#ego search king (in a good way)

[settecamara]

all the drivers I was cheering for got bad luck on le mans, I can't

[calumfmu]

Baby, No Attachment

Reluctantly, you met Steve's eyes, that stupid smirk ever present on his lips as he drank you in. If you could melt into the floor at that moment, you absolutely would have, his stare burning into you, reminding you of that cool, summer evening you first met.

"Are we going to do this or not, Harrington?"

or; the 5 times Steve Harrington was an asshole to you, with the 1 time, he revealed his true self.

cw: 18+ mdni; smut, unprotected sex, fingering, oral, cream pie, squirting, angst (what's new), mean!Steve, Steve talking you through it once again, slight Eddie x reader, 13.7k+ words. (+ part two) (+part three)

The boy you knew as your neighbor was quiet, yet quick in your neighborhood. Always on the go, never home, only when his parents were gone did you see him moving behind the windows of the two story Harrington home. Girls were reoccurring, a different one every week, countless times you’d seen the flash of a different bra-clad blonde or brunette in between parted curtains.

He was known as Steve, King Steve, the enigma of a man you only knew personally through rumors floating through the halls of Hawkins High. His cocky ego shining through shitty friends, the closest you would know to the truth behind the rumors.

Your first interaction with him was quick, the silhouette of his body dropping from his window as he tried sneaking out for the umpteen time that week. You heard a low groan as he landed wrong, curses escaping his lips as he found his way to his feet.

You were leaning against the vineyard covered wall of your own backyard, watching him through the cracks in the wooden fence separating your properties. A cigarette lay in between your fingers, the heat of it reaching your fingers as it continued to burn in your grasp.

“You good there, Harrington?” You asked, taking a slow drag as you saw his mop of hair pop up over the fence. A grimace was covering his face, a bruise over his nose and right eye. That’s different.

“Yeah, yeah, just perfect,” he replied, tucking a strand of his hair behind his ear. He barely glanced at you, running his fingers through his mane, settling it back into place. He brushed off his shoulders, muttering curses under his breath as he smoothed his clothing. You stared at him, cocking your head as you took in the sight before you.

You hummed in response, exhaling smoke as he seemed irritated in the moment. He didn’t know what to say to you nor you to him, as it was the first conversation you ever had since you’ve moved next door. It had only been a few months, but he had been the only one you heard anyone speak about.

“Aren’t you a little too young for that?” He asked you, stretching a hand over the fence as he signaled for you to hand him the pack. He seemed like a concerned father figure in this moment, irritation crossing his features even further than they did previously.

Looking down at the box between your fingers, you shrugged, feeling the cool, summer wind hit your body. The sun was setting, the golden rays casting a halo around his perfectly set hair.

You crossed the small distance between houses, pressing your frame to the fence as you held eye contact. You saw his throat bob, gulp barely audible as you centered your ground. Placing a cigarette between his outstretched finger tips, you smiled at him.

“Never too young for a little fun, Harrington,” you muttered, tracing your eye line over the fresh bruises. The cigarette gets placed between his lips, damp red meeting the yellow toned paper.

Steve rolled his eyes at you, patting down his pockets as he searched for something.

“Light?” You questioned, waving your own cigarette in the air around you. His eyes followed the movement, another sigh escaping from him.

“Yeah, come on, sweetheart,” he mumbled, craning his neck over the fence as he awaited your next move.

Smirking, you leaned forward, pressing the burning end of yours to his unlit. Faces inches away from each other, he took a few quick breaths, his cigarette slowly being lit from your own as he guided his eyes over your features.

His deep brown eyes bore into your own, a dark bruise beginning to set right on the bone. Strange enough, he seemed pretty with it, the contrast of colors and tones bringing out flecks of amber hidden in the iris.

Pulling away, he took a deep breath, smoke filling his lungs as he draped his arms over the wooden boards.

“Haven’t seen you around much,” Steve said, fingers tapping out ash. You watched as it floated in the wind, slowly walking backwards until your back hit the brick wall you previously stood against.

“Can’t stop seeing you,” you replied, squinting as you gestured up to the second story of his house. He followed your point, noticing how his bedroom window was directly across from your own. A smirk pulled at the corners of his mouth.

“You’ve been stalking me, princess?” He asked, tongue darting out to run across his exposed teeth. You flushed in your face.

“Oh, don’t get shy on me now,” he continued, parting his lips to take another puff of the tobacco. Grumbling, you hid the smile that was threatening to burst out at his flirtatious behavior.

You snubbed your cigarette out, Mary Jane pressing into the concrete as a small billow of tobacco smoke pooled around the leather.

“I’m just making conversation, Harrington. We are neighbors after all.”

He nodded, eyes trained on you as they roamed over the length of your body. Only suddenly now did you feel self conscious over the short plaid skirt you wore.

“Say,” he began, lip briefly being sucked in between his teeth. “Let’s just bypass all that, and you could get to know me more as a … friend. A close friend.”

Closing your eyes, you laughed aloud as your head hit the brick behind you. The rumors of this Steve were materializing right in front of you. You opened them, only to be met with Steve’s gaze, smirk on his lips and cigarette pressed against his bottom lip as he slightly covered his face.

“Is that what you’re gonna call it?”

Two could play at this game, you figured.

“9 pm? I know a real nice spot by the lake,” he winked, making an ‘okay’ gesture with his thumb and forefinger. “Ladies love it, or so I’ve heard.”

“Or so I’ve heard,” you mocked him, laughter bubbling out of you. He followed your laughter, chuckling low as the breeze picked up around you.

“I could show you a real nice time, sweethe-”

“Steven!”

His head suddenly turned towards his open window, a woman’s voice calling out to him from somewhere deep in the house. It sounded like Mrs. Harrington’s voice, the memory of it from moving day when your parents forced you to bring over that homemade cherry pie. The smirk dropped from his face as he took a quick hit from the cigarette before flicking it somewhere behind him.

“Gotta go, princess,” he ushered, running a hand over his hair. He backed away from the fence, turning to duck on the side of his house.

He made it a few steps before quickly returning to his previous spot.

“Don’t wait up,” he called out, causing your smile to falter slightly. You covered it up, hoping to go unnoticed by him. “I might be a while before coming back, so don’t get your hopes up, princess.”

And with that, Steve Harrington was gone. The only evidence that he had even been there were the sounds of his footsteps crunching the gravel and the faint start of his BMW in the distance.

It shouldn’t have hurt you as much as it did when you didn’t hear from him that night. 9 pm came, then 10, then 11, next thing you knew, it was past 1 am with your window cracked open. You didn’t know what you were waiting for, a rock thrown at the glass or a whisper from below or for him to even burst through the bedroom door, anything to signal that he was to be true in his words.

He had told you after all to not wait up for him, to not get your hopes up, so it wasn’t his fault that you were feeling the way you did.

It definitely shouldn’t have hurt that much when you woke up in the middle of the night, still in your clothes (that you definitely did not pick out for him), to the sounds of a girl giggling. You squinted at your alarm clock, noticing it was nearly 3 am, the only light filling the room from the moon shining in the sky.

You crept to your window, straining your eyes in the darkness to see Steve and another random blonde making out with a fever as his hands snuck beneath her top. Her back was turned to you as his mouth licked into her, only separating to pull her top over her head before pressing his mouth to her neck.

As his teeth grazed a spot on her skin, his eyes fluttered open, making eye contact with you. They seemed to light up, an upward quirk of his mouth.

You pulled your curtains shut, heart beating rapidly as you realized he had completely seen you watching him. His stalker joke earlier ran through your mind, embarrassment flooding your cheeks.

Fuck you, Harrington.

A few weeks had passed before your next interaction with Harrington boy, the summer hours ticking by slowly as you searched what to fill your days with. People watching in downtown became tiresome, the same groups of people making their errands around the same hours. The town was so mundane to you, atypical families with their 2-3 kids, the most action that had happened was a 12 year old stealing from the Mini-Mart on 3rd.

You refused to acquaint yourself with the people in town, finding the same interests in them something you would never have in common. That is, until Eddie Munson came around. Town freak, ostracized by many, quirky, over dramatic, seemed like a theatre kid despite never stepping on stage a day in his life.

He did his thing, sold whatever to whoever, while you sat in his van and looked pretty, listening to the rock music he was so drawn to. You didn't have much in common, but you really didn't need to. What brought you two together was the fact that Hawkins did not really accept either of you. You were still the new girl who had transferred at the end of junior year, and he was the super senior, one that did not seem like he was leaving Hawkins High anytime soon.

You sat in the front seat of his van, feet up on the dash, hands resting up by your head as you reclined low in the seat. He drove recklessly, barely paying attention to the road as his fist came up to bang at the stereo, music skipping periodically.

"Come on, man," Eddie muttered, cursing low under his breath.

You laughed at him, shaking your head at his antics, a thing you had gotten used to during the last few weeks. Trees flew past you as he made his way down winding roads, blurs of greens and yellows barely visible. The roads grew familiar, the route he normally would take when he was bringing you home at 4 am.

Squinting, you sat up in your seat, bringing your feet off of the dash.

"Where are you going, Munson?" A familiar building past you, next thing you knew, he was pulling up on your street. He flashed a wicked grin your direction as he threw the van in park, your house in the near, yet far distance. "I'm serious, Eddie."

"I'm making a special delivery," he winked at you, eyes wide as he reached towards his black aluminum tin. Glancing out of the window, you searched for any sort of noise, normally used to the 'special deliveries' being towards parties.

"Here?"

He gave you a 'mhm' in response, hoping out of the van as he made his way towards your house. You sat in shock, mouth dropped open in confusion as he swiveled around, waving his arms at you as you sat frozen.

"You coming or not, Yn?" He shouted, causing you to scramble out and shush him. Whether or not you were ostracized by the town or not, you had a profile to keep up. Rumors of hanging out with him were one thing, but being seen on one of his deals was another.

You jogged to catch up to him, arms crossing over your chest. Glancing down at your outfit, you realized what an odd pair the two of you made. Eddie, in his black ripped jeans, leather jacket and jean vest. You, in your mini skirt, maroon colored Mary Janes over socked feet, and cream sweater, cut off right below your elbows.

"I swear if you're delivering to my little brother, Eddie, I will kill you," you muttered, shaking your head as you struggled to keep up with his long legs. He cackled at you, shaking his head as the two of you continued on the trek to the house.

Your porch light was on, mirroring Steve's house next to it. There was no way your brother was that bold with your parents car in the driveway.

"Try again, Skipper," Eddie mocked you, finding humour in the way you often had to practically skip to keep up with him. You continued following him, jaw dropping as he walked over the Harrington lawn, converse scuffing over the tiled walkway.

"Oh, there's no way, Munson," you protested, shaking your head vehemently as his hand rose to knock at the door. He furrowed his brow at you, stopping his hand in his tracks as he stared, confused at your apprehension. You dropped your voice to a whisper. "I'm not going in there!"

"What's the big deal?" He dropped his voice to match your volume, glancing around him as if he was expecting someone to be eavesdropping.

"I just- I can't do it," you muttered, stepping closer towards him. Your voice was barely audible at this point, "Steve's in there."

His mouth was parted as his features were drawn up. His fist was inches away from the door about to knock, and pure confusion was written all over him.

"What?"

You huffed, rolling your eyes, "I said, Steve's in there." A red flush covered your cheeks as you dropped your gaze.

"And why are you being weird about it?" He asked, knuckles rapping at the door quickly as you yelped. Before you could make a run for it, the double doors swung open, the devil himself making an appearance. You turned around quickly, turning your back to him before he could meet your eyes.

"Munson." You heard Steve greet him, Eddie humming in response as you felt like disappearing. "Oh, hey there, princess."

"Princess?" Both you and Eddie spoke at the same time, nerves present in your voice and disgust in his. You turned around on your heel, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear as Eddie glanced in between the two of you.

Reluctantly, you met Steve's eyes, that stupid smirk ever present on his lips as he drank you in. If you could melt into the floor at that moment, you absolutely would have, his stare burning into you, reminding you of that cool, summer evening you first met.

Opening your mouth to reply, you couldn't help, but immediately close it, losing all words to say. You noticed how his bruises had healed, revealing perfect skin and those big, brown eyes.

"Are we going to do this or not, Harrington?" Eddie's patience had run thin, voice irritated as he shook the tin in his hands. The contents made a loud noise, breaking up the tension in the air between the two of you. Steve rolled his eyes, cutting his gaze to the long haired teenager.

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Munson," he muttered, stepping aside to let the two of you in. Following Eddie, you walked in, high on his heels. Hearing the giant door shut behind you, you took a look at the house, it being much bigger than your own upon entry. You and Eddie followed Steve as he made his way into the living room, a small group of teenagers you recognized sitting in various spots around the room.

"Party's here!" Steve joked, urging a crowd of cheers from them. As Eddie went to make his deals with the other teenagers, you found yourself standing in the corner of the room, hands clasped in front of you as you were unsure of what to do.

That was the difference between you and Eddie, while you were both awkward and quiet, Eddie had a way of being himself through and through. He could blend into any social situation, his loudness faking confidence that allowed people to either love or hate him. You preferred silence and politeness, normally standing in the background of your parents in their social gatherings.

"Didn't take you for a drug dealer, sweetheart," you heard Steve's voice behind you, causing you to jump where you stood, heart racing in surprise. He laughed, hand coming up to rest at your shoulder. "No need to be nervous, 's just me."

You glanced down at his hand, noticing the way it fell to his side the second your gaze landed upon it.

"I'm not," you answered, taking a small step back as this man was so deep in your personal space. "I'm just friends with Eddie."

"Hmm," a thick hand came up to scratch at his chin, and you couldn't help, but watch it as his fingers stretched out. A watch covered his wrist, the metal stretching over skin as a few loose hairs poked out from beneath his sweater. "Never knew the freak's first name."

Rolling your eyes, you turned towards Eddie, watching as he sat there flirting with a blonde girl. She was recognized as a cheerleader, her high ponytail swinging as she cocked her head, laughing at one of his jokes.

"Yeah, well, his name's Eddie, so..."

You didn't know what to say to this man, your last conversation flowing through your recent memory. His empty promise of hanging out with you that day sat in the forefront of your mind, that day being when you swore off the thought of entertaining the idea of him. Thinking of the memory had your fingers itching, the need for nicotine having your mouth water as your nerves got the best of you.

"We could have a smoke in the meantime, while he, uh," Steve seemed to read your mind, glancing over at Eddie continuing to make his deal. He was making a fool of himself, trying to impress that blonde. It seemed to be working as she giggled, tucking a strand of her bang behind her ear. "He, uh, finishes up."

"I've been trying to quit," you said, shutting down the flirtatious tone in his words. Steve quirked an eyebrow at you, smug look on his face.

"I see you smoke every night, sweetheart," his voice was low as he took a step towards you. You couldn't maintain eye contact, pursing your lips to stop the smile forming.

"You've been stalking me, Harrington?" You shot his own joke back at him, noticing the way his eyebrows shot up at you, recognizing the line. He laughed, shaking his head as he held up a finger at you, shaking it side-to-side in a 'No'.

"Nuh uh, sweetheart," laughter evident in his voice. "But I could, if that's what you're into."

You giggled out loud this time, hand coming up to cover your mouth. Your elbow rested at a hand that covered your chest, toe digging into the ground below you as you felt his eyes graze over you.

"Come on," he said, grabbing your hand as he began to lead you towards the sliding glass doors that led to his backyard. A red head girl made a low whistle towards the two of you, causing Steve to lightly smack her on the side of the head as he passed her. "Shut it, Carol."

The air was cold as the two of you stepped outside, summer breeze gently flowing through the layers of your clothes. You breathed into your hands, rubbing them together in hope that warmth met you. He led you towards that same side of the house where you first met, the memories from that first evening flooding back even more as your bedroom windows sat above the two of you.

Steve pulled a near empty carton of cigarettes out of his back pocket, opening it to pull one out. Placing it to his lips, he lit it, taking a deep inhale as the tobacco hit his lungs. His shoulders dragged in relief, as he exhaled, smoke swirling in the air around him.

"So, where've you been, princess?" Steve questioned, passing the cigarette to you as you looked around the backyard. It was much bigger than what you could see from your bedroom window.

"I could ask the same for you, Harrington. I've been around," you looked towards your bedroom window, the light still being on, just as you left it, and the window ajar as your curtains were slowly drifting out into the wind.

"Oh, you know, here, there," he wiggled his eyebrows at you, stepping closer to you as he welcomed the cigarette out of your hands. "Why stay home, when the world is at your fingertips?"

Rolling your eyes at him, you watched as his mouth parted, allowing smoke to flood in. He watched you under hooded eyes, tongue darting out to trace over his bottom lip. Your heart skipped a beat, ringing present in your ears.

"You could make yourself sound like a real pretentious douchebag sometimes, Harrington," your tongue mimicked his own, a quick glance at his plump lips.

A slow smile came across his lips, "You're into that, though?"

You shook your head, losing all words as he stepped closer to you. His hand came to rest at the wall behind you, his broad shape towering over yours as he looked down at you. The hand with the cigarette rested under your chin, pushing your head up so your eyeline paralleled his own.

"Then why are you here, princess?"

You fluttered your eyes shut as he leaned in, his lips brushing over yours as you felt his breath over you. The soft touch of skin had your heart racing, the only thing in your senses was the scent of Steve, tobacco and cinnamon.

Parting your lips with his tongue, Steve pushed his figure into yours, mouth covering yours. He tasted sweet, like cherry cola as his tongue found its way into your mouth. Your fingers fisted at the front of his sweater, pulling him further into you.

A breathy moan escaped him as he pressed you into the wall, his leg parting yours as you leaned up on your toes to reach his mouth. You felt him flick the cigarette off somewhere to your left, his now free hand resting in your hair to bring you in closer.

His teeth nipped at your bottom lip, a low grunt coming from his mouth as your hand dropped to his lower abdomen, lightly rubbing at the area as you dared to press lower. His hand dropped from your hair, resting at your waist as he pushed the material of your sweater up, exposing the tiniest amount of skin.

You gasped into his mouth, as you felt his fingers brush the skin there.

"Really, Skipper?"

Eddie's voice had you jumping away from Steve, your body pressing into the brick of his house as he reluctantly took a step backward. He looked smug, thumb coming up to swipe at the wetness of his bottom lip. You brushed your hair into place, yanking down the rise of your sweater.

Steve let out a laugh, shaking his head as you hurried over towards Eddie's side. Eddie was looking at Steve in disgust, eyes squinted low as he reached up to wrap his arm around your shoulder. The cool leather of Eddie's arm contrasted the warm cashmere of Steve's sweater, you noted, it felt off.

"We gotta go," Eddie muttered, dragging you away from the side of the house. You felt like a little kid being chastised by your father, embarrassment replacing any other emotion you felt previously.

Eddie led you through the house, arm on your shoulder as Steve followed behind you two. You didn't know what to say as you avoided the curious gazes of a few teenagers in the living room. Their eyes were red with intoxication, the thick smell of marijuana filling the room.

Eddie swung open the front door, urging you out as he sighed heavily, the dramatics beginning to come.

"Eddie, don't start," you breathed, rolling your eyes as he gaped at you.

"You fucking kissed, Harrington, Yn," he flailed his arms around, aluminum tin swinging around with them. "Steve! Steve Harrington!"

"It's not that big of a deal, Eddie," you blushed, chewing on your thumb nail as he continued to shout Steve's name at you.

"Oh, but it is, princess," Eddie mocked Steve's nickname to you, rolling his eyes as he huffed at you. The front door was still wide open, if he didn't keep his voice down, you were sure he was going to hear you. "You don't know him like I do, Yn. Steve isn't--he's not that type of person."

"And what's that supposed to mean?" You rose to your defense, irritation beginning to pool in the pit of your stomach.

"Just believe me when I say it, Yn. He's just-" Eddie took a deep breath, rushing a hand through his long curly hair. He seemed to hear something that moment, ear tilting towards the open door as you stood impatient. "Just listen."

"Listen to what?"

"Listen!" He shouted to you, pointing in the direction of the house. You could hear whistles in the background, small cheers from the various teenagers in the house.

You could hear Steve's voice amongst the others.

"Finally, you got your hands on the newbie." Your heart dropped, not recognizing the voice. Meeting Eddie's eyes, his dark brown were filled with a stone cold emotion.

Steve's laugh echoed through the room, "Tommy, shut up."

"Before you know it, Tommy, all you're going to hear is 'Oh, Steve, yes, yes, yes!" the same high pitch squeal from the red head from before was mocking the tone of your own voice. Her laughter drowned out the sound of your own heart beat in your ears. "She'll cave like every other girl in this town. Remind me, Steve, how did I escape the Harrington charm?"

Eddie tugged at your shoulder, urging you to move from the scene back to the comfort of his beat down van.

"Come on, you don't need to hear the rest of it," he muttered, shaking his head as he took a few steps down the entry way. You shook your head, feet planted, hoping once more that Steve would come to your defense, even though you had no reason to believe so. He had left you hanging up on your first meeting, disappointment becoming your best friend.

"I don't even know her name. Hanging with 'The Freak' Munson, don't think it matters."

Those words from Steve were all you needed to hear before you were storming down the path, Eddie's hand loose in your own as you dragged him down the driveway. The clicking of your shoes on the pavement echoed through the air, Eddie quickly behind you as he was the one that struggled to keep up this time around.

You pulled at the door handle of the van, lips pressed in a thin line as Eddie took his time unlocking it. Swinging your body in, you crossed your arms over your chest, refusing to make eye contact.

"Look, Yn," Eddie began, key hovering over the ignition. "Your house is right there, if you want to just..."

"Just go, Eddie. I don't want to be here right now."

You turned your body towards the window, ignoring the silence that filled the air. Sucking your teeth, you pressed your forehead against the cool glass, closing your eyes. This time around, you could forget about Steve, he wasn't that type of person as Eddie had put it, whatever type of person you thought he was. That much was clear.

"Mom, I look ridiculous."

You pulled at the pink dress you wore, its itchiness scratching at your neck. The billowing sleeves screaming at you as you took a glance at yourself in the reflection of the car door.

Your mom was standing next to you, adjusting her earrings as she leaned over to look at herself in the passenger side mirror. She rubbed her ring finger over her red lipstick, sucking at her teeth as she made sure her teeth were clean. She stood up to look at you, swiveling around to place her hands on your shoulders.

Giving you a once over, she hummed, pinching your cheek.

"You need just a little color in your cheeks, and you're perfect," she made a kissy face towards you, smiling in her infamous 'fake-rich' smile, as you called it. "Doesn't she look perfect, honey?"

Your dad hummed in response, locking the car as he made his way around the vehicle. "You look beautiful, darling."

Rolling your eyes, you looked down at the kitten heels on your feet.

"Why doesn't my brother have to come to these?" You complained, sighing as your mouth pulled at a few strands of hair that framed your up-do.

"He's hanging out with those kids he met at school. That young boy with the oddball mother, Joyce, I think her name is," your mother smacked at a piece of mint gum, focused on the fly aways that hung around your face. You smacked her hand away, grumbling as she titted at you. "Ah, Yn. Behave."

"I'm not 12, Mom, I don't need to show face at these events."

"I do realize this, darling. But if you ever want to make friends, how do you think it'll happen?" She turned away from you, following your father as she made her way across the pavement. You reluctantly followed in her footsteps, stiff in your movements as your feet hurt from the heels.

"I do have friends." Your face flushed a deep red.

"Uh uh, Yn. That one boy does not count, I do not want you hanging around him anymore," your mom continued, hand coming up to fluff up the back of her hair. She constantly adjusted herself, worried about the whispers of other stay at home moms and gossip mills of people her age. "Ever since I walked in on the two of you doing Lord knows what-"

"Mom!"

"You were doing what now?" Your father raised an eyebrow in your direction, your eyes avoiding his strict gaze.

Your mom ignored him, patting at his arm as she stepped in front of him, making her way up a driveway.

"We had clothes on, you're so embarrassing," you grumbled, crossing your arms as she turned to knock on a front door. She turned towards you, knocking your arms down as you rolled your eyes once again.

"Barely, darling. I don't like to think about it, it gives me premature wrinkles," she quipped, attitude dropping as the door swung open. "Mrs. Hargrove! Lovely to see you!"

You made a face, mocking her fake excitement as your parents stepped into the house. Immediately, you were met with the scent of flower scented perfume, cigarette smoke, and champagne. It was a soiree of adults around Hawkins and their teenagers they had dragged out, celebrating the middle of summer as the more unwelcoming months sat lingering in the distance.

You kept close to their sides, taking a glass of champagne in open arms as Mrs. Hargrove offered you all a few glasses. In public settings like this, you were 'allowed' to drink as long as you kept it to a few glasses.

Time passed by slowly, you introducing yourself to a few families, fake laughing at their jokes, lying to their faces about questions of college, and promising to come over their places, in which you knew you would never end up baking them that ever famous cherry pie your father raved about.

Escaping your mother’s side had you letting out a breath of fresh air, finding solace in the foyer where a tray of champagne flutes sat. A few groups of couples stood around having conversation that didn’t pay you any attention.

You felt a hand pull at your elbow, knocking you back slightly as you reached for your third glass of champagne that night. Looking at the person, you raised your eyebrow in confusion.

It was a blond with long, curly hair, a split in his eyebrow and a light dusting of facial hair over his face. His silver earring caught your eye, tucked deep in the curls that hung around his face.

"Want something a little stronger?" He questioned, flashing you a glimpse of a flask in his pocket. You looked around quickly, corners of your mouth quirking up as he wiggled his eyebrows to you.

"You're going to get us in trouble," you laughed, lowering your glass as he poured some of the contents in it. He glanced around as he poured, winking at you before putting it back in his pocket.

"From the looks of it, you like a bit of trouble," he smiled, grin wide as he showed his pearly white teeth towards you. He chewed on a piece of gum, tongue darting out every now and then. He shot out a hand towards you, waiting for your grasp. "Billy."

You took it, not breaking eye contact as it felt firm in your grasp. "Yn."

"New girl, right?"

You nodded, fighting the eye roll that came at the words. Ever since your last interaction with Steve, you couldn't stand the words to describe you. It had been nearly half a year since you came, so you figured these words would have warned off by now.

"Me too," Billy sighed, shoulders square as confidence exuded off of him. "My family just moved to this shit hole last month. You know, welcome party and all."

You hummed, agreeing with him as he described the state of the small town. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't your favorite. It was just like any other fake mid-town American city you had visited before.

Taking a sip out of your flute, you grimaced at the taste, the strong liquor overpowering the softness of the champagne. It earned a laugh from Billy, his cologne wafting off of him. The urge to find out more about this boy piquing your curiosity.

Before you could say anything, a hand came to snake around your shoulders. Snapping your head, your heart sank, that ever familiar scent of cinnamon and tobacco covering you. Steve smiled down at you, cockiness in his movements.

"Hey, princess," he kissed the air in your direction before settling his eyes on Billy. Immediately, you saw the change in demeanor, two alpha males seemingly in an attempt to intimidate one another.

"What are you doing here, Harrington?" Billy straightened up, voice low as he addressed the teen. Steve licked his lips, tightening his arm around you.

"What? Invitations cut off at the Harrington home?" Steve questioned, rolling his eyes at the blond in front of him. You pushed at Steve's side, heart fluttering at the way his grip tightened on your shoulder as you did so. His scent was overwhelming, cologne making you nearly lightheaded.

"Why don't you go fuck off elsewhere, Harrington, find someone else to bother," Billy stepped closer to the two of you, your alarm bells going off as you realized this stand off was a little more personal than you. Your eyes widened as Steve's smile dropped from his face, arm coming off of your shoulder as he stepped closer to Billy.

"Make me, Hargrove."

The two of them stood in a silent stand off, searching each other's eyes as no one dared to make a move. You stood back, admiring the view of the two men. You had to admit they were attractive, their display of dominance having you slightly blushing. Taking a sip of the strong concoction in your hands, you eyed the two men, waiting to see who would cave first.

You didn't have to wait long, your mom intercepting herself.

"Oh, Billy, sweetheart. I think your mom needs something in the kitchen," she smiled, patting at his back as he broke eye contact from Steve. The confidence that flowed off him earlier was broken, anger filling his blue eyes.

"She's not my mom," he mumbled, shoving Steve out of the way as he pushed past the two of you.

Your mom frowned, eyes trailing his path. "What an angry, handsome young man."

Steve snorted, his own gaze following the direction in which Billy made his way. Your mom reached over to you, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear. Smacking at her hand, you mouthed 'mooomm' at her, embarrassed if Steve had noticed.

"You're the young Harrington boy," your mother beamed at him, hand reaching up to brush against the single curl that hung over his forehead. Steve's height even towered over her, his head ducking down to meet her grasp. You flushed even further at that gesture, your hand coming up to rest at the heat of your forehead.

"And you must be Yn's sister, nice to finally meet you," Steve grabbed her hand, bringing it up to his mouth to press a gentle kiss to the back of it. Your mom was blushing at this point, the Harrington charm having its effect on her.

You rolled her eyes at the two of them, your mom swatting at his chest as he laughed politely. Tuning them out, you took another swig of your glass, fighting the grimace as Steve attempted to flirt with your mom.

He had your mom laughing, giggling like a school girl at his comments about her beauty. It was like you weren't even there, your mom forgetting she was a married woman as Steve charmed her.

"Yn!" Your attention was brought back to the conversation, your mom's voice drunk off of Steve's attention. "Why didn't you tell me you had dropped that goth boy for Steve here?"

You were confused, eyes flitting back and forth between the two. You had obviously missed a part of the conversation, key information that had you wondering. Steve brought a hand to your waist, pulling you into him. You stiffened in his arms, hand coming up to rest at his chest as you managed to keep a little distance between the two of you.

"What are you talking about?"

"Steve! He said he was taking you out tomorrow night!" Your mom gushed, clasping her hands together at her chest as she looked between the two of you. You knew she wasn't excited for his words or the fact that it was Steve, she was excited if it meant you didn't associate yourself with Eddie anymore. She never had a strong affliction for his long hair or his rock music or loud van that pulled up too late in the middle of the night.

"He is?"

"I am, princess, remember?" Steve questioned, rubbing small circles on your lower back. Your knees almost buckled under you as goosebumps stretched over your body. His eyes glanced at your mouth briefly, not going unnoticed.

"No, refresh my memory, Harrington." You shot back, irritated at the reaction your body had.

"Yn." You heard your mom's voice warn you about your tone. You ignored it, focusing on the tall boy in front of you.

"Me, you, tomorrow night. 7 pm, if it's alright, Mrs. Yln?" He briefly addressed your mom, gaze shooting to see her eager nod. Returning his eyes to you, he began to smile. "There's that new movie out that I know you've been dying to see. You couldn't tell me enough about it."

"Oh, is that right?" You kept your words short as Steve's hand dipped lower on your waist. His fingertips brushed over the top of the curve of your ass, earning a small gasp out of you.

"That's right, sweetheart," his eyes wrinkled at the corners as he smiled down at you, dragging his fingers even lower. His gaze didn't falter as he waited for a reaction out of you.

"Aren't you two the cutest. Little love birds," your mom enthused, reaching up with both hands to pinch at your cheeks. She turned on her heel, walking away from the pair of you to engage with a couple a few feet behind her.

As soon as she was lost in the crowd, you pushed Steve away from you, ignoring his laugh as you stormed towards the front door. You needed to be away from him, he was an ass, lying to your mom like that, lying to you like that. You made your way out of the door, fresh air hitting your hot, flushed face.

Letting out a choked exhale, you closed your eyes, running your hands through your hair. You ripped out the clip that held it up, shaking it out as you caught your breath. Your arousal at the earlier situation pooled in your belly, heart beating fast as you were met with conflicting emotions.

"Yn?"

Swiveling around, Steve was standing behind you, hands tucked into his pockets.

"You're such an ass, Harrington."

He shook his head, looking down at his feet as you glared at him. Continuing your words, you couldn't help, but want to hate him in the moment.

"What the hell was that? All that lovey dovey shit in there? Scaring off Billy?"

Steve's eyes shot up in your direction, face turning up at your questions.

"Billy's a real piece of work, Yn. You don't want anything to do with him," he said, dragging his eyes over your chest. You looked down, pulling up the collar of your dress as it dipped down, exposing a little too much of your breast bone. He wasn't helping his case much.

His words reminded you of your conversation with Eddie that night, his warning of the type of person Steve was.

"Like you aren't? Because I want something to do with you," you retorted sarcastically, beginning to walk towards the end of the driveway. Steve's footsteps trailed behind you, irritating you even further before you huffed and leaned against a random car. He stepped in your space, shoes almost brushing your heels as you looked up at him.

He made a quick glance in the direction of the house before leaning in, pressing his mouth to yours. His hands found your hips, hoisting you up on the hood of the car before finding his place between your hips. Moaning into the grasp, you were caught off guard.

Your mouth moved against his, hands finding the hair at the nape of his neck as you pulled him against you.

Pulling away, he rested his forehead against yours.

"Wear something pretty tomorrow, princess," he pressed a quick kiss to your mouth before pulling you completely away, making his way towards the house.

You sat there dumbstruck, cool metal of the car seeping through the material of your dress. Lips tingling, lower belly wanting more, you squeezed your eyes shut, thinking about how stupid you would be if you believed Harrington for the third time in a row.

Eddie’s voice was low on the phone as you sat in your towel, window wide open as you felt the cool air of the night makes its way in. Madonna played on the stereo in the back, her voice blending with the sound of chirping crickets.

"You sure you can't come over tonight?"

A smile tugged at the corner of your mouth as you listened to his whine.

"No, I can't, I'm under house arrest," you complained, rolling your eyes as you flipped onto your back. The phone cord wrapped around your wrist, your free hand coming up to twirl at it.

A static-filled voice came through the phone line, you recognizing it as your moms, "No, she can't go tonight, Edward."

Heat filled your cheeks as embarrassment pooled in your chest. You pulled the phone away from your ear, covering the end.

"Mom! Get off the phone!" You screamed, hearing your mom scream something back at you from downstairs. The phone line clicked as Eddie laughed, a deep chuckle echoing through your ears.

"She really hates me, doesn't she," Eddie said through his laughter. You closed your eyes, tightening the towel around your chest.

"No," You lied, gritting your teeth. Eddie didn't need to see you to hear the blatant lack of truth in your words.

"You're such a liar, Yn. I recognize hate when I see it," he said, you could hear the eye roll in his words. You tried not to think of his words, the mention of hate being a word he was so so familiar with.

"She just doesn't like your tattoos," you said, stretching your limbs out across your bed. Your towel peaked open slightly, exposing your upper thigh. The air felt cool against your skin, urging your eyes shut as you relaxed into your sheets. "And maybe your van or your long hair-"

"Or the music or the trailer or the drugs," he continued, laughing as he heard your giggle through the line. You heard something at your window, distracting you from Eddie's continuation of his speech.

Before you knew it, a mop of hair popped up at the open window, Steve's brown eyes glancing around your room. You gasped, sitting up as you gripped onto the thin towel that covered your body.

"You okay, Yn?" Eddie's voice brought you back to the phone, your eyes focused on Steve falling through your window. He hit the ground with a thud, a low groan escaping him as the wind gets slightly knocked out of him. "Yn?"

"I gotta go, Eddie." You said, pulling the phone away from your ear. You heard his rushed, 'wait, who is that?' before you put the receiver on the hook.

Your fingers gripped your towel, squeezing your legs together as Steve rose to his feet.

"What are you doing, Steve!" Your voice was low as you heard your mother making her way up the stairs. Eyes trained on the door, Steve followed your gaze, rushing over to lock it quickly. The knob jiggled, your mother's concerned voice sounding through the door.

"Honey? What was that? Are you okay?"

Steve had his palm pressed to the wood, eyes wide as he looked at you.

"I'm fine! Just dropped my ... bag?" You said, flipping Steve off as he furrowed his brow at you. He mouthed, 'really?' in your direction.

‘Shut. Up.’ You mouthed at him, ignoring the way he looked at you incredulously.

"That Edward kid better not be in there!" Your mom yelled, doorknob jiggling again.

"Mom!" You screamed back, closing your eyes in frustration.

"I mean it, Yn!" She said before you heard her footsteps walk away from the door. Steve waited a few beats, before turning to you, hands on his hips. His eyes roamed your body, the air feeling a little too cold as you realized you were just in your towel.

"Well, well," he said, smirk toying at his lips.

"What are you doing here, Harrington?" You avoided eye contact with him, standing up to grab the closest piece of clothing you could drape over your body. You opened your closet door, blocking the view of him as you slipped the item over your body. It was a sun dress, albeit on the smaller side as you meant to return it next week.

Stepping out from behind the door, you rubbed the towel against your damp hair, cheeks flushed.

"I said 7 pm, remember?" He looked at his watch, wrist raising up as he tapped on the small screen. He pursed his lips at you, eyebrows raising as you realized it was a quarter past the time.

"I didn't think you were serious," you muttered, crossing your arms over your chest as your nipples began to harden in the cool breeze of the room. Steve's eyes followed, slowly dragging his eyes away to return to your face.

You sat on the edge of your bed, tightening your frame as Steve made his way to sit next to you.

"I always keep my promises, Yn," He whispered, hand coming up to rest at your thigh. You gasped as you looked at him, barely noticing the bruise forming underneath his right eye. Your thumb came up to brush against it, his hand stopping your movements just as you made contact with the skin.

"What happened?" Your voice was a low whisper as he held eye contact, a more solemn look on his face. You could recognize a specific look in his eyes, something he tried to cover up with his confidence and flirtatious advances.

"Don't worry about me, princess," he muttered, leaning into you. His scent filled your airways as his lips kissed you. His mouth was soft, making you melt on the spot as he licked into your mouth.

Moaning softly, you welcomed his touch, feeling the way his fingers tangled into your hair. His tongue ran over yours, lapping inside of your mouth as your breath became more and more heavy.

He pulled away, pressing a kiss to the corner of your jaw. Arching your neck back, your hand came to curl up at his hair, fingers digging into his scalp, eliciting a moan out of the man.

"Steve," you moaned, eyes fluttering closed as his mouth made a trail of marks down your jugular. Each touch felt like heaven's kiss, warm breath soothing the harsh marks he made. He pulled away from you, you pouted at him, dropping your gaze to the plump, redness of his mouth.

"I think that's the first time you called me my name, princess," he whispered into the air, hand coming to cradle the back of your head. A soft smile, different from his cocky smirk, crossed his face. He looked nice like that, you figured.

Returning his mouth to yours, he pushed you down on the mattress, towering over you as he maintained his assault to your mouth. The kiss became more rushed, Steve panting into your mouth as he hovered over you, hand slowly pushing up the material further up your thigh.

His fingers danced at the crease of your groin, your legs opening wider before you could even think about it.

"So eager, princess," He muttered against your mouth, reveling in the way you moaned his name. His fingers ran up the length of your slit, his smile at the wetness he was met with. "Already?"

"Shut up, Harrington," you grumbled, rolling your eyes at him. His eyebrows raised at you, his mouth dropping open to mirror yours as he pressed a finger inside. Holding eye contact, you moaned at the feeling of him inside you, his thick digit sending shock waves through you.

"I know you love it, princess."

His words added fuel to the fire, his finger moving deep within you as he searched for that sweet spot inside of you. Not taking long to find it, your back arched up into him, a loud moan escaping you.

"Shhh," he said, leaning on his elbow to press a hand to your mouth. Your face twisted up in pleasure as he fingered you, another digit pressing at your entrance as you opened up for him.

"Don't want mommy coming up here and finding you like this," he continued his taunts, your eyes fluttering shut as his fingers hit that pleasure point over and over. Whiteness pooled through your system, your eyes rolling into the back of your head.

As his fingers stretched you out, you felt him rut against your thigh, thick jean-covered bulge urging more wetness out of you. The idea of him being turned on by this was bringing you closer to the edge than his fingers were.

His thumb came up to rub at your clit, a breathy sigh against his palm escaping. Your thighs were shaking at his point, his fingers quickening as he realized how close you were.

"Gonna cum for me, baby?" He questioned, smirk coming back to watch the look on your face. You nodded rapidly, mewling under his touch. Small moans came out of you, hips moving in sync with his fingers pumping in and out of you.

"Bet you want to cum on me, huh, sweetheart? Feel fucked out against my cock, baby?"

He pressed you, bringing you closer and closer with each thrust of his fingers.

"I'm going to fuck you so hard, baby. Make you forget all about that Munson kid," he whispered against your ear, voice dripping with arousal as his circled your clit. Your fingers gripped at his forearm, half moon shapes forming as your nails dug in.

"Would you like that, sweetheart?" He asked, pressing a kiss to your temple. You felt the tension building up in your belly, warmth filling you as you came closer to your release. "You want Steve to fill you with his cock? Fuck you until you can barely remember your own name?"

You came with a shout, guttural moan coming out as his arched into his grasp. He laughed as you rode yourself through it, fingers covered in your slick as he pumped them into you the last few times. This man had done nothing to you other than finger you, but you felt like you ran a triathlon.

He sat up on the bed, removing his fingers from you as you sat there, legs open, dress pushed up to your waist. He held eye contact with you as he brought his fingers up to his mouth, tongue darting out as he sucked the digits into his mouth.

You moaned at the filthiness, not believing that Steve was as bold in bed, as he was outside of it. The smile around his lips was condescending as he watched you watch his tongue, lapping up your slick on his hand.

Glancing down his body, he was hard in his jeans, small patch of wet pooling in the front. You reached towards it, fingers just grazing the rough material as you heard a knock in the far distance.

Steve looked over towards your window, your eyes following the movement.

"Steven," His mother's voice was faint, his bedroom window wide open. "Nancy's here!"

You couldn't help but feel like you do this to yourself at this point, irritation not even something you could be bothered with feeling. Steve removed his hand from his mouth, standing up as you readjusted yourself.

"Gotta go, princess," he whispered towards you, pressing a chaste kiss to your mouth. It lingered, his hand briefly coming up to rest at your wild hair.

"Don't wait up," he winked at you, swinging his leg over your window sill. Arousal and anticipation pooled in your belly, remnants from earlier.

"Wouldn't dream of it, Harrington," You muttered, briefly wondering how much trouble you would be in if you just pushed him right off the ledge. He disappeared before you could even think of it further, the curtains fluttering as his hand disappeared out of sight.

He was going to be the death of you.

You had distanced yourself from the Harrington boy, not wanting to fall victim to his flirting again after the incident in your bedroom. Summer nights spent inside of your bedroom passed the time as your mom insisted you weren’t grounded, just not allowed to go out. You didn’t even know what you were under house arrest for, nothing significant enough happening that you would be in trouble for.

Whenever you had asked, she brushed it off, giving you some lame excuse that fell under the ‘more family time’ umbrella.

You hadn’t seen much of Steve lately, his bedroom light off and BMW missing from the driveway. You had heard rumors of him and Nancy being the IT couple around town, Eddie telling you over the phone. You insisted you didn’t care, complaining that he only told you because he wanted to rub it in that Steve “wasn’t that type of guy” even further.

Your little brother even had a life, spending his nights with the younger boys from town, you hearing him speaking on a walkie he had inherited from somewhere.

Tonight was your night to sneak out, finding yourself downtown as you passed by the local theatre.

You are searching for a store to buy your cigarettes from, the previous clerk you went to insisting that there had been a new law pushed urging 21 and over only. The lack of nicotine had you itching, mouth watering at every scent of the drug that passed you.

“Hey, new girl!” You heard a familiar voice behind you, the hairs on the back of your neck standing up. Turning around, you recognized Tommy, his stupid, freckled face, smiling at you. Behind him, Carol and Steve stood, his arm around a young brunette you recognized to be known as Nancy.

You glanced up towards the night sky, wondering why you had never gotten into religion. Maybe then there would be something that would listen to you.

“New girl,” he taunted again, stepping closer to you. Only a few feet away, you could see all of the groups eyes on you, wondering where Tommy was going with his calls.

“Tommy,” you greeted him, hands shoving into your coat as you looked for an escape route. He took a step closer to you, urging you to come closer. You noticed a cigarette in his hand, your eyes flicking down to his grasp as your addiction took over any logical sense in your mind.

Taking a step towards the group, you nodded a greeting at the girls, avoiding Steve’s eye line all together. You had nothing to say to him, not even a greeting as he left you high and dry on your last interaction.

You had been successful avoided him for the rest of the summer, you definitely weren’t going to start now a week before school starts again.

“Long time no see, sweet thing,” Tommy’s nick name for you had you cringing, his annoying voice not even doing a portion of what Steve had done for you. You shook your head, ignoring the way your heart fluttered at the memory. It had been almost two months since you last heard him call you that.

“I’ve been around,” you said, squaring your shoulders as you eyed the tobacco in Tommy’s fingers.

“Still hang out with that freak kid?” He asked you, slapping his fist against his palm as he questioned you. You quirked an eyebrow, wondering what he was getting at.

“What kid?” You asked, knowing exactly who he was talking about. You knew where this was going, but didn’t have the energy to play along with his game.

“Munson, the freak, devil worshiper, whatever you wanna call it.”

His laugh was loud in the air as Carol followed, giggling into her jacket as both Steve and Nancy looked uncomfortable.

“What about it, Tommy?” You sighed, wanting him to get straight to the point. His laughter came to an end, looking for Carol for confirmation before his next question.

“What do I have to do to get a little something from him?”

You raised an eyebrow, dragging your eyes over his freckled face. Nodding, a smile crossed your face.

“Oh, Eddie doesn’t swing that way. He’ll pass,” you smirked, hearing the way that Steve snorted at your comment. Glancing in his direction, you couldn’t help but notice the way Nancy held her gaze on you, unfaltered.

“No, dumbass,” Tommy rolled his eyes, snapping at Steve who immediately quieted down. “I meant weed.”

“I mean, I guess I could make a call,” you looked down at your feet, shifting your weight side to side as you debated your options. You had no obligations to this man, but you felt the need to do a favor if it meant helping out Steve in the same breath.

“Perfect, you know where Steve lives-”

“She does?” Nancy’s voice was soft as she questioned the open air. Nobody answered even though the answer of you two being neighbors was simple.

“-so just come by and drop it off when you’re done making that run.” Tommy was casual in his orders, barking them off as if he was used to running things.

You quirked an eyebrow at him, “And when do I answer you?”

“I think you’ll do it if you even want a chance of a social life next year, babe.”

His threat seemed empty to you, not intimidated by the chance of your ‘social score’ being ruined. Eddie was the first friend you made in Hawkins, it was ruined before it even happened, and everyone knew that.

Rolling your eyes, you huffed in his direction, “I don’t even have a way of getting there and back.”

“I’ll take you.”

Steve’s voice caused all of you to look at him, Nancy taking a step back to look at her boyfriend. Blushing, you didn’t know how to answer.

“Go ride with them, Nance. And I’ll meet you back over there,” he coolly replied, taking a step in your direction. She opened her mouth a couple of times, seemingly embarrassed at the way she had been tossed to the side.

“Steve, w-what?” She asked, confusion written all over her features.

“I’ll be back,” he said, stepping into her as you felt uncomfortable at the interaction. He looked like he was going to kiss her for a second, only to pat a hand on her cheek before stepping in your direction.

A hand was pressed to the small of your waist as he led you to the maroon colored car. It was a few streets down, the group of teens behind you getting smaller as you watched Nancy with her pair of eyes on you. You felt guilty, even if you hadn’t done anything to her.

“You’re even a dick to your girlfriend, Harrington,” you said, as he opened the passenger door for you. You took a look at him before sliding in, tucking your feet in as the door slammed behind you. He made his way to the drivers seat, settling in as he smirked at you.

“She’s not my girlfriend,” he replied, key pressing into the ignition.

“You might want to tell her that,” you quipped, head turning towards the window as he took off down the street. The lights of downtown faded in the background as you made your way towards the desolate part of Hawkins.

You were confused as more and more trees appeared, the way to Eddie’s trailer becoming more and more clear.

“How do you know where he lives?”

Steve glanced at you, turning down the stereo so he could hear you better. You repeated the question, eyes trained on the trees becoming more sparse as you approached the lot.

It might have been the first time you saw Steve blush, “Oh, Nance’s litt- Nancy’s little brother’s here all the time, playing a dumb board game or something. I drive them sometimes when they don’t have a ride. Your brother’s there too, sometimes.”

You rose an eyebrow at the slip of the little nickname, humming as you turned towards the window. Trailers began to pass you, Eddie’s appearing with his van parked right out front.

“She’s so your girlfriend, Harrington,” you muttered, getting out of the car before you could hear him say anything. You didn’t want to linger on the thought that Steve had been taken by someone, a truly good girl, no matter how much you liked to pretend you were. No connection had truly been made between you, but you did enjoy that cat and mouse chase you had going.

You made your way up to the stairs, knuckles rapping at the door. Eddie appeared, confused as he stood there in a tight black t-shirt, exposing the bottom of his stomach.

“What are you doing here?” He asked, not even saying hello. His eyes squinted as he noticed the headlights of a car pointed in your direction. “Is that- is that fucking Steve?”

You grumbled, pushing him back into the trailer as you shut the door behind you. You felt Steve’s eyes on the two of you, you didn’t want him to see the interaction.

“I thought you couldn’t come out. House arrest or some other bullshit,” Eddie complained, crossing his arms over his chest as he sat down on the couch. You shrugged, eyes trained on everything else but the man in front of you. “And yet you’re here with Steve fucking Harrington.”

Eyes widening at the harshness in his words, you scratched behind your ear.

“We need weed,” you said, avoiding his statements. Eddie shushed you, finger pointing to his ear. “I didn’t even say it that loud, dimwit, I just need some.”

Eddie pursed his lips at you, staring, unmoving as you mirrored his stance. Hip cocked out, you placed a hand on your hip, tapping your toes against the floor.

“Why would I give Harrington some of my stuff?” He asked, defensive even as he stood up to make his way to his room. He was grabbing the tin anyways, making his way out back to where you stood.

“Because you love me and want good things for me,” you said, but it came out more like a question. Eddie rolled his eyes, grabbing a random baggie before shoving it in your grasp.

A smile crossing your face, you leaned up to press a kiss to his cheek. “Love you, Munson.” He face filled with color as he glanced down at the floor.

You turned around to make your way out, Eddie’s hand darting out to grab you.

“I’m doing this for you, okay? Not Harrington, not Tommy H, not anyone else, okay?” He asked, eyes set deep into you as you nodded along to his words. The serious expression in his face made you want to cry, he had never been so stoic around you. “Whatever you’re doing, just … I warned you, okay? Please be careful.”

“Always will be,” you muttered, watching as his eyes searched yours once more before dropping to the products in his hand. He didn’t say anything else, so you took that opportunity to run out of that trailer, making your way back to the beemer that sat in front of the property.

Steve jumped as you made your way into the car, singing along to some random song of the radio. He raised an eyebrow to you, questioning if you got the stuff. You pulled it out of your pocket, showing him the large amount he had given you.

“Holy shit, Munson,” he laughed, shaking his head as he started his car. He high-tailed it out of there, car speeding over the empty streets as he made his way towards population.

The drive had you thinking, wondering what the hell you were doing in the front seat of this car. Steve’s fingers tapped against the steering wheel, the rhythmic noises urging you to think of the reality of the situation.

Him and you would never work out, he was always doing something, somebody, never gave you a considerate time of the day. You were lucky if you got more than 20 minutes with the asshole.

He couldn’t be thinking of you, no matter how much you tried to convince yourself that he did whenever he left his bedroom window open.

“Yn?” His voice pulled you from your thoughts, his hand waving in front of your face. He was pulled into his driveway, another car, one you recognized as Tommy’s, parked next to it. You heard shouting coming from the backyard, the splashing of a pool as Carols voice screamed.

“Sorry, just … thinking,” you muttered, grabbing the bag off of your lap to hand to Steve. He looked confused as you reached for your seatbelt, clicking it off of you as you reached for the door handle.

“You’re not coming in?” He asked you, voice a lot softer than you ever remember it being. Your hand stopped on the handle as you turned to face him. You weren’t sure what he was getting at.

“I can’t?” You asked, voice careful considering your next words. “Nancy’s here? And I’m sure Tommy and Carol want me dead.”

Steve laughed, shaking his head at your answer.

“They don’t hate you, and Nance is not my girlfriend,” he said, hand coming out to rest at your thigh. His thumb dipped onto the inner muscle, butterflies flowing through your stomach. “Just come in, for a little bit.”

You shook your head, noticing the way he leaned closer to you. You felt his breath against your lips, the scent of spearmint gum coming from him.

“Just a little bit,” he whispered, pressing a small kiss to your lips. You leaned into it, hand reaching across to rest on his own leg.

Parting from you, he took a small breath.

“Or we could maybe have a little fun here?” He asked, running a finger to the heat between your legs. The material of your dress was pushed up as his fingertips danced over the material of your underwear.

Your legs opened, inviting him in as he rubbed circles over your heat, watching the way your underwear became stained with your wetness. A whimper escaped your lips, eyes fluttering shut as he began to massage your sex.

“What’s wrong with a little fun?” He whispered, pulling back your underwear at the waistband, just to let go, smirking at the way you jumped when it snapped at your skin. “Nancy doesn’t have to know everything.”

Your face dropped as you pushed his hand off of you, straightening your clothes as you felt a sting at the back of your eye.

“Woah, Yn,” he said, putting his hand up in surrender as you pulled your jacket over your frame, shielding the exposed skin your dress had to offer. “What happened?”

Crossing your legs, you didn’t dare look at the Harrington boy.

“Is that what this is?” You questioned, hearing Eddie’s words in your mind from earlier. Steve sputtered, confused at the sudden change in mood.

“What are you talking about?” Apprehension clear in his tone, he tried touching you again, only to be smacked away.

“Am I just a distraction for you whenever you’re bored?” You began to raise your voice, annoyance prickling at your tone. “Whenever you want something a little different from Nancy?”

Steve sighed, pinching his nose bridge as he processed your words. Silence lingered in the air for a moment, the only sounds present were the distant ones of the teenagers in the backyard.

“Did you honestly think it was anything more?”

His words had you snapping your head in his direction. You couldn’t believe his words, jaw dropping as he stared at you.

“W-what?”

Tears pricked at your eyes, Eddie’s face appearing in the back of your mind. His words were crystal clear now, the false hope of Steve Harrington tarnishing your ideals of him. You knew he was with the brunette girl, you knew he was in a relationship, you had heard it all summer. Even as he denied it earlier, you felt it inside of you that they were together.

“I’m sorry if you thought it was anything more,” he answered you, uncomfortably adjusting his hair. This would be the moment where he pretended like he had been loyal to his girlfriend the entire time. “I think I’m, like, with Nancy now.”

You rolled your eyes at him, not choosing to answer as you stormed out of the car. You slammed the door shut, crossing the lawn to your own house, not caring that you were knocking on the front door, even if you had snuck out earlier. Your mom answered, confused at you presenting yourself, when you should’ve been in your room the entire night.

“Yn? What’s going on?” She asked, glancing behind you to see if she saw anyone. If she saw Steve, half way out of his car, staring in your direction, she didn’t say anything, instead inviting you in as the tears began to come.

She didn’t say anything as you threw yourself in the house, closing the door behind you before you hugged her, letting out a tear as you buried your head in her arms. Your mom was confused, but her motherly instinct kicks in, silent as she was wrapping her arms around you as you sobbed.

You didn’t want Eddie to be right, but he had been the entire time. Admitting to being with Nancy wasn’t the worst part of it all after denying it all night, it was just how he had made you feel important even if it was for a split second. Deep down, you knew he wasn’t to be true in his words, but for the moment, you liked to pretend. He slipped into the role so easily, it made you feel like it was natural, him being the missing puzzle piece inside of you.

Steve wasn’t the person you had thought him to be, he was much worse.

The school year had began, three months and now deep into the winter season, and you had kept your distance even further from everyone else. Eddie had been bothered by it at first, wondering why you were even ghosting him when it came to your isolation. He knew it was Steve related, but he didn’t press the situation, choosing to give your space as you needed. He knew you would come back around eventually.

You heard rocks hitting your window at night as you kept it closed, Steve’s own window ajar as he hung half way out of it. The only response you had was to turn up your stereo, ignoring him as you felt your story was over. Being a pawn in his game wasn’t the way that you wanted to live your life in this town, waiting for the school season to be over until you could make it to college.

You chose to sulk in your room, realizing the self loathing and isolation weren’t going to get you anywhere, but you could pretend as long as it brought you inner peace. You shouldn’t be this upset over someone like him, but you couldn’t help it.

Steve's window across the way was lit up, curtains drawn as shadowed figures moved behind it. You crossed the distance of your bedroom floor, closing the journal that you scribbled in. Two shadows danced in the swaying of the pulled curtains, you figured it was Steve with Nancy, a normal occurrence you saw in the late hours of the night. His window was cracked open, the curtains being sucked out of the opening as the harsh weather made its claim over your part of town.

Just as you went to turn around, you saw a hand strike up, hitting the smaller one next to it. Gasping, you covered your mouth, not believing the sight in front of you. How could Steve hit Nancy like that? You didn't realize he was that type of person, an asshole in every aspect of his life.

The smaller figure fell out of view of the window, presumably on the bed as you saw a small bounce of the shadow. You chose to run out of the room, nearly knocking down your mom as you descended the stairs.

"Honey, what's going on?" She called out to you, but you ignored it, throwing open the front door as you hurried across the lawns. You couldn't waste any time, pounding your fist against the wooden double doors.

"Nancy?" You called out, fist rapidly pounding. All of the Harrington cars were in the driveway, you knew they had to be home by the way each light on the first floor was on. Nobody answered, your fist began to hurt with the force of each blow to the door.

Your face was flushed as it flew open, Steve's mom standing there with her perfect, chestnut hair, styled down to her shoulders. She held a dishrag in her hands, wiping wetness off of it as she looked you up and down, curious.

"Oh, hello, Miss Yn. Is everything okay, darling?" She asked you, peaking her head out to glance around you. She looked for something as you took a deep breath, trying to figure out what to say.

"I just- your son," you took a few deep gasps, trying to look around her for signs of the Wheeler girl. "Is Nancy okay?"

She pursed her lips, hand coming up to rest at her hip. You saw a spitting image of Steve in that moment, now knowing where he got it from.

"Uh, Nancy?"

"I saw- She, uh... She fell," you breathed, head shaking as you struggled over your own thoughts. "I don't know what I saw."

You felt crazy as Mrs. Harrington took a look at you. Her gaze slowly traveled over your body, her head nodding slowly as she glanced briefly behind her. She seemed at the same loss of words as you.

"Nancy's not here, darling," She said, beginning to close the door. "You should go home."

Your hand shot out, stopping the wood from closing. The woman gasped, shocked at your bravery in doing so.

"No!" Taking a step towards the home, you couldn't just leave it as that. You were in the doorway at this point, craning your neck to look behind her as you searched for the brunette. "I saw her."

"Honey, I don't know what you saw, but you need to go-"

"Yn?" Steve appeared behind her suddenly, confusion draped over his eyes. A small gasp escaped your mouth as you realized you had the situation so, so wrong.

His eye was yet again bruised, a small cut on his mouth as he ducked his face towards the floor. His body was covered by his mom as he stood behind her, hand coming up to grip the frame of the door. Mrs. Harrington took a look back at her son, not phased by the injuries on his face.

"Steven, go back to your room," she said, shaking her head as placed a hand on his cheek. He flinched away from it, eyes not leaving you as he moved around her. She protested, annoyed at the fact he followed you outside, stepping out of the warmth of the home. "Steven! Before your father-"

"I'll be back," he said, hands on you as he slowly pushed you away from the entrance. He spared a look back at her as his hand found yours. "Please, don't tell him."

The older woman looked at him in his eyes, a silent conversation occurring between the two of them. Glancing at your clasped hands, she took one look behind her before nodding, closing the door with a soft thud.

"Steve? What's going on?" You asked, feeling the warmth of his hand as he led you towards his car. He shushed you, pushing you inside as he unlocked it. The smell of old leather and tobacco invaded your senses, fear shaking your bones as you did not know what to take from the situation. You watched as he settled into the driver's seat, key in ignition before pulling out onto the main road.

Silence overtook the two of you, the only sounds being the small beginnings of the pitter-patter of rain hitting the windshield. The look on the boy's face made him look so young at this moment, his big, brown eyes blinking away the stinging of tears, hand coming up every now and then to touch the red on his lip.

"Steve?"

He didn't answer you, instead pulling over to the side of the road as deep throes of trees surrounded you. He rested his head in his hands, fingers running over his face as the rain continued to grow heavy.

Your hand came to rest at his back, uncertainty in your movements as you weren't sure what you were doing here.

"Steve?" You tried once again, his gaze finally meeting yours, lashes wet with tears. The bruise over his eye had swelled at this point, his fingers coming up to shield the majority of the injury from your wandering look. You moved your hand to grab his, leaning over the center console. It left his face as your grip tightened, fingers intertwining in the darkness of the car.

"You weren't supposed to see that," he muttered, looking down at your chin as he dropped eye contact. The Harrington you once knew was gone in this moment, replaced by a younger version who seemed scared of even himself.

"How long has he...?

Your voice trailed off as he shook his head at you, your question answering itself.

"You don't deserve that. No one does, you shouldn't have to deal with that."

Steve's laughter cut off the rest of your words, he looked up at the roof of the car, shaking his head.

"Little miss perfect, telling me how to deal with this," he tapped his knuckle on the driver's window, other hand dancing on the steering wheel. Heat was on your cheeks.

"I'm just trying to help, Harrington."

He nodded, eyes flitting in your direction as you shrank down in the seat.

"I'm sorry," he suddenly said, hand coming out to rest at your knee. "I... he-he wasn't always like this. It's whenever he drinks too much, and in case, you haven't noticed, I'm not the best as staying silent."

Your hand covered his in your knee, rubbing in small circles as his grip tightened. The warmth flowed through your body, small shock waves of electricity tingling at your spine.

You snorted at his comment, rolling your eyes at the memory of all the little quips Steve had given you since you met him.

"I promise I'm okay, it's not as bad as it looks," he continued, turning his body towards you as you leaned into him. His hand came to rest at your cheek, thumb rubbing at the skin on your cheekbone. "I'm okay, princess. I promise."

You wanted to believe him, you really did, but Steve hadn't been the most trust worthy person you had met in the town. This time, his lying benefited the situation, you weren't sure if he had lied for his own sake, or for yours.

He leaned in slowly, lips hovering over yours for a moment, before they lightly pressed in. A slight copper taste of blood was on his lips, masking the mint taste he so often had. You nipped at his lip, earning a hiss from him as he pulled away slightly.

"Watch it, princess," he laughed into your mouth, fingers lacing in your hair as he pulled you into him. You nodded, breathless sigh opening your mouth, letting his tongue find dominance over yours.

Suddenly, you saw the Wheeler girl, her brown hair against Steve's shoulder, arms wrapped around him in your memory. Pulling away, you placed a hand on his chest, elbow resting on the center console.

"Wh-what about Nancy?" You said, licking the taste of Steve off of your lips. His eyes traced your tongue's movement, his own tongue darting out as he attempted to lean in again.

"She dumped me," he shrugged, glancing up at you.

"Steve!" You exclaimed, eyes widening at his admission. This boy was hurting in more ways than one, all of it being dumped on you on this unexpecting night.

He shook his head, eyes rolling. "She said my mind was too busy on someone else."

His voice was low as he spoke to you, features dark. Heart kicking up a few notches, the hand on his chest began to pull at the fabric, exposing a few hairs by his collarbone.

"I was too distracted by you," he whispered into the air, mouth returning to yours as his thumb parted your lips. His tongue was warm and wet, gliding over the muscle of yours as he leaned over you. The sound of the leather crushed under you, Steve halfway out of his seat as passion was exchanged in the kiss.

"Get in the back, sweetheart," he muttered against your mouth, pressing small kisses to you. You leaned your head back, moaning at the way his wet mouth began to suck and lick at your neck.

"I'm not going to fuck you, Harrington," you rolled your eyes in pleasure, pants coming out of your lips. He nipped at the skin harshly, leaving teeth marks at the plump skin.

He unbuckled the seat belt that strapped you in, guiding it so it didn't harm you as it slid back into place. He reached down, patting at your ass as he urged you to crawl over the seats.

"It's okay," he said, voice low as his hand grazed over your hip. "I'm going to fuck you, sweetheart."

His words sent heat straight to your core, you jumped up at his words, hearing his laughter as you crawled into the back, ridding yourself of your shirt before he could utter the words. He followed you movements, long limbs tripping over himself as he struggled to manage his height in the back. He settled his weight over you, hips planting over yours as he returned his mouth to its previous place, sucking at the junction of your neck.

His hands found your waist, fingers dipping into the waistband of your shorts, pulling them down your legs before working on his own clothes. The windows began to fog up, small squeaks of the BMW echoing into the rain of the night.

"You've been waiting for this, haven't you, baby?" He said, pulling his jeans off of him before crossing his arms at his waist, hunched over to pull off the material of his button up. Your fingers went up to graze over his chest, feeling the dusting of hair under your touch.

The lack of light in the car allowed you no mercy, the glint of dimmed moonlight catching his eye. Your mouth was dropped open, feeling his heavy weight per you as his clothed manhood rubbed over your core.

Returning his mouth to your neck, he began to kiss down the expanse of your skin, goosebumps in its wake. You gripped his tendrils of hair between your fingers, moaning as he pushed you up the seat.

Your head was pressed against the glass, eyes closed in bliss as he pressed small kisses to the space below your belly button. His breath was hot, tongue darting out to lick against the pubic bone, his finger tips stretched over the plane of skin.

Your underwear was pulled down, your hips being ushered upwards as the material slid down your thighs. A kiss was pressed to your clit, your thighs opening as a gasp escaped your mouth, head smacking against the glass once more.

"Look at me, princess," you heard Steve whisper into the night, you shaking your head as your eyes were squeezed shut. You felt him breathe against the heat between your legs, Steve pressing another kiss to you.

"Sweetheart..." He warned, moving to sit up in the vehicle. Before he could make a move, you shot open your eyes, looking down into his dark brown. A smirk was present on his face, eyes filled with arousal as he nodded in approval at the eye contact.

His tongue darted out to lick at you, running languidly as it dipped between your folds. You mewled under his touch, struggling to keep your eyes open as he continued to please you.

His face grew more and more wet, his tongue dipping in and out of your sex as he maintained eye contact. Hand leaving your hip, he pressed a finger to your entrance, dipping it in as a shout escaped you. One of your hands pawed at the window, hips moving against his face as your chased the pleasure he was giving you.

"Steve," you drawled out, grip tight in his hair as you pulled his face further into you. He sucked at your clit, pumping a finger in and out of you at a steady pace.

"I know, sweetheart, I know," he whispered against you, slopping up your wetness as he moved his head side to side. White began to cloud your vision, another finger slipping into you as he picked up the pace.

The spot inside of you ached so good, being hit repeatedly as his fingers curled inside of you.

"Steve, I'm gonna-"

He removed himself from you, fingers still moving, paces slower. You whined, the white hot feeling leaving your gut. A smirk covered his face as he leaned up to kiss you, chin wet from your slick.

"Not yet, sweetheart," his kiss was sweet, the taste of you and Steve mixing together as his fingers slowly curled inside of you. It was enough to tease you, keeping you on the edge of your orgasm, wanting more of him in every way possible.

"Steve, please. I need- I need-"

Your words were rambling, as you pulled him into you, fingers scratching at his back. His gaze was almost mocking, eyebrows raised as he took in the pleasure on your face.

"What do you need?" He asked, daring to press a third digit to your dripping entrance. You arched into the touch, feeling the way it poked at you. The burn was harsh, pleasure tickling at your spine, earning another wave of wetness to pool at his fingers.

"I need you, Steve."

"How bad do you need me?" He asked, pushing in the digit even further. Your eyes rolled back, breaking the stare between the two of you. Steve angled your downward, hovering over you as your hair fanned out below you.

His teasing made you even more sloppy, whimpers spilling out of your mouth, fingers clawing at his skin, wetness pressing at the corners of your mouth.

"So bad, Steve." Tears began to well up in the corners of your eyes, his fingers leaving your heat as he settled between your thighs. One of his hands hooked under the curve of your knee, angling it upwards as your foot draped over the back of the leather seats.

He kneeled over you, pulling down his own underwear as he took a hold of himself. Pumping slowly over his length, his head prodded at your entrance, teasing you as you fluttered around him.

"I don't think I heard you, sweetheart."

You huffed at him, trying to angle your hips up to ease his way in. A hand shot out, pushing you back down into the seat.

"You're such an ass, Harrington."

"And yet you're still here," he laughed, pressing further against you as he began to push into you. You stretched around him, hands shooting up to grip at anything around you as he moaned deeply.

His breath grew short, small pants escaping his lips as his hips stuttered, pressing his full length into you. Forehead pressed against yours, he leaned down to kiss you, moaning helplessly into your mouth.

Steve was big, his cock nudged deep inside of you, aching as it pressed against your cervix.

He slowly rolled his hips inside of you, cock nudging deeper and deeper as you groaned, hands gripping the globe of his ass. Rearing his hips back, he moaned before snapping them back in, the entirety of the car shaking with the force of it.

He urged animalistic moans out of you, red scratches on his skin as his teeth left bite marks on your skin.

"Feel so good, baby," he moaned, licking over bites marks that he left. The sound of slapping skin echoed through the car, humidity leaving your skin damp.

"So fucking good."

He began a string of words of encouragement, bringing you closer and closer to the edge. You felt a feeling like no other bubbling in your core, pressure that felt like exploding as he fucked into you.

So pretty, princess.

You feel so good around me, look what you're-fuck, look what you're doing to me.

Gonna cum so deep inside of you, sweetheart.

This pussy's all mine, baby? All mine.

You moaned at his words, his thrusts becoming more sloppy as your wetness became a slip and slide that he struggled to keep up with. It came to a point where you only felt his head hitting against your sweet spot, blinding white pleasure clouding your mind.

Steve moaned loud, you felt a burst of his warm release inside of you, filling you up as he rammed inside of you.

"Cum for me, princess," he moaned, continuing to fuck you even through his own over stimulation. You screamed out loud as you exploded, wetness spurting out of you as he coughed out a loud, shocked laugh, hand reaching down to rub at your clit.

Arching your back, you moaned through it, feeling extremely lightheaded as he massaged you. His seats were a mess, dripping with your own release as you pushed him away from you. Removing himself from you, he sat back, admiring the way you laid there, spent.

"Well, that's a first," he laughed, reaching down to grab his underwear to wipe down the liquid. You blushed, hand coming up to cover the redness at your cheeks.

"Shut up, Harrington," you giggled, breathlessly as you felt him wipe you down. He pulled you up to a sitting position, pulled into his side as you winced at the soreness in your legs.

He frowned, pressing a kiss to your forehead as he rubbed the palms of his hands over your arms.

"You alright, princess?" He whispered into your hairline, covering you with his discarded sweater. You nodded, leaning your head back so you could look into his eyes.

They were filled with a warmer emotion, much different than the previous look he had. His hair fell over his forehead, bed head wild as he scanned your features.

"Does this mean we're friends now?" He asked you, smile tugging at his mouth as his thumb found its way over your cheek. It pushed at your bottom lip, parting your lips as it pressed inside, lightly brushing against your tongue.

It was your turn to laugh, rolling your eyes as you took a good look at him. He was spent, bruised and breathless, hope lingered in his eyes as he awaited your answer.

"You tell me, Steve." You said, pressing a kiss to his mouth again. He moaned again, cock stirring once more as your lips met. You both pulled away to look down at it, the dripping head leaking as it began to harden again.

You laughed, noticing the way his chest began to rise and fall shallowly.

"Fuck, princess," he groaned, head leaning back against the seat. His eyes fluttered shut. "You're going to fucking kill me."

Masterlist. Inbox and requests are open.

AN: I love mean!Steve, I am sorry. I promise I'll have him as a sweetheart one of these days. This took forever for me to write, so let me know what you think?

[iamyourdailydoseofbi]

RUN RABBIT, RUN RUN RUN. ( House of the Dragon x Reader )

AUTHOR NOTE! Thanks for all the love. <3 pairing: DARK! King Aegon ii Targaryen x Common Folk! Reader prompt: Aegon has been watching you from years. Now that he is King, he intends to make his intentions clear. key: Y/n = Your name, R/n = Random name, E/C = eye color word count: 1, 000+ words

He was six and ten when he first met you, well more of, he saw you from a distance. You were a pretty little thing⎯well, for some common folk girl, you were pretty. From what he saw from a distance, you worked as a barkeep, cleaning tables and sometimes serving ale or whatever shitty drink they served at that tavern. 

You were pretty, maybe growing more so in a few years, but enough for the other drunks to take notice as well. He didn’t like it. Even though he had never spoken to you, or really interacted with you at all. You were his pretty little barekeep to gawk at.

It took everything in him to not set Sunfyre upon all of them, burning the shitty little tavern up in flames. So then, he could take their charred remains and show what happened when others touched what was his. But, he digressed. For now. 

Slowly sauntering into the tavern, he searches for you in the crowd of common folk, his gaze predatory and determined. Since his coronation as King, he had been busy, far too busy to leave the Red Keep to go to Flea Bottom. All he wished for now was to have a drink and watch you as he had done a dozen times before. He was sure if he was going to speak to you yet. It wasn’t that he did not have the courage to speak to you. 

He was a Targaryen, and now King, he had nothing to feel ashamed of or worried about. But rather he liked the way you squirmed under his gaze. He liked the way you would grow stiff and then blush a soft pink when you realized that it was just him. It was adorable and a good ego boost to know that he could get you all flustered without even needing to speak. 

“All hail the new King!” Some drunk slurs aloud, “From the King of Flea Bottom to the King of the Seven Kingdoms!”

“Aye!” 

“All hail!”

Rolling his eyes at the drunken babbling that filled the tavern, he sits down at his usual table, kicking his feet up on a chair. Drumming his fingers against the table, he looks around for you, growing wary as he doesn’t see you in the tavern. Clenching his jaw tightly as his temper starts to rise, he holds back at lashing out, his mind running a million miles per hour.

“Where the hell is that damn girl?! Y/n!” A barkeep behind the bar rants, “Oi! You, go get Y/n.”

Not even the other barkeep’s knew where you were at. You weren’t here. You were always on time. Why the fuck were you not here? Where the fuck were you at?

Feeling his temper bubbling with each second that he doesn’t see you, the loud slamming of a door fills the tavern, nobody paying any mind to it. Seeing you walk inside all soaked from the rain, he instantly calms down at sight of you. 

Slowly trailing his eyes over your soaked figure, you look ethereal like this. Hair all soaked and clothes sticking to you like a second skin, accentuating  your curves. Feeling a presence beside him, he snaps out of his daze, seeing some other barkeep trying to speak to him.

“Can I⎯” 

“No, no, her. I want her.” He orders, pointing at you. 

Watching as you dried yourself off with a rag, he smirks at how your linen underskirt was practically sheer. He wondered, if he spilled his seed in you, would a bastard grow in your belly? Would then he be able to whisk you away to the Red Keep, far far away from the drunks and fools that surrounded you both? After all, you would be so grateful for him to do such a thing. You, some lowborn common folk girl, getting the luxury of carrying his child in your belly. 

“Bring me her. I will take nothing but what she brings to me.” He orders.

Feeling a familiar pair of predatory eyes on you, you slowly turn around to see the now King, watching you. He sat at the same table as always, in the center where he and those silvery locks could be gawked at. Furrowing your brows in confusion, you watch as R/n walks away from the table, rolling her eyes hard with a scowl. Cocking her head to Aegon, you didn’t even have to ask to understand that he had rejected her. 

Wiping your hands dry with the rag, your eyes locked onto Aegon’s, e/c meeting predatory violet eyes. Shivering at the gaze, R/n motions for you to go to him with a cock of her head, her iration clear as day at not getting any coin from him. Mustering up your courage, you walk over to him, coming face-to-face for the first time ever. He was a lot more handsome up close. Alluring violet eyes, silvery white Targaryen hair and pouty lips. 

“Do you wish to make your King happy?” He asked, his voice rough and low.

“I do, your grace.” You nod, “ How can I be of service to you?”

“I can think of many ways.”

Growing tense at the lewd comment, you shift in place, unsure if he was jesting with you or if he was being serious. You have never spoken to him up to this point, just watching from afar or in passing. You could not tell. Chewing on your bottom lip a little nervously, he places a hand on your waist, letting out a full belly laugh. Weakly nodding unsure, he slowly trails his hand down to your hip, not quite inappropriate but not appropriate at the same time. 

“Can I get you some ale, your grace?” You ask, attempting to change the subject.

“No.”

“Or mayhaps some bread from the kitchen?” You try again, “I am sure we can find something for you if that is what you desire.”

“No.”

Blushing under his intense gaze, he slowly stands up from his seat, looking like a predator stalking its prey. Tilting your head up as he towers over you, you resist the urge to cower, not wanting him to see your fear. In your time working here you learned men tended to like seeing women cower, it was like a game to them. Softly gulping as he digs his nails into your hip, a voice in the back of your head tells you to run away, that he was dangerous. But, your legs would not let you move. 

“Your grace?” You whisper, your voice weak. 

“Then you will not scream, cry, or protest as I take you back to the Red Keep.” He whispers, “I would hate to have to kill you when I have just gotten you within my grasp. Now walk, my little rabbit.”

----

@lovelykhaleesiii

@fragileheartbeats

@danytar

@nightvers

[lokisgoodgirl]

A Gentlemen's Agreement [Reader x Loki/Steve/Bucky]

A link to my Masterlist is HERE Summary: It's time for you to make up your mind. And the boys have just the plan to help you do that. (w/c 3.2k) Warnings: 18+ Minors DNI. Smutty. Teasing. Sexual tension. Not a foursome. A/N: Loki is my king. I just needed to get this out thanks to @sidepartskinnyjeans

The click of Steve’s dress shoes echoed as he ushered you away from the busy ballroom of Stark’s county house. Your nerves were fizzing, but your face didn’t betray the flutter of excitement growing in your belly. In the darkness of the mahogany lined corridor, firelight licked from a solitary open doorway. A nod from the captain urged you silently inside. Walking into the room, your breath hitched. Whatever you had expected from his clandestine invitation in the crowd, this wasn’t it.

Steve circled around you, taking his place in the menacingly sensual line-up. There they stood in quiet stoicism, dressed in fitted finery – the trio of beneficiaries to your relentless flirtations. Their arms were folded, their legs wide in triangular determination. For the briefest of moments, you wondered how all of them had managed to excuse themselves from the party at once. But seeing the way they were taking up space, stretching the air with their achingly large egos, that question was quickly forgotten. Each was more breathtakingly handsome than the last. Rogers. Barnes. Laufeyson. “What is this?” you giggled nervously, snapping to each set of blue eyes in turn. They began to smirk in unison. You shivered despite the heat from the fire. “S’come to our attention you’ve been pulling the same tricks on all of us,” the winter soldier drawled, his accent thick with playful taunt. You swallowed, mouth suddenly dry. “I don’t know what you-” “Oh, I think you do, Agent,” Laufeyson hummed, tilting his head. Long fingers drummed on his bicep as he rocked on his heels. Roaring firelight was haloed behind the ebony mane that cascaded around the shoulders of a midnight-blue suit sitting snug to his body. You pressed your lips together, stifling a whimper. “Look fellas, she’s blushing," Steve teased. The three of them chuckled. “I don’t blush,” you snipped, folding your arms to match them. “And I’d appreciate if you could tell me why the three of you are lined up like...like…” The words you searched for ebbed as you readjusted your feet. It was all you could do not to go over on your ankle in these stupid heels. Heat was building between your thighs, the unmistakeable thump of arousal beating as your addled thoughts raced beneath their penetrating stares.

You knew exactly what Bucky meant. And now it seemed, so did they. You knew bending over to pick up that pen in front of all three of them yesterday was a bad idea. Although, no one in the world would blame you – working with three of the finest specimens of masculinity ever created. Had you gone out your way to tease and flirt with each one of them over the past several months? Possibly. But hey, it was good for morale. And besides, there wasn’t a hope in hell any of them would return your affections. Not serial-bed hopper Barnes, he didn’t fuck where he ate. Not tightly wound Rogers, you seriously doubted he’d approve of subordinate relations. And as for the ice king – you weren’t even sure he knew your name.

The only sound in the room was the crackling of the fire. God, you wished it wasn’t so hot. Your eyes searched the floor, hearing Loki clear his throat. “As Barnes noted, you have been toying with each of us in a manner both indecent and egregious these past months.” He let the rhetorical judgement marinate in silence before continuing. “Do you deny it?” You raised your eyes to his, seeing the embers of mischief smouldering within. “No,” you said confidently, as all three men cast conspiratorial glances to one another. Rogers balanced his elbow on a tight fist, raising his fingers to his chin. He narrowed his eyes. “That dress though fellas," he growled with uncharacteristic lust. "Have you ever seen such a thing?” Barnes snorted. “Forget two birds with one stone, that outfit takes out three cocks with one hit.” His blue eyes were dark in the low light, heavy brows shadowing the contours as his chin dipped. “An assassin, even off the clock.” he grit. “And she knows how much I love that neck.” While he was speaking, you instinctively brushed a strand hanging from your up-do away from the boatline collar of the dress. He was right. You did know. You had known ever since the first of his ragged breaths, tangible desire pulsing in his veins and stretching his trousers as he massaged your shoulders. The first time you had asked, he had thought you were joking. But every time you felt the cool flatness of his metal limb against your spine, steadying you as his fingers found every pocket of tension in your upper body – both you and he knew it was no laughing matter. Had you exaggerated the moans of pleasure his touch released? No. There had been no need. It felt fucking phenomenal. Orgasmic, even. And you hadn’t held them back. Your neck had extended to the side as his fingertips pulsed into the most delicate areas, breathy pants filling the air that you hoped made him think of how you would sound as he fucked you into the headboard. “And she knows how much I love those legs,” Steve smouldered, curling a finger against his lips as his gaze ran from your hips to the floor and back again. The dress stopped midway up your thighs, perfectly tight before the sheer drop of your limbs to the heels. You had caught him staring open-mouthed as you pulled yourself dripping wet from the ocean on a mission in the Seychelles months ago. His face had flushed as you’d clocked him running up your femurs, a bite of his lip betraying the base need boiling beneath an all-business exterior.

On every mission, you now made a point of elevating your leg as you snapped on the holsters, lunging forward against the nearest bench. Wall. Anything to drive him mad. You wondered how often he thought of your legs wrapped around his hips while his tactical suit lay strewn around his ankles. Without fail, his teeth always found their way to his bottom lip; a clench of his ass and a forbidden husk of ‘goddam’ under his breath making you smirk as you turned away. “And I think not that I need to point out what aspect of the offending garment is for me,” Loki purred, releasing the cross of his arms to fall behind his back in a ceremonial clasp. “It’s green," Bucky stated, licking his lips. “Yes," Loki replied in baritone, cheekbones sharpening. “It is.”

Loki. Now that was a story. Yes, you had felt the linger of his keen eyes on your ass. But who hadn’t. And yes, his gravelled pleasantries that always dripped a little closer than necessary into your ear were tempting. But the god was a walking temptation. It was his nature. He was indiscernible, a mystery. Aside from briefings, the longest you had ever spent in his company had been when he would extend his hand wordlessly on nights just like this, leading you the dance-floor. All onlookers would see was the standard wrapping of his arms around your waist, and yours over his shoulders. They did not see the small circles grazed on the nape of his neck beneath his curls, the half-innocent moans released by his ear when he brought you in from a spin. They did not see the lingering play of your fingers on the delicate skin of his wrists, the bite of your lip as Loki’s hips pressed into your stomach. A solitary flame in a sea of cold indifference. You’d take any heat from him could you get. They didn’t see his brows twitch as he registered the green lingerie down the carefully calculated neckline of your dress. Just for him. Your breathing had becoming shallow. Were you actually about to have all three of them at once? Was that even physically possible? Two super-soldiers and a god? You didn’t know if you would survive – but something told you it might be worth it. Positions and logistics raced through your mind, making you dizzy. You shook your head.

“OK you got me, I fancy all of you. So what? It’s just a bit of fun,” you gasped, running sweaty palms casually down the front of your dress. “The fellas and I have an idea, if you’re agreeable of course,” Steve said slowly, following Loki in clasping his hands behind his back. You squinted, congratulating yourself for encouraging the captain’s foray into unbuttoning the top of his shirts. His pulse was racing, you could see it pumping beneath his jawline. Bucky still stood with his arms loosely crossed over a waistcoat, the cotton of his thick white shirt bulging against metal and flesh. A sliver of steel glinted in the firelight, sleeves folded up to the elbows. He nodded once, without a flicker of a smile. Fuck, they all looked so good. “A gentlemen’s agreement, if you will,” Loki uttered, a smile curling on his lips. He’d been waiting to deliver that line, you could tell. “You like us. We like you. But we don’t share," Bucky glowered matter-of-factly. You could feel the thin fabric of your panties sticking to your lips, tacky and unbearably wet from this erotic ambush. “You don’t?” you quipped. “What a shame.” “We don’t," Steve repeated. “At least not ye-” he cast a glance to Bucky, before clearing his throat. “We think it’s important you uh...focus your attentions. If that’s what you wanna do.” A sudden thrill raced through your blood. The idea that they had planned this, that they had spoken about you in hushed whispers behind closed doors made your pussy hum with forbidden pleasures.

You wandered to the antique sofa to the side, feeling the heated stares of each of the men follow you. “What’s this gentleman’s agreement, then?” you purred, crossing your legs. Steve swallowed as the tight emerald fabric rode up your thigh. The god of mischief laughed softly, a deep sound which seemed to shake the room like bass.

“Each of us will kiss you, and then you must decide,” he said matter-of-factly. “The unsuccessful will respect your choice of victor and no retaliation will be made.” “Decide?” “Which of us to get to know better," Steve explained, shrugging off his suit jacket. He threw it gently over his shoulder, making it land on the back of a chair behind him with magnetic finesse. Bucky rolled his eyes. “I think what the captain’s tryna say is that we all wanna get to know you, better. So it’s lady’s choice,” he winked. You raised an eyebrow towards Loki. You couldn’t imagine him ever agreeing to something like this. A solitary nod was his only response, eyelashes fluttering down in a moment of panty-wetting reverence. “I accept,” you said slowly, running your eyes across the line-up. Their competitive sincerity was catching. You wet your lips in anticipation, still in disbelief that this was actually happening. Perhaps your corpse was lying strewn on the dance-floor, paramedics hoisting you onto a trolley in a body-bag. Perhaps this was heaven. And maybe it was the low lighting, or maybe it was the dancing shadows licking their wide bodies stacked with endless muscle. But you could swear that each and every one of them was hard. “As discussed. Thirty seconds,” Loki murmured coolly to the men standing to attention on his right, flourishing a hand. Barnes stepped forward, smoothing long strands of chestnut hair behind his ears.

“Alright,” he growled confidently, swaggering the several steps and planting onto the sofa beside you. His thighs spread against the antique furniture, flexing beneath the tight suit trousers as he twisted his torso to face you. The scent of his cologne filled your nostrils, smoked wood and lingering sage like a wet autumn forest. His hand cupped your jawline, the steel arm resting on the back of the curved rest.

“Here goes nothin,” he whispered to himself, curled digits trailing longingly down the curve of your neck. They tugged at the neckline of your dress, slipping it over the curve. He leant forward, parted lips colliding with the crescent of your shoulder. Your eyelids fluttered closed, a staggered moan you didn’t realise was hiding released as he worked across your skin. His stubble tingled against the delicate surface, the flat of his nose slotting beneath your ear as his kisses became hungrier against your pulse point. Less delicate. “You’ve no idea how long I’ve wanted to do this, darlin',” he rasped, before licking licentiously from the base of your throat to the angle of your jaw. In seconds, his mouth was pressed to yours; tongue eagerly flicking against your lips before you let him enter. Bucky’s moan was dynamite, fingers guiding your chin as he devoured you in targeted desire. He leant you backwards into the cushions while your arm instinctually slid between his shoulder-blades, pulling him closer. Barnes groaned as his hand slid covetously from your waist and up the curve of your breasts, before burrowing deep into your bun. He thrust gruffly against you on instinct, something thick and menacingly primal dragging against your thigh. The feeling of his fingers tugging at your scalp sent your heat into overdrive, clenching desperately around air. “Time,” Loki purred calmly. Stubble scratched a final time, your hand flying to rest on his metal arm as you breathlessly broke apart with a whimper. Barnes winked, the skin surrounding his mouth pink as he rose and re-joined the other two. You cast glances between them while your chest heaved.

“Do you need a moment?” Steve inquired politely, folding the sleeves of his shirt up further. You watched the veins in his muscled forearms tighten with the movement, the slight bend of his knees as he gave a deferential cough. As if he’s preparing for a fight, you thought as your head continued to spin from Bucky’s kiss. “No, I’m good,” you slurred, smiling as you straightened and patting the sofa beside you. “I prefer it standing, if that’s alright,” Steve said tentatively, brow twitching in mild alarm as he saw your eyes widen. But he didn’t retract it. Standing obediently, it suddenly occurred to you that a kiss on the hand would be very on brand for him, perhaps rethinking his part in this atypical charade. But Steve paced towards you, looking as determined as he did striding down the ramp of the quinjet. Your breath hitched as the captain’s hands cupped your face, walking you expertly back towards the walled bookcase. A shelf pressed against your spine while Rogers bore down, his gentle tongue nudging at your lips; and with a whimper, he breached. The warmth of the muscle caressing your own made your knees wobble. Hard, rippling abdominals pressed flush against your chest, pinning you softly beneath Keats and Wordsworth while his hands began to smooth over your shoulders, over your waist. You felt like the poets would approve. Steve moaned into your mouth as his palms slid possessively down your thighs, grunting as he whipped them forwards effortlessly around his waist. You yelped in surprise before his lips swallowed yours again, ankles crossing around taut hips. The heat from his skin warmed the scent of ginger wafting from the base of his collarbone, its spice firing in your nostrils. The kiss was hungry and desperate and wild. You could feel his solid cock rubbing against your stomach, tasting every inch of your passion as his fingertips dug into the soft flesh beneath your ass. He thrust softly with every wax and wane of his jaw, needy fingers running through his newly mussed golden hair. You pulled greedily before there was a soft clear of someone’s throat. It sounded like Loki. “Time,” Bucky barked, and reluctantly, Steve returned you to the ground. Still in a daze, and with palms spread against the bookcase, your eyes fell on the final figure. “Believe me…” Loki purred condescendingly, “you’ll wish to sit down for this.”

With shaking steps you teetered to the sofa, plonking down with a sharp intake of breath. Loki glided towards you, elegantly manoeuvring his long limbs aside your own. He brought a finger beneath your chin, tilting your head back. “You are so beautiful.” he murmured, before pressing in to a firm, chaste kiss. One of your hands flew to his thigh, running your palm over the hard, forbidden mass concealed tight and thick beneath the cotton. You desperately keened into him, tongue searching against closed lips. Loki withdrew with a chuckle, sweeping the hair from one side of his head. “If you wish me to stop, tell me,” he whispered hot in your ear, a wave of amber and spices and decadence filling your senses before he slipped from the sofa to his knees. Your eyes widened as he gently spread your legs. “The rules did not specify where I could kiss you.” he explained softly, pre-empting the questioning thrill lighting your eyes. Disgruntled huffs from Bucky and Rogers barely registered as you felt a cool tingle of the god’s magic dissolve your favourite underwear.

Loki’s smouldering gaze latched to yours, lust-drunk and determined, before it fell to the glistening mess at his eye level. “Do you consent to my audition?” he hummed, tentatively pushing the sides of your dress to the tops of your thighs. Your stare flickered to Steve and Bucky, suspiciously observing Loki on his knees with pure jealousy. "Yes," you heard yourself murmur under your breath. Fresh arousal was seeping from your centre, spreading down your heated skin. You had never wanted anything more. "Louder, please," Loki smirked, the curve of his fingers fastened to your knees. “Yes, Loki...g-god-” you gasped, brow furrowing as you urged him on with a tilt.

Immediately, his tongue licked a wide, earth-shattering stripe up your slit from base to tip. Your head fell back with a rattling moan, one hand combing through his hair as the other gripped the armrest. Loki quickly moved your legs over his shoulders, sliding you further back. The god’s open mouth latched to your swollen clit, sucking and lapping lower with sinful precision. All you could see was his dark curls and proud brow, the sight of the god buried between your open thighs making reality blur. Every caress made your hips thrust further into his mouth, shaking breaths shuddering your body as he moaned against your wet heat. The noises he made were utter devastation, muffled pants and enthusiastic slurps sounding between your splayed legs as he ate you out like a starving man. Behind your eyelids, you could feel the covetous gazes of the two soldiers rolling over your body as Laufeyson’s fingertips dug into your calves like a hunter. “T-time,” Steve choked. “No!” you gasped, pawing at Loki’s cheek in despair. The god smiled, chin glistening while closing your trembling knees in a move that could only be described as gentlemanly. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, unfurling and retreating backwards to the line-up with his arms spread in a show of feigned innocence. You panted, gathering your thoughts as your gaze landed on each of them in turn. “Lady’s choice,” Bucky re-iterated gruffly, widening his legs. Beside him, the captain’s fingers rested wide on his hips, biting his lip while his eyes lingered on the fresh sheen of sweat clinging to your legs. Loki raised a finger absent-mindedly to the corner of his mouth, brushing the edge before sucking it clean to the second knuckle. His eyes smouldered, fixed on you, the flicker of firelight casting deep shadows in hollowed cheekbones. You took a deep breath, the only name it was ever going to be dancing on the tip of your tongue.

🤷‍♂️ For those who want a bit...more - A Gentlemen's Bond is the follow up to this.

Tags @meowmeow-motherfucker @muddyorbsblr @imalovernotahater @avengersalways @littledark11 @lokikissesmyforehead @simplyholl @fictive-sl0th @thedistractedagglomeration @loveroflokiforpoeticjustice @coldnique @holdmytesseract @jaidenhawke @silverfire475 @vbecker10 @imalovernotahater @thomase1 @morriggannlostinfandoms @marygoddessofmischief @sebstanwhore @xorpsbane @peacefulpianist @maple-seed @yelkmelk @wheredafandomat @mistress-ofmagic @acidcasualties @ozymdias @peaches1958 @your-taste-on-my-lips @lokidokieokie @kikster606 @peachyjinx @tbhiddlestan83 @trickster-maiden @skymoonandstardust @justjoanne242 @sidepartskinnyjeans @ladyofthestayingpower @wolfmoonmusic @brittbax @smolvenger @lunarnights95 @superficialdomina @kaleenjackson @fictional-hooman @psychospore @littlespaceyelf

[lizzaneia-elizalde]

What about a yandere king x reader (make or female) and reader is basically a spy, making the king fall in love with them to get information etc, and reader basically tries to kill the king in his sleep but he lives cause he's a warrior at heart 💪(bbg energy lol) and basically what the king would do in that situation

An extremely cliche scenerio

Yandere! Male! King x Gn! Spy! Reader

Ugh Uni just started last week, and it was not... Fun.

One of our classes start at 7:30, and my Uni is like 30minutes-1hour far from my house so AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Anyways, there's no classes today so I got to actually write.

I got quickly uncomfortable writing this HAHAHAH damn. So, if noncon is not your tea, or you're looking for a fluffy fic, I suggest you don't read this one. I'm serious. This is not romantic in any way.

Yandere! King name: Soma

TW: NonCon

At Saphiri, there's a lot of Kingdoms and Sultanates, and a handful of Empires. One of the Kingdoms is called the Caelum Kingdom.

It's a newly established Kingdom, and was once a sizable city without a nation. Built from the foundations of a trading center.

It's a Kingdom formed on an archipelago separated by streams of salt water and fresh water in between their islands. A tight knit community, they thrive in tourism, trading, and textile export. They were honestly on a breakthrough to become an Empire, and it was just a matter of time.

Caelum has been led by the Elara family for generations upon generations. They were the first to discover the island, to establish itself as a city, and a kingdom as they led and oversaw the whole archipelago.

And currently, it's led by Soma Elara, the 3rd born crown prince and now the King of Caelum.

Soma, being the 3rd born, didn't really have that much chance on the throne. That, and his siblings, especially the first born, were smart and all had a chance at taking the throne.

He hated it dearly.

His mother, the second Queen after the previous died, is a greedy woman.

She sees Soma as a tool, and wanted him to succeed the throne.

If not... Let's just say the back of his legs will have more scars decorated on them.

Soma suffered abuse at the hand of his mother who wanted him to catch the attention of the King. And him, conditioned by his abusive upbringing, caught the want for power from his mother.

Ego and Pride. Those two prospects were pummeled into Soma's mind. Nobody can become the King. Only he is worthy of the throne.

So, he became the perfect prince. Nevermind that he orchestrated events in which it would humiliate his siblings. That's irrelevant. What's important is him.

The perfect gentleman with the wits of a genius, he became the crown prince when the selection came.

And, to solidify his place...

His older siblings were pronounced dead due to "freak accidents". One was devoured by sea monsters, the other was torn apart by demons. The younger ones were lucky, they only got to be a bit disabled due to "their own faults at being clumsy".

To not raise suspicion, of course Soma got hurt. Dead almost, but he miraculously recovered! How delightful!

The poor scapegoat is the youngest. And, as she got executed, Soma had a cold look of arrogance on his face.

The Queen?

She's afraid of the monster she created. She wanted a King, not a tyrant.

And, as she trembles when her friends tell her how good of a King her son is, Soma glares at her coldly from the balcony, daring her to speak ill of him.

Years passed, and Soma is now of marriageable age at 25.

His advisers told him to find a Queen, but he refuses to do so.

He's thinks having a Queen would make him look weak in the eyes of people.

So, why get a Queen when he can be an absolute Patriarch?

His Pride cannot allow for a potential weakness.

Not until a certain new person entered the palace as a stableperson...

Soma is welcoming foreign envoys to his palace, in which they would have a inter-country peace talks about a certain Emperor who is wreaking havoc amongst other kingdoms in search of a knight. They said that she was the supposed to be Empress, but fled the Empire.

Even one of the Dukes there, Duke Eros, is here to talk about the man.

As Soma guides the envoys to the palace grand meeting room, a certain servant caught his eyes.

They were frolicking with his horse, who was known to be too stubborn for its own good. Heck, this horse needs coaxing from Soma even just to let him ride on it.

But this stableperson was just... Hugging and petting his horse without any kind of violent reaction.

Honestly, Soma's ego was bruised.

His eyebrows furrowed as he led the envoys to the meeting hall once more.

He needs to know who this person is.

After quite the gruelling three hours of a collective disbelief over the actions of the Emperor Callisto, Soma got out of the meeting room and bid a good day to the envoys. Without any more distractions, he marched to the stables to find the person.

There, he saw you. Brushing the coat of his horse ever so gently and with a hum.

Oh he's annoyed.

Again, how can this pride filled horse just... Let's you be?

"State your name."

Your head, that was hidden due to being on the other side of the horse, popped out of the frame and he lets out a confused look.

You look so... Cute and innocent with those sparkling eyes that held so much affection for the horse in front of you.

"Oh! Your majesty!" You bowed. Even your voice sounds so sweet. "My name is Y/N. I'm not unworthy to meet you but..."

You looked up at him, eyes sparkling once more but now, with affection for him.

Oh?

"But I am so glad to meet you, your majesty."

Your voice held so much affection and love for him.

He cleared his throat, a bit awkward.

Sure, people admired him, but these people always held reverence and respect first. But here you are, projecting your affection like this.

His ego was fed immensly.

"You're bold." Soma smirked, "I like that."

He didn't miss the way your eyes widened subtly. Your face glowed with radiance of happiness that he was so sure he got blinded.

"Oh! Oh my..." You held your blushing cheeks, shy. "Thank you, your majesty... Um Oh..."

You bowed and ran away, fully embarrassed.

Soma, surprised, let his guard down a bit as he laughed gently at your antics.

You were like a deer that was curious, then runs away when get caught.

He liked that.

Immensly.

Yet, what he doesn't know, is that you were smirking as you ran away.

You knew that a prideful man like him wouldn't like a strong independent person.

That would just clash with his personality.

But, what if that person was cute, innocent, shy, friendly... Someone who is easily protect-able. Someone who loves them immensely and is shy about it?

It would inflate his ego wildly seeing this naive person love them without a care.

You're a spy sent by the Emperor Callisto in order to find his darling knight here. And, if you can't find her, you just need to send the Emperor information, so that he can infiltrate the Kingdom and wreck havoc just to lure out the knight.

Honestly, the Emperor scares you. Who's crazy enough to wage countless wars just to find his woman?

Or does he delight in bloodshed and finding his darling is just an excuse?

Who knows, but you knew you have to kill Soma after you extracted enough information from him to start the war inside the Kingdom.

Starting with capturing the heart of the Prideful King.

"Soma!"

You ran to Soma and hugged him tightly. A happy smile on your face with a blush well orchestrated that you know he loves.

Soma smiles and kisses the top of your head before continuing to talk to his Prime Minister.

In those two months that you were here, you painstakingly captured Soma in your hands. Continuing to act as the naive person who doesn't know noble etiquette, you were a breath of fresh air in the uptight palace.

The servants love you, the other nobles look longingly your way, wanting to act as carefree as you.

And Soma? He's head over heels for you.

Yet, in his mind, you were the one in love. Not him. He loves having you by his arms, with you just loving him affectionately and being there to relieve his stress.

You were promoted to consort immediately once you confessed to him fully, and was now a precious being inside the Kingdom.

After all, this King who doesn't want marriage, with ego so high people swore it was through the heavens, suddenly had a consort on their way to become his royal partner.

Soma gave you everything. He loves giving you gifts, asserting dominance as he spoils you greatly.

And, as his reward, you would pour your affection to him while asking about information that he willingly gave.

After all, the foolish king still thinks you won't betray him.

You were only a stableperson, who in their right mind would betray him? Someone who's such a catch?

Sure, he's really handsome. People were lining left and right for his hand in marriage after all. And he spoils you greatly. You won't betray him. He knows it.

But, why are you straddling his lap now, in the middle of the knight, with a knife raised up high?

You were staring at him so coldly, he swore you are a different person.

Anguish, that's what Soma felt first.

He wanted to ask you why, but anger immediately filled him as you swung the knife down.

You're fast, but not fast enough.

He grabbed your hand and gripped it hard, making you seethe and drop the knife hilt down on the bed.

"WHY?!" He screamed, trying to clutch your body to submission. "HOW DARE YOU BETRAY ME!"

You gritted your teeth and tried to thrash away from his hold, not saying anything.

When he got you pinned down on the bed, he grabbed your chin and forced you to look at him.

"Who sent you." He chillingly said that you gulped and shakily answered.

"Emperor Callisto."

Soma stopped, eyes darkened to a degree.

Yet, the words that came out of his mouth was surprising for you.

"So, you're doing this for a man other than me?"

He threw his head back, laughing wildly as his pride got pummeled fully.

First, you made him dance on your palm. Make him spill information and secrets. Let him spoil you greatly. Let you love him freely! And this is how you pay him? A betrayal for another man?

You're such a greedy fucker.

"Oh, cuz he's an Emperor, isn't he?" He spat out, eyes wide with extreme jealousy and unbridled rage. His squeeze on your waist was hurting you immensely. "And i'm not? Is this it? Do you spread your legs to men of higher status huh?"

Your heart dropped when you saw him take off his dress shirt, displaying his carved out muscles that once brought you lust, but now it brought you fear.

Soma gripped your shirt, eyes dead with no light. His mouth a thin light as he captured your lips in a frenzied kiss.

He's no one with pride now. His ego gone.

The betrayal made him crazy as you made him crazy for you.

Placing a palm on your abdomen, he smirks. An evil intent on his eye.

"I'm gonna fuck/breed you into submission." He growls out, grinding his hips against yours. "I'm gonna make you forget the Emperor. I only want you to only live for me, sing and dance for me, I want you to only love me."

And as he relishes in the fear in your eyes, he smirks.

You're his.

And he will break you into being his if you try to get out of his clutches at all.

Remember that.

[kirbybecomesastarwarrior]

Loser Baby~ (Marxolor)

When I first heard this I thought to myself... "this is their song."

In the KBASW AU, they're very similar in nature, and they're brought together through circumstances... both are losers. And that is what makes their relationship so beautiful ~

And yes I changed some of the lyrics to fit Marx better~

Keep reading for extra lore/ spoiler-ish content

I've decided to hit two birds with one stone...knock out a few questions I had...

Yeah, the Marxolor/Magolor asks have been stewing in there... Sorry for taking so long but I FINALLY learned how to draw Magolor.

He plays a big role in the story... he is pretty much very close to his game counterpart, but his reasons and motivations for the Master Crown are very different.

The Master Crown was created and owned by his great-grandmother... Minerva Mim also known as... MAD MADAM MIM. (And for those who aren't familiar with Disney's The Sword in the Stone.) Who was the ruler of Halcandra during her time...

Magolor's full name is Magolor Mim

But she's also a mix with Harry Potter's Minerva McGonagall.

(And yes) she's connected with Lady Celestine (who is this KBASW Merlin), and they were best friends. She's the reason why the Ancients & Halcandrans did business. Halcandran techolong & the Ancients magic. A deal Sir Icarus tried to secure but could not negotiate at all...

However, Celestine managed to get it with ease... (*cough* bribed her way*. ) Over time they did become genuine friends... I'll expand on her later... In short, she was basically the only one whom Celestine told of her alter-ego, Merlyn (Sir Arthur figured it out).

She was snarky, eccentric, and a bit vain at times, but at her core was a good person.

Celestine brought out the best in her and Minerva brought out the adventurous side of her and encouraged her to be bolder. (BTW she was the number one Celarthur shipper).

However, after Celestine's "execution" (secretly they crystalized her): Minvera refused to do business with the GSA & the Ancients due to her friend's unfair trial... despite the threats they made to remove her from power if she continued to remain loyal to Celestine... but no matter how much they threatened her she still couldn't do it...

As a result, the Ancients removed her from her seat as ruler... and the GSA tried to arrest her for siding with a "traitor." However, she didn't go down without fighting. "If I can not have my crown... NO ONE CAN!" Cursing the crown that there will be no more another ruler of Halcandra... and using it to erupt the volcano that resided on the planet... creating its now, current state... becoming MAD MADAM MIM. (But in truth, she was just grieving... loss of her best friend. )

After that, the Ancients ordered to get rid of any descendant of Madam Mim's lineage. And thus the GSA hunted down and exterminated every living relative of Mim's household. However one survived the carnage.

Magolor is the lone survivor of his entire family's... orphaned and on the street... struggling to survive. He did everything to keep himself afloat... even if he had to BEG, STEAL, OR BORROW. HE'D DO IT!(There are a few more things... Magolor had a connection to the Sqeak Squads and Daroach, but that's a story for another day.)

Eventually, he finds out about his heritage and the fact that his whole household was wiped out due to... HER LOYALTY TO ONE PERSON. BAH, DANG IT GRAN WHAT WERE YOU THINKING I COULDA BEEN A KING AND YOU THREW IT AWAY FOR FRIENDSHIP?! From that, you can probably see why Magolor isn't so keen on the value of it since the very thing pretty much wiped out his entire family... And thus began Magolor's search for the crown...

Magolor's betrayal, & redemption does happen like in the game:... does his little shop, makes his amusement park. However, he does a few extra things that connect to the Kirby anime... Magolor manages to revive Chill and rebuild Kirby's robot dog for him (episode 12). (After that, the gang was won over by Magolor...)

Kirby's robo-pet is actually a big thing in the KBASW, he's basically the equivalent of Kirby's iPad/computer.

With this Magolor is fully redeemed, but his arc's not quite done just yet... he still can't help but feel something is missing in his life. Yes, he's learned the value of friendship and junk... he has friends now but... How could he still feel alone when he was people around him.. a feel that he could only describe as underlining emptiness.

Enter Marx. And as I said in the Marx post... Marx saves Kirby ( I won't say from whom yet but) he gets injured the gang wants to help him but... He didn't want a pity party and tried to get away.

Marx: I DON'T NEED YOUR HEL-! *FACE PLANTS ow...

Everyone: You need our help~

Marx wasn't comfortable staying in Dreamland to recover (he knows people *cough* Bun wouldn't take too kindly of him returning), so to compromise, they cashed in a favor from Magolor... Resulting in Marx being delivered by the gang... via kitten in a basket.

Kirby: Hi Mags, this is Marx... Do you think you can watch him for a bit he's we just need you to watch him so he can recover.

Magolor: Okay, sure... but why is he in a basket?

Marx: HISS *shuts the cover*

Meta Knight: He wanted something with a lid on it.

Mags: Oh~kay *picks up basket* I guess you guys can pick him up when he gets better?

Magolor hoped whatever feral creature they had him watching wouldn't be that much trouble or, at the very least, not bite... but Magolor was pleasantly surprised that Marx seemed... to match him quite perfectly...

Shared his love of ancient relics & magic, sarcastic humor, and a wick wittiness similar to his own. And not just interest but personality-wise as well. Marx had an unapologetic straightforwardness that he appreciated, along with a few oddities that he found strangely endearing...This unexpected guest seemed to fit seamlessly into his life... it actually felt nice to have a companion like this.

Marx at first didn't know what to expect when he was dropped off at Halcandranss doorstep. He assumed that he was being sent to some sort of happy hospital facility, where they were gonna baby him and be monitored 24-7. NO FREEDOM AT ALL, HE'S JUST GONNA BE A CAGED ANIMAL!

But no Mags allowed him to do as he pleased... once he realized that he tried to pretty much annoy Magolor into kicking him out. Using his natural crass, sass, and of course, pranks to do it, however, Magolor didn't fall for any of them. Remaking at each of them describing them as "cute"...

Magolor: Nice try, but... You're not gonna to trick this trickster~

Marx: WHAT!?

Marx assumed Kirby that Magolor was another goody-two-shoes, but... did they bring him to some anti-prank master's house. He should've been angry, but he couldn't help but be impressed. It didn't take him long to stop his fruitless effort... there was nothing else to do but wait till he had a chance to escape.

Marx: "Nothing else, Just sitting and watching this guy... uh what is that you're working on... " leaving being instantly enamored and captivated with Magolor's work. Marx's interest and fascination with Ancient Technology is what drove him to use the Galactic Nova in the first place... which sparked Marx's interest and forgetting his original plans to escape.

Which led him to discover all the similarities they had... However, there was this secret unknown wall the other had up. Wanting to keep there both their "unsavory past beginnings with Kirby."

Magolor didn't want to scare Marx away especially when he was finally starting to get comfortable with him. And Marx not wanting to screw up another friendship he was starting to make, by revealing what he was. Both did not want to ruin the only good thing they had in a while.

When finally Marx recovered, Mags was just about to call Kirby and the gang, and immediately Marx pretended to still be sick. Visibly nervous when the check-in call comes in. This doesn't go unnoticed by Magolor,... so when it comes time to call up Kirby for the update, he buys him more time.

Magolor: I gotcha another week...

Marx: Wait, what...

Magolor: Listen I don't think I can get you another when the time comes so... so you think you can tell me what's going on... Kirby's a nice guy I'm sure he'll-

Marx: But I'm not-

This leads Marx to tell Mags everything about the whole "NOVA FIASCO," and Magolor is just speechless as he reveals each detail. Marx loner he spoke couldn't help but feel like he sunk in even deeper believing he blew it again...

Waiting with bated breath for Magolor to answer expecting him to respond in disgust... only with him to respond with. "Yo, same!"

Thus leading Magolor to reveal his past with the Kirby & the Master Crown, along with his road to redemption. This gives Marx a little hope, but not as much confidence that he could do what Magolor did... But Mags assures him that he's still a work in progress himself and that if he wants to be better he should give himself the chance to do better... after all the first step is always the hardest.

Needless to say, everything works out but even after the whole thing, Marx is still hanging out with Magolor... Hmmm... I wonder why! :3

Thanks again to everyone for sticking around and being patient with the asks... I know I'm taking a while to answer (and the things I promised to be done aren't... sorry, my work schedule is hectic.)

I've kinda hit a bit of a roadblock with the fanfic's art style and recently have been wanting to change it up... but anyhow I'm sure I'll figure it out eventually. (So for now I'm trying to knock out a few more asks).

Hope you enjoy the content and have a great day~

[natalyarose]

𝓕𝓾𝓵𝓵 𝓜𝓸𝓸𝓷 𝓲𝓷 𝓢𝔀𝓪𝓽𝓲 - 𝓇𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓂𝒷𝑒𝓇𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝓂𝒶𝑔𝒾𝒸

🤍 Tonight/today greets us with a beautiful, vibrant Full Moon in Swati. I want to shed a little light about one of the mythologies associated with Swati and how it pertains to natives & transits under this Lunar Mansion.

The Vedic story of Hanuman, the cosmic son of Vayu (God of the wind & lord of Swati) lends us a wealth of knowledge about Swati's nature & message. It goes like this (I've tried my best to put it into my own wording): When Hanuman was a young boy, he thought the Sun was a big fruit, so he jumped into the sky to try to eat it. The Sun god felt intimidated by young Hanuman coming towards him, and asked he asked Indra (King of the Gods) to bring the child back down to Earth with his weapon/powers. Indra struck Hanuman in his jaw with his weapon: Vajra, the thunderbolt. Impressed by the child’s bravery & resistance, the deities blessed Hanuman with various powers. Hanuman used his powers to play pranks upon others, and for this, the rishis (sages, seers) cursed him to forget his gifts and powers. The boy then apologized for his mistake, so the rishis told him that his powers would come back to him if someone reminded him of them. Later on, while Hanuman was on a quest searching for Sita, Lord Rama’s wife, he was reminded of his powers by Jambavan, the bear headed being. Of the curse and his past. Upon hearing this, Hanuman's confidence is reignited. He ended up playing out multiple roles: a messenger to Sita, a diplomat to Vibhishana, and a soldier against Ravan.

🤍 This story gave me so much context as to why Swati natives are the way they are: A lot of the Swati natives I've met in my life are brilliantly talented in some field, or even multitalented, but are often very (overly) humble and self-doubting or easily discouraged by others'.

🤍 Swati is known to be perhaps the most energetically receptive of all the Nakshatras (some consider it to be the 'most feminine', which it is very much so but I think Swati's energy is very ethereal so it kinda transcends traditional feminine/masculine archetypes). This energetic receptivity gives endless potential for just about anything that can be dreamed of- there is a vast potential for just about any skill, talent or reality to be manifested in Swati. However, as the mythology implies, Swati's infinite powers and potential can be limited by the natives 'forgetting' their abilities or others attempting to bring them down.

🦋 It is said that Swati natives, like in the story, need to be surrounded by people who remind them of their abilities, beauty & talents in order to thrive. This makes sense in the context of Swati being very Yin and passive- endless potential, but needs that external Yang in order to flourish. It needs somebody to be objective with them and tell them exactly what they're good at.

🌱This potential is seen with Swati's symbolism being a plant shoot/sapling standing strong against the wind: there is a talent, a gift in Swati natives that needs to be nurtured to grow. Not that Swati's natives should depend on others- part of Swati's path may be related to learning to do what it takes to nurture those abilities yourself; but even still having positive affirmation and strong, Solar energies around is very important for Swati.

🍃 The Sun is debilitated in Swati, meaning the ego is very fragile. This can of course go many different ways- it can manifest as somebody who is very overly humble, self sacrificial, weak boundaries, lets emotions and empathy govern their life, 'too nice', lacking a healthy ego, struggles with criticism. Sometimes I see Swati manifested poorly as someone who feels down on themselves, so then deflects and rip down others, but typically there is another placement involved to cause this behaviour.

🌬 Not that Swati can't have a dark side, it certainly can and does as all Nakshatras do (Swati's other symbol is a sword & is butcher caste- it can be ruthless in achieving their goals, like Hanuman reaching up to the Sun)- but still remember that Swati resides in the middle of Sidereal Libra. Libra is balance, peace, the middle ground. Swati is the very middle of the middle lol. It is the ultimate 'go with the flow' 'neither here nor there' embodiment. Much like the wind.

🌌 This is partially why Tropical Scorpios are known to have the mesmerising stare & amazing ability to read people & situations: Swati acts as almost like this cosmic vacuum for knowledge, able to absorb it all but often too 'off with the fairies' and in their own world to verbalize it or always remember it. The natives can be misunderstood as ditzy and 'airheaded'.

🖤The 'dark side' of Swati would probably be staying quiet, not taking a stand 'for' or 'against' anything & letting life pass you by, or being bystanders in witnessing bad things due to the extreme energetic neutrality/passivity. Perhaps even snapping from the burden of always being doubted and passive. This neutrality can also be a gateway to fostering profound wisdom- access to the intuitive stream of knowledge available to us all is blocked by judgement & absolutes.

🎨 This leads me to Swati's association with the Goddess Saraswati; the Goddess of knowledge, wisdom, art, music & learning. The extreme potential to accumulate knowledge in Swati is a wonder, but it's almost as if sometimes the only way for Swati to verbalize & relay the knowledge to the world, is through art & music. A lot of spiritual truths are just too profound to put into plain words and even if you manage to, there's the risk of being misunderstood- through artistic creation, this wisdom can be more easily FELT.

🥀 I think that the theme of 'forgetting your powers' in Swati, reminds me of how when we come to this Earth and are born (Bharani, opposite to Swati represents birth), we for the most part forget our potential. We forget our divinity, we forget spiritual information such as our past lives.

🌸 It is said that on the way to success, Swati natives will often encounter a person or situation where people will try to bring them down/block their path at all costs, like Indra striking down the boy who reached for the Sun.

🌹One last thing- I recently watched the movie 'Pearl' which was a weird thing for me because I veer away from watching horrific movies, but the actress (Mia Goth) is Swati ascendant. Butcher caste. Symbolised by the sword/blade. Well, let's just say that the character lives up to this association lol- but I was thinking and I realised that the overall story and what lead the girl to this point is very Swati. Not that being a murderer is typical of Swati natives lol, but the plot:

🍒🌬 Pearl grows up on a farm, isolated from the world and held back from her freedom and enjoyment of her youth by her responsibilities taking care of her ill & immobilised father; and living with her abusive yet well meaning mother (not that abuse is ever okay but in the context of it being a very scary time for society amidst the Spanish flu and the father being crippled, I think the mum was very scared to death of more tragedy occuring). She dreams of being a star on the silver screens, a dancer (Swati being very ambitious & typically talented) but feels, once again, held back by the weight of the responsibility and burden of her dark home life. Eventually, she cracks and ends up killing anyone who she perceives to have doubted her or blocked her path (including her parents). Anyway, very Swati themes. Also very Rahu, Rahu nakshatras can have themes of being very sweet, polite and conforming- but eventually emotionally cracking, and all of the built up anger, rage and frustration from being mistreated or walked all over in their passive state comes out.

🌷🌸 Also, I just randomly thought of Barbie and the Three Musketeers lol- Barbie is often considered to be a Swati character (the femininity association, Rahuvian illusion, the way she can play all these characters and enter all of these different fantasy worlds). In Barbie and the Three Musketeers, we see Corinne (interestingly, again a girl who lives fair away from the city, somewhat isolated on a farm with her mother. Both movies play into the trope of the sweet, naive yet underestimated farm girl) who dreams of becoming a musketeer like her father was, in a time where girls could never be considered for this noble position. She confidently made her way on horseback all the way to Paris. When she told people of her dreams and ambitions of becoming a musketeer, everyone laughed in her face seeing as she was a girl. Even though she was extremely skilled and had been practicing for years. In the story, she discovers of this bad dude's plans to kill the prince to steal his inheritance to the throne, and her and her friends plan to take action.

Once the bad dude catches on that they know what he's up to and are trying to stop him, he of course tries to destroy them (there is a scene of a classic sword fight on the roof of the castle, Swati being associated with high places as well).

After demonstrating their immense bravery and skill, the girls all become musketeers and are apologised to for being underestimated (if I remember correctly).

It's really interesting because both of these movies include a scene early in the movie where the main character performs in a barn to the animals lol- Corinne practicing her musketeer skills, and Pearl practicing her dancing (and uh... killing a goose?).

🌫These movies also highlight Swati's themes of being underestimated, seen as very sweet and passive or naively sheltered, harmless girls but shocking the world with what they're capable of. 'Doing it in a dress' or doing it in lipstick & heels' vibes. Obviously, the two movies & characters go in entirely different directions though, lol.

🌸 In a way, society at large underestimates Barbie in general- deeming her airheaded or vapid & shallow just because of her associations with beauty & femininity, when most of the Barbie movies and stories actually depict Barbie as an immensely brave, courageous character who's positivity, kindness, strength and determination transcends evil every time.

Anyway, this ended up being much longer than intended lol, but I hope this was enjoyed by someone and sheds some light on the power of Swati Nakshatra this Full Moon <3🤍🌚

[bubble-popping]

day 22! more cryptid dream au since some people seem to like it so much :>

When Technoblade set out to better his life and put his violent ways behind him, this was not what he had in mind.

Just a week into his new arrangement, the Farlander had gone from occasional night visits to living under his roof 24/7. When he woke up, the giant glorified cat was sprawled out, long limbs haphazardly this way and that, leaving Techno with maybe a quarter of the king-sized bed--and he just knew he did it on purpose. Every meal, Floof (Chat's idea for his name, their only good one ever) sat like a person at the table and used his claws to feed himself in the most disgusting ways Techno had ever seen--and again, he KNEW he did it on purpose. Finally, when night fell and Techno retired to bed, he'd find Floof already curled up on his side, pretending to be asleep, waiting for the second Techno laid down to smother him in warmth and fluff.

Okay, so while he didn't expect this, he also had to admit he didn't hate it.

Sometimes, and he'd never say it out loud lest the creature get an overblown ego to boot, Floof was actually enjoyable company. Especially on those freezing cold nights when no amount of layers and blankets was enough to fight the Arctic air, Floof somehow seemed warmer than usual, practically radiating heat as he wrapped his spindly arms and legs and tail around him.

Mundane tasks became little games because the Farlander required constant attention, otherwise Techno would never get anything done with how he whined and climbed over him like a needy cat. Collecting firewood turned into seeing how far and quick Floof could teleport when Techno threw a stick, maybe Techno's favorite game as a very biased dog person. His reading time was now 'trying fruitlessly to teach Floof to speak English' time, but to be fair Floof had made a little progress. (Every time he tried to warble out "Techno," the pinkette could feel his chest explode from an inability to handle the sheer overload of cuteness.) Cooking stayed relatively the same, although Floof did like to add in the chopped vegetables and stir the pot when making soup.

All the things Techno normally did alone, things that had once been nuisances to him, suddenly were fun and entertaining. The days stopped dragging on. No longer did he need to constantly occupy himself just so the cacophonous urging by the voices didn't overwhelm him. Don't get him wrong, he liked the solitude he had before, but Floof brought life everywhere he went. His unending curiosity with the world always got a chuckle out of him; how he'd try to capture butterflies and marvel at the tenacity of Arctic plant life.

Without Techno even realizing, Floof had carved a very special place in his heart. (Not to mention Chat absolutely adored him and became the most manageable they've been in years.) And it made him yearn to learn so much more.

He started traveling to the most distant villages in search of libraries that housed books on Farlanders, pestering Ranboo any time he was free for more information--which was the actual worst, because of course the guy with memory problems would be his only primary source, Techno wasn't even surprised by the irony at this point. This was also why he initially bothered to teach Floof English. Who else could possibly know more than the creature himself?

More than anything, Techno pondered on Floof's very strange sentience. He had more intelligence than even villagers--and certainly more than any enderman--a trait only seen in Players, which led to a somewhat scary line of thinking.

Could Floof actually be a Player? He could craft, he understood potion recipes, he even seemed to have an inventory. Unless, Farlanders were just built different like that? Ugh, this was why he needed to know more!

Apparently, Techno had gotten rather poor at hiding his frustration as without warning Floof nudged his chin with his nose and nuzzled into his neck, whining in that garbled endermen accent he had. Techno couldn't help but melt and chuckle, the voices singing with 'aww's.

"I'm alright, Floof. Just stuck on this one part of the book is all," he lied, gesturing to the open book in his lap. Floof sat up and leaned over him to get a better look, as if he could possibly understand it better, but the sentiment was there.

Floof appeared to think about something before he pointed to the page and then wiggled his fingers in front of his mouth. In the absence of words, Techno had taught him a few phrases in sign language for exactly things like this. A simple gesture of "read aloud" before he plopped back down, head in Techno's lap and long body sprawled over the rest of the couch.

And since he had nothing else to do what with his brain starting to hurt thinking about all the abnormalities surrounding the Farlander--and Chat breaking down over how endlessly endearing Floof was--Techno did. He read the paragraphs and passages with one hand rubbing the longer fluff on Floof's head, paying special attention to his sensitive ears and enjoying the quiet rumbling emanating from his chest.

[unicornsacorn]

Cursed Kratts

Because nobody asked but also I'm super in this AU right now, here is an explanation on what I call the cursed island/cursed Kratts.

Lets start with the brothers

So Martin and Chris both start out completely normal mortals, one day Martin saves and unknown god from a being murdered and as thanks "blesses" Martin with the ability the shape-shift into any animal he wanted. Unfortunately he can't control it very well and soon the villager believe he is a curse sent by the gods. The brothers quickly flee to uninhabitable islands for protection, Chris asking the gods to rid his brother of this curse is instead "blessed" to share said curse making the ability easier to control. Slowly the god turned the island into a paradise and prison for those banished by the gods.

Koki and Aviva

These 2 were banished from Olympus for about the same reasons, being too good at there jobs

Aviva is a daughter of hephaestus, being super skilled with her mental works and inventions that could rival Hermes. That praise is what actually got her in trouble, Hermes grew jealous of her works and demanded she be banished, this leads her to the island where the boys are. She the one that actually found ways to better help boys control they're shape-shifting.

Koki is actually the chariot keeper to the gods, which means she was in charge of all the up keep with the chariots and even they're armor, and she was very good at her job. So good that she actually started to gain so enemy's, they started to spread rumors that koki favored certain gods more. This lead to Apollo being convinced that his chariot was being as taken care of as his sister Artemis, causing Koki to be banished to the island for her own safety. She is responsible for building most of the settlements the others use.

Jimmy

Jimmys kinda simpler than the others, he's the child of Hypnos, but because he wasn't really fitting in anywhere his father decided to send him to the island. At first the others are wary being sent someone from Olympus, it doesn't take them long to see he's completely harmless. Jimmy is the only one that can freely leave, just chooses not to he really likes the friends he's made on the island.

Now finally Zach

Zach is a very rich king with a passion for inventions. He believes he's so good at inventing that he believes he's a descent of Hermes. Zachs ego for being the best leads him to travel to the mysterious islands in search of never before seen treasure to make him famous.

[mister-e-muss]

I figured I’d give you guys a sneak preview of a KFP fic I’m writing. Working title is ‘Temtping Fate’

The Jade Palace was a place of calm tranquility, constantly made contradictory by intense physical labor. It was a place of meditative peace, where its residents perfected their abilities to fight. A mountain palace, that taught people how to throw someone to the floor in three moves or less.

Po rarely thought about it that deeply. He knew Kung Fu inside and out by now. It made sense to him that self-improvement, be it physical or not, would require both loud, high energy exercise rooms, and more introspective quiet areas. The chef in him likened it to broth-less noodles and noodle-less broth. You could do one or the other, but it was much better balanced together.

Balance was always one of Shifu's, and by extension Oogway's, chief lessons. Inner peace, the acceptance of oneself, and the need to push forward we're all key ingredients in making the flavor of one's soul. It was what added heat and depth to the proverbial soup of consciousness.

It was a good thing that such lessons were everywhere in the Jade Palace, because at the moment Po felt about as balanced as a one-legged chair during an earthquake.

He ran through the halls and gardens of the palace, yowls and shouts escaping him as if he were being chased.The groundskeepers, by now well trained to the Dragon Warrior's ways, moved precious decorations and fragile plants out of his way, hardly sparing him more than a passing glance or a roll of their eyes.

It was as Po barrelled through the doors into the east wing, rounded the corner on the left, and shot down the hallway after making two rights, that he caught a familiar glimpse of orange fur. Said orange figure spotted him a moment later, barreling towards her at high speed. 'Tigress!" Po said, digging his heels in an attempt to brake himself.

Tigress' eyes went wide, and in a moment of instinct, braced for impact. Po's body was grabbed and turned around before being set down firmly.

Po stood still and blinked for a second. "Oh good, I found you!" His next words spilled out in a single breath. "I need your help, but I kinda need you to promise not to hate me first, because I feel like you might hate me a little bit if I just come out and say it, but I really do need your help and-"

"Po," Tigress said firmly. "Breath. Slowly." After Po did, and stopped shaking so much, Tigress continued. "Now, from the top, what were you saying."

Po sighed and hid his eyes. "This is gonna take a bit of explaining. Okay, so, you remember Temutai, Warrior King of the Qidan Clan, right?"

Tigress nodded. "That yak that you had to challenge for the princess, right?"

"Yeah, that guy. Big dude, big voice, ego more inflated than a lantern. So, I got a letter a few weeks ago from one of his guys. Apparently he got engaged."

"Temutai. Engaged," Tigress remarked drily.

Po shrugged. "I know, weird right? Guess there's somebody for everybody. Anyway the thing is, he has a sister apparently, and he wants her to marry someone in the Valley so he doesn't have to worry about trade dealings and stuff." Pink started to creep its way up Po's face. "Temutai wrote me last week and said that apparently I was his first choice. 'My sister is a warrior of the Qidan clan, so she must marry a warrior!' That's what he said, anyways."

"I. . . see," Tigress said. "You didn't accept, did you?"

Po scoffed. "No, no! You kidding me? Of course not!"

Tigress wanted to feel relieved, but instead her gut coiled. "So how did this lead to you needing my help?"

Po's face went from pink to red. "See, that's kinda the thing. I couldn't just tell him no: Temutai's an actual king, and an egomaniac besides. So, I had to find a way to tell him no, but gently. I knida just. . . wrote him back the first thing that came into my head." Po stole a quick glance at Tigress, whose face had grown from passively concerned, to hard and searching. Po took another breath. "I told him I was already married."

"Meaning you couldn't get married." Tigress nodded. Not the most impressive coverup, but the logic was sound enough, by Po's standards that is.

"Exactly," Po said. "I thought that would just be the end of it, but apparently Temutai found a groom for his sister somewhere else and wants me there when she gets married."

Tigress crossed her arms. "Easy enough. I still don't see what you need my help for."

Po adjusted the fur on his head, refusing to meet her eyes. "Temutai doesn't just want me there. He wants me, and my wife there."

Tigress mouth hung open, while her arms went limp. She dreaded the next few words, but she forced them out anyways. ". . . And this would-be blushing bride is. . ?"

Po inhaled deeply. "I told him I was married to you." Po then bowed his head over double and held his hands in front of him. "I'm so sorry. I should have told you back when I got the first letter, but I thought it would be funny. It isn't, but I really need your help to bail me out of this. So will you please be my fake wife while we try not to offend a warrior-king!"

[thepenultimateword]

I love your prompt lists! Any thoughts on Arranged Marriage prompts involving Villains?

Disclaimer: Though the request was arranged marriages, this is actually a mix of arranged and forced marriages. An arranged marriage is one that both parties agree to, and a forced marriage is, as it sounds, a party being forced against their will into a relationship by the other party or by someone else.

1. Villain is arranged in marriage to Superhero after Supervillain makes a deal to benefit their own organization. Villain would decline, but they don’t have much power to resist at the moment.

2. Supervillain is arranged in marriage to Other Supervillain to grow and support both their territories and power.

3. Supervillain is in search of a spouse worthy to rule alongside them and advertises applications. Villain is unaware until the day they are chosen that their henchmen filled out an application for them.

4. Hero and Villain were arranged in marriage as civilians, it wasn’t difficult to discover each other’s alter egos, but it makes their home life very awkward.

5. Villain was once a powerful dark sorcerer, but when they tried to overthrow the kingdom, they were defeated and stripped of their power. They assumed they'd be executed, at the very least imprisoned for life, instead, the kingdom's ruler comes to them with a proposition.

6. Villain is the usurper and ruler of a powerful kingdom. Despite their ambiguous morals, they are fair and good to their people. However, when a drought strikes their lands, and they reach out for help, no other kingdom trusts them enough to make an alliance. That is, except for one kingdom, which has a particular type of alliance in mind.

7. Villain lives in a world of soulmates, but they never expected their soulmate to be Hero. Arranged by fate itself, the pressure is on to make it official. Though both are struggling with the revelation and what it means for them.

8. Villain and Hero are arranged in marriage in order to bring peace to the warring sides and to the city. But what happens when Henchman interrupts?

9. Hero was supposed to marry Villain. But now Hero is dead. Apparently, Sidekick is next best, so they've been put in their ex-colleague's place.

10. Villain is the youngest heir to a royal family with ambitious plans to become crown prince/princess. Their oldest sibling is meant to be making a marriage alliance with another kingdom but ends up eloping with someone else instead. Now Villain is the only unwed sibling left and is thrown into their sibling's place to avoid offending the other kingdom. Villain is glad they get the chance to rule, but this wasn't how it was supposed to happen.

11. Villain is an almighty immortal, but despite being surrounded by doting people, they hunger for companionship. Someone they can think of as an equal. They arrange to meet some candidates to be their bride/groom.

12. Villain is a pirate king, but when he frees a siren from his nets, he finds himself trapped in her customs of marriage.

13. Henchman happens to be Superhero’s child, and they arrange them in marriage to Hero, hoping to cure their so called “rebellious-streak”. Needless to say, Villain is not happy, and not just because they have feeling for Henchman.

14. It’s a classic fairytale story, Villain is the cursed heir to the throne who has been promised in marriage by their parents to whoever can find their cure.

(So many options for this one, do they set aside their dark nature as they’re desperate for a cure? Do they even want a cure? Did they curse themself? Is the curse a result of something they did? Did an enemy curse them? Are they against their parent’s deal? For it? Is it a scheme? A twist of fate?)

15. ^ but in reverse. Villain is going to Iift the curse on that heir and get that spot on the throne, and they’re not going to do it the goody goody way.

[zelphin124]

LCB-3: Chapter 9

This took way too long to get out, I apologize for the inconvenience. I have the next three session notes, hopefully after my papers I can get them out to you all. Masterpost Chapter 8 <--> Chapter 10

~o0o~

Jekyll glanced down at her hands, gripping the moonstone rings to use their last bit of power to force Hyde back. 

She grunted. What the hell? 

Mallo stepped over the dead body before turning toward the group, adjusting the black hair that fell from her face to rest behind her shoulders. “We should search for the ace of cards,” she recommended. “I believe the closest one of the cards is that way.” 

“It’s possible,” Lenore tapped her glaive on the ground. “But collecting them could very much be a bad thing.” 

“If we find the ace and don’t place it on the deck, it could benefit us,” Mallo countered. “We leave it on the body we find it on.” 

The two black-haired women continued conversing about the cards as they walked straight into the room before them. They argued, reconciled, and argued again about the possible outcomes. 

Jekyll stared at the moonstones, zoning out and not paying attention to the world around her. Guilt gripped her heart. Why did I torture that man with my EGO? 

Why not? Hyde objected. 

He would’ve… died either way… 

Hyde rolled her eyes before cackling. Come on, we placed fear in the hearts of our allies. They will know not to cross us. We need to use that drug more in combat; it gives us an advantage. 

“So, I have good news, weird news, and bad news,” Mallo walked back into the room behind Lenore, closing the door. “The good news… is I found a card.” She flipped it in her hands. “The bad news is it’s not the ace. But the weird news is, it’s the nine of hearts that dusted in my hands earlier.” She glanced around the room as everyone stared back at her. Her shoulders slouched. “Who has the cards?” 

Jekyll snapped out of her mind. “I have the cards,” she stepped forward. “Give them to me, Mallo.” 

Mallo didn’t hesitate and placed the card in Jekyll’s outstretched hand carefully. She strained to keep her head up. “Keep them safe.” She muttered. 

Dante still has that card. 

Jekyll turned toward the manager, watching the flames flicker on his head. “Dante?” She stepped forward with her arm stretched out again. “The card, please.” 

Dante took a step back, his flames getting dimmer across the pink crown around his head. “Can you handle it–” 

“Dante.” Jekyll stepped forward again. “Yes, I can handle it. Give it to me.” She wasn’t asking, nor did she want to sound like it was an option for the manager. Despite her anger against him, it was her job to protect him, and this was the best way she knew how. 

Dante handed the king of hearts over, not saying nor confirming anything after that. To Jekyll’s relief, it looked the same, but the card had had an uneasy warmth to it as if it was just printed, and the ink had not settled. 

“There is more that way,” Dante stammered, pointing to the left door. “All we need is the queen and the ace, hopefully, those can remove the crowns. Mallo, can you lead the way?” 

Mallo opened the left door, allowing the party to go in before her. One by one, each member of the party stepped into the next room, leaving the rotting bodies of the deceased on the floor. “You coming, Ms. Jekyll?” Jatayu was the last one to go in as he spoke gently. 

One day they will call me Dr. Jekyll… Jekyll pulled out the cards in her pocket and filed the new cards on top of them, shuffling them to be in order. She nodded in response before entering the next room. 

Everyone stopped next to the door to wait for Dante, and no one moved on. Jekyll glanced around before she stood in the middle of the next room, wondering why no one was moving. 

They’re taking forever. Let’s move on ourselves. Hyde suggested, pointing towards the door in front of it. 

Jekyll tried to make a mental map of where they had gone; it was like the rooms were a grid, and they were moving like chess pieces with no idea what was on the next square. However, staying with the party didn’t seem like the best idea. Jekyll needed some time to think about all that happened in the past few days. Or… was it days? Maybe it’s only been a few hours… It’s very hard to tell the time in this broken-down facility. 

Regardless, a lot has happened, Hyde groaned. Keep moving. I’d like to talk to you in private. 

Jekyll obliged, continuing on to the next room. But you already talk to me in private–

When her eyes adjusted to the darkness in the next room toward the left hall, she immediately regretted her decision to continue. Jekyll came face-to-face with a familiar drone; the one her party fought while she was changing IDs. Blood trickled into the cobble across the floor, and two dead bodies lay in front of the doctor’s feet. The drone appeared to have finished scanning the bodies before it turned its purple eye toward Jekyll. A familiar, high-pitched chaotic laughter rang through its voice box. 

Crap! Jekyll panicked, about to run. We–

“Mmm~ you’re not in uniform… and it appears you don’t have any augments. You’re not one of my demon syndicate members, are you?” It rolled its tone of voice like it was shrilling with delight. Curiosity dripped from whoever spoke behind the drone. 

Wait, she doesn’t recognize us, Hyde stepped in immediately, having assessed the situation. We can get out of this, greet her. 

Jekyll gulped and sheepishly raised her hand to wave. “Hi.” 

Hyde visibly smashed her head in Jekyll’s mind. 

The drone whirled before going silent. “Is… Is that all you’re going to say?” 

Jekyll stammered over her words, trying to figure out what to do. “I… uh…” 

We took a wrong turn, start with that as I come up with a story. Hyde glanced around, and despite not being able to see much out of Jekyll’s eye, she began to plot. Jekyll had no choice but to trust Hyde to ease the situation as the tension rose. 

“I think I took a wrong turn…?” Jekyll began, forcing her breathing to slow as she would with her therapy clients. “What’s your name?” 

The drone laughed curiously. “How can you take so many wrong turns and end up in one of the most dangerous places in this city?” 

Oh! Remember how Danves talked about people looting places they shouldn’t? Delvers and adventurers were interested in the loot of lobotomy corporations, use that. Hyde suggested. 

Jekyll nodded and took a deep breath. “Uh… I-I was tasked by my boss to find some loot in this facility. I didn’t mean to intrude on your business, I just got lost in the maze.” 

You did not need to apologize, Jekyll. Do not show weakness. 

“Are you someone who works with, or belongs to a boss that these poor saps did?” The ball-shaped drone flew down to the floor, shining a light on the beheaded corpses. 

The cards would be on these red bodies, Jekyll guessed. 

Yes, but focus on the immediate threat. Hyde expressed her urgency through her tone. Tell her we came to collect loot off of them. It’ll throw them off and disassociate us with them. 

And it’s not entirely false either… Jekyll glanced back at the drone. “No… part of my job was to collect the loot on these guys.” 

The doctor watched the drone move very carefully, forcing her every breath to be still and quiet; under her control. Her heart pounded, which fueled her fear, but also her need to fight the drone and stab it through the eye. 

Hyde, stop influencing my desires. 

Idiot, I didn’t do anything. Stay focused. 

“Oh,” the drone trilled, the woman behind the drone chuckling under her breath. “Do you happen to have some sort of guess on the loot you are looking for?” 

“Well, on these bodies in particular,” Jekyll placed a professional look on her face, pointing at the dead bodies. “These people have ahn and cards, but I don’t think that is what my boss is looking for… have you seen anything?” 

“I have seen many things, friend,” the drone flew to face Jekyll in the eye, its purple scanner going over her face. “Do you mind if I call you friend?” 

Jekyll resisted the urge to push the drone away. She scratched the back of her head, adjusting her black hair in a bun. “I don’t see why not,” she paused, not continuing until she had Hyde’s approval. She added a smile to her complexion. “We’ve become quite acquainted. What should I refer to you as, ma’am?” 

The woman’s voice became deathly lower. “Call me… The Night Maker.” 

Lame name, Hyde snorted. What is this? Code name 101? 

“Alright, Ms. Night Maker,” Jekyll finished adjusting her bun, letting it lay looser on her neck. She tried to be manipulative like Hyde. “Coming down to business… do you mind if I search these bodies?” She felt the heat of the drone’s stare and swallowed hard. “Or is that not okay with you?” 

Don’t care about what the drone thinks, your shyness is as visible as fire in the dark. Hyde rolled her eyes. 

The drone didn’t pick up on it. “Only if I can ask you something in return.” 

“And what might that be?” 

The drone whirled in delight. “An answer to a choice I will give you,” the drone backed up, flickering in the violet light it produced. “Would you mind quitting your job and joining me? I have two positions that would be open for you~” 

Jekyll opened her mouth to immediately decline, but Hyde stopped her. No, wait… hear her out. Hyde suggested.

Jekyll recalled the many times Hyde used this tactic before and decided it would be best to follow it. “Is it possible for you to elaborate on these… jobs? I really love specifics.” 

The drone laughed once more. “It’s surprising to hear someone from the ring asking for specifics, seeing your paintbrush.” 

About time, Hyde rolled her eyes. It’s quite a signature weapon to the finger. 

“I can indulge you. The first job I have to offer is to join us. We are like a family here in the demon syndicate.” 

Jekyll forced herself not to flinch at the word ‘family.’ Ah yes… the blood-soaked word… 

If I remember correctly, Hyde smirked with glee. Jatayu is against these people because they tore his family apart… literally. She laughed. 

Jekyll shuddered. We made a promise to help him defeat these guys. 

She’s giving you free information, Hyde stopped her laughter before her tone snapped with anger. Pay attention. 

“Are there any objections to that offer?” The drone inquired, noticing her silence. 

Jekyll adjusted her paintbrush as she looked at the ground. Although two of the bodies were decapitated Maut employees, one of them was a soul-sapped demon syndicate. So much for the term family. 

They’re just like our family. 

Jekyll made her voice clear. “Perhaps I shall state my opinions after you state your second job,” she stared at the drone, forcing a smile. “I have to consider all my options, no?” 

“The second job is being a test subject, and I think you are just right for the job,” the drone laughed chaotically; it was clear it had malicious intent. 

“What kind of test?” Jekyll pressed, hoping for any new information. 

“I can’t just be giving that information out to someone else, outside of our syndicate,” the drone declined much to Jekyll’s dismay. “But if you live, you will be greatly rewarded~” 

Let me take over. Hyde smirked. I know how to deal with people like her. 

Jekyll sighed. Very well… but only for a little bit. 

Hyde took the reigns and changed her posture to the proud, confident stance she usually stood in. “You know, as much as I would love to consider partaking in your lovely family, I’m afraid I do have a contract to complete that I am bound to.” Hyde smiled gently as she bowed toward the drone. “The Ring doesn’t take lightly to contract breakers, after all.” 

To Jekyll’s surprise, the drone immediately bought into Hyde’s coy humility. “Would you believe we have done business with the Ring before?” She asked.

Jekyll tried to fight for control again. Have they? 

Hyde seemed upset she couldn’t mess with the drone more, but obliged and laid low. Yes. They have conversed with us before. The Ring sometimes purchased some of their services to get hard-to-obtain art supplies. 

What?

They kidnapped people for us, Jekyll. And we used their guts and blood for our art. 

“Y-Yes, I think I remember now,” Jekyll did her best to keep the sly tone Hyde had. She’d rather try to reason with the drone instead of getting into trouble, as Hyde tended to do anywhere else but the Ring. 

Hyde wouldn’t budge. Come on, I know what to say. 

But–

Jekyll. Let me handle this. 

Jekyll glanced behind her, wondering where the rest of the party was. A part of her prayed that they would come to rescue her, but another part of her wished they would stay back as she avoided a conflict. She went with the latter, trusting Hyde to do the job. You’ve… saved me from situations before, unlike the rest of the party… 

Hyde pounced on the opportunity. “How about this?” The alluring persuasion came naturally to Hyde as she spoke to the woman behind the drone. “You let me loot these bodies for my boss, and I can put in a good word for you in the Ring. It wouldn’t be too hard to negotiate… I don’t know, doubling your pay, perhaps?” 

Jekyll couldn’t fathom how it would work, but it did. She stood in the back of their mind, astonished as the drone bought into Hyde’s deception. 

“That sounds like the most lovely idea!” The drone gleefully chuckled, twirling in a circle. “I can take you up on that.” 

Jekyll took a step back as the drone flew down to one of the corpses. It flew down to the first beheaded body as a latch under its eye opened. A dark mist escaped its crevices as a few saws extended from the drone. They quickly cut open the body and turned it into shambles. The corpses' blood and water separated immediately upon being torn apart, and as the pieces of the body were cast aside, all that was left was the loot in their pockets: the ahn and the cards. 

Jekyll weaved her hands through the dismembered rubble as if it was normal practice for her. She picked up the two cards on the now two torn-apart corpses. It’s the queen and the ace. Jekyll pulled out the rest of the deck and filed them together. 

As the cards rested in her hands in order, they immediately faded between her fingers, forming the blood that dripped from her palms. The mass amount of blood slipped between Jekyll’s fingers and onto the floor once more. 

Such a vibrant red… Hyde stared in awe. Let’s collect it. 

“Well, are you going to take them?” The drone was in front of the doctor, holding up bloodied scraps of the corpses’ bodies. 

Jekyll pulled out vials and jars from her coat, seizing the scraps and sealing them safely. “Thank you, Night Maker. I shall put in a good word for your future endeavors with the Ring. Do you have a specific section you prefer?” 

“I've worked for students and docents, and a few maestros, too~” The drone hummed gleefully. “I’ve worked for the Ring all across The City.” 

To be connected with all the maestros is a big fleet, I thought… Jekyll furrowed her eyes. 

Hyde agreed. It is. It took me forever to do that myself. 

“I see, you must be very resourceful,” Jekyll chose her words carefully as she collected the vibrant red blood into jars before sealing it in different vials. 

The drone cooed, rolling over its speech. “One must be when they are helping a great and powerful person build the next era!” 

Hyde stopped, turning her attention to the drone. Wait… That’s important. That’s information we can use. 

Jekyll wiped her hands with a red cloth, trying to come off as disinterested. “What next era?” 

The drone chuckled. “I would tell you more, but it doesn’t seem you’re coming to join us any time soon, so I will not share more with you.” It whirled around, scanning the floor. “Do you need more corpses? There is plenty here. If not, shall we consider getting you out of here?” 

Jekyll stopped for a moment. Hyde, what do I do? We have to stay!

The painter snapped her fingers in Jekyll’s mind. Inform her of the long process of collecting blood on the floor. 

“Well, retracting, purifying, and containing stained blood on hard surfaces like these takes too long,” Jekyll smiled gently. “I can collect it here, there’s no need to wait on me. Please, I don’t mean to waste any more of your time.” 

The drone’s voice became low and threatening. “Please, get out of here,” it demanded. “You got what you came for, didn’t you?” 

Hyde thought of a solution faster than Jekyll could ask for one. The lack of blood in the facility… we haven’t filled up all our jars yet for the next painting. 

“There’s… actually been a lack of blood in the facility, with all the bodies I found…” Jekyll proposed, staring at the floor. “This is the first room I’ve seen blood in abundance. If there is another place in the facility I can collect it, I will leave to go there.” 

The drone whirled in bewilderment and shock. “Not enough blood?!” The woman roared. “Have you not seen the–” she stopped. The silence was terrifying. There was a soft cackle before the woman spoke again. “You know, I might have something that will impress you! Come, follow me, my friend!” 

Hyde narrowed her eyes. This is a trap. 

Jekyll felt compelled to follow the drone, an obligation that she didn’t feel as if she had a choice in. In fact, one could’ve said an invisible force made her comply. I… I have to go with her. It would blow our cover, and I can’t stop my feet. 

Ready your paintbrush, Hyde thought cautiously. Looks like someone is not getting their deal. 

Will… Will Dante be mad we conversed with them? 

Nonsense. We gained valuable information! Hyde scoffed. We fooled them, we have the advantage. 

As the drone entered the room facing north, Jekyll realized she had come to the end of the maze of rooms. The violet tints were washed away in the thick stench of blood that covered the floor like a carpet. The room was similar to that of the White Lake’s: a containment room. Before the doctor sat a being she immediately guessed was another abnormality, which fit the descriptions of the ‘Red Queen’ incredibly well. 

A bright pink crown rested on the skull-like head. The face was heart-shaped and was lean and white. In the center of the face was a crack which opened to reveal its large, red eye. It had long white clothing around its head and neck, similar to other royalty clothing, and was held by a golden clasp on its chest. The abnormality possessed no arms; it sat upright in a black and white striped chair with its round base being the only leg. Its chest was red and was covered in a silky cloak of blood. 

Its gaze was focused on a demon syndicate just in front of Jekyll as she and the drone entered the room. He flailed his arms about wildly as if trying to perform some type of dance. Tears streamed down his face and damped his blonde curly hair. “Please, let me stop, please!” He begged, sobs escaping his quivering lips. 

The queen said nothing as she stared at him. It looked like he had been doing that for hours. He collapsed onto the floor, gasping for breath as his body gave way. 

Weak. Hyde looked down upon the man, watching him tremble in fear. 

The red eye on the abnormality started to glow. The man looked up in horror. “No, no, please! No!” 

A bright red flash filled the room. As soon as it came, the blinding light left. What was left of its effect was the demon syndicate member’s head being cleanly removed from its body as if he was executed. It rolled across the blood-soaked floor under the queen’s floating seat, where many other human heads rested. 

Hyde was not amused. How wasteful. 

“This thing should help quite nicely with your quota for blood,” the drone cooed, laughing maliciously. 

Jekyll raised her eyebrow, suppressing her fear as much as possible as she tore her gaze away from the pile of heads. “Can I collect the blood in the other room before I start here?” She sighed in relief that her voice didn’t quiver from fright. 

“That depends on what she says,” the drone gestured to the abnormality. The drone didn’t take another moment to say or wish for anything else; she exited through the right door; there never seemed to be an end to the possible doors to venture into. Regardless, the drone left Jekyll alone with the abnormality, and it was staring right at her. 

Its face was stoic; it did not appear to have a mouth. However, it gave off the vibe that it was going to attack, as all abnormalities did thus far. 

“Greetings, how may I assist you today?” Jekyll bowed her head low, showing respect. 

The monster did not react at all. 

Eh, let’s just kill it already. Hyde urged, forcing Jekyll’s hands. 

Jekyll yelped, trying to stop herself as her instincts took over and she flung the brush across the abnormality’s torso in a skilled attack. 

It didn’t even leave a scratch. 

Jekyll felt like she was slowly losing her mind, and Hyde was gaining more control. She stepped back, stunned with fear. Hyde! You just angered it! 

She wasn’t wrong. The abnormality’s gaze became darker as a red heart was flung toward her. Jekyll’s arms moved before she could process what was happening; Hyde had blocked the attack skillfully. 

We… we have to entertain it! Jekyll breathed faster, starting to hyperventilate. 

Relax, it’s probably just its effect, Hyde sighed, clearly annoyed. Let me take care of this. You saw how well I did back there, why can’t you trust me? 

Hyde, the last time you faced an abnormality you sided with it and corroded! Jekyll backed up, trying to make herself small in the gaze of the abnormality. I do NOT trust you! 

Pathetic. Hyde sat back. It’s your death, anyway. Let me know when you want me to save your life again. 

The door opened behind the doctor; Pen and Lenore waltzed into the room before immediately spotting the queen. Pen had an ID equipped; Jekyll thought it was something related to R Corp. “Heh… commencing rabbit protocol,” a robotic voice sounded from his mask. 

Jekyll glanced towards Lenore, unable to observe her current ID in a state of panic. “It’s not taking any damage from my attacks!” She cried. 

“Hippity hop, don’t stop till it drops!” Pen ignored Jekyll’s comment, setting up his equipment to attack. 

Jekyll was about to repeat herself before she was cut off by a loud shout.

“There’s so many dead people in here!” Jatayu’s voice carried through the hall. It was clear he was in the previous room with the dismembered corpses. “Did you do this, Mallo?!” 

“Yeah, it was me,” Jekyll could tell she was grinning by her tone. “They annoyed me, so I got rid of them.” 

Jatayu didn’t object. “Impressive, I will not get on your bad side.” 

So they are both idiots, Hyde commented. 

“You’re not, don’t worry,” Mallo said. “Looks like the other party members are in combat in that room.” 

Jatayu nodded. “Let’s move, then!” 

“I’m going to switch IDs, give me a moment.” 

Jatayu’s footsteps were heard before he entered the room. “Right, what are we fighting?” 

“That monster,” Pen replied, pointing at the angry queen. 

“It’s the queen of hearts!” Jekyll stammered. “Or… the red queen! I don’t know! That thing! And it’s not taking any damage!” 

Jatayu glanced over his shoulder to see Mark entering the room with a blue-clothed ID. He grunted. “Well, let’s make sure this doesn’t get messy.” 

“Messy?” Jekyll started, unable to control her wavering voice as she entered into a state of panic. “It doesn’t take–” 

No one listened to Jekyll as everyone prepared for combat. The doctor knew she had to entertain it somehow, but what would it find entertaining? There’s blood on the floor… maybe my painting skills will impress it! 

Hyde scoffed. Jekyll, no, that’s not–

Jekyll didn’t listen. She scraped some of the blood off the floor before pouring it on her brush and painting an abstract picture on the wall. It took her a bit, and she was well aware that she looked insane whilst doing so. When she finished, she stared down the queen, hoping it would please her. 

The queen scoffed at the painting, and the gaze upon the doctor hardened. It was displeased, and it only instilled fear in Jekyll even more.

But… Jekyll glanced at her quick painting. But I thought–

Who said we had to please it? Hyde snapped. You’re an idiot. 

The abnormality flung another red heart at Jekyll; she managed to block it, but it was no use. What do I do? 

It wants a very niche thing to be entertained… Hyde laughed. We could give it something it has never seen before~

…What?

Lenore and Pen shot forward, trying to attack the abnormality. They were met with the same no damage Jekyll faced. 

Did I not tell them no damage would be dealt?! Jekyll barely held herself together. Why doesn’t anybody listen? 

Woah, Jekyll, Hyde smirked, gently pulling Jekyll back. Take a moment to breathe, and calm yourself. I will take care of the issue while you do so. 

Unable to think straight, Jekyll obliged, and Hyde fronted immediately. 

Hyde shifted the monocle to cover her brown eye and reveal her red one to adjust her vision. She inhaled a deep breath as she smiled, glad to be the one in control once more. It’s alright, breathe, Jekyll. Her comfort was never sincere and was always for her benefit. 

Mallo finally entered the room, having an ID Hyde didn’t immediately recognize. “Ah, that’s the one I read about in the files,” she sneered at the abnormality. “Ms. decapitator.” 

“Is the the Red Queen or the Queen of Hearts?” Pen didn’t turn to face Mallo, but it was clear the question was for her. 

“It’s called the Red Queen,” Mallo confirmed. “And it always wants something new to entertain itself… something it hadn’t seen before.” 

Hyde tried to open her mouth to speak, but the queen’s glare became harsher as she did. No sound came out of her vocals. She grunted. Really? Mute again? Are you serious right now? 

Oh no, it’s happening again, Jekyll panicked. 

I’m still in control, Hyde narrowed her eyes back at the queen. No one scoffs at my paintings and lives. 

“Anyone have any ideas?” Mallo gestured to the party. 

“It seems to be affiliating with Jekyll, somehow,” Jatayu pointed out, watching its gaze not leave the painter. 

Mallo strolled over to Jekyll, seemingly unbothered that the queen prepared to attack again. “Jekyll, listen, okay? It wants something unique from you–” 

Hyde turned around to face Mallo, grinning wildly as she adjusted her hair to fall to her waist, out of its bun. 

“Ah, Hyde,” Mallo flattened her face, her tone becoming more awkward. “You two have a unique experience, and it’s likely the queen hasn’t seen something like you before. You know, with you two being two different people, but sharing the same body…” 

Hyde raised an eyebrow. Are you serious?

Mallo continued, not meeting Hyde’s eyes. “That is something unique you can give this abnormality. Out of the list of possible things it has seen, that wasn’t on it, and it’s unique to you.” 

And how do you wish for me to… show that? Hyde sighed, motioning to her mouth. 

“Consider my idea,” Mallo reassured. “Give it something it hasn’t seen before. The file says what it wishes to see changes frequently, and it’s seen a lot.” 

Has it seen ego? Jekyll asked, pulling herself together. 

Hyde’s eyes lit up. I guarantee it has not experienced the sensation of split shards. 

Jatayu finally voiced Jekyll’s thoughts. “Attacking it won’t help–”

Mark lunged for the abnormality, attacking it. As expected, it did no damage to it, and it only made the queen more angry. He stared in shock as he backed away. 

The queen’s eye glowed a dangerous red glow; Hyde recognized it as the same shade the syndicate member got decapitated with. Its gaze was locked on Hyde. 

Oh, we’re going to die! Jekyll cried, closing her eyes. I can’t watch it! 

Nah, Hyde opened up her jacket and pulled out the drug vial. She popped it open and simmered two drops of it on the tip of her brush. It wants to be shown something it hasn’t seen before. We shall give it its desire. 

Jekyll peeked through her hands. You don’t mean—

Hyde quickly slid to the side as the bright red flash filled the room. The large, sharp heart meant to decapitate Hyde missed by a long shot. She didn’t miss a beat as she moved away and toward the queen. 

By the time the red flash faded, Hyde was midway into the air, having commenced an effortless leap toward the abnormality’s face. She aimed the attack carefully, planting the tip of her brush into the red eye’s pupil. Her precision didn’t fail her as she descended to the ground and rolled across the blood-stained floor to break her fall. Hyde glanced up immediately, watching the drug take effect. Two drops, two hours… 

It worked. The queen laid back in her seat, her head facing the ceiling as her eye grew three times in size. It was no longer red by how much it dilated. It explored the mirror worlds, high on the sensation. 

Jekyll’s mouth dropped in awe.

Hyde didn’t waste another moment. “It worked! Now’s our chance! Attack while it is weak and distracted!” She smirked with pride as her voice returned. “Now!” 

The party listened. One by one, each raised their weapons and started to tear down at the abnormality’s weaknesses. Pen shot it in the chest, followed by Lenore slashing it across the torso, applying bleed. They didn’t deal damage, but they supplied enough effects for others to.

Jatayu pulled out an abnormality ego as Hyde ran back to the group to assess the situation. He was the first to break the barrier and deal damage to the abnormality, watching it shake in pain as he recklessly attacked it again. There wasn’t a clear attack or quote from Jatayu’s ego, but there was one from Mark’s. 

Mark followed quickly after, also using an abnormality ego as well. The lobotomy corporation outfit he had was accompanied by a bloody tie and a bloody metal cleaver. He wore a rusted apron studded with various bent nails. A large cut on his arm sourced the cleaver now in his hands. He raised his hand, drenching the already bloodied room with more of it. The environment became a hallway with rusted swords resting on top of a rusted orb core with blood flowing out of it. There was no end to the pouring of blood. His words were quiet and subtle. “My own blood… is all I trust.” 

As soon as the blood came, it left. Mark slashed the cleaver across the abnormality’s face, taking more of its health. 

Mallo was halfway to the abnormality by the time Mark finished. She slashed in the same spot Mark did, deepening its wound. 

Hyde readied her paintbrush, eyeing the heart of the monster. Estimate on the damage I need to deal? 

Jekyll gulped. Uhm… at least four hundred measures…

Done. 

Hyde lunged into the air once more, plunging her paintbrush into the queen’s heart. The chair collapsed under the queen as her eye shrunk from pain, unable to escape the drug to see what was happening. It sat under Hyde’s foot, withering and shaking. Hyde repositioned her brush to face the eye of the Red Queen - before stabbing it through it all the way down to her spine. 

It didn’t take too long for the abnormality to retreat into its egg form after that, being successfully suppressed. As it egged, so did the blood. The room suddenly became clean despite the blood of the victims and the pile of heads. The sight raised Hyde’s sanity so much, it brought Jekyll back into control. 

Wow… Jekyll stammered. Hyde that was… amazing… you took care of that thing like it was nothing! 

No one makes fun of our paintings and lives. You should know this. Hyde adjusted her posture and sat back, letting Jekyll take control. Killing is simply what I do best. 

The flames and ticking of the manager were soon to be heard. “Does anyone need healing?” Dante asked, entering the room once the combat had concluded. 

“I’m good.” Pen shook his head, acknowledging Dante’s presence. 

Hey, what about that drone that left us here to die? Hyde narrowed her eyes. She’s not going to get away with that. The deal is off. 

Jekyll recalled the drone and glanced to the door it left from. Her eyes narrowed as well, a surge of anger coursing through her veins. “That bastard…” Despite the people in her way, she pushed them aside and opened the door to her left. She was going to find that drone and make it pay. No wonder Jatayu hates these people–

“Uh, Jekyll?” Dante tried to call out, before motioning to follow her to the others. “We should follow her, probably…” 

Jekyll walked into the other room, spotting two more dead bodies on the ground. She ignored them and pushed past them before she felt a hand on her shoulder holding her back. It took her by surprise who had stopped her. 

“Hey, let’s not move too far from the group, alright?” Mark plastered on a fake smile and loosened his shoulders as if he was talking to a pal. “What if Dante gets hurt? We need to protect him as that is our job. The exit is that way,” his gloved hand gestured to the elevator in front of them. “We should go there.” 

Jekyll heard the whirling of the drone in the next room to the right. She glared in anger before turning to face Mark, her gaze relaxing. I have not forgotten who you were, Mark. You cannot lie to us. 

Classic Mark, Hyde scoffed. Play along with his game, he is a coward with no free will, and encouraging it will avoid further complications that aren’t needed for now. 

Is he going to always be like this? 

Likely. It always breaks under pressure, though. 

“...huh.” Jekyll moved her shoulder out of Mark’s grip, letting his hand fall back to his side as she turned away. 

Mark didn’t make any more comments as he strolled over to the manager. He flung his arm over Dante’s shoulder. “Yo, Dante, did I get any new IDs on your PDA?” 

Dante immediately tensed up at the odd physical contact. “What? Oh… let me check,” it was clear he was uncomfortable. “I tried to pull for a few during your guys’ fight, and yes, I got you a new one…” 

They continued to chat about the different IDs Dante pulled before the manager asked Mark to give him space. He agreed nonchalantly, his smile all the same and unwavering in intensity. 

You can tell it's fake when it doesn’t change. Hyde added. Honestly, out of all the acts Mark puts up, I dislike this one the most. 

The doctor stared oddly at the prisoner as he walked around making idle conversation with the sinners. He conversed with Lenore and Pen about abnormalities, monsters, humans, and N Corp, before the topic of IDs was brought up once more. Jekyll recounted only the bit of the conversation that recalled how insane people usually have insane IDs, like Hyde and Lenore from Nagul Und Hammer. She didn’t quite understand how IDs worked, nor did she or Hyde like them very much. 

Hyde was getting angry as their coworkers stood around talking idly. I want to go smash that drone. 

I… would like to as well. Jekyll usually didn’t result to violence, but that drone had really pissed her off. 

We can work together like in old times, no? Hyde proposed. And not just in the fight… it was helpful to work with you back there. 

Jekyll shifted uncomfortably. I will never work passively with you again. Not after the monster you became. 

Look, Jekyll, Hyde sighed, shoving down her frustration. We are going to fight in this job a lot, it seems like. It wasn’t my choice to run away, but I’m willing to cooperate. 

You left me with no choice, Hyde! I had to run because of you! 

Disregard that for now, we can address that later. Hyde’s tone was oddly soothing. What I’m trying to say is, can we put that big argument aside and work together in this job, at least in combat? This is more for your sake, really. You can have peace of mind while fighting instead of arguing with me. 

…The last time I made a deal with you–

“I’m not going to say anything,” Lenore’s sharp tone caught Jekyll’s attention. “But either you are forgetting something, putting up an act, or lost your mind entirely,” she rested the glaive on the floor. 

“Has my effectiveness in battle suffered?” Mark asked, crossing his arms. 

Lenore furrowed her eyebrows. “No, but–” 

“Then does it matter? I am doing my job.” 

“But are you alright?” Dante budged in, his flames licking the violet walls. 

“You would know if I’m fine or not, Dante, right?” Mark tilted his head toward him. “You’re linked to all of us, after all.” 

Dante clenched his face, cringing at a thought that Jekyll couldn’t see. Whatever it was, it was enough to shut him up. 

Mark held his head high and turned toward the direction of the elevator. “Let’s move forward–” 

He cut himself off when his gaze locked on Pen. Jekyll followed his gaze to see the hunter had opened the door to the left room rather than the elevator, revealing the drone inside. He stepped in, tilting his head as he readied his spear. 

The drone quickly turned to face him. “Ooo, hello there, again~” he cooed, laughing its usual maniacal laughter. 

Pen stood in front of it, his tone unchanging. “I remember you.” 

“And I remember you,” the drone sneered. “You are the one that hasn’t died… the one with no soul to claim. I will have to research you when I can~” 

“Curious, huh?” Pen taunted, pointing his spear at the drone. “Want to try and take my soul again?” 

The drone whirled closer to him. “You know what? I do!” 

Not this time. Jekyll felt her rage boil over, and she stepped into the next room with great speed, knocking the drone’s extended arm away from Pen before raising her brush. “You know, the Ring doesn’t take lightly to members being left to die!” 

Hyde sighed. Terrible. Really, really terrible. Please leave the talking to me I swear to the arbiters. 

The drone spun in the air, taking a moment to recollect itself from the attack as its eyes laid on Jekyll. It gasped. “So you lied to me, how cruel!” The drone pouted. “I did my part of the deal and offered you a place full of blood.” 

“I–” 

Jekyll! Hyde stopped her mid-sentence. Shut it. Let me talk. 

Jekyll didn’t have time to reply before Hyde forced her way up front. “I think you are the one that lied, friend,” Hyde laughed calmly, spinning her brush in her hands. “Did you not see the fight? The only blood that was shed in that room was that queen of yours.” 

“WHAT?!” The shock from the woman behind the drone was genuine, and the drone stood there idly as other sounds were heard from its microphone. There was a long pause before she collected herself and the drone started moving again. “Ooo~ I will have to research you, I am very impressed.” 

Hyde backed away from control. As you should be. 

Jekyll raised her brush again, choosing her words carefully. “Good luck with that.” 

. . .

The fight was a blur. Mark sliced the drone in two before it could get its final words out with his shi association sword. He changed back into his base ID the moment combat was over. 

Pen huffed a tired breath before he stepped on one of the drone parts, laughing. “It’s a shame it couldn’t get my soul again.” 

“It didn’t the first time,” Jatayu relaxed his shoulders, his tanfas falling to his sides. 

“I’m glad I don’t remember that.” 

“Now, Jekyll,” Jatayu stepped toward Jekyll, his gaze stern as he drew her attention away from the rubble. “What was this about making a deal?” 

The rest of the party presented their attention to Jekyll as the veteran spoke. They eyed her with caution and distrust. She gulped, resting on her brush after the tiring fight. Oh crap, they heard that, didn’t they? Her heart stopped in her chest, and she opened her mouth to explain.

“It sounds like Ms. Jekyll wanted to stab us in the back, considering how back-stabby we all are,” Mark commented, throwing the first accusation. 

Jatayu raised an eyebrow. “What?” 

“Speak for yourself,” Lenore retorted, referring to Mark’s own previous attitude under her tone. 

Pen didn’t get the hint. “I do enjoy stabbing people in the back.” 

“Listen, I have seen rats more trustworthy than her,” Mark continued. “Look at what she tried to do?”

Jekyll swallowed hard, trying to keep herself together. What? No! I was only getting information! I–

Let the accusations fly. Hyde stopped her, smiling. Trust me. 

“You know, I thought you had become a nice person, Mark,” Lenore stood in between Mark and Jekyll, her eyes narrowing toward him. “But you’re just the same dick. You didn’t even let Jekyll answer the question. Stop throwing accusations.” 

“It’s not my fault for telling the truth,” Mark raised his hands innocently. 

“We are simply here for the job,” Lenore added. “Stop changing the subject.” 

“Sure, but we are all still curious why Jekyll tried to stab us in the back with her deal concerning the enemy,” Mark bowed and walked past Lenore, his hands outstretched in a demonstration posture. “Call me whatever you want, but I haven’t tried something that evil yet.” 

“Let’s calm down, now,” the manager barely got his voice above the others. He rested a hand on Pen’s spear that was pointed at Jekyll, lowering it to the floor. “We are not to accuse anyone yet, it’s not like Jekyll was leaving us for the demons.” 

Pfff, Hyde scoffed. Have you seen how they treat their employees? It’s worse than the Ring. 

Jekyll kept a stoic face on her complexion. How mistrusting of all of them. 

You shouldn’t trust anyone, Hyde snapped, narrowing her eyes. It’s us against the world, and the world against them, too. Are they done yapping yet?

As the party settled down, Jekyll got her answer. Yes. They are. 

“Well?” Mark raised an eyebrow, growing impatient. 

Jekyll narrowed her eyes as she clenched her paintbrush. She inhaled slowly, calming her heartrate before she spoke calmly to communicate with her party. “I am not going to backstab you all,” she began, hiding her annoyance. “That would’ve cost me more than it would have cost you. You all are too quick to believe an allegation without evidence and an explanation, which won’t serve you well in the future. Now that you are listening, here is my explanation: I had made a deal with the drone, a temporary one, that I wasn’t going to follow through with. In exchange for looting the bodies in the previous rooms, I would give them something they desired. I was able to find the queen of hearts and the ace of hearts that way. They left me to die in the Red Queen, which went back on the deal we made as I wasn’t able to return to my contractor, you, Dante. But, she didn’t know that. Their side of the deal will not be fulfilled. I had everything under control and me and Hyde dealt with it just fine.” She sighed, already exhausted from having to explain herself. “They didn’t recognize me as part of the group that attacked them earlier, so I took advantage of that, got the loot we needed at the time, and some information from them as well.” 

…Good enough. 

“And how exactly are we to trust you?” Mark scoffed, smirking toward the rest of the party before it disappeared as he stared at Jekyll again. “You could kill Dante for all we know.” 

Does this bastard not learn? Hyde scoffed back. You can’t trust us. You never did. 

I JUST explained myself, Jekyll sighed, her annoyance with Mark couldn’t be more prevalent. Maybe I should have let you kill him that day. 

“Jekyll is under a contract with a color fixer,” Lenore budged in. “To kill Dante betrays the contract, and it is effectively suicide.” 

“And if the demon syndicate has a color fixer to protect her?” Mark retaliated.

The confusion that claimed Lenore’s face was comical. “If they had a color fixer, they would be wiping the floor with their goals, and we would be dead.” 

“I get they are powerful to some degree, hence the grumpy man on the bus.” 

“We have not met their strongest warriors,” Jatayu budged in, his expression serious and dark. 

“You’re just proving me right,” Mark shrugged. 

“Surely, they don’t have someone like Vergilius.” Lenore gave her attention to Jatayu.

The veteran let out a shaky sigh. “Their leader is, yes. The drones belong to another higher-up in their ranks, too.” 

“Either way, none of us can take on Vergilius,” Lenore dismissed, circling back to the previous subject. 

“The case of Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde is on your hands, Dante,” Pen lifted the spear once more, aiming it at Jekyll. 

A train horn echoed from the manager. “Wait, wait, wait, no!” He forced the spear down again. 

“He won’t shoot without your orders,” Mark glanced over at Lenore as if she hadn’t just spoken to him. 

“Look, what Jekyll did was a bit shady, but at the end of the day, they are a sinner. If they planned to get information or resources that could’ve benefited us, have merit, or payoff, I’m willing to keep my trust in them.” Dante turned toward Jekyll, his hands clasping together in front of him. If he could have had an apologetic face from the events earlier, he would’ve worn one. His flames died down, hopeful, but not expecting his answer to be taken well.

He… He’s defending us? Jekyll stared in wonder at the manager. A… manager can defend his clients? 

…Well, that’s a new one. Hyde was taken aback. Coming from someone supposedly good, too. 

Mark squinted in disgust. “Whatever you say, boss. You have the correct judgment, after all.” He pushed past the other party members into the previous room with the elevator. “Let’s get out of here.” 

Dante watched Mark storm out of the room before his own footsteps echoed along the walls. He walked until he was only a few steps in front of Jekyll. “Ms. Jekyll?” 

Jekyll eyed him as he walked towards her before she stared up at his flames, confusion all over her face. But… why did you defend me, after…

“I’m not fully sure what you were hoping to gain from the deal with the demon syndicate,” Dante ticked gently.

Did he not hear literally anything you said? Hyde rolled her eyes. You did say–

“Preferably, though, don’t make deals with the enemies.” 

Jekyll bowed her head as the order from her manager became clear; it rang in her ears. She sighed in defeat. “Yes, sir.” 

“Thank you. I don’t want to lose trust in someone important,” Jekyll watched Dante disappear as he walked towards the previous room, leaving the conversation at that. 

Jekyll didn’t take her eyes off the purple floor as she followed. I am not someone that important. 

When the company gathered in the previous room, the only different thing was the drone ball in Pen’s hands. It appeared as if he dug through its rubble and grabbed onto the demon core. It radiated a black and purple mist that appeared to hurt Pen every so often. He walked up to Dante. “Hey, I found this.” 

Mark was the first to look at it and respond. “What is it?” 

“A demon core,” Jatayu muttered, his eyes burned into the object as he stared at it with rage. 

“What does it do?” Mark inquired. 

“It’s like a bomb,” the veteran replied. He gripped his tanfas as if he was ready to smash it again. 

“What if we used it?” Mark grabbed his pipe and patted it on his hand. “We can use my pipe and swing the bomb at another abnormality or something, it can take most of its health!” 

Pen’s eyes widened with curiosity. “I like that idea.” 

“It’s like baseball, we can make it explode.” 

“And Dante can just heal us from it if we get hurt,” Pen approached the manager once more. “Do you approve, Dante?” 

“He’s been doing this for ten years,” Mark interrupted. “He will be fine. Pass me the ball, kid.” 

Pen tossed the active grenade to him. 

Dante backed up from the conversation, weary of the object the party had obtained. He glanced at Lenore, who seemed to be very concerned as well. 

“You’re really helping us out, Dante,” Mark continued, his voice sly and smooth. “Be a buddy, won’t you? You have been healing us all up till this point, let’s continue that pattern while we hold this bomb.” 

“You…” Dante stammered, heaving a sigh. “Take good care of that thing, okay?” 

“So rude, manager,” Mark joked, observing the demon core. “Let’s call it corky.” 

“Then you are on caretaking duty of corky,” Dante played along. “If anything happens to you or Corky, I will make sure you two never touch those things again.” 

Mark rolled his eyes. “And if it’s effective against an abnormality?” 

“Yeah, if we put it to good use, what then?” Pen added. 

“Then consider yourself lucky,” Dante’s tone was flat and dull. It appeared he was close to being overcome with exhaustion. The past few days going through the facility had been rough on everyone, but it seemed to take a heavier toll on Dante’s physical state. 

Pen and Mark continued to discuss the bomb for some time. Jekyll’s attention only ventured to the conversation again when Pen mentioned gaining information about it from the LCCA. “We can get information on how this was made and use it against the demon syndicate.” 

“See kid, you’re thinking my way,” Mark smirked, resting a firm grip on the hunter’s shoulder. 

So, you can find information out from the enemies and I can’t? Jekyll bit her tongue. How is this fair? 

It’s not, life is not fair. Hyde added, scoffing as she watched the two converse. This is why we don’t trust anyone, and no one should trust us. 

“Please, don’t let the bomb blow up in our faces,” Dante begged, rubbing his clock head with his gloved hands. 

“It’s fine Dante,” Mark began. “It’s–” he dropped the bomb from his hands before catching it, laughing as he observed everyone’s panic. 

Pen himself seemed startled by Mark’s joke. “Let’s… carry on, then. Dante shouldn’t be in the same room in case something does go wrong with it.” 

The other party members started to enter the elevator, keeping a clear distance from the prisoner who held the bomb. Every one of them looked tired. 

Jekyll couldn’t muster to go into the elevator just yet. Hyde? 

What’s up? 

Did… did we do the wrong thing? 

Hyde searched for context in Jekyll’s head. The deal? Mmm… nah, we discovered their true nature. Destroying their business with the Ring will likely be beneficial for us all. And it will help with… Hyde paused, searching their memory once more. Jatayu’s grudge against them or whatever promise you made to him. 

You know, maybe we should check with him for more information, Jekyll proposed, observing the room to find the veteran. 

Now? Really? 

Jatayu was by the elevator door, idly pressing the open button. His head rested on the wall as he glanced down toward it, his eyes squinted from exhaustion. 

“Is the Red Gaze even that strong?” Mark started a conversation as they settled in the open elevator. 

“Do you not remember being pulverized by him?” Lenore recalled. 

“I’m sure a rat could’ve killed me as well as he,” Mark scoffed. “He just doesn’t seem like the hype.” 

“I have seen that man fight,” Dante added, his flames dimming in fear. “It was very impressive and terrifying.” 

Mark wasn’t convinced. “Eh, he’s old. He probably croaks in battle.” 

“Hope and pray,” was all the manager replied with. 

The doctor approached the veteran, gently resting a hand on his shoulder and tugging on it. Her visible eye was filled with concern, and she bent over to force her gaze to meet his. “Jatayu?” 

He didn’t answer. There was no visible response from him. 

Jekyll wasn’t ready to give up. She tugged at his shoulder again. 

Jatayu finally turned his head, his eyes slanted as he forced his eyes to look up at her. He let out an exhausted sigh. “Yes?” 

Oh, he is NOT in the mood, Jekyll immediately looked to the floor, trying to make the intruding feeling in her chest subside. “Are… Are you okay?” 

The veteran inhaled a sharp breath. “I… I will be fine. I assure you, nothing bad is going on. I promise that I am okay.” 

Man, he’s worse at lying than he is at saving his family. 

HYDE! Jekyll shook her head to remove the horrible thought. “The drone told me a few things,” she decided to ignore his lie, as it was clear he didn’t want to talk about it. “I know my actions probably upset you, but… I thought the information I gathered from them would be helpful.” 

Slowly, the man began to face Jekyll properly, turning his full body to face her. “You.. have not upset me. It is alright. From what you’ve said, you did so to gain an advantage… I just.. simply dislike them, heavily. I will not let my hatred of them blind me into hating you… just…” He trailed off, taking a slight moment to consider his words. “…I’ve seen first hand the damage they can do.. the lives they can take.. ruin… destroy… I don’t want someone who I consider a friend to have her life ruined by making that mistake of dealing with them..”

“I… understand that,” Jekyll rubbed her head. “But… don’t you think killing every last one of them is helpful? It’s sometimes beneficial to make a friend over an enemy…” 

Or manipulating your enemy to get what you want. 

Jekyll paused. “Or… manipulating them for an advantage, that too, Hyde. I get killing most of them, sure… And I understand why the party could call me out on betrayal because they don’t understand complex processes like that…” She stared at Jatayu in the eyes with a serious glare. “The demon syndicate has a deep connection with the ring; the ring pays them to kidnap people. With my influence, I can blackmail my experience and cut that supply of funds for them. The drone also talked about ‘bringing a new, great era.’ You would know more about that, I believe…” Jekyll sighed. “I don’t know if that helps at all.” 

Jekyll’s words rested in Jatayu’s head, as he gave her a listen, though his expression remained stagnant, unchanging, unshaken. Was he considering her words, or was he conjugating a retort? It was hard to tell, but Jekyll found her answer the moment he spoke. 

“I think... there is merit to your words. I have heard from friends in the past, who have convinced me that not every Demon Syndicate member is worth killing and that some can be saved. We have done so even, 6 of them... there is… some value…” He paused, taking a moment before staring towards the ceiling, sighing lightly. “But... I will never, on principle, do such. I personally, see little value in dealing with manipulation. I would rather see the entire thing burn, withering down to but ashes, just as it has done so with my world.”

The veteran’s gaze tightened, much like his grip, as he glanced towards Jekyll again. “You may do as you wish. I recommend you to not risk things with those whose very business is lying, stealing, and kidnapping others, ruining all that they touch with those pallid, disgusting hands.. but if you do. I will... not help you with the planning. Only in the rescue you may or may not require..”

Have you met anyone from the Ring, ever? Hyde scoffed. Those actions are child’s play. 

Jatayu trailed off, staring down towards the floor, towards his hands. “..I.. will never deal with them. I will do all that I may to break them, as they have broken me. I will do all that I can, to make sure that another family doesn’t have to go through the pain that I had endured.”

His eyes darted back up to Jekyll, though he was not staring at her, more through her, towards someplace else. Some time else. He became lost in the memories that flashed before his eyes that caused him so much pain, and it showed in his expression. “If there is to be any more pain, it will be the pain that I will endure. The pain that I will inflict. So that no one else will have to... At least, one less pain in their lives, and one less in mine.”

"Do not forget that promise that I had made with you, that I will help take them down." Jekyll reminded him, extending her hand to rest on his shoulder. "Perhaps I didn't attempt it correctly back there, but please trust me in I want to help you... I might not understand your anger. I might not have a boiling hatred and want to burn everything down to the ground. I've seen ways to hurt people worse than that, which is simply where my... well, Hyde's suggestion comes from." 

Although I appreciate the credit, you are not free from the allegations yourself, Jekyll. 

Shut it, it’s not about us right now. Jekyll looked to the side before looking back. "Your friends, that you talk about, the ones who saved some syndicate members? Do you remember why they did it? Did they not hear your anger and rage against them?"

“I do. Crystal clear. A young man, Stibbles.. a troublemaker, who was a bit of a hypocrite with his own advice that he gave me. But, he told me that.. these small-time grunts are worth the rage. The anger, the sacrifice. That I shouldn’t... I shouldn’t remain upset..” Jatayu stood idly, loosening his grip as he thought back to that time, before returning to reality to meet Jekyll and Hyde. “So we saved those who were in danger. From an Abnormality.. they were thankful enough to.. offer their aid. We haven’t used it much, but if need be, Dante has a means to call for them, to help us. They were ready and eager to change... though. Stibbles ended up being a hypocrite by the next mission, betraying his own advice to me, and in doing so, sabotaging everything… Furthermore, I cannot forgive those we find here.. they are too drenched in their crimes to do so.”

Jekyll nodded slowly, looking to the side and taking a step back, giving Jatayu space. "So there is a point where someone is too far lost to be redeemed?" It was all she could utter, all she could muster to ask.

Hyde had a sly smirk on her face. Go on, veteran, say it. Say that there are irredeemable people. Crush the hope of redemption that she holds onto. 

Jatayu watched as Jekyll began to step backward, confused, but began to nod. “Indeed. When one abandons their humanity, damning the innocent not out of necessity, but out of a deprived sense of pride, pleasure, whatever their reason. The Demons here, have killed enough, changed themselves enough, and designed themselves to be able to use the very souls of their victims just to ensure whatever plot they have is met. In my eyes, though the name of ‘Demon Syndicate’ is just a title, these men and women here who’ve allowed themselves, and even enjoyed the power they wield, are just as their names imply. Demons.” His voice grew weary, solemn, as he poked his head toward his hands, taking a moment to register his own words. “...I only pray that, in my own methods and pursuits, I am not irredeemable as well.”

Jekyll did her best to hide the shock on her face. They’ve… killed enough to become irredeemable… 

Hyde let out a sigh. Jekyll couldn’t pinpoint the emotion tainted within her breath, but it was clear there was some there. Enjoying the power that they wield, it was as if he described us. 

Jekyll gripped her paintbrush. She scanned Jatayu’s face. It’s… not about us right now. Jatayu is redeemable, and he needs to know that. 

We are not in a place to reassure him of that, Hyde countered. How can the irredeemable reassure the innocent they are redeemable when blood soaks their hands and their morals are tainted? 

That is a question we shall answer later. I must give him hope, even if it’s false. Jekyll patted him on the shoulder once more. "You're doing this for a just reason in your eyes, solely because of that, you are redeemable. You might not even need redemption, Jatayu. You're saving your niece, what more can someone ask from a good uncle, such as yourself? Your motives are righteous, take heart in that."

Haah… that doesn’t change that we are irredeemable in his eyes. 

Jekyll stood in denial. YOU are irredeemable, you did horrific things, Hyde. I am not. 

Hyde laughed. What are they going to do? Kill me and not you? If you wanted justice, you would’ve turned yourself in. 

The desire came within Jekyll’s mind. The whole reason why she joined Limbus Company reminded her of the end goal. 

I will separate us, then you can face your crimes. 

“Thank you, Miss Jekyll..” Jatayu muttered softly, as the crowd around them awaited the closing door of the elevator, and Dante continued to get everyone situated. “..I would like to say the same for you. In my experience here.. everyone who comes here has their sins to bear.. I am certain that, in this journey, whatever sins you have once committed, you can also be redeemed. Merely, just by way of wanting to… assuming, you do want to, of course.”

His comment shut Hyde up. It was difficult to tell how she felt. 

Jekyll could only pull out a typical reply she would use for her patients, unrevealing of her own nature. "I hope you're right, Jatayu."

… I hope I am redeemable and can separate myself from Hyde. Then I won’t feel the guilt of the crimes she committed. 

[alexitheslayer02]

Random Ass Essay// Wukong Rant

[WARNING: Terrible summary of the beginning of Journey to the West ahead! Read at your own peril! Cause it's been a bit since I read that part and might not remember much very clearly.]

The reason I said that Wukong's worst nightmare would be the slaughtering of all his people, is that at the beginning, up until he gets sealed under the mountain by Buddha, it seems to me that he does everything for his people.

He was first made Monkey King, because he found a new home for his people through the waterfall, where the other monkeys were too scared to go (fairly early on in his life, hence why he's got an ego). He initially goes on a search for immortality, because he is concerned about the future. If he is immortal and more powerful, he can better protect his people, right?

He later gets weapons and armor for the monkeys, so they can protect themselves. This was prompted because some demon tried to take over his people while he was gone. Wukong when apeshit (pun intended) when he saw that, and made the demon regret it.

Up to that point, I think the only thing POSSIBLY purely for himself was getting armor and a weapon for him. However, even then, if loosely, there could be a connection to protecting his people. He is the most powerful of his monkeys, he is their king.

If he can better protect himself and fight, then he should be able to better protect his people. If other demons, by looking at him, are too intimidated to fight, even better! The only thing he does that gets the Heavens on his ass, is the Dragon of the East getting butthurt about Wukong taking the pillar that HE POINTED OUT TO HIM. (granted, Wukong said he was not leaving till he found a weapon cause he just knew bro had something. But I mean, dude said show me all you got. You kinda played yourself then ngl)

That is when Wukong gets sent to the hells, then manages to rizz/intimidate his way to the book of death and get his name out of there. What does he also do? Gets each and every name of all his monkeys out of the book as well before leaving. (those monkeys are then immortal times one. Wukong gained another immortality himself)

He demands a position in the Celestial Court, I'd wager, because he believes it will help protect his people. Why? For all the reasons I stated before, he has a trend here. He feels disrespected by them, because the Celestial Court only see him as a monkey, (and truly are underestimating his power) and leave him as the stable boy (though Wukong did an excellent job there! :0).

He tells his people, and they declare him the "Great Sage Equal to Heaven". The Celestial Court then attack him at his mountain to get his attention to call him back. Then they have him guard the precious peaches.

Now this? I say was out of curiosity than anything XD. Bro tried a peach, then got addicted. I only added that cause, (A. The Celestial Court struck first there. (B. It's funny to me that Wukong gained another immortality on accident here.

After getting drunk on celestial life wine (the Celestial's be eating and drinking immortality stuff on the daily wtf) and some shenanigans ensue, Wukong decides to bring some of that wine and the peaches to his mountain for his people.

The Celestial Court found out about the shenanigans. Then they truly get vexed and attack Wukong and his mountain in earnest. Which leads to Wukong's imprisonment.

So, through my little essay to the beginning of Journey to the West, the grand majority of things Wukong did were for his people, or out of his sense of curiosity.

He'd be happy to just be left alone, on his mountain, with his people. He's actually fairly simple in that one desire. He loves those monkeys, and they love him. In my opinion, I don't blame them for that.

Wukong is actually one of the few, genuinely good rulers in fiction XD He actually cares about his people.

Thank you for reading the essay I had no business making hh

[naisaspalace]

Vedic astrology 101 p2

PS 1: hi i will continue my thread but this time i will make it longer! and realized that not only people that were familiar with tropical will be the ones that are searching for vedic so i will teach like i am talking to someone who is just starting to practice astrology.... i am apologizing to not thinking about this earlier.

the basics

1.1 Each sign with their planet ruler primarily signification: PS: I WILL ONLY MENTION THE GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF EACH I'M NOT LIMITING THE HOUSES AND SIGNS TO ONLY WHAT I AM WRITING HERE.

Mars

Mars, the red planet, is known for its dry and fiery nature. It is associated with masculinity and owns two signs, Aries and Scorpio.

aries is the natural significator of 1st house alongside mars and scorpio is the natural significator of the 8th.

the first house mainly represents yourself your, face your, physical appearance, your health, your ego, your brain, and can also indicate skin problems like acne and scars.

the eighth house represents death, longevity, debts, overall life problems such as depression and sudden events, and mental illness.

on the positive side, it can bring the native good intuitive skills.

he becomes exalted at 28 degrees in Capricorn and debilitated at 28 degrees in Cancer. he reaches moolatrikona (Great results) at the sign of Aries.

mars prominent nativity represents an appearance of high stature and a blood-red complexion.

this planet is closely linked to desires, ambition, and the senses. While it is considered a malefic planet, it also grants quick mental activity, extraordinary muscular strength, strong determination, and leadership qualities. "With Mars on your side, you have the opportunity to excel in any area of life you desire."

this planet rules the Tuesday.

Sun

In Vedic astrology, the Sun holds the position of a king, as it is at the center of everything. It represents the masculine influences in our lives, such as our fathers, husbands, and sons. The Sun symbolizes authority and our relationship with the government. While it represents our innermost self, we often only show our outer self or ego. It gives us the ability to lead, a desire for fame, ambition, optimism, and a strong will to overcome challenges.

sun rules the 5th and it represents creativity, fun, happiness, enjoyment, and love. It symbolizes your intellectual abilities alongside your ego and your potential to think outside the box.

the 5th also represents our silly romances and the way we flirt and also represents our children.

the sun is  exalted in  Aries 10 Degrees ,debilitated in  Libra 10 Degree, and reaches MoolaTrikona at Leo at 20 Degrees.

this planet rules the Sunday.

Mercury

In Vedic Astrology, Mercury doesn't have a specific gender; it takes on the characteristics of the zodiac sign it is placed in. Mercury holds the power of language and discrimination, so its negative influence can deeply affect a person. It also governs youth, playfulness, leisure, sports, and social connections.

Similar to the Moon, Mercury represents the mind in astrology, but it focuses more on the analytical aspect while the Moon deals with the subconscious.

mercury rules gemini and the 3rd house alongside virgo and the 6th

gemini and the 3rd house both represent our intellectual mind and our communication style alongside our elder siblings, our neighbors , small studies (school) and short travels

virgo and the 6th house both represent our daily routine and our enemies (open enemies) and our work routine alongside general diseases like the flu.

mercury exalts himself on his own sign virgo and gets debilitated at Pisces and reaches moolatriokona at virgo.

this planet rules the wednesday.

mercury is an eunuch meaning he (the planet) has no gender and he is young.

Jupiter

In astrology, Jupiter is often referred to as the "Guru" because it guides us from ignorance to wisdom. It represents various aspects such as knowledge, spirituality, religion, higher education, research, philosophy, and optimism. In Vedic Astrology,

Jupiter is also associated with children and is known as the "Putrakaraka". Its main characteristic is expansion, which means it amplifies the area of life it occupies in a horoscope.

For instance, if Jupiter is placed in the 11th house of income and gains, it tends to enhance wealth and prosperity. Jupiter is considered the significator of affluence, generosity, righteousness, inherent goodness, and wisdom.

Jupiter is also known as a benevolent planet that gives abundantly without any expectations. Its placement in a birth chart determines a person's spiritual beliefs, mindset, faith, religious inclination, and materialistic status.

jupiter rules Sagittarius with the 9th house and pisces with the 12 house

sag and the 9th house both represent higher studies like religious studies and college also represent our luck and the 9th house also represents the relationship with our father.

pisces and the 12th both represent the subconscious mind, which is the house of salvation and dissolution.

he gets exalted in  Cancer, debilitated in  Capricorn and reaches MoolaTrikona at Sagittarius.

this planet rules the Thursday.

PS2: i am not using 100% of my own words to describe all the planets because i do not feel confident yet so this is all a mix of other people's thoughts with my owns all mixed up to help you guys.. I hope i can become more confident soon.

PS3: from venus to the end of the post i will be including my own thoughts mainly.

Venus

in vedic astrology, venus represents our 2nd house, the house that represents our face characteristics,our self-esteem and how we overall deal with money.

the 2nd house is represented by the sign of taurus the bull.

venus also rules the 7th house, the Libra house, which represents how we deal with relationships ... it can be with our husband, boyfriend, girlfriend, or wife, and also how we deal with partnerships like business ones.

[But Vedic astrology puts a lot of enfaces on the 7th house because on the chart overall the houses are divided into different categories that i will explore later on but eventually once you start to read the books and study you will see the 7th being often *only* described as the husband house

to explain this i will have to introduce a concept call "Kendra houses" the angular houses: 1,4,7,10 meaning the most important houses of a horoscope

1; yourself , 4; your home and emotions, 7; your partner or partneships overall and 10; your carrer. ]

now back to libra sign, here is where we find justice or try to make justice try to be fair. overall this is how i would describe libra sign.

venus gets exalted at pisces sign and debilitated at virgo and venus moolatrikona is at 0-15 degrees of libra.

the western deity of venus is aphrodite ( there are many deities but i just quoted one) and to vedic there is maha lakshmi :).

this planet rules the Friday.

SATURN

saturn is the karma planet, I would also describe this planet as the main difficulty of every person's life. because with Saturn there's a job that we cannot run from there's a responsibility that we must fulfill or at least work with to make our life better

saturn rules the 10 and 11 houses of the horoscope, the 10th house is the house of the Capricorn sign usually described as the goat and the crocodile

[ the 10th house is part of the kendras and represents our career, but its not the only way to find out about ones career goal or orientation]

the 10th is also our reputation, our karma, and what part of our lives is exposed to the world (we choose to make such parts public)

saturn signs are opposite the luminaries houses ( capri is opposite to cancer (4th) and aquarius to leo (5th)

capricorn, just like the other earth signs are usually keeping their mind busy to not pay attention to their emotions (because the earth houses are opposite the water houses.)

now the 11th house is the house of gains, the gains we work hard to receive. the house is represented by the aquarius sign which is often described as the antisocial sign BUT the 11th house is the house of social groups as well as social media

[the 11th is part of another group called trikona houses but i will talk more about this later]

what happens to Aquarius is that they often choose to be with social justice groups or something that can actually have a social impact that can end up helping other people, mostly the most unfortunate people.

"leo or the sun or the 5th = i should have attention vs aquarius or saturn or the 11th = I think we should have attention, we should be famous together. "

not saying that an aquarius cannot be egoistical or whatever other names you desire to call but usually they feel this inside urge to be a part of a group. (and i'm not calling leos egoistical)

saturn just like jupiter is a teacher but hes methods are harsher.. because he teaches us that most things can only be obtained by hard work and discipline

saturn represents the order but it also represents the thieves because one cannot exist without the other.

the 11th is the results of the expression or creative talent one have at the 5th, is where you find the result of such talents or hobbies.

saturn is exalted at libra and debilitated at aries and moolatrikona at 20 degress of aquarius

this planet rules saturday

and is also a eunuch, usually described as a old person who doesn't have libido.

MOON

the moon rules the 4th and the sign of cancer and is the most important planet of Vedic astrology because it can describe the nature of one's mind.

the fourth house represents our emotions, our home , our most private stuff ( like thoughts, dreams or anything one likes to keep private from everyone), and our mother or relationship with our mother and motherly figures.

how was my life when i was a kid? did i have comfort? did a had enough? was i happy? such questions are usually answered by the 4th Lord and/ or the moon.

how is my mental health? How do I usually deal with my emotions? i am happy or sad? how do i express my emotions? do i run from my emotions?

such questions, to me, are related to our fourth house and the moon.

i have to be honest i feel like the moon is so complex yet i have no words to simply describe it because I feel like the moon is everything

and also is related to our roots, like my birth country and if i overall find joy around my cultural place or dislike it

[ the moon is also magic, but i will expand this when i talk about the nakshatras]

the moon gets exalted at taurus and debilitated at scorpio and her moolatrikona is at taurus

this planet rules the monday.

PS4. so theres an exact degree for each planet dignity but i could not find them so i did not put them here because each place says a different thing.

1.2 the south and the north nodes of the moon

introduction:

rahu and ketu are the nodes that eclipse the moon

rahu is the artificial sun and ketu is the artificial moon

Mythology According to Indian Mythology, Lord Visnu had decided to make the Deities (the seven planets) immortal.  Visnu had churned up the sea in order to extract a sacred nectar called amrita, with the intention of making the planetary Gods immortal. Visnu had all of the planetary deities lined up in order to receive the nectar potion. However, a demon called Rakshasha, who was dragon-like in appearance had sneaked in and disguised itself as a deity, in order to become immortal. Once Visnu had realised that he had been fooled into giving the nectar to the demon he took out his sword and chopped the demon in half. The head of the dragon became Rahu and the tail became Ketu, but now they could not be killed, as they had received the nectar. When the nodes, Rahu and Ketu saw how angry they had made Visnu, they did penance to him and were eventually given planetary status. So Rahu and Ketu are a very powerful force that operates in our lives to control the karmic influences and situations through the Rahu Ketu axis. The symbol of Rahu represents the dragon’s head and Ketu represents its tail Following this event, Rahu and Ketu gained the status of planets, and could influence the lives of humans on Earth. Rahu and Ketu became bitter enemies with Surya (Sun) and Chandra (Moon) for exposing his deception and leading to his decapitation. For this, Rahu pursues them and attempts to consume the Sun and Moon. Since Rahu is the head without the body, the Sun and Moon exit from his throat when he tries to swallow them This recurring cycle creates the grahana, an eclipse of the Sun and the Moon, which represents the temporary revenge of Rahu..

so to simplify one asura ( sura meaning god and asura meaning demigod) drinks a forbidden potion that grants immortality and the sun and moon notice this and went to tell Vishnu proceed to cut this asura head and separate the head from the body

creating the rahu ( the head without body) and the ketu (the headless body)

in astrology rahu represents our future and ketu our past lives and the gifts we got from it.

rahu also represents illusions and false imagery and ketu represents overall detachment.

rahu and ketu are ALWAYS opposite to one another on the horoscope

example: rahu aquarius and ketu leo.

RAHU ( THE NORTH NODE)

rahu represents the head without the body, meaning it represents mind obsessions and material desires, as rahu is very materialistic.

rahu is the illusion, the maya ( illusion) one must break in order to advance

often we get confused, tricked and lost on whenever house rahu is situated at because hes often casts illusionary tricks on us (thru this area)

rahu is also responsible to fame and he can grant you fame

rahu is the north node meaning is our destiny or our overall purpose in live is to achieve such place (the house where the rahu is place)

rahu behaves like saturn , meaning he deals with drugs, poisons, over-ambition, power play, hidden knowledge BUT don't be confused because unlike saturn rahu is not a teacher but a trickster.

and rahu also co rules aquarius and the 11th. (because aquarius traditionally represents the 11th)

"Rahu's element is air. It deals with all aspects of air related activities air travel, Air accidents, Aviation, Pilots etc. Other significations of Rahu include students of Astrology, metaphysical knowledge, witchcraft, skin diseases, small pox, deception, politics, political manoeuvre, inventions, scientists, execution, diseases, disenchantment etc." - komilla sutton.

rahu also represents anything that is foreign.

by having a trickster nature rahu is said to have "joy" or find happiness at the 6th house, house of virgo yet this "shadow planet" or node have no dignity

many will say rahu is exalted at taurus and debilitated a scorpio , others will say he get exalted a virgo and debilitated at pisces but he does not have dignities. but this also depends like by which teacher you are studying because it can change a lot between this two

so rahu is good at 2nd house / taurus and bad at 8th/ scorpio

rahu rules 3 nakshatras: ardra (gemini), swati ( libra) and shatabhishak ( aquarius)

rahu is the agent of "maya" meaning hes purpose is to lead you away from the spiritual path or the ketu path.

i will expand more on other posts.

rahu day is saturday.

KETU ( THE SOUTH NODE)

ketu is a headless body therefore represents detachment since ketu doesn't have a head to think about things he only is able to feel emotions

ketu is similar to mars and co-rules scorpio/ the 8th

"Some of the signification of Ketu are Ascetics, assassinations, trouble through cats, clairvoyance, contemplation, desire for knowledge, deep thinking, imprisonment, poison, intrigues, magical powers, poverty, mysticism etc." - komilla sutton.

ketu is fire, the fire that purifies and his goal is to take us to the spiritual path yet his nakshatras ( constellations ) are often showing destructive behavior in other to reach such path.

ketu is represents the beginning, ketu rules the first constellation (ashwini, aries) that is said to mark the beginning of life

and by looking at ketu we can see which kind of talents one got from his past lifes (usually you see those child singers at an early age as an example)

one will only reach rahu thru ketu = meaning one will only reach one destiny if they works on their ketu

if Ketu is conjunct a planet is said that ketu blinds the planet, depending on the sing, house and planet the result can be either good or bad.

ketu is the opposite of rahu where as rahu likes material ketu doesnt like and so on..

ketu rules the nakshatras : ashwini ( aries) , magha ( leo ) and mula (Sagittarius) .

my personal description of ketu is that it represents our trauma those traumas we cannot, for some reason, leave or cure them, often trauma is described as our "comfort place" .. now before you say anything our comfort place is not necessarily the place where we find joy, our comfort place is the place that we are stuck at, often times, due to trauma many keep stuck and cannot move one and therefore one cannot progress and this is where i like to say that Ketu mainly can represent if is working negatively

im not saying that ketu causes trauma yet i like to use the trauma example to explain or at least try to explain how we behave on the are that ketu is at and to explain further i will use other ketu meanings

ketu also is detachment as ive mentioned but not explained yet.. we are detached from the are where ketu is at

example: 3rd house ketu is described by a person who usually types without paying attention, and speaks before thinking, if the person have brothers this person will not be found of them or have a good relationship... overall everything that is represented by the third house the individual will not feel like he should give attention to such matters like "ive already memorized the keyboard so i am not even paying attention" and thats why the individual cannot reach a better place like this person usually can be found of writing but they never actually make any effort to study about what i need to be studied to become a writer and therefore they never get better and this how it becomes a "comfort place" because they dont care enough to make such changes and until they do not make changes they will not arrive to their destination = rahu

and its not easy like you're basically telling a person to care about something they simply dont but that is where you will find the root of the problems.. just because you memorized the keyboard doesn't mean you will not make any mistakes and overall if you become better you can help many people as well

another personal characteristic is that ketu also brings obsessions but they are emotional ones, meaning those where your emotional state take control and you end up destroying everything.

PS5. overall i don't believe that i will make you understand the nodes because its not an easy subject but i hope i was able to help you at least understand a point or the basics

end of part 2 and yes it was longer and i took a long time to finish this i just hope i am able to help introduce people to vedic astrology

i will open my dms for questions and my readings are open as well.

part 1.

linktree.

[sheismo]

⚠️LONG POST ALERT ⚠️

Witchcraft is real. Manifesting is real. Spells & rituals are real. Yes, there are other gods. But you know what’s more real than all ? GOD. The one and only messiah, the Lord of lords. The King of kings. The father, son & spirit. Jesus. I want to give yall a mini testimony on how REAL & GOOD God is. I pray one day if you don’t know God you seek him & he comes to you. ✨

I was once a self proclaimed witch. I did rituals and spells to aquire money,happiness,love and montery gains. I have always been a spirituality in tune person. Very young I realized I had the gifts of clairvoyance,clairempathy & dreaming. All given to me by God. A few years back I was searching for a deeper meaning and I began to dabble in new age spirituality. Not knowing the consequences of my actions ,I began trusting others with my energy and relying on them with the help of readings & rituals for messages forgetting how powerful and annoited my purpose was from God himself. I needed NOBODY but God yet I was so native to think that I needed the help of others when I should’ve been calling on him to help me with my gifts & the things he had blessed me with. I know now that was the devil though. Spirits of mammon & ego were wrapped all around my life. I was cocky,materialistic & just ignorant to my own ways. While God was blessing me the devil was working behind the scenes to make things around me fall apart. The enemy is out to kill, steal & destroy. The devil will show up in MANY ways. A lot of things aren’t demonic because of what it is but how it is used to pull you away from God (i.e : crystal bracelets,music & etc) Remember that. Spirits and entities can literally latch onto your life and cause havoc especially when there is a special light within you ! I am now a strong believer in God’s WILL & PURPOSE for each and every one of our lives. It’s not our job to manipulate the scales for our own gains. We must wake up to the fact that we need nothing that isn’t from God ! We must understand material things & things of the world are not eternal. Seeking & standing with the Lord is. Spells & rituals aren’t necessary when you wholeheartedly stand with God. You will see your power then. We must die to our flesh,sins and our desires.

Throughout my childhood my ancestors & relatives unbeknownst practiced hoodoo & not going to lie I ran with that as an excuse to do my rituals & etc but the main thing I abandoned was my relationship with GOD. One of my great great grandfathers by the name of Fountain Love (what a cool name) was a well renounced pastors in a small country town just 30 mins from where I grew up. That stuck with me. So ignorantly I ran with that I also am very blessed to have praying grandmothers who I swear prayers are just ELITE. ✨ If you know anything about hoodoo you know how deep Christianity runs in that practice. Prayer is literally so powerful & the Bible itself is seen as talisman. But overall your relationship with God is essential. Jesus to be specific. Old hymns,shouting & speaking in tongues is native to African Americans. Our people.

Ignorantly, I was one of those “God knows where my heart is.” & “The Bible is fake & man made.” Two things can be right at once. God did know where my heart was & he knew I loved him but I was NOT doing the right things nor seeking him & yes the Bible is man made but it’s the living word ! It is real accounts orally passed down which was written into a book. Look at the world then look at the Bible. The profit is in the pudding. The Bible is timeless. I had never really opened a Bible as an adult & most of the things I remember from going to all those churches were a few bible verses & sermons. I had never dug deep in the word of God. As a child I went to many churches and I still struggled to connect with God & I prayed prayed prayed but only when I was in need of something. I even spoke in tongues before but still it was like a wall was up between my connection with God. I also had a preconceived presumption as well about how the Bible was used to manipulate slaves during slavery & how “church folks” were the most judgmental. Again, two things can be true at once. The Bible was used to manipulate our ancestors however the Bible has been around longgggg before the transatlantic slave trade. Christianity has been dated back to African literally in the 1st & 2nd century however slave masters used the Bible centuries later as a manipulation tactic & twisted scripture to fit their own agenda. And yes a lot of have us have church hurt and “Christians” in the church can be very ill-mannered but Jesus hated religion himself because there was many hypocrites and hypocrisy. Everyone who claims to know Jesus really doesn’t & everyone who claims him won’t go to heaven. It’s that simple. Stop putting a name on it & running to the church but seek God on your OWN ! Relationship over religion. I don’t consider myself a Christian because of the blasphemy on that term I just identify as a follower of Christ. I follow God not man. The elders and the church have been lukewarm & a lot of them rely on their pastor/leadership for guidance instead of God himself. Also the whole “White man religion” topic is blasphemous. Jesus was just a vessel of the lord himself. Understand that first. And although I walk with Christ don’t get it twisted.. I’m not ignorant to the fact that the Jesus we see on murals & pictures again was a manipulation tactic during the transatlantic slave trade. Jesus appearance is described in Revelation 1:14-15 that his skin was a darker hue and that his hair was woolly in texture. The hairs of his head, it says, "were white as white wool, white as snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined as in a furnace.” To be honest I don’t care if he was purple. Jesus was and is the almighty. We must not get caught up on appearances or looks. That keeps us divided. Some people might even question why would God allow slavery and segregation be a thing or bad things in general. We must understand that God has given us free will. Humans were made imperfect yet we disobey God and has had to reap the consequences of our actions since then. Even through misery & hardship God has been with us. The devil is in some things but God is in EVERYTHING. Sometimes God wants us to be taught lessons as well. There is rules,commandments & laws we must abide by to have favor in the most highs eyes. But know that you’re forgiven as long as you repent & dwell with him.

February 2024 I found God. I accepted him as my savior again. I remember doing it as a child but this time I had do reiterate my LOVE & FAITH to him. I confess with my heart and my tongue that Jesus Christ is my SAVIOR. I was tired of being tired. I really cried out to God to show me signs. I went from doing rituals to reading the Bible. I literally began to see my life and my disobedience in front of me. I prayed for God to show who I was and ever since then it’s been UP. My load is so much lighter already being I have denounced so many things from my life. He’s playing no games it’s uprooting me from the attacks that the devil has put on my life & areas where Ive been too comfortable; I feel his presence more than ever. I hear his voice as clear as day, he’s opening my eyes to who and what is around me , I’ve even thrown so much new age stuff away. I was tired of carrying the load along. I was yearning for his presence & deliverance. I know I still have a ways to go, he’s calling me more and more each day to align with his will for my kids. He’s convicted me of so many things such as lust,anger,greed & etc and i know i must begin to change and work on myself in order to be fulfilled. The spiritual warfare is real as i expected. The devil doesn’t want me to find out what my calling is .. he knows how powerful I am. But with God on my side I’m good. 💪🏾 I’m so happy to say I am a child of GOD. 💐

I’m so thankful I’ve been awaken to the glory of God. Everything is spiritual and everything is deep. Jesus is coming back & we must prepare ourselves for his return so that we may live an eternity with him in paradise. Seek the lord & live by his commandments and you shall see him in everything and everywhere. 🌟🙌🏾

“God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. “ - Psalm 46:5

[allthefoolishdreams]

hi! i hope you're well! for the ask game - 1, 10, 15, 18, 19, 21, 26 and 30? <33

(this is jeonghoneyss btw, i'm not sure if i mentioned before haha)

hi!! thank you, i am doing well, i hope you are as well!! <3

What’s something new that you tried in a fic this year? How did it turn out and would you do it again?

Something new I tried this year was non-linear narrative (in my minchan divorce fic), I've always loved non linear narratives since its an interesting way to tell a story. I think so far its turning out well! although it is based on a story so that did help make it easier. Either way, I would absolutely love to write more non linear narratives if I come up with an idea that it'll work best with

10. What fic made you feel the happiest to work on?

Honestly? I don't know! Out of the ones posted this year, I think maybe the superchan fic might have been my happiest to work on. I do know working on you are strange always makes me pretty happy as well (when i'm not hit with writer's block)

15. Rec a fic you wrote or posted in 2023

I have only posted 4 fics this year and I know you have read 2 of them, so I'll just rec the other two: chansung fic (which is angsty and about commitment issues and complex feelings regarding relationships but i enjoyed writing) and this minchan fic (which is a bob's burgers au and just overall a silly and fun time)

18. What was the hardest fic to title?

without a doubt it was my spidey minlix fic, I just didn't know what to call it even when I had the first chapter completed already which is unusual for me because by the time ive written that much I have title ideas already. I'm not sure if you read the author's note but i did almost title it "spider-boy (king of thieves)" which is a taylor swift lyric because it fits far too perfectly but i decided to search it on ao3 and saw that a lot of the fics using that as a title were spider-man aus which made me scrap the idea so fast. I ended up scrolling through Black Cat and Spider-Man panels + looking up Black Cat quotes for inspiration and decided that i really liked the line ""You are strange, my love. I guess that's why I find you so irresistible." and shortened it because I thought the quote would be such a fitting line for minlix considering they are both strange (affectionate) <3

19. Share your favorite opening line

if I keep it to fics I posted this year, I think my favorite would be from my chansung fic: At a young age, Jisung learns just how easy it is to pack up your life and leave it all behind.

I feel like it fully captures the main vibe of the fic

Also, here's one for fics I've written this year and not posted. I'm cheating here by giving several lines but here's the opening for my jilix songwriting fic because I really like the opening paragraph:

The first time Jisung meets Felix, he’s struck by how gentle and kind he is.  He’s mesmerized by his voice, like everyone else is; the deep, smooth tone and accent. The clumsy way he stumbles over his Korean in a way that makes it obvious he’s still learning. And he’s especially mesmerized when he starts to show off his vocal abilities, the range he’s capable of. It’s something else entirely. Perhaps, more importantly, he’s mesmerized by his bright grin despite how prickly Jisung is towards him, which isn’t necessarily anything personal, he’s prickly towards everyone. Unlike the others though, Felix brushes it off and continues to ask questions like he doesn’t genuinely mind how closed off Jisung is; he's never annoyed or scared of him. All while offering him bright smiles each time they interact. And it’s a beautiful smile.

21. Share your favorite piece of dialogue

I can't think of any off the top of my head. I do think a lot of my favorite dialogue I've written is from you are strange, especially the minho and felix conversations when they're bantering in their respective alter egos, it's always so fun for me to write. Their dialogue in their civilian life is very good to me too, but I don't think I can choose a favorite. I also remember enjoying the group discussion from chapter one when they're discussing Spider-Man since it was so fun to write

26. If you had to choose one, what was THE most satisfying writing moment of your year?

I don't think I have any specific satisfying writing moment, but I guess seeing my word count on ao3 go up so much just within the year was pretty satisfying to me especially since like i mentioned i only posted 4 new fics

30. What’s something that you want to write in 2024?

I'm not gonna lie, my goal is just to finish all of my wips. But I do want to write the batman!chan fic thats been brewing, I havent started since I know it'll become a monster of a fic and I'm trying to prioritize finishing my current superhero aus before starting a new one lol. which reminds me, I have Thoughts on other superchan side stories, other than the felix one so thats also on the list, so far nobody has pointed out the Minho (or Hyunjin) name drops in chapter one of superchan which goes along with my thoughts regarding the au. Another thing I want to write is that seunglix christmas fic I mentioned before, I'm thinking of writing it out in advance for next december

Also, not going to lie, all the descendants talk makes me want to dabble into fic for it but im not sure yet. We shall see!

(thanks for the ask <3)