason you don't want to. Seeing him makes things less embarrassing, in a complete defiance of logic and good sense you feel nothing but confidence as you stride across the room and set the skewers Ruggie made on his room's coffee table. "Figured you wouldn't answer your phone so I just let myself in." You don't move any closer to his bed, not because you are afraid of him, something you know he knows as he makes a show of opening his mouth to taste the air and show off his teeth. No if Leona wants you-

"Here to say you regret it?" He means it as a taunt, but like so many of those it's a bit too truthful for you to really be insulted. "I just wanted a taste, you had to have known a herbivore like you would never be able to keep up with me."

"And you have to know that acting like a coward is unbecoming for anyone," the strength of your voice only surprises him, you know damn well Leona isn't the only one who is capable of being petty "let alone you." He closes the distance between for you, eyes narrow and a growl shaking you to your core but he doesn't dare lay a hand on you.

"You-"

"Are completely right and will not take any criticism." And now you are interrupting him, oooh you can piratically see the fire in his eyes. "Look, if you don't want me that's fine. I'm a big herbivore, not a little cub trying to cling to your warmth. But if you do-" You really wish Leona had a tie, it would make this nicer but he doesn't so you satisfy yourself with yanking him down to you with a fistful of his hair "then I want to hear it. And I won't yield until I do."

For a brief second, you wonder if any of what you've just done is smart. If you should have told Vil, Ace, Trey, anyone other than just Ruggie and Grim where it was you were going so they knew who to blame for your mangled corpse. But that would just complicate the excited flicker in Leona's eyes when he fully understands that you are serious. When he breaks free of your grasp with a simple shake of his head and-

Laughs. Freely and purely in a way you don't think you've ever heard before as he reaches out to that specific spot on your neck and wipes away the makeup with a simple, self satisfied spell.

"Beg."

"Excuse-"

"Oh I want to tell you," Leona is back in all his annoying smug glory, you should have expected this from someone who refused to apologize for overblotting "you have no idea just how much I want to say, but I wanna hear you beg just as bad, so indulge me a little yeah?"

I know you want to.

Riddle

"Hey congrats!" Cater almost knocks you off your couch with how hard he claps you on the back. "I was staring to think you and Riddle would never-"

"Wait, wait, wait, slow down." You make sure to put your mug down on a coaster and out of either of your reach so your precious morning brew didn't get knocked over by anyone's antics. "How did you get into my dorm and what's this about me and Riddle?" Cater gives you his best peeved look and you give him your best infuriated stare. Both of you know the answer to both of those questions; he let himself in, and you are in love with Riddle. But you do fail to see what that last bit has to do with anythi-

"Didn't you kiss him last night?" Cater is really glad you set that mug down because the wheezing cough you hack up would have been truly dangerous if any liquids involved. "He's been totally out of it all day, it's super cute you want to see some pics?"

"NO!" You manage an impressive volume for someone so low on air. "I just- ididntknowitwashimand-"

"You what?" Cater is only half paying attention, already moving to show you some admittedly extremely cute pictures of Riddle sitting in the Heartslabyul lounge with a cup of tea staring out the bay window, an unusual shade of pink decorating his cheeks with a strangely serene look on his face. You want to touch his chubby cheeks but Cater keeps his phone just out of your reach.

"I didn't know it was him." You say, quietly almost to yourself and though Cater does suck in a pretty deep breath he doesn't overwhelm you with his reaction. "I mean it was just on the cheek! I thought..."

Sweet. Your dance partner was so sleepy, and trying so very hard to stay awake. But it was clearly unbelievably far past his bed time, he can't stop yawning.

"I'm sorry, I'm being extremely impolite." He falls onto your shoulder anyway, and you feel compelled to protect him from the crowd, gently guiding him away from the lights and wrapping your cloak around his shoulders.

"It's ok, you shouldn't be sorry for feeling sleepy." He hums happily as you look around for one of the professors to take him back to his dorm. "I had a really fun time dancing with you already, I didn't know anything about formal dances before I came here so it was really nice to have such a helpful partner. You don't need to keep yourself awake for me."

"But I want to." He murmurs. "I want you to see me as reliable." Poor kid, he must really be out of it to be relying on a stranger for validation. Thankfully you finally manage to find Crewel and give your new friend a quick thank you kiss on the cheek before you pass him off.

"You're plenty useful, you don't need my approval." And you are gone before he can shout again about just how badly he wants it.

"I thought he was just some guy." You say. "And it wasn't like a kiss kiss, it was just a peck on the cheek." Something you never would have done if you knew it was Riddle, something he had seethed with jealousy over you giving out to everyone else and conveniently neglected to disclose to Cater as the type of kiss he had gotten. Cater had been under the impression it was a bit more... dramatic but then he supposes as he looks at you and then the picture of a pining Riddle on his phone, that this scenario does make a bit more sense.

Maybe the little teapot had an inappropriate dream where you held hands in the rose garden on the way back to Heartslabyul and gotten that mixed up with reality. A sharp knock at Ramshackle's door snaps you both away from your thoughts as Cater quickly excuses himself though one of the lounge's windows and you move to answer it, little doubt about who it could be. ~~~~ Riddle's entry to Ramshackle is much more formal than Cater's. He says nothing as you walk back to the lounge, you say nothing as you sit down on your couch, and he politely coughs when he settles into a recliner but still offers nothing in the way of an explanation.

"Thank you for letting me in." He does say that, because to do otherwise would be rude.

"You're always welcome over." And you can't exactly help but say that because anything else would be a lie. The silence stretches out as you stare at your poor mug in distress.

"Your tea's cold." Not the line you expected from Riddle, less so the genuine distress. "I'm sorry if I interrupted you."

"Oh it's ok, I wasn't really making much progress on it anyway." You had just made it when Cater showed up, and you had quite forgotten about it until you needed a distraction. "Did you have a good night's slee-"

"I love you." Riddle doesn't blurt anything ever, the words are as blunt and firm as a deceleration of the Queen's rules. Once again, you are very glad that no liquids are involved in the breath you are required to take. "I love you and would very much like to know if you love me too. It's alright if you don't, I'm content with our friendship, treasure it even, but I need to say something to avoid further miscommunications on my part like last night's." He moves, not quite to his knees, but deferring to you all the same. "Please." Riddle doesn't know what he is asking for, and you barely know how you answer. "What do you have to say?"

"I think." You gently take his hands in yours. "That I would like to make two cups of tea. And I would like you to sit a little closer to me."

Azul

He knew. There was no way in the deep blue sea that conniving, scheming, bastard hadn't known it was you for one second. So what was it that Azul wanted from you so badly that he pretended to be attracted to you for an entire night? You shuffle around under your blankets and flip the pillow you had been sobbing into just a few moments prior trying to convince yourself to go back to sleep, that this revelation (even if it felt more like a train wreck with how loud Ace and Deuce had yelled at you this morning) would be better digested after a night's sleep.

Closed eyes take you back to the dim lights of the ballroom, the perfect way the supposed stranger holds himself, poised yet somehow relaxed. Like he was always meant to be held in your arms, the way he removes his glove before he takes your hand in his and intertwines your fingers as you dance doesn't even strike you as slightly performative.

"Your hands seem cold." He says, plush lips curving into a smile as his thumb runs over your knuckles in time with the shiver his words send through your spine. "May I hold you closer? It might help with that chill you seem to be suffering." And though you say nothing you still move further into his embrace, overwhelmed with the beauty of his affection.

You take a deep, shuddering breath and scream again into your pillow as Grim rolls over next to you mumbling something inaudible to your foggy mind.

This is pure torture. ~~~~ You knew it was him. That was the conclusion Azul had drawn because there was no way, with how deep your affections ran for him, you would have ever allowed someone else to sweep you up into their arms when you had his gift tied so delicately around your throat.

"I was right," he remembers saying that with such loaded intent he almost cringed at the sound of his own voice "it does look quite attractive on you." The spiral conch was a bit out of place in your costume, but you had still thought to wear it. The delicate silver string he had spent so much time agonizing over glittered in the magical lights of the ball. There was no reason in his mind, no reason until approximately 8:45 AM this morning anyway, to consider last night as anything other than a complete success. Now though...

Roses are too Heartslabyul, it's a bit too late to go looking for coral or seashells even if that was something he knew he needed to give to you at some point. Courtship traditions were ingrained in cultures for a reason, and he knew- well until he saw Ace shaking you in Ramshackle's courtyard he thought he had noticed that you were receptive to merfolk ones.

"Looking to make an apology little imp?" He does not startle to Sam's question, though he does make a disgruntled sigh.

"It appears I need to." Because no one on this campus likes to admit they have ever done anything wrong, and Azul does not think he was wrong to approach you but he knows you're mad. He had been waiting for your usual weekend visit to the lounge, anxious but excited, already having worked his way through the misunderstanding in his own mind. To be jealous of himself had never crossed his mind. You had never once asked to leave him as soon as he had asked for your hand, mask or no that was all Azul really wanted, out of that night anyway. But he had been making plans for this one he still wishes to see fulfilled, ones precious enough to swallow a little pride and say the words. And with that in mind... "Do you have peonies? Light pink, almost white." He doesn't really have to ask, the flowers are bought and paid for as almost an afterthought as Azul tries to plan something, even though he knows with each step he takes towards Ramshackle that the instant he sees you it will all fall apart. But he knocks on the door anyway, and tries not to half cry himself when he sees the stressed face that greets him.

"I am told," Azul says carefully, purposefully not forcing himself into your space no matter how much he wants to reacquaint himself with the warmth of your embrace "that this is the way land dwellers apologize for romantic indiscretions." Between partners goes unsaid as you, against the advice of all your friend group and the monster asleep in your bed, let him into your lounge and excuse yourself to find a vase. It's not strange to see him so relaxed, Azul's self confidence was one of the many things that attracted you to him, but it feels strangely homey to see him settled into your couch not even remotely phased by the flowers he holds. And when he looks up to see you, you can watch the breath catch in his chest before his smile shines through. It's almost enough to make you drop the vase, but not even that is enough to shatter his reverie.

"Thank you." The whisper is hoarse from your previous tears, Azul settles the flowers in the vase before pulling the glove free from his hand to allow you to seek reassurance from the coolness of his touch. There are no tears now, but the gentle curl of his hand around your cheek still has a slight tremble.

"I am sorry." He means that, even if he did nothing wrong he can still regret hurting you he decides. "Would you allow me to show you something?" Something he says, like the embrace you share and the kiss he finally gets to savor is a thing he is giving you and not a treasure he has longed to take.

[trisnomials]

hot & heavy - pt. 1/2

...in which: hazel hosts a party for the fight club in her basement, but your drunk boyfriend won't leave you alone.

...pairing: hazel callahan x fem!reader

...warnings: portrayal of a toxic relationship (not hazel dw), underage drinking, cursing + the f slur

...author's note: this is a songfic inspired by hot & heavy and christine by my queen lucy dacus!!! i actually rlly don't like how this one's going so far but im a completionist, so you WILL get a part 2 B)

Being here makes you feel hot in the face. Maybe it’s the drink in your hand- a dizzyingly saccharine yet bitter and metallic concoction. Sylvie mixed it up for you, and you’ve been taking cautiously minuscule sips since you received it. Maybe it’s the multitude of warm bodies in the same space as you- all the girls from fight club are here, laughing and dancing and chatting, managing to throw a rager with just their small group.

Or maybe it’s because as you sit on a couch in Hazel Callahan’s luxurious basement, your jock boyfriend happens to be drunk and alone that night, blowing up your DMs. That was your first mistake- telling him you were going to the fight club’s party tonight.

During the months you’ve been dating this guy, you’ve learned that sloppy typing is a dead giveaway of how sober he is. This fact manifests itself as he sends you: “y/n i thougt u werent gonna see those lesbins anymor” and “come over. i bet my place hasgot better drinks.” You glance at Sylvie’s alcoholic potion and grimace. Maybe he’s right about that, actually.

Hazel, tearing away from a conversation with Annie, Josie, and PJ drops herself next to you on the couch. She cranes her neck to peek at your phone. “What a meathead, huh?” she says, projecting her voice just enough over the pulsing music. Her arms are extended across the top of the couch, and her round cobalt eyes squint slightly as she smiles. When you meet her intense eye contact, you turn off your phone quickly and let it fall to your lap. “He’s drunk again,” you explain sheepishly, though you’re certain she already knows, “he’s a terrible drunk, especially when he's alone.”

The buzz from your phone signals another text from him, and you apprehensively read the notification. “cant bileve yr with them rn and ditching me for soem fagots”

“Or maybe he’s just a terrible person.” she muses with conviction. You watch as Hazel habitually twirls the silver rings on her fingers. For someone who’s allegedly “a nobody,” she sure has a way of distracting you. Gnawing on the inside of your bottom lip, you inhale and speak again, “Is it bad that I’m starting to agree?”

Hazel raises an eyebrow. “...You’re just now noticing?”

“I- I mean-” you stammer, then sigh, slumping into the couch. The side of her leg presses a little closer to yours, and your head rolls on the cushions to look at her again. Those damn blue eyes won’t leave you alone. “Not really. To be honest, I don’t know if I ever really… liked him…” you swallow. Those words have never left your lips before. “...I think I was just lonely. And he was so insistent.” Your confession is so quiet against the music you aren’t sure Hazel even heard, but she must have the ears of a bat, because she responds,

“He doesn’t deserve you.”

Before you can react to that, the consequences of your own persuasibility come back to hit you as hard as a deeply troubled girl in the fight club.

“Oh fuck,” your posture jolts back to tense verticality, stomach squirming uncomfortably as you try to force the explanation out. “Shitshitshit… he’s driving over here…” you pant.

“Hey, what?” Hazel turns her whole body to face you on the couch. “How does he have my address?” she asks, dumbfounded. You stand up, a strangled sound escaping your throat. Your free hand pushes itself into your hair and balls into a fist. “I’m so fucking stupid, I gave him my location.”

“Y/n, slow down-” Hazel stands up and grabs your wrist. This makes you pause, your eyes frantic and chest heaving like a captured animal. Her eyebrows are upturned with worry. She shakes her head slowly. “...what is he doing to you?”

That’s a loaded question and there’s no time to answer, because now your boyfriend is outside the house and you’re sprinting upstairs, Hazel trailing you.

[multiwreckedmess]

[9:42pm] Prologueish

i'm so sorry cheater!yunho this is all i can write right now

a prologue of sorts. OHHHH they're so fucked UUUUUP

WC: 1.4k

because it's a prologue you probably DON'T need to read the previous entries, I'll link everything at the end though do not worry.

Standard disclaimer, this is meant for 18+ and my blog is 18+ please do not interact if you are not 18+ because I AM OLD. You don't WANT to interact with me just as much as I don't want to interact with YOU. This content is not intended for YEW.

This fanfic is, as the genre defines it, FICTIONAL. It is in no way a representation of Yunho or any Ateez member.

TW/CW: Fem!reader. Voyeurism. More details below the cut.

TW/CW: cnc voyeurism? Idk how to tag it but shit's fucked up. PIV sex, protected sex (ayyyy change of pace), yn is called babe and princess, backshots. Use of terms "bad girl" and "naughty girl".

There's too many people and you can feel a slow sickening trickle of sweat slip down your spine. Curse this cheap Shein sweater made of essentially recycled plastic that suffocates you along with the eyes of the crowd.

Realistically it's a medium sized mixed party but really mixed party is enough to start the waterworks for you. It's not so big that it would break the imagined firecode of the house you're in. Yet the combination of fabric and pressure starts to strangle you slowly.

Of course Yunho is here. He's always here. Thats what you get for fucking within the friend group. Mistake number one, or maybe number two after allowing yourself to stay friends with him after your break up. Not that there was a choice, shunning him would be social suicide. The mear suggestion of casting yourself as the ice queen, cutting out a staple member of the gang. Worse, allowing yourself to be pitied. The poor girl who couldn't keep her man's eyes from wandering, and what good were you if you couldn't keep someone as good as him.

He's here chatting up some girl, as usual at this mixed affairs. He's smart, you see, he fucks people never to be heard from again. Randoms at bars or parties or friends of friends that don't care to know the history. Girls who just want to fuck a guy not lying about his height for once.

Hanging on your newly minted boyfriends bicep you find yourself smiling and nodding along with a conversation that you've long forgotten the point of. Surely it can't have moved too far away from some simple small talk. Sports or entertainment, something uncontroversial and benign. Your boyfriend laughs, you laugh. You follow his moves and before long you'll be home and asleep safe in your bed.

You can feel Yunho's eyes even as he's leaning casually against the wall. That bitch touching his chest. No, she's not a bitch and he isn't yours. Really she's doing you a favor. He's moved on and so have you. Clearly you've moved on, you have your new beau and he's here with you and clearly you're in love because you're laughing so much with him. Your smile brightens at the thought.

"Right babe?" your boyfriend turns his head towards you, nodding. "Whatever you said, hon," you smile and lay your hand on his chest. Eyes darting you make sure that Yunho is still watching this pageantry. With a wink you kiss your boyfriend's cheek for good measure. "She's too good! Too funny!" The other person laughs, seemingly satisfied with this answer.

When you look back, Yunho is gone. Disappointing waste of an excellent performance. The girl is gone too. Good, good riddance. It was only right that both of you had moved on to dating outside the friend group. Who didn't like to expand their horizons and it certainly made breakups less awkward. It wasn't like you were avoiding him, you just needed to make sure your boyfriend didn't feel abandoned.

As if on cue your boyfriend squeezes your arm, leaning over to whisper to you. "Hey, if you need a break I can hold my own just fine."

"Yeah I think I'll just grab some air, it's a little warm right?"

He leans over, his lips aiming for yours but you lower your gaze and they hit your forehead.

"You know how I feel about PDA," you whisper.

He squeezes your ass with a smile, "I know but can you blame a guy for trying? You look beautiful."

The sliding glass door is already unlocked, the early autumn night air hits your face like a drink of ice water. Some distance from the party would be good. It's good that your boyfriend noticed. It's good that he cared. It's good that he wanted to kiss you. Everything is good even though Yunho was there talking with, well, who he was talking with didn't matter. It doesn't matter because you're doing so well.

There's a light on in a second floor bedroom.

The light shouldn't be on.

The second floor was also technically a break from the party. Someone should make sure that nothing was being stolen. But you're the only one in the yard, you're the only one who would know. The bathroom was also upstairs, you could use a quick bathroom break. Really you were just being a good samaritan it wasn't that out of the way, not being nosy at all.

You keep repeating that thought as you go up the stairs. Fingers gripped to the bannister as if you were in your own personal horror movie. Isn't this how most heroine's die? The din of the party masks the sound of your feet and the groan of the floorboards. The bathroom at the end of the hallway is wide open, warm lights lovingly winking at you. The bedroom door is partially cracked open, you'll just take a quick look.

But why is your heart beating so quickly? Really you aren't doing anything wrong. And if the light was just left on, you can quickly turn it off, save the host some on the electricity bills.

You look through the crack in the door.

It takes a second for your brain to process what your eyes are seeing. At first it's just a strange dark moving mass on the bed. As you stare you start to make out two bodies, moving together. Two people, fucking. One curled over the top of the other, hips landing hard blows while the other is face down in the duvet, gripping for dear life. And then the person on top looks up and makes eye contact with you through the crack.

Yunho.

Standing frozen, trapped, watching as he leans down and bites the shell of the woman's ear, eyes still locked with yours. Her entire body reacts, twisting in pleasure below him. It's wrong to keep watching. Your cunt throbs. The woman doesn't know you're watching, it's wrong to keep watching. But you aren't watching her, you aren't registering her, you're locked on him.

"You like that?" He purrs. It's clear that it's as much for your benefit as it is for the woman below him. He unfurls from on top of her, steadying himself with his hands on her hips. "God I love watching you," his lips twist into a sickening smile, "bad girl."

Legs bolted to the floor your can feel your core slicking. Yunho adds a particularly loud groan just for you. You know it's for you. He pushes his bangs from his sweat slicked forehead, pausing to let his cock sink deeper into the woman below him. She tries to scramble to her hands, into a more dignified position, maybe even to crane back into his chest to steal a kiss.

Yunho places one of his massive hands between her shoulderblades and shoves the weakened woman into the duvet again. Pushing her head into the sheets and snapping his hips into her for good measure. You hear her squeal, it's clear she's loving it.

"Gunna cum? Gunna cum for me?" He smiles as he looks at you, still stuck.

Your fingers twitch. The growing pit of shame and arousal itches in your veins.

He looks glorious, sweaty and panting. Mouth dropped and eyes rolling as he tries to focus on you. "Take it. Fucking, just like that, fucking take it."

Pulling out you watch him continue to pump his length, peeling the condom off and tossing it casually to the side. Fully engorged, prominent vein running up the top, still as delicious looking as you remember. He sighs as he cums, spurts of release spraying over the woman's upturned ass. "Fucking love that don't you, naughty girl?"

The spell breaks and you scuttle to the bathroom. A layer of slick coating the gusset of your panties. Your pussy puffy and sensitive as you try to clean yourself. Washing your hands you can't look at yourself in the bathroom mirror. For once you don't care how you look.

Yunho is leaning against the wall as you exit. A smirk crosses his face. All it takes is a stretch of his long arms to bar your path. "Nice to see you." "Likewise." He brushes a few stray hairs on your head into place. "I think we'll be seeing much more of each other." "Yunho," you voice warns, unable to look up at him. "Let me go." He quietly steps to the side, motioning you forward. "After you, princess."

related stories: kinktober | [12:39AM] | [10:45PM] if you liked this and wanna see this just get worse and worse....yeah there is the order.

a related ask as well here

[fandom-smutty-shots]

Charles Xavier X Reader: In Your Head (Smut)

Summary: Charles uses his powers to make you finish in front of everyone, then uses them again when he takes you back to your room.

Warnings: Smut, praise kink, daddy kink, public orgasm, orgasm denial, fingering, oral(f receiving), begging.

Word Count: 1.5k

A/N: This man can see into anybody's mind... he's gotta have had some kinky sex.

~

You shifted uncomfortably in your seat, trying to focus on the food in front of you. You and a few of the trainees were in the kitchen, eating your final meal of the day and joking around with each other.

Well, everyone else was joking around. You were squeezing your thighs together and trying to keep your breathing even as your boyfriend projected your fantasy of the day into your head.

Charles, I'm trying to eat.

You met his eyes at the table with a glare as he ignored you, chatting away with Erik while torturing you.

You could feel his fingers between your thighs, snaking up and down your heated core as you saw yourself in bed, hands in Charles' hair as he got you closer to your edge.

This was the worst part of dating a telepath. He could make you finish without even laying a hand on you, anytime, anywhere. It was embarrassing how he dove into your wildest fantasies and forced you to get off on them, something you only ever did in your bed alone before him.

"Y/n? You feeling okay?" someone called out across the table, noticing your discomfort. You didn't even register who it was.

You opened your mouth to say something back, but ended up letting out a strangled sound to cover the moan from your building orgasm. Charles spoke soft words into your head, edging you on to finish for him right in front of everyone.

I'll do anything just please don't embarrass me-

It was too late. You stood up from your chair and came at the same time, clenching your jaw as your legs gave out and you collapsed onto the ground. You were drenched in sweat, your vision was fuzzy, and you were panting from the release.

Erik was the first to your side, and you could tell from the amused look on his face that he knew what Charles was up to. He was the only one that actually knew about your relationship, and he kept it a secret, even when Charles pulled shit like this.

"Come on, I'll get you to your room," Erik sighed, using his arm to get you to your feet. "Charles, come on, make sure she's okay."

You relied entirely on Erik to get you upstairs, regaining your footing somewhere right before you reached your bedroom. Charles followed behind, laughing as soon as you were out of earshot.

"This is just plain mean," Erik shot at his best friend, opening your door and letting you stumble to your bed. "Poor thing doesn't need to be a show for everyone. Keep your... playtime... in private." He stormed out, shutting the door after himself, leaving the two of you alone.

"Sorry, Y/n. I really didn't think you were that close," Charles chuckled, sitting in the bed next to you.

"Yes, you did! You know exactly when I'm about to come!" You shot back, your face red from humiliation. "This isn't fair! You can't go into my head whenever you please!"

Can't I, sweet girl?

"Stop!" You pushed your arms against his chest, wishing you could throw him across the room.

"Oh I'm sorry baby girl," Charles purred, pining your hands above your head with his power. "How about you let your daddy make it up to you?"

Your clothes were off in an instant, leaving you squirming and exposed in front of your boyfriend. Your mind began dancing in circles as he lowered himself between your legs, pushing them apart with gentle hands and getting comfortable.

How about daddy gives you the real thing?

You forget why you're so mad as he calls himself that, his intimate knowledge of your desires making it impossible not to melt into his touch.

"Please," you whimper, bucking into him to try and get some friction.

Ask nicely.

You swallow your pride, "please, daddy, please lick me."

Charles hummed and dove in, his tongue swirling exactly the way you need it, exactly the way you pictured it for so long. You cried out when he gently sucked on your swollen bud, his tongue dancing along the edges in the way that made you cum in an instant.

"Daddy it's right-it's right-oh god lick right there-" your voice was a high-pitched whine, you knew you sounded pathetic as you begged for release. This time a release you actually wanted.

You wanna come all over my face?

Charles never had to stop licking to coax you into an orgasm. One of the many benefits of his power, he talked you through everything without ever compromising your pleasure.

You could feel him holding you still, keeping your wild bucking at bay as your vision became fuzzy again and you felt that knot in your stomach building.

"Please-please-I can't-oh god I'm gonna-"

You snapped upright as Charles released his hold on you and pulled away, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "You're right, I do know exactly when you're gonna finish."

"Charles!" Your eyebrows furrowed together and you felt yourself come down, losing the wave that was about to crash over you. "That's not fair!"

Oh but you come so much harder when I make you wait for it.

"Daddy please," you whimper, bending down to hungrily kiss him, your need for him building with every second.

"You just begged me not to make you come and now you want to?" Charles smirked at you, coming up and snaking his arm under your neck to hold you into him. "Such a confusing girl."

He moved his free hand to draw circles up the side of your thigh, the touch making you shiver. You tried to push his hand where you needed it, but he was stronger than you and simply brought his hand and yours to your lips.

Ask nicely.

"Please let me come on you daddy I need you so bad," you beg, pleading with him in your mind as well.

That's my good girl.

Charles dipped his hand into your wet folds, teasing up and down before sliding a finger inside, making you gasp. He found your spot easily, lazily rubbing circles on it, just enough pleasure to make you need more. You knew he would take it away if you got greedy, so as much as you were desperate for more friction, you stayed in his arms and took the teasing.

Does baby girl want her daddy to make her come now?

"Please, I need you," you whimpered, turning your head to look him in the eyes just as he pulled his finger out and replaced it with two, pumping in and out to hit where you needed. His thumb traced patterns across your clit, edging you on as he told you how pretty you looked coming undone for him.

He let you squirm this time, grinding against his hand in desperation as you chased your high, this time the knot building much faster.

Charles pumped into you, watching your eyes roll back as you hit the point right before you were gonna-"

"CHARLES!" You cried out as he pulled his hand away, that one second ruining your orgasm yet again. "This isn't fair, daddy."

"Oh, but it'll be so good when you finally do finish, sweetheart." Charles said with his stupid smirk, sitting up and slowly undressing himself.

You glanced down as he pulled his pants off, his cock springing free and leaking pre-cum. He pumped it a few times before grabbing your waist and pulling you closer, lining himself up with your entrance.

"You're drenched for me," he commented, not giving you time to respond before he filled you up.

You made a strangled sound at the sudden invasion, and he didn't give you time to think before he was thrusting in and out, fucking you so hard you felt like you could see stars.

Is that how you like it? Rough and fast?

"I-I can't-"

Shhhh, don't try and speak. Open your mouth for daddy.

You obeyed, and you felt a few fingers shove inside and shut you up. His thumb held your jaw and he gently explored your mouth, using his other arm to hold himself up above you.

Touch your clit baby girl, make yourself come.

You obeyed that too, your fingers shooting down to make desperate circles around your needy bud. Between the thick cock filling you up and the teasing he had already done, you unravelled in a matter of seconds.

You should have been embarrassed by the moans and groans and other colourful sounds that came out of you, but instead, you just relaxed into Charles' body, letting him fuck you through your orgasm.

That's my good girl. Told you it was worth the wait.

Charles wasn't long after you, the sight of you cumming always drove him to as well. He did a few sloppy pumps before pulling out and collapsing on the bed next to you.

"Did you come hard for me?" He teased, brushing a finger across your lips.

You knew you didn't need to answer, Charles knew exactly what he did to you.

[heavenbarnes]

would you please write a Sydney x reader where it’s the scene from season 1 where Sydney has reader over after “quitting” but r is being all flirty and says stuff like we want you back, I need you back

St. Sydney of Chicagoland

Sydney Adamu x reader

Warnings/contains: no mentions of readers gender, swearing, blasphemy, kissing, pining, yearning, all the works.

Sorry this has been sitting in my asks too long but I hope this does it some justice. I want to mean everything to one Sydney Adamu.

There was a quiet little voice in the back of Sydney’s head that was trying to convince her to feel guilty. Trying to conjure up remorse.

Asking her “why the fuck did you do that?”

But she couldn’t find it in her to care, walking out of that restaurant had felt good. She felt free. She felt like the fucking man.

No ifs, not buts, and certainly- no regrets.

Well, ok, on a technicality-

You had looked up at her with those fucking eyes as she’d stormed out. You’d been the voice trying to reason with her. You’d been holding Carmy off with one hand and reaching for her with the other.

Sydney had to say, leaving you behind was one of the toughest things she’d ever had to do. And that was saying something, life hadn’t always been kind to our Syd.

But the decision was made, she’d walked out and it’d take a whole lot more than your beautiful, sad eyes to get her back any time soon.

The knock at her door might help.

Stood on the doorstep, hands folded into one another, those big eyes looked back up at her but they were less sad- more apologetic.

Not that you had anything to apologise for.

“Sydney, I’m so sorry.”

“You don’t have anything to apologise for.”

You didn’t let up, you didn’t fold and accept that. You sturdied your shoulders and doubled down. “Maybe so, but you have to hear it from someone.”

And that someone wouldn’t be Carmy and there was a whole new flash of anger rocketing its way up Sydney’s body.

Now was not the time to dwell on old wounds when you were on her doorstep and she hadn’t even thought to let you in. Stepping aside, you crossed the threshold and made an immediate break for the kitchen.

Maybe it was because you associated them with Syd, your subconscious assumed that’s where she’d like to go next. You’d been half correct, the oven was on and something was cooking away.

“Want to stay for a bite?” Sydney asked as she joined you.

You were already making yourself comfortable on her kitchen stool, like you knew the place. Like you belonged here.

Chatting about nothing was easy, few jokes here and there, you had Syd explain basic technique to you like to didn’t graduate from Kendall.

You just liked to hear her talk. You liked her passionate.

On the second spoonful, you decided you’d push your luck.

“I think you need to come back.”

Thankfully, her eyes were still warm when she caught yours. Silence passing between you both an omen of the unspoken.

The way she sighed your name twisted your stomach up in a couple different ways. You felt the need to dead at least one of them.

“I know he treated you like shit but Syd, it’s about the restaurant-“

“Not anymore,” She countered, hands bracing out on the bench in front of her. “It’s about me, it’s about the fact I don’t deserve that.”

“No you don’t, you don’t deserve to be spoken to like that but you do deserve to serve your food- show your talents.”

She laughed, a huffed laugh out her nose as she shook her head. Syd knew you well enough that you weren’t sent here by anyone but she also knew you so well that this wasn’t even you trying.

“Be serious with me,” That shut you up, her back straightening as she looked you head on. “Why are you here?”

Confusion lit up across your face like wildfire and you stuttered a little as you spoke. “What? The restaurant needs you-“

“No, there’s something else.”

Even though she had home court advantage, even though she had control of the conversation- Syd felt nerves dancing right up her arms and strangling her heart.

If she’d reached inside you she would’ve felt the exact same thing. She’d caught on to you way quicker than you’d expected. “Syd-“

She said your name, matter-of-fact. You knew you had one way out of this.

“I’m not going back to that restaurant unless you’re there.”

That silence strung itself back up in the kitchen, passing back and forth between the two of you no better than before.

You had to fill it.

“That restaurant needs you but, Jesus Christ, I need you.”

Her lips parted, not like she was going to speak but like she needed more air in her lungs than she was getting through her nose. Her chest was tightening at an alarming rate.

“I’m no good without you, I don’t want to be good without you.”

Sydney moved on her feet, slowly as she rounded the edge of the counter. Coming to rest in front of you, your knees knocked gently against the outside of her thighs.

This had been that unspoken word, the one that hung between the both of you since you’d met. The shy glances and stuttered “good nights” when neither of you really wanted to leave just yet.

This is what it really was.

It was loving the kitchen but not unless Sydney was leading it. It was a passion for food but only when you could taste her dishes. It was storming out when you’ve had enough but sparing a second glance to see if you’d follow.

And you had.

Her voice was on a whisper, watching your hands reach out for her own. “I don’t know if I can come back.”

You let out a long breath, head tilting forward until her forehead was pressed to yours. Your noses slotted together, lips barely apart.

“Then just come back to me.”

Syd couldn’t bear to look you in the eye, favouring closing them instead and reaching for your lips. The way her mouth held yours felt like coming home, felt like everything you’d thought of each night since your first meeting.

One hand still held hers as the other came to grasp her chin, pulling her closer and hearing her moan so gently against your mouth.

Sydney could barely think with the way you felt, the way you tasted, the way you sound. But there was one thought that was louder than the others.

You might be worth the stress.

[thebearer]

Okay--- hear me out--- carmy using one of those remote control vibrators on his girl.

omfgggg picturing them being like secret freaks is my kink. both so unsuspecting, everyone thinks the sex is "vanilla" at best lmao. but little do they know.

carmen bought it bc you'd been a brat, trying to distract him at work the other day, sending him nasty little text messages and videos that got him all flustered. so naturally, he has to get you back.

waits until you're all pretty and ready for a private event at some new restaurant opening to slip the vibrator in you, promises that if you're a good girl, he'll reward you later.

you're chatting with someone when you gasp, breath hitching in a strangled moan. "you alright, baby?" carmen looks at your with fauxed concern, hand circling your waist, pocketing his phone.

the bastard, putting on a show for the guests like he isn't the reason your legs are clamped, trying to stop yourself from squirming.

"i'm alright." you say through gritted teeth, glaring at him. the two of you excuse yourselves, making your way to your table. you can feel yourself getting closer with the pattern carmen's chose, knees wobbling with each step, clinging to carmen's arm for support.

"turn it off, carm." you huff, biting back another moan.

"is that how you talk to me? that how you ask for things? think you're gonna get your way that way?" carmen says it so plainly, it leaves your head swimming.

"please, daddy, please." you whine lowly, eyes batting at him. "'m gonna cum."

"you better not." carmen's hand pats your ass lightly, a warning. "better be good for me."

[sssammich]

collateral pt3

author's note: it's atypical for me to post daily, so please don't get used to it. at this point, i'm just posting as it comes to me. anyway re: rarepair, just trust me, it's fine. hold my hand i'll get you through it.

ao3 link (made it official! lol just fyi that the link goes to ch1)

part 1 | part 2

---

Kara’s job as maid of honor was basically done after her speech, which she was thankful for. She’d dutifully checked in on Lena throughout the course of the hours-long reception to see if there was anything she could do, but Lena always shook her head and thanked her, letting her know that her presence alone was enough comfort to her. Kara warmed at the sentiment, but she knew better than to delude herself by attaching more meaning to these words, so she smiled and ushered Lena towards the other guests who wanted a moment of her precious time. It wasn’t very hard to do considering Lena’s attempts to spare a moment and chat with her was somehow always intercepted by Jack or someone else from the wedding party so that Lena could just briefly chat, it’ll only take a minute. 

When it looked like Lena got a moment for herself, Kara watched her make a beeline to the table she and Andrea randomly occupied while they watched the dance floor filled with strangers dancing and having a good time. 

“This is a lovely surprise,” Lena said, eyeing the two of them. Kara’s smile was small, yet Andrea only cocked her head to the side and smirked. 

“Well, Pulitzer here was just regaling me about her upcoming piece.” 

“Pulitzer?” Lena asked, quirking a brow in question. 

“It’s a new nickname she’s trying out,” she offered with a shrug. “Jury’s out on how much I like it.” 

Andrea poked her with a finger on her exposed bicep as she exaggerated how much she’d been pushed, Lena’s eyes trained on them all the while. 

“She resists, but you can tell she secretly likes it.” 

Despite her best efforts, Kara’s cheeks warmed and she had to duck her head as she chuckled, wondering what kind of game Andrea was playing at. 

“Anyway,” she started, clearing her throat. “Is everything alright? Do you need anything from me?” Kara asked. Regardless of her own warring feelings for her best friend, she wanted to make sure that Lena had the best time at her wedding. 

“No, no. Everything’s fine. I was mostly wondering where you ran off to.” 

“Here I am,” she said. 

“I see that.” 

Their small table grew quiet, she and Andrea on one side with Lena on the other. It was turning out to be a strange moment, and Kara desperately wanted to change it.

“I’ll get us some drinks, Pulitzer,” Andrea said, breaking the growing tension between them, rising to her feet. Kara glanced at the table in front of them where two brand new drinks they’d just gotten sat untouched. But Andrea was already out of her seat and resting her hand on Kara’s shoulder. The hand didn’t linger for too long, but it lingered long enough that Kara felt the warmth of her palm on her skin; long enough for Kara to but turn her head to see well manicured fingers painted a shiny red against the tan of her skin. “Lena, can I get you anything?” 

“No, I’m fine.” 

“I’ll be back, querida.” 

Kara’s gaze followed after Andrea before she turned her attention back to her best friend who was eyeing her curiously. 

“That’s new. I didn’t know you two were such good friends.” 

She laughed, the sound coming out strangled and awkward. “We’re—I mean, we’re not. I stepped out earlier and she was smoking and we just got to talking. That’s all.” 

“Is that where you were after the…” 

“Yeah, yeah,” She interrupted. “I just got a little overwhelmed, lots of emotions on your big day and just needed some fresh air. I’m fine. I promise.” 

Lena nodded, studying her, before she finally seemed to accept her words at face value, offering her a gentle smile. She then steered the conversation elsewhere . “God, I’d love to have a smoke right now.” 

Kara snorted. “You still have your pack in your dressing room. But I doubt your uptight mother would appreciate you leaving to grab a smoke and drop ash all over your pristine dress.”

Lena snorted, leaning forward. “I would risk Lillian’s wrath for a drag right now. But I suppose you’re right.” 

“I normally am,” she offered, a teasing smile on her lips.

Lena adjusted herself, pulling at her dress as she pivoted in her seat slightly. She then reached towards Kara and placed a hand on her forearm. The touch was warm and soft, yet it ignited the space underneath Kara’s skin and she had to fight the urge to pull back, unsure if she could trust her emotions from not snapping from how taut they’d been pulled in all sorts of directions. 

“Listen, Kara, is everything alright? You gave such a lovely speech, which I think was far too nice—” 

“Everything I said was the truth.” 

Lena, bashful, dropped her gaze momentarily. “Thank you, darling. I appreciate that. But I guess I was more concerned after your speech—” 

Yet before Lena could say anything more, one of the groomsmen tapped Lena on the shoulder to retrieve her so she could talk with a group of Jack’s college friends sitting and laughing on the other side of the grand hall, all of them waving Lena over. 

Lena smiled apologetically. “Sorry, it’s just never ending, it seems like.” 

But Kara only shook her head, offering her best friend a sympathetic smile. “Don’t apologize! You’re the bride. Of course everyone wants to speak with you. Go enjoy your own wedding. If anything, I’m literally the last person you should be talking to right now, you talk to me every day.” 

Lena made a face, but Kara couldn’t quite get a read on her.  “I’ll find you later, alright? Maybe I can use you to hide.”

She nodded and gave Lena her most winning smile. “Go, they’re waiting for you.”  

She watched from her seat as Lena stood and let herself be whisked away by the elbow, turning to look over her shoulder and comically point at how she was being dragged away. Yet when she reached Jack’s side, Kara couldn’t help but turn away. She didn’t bother lingering at the table and instead headed to the bar where she found Andrea standing to the side and leaning against it, sipping on some type of amber liquid. 

“Here I thought you were going to get us drinks,” she said, sidling up to the other woman. 

Andrea only smirked. “I lied.” 

“I know. I am without a drink,” Kara said, making a show of her empty hands. Andrea, amusement in her eyes, turned to face the bartender and signaled wordlessly with her glass. From the corner of Kara’s eye, she watched the bartender quickly fill an identical tumbler with the same amber liquid before placing it on the bartop between them. 

“There’s your drink.” 

Kara scrunched her face. “Scotch’s not really my thing.” 

“You already smoked today. Might as well add this to the list.” 

She proceeded to stare down at her drink, her fingers tapping on the counter just a few shy centimeters from the glass.

“Wow, it’s like being back in boarding school.”  

“I resent that.” Despite herself, she laughed, her head tipping back slightly as she picked up the tumbler. Andrea clinked her glass against hers and nudged her to take a sip. So Kara did, the warmth quickly spreading from her tongue down her throat and into her belly. The nuanced flavors were lost on her, and she simply grimaced as she downed the whole glass. Then she slammed the glass back on the bar and pointed to the bartender for a refill. 

“You’re like an alien fresh off from space,” Andrea commented as if studying her, but she followed suit, downing the rest of her drink and requesting a refill. 

“I feel like it sometimes.” 

The pair of them gathered their glasses, their backs digging into the edge of the bar counter as they resumed their observation of the grand hall. 

“This must be miserable for you.” 

Kara laughed mirthlessly before she met Andrea’s eyes. “It’s fine. I’m fine. I’m happy for her. Them.” 

“How long?” 

She chewed her lip in thought. She felt like she’d been in love with Lena since the moment they met four years ago, but she wasn’t sure how much more pathetic she would feel in front of Andrea if she admitted that, so she cleared her throat instead. “Too long.”

[wixenburr]

Batfam quotes taken from the group chat starboard

Tim, to Damian: I'm not going to talk twink logistics with you.

Tim: my social anxiety has me by the throat, like 24/7 Dick: Make out with it.

Tim: I'd kill a person before i drank hot water Jason: I'd kill a person.

Duke: I'm alright with being forgotten Actually

Dick, post-hallucinations: DREAM JASON IS A CHICKEN NUGGET

Dick: Thank you^^, it's because I'm insane—

Steph: First I get attacked by a butterfly in my dream and now this

Dick, post-killing joker: And plenty of gore and horror just for you!! <3 <3 Jason: :o JUST FOR ME?!

Bruce: How am i already an absentee father

Dick: spanish immersion until my cousin went back to his house and then it was english all the way down Tim: bisexual moment

Alfred: you know you have real kids when they ignore you :)

Steph: Atlantic Pacific Etc Sea Ocean Uhh

Dick: Ive never seen pineapple on a pizza, if i did id just be sad spongebob lost his home

(Bruce, having a breakdown) Tim, muffled: oh my god, i just ate that whole burger

Tim: Im sorry i slept

Cass: as an aroace pacifist fmk is a nightmare scenerio Jason: i may be asexual but i am sure as hell not a pacifist it's kill kill kill for me baby

Dick: No, Tim was gonna start killing people, there's a difference

Dick: wait no the flaky skin is on my face not my ass-

Alfred: what in the british archaelogist is happening here

Babs: I'm sorry i committed an actual war crime but its for y'alls own good

Damian: I don't need comfort, i need a knife

Bruce: I'm a firm believer in whore rights okay?

Steph: hELP- Duke: I'm eating spaghett Steph: what a simple life

Damian: Oh hi Batcow, finally someone interesting to talk to

Tim: I don't have depression, a therapist hasn't diagnosed me

anyone@Dick: noooo aha dont die sparkle butt

Damian: ive been god before

Bruce: i leave for two minutes and come back to octobussy

Tim: i am also killable if that makes you feel any better???

Babs: I support you with my eyes closed.

Dick: Instead im watching children with hot glue guns Damian: Like, in battle??? Dick: LIKE IN ARTS AND CRAFT

Steph: if i get a head injury i could probably read portuguese

Steph: love how we went in different directions Jason: The only directions: murder or pranks

Duke: I can't count that high so i'm-- i'm not gonna read that

Dick: punches him straight in the eye then immediately goes in for the kiss Tim: We call that the "Sock-n-Smooch"

Bruce: worm food can be eggs. scrambled ones. Damian: i dont lay eggs Bruce: chickens do?? Damian: oh. We have chickens!!!!

Tim: we have three hands for a reason

Damian: reEEEEeeeEEEEEEEEE Tim: Baby dinosaur be like Damian: I WILL BE A DINOSAUR BUT I WONT BE A B A B Y

Tim: shut up shut up shut up no you dont your bald + your mother is american

Jason: see, strangling people DOES bring miracles!

Tim: what in the minecraft commands are you trying to do here

Bonus:

Harley: mE AND MY CHECKERBOARD BOOBIES

Wally: Nightwing has two hands and a staff

[vigilant-insomniac]

Ashes rain upon your scalded palms final part

Prev | Part 3/3 | or read on AO3

Chapter words: 2205

Fic word count: 9655

Maddie is yet again displaced and has to face another ghost. One that claims to be the god of time. He is the one behind it all it seems

Contains Clockwork and Maddie having a chat. And descriptions of off screen death.

Made for @phicphight

____

Chapter three

Never in her life had Maddie ever felt more helpless than when she opened her eyes and she was, again, somewhere new and alone. Unharmed, even though she was certain her son’s grief had torn her apart. There was no rubble this time. No destruction or any other signs of the nightmare she had just lived through. She still was way from home and her family. Instead she stood in a place like the inside of a clock. Gears floated and spun around pointlessly and she herself was standing on something that seemed to be a giant clock face. The sound of slow ticking was the only thing she could hear for a while and she wondered if this was another quest to find her son.

She closed her eyes and exhaled shakily. He must have been so scared. So lonely. She could feel it back there, what had happened to him.

That last wail, it did something, since her head was filled with memories. It was like all his grief and despair had been projected right into her min. 

She really didn't like any of what had happened to her son. And that he was. Maddie had no doubt. Actually she had lost that doubt the second Danny had looked at her back there. 

But there was undeniable truth to the things she saw during those last moments.

Her Portal had done this to him. It had been nothing other than his well intent, that made him step into the machine in an attempt to fix it. It cost him his life and the destruction of everything he had known. Himself included. And then there was a hundred years of grief and despair while his heart broke to pieces.

When she had found him, he had already been fractured beyond saving.

Maddie didn’t get time to release the tears that were welling up, because just as uncannily and unexpectedly as before, she was face to face with a ghost. 

Resignation made her merely frown at the purple cloaked spirit who shifted his appearance like they were made of sand. 

"You've found your son." The old man stated. 

"I have." She replied. 

He studied her intensely, and Maddie had the impression he was seeing more than just her face. 

He didn't seem very forthcoming, Maddie realized, he was somewhat distracted. 

“So I assume, you are the one who’s been pulling me along?” Maddie didn’t have it in herself to keep her hostility in check.

“you are correct.” The ghost replied almost sagely. 

“Who are you? What’s the purpose of this?” she demanded.

The ghost turned away from her, and stared at who knew what. Was he senile? After a moment too long, he began his introduction.

“I am Clockwork. I am Chronos. I am The Ancient of Time…. some even call me Time itself. I have many names, but I am not known to many mortals. Yet still I felt the need to talk to you, Maddeline Fenton. You were a necessary exception.” Maddie already knew this conversation was going to be miserable. She just wanted to have a good cry and go back to her family. She wanted to hug Danny while he was alive and happy. She did not want to deal with this ghost. Even her scientific interest was not enough at this moment to push itself to the forefront of her priorities.

“You were the voice I heard back then? The one to send me to find and save Danny? The one to send me there, into the future?” she pressed when it seemed like the ghost was again just staring off into space.

“I was.”

Maddie was going to strangle him.

“So what now? I failed him. I couldn’t save him at all. Whatever I was meant to do back there, I didn’t and my son-” She couldn’t say it.

“You didn’t. Not yet. Not anymore.” Clockwork turned to her with sorrow.

“But you want me to? Right? I don’t know why someone akin to a god would be concerned with my family, but for some reason, you care about him and you want to save him, but you can’t do it yourself, you need me to do it.” He confirmed it with a sage nod.

 “So send me back!" Maddie pleaded. "Send me back to a time when it isn’t already too late, and I will make sure the portal won't ever find its completion. Let me prevent this. Even if I have to turn my back on science and everything my life stands for. Even if I have to tear everything I’ve built, down with my bare hands. If it means I can stop this future I would do anything.” 

And Maddie meant it. Her Portal was a scientific marvel and the pinnacle of her achievements to date. But if it killed her son and her family and everyone else in the neighborhood, then she wouldn't. It was as simple as that. Even if it hurt.

For a long time, Clockwork just watched her as she fought back her grief. This ghost, so powerful, and apparently yet so impotent, oddly enough, seemed to share her grief. His expression wasn’t an easy one to read, especially on someone who’s face kept shifting between ages. But Maddie could tell. 

“You cannot interfere with this. The portal needs to be. And so does he need to be as he will be. This cannot be changed.”

“You are telling me, what,... That this is his Fate? Some perverse Destiny that chains my son to an early death? How dare you call yourself a god.” Maddie spat.

“Let me show you something.” he said calmly even in the face of her disdain.

Without waiting for her reply, vivid visions erupted in her head. Maddie doubled over in pain. Her head was bursting, but what really made her scream into her balled up fist was the endless stream of-

.

.

.

When it was over Maddie was rendered breathless. 

“Is there really none?" She asked with growing hopelessness. "No future in which he will get to grow old?” she managed to whisper.

The after images of blood, broken bones and so so much sickness haunted her head. This time she was glad the ghost took so long to reply she struggled to gather herself. It had hurt, to get Danny’s death shown to her when he had broken apart in her arms. But what the ghost, Clockwork had done, was as if she had seen into an infinite amount of realities and in each one, Danny would die. Sometimes he wouldn’t make it out of infancy, sometimes it would be a sickness or an accident. Sometimes it was murder or catastrophe. No matter the cause, the effect was always the same.

“That is why you won’t let me go back to tear down my portal? Because it would not make a difference?”

“He will die. That is Fate.” said the God with regret in his voice. “But, you are misunderstanding the crucial part." 

Maddie looked at the ghost with weariness. "Danny will always die early. In every reality, no matter what measures are taken. Yet in the timeline you hail from, in which he steps into your Portal, he conquers and fools the very Destiny that has him bound. He died, yes, but just this once, he did the unimaginable-”

It suddenly clicked for her. All those deaths blinded her to what Clockwork was trying to get her to focus on.

“He lived.” Maddie concluded.

"He did."

“You.. you don’t need me to save him from the portal at all, then?”

“I do not.” 

Hope was a mean beast. But she welcomed it with open arms. Her mind reeled at the implications of an existence that would be torn between life and death. 

She had seen Danny. He had been a ghost, yes, but then he had turned back into a human. He had been alive. Even the short moment she had to embrace him, she could tell he had breath and a pulse. 

Suddenly though, she wasn’t sure if she should be as relieved as she was. That version of Danny had been miserable.

“So as long as he lives on after his death, he will be… safe?”

“Fate isn’t easily fought,” he stated.

Maddie considered this. “He still… died. In the Time you sent me to. Not just that, he lived in a wasteland for a century and suffered through every moment of it, I… I don’t want that for my son. This can’t be the timeline you want him to arrive at. Surely it’s not.” 

“Fate has a will of its own and will not let go of who it has burrowed it’s claws into. It is determined to drag Danny back by force. After he enters the path towards becoming fully liminal, he may be one step ahead of Fate, but its meddling will have already set off the chain of events that will cause him to break. His Heart, you see, which is his greatest strength, is also Fate’s final attempt to stop him.”  

The way the Ghost spoke of it, it almost seemed like Fate was its own entity. Standing here with Time itself, as he had called himself, it made sense that it would be. But then…

“I’ve asked you before, why you were so concerned with my son, but the way you speak, I would rather know why Fate seems to be so determined to interfere with him. What is…Fate so afraid of.”

The Ghost’s eyes glinted “Because if he isn’t stopped, Danny will be something beyond Fate's reach. That’s the loophole. Danny is effectively running a race to become an entity that will be above mere things like Fate. And Fate was never fond of having anyone oppose it.”

Maddie’s eyes widened “He’ll… He’ll be like you.”

The God of Time smiled gently, neither confirming or dismissing her.

She needed a minute to just sort her thoughts. Danny would… live. As long as he escaped fate and became something beyond a human or a ghost. But it was a race to find a path that would lead to that result before he died without the portal or despaired after the portal.

There were conditions he had to meet and Maddie wasn't a scientist for nothing. 

So she sorted it in her head:

1. Danny had to die in the portal.

2. He had to ascend in some way or form.

3. … and he had to do so without having his heart broken irreparably.

So her portal needed to turn on, but without causing the apocalypse. Her portal had to work. So all she needed…

“I see.” she sighed. Her smile was accompanied by tears of relief. “So this is what needs to be done. You know, you could have just said so.” She wiped at her eyes with something between a laugh and a sob.

“Your stubborn nature is a great strength, Maddeline,” Clockwork said warmly, “strong enough to rebel against Fate and Time. I know not one reality in which you would follow a plan, not forged by your own mind. You had to see for yourself, know for yourself and come to your own conclusion.”

Maddie wished he wasn't speaking the truth, but she was glad. They would save Danny.

“I never liked those things like Fate. But Time, I see, can be tolerable.” she admitted, “Although, do not be fooled, I intend to stay ahead of my Time. Who knows, maybe someday I will even show you something you couldn’t see coming.”

“I will be keeping my eye on you and your family." The god of time promised.

_________

Maddie woke up like she had for the last many years. Next to Jack and with her kids still sleeping just down the hall. She stretched languidly before picking up her phone and skimming her to-do list.

Today would be the day.

Maddie hummed along to Jack’s favorite playlist while they were down in the basement lab. She installed the final piece of titanium plating in her portal's insides with a triumphant cheer that Jack joined in from the outside where he ran a final check on the programming. 

Today they were writing history.

Before joining her husband outside to do the honors of plugging in the portal, she paused in front of the small console she had added to this version of the portal.

With a melancholic smile she pressed the “off” button.

Today they would be “failing” to turn on the portal.

She consoled her husband when the Portal stayed silent after plugging it in. “We'll have it up and running in due Time, Jack.”

Today their son would die.

Jack cried when they returned to the lab after their break, to a functioning portal.

Maddie did too.

Today their son would live.

Maddie stepped out on the roof of the ops center later that day for some fresh air. There was not a cloud in the sky and the dusk colored the wide expanse in front of her in a beautiful set of colors. She let herself breathe deeply. 

Today their son had defeated Fate and the future never looked brighter.

[fraugwinska]

Chapter 17 - Moxie

Moxie (noun) 1. a courageous spirit and determination/perseverance 2. vigor / verve / pep. 3. an outstanding skill; know-how

Tags & Warnings: None The song mentioned ist "Perhaps" by Oscar D'León, if you want to listen along to it!

“My feathery fellow, are you quite sure that you don't want to find something more entertaining to do?”

He gripped his cane, tightly, restraining himself from whipping it over the birds head. The boy, Dante, had followed him everywhere like a lost puppy, chatting away and talking his ears off the whole morning. A lastor had always hated dogs. Charlie had, to his great misfortune, whipped his dear assistant away - again – for dealing with whatever trifle with the upcoming event that needed her utmost assistance, and stuck him with the delightful task of dealing with the newest addition to the hotel.

What unnerved him the most was the demons inability to recognize his blatant dislike for him. Sure, as usual Alastor weaved his snark remarks and snide comments into a overly cordial demeanor, but really - one should have assumed the threatening glares or the rising intensity of his aggravated static would constitute as obvious warning signs, making the bird realize his intentions weren't warm and welcoming. But this dunce, seemingly blind to all those very clear anti-social clues, only smiled through it all, ignoring every jab he aimed, and Alastor wished he could strangle some sense of self-preservation into him.

Unfortunately, that wouldn't go over well with the girls - Charlie and Vaggie grew quickly attached to Dante - not to forget about his kitten, who would doubtlessly at least frown upon her best friends second demise. In conclusion: Murder was forbidden. And therefore, so was strangling. For now.

Alastor's ears twitched involuntarily at the mental image of her expression of disappointment. He was so engrossed in trying to tune out the idiot that talked his ears off, his memory reminded him, rather intrusively, how beautiful he thought her lips were when she bit them in anger, and how she did it - oh so, temptingly - in situations he wished to be alone with her. And her body. Oh, this soft and enticingly supple body, flushing in the most charming hues of pink when she became flustered, angered, annoyed, aroused. How warm had it felt under him, so willing to react to his touch, welcoming him with a feverish yearning that lit his mind ablaze... His well-concealed tail started wagging, bordering on making noise, and he willed himself back to calmness.

Lately, his mind often wandered off like this, Alastor noted. Since their night in his bayou he felt... restless, in a sense that he craved to be close to her again. It was odd, for him - normally he would have taken the chance to enjoy some distance, his own personal space being a very important part of him. Especially after the revelation that his – let's call it: small fit - had been proven to have been slightly unnecessary. Yet, he started to feel uneasy and annoyed when she wasn't by his side, feelings that only intensified the longer they were separated.

"Oh no, Mr. Alastor, I don't mind helping you!" The demon pulled him harshly back into the here and now, his cheerfulness unceasing and infuriating. He clenched his fists, ready to kill, but he only took in a long, calming breath.

"And what a tremendous help you are.", he smiled at Dante, with such fake courtesy, that someone less dull should've felt the underlined message - but no. This moron went on, babbling his head off, asking questions he answered shortly, or commented on every little thing - making it ever so difficult to focus on actual matters of business, like the rebuilding of the collapsed west wing he was currently working on. While he observed his created minions removing rubble and debris, the nightingale just looked at this painting or that bust, completely useless.

"...and munchkin offered to help me, without her, I would've never made it through the dancing finals."

Wait, what did he say? Alastor looked over to him, raising an eyebrow.

"Pardon?"

Dante, standing in front of a bust of the goetian duchess Gremory, turned and smiled at him. "Oh, we had a contemporary dance workshop, the final grade was a big performance in front of an audience." He laughed softly, fondness in his eyes. "I have two left feet, and was sure I'd fail the class. But (Y/n) is a beast on the dance floor, and she offered to be my partner, helped me practice after school and all."

"I see.", Alastor replied, keeping his eyes on his work. So, his little kitten could dance, hm?

"She taught me a lot, actually.", the bird continued, and the deer didn't miss the fondness in his tone. "About dance and music, but also about life, what it means to have a real friend..." The demon stilled for a moment. "She always seemed sad, even when she was putting up a cheerful face. Like she was searching for something, and didn't find what she was looking for. But here, I mean... when she's with you, she seems... different. Really happy."

Alastor turned to look at him, and found a knowing smile looking up in... was that admiration? Maybe this little sinner wasn't as daft as he thought he was. The birds feathers ruffled a bit nervously under his stare, probably a subconscious reflex, and he spoke again, in an earnest, earnest voice.

"I'm, just saying... she, well, she deserves to be happy, truly happy, so... Whatever you're doing, or saying, or giving to her, Mr. Alastor, keep doing that, please."

Alastor stopped for a moment, eyes slightly wider than usual. Then, his mouth opened in a short laugh, eyes closing in amused astonishment.

"Is this... meant to be some kind of approval, dear boy, by any chance?"

Dante hesitated for a short moment. "Um, in a way, I guess."

He contemplated a few seconds longer, tilting his head with an indulgent smile. The simpleton had no idea what he had done in the bayou. Still, there was this irritating genuineness to his tone, an earnest request from someone who cared deeply for his gem, and for a moment, his honest efforts and dedication showed through the cracks of Alastor's deep dislike of him.

"I will take your word for it then, featherling."

The bird nodded slowly and smiled in the direction of a painting, as if it was an indication of what his mind dwelled on.

You went over the third list Charlie handed you with a deep sigh. You barely finished your breakfast when she and Vaggie took you with them into the office, to “get your input about a few things”. 'A few things', as you quickly learned, had been elaborate (and mostly impossible) plans for decorations, dinner menues, guest lists and other things Charlie was too indecisive about to decide on her own. Normally you wouldn't have minded helping her, working alongside Vaggie to tune down Charlies enthusiastic endeavors and manage logistics around the event, but the thought of Dante alone with Alastor for a prolonged amount of time like 'all morning' made you worried, unfocused and frankly – impatient.

“So, you see, Al will provide the music, aside from our program, but I don't know how formal we should be...”, Charlie rattled, shuffling through countless papers. “We are sending invites to practically every name in hell, wealthy sinners, overlords, even some of the goetian royalties, and dad will come – I think, maybe – so, maybe we need to plan for that. But I don't know what they'll expect, we don't know that.” She looked stressed and worried, which would normally be compensated by Vaggie. But she too looked tired and unsure, scratching her arms every now and again, with a lost look on her face. You put the paper aside and took Charlie's shoulders. She shut up instantly and gave you an apologetic smile.

“Breathe, both of you. We're going to figure it out, I promise.”

"Thank you for all your help.”, Vaggie suddenly said, looking away as if she was embarrassed. “I... we have never planned something big like this before, and without you... well, we probably would've given up by now, if it wasn't for you. I know I gave you a hard time, but... yeah. Thanks.”

It was the first genuine praise you heard her giving you and you felt not only surprise, but content. Slowly but surely, the mistrust and defensiveness of her towards you had changed, and although you felt a bit guilty about not being honest to them, you still genuinely wanted to be seen as an ally, not an enemy.

"I'm glad to be of help, really. Now, come on, let's tackle this. Charlie, I'm sure you, as princess of hell, know something about the in's and out's of formal events down here.", you said encouragingly, sensing Vaggie's discomfort at this admission of emotional vulnerability and deciding not to drag it out. Charlie sniffled tears away, but smiled nonetheless.

"Okay, yes, let's tackle this.", she took a deep breath. "Well, let me think... When I was a teen, mom and dad often held big concerts or balls, maybe.... maybe we could have Al's band play some songs to dance to? Formal and classy in the beginning, and maybe something more modern for the informal part, like an after party?"

You folded your arms and gave her a nod. "There's the royal intuition, princess." The corners of your lips twitched. "But maybe don't count on Alastor for modern songs. I am sure Angel can happily provide us with a DJ or a good - halfway modest - playlist at least."

Charlie giggled, the excitement back in her eyes. Her girlfriend however, looked not as convinced.

"That's a good idea and all, hon',", she hesitantly said, "but I don't think the others know how to dance, except for maybe Husk and the radio idiot. I sure can't."

"Oh yeah, you're right..." Charlie's mood seemed to dampen for just a moment, until she locked eyes with you. Her eyes widened into big, round, sparkling orbs.

Oh for fucks sake.

"I wonder if we could find a trained dancer among the hotel staff who would be willing to help us out?", she chirped with pleading, sweet-looking eyes and an innocent, beaming smile. “Pleeeeeease?”

„Alright guys,“, you sighed as you put your hair into a ponytail. Charlie, in her untameable enthusiasm, had rounded everyone up in the foyer for their first 'totally spontaneous and super-fun dance lesson/bonding activity'.

In the short time it took her to find, instruct and bribe everyone to participate, you - in wise foresight - had run back to your room and changed into more comfortable clothes, discarding the belt entirely, exchanged your blouse for a flowy boat-neckline lounge shirt and threw on your black leather heels. It kind of excited you to dance, really dance, again - it was what you had become the best at at the Academy, this particular talent landing you most of the meager few roles after graduation.

But looking at the rag-tag-group before you, your ardor quickly receded. Husk was looking doubtful and annoyed, Angel distracted and with much too much silliness and mischief in his demeanor, Vaggie looked nervous and tense while Dante was Dante, you knew him well enough to know that even through he didn't lack eagerness he was a left-footed disaster waiting to happen. And Niffy... well, you doubted she was there to learn to dance at all, manically polishing the floor underneath her as the group waited to begin.

Your gaze fell to Alastor, who watched you with amused pity. His grin was much too smug as he sat a bit aside in one of the armchairs, his midday cup of coffee before him and his hands rhythmically tapping on the coffee table. You felt him examining you, eyes landing on the shoes he gifted you, and his smile widened a bit. You quickly turned your face before it could flush at this simple gesture.

“So, umm. Does anyone except Dante have any experience at dancing?” Angel raised his hands with a smirk - you sighed. “Ballroom dances.” Angel flipped you off and laughed, taking his hand down again. Charlie nodded with a shy smile, her hand remained up. “A bit, I'm no good at all. But we're here to learn, and I'm sure it will be fun, right, guys?”

You crossed your arms and thought for a moment. “Alright. We don't have a lot of time and I don't think any of you have the patience to get really detailed. So let's just stick to two or three basic dances, easy ones that are versatile enough, yeah?” “Waltzes are fun, and pretty standard, too.”, Dante smiled. “My Mom and Dad always loved to dance foxtrot, can we do that, (Y/n)?”, Charlie chirped, bopping on her feet.

Angel huffed. “Okay, if we're just learnin' the boring frigid dances, I'm out. I don't have these hips to not shake 'em, Rocks.” “Don't you already shake them enough at work?”, Vaggie mumbled unnerved, earning a mocking grin from the spider. “'What, Vagina? Jealous that I know how to use 'em better than 'ya?”

"OKAY .”, you interjected, slightly annoyed as you massaged your temples, feeling Alastor's suppressed laugh in the back of your neck. “So, the waltz and the foxtrot are good, easy dances to learn, we'll do that. And Angel, I'll throw in the Cha Cha, to busy your hips instead of your mouth, sounds fair?” "Oh sugar tits, 'ya know I'm a professional, I can do both at the same..." he grinned at Dante with a wink, but you cut him off quickly, seeing Dante backing off with a nervous smile.

"GREAT, awesome, let's pair you guys up."

With an apologetic smile to the cat, you pulled Angel to Husk in the hopes he would be able to manage the... vigor of your lewd friend. Charlie and Vaggie were a given pair, already getting in position, which left Niffty and Dante. The nightingale looked at the still cleaning and scrubbing maid, then to you, with a helpless shrug. Dreading the pain your feet will be in as, from experience, Dante would definitely step on them relentlessly, you take a deep breath.

"Alright, Dante, I guess you will..."

"Be just a perfect partner for our dear Niffty. The little darling is quite the enthusiastic learner, very fitting for a beginner such as you, would you not say, sweetheart?"

Alastor's 'question' wasn't aimed at you, but Niffty, voice vibrating overly cheery in a quiet threat, cutting you off once more. Niffty, already putting the polishing cloth away in her pocket, gave him a quick curtsy, and skitted over to Dante, smiling manically. He chuckled, looking a bit worriedly to her, but kept a cheerful smile as she enthusiastically grabbed his hands and pulled herself onto his feet.

With all of them paired up, you were left with...

"Looks like I am at your service for a change." Alastor's grin widened. He appeared next to the record player and adjusted his suit jacket, folding his hands behind his back and gesturing with his head a tiny bit to the side of him. A sign. He wanted you to join him by his side, to come to him, a little, subtle power play. Your body reacted naturally by walking to him, without further need to think about it. His eyes stayed with yours as he slowly nodded approvingly, stepping towards you.

With you standing only inches apart from his broad frame and a curious blush creeping on your cheeks as your memories served up the recent moments the both of you had shared together - It took great effort on your part to ignore the intense, very unbecoming thoughts that flooded your head, but you cleared your throat and clapped your hands.

"So. Let's start with the Cha Cha."

"Alright, Angel, for the tenth time, stay in box form, your hips can only sway AFTER the forward steps, so move...", you sighed exasperated. You had given them the basic steps, how to count and what the man and the women's posture should look like, having Alastor waiting (and slightly brooding) at the side lines. You patted an annoyed looking Husk on the back, and gave a side glance to Niffty and Dante. As chaotic as they were, they were already in a weird, hilarious looking sync, both counting their steps and mowing down furniture (and the other dancers) as they tumbled across the foyer in vague looking Cha Cha moves. Charlie was giving a rather frustrated and grumbling Vaggie a much needed pep talk, but from her embarrassed giggling and the exhausted look on Vaggie's face you guessed it wasn't going well.

"Goddammit, you can't give me this much shit, Husky!", Angel groaned and grabbed Husk's shoulder and paw - despite the cat's disgruntled protests - and tried again to lead his reluctant partner in an overly dramatic fashion, mumbling loudly 'da-da cha-cha-cha'.

"Actually, no - I totally can, if I want to.", he hissed back, pulling the spider back roughly by his upper arm in the opposite direction.

"Uuuuh, getting rough with me now, baby? You know I like it like that."

"Will you two fucking stop bitching at each other for once and dance?", Vaggie shouted over her shoulder, stepping on Charlies toes – again.

"Hey, language!", the princess yelped, hopping on one foot while holding the other.

"Well, isn't this a productive lesson." Alastor grinned, his eyes following Niffty who spun a helpless Dante into a bookshelf. You stared at him, your expression unamused, and he chuckled.

"It is quite literally not.", you groaned, gesturing towards the couples. "Please, help me."

He leaned in, close enough for you to feel his hot breath on your cheek, and spoke in a hushed tone.

"Are you asking me for a dance, dear?"

Your heart skipped a beat at the suggestive, flirty tone of his voice, and you swallowed. God, cool your head, at least try to have a backbone.

"Might be more effective to show than tell."

The deer straightened himself again, eyes glinting at you mischievously, while you took out a vinyl from the sleeve, smiling at the title – you knew that song well. The music started playing from the gramophone, a latin jazz song with a catchy rhythm. Alastor stepped back, his smile widened and he made a short, elegant bow, offering you his hand.

"Let us see if we can salvage the situation, then." He pulled you close to him, positioning his hands perfectly, as if he'd trained it thousands of times. It took your breath away, the instant feeling of a dance partner who actually knew what he was doing making you feel queezy and excited at the same time. "Dante, Niffty, would you please get out of the way, thank you."

The bird and the maid, less in mid-step and more in mid-stumble, jumped aside, the latter still counting out loud. The other pairs stopped their feeble attempts too, watching in stunned silence what was happening. He started to move, and you followed his movements perfectly.

"Now, I assume the problem lays with the fact that not one of these simpletons are familiar with the art of dance, or has at least the basic ability to count?", Alastor cooed, just barely loud enough for you to hear it over the music.

"If you're not used to it, it can be hard in the beginning." You felt a little proud when he twirled you, and you came back smoothly. He hummed in approval.

"Not that difficult, after all. It is easy enough to count, if one is able to hear, and follow a few simple steps, if one is able to walk."

"You make it sound like it's child's play.", you chuckled, and he smiled wider, letting you take the lead briefly.

"Quite. But if there's no other solution than to teach them, why not make an actual game out of it next time?"

"...how so?"

"Simple, really. Make it into a competition. That always works for me." He leaned back, twirling you out again. "Give the winner a reward."

"What reward?", you asked, and he leaned in, closer than before, and lowered his voice as his hand moved from your hip to your thigh, pulling it up into a borderline scandalous pose.

"I can think of a few ideas."

Your face flushed instantly, and he laughed his staticy laughter, his claws digging into your skin ever so slightly as he held you tight, leading the both of you with such elegance that your heart beat faster, the butterflies in your stomach erupting in an unruly flurry.

"I think we have their attention now, darling."

Indeed, you felt the many eyes on you, and your dance. Alastor's hold tightened, his movements became sharper, the pace faster and his grip harder, pushing you, challenging you. You kept up easily, the tension between the two of you rising. You heard Angel whistling through his teeth, and in a moment of Alastor pulling you into another pose, you had the clarity of mind to give the gawking group a stern, aggravated look.

"What are you guys doing, gawking like that? Stop staring, start dancing."

Vaggie and Charlie exchanged a brief, flustered look, and started their attempts again, albeit a bit more successful. Angel had a smug, knowing smirk on his face as he turned back to Husk, and the cat sighed, rolling his eyes and adjusting his bow tie, muttering something along the lines of 'this is not gonna end well'.

The Radio Demon's grip tightened around you even more, his hand moving dangerously high on your thigh, the other one gripping your waist almost possessively. He leaned his head towards your neck, his lips brushing against the soft, sensitive skin as he whispered.

"Look at them, little kitten. Look at how they try and fail, compared to us."

His teeth grazed the soft, vulnerable spot right under your jaw, and the sensation sent a shiver through your spine. He grinned, and pulled back.

"I don't know... they seem to make at least some progress."

"Such a gracious teacher." He mused, twirling you once more and catching you again, pressing his chest against yours. You were starting to breathe heavily, the strain of keeping up with him taking its toll, or was it the tension of his suggestive words? "It is no wonder my lovely assistant was able to earn her place in a prestigious school of cultural arts. If she's able to teach these dunderheads how to move their bodies, I wonder what she might be able to teach others, given the right incentive."

Your face burned with a red heat, the implications of his words hitting hard. Alastor, in his usual teasing and unusual suggestive manner, was always saying such things, always dancing around the topic (pun not intended). Never going straight into it. Yet, somehow, in a weird and roundabout way, his words lately carried a meaning with them, a promise - a silent, secret wish - and it excited you, thrilled you even. You realized why he and you seemed to dance so perfectly well together: Leading a dance commanded to take full control and having a plan, following a dance meant to give it up and let your partner make the decisions for you, reacting to even the most subtle hints.

"I guess there are no awards for doing a teachers job?", you asked, trying to keep up with his quick steps, feeling his gaze piercing into yours.

"Oh, I'm sure a well deserved one will present itself soon enough."

The song was about to end, and he lifted his hand, signaling you to go under his arm, and you did, twirling into the final position, his hand on the small of your back, holding you against his chest, and your arms wrapped around his neck, face turned away. He must've done that on purpose, right? Keeping this last moment to himself, to pull you so close, so intimate you closed your eyes in certain expectancy of an impending kiss. When the song ended without it, the rest of the world seemed to come back abruptly, and you blinked, realizing you weren't alone with Alastor but in a room full with people. People with eyes. And ears. And most of them with functional brains. Shit.

"Well, that was some hot fuckin' shit."

Angel's voice pulled you back completely, and you stepped back a bit, out of the Radio Demon's embrace, and felt the eyes of the rest of the group on you again, especially Vaggies.

"Language, Angel!", Charlie squealed, her cheeks red, but she was smiling.

"But in a way Angel is right.", Dante said, giving you an approving thumbs up. "You still got it, munchkin. And Mr. Alastor, that was..."

"A goddamn performance, yeah.", Husk mumbled, crossing his arms, and Vaggie hummed, her one eye flitting back and forth between you and the tall, red demon.

"Well, that's a word for it."

"As I always say, my friends - the world is a stage. Sometimes even one worth sharing, given the right talent." He took your hand, bowed elegantly and planted a small, tender kiss on it, his red eyes looking up and never leaving yours. You were still blushing, a little breathless, a little speechless, and nodded, turning your eyes away to find a way to ground yourself again.

"Ummm, that was a good start. Yeah. Cool. Let's take a small break, drink something, and we'll continue in five."

Alastor sat back, content, watching his kitten hurry off to the kitchen to grab some water for everyone. He saw her tail all fluffed up and swishing upright, which only made him grin wider as he returned to his armchair. The rest of the group broke into excited, albeit not exactly dance related conversations.

Husker came up to him and put down a glass of whiskey next to his emptied mug, which Alastor took and drank in one swing. He looked over the cat, whose face was contorted in a mixture of disbelief and disgust.

"That was a nice little stunt you pulled there."

"Stunt, dear Husker? I am not sure I know what you mean."

"Cut the crap, Boss. I have a nose for that kind of stuff, and it reeked of bullshit."

"Oh-ho! Language, Husker!", Alastor said with mock indignation, grinning widely.

Husk looked him over, and frowned, tilting his head. "Fuck. Yo' actually look pleased."

"Mh... Do I?"

"Yeah. Kinda. And not in the goddamn smug way yo' usually do... if your psychotic asshole attitude would allow the feeling, that is." Husk raised one of his furry eyebrows. "Do yo'... Am I getting something right here?"

"I'm afraid you will have to specify, because I don't have the faintest idea about what you are blabbering."

The cat pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Holy shit, you fuckin'... Does this... You and her, do you-" He gestured vaguely into the direction of the hallway.

Alastor stayed silent and lifted his glass for another fill, and Husk grabbed the bottle with a snarl and opened it up, pouring it for him with shaking paws.

"Yo' know what, forget I even tried to ask that stupid question."

"Best if you do. You know very well, dear friend, what happens to curious beings putting their noses too far in my business."

"Asshole.", he growled and filled his own glass with whiskey, knocking back half the bottle in a swing, grimacing when the burning liquid traveled down his throat, and putting the now significantly lighter bottle down with a huff. The cat demon looked over his shoulder, watching as his pet returned with a tray full of various drinks, handing one to Niffty who looked both disheveled and exhilarated. "M'tellin' yo', it's not gonna end well."

"So are a lot of things down here. No point to fear a day that hasn't even begun." The cat demon gripped his glass tighter, obviously biting his tongue. But the expression on his longtime companions face was something Alastor hasn't seen in quite some time - genuine worry. For what, Alastor didn't care enough to think about, although he suspected it to be about her rather than himself. In her efforts, it seemed his little gem really weaved some pretty impactful bonds to the residents, first Angel Dust, then Niffty and Charlie, now even Husk.

"You would be surprised, Husker my friend, the number of things I am able to... work out." Alastor laughed darkly, not exactly oblivious of the double meaning he offered, but in a rather malicious and ill humored tone. He eyed the little, scarlet cyclops as she threw herself around his kittens neck, babbling on about the 'memories she'll cherish forever', and that she learned 'an excellent dance that required a partner with excellent feathers for them to have fun with', and then he watched his kitten trying to appease her by patting her head. Somehow, Nifftys hair entangled in her hand, and he watched with keen eyes as she slowly and carefully pulled magenta hair from the red thread on her finger, easing the little demon into holding still as to not rip it from her digit.

Somewhere, deep inside, this unfamiliar sting appeared again, and he had no other choice but to attribute it to his strange fondness of the scarred beauty he acquired not too long ago, and which steadily increased every moment they spent together. A soft smile curled over her lips as she threw a glace back to him, still listening to the small maid, but with a freed hand, thread safely in place and intact. H usk was talking still, Alastor wasn't sure if he was aware or not. It didn't matter to him at the moment. Another conversation caught his attention, a hushed discussion happening over with Vaggie and the little princess.

It looked serious. And serious talk made him want to frown, even with his tight smile sewn into place.

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[yuri-is-online]

Congratulations on your 500 Followers!🎉 Hope you will grow more! I would like to choose the number 1 prompt, "Someone decides to ask you for your opinion about someone, and you decide to take advantage of your anonymity to admit your feelings. For some reason this flusters them."

For Jack, Sebek and Silver please

1. Someone decides to ask you for your opinion about someone, and you decide to take advantage of your anonymity to admit your feelings. For some reason this flusters them.

Thank you very much friend! I really hope this is to your liking, and I really hope that you continue to find things that entertain you posted to this account.

notes: they/them used for Yuu, mutual pining, I find Jack really hard to write for because of his whole soulmate thing but please know he loves Yuu so fucking much he is in pain, Sebek thinks he's slick, and Silver is oblivious to a lot. The other event requests can be found on my masterlist.

Jack

There is a distressing lack of fluffy tails within your line of sight in the ballroom this evening. A feeling has been growing within you these past few months, similar to a crush but so intense it makes you want to fall over with the strength of your longing. You have no idea if Jack feels the same, he has continued to treat you with the same degree of feigned indifference he's held you at since the day you met.

And now he has left you all alone in the middle of a ballroom full of people that very much aren't him. Well that's how you feel it's not like you made any sort of concrete agreement to meet up beyond the typical first year friend group "hey let's all get together" texts that always populated your group chat when the school hosted events like this. You suppose your feet were always going to hurt at an event like this, but you had been hopeful that your heart wouldn't ache as well.

"Come here often?" A strange strangled voice asks, clearly trying to break the ice and not at all serious. You are both leaning against a pillar after all.

"Not really." Your stomach is still firmly in your throat, this person is massive and you see no sign of the comforting ears and tail of a wolf. "You?"

"Nope." And though neither of you make much a move to keep the conversation moving, you don't move to leave either despite the growing awkward aura around you both. You look out across the ballroom, eyes drawn towards Leona desperately searching for a sign. Your strange new friend takes note, he also seems to be looking at Leona. "Not afraid of staring are, you?"

"Is that what it looks like?" You ask slightly distressed.

"Most people just tuck tail and run when they see Savanaclaw." He almost sounds disgusted, but you can't quite tell with who. "I'm surprised you can stand to look."

"I've got good friends in Savanaclaw." You huff. Sure there's a chance this guy doesn't mean anything by what he's saying, but this is NRC. There is a much bigger chance that he does.

"Oh? Like who, Jack Howl?" This bitch-

"No." You cross your arms. "Friends don't make you want to explode."

"... I'm sorry?" The strange man apologizes, and it really does sound like he means it if the way he's scratching the back of his head is anything to go by. Unfortunately you have been sitting on these stupid feelings all night and really need them out in front of someone who isn't Grim, seven knows he doesn't care.

"Seriously like- wolf beastmen have only one soulmate? Forever? So it doesn't matter how I feel I just- never have a chance like ever. Ever ever ever, he's just always going to see me as some annoying hanger on- well maybe not annoying because I actually put in an effort you know?" The captive audience doesn't nod but that's ok, you just keep charging on. "And I know he appreciates that because his tail wags every time one of us do and it's so cute to watch."

"'m not cute."

"But that just doesn't matter he's got somebody already he just hasn't met them yet and I don't even know the right music to try and get rid of my feelings to. It's not like I can just ask him out and hope rejection will make the feelings go away because there is just no way he would be like in anyway nice about it-"

"What if you were that person though?" The stranger's voice is so strangled it's almost recognizable, and it successfully snaps you out of your stupor.

"But I'm not." You want to scream it, but it comes out so very quietly. "He was really clear about that, he'd just know."

"I'm stupid. I mean he is. Stupid. And you're human, maybe the feeling's different because there's a chance for rejection. It's not like humans always have soul mates." A dull silence falls over you both. Unease working it's pesky way back into both of your minds.

Not all humans have soul mates, but you most certainly do. Just... give him a moment, a ball is not his scene. But later when you're all alone, traipsing your way through the woods towards that lonely cottage there will be a wolf primed to strike. Just why did he ever worry Jack wonders, glad for the mask hiding his grin, he knew he only needed to be lucky once.

Sebek

"Just what is your opinion on Malleus anyway?" Sebek tells himself he is asking you this for safety reasons. It's a question he has asked you before, just louder and with force enough to "blow down a barn door" to quote Epel, but this damn mask had a mockingly fitting enchantment that pitched his voice down and quieted it the more he tried yelling. He almost sounded like he was impersonating Jade, something that would likely deeply amuse the strange upperclassmen and seems to have a soothing effect on you. Not that he was jealous!

"Tsunotarou and I are bros." Yuu puts up what Master Lilia had told him was a "peace sign" and "extremely cute" but makes him seethe with rage and actual jealousy, not whatever that sickening feeling he'd had before was.

"You are not." The mask makes his dull roar sound like a middle aged mother gleefully scolding her friend for buying a particularly saucy pair of heels and not the justified rage of a royal retainer. "If you are bros just what does that make you to his retainers hmmmm?" That makes Yuu falter for some reason, mouth moving before the words are fully formed like they are considering hiding something.

That scares him. Because it compromises his lord's safety. Obviously.

"Well, I think Lilia's super cool." An objectively true statement human. A bit sparse on the praise but then what use would Master Lilia have for a human's praise? It would be better spent on him anyway. "He's really smart and happy to talk about what he knows, even if he lies about things sometimes, gotta have fun with yourself sometimes I guess. Silver is a bit dense, but he tries so hard you have to respect him for it." Again Sebek finds himself agreeing with Yuu, but the praise stings for some reason. It's minimal, but he supposes Yuu's avoidance of addressing the issue- not that they are he supposes, they may have stopped speaking but he doesn't think they intend to not give an opinion about him.

"And Sebek?" But he prods for it anyway because he wants it. He knows himself, he is not exactly ashamed of himself but Sebek knows you would never tell him the full truth of your opinion to his face. He can't even call Yuu by their name, why should they-

Sigh, like a besotted Princess in a fairy tale, play with the edges of their cape like a Prince questioning his propriety in voicing his desires but unable to swallow their emotion-

"He's really something else." You mean it, not that you are too sure why you feel like telling this stranger your deepest secret or why you chose to phrase it like a complaint. But the compliment suits Sebek like that you think. And the stranger doesn't stop you. "Knights are sort of out of fashion where I'm from but I've always liked them, and Sebek's the perfect image of one you know? I just wish there was some room in his heart for someone other than Malleus... not that I think his devotion's a bad thing y'know? I just- want to be treasured by a knight too."

"Just a knight?" The stranger asks. "Silver's there too I suppose."

"Nah he's not really my type." You shrug. "I like my guys a little pathetic. Look-" You barely notice the familiar way the stranger splutters as you bow to signal your exit. "I gotta go get Grim before he lights the place on fire, if you see Sebek tell him I'm looking for him? I want to dance with him at least once I just know he's good at it." And with that they're gone leaving an extremely competent and not at all pathetic thank you very much! Flustered mess of a man behind them.

Silver

"Oh hello Prefect." You have no idea who this student is but it is not unusual for people to know who you are given everything that's happened at this stupid school since you accidentally enrolled. "Nice to see you are enjoying yourself, the rolls are really good." And he is not judging you for the amount of bread you have in front of you so as far as you are concerned he can stay.

"They really are." You nod sagely, offering your new friend some of your hoard which he happily accepts as you both turn towards the ballroom to people watch. "I shouldn't be surprised at how good the food is, but somehow I always am." The stranger nods ruefully.

"I know what you mean. After eating so much of fa- Lillia's cooking you forget what things are supposed to taste like sometimes." Oh so this guy is in Diasomnia then? You'll have to compliment Tsunotarou later, this guy is super polite.

"Yeah I can see that, it makes feel bad for Silver sometimes what with how close those two are." You continue munch on your bread, too caught up in the fluffiness of it to notice how the "stranger" pauses, a thought forming in his mind he is sure to regret later but is unable to fully resist.

To long is human, which he is, painfully so.

"Do you think about Silver often?" He hopes he sounds playful, you fluster, looking the man up and down wondering if maybe Lilia has decided to alter his appearance to tease you some.

"More often than I should." Even if this is Lilia, it's not like anyone can really mock you for this can you? It's a Masquerade Ball, you're allowed to spill your guts to a stranger and reasonably expect nothing to come of it. Hell, just because this guy's in Diasomnia doesn't mean he'll say anything. "He's hard to ignore you know?"

"Not really." Silver picks at the bread, half hoping you will drop the topic, half agonizing about how to feel if you do. "He... doesn't have the best reputation in our dorm. People think he's too intense."

"Hmmm." You can see why, people who lack facial expressions often find themselves failing to express their intent. "That doesn't bother me." Oh he could practically soar, his whole body straightens in pride when you say that. "Silver is one of the few people I feel truly safe and... well sometimes I feel cherished around him. But I don't want to put pressure on him since we aren't even really friends I don't think."

"Why wouldn't you be?" He is deeply confused, he knows Lilia's advice is always coached in jokes but Silver didn't think the flowers he asked his animal friends to find would hinder his progress too badly. You were even wearing them tonight, it was how he found you, so it's not like you hated them... right? "I- He cares about you, I mean you know that right?"

"Maybe." Is all you say, eyes looking for someone in the crowd that's sat right next to you oh so painfully unaware- "But if I said I liked him would he even know what I meant? Would he still want to be friends... if..."

"Of course he would." Silver means it, but somehow he feels like he is missing something. The weight of your hand maybe, as you leave the "stranger" in search of... well he hopes "Silver" because if he knew you loved him, because he thinks that was what you meant maybe he wouldn't want to be just friends.

Best friends maybe? He'll have to ask Li- his father later.