#especially if they have piercings and people get piss they make them look different it’s called having fun

[sappy-detective]

[sttoru]

⺡ synopsis. after wandering into forbidden territory - the training grounds of the estate where sukuna’s soldiers reside - an unexpected romantic confession catches you off guard. little did you know that another concubine would snitch on you in hopes of getting you kicked out of the harem or worse, killed.

𖠵 tags. true form!ryomen sukuna x concubine!female reader. angst mostly [w/ comfort, if you can call it that], fluff-ish., suggestive. make-out session near the end. size difference [reader's body referred to as small]. mentions of murder, execution. wc: 4.2k

sukuna has known from the start that possessing a human army would cause trouble, one way or another. technically, the overpowered curse has no need for a group of soldiers. he can take up any opponent by himself.

however, he enjoyed knowing that he has full control over some weak humans who are too scared to oppose him. humans who would die for his cause, if he were to command them.

human shields: that’s what he calls them.

“speak up or leave,” the king of curses commands, piercing red eyes glaring down at the woman kneeling before him. he sits on his throne, the aura emitting from his body being one that would send anyone into sheer panic.

he’s already pissed off due to being disturbed by one of his concubines. It isn’t you – his favorite – so he has little patience to spare for the girl at his feet.

the blond girl speaks up after taking a deep breath. she came here determined to go through with her sick plan, hoping sukuna would hear her out. she knows of his favoritism—everyone around the estate did and nearly every other concubine has been thinking of the same.

to get rid of the blatant favoritism once and for all.

the nervous woman talks fast, stuttering after every word. she spills every detail about the predicament that you had found yourself in a couple moments ago.

. . .

you were walking around the training grounds out of pure curiosity. usually, no one would be there around that hour, yet today seemed to be an exception. you averted your eyes the second you saw the soldiers training in only their hakama. their muscular chests and backs were out in the open, straight up eye candy for anyone who was walking past.

however, when they saw you - sukuna’s infamous concubine who they’ve secretly developed a crush on – they froze in their place and nearly dropped their weapons. the men didn’t expect any visitors, especially not a high-ranking concubine to randomly walk through this part of the estate. it’s a rare occurrence to have anyone but the servants and generals walk by.

you silently bowed at them out of respect. you didn’t have to due to your high rank, yet you still did. you actually respect their position as soldiers. that humble nature of yours was exactly what separated you from the other concubines. it also played a huge role in the crushes that those soldiers have on you.

out of fear for their lives, the soldiers have never directly interacted with you. they heard of what happened to one of the male servants who tried asking you to accompany him for a cup of tea. his body was reduced to nothing but a puddle of dark, red blood which took the servants hours to fully clean up.

but now that you were alone, without sukuna in sight, the soldiers were braver. one of them grabbed the opportunity and started walking towards you as you stood on the engawa, simply admiring the koi pond nearby. the group of men watched from a distance as their friend attempted to make a move on you. it was the perfect opportunity to convey his feelings for you.

or so he thought.

sukuna’s eyes are everywhere. even if you think he isn’t looking, he simply is. his informants are lurking from every corner. his concubines, chefs, servants, maids and guards. all of them are his eyes and ears. you’re never fully alone. nothing you do escapes the king of curses. if you’re not being watched by him, the people under his control are lurking instead.

in that instant, it was one of his concubines who had discreetly followed you.

you had noticed it a while ago, though didn’t say a word. it’s a usual occurrence. the other women always try to catch you off guard. to catch you doing something that you’re not allowed to do, so they can report it to sukuna, hoping that it would get you expelled from his harem. perhaps even executed in front of their eyes.

although every time they report something ‘controversial’ about you to sukuna, it backfires, and they end up with their head on the guillotine.

despite the many failures, they simply cannot stop trying. one day it will work.

the blonde woman had witnessed how the soldier put his hand on your arm to stop you from walking away. the cheesy smiles he had given you betrayed his true feelings—the words he uttered after the formalities only further confirmed the concubine’s speculations.

“i’ve been admiring you for a while now. you’re a lovely lady...”

“perhaps it’s bold of me to ask this, but i would like the opportunity to get to know you better.”

“lord sukuna does not need to know of this. i promise not to tell him, so please don’t worry.”

. . .

“...that’s exactly what that soldier told her, my lord,” the concubine concludes her story with a shaky breath. the throne room is filled with a tense and rather uncomfortable silence. the woman can’t even lift her head up because of how scared she is of sukuna’s wrath. she’s scared of the fact that she could be the first one he kills in a rampage fueled by pure envy.

the curse simply stares at the top of the blonde’s head. his expression is unreadable, but the veins in his neck and on his forehead slowly yet surely start to become visible. his blood is boiling, causing his jaw to clench and his hands to ball into fists. without a word, sukuna stands up from his throne. the air in the room turns suffocating—the concubine could barely breathe. it’s as if there’s an invisible weight pressing on her chest, making her struggle to get any oxygen in her lungs.

a rough hand reaches out to grab ahold of her hair. sukuna’s fingers curl around the locks and roughly yanks the girl’s head back, forcing her to look up. his face is close to hers; his eyes are wide and glowing an intimidating red.

“woman,” his voice has a dangerous tone to it as he speaks up. he grips her hair tighter, until she lets out a pained sob as a few of her blond strands float down onto the cold floor, “you know what happens if you lie to me, correct?”

the blond concubine swallows thickly as the tears prickle her eyes. she nods, already aware of the risks she is taking. “yes, my lord. i… i promise it is not a lie,” she whimpers. perhaps her promise isn’t worth trusting, considering the infinite number of times that sukuna’s concubines have tried to sabotage his favorite girl, but the least she can do is try and convince him. to get one step closer to her goal.

the king of curses releases her head with a rough push that sends her onto her hands and knees. his intense gaze is focused on the big, heavy doors that lead down the many corridors of the estate. sukuna grits his teeth to the point he can nearly feel them crack— how dare a lowlife try to make a move on you, in his territory? his home?

a lowly human he has granted the privilege to even breathe the same air as him, nonetheless.

death shall await that piece of shit. everyone who has seen the situation play out and hasn’t done a thing to stop it or report it, will surely meet their demise as well. heavy footsteps and the deafening sounds of doors slamming open alert every living being around the estate. the air turns tense as they scramble to hide and stay out of sight of the one who’s currently making his way to the training grounds.

. . .

you’re sitting at a pavilion near the area you had visited roughly an hour ago. your eyes take in the beautiful surroundings: the sakura trees, the neatly cut bushes and the hint of the distant mountains that peek above the walls enclosing the estate. being here puts your mind at ease, even amongst all the chaos that you have withstood within those same walls.

you think back to the man who had spoken to you a couple moments ago. the way he spoke so bravely to you, knowing it could mean death if anyone were to report it to sukuna. it sure made you respect his courage. even if you did reject his offer—out of pure fear for his life and your own.

besides, you have developed a strange longing for the ruthless curse over the course of your stay. sukuna might still lack in some aspects, but something about him is attracting you and you cannot resist it. that connection between the two of you is something undeniable. something that will not die out any time soon.

you get up to go to your chambers. you’ve been here for too long while you’re not quite supposed to be roaming these places on your own. you lift your kimono a little, walking down the three steps and onto the gravel path. while you’re walking back, a couple noises from inside of the main building catch your attention.

sounds of struggle. you’ve heard those sounds enough times before to be able to recognize them with ease. you watch as guards step out into the engawa, down onto the pebbles that stretch over the entire yard. they’re pulling along a couple of blindfolded and tied up men. it looks exactly like what it is: an execution.

your throat dries up as you freeze in place. you’re not supposed to witness any of this. you’ve known of the executions that take place around the manor but have never seen them firsthand. you carefully hide your face, so the guards don’t recognize you and alert sukuna that you’re wandering around this part of his territory.

your eyes are downcast as you try to make a run for it from the sidelines, attempting to sneak into the building. this is none of your business. you don’t want to see it. you truly cannot do anything to save those souls—your word is not final around here.

you don’t recognize who those poor men are, until you hear one of them plead for his life. you’re about to successfully sneak past the many guards, however your head whips to the side out of pure shock once you hear that familiar voice. that smooth and charming voice. your eyes scan the bodies of the group that’s about to be executed.

those clothes. the group is wearing the same pants that those soldiers had on. the haircuts, their voices… there is no doubt about it.

“what��” you’re about to speak up – revealing your identity in hopes of getting answers and perhaps delay the execution with the little power you have - when you’re interrupted.

how could you not have noticed that imposing figure making its way towards you before eventually coming to a stop at your face?

you don’t know what to do or say. it’s like you have met a dead end. you can’t go back, nor can you move forward as a wall of muscles cage you into place. you don’t have time to react before sukuna’s fingers move up to wrap around your throat. he doesn’t hold on tight, at least not to the point that it hinders your airway. it’s a rather possessive gesture, a warning to not move or try anything funny.

“stay,” sukuna orders. you know you cannot defy him in any way, thus you do as told. you catch a glimpse of a silhouette behind the pink-haired man. A frown settles on your face the second you notice who it belongs to. that damned woman. . . she subtly shoots you a grin, one that makes your stomach churn and your blood boil.

you had been too reckless. you should have known that she would tell on you. if only you didn’t come around this area, none of this would have happened. those poor souls would not be lined up in a row in the yard, awaiting their inevitable end by the hands of the curse everyone fears. you feel like it’s all your fault and that nearly sends you spiraling.

“’lord sukuna doesn’t have to know,’ huh?” sukuna mocks with a dry laugh. a shiver runs down your spine once you realize what he is referring to. those courageous words that have been uttered to you today. you swallow thickly as you’re forced to lock eyes with the enraged curse in front of you.

he scoffs and turns your head to look at the blindfolded soldiers who are kneeling on the gravel, “how cute. which one of ‘em said that to you?”

you’re unable to immediately answer sukuna. there’s simply no way out of this. he will know the truth one way or another. the other concubine standing behind him will surely spill the beans if you lie. your punishment will be worse if you’re caught lying and the thought alone makes you panic internally.

“answer me,” the king of curses demands. his fingers tighten the grip around your neck, his face leaning in right in front of yours. it’s terrifying, really, even if you know sukuna wouldn’t physically hurt you in any way. at least not badly.

he emphasizes his demand with a subtle threat, “and don’t you dare lie.”

it’s futile lying to sukuna anyway. your eyes fill up with tears from the pure pressure you are experiencing. you look over the group of soldiers that are on their knees, waiting to be executed. just a few moments ago, they were laughing with each other while practicing their skills, not having a clue of what would happen. you grit your teeth. life is unfair.

you refuse to point at anyone, but your gaze does linger on one soldier on the far right. that instantly catches sukuna’s attention and he makes a mental note of it. he isn’t dumb: he is aware that you’re softhearted and selfless. you wouldn’t publicly expose anyone, because you’re afraid of what he will do to them if he were to find out.

“hm.” sukuna possesses enough information. he releases you with a slight push, all four of his eyes focused on that specific soldier. an ominous silence fills the air before you’re excused with a quick gesture of his hands. the king of curses wordlessly commands the guards to draw their swords; not a single life would be spared.

why? because the other soldiers are just as guilty. not reporting to sukuna about the behavior of their follow squad member is an act of treason by itself. besides, sukuna doesn’t really need those soldiers any longer. he can always assemble another group of weak men and put them on the front lines, to play the role of human shields.

his arms are crossed as he stares each of them down. he is about to tell the first guard to start the execution when he feels you tug at the sleeve of his yukata.

you gulp as you cling onto the fabric. you’re trying your best to change his mind. as his favorite, perhaps you had that power. to stop the blood hungry curse that lives for death and chaos. “pleqse don’t—" you open your mouth, only for one of his hands to grab you by your jaw.

“y’ don’t get to tell me what to do, brat,” sukuna answers in a low, dangerous voice. he taps your cheek twice to remind you of your place. he pushes you aside, causing you to stumble backwards into the building. be may be ruthless, but not to the point where he’d force you to witness the slaughter that’s about to take place.

“i’ll deal with ya later,” he adds with a faint huff. he quickly waves you off, “now, move.”

all you can do is stare at sukuna’s back before slowly retreating into the estate. you feel sick. you feel like you’re going to throw up as you scurry past the concubine who also makes her way back to her chambers, the woman still grinning from ear to ear.

heads will roll because of you. again.

. . .

the estate is unusually quiet around this hour. not a single soul had the guts to get out of their chambers after word spread that another execution took place. this time it was a group of soldiers, all of them taken out without a warning. they fear they’re next—not even your own lady-in-waiting dares to talk to you for the time being.

you’re laying on your bed, unable to sleep your worries away. the warmth underneath your sheets gives you a sense of comfort, but it isn’t enough to drive the negative thoughts away. you only lift your head up from the pillow when the doors to your room slide open. you heart nearly stops beating in your chest as you see sukuna stroll inside like nothing happened.

his footsteps are heavy against the wooden flooring. you sit up out of habit, to greet him. your eyes are downcast, however. you know a punishment awaits you as well. you don’t think he will expel you from his harem nor get rid of you in any way. he would have done so the moment he’s seen you back at the training grounds if that were to be the case.

sukuna sits on the edge of your bed, crossing all four of his arms. he sighs the second he sees the gloomy expression on your face. his hand reaches out, fingers pushing some of the hairs back from your face.

he doesn’t speak up for a minute, simply allowing you to gather your thoughts. his index finger and thumb glide down to grasp your chin— a gentle yet firm touch. “y’ see what happens when you disobey me?”

sukuna’s reminder sure was a violent one, but that’s to be expected from a disaster curse like him. of course he wouldn’t change his violent nature for you; you should’ve expected that. you shouldn’t have become so delusional, so blinded because of the fact that you’re his favorite.

perhaps the special treatment is getting to your head. it’s making you feel like you have a chance at taming a monster.

especially now, as sukuna climbs onto your bed and leans back against the headboard, pulling your small body onto his lap. the duality is messing with your brain and making you unable to fully despise the man in front of you.

“yes, my lord,” you take a deep breath before eventually answering with those three words. you’re a weak woman, melting right into the embrace of the man you’re supposed to hate. you cannot help yourself as you feel those big hands rub up and down your sides.

“good,” sukuna’s signature smirk tugs at his lips. you’re easy to distract, easy to please. looking at you from up close like this is somehow soothing the anger inside him. he’s supposed to punish you for disobeying his orders— for going somewhere you’re not supposed to. for interacting with a man who tried to approach you romantically.

yet he cannot bring himself to continue his rough lecture. seeing you become all putty in his hands puts his mind at ease. hurting you? kicking you out of his harem? killing you? no, none of that. all those evil thoughts are thrown out of the window the second your body made contact with his.

sukuna doesn't know whether to dislike or enjoy the undeniable power you have over him. if it was any of his other concubines in your position, he would've executed them right beside those soldiers. maybe it is a sick and twisted sense of love that he has for you.

even if love is a foreign thing to a cold-blooded curse like him.

“y’re lucky i still have some use for you,” sukuna comments as his big hand moves up to rub your head, subtly ruffling your hair. his actions are in contrast with his words. his words carry the hard 'truth', reminding you of your place as his concubine. but his actions tell you that you’re more than that to him. more than just a toy to his collection.

his fingers trace your cheek, your jaw and down to the collar of your kimono. he slips two digits between the gaps of the fabric and traces your cleavage. your heart rate picks up, which the king of curses easily senses. he shakes his head with a dry and nearly condescending laugh.

you’re easy. easy to pacify, easy to shut up with just a couple touches. that’s also what he likes about you. the fact that you’re so submissive to him when you need to be. sukuna traces the curves of your perky breasts, “you should just look pretty for me like this—listen to me and not get into trouble.”

goosebumps appear on your skin from the sensual touch. a shiver runs down your spine as the tips of his fingers nearly touch your sensitive buds before retreating. it’s a tease meant to drive you crazy, to get you riled up only for nothing to happen.

sukuna leans in and nips at the skin near your throat. his breath is hot and heavy against your neck, his kisses are chaste and tingly. two of his hands pull your upper body against his until you’re chest to chest. his lips find your shoulder, fingers loosening the kimono to expose your sensitive flesh.

“none of this would’ve happened if ya jus’ listened, hm?” sukuna whispers in a rough tone. he knows it’s not fully your fault—that stupid soldier shouldn’t have made a move on you in the first place. although, he can’t help but play mindgames with you. to mold you into the perfect woman for him.

and you fall right into his trap. “sorry. won't do it again,” you reply in a quiet whisper. your own hands clench onto the fabric of his black yukata, eyes closed and head tilted to give sukuna better access to your neck. he appreciates your thoughtfulness as his teeth sink into your flesh.

“hah. that’s what y’ say every time,” the pink-haired curse clicks his tongue. one of his hands moves to the back of your head, fingers curling into the strands of your hair. he tugs at them so you can face him properly.

“. . .such a little brat,” sukuna’s eyes roam over your facial features and down to your body. he gives you a subtle grin before his lips meet yours in a bruising kiss.

you should be feeling guilty for being part of the reason why an entire group of people have lost their lives, yet here you are, shamelessly making out with their executer.

the love you share is toxic, but addictive. you find yourself crawling back to sukuna each time you promise not to fall for his tricks. and the same goes for him.

the king of curses finds himself tolerating more and more of your behavior—behavior that would have others in their grave. no matter what you say or do, he keeps you alive. he simply punishes you in other ways than death, even when death is all he knows.

sukuna bites on your bottom lip which causes your mouth to open. he takes advantage of it and slips his tongue inside, mixing his saliva with yours. he groans against your lips due to the pure pleasure he receives from your kisses.

you pull away suddenly, feeling lightheaded from the lack of air you were getting. the man in front of you scoffs and flicks your forehead for that, grumpy again because you decided to bring an end to his pleasure.

sukuna allows you a little break, however. he brings his mouth to your ear and you swear you can hear the smirk on his lips as he speaks. “y’re mine. don’t you forget,” he mutters to you in a low tone.

you nod without hesitation, “all yours.”

you will never forget that. no matter what you do or where you go— you’re still sukuna’s. in every way possible. there is no escaping him. no one can take you away from him, as you’ve been reminded of an hour ago.

not another man, nor another woman. not even his other concubines can get you out of his sight. they may continue to scheme, but they won’t succeed.

what happened today is still replaying in the back of your mind as the make out session develops into something more. you’ve pushed the guilt, sadness and shame aside for the time being, though you know that those emotions will come crashing down after this is done.

death is inevitable around this place. you’ve grown a bit desensitised to it and have accepted your fate a long time ago when you realised that you had somehow done the impossible.

now you - and the others - are actively suffering the consequences— the consequences of making the ryomen sukuna fall in love.

[miyahchan]

Week Three - October 16th - Vampire!Geto x Reader

Synopsis: As the ultimate sacrifice, you offer yourself fully to the bloodthirsty cult leader, Geto Suguru.

Word Count: 3.2k

🚨 Warnings: 18+ content, lowkey blood kink, oral sex (female receiving), penetration, hint at masochism, just smutty stuff. 🚨

Check out the official Kinktober 2024 post HERE!

            Suguru Geto came to you when you were at your lowest.

            You had left the club at 2am on that chilly, autumn night. The moon engulfed the dark city in a pale light and traffic filled the busy streets. The rain falling in heaps from the sky cleansed your sins of the night, drenching your trench coat that covered your skimpy “uniform” – a matching lace set. You counted the money that you had earned for the night – only $100. Sure, the night had been slow, especially with this weather, but you were pissed.

            How am I going to pay rent this month?

            That thought repeated itself in your head as you headed in the direction of your apartment complex. You were already behind by two months, and you’d even began dancing at other clubs for some extra change, but nothing ever seemed to be enough. 

            You bent the corner and that’s when you saw him for the first time.

            He was leaning against the side of a building and, without the glowing amber light from the cigarette he was smoking, you wouldn’t have noticed him. He had long, raven hair and dark, piercing eyes, and he wore all black, which camouflaged him into the shadows. He noticed you at the same time you noticed him, and the two of you locked eyes. You froze. There wasn’t anything particularly frightening about him; you had seen far scarier people on your way home from work. But it was as if your body had reacted on its own. His dark gaze lingered on you and you truly took him in. He was remarkably handsome, and you could smell his cologne wafting off him. It was a mix of bergamot and musk, with the oddly sweet addition of jasmine. The scent was intoxicating, and you found yourself wanting to lean into him and take all of him in, but instead you forced yourself to move on and continue your walk, finally breaking from the trance.

            Your brain was foggy, and there was one detail you couldn’t wrap your head around. As he stood there on that corner, he was dry. His clothes were dry and his hair was dry, like somehow the rain hadn’t affected him. But you saw him there, standing it in just like you were, but you were drenched and he wasn’t.

            What an odd man, you thought.

            The second time you’d seen him was even more strange.

            You were working at your usual club on a Friday night, and it was packed. You were fresh off the stage, making your way through a crowd of people, when you felt it. You’d grown to trust your instincts – it was necessary in this line of work – and you knew exactly what you were feeling. You were being watched.

            You look over your shoulder and there he was, across the club, sitting on a couch. He wore a black suit, and his pitch black hair was now pulled back into a bun. When your eyes met, a smirk spreads across his handsome face and he holds up a folded stack of money.

            Private dances were the quickest ways to get paid at your club, and you’d done plenty of them before, but this one was different. As he followed you to the back, you were nervous and when the two of you were finally alone in the room, you could’ve passed out.

            He sat on a loveseat, his head tossed back against the cushions. Even when he was relaxing, he was gorgeous. You stand before him, in only a two-piece red satin set. Only then do you feel self-conscious, as if you hadn’t been half naked in front of strangers all day. The music in the room is slow and sensual, and you start to mentally prepare for your routine before the man speaks.

            “You don’t have to dance.” His voice is deep but it soothes you. He looks up at you with those intense, charming eyes and pats the empty spot next to him. You’re relieved that you don’t have to dance for him, but your curiosity is piqued. You take a seat and he eyes you up and down.

            “So, you don’t want anything?” You curse yourself for sounding so juvenile.

            “I just want to talk.” He pulls a cigarette from his suit pocket, but you don’t have the nerve to tell him that there’s a no smoking rule. “About you.”

            “About me?”

            “Is it that surprising?” He pulls a drag from his cigarette and then exhales. “Tell me how you ended up here.” 

            That causes you to crack a small smile. “The same thing that makes anyone stay at a job they hate. Money makes the world go ‘round.”

            He chuckles. “It’s sad, isn’t it? If only we lived in a world where none of that mattered.”

            “It looks like it doesn’t matter to you.” You gesture to his nice suit and, at closer glance, you can tell it’s cashmere.

            “Can’t say it doesn’t matter, but…” In between pauses, you smell his cologne again and you impulsively scoot closer to him. “I found a way to make life easier. I have a lot of friends who were like you, you know.”

            He doesn’t elaborate on that, and you figure its on purpose. So you question him further. “What happened to them?”

            “They’re doing great now. You see, I meet a lot of different types of people doing what I do. I like to help who I can, even if it’s just changing their perspective on life.” 

            “That’s admirable.” Handsome and kind? What a catch.

            He reaches into his pocket and pulls out the wad of cash from earlier. His larger hand grabs yours – his skin is ice cold – and opens your hand gently before placing the cash into your hand, along with a white piece of paper in between the bills. “Take this.”

            It was the most cash you’d ever seen at once. You were sure it was enough to cover the last 2 months of rents that you owed and some. “I- I don’t know how to thank you for this.”

            He got up from the loveseat and smoothed out his suit, before making his way out of the room, but not before turning around one last time. “Don’t.” He left the room, leaving you speechless and alone.

            The next few weeks were nothing short of extraordinary. 

            You would arrive for your shift and there he would be, waiting for you, cash in hand. You would spend the next few hours in a private room, where you would only talk. You would talk about your dreams, your grievances, and even things you never told anyone else before. He was a great listener, just letting you ramble before he’d hand you yet another stack of cash. But, despite the money you made from him, you enjoyed his company. You didn’t have any friends or family to vent to about the mundane problems of life, so finally having a listening ear meant a lot. You dared to even call him a friend.

            It was a Sunday night when you got dressed up, dawning a simple but classy black dress and heels, and even taking the time to do your makeup. On your dresser was the white slip of paper that the man – who you now knew as Suguru Geto – had given you the first night that you’d seen him at your job. On that fateful night, right before bed, you had read what it said – it was an address. It wasn’t the first time that a customer had slipped you an address in hopes of going farther than a lap dance, but Geto seemed… different. That difference between him and your other “customers” is what encouraged you to get dolled up tonight and leave your apartment, heading to the address he’d given you.

            You had expected a luxury penthouse, or even a mansion with the way that he was so generous with his money. But, as you hopped out of the taxi, you were met with something entirely different:

            An abandoned building.

            Was this a joke? You wondered. Then, you thought about how much he’d done for you. Ever since you met him, you’d been able to keep up with your bills, and you even had extra spending money. To him, money probably wasn’t an issue but to someone like you, it was everything. What guy would send you somewhere meaningless after investing so much into you?

            That thought had you heading into the building blindly. 

            As soon as you walked in, the smell of mildew filled your nostrils. The air was thick and damp, and the walls were covered in graffiti and other markings that you wouldn’t even try to identify. You wandered through the three-story brick building, looking for any signs of life. It was dark and the longer you roamed, the more uneasy you felt. The thought of leaving became more desirable and when you finally decided enough was enough, that was when you noticed it.

            You had covered every inch of the first floor, but you now saw that a door that you had walked past earlier was now open. Instinctively, you looked around you, trying to find whoever had opened it. Whoever it was had to have been watching you, maneuvering around you just enough to stay out of sight while somehow being able to make changes in the environment. When you were sure no one was near, you focused back on the door. From what you could see, there was a staircase leading down to another floor. A faint glow emitted from down there, like a beacon calling a sailor to shore. Come down, it says. And you listen.

  The clicking of your heels echo through the building as you make your way down. It’s a narrow passage, and the walls are lined with candles. It’s a stark difference from the building above. While the floors above were dark and decrepit, this passageway, while still bare, seemed more upkept. However, it couldn’t prepare you for what you saw when you reached the bottom of the steps.

It was a chapel.

A huge chandelier swung from the ceiling, emitting a warm glow onto the contrasting dark walls, and the walls were embellished with stained glass, showing pictures of various religious figures. There were church pews, all empty, and an aisle that led down to the alter. In the middle of the alter stood Suguru Geto, draped in a black robe with gold and green embellishments.

“I knew you’d come.” His voice echoes through the chapel and you don’t notice how long it takes for you to move until he speaks again. “Come. I have a gift for you.”

You make your way down the aisle. “Why…” You had to think of what question to ask out of the hundreds that were floating around in your brain. “Why bring me here?” You’re standing in front of him now. 

“Like I said, I have a gift.” His warm tone is out of place in the chapel, like he doesn’t realize how odd the situation is. He, then, grabs your hands. They’re cold, as per usual, but you never noticed how pale he was. “Do you trust me?”

            You don’t know how to answer that. You look around the two of you. How could anyone build a place like this underground? Why is it underground? 

            Geto notices your disturbed expression. “I’d like to apologize for such a… peculiar situation.” As he talks, you finally notice them, in his mouth. Two extremely sharp teeth, that you never seemed to notice before. He’d hidden them well.

            Fangs.

            “I’ll ask again. Do you trust me?”

            “What is this?”

            “Do you remember when I told you that I help others?” He starts to caress your hands in his grasp. “I’d like to apologize in advance for telling a half truth.”

            Even in this situation, you didn’t feel fear. There was something about Suguru Geto that made you feel comfortable, comfortable enough to peel back the layers of yourself and become truly vulnerable. You look down at where your hands meet, oddly comforted by his freezing touch. “Can you just tell me before I go crazy? Please.”

            “When I say I help people, I mean that I give them the greatest gift of all.” His words were cryptic, confusing you even more. If the copious amounts of money he’d given you wasn’t the gift he was talking about, you couldn’t imagine what would be greater.

            “Which is?”

            “A new life. A life where you don’t have to worry about… human grievances. I find people that want a new start where they don’t have to stress about time or money or illness.”

            “So you’re telling me you’re…” You don’t finish your sentence, instead choosing to stare at his fangs.

            He smiles. Without answering, he asks the same question for the third time. “Do you trust me?”

            “I…” Despite all of this, the answer comes rather quickly. “Yes, but…”

            “Will you accept my gift?”

            The silence between the two of you is deafening. In that moment, a movie of your entire life flashes behind your eyes. You remembered being young and on your own, struggling to find jobs to keep a roof over your head and food in your stomach. You remembered having no one to call on for help during the times where you needed it the most. And then you remembered how you felt when you met Suguru Geto. For the first time in a long time, you felt… at peace. Like the universe had finally sent you an answer to all your problems.

            You lean forward and press your lips against his, answering his question. His touch is delicate as he lifts your chin and kisses you harder. The two of you are desperate as you relish in each other’s taste. His fangs graze your lip, reminding you of what he truly is. But it doesn’t matter. He turns your head to the side and moves to your neck, lavishing it in kisses. You moan as he sucks on the skin over your pulse.

            “This might hurt. But it’ll be worth it. I promise.” He whispers against your skin. You take a deep breath and nod, ready for the pain.

            It stings like hell, and you can’t hold in the whimper of pain that escapes you. His fangs sink into your neck and your body reacts by filling itself with adrenaline. He leaves two open wounds in your flesh, and then he sucks, draining some of your blood. You don’t realize you’re crying until you feel the tears dripping off your cheeks. God, it hurts.

            When Geto finally pulls away, his mouth is red, your slick, coppery blood making a mess on his face. His usual black eyes are now a deep, crimson, filled with an expression that you can’t quite place. You don’t get a chance to catch your breath before he’s on you again, smashing his lips against yours. He tastes metallic as he smears your own blood onto your lips, and he forces his tongue into your mouth. He moans into your mouth, and you copy him, turned on by his utter desperation.

            His hands grope you through your clothing until he decides he can’t be patient anymore. He yanks down the straps of your dress and lets the dress fall off your body. His mouth is back on your neck and he sucks your wound again, making you wince but your attention is brought back to the pleasure when he massages your breasts. You let out a gasp laced in both pain and pleasure, and this spurs him on even more.

            He’s on his knees in no time, kissing on your stomach and leaving a red, bloody trail. Your hands are in his hair and you pull him closer to your core, ready for him. He licks a stripe up your pussy before sliding his tongue in between your folds. You moan in unison, lost in the moment. He goes straight for your clit, flattening his tongue over it. You can tell he’s holding back as he gives it gentle licks, and the thought of him not wanting to hurt you in any way makes you even more wet. He draws circles on the bud with his tongue and he rotates between licking it and sucking it. You’re weak above him, your gasps and moans echoing through the chapel. You grind against his face, your orgasm building up. His own sounds add to yours, the two of you creating a wonderful melody. You cum fast and hard, your juices adding to the red mess on his face. He doesn’t stop even when you’re shaking, wanting to get every drop out of you. You have to pull his hair to get him to stop, scared that you’ll pass out from the sheer amount of pleasure.

            You then come down to his level and watch as he takes off his robe, revealing his strong, carved body. He was stunning everywhere. He lays his robe on the cold floor of the chapel and then has you lay on top of it before he’s attached to you again. He kisses up your beautiful, exposed body before he kissing your lips again. As the two of you kiss, you wrap your legs around his waist and he positions himself so that he can slowly slide into you, which he does effortlessly. 

            You whimper as he fills you up. He’s long and thick, and he fits perfectly inside of you. He doesn’t take long to start moving, but his movements are slow and purposeful. The two of you are chest to chest as he thrusts into you. He grinds into you, slow and deep, fucking you into the floor. 

            “Geto…” You moan against his lips. “Thank you.”

            He pulls away from your lips. “Say it again.” He whispers.

            “Thank you Geto.” 

            Your words are music to his ears and he fucks you even more passionately. Your moans grow louder as he plunges himself into you harder, then he puts his mouth on your breasts and starts giving them ample attention. He sucks on your nipples and leaves hickeys on the supple skin. By now, your entire body is covered in smears of blood, but you don’t care. You can only focus on how he keeps slamming into your g-spot, coaxing another orgasm out of you. You clench around his dick as you cum again, coating him in your slick wetness. You claw at his back, leaving long, red streaks on his pale skin. You realize he has a masochist streak when he moans at the pain, and then he cums shortly after you. 

            You feel him pulsing inside of you as he cums, filling you up. He doesn’t stop thrusting until he’s satisfied, milking himself dry. You feel his cum drip out of your pussy and onto the floor – well, his robe – and you’re satisfied as well.

            The two of you lay there, holding each other and panting as you both come down from your highs. You’re sweaty and tired, only having enough energy to hold Geto close.

            As you stare up at the ceiling, you feel the weight of tonight’s decision hit you.

            Now, you were starting a new life.

            Geto sits up and flashes you another one of his charming smiles, easing your worries almost instantly.

            A new life with Suguru Geto.

[bunny-lou]

LITA AU - mechanic Phayu flirting with pit bunny Rain

Love in the Air AU: Phayu is used to pit bunnies being pretty, flirty, sweet. He's never met one so bratty.

(I'm super into Rain's bratness, but even more into Phayu's brat-tamerness and I also 0 knowledge of street races, illegal or otherwise, and this rambling depicts pit bunnies as people who have been hired to help host/entertain racers. Imagine them like Hooters waitresses.)

---

Phayu has been around pit bunnies as long as he's been a mechanic. Some pit bunnies belong to specific racers, but more of them are hired by Pakin's men to host. The pit bunnies play nice with the big shots, the best spenders. They fetch drinks and flirt and bat their eyes because rich, cocky men place much bigger bets when they want to impress the pretty young thing at their side. Phayu thinks he's on good or at least neutral terms with all of them. He doesn't have much reason to interact with them, but none have ever been rude to him.

Until a new pit bunny comes along.

Phayu catches sight of him sometimes; he's one of the only boy pit bunnies at these races and he wears shorts so tight that it's hard to not notice him. Phayu tries to be as distant as possible, know as little as possible, so he never goes out of his way to say hi, despite appreciating the boy's smooth legs and the brief ideas of those legs wrapped around his waist.

The pit bunny is pretty, but that's nothing special. Phayu has sweet, pretty boys already at his beck and call.

But mouthy, pretty boys are a little more fun.

Phayu has to visit one of the few stands that sells food. He gets free drinks as someone who technically works the races and it's an especially warm night. He gets a water and a sports drink and turns to head back to his tent, when someone collides with his side.

"Oh son of a bitch!"

And Phayu is hot and tired and covered in sweat and now some sticky alcoholic drink, and this guy should be apologizing, so he snaps back "manners."

"Oh son of a bitch, please and thank you."

Phayu snap his eyes to this little brat to see a pout so endearing, it almost makes him smile. But he's not going to smile because-

"You ran into me," Phayu tells him in a stern tone, "because you weren't paying attention. You owe me an apology."

The pit bunny flushes and crosses his arms over his crop top. His exposed stomach is smooth and taut and pierced. "Well you were in my way."

Phayu's teeth ache with the desire to bite the attitude out of this boy. "What's your name?"

"Rain. What's yours?"

The lack of honorific is not lost on either of them. "Phayu, I'm the senior mechanic covered in your drinks."

"Then maybe you should replace them?"

Phayu folds his arms and something in him preens as Rain eyes his biceps. They're both standing with their arms folded, but it's so different. Phayu is tall and straight, unimpressed expression with a single raised brow, while Rain has hip cocked down and head tilted in faux innocence. Still with that pretty pout on his lips.

"How about I teach you manners?"

Rain opens his mouth in what is sure to be a hissy snap, but he's jostled forward by someone walking too close behind him. More of his drinks slosh over the rims and Phayu remembers they're still in the busiest part of the race, swimming with people moving all around them.

It breaks the little spell around them. Rain shakes his head and when he looks at Phayu again, he is more bashful. "I'm sorry, phi." He says even though it's clear he doesn't want to. "I would help you clean up, but Stop and his friend are going to be pretty pissed if I take any longer with their drinks." Rain gestures to his two semi empty drinks. "But maybe you can teach me better manners next time?" He bats his eyes and bites his lip and Phayu is hit by how effective pit bunnies can be because that look makes Phayu want to do very reckless things.

And then Rain is gone, off to fetch drinks for whatever racer or big shot he's been tagging.

Phayu thinks about that for days, the pout and the snark and the long lashes that would look so much prettier with tears clinging to them.

He doesn't seek Rain out again though, Phayu still has to be responsible and professional.

Rain does not.

Within a week, Rain finds Phayu's tent and makes a reason to be there, saying he has a message from a racer that the mechanics need to use a specific oil for his bike.

And Phayu's about to roll his eyes and say he knows how to be a damn mechanic, but Rain is leaning over one of the bikes like he belongs there, confident and uncaring of where he sprawls.

Brattiest brat Phayu has come across in a while. "Get off of my bikes."

"Why?"

"You don't have permission," Phayu stalks closer, but Rain doesn't straighten, still bent over and looking up at him through those damn lashes, "to touch them."

"What if I ask really nicely?" Rain doesn't drop his eyes. "What if I said pretty please?"

"You can do better than that."

But then a new bike is getting brought in and Phayu is getting called over and he really shouldn't be this wound up at work, so he tries to ignore it.

Rain keeps seeking him out, with a smart mouth and rolling eyes and a voice that really should be gagged. It's Rain finding him, starting shit where Phayu should be more composed, where Phayu really can't do anything. He could probably tell someone in charge and use his favoritism to keep Rain away from him, but Phayu doesn't want Rain to stay away. He wants Rain somewhere other than his job where he can finally spank the boy.

Until it builds and one day Rain is in his tent, perched on a table and skewing all of his organized tools and when Phayu scolds him, Rain blinks and says "what are you going to do about it?"

And Phayu has had it and he marches over and grabs Rain's chin and snarls, "I'm going to take you home tonight and spank your ass until it bruises."

And Rain all but melts. "About damn time."

---

I dunno man, just feral brat pit bunny Rain who wants to see how much he can push professional, stoic Phayu until he snaps at a race.

[trashy-corvian]

You draw the twins real funky (I like it) so could I perhaps ~inquire~ what some of your body headcanons for them are?

Sup~ And thank you🖤

Now, do i have some headcanons?

General

While not strict, demon can be sorted into different categories. Some of them are: avian, reptile, fish, amphibian, insectoid, mammal and hybrid.

There a lot of arguing abot how to better categorise them, some demonologist argue that there is no such thing as "fish" type, while others say that arachnids should be considered a seperate type

Each brother, exept Mammon, represent the most common type present in their Ring

Mammon is a hybrid type. Hybrids aren't common but most of them come from the Greed Ring, some demons like to joke that "greed demons wanted to take all the good traits for themselves"

Body hair and fat are traits most often associated with mammal types but other demons can easily have those of they so wish and/or they lifestyle made them like that

Genitals are not a fixed thing. Demons are flexible like that. I also believe that demons are most lax when it comes to this stuff. Angels used to have the most strict gender policies until humans became-waves hand- like this

Lucifer

Avian type

Has the body type like those horny Lucifer statues, you know the ones

Scars. A lot of them. The biggest is a mix of old wounds and burns that starts at his ribs and goes to the mid thigh

He covers them up with clothes but refuses to glamour them

Suffers from chronic pain, especially in his back

Bird feet, with talons✨️

Mammon

Hybrid type

Slutty waist🖤

Lean body with some muscle definition. My boy has to look a certain way in order to be a model

Used to have scars but glamoured them

The fastest among the brothers, rivaled only by Barbatos among the high ranking demons

His horns are a nightmare to maintain. Before Mc he used to spend a lot of money on salons

Fuffy hair, like, the fluffiest~

Leviathan

Reptile type

Covered in the most pretty scales you'll ever see, compliment him!

Very tall, very skinny, a beanpole basically

Has an ucanny long limbs

Unhingable jaw, like in this one movie where old lady almost ate a child

Very strong tail, can lift things and people. He once used it to toss Mammon across the room.

Uses the fish in his giant tank to clean his horns

Has lighter colored scales instead of scars

Satan

Mammal type

Hooves, man

Can and will break your foot if you piss him off

The guy is a reader. No muscles, soft body and a belly.

Moderate amount of body hair but it's so light you can hardly see it at first

Another owner of great hair, so silky and soft~

Once tried to pierce Lucifer with his horn. It was awkward for everyone involved

Asmodeus

Arachnid type

No muscle whatsoever. Still slim, like those pretty anime boys

Mandibles that come out when he's excited

Managed to avoid getting any big scars or at least he says so. His body is heavily glamoured

Scorpion tail isn't just for show, darling. Be careful

Can withstand the most extreme temperatures but who would put this beauty in such conditions. He will complain all the the time while his less adjusted brothers are literally dying of heat/cold

Beelzebub

Insect type

Strongman body because i said so

Grows body hair to make Belphie feel better about his body

Stamina and strength is off the charts

Buzzes when happy or excited

Unhinged jaw and mandibles, also long tube-like tongue

A lot of scars, i haven't drew them but oooh boy Beel is covered in old wounds

Belphegor

Mammal type

Black spots across the body

Tall as Beel but slouches most of the time

Actually really malnourished, you can see his ribs and hipbones

I headcanon him getting slowly better though

A lot of thick black body hair

For the love of Demon King, brush his tail i beg you

Constant stubble, he can shave but it will grow back the next day

No hooves because he hates the constant maintenance they require

Forgets to eat because he unconsciously taps into Beel's eating, but ,unlike his twin, he doesn't suffer from constant hunger so he often feels full while in reality he hasn't eaten in days

[urlocalnonbinarybastardwrites]

Hii! This is for your ship asks! I love the detail and dedication you put into these, they scratch that hyper fixation itch soo well and your writing is just- Mwa!

For Sawyers (TCM) please :]

Sexuality/pronouns: I go by She/Her (cis), I’m bisexual and on the grayace spectrum, but definitely open to sex. My preference leans towards men, but masc woman rev me up as well lol.

Appearance: I’m 5’2”, 101Ibs, slender, somewhat androgynous build with little curves. I have curly short brown hair, falling a little past my ears. My face is soft and rounded with a sharp-ish jaw line. I would say I'm average but I'm called pretty. My eyes are down turned and blue. My style changes on a whim but mostly I rotate between grunge and an earthy hippie witch style (?) imagine white flowing dresses, earth tones, and pendents lol. Will sometimes wear a binder with more masc outfits, it just gives me joy. Makeup is usually very little day to day, sometimes going for a heavy eyeliner look. I’ve got a good amount of piercings, 3 on each ear, 1 nostril ring, a septum piercing, a vertical labret, and nipple piercings soon to come haha.

Personality: I’m can be very anxious and avoidant when meeting new people but once I’m comfortable I’m a such silly freak weirdo lmao. I overthink a lot due to anxiety. I’ve got a decent vocabulary and enjoy have long existential talks every once in a while. I looove parallel play and should probably mention I have ADHD. Conflicts can be hard for me and I usually go out of my way to avoid them, so I can appear as a pushover- but If I’m pissed I make it known. I love art and I’m decently skilled in it, having been drawing my entire life. I would say my love languages are touch and gift giving, I’ll straight up roll on bitches I love loll, and they’ll be getting so many drawings from me. I love horror movies, trying new foods, coffee, teas, animals, any outdoor activities, the Summer, cuddling, art, talking about special interests, and music (listen to a lot of different stuff- 90’s and 70’s rock, phonk, metal, pop, classical.)

Hobbies: drawing, painting, swimming, hiking, reading, yoga, gaming, watching TV shows, trying new things, listening to music, occasionally smoking pot with friends. Sorry if this was TMI!! Take a much time as you want, I understand you have a buttload of these to do already. And thank you in advance!!

Your TCM ship: Bubba Sawyer

 OK I think that he would love you and your kind of short stature and more androgynous look. I think you would think that your grunge style is extremely cool and I think that all of that would just kind of attract him to you. I mean, we all know that twitch in the movies is kind of more less feminine kind of more androgynous energy. I get from her and she is significantly shorter than him. I feel like that’s kind of, something he would be into so I feel like he would be attracted to you and that aspect and then your personality. I think you would find very endearing and I feel like he’s really anxious when he meets new people too. I mean a lot of people don’t realize I think that he just has a lot of anxiety and especially because he knows he would want to make you feel as welcome as possible because he really is like that with people he cares about. I think he would also find your piercings so cool. (And hot) you guys also are both very conflict avoiding so that’s another thing that I think would work out kind of well for you as long as you kind of acknowledge it when it comes I feel like you guys would have very few conflict in your relationship fighting wise because he’s generally a very agreeable person. I could also totally see you guys. Going on cute dates together and it’s Canon that there’s a small little lake by the Sawyer house so I feel like he would sometimes take you there on a very secluded day or something like that and also he would love if you painted him like a few, painted him at all or something like a flower, he liked or anything like that and gave it to him as a present it would be his new prize possession like he would carry everywhere he would just be so in love with it or if you painted on his mask. He loves receiving things half as much as he loves giving. Anyway, I just think you guys would be very cute together.



[polyklok]

This one was so much more detailed and I don’t know why-

Pickles “The” Drummer, physique/appearance

Nathan

Skwisgarr

Toki

Murderface

He got his name legally changed to the dumbest thing possible-

His age was actually a debate in the fandom during the early days, but that dwindled down greatly once a video of him was taken, drunk as all hell, yelling “I’M TWENTY-FUCKING-NINE YEARS OF OLD AND GODDAMN PROUD OF IT!” to a bartender asking for age identification. He’s 31 now. (By now, I mean like…10ish years ago, when the show was out)

5’4, short guy. Especially when compared to his band members. During shows, he started to wear heeled boots that make him 5’8. Still wears normal shoes most days, though. And still gets shit from the other guys for it.

Only 120 lbs. He’s generally pretty scrawny, although his biceps are nicely toned from years of going ham on the drums. Also has a bit of a beer gut, just a little squishy.

FtM, has been on T for a while and has gotten top surgery done. More headcanons regarding his gender journey later!

Let’s talk about his hair for a while-

No one in his family knows why his hair is…that color. Like, they have the ginger gene on his mom’s side. His mom and brother both have nice, brownish-red hair. But he came out with a head full of neON ORANGE HAIR. 

It’s very thick and frizzy. When it is in it’s natural state, its a pretty much a lion’s mane. Many people thought he looked like that on purpose during his Snakes ‘N Barrels days to fit in with the ‘glam rock’ fashion. But actually, he started playing glam rock because his hair looks like that.

As for facial hair, he’s very proud of it. It took a long time to grow out properly, so he takes really good care when maintaining it. (Ignore the fact that it’s a different color in the pic. That was my mistake.)

Cannot say the same for his skin. It’s very dry and sort of…leathery? He spends lots of time outside with absolutely no sunscreen, so my man has been BAKED (in more than one way ;))

Also from this, he’s very tan and freckled. It’s cute.

He has a tiny little button nose. Sometimes, he even twitches it like a rabbit. Literally so precious.

His lips are dry and cracked from years and years of smoking various substances. He prays to gods of burt’s bees chapstick.

Also, canon to the show, but he has a very goofy, crooked smile!

Doesn’t take that good of care for his dreadlocks. He spent so much of his life fussing over his hair, he’s honestly sick of it. He only goes to get them redone when they start to seriously stink.

To contrast Skwisgaar; I will say, he has the fattest ass in the band. Murderface is a close second. That is all.

He loves his piercings. Got his ears done when he was a teenager to piss off his parents, did his eyebrows later on. It’s seriously his favorite thing about himself, physically speaking.

He has all sorts of clothes, many of which he altered himself. From his muscle-tees, baggy jeans, leather pants, crop-tops, even a few skirts. He sticks to the same basic getup, but will shock both bandmates and fans occasionally by bringing out some seriously fabulous outfits.

In universe, there are several online accounts completely dedicated to him wearing feminine clothing. He single-handily brought back cheetah-print leggings.

He’s very talented at eye makeup. Doesn’t do it so much nowadays, but still enjoys a little bit of glittery eyeshadow. As a treat.

Call me weird, but I think I’m gonna include a…smell headcanon in all of these. Whatever.

Usually, he’ll smell like alcohol and weed. Sometimes vomit or piss as well. It’s the truth, hun.

But let’s not fool ourselves; he has a collection of very old, very fruity perfumes that he sprays on himself occasionally when he doesn’t feel like showering. Which is often. So he smells like whiskey, piss, and “cherry kiss dream”

Conclusion; he’s one of the few people on Earth who could acceptably wear low-rise jeans. He deserves it.

[sasuhinasno1fan]

Wish come true - Adrien AUGreste Day 7+8

So I'll be honest, I was a little hesitant with this chapter. It mainly came about because I wanted there to be a chance for them to take the Peacock, if to make things harder for Hawkmoth, as well as cover some events - because I totally forgot the Hero Day episodes happen at the end of s2. Side note, my time line is going to be all over the place. A lot of people during the Volpine episode pointed out that Plagg should of recognized the Peacock and the Grimoire but I believe Plagg is smart, he just does it in different ways. But when you mess with his kitten, that's when his smarts come out. Not to mention, Fu never gave Adrien the same respect he did Marinette because of some assumption that Plagg was bad. And that had to of pissed Plagg off, especially seeing how he was ready to just give up because he wasn't being respected. It's always my favourite thing in rewrite fics where the Ladybug - be it Marinette or a new holder - won't stand for their cat being pushed to the side. I was also worried about how easy things worked and how the kwami's worked to get what they wanted, so let me know what you think. 

Plagg

“It’s so stupid!” Adrien complained, dropping himself onto Luka’s bed. “How on earth could she think this is a good idea, put all that information about Miraculous and its connections to some secret society, not to mention how it could be connected to that missing Tibetan temple? It’s like she didn’t even think about Hawkmoth being able to see this stuff. Thank god we stopped her from posting about it. Alya is at risk of getting banned from a phone if she can’t control her urge to post everything she hears about Scarlet Bug and Catseye. How did she think she’d be helping to unmask Hawmoth if she’s handing him information?”

He looked over to Luka, who was plucking strings on his guitar, with large headphones over his ear. Noticing he was being stared at, he looked up, surprised to see Adrien.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, pushing his headphones off, the faint music of Jagged Stone spilling from it.

“I’ve been here for 5 minutes.”

“Oh. Sorry.” Luka apologised with a guilty look.

“It’s fine. I needed to vent. I kinda didn’t realise you had headphones on anyway.”

“Still, I should make it up to you. you sound upset.”

“Just Alya jumping into doing something without thinking again. I got it solved, so it’s fine. though,” Adrien shuffled closer, leaning in, “if you really want to make it up, I could think of something.”

Catching onto what Adrien meant, Luka put his guitar down and took his headphones off. “Oh? What did you have in mind?”

“I could go for a kiss.” Since the two finally had the chance to have their first kiss – and Adrien realised that kissing a person with snake bites was just as fun as a person with a tongue piercing – Adrien usually looked for any excuse to kiss Luka, who was more than happy to allow it.

“Well, I think that’s a fair trade for what I did.” He pressed a quick peck onto Adrien’s lips, smiling when Adrien pouted at him.

“I think I deserve more than that.”

“I suppose I could be convinced.”

Adrien took no time, dragging him in by the lapels of his jacket. He tilted his head, threading a hand into the blonde hair, sure he was messing up the pins he had in them. he felt Adrien’s lips tick up into a smile when his other hand found a place on his waist

“Whoops!” Rose said loudly, causing the two to pull apart. They watched her push Luka’s sister back out and towards the door. “That room is occupied.”

“Hey,” Adrien said, using a finger to pull Luka’s face down to stare at him, “I wasn’t done getting my apology.”

“How dare I. let me make it up to you.”

While both siblings were busy with the significant other, they didn’t notice their kwami’s whispering in the corner.

“You heard him, right? It’s Feast!” Plagg said. “We need to do something.”

“Well, it’s different than last time. Alya’s video wasn’t posted.”

“Yeah, but he was still at the unveiling with Nathalie. I realise now she must have figured it out as the peacock holder but she still had to of seen the marking on its forehead.”

“Yes, but she might not be able to do anything about it. the last Hero Day pushed her into putting it on, because even with Lila’s help, he was losing. He didn’t have Lila this time and he ran off when Luka and Juleka were able to stop all the Scarlet Akumas from even affecting people.”

Tikki was right. Last Hero Day went the way it did because of Lila. For some reason, this time, Lila hadn’t ever been akumatized. There was no incident to allow the Scarlet Akumas to take the control they did. Seeing Scarlet Bug and Catseye going around, capturing them and saving others from being caught by the reminded the city that they had to believe in their heroes. He still came out, attempting to use his power he gained to get the upper hand but with the help of Rena Rouge, Caprise and Queen Bee, they had him on the ropes before he disappeared. No Sentimonster appeared to help him get away, no Sentimonster had appeared at all with any other Akumatization. The Peacock was never used.

“But it might be this time. If it is, Fu is gonna run again and before you know it, it’ll be forcing a child to take the role of Guardian. Our kids were brave then, still jumping in without their Miraculous and I have no doubt these kids will do the same, but they’re smart this time. They’re not giving in as easy to following Fu’s rule. Are you really going to tell me you wish they didn’t do the same back then?” Plagg asked.

He knew she did, that Marinette opened up and asked Chat Noir for support instead of shouldering everything by herself. That she didn’t push him away so much. Plagg had told her what Adrien was going to do during Syren. He could have done it, he should of. Maybe it would have kept the ring away from Lila if someone else had it.

“You know, more than anything, that I selfishly want something to go wrong to where Ladybird and Blacky have to switch the holders, so I can get Adrien back. But I don’t want it at the risk of him losing his happiness. Right now, he’s kissing the daylights out of Ladybird and he couldn’t be happier. He has parents who love him, a life that he has control over. I want him back, but I also want him this happy.” Plagg confessed.

“I know. Trust me, I know.” Tikki said. “I want Marinette back too but her life is so less stressful without me there. She’s happier. Even if it’s without Adrien’s love.”

Plagg let out a scoffing laugh. “Honestly, I think at that time, those two wouldn’t have worked. They still put each other on pedestals. I wondered if Adrien would ever be in a really happy relationship, since Kagami wasn’t going anywhere much. I mean, they didn’t get farther than kisses on the cheek. It’s different with Luka.”

Tikki giggled. “Marinette almost got there with him, but her feelings were too strong for Adrien. Your right, maybe after time and growing, trying to see the other like how Chat Noir and Marinette saw each other, it could have worked, but maybe not. I guess we’ll never know.”

“As happy as we were with them as our holders then, they’re happier now without us. Even if eventually, we land back with them, that’s not going to happen for a while. But to keep it from happening sooner, we can’t let Gabriel figure out Fu now and he will if Feast is released.”

“So, what do we do? If the same thing happened as last time, they’d go after it tonight and Fu would take us back then.”

Plagg thought. He hadn’t heard much since he was with Juleka but he had her taking a call from Alix. She told her about what Alya had discovered about the different heroes throughout time and the mark of the Guardians they all wore. She’d been going on about how Adrien read Alya the riot act about posting sensitive information where Hawkmoth could see it, stopping her from actually posting her video explaining her findings.

“We might have the advantage. Trixx’s kit never posted the video this time, Adrien stopped her.”

“That’s right! So, Gabriel wouldn’t see it. and if Nathalie didn’t use the Peacock, if she still hasn’t, she wouldn’t sense the amok. But they have the Grimoire, the mark of the Guardians is on it, what if they realise it’s the same?”

Plagg thought harder. There was still so much he didn’t know about Gabriel and how he came to be in possession of the items. If their final battle had involved him and not Lila, maybe he’d know more, but for right now, he was going off what he learned about Adrien’s father.

“He could, but he’s smart. Without knowing about Feast as a Sentimonster, he’s not going to risk going after it. he’ll want to do research, maybe he’ll find out about the missing temple and that’ll get him curious but we don’t know. What I do know is this, we gotta tell the kids about this. and…we got to get the Peacock.”

“How? We can’t fix it without the Grimoire and we can’t read it. plus, how do we know Lila will let Juleka inside?”

“We get Fu to read it, once the kids threaten him. Oh, come on sugar cube,” Plagg said, seeing the scandalized look she got, “they already don’t trust him. If anything, this will get him to ease up. He’s still stalling in keeping Blacky in the loop. I won’t allow him to make another Adrien out of her.”

“You seem to have a plan already. so, what do we do? Tell them to keep an eye at the Louvre and wait for Juleka to go in for a meeting?”

Plagg shook his head, “No, modelling is dealt with through Nathalie. He might give the orders, but Gabriel leaves all that to her. She’s just direct Juleka to location. No, we need something else to get inside. And honestly, Lila might be the thing to do just that.”

“Lila? How?”

“Well, I know you said she wouldn’t let anyone near the house, but let’s be honest, he has to be wanting something to better her standing with her classes and everyone. Maybe such as a Student UN?”

The scandalized look got even bigger. “You want to send Adrien?”

                                         _____________________

“Please tell me you’re joking.” Adrien begged, staring at Mme. Bustier and M. Monlataing, who gave him both pitying looks. “Lila Agreste is participating in Model UN? She hasn’t been to school in two weeks.”

Mme, Bustier handed him a printed email. “Headmaster Damocles sent this to me. Apparently, Mlle. Sancoeur called and asked for her to be included. He agreed and is asking she be brought up to speed.”

“Who am I supposed to pair her with?” Adrien asked, still trying to wrap his head around Lila of all people, being involved in this. Lila? The same girl who yelled and snapped at him for no reason? Same one who seemed to have a mental breakdown the last time he really saw her? He knew her dad was something and no doubt wanted her to better her image, but there was no way this wouldn’t end badly.

“leave that part to us,” M. Monlataing said. “We just need you to go drop off the paperwork for her.”

He gave the art teacher Marc had become close with a look that asked if he was well. “I can’t stand her. You want me to go over to her house and give this to her?”

“Adrien, all you need to do is just pass the paperwork to Mlle. Sancoeur. She’ll get it to Lila and the only other time you’ll have to deal with her is during the Student UN. Besides, even then it’ll be minimal with all the other students and visiting students.”

Adrien threw his head back and groaned. He didn’t want to do this! he didn’t want to deal with her. There was the spoiled rich girls he’d dealt with his whole life and then there was her.

“fine.”

He took the papers and left, the teachers thankfully letting him leave. If they had anything else to say, they were smart enough to let him cool off first. Nino was waiting outside the classroom, blowing bubbles as he leaned on the railing as Adrien stormed past him.

“Can’t believe this. they couldn’t send someone else or just email them to her? What did I do to be punished like this?”

“Do you want me to come with you?” the DJ called as Adrien stomped down the stairs.

“Yes! If anything, to make sure you call my mom if I’m in there too long and the police start to show up.”

Nino thankfully was quite, letting Adrien vent as they made their way to the Agreste mansion, unaware Adrien had a hitchhiker. Plagg hid inside Adrien’s bag, being sent back to when he hide inside during school hours, before he started sneaking out and getting himself and Tikki into trouble. He’d learnt his lesson and hadn’t caused a Kwamibuster, though he was sure it would still come with the science teacher’s still present theory she kept with. He listened to Adrien curse, slipping into Italian as he did and thought about the few times Adrien would get angry enough to slip into other languages. Chinese, Japanese, English. He knew more languages now that he wasn’t forced to learn them, but Italian was the one that cropped up the most. It made him happy to see Adrien exhibit more anger, to really let lose. He knew it was a risk, making Adrien go to the Mansion that had once been his prison with Lila there, but he needed an in. it felt slightly like he was using him, but he also felt confident Adrien would be ok. He wasn’t like before, willing to back down for someone else’s happiness unless threatened. He was much stronger now. He wondered if Adrien had been like this back then, if he could have escaped earlier, set out on his own, away from his father and everyone who wanted something from him and really live. It probably would have been harder, but it’d be so worth it. more than anything, he wished he could have made Adrien that happy. He just had to hope that back then, even when he messed up, that he made Adrien happy. Thinking of the thankful smile Adrien had given him back then when they played the piano, he thought it was possible.

“Mio dio, I can’t believe I’m doing this.” Adrien complained as they arrived in front of the opposing gates.

“Dude, just ring the doorbell, explain you’re here to drop off paperwork and I’m sure this shoot will open and we can be on our way. Marinette’s helping Alya with more hero research and I want to go check out this new DJ set up at the music store. I’ll buy you so many cannolis after you do this.” Nino bribed, throwing an arm over his shoulder.

“It’s cannolo, and fine. let’s get this over with.”

Inside, Gabriel sat at his desk, staring at his computer screen, his fingers pressed together. Nathalie had taken a picture of the statue that had been unveiled the day before and just as she’d pointed out, it matched the mark on the book. The book held so much about the Miraculous, but it was all coded and throughout the years he hadn’t gotten close to figuring it out. All he knew was that the mark was the mark of the Guardians, the one who protected the Miraculous. But any trace of them vanished 200 years ago so any research was sketchy and unclear. Nooroo was no help, unknowing of the language it was written in. the statue had to be important though. If only he could figure out why.

“Sir,” Nathalie started, standing in her usual spot on the other side of his desk, “we could investigate it closer. Either through a private tour or even late at night.”

“Hawkmoth seen sneaking around the Louvre? Nathalie, I’d be arrested in seconds, or at least attacked by those two do-gooders.”

“Not Hawkmoth.”

“No!” this was a conversation that had been had multiple times since Hero Day, when he’d nearly been beaten by that superhero team. He had Nathalie, but her power boost could only do so much. He’d managed to disappear before they really defeated them only to find that Nathalie had taken the Peacock Miraculous ready to use it. “The Miraculous is broken, has been since Emile got it. I watched my wife get weaker and weaker with each use, getting dizzy until she was placed in the chamber below. You really think I’d let you put yourself at risk like that?”

“But sir!”

“Lady Nathalie?” Nooroo poked out from behind Gabriel’s chair. “I know you want to help but you have to listen. You could die if you use it too much. Duusu couldn’t stop it from hurting Lady Emile. Master can’t bring you both back if something were to happen. You’re a better help fully functioning and able to be akumatized. What would happen if you got a spell during then and Master had to pull back, even if he was right there?”

“He wouldn’t-”

Gabriel stood up, sending the chair back slightly. “Do you really think I wouldn’t? that I’d choose your health over anything else? Emile is the way she is because of the Miraculous. I won’t have it do that to someone else I care for. And if Nooroo is right, it will be worse and faster acting. You’re a better help to me healthy and in control.”

Nooroo took in Nathalie’s faintly red face as she looked down. he felt bad playing them like this, but with what he knew, he knew he could change things. His friends couldn’t save him and it led to Lila winning. This time, he had to try and save himself. He understood his master’s wish, but he also remembered what his Lady wanted and if he wanted to keep his promise from all those years ago, he needed to fix the game in his favour. Hawkmoth needed to be stopped from gaining more power.

“Of course, sir. I apologise for thinking such a thing.”

Gabriel cleared his throat, his neck turning slightly red himself as he pulled his chair in and sat down. “Yes, well. you have a point though. I can’t leave the house however, to many people will gawk. It would be better to akumatize you and send you in. perhaps I can do like I did with Vanisher to keep you invisible, but we’ll need a way to have your phone with you without it becoming national news of a floating phone.”

Before anything else could be discussed, the doorbell rang. Both pulled up the video feed from the front gate, sharing surprised looks at the person standing in front of the camera. What was Adrien Rossi doing there?

Opening the camera, Nathalie opened the mic on her iPad. “Yes? What is it?”

“Hi. I’m Adrien Rossi. I’m in class with Lila?”

“We know who you are Mr. Rossi. Why are you here now?”

“Right. Um, Mme. Bustier got your email about Lila joining the Model UN, so I’m just here to drop off the paperwork.” He explained, lifting a small stack of paper.

They shared looks again. Lila joining Model UN? An email sent to state that?

“Sir?” she asked, muting the mic.

“I leave all school things to you. this is the first I’m hearing about this.”

Unmuting the mic, Nathalie asked, “We have no record of this.”

“Uh? Are you sure? I have a copy of the email the headmaster sent her.”

They watched the feed as the young teen dug around his bag and pulled out another sheet of paper, holding it up to the camera. Nathalie examined it, zooming into the parts that listed the emails.

“That is the headmaster’s email. Could it be possible it was hacked?”

“To send my daughter to Model UN?” Gabriel asked sarcastically. They both knew it sounded like a long shot. “Have him come in. she needs to go back to school and better her standing. Perhaps this will help.”

Nodding, she unmuted the mic again. “Please come in so we can discuss this. just you.” she said, seeing the other person behind him. Nino Lahiffe, he DJed the show Style Queen had attacked.

“Oh, no. I was just dropping this off.” He seemed distressed at the idea of coming inside.

“I’m afraid I must insist.”

They watched his head tip back, the mic just picking up his groaning. Clearly, he didn’t want to come inside. They couldn’t hear what Nino had said to him as he stood back far enough but eventually, the blonde turned to the camera again and agreed. She had Gorilla lead him into the atelier. The two took him in, his muscle shirt almost exposing him had it not been for the crop top he wore underneath it, the flannel wrapped around his waist. His wrists were covered in many bracelets, many handmade and his scuffed sneakers squeaked slightly as he shifted his weight. His bag rattled with bells, most hanging from the many pins on display.

“Mr. Rossi, a pleasure to meet you in person.” Gabriel said, walking out from his desk to stand in front of him.

Looking at the two and glancing at the picture that hung up, Nathalie could almost believe they were father and son. While the boy shared similarities in looks with Emile, there was something about the way the two stood that screamed something. But she knew that wasn’t possible. Lila was their only child, gaining the red-haired gene through her father’s side and her green eyes from her mother, though her tanned skin didn’t fit fully. it had confused the couple not long after she was born that they even did a paternity test just to be sure they didn’t receive the wrong child, but she was 100% biologically theirs.

“So, what’s this about a Model UN my daughter is in?”

Adrien handed the email over. “I was just told after class that the headmaster was told by your assistant that you wanted Lila to join. I’ll be frank and tell you it’s a horrible idea because no one wants to work with her.”

“I seem to remember you not getting along with my daughter.” He said, taking the email.

A blonde eyebrow lifted, “She insulted my mother and I on my first day with no explanation. Trust me, we aren’t becoming friends anytime soon.”

He had guts, Nathalie will give him that.

“So, how is it you came to be the one to deliver this news if you don’t get along?”

“I’m heading the Student UN, so I was given the task. I was just told to give it to your secretary.”

“Except this is the first we’re hearing of this. Nathalie hasn’t heard anything about this, especially since she hasn’t been to school recently.”

Adrien also handed him the stack he’d been holding before, crossing his arms and rocking on his feet. He didn’t say much, but Gabriel got the point. Such rudeness would usually gain a reaction from him and it would be so easy to akumatize the teen in front of him but he knew his current mood stemmed from his daughter, still locked in her room upstairs. Since she’d started modelling, he’d been having to give passes on people’s reaction to her behaviour.

Plagg slowly peeked out of Adrien’s bag, watching the designer pace slightly as he read the papers. He glanced at Nathalie, who stood next to Adrien. She was sharp, rarely missed a thing so he was going to have to be careful. The plan was risky for getting them out of the room, out of the house really. It had barely worked the first time he went against Style Queen. It tended to get out of control and this was one of those times he needed it to be in control. But he needed to wait until they were distracted for him to get out. It was weird though, seeing Adrien in this same room that was so full of hurt and dismissal and acting like a regular teen. It was fulfilling.

Adrien took in the mosaic picture that hung up. “Is that your wife? Emile Graham de Vanily?” at the designer’s look, Adrien shrugged. “I saw Solitude. She was really amazing.”

“It’s quite hard to get that movie. There’s only one DVD copy.”

“When my mama was restationed in Italy for a few months, there was a film festival in Sicily she took me to as a gift for missing the chance to see Jagged Stone. They were featuring private production studios and Graham Films was one of them. it was my favourite movie of the night. the opening scene always resonated with me for some reason.”

As everyone focused on the painting, Plagg darted out and into a nearby plant. Nathalie did turn her head at the sound but seeing nothing, she brushed it off.

“Yes. She was quite amazing in it. now, this seems like it would be a good fit for my daughter. If I can guarantee she’ll be on her best behaviour, will you accept her? I’d also be willing to make a donation towards anything needed for the event.”

Adrien frowned but sighed. “The donation might not be necessary. The Italian Embassy as well as a few others are sending supplies. There’s also a possibility of the actual UN sending something as well, that’s still up in the air. But yes, if she can keep her comments to herself, she should be fine.”

Just then, the whole house shook, leaving them scrambling for balance.

“What’s going on?” Adrien asked.

“An earthquake?” Nathalie questioned, looking as everything shook around them, spotting a few cracks appearing in the walls. “We need to evacuate, quickly!”

“But-” Gabriel started, looking at the painting, knowing about the things behind it. the people behind it.

“Sir now!” Nathalie ordered, grabbing Adrien and leading him to the door, Gabriel following after. Gorilla met them halfway, gesturing to the door before heading up the stairs to Lila. The shaking slowly came to a stop once outside in the driveway, standing in the centre away from anything. A few trees outside the residence were tilted, phone lines and wires drooping as well. it was silent of creatures though nearby car alarms blared. “Are you alright?” she asked Adrien, who was looking past the gate for Nino. One of the gate sides had tilted off its post, leaving room that Nino was squeezing through. “Be careful!” she called to him.

Gorilla came out, looking behind him, stopping when no one followed. Gaberiel started back towards the house when Lila finally came out. Her hair was out and she was dressed in a hastily thrown on dress and her eyes narrowed at the sight of Adrien and Nino, who came running over.

“What is he doing here?” she demanded.

“Lila, where were you?”

She ignored her father, instead glaring at Adrien who rolled his eyes and turned his back on her.

                                    _______________________

Back inside the office, Plagg waited from the table he’d knocked the vase from to get Lila to come by the office. It was a risk; on the chance she could take advantage and take something but she seemed to think better of it. getting into the safe was risky without the code, seeing how it was still hanging. But if things went how he planned and Gabriel realised it was missing, he’d have to suspect people who weren’t with him and Lila took the longest to leave.

“Plagg?”

He turned, letting out an elated cry at the sight of Nooroo. He slammed into the purple kwami, holding on as tight as possible. He was sure he’d be with Gabriel; he wasn’t expecting to see him.

“You’re ok! I mean, you’re still with him, but you’re ok!”

“I didn’t think I’d see you this time.”

“I’m sorry! I should have known! I was right here and I didn’t even notice.” He started to apologize, pulling away. “Only when Adrien found the crypt and his mom did, I realise. But he needed to get out before his dad found him and he was my kitten and I had to.”

“I know! I was down there. I had to tell Master what Adrien had found. Maybe if I didn’t, he wouldn’t have gotten Lila akumatized again to get the Miraculous. He was so sure she’d answer his call to the letter, he couldn’t waste time when Adrien knew. He had to make the wish to make things better.”

“Seeing him hurt like that…it killed me. Killed me more watching her knock him around after she knocked him out but I got her in the end. She hasn’t shown up as an akuma. How?”

Nooroo gave a slight smirk. “Me. If I was going to be controlled by him again, I was going to have him play by my rules. I convinced him that she wouldn’t listen if he did. She practically did the work for me with how she acts. She still hasn’t learned no one will play to her rules.”

Plagg gave his own smirk. “Well, she does think she has Adrien’s life. She thinks it automatically means respect and people believing in you. that wasn’t his name, that was all him.”

“You don’t belong to him, do you? wait, don’t answer that. I almost forgot you can’t tell me anyway. It doesn’t matter. He’s happy now, right?” Plagg nodded. “Then that’s all that matters. Now why are you here? I know you, you’re impulsive but you wouldn’t risk this with Lila so close by. Is this about Feast?”

“Its release gave him information about Fu, helped him focus on tracking him down. the kids don’t have the Grimoire, it never left the mansion so Fu never got it. only met the kids because Tikki got sick again. I’m not gonna let him run again and make him force guardianship onto a kid again.”

“You need them both? The Peacock and the book?”

“I’ll return the Grimoire, but we’ll need to keep the Peacock. The extra boost it gave him, he can’t have it.”

Nooroo looked worried. “But, if you remove the feather, it’ll reverse everything, the Temple will return, along with the Guardians. What if they reappear sooner to take you back?”

“Those old farts listen to us. They’ll listen even more once they realise a wish has been made. It’s a risk, might make him want to find out more but if it can keep him from Fu a bit longer, it’ll be worth it. come on, if they can stop him faster, isn’t that what you want?” Plagg asked.

“I want to stop hurting people.” Nooroo admitted. “I can tell you how to fix it if you want to do it before dealing with Feast, but it’s expensive without Gaberiel’s connections.”

“Fu will deal with that later. Can you help me get what I need?”

Nooroo looked to where the main camera was. It wouldn’t catch them, but it would catch a floating book and broach. Plagg was right though. Finding Fu had made Gabreil stronger and if they could stop it this time, it would be a godsend. He took Plagg in, looking at the more serious and focused than he ever had before.

“You’ve changed. I know we both have, but I wasn’t expecting this.”

Plagg looked wistful. “If I had it my way, I’d have my kitten no matter what. But even though this wish changed everything, he’s happier than he’s ever been and I’m not going to let him lose that.”

“Not without you. I saw how he needed you then. He might be a different happy, but I don’t think he’d ever be happier than when he was with you. I felt his emotions go from sad to happy in moments, even feeling happiness mixed with frustration that always seemed familiar amongst your holders. You made him happier than you could ever know. Come on, I’ll get the picture off and the safe open, you mess with the camera up there.”

                                 ________________________________

“Late last night at the Louvre, the Tibetan Statue that was said to be connected to a missing temple came to life. Security cameras caught the statue crumble to pieces before a blue creature came crawling out. It seemed to struggle with something, even attempting to run away when it burst into bubbles, leaving only a staff. The familiar figure of Scarlet Bug was then seen breaking the staff, capturing an item that escaped. People are now questioning if Hawkmoth had managed to Akumatize that statue or if the statue itself had always been an akumatized item. In other news, in the same area the statue was said to of been found, a temple has reappeared in perfect condition after it disappeared nearly 200 years ago. We’ve been unable to approach the temple as the Chinese Government who has control over the country refuse to allow entry to the mountain it is on. it begs the question of its reappearance being connected to the same possible akuma Scarlet Bug was seen dealing with the night before.”

Fu watched the news cast on his phone, biting his lip. When he’d seen the news of the unveiling, his heart stopped. His biggest mistake, there for the world to see. He looked up at Luka, who stood leaning against the wall glaring at him.

“I know I caused a mess.”

“I get why it happened. really, I do. You were put into the worst situation and you reacted with what you could. But you messed up and then you ran from it. be honest, would you have run again?”

“Yes.”

Plagg was with Luka instead of Tikki, looking at him like he knew all the answers. He looked at him in a way that reminded him that Plagg was a god.

“You do not entrust two school age kids with a powerful object, turn your back on one of them for the stupidest reason and then try to run when it gets hard. Do you want to make it up to the Guardians for what you did? Make up for losing the Butterfly and Peacock, which my sister – the same girl you refuse to allow to learn about the things she can do – used last night to fix your mistake by the way.”

“Where did you find it?”

“I didn’t find it, Plagg did.”

“And I’m not gonna say where. You have a habit of keeping secrets when you shouldn’t from us cats so we get to keep secrets now.”

“Hawkmoth must have had it! you must tell me.”

He stopped at the sight of Plagg’s eyes glowing. “I don’t have to tell you anything. You answer to the Kwami, not the other way around. I let you underestimate me because I couldn’t be bothered, but you’ve hurt my kittens before and I’m not going to let you do it again. So, things are going to work differently now. Luka?”

“We have all the pages from the Grimoire. The Kwami only know certain things, like Wyazz knowing the powerup spells and Plagg knowing how to fix the Peacock. You are going to teach us, both of us, how to read it. you aren’t going to keep secrets. If we need you, you have to answer. We’re the ones you sent to go fight a mess you made, so you don’t make final decisions, not anymore. And if the Guardians come, you will explain what you did and convince them to help us. Remind them that their ways made the mess and if they want it fixed, it’s gotta to change. Including how you treat my sister. If it wasn’t for Plagg, there’s a chance Hawkmoth could have gotten to Feast. So, stop looking down at him.”

“Don’t worry.” Plagg reassured, a smirk on his face worthy of a God of Chaos. “he knows better now.”

                                       _________________________

“You really didn’t have to scare him.” Tikki said, looking down at Juleka, who was still laying in bed but with her female friends and girlfriend around, including Kagami. The whole class came to visit and were taking turns.

“Yes, I did. Thanks to him, two of my kittens have gone through things that could have been avoided. I know, I know, if he didn’t mess up, I wouldn’t have met Adrien. And yeah, Fu didn’t make Adrien’s dad the way he was but his obsession with the Miraculous didn’t help.” He looked over to the side of the room where Luka was leaning against the wall on his side, Adrien leaning against him. He was talking softly to Luka who still had the same worried look he had when Juleka dropped her Peacock transformation, coughing and complaining of a dizzy head. And he thought seeing Adrien collapse after using Cataclysm and Black Hole was scary. Adrien had seen Nathalie and his mother do it and his concern was brushed off. Watching him with Luka now, he knew Adrien wouldn’t brush the worry off.

“It’ll be ok. You said Nooroo was playing him?” Tikki reassured.

“Yeah, but he’s smart and Lila…”

“Until we’re certain, all we can do is protect them, just like we always do. And if things go wrong, we’ll be ready.”

They would be, they had to be.

[thetwobosses]

For the Boss ask meme: #1, #10, #18 for Boss/es of your choice! I'm one of your newer followers so I'm looking through your stuff about your Bosses now and I'm very intrigued 😊

Hello and thank you! :D I'll answer for Meryl, Colin and Eli since they are my main Bosses and the most developed.

1. Is your Boss's name a secret? Do some people know but not others? Do they use a pseudonym? A nickname?

Meryl's full name used to be Meryl Tammesalu, but once the gang stuff got serious in SR2, she legally dropped her surname to try to keep the rest of her family from being as publicly associated with her and thus safer (that and people kept mispronouncing it). The name is Estonian (it means 'oak grove'), as her grandparents were among the thousands of Estonian expats fleeing WW2 to North America.

Colin was born in London as Sean Healey, but moved to Stilwater in his late teens to escape his destitute life and start fresh, experience the "American Dream" and all that. In his mind, a new beginning demanded a new name, because he felt his was too "soft" and "uncool". He picked out 'Colin Alton' because he thought it sounded more sophisticated without being overly pretentious. As the Saints rose in fame, Colin would downplay his past, including his old name. While he didn't manage to scrub all evidence of it, it wasn't too well known either. When Colin ended up stranded in Meryl's universe after SR3, he initially didn't tell anyone he used to go by a different name, so Meryl's searches for a version of Colin native to her universe didn't bear fruit. Colin had figured that if he hadn't changed his name (and thus moved to the US), he probably would have remained languishing in London and he decided he would rather not find out whether that was the case. He ended up ultimately being proven correct, as he and Meryl were confronted by an incredulous and pissed off Sean Healey during a trip to London, but that's a whole story on its own.

Eli's last name is Chase (there should probably be a middle name as well but tbh I've never really wrapped my head around middle names being a thing in many countries so none of my characters have them xD). He's an enby and goes by all pronouns, though generally defaults to he/him, and kind of as a part of that also encourages variation in the pronunciation of his first name. It can be the usual 'ee-lye', but also rhyming with 'Ellie'. Pierce and Shaundi tend to go with the latter and even shorten it to 'El/Elle' as a nickname.

10. How has your Boss changed throughout the games/years?

Meryl has probably changed the least of the main three. She'd initially joined the Saints because it had seemed like a cool and interesting thing at the time (plus she was going through a rebellious phase), and while she did go through a darker, more brutal period after her coma as many Bosses would, her underlying personality remained fun-loving and excitable over her career in the Saints.

Colin would let his vengefulness and quick temper get the better of him at times, especially in Steelport when his knee-jerk reaction was to not let Killbane get away. The loss of Shaundi, and the discovery that while Meryl had led her Saints through almost the exact same situations, her Shaundi still lived, had Colin eventually choose to make a concerted effort to curb some of his worst impulses. It's not perfect, but these days he can usually swallow his pride and take a slight without blowing up over it (though he will grump about it later in private).

Eli has grown a lot in the Saints. He joined up only after Jack woke from her coma and begun reforming the gang, but started out as rather meek and anxious, and with very little combat experience. He stood out as a tactician and strategist though, and once Pierce took him under his wing, Eli really started coming into his own in the gang. Jack gambled and elevated him to lieutenant to replace Carlos despite Eli's similar lack of experience with leadership. After Jack got killed in a Masako ambush and the Saints were torn on how to respond, Eli ended up grabbing the reins much to everyone's surprise (including his own). As much as Eli wasn't a fond of Jack's ruthlessness and penchant for violence, and vowed to not end up following in her footsteps, the later war against the Syndicate forced him to make some uncomfortable compromises. Yet he would never go as far as she did, and would still try and look for non-violent solutions first.

18. Do they have a best/closest friend?

Meryl grew up close with her family, especially one of her brothers. In the Saints, though she was naturally close friends with Johnny, Shaundi and Pierce, she wouldn't find a true soulmate until the arrival of Colin. Despite their many differences in upbringing and personality, their shared traits and experiences in the Saints helped bring them together as friends and then lovers. She also eventually grew a real fondness for Sean Healey, after Colin brought him to live with them in the US.

In his old universe, Colin had been especially close with two people: Johnny Gat, and fellow Brit Colin Faulkner. Colin and Johnny fell in together early on in the Saints, though Colin never revealed to Gat his unrequited infatuation. Johnny's "death" hit Colin hard, but rather than properly process his grief, he buried it deep down and tried to ignore it. Colin Faulkner (a non-Boss AU version of @princessdemeter's Boss) was an (ex-)hooker in Stilwater whom my Colin ended up befriending after his coma. Faulkner soon became Colin's confidante and friend with benefits, in part because he never officially joined the Saints. Colin's hopeless feelings for Gat made him willfully blind to the fact that Faulkner had fallen for the Boss, or that his own affections for Faulkner might have been more than just platonic. Unfortunately the two of them would never have the chance to work things out except in AUs, as a few months after SR:TT, Colin would end up permanently whisked away to Meryl's universe by a wayward piece of Zin tech. There, after somewhat rocky beginnings, he and Meryl quickly grew close. Colin eventually also decided to make peace with his humble origins and reached out to Sean Healey despite their poor first impressions. They found enough common ground to become good friends over the years and Colin even brought Sean over to live with him and Meryl in Steelport.

Pierce became Eli's closest friend in the Saints almost from the get-go. The two of them had similar inclinations towards choosing strategy over brute force methods, making them natural allies in the gang between Jack and Gat's bloodlust and Shaundi taking credit for Pierce's ideas. They also share similar senses of humor and several geeky interests, leading them to enjoy each other's company even outside of "work". They started dating between SR2 and 3 and managed to remain together even thought the strain of the presidency and the Zin invasion. Eli wasn't actually as close with the other Saints lieutenants as most Bosses. While Johnny was alive, the two of them often found themselves diametrically opposed and respected each other more for their skills than character. Eli was initially annoyed with Shaundi's constant one-upping of Pierce as well as her penchant for drugs, but they found a better understanding with each other over time. Of the Steelport lieutenants, Eli and Oleg got along well, while he distrusted Kinzie, remained ambivalent and slightly wary toward Angel and Viola, and absolutely abhorred Zimos. Once in space, Eli and Matt ended up becoming friends, especially since there hadn't been too much bad blood between them back in Steelport, and Eli would often prefer having Matt hack the Simulation over Kinzie.

[batz-surveys]

8.

The person you have feelings for turns up to your house at 2 am sad, do you let them sleep there? The person I have feelings for is my husband, and he already lives with me.

Ever been friends with someone you didn’t expect? Yes.

Has anyone told you they never want to lose you? Oh, plenty of people have told me this, and plenty of people have left my life. But it's all good. I don't want to force myself into someone's life if they don't want to have me in theirs.

Who pissed you off today? Nobody really. Today was a pretty chill day.

Do you have any plans for the weekend? Just rest and visit with my parents some more. I went over there today, but my dad just got out of the hospital, and I just feel the need to be around him because I missed him.

I bet you miss someone, huh? I missed my dad, but I got to see him today.

Are you okay with making a total fool of yourself? Hell no. I'm not lucky like my husband. He was born with no embarrassing bones in his body. I, on the other hand, am very easily embarrassed.

Do you have any tattoos at the moment? Yes.

Does the last person you kissed have any tattoos? No. The last person I kissed was my dad, but it was on the cheek like I always do. If you mean, like an actual kiss, then yes. My husband has a lot of tattoos.

How do you feel right now? I'm a little tired, but other than that, I feel good.

Do you like your hair? No, I don't really like it. I'm actually planning on cutting it very short at the beginning of the year and keeping it that way for the entirety of 2025.

Do you want to see someone this very minute? The person I want to see is already here.

Who was the last person of the opposite sex to call you? My husband.

Next time you will kiss someone? Probably tonight before we go to bed.

Has anybody ever told you that you talk too fast? Yes, I hear that a lot. I can't help it.

Have you kissed someone whose name started with a J or K? J, yes. K, no.

Do you act differently around the person you like? No. My husband is one of the few people I can just be myself around and I don't feel self-conscious about it.

You kissed someone today didn’t you? Yep.

Would you have sex with the 20th person on your contacts? My phone is on the other side of the room, and I'm too lazy to get it, haha. But probably not. Most of my contacts are family.

Do you still promise? Yes.

The last time you kissed someone, were your arms around their neck? No.

Does it make you uncomfortable when you receive a compliment? YES. So, a few weeks ago, this new parent that I met for the first time at the school I work at, goes, "You're a beautiful lady." And I go, "Oh...hah, um, it's really just my makeup." And she just kind of looks at me and smiles, and then it was just kind of quiet, and so then I just blurt out that their kid had a great day. Even at my big ass age, I still am so awkward about compliments. I remember when I was a kid, I used to get compliments about my eyes and my eyelashes, and I literally would cry of embarrassment, haha.

You have to get a facial piercing, what do you get? Probably a Medusa. I've always wanted one, but I feel like it would look weird since my upper lip line isn't that symmetrical.

Could you date someone taller than you? I have, and I'm married to someone taller than me.

Did you hold hands with anyone yesterday? I hold my husband's hand all the time.

What were you doing at midnight? I was just getting to bed.

Are you slowly drifting away from someone? Nah, not really. If anything, I'm starting to be more family oriented and have been opening up with my family more.

How many hours of sleep did you get last night? Maybe like seven. Which is why I'm tired. I tend to need like nine or ten hours of sleep, especially since I had Covid.

Are you legal to drink? Yes. I have been for quite some time.

Do you straighten your hair? I do sometimes. Usually only when the weather is cooler, or I know I have a busy week ahead of me because my hair's more manageable when it's straight and it takes me a lot less time to do it in the morning.

What’s the closest black thing to you? My bras on the drying rack, haha. All my underclothes are black for the most part.

Have you had any form of exercise today? Not really. Other than cleaning my apartment, it's been a pretty lazy day.

Is it easy to make you cry? I mean, I cry at a lot of things, so I guess so.

What was the last thing you bought? Taco Bell.

When was the last time you fell asleep watching a movie? Probably last month when I had Covid, and I just rewatched all my favorite comedy movies for comfort.

Are you excited for winter? Yes. I'm so ready wear my favorite sweater dresses.

When is the next time you will see the person you like? I see him right now. He's playing video games right next to me on the couch.

Plans for tomorrow? Seeing my parents again, more than likely. Also, I have to stop by my school because I left my tablet there and I need it.

Are you happier now or a month ago? I suppose now. August was a very trying month for me.

What's more important trust or respect? I don't think you can have one without the other.

Did your parents tuck you in when you were little? Yeah.

Doctor tells you your pregnant. You say? "Well, I didn't think that could happen. Whoops."

Name something you cannot wait for? Halloween!

Did you get to sleep in today? I did, but not as long as I wanted to. I wanted to be able to spend time with my husband before he went to work this morning, so I woke up earlier than I wanted to. It was worth it; it's always worth it.

Were you happy when you woke up? Yes, because the storm was over and we had power again. I was so restless last night because of the storm.

Do you know anyone who is pregnant right now? Nope.

Where do you want to live when you are older? Somewhere far away from everyone else, honestly. I just want to live in the country, on a big plot of land, in the peace and quiet.

You receive $50 without any reason, what do you spend it on? Probably groceries, not that it would buy that much nowadays.

Have you done anything illegal in the past week? Nah.

Have you ever been ice skating? Yes, and I fucking hate it, and I hate the person who told me, "Well, if you can rollerblade, you can ice skate."

What is better: cute smile, or amazing eyes? Both.

Do you have siblings? Yes.

Your first dog? A liver-spotted Dalmatian, with one blue eye, and one green eye, named Mister Lucky.

Is it easy for you to pretend everything’s okay? Sure. For me, it will always be easier to say, "I'm fine" then to ask for help.

Name one stupid thing you did last night? Probably made some kind of stupid face or said something silly.

When meeting someone new, are you afraid they won’t like you? Oh, when I meet new people, I automatically think they don't like me unless proven otherwise, haha.

Do you smoke weed everyday? No.

How about cigs? No. I haven't had a cigarette now in almost, like, a decade.

What are you wearing right now? My nightshirt that has all kinds of exotic animals wearing sunglasses on it.

Has a boy/girl ever called you babe/baby? Yes. My husband and I are "babe/baby" people.

Are you happy with the way things are going? Things could improve, but sure.

Do you prefer mint, citrus, or cinnamon toothpaste? Mint.

Are you one of those people who are always cold? If I'm home, yes. I like being cold so I set my air conditioner lower than the average home. Nothing like being a little chilly, and remedying it with a nice, soft blanket.

Do you have trust issues? Absolutely.

Do you think this year will be better than the last? Oh, this year is definitely better than last year.

What’s your favorite color out of these five: Green, Yellow, Blue, or Purple? Green! Green, specifically bright green, is one of my favorite colors.

Where is your mom right now? She’s in her bed asleep.

Have you done anything sneaky lately? Today actually, yes. My mom and I went upstairs to talk about a trip to Atlanta in December. It's going to be a surprise family vacation for my brother's 40th birthday. We'll have to tell him about when we're going and where, just so he can clear his schedule, but I have something pretty special planned as a gift and that will be the real surprise.

Have you ever had feelings for someone and thought “This is the person I want to be with forever”? Yes, multiple times in my life. But I'm so glad I ended up saving the best for last. He's the best husband anyone could ever ask for.

How do you calm down when you’re angry? Oh, I have to yell or throw something. I don't know how to deal with my anger. I would never hurt anyone, but I can't say the same for myself.

When you’re sick or sad, do you want to be alone or do you want someone there with you? I want to be alone so I'm not spreading germs, but I also need my husband to tuck me in, bring me food, and tell me I'm going to be okay. When I'm sad, I need a giant bear hug from him, so I'd say I need someone there with me both while I'm sick and sad.

What color hoodie did you wear last? Black.

When was the last time you were on the phone? Today.

Where did you get the shirt you’re wearing right now ? Walmart.

Has anyone made you feel like crap lately for something you really didn’t do? No.

[enrogued]

she thinks she might have been pissed off if she'd missed it all too, if she's being honest. the team really went through so much in such a short space of time. it feels like it started with the sentinels- that was when everything kicked off. when their enemies went from a couple of bad egg mutants to threats to their very existence and world ending catastrophes.

was it the first appearance of the sentinels at the salem centre mall, or was it morph's 'death'? it's hard to say what changed the dynamic so thoroughly. was it the force of human hatred or was it the death of a friend? the knowledge that what they were fighting for was something they had to be willing to die for too?

and if she'd returned to find her friends, her family, had faced all that without her? no, she'd be pissed. " i can see why you'd be het up 'bout missin' it, " she says, her own accent thicker in response to the noticeable presence of two of the three members of team southern. " clearly there's still plenty of fun to come, though, so i think it's fine to untwist those panties. we're not finished yet and you're here now and that's what matters. "

the annoyance is obvious on tess' face, though rogue realises quickly this is less a response to being mad about missing so much of the x-men's vital missions over the last five years and more about erik. it brings with it the short prickling sensation of having said too much.

especially when those eyes narrow in her direction, intense and piercing and knowing. rogue squints back, trying to gauge the level of knowing that seems to be passing between them. tess is on her way to figuring something out and rogue's not convinced it's going to be a good revelation.

and why not? why is she so worried about it? plenty of them have made bad choices. are the other x-men gonna judge her so harshly? is it that she's worried about remy's feelings? that one stings the most, and with a tinge of unfairness- she's hardly ever kicked up a stink about his romantic past (kind of mostly sort of) so why is she so worried about his judgement for things she's done in her past?

because erik is here and that's now and not in the past.

because there's emotional intimacy in the simple act of being able to hold hands.

because some part of her craves it.

because he keeps scheduling them on the same patrols and danger room sessions to get time alone with her.

because he makes her coffee and flaunts it in front of everyone.

because he can touch her.

tess is talking about the plans again, about her opinions of erik, about his lack of people skills or...something. she blinks back to reality a couple of seconds too late to parse the information " sorry, sugah...what? i zoned out for a second there. " great, now she can't even keep it together long enough to have a simple conversation. she's processed barely any of it. " a read on erik? i mean, i guess. like i said, it's all old information, he's a changed man now. and- i'm different too. " so why has it been so easy to fall back into bad habits?

and now tess is looking at her like she's worried about her. which stabs deeper than any blatant accusation. " yeah, yeah- of course, i'm just tired. " the oldest, lamest excuse in the book. she pulls a pillow into her lap and wraps her arms around it, avoiding tess' gaze.

@enrogued

"You ain't kiddin'." That hint of Georgia twang in her voice is thicker now, as if a decade plus of New York isn't enough to hold back the South in her. "Everything's different. People we fought." Her tongue slides over her canine tooth. She breathes out a sigh, crossing one leg over the other. "I don't know what it says about me that I'm pissed off I missed it all."

(Her return to active duty had been a litany of 'wait, who the fuck is Magneto? What's a Sentinel? Wait, Jean was a space bird? Morph died? Apocalypse?!')

Rogue, damn her, has plenty of good points to make. She lets out a little grunt of annoyance, lip curling in an absent scowl. A prickle of unease spreads down her neck as the other mutant goes on. And on. She's not babbling, but--has more to say about Erik than expected.

If Rogue was anyone else, Tess'd gawk and point before blurting, 'you had sex with him!'

But no, that's not it. (Is it? Her brows furrow.) No. (Really? No!) She tilts her head, her eyes going heavy-lidded in that irritating, thoughtful way when she's trying to decide if there's something to figure out, and if she wants the answer in the first place.

'I'm losing my mind.' At most, Rogue had a crush on an educated, brooding older man. Years ago. Textbook. And Tess, she's a publicly avowed cynic, especially when it comes to men in positions of power.

(Yeah, and who is more powerful than Erik Magnus Lehnsherr?)

"It is big picture thinking," she echoes. "I never got the impression he trusted regular people enough to try and win them over. Fickleness, you know?"

She leans forward, uncrossing her legs so that she can prop her elbow up on her knee and rest her chin on one bony-knuckled fist. "You really do have a good read on Erik." Her lips thin. Rogue worrying about things being blown out of proportion feels--off. Like she's looking at a slight distortion of Rogue and not the woman she knows. Not that they're particularly close.

If Magneto groped her ass all those years ago in his evil villain lair, she's not about to tell Tess.

"Are you--" she searches for the right words, that little line of worry in her brows deepening-- "doing all right? With everything going on?"

[misaverawrites]

Hi, can you write an Andrew Deluca x reader? (hot...)

Crush, Crush, Crush (Andrew DeLuca x Reader)

summary: You have enough of all the teasing towards Andrew and you. Andrew finds it in himself to clear up the rumors.

tags: friends to lovers, your fellow interns keep teasing the two ppl who don't know the other one has a crush kind of trope, kissing, old grey's elevator drama lol, sudden passionate expressions of love.

a/n: idk he's kinda growing on me tbh

You love the hospital. You always had since you were a kid. While it scared other kids, it fascinated you with all the machines, doctors, and all of the excitement.

Working at the hospital as an adult undergoing your surgical residency? That was a different story completely. It was competitive and now that the excitement was happening to you, it was a lot less fun. It was even worse considering how gossipy the hospital could be, everybody spent all of their time here, and thus, it made them concerned with everything happening to everyone else who worked here.

That concern, unfortunately, did not stop with you. Or your love life.

"Can you just finally go there?" Levi asked you as the two of you walked side by side, He was on Dr. Pierce's service whilst you were going to work with Dr. Hunt in trauma for the day, hoping to get your certification.

"Go where Levi?" You asked suspiciously to your friend as he grinned at you, "You know exactly where I'm talking about, with who to be more precise. DeLuca." You sigh, rolling your eyes, "Yeah right, he doesn't like me like that. Besides, you just have a new boyfriend in your brain. Don't make it your project to get me a boyfriend." You did like Andrew, but you resigned yourself to never being enough for him. He needed someone better than you, at least you felt that way.

You clicked on the elevator button and when the doors opened, there was Andrew, standing there with his stupid, perfect smile and eyes. Levi gave you a knowing smirk, you wanted to punch him but stepped into the elevator with him by your side. "What floor?" Andrew asked the both of you, giving you a warm smile, "I'm going to the pit, he's going to floor 3." Andrew nods, "I'm in the pit today too! I think Hunt likes my experience, I'm not sure if I'm gonna go into trauma though. Y'know?" You nod, gritting your teeth at Levi hanging all over you, "Yeah, I do, DeLuca." The air was tense between you two, as Levi coughed subtly, "I'm working with Doctor Pierce today... Cardio's not my thing but, I find the heart interesting. Don't you, (Y/N)? DeLuca? I bet you both do.”

You turn to glare at Levi, “I am begging you, Levi, please, stop talking.” Levi stops but not before the doors open and he shoots you a smile, you roll your eyes and try your best to ignore DeLuca’s gaze. It feels as if his eyes gaze into you for a moment and then he asks, “Am I missing something, or has Levi finally lost it?” He laughs a bit and you sigh before turning to face him, “Levi’s like that. You know?” Andrew squints a bit, quizzically.

“No, because, Levi isn’t like that. I mean- he is, especially right now with the new boyfriend but I think you like me because Carina hasn’t shut up about you all of this morning and I know you and her work together a lot and… I think you like me.” Andrew looks proud, if not a bit nervous. He’s definitely not as confident as he’s trying to come off right now. You press the elevator stop button and turn to face him, “I do like you, Andrew but, you need someone better than me. I’m not a great surgeon like Meredith Grey or Amelia Shepherd and I think-!” Andrew cuts you off with a kiss, swift and impromptu, but a kiss nonetheless. You gasp, of all the things that you thought would be happening today, kissing Andrew DeLuca was not at all it. "Look, I really like you, I want you with me, you're going to be an amazing surgeon." With that, he kisses you again, pushing you against the wall tenderly.

"Wait, people are gonna get pissed if the elevator stops for that long, also... I want to wait until I can shave my legs and have a night of sleep and all that," You both laugh a bit as he pushes the button to get the elevator running down again, when the elevator doors slide open, there's a minorly sizable crowd outside, people stare at the doors, a bit miffed at the wait as the two of you walk out of the elevator and get to the pit, hand and hand.

[urwelcomeforthis]

Alex’s tattoo shows up the day after she punches Marcus Hinkle.

He had been picking on Kara in the hallway, dangling her math book above her head, taking advantage of his summer growth spurt.

Kara still doesn’t know what possessed Alex – Marcus Hinkle had been a thorn in her side since she had landed on Earth and started school a year ago, but whatever the reason, today was the day Alex couldn’t take anymore.

Eliza had been furious. Jeremiah had been (not so) silently proud.

Kara didn’t know what she had felt, really. Especially not when she asked Alex why, and the older girl had just shrugged and said “You’re my sister. It’s what we do.”

Up until this point being sisters meant fights in the hallway over the bathroom and ignoring each other at the dinner table.

Apparently, things were changing.

Kara is just waking up when she hears Alex’s hushed “What the hell?”

“What is it?” She asks, groggily sitting up and wiping at the sleep in her eyes.

Her sister is holding her forearm up, frantically scrubbing at a spot right in the middle, her eyes frantic.

“I don’t…. I don’t know! It’s like a tattoo but I didn’t get a tattoo! Fuck, Mom is going to kill me.” Alex sounds panicked as she continues scrubbing at the spot, and Kara feels her heartbeat speed up.

“You had a tattoo just appear on your skin?” Kara asks slowly, her mind suddenly far away on a planet that doesn’t exist anymore, in a culture she had been forced to leave behind.

Alex stops scrubbing and looks at Kara with a piercing gaze. “Yeah. It’s some funny symbol too, like the way you used to write before you learned English. Did you do this to me?”

Alex leaps off the bed and crosses the room in two quick strides, arm held out like an accusation.

Kara shrinks in on herself a little but nods. “I think so. I didn’t know it was possible here, but well, on Krypton when your soul mate reveals themselves, a tattoo linking you appears. I should have one too, somewhere, if you do.”

Alex stops dead in her tracks, her eyes wide. “Soul mates? But we’re sisters! That’s so gross!”

Jumping up from the bed, hands held up in surrender Kara hastens to explain further. “No! Not like that, I promise! Back home, people had different kinds of soul mates. Sometimes it was the romantic kind like you talk about here on Earth, but other times it could just be a compatible soul, someone who was meant to be a part of you.”

Alex still looks wary, if not relieved, as she tentatively holds out her arm. “So, what does this mean? What kind of soul mates are we?”

Stepping forward Kara delicately traces the symbols on Alex’s forearm. “It literally means “sister of the soul.” Je shesur. The symbol after it is unique, the way we would know we were linked. If this had happened on Krypton it would mean we were soul sisters. Not from the same parents but family just the same.”

Alex nods. “And here on Earth? What does it mean here?”

“The same thing. At least that’s what it means to me.” Kara refuses to meet Alex’s eyes, not sure she wants to see what waits for her there.

There’s a long minute of silence after Alex takes her arm back. The clearing of her throat brings Kara’s eyes up from their place on the ground.

“Where’s yours?” Alex asks, eyes burning with curiosity.

Kara shrugs. “I don’t know. It’s not on my arms like yours is. It must be hidden. Can you look on my back?”

“Sure.” Alex nods. “Lift up your shirt.”

Kara turns and tugs her shirt up and over her head. It takes a moment, but she hears her sister gasp followed by the feel of fingertips against her left shoulder blade.

“It’s the same as mine.” Alex says reverently, and Kara closes her eyes against the emotion welling up there.

Who would have thought she would get to have this piece of home?

“So, I guess I’m stuck with you. For like, ever, huh?” Alex smiles once Kara has turned back around.

Kara grins back. “Yeah, I guess so.”

Alex shrugs. “Could be worse. But you have to tell Mom about this, because she’ll never believe me, and she is going to be pissed that I have a tattoo.”

“Sure, I can tell Mom.” Kara grins, a piece of her heart settling in place. She hasn’t felt at home on Earth, not really, but at this moment she feels like it isn’t all that bad.

--

The next person to get a tattoo is, interestingly enough, James.

It doesn’t come when they’re dating, or whatever it was that they were doing, no.

It comes after he has revealed himself to be Guardian, and he and Kara have the biggest fight of their friendship.

Kara wakes up the morning after tired, groggy, and more than a little cranky. Its as she’s stripping down to get in the shower that she notices it – the Kryptonese scrawled along the inside of her right bicep.

Throniv Shesur. Protector of the soul.

Kara heaves a deep, deep, sigh and grabs her phone.

She meets James at the DEO, both tentative around each other after the yelling match of the day before.

“So. I woke up with a tattoo. Kryptonese. Any idea what that’s about?” James looks smug, like he’s won some kind of battle with Kara and god, at that moment she wishes they were in the training room and she could just punch him.

“Yeah. I did too. It means “protector of the soul.” She crosses her arms against her chest, desperately trying to hold onto her anger from yesterday but the wide grin on James’ face is making it hard.

“I know. I asked Clark first thing since I figured you’re still pissed at me. He was a little surprised, but he translated it for me.”

“Where’s it at?” Kara asks, still pretending to be upset but truthfully it was hard given the glaring message from home telling her that James was meant to be Guardian. That they were meant to protect each other. Protect others together.

“I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.” James says with a waggle of his eyebrows and that’s what finally breaks Kara, a laugh ringing out across the room.

It wasn’t who she expected to have a tattoo, not in this way at least, but if it had to be anyone, she’s glad it’s James.

--

Mon-El doesn’t get a tattoo. Kara wishes she were more disappointed.

--

The last person to get a tattoo is someone Kara had desperately hoped both would and would not get a tattoo.

For a long time, she feared what that tattoo would be, if it were to happen. She feared having to explain it, having to explain herself.

She had checked with Clark a few times, when paranoia would get the better of her.

No, he always told her. Lex did not have a tattoo. They were enemies, yes, but it hadn’t been decided by destiny or fate. It just was.

That mollified Kara because she couldn’t stand it if she and Lena were to become Clark and Lex. She would fight against it, fight against fate to keep it from happening.

And then, well. It kind of happens anyways.

They aren’t enemies, not really. Lena just hates Kara and aims a few Kryptonite cannons at her and tries to mind control the entire planet, but really everyone is allowed a brief lapse of their sensibility, right?

And what matters is she came around, in the end.

It did take time, however, for them to build back to what they once had. It was different now, but in the way that things once broken and fixed usually are.

It was better, if anything.

They were back to shared lunches and dinners, quick breakfasts and coffee breaks. They were back to game nights as partners and movie nights as friends, and the occasional sleepovers as best friends.

Things were finally back to normal, so of course Kara had to go and absolutely, irrevocably, mess it up.

It was Alex’s fault, really.

If she hadn’t said anything, if she hadn’t asked Kara what was up between her and Lena lately, Kara probably never would have stopped to think about it.

She never would have stopped to think about the way her heart sped up when Lena entered a room, or the way her palms got sweaty when they hugged, or the way she just could not stop staring at Lena when she laughed at game nights.

But now she had thought of it and had come to the very scary conclusion that she was in love with her best friend.

Her best friend who didn’t have a tattoo.

She would, after all this time, have a tattoo, the tattoo, if they were meant to be together, right?

Kara mulls it over for weeks. It haunts her. She asks Lena about tattoos, and if she has any.

She learns that yes, in fact Lena does have tattoos and boy howdy one of them is on her lower back and it is seared into the back of her eyes now that she has seen it.

But she doesn’t have any kryptonian tattoos, which is really what Kara was aiming for.

Much like it was Alex’s fault that Kara even realized she was in love, it’s also Alex who reminds Kara of one important detail.

“Well I didn’t get my tattoo until after I punched what’s his face. Maybe you have to tell Lena how you feel and then she’ll get the tattoo.”

Kara feels dumb struck, right there on her own couch, because of course, Alex is right.

The tattoos always come after the person has already revealed themselves.

Then of course comes the true fear: what if she tells Lena and she still doesn’t get a tattoo?

That’s the question she’s mulling over the next night as she and Lena sit on her couch watching some documentary that had been put on Netflix.

Lena looks beautiful, face bare of makeup, hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun, glasses slipping down her nose.

She’s eating a piece of pizza, a rare treat after a long week of work, and Kara decides that it doesn’t matter if Lena doesn’t get a tattoo.

She’s hopelessly, desperately in love with the woman and she can’t let a tattoo that may or may not come dictate her life.

“I’m in love with you, you know.” Kara blurts out, like this isn’t a life changing moment, like it’s the easiest thing in the world to say. (It is.)

Lena chokes a little on the bite she was swallowing, her hand coming up to her chest as she sets down the slice.

“Excuse me?”

Kara laughs. She’s never felt more free than in this moment. “I’m in love with you. I just thought you should know.”

Lena looks at her, shock written all over her face. “Oh. I guess that’s good.”

“Just good?” Kara nudges Lena’s thigh with her knee.

Lena shakes her head. “I mean it’s more than good, considering I’m in love with you too.”

“Yeah?” Kara could float up to the moon, she thinks.

Lena smiles, nose crinkled. “Yeah.”

It’s the next morning that Lena calls and asks if Kara can stop by. She has this tattoo she didn’t have yesterday, right on her ribcage, and it looks like it’s Kryptonian.

Kara frantically searches her own body, finding the script on her hip, on the left side.

Zhao Shesur. Love of the soul.

It took them five years to get to this point, but Kara knows, this moment was more than worth the wait.

[lebenspurpur]

slashers w an s/o who has nipple piercings?

Warnings: slight NSFW and slight mentions of violence

Michael Myers

Michael really doesn't care what you do with your body unless you're dying or something.

That being said, he probably takes a while to value them like they should be valued. 😤

He thinks about ripping them off on a daily basis so be careful.

He also doesn't really care about them on a sexual level.

However, Michael likes to play with the accessories when you're lying next to him.

Hmmm... how long can he pull until your nipples rip off?

It sounds disturbing but hey, you're the one reading Michael Myers fanfiction.

Vincent Sinclair

Vincent loves them.

He himself wanted piercings before but his insecurity stopped him from actually visiting a studio.

Can you pierce him????

He's very ecstatic about the whole thing.

Vincent likes to draw or shape you with different kinds of piercings as well, giving your ideas for your eventual next accessory.

Touching them is a touchy subject at first (see what I did there hehe). He's scared he'll hurt you, especially in a sensitive place like your nipples.

Vincent loves to circle his tongue around them, feeling the cold metal in contrast to your soft, warm flesh.

Bo Sinclair

Shit sugar, that's so hot.

Bo is touching them all the time, there's literally no self-control inside that man.

Usually, piercings, as well as tattoos, are a "sin" in small towns like Ambrose which makes them even more enjoyable to him.

You're breaking the rules, you're a rebel, just like him!

Okay, now Bo already sexualizes breasts way too much. He'd literally think exposing your breast to feed your child is sexual... (not sharing his opinion by the way!!)

The fact that you have piercings there just enforces his opinion. He can't think of them as something non-sexual.

Lester Sinclair

The first time he sees them, he's very shy, blushing immediately when you expose the accessory to him.

C-..can he touch them, Y/N?

I also kind of expect him to be new to the world of piercings and tattoos.

Didn't that hurt, honey?

You might have to explain to him how and why you got them.

Maybe he even wants some himself when you're done explaining.

Baby Firefly

Baby probably has nipple piercings herself, come on.

If not, she still loves them.

They're a form of self-expression and that's something with very high value in the Firefly family.

She likes to buy new rings for them, shining and glittering ones, as her little gift to you.

Shit darlin', those are sexy!

Otis Driftwood

So fucking hot, sugar...

Otis loves them.

He loves how well you can combine pleasure and pain with your accessories.

Playing with them during sex can be pleasurable until he pulls them and he loves that.

Another one who thought about ripping them off, the first time he saw them, great.

Otis is kind of pissed that you can't wear rings with his name written on them?? Yeah, he's stupid and possessive like that.

He just enjoys clothing and other accessories that let people know who you belong to.

Billy Loomis

Woah, where'd you hide those?

He didn't expect them but hey, he's not complaining.

He likes to slightly pull on them, just out of pure childish curiosity.

I am pretty sure that Billy would love to dress more alternatively so he might take you as the inspiration to finally get pierced as well.

He can finally look like the bad boy he always wanted to look like.

Stu Macher

Shit babe, those are hot!

He's enthralled, can he touch them?

Shit, he really likes them.

He really wants some too now.

We all know how much he loves his tongue, running it around the silver rings is something he loves even more.

Stu likes to pull them with his teeth, looking up through those blond eyelashes while he does so.

Brahms Heelshire

*mom stare* wHat are thOse?

Yeah Brahms' opinion of piercings isn't the best.

Mrs. Heelshire taught him that people with tattoos or piercings are bad and not classy enough to deal with her "precious little son".

But you're not bad?

He's very confused now, are you a good or a bad person?

Maybe.. don't talk about them for a while, Brahms needs time to think.

A tiny part inside of him is very turned on by the secrecy and dirtiness of nipple piercings but he'd never tell you that.

Thomas Hewitt

Thomas is skeptical as well, having been born into a very conservative family.

He secretly doesn't have anything against them, but he knows his family does.

Maybe don't tell Luda or Hoyt about them.

Tommy loves you and every part of you so he doesn't really care, as long as you're happy.

Your accessories open his mindset a little. Maybe, just maybe, he should get a piercing too? Maybe in his ear?

Josef

Josef doesn't really care about them.

He asks a lot of questions about the process though.

Did it hurt? How did they do it? Where did you get them?

He's like a child, really.

Josef really likes how well they fit your whole body. He likes the aesthetic if that's what you want to call it.

Amanda Young

Amanda doesn't really deem them as something special.

They're cool of course, but a lot of people nowadays have nipple piercings.

She's a bit worried about the pain you must have been in to get them since nipple piercings are considered one of the most painful ones.

She likes to feel the contrast of warm and cold when she touches your breasts, it's very fascinating to her.

[x-reader-writer]

Hii can I request for Peter parker x male reader.

The reader is taller than him, dominant and has piercings, and peter comes out to the avengers as bi and tells them that he has a boyfriend. They're sceptical first but then they see peter sitting on readers lap and them being affectionate and sweet and laughing at jokes they make.

If this contains anything that makes you uncomfortable pls ignore this.

Thank uuu.

A/N: Hi!! Of course you can. I don't do nsfw posts, but I can make the reader seem more confident to fill that gap!

Sorry it's taken so long!! I hope this is alright!

I'm coming out

Pairing: Peter Parker x Male! Reader

~~~~~

"Baby, it's gonna be okay."

"But what if it's not! What if they yell, or they hate me, or Mr. Stark wants to never see me again, or-"

You quickly grab your boyfriend's hands to stop him from talking. "Babe, none of that will happen," you say calmly, with a gentle tone. "Do you know why? It's because they're decent people who adore you, Pete, just like I do."

"You think so?" Peter asks nervously, blushing from the compliment from his partner.

"I know so," you reply, a gentle smile gracing your face.

~~~~~

Peter was stood in the elevator, his foot anxiously tapping on the slightly metallic flooring. He lets out a long, deep breath, trying to control his anxiety.

The doors then open, on the penthouse of the Avengers Tower (formerly Stark Tower). Peter steps out and looks around the common room.

All of the Avengers were sat on the sofas and little chairs, lounging around and watching a Disney movie. Peter was amused slightly as he saw that Bucky was sat on Sam's lap as a joke (Peter could tell he just wanted to sit there-).

Peter then quietly clears his throat. It wasn't the best idea, as the movie was playing quite loudly, so nobody could hear him. He takes a deep breath and then loudly cough.

Everyone in the room jumps, even causing Tony to make his popcorn go flying. Everyone looks over at the teen, who nervously rubs his arm.

"Oh hey, Pete," Tony says, picking up a handful of his popcorn that had landed on his lap. "What're you doing here? It's not Friday yet."

"Sorry about scaring you all," Peter says quickly. He then replies to his mentor saying, "Yeah, sorry about coming earlier than expected Mr. Stark, but I wanted to talk to you. To you all."

"What is it, son?" Steve asks, smiling gently at the teen (no, Peter isn't actually his son, Steve's just old). Peter stays looking awkward and nervous, so he encourages, "It's okay, we're here for whatever it is, Peter."

"I'm bisexual," Peter blurts out. The room goes silent. He then quietly mumbles, "And I have a boyfriend."

Peter grips at his arm tightly waiting for some type of reaction, the silence dragging on.

"No," is the first thing said after minutes of silence. Unsurprisingly, it was Steve who had said this. Peter had kind of expected him and Bucky to react slightly badly towards this as they were from a different time period where they didn't accept gay people.

Peter then feels hope as he sees Tony going to say something. However it is shattered when the words 'I'm sorry Pete, but bisexuality isn't a thing' come out of his mentors mouth.

"What?" Peter whimpers, taking a step back in surprise and hurt.

"Tony, that's a bit harsh," Natasha says, glaring at the man. She then looks at Peter with a straight face and states, "However, that doesn't mean that you are Bisexual. You're just confused and need to find the right girl for you."

Peter shakes his head and turns back around to leave the penthouse, ignoring the calls from the avengers, especially the shouts and demands to come back and to stop being stupid.

~~~~~

Peter was sat in your lap, crying into your shoulder. You were gently shushing him and smoothing his hair, whispering in his ear it was okay.

"I'm really sorry, Petey, I pushed you into this-"

"It's not your fault," Peter replies, sniffling as he wiped his nose.

"And it's not yours either," you reply, gently poking his chest to prove your point. "They were wrong to say that and do that to you, I'm glad I was here waiting for you so you could come to me. Otherwise, I don't know what would have happened."

Peter nods and sniffles, wiping his nose with his hand. You chuckle softly and grab a tissue from your pocket (what? Peter cried a lot, you liked to be prepared!) and hand it to him with a smile. He smiles back at you and blows his nose.

"Better, Dumbo?" You ask, teasing him with the name.

Peter giggles and says, "Better, n/n."

You grin and then say, "uh oh, I see someone coming.." Peter looks at you confused, but you simply raise your hands slowly. Peter pales slightly before squealing and trying to get away from you as you start tickling his sides. He laughs and giggles, kicking and squirming on your lap. "Tickle monster!"

After a few minutes, Peter's sad tears had turned into tears of laughter. So you stopped and smirked at him as he was still laughing and blushing from the tickle 'fight'.

You lean down and kiss his nose, which makes him blush gently. then you start kissing all over his face, making him a blushing mess.

"Ksh, mission complete boys, ksh," you state, pretending you had a Walkie talkie, making Peter giggle at you and move up to cuddle up to you. You grin and gently smooth his back.

"And who are you?" A male voice says, interrupting the peaceful atmosphere between the two.

You look up and glare at the group who had approached you. The Avengers. The ones who hurt your boyfriend.

"What do you want?"

"We heard from security there was a random guy sat here, so we came to see who you were, and then we saw you touching up Peter," Clint says, glaring at you.

"Excuse me?" You state, shocked at what he had said, as you had hardly even touched your boyfriend, only holding his head and hugging him.

"Who. Are. You?" Bucky says, getting angry.

"I'm Y/n L/n, aka, Peter's boyfriend," you growl. You then hold Peter gently as you pull him closer, feeling extra protective over him as everyone starts yelling their complaints and how much they disagreed.

"What on Midgard is going on here?" You hear a booming voice call out.

Both you and Peter look over first. You see that the owner of the voice was Thor Odinson, next to him was stood a very pissed looking Loki.

"I think we both know what is happening here, brother," Loki replies, a muscle in their forehead spasming, almost comically. You would have found it amusing if not for the situation at hand.

Tony replies to Thor's question, ignoring Loki had said anything, "Peter is apparently 'Bisexual' and this random guy is his 'boyfriend'. I'm thinking he's a hydra agents and has brainwashed-"

"Enough!" Thor yells, glaring at Tony and the group. "How dare you make rude comments about these poor boys! Bisexuality is a common thing among Asgardians, Loki himself is one! Bisexuality is common amongst many things, even the animals on your own planet are bisexual, gay or any of the other LGBTQ community! You should not slander such a group, especially as they are such a huge quantity of the population, and not only of this planet or your species!"

The room was silent, even you included.

Loki walks over to Peter and gently pat's his head, their face soft and a gentle smile was placed upon their lips. "You are the Peter child, yes?" The brunette nods at the god, who smiles more in return. "Here is a little secret of my own that I've been keeping from everyone, that I shall share. It will mean that I'm joining you in, as Midgardians say, 'coming out'."

Loki then turns to the group and says, "I have something to say too. I, myself, am genderfluid. And I identify as a female today."

The room is silent again.

"I have a sister!" Thor says excitedly, picking Loki up and twirling her around. Loki smiles, happy Thor had accepted her.

"Woah, that's so cool, Ms. Loki!" Peter squeals, smiling brightly. "Oh wait, do you still want to be called that?"

"Yes, Loki is perfectly fine, child" she replies, smiling back.

[lostinthewiind]

Piss Off Your Parents - Part 1

Ukai Keishin - Haikyuu

Synopsis: freshly turned 18, you want to prove to your parents that you aren't a child for them to push around anymore. First, get a job at the local corner store. Second, use the store owner's 26-year-old son with piercings and a cigarette addiction to piss your parents off. Third, accidentally fall in love.

Rating: PG-13

Warnings: none

Song → 18 by Anarbor

A/N: if you couldn’t already tell, I have planned this as a series/full story. I was torn between writing it on here or on Wattpad or something, but ultimately decided on Tumblr . . . but let me know if you would prefer it on another platform as well! Also, this series will eventually include smut/NSFW content but that will be tagged appropriately when the time comes. As always, I hope you enjoy. 

Next →Part 2

Slamming the front door behind yourself on your way out that morning, you quickly stuffed your earbuds into your ears and cranked your music as loud as you could to drown out the sounds of your parents yelling after you and, consequently, at one another after you had dropped the bomb about your new job on them seconds before you had left, giving them as little time as possible to shame you for it.

After graduating high school and turning 18, you had decided it was time to take your life into your hands, which wasn’t too easy while you were still living under your parents’ roof, but you had to start somewhere and that somewhere was getting a job at the local corner store, Sakanoshita Market. 

You knew that your parents wanted you to go to university and ‘make something of yourself’, but you also knew that you could never truly be happy under their dictatorship-like ruling, so you decided to get a job, no matter how shitty, save your money, move out as soon as possible, and go from there. 

It was definitely going to be a process, and not an easy one, but all you had to do was take it one step at a time.

Rounding the corner and seeing the market in the distance, you felt your nerves begin to bubble inside of you a little. Sure, you had gotten some part-time jobs here and there during summer vacation before, but you had never gotten a full-time job before and had never needed the money from a job like you did now. Before, the cash you made was for extra spending money during the summer and school year, but now the money you would be making would be funding your future. It seemed like a lot of pressure to put on a job that entailed stocking shelves, checking out customers, and cleaning. 

The lady who had hired you had basically explained that since she was getting older and her son, who had been maintaining the place previously, had gotten a new job, the store needed someone to learn the ropes and take care of the place on a daily basis; and since you were young, a fast learner, and didn’t have anything else in your life besides work, you were a perfect fit. 

As the shop doors slid open smoothly to welcome you into the store you had been inside countless times in the past, you suddenly felt completely out of place in the familiar market. Now that you were an employee instead of a customer, the atmosphere had completely shifted. Instead of heading right for the fridges to grab a drink like you usually did, your eyes shifted immediately to the front counter where a figure with its feet up hid behind an open newspaper.

Just like every other time you had visited while the store owner’s son was working, he did everything humanly possible to avoid interaction. Usually, you would have appreciated not being bothered while trying to scan the shelves, but since this time was different, the lack of acknowledgement was slightly unnerving. 

“Ahem,” you cleared your throat, hoping it was enough to catch his attention. It was not. Instead, he flipped the page of the newspaper and you watched as a hand emerged from behind the paper barrier to flick the ashes from his cigarette into an ashtray sitting beside the register. 

Eyebrows furrowed, you really wished that the shop owner herself had been there to greet you for your first day instead of her seemingly useless son. “Hello.” You stepped up to the counter, the feeling of not belonging sinking deeper into your bones. 

Slowly, the newspaper separating you from the man behind the counter lowered and the shop owner’s son glared back at you, eyes half-lidded as if he were seconds away from falling asleep and the cigarette from before hanging from his bottom lip. This was far from the first time you had interacted with him, but you would be surprised if he remembered you as a customer even a little. Whenever he checked customers out, you could tell he was running on autopilot. 

The man’s eyes drifted down to your hands, which were resting on top of the counter now. Noticing you didn’t have anything to purchase, he cocked a brow. “Need help finding somethin’?” 

“Ugh, no,” you answered. “I’m the new employee. I’m supposed to start today.”

His eyes scanned you once more, this time more thoroughly, and you swallowed hard. Feeling as if you were being observed under a microscope, you slid your hands off of the counter and stuffed them into your pockets self-consciously. 

As he inspected you inch by inch, you took the time to take a closer look at him as well. With dyed blonde hair, two earrings in his left ear, an apparent nicotine addiction, and a noticeably flippant attitude toward his job, he was the definition of the type of man your parents would kill you for bringing home. Somehow, this only made him more intriguing. You wondered if he really was as disinterested in everything as he seemed or if it was just this job he thoroughly hated and became someone a lot more interesting when he wasn’t behind a counter.

“How old are you?” he asked out of the blue, catching you off guard a little. While he waited for you to answer, he set the newspaper to the side, dragged his feet from the counter top, and patted out some of the wrinkles from the white apron he had tied around his bright orange sweatshirt. 

“I’m 18,” you responded, not sure why it mattered but also not seeing any harm in answering honestly. 

Seconds later, the door to the back of the shop and storage room opened and the familiar face of the woman who had hired you stepped into view. “Oh, Y/N!” she greeted happily; much more enthusiastically and welcoming than her son. “Sorry about that, I was just getting some last minute things together.” She eyed her son out of the corner of her eye and noted the fresh embers in the ashtray. “I hope you haven’t been waiting long.”

“No, I just got here,” you told her. 

“Good.” She smiled sweetly before turning to her son. “Well, you can head out now, Keishin. Thank you for watching the counter.”

“Yeah,” the man, Keishin, grunted as he untied the apron from around his waist, slipped it over his head, and hung it up on a hook behind the counter. “See ya.”

With that, Keishin left, leaving you and his mother alone. Wasting no time, Mrs. Sakanoshita, whom the store was named after, got right to work on teaching you the basics and gifting you with a white apron of your own to wear while on the job. Since it was the middle of the day and the customer flow was relatively slow, she introduced you to how the register and scanner at the counter worked before moving on to unpacking boxes.

Just like you had promised on your resume and during the interview, you were a quick learner and Mrs. Sakanoshita was more than pleased to see you picking up the job quickly and efficiently. 

By the time the after work/school rush of patrons picking up items on their way home had begun, you were feeling confident in your abilities and, with your boss by your side to answer any questions you may have, you checked out customer after customer, building up muscle memory for scanning items, collecting cash, opening the register, handing out receipts, and sending customers on their merry way. 

All in all, the job was quickly growing on you. You liked the fact that, for the most part, you were the only employee on duty, so when there weren’t any customers in the store, you could work silently on unpacking boxes without having to worry about making small talk or being friendly with any coworkers. In fact, as far as you knew, the only people who worked at the store at all were you, Mrs. Sakanoshita, and her son, Keishin. 

It seemed as though you had really landed a sweet gig. 

After showing you how to lock up, Mrs. Sakanoshita headed home for the night, leaving you to finish stocking the shelves and cleaning the shop before you would head home as well.

Now that you were truly the only person left, you walked over to the old radio you had spotted on the counter during training that day and fiddled with the dials, trying to get some music playing to accompany you during your evening chores. After some careful handiwork and enduring some horrendous static and high-pitched screeching while searching for a station, you settled on what sounded like some old instrumental music and got to work on stocking the remaining shelves.

Throughout your shift, you quickly learned that the store got quite warm during the day and you had needed to tie your hair up to keep the back of your neck from dripping with sweat. The night wasn’t much better either, especially since the lack of customers so late meant that the doors rarely opened, keeping the cold night air outside and the warm store air inside. 

After finishing the last box of supplies, you exhaled and wiped your brow. You were exhausted, that was for sure, but you still had to sweep. 

Deciding to take a quick break, you turned toward the floor-to-ceiling fridges at the back of the shop and pulled open the door, sighing happily when the cool air hit your skin. Exhaling slowly, you snickered when you saw your breath fog up in front of you face. 

“You’re letting all the cold air out.”

You shrieked when you heard a voice in your right ear and slammed the fridge door shut, jumping back in the process. Thanks to the music from the radio and the loud hum of the generator that kept the fridges cold, you hadn’t heard the front doors slide open or the footsteps of Keishin approaching you.

“Jesus!” You clamped your hand over your chest. “You scared the shit out of me!”

He shrugged nonchalantly. “Sorry?”

“What are you doing here?”

Keishin glared at you. “You work here one day and suddenly act like you own the place?”

Realizing how rude your question had come across, you composed yourself and rephrased. “What I meant was, your mom didn’t say you were coming back.”

Pointing upward, Keishin sighed, disinterested. “I live in the apartment above the shop.”

“Oh.” Things started making much more sense and you suddenly felt pretty embarrassed for how you had reacted. 

“Yeah . . . oh.” He rolled his eyes, but it didn’t come across necessarily rude but more like he was exhausted and you were adding to said exhaustion. “Why were you standing with the door open anyway?”

As he spoke, he stepped toward you. At first, your feet felt cemented to the floor and you didn’t move. But when he persisted closer, you eventually stumbled back and Keishin opened the fridge door you had been standing in front of to grab a beer from inside. With drink in hand, he eyed you once again, waiting for an answer.

“It’s really hot,” you said, gesturing to his orange sweater. “I don’t know how you wear that thing in here.”

Looking down at his apparel, he just shrugged. “You’ll get used to it.” He turned and started for the counter, presumably to pay for the drink he had just taken. “In the future, stand outside if you’re warm.”

“Okay.” You nodded, mindlessly tailing him. You had to grab the broom from behind the counter anyway, but that was the furthest thing from the front of your mind at that moment. If anything, you were still trying to calm down a little from being startled and now being alone with your boss’s son. “Sorry.”

“It’s fine, don’t worry about it.” He popped the tab on the beer, settled into the stool behind the counter, and downed at least half of the drink in a few large gulps. 

You watched him, probably a little too closely, and as you did you found yourself reexamining the features you had taken note of earlier that day: the dyed blonde hair held out of his face with a thin black headband, the natural brown hair that peeked out from the roots, the two small silver hoop earrings in his left ear, the scent of cigarette smoke that clung to him like how the smell of rain clung to the air after a heavy storm. 

Noticing your gaze, which would have been nearly impossible to miss, Keishin quirked a brow at you and held out the can of beer toward you. “You want a sip?”

Startled from your thoughts, you shook your head. “I’m only 18.” You reminded him.

“Oh, right.” He withdrew the can and took another sip, this one much smaller than the first few. “Then why are you looking at me like that?”

Eyes wide, you thought quick to come up with an excuse. “The broom.” You pointed to the item behind him. “Can you pass me the broom?”

After handing you the broom, Keishin pulled a slip of paper and a pen out from his pocket and started writing and scribbling things down, sipping the remainder of his beer occasionally and ignoring you completely. 

Trying to avoid staring at Keishin anymore than you already had, you started sweeping at the far end of the store and left the area around and behind the counter for last. Eventually, though, you had worked your way back over to the the silent man and was forced to clean the floor behind where he was sitting, trying hard not to disturb him.

Out of the corner of your eye, you caught a glimpse of what he was so focused on; it looked like a crude drawing of a volleyball court. “What’s that?” you asked, the words leaving your mouth before you realized you were being rude again and snooping.

Keishin, however, didn’t seem angry or annoyed in the slightest. “Volleyball positions,” he huffed. It was clear he was growing frustrated.

“You play volleyball?”

He shook his head and looked over his shoulder at you. “I used to. Now I coach the boy’s team at Karasuno.”

“I went to Karasuno,” you said mindlessly, just trying to make conversation at that point. 

He hummed in response and turned his attention back to the sheet before him. “Did you play volleyball?”

“No. Soccer.”

“Do you still play?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Do you still play volleyball?”

“With a neighbourhood association sometimes . . . but not really.”

“Why?”

The corners of his mouth curling up into a smirk, Keishin looked back to you once more. “I asked you first.”

“It’s not a good answer.” You leaned against the broom handle and sighed. “Don’t have the time.”

“You’re young and just graduated high school. You’ve got nothing but time.”

“Not with this job.”

Keishin scoffed, folded the paper, and shoved it back into his pocket with the pen. “Speaking of which, why would you take such a boring job at a store like this?”

You just shrugged. “I need the money.”

“Don’t you live with your parents?”

“That’s the problem,” you said, noticing the confusion on his face. “I told you it wasn’t a good answer.”

“Do they know you work here?”

“Do they know? Yes,” you answered truthfully. “Do they like it? Absolutely not.”

Keishin grinned at that before finishing his beer and tossing the empty can into the recycling bin beside the front door. “So you’re one of those teens, huh?”

You frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Trust me, kid, pissing off your parents just for the sake of it isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”

“You think I’m doing all this just because I can?”

“Aren’t you?”

“No.”

“Why then?”

“That story’s too long and convoluted for me to recite right now . . . especially to some old dude I just met today.”

Keishin chuckled under his breath, hands stuffed into his pockets as he headed for the door at the back of the shop so he could head upstairs to his apartment. “’Old dude’,” he repeated, clearly amused. “Don’t forget to lock up before you go home.”

As he turned his back to you, your curiosity got the better of you. “How old are you?”

Stopping in his tracks, Keishin pulled out a carton of cigarettes from his pants’ pocket along with a lighter. After placing the smoke between his lips, he lit it and inhaled deeply. “Too old for you, sweetheart,” he spoke while exhaling, smoke spilling from his lips as he smirked at you. 

With that, he disappeared into the back. You wanted to shout after him that you had told him how old you were without hesitation when he had asked, but you stayed silent instead. 

As much as his presence unnerved you and his superiority complex aggravated you, you still found yourself inexplicably drawn to him. Maybe it was because he seemed completely disinterested in you, or maybe it was because he was everything you were always told to stay away from. 

The one thing you did know, however, was that if everyone around you was going to keep trying to convince you they knew how you should live your life better than you did, you were going to prove to them just how they wrong they were one way or another.