#does she scream does she cry does she double down on fighting does she try to kill casimir does she try to kill herself…

[professorlegaspi]

This is going to be really dark but

AU where after Casimir kidnapped Celia’s family he forgot to feed them and they died of starvation in the basement of Huperpetra and when he brought them out for the surprise factor in the final battle he was actually just displaying their corpses

[steddieas-shegoes]

last summer

for @corrodedcoffinfest prompt 'i know what you did last summer'

rated e | 773 words | no cw | tags: brief mentions of eddie with other people, fuckbuddies, friends with benefits, idiots in love, getting together

also on ao3

💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘

Eddie’s kind of a slut.

Sue him.

He likes sleeping around with any willing participant, mostly because there aren’t all that many willing participants to begin with. He’s in a small town and he’s weird enough that most of his conquests are doing it for free drugs or because they wanna know if the rumors are true.

He keeps it as lowkey as he can, still. Except for the summer before he follows Steve Harrington.

****

Steve is nice, way nicer than he thought he would be. He’s a flirt, but he’s shy, and it’s not even an act. He’s a dream.

Eddie fucks him until he cries.

But before he does that he fucks a lot of people until they cry. Double digits.

He goes all out because he’s fighting off the growing feelings for this man he knows he has no real shot in hell with. He fucks to forget the way Steve pulled him in, the way he moaned around his fingers when he insisted he wasn’t full enough, the way he licked into Eddie’s mouth when moaning wasn’t enough to say how much he was enjoying the way Eddie fucked into him.

Sarah was nice, but too loud even for Eddie.

Ryan was the typical Guy Trying Guys For The First Time, so he was nervous and trying to be macho even with a dick in his ass and it just wasn’t working for him. He came, he saw, he left quickly and didn’t give him his number.

Amy and Amanda were best friends since middle school and did everything together, including fuck guys who were no good for them. Eddie gave them both exactly what they wanted and went home.

Jackie was much too kind of a girl to be anywhere near him, but he adjusted and went slower, spoke nicer, gave her a kiss before he left.

Frankie, not to be confused with his friend and bandmate, was insistent on doing the fucking, and Eddie was in a mood, so he agreed. He limped out of there, sore enough that he knew he’d regret it all in the morning, but not upset about it.

His mind kept going back to Steve, though.

So he fucked him again, in his pool, under the stars and moon in some romantic subplot to his summer. They had to be quiet so the neighbors wouldn’t hear, but Steve’s quiet whimpers and whines as he fucked into him slowly, ripples of water crashing against their chests echoing against the concrete of the pool deck, were still loud enough that Eddie had to cover his mouth and move slower. He’s stunning with his hair wet and slicked back, his sun-kissed skin glistening in the moonlight. Eddie wants to write a song about this.

He fucks Laura the next night, doesn’t even think to ask her name before she’s screaming his. He finds out after, when he sees her necklace after she’s facing him in bed. He kisses her cheek and leaves.

No one is Steve.

****

“I wrote a song about you,” he admits while he’s holding Steve against his chest, rubbing his fingers up and down his spine. It’s the third night in a row he’s come over, the third night where he’s held Steve until he’s asleep and then snuck out as if he’s just another one of his slutty moments.

“Mm?” Steve’s exhausted, probably wrung out from two orgasms in the last hour. He’s barely awake.

“You’ve got in my head, Harrington,” Eddie says, voice dripping with fondness.

“Sing it for me?” Steve asks.

He can’t deny him a damn thing. He sings what he has, though he’s still working on the melody a bit. Steve won’t care.

It’s shaky because he’s trying to stay quiet, doesn’t wanna ruin this moment they’re in.

Steve snuggles in closer, hums contentedly.

Eddie feels splayed open when he’s done. He keeps holding onto Steve, waits for him to pull away and ask him to leave.

Instead, Steve kisses his chest, right over his frantic heartbeat.

He’s quiet, just lets his lips linger on his skin for a bit. His fingers are curled into Eddie’s side.

“If you can be just mine, you can come with me,” Steve finally says.

“Go with you where?” Eddie didn’t know he was leaving.

“Chicago. My parents are paying for my apartment while I go to school. They don’t have to know I brought my boyfriend,” Steve explains.

Eddie doesn’t even have to think about it.

“Yeah. I’m in.”

Every summer after that, Eddie’s still a little bit of a slut. But he’s a slut for Steve and Steve only.

[no1blacksapphirefan]

Hi! Uh, kind of new to this request thingy but anywho for the self-aware au, you know how you did the ancients and beasts reaction to the reader saying they're their favorite cookie? Well, can you do the same thing but with the legendaries and some super epics +epics? (Mainly Stardust cookie, Squid ink cookie and the legendaries, please!)

Also, can you do the cookies getting jealous when the reader's pet (cat, dog, doesn't really matter) interrupts them playing cookie run kingdom?

Ofcofc ^^ If anyone wants to read the beast/ancient version of this, it's here

I usually prefer if requests didn't have 2 in the one ask but I think I can kinda tie both of your requests together :)) So I hope that's okay and you don't mind :D

Squid Ink cookies part is STRICTLY platonic ONLY of course. Gotta keep adopting the small kiddos...cookie-os? Also their part won't have the getting jealous of readers pet bit

Possible OOC for a few of the cookies

Stardust Cookie Favourite? He's...you're favourite? He didn't expect that, but it isn't something he's against. He likes it, a pleasant feeling in his chest grows more and more if he hears you go on rants about him, especially once or if you give him the best toppings, beascuits ect for him. I feel like, to him. The fact you favour him so much is the closest thing he'll get to having a personal relationship with you. He doesn't think he can meet you through the screen but he's content with just watching you as you happily play.

I don't see him getting jealous of your pets, at least not knowingly. Maybe your pet comes and crawls onto the bed when you're doing some story quest with him in it. He expects you to continue but you don't, looking up he sees your attention of him. He says he doesn't mind and that is true on the most part, but he can't help but want the attention back on him after a while.

Squid Ink Tears...keep coming, they may not look like it but they're surprised and happy that you seem to like them so much. They aren't scary to you? Them constantly crying doesn't annoy you? They see you as a parental figure and constantly try their best when they're placed on your team. Even before hearing you say they were your favourite, they're so happy their efforts worked and you care for them so. (Even if them trying harder in fights didn't have anything to do with it)

Fire Spirit Hell yeah!! He's so prideful about it, he doesn't exactly brag to other cookies but it's clear with how much more brightly he glows with his flame that he loves hearing you say he's your favourite. He feels a lot of satisfaction and "repays" you by using more power in arena. Maybe he'll even give you another promotion as a thank you. He'll love to hear you scream in delight if you got double in the one pull..he'll just have to figure out how to do that.

He definitely gets jealous if an animal interrupts and suddenly captures your attention, he isn't afraid to fight for it either. He'll say random voicelines so you look over, even if you're just looking at the story. ESPECIALLY if you're only doing the story, that'll get your attention for sure!

Wind Archer Oh? He didn't expect out of all the cookies, he'd by your favourite. He's not complaining at all though and wants to hear all the reasons to why, even if it just ends up being you think he's pretty. He has to admit, when he first "met" you/first started growing aware, he found you strange. You weren't a witch, you weren't even from their world yet you seemed to show such love for the world he's in, he's gotten used to it and has grown to want to protect you in a way.

He may not show it but he does get a tiny bit jealous when your pets come by and distract you, he won't show it and he'll try to ignore it. You're allowed to place your attention elsewhere after all, besides. Just knowing he's your favourite is enough for him to settle down a bit.

Stormbringer I see her quickly telling anyone who'll listen about it, like heck yeah she's your favourite, she wouldn't have it any other way!! She thinks it's a given, it should be obvious why. Well, that's what she tells other cookies, her logic is that since the cookies have to look up to see you when in your kingdom, that you're in the skies right? And what is she? Ruler of the skies!! ((She knows it's weird logic but she brushes it off until she hears you "confirm" it))

At first I think she wouldn't particularly care if your pet comes by, then she does get a bit grumpy if your attention is on it for awhil- OMG THE CAT IS ADORABLE. She's totally a sucker for cute things, she forgot about the jealousy and now she wants to pet your lil cutie.

Frost Queen Her ears perk up, she isn't sure if she heard you correctly and silently hopes you say it again. Well she was instead met with reasons why which, technically did confirm what she had heard. She isn't sure what to think, not that she isn't flattered! She is, she thinks it's a pleasant thought to know you essentially "picked" her over others. On the other, she does still wonder why it's her you favour, despite the reasons you've ranted on about...hm, she's content though.

She seems like the silent jealous to me, she won't say anything and nothing she does shows she's starting to get jealous at how much you've been petting your dog...aside from the icy stare she has, she will say though, if it weren't for the fact you looked so happy. She might've tried to get your attention.

Moonlight Oh she's very happy upon hearing you say that and she's more than happy to listen to you list out reasons why, even if it may not be directed at her and you're just ranting about it to a friend. She wants to know so much more about you, every detail. You may not technically be apart of the cosmos but you still interest her as if you were a newly found star in her world. So hearing you say she's your favourite makes her feel beyond happy.

She does get a bit jealous when other animals interrupt you playing but she won't say anything. Depending on how long it's taking or how long it SEEMS to be taking, she may take a quick nap and dream. She isn't going to grab your attention when it's already placed on something you like after all. Don't worry, she'll make sure to come back in time before you even notice!!

Seafairy Such kind words, she will remember them until the end of time. It's a shame she can't meet you in person. Reaching towards the other side of the screen is far harder then when she attempted to reach Moonlight Cookie and she still yearns to reach her more than you, knowing this. She knows it'll be an impossible feat to meet with you that way. But she'll be contempt like this, hearing you ramble on about why you love her, the stories relating to her. As if you too were also a cookie in their world, it brings a smile to her face.

She isn't exactly the jealous type in my opinion, I think she'd want to join in with the affections you're giving your animals, they seem rather cute and they grabbed your attention rather quick. She wonders if the dogs feel different to their cake hounds or if your bird is different to the cheese birds.

Black Pearl She's a bit surprised...she half expected your reasoning to stem from who she used to be, before she was Black Pearl but when you listed them and it was just...her...who she is right now...she's a bit confused. She has made cookies fear her, she isn't as kind and loving as she was before, she was sure you'd dislike it but...you just like her for her? Feel sympathy for her?...You're a very kind human you know. For a moment, some cookies might see her break out in a genuine, sweet smile. Unlike the one she had before as she inflicted fear on the other cookies.

She gets a bit jealous when a pet comes around, especially after a long period of time. She wouldn't do anything though, not that she doesn't want too and she isn't opposed to trying to get your attention. But she doesn't think there'll be a point, there's still a screen between the two of you and as well as that, you're not aware that they know. She'd rather keep it that way...at least for now.

[justporo]

Hear me out! Tav brought a statue of Astarion to the camp but Astarion does not recognize himself in it and does not understand why their leader spent 5000 gold on a random stone man. Meanwhile the party is betting on how long it will take Astarion to guess whose statue it is.

5000 Gold

"He's not... he's not gonna figure it out anytime soon, is he?"

"Sshhh!"

Shadowheart shushed Karlach with an angry frown and a single finger thrown to her lips.

The two of them - along with your other companions observed the scene unfolding on the other side of the camp. Right where a delivery had just been made - and quite an uncommon one.

A giant stone statue, depicting... Astarion - and almost fully nude at that.

You couldn't resist when the offer had been made to you at the carnival at the outskirts of Baldur’s Gate. 5000 gold had felt like nothing for the punchline you had been about to make with having a statue be made of the one companion that couldn't remember what he himself looked like.

And Astarion, upon discovering Tav's most recent purchase, had started to throw a temper tantrum immediately, almost fainting when he had heard the paid sum out of your mouth.

The vampire had worked himself into an outright frenzy, screaming, hissing, gesticulating towards the statue, then back to you, then to the skies. Meanwhile all you could do anymore was biting your lip to stop yourself from bursting into the biggest laughing fit of your life.

The rest of the group kept observing from a safe distance.

"Istik", Lae'zel mumbled under her breath. But even the sober githyanki could barely hide a smile.

Shadowheart shushed her as well. Wyll had just been silently shaking his head for the last couple of minutes. Shadowheart had started taking bets on how long it would take the oblivious vampire to realise the cruel trick that was being played on him. Karlach, being way too optimistic, had already lost some coin to the cleric with their estimate of a few minutes.

Only Gale who had been busy this far with some of his thousand books had missed the whole spectacle so far. Just now had the wizard realised that something was going down. He eyed the fighting trio of you Astarion and stone Astarion and then the group of bystanders, trying to decipher the situation. When he couldn't make any logical sense of any of it he went over to the small onlooking group. "I appear to have missed something? What is-"

Shadowheart hissed at him to shut up, causing Gale to flinch back with a hurt facial expression. Wyll though wasn't impressed by the cleric and enlightened his friend: "It looks like our clever leader Tav has taken up the offer of getting a stone statue of Astarion for a bargain of 5000 gold without telling anyone. And now we're betting how long it's going to take him to realise it's him."

Shadowheart stared the Blade of Frontiers down. Wyll merely shrugged his shoulders. He'd faced more fearsome creatures than the cleric aplenty.

Gale just blinked several times at him, letting the words settle. Then a grin spread on the wizard's face. "I bet 100 gold it's gonna take him at least until the end of the day."

Shadowheart's furious expression lightened noticeably and she stretched out her hand to Gale. They shook on the bet. Then everyone turned back to the two Astarion's and you to continue watching the scene.

"Why in the nine hells would you get a statue of some random guy - he isn't that... Well, he is quite handsome!" Astarion yelled at you while you had to hide your face in your hands desperately trying to pull yourself together.

The vampire didn't let up: "Well, if only it had been me, then I would have understood, darling, who wouldn't want that as a piece of decor, but-"

That was it, you broke. Hysterical laughter started shaking you, up to the point where you doubled over and could barely breathe between laughing and crying from laughing.

The vampire meanwhile went through the whole spectrum of emotions known under the sun in a matter of seconds. Angered, confused, flustered. And then finally something in the elf’s brain clicked together.

He stared at the statue then at you, back to the statue and suddenly his hands wandered over his own face as if to grasp it's lines and shapes.

"You...," he started and stopped. Through your tears you were sure you could see the vampire's pointy ears turn bright pink. "That IS me!"

You were barely able to nod as another fit of laughter shook you. Astarion’s mouth opened several times but no sound came out. A rare occasion to the see the sassy rogue so void of words.

Meanwhile, a bunch of moans could be heard from the other side of camp where Shadowheart collected her won gold from the others.)

"Why would you-", Astarion began and his expression was barely readable while your laughter slowly died down and you were able to kneel back on your feet.

"Didn't you say it yourself? He's quite handsome, isn't he? Now you get to see for yourself again."

Astarion pointed an angry finger at you about to throw another fit but then his eyes fell on the statue again. Now with knowing what it was and what it meant it shut him up immediately.

He took a few steps closer to get a better look. His anger at you momentarily forgotten as he gazed upon his own image for the first time in over 200 years.

[timkontheunsure]

Blitz's pattern from Verosika

Since "let's go!" we've known Blitz expects to sort out things in relationships two ways.

By loud arguments, with lots of sass and of barbs passed between them.

Or with make up sex.

Stolas doesn't do either. He crys and is visible hurt. And Blitz doesn't really know how to deal with that.

He calls it a rough night, and want to get things back to sex as quickly as possible. The only part of relationships he thinks he's good at.

He's trying so hard to get Stolas to either agree to sex again, or to be sassy and fight with to him.

When sex isn't working, and his taking the piss out relationship kinda does but gets waaaay to real.

Blitz tries to make it into the Prince and Peasant roleplay again, and is flummoxed when Stolas won't play.

But how does the map to Verosika?

There whole conversation has Blitz at the centre of a broken heart.

At the start of there argument when she starts fighting back he smiles. She calls him a dumbass he happy, a prick and he grins. These's no chance of sex so this is all he's got.

Till he again tries the the fake not fake apology, and she stops fighting back.

So he has to double down with screaming that he's bad at relationships. Till Voroskia engages again take the mick that he's finally worked he hurts people.

That it was crap that he dumped her for being in love with him. (This is what Stolas thinks happened with them too. He was expecting a yes or no. And Blitz continuing to call Stolas feeling roleplay; looks like the biggest no to a relationship).

Blitz folds up at this. Verosika asks "No snarky come back?" because that how they communicate. And Blitz says No and that he's really sorry.

Then she has to try and check if he means it by twisting the knife just a little. Seeing how jealous he'll be with Stolas.

With her face going from 'ha' to 'are you serious', to ' you really care about this one don't you?'. Then reminding him he said this time he wants to do better.

And the biggy; she gave him back his heart so he can try again right.

[sergeantbarnessdoll]

Ahhh imagine Y/n is one of the woman that 40s Bucky sets up Steve with, on a double dated and Steve is fully expecting for Y/n to be interested in Bucky instead and not want anything to do with Steve (Bucky insists “Steve this doll is the absolute sweetest, I promise!”), like what usually happens, but her full attention is on Steve and Steve alone, and the two of them kinda just click🥹 Bucky and his date are in front of them walking hand in hand, and Steve takes the chance to grab Y/n’s hand to hold and she lets him and threads her fingers through his🥹 They 100% fall head over heels for each other and pre serum Steve proposes to her and she says yes🥹 Steve would be the literal perfect husband ever and would love his wife so so so much! She’s supportive of his military dream and when he becomes Captain America she’s so proud of him (and so shook at his change with the serum). She’s heartbroken and shattered when he “dies”🥺 She’s visiting his “grave” when Hydra agents grab her, she’s kicking and screaming and finds herself crying for her husband only to remember that he is “dead” and can’t save her🥺 And her brother in law Bucky is “dead” too and can’t save her 🥺Hydra thought since Steve derailed their plans, that they would derail his wife’s life. They take her where they’re holding Bucky at, and when she sees him, she’s start crying for Bucky to help her but he doesn’t remember her and is like “Who the hell is Bucky?” Hydra tortures her and experiments on her, and uses Bucky as the Winter Soldier to punish her and hurt her when she is not complying to their demands, she’d be crying for Bucky to stop hurting her and at the back of his mind he’d be begging himself to stop but he can’t because he’s brainwashed in winter soldier mode🥺 She’s put in cryo like Bucky is and she’s just a shell of who she was when they take her out🥺 They send her on missions with Bucky and while she’s not brainwashed like he is, they’ve just whittled her down to a shell where she just does what they say. She sees Steve on the bridge when he says “Bucky?” And he’s like “Who the hell is Bucky?” Steve also sees Y/n and she starts crying and tries to run to him but is yanked back by The Winter Soldier. She’s also there on the Hellicarrier and she doesn’t want to attack her husband but she’s just terrified of Hydra and The Winter Soldier. But when Bucky pulls Steve out of the water he mutters an “I’m sorry” to Y/n as he walks away and she immediately wraps her arms around Steve trying to wake him up and that’s when Sam finds them and takes them to the hospital. Sam may not believe what Y/n says at first until Steve wakes up and is like, “That’s my wife🥺” And Over the next few months, Steve is bringing her out of her shell and helping her become herself again🥺 And When Bucky joins the Avengers, Y/n and him would have a lot to unpack because of all that Hydra made him do to her🥺 Steve would be really worried about his wife🥺

Ooo imagine if Steve proposed to Y/N at the top of the Ferris Wheel at Coney Island and tells Bucky right after🥰 I can imagine Y/N leaning her head against Steve’s headstone when she gets taken HYDRA🥺 then when she sees Bucky for the first time in years, she feels a little bit of relief🥺 she’d be happy to see Steve during the mission on the bridge🥺 she wouldn’t want Bucky to leave after the fight on the helicarrier, but she would too focused on making sure Steve is ok🥺 she’d be happy to see Bucky again when he joins the Avengers🩵

[yuri-is-online]

I imagine Deuce!Yutu is either A. The Ultimate Honor Student with perfect grades and a plsmile that makes old nannies and mothers swoon (Yutu: "Thanks, its because me and my parent are the local "weirdos" I had to overcorrect and become a golden child (':") OR B. just as bad as pre-NRC Deuce was, a gang member who'd jump anyone who'd look at him wrong (but still cried until he was sick when he watched My Girl (1991) behind Yuu's back. They told him not to because they knew it was sad, he didn't listen).

I imagine Yuu's main memory of Deuce to their Yutu was how much Deuce believed in self-improvement and redemption, always trying to be a better man, which either version of Yutu can't help but admire or respect, despite their complicated feelings over their absent father.

Upon meeting him in the "current" timeline as a student, A or B either can't help but give Pop's an A for effort, despite missing the goal sometimes or finds him a little cringe for being such a tryhard.

I had to google the movie you mentioned and got jump scared by it taking place in Pennsylvania. Pretty sure I have driven through the place it's supposed to be set before... and fuck just reading the synopsis made me cry I don't think I could watch it ;-; poor Yutu should have listened to his parent.

notes: they/them used for Yuu, for context on the fyuuture kid au can be found here and here.

I feel like I have read too much Tokyo Revengers because... we can have both: an honor student with a delinquent mean streak sounds like a good set up for Deuce! Yutu. Not that I think he would behave like Kisaki does exactly, but still. Dylla mentions in the White Rabbit event that she wasn't on the best terms with her mother when she was a teen, and we know about how Deuce was in middle school, so the idea of Yutu having a bit of a temper and rebellious streak to him does make a degree of sense. Sadly, I think that extends to his interactions with Yuu... so things are about to be angsty on two fronts today.

Much like Deuce, Yutu was just the cutest baby. He loved all things cute and fluffy. Bunnies, kitties, puppy dogs, he was such a sweet little kid who really loved chasing around butterflies in the great outdoors. He really loved to read, and learned how to do so at a very early age. When Yuu was having a bad day he would pick out one of his favorite books and insist on reading them a bedtime story so they could take a nap without any nightmares. If he was especially worried he would bring his favorite nightlight with him.

Not that anyone would ever dare to suggest it given what Yutu is like now, but he was very afraid of the dark as a child. He still is, there's just something about the void that exists in the darkness that screams danger to him. When he's isekaid to Twisted Wonderland it evolves into an extreme fear of blot and phantoms. I'd like his unique magic to have something to do with light or stars, something inspired by the Second Star to the Right from Peter Pan? I think it would be cute for someone afraid of the dark to be able to provide their own light.

When Yutu reaches middle school there's a noticeable change in his relationship with you. He's still polite, still bringing home good grades and unoffensive comments from his teachers. But he's a bit cold, as if he is purposefully putting emotional distance between you. His friends all treat you respectfully, but you just have a feeling, left over from somewhere, that you know what is likely going on but you can't put your finger on what. He gets angry when you try to ask questions, yelling something about how you just don't understand, maybe even throws in something about this being your fault...

I wrote about Riddle! Yutu having some fights with Yuu, but Deuce! Yutu's fights are so much worse. While Riddle! Yutu typically comes out of his room blubbering big fat tears ready to apologize, Deuce! Yutu feels the need to double down and save face. He does believe his parent has amnesia, he's seen how they act, but what he does not get is why they insist on feeling so fond of his dad and refuse to move on. In his mind their life could be a lot better if Yuu was willing to be honest with themselves about who his dad probably was. Yutu is very hung up on why Deuce felt the need to be redeemed, focusing on self improvement is all fine and good if you are someone worth redeeming but he's not around for Yutu to judge. And Yuu doesn't remember...

He's young, stupid, and angry, and he takes it out on anyone who looks at him wrong. What's worse for authority figures who want to help is that he's veeeery smart about how he does it. When he jumps someone you can bet there won't be cameras around to see it. When the police start troubling Yuu about what he's doing it's mostly just in the hope that they'll be able to talk some sense into their kid rather than to arrest Yutu or anything like that, but it doesn't work. Yutu gets to see the same thing that his dad did all those years ago, his parent crying because of his behavior but there's no grandparent Yuu is asking advice of. Since I am in the mood to be extra cruel, let's say the day that fight takes place, the day Yutu sees Yuu crying is the day he hears a very important name for the first time.

Deuce. His father's name is Deuce and the reason why he wasn't around was because he was from the other world that came to swallow up him and his parent the instant they began to remember. He doesn't get time to cover up the signs of his rebellion, or really a chance to say sorry. He has to look Grandpa Crewel in the face and admit that he made Yuu cry and added to the overly stressed mess their life had become. Everything they said about Deuce was true, and what's worse he was like him.

I feel like Deuce would be the sort of person who wanted to make a lot of home videos. Cater probably would be too, but he'd store most of them on his phone and I think that would be lost to time by the time his Yutu came home. Maybe it's because of the ghost camera, or his desire to be an "honor student" evolving into wanting to be an "honorable husband and father" but Deuce totally bought a video camera to take cheesy videos to show Yutu as he grew up. Instead the kid gets to see fragments of a life he could have had as he listens to his dad tell him about his life and how he met Yuu.

"Honestly I have no idea why they said yes." Deuce is a dork. A complete dork who looks so... young and life like in the video. He knows what features he took from Yuu but watching Deuce talk, he can pick up on the ticks, the way his mouth sets when determined. The look of shock that always made Yuu laugh, it bursts into view when he hears Yuu laugh as they enter the frame to snuggle into Duece's side, to press their face against his cheek with a happily contended sigh. "Y-yuu you're making me look uncool in front of the baby."

"He's not here yet!" You giggle and for the first time in a long time Yutu feels himself choking up as he watches his dad get all silly looking at the thought of his arrival.

"We're really looking forward to meeting you kiddo. I promise, nothing will ever happen to you. I'm not going anywhere."

"Well. Technically kept that last promise didn't you." He tries to play it off like a joke, but Crewel isn't laughing and neither is Yutu.

Gets put in Heartslabyul, but isn't exactly determined to be an honor student like his dad. While Deuce enjoys a good fight or the feeling of the wind in his hair... Yutu mostly got into fights because he was angry and needed someone to take it out on. Because of that temper he struggles with learning and controlling his magic but he still does pretty well with the practical academic side of things. He's proud of his ability to understand these things, and takes a lot of comfort in knowing his dad would be excited at knowing he was good at things like math and science.

Like with the other Heartslabyul boys, he had to fight his father's phantom. He sees putting Deuce to rest as part of his penance for how he treated Yuu in the years leading up to getting isekaid. He refuses to go back in time until he's able to lay this version of his father to rest next to Yuu so he can promise both of them, to their faces, that he'll create a world where they all can be together and live as a family.

Deuce is extremely friendly to Yutu! He wants to learn as much about Yuu's world as he can so he can help them feel as at home in Twisted Wonderland as possible. He makes sure to let Yutu know that extends to him too once Yuu warms up to having him in the friend circle, Uncle Ace is much less enthusiastic but it's clearly from a place of care towards Yuu. He starts to warm up when he sees Yutu trying his hardest to tutor Deuce, though he claims it's because he just thinks it's funny but really it's because Ace wants to see Deuce succeed.

Very correct on his feelings about Pops. His dad is so wildly cringe it's unreal. His effort is inspiring until he starts getting embarrassed for losing his temper and stuttering, or seven forbid you look at his grades. The more he interacts with both of you the more certain he becomes that Deuce would never have abandoned him... and that he is so getting grounded when Deuce learns about how he treated Yuu. And what's worse is that Yutu sort of wants him to.

Surprisingly that's not what happens at all. When Deuce learns who Yutu is, whether by sleuthing or through a violent confrontation with a monster from the future, when the whole story is laid out before him and his son bows to beg for his judgement it doesn't come at all. His Pops yanks him up by the collar and turns him towards Yuu.

"Say all of that again to your parent." Deuce's voice is as stern as it is serious. Yuu looks distraught, not quite to the point they were on the day everything changed but getting there as Yutu immediately breaks down and chokes, crying and begging for your forgiveness and saying he's sorry as Deuce brings all three of you together into a strong embrace. "I'm not the one you need to make things up to, but it's ok. I know exactly how you feel and we'll work through things together."

Deuce doesn't feel like he can be overly angry at Yutu for taking after him. He does feel the need to apologize to Yuu, profusely and in private, for putting them in so much danger and not being there to help Yutu work through his temper. If I was writing this as a story, I'd make Yuu sort of afraid of Yutu's feelings? I could see them blaming themselves and things being a bit awkward within their relationship with Yutu where they had been very good before the reveal. With Deuce being the loving and understanding partner that he is, the bridge is once again mended and the whole family gets to indulge in hobbies that aren't beating the shit out of other people.

Yutu gets back into reading, and starts looking up manuals and histories of blastcycles so he has something to talk to his dad about. He was right about his dad being extremely proud of him for being smart, he's that classic mechanic working class dad who can't stop talking about his kid who went to college and has pictures of him in his garage he makes sure to point out to everyone who comes in. Said person is really just Ace who really wants to make fun of Deuce and Yuu for being cringe together but is too focused on this whole world ending thing and wants everyone to be more focused on that.

Deuce promises that he is, he has a lot of confidence in the ability of your little group to be able to win against stacked odds. You've done it before you can do it again. Yutu couldn't have picked better allies, he's really determined to show him that and be a dad his son can be proud of. He repeats his promise to Yutu that he's never going anywhere, even though the kid never told him anything about the tapes because he really means it. He wants that world little Yutu dreamed of and older Yutu swore to fight for to be a reality, and it's his job as an honorable dad and future husband (he gets so flustered when he says that) to be the one on the front lines of fighting for it,

... just please please please do not tell Yutu about the egg incident. He doesn't think he could handle that embarrassment.

[luveline]

jade!!!! i’m sure you get this a lot but i would die for some hurt/comfort in the steve zombie au universe 🫠🫠🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍

hi!! ty for requesting ♡ steve zombie!au (pre-college / mutual pining). fem!reader, 1k

cw violence

Steve swears the chills come before you've even drawn breath to scream. His name, at the very top of your lungs and sharpened into a knifepoint, "Steve! Steve!" 

He drops the lockbox he'd been inspecting without thinking and stands from his squat, setting off at an all out sprint in the direction he thinks you came from. Your third scream cements your location, as does the sound of a scuffle, your pained shouting down the stairs and hiding behind the countertops. 

People are animals, and you're far more vulnerable to a living person than a dead one. There's a tearing sound, fabric stretched until it snaps. Steve thinks the worst. A greasy guy pinning you to the floor, a gun to the soft curve of your neck.  

Steve shouts your name. "Where are you?" he shouts, his throat burning raw. 

"Get off of me!" 

"Stupid bitch." It's a girl's voice, crystalline. "I'll gut you throat to cunt."  

Holy fuck, Steve thinks. Holy fucking fuck. He trips over an overturned postcard stand and slams into the counter, over it, into the room behind it. You have your hand wrapped around your backpack strap, a month's worth of provisions being yanked on by a girl with a knife in her hands. You're both grunting in exertion, the girl's leg slamming up into yours. You take the beating, throwing your hand into her face with a clout.

"Get the fuck off of her!" Steve shouts, barrelling for the stranger. 

The knife presses to your throat. No holds barred. 

"Y/N, let it go!" Steve shouts, a quick command. He'd rather lose the bag than you. A million times over.

You drop your hold on the bag. The girl flinches back, the curve of her knife leaving a dribble of blood behind, startling red that seeps unsympathetic into the grey of your t-shirt. 

She rattles out past fallen bottles, that ever present crunch of glass under her feet like compressed snow. Steve is torn. Two seconds of indecision. Should he follow her? 

He didn't get a clear look at what she did to your neck. He chooses you, he should've chosen you the second he saw blood, but a month of food is a lot. You might die without it. 

"Shit," he hisses, leaping forward to assess your cut. It's dark but not pitch, the line of your cut shining from the very last reflections of sunlight. "How badly does it hurt?" he asks, quickly dropping his bag down the length of his arm. He almost splits the zipper, digging for a clean scrap of cloth. He settles for his last t-shirt, shaking it out before bringing it to your neck.

"The food. The food, Steve, you have to go get it." 

Steve shrugs. He honestly can't think about it right now. He'll explode. "How am I supposed to get it back? We don't have anything to fight with. You have your pen knife, I have a kids baseball bat and a hand crank torch." He frowns and pulls away the cotton. Your cut oozes. He dabs it dry. It oozes more, but there's no white line of dermis peeking through. "I could shove it down her fucking throat." 

You wince. 

"Sorry," he says, though if he's apologising for hurting you or saying something vile, he's unsure. 

"I'm so fucking sorry," you say back, ignoring him. "I'm sorry, Steve, I'm so sorry." Your throat moves under his hand cupping the cloth there. "We're fucked and it's all my fault." 

He can't speak. He doesn't refute your claim, though you're wrong, your words striking a chord deep in the most terrified parts of him. Sometimes, Steve feels that crushing panic of childhood, the feeling of hiding under your bed with a little heart pulsing double time between sore ribs. You're fucked. 

You're a strong girl, but it doesn't take much of Steve's silence for you to start crying. You sniffle and tremble and try to do neither, gently shaking hands reaching for his elbow. "I'm sorry. I'll figure it out." 

Steve moves his fingers along the curve of your neck, lying to himself about what the touch means.

A tear drips down your cheek. He doesn't kid himself into thinking they're purely for him. You're shit scared, you're always hurting, and a minute ago someone was holding a knife to your throat threatening to split you open. He doesn't know if someone's coming back to finish you both off. He needs to do two things at once. 

"Let's find somewhere to sleep for the night." 

"I'm sorry," you say. His throat aches in sympathy. 

"She almost killed you. The last thing I want is for you to die over a couple of cans of tuna and arugula." He taps your jaw with his index finger. "Seriously." 

"I'm fucking useless." 

"Hey, hey." He cups your cheek. "Don't say that shit. Why would you think that? Would you think I was useless, if it happened to me?" 

Your ashamed look breaks his heart. He's in fucking deep shit with you. Lately, it's been getting worse. You break a nail and he thinks about stitching it back on. 

"You're not useless. I don't wanna hear you say that. Okay?" he says sternly. 

"Sorry," you mumble. 

"I'm not sorry. I'll take losing a bag of food over losing you any day." He doesn't give you time to understand what he's said. "Come on. Hold this to your neck. We need to go before she comes back." 

Steve wishes he could say he lets you hold his hand on the walk back to your latest temporary lodgings, but it's more like he takes yours and won't give it back, using the little trembling of your fingers to assess how upset you are. Squeezing when it gets bad. 

[imthetunnelunderoceanblvd]

can you do a noncon threesome with Lyle, Quaritch, and a human!fem!reader where she begs them not to cum inside her but no. they have to fill her up with their cum. a lot of teasing and praise/degradation too?? ty!! I love ur writing

milk without the honey.

ִֶָ 𖥔ﾟ— synposis : getting cornered in a dark room was something you didnt wish for; you wonder why it happened to you, you wonder why they chose to do that to you, questions swam in your head as you struggled and screamed and wriggled around trying to get them off of you, one of them put his hand on your mouth in order to muffle your screams.

ִִֶֶָ 𖥔ﾟ— warnings : cnc, degrading, p in v, double penetration, oral (fem rec.), praising, threesome (m/m/f), no plot, no mentions of y/n, no proof reading.

ִִֶ 𖥔ﾟ— pairing : lyle x reader x quaritch

ִֶָ 𖥔ﾟ— a/n : CNC??? I HAD TO WRITE IT. also im so sorry i didnt reply faster.. ive been busy with life sm happened and i forgot everything about my requests and my drafts imma try to finish as much as i can today. tysm for requesting !! <3. also !!! comments are highly appreciated unless theyre bad ones... keep em for urself >< !! have fun reading! i hope you enjoy ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

"you like that? you like being touched by us? hmm? tell me, baby, do you like the way we touch you?" lyle said from behind you, his cock thrusting inside your walls, his breath hot on your neck as he held you close to him to keep you balanced with his fingers in your mouth muffling your screams.

"she sure does…" quaritch said from between your legs, breathing on your cunt the lifting his hand to collect your wetness.

"look how wet she is, just like a little whore;" lyle smirked.

"that right princess? youre a whore for us, yeah?"

you had tears running down your face;

you were trying to fight back at first, tried to scream, cried for someone to help you but you were in an isolated room, you knew it was impossible for anyone to hear you but you tried, now you gave up, you let them use you however they want, became their experimental game.

your face twitched as your felt your orgasm approaching, quaritch felt your pussy throbbing as he lapped at your clit, without a warning, he slipped a finger inside of your vagina, his finger deep down to the knuckle inside of you, the act was excruciating for you but you liked it and you let out a soft muffled moan.

quaritch pulled away right before you climaxed. "get ready, imma gonna put my cock inside your tiny cunt, you g'na like it,"

you were too tired to argue back and just sat there waiting as lyles fingers left your mouth to play with your tits, pinching and rolling your nipple between his fingers as he sucked on the flesh of your neck.

"you gonna let everybody know that i fucked you? gonna let em know you belong to daddy? hm?" lyle talked to you while quaritch slammed his cock inside of you and you moaned loudly.

you had quaritchs and lyles cocks inside of you, both cocks rubbing on each other making them twitch inside of you, quaritchs hand went to your neck, choking you til your eyes widened and your lips went blue in color.

"p – plea – hh – se.. plea–!

s–top"

quaritch was amused by your beggings and after a few seconds of holding you there, he withdrew his hand from your neck.

lyle was groaning like a wild animal and quaritch gave him a knowing look. "gonna let us cum inside your tiny cunt?" quaritch said and your eyes widened as you shook your head 'no'.

"no – please s – stop – no.. please

pleasepleasepleaseplease.. dont please.." you had started crying and quaritch just smirked while lyle was lost in the feeling of your cunt tightening around both cocks.

"gonna pump my seed right inside of you, baby," quaritch said with a groan.

"wanna have our kids inside of ya?"

"she sure — she sure does!"

you closed your eyes and cried. "please no please stop please stop please stop.." you started rambling as your thighs started to shake and your muscles spasm and just like that you release on quaritchs pubic region.

"what a good bitch… coating me with your pretty fluids,"

"ha.. see colonel, told ya she a catch,"

both men smirked as they twitched inside your body.. once… twice…

they released inside of you, one after the other, and you were left alone in that room, laying down on the floor feeling useless and disgusting.

you were disgusted with yourself. disgusted with the idea of you enjoying it. and that was true, you were disgusting because you liked every bit of it, so laying down with your legs shaking, with spit and cum drying on your pussy, you reached down to touch yourself.

[whoblewboobear]

We gotta put Jace and Porter in a Netflix dating reality show/Love Island/bachelor au. They’d either be the couple that wins at the end just to breakup or arguably the strongest couple by the end that doesn’t win but stays together after the show.

They’re so messy and toxic at the reunion just fighting with all the other contestants and maybe the host too if they try to bring up Porter coupling up with someone else and leaving Jace in danger of going home one week.

If it’s love island it’s 100% bc of Casa Amour. Jace flirted a bit and played the game but ultimately doesn’t choose to couple up with with someone new. The producers showed the everyone back at the house footage of what happened in the other villa and Porter fucking sees red watching Jace flirt with all the new casa amour people. When the new singles arrive to the villa Porter wastes no time to chat a cute guy up and take him back to the hideaway.

When the other half of the house gets back and Jace sees Porter looking VERY cozy with someone else and he’s distraught. Him and Porter have a screaming match by the bar that night. Viewers are eating this shit UP. Sandra-Lynn and Halo have to pull Jace away from Porter before he beats the shit out of him. Porter is just being so cocky and rude and smirking at Jace like “let him hit me~” Jace pulls a reality tv classic and spits in Porter’s face. Porter who is reveling in the fucking mess of it all. That man is a perfect reality tv villain. A true chaos agent the villa.

Both of their talking heads in the confessional are so insane at this point too. Jace is trying to pretend he doesn’t care in between clips of him crying and screaming and being comforted by half the house lmao, meanwhile Porter is doubling down and saying if Jace wasn’t so quick to shove his tongue people’s throats he wouldn’t have coupled up with *checks notes* hetero Jessica? He barely remembers this poor woman’s name it’s awful. He says at the next re-coupling he’s getting back with Jace but he likes to watch him squirm a little bit.

Jace HATES that he has to depend on Porter to choose him again, so he puts in the work and starts chatting up Zara and they hit. It. Off. Jace is probably calm for the first time in weeks since he got there. It’s days before the recoupling Zara tells Jace that she likes this but wants to stick with Lucilla. She does mention that Porter is planning on recoupling with him though. That she heard it from Gorthalax. Jace does hate how happy it makes him but he wants to play hard to get and see if Porter atleast comes to talk to him at some point. And he does!

Porter ends up winning some challenge. He can choose to go on 3 dates with anyone of his choosing. When he gets the text he reads it for the group but immediately beelines to catch a producer to ask if it has to be a different person for each date or if he can go on all of them with one person. The producers are seeing the ratings and the dollars skyrocketing from this stunt so they allow it.

When Jace gets summoned for the first date he’s a little put out because you always save the person you actually wanna couple up with for last, right? Porter is gonna tell him he’s not picking him. WRONG.

Porter is genuinely being so romantic and sweet and it’s probably the best day they’ve shared in the villa. But by the time the first date would be wrapping up, Jace places a hand on Porter’s arm and says it’s okay if he doesn’t choose him. Porter raises an eyebrow and asks him why he’d think that. Jace asks who his next two dates are with and when Porter responds with “you.” Jace tears up and kisses him.

They definitely don’t win the show but they do end up very happy together post-show.

[ozimagines]

hi again, just to tell you i am loving every bit of this, keep up the incredible work!😊

i feel like with the next chapter, we gotta give miggy his proper dues, since that poor boy suffered too stinkin long because of it, and our Y/N character is a witch so its perfect

I feel like it would be so beautiful and gratifying to let miguel meet and see his baby/son one last time and get closure (in the spirit world or however) i feel like that would both be extremely satisfying, and probably be a VERY big/good reason why he bassicly becomes her human guard dog in oz (cause he feels like he owes a stinkin life debt for it)

and hey, since its fanfiction why not some romance/spice (im sorry miggy, your just too stinkin handsome, everybody wants a peice of alvarez, and i give permission for asian fire noodle levels of spice)

Can do to all of it! Sorry it takes me so long to put thing out nowadays. I got a new job. I'm a Bible teacher if you can believe it lol My class is two years old.

Miguel didn't know what to think. He kept turning over the jar in his hands. He had no clue what it meant. It was almost worth it not to get the hundred dollars as long as he could get rid of the fucking thing. Creeped him out.

Chico questioned Miguel when he got back.

"How'd it go?” He looked down at Miguel’s hands. “And what the fuck is that?”

“It’s… she/he/they gave me… look, it’s a long story.”

He filled Chico in to the best of his ability.

Chico thought for a moment.

“So he/she/they’re like a Witch?”

“Beats the fuck out of me.” Miguel looked back at the jar in his hands, turning it over and over.

He fell asleep staring at it. He could swear there was this energy coming off of it. When he looked at it too hard, he could see this little white aura around it. Freaked him the fuck out.

He got up, and, despite the voice in his head screaming in all directions, took the little bottle and opened it, purging the contents into the toilet and flushing.

He’d take his fucking chances without this voodoo shit.

He avoided you the next day.

That was the day El Cid showed up and Chico betrayed him. The day his life started spiraling.

He sat in the hallway, trying to understand how something could go so bad so fast. Every part of him ached. The best thing about being in charge was having some place to belong. Miguel rarely had that outside of gangs growing up. Now he was fucked. Plus El Cid seemed to have it out for Miguel. Double fucked.

He put his head in his hands and slid down the wall, fighting every urge he had to cry.

“You didn’t keep the jar, did you?”

His head popped up and he clocked you, putting it back down a second after as he’d detected no threat.

“Leave me the fuck alone.”

“I’d been asking around about you.” You do everything but get lost. “Couldn’t get a straight answer out of anyone but an Officer Mineo made some comment about just deserts.”

“I said fuck off.” He shoots back pricklier this time, an evident snarl in his voice.

“I know you’re wondering about me. Wondering who or even what I am.”

Miguel didn’t have a retort for that. He was wondering what you were. You walk over to him calmly and slide down the wall to his level. He doesn’t flinch but mostly because he willed himself not to.

“There’s lots of words for what I do. All of them are a little correct and a little incorrect. There’s a phrase in Italian said primarily in the south. Forse non è vero, ma ci credo. Maybe it’s not true, but I believe it. That’s sort of where I’m at.”

“What was that jar?” He snapped.

You give a sheepish smile.

“A protection jar. Seems it did you little good.”

“I tossed it.” He admitted, staring at his feet.

“Oh.” Was all you said in response.

There was silence for a moment.

“Protection from what?”

You shrug your shoulders.

“You rarely get all the answers at once. It’s kind of like traffic lights. There’s not necessarily oncoming traffic on a red light but it does increase the likelihood. Run it at your own risk.”

“I lost everything in the span of hours.” He confided, still wondering what he could have done differently.

“You pulled Towers, I’m not surprised.” At his questioning look, you explain. “Towers upright means upheaval and life change. It can mean awakening but those are hardly without pain. When it fell from my pocket, and landed reversed for me I thought she was remarking on my resistance to change. Upright to you on the other hand meant rude awakenings. It’s Tarot.”

Miguel was silent, before asking;

“You thought what was remarking?”

“Hmm?”

“You said you thought she was remarking. What’s she in this instance?”

“The deck.”

“The deck… of cards…?”

“Every tarot deck has a personality. A life force. Mine is often honest to the point of rude. Some people get ironic decks and I get this.” You touch your pocket softly. “Not that I’m complaining.”

He’s silent again, and you look up to find him staring at you like some sort of wild animal, frightened and a little amused.

“You think I’m either shitting you or crazy, don’t you?”

“The deck tell you that?” He asked sarcastically, going to get up and leave you. You call after him;

“She was right once before.”

He stops in his tracks and you keep talking.

“The deck, I mean. She was right about your upheaval.”

He sucked at his teeth and turned back to you.

“Meaning?”

“Maybe she’ll be right again?” You go to retrieve the deck from your pocket, running your fingers lovingly over the cards.

Miguel wanted to leave, as he did, in fact, suspect you were insane. He didn’t though. Because the deck was right before. Because he disobeyed once. He didn’t think of himself as superstitious, but losing everything in less than a day will turn the biggest skeptic into the biggest believer. He fought that angry voice in his head saying to bash your brains in, and sat down.

“I’m going to do a basic three card pull. We can decide if we want more from there.” You start to shuffle the deck, making heavy eye contact with him. “We’re going to pull ‘the situation’, ‘the obstacle’, and ‘the lesson’.”

“The lesson?”

“Oh, yes, Miguel. All awakenings are lessons.” You’re careful to feel the edge on every card, mindful of your fingers and the cards in them. “What’s the new leader of El Norte’s name?”

“So you do know-“

“The name, Miguel.”

“…El Cid.”

You count E L C I D and draw the final card, placing it face down.

“What’s the star sign of the man who betrayed you?”

Miguel scoffed.

“No one-“

“That lieutenant of yours. The one whose last name means ‘war’.”

“Chico.” The voice whistled in his mouth.

“Star sign, Miguel.”

“I don’t know, man. He was born in October.”

“What day?”

“Twenty ninth? I think?”

You draw S C O R P I O, and pick the last card, leaving it face down. As you shuffle, a card pops out and lands sideways. Miguel goes to pick it back up and hand it to you but you discourage it.

“There’s no accidents in Tarot, Miguel. The deck is trying to tell us something.

You keep shuffling, your breath hitching for a second. He noticed the shift.

“I…”

“What? What’s the last question?”

“…what was your baby’s name?”

Miguel’s eyes narrow and he holds his breath, debating beating the shit out of you.

“How the hell-“

“I’m sorry, Miguel. Really, I am-“

“We didn’t pick out a name yet. He died before we could.”

Miguel mixed the truth with a lie, hoping you were bullshitting and couldn’t call him out. You did though.

“An hour before they took him off life support, you gave him a name. What was it?”

“How-“

“Miguel I don’t mean to pry but it we’re doing this, we’re doing this, now what was his-“

“Jaziel.” He answers, his voice breaking at the end and his throat catching a lump. Your heart breaks a little for him.

You found J A Z I E L, and draw the final card, putting it down and thanking your deck before discarding that as well. You first go to ‘the situation’ card, reminding him of what it was, as he barely acknowledged you, still having the name Jaziel bounce around in his skull.

The situation: Nine of Swords

The obstacle: The Devil

The lesson: Five of Cups Reversed

The accidental draw: The Fool

He blinks twice and looks at you.

“So what the fuck does any of this mean?”

“First is the situation, here being Nine of Swords, meaning overwhelming remorse and guilt, here leading to an inability to cope and a deep unhappiness.”

“Hey I was coping just fine until-“

How’d you get that scar on your face?” You’re tired of his interrupting. He shuts his mouth. “Thought so.”

You continue;

“The obstacle is The Devil, here meaning many things but here I think takes on an unexplored self theme. You never indulged those things that make you human, and now it’s all you have left, and it’s unfamiliar to you. It could also mean you’re stuck in a toxic cycle of egoism and need to take accountability for where you’re at.”

He stayed silent. Seemed right.

“The lesson to learn was Five of Cups Reversed, meaning the overcoming of anxiety, regret, and despair, and releasing the emotions to forgive. Forgiveness includes oneself too, Miguel.”

He blinks away from you, as your reading was getting a reaction from him.

“The unintentional draw was The Fool.”

“Fucking great.” Miguel lamented bitterly. You shake your head.

“That’s probably the most positive card you drew.”

“So the silver lining is I’m a fool?”

“No Miguel, The Fool is nothing left to lose. It’s a powerful card, meaning the freedom of a new cycle. You can do this. All isn’t lost. Learn your lesson.”

Miguel thought.

“About my kid’s name.”

“The cards told me-“

“That’s not what I was talking about.” He got in your face and growled. “Never tell anyone. None of these fuckers deserve to know my baby’s name.”

“Of course.” You agree.

He gets up and starts away, before turning back to say something, deciding against it, and leaving.

You watch him with a troubled gaze.

He rushes through the halls, ears ringing and trying to understand what has just occurred. He crashes into a despondent figure, hackles raised and ready for a fight.

It was Peter Schibetta, eyes vacant and barely processing the world around him.

“‘M sorry.” He mumbled and started to walk back to the psych ward.

Miguel reacted in guilt. He’d remembered mocking Schibetta’s tragedy to Chico, who was probably mocking his tragedy to El Cid. On the one hand he could appreciate Chico’s chameleon like ability to blend with his leaders, on the other hand he felt so stupid now, thinking Chico might have actually been his friend.

“You’re fine, bro.” He tried to walk away, but he was drawn to Peter. Peter and he, what seemed like two lifetimes ago, had their leadership confrontations. Now, they’d both fallen from grace in different ways. “Hey I’m sorry about-“

“You too.” Peter said quickly.

It was a strange interaction but one that affirmed humanity in both men’s eyes.

Miguel mulled things over all night, trying to gauge whether or not you were trustworthy. You did know some things you had no right knowing.

Jaziel.

Miguel felt the name in his soul. Jaziel. His baby. His baby he met twice, first bringing him into the world and the second guiding him out of it.

What he wouldn’t give to see his baby again. Tell him how sorry his Papi was that he couldn’t protect him. His sweet boy.

Miguel talked to El Cid the next day, asking him what he could do to be back in the folds. He was losing his mind on the outskirts.

“Tráeme los ojos”

Fuck fuck fuck fuck

There was no winning here.

You felt the air around you shift.

You brought your hag stone up to your eye and looked for the cause.

It was a white man with long brown hair, with a kind of uncanny valley smile. His eyes were unblinking.

“You’re Donald Groves, right?”

“Right.”

“You ate your parents.”

“Just my mom.”

“Oh.”

You’re not sure how to continue the conversation.

“Are you a-“

“I’m a Mara.”

“A sleep paralysis demon.”

“Right again.”

His smile was off putting, a weird ish energy about him. You weren’t sure if his was a malevolent presence for you.

“Why-“

“Miguel Alvarez.”

“What about him?”

“He’s about to detonate.”

“Detonate?”

“Self destruct. He’s going to tear out the eyes of a CO.”

“Why?”

“He’s been ordered to. And he’s just desperate enough to do it.”

Fuck. This was bad. He’d end up in solitary or death row.

“How do you know?”

“I give him nightmares about it. But we were cell mates once. He wasn’t too cuddly but he was nicer to me than any of the other dinks here. I know about his baby. I know you know about his baby. Stop him or I’ll be visiting him with nightmares for eternity.”

“I’ll stop him. Which CO?”

“Eugene Rivera.”

“And El Cid ordered him to?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. I’ll go handle it.”

You thank Donald Groves and s art down the hall. You ask around for Miguel but no one person seems to know. You go through all the halls in Oz, when you see the back of a familiar head.

“Miguel!”

He turns with a start and you see a scalpel in his hands. You know what he’s going to do.

“Don’t do it, Miguel.”

“Do what?” He asks, with the sickening feeling that you already know everything.

“Donald Groves just told me. He says he’s been giving you nightmares about it for a few days now. I’m begging you, Miguel, this won’t solve anything.”

“Lot you know. El Cid’s never gonna let me live without doing this.”

“What kind of a life will you have if you do? And if you kill him by accident you end up on death row.”

“At least then I’ll be able to see my baby again.”

“Is that what you think?” Your heart is racing, you’re thinking of any way you can save him from himself. “Ok. Give me a day to get the right materials together. Just one day, and I’ll find Jaziel for you.”

“Find? What the fuck?”

“We don’t have souls, Miguel, we are souls with bodies temporarily. Your baby’s soul is somewhere in the karmic cycle. I can find him for you. You can say goodbye. Just please. Please give me a day.”

“You promise?”

“I do. With my whole self.”

“One day.” Was all he said, before rushing off. You sigh. Rivera was safe for another day.

You leave work early and make your way across town finding the right materials.

One obsidian pendulum, a vial of waning moon water, a handful of graveyard dirt, an ounce of amaranth flowers, three mullein candles, a cowrie shell, double terminated rainbow fluorite, and a satchel of cayenne.

You bring it to work the next day. You find a time for you and Miguel to sneak away to the execution room and set everything up.

“Thank you for trusting me.”

“Just get me my son.”

“Greetings, Hecate. Thank you for lifting the veil between the physical world and the spirit world. We’d like to speak to a Jaziel Alvarez, wherever he might be.”

Miguel was starting to get angry with the persisting silence. He couldn’t believe he was dumb enough to believe you’d be able to reach his son. His face goes red and he gets up to leave, when he feels a tiny hand on his shoulder and a small;

“Papi?”

[dark-night-star-light]

This was supposed to be a Talina post, but it turned into a fucking Talon backstory post instead. Whoopsie. It's long. Be warned.

Talon is Stetriolan. Naturally, this meant she joined the Conqueror army. But it's so much more than that.

Drina met her when they were seven. She was sneaking off during a royal procession in her honor (she was crown princess, which she was eventually knocked down from after she got bonding sickness) and Talon was there. Drina was intrigued because she'd never seen much of kids her own age besides Shane.

They stole food together. Drina had money, but who cares about that.

Talon's father had a spirit animal and the bonding sickness, and keeled over from it when Talon was ten years old.

Drina snuck out of the palace a lot to meet Talon, whose family was significantly poorer, and eventually started inviting her over. They grew up together, basically. Talon's family benefited a lot from her connection the the royal family.

Then Drina summoned Iskos, and it all went downhill. Screaming, crying, you name it, but the entire relationship went sideways. But Talon couldn't let go of her attachment to Drina.

Talon tried to teach Drina how to use a crossbow, but Drina was hopeless. Talon stopped trying to teach her when Drina almost shot the iconic Stetriolan throne.

Talon always saw Shane as an annoying younger brother, and treated him as such. She also taught him how to use a saber, and is the reason he's so good at it today.

Drina eventually begged Talon to join the Conqueror army, and Talon did it for Drina.

Yeah, Drina and Talon were kissing behind the scenes during the entire war, actually. This is canon, actually.

Talon became a double agent during the war. She pretended to join the Greencloaks after summoning her bird, claiming she bonded to it naturally. They believed her, and always seemed skittish around her, because bonding naturally meant they, the Greencloaks, the supposed protectors of Erdas, hadn't been able to protect her. Talon hated them, but pretend it was all fine and dandy.

She became friends with Keith. Who's Keith? Some guy. Shit fighter, he was. He eventually caught her sending letters via her bird to Drina. Fortunately for Talon, the letters were written in code, and they appeared to the layman as disgustingly over-the-top love letters.

Thus, Keith learns that Talon has a girlfriend. He is the biggest Talon-girlfriend shipper ever. Talon refuses to tell him who the girlfriend actually is, but lies and says she's Euran. Keith learns to make a shepherd's pie to impress the girlfriend for "when I finally meet her". He never does.

Talon is a trans girlie, by the way. In case you care.

Talon learns Drina got killed through Shane himself. He took it upon himself to tell her. He tells her that the sacrifice was worth it, and to come home for the final victory. It's through writing, so Talon can't decipher his tone.

Out of grief and rage, Talon recklessly tries to escape Greenhaven. Of course, she runs into Keith on the way out. He asks her where she's going, and she tries to knock him out. He's a better fighter now so he blocks her. She runs into the woods, but unfortunately Greenhaven's an island. That's not good for her.

She waits in the woods until Keith leaves, and hopes he doesn't hate her. But she has a feeling he already knows.

She sneaks onto a boat and eventually ends up back at Stetriol. Shane's there. They talk about Drina. It doesn't really help.

She sees Drina's dead body and now her entire purpose feels destroyed. Drina was the reason she joined the Conquerors and now she won't even be there to celebrate the final victory.

She tries to kill herself, but Gerathon herself stops her using the Bile-control. She thinks it's ironic that Gerathon killed Drina against her will but is keeping her alive against her will.

She sees Keith at the battle at the base of Muttering Rock. She feels nothing. He feels nothing. They fight like two soldiers on opposite sides, not two friends. But she can't help but notice that he doesn't make any truly dangerous moves against her. And she can't help but notice the same about herself.

The Conquerors lose. Talon doesn't care anymore. Shane does his best to keep her alive because he knows Drina would want him to. They eventually part ways.

. . . Until Shane hires her to the Redcloaks. She'd been noticing how her features were slowly warping, but she didn't take much notice. She just felt numb. Just nothingness.

Shane brings her back. Tells her that there's a new threat, and that they finally have a chance to redeem themselves. And that the real Drina, the Drina that existed before the bonding sickness and the Bile warped her beyond repair, would want them to. He begs her to do it for Drina. And he tells her about his conversation with Yumaris. She is the only one to know besides Anya, Yumaris, and Shane himself.

Shane didn't send her after Grif and Anuqi. She sent herself. Shane pretends to be annoyed, but in reality, he's glad she has some drive and is acting like her old self again.

She disrespects Shane in front of the other Redcloaks. A lot. She'll never see him as a leader, just as the annoying preteen that asked her what that painting in the palace was supposed to mean and flicked food at her across the table as a kid.

When she saw Keith on the mission with Grif and Anuqi, she knew that she had to make things up to him, and him personally.

After the mess with the Wyrm, she makes a journey to Greenhaven with Stead. Keith isn't there. So she travels to Amaya, where he's from, to meet him herself.

He has incredibly mixed feelings upon seeing her again. But he knows who the Redcloaks are, really. And he's wondered whether she'd be with them since he found out about them.

He's shocked at her transformation. Naturally.

Eventually they make up. They spar. He's better than ever.

When the Oathbound are hunting Greencloaks, Talon hides Keith with the Redcloaks. They almost find him, too. The irony in Keith pretending to be a Redcloak is not lost on either of them.

Once things settle down, Talon helps Keith find the two missing bond tokens in the sea near the Zhongese palace. Keith returns one and Talon returns the other, which symbolizes for how the Greencloaks and Redcloaks are really and truly working for the same side now.

[solarisstyles]

MS.HONEY: OPEN HOUSE

Pairing: Harry Styles x F!Reader Word Count: 2.4k+ Warnings: single parent struggles, stressful situations, fighting Summary: It takes a village to raise a special needs child. Gemma's son is growing up and starting kindergarten in the fall. Uncle Harry is struggling with not being able to spend all day, everyday, with his nephew who he's grown quite attached to. When he accompanies Gemma and Arlo on his first day of school, he meets Ms.Honey. Harry decides Kindergarten might not be so bad after all. A/N: For the sake of the story, Gemma and Harry live in the states. I know more about the school system in America than the UK so it just made sense! This story is not meant to be a 100% depiction of what a family of this dynamic is like. Harry and Gemma Styles are very real people and are only being used for fictional purposes!

*please like and reblog to help your local fic writers*

The first month of school was full of adjustments not only for Arlo but for Gemma as well. Waking up early was a struggle for both of them. Gemma hated how many fights it caused and how it would make Arlo clam up. “I need help.” Gemma finally admitted to Harry one night on the phone. She hated admitting it and desperately wanted to have everyone believe she could do this on her own. 

“How can I help?” Harry asked her, sensing his sister’s stress through the phone. 

“Could you get Arlo ready in the morning and take him to school? All he does is fight with me and I don’t know if I can do another morning like we had today” Gemma's voice cracking at the mention of what happened earlier that morning.

Harry felt his chest constrict, images of Gemma stressed and Arlo upset filtered through his mind. “Of course. How about I come get him and he can stay the night with me. It sounds like you both need a break from each other.” he offered, much to Gemma’s relief. 

“Yeah, I’d love that. I think he would too.” Gemma agreed, fiddling with the frayed edge of her shirt. 

“Cool, pack a bag for him and I’ll be there in ten.” Harry instructed, hanging up the phone.

Walking around his house really fast, he double checked that things were picked up that he didn’t want Arlo messing with. Needless to say it’s the quickest he’s ever child proofed his home. Satisfied with how things looked he grabbed his car keys off the hook by the door, driving down to Gemma’s house.

He could hear Arlo crying as he walked up to the door, sparking a wave of worry through him. Walking through the front door without knocking, he could hear Gemma’s voice blended in with Arlo’s cries, “Arlo, stop it you’ve got to put on your shoes!” she sternly said. 

Following the noise into the living room, Harry couldn’t hold back the sadness in his eyes. Gemma looked disheveled and exhausted, Arlo’s face was bright red with fat tears streaming down his face. He stood there for a moment watching Gemma take Arlo by the ankle and try to put his shoe on, only to be kicked and screamed at. Harry could see Gemma grow more frustrated the longer Arlo continued to struggle. Groaning loudly, she threw the shoe down in frustration, putting her head in her hands to try and not cry herself.

Harry quietly approached them, sitting down next to Gemma, “Go get a drink Gemma I’ll handle it okay?” he softly said, rubbing Gemmas back gently. Gemma looked at Harry with glossy, tired eyes, nodding and getting up without saying a word. 

Once Gemma left the room, Harry turned to Arlo who was still crying on the couch. “Hey Bub, do you want to come have a sleepover with me?” Harry gently asked, giving him a soft smile. 

Arlo’s sobs quietted some, nodding at Harry while he wiped his face with his shirt. 

Trying not to cringe, Harry gave him a small smile, “Okay, well to have a sleepover with me you’ve got to put your shoes on. Can you do that for me?” he watched Arlo carefully think about it till he nodded again. Harry beamed at him, “Excellent choice Bub.” he praised him, picking up the shoe Gemma had previously thrown, sliding it onto Arlo’s foot with no fighting. Sliding on his other shoe, he gently patted his foot, “Okay, now I need you to go grab your bag.” he instructed. 

Arlo nodded, sliding off the couch and heading to his room where Gemma had left his bag.

Gemma stood there on the other side of the living room, a sullen look on her face. 

Harry turned to her and gave her a sympathetic smile, patting the floor next to him for Gemma to sit with him. 

Returning to her spot next to Harry, Gemma took a long sip of her wine, setting the glass down on the rug they sat on. “I wish he would listen to me that easily.” Gemma said after a beat of silence. 

Harry snorted a laugh and looked over at her, “Mom said that about us as kids.” he pointed out. 

Gemma groaned, putting her head against her bent knees “This really is karma for me being such a crazy kid.” she sighed. 

Harry patted her shoulder “Bad days come with good days.” he reassured. 

Arlo came rushing back into the living room, bag in tow along with his blanket and the stuffed bee. 

“He’s slept with that every night since he got it.” Gemma said in reference to the stuffed animal. 

Harry smiled fondly at his nephew “I bet it's a great cuddle buddy.” he said, standing from his spot on the ground. 

“Tell your Mum bye Bub.” pushing Arlo towards Gemma a little, they both stared at each other. Gemma accepted that Arlo was still shutting her out since he refused to move and give her a hug. 

Giving her son a small smile instead, she looked back up at Harry, “His book bag is by the front door and his lunchbox is on the counter in the kitchen.”

Harry nodded, “I’ll grab them. And please, relax some and enjoy your time alone.” he encouraged, guiding Arlo to the door.

Gemma later texted Harry a long winded thank you for coming to her rescue, Harry sent her back a photo of Arlo asleep in his bed cuddled up to his bumble bee. Gemma would never admit it but she cried that evening, feeling like Harry had taken a giant boulder off her chest.

The next morning, Harry got up a little bit before Arlo, making him his breakfast then waking him up. “I got oatmeal ready for you Bub.” Harry softly whispered, rubbing Arlo’s back to wake him up. The thought of food quickly had Arlo sitting up and ready to get out of bed. 

He followed Harry to the table where they both sat and ate breakfast. Arlo was quick to finish his food, now wide awake and ready to start his day. Harry was pleased to see his mood was better than it was last night and hoped it would carry through the day and evening when Gemma had him again. 

Taking the last bite of his own food, he gathered their dishes and took them to the sink to worry about later. “Okay dude, let's get dressed and ready to go!” He said in an upbeat tone.

He was thankful Arlo was being so easy for him this morning, giving him no trouble about getting dressed, brushing his teeth, or brushing his hair. Once he had Arlo ready he sat him in front of the TV to watch some morning cartoons so he could get ready. And if he took a little longer to get ready in case he saw you, he’d never admit it.

The ride to school was just as easy. Harry didn’t have to get out to take Arlo in but he was lucky enough to see you walking to the building. “Good morning Ms.Honey!” he called out to you, waving his hand. Waving back at him and giving him a welcoming smile, you said hello back to him, softly giggling at his goofy smile. “Hope to see Gemma and You tonight at the open house!” you said, getting a nod from him. 

“Wouldn’t miss it.” he confidently said, making your smile bigger. 

“Have a good day Harry.” giving him a small departing wave, he returned it, “You too.” he called back.

Bringing Arlo’s stuff back to Gemma’s house, Harry let himself in, surprised to see Gemma already awake. “I thought you’d sleep in.” he said, setting the bag down on the couch. 

“I ended up going to bed after I texted you last night. I apparently needed to sleep more than I thought.” Gemma told him, pouring herself another cup of coffee. She looked a lot more rested and calm, easing Harry’s worry if things might be too much for her. 

“Well anytime you need help I’m always willing to take him.” Harry said, grabbing his own mug from the cabinet and making himself some coffee. “Oh! Arlo has an Open House tonight at his school.” Harry said, mixing in the sugar and cream to his coffee. 

“Fuck, I’m so glad you reminded me. I totally forgot.” Gemma said, pinching the bridge of her nose and squeezing her eyes shut. “I swear I’m losing it.” she mumbled. 

“We all do every now and then.” Harry reasoned. “Ms.Honey actually told me about it this morning. Said she hopes to see us there.” Harry was now facing Gemma, taking a sip of his coffee. 

“Us huh?” Gemma said with a smug grin. 

Harry rolled his eyes, “I don’t have to go if you don’t want me to.” he huffed in a pouty manner.  

Gemma chuckled, “Don’t pout like I just kicked you. You can come.” she assured. 

Later that evening Harry, Gemma, and Arlo headed back to the school. Harry was carrying two trays of cookies in a plastic grocery bag, much to the amusement of Gemma. 

“You know we didn’t have to bring anything right?” Gemma said, getting Arlo out of the car and walking towards the school entrance, Harry right behind them. 

He shrugged, “Somebody’s gotta be the teacher’s pet.” he said, making Gemma laugh.

“Welcome guys! Head over to Arlo’s desk and make sure you grab the packet I have there for you. And enjoy socializing with the other parents.” your cheery voice making butterflies swarm in Harry’s stomach. 

“I brought these for a snack if anyone wants them” Harry said, handing you the bag. 

Gently placing your hand over your heart, you couldn’t help but ‘awe’ vocally at him. “Aren’t you just the sweetest? I’ll set them out, thank you!” taking the bag from him, you set them out on an open desk. 

Gemma elbowed Harry to get his attention, giving him a thumbs up, making him roll his eyes despite the smile on his face and the soft blush on his cheeks. 

You floated around the classroom talking with other parents, letting them become more acquainted with you and answer any questions they may have. Harry watched you, mesmerized by how easily you talked with the parents and eased any worries they had about their kids. You were a natural at this and it was clear to him how strong your passion was for teaching your class.

Feeling someone looking at you, your eyes scanned the room till they locked with Harry’s. He quickly looked away, and tried to pretend he was in the conversation Gemma was having with another Mom. Shaking your head and giggling, you made your way over to Arlo’s desk. 

“It’s so nice to see you two again. How are things going so far with Arlo?” you asked, now having both Gemma and Harry’s attention. 

“Well, they’re going. Mornings are hard for him and I.” Gemma said, glancing from Arlo to you. 

“I’m sorry to hear that. I’m not much of a morning person either.” you sympathized. “You’re doing a great job though. He had some extra energy this morning so whatever you did differently made a big difference to his typically quiet attitude I see.” Harry puffed out his chest with pride while Gemma rolled her eyes. 

“That was all me.” Harry said proudly. 

You looked at him with an impressed expression, “Well bravo. I enjoyed his extra energy this morning. It was well needed to perk up the rest of the class. He had everyone ready to have fun today.” you praised. 

Harry’s heart swelled with pride, “Guess more sleepovers are in our future Bub.” Harry said to Arlo, making him bounce happily in his seat. 

You chuckled, moving your gaze from Arlo back to Harry and Gemma, “Did any of you have any questions for me?”. Gemma shook her head ‘no’ while you could sense Harry hesitating. 

“Um, would I be allowed to volunteer to help with field trips and school events?” he asked. 

You happily nodded, “Of course! We can always use more volunteers!” you exclaimed. “Whenever we have something planned there will always be a note sent home about it. Just reach out and let me know if you’re able to help.” you encouraged and he nodded. 

“I like those little honeycomb signs you have hanging by the board. I didn’t notice them last time.” Harry said, pointing to some of the encouraging phrases you had hung around the room in honeycomb clusters. 

The phrases he pointed to repeatedly gave examples of the power of the word ‘yet’. This doesn’t make sense YET. I do not understand this YET. I can’t do this YET. This does not work YET. I don’t know how YET. “Add the word yet to the end of your sentence and you can do anything you set your mind to.” Harry read aloud. 

You smiled, looking from the walk back to him, “I’m glad you like it. The way we speak to our kiddos can make a huge difference. A lot of the time it just takes a simple word to turn things around.” you said, not knowing how much that resonated with Harry and Gemma after the night they had with Arlo. You made it seem so effortless and easy to navigate. 

“Ms. Honey, you’re an answered prayer.” Gemma told you, trying to express how thankful she was without getting too personal. 

Looking down at the floor, you smiled bashfully before looking back up at them, “I’m always here to help if you need it.” you said, wanting to acknowledge the unspoken words between you both without directly saying anything. “It takes a village after all.” you pointed out, laughing as Harry threw his hands up. 

“See I told you!” he exclaimed to Gemma. 

“Shut up before I make you take him again tonight.” Gemma half threatened, smirking at Harry’s ruffle state. 

“Pft, fine. He likes my oatmeal better anyways. Ain’t that right Bub!” Harry said. 

Arlo nodded, giving a confident “Yes!” in response. 

You couldn’t help but giggle at the interaction “I don’t blame you Arlo. Oatmeal is an awesome breakfast choice when made by the right person.” you said to him, looking over to Harry and giving him a wink. 

Harry blushed once again, feeling like a silly teenager doing all this innocent but playful flirting. “I’ll make sure he comes again tomorrow in an excited mood.” Harry said, ruffling Arlo’s hair. 

Smiling at him, you nodded, “I look forward to it.”

TAG LIST: @walkingintheheartbreaksatellite @justlemmeadoreyou @squirreljoe

[softly-potter]

talk

Summary: Struggling with adapting to their new life in Vaceuo, Ren finds a way to finally shut Nora up.

Pairing: Ren & Nira

Word Count: 1639

Warning: Angst, Infidelity

A/N: title lightly inspired by ‘Talk’ by beabadoobee

-

“So… we’re okay?”

Ren’s face is stoney but he nods, jaw set and mouth unmoving. Nora frowns, her fingers tapping against the lip of her cup absently. Yet again, Ren is being impossible, and Nora feels her patience running thin.

“Why won’t you just talk to me?” Nora sighs, putting her chin into her hand. She’s positive she’s said this exact thing to him before, a similar argument causing her to lose her cool, and her patience. But that fight had ended in a blissful, long-time coming kiss. This fight seems to have a different underlying tone. There's a bitterness to it. A sense of resentment.

Ren says nothing, pressing his mouth into a hard line and Nora scowls, looking away. Casting his eyes down to his plate, Ren suddenly no longer feels hungry, and sets down his cutlery.

“I’ll see you tonight.” He says, standing. Nora gapes at him, but this does not detour his actions as he scoots from his chair, and turns his back.

When he's out of sight, Nora slams her fist onto the table, the action so hard the wood splinters beneath her weight. She feels like crying or screaming, but knows both will result in nothing better.

After taking a few more bites, Nora picks up her plate and returns it to the mess hall. She spots Velvet sitting beside Emerald, the girls deep in conversation, and she wishes she could get their opinion on the matter, but embarrassment and guilt talk her out of it. Alone, Nora swings her hammer over her shoulder as she walks, holding it carefully to avoid hitting others around her. As she enters their shared bedroom, Nora looks around for Ren, and when she finds it empty, she sighs heavily.

It had been her idea for them to try again a few weeks after arriving in Vacuo. After losing not only their team leader but the entirety of team RWBY, they needed each other more than ever, and for a while, it had been working. He had opened up to her, explained his fears and desires, and it made the future for them seem brighter. Months later, it had all back tracked. Food minimizing and work doubling caused them to reach new levels of exhaustion, their temperaments waned and patience thinned.

She can’t lie that she misses him, but she’s tired of all the uncertainty. After everything they had been through and survived, she just wants peace. Is that too much to ask for?

Setting her hammer by her bed, Nora slinks under the covers, leaving the nightstand lamp on for Ren to turn off when he comes to bed.

-

Eyes blurry, Nora lets out a yawn, raising her arms above her head and blinks in the sunlight. It isn't until she turns to her left side and finds the bed empty that she realizes it isn't the sunlight, but the electric blur of the lampshade bulb. She sits up with a start, looking around the bedroom but finds herself alone and leaps from the bed, hand immediately gravitating towards her hammer. Shoving the door open she practically sprints into the living room, headed for the front door but stops in her tracks when she spots Ren’s crumpled form curled into the sofa, fast asleep.

Nora blinks several times before her hand releases her weapon, the hammer thunking loudly onto the floor. Ren jolts awake, his black hair poking out at odd ends and his sleepy eyes trying to open.

“Are you shitting me?” Nora says, her voice lined with exasperation. Ren rubs at his face, leans on his palms as he swings his feet to the floor.

“What?” he asks bewilderedly and Nora feels her eyes grow wide as she lets out a hoarse laugh.

She tries to remember to breathe, to take slow inhales but she’s so alight with fury that she grinds her jaw and barks out, “You hate me so much you’d rather sleep on the couch than share a bed with me?”

Ren stiffens before he glares up at her. “I didn’t say that.”

“You didn't have to!” Nora practically shrieks, throwing her hands up in exasperation. “You say so much, without ever having to say a word! Your silence speaks volumes, Ren.”

Standing, Ren towers a good two feet over her, and he stalks forward so that they’re nearly chest to chest. His light eyes search her face, raking over her frame before settling on her eyes.

“Do you ever think maybe you have too much to say?” He says quietly, and then his mouth is on hers, his hands on her waist. Nora yelps in surprise, her spine shivering as she goes to wrap her arms around his neck. Ren holds her to him, his hands balled into the fabric of her nightshirt, yanking her closer and she moans.

Practically hoisting her up, Ren grabs her around the middle before dropping her to the couch, her knees bouncing on the spongy fabric. He flips her around so that she faces the backrest of the couch and presses a hand between her shoulder blades, shoving her against it, her back arching. She feels him yank up her sleep shirt, exposing her panties to the cool night air.

A slap on her backside makes her yelp and Nora whirls her neck around to look at him. Ren’s mouth is set in a frustrated frown, his brows knitted as he tugs her panites down her pale thighs and spits in his hand. It’s nearly obscene, the way his salvia glistens on his fingers before it disappears between her thighs and rubs against her, making her dig her face into the backrest.

Nora presses her hips back, riding against his fingers, and lets out a guttural moan that breaks into a small scream when his opposite hand comes down on her ass cheek.

“Quiet.” he demands in a low voice and she tries to swallow her sounds. His hand disappears and she hears the movement of fabric before there's a prodding at her core, and she grinds her jaw as he presses in.

Ren groans, the sound working its way into Nora's chest before he begins a grueling pace. She barely has time to adjust and she scrambles to grip the couch, her body bouncing with every thrust.

“Always so busy, fucking talking,” Ren mutters, his grip on her hips bruising. “Instead of listening, living. Planning for the next thing, anticipating. When you could just take it, take me.”

He lifts a hand and smacks her again, harder, and her cheek stings but she keeps pushing against him, needs to feel him inside her and hear him say everything he’s always too scared to voice.

“Acting like, like you’re indispensable. Like you aren't everything to me,” Ren seethes, and the words sound so mean she almost doesn't realize they’re endearing. “Like I wouldn’t die for you.”

Hand in her hair, Ren yanks her head up, her back pressing into his chest and she gasps. His hips roll at a slightly slower pace but it doesn't release the hold that's threatening to break within her gut.

“It’s you and me, idiot, like always,” he whispers, his tone dropping an octave. “Think I'd give this up? This perfect pussy?”

Nora’s eyes roll at the filthy words, words that sound so unlike him she wonders why he hides his true nature. Biting into her neck, Ren licks at the skin. “I love you. Do you fucking hear me? I love you.”

Nails raking against her scalp Nora feels the coil in her abdomen snap and she moans loudly as she comes. Ren praises her through it, muttering raw words into her ear before he bites and kisses her neck. She lets out choked sounds, her senses exposed and open and her breasts bounce as he leans her back against the couch backrest, fingers digging into the flesh of her hips.

Pounding into her from behind, Ren sinks his teeth into his lower lip as he comes, his hips jerking unrhythmically. He lets out a strangled groan, digs his nails into her skin, not caring if it hurts because that's the only way she seems to truly understand things. Nora likes to talk, but when she was struck by lightning and the pain hit her, it granted her a silent understanding. He hopes this does something similar.

Energy spent, Nora sags against the fabric, whimpering when Ren pulls out. She collapses on her left side, her chest rising and falling quickly as he staggers back, his pants causing his movements to minimize.

“I’m not going to change,” Ren says quietly, shifting to pull up his pants. Nora turns more to her side, looking up at him. He squats before her, his face level with her eyes. “You shouldn't ask me to. I’ve never wanted you to be anything but what you are, even with all your stubbornness.”

“But I-” Nora tries, but Ren holds up a hand, silencing her.

“Let me finish,” he breathes, looking away for a moment. “I don’t want you to change but i don't expect you to stay the same. I know you’ll grow. And so will I, if you let me.”

Nora’s brows knit together and she nods slowly, blue eyes staring into pink ones. Ren gives her a small smile before leaning forward and kissing her nose, then her forehead. She feels sleepy and spent, exhaustion seeping into her limbs as she smiles up at him.

“Scoot over?” he asks quietly, and Nora shifts her hips, making space for him on the small couch. Ren slides in beside her, his arm slipping around her waist. They’re quiet for a moment, and Nora lets her eyelids flutter closed.

“Love you.'' Ren whispers into her hair, and she doesn't hesitate to say it back.

[sapphires-and-silver-linings]

Alan Wake 2: Lyric attribution and breakdown of the song "evermore" (by Taylor Swift, ft. Bon Iver) and how it pertains to Alan and Alice's marriage

I was just listening to this song after I finished watching a playthrough of Alan Wake 2 and almost every line was like a gut punch when considering their circumstances. It just perfectly encapsulates their relationship and the feelings of grief and hope they both have of getting back to each other somehow. Ugh, just beautiful. I think someone needs to make an edit of Alan Wake 2 using this song (I would but I have no idea how).

Anyway, I'll put the lyrics and my breakdown under the cut so you can think of Alan and Alice and see what I mean (spoilers ahead so be warned):

Gray November I've been down since July Motion capture Put me in a bad light I replay my footsteps on each stepping stone Trying to find the one where I went wrong Writing letters Addressed to the fire

I mean, if this verse doesn't just scream Alan going through the loop (spiral) in the Dark Place, I don't know what does. Even the part where he gets blinded by the flash of Alice's camera in Parliament Tower makes sense here with the third and fourth lines. And even the last two lines make sense with him writing and destroying and rewriting his works to find an out.

And I was catching my breath Staring out an open window Catching my death And I couldn't be sure I had a feeling so peculiar That this pain would be for Evermore

This part reminds me of that one video of Alice where she describes seeing a little girl losing her balloon out of her window and how that little girl was crying like she lost her whole world and Alice felt like she had too.

Hey December Guess I'm feeling unmoored Can't remember What I used to fight for I rewind the tape but all it does is pause On the very moment all was lost Sending signals To be double crossed

Alan again. The first part is more obvious, as he completely lost his way in the Dark Place and planned to stop writing altogether and just gave up. The second half works with all those videos you find on the scattered TVs in the Dark Place where he sees himself having a mental breakdown in the writer's room.

And I was catching my breath Barefoot in the wildest winter Catching my death And I couldn't be sure I had a feeling so peculiar That this pain would be for Evermore (Evermore)

No specific scene, but definitely reminds me of Alan having to suffer through the dangers of the Dark Place.

Can't not think of all the cost And the things that will be lost Oh, can we just get a pause? To be certain we'll be tall again Whether weather be the frost Or the violence of the dog days I'm on waves, out being tossed Is there a line that I could just go cross?

Alan again, lost on the lake that isn't a lake, but an ocean, trying so hard to find his way to shore. The last line can be a double meaning; Alan must write the perfect line to create a happy ending, or find the right line to cross to remember what needs to be written in order to escape.

And when I was shipwrecked (can't think of all the cost) I thought of you (all the things that will be lost now) In the cracks of light (can we just get a pause?) I dreamed of you (to be certain we'll be tall again) (If you think of all the costs) It was real enough (whether weather be the frost) To get me through (or the violence of the dog days) (Out on waves being tossed) But I swear (is there a line that we could just go cross?) You were there

I think this section of the bridge can be from both Alice and Alan's perspectives. Alice is figuratively shipwrecked due to her grief, Alan a bit more literally considering he's technically at the bottom of a lake. Alan is seeing glimpses of Alice in the Dark Place, and is using his desire to protect her and get back to her to push him into trying to escape again. Alice is using her art to reach through the void to lead Alan in the right direction.

(Edit: Alice also jumping into the Dark Place to help Alan also fits this part of the song.)

And I was catching my breath Floors of a cabin creaking under my step And I couldn't be sure I had a feeling so peculiar This pain wouldn't be for Evermore Evermore (evermore) Evermore This pain wouldn't be for evermore (evermore) Evermore

The first part of the last chorus is definitely Alan stuck in the writer's room, specifically after he was "killed" by the bullet of light and brought back to life. The second part is both of them, their hope making them realize that it will all be okay in the end. This loss is impermanent. The pain won't last. They will see each other again.

Anyway, this was just my silly thoughts about my current favorite video game. Their relationship is so tragically beautiful to me. Hope you enjoyed me overthinking about a song lol.

[stormvvvater]

on stage fright

in the second semester of my first and only year at music school, i get invited/made to play an instrument in public as an assignment.

i spent the first semester trying and failing at double bass; an instrument that stands taller than i am. i have small hands. i hated that teacher. it was never meant to be. but once i failed to get into my dream drum class, i had no choice to proceed with my second choice of instrument and then transfer at the end of semester. truth is, i wouldn't even get in if not for my father's last name. by profession he knows almost all of the matuzalems of the local classical music scene.

the drum teacher was a much nicer guy, and even though i sucked ass at playing the snare, i had a lot of fun playing the xylophone, vibraphone and timpani. couldn't wait to get my hands on the marimba.

it's 2010. i'm 16. there's a news story about a rapist going around my city. i start going to the music school (it's in the evenings, after regular school) with a knife in my pocket.

mid-march i get seduced and raped by a classmate. my parents know (that i had "my heart broken by that asshole i see every day for 8 hours straight") and they do nothing to help. i alternate between dissociation and suicidality. i self harm. i barely eat. there's no way they don't know. i start provoking fights with my father to the point of physicality. he's a foot taller and twice my weight. i'm underage and under their care; they don't even send me to the psychiatrist. our relationship is never the same again. i asked in the recent years and they don't remember at all.

i lose all motivation to continue living, so why the fuck would i need to still keep going to music school; it's a waste of time. i pick up the drumsticks to practice the snare at home and break down crying within three minutes. i still go, but only out of obligation.

in may i'm made to play live on an event in the muzeum wina i tortur (yeap. it's really called that). i'm in a white shirt and a tie. there's sunlight filtering through the stained glass in the hall. there's no one from my family or friends i invited in the audience - i play to strangers.

a teacher plays the intro on the piano and i freeze over my xylophone. she starts over and i freeze again. my hands are visibly shaking. she starts once again and this time i play, not in rhytm, just to barely get through the assignment, just for them to let me go. i wanna tear off the tie right there and then and run far away, until i'm out of energy.

it ends and i go silently cry in the audience. i feel like the biggest failure in the whole world. it feels like a funeral for a dream.

i stop going to the music school altogether. i only show up to collect my first year diploma. i get a 4+ for effort. ****

it's 1999, and i'm in a 0 class in the same school my sister goes to. there's a school choir starting up and the teachers are rehearsing every single kid. i get chosen, my sister gets in too, so does my best friend ania. we learn patriotic songs like szare szeregi and rota. we sing at school holiday events. the rehearsals are twice a week. it feels nice to be a part of something, and it definitely feels nice to sing in a group setting. there's no competition: it's cooperation. i love to practice. me and marta do it at home too.

somewhere around 2001 the choir gets into intercity competition. i get to sing on stage in the palmiarnia zielonogórska. we don't win, but it feels like an accomplishment still.

in 2004 we move across city and i change schools. there's no school choir in the new one. i'm not liked there - i'm seen as an outcast, a troublemaker. i get into physical fights with boys the first week. if there's a choir, it's occasional and haphazardly thrown in. i do my best and get some real weird stares, that i interpret as "whoa, wtf, shut up". i stop singing in public aside from screaming my head off at live shows for another 20 years, yet i still practice in secret.

****

2008. there's my late grandfather's casio ct470 keyboard in my room. an uncle who's into guitars visits and brings around a 20k pln mahogany gibson les paul and lets me practice on it. (feels like sex ngl.) he's got cracked cubase on an usb stick that he wants to give to my dad - i'm the one who gets ahold of it. i realize that i can join my two hobbies - music and computers into something much, much bigger than i imagined i could ever do.

2025. the original drumsticks i bought back in '09 are still on display in my instrument corner. all of my daw learning shit is starting to sound vaguely like music. the album's gonna be out in a few months, dw it's almost finished. but don't expect anything going in. there's no school choir or guitar on it. it's a drug fueled abstract with no real objective. it has taken me a lot of years to even be able to talk about the fact that yes, i do music as a hobby and even more sweat, blood, tears and therapy to be able to say i am merely satisfied with what's coming out of me. so no, don't get me started on performing in public. that's much more intimate than programmed 4/4s and 808s and buchla samples. if you hear me sing irl - that's for your ears only, it means i wanted you to hear me. play a dj set? sure, if you can afford my hourly rate lmao.