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soloroomies · 9 months ago

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lifemate (Chapter 4/ Sakusa x f!reader)

summary: talking about the details of your arrangement with Kiyoomi word count. 2.4k cw. marriage pact au, mature content, suggestive a/n. it's here!! the marriage is happening!!(＞0＜；；；) Masterlist

When you step inside your apartment, your heart starts to pound hard. The full realization dawns on you quickly. The fuck. You can't be like this. You fan your face, feeling the heat rising to your cheeks. You kind of feel like screaming. “You can't be like this,” you repeat the words loudly to yourself.

Why do you feel this way, though? You despise yourself for it. Maybe the idea of tying the knot with someone is really getting to you. You walk to your kitchen and gulp down some cold water to hydrate your throat. You need to be logical about this. Gosh, you need your best friend, Tami, right now. But she’s probably asleep already; it’s almost 1 am. So, you send some urgent texts to her, telling her that you’ll meet Sakusa tomorrow. You also send her a message that says something like, “The marriage plan is happening!! I’m gonna make a list of things that I need to discuss w him. Please give me ideas for some important topics!:( Love u.” You know your best friend can at least give you some pointers, especially since she's been married for four years.

You start to clean yourself up, changing your clothes, removing your makeup, brushing your teeth, washing your face, and doing a quick skincare routine. Now that you’re more comfortable, you might think more clearly. You check the time on your phone and lie down on your bed. Okay. You’ll make a few points yourself first.

You try to think hard, but nothing substantial comes up. So, you search for it on Google. You click on some articles and jot down notes in your notes app. You can't write much because you find some topics aren't relatable to your situation. Some of them are too real couple things. For example: "How to spend the right time together?" or "What happens if you feel like you’re drifting apart?" type of questions. That’s totally not relatable, right? A few topics that you’ve written down are: finances (how will you split the bill?), where you will live, personal space, and how you will divide the chores. Before you know it, your eyes start to close as you drift off to sleep.

When you wake up, it's because of the constant vibration from your phone. You check it and see that it’s still around 7 am. The vibration is from Tami’s texts. You quickly check her responses.

She lists a few topics, some of which are already written in your notes app. Then, there are some you haven't listed before:

1. Who is allowed to know about this pact? Damn, she’s right. You'll need to create your version of a love story either way.

2. How would this marriage be? Can each of you date other people, or do you want to be exclusive? Oh. Right. You’ve thought about this before, too. This is important.

3. The wedding. How big should it be? Yup, you still need to talk about this.

4. Physical intimacy? (P.S. Please talk about this, girl! You’re stupid if you’re not getting that dick)

You roll your eyes. This is so her. But then you start to reflect on yourself. Sex? Of course, you're no virgin. You’re sure he’s not either. But, to be honest, you can’t really remember the last time you had sex. Damn! You think it was years ago with your last situationship. Yes, you’ve had your share of one-night stands, but that was in your early 20s. You just know that those kinds of activities are not that safe. Not that you judge anyone who does it, but for you, you usually do it with someone you trust pretty well. And there aren't a lot of men that you can trust to do that. Plus, the act is often disappointing. So, sex isn’t your top priority nowadays. Yes, you have your needs, but you could always take care of yourself. So far, so good. It’s manageable. You’re not sure how to bring this topic up to Kiyoomi, though. It feels wrong too to imagine stuff like that with him. You huff. You won't bring this up.

5. Children? Hmm, you haven’t really thought about this topic.

Do you want children? Yes, you do, but it's not like you really want them. You guess it’s just because of an image of a perfect family you had in your head since you were little. This discussion will also complicate some financial topics. And you don’t know whether Kiyoomi wants children or not. So, you might skip this part. This is not something you considered when agreeing to this anyway.

6. Deal breakers? You can’t really think of what this would relate to in your relationship right now. Since there’s no romance involved, right? You might as well skip this part.

You type your thanks profusely to Tami and then start your Sunday morning by snacking on your energy bar. You'll have your breakfast with Sakusa. Then, you take a shower and get ready. After you finish getting ready, you check your phone and see some messages from Sakusa saying he’s on his way to your apartment. His trip to your place usually takes about 20 minutes. So, you sit on your couch and continue watching the series you haven’t finished.

A few minutes later, your phone vibrates. It's a text from Sakusa saying he’s arrived. You quickly respond and make your way downstairs. Spotting his car, you knock on the passenger seat window. He opens the door, and you slide in.

"Hey," you greet him.

"Hey," he replies. "Where do you want to eat?"

You suggest a restaurant not too far from your apartment that serves good avocado toast and truffle mushroom benedict. He agrees and starts to drive there.

As he drives, you take a moment to look at him. He's wearing a dark green corduroy jacket over a white shirt and black shorts. He’s not wearing his mask, but you notice the mask box between your seats. He smells good, a pleasant combination of his shampoo, soap, and cologne. He always smells good, you realize.

The car ride is quiet but comfortable, the kind of silence that feels natural rather than awkward. As you approach the restaurant, you feel a mix of anticipation and nervousness about the conversation that awaits.

As soon as you arrive, both of you order avocado toast and coffee. You finish your breakfast first, then you start the discussion. “So? Where do we start from here? Do you have anything in mind?” you ask.

Sakusa nods. “I do. Do you?”

“Yes,” you reply. Then you start to run through your list. For the financial topics, Sakusa insists on paying all the bills related to your living place: housing, electricity, and water. But you're confused. “Then, what should I pay for?” you ask.

“Some of the groceries, I guess.” Sakusa replies.

“What? No. I can’t. At least let me pay for the water or something, too?” you protest.

“Please. Just let me pay for that,” he insists.

You have never seen him plead before, but seeing his face now, you think this might be as close to pleading as he gets. “I’ve told you, you can leave some of your jobs if you’d like. It’s better for your health, too, I guess…” you can hear a hint of concern in his voice.

You're silent for a moment but then accept his offer, albeit reluctantly. Maybe you should try to relax a bit more. Isn't that one of the perks of this marriage pact? You then move to the next part, which is the living place. He suggests you move into his apartment, and you think it's more reasonable since he has three rooms in his apartment, allowing you to have one as your own room.

“How about personal space?” you ask.

“What about it?” Sakusa responds.

“Do you have a room or place that you won’t allow other people, like me, to enter?”

He’s silent for a bit. “My room.”

You nod your head. You’re no stranger to his need for personal space. In fact, you remember some of his past girlfriends complaining about it. He's the type of person who’s quite rigid about his boundaries. You'll try your best not to cross any of them. You express this concern to him, asking him to please let you know if you ever step over any boundaries. He answers with a simple "okay."

Next, you start to discuss the chores. You both conclude that he’ll be the one who cleans around the house, and you offer to be the chef. You’re not the best cook, but you’re also not bad. You'll do this since you'll have more spare time after letting go of some of your side jobs. Laundry will be done alternately each week.

Then, you start to discuss the topic list that Tami has given you. You both agree that the only ones who will know about this pact are the two of you, Komori, and Tami. You already told him that you shared this with her, and he’s understanding about that. He tells you that he already informed Komori about this plan as well. You’re a bit surprised, wondering whether Komori has known since the New Year party or before that. If he knew, he seemed nonchalant about it. But, he will definitely tease you about this.

The love story for both of you will be simple. You know each other since high school, secretly liked each other, and have been secretly dating for a year before deciding to get married. That’s just perfect. Your parents also know each other, and your mom has teased you about him before. Quite early in your friendship, even though you clearly stated to her that you considered him just a friend. Well, she might be quite shocked and cocky, having her “I told you so” moment upon hearing this wedding news. It’s okay; you’ll just have to deal with it for a bit.

You then mention the wedding and tell him that you actually want to have an intimate one. He agrees and chimes in that he needs to inform his manager as well since there will likely be some media coverage for an athlete's wedding. You nod, remembering Komori’s wedding. You hope there will be no big commotion from the public. You know he has some persistent fangirls and just hope they won’t give you threats or anything. Fingers crossed, you sigh. This is for Kiyoomi’s benefit too. You remember he always says he struggles with rejecting gifts and random confessions; maybe this marriage will reduce those kinds of things.

“How would this marriage be? Can each of us date another person, or do we want to be exclusive?” you read from your notes. He stares at you. “I think it’s up to you.”

You nod at his statement, understanding that it’s also up to him. It’s reasonable. Why would this marriage stop him from getting any girl he wants? You don’t know much about his hook-up activities, never inquiring about them either. He’s very private about that. You sigh mentally, feeling a tinge of insecurity, which you think is stupid. You can’t be unfair to him. “Yeah, let’s just be careful about it. We can’t let people know, though. It’ll look bad on us,” you respond, staring down at your phone.

You don’t hear his response and see the notes on your app, deciding to skip some of the topics that you're not sure how to bring up. “Is there anything you want to add?” you ask him.

“Will you take my family name?” he asks.

You think for a moment and nod. “I will.” Then, you start to repeat your name with ‘Sakusa’ in front of it in your head. You kind of want to laugh, thinking that you used to call him by his family name during your early years of friendship. Now, that name will be yours too.

After that, you delve into detailing the aspects of your wedding. You had stated earlier that you wanted an intimate ceremony, so you emphasize making the wedding small and estimating the budget, aiming to keep it as economical as possible and split it 50/50. Sakusa interjects again, insisting he’ll just pay it all. You don’t mind the budget since it’s much cheaper compared to what some of your friends usually spend. You also have enough savings for it. After a bit of disagreement, you settle on an 80/20 split.

Your wedding will be held in mid-February with a garden party theme, which you suggest. All the preparations will be handled by a wedding organizer that you both found together. Sakusa is actually very cooperative, offering to contact the wedding organizer and jotting down some of the information you discuss together on his phone’s notes. You thought he’d be bored with such detailed discussions, but he had even done a lot of research beforehand and gave you insights about the wedding experiences of his relatives and friends. You heard from some of your friends that their partners didn’t really put in the effort and handed it all over to the woman. So, you’re very glad he’s not like that. After all, marriage takes two people to make it work.

You both then decide that everything sounds good and finalize the plans. As you’re about to stand up, he suddenly grabs your hand. You look at him and see him hesitating a bit.

“What? Is there something wrong?” you ask.

He then pulls you down, prompting you to sit again beside him. You stare at him curiously as his hand moves inside his jacket pocket, taking out something. It’s a box. A ring box! You realize, flabbergasted by his action. Your mouth falls open.

“Wait, wait. What?” you stammer, staring at the navy velvet ring box.

He proceeds to open it, showing a silver ring. You notice that the ring features a row of detailed Forget-Me-Not flowers running into delicate leaves on either side of the band. You’re totally speechless. You didn’t expect him to give you a ring right now. You thought you could just buy some matching rings together that simply show “Yeah, we’re married.” But this ring in front of you looks expensive as hell.

“I know this kind of marriage is something you never expected. I know this is not something you dreamed of either. But let me make this a bit proper. I want you to have this,” Sakusa says.

You feel like crying, touched by his sentiment. He then slides the ring onto your finger, and you can’t help but thank him and hug him, driven by your emotions. You widen your eyes, taken aback, and mumble a quick apology, afraid that you’ve invaded his personal space or something. But he hugs you back.

It seems like this marriage pact isn’t so bad, after all.

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folkloresthings · 2 years ago

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northanger abbey , fernando alonso + some sort of hurt / comfort ? perhaps one of them is down abt smth, and the other has to pep talk them into feeling happy again ?? leaving it up to u and ur talent , idk i just feel like this trope works so well w/ him , like he acts all tough but secretly he would just love love making u feel better .. idkkkkkkkk

fernando who’s soft for his s/o and his s/o only

GOOD ENOUGH. ❨ fernando alonso x reader ❩

another job interview, another rejection email. it was like groundhog day — you just weren’t right for any of them. all you needed was a start into the career, something to put on your resumé, a stepping stone to your dream. but the companies were all run by assholes, who all apparently had something personal against you.

arriving home, you drop your bag and coat by the door, slumping into the couch. you felt completely and utterly defeated, with absolutely no motivation to go on. you had given up.

fernando had been in the kitchen when you’d come home, finishing up dinner for both of you. when you hadn’t come straight there to greet him, he’d grown suspicious. sticking his head around the doorframe, he catches sight of you, your head in your hands.

“mi amor…” he murmurs, knowing instantly what was wrong. he’s next to you in a flash, kneeling in front of where you seat, hands tugging your wrists away from your face. “another no?”

the words leaving fernando’s lips only solidify the reality of your day, forcing you to curl into yourself again with a groan, tears pricking at your eyes.

“hey, hey—” fernando could have cursed himself for making it worse. his least favourite thing in the world was seeing you upset, especially at yourself. “it’ll be okay, corazón.”

“they all think i’m so stupid!” you cried, hands dropping to your lap. fernando wastes no time in holding onto them, squeezing gently. “i’m not good enough for anything.”

“stop that,” he says sternly, but his touch is gentle when he wipes under your eyes, palms cupping a cheek each. “don’t talk about yourself like that, okay?”

all teary eyed and pouting, you nod slowly at him.

“you are the most amazing person i know,” fernando whispers, amazed at how you couldn’t see everything he could. “you’re smart and hard—working and so kind, if a company doesn’t want you then it’s their loss. remember what you always tell me?”

“everything happens for a reason,” you mumble at the same time as him. fernando smiles a little, moving to sit up on the couch and pull you into his lap, thumbs smoothing along your hips.

“exactly,” your boyfriend kisses your forehead softly, holding you as close as you’ll let him. “i’m going to plate you up some dinner, we’ll watch whatever you want, and get some sleep. and then, tomorrow, you’ll start fresh.”

you glance up at him, nibbling at your bottom lip. he was sweet, so very sweet that it made your teeth hurt. the best part was — only you got to see this side of him.

“i’ll help you look at some more jobs and prep for the interviews. you’ll go into the next one and try your best, that’s all you can do,” he’s rambling on with one of his pep talks again, and you cut him off with a kiss. “but no matter what, i love you. okay?”

“i love you too, ‘nando,” you murmur against his lips. “thank you.”

“my pleasure, mi amor.”

#🍾 ﹐ becca hits 1k!#🌙 ﹐ drabbles.#formula 1 #formula 1 imagine #formula 1 x reader #fernando alonso x reader #fernando alonso instagram au #fernando alonso drabble #fernando alonso #fernando alonso imagine #fernando alonso blurb

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navia3000 · 11 months ago

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please can you write a sequel fic to enzo’s breakup song blurb, it was so good😭 i’m not even an enzo girlie but that did something to my heart ❤️‍🩹

n e e d y o u n o w

Includes : Lorenzo Berkshire

Genre : Angst, slight fluff?

Warnings : Light cursing, hints of toxic Enzo

Based on : Need You Now by Lady A

A/N : Thank you so much for the request, I hope you like it!!

It's a quarter after one

I'm all alone and I need you now

Her hands trembled as she read the letter. She had found a yellow envelope on her bed, immediately recognizing the handwriting detailing her name.

It had been four weeks since Lorenzo Berkshire had abruptly ended things with the young girl, and while he tried to pretend as though they were friends and he didn’t break her heart, she cut off all contact with him. She successfully managed to alter her schedule to where she would never see him in class nor the halls. And now, he had seemingly snuck into her room and laid a letter on her bed.

She wishes she could say that she doesn’t miss him, that she wanted nothing to do with him. But she’d be lying. She misses him like hell. She never thought she would fall in love so quickly, especially with the Slytherin boy. Yet, here she is. About to read the letter that would shatter all the walls she had built and would reopen all her healing wounds.

She opened the envelope, and read the contents of the letter.

Said I wouldn't call, but I lost all control

And I need you now

“My Dear Y/N,

I know you want nothing to do with me after how I left things, but, I’ve come to regret my decision. I miss you. Before you write me off as an ass, please know, that I love you. And, I broke up with you because I was scared. I was scared of how you changed me, even if it is for the better. I was scared because I never thought I could be loved the way you loved me, and I thought I didn’t deserve it. I still think I don’t deserve it.

But, I realized I am a fool. A fool who is irrevocably in love with you, and who wants a second chance.

Please, meet me in the Astronomy Tower tomorrow after curfew.

Much love,

Enzo.”

Tears were streaming down her face by the time she finished the letter. She didn’t know how to react or how to think. Should she meet him? He did break her heart and now seemingly want her back, and if this was one of her friends she’d tell them not to go back, that they’re better off. But, she can’t live with herself if she doesn’t at least show up to hear what he has to say. She decides she’s going to sleep it off, and decide the next day.

/\/\ /\/\ /\/\ /\/\ /\/\ /\/\ /\/\ /\

It is 10 at night, past curfew, and she finds herself pulling her cardigan tighter around her as the chill from the Astronomy Tower cuts through to her bones. She felt stupid for even considering going to meet Enzo, but she couldn’t pass it up. Although she wishes she didn’t, she is madly in love with the boy.

Footsteps echoed up the stairs, and for a minute, she feared Filch had discovered her and would reprimand her for being out past curfew. However, the steps belonged to Enzo, her heart clenching at the sight of him. He looked surprised, as though he didn’t think she would actually show.

They stood staring at each other for a couple of seconds, sadness flooding both their eyes. He was first to break the silence.

“Thank you, for coming and giving me a chance to explain.”

Her heart dropped to her stomach after hearing his voice. She managed to avoid him for so long, she forgot how much she truly missed and yearned for the Slytherin boy.

When she didn’t answer, he continued, “I miss you, love. I know, it sounds ridiculous, but, it’s true. I was a fool for leaving you.”

“You didn’t just leave me, Enzo, you broke my heart. You broke all the faith and trust I had in you.”

She watched his Adam’s apple bob up and down. “I know. And I don’t even deserve you hearing me out. But, what I said is true. I was scared. I still am. I’m scared you’re going to realize you could do so much better and leave.”

“So you left me first?” Her voice grew louder as she spoke. “You should’ve come to me and talked to me about this, Enzo! But instead, you made me feel like complete garbage. I felt so heartbroken and stupid for ever thinking I could trust you. My friends constantly told me what a bad idea this was, but I didn’t listen! I gave you a chance, and look what you did!”

Tears began flowing from his eyes, her words felt like knives digging into his heart. “I know, love, and I’m so sorry. All I ask is that you give me one more chance. Give me one more chance to prove myself to you, and, I promise, if I mess up, I will never bother you again. Please.” She hated how his words affected her. He looked and sounded so sincere, she couldn’t help but lean towards accepting his apology and taking him back.

She thought his words over for a while, and, finally, she decided. “I’ll give you one more chance. But it’s not going to be easy. We can be friends first. Then, if I feel as though you are truly sincere, I’ll consider going out with you again.” She stepped towards him, “I am giving you one more chance, Berkshire. Don’t ruin it.”

With that, she walked off, a smile threatening to make its way onto her face. Although it wouldn’t be the same, she needed him as much as he needed her. Besides, it would be fun watching Enzo beg for her forgiveness.

And I don’t know how

I could do without

I just need you now

#harry potter headcanon #harry potter imagine #harry potter masterlist #lorenzo berkshire x reader #lorenzo berkshire #enzo berkshire x reader #lorenzo berkshire imagine #harry potter x reader

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shawty-writes-a-little · 1 year ago

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From Eden 4.

[part1] [part2] [part3] [part 4]

darkling x brekker!reader

summary: feelings are heavy

word count: 3k

warnings: S2 shadow and bone, ep5 intoxication dreams, heavy angst, LONGING, English is not my first language x

An: I WILL update more frequently I PROMISE I PROMISE I PROMISE and NO this has nothing to do w that angry from Eden anon, but hey fucko if you’re reading this I still love you

Despite of what y/n promised Kaz, she knew she wouldn’t entirely stick to her word. For somebody who grew up in ketterdam honour was just another grey line ready to get bent to one’s will. Besides high ground all mighty morals isnt what Kaz raised her with anyways, she knew that if she planned to cross what she promised Kaz it’d be a reflection of perhaps just the way he raised her. At the moment she told herself frankly anything as they traveled for quest of the Neshyener, some of her big brother’s words did drip through her mind in a way, could it be she was that naive? Was she a pawn in Aleksander’s game, perhaps a useless one but still someone whose emotions he had amusement toying with? No. That could not be, Kaz didn’t have half a mind to know what he was speaking of and y/n knew Aleksander better than that. He wasn’t the best of men, he had his traits but he had always been a great lover to her per se and that is what mattered.

Pulling out of her thoughts when Tolya approached the three talking about how they should pray for their dead and what not, the rest where praying for their dead whilst Kaz, Jesper, wylan along with y/n stood on the side. Them not praying wasn’t a blasphemous just not that heavy on faith. Especially Kaz and Y/n. “We don’t have to worry about our dead, y/n here can well enough resurrect them.” Kaz taunted.

Most of the time y/n would talk back but she knew better than to create a scene again, “If I pay you will you shut up?”

Kaz scoffed, the source of their money was same nonetheless “How much and the answer is no regardless”

Choosing not to answer to kaz’s remarks y/n parted ways with a simple “I’m with wylan and Jesper” despite of whoever Kaz had planned to group her with, she didn’t give him time to answer as she paced with the two with slumped shoulders and crossed arms. Kaz doesn’t get to pick and choose what’s right and what’s not for everybody, all the time. She thought to herself grumpily, alternatively Kaz gestured Jesper to keep an eye on her, he believed he had lost y/n to the darkling’s manipulation for a long time—she’d be angry and whiny about his restrictions and ways but Kaz wouldn’t loose another one of his siblings to their nativity.

As much as y/n wanted to be present for the crows, in the plans and their ongoing troubles as well, she sensed something off between wylan and jesper she didn’t want to pry wylan and Jesper couldn’t get alone time with y/n to tell her about it, so in all it was just filling awkward silences with small talks. She could deduct it was probably some argument. It seemed petty as an outsider of someone’s relationship but she recalled being in that position once.

She went through it all once. The days spent with Aleksander hauntingly found his way back to y/n’s mind. She’d avoid sleeping so what she assumed was her own mind tormenting her with his dreams would stop. ‘But can’t you see I’m right here?’ ‘The saints couldn’t get me to leave you…’ ‘I am not leaving you, my world, I’m leaving neither.’ It felt frustrating thinking about those dreams where he said he hadn’t left and then reality struck that he actually hadn’t. Did they mean anything? Was the Aleksander in her dreams real?

If so, she was furious. Furious at the man who claimed to love her to ends and had her believe he had died. He wronged an entire nation and didn’t even tell her that. Conversations with him prior to it all came back like cold and sharp ocean waves. He’d talk of a greater tomorrow for Ravaka, everyday he’d work tirelessly camps to camps tracking one artefact to another. Not that he didn’t tell her about it, they would have lengthy conversations but y/n would’ve never thought he would be expanding the fold just like that. The signs were perhaps always there. It was rather wrong of her to be oblivious to it, she was the only person Aleksander was that open to. Maybe if she loved him less she could’ve known what he was capable of.

He’d told her of all wrong that was done by his hands, she foresaw them, lost them in the story of the boy she told him, the boy travelling town to town raised on a wretched fate. Y/n knew what it was like to grow up in burning houses, the flames never really leave you. She maybe didn’t condone what he did but she never even asked herself that. She didn’t want to at the time. Kaz’s words ‘Manipulated by your beloved monster’ made her glum thinking was he right? Surely not, the man who’d raise wars would come into her arms like the sweetest gift of life. His shoulders relaxed only in the moments he’d have his arms around her. The man who didn’t speak more than orders and council meetings would talk to y/n about his past, for a stoic man his love was ever so evident for her even amongst other people—gesture of his hand on the small of her back, his eyes scanning for a certain woman in the crowd, married…they were almost married. How could he possibly manipulate her? His love that intense like of a raging storm why wouldn’t Kaz understand that?

Aleksander did a bad thing, evil even. Her Aleksander, a traitor, rebel, the villain to them all, most dangerous thing but they don’t know how the most dangerous thing used to laugh. How he used to love. How he does, but y/n isn’t so sure if she could reciprocate it that way anymore. She knows she shouldn’t. She knows she shouldn’t even be thinking about him the way she did as of now. No.

Y/n has promised kaz and she had promised herself, she wouldn’t associate with him no more. He kept his motives hidden from her once and he could again if he succeeded. The world was against him for a reason. All the torment he inflicted wasn’t justifiable by her. She’d see him one of these days, for one last time and then wash her hands of him. He could live out his days in the wild or create a house of a fold for himself and she wouldn’t bother to care. It broke her heart not to care for Aleksander but she didn’t know any other way. She knew what she told Kaz but she promised not to go back to Aleksander, she won’t. Y/n will have to confront him once, she thought about it a lot, what it would be like, hold him by the collar and demand an explanation. Wish him the worst, bid him goodbye and then wash her hands of him.

—

With sundown y/n became more and more clearer of her thoughts. Firm she will close the chapter that was Aleksander. Currently she stood alongside Kaz as the crowd towered tolya who explained the map of inside the house. Kaz’s plan was to sweep from all sides for the neshnyar, as y/n attempted to accompany wylan Kaz yanked her back by his cane, “Remember what you promised?”

“That literal?” Y/n groaned about her promise to ‘not leave kaz’s sight’ straightening her clothes. That evening took a low turn actually. The metal doors clung close with a pang just in a few moments they were in. The red gas flew out of the walls of the small room they were trapped in, faster than they could register what was happening.

“So this is how we die” Jesper’s shaky voice was first to admit what everyone else was thinking. Y/n struggled against the metal doors still, thankfully her optimism didn’t run out before she dropped to the ground unconscious.

The air felt crisp against her skin as the gigantic window crept open. She remembered these chambers. They were the ones she shared with Aleksander back at little palace. Y/n found herself in a dress, even the dress she recognised. Before she looked in the mirror she could reckon the fabric, it was her wedding dress. Unsure how to feel about it she just stared at her reflection. Is this after life? Is this a dream? Or perhaps a nightmare? Is it real? Four striking questions she didn’t bother to look an answer for as she stared at herself. Before everything happened, she’d never really got to try on her wedding dress. She chose the fabric and the pattern and the work on it but things went south faster than the designers worked. With the fete there was barely any time for trial. But as she saw herself in the moment it was exactly like she’d imagined, never too big on fancies but it was her wedding dress. Even her hair was done so perfectly she could make no sense of what was happening. It felt so confusing and endearing at the same time. Finally looking away from her dress her eyes fell on the note by the mirror desk which read ‘The Gardens.’ In a handwriting she was afraid she recognised.

Picking up the hem of the dress she walked out the room, down the long stair case she rushed to find an explanation for which state of being she was in. The opening to the gardens were enlaced with flowers and veils. When she finally came to the gardens she found entire area decorated as though celebration of the biggest event ever. Benches surrounded what seemed like a wedding altar, above hanged the most gorgeous garlands of bright flowers with dark organzas draped in a beautiful pattern. Each and every little detail was a conversation she remembered having with Aleksander from when they planned their wedding. In awe of the scene as she try to take in everything along with the sunset over the horizon, two hands pulled her back by her waist. Before she registered being alarmed, the instinct was replaced with that of warmth. Warmth she held very dear. “Why hello, my love” Aleksander spoke as he rested his head by crook of her neck giving her shoulder a gentle peck.

“Aleksander” Y/n said and turned to face him, she wanted to make sense of what it was that was happening but she truly didn’t want to. Maybe she is already dead but she was the happiest perhaps accepting whatever this was. She had so many questions to ask but the sight of his face, in his wedding attire, first time since the ship, first time since her strange dreams were it was just bargain, blame and endless arguments, y/n overcame the urge to punch him and show how cross she was, how much her hurt her, she just wrapped her arms around him, leaping into him as he carried her off her feet and hugged her tightly in his arms almost as if she wouldn’t exist if he let her go.

This felt like his luckiest moment, “and they say it’s a bad omen to see your bride before the wedding” he joked letting her out of his arms but still holding her close. “You look heavenly.”

“What-uh what is this?” Y/n asked finally, she could gather it was a wedding perhaps there but how so? What time of the year even was it? Plus they had so many hurdles to overcome before actually getting married.

“It’s our wedding day!” He exclaimed as he replied to her and gently caressed her face with a smile on his face. He moved his head to the side gesturing her to look around, the decorations, the empty guest benches, the wedding attires.

“But…how? How did we get here? Did we even tell everybody?” Y/n asked still not convinced that this could be real, a faint voice in the back of her head did tell her none of this was remotely real.

“We did, the guests will be here any minute.” Aleksander said “I just wanted to see you once…for myself.”

Y/n couldn’t help but smile at his irresistible little gesture to see her before the wedding all for himself. They were about to get married, together for an eternity, yet he couldn’t spare a few moments even. “And Kaz?”

“You know how your brother is, he was upset, really upset for a while. But he came around. Doesn’t he always?” Aleksander explained as he held his beloved’s hands in his.

His mannerisms of holding her hand so tightly desperately want to see her. Kaz coming around like he always did. Scene of the wedding. It all felt so strikingly real. This is perhaps exactly how their wedding would be. This was real. Maybe what happened before all of this was just a terrible terrible dream. Believing that y/n leaned forwarded and kissed her husband to be. Omens he damned. He kissed her back holding her face with his hand and his free arm by her waist securing her tightly in his arms.

Y/n pulled away for a moment to look at him, the setting sun behind her casted light orange hue on her lover’s face and she wanted to be reassured he was here. This was real. This was happening. However the voice said otherwise. It was everyone’s voice all at once.

“You abandoned me! You died…you made promised-you-I loved you..I-I love you! And you aren’t here you died you’ve left me”

“—I’m here aren’t I?”

"If it isn't the wedding bells I hear!"

"That monster of yours you almost married wasn't sabotaging your life?!"

"Manipulated. He manipulated you. You dimwit.”

Every conversation, every dream, everyone’s voices were echoing so loud it shambled the walls of her intoxicated dream. She pulled away from Aleksander sharply and put her hands over her ears to silence everything she wanted to be a bad dream but was reality. Aleksander put his arms around her to support her as she knelt to the ground he crouched down next to her not wanting to leave her side for a moment.

“This…this isn’t real.” Y/n told herself more than she told Aleksander. This isn’t real. It made her want to cry because this actually was her dream, to marry Aleksander and no body is cross with her. Her dream was dying. “This isn’t real-“

“Y/n” he cooed forcing her frantic eyes to look back at him, “look at me my love.” He said and his voice was so full of love and fragility Y/n wanted to cry that this wasn’t real. It was perhaps a stark foreshadowing what her dream would be like in reality, she could be in her wedding dress with her beloved and yet feel like crying. Because that dream would never be hers. “This could be real. It almost was. For a long time it almost was real, wasn’t it? It never occurred to you even four months ago that this couldn’t be, that we couldn’t be. Why now?”

“Aleksander…” she wept in her hands, how was she to explain to her hopeless lover of a conscious which conversed to her in form of Aleksander.

“Do you not want this?” He asked, his eyes scanning every hint of assurance on her face desperately wanting just one answer.

“Yes” she breathed out as tears ran down her face but she knew the ‘but’ after that yes was a big and unavoidable one. However unpleasant it was. “But it’s different now…”

“How is it? How is it any different y/n? Are you not the same woman who’d house a wretched soul that is mine…like you always did? The dreams we share…would you not house it any more?” He asked.

“Yes…yes I—I would Aleksander…” but I simply can’t, not after what you did. Y/n held back from saying because she didn’t want to admit it to herself.

“Then please, be it, be my home, be my solace, I’m out there leading a fight by myself and I always have until you—you. Please fight y/n. Fight for us. Don’t loose hope in us so soon…don’t wash your hands of us. Promise me you won’t?” He asked as he held her hands like the only thing in the world but she did not have anything to say as she stared at him. Eyes so full of hope but it was just the face of her own conscience. She did not have the heart to promise him anything nor did she have the capacity to stomach their love. She…missed him. But she didn’t want to anymore. That idea in itself was painful, very painful.

All that turmoil was over as a bigger one took place, gaining consciousness. Y/n woke up gasping for air as her mouth tasted like the worst thing she’d ever tasted. Familiar faces around her sighed in relief as she coughed her way out of almost death.

—

They got what they were there looking for. The neshyenyer. However y/n just got more frustrated how could her feelings remain so disoriented? She hated how she felt, she hated Aleksander but she wanted to love him to the end of her days but she knew that wasn’t possible anymore. She hated how Kaz still saw her as someone not capable to make rational decisions on her own and she wanted to prove him wrong but she didn’t know where she stood.

Furthermore as they walked out in the barren fields, Kaz tried to talk to y/n for a moment as they were loading the carriage but she dismissed him for later. Perhaps his intoxicated dream was eye opening too but y/n couldn’t handle it at the moment. Torment that her feelings and the dream she just had inflicted heavy upon her.

—

HIIIIIIII god I love this plot SO much at this point I’m just writing for myself😭

Drinker water eat sweets and keep seasonal depression away mfs

Tags: @louderfortheback @sloppyzengarden @mori1b2bpad @zeeader @shitpostrandomness @duchess @serpentthecrow @evalynkillgrave @bwormie

#darkling x reader #the darkling x reader #darkling imagine #general kirigan x reader #general kirigan x you #general Kirigan x y/n #aleksander morozova x reader #aleksander x y/n #aleksander kirigan #general Kirigan imagine

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imwall-e · 1 year ago

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W&TWS || Doubts

Summary : He is a super-soldier of more than 100 year old, struggling to find a place in this new world. She is a young student of 23, struggling with life. But they know they can find comfort and help in each other.

Pairing : Bucky Barnes x Reader

Warnings : a bit of angst and anxiety, also fluff and always Bucky being the best

A/N : I am back to writing this fanfiction. It is more a journal to me, but it feels good to write like that and to share the story of Bucky and Willow. I hope you love it !

Series Masterlist

May 10th 2021

The exams had started the week of her birthday. Willow had barely revised, but was still doing her best to answer the questions and write good essays. She had a feeling, however, that it wouldn't be enough, but she was at peace with that. After all, this degree no longer suited her. All she had to do was make a decision: try her luck at the catch-up exams (because yes, she would definitely have to go), or give up altogether.

Strangely enough, her reflections led her to William. They had only been dating a few months, and she had taken just as long to get over what he had done to her. The wound still hadn't completely healed. A new question came to mind: was it a good idea to start a relationship with Bucky?

True, they had only exchanged a kiss, but perhaps everything was still moving too fast? Perhaps she needed to take her time? She wrote down all her anxieties on the paper she'd used for drafts, and promised herself she'd tell Bucky about them the next time they called.

He had gone back to New York a few weeks earlier, and it was difficult for them to communicate. She knew that a long-distance relationship wouldn't work in the long term. Especially in two different time zones.

She didn't want to get too attached like in her previous relationships. But Bucky seemed so kind. So thoughtful. However, bad times in the past forced her to be wary of many things, and many people. Even Bucky.

The teacher supervising the exam indicated that there was still an hour to go before the end of the exam. She glanced at her paper: barely four pages... She sighed, gathered her things, handed in her paper and went home.

The journey seemed long. Longer than usual. When she arrived, she was greeted only by her dog Dino. Her mother must still be at work. She took the opportunity to relax a little: take Dino for a walk, have something to eat, continue reading a book. Around 6pm, she took a shower and fell asleep a few minutes after getting into bed.

May 11th 2021

When she woke up, it was past midnight. The house was quiet. Her bedroom door was closed, probably by her mother who had preferred to let her sleep in. She reached for her phone and was blinded for several seconds by the brightness.

A few notifications from her group of friends told her that she wasn't the only one who had failed the exam. Dysariel's plan was holding up, which surprised none of them, after all he always got the best marks.

However, it was two other notifications that caught his attention. They were from Bucky:

Bucky Bear At 10.30pm: Hello Sunflower, I hope your day went well and that you managed to pass your mid-term. Give me your availability for tomorrow, I want to call you for your birthday. At 00:00: If my clock in New York is telling the right time for you, it's time for me to wish you a very happy birthday, my Sunflower. I haven't heard from you, so I assume you've fallen asleep. Thinking of you. PS: I also have a surprise for you that should arrive later today. Sunflower At 00:15: Thank you, Bucky Bear! I'll be available from midday. I don't have any exams in the afternoon. Do I get a hint about my surprise? I'm thinking of you too. Bucky Bear At 12:16am: Sorry, but if I tell you, it won't be a surprise! I've got to go to one last meeting. Go back to sleep, you need your rest. I can't wait to see you again.

His messages made her smile. He hadn't forgotten her birthday. He was going to surprise her. She had to concentrate on the positives. She wished she could go back to sleep now, but she knew she wouldn't be able to. So she grabbed her computer, plugged in her headphones and started watching videos.

She was woken up by her seven o'clock alarm, just two hours after going back to sleep. She nearly fell asleep on the train journey to university.

This morning she had an English grammar exam from nine to noon. However, she already knew that she would get out early because it was the subject she had mastered the most. Two or three exercises were more complicated and she could guess that she wouldn't get all the points. The most important thing was that she would at least pass the subject.

Zephyr, Dysariel, Axel and Ophélia went out more or less at the same time as her. They stayed another hour to eat together at one of the local fast-food restaurants. They talked about everything and anything. And Bucky.

"So," asked Dysariel, "how are things going with your handsome soldier?"

"Fine," replied Willow, blushing. I'm just a bit scared..."

"Of what?"

"That it's going too fast. Besides, the age difference is great, I mean he's over a century old."

They laughed together and all advised her the same thing: they were sure that what was between her and Bucky was special, but she had to take her time and think about her well-being.

Then came the time to go home. Zephyr went first, his parents being stricter about his going-out times. Then it was Ophélia's turn, as she had almost two hours by train to get home. Dysariel had things to do and wanted to revise for the hardest exam on Thursday: US history. Axel and Willow were the last to leave.

They had barely taken a few steps out of the main building when Axel remarked to Willow, "Look who's here." Indeed, Bucky was coming towards them, in a superb black suit. "I've got a train to catch and I think you deserve some time with him. Happy birthday again and see you on Thursday!" Before Willow could reply, Axel had already crossed the pedestrian crossing. When she turned her head towards Bucky, he was standing next to her, a bouquet of sunflowers in his hands.

"Happy birthday, Willow. I hope you don't mind that I came unannounced, I definitely wanted to surprise you." He looked tired but happy to see her again. As for her, she couldn't say a word because she was so surprised. She could only throw herself into his arms.

He held her close. Her long blonde hair smelt of monoi, the scent they both associated with summer. Bucky could already see himself taking her on holiday to the beach, or to New York to meet the people he considered to be his family.

Together they got into the car. "I was thinking we could go for lunch somewhere?" Bucky suggested.

"We've already eaten with the others. Maybe tonight?"

"Yes, of course. Say, I've booked a hotel room for the week, at the park where we spent our first date. We can also spend the day there tomorrow. Are you interested?

"Why not."

Bucky noticed that Willow didn't seem as cheerful as usual. He gently stopped the car at the side of the road, and turned to her, "Is everything all right?" Worry showed on his face and Willow couldn't help crying. There was the stress of the exams, the happiness of seeing Bucky again, the fears that were interfering with her thoughts.

So she told him about all the doubts she had about their relationship. She apologised several times. Bucky took her face in his hands: "Willow, look at me. It's all right, I'm not angry with you. Unless you never want to see me again, we'll take our time. We'll go at your pace. I promise you that. Now, I just want to know if we spend the afternoon and tomorrow together, or if I drop you off at your place?"

"I think I'm scared because of what happened with my old boyfriends."

"Willow, you don't have to tell me about it. Only do it if you want to or if you're ready."

"I am."

"Then we'll talk about it, but let me take you out for dessert. I know when you get really anxious and it calms down, you get hungry right after."

The fact that he remembered little details like this warmed her heart, and a big smile lit up her face. Bucky started the car again, one hand resting on Willow's thigh. Willow put her hand on his. She was already feeling a little lighter.

I hope you love this chapter, I'm writing the next one ! Do not hesitate to like, comment and reblog if you feel comfortable to do so !

#bucky #bucky barnes #bucky barnes x reader #marvel #bucky barnes fanfiction #james buchanan barnes #bucky x y/n #bucky fanfiction #bucky x oc #bucky and willow #the writer soldier's journal #bucky love story

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starwriterulia · 7 months ago

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Tomb of the Goshenite Stargazer Dragon - Chapter 8

SUBJECT MATERIAL WARNINGS FOR THIS FANFICTION ARE INCLUDED IN THE MASTERLIST POST OF MY BLOG AND THE FIRST CHAPTER OF THIS FANFICTION.

Sun and moon divider by @saradika

Banners for scene cut and creator support by @cafekitsune

A/N: Hi, writing this when first starting this chapter because I had enough energy and desire to work on the next chapter at nearly 9 PM and it's so weird to admit that. OK, see you after working on this if there's anything I have to say then!

(Post-big revision, August 23,2024:) That's a lot better. Is it a different writing cliche? Yes. But, I will attempt to do it well! I believe I'm a goose! I believe and honk at the sky! I think about your bells night and day! And you best get the fuck out 'my way, HONK! I enjoy writing possibly interesting scenarios, and I hope that this new version of Chapter 8 is interesting! (Jacksepticeye voice:) DROP YOUR GUESSES FOR WHAT "HENJIN" LOOKS LIKE AND WHAT HIS GIVEN NAME IS IN THE REPLIES! PUNCH THE LIKE HEART IN THE ARTERIES, LIKE A BITCH! A-AND, SPIN YOURSELVES AROUND! *SPI-NNING! SPI-NNING!* AND, I WILL SEE YOU GUYS! IN THE NEXT SHIT CHAPTER! BYE BYE!

Hooray for a

ten paragraph long chapter summary!

Someone please put me in fanfic writer's timeout!

If you can't tell, it's time for my medication and bedttime. It is 10:38 PM. I am 8 minutes late.

OK, bye! Thank you for all the likes, replies and reblogs! I have work tomorrow, and the day after, so I'll see how much of Chapter 9 I get done. It will be a multiple day process. ^w^

Faith

Chapter summary: Oliver watches Faith draw her first three arrows, Dinah, Cissie and Emiko entering as she looses her third, and are all impressed by Faith's natural but imperfect skills. Oliver begins to coach Faith how to jump again, but realises she needs better balance and strength, and tests her with the equipment before activating an obstacle course that rises from the floor and walls. Afterwards, Faith discusses her vigilante name and costume, then goes with the girls for groceries. Faith bids Oliver and Dinah goodnight, and begins to listen to her favourite ambience to sleep when Barbara texts her with an apology that consumes multiple paragraphs, mentioning that she thinks Dick and Tim forgive Faith as well. Faith is emotional as she reads. Faith thanks her, and they chat about what Faith is listening to before saying goodnight. Faith falls asleep quickly.

Zatanna had fallen asleep too, and after seeking Faith, finds her at the tavern of White-Sun Harbour in the Dream World on Paper, SOFFFIAA greeting Zatanna and mentioning the area is a recreation of Great Inagua from Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. The magician and dreamer begin walking to a grassy area to practice magic. Ra's had opened and entered the window of the guest room Faith slept in, and Faith wakes as he tries to take off her pyjama pants. The struggle for a short few seconds as Oliver receives a phone call from Zatanna. Oliver interrupts the scuffle just as Faith hugs Ra's' waist, giving pause to the villain and a moment for Faith to apologise and come clean, and asks him to take her somewhere else.

Ra's says he's done caring. Faith tells him to record them having sex for blackmail. Ra's repeats her request, baffled that she wants to be recorded for this purpose, but accepts, and tells Oliver that she'll be home in the morning, who is content with this. Ra's leaves with Faith on his back through the window. Oliver, of course, doesn't believe Ra's will come back with Faith.

Ra's descends with Faith into an especially narrow alley, and knocks to enter a door. Faith doesn't know what's inside, as she keeps her eyes on the floor, as she had been instructed to by Ra's. Ra's brings Faith into the office. Yamagata Jin speaks Japanese to Ra's, insulting Faith's looks. Ra's tries to upsell her, mentioning her name, age, that she's a virgin, and that she has metahuman dragon powers. When Yamagata voices concern for his establishment, Ra's replies that Faith can be killed like a mortal, easing Yamagata.

Yamagata inspects Faith's teeth and speaks English to voice disgust, Faith replying wordily, as usual, to explain. Yamagata shares his annoyance with Ra's. He says that she has anxiety, depression and PTSD, and Ra's reminds Yamagata that Faith is a virgin, and says, "Surely one of your sons will think Faith is worthy of his attention." Briefly pondering, Yamagata smiles, Ra's having a similar grin, and Yamagata purchases Faith for 100 thousand dollars. Faith knows those smiles aren't good, and tells herself that she is the O-type star, and use magic to get out, but wants to stay so her virginity and hormones won't be in the way, anymore.

Ra's leaves, and on his tail, Yamagata brings Faith out, who sees a large, empty nightclub. Faith internally guesses it's closed, but remarks that it's odd because it's Monday, and supposed it's so because Yamagata's sons aren't home. They go into a room where six girls are lounging in a nice living space. This amazes Faith. Yamagata instructs the girls to prepare Faith for Henjin, and Faith furrows her eyebrows in thought, not recalling Henjin to be a name.

Connecting that Yamagata is mocking one of his own sons, and that's who Ra's was talking about, and why he and Yamagata smiled, Faith lets out a shallow breath. Yamagata notices, and from Faith's face knows she's anxious. He smirks, saying, "You had better wisen up, Faith." He leaves, chuckling.

The six sex workers hear a brief retelling of Faith's story and about her dragon powers. One asks if Faith knows her name in Japanese, which she does. The girls introduce themselves as Jennie, Sekine, Kiki and Leia, who wear matching dresses that Leia designed and Kiki crafted, and Mai and Fuga. Fuga tells Faith that the club is called One Night Fever, and Faith comments that it's a good name for a nightclub. Fuga and Mai reply that's it's an awful name, citing that nineteen year old Yamagata, and they all laugh.

Faith whispers that they could give her Dragon Persona gifts for a wish and get new, safe jobs, and assumes they want to stay in their galaxy, Leia confirming, and Faith looks at all of the girls and realises this is what she has to do to make things right. As Jennie helps Faith find lingerie, she notes Faith's feet, and Faith says how the right foot is sensitive. Jennie asks if she can fight, and Faith says she's decent, for someone who's trained for two days and has disability, and that she should be able to hold her own until she needs to use magic and the Arrows come, and that they'll all leave together, and Jennie nods firmly. Jennie says that Kiki can modify a pair of sexy boots for Faith, Kiki confirming happily, and Jennie will teach Faith how to act in front of Henjin and the customers tomorrow night, when Yamagata's sons return from Japan.

Fandoms: DC Comics, Batfamily, no Batcest, Arrow family, Thalassic Space (OC; takes inspiration The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag, Silent Hill 2, Silent Hill 3, and other sci-fi, fantasy and horror titles, as well as original concepts, such as the science and lore of the galaxy.)

[In order of appearance] Characters: Faith Lawson (TBA; self-insert), Oliver Queen (Green Arrow), Dinah Lance (Black Canary), Cissie King-Jones (Arrowette), Emiko Queen (Red Arrow), Barbara Gordon (Batgirl), Ra's al Ghul, Jason Todd (Red Hood), Roy Harper (Arsenal).

Word Count: 6706 (Ah, hey! Some consistency! I wonder how long this will laaaast!🙃) 9472 (NEVER MIND CONSISTENCY WITH THE NEW VERSION OF THIS CHAPTER. AND THAT IS A-O-KAY.)

Content warning: None, I think? Let me know if I'm wrong!

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9

Oliver stood by Faith as she held a simple black bow for adolescents. She had asked him how to hold it, as she hadn't really learned how, just from watching people, and so Oliver had helped with that, and told her how to not hit her face with the string. Faith had drawn the string without instruction just fine, but her arms were loose. Oliver hadn't told her about it, as he said she'd do her first draw without help. Faith looked at the wooden target on the wall. Her eyes drifted a little to the right, then back to center, and her hands were going the opposite way.

She heaved a sigh. Oliver inhaled to ask what was on her mind. He saw Faith's eyes focus on the center circle, the muscles of her arms becoming taut as her aim slowly went in the right direction, but a little bit high. Faith released, her aim going down about three inches. The arrow landed about an inch below the bullseye.

"Oh! Wow, I actually corrected myself a little by thinking about what you do, in the comics and TV show." Faith said, relaxing her arm a little, but not lowering the bow, as Oliver fetched the arrow and replaced in the black quiver on Faith's back.

'Ah, and she's not lowering the bow right after, nice.' "Well, it worked out pretty all right." Oliver said. "Uh, well, try again! See if you can do better, without my help, and then I'll chime in."

"OK!" Faith bent her right arm over its shoulder and grabbed an arrow.

'Lucky her, with how her arms bend due to her dwarfism, and that they're at an OK length to grab things. It seems as if she has no issue taking arrows from a quiver on her back.' Oliver thought. Faith drew the string, her eyes finding and staying on the centre easily this time. 'Good, and?' Her arm was tense, and she seemed to be aiming a little bit high and to the right, this time. 'OK, not bad. Let's see the release?' A couple of seconds later, Faith let go, her aim slightly lowering and going more to the right. The arrow struck the upper left of the bullseye, about a centimetre into the white.

"Oh! That was OK, too." Faith relaxed her arm as she had done before, again. Oliver retrieved the arrow, and put it in Faith's quiver again.

"Yeah, that wasn't horrible, either. Are you sure you've never done this before?"

"Yeah, I'm sure."

"Hm. Well, let's keep going. You're actually scarily close to getting it, on your first two tries, are you sure you're not using magic?" Faith nodded. "W-We didn't go over it, but you're not using magic, right?"

"No, I'm not using magic. You'd see white-blue light in my right hand, or neon orange light in my left hand, if I was."

"Huh, OK. Also, nice job on not lowering the bow when relaxing your arm, when you're still wanting to use the bow."

"Oh! I just did that naturally. Good to know. Anyway, here we go again!" Faith said.

The door lock beeped, and the door opened as Faith drew, tensed, looked at the bullseye. Her arm went a bit lower than it had, the last time. 'A bit too low, about a centimetre again.' Oliver pondered. 'But her aim is perfect. Is she seriously about to hit bullseye on her third try?'

While three pairs of footsteps quietly progressed through the room, Faith loosed the arrow, the natural motion of her arm moving her aim up half a centimetre. The arrow struck centre. "Aaaa!" Faith cried, happily. Oliver's mouth was ajar, as were the mouths of Dinah, Cissie and Emiko. "Wait, seriously?!"

"Did she really do that?!" Cissie exclaimed.

Oliver walked to the target to examine. "You are forty-percent on the mark, Faith." He pulled the arrow, and walked over to put it in Faith's quiver.

"Woo hoo, I hit it!" Said Faith.

"Woo hoo!" Cissie said.

"High-five, girl!" Dinah said, right palm extended. Faith slapped it with her left hand. Cissie also wanted a high-five, and Faith gave it to her. As the girls did so, Oliver held up three fingers on his left hand. Dinah mouthed, 'Three tries?' And left her mouth open further than she had, when Faith hit the mark. Oliver nodded.

"Hi, Emiko!" Faith greeted.

"Hi, nice to meet you." Emiko replied.

"Faith, you did that in three tries!" Dinah said, amazed.

"THREE?!" Cissie said. "I'm sorry, what?!"

"Same, girl, same." Faith said, in a slightly country voice, and chuckled once.

"Well, kh, keep going! It'll only get easier from here, right?"

"That's right." Oliver said. Faith nodded, and prepared her bow and arm. She loosed the arrow, and it landed on the red again, but a bit higher, at the left corner.

"Kuh!" Faith remarked. "Um!"

"'Um!'" Oliver echoed. "'Um!' what, Faith? You're a natural." He patted her right shoulder, and sat on the edge of the extended desk area, Faith seeing the other Arrows nodding.

Faith made a face by pulling her cheek muscles to their sides. She removed her left hand from her bow, lowering the bow, now only held in her right hand, and she raised her left hand. A black holographic HUD with white text and details appeared. "Hey, SOFFFIAA?"

"Yes, Faith?" Said an alto with an Northern Indian accent.

"Please tell me that my author-self on Earth-33 isn't cheating, and that I'm indeed not using magic, and please be honest."

Two seconds passed. "I can confirm. Your author-self is not cheating. You are actually performing this task, and you are not using magic."

"OK! Thank you."

"You're welcome." Faith lifted her right arm and moved her left hand back into place on the bow.

"Had to ask a friend, did you?" Emiko said.

"Yeah, my friend Chandra's Dragon Persona is part Android, and she's integrated in the TSRPG app. I have a Dragon Persona too, but Chandra is five-stories tall, and I'm only as big as a large gazebo."

"A large gazebo. No specifications?"

"Uh, not without asking SOFFFIAA to look it up. I haven't written measurements down in the lore, for that Persona."

"That's fair. Sorry, continue." Emiko said. Faith nodded, and turned her attention and body to the target. She prepared, and after about five seconds, released. It struck the white above the bullseye, the top of the arrow barely in the red. "Not bad."

"Yeah, a little bit high, that time, Faith." Said Oliver.

"Still, for four attempts, that's good." Said Cissie.

"Really good." Oliver said, nodding with furrowed brows. Faith continued, having similar results, three times, and landing on the outer red circle to the lower right the fourth time.

"Aw-awww!" Cissie said. Emiko clicked her tongue.

"Man!" Faith said, giggling. Dinah chuckled with her.

"Not a bad streak, for day one." Cissie said.

"Oh yeah, that's decent, for sure." Emiko said.

"Tired yet, Faith?" Oliver asked.

"Nah, not yet."

"Well, when you want to be done, we can go back to physical, if you're up for it. Still got most of the day to burn."

"Sure! You said you had an idea of how to get me actually moving again, so I'd love to try."

"O-kay!" Oliver said, nodding firmly with a small smile. Faith nodded back, smiling a little too.

Oliver had arranged three unpainted wooden blocks on a thick black mat with gaps that increased in distance by a foot, then two. Faith stood at the end of the first block, her eyes bouncing up onto the object and onto the floor several times, Oliver observing. "You're overthinking it." He said.

"Oh, I overthink everything." Said Faith. "I've always needed help to simplify not just my actions, but my perspective on others and myself. That's actually why my subconscious and dream world is so intense. I was unable to let things go because my foster parents spoiled me, and then neglected me after giving me Benadryl and putting me in the crib for bad behaviour." Oliver hummed, unpleased. "I wasn't well-fed by them, either. But, yeah. If you can just explain to me how to simplify the thought, and remind me of what jumping and running feels like, it'll become natural again. It's like me at my retail job, learning all the stuff. I'm a keyholder, so I get to do things."

"Oh, so you're familar with responsiblity."

"Yeah, but even that took years. I was fifteen when my mom slapped me, pulled my hair and called me a cow for being mean to my little brother for so long. It took, like, four years after that. The fourth year, I moved out, and began to learn how to be responsible with money. Well, I still make mistakes, but I'm not horrible with it." Oliver hummed. "That being said, it shouldn't be that hard. If it is, it's because I'm too used to the fear," Oliver hummed, nodding several times. "And I'm OK with, er, no, grammar, sorry," Dinah chuckled. "I've accepted that I'm probably going to have an anxiety attack while relearning how to move. I was wanting to remind you of that when I started this little ramble, and so now I have."

"We'll start working on that tomorrow." Dinah said, raspily, while nodding.

"What? Dinah, that was a perfectly fine time to do a bit of exposition." Oliver said.

"I agree." Said Cissie.

"She does this, a lot?" Emiko said.

"Yes." DInah replied.

"Yeah." Cissie and Oliver said.

Emiko said, "I say, let her just do it. It's part of her personality. Well, maybe work on it a little bit."

"That was the idea, yes." Dinah said.

Oliver said, "Thank you, Faith. I'll keep that in mind, and if you need to stop and do some breathing, just do it. I'll stop you from getting hurt beyond general muscle strains that are bound to happen."

"Sounds good! Let's start."

"All- right." Oliver said, a brief pause between each word. He stood to Faith's right, and moved as he described. "So, you know to bend your knees when you jump."

"Yeah, but I think I'm mentally thinking of bending too much."

"How much is too much, to your brain?" Oliver watched Faith bend down to where her hips were, standing upright, her butt pointing diagonally down and left. "Ohhhh, yeah," Oliver politely corrected Faith's position, holding her waist. He rapidly said, "Yeah yeah yeah." At a normal pace, "You want to stand like that." Faith and shut her eyes, and looked to be thinking. "What are you thinking about?"

"It's been a long time, I don't remember ever standing like this."

"Because it used to just come naturally to you. And it will, once we've done this enough times." Oliver said. Faith nodded. "OK, you put weight in your lower legs, like a spring,"

"Right." Faith did so.

"A little less, for now, we're only going up by a foot, Faith."

"Sorry, OK." Faith returned some weight to her torso, her back straightening slightly.

"Yes, there you go. That probably feels better, right?"

"It does, actually!"

"Good. And then you push the weight down, and the rest of you will go up."

"Oh! Oh, OK. My only question is how do I land on both feet? I can try landing on one foot, later."

"You put both feet in front of you, and your body should do the rest."

"Ah, OK. 'Cause I think my legs like to go to their sides."

"Like this?" Oliver spread his legs, feet pointing outwards.

"Yes! Just like that! Why do I always do that, when my knees buckle? It makes every fall really awkward, and hurt."

"Ah, you've got poor balance."

"Very poor, yeah. It's better in my left leg than my right. I can stand for like, five seconds on my left, and two on my right. Which is funny, 'cause my left knee is the one that dislocated." Faith said.

Oliver hummed. "Well, I think we should work on your balance and leg strength, before we get to you jump."

"Sounds good."

"OK. Let's, uh, go over to the leg press, and see how much you can lift. We'll even check how much you can lift with your arms."

"Sure! I've used a leg press before." Faith said, as she and Oliver went to the equipment.

"How much were you able to lift, in school?"

"420 lbs."

Oliver whistled, the other Arrows nodding and humming. "That's a lot!"

"Yeah, I was impressed, too."

"Well, let's see what you can do, now!" Faith sat on the bench with her feet on the pedals, and she and Oliver went through each weight. She couldn't lift 210, but had been able to lift 200.

Faith said, "Eh, I expected as much."

"You are quite a bit below average, for a woman."

"What's the average?"

"258 lbs."

"Oh! Oh, so I had really strong legs!"

"Yeah, you did. Now, let's see how much your arms can lift." Faith began to lift dumbells, and was able to lift sixty-five. "Hm, all right. That's a little below average, too. Average is seventy-four, without training. With almost a year of training, it's 137."

"Oh, so I'm not far behind."

"Mhm. You get your practice in every day, and it shouldn't be too long before you'll have your full strength back, and hopefully then some." Oliver said. Faith nodded. "All right, let's move on to balance, which I actually want to work on with you, today."

"Sure." Faith said.

"Could someone hit the button, please?" Oliver said. Emiko interacted with the computer. As Oliver walked Faith to a series of railings that rose from the floor, platforms attached to the walls that varied in height with tightropes of different lengths and widths of differing materials became visible.

"That's pretty cool."

"Right? OK, let's start over here. Don't worry about falling, I'll catch you. We'll go until you're tired, and then you can do some reps on the equipment."

"Sounds good!"

Oliver walked beside Faith, who walked to the couch, where Dinah sat, with a slight pause, panting, the armpit and neckline of her shirt wet with perspiration. Faith occupied the middle seat, Dinah to her left. "Sorry, hah, do you want me to move over?" Faith said, while Oliver sat in the armchair nearby.

"No, dear, you're fine."

"Oh, hah, 'kay."

"Good work today, Faith." Oliver said.

"Thank you."

Dinah said, "Yeah, you're looking good, for someone who just started training, yesterday."

"Thank you."

"Catch your breath, and Cissie and I will take you home after an errand for groceries, OK?" Dinah said. Faith nodded.

"You should add whatever Faith wants to the cart, too." Oliver said.

"Oh, absolutely."

Faith asked, while looking at the Emiko, "You've got your own ride?"

"Yeah, the rooftops." Emiko said. Faith chuckled, encouraging the others to join.

Oliver said, "Actually, I wanted to know what you want to be called, Faith."

"Oh! I was thinking Dà-ochd."

"That's Gaelic."

"Not bad pronunciation, there, Faith." Dinah commented.

"Thanks. It means Two-eight." Faith said. Oliver and Dinah hummed, nodding differently. Emiko bobbed her head a little, too. "I intended to have it be Double Eight, proper noun, which would have worked if I hadn't capitalised."

"What would it be, then?" Dinah asked.

"Dùbailte ochd."

"Oh, you'd be saying 'eight' twice." Dinah said, as Cissie returned from the bathroom.

"Yep."

Oliver hummed. "Well, it's unique, and seeing as it's a direct reference to Thalassic Space, which is yours, I think it's a good choice."

"I think so, too."

"Sorry, what'd she pick?" Cissie said.

"Dà-ochd." Said Oliver. "Gaelic for Two-eight. Faith had to compromise in translating Double Eight."

"Ooh, I like it!"

"Thanks!"

Oliver stood, and said, "Well, Bruce sent me your measurements, after Zatanna told him you're with us now. I'll get to making your suit right away. Any details you want to add, besides the Double Eight on it, somewhere?"

"Actually, don't put the Double Eight on it."

"No?"

"I've been using a new banner, for this part of the story, on Tumblr."

"Huh?" Emiko said.

"She's also on Earth-33, chronicling her adventures." Dinah said.

"Oh! That's kind of cool."

"The design is by @cafekitsune. I'll describe it to you, and then suggest how to use it."

"Sure. I'm listening."

"On the left is the outline of a blue crescent moon. It's not neon. It's academia toned."

"Academia toned, OK."

"The colour I have in mind is somwhere between dark blue and light blue. You can just ask me to show you, if you don't get it right."

"Sure."

"The hollow part of the moon faces the outline of a orange-gold sun, and to the right is of the sun is an identical crescent moon, and its hollow part faces the sun, too. Between each moon, towards the sun, is a small blue dot, an orange-gold diamond, and another small blue dot."

"Oh OK, I can see that."

"You can take any part of this design and put it on, say, the hood, neckline, sleeves or hems of the top or pants, and if you're feeling fancy, the boots."

"That on the boots would be cool. Any particular style you want the outfit to have?"

"Pirate. Make me look like a pirate." Faith laughed, the others joining. "With ankle boots, a petticoat, a cool butterfly-sleeve blouse, and a waistcoat!"

"O-kay! Ask and you shall receive."

"Are you asking for an eye-patch, too?" Emiko asked.

"Nah, I can just use my hands to be dramatic, when using one magic or the other." Faith said. Oliver wheezed a laugh. Dinah chuckled, and Cissie laughed, Emiko shaking her head.

"You are an odd one, Faith."

"It's almost like my life experiences made me into a clown." Faith replied. Cissie laughed loudly.

"Are you implying that you own a clown costume?"

"Well, I haven't touched my magic Astral Jester Costume to bind it to my body to wear it on command, but yes, I own a clown costume."

Emiko said, breathily. "Wow." The group chuckled and laughed. "How many pieces does it have?"

"Nine. A hat with four sections that have a cluster of jingle bells, a crop top, shorts, cuff-bracelets lined with jingle bells, a choker with a cluster of jingle bells, and hiker shoes with a cluster of jingle bells."

"Why not a converse or tennis shoe?"

"My feet are deformed, so I can't wear flat shoes."

"Ohhhh." Emiko said. Faith removed her right foot from her shoe. "Oh! That looks painful."

"When colliding against obstacles, yes, it's very sensitive."

"Batman measured your feet, too." Oliver said.

Faith nodded. "Yeah, I remember. It was just this morning, after all."

"All right, I'll get to work drawing some ideas, and I'll get back to you on that, Faith."

"Thank you, Ollie."

"You're welcome."

"Shall we go, ladies?" Asked Dinah. The girls said words of agreement while Dinah and Faith rose from the couch. As Cissie, Emiko and Faith went to the door, Dinah pecked Oliver on the lips, who repeated the action, both smiling. Dinah went to the door, which Emiko held open, then Emiko shut the door, which locked itself. Oliver sat at the desk, turned on the drawing tablet, and began to work.

10:34 PM.

"Goodnight, Faith." Dinah said, quietly, walking beside Oliver to the master bedroom as Faith began to close the door to the guest room while entering.

"Have a good sleep!" Oliver added.

"Goodni-ight." Faith replied, tiredly. She closed the door, removed her underwear and shirt, put her pyjama pants back on, and crawled into bed. She plugged in her wired earbuds, opened YouTube and played the pirate tavern ambience she had listened to at Wayne Manor, turning her phone off to save power, the track still playing due to her Premium subscription. She reached to the nighstand for the TicTacs she bought during the errand run, popping one into her mouth and exhaling as she sank into her new grey maternity pillow.

Several minutes passed, then her phone vibrated. Faith groaned and double tapped her phone to wake up the screen. The Messenger icon was there. Unfortunately, she couldn't preview the message from her lock screen, so she pressed and held the icon, unlocked her phone, and the app opened to the chat. Faith read the top of the UI and batted her lashes in surprise. It was Barbara. Faith pursed her lips into a frown, upon reading the first sentence, flicking her lips up as she read the last sentence.

BARBARA: Hon, I'm sorry for dumping dishwater on you. I know you take things very personally, and I heard from Dinah that we *really* scared you (and that you hit bullseye on your third try! Wow!!). As the senior-most Batgirl, it's my duty to speak with you, the promising girl we expected to be the next Batgirl, about what happened today. This is going to take a few messages, so please bear with me. [Faith liked this message.]

BARBARA: Thank you.

Faith bobbed her head in agreement numerous times as she read the next message. She whispered, "Thank you." Upon reading the fourth sentence.

BARBARA: We acted on our anger instead of talking with you. I know that you know that, I just wanted one of us to admit it, sooner rather than later. You said you wouldn't have acted on your inappropriate desires while with us. I believe you, and I forgive you. I won't speak on their behalves, but I think Dick and Tim have forgiven you as well. You were trying to live on, with shame literally stuck in your mind, and we slammed the door in your face instead of letting you stay when you needed friends.

BARBARA: I think we all can make an accurate guess of what part of you Dohannar represents. No offense regarding your preferences in fantasy people, your cat anthropomorph family was fascinating and lovely to meet. It was unfortunate for *everyone* that the thoughts you never wanted to act while part of us were exposed, so easily.

Faith gasped after reading the last sentence of the following text, and said in an upwards climbing tone, "She knows my name!" 'Dinah must have told her. The others probably know it by now, too.'

BARBARA: You should stay with the Arrows to finish your training. I hope it goes as well as it did, today. Truly, I do. If you're in need of someone to talk to, or you want some more Batfamily-style training, I'd be glad to help. I think Dick and Tim would be willing, too. Maybe take Jason's rather harsh advice and stay out of Gotham for a couple of months, until you're ready to meet the world as Dà-ochd, OK?

BARBARA: Oh, and you may now respond! 😜

FAITH: Thank you. ❤️❤️❤️ I will definitely stay here until I'm ready LOL. Jason is a big guy, and he's got guns! 😰

BARBARA: Valid, LOL not to mention Damian has a sword, and Tim had to get Stephanie to stop prattling about how she wanted to beat you up!😬

FAITH: Yeah, yikes!

FAITH: I'm guessing Bruce left immediately to let his anger out.

BARBARA: Yep. Nothing from him, yet. You probably won't, until he's talked with Oliver and Dinah about how things are going with you (I think that's already happened a little bit today, and they'll probably meet tomorrow to talk some more), and some time has passed.

FAITH: I'm OK with that. 😊 He's not exactly a puzzle, he just has a way of doing, like, everything.

BARBARA: True, very true.

FAITH: Also, I've been thinking hardcore in the background, and I think I'm actually aceflux demisexual?

BARBARA: Oh, all right! If that makes more sense to you, then that's all good! 😁

FAITH: Thanks, Barbara.

BARBARA: ❤️

FAITH: TBH, I almost keep typing Babs aflkasjflds it's two less syllables so my brain is like, "Ah, yes! A shortcut!" I was trying not to make that mistake IRL because I know only Dick calls you that.

BARBARA: LOL. Yes, that name is something that Dick likes to call me, and he and I are exclusive, and I think you're aware of that.

FAITH: Yep! I just wanted to bring it up, 'cause it was like a dog that needed to drag its ass on the carpet LOL

BARBARA: LOL. Ewwww!

FAITH: I'll stick with Barbara, don't worry. 😜

BARBARA: Thank you, Faith. If you come up with something else that only you use for me, you're welcome to, though! No pressure to come up with it right now. ❤️

FAITH: Yeah, I think that'll take a bit of thinking LOL.

BARBARA: Well, I know it's your bedtime, and you've probably taken your meds (you *have* taken them, right?), so I'll let you sleep. We can chat in the morning, if you want. Aaaand you might have apology messages from Dick and Tim to respond to.

FAITH: Yes, I took my meds and am in bed, listening to my favourite pirate tavern ambienc, which funnily enough has no actual pirate sounds.

BARBARA: LOL

FAITH: The visuals are of a galleon at full-mast on the water near the tavern. Pretty sure it's AI. But I like that it has the ocean and boat creaking. The crickets get a bit annoying, and apparently the bird songs are from morning birds LOL. More evidence that it was made by AI. Which sucks, because it's otherwise perfect!

BARBARA: Aw, is that the only one you like?

FAITH: No, it's not the only thing I have in my Sleep Playlist. Here, lemme share it.

[FAITH shared a link.]

FAITH: The video right after the pirate tavern I like, the medieval fishing village with visuals of a stone port, verandah and schooner, has quieter crickets and ocean sounds again. And I believe none of it was made by AI! Both work fine, and so do the playlist entries after it. I usually only listen to the pirate tavern and fishing village videos, which I have downloaded.

BARBARA: Hm! Well, so long as you know what works for you, hon.

FAITH: Anyway! Sleep time! Thanks again, Barbara. Goodniiiight! ❤️

BARBARA: Goodnight, Faith. ❤️

Faith closed Messages, returned to YouTube, and turned off her phone, tucking it under the two stacked normal pillows against the headboard. She relaxed her arms, legs, and face muscles, sighed deeply whlie closing her eyes, and let her mind sink into the bed until she was asleep. Oliver and Dinah, reading books with the nightstand lamps on, heard soft snoring coming from the closed door of the guest room. Oliver chuckled once with his chest, and Dinah scoffed with light laughter.

"Someone was tired." Dinah said.

"Oh yeah. It's only her second day of training, too."

"Oh, yes. We should get some sleep too, so we can be ready with her." Said Dinah. Oliver hummed in agreement as the couple put down the novels, turned out the lights, and settled down.

Zatanna fell asleep too, and sought Faith. She found Faith, wearing a beautiful multi-coloured brown skirt and a brown tank-top with pretty crochet work, sing and dance with tavern-goers. Beyond the docks was the ocean, held by the crescent shaped land. Zatanna glanced behind her to see a well-built pirate town, in good condition, a jungle farther that way, and to Zatanna's right, up on a hill, a white mansion. Zatanna's left hand vibrated like a cellphone. She looked to see a holographic black HUD with white details. SOFFFIAA had sent a new message, and Zatanna clicked the notification to navigate.

SOFFFIAA: Hello, Zatanna! Welcome to the Dream World on Paper, where the deceased, comatose and lucid dreamers of Thalassic Space are free to adventure, play and participate in romantic scenarios otherwise impossible to them in real life.

SOFFFIAA: You are currently in a recreation of Great Inagua from "Assassin' Creed IV: Black Flag" called White-Sun Harbour. It is one third of the Realm of Tree Peoples, but I think you already know that! If you would like, you may read as much lore about Thalassic Space from the TSRPG app while dreaming, thanks to your new connection to Santa's Snowglobe Room, where all of the galaxy's information is archived.

SOFFFIAA: I noticed you were looking the tavern (Please note that alcohol consumption is not required to attend the fun!), and spotted Faith Lawson, the Great Little Starwriter. I am glad that she is your friend and future pupil, as she is my lady-in-waiting with the honourable title of Court Jester. While I expect you to approach her, you may also to visit Captain Arles, who I believe is in the mansion, looking over her collection of maps, or to explore other areas of the Realm, which have access points to other regions of the Dream World on Paper. Take care, Zatanna!

"Thank you." Zatanna said, relaxing her hand, noting that she only needed to start curling her fingers to dismiss the hologram. Zatanna exhaled, raised her cheeks to smile, and walked to the tavern. Some of the revellers glanced at her. "Faith!" She called. Faith paused her dancing and vocals, and turned her body left to see Zatanna.

"Zatanna! Hi, welcome!"

"Would you like to do some training with me, while we're in an optimal place for practice?"

"Sure! Let's go to the grassy area just in front of the jungle, for now."

"Sure!" The magician and dreamer began to walk. The window of the guest bedroom was silently opened. Ra's al Ghul entered. His eyes thirsted for Faith, although she wore pants, the blanket didn't cover her left ass cheek.

Ra's pulled down Faith's pyjama pants to reveal her ass, and Faith felt this in the dream. "Oh. Let's do this tomorrow, Zatanna. I think I have a villain to fuck. Consensually. Trust me, or call Oliver." Then Faith was gone.

"Faith? Faith! Ohhhh no." Zatanna forced herself awake, and called Oliver.

Ra's paused while Faith stirred. As she began to look over her left shoulder, Ra's used his hands to cover her nose and mouth. Oliver heard his phone ring, pried opened an eye, and saw the caller ID. He struck out his right arm to grab and answer the phone as he instantly sat up and hurried to the hallway. "Wait, wait!" Faith cried, under Ra's' hand. She leaned on her right ribs, arms reaching in the air for Ra's.

"No. No, we're done, Faith."

Oliver popped open the door and rushed in. Ra's turned and rose from the bed. Faith let out a loud grunt as she lunged forward, grabbd Ra's' waist, and burrowed with her face to lick under the hem of his shirt. Ra's paused. Oliver socked him in the face. "Guh! Could you wait a moment, Mr. Queen?"

"Sure! Just don't make any sudden movements."

Ra's tilted his head down to look at Faith, stroking her hair with his left hand. "Now, was that so hard, Faith?"

"I'm sorry." Faith said, nuzzling into his hand and Ra's playing with her hair and face in response. "I didn't expect my command to actually work, or the ritual, and then for you to find me, a-and I panicked when you forced yourself on me when you came to my apartment. Can we just... go somewhere else to do this? And then you can leave me alone, and be finished, like we all want?"

"Do I get to keep your child?" Ra's gripped Faith's chin and looked in her eyes.

"You want me to die from a high-risk pregnancy?"

"Your life has no value to me, Faith."

"But you keep pursuing me, and I keep letting you get this close to me. Either I die trying to give you a human baby,"

"What about a dragon baby?"

"There's no magic O-type star here. It wouldn't survive."

"I'm sure we could figure something out."

"No, Ra's. That's an absolute. The O-star is why there are dragons in Thalassic Space."

"Did you just make that up?"

"No, it's real." Faith said. Ra's sighed tiredly and dropped his hand.

"I don't want you."

"Ra's, record it. Dangle my lust for you, a villain, above the heads of people who will hate me and depend on me, in the future."

"You want me to blackmail you?" Ra's sounded intrigued.

"Does that sound fair, since you're going to threaten my life just by fucking me?"

Ra's turned his lips upwards. "Yes, that will suffice."

"Thank you. Now, can we please go somewhere else?"

"Hmph. Yes. I know where to take you." Ra's looked at Oliver. "I'll have her back in the morning, eight o'clock."

"Sounds good." 'I know he won't bring her back, but complacency is required. Hopefully, Faith can hold on until we get her out.' Oliver then said to Faith, "Stay safe." Faith nodded. Oliver left the room, closing the door.

"Grab my shoulders. I'll carry you there."

The alley that Ra's descended into was uncondtionally narrow. Ra's made two steps to a dark grey door with a spyhole. He knocked five times, paused, then three times. Three seconds passed. The door opened, the only part of its operator visible dark hair, tan skin, Asian eyes and a black blouse.

Ra's stepped inside, and as the door master shut the door, Ra's knelt to let Faith down. He held her right wrist tightly and bent with his chest, and made eye contact. He said, "Keep your eyes to the floor and don't say anything, unless you want trouble." Faith nodded.

'Yeah, he's just gonna sell me, isn't he?' Faith thought. They slowed as they came to a door, to the left of the large main room, and one of the men outside the door knocked and spoke Japanese to the person inside. The person, a man, replied, then the door was opened, and Ra's walked Faith inside, the door closing behind them. Whlie Ra's talked with the man, in Japanese, Faith kept her eyes lowered.

"You have not made an appointment, al Ghul. Who is this?" Said the man. "She has nice boobs and beautiful hair, and she is short, but she has too much meat on her legs and stomach. Not many of my customers will like her."

"This is Faith. She's twenty-four years old, and a virgin. She's a metahuman who can become a dragon. She denied me what was promised to me, and I no longer want her. I want 100 thousand dollars for her."

"If she's a dragon, then she's a risk to this establishment. I refuse."

"She is mortal. You shoot her with a gun, she dies. You cut her with a knife, she dies. 100 thousand dollars."

The man rose from his chair, walked around, and gripped Faith's chin, rudely forcing her to look at him. Faith estimated the man to be in his late fifties with a average height, but large hands and firm chest and arm muscles. His black hair was cut short, his dark eyes and nose unremarkable, and his round face had a good jawline. He wore a white-silver dress jacket, a white carnation corsage, a tan shirt with a komodo dragon scale pattern and black hem-work, black trousers, and black dress shoes.

"Smile." Said the man, in English. "With your teeth." Faith did as asked. He forced her face to whip down and leftwards as he stepped in front of Ra's and spoke angrily in Japanese to Ra's. "Her teeth are rotten!"

"They aren't that bad." Ra's responded cooly.

The man said to Faith, "Why are you teeth so ugly, girl? Huh? Are you too lazy to brush your teeth? Do you have no job, so you can't go to a dentist?"

"I usually don't have energy to brush my teeth."

"Argh!" The man scrambled his hands near his chest.

"And whenever my dentist appointment comes around, I don't have money because I need it for food and other personal things."

"Oh, like what?" The man cross his arms.

"I spend money on birthdays, too."

The man flourished his right arm. "What, do you buy presents for your whole family, all year 'round?"

"No, just my mom and brother. Personal things like household items and hygenic things, plus leisure."

"Well, it's a good thing you're so ugly, so you can spend all of your money on yourself, huh?" The man bent to level his face with Faith's, and spit in her face as he said, "Huh!?"

"Yamagata-san. If you don't want her, I'll find another buyer. She has a pale, round face, beautiful, big green eyes and thick hair. Don't you think Lei-Xiānshēng would like to have her?"

Yamagata's face became deep red. "Ra's al Ghul, I ought to put a bullet in your head for sayin the name of that swine."

"Do you want the girl, or not?"

Yamagata was silent for several seconds. "You want 100 thousand for her?"

"That's right."

Yamagata addressed Faith. "Are you really a dragon metahuman?"

Faith sighed. 'If I lie, it'll be worse.' "Yes."

"I would ask you to show me, but that would give you a chance to escape."

"I... I don't want to. Look, I want to accept responsibility for how I treated Ra's. This is the least I can do."

"Ha. Ha ha!" Yamagata looked at Ra's. "Ha ha ha ha! Aha ha ha ha ha, ha ha ha ha ha ha! This little bitch is crazy!" Yamagato looked back at Faith. "This is the last thing you're going to do, Miss Lawson. You've just given Ra's al Ghul permission to sell you to a Japanese sex club! At least you're not my only white-faced girl, bwa ha ha!"

Ra's said, "Yamagata-san. You want her. She has anxiety, depression, and assumedly PTSD. Like I said, she's a virgin. Surely one of your sons will think Faith is worthy of his attention."

Yamagata was briefly speechless, his eyes thoughtful as they looked at Ra's' face. He smiled. "You have a deal, Ra's."

"Excellent." Ra's said, donning a similar grin.

Faith thought, 'Uh-oh. That's not a good smile. I don't have to go through with this, I can transform or use magic at any time. I am the O-type star of Thalassic Space. But I also want to be done with this. I don't want my virginity and my hormones to get in the way, anymore.'

Yamagata went to the right side of his desk and interacted with the framing of a portrait of a Japanese girl in a bikini seated mermaid-style on a beach. The portrait swung open, and Yamagata fiddled with a safe. He opened it, grabbed cash, put it in a black suitcase stored in the cabinets behind the desk, and gave the suitcase to Ra's. The men had a firm handshake. "A pleasure, al Ghul."

"As always, Yamagata-san." Ra's turned and left the room without another glance or word to Faith.

Yamagata took hold of Faith's arms and turned her to the door. "Let's get you ready, little dragon." He forced her to walk out of the office, and Faith seized the opportunity to look at the main room. It was a club with dark purple and pink lighting, and ample seating space made of black polyester and black leather with glass coffee tables and side tables with black frames. In the middle of the area was an area for dancing, beyond it a bar, against the left wall, to the right of the bar black table sets with matching chairs. To the right of the back seating space, the ceiling extended higher, and there were dancing poles with seating and tables, and black stairs to an upper area.

'It's empty!' Faith's mind remarked. 'I'm guessing they're closed, even though it's Monday, because Yamagata's sons aren't home.'

"Curiosity killed the cat, Miss Faith." Yamagata said.

"Sorry." Faith replied, moving her eyes to the floor.

"No, you're not."

"I'm Canadian."

"And too willing to share personal details. You'll be lucky if you live to see the morning." Yamagata said. They went left, past the furniture, into a door on the same wall as the office, and the six woman inside all turned their attention to Yamagata. The walls were white and the floors black oak hardwood.

Closest and left of the door was a kitchen with a stainless steel kitchen sink, stove-oven and microwave, and a small white marble counter space with a white cabinet and cupboard. A black table set with four matching chairs was nearby, then two black polyester sofas, an armchair and a loveseat. A 62" TV screen positioned to the left wall where the living area furniture was placed played a Japanese daytime talk show. The TV stand containing a DVD player, gaming consoles, and its vertical shelves held a collection of discs and game controllers. Two Japanese women occupied the couch, and a young woman, sat on the armchair.

'She's white passing, like one of my Homestuck friends. Nice.' Faith thought.

Against the wall after the living area furniture were two vanity desks, the rightmost occupied by a young Black Japanese woman. A pair of white dressers, a walk-in closet, and two black bookshelves with novels, manga, comics, magazines and framed photos were on the wall to the right of the door. Against the wall behind the living area were two queen sized mattresses with black and white bedding, and two Japanese girls, visually the youngest, laid on the rightmost bed. Both had long, black hair and dark eyes. The one closest to the foot of the bed wore red lingerie, and the other wore hot pink. The outer sides of each bed had a black nightstand with a black lamp.

Faith batted her eyes upon observing the room, and how the girls were relaxed. 'Wow. I'm actually impressed!'

Yamagata said, "Clean her up. Have her pick a name in Japanese. Ask what her favourite colour is. I want her to look extra skimpy for Henjin."

'Henjin? Never heard of that name before.' In Faith's mind, stories and characters enlightened her of the truth. 'Oh. It's a nickname. For one of his sons. For the sexual, social outcast of his sons, who likes ugly virgins he can manipulate easily, because no one else wants them. For me, it's not that I'm visually ugly. I've had boyfriends, although three out of four were online. My heart is ugly. And so is Henjin's, by the sound of it.'

"Yes, Yamagata-san." The women answered as Faith let out a shallow breath, and Yamagata looked at Faith.

Faith whispered, "Oh, I'm fucked."

Yamagata saw her expression and smirked. "You had better wisen up, Faith. Henjin doesn't like ugly girls who don't know their place." He chuckled and exited the room, shutting the door.

One of the women seated on the couch got to her feet, and came to Faith. "Do you speak Japanese?" The woman had shoulder-length hair and wispy bangs, and dark eyes. She wore a dark orange shirt, jeans and black converse.

Faith recognised the sentence from watching anime and Youtube, but shook her head. "I can if I cheat."

"Cheat?" Lightly accented.

"I'm a metahuman. I can become a dragon."

"And Yamagata-san agreed to hire you?"

"Ra's al Ghul brought me here." All movement paused. The TV and a the TikToks of the girls on the bed were all that could be heard. "Long story short, we had a shared wet dream. I'm from Earth-33."

"I-I was scared, I didn't think my command in the dream for Ra's to learn how to reach me using a liminal space from my jumpscare girl Persona would work! I-I just thought it was a very lucid dream, like the sex we had!" Faith said.

The woman in the orange shirt hummed.

The young woman on the armchair had strawberry blonde hair to her waist, heavy sectioned bangs, and rich brown eyes. She wore a white, strapless dress with a tinge of pink, pale pink chiffon and soft yellow stars decorating the front. She asked, in English, "Did he take your virginity?"

"While that wasn't the first time I've had sex in a dream, yes, I'm a virgin." Faith said. "After he grabbed one of my magic items from my dragon tomb, he found the door to my apartment in that liminal place and forced himself upon me while I was still asleep."

The woman, and the other on the couch, with a bleached silver pixie cut, and light brown eyes, clicked their tongues. "Oh, that's scary!"

"That's also why I rejected Ra's. I panicked and ordered the liminal space to hold him while I packed a bag. I thought he would just bring me home. He brought me to━" 'Nope, can't say Wayne Manor.' Faith had paused, and swayed, feigning that she was tired, but she actually was, since it was nighttime and she was supposed to be asleep, so it became a genuine motion. The woman in front of her steadied Faith with her arms, and brought her to sit on the vacant bed, together. "The Batcave, and he threatened to kill me in front of Batman." 'That's essentially true.' Faith thought.

"Ra's cut himself with the item he stole, thinking it would give me control of the liminal space, and creatures from the space took him into a room to rough him up. I ordered the creatures to go home, and I sent Ra's into a door to his home. Batman and I knew he wouldn't stop pursuing me. So, I started training with him and the Batkids."

The women on the couch and armchair and the woman at the vanity desk gasped. "Cool!" Said the woman on the couch. Faith giggled.

"Hey, I know what you said!" Faith said. The seated girls giggled, and so did the ones on the bed. "This morning, I opened a portal to the outside of my dragon tomb to claim my powers and items to me,"

"Wait, really?" Muttered the girl in black lingerie on the bed, turning her head to look at Faith. She had long black hair with curtained bangs, and dark blue eyes.

"I think she's serious about her being a dragon!" Said the girl in red lingerie. She had long black hair, choppy bangs, and mid-brown eyes.

"And I went inside with the Batkids, Batman, Wonder Woman and Zatanna, who had come along on behalf of the League and because Zatanna was going to help me with my magic."

"Waaa!" Said the girl in red lingerie.

"That's so cool!" Said the girl in black lingerie.

"Lucky!" Said the Black Japanese girl. She had chest length locks and dark eyes, and wore a black version of the dress the strawberry blonde wore with bright blue chiffon and vivid green stars.

"But one my friends guarding the final room, who was my lover in a past life, exposed me for liking some of the Batkids, and they freaked out, 'cause I'd become part of their family."

"Did you expect that?" Said the strawberry blonde.

"The reaction to be disgust and shock? Yes. For it to be as drastic as it was, or to be revealed by someone other than me? No."

"Ah."

"I walked back with Wonder Woman and Zatanna in the darkness left by Batman's cape, and that wasn't fun for my anxiety."

"Oop." Said the Black woman.

"The Batkids punished me for my betrayal of trust. One dumped dishwater with bacon grease on me, one gave me a nasty bunny plush, and the one with a sword was going to hurt me before Batman stopped him."

"Damn!"

"I'm sorry they bullied you instead of just talking." Said the woman in the orange shirt. The woman on the couch nodded.

"Batgirl did text me, tonight, apologising. She thinks Nightwing and Red Robin have forgiven me, too."

"But not the rest?"

"No. I wouldn't expect them to."

"Soooo, Wonder Woman and Zatanna brought you here?" Said the Black woman.

"They asked me if I wanted to go to a homeless shelter or help, and I chose help. So, yes they brought me here, to Green Arrow. After he was caught up, he accepted me, and my apology, and why I wouldn't have acted on those desires, and especially don't want to, now."

"They scared you pretty good, huh?"

"Yeah, it wasn't fun."

"Well, at least a few of 'em had it in their hearts to forgive you."

"Oh yeah, big time. Everything was fine, until tonight. I had just met Zatanna in the dream world to do some training when I felt Ra's start to take off my pants." The women all grumbled and tsked.

"Oh, we're sorry." Said the woman in the orange shirt.

"He didn't manage anything, though. We struggled for a few seconds before Green Arrow came in the room, just as I hugged Ra's, and that made him pause. I told him "sorry", and the truth about why I didn't submit to him, and I asked him to take me somewhere to fulfill my promise. Green Arrow allowed it because Ra's said he'd bring me back in the morning. I figured he was lying, and I know Green Arrow knew it, for sure."

"Sounds like you've had a rough past few days." Said the woman in the orange shirt. Faith nodded. "What's your name?"

"Faith." The girl in red lingerie began to quietly practice the name.

"Faith. You know what that is in Japanese, don't you?"

Faith nodded, a little smile on her face. "信仰 (Shinko)."

"Yes, Shinko. My name is Jennifer, in English. It's directly from my Japanese name, 純粋な (Junsuina). You can call me Jennie." Faith nodded. "We've got Sekine, on the couch," Sekine waved, and Faith returned the gesture. "That's Kiki,"

"Hi-i!" Said Kiki.

"Hi!" Faith replied. "White passing, right?"

"Yes, I'm white passing."

"Cool! I like your dress!"

Kiki tilted her her head, batting her lashes. "Thank you! I made it myself!"

"That's Hamako, at the vanity,"

"Hi, girl! You can call me Leia, when we're not out in the club, 'kay!"

"Yes, OK!" 'I'll call her that in my head, too.'

"I made the designs Kiki and I are wearing."

"Oh, nice! Both versions are good!"

"Aw, thank you!"

"Thank you!" Said Kiki.

Jennie said, "And on the bed, in red, is Mai."

"Hello, Faith-chan!"

"And Fuga is wearing black."

"Welcome to One Night Fever!" Said Fuga. "一夜の熱 (Ichiya no Netsu)!"

"Ooh, that's a good name for a nightclub." Faith said.

"Noooo!"

"Noooooo!" Mai added.

"It's such a bad name!"

"It's so cringe! It was named by a nineteen year old boomer named━"

"Yamagata Jin!" Mai and Fuga laughed heartily. The others girls and Faith laughed along.

Jennie said, "You probably already know this, but sex work is dangerous."

Faith nodded more. "Yes, I know from listening to active and retired sex workers, online."

"It's especially dangerous in spaces owned by men like our boss, Yamagata-san. You're in the sex working circle, now. And Henjin, the nickname of Yamagata-san's youngest boy, who Yamagata-san wants to meet you, will bring you further into the pit, if he likes you. If Henjin doesn't, you'll get a harsh slap on the face, and his penis up your ass while you suck on the dick of one of his buddies, and the other one rapes your pussy."

Faith cringed her face. "That's not nice."

"No, it's not."

"Sorry," Said Sekine. "But since the Justice League are going to come for you━actually, it's a wonder why they aren't here, already,"

"It might just be the Arrows."

"Oh! Well, what's taking them so long?"

"They might be dealing with the League of Assassins. And no, Ra's no longer has access to the liminal space, the Batkids made sure I fixed that."

"Oh, OK. So then, if this place is going to get busted, where are we going to go?"

"Right, 'cause you're all legitimate sex workers."

"Mhm!" "Yep." The women all said, humming as well.

"I could use my Role as a Cultist of Asherah to help you get new, safe jobs." Mai and Fuga gasped. Faith looked at them, and at the other women, who looked a little hopeful. "Well, "safe" in quotation marks, for the usual reasons, unless you want to leave this galaxy."

"Mm, yeah, no thanks, I think we'll stay here."

"Yeah." Said Sekine. The women all laughed.

"Cult of Asherah?" Said Kiki.

"Yeah, what's that?" Asked Leia.

"There used to be prostitutes outside the Temples of Yahweh, in the very early days of worshipping Yahweh. The Yahwehists didn't like it, and demolished it. We only know they danced around gold painted trees or wooden poles. I've revived it to have importance in my stories in that it educates children and protects sex workers, and women, youth and queer people at risk."

"Oh, that's cool." Said Sekine.

"That's actually really cool. Like, a good idea to work with." Said Leia. "I bet your stories are good."

"Thank you! Been working on Thalassic Space for four years, now."

"Nice!"

"Um, but if the Arrows don't help you, I will. Hell, if I could go around the world, saving people with all of my demigoddess powers, without fear of people calling me Mary Sue or me punishing myself for being too strong by putting myself into horror media that I like, for a night of terror, I'd do it!"

Sekine said, "So you aren't doing it out of fear and to be humble."

"The first of those things, yes, but I wouldn't say it's to be humble. I would call it being fair, and not cheating. Yes, there's some stupidly powerful people, already, but I, I just don't feel like it would be fun to use all of my power. I will, if absolutely necessary, and I have a plan, or just a little bit of an idea, since me improvising with no feedback is how things get messy." Faith said. The women all responded with hums of processing and head bobs.

Faith glanced at the door, then beckoned for Jennie to come closer. Kiki and Sekine perked their ears, Leia tilted her head to listen, and Mai and Fuga turned their heads, too. Faith whispered, "But if you give me a present, declaring it to be for the Goshenite Stargazer Dragon, I can grant you a morally good wish to help you, someone else, or nature, without being a Mary Sue because my Dragon Persona is a wish-granting dragon. Rocks, flowers, gemstones, seeds and saplings, and art of any kind, be it visual, digital or performance."

"Ohhhh." Jennie softly said. Mai and Fuga whispered among themselves.

"My right eye, a magic O-type star, creates, and is a source of magic, and is why the wish-making is possible. I've got two other Personas, but the relevant one is the dragon."

"Wow!"

"Well, you've got our attention, Faith." Said Leia.

"We'll, uh, get back to you on that, tomorrow night." Said Sekine. Faith lifted her cheeks, and nodded. "I'll translate for Mai and Fuga so they get the full picture." Sekine rose from the couch and sat on the bed Mai and Fuga occupied.

"Thanks!" Faith replied, then withdrew her body from Jennie, who draped her right arm behind Faith's back, holding her left arm. At a normal volume, "Now, can we play dress-up for big girls?"

"Oh yes," Jennie said, Sekine, Leia and Kiki laughing with her. "Yes, now we can play dress-up." While walking Faith to the dressers, she said, "What's your favourite colour?"

"Blue! Dark blues, like midnight or navy. Bright blue is nice, too."

"Oh, yes," Jennie said, opening one of the drawers as Faith removed her pyjama pants. "We have both. Your feet look so painful." Jennie said, handing Faith some items.

"Only if I walk or stand for too long. This one," Faith shook her right foot, then removed her pants. "Is really sensitive to being banged against things, though."

"Ooh, I bet. But you can fight?"

"I'm decent, for two days of training, as a person with disability. I should be able to hold my own until I need to use magic, or the Arrows come, and we all go out together."

Jennie nodded firmly. "We'll give you sexy boots. You know that Kiki can sew. She has fabrics of all kinds, so she can make it fit."

"Hell yeah!" Kiki said.

Faith said, "Awesome."

"And, we'll teach you how to act in front of Henjin and the customers for tomorrow night, when the boss' sons are supposed to come home from Japan for a big party, OK?"

Faith nodded. "Well, let's see what fits!"

"Fingers crossed!"

Click emoji to navigate to the next chapter. (To be posted! If you'd like to be tagged in the next chapter, let me know.)

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xxprettylittletimebombxx · 2 years ago

Note

“ but you're here. so stay. “ + “ you know me better than anyone. you always have. “

I could have given you about a hundred more of these because they're so good and the ✨ vibes ✨ but let's go with these two. 🥰

A million years later I am here to (hopefully) deliver the ✨ vibes ✨ 😂

I love these two prompts paired together because there are so many directions one could take them. In the end, I settled for playing around with the idea of Julie and her "boundaries," and came up with a fluffy little missing scene that I envision taking place after The Orpheum. Hope you like it, friend! 💕

A Breach of Boundaries

Pairing: Luke/Julie | Word Count: 1,273 | Rating: G

SUMMARY: “I don’t remember saying I wanted you to leave,” Julie says after a moment.

“I thought it was implied,” Luke replies. “Julie rule number one: ‘boundaries.’ Julie rule number two: ‘stay out of my room.’”

“And here I was thinking you were all about smashing the rules,” she teases.

“I was— I am. But those rules are important to you…and you’re important to me.”

Fic under the cut OR read it on AO3!

Julie knows she should be sleeping. Her bones are practically aching for some much needed rest after one of the longest days she’s ever experienced, and she knows she’ll hate herself a little in the morning if she doesn’t go to bed soon.

The adrenaline of knowing she’d somehow managed to save Luke, Alex, and Reggie had been enough to carry her through the long talk she’d promised to have with Carlos after they’d gotten back from The Orpheum. But that sudden burst of energy had run out about halfway through her little brother’s list of burning questions about the guys and their ghost status. She’d cut Carlos’ interrogation short after that, and while he’d seemed disappointed, his mood had instantly lifted when Julie had not only promised to answer more questions later, but had also promised she’d come and watch him play at his baseball tournament tomorrow.

Carlos had been all too willing to let her retreat to her own bedroom after that. But neither her current exhaustion nor the promise of an early day ahead seem to be enough to lull her to sleep. Not when what Julie really wants to do is to sneak past her dad in the living room and head back down to the studio so she can spend some more time with her newly solid bandmates. Even as she thinks it, she recognizes the thought for the lie it is. Because the truth of the matter is, there’s really only one person she’d been hoping to spend more time with tonight, and he might just be the reason she risks sneaking back out against her better judgement.

It’s Luke who ends up taking the decision to stay or go right out of her hands when he materializes in her bedroom. Julie doesn’t startle like she normally does whenever he poofs in unannounced— too wonderstruck this time over the way Luke had simply appeared in front of her like she’d willed him there herself.

“Boundaries, I know,” Luke says, getting ahead of her. “I just…”

He sighs, trailing off as though searching for the right words. It doesn’t really matter though because Julie doesn’t need him to elaborate. She already knows. Knows because she knows Luke better than anyone. And also because she needs it too. Had needed him near even before he’d poofed up into her bedroom. Because the feeble few moments they’d spent with their hands exploring the features their eyes had long since memorized just hadn’t felt like enough.

There was also a small voice in the back of her head that she’d been trying to ignore ever since she’d left the safe and happy bubble of the studio. A voice that had quietly wondered if she’d still be able to feel him in the morning. Or if the magic of whatever had happened after The Orpheum would have worn off by then. It’s a bleak thought to say the least, and being forced to go back to the way things were at this point seems like it would be the cruelest twist of fate. Especially now that Julie knows what it’s like to really feel him. Now that she knows what it’s like for Luke to really feel her.

The idea of never being able to touch him again is almost too much to bear, so she forces herself to push it aside in an effort to make the most of what she knows to be true in that moment. And what she knows to be true then and there is that they can touch each other now.

“You’re right,” she murmurs. “This…definitely counts as a breach of boundaries…”

Luke’s quick to nod in agreement, the corners of his mouth turned down into a solemn expression of understanding. There’s more Julie wants to say but she doesn’t get the chance.

“Do you want me to leave?”

He whispers it when he says it, and despite the fact that Luke doesn’t move from his spot on the floor, Julie knows he would disappear without protest if she asked him to. Fearing he might even poof out before she gives him an answer altogether, she takes a step toward him, and then another until she’s close enough to reach out and touch him.

She lets out a breath she hadn’t even realized she’d been holding when the pads of her fingers make contact with the back of his hand, the corners of her mouth quirking up into an involuntary smile when Luke instantly flips his hand over so he can slide his palm agains hers.

Julie’s expecting it this time. For Luke to be solid. But she still marvels over the sight of her skin pressed against his. But that’s nothing in comparison to the way Luke effortlessly slips his fingers between hers, stitching them together like the spaces between her own were made just for him. It’s a perfect fit. Just like she always knew it would be. Just like they’re a perfect fit for each other in every single way that matters. But Julie hardly gets a moment to revel in the reality of that before Luke slowly brings their joint hands up just so he can brush a kiss across her knuckles.

The barely there feel of his lips is so achingly sweet, Julie’s knees nearly buckle and give out from under her.

“I mean it Julie,” he says, his breath fanning over the same stretch of skin his lips had just touched. “If you want me to go, I will.”

Distantly, she wonders if Luke can hear her heart beating wildly away beneath her ribs. The thought of the traitorous organ betraying the truth of what she feels for him might have caused her embarrassment once. But now? After knowing what it’s like to nearly lose him forever? It’s hard to remember why she ever felt the need to keep that secret at all.

“I don’t remember saying I wanted you to leave,” she says after a moment.

“I thought it was implied,” Luke replies. “Julie rule number one: ‘boundaries.’ Julie rule number two: ‘stay out of my room.’”

“And here I was thinking you were all about smashing the rules,” she teases.

“I was— I am. But those rules are important to you,” he continues. “And you’re important to me.”

It’s not anything she didn’t already know deep down, but hearing Luke say it steals the air straight out of her lungs all the same. It takes Julie a minute to find her voice again after that, but she makes good use of filling up the silence. Carefully, she reaches her free hand up to cup his cheek, reveling in the way Luke’s eyes flutter shut as he leans into her touch.

“They are,” she agrees. “But so are you. And you’re you’re here. So stay.”

Julie doesn’t say forever like she wants to, but it’s implied in the way her voice cracks on the final word. And in an effort to ensure there’s no more room for inaccurate implications, she rises up onto her toes and presses her lips to his.

She draws back nearly as quick as she’d swooped in so she can gauge Luke’s reaction, but he doesn’t let her get far. Instead, he simply loops the hand in his grasp over one shoulder before wrapping both arms around her in an effort to draw her closer. His eyes hold her own steady gaze as he grins adoringly down at her.

“Okay,” he breathes out.

And then, there’s nothing left for Luke to do but lower his lips back down to hers and return the favor.

#jatp #juke #juke fic #jatp fic #julie molina x luke patterson #y’all there’s so much ✨HANDS✨ in this one I really went back to my roots (sorry not sorry) 😂#ela writes stuff

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realityescapee01 · 2 years ago

Text

That Night

Steo | Stiles x Theo

Getting over the past and some differences, Stiles and Theo decided "to hell with it". Threw caution to the wind. Ignored the judgement of others...

And finally got together.

But Stiles' traits started rubbing off on Theo.

And it drove Theo to not wanna see Stiles for the night.

Stiles jogged down the stairs, loosening his black tie with one hand and fishing out his jeep's keys with his other hand.

He's excited.

To see Theo.

Stiles let out a little laugh.

Him. Excited. To see Theo.

He never thought that day would come. Given Theo's history with the pack. But truth be told, Stiles is attracted to Theo. That was part of him suspecting Theo thing. Suspecting and being attracted to the same person is what Stiles was going through all those months with their chimera problem.

And more things happened, ghost riders, and Theo redemption arc. Scott was very forgiving and took Theo into the pack. The other pack members aren't 100% okay with it.

But Stiles, Stiles threw all inhibitions out and away and because he had lost Theo once. Getting dragged underground. Stiles was miserable.

An now that Theo is back, and still wants him, Stiles just grabbed it. Took what he wanted. For himself. For once. After everything he went through with the supernatural shenanigans.

So, it's been a few months since they got together. Every weekends he'd drive back to Beacon Hills to stay over at Theo's the whole weekend.

Spend the whole weekend with Theo doing... everything he fantasized about.

And he is excited for the thing they're gonna try for tonight.

Stiles sent Theo a message. Telling him how excited he is. The curly fries he missed so much. And the thing they're gonna do before sleeping.

Theo replies a few minutes after. Shooting Stiles down.

-I'm sorry, Stiles, I have something to do tonight. I'm staying out late.-

Stiles stopped the jeep at the side of the road. He read the chat over and over.

"Oh god. Did I-Did Theo finally..." -Stiles was saddened. Stiles was scared.

He was scared that Theo might want him and then when he got him, he'd see how annoying he is and get tired of him.

And this might be it. Stiles admits he was a little too clingy to Theo. But who wouldn't? Have you seen Theo? Especially when he's naked? Who wouldn't get all clingy?

Stiles messaged Theo again.

-Okay. What's happening?-

Theo replied right after.

-I'll meet you tomorrow. I need to do something tonight.-

Stiles hand shook. Do something? Tonight? With who?!? Is Theo seeing someone else?

-Okay. Well, I'm driving straight home then.-

Stiles cursed and thought maybe he shouldn't have been too clingy and pathetic and annoying. Well, at least Theo would tell him in person. So he started driving again.

Stiles didn't even look how fast he was going, he just gotta see Theo and know what the fuck is happening.

He stopped just right in front Theo's house. Jumped off the jeep and ran to the front door.

"Hey, Stiles-" -Theo got tackled back into the house. Holding Stiles just enough to not get them falling to the floor.

"I'm sorry, Theo. Tell me, what is it? Too annoying? Too clingy? Too much Star Wars talk? Who are you seeing tonight?"

"W-What?"

"You're breaking up with me."

"What?!? No! Stiles, why do you think that?"

"You don't want to see me tonight. Don't want me to stay over."

"Yeah, I said that. But not because I'm breaking up with you- which I'm never gonna do. You're stuck with me. Forever."

"Then what are you gonna do tonight?"

Theo smirked and looked away. "You're rubbing off on me. Being dramatic and sentimental."

"What?" -Stiles couldn't understand.

"Tonight... is senior scribe, Stiles."

Theo was still finishing his senior year, being held back and all.

"...Oh." -Stiles remembered.

Remembered how important it was to him. And his friends.

"But Theo, you don't have friends." -Stiles said matter-of-factly.

"Ouch!" -Theo feigned heartache. "I do. Sort of. Some useful, some not. Anyways. I want to attend."

"Because?" -Stiles still wasn't getting it.

"Because I want to write my initials next to yours."

"...Oh." -Stiles started getting teary eyed.

Theo noticed and pulled Stiles into a hug. "This is why I didn't wanna tell you, my melodramatic snow white."

"Theo... are you gonna put a heart on it?"

Theo let out a chuckle. "Do you want me to?"

"Yes." -Stiles said instantly and nodding furiously.

"Okay."

"Take a photo of it." -Stiles broke off from the hug and took Theo's hand. "Come on! I'll drive you to the school!"

Theo kept laughing on their way to Stiles' jeep. And to the school. Stiles looks around started to reminisce his highschool days.

Theo went in and lined up with the others. He looked for the shelf where Stiles wrote on that night.

And when he found it, he started to write his initials with it.

With a heart. Of course. As requested.

Stiles waited for Theo right outside the doors. He was holding his hand out. Waiting for Theo to hand him something over.

Theo smirked and handed him his phone. Stiles got to it and in a few minutes, cleaned it up and gave it back to Theo - now with a new lock screen. He did the same to his own phone.

Stiles smiled widely at Theo. Giddy and bubbly.

"So, you had to put yours on top, huh?" -Stiles looked at it lovingly.

Theo walked closer to him, too close, that his body warmth radiated towards Stiles.

And then he whispered, in a low, sultry voice: "I'm always top, Stiles. And you love it."

-+-+-+ ( complete ) +-+-+-

a/n: Just realized Theo never had the senior scribe, so I gave him one. 😁

thank you. more on my master list here

I also have an AO3 account

my art/design shop here (for fanart and other things I do)

Like the gifs used here? See source under them. Reblog, do not repost. Thank you all gif creators here ♥️

#steo #theo raeken #imagine #stiles #teen wolf #theo #theo x stiles #stiles x theo #theo raeken x stiles stilinski

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imaginespazzi · 3 months ago

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Oh hi bestie!!

Ha you were correct, I did send those :) seemed like a small pick me up was worth sharing at the time, especially w the playful bickering it had (if that were a love language it would be mine lol). Absolutely same wavelength 😅 ofc Im sure we were far from the only ones who recalled that gem courtesy of Katie. Welp its UConn/ND game day. Fingers crossed for a good showing by the Huskies and that they manage to keep HH in check. Such a shame Azzi is out for this one, but what a relief that the hit/fall resulted in nothing more than a minor sprain. Situation does make me a little appreciative for working in sports and being accustomed to rolling w such punches.. Latest GH chapter was a good read👏still painful but I think less so than 11 still ha. Tho full transparency, I happened to be unable to sleep from like 4-5:30 the AM after you posted so initially read at a totally odd hour (so thank for your timing putting it up late!). Hey any big thoughts from the W expansion draft? Did I miss/overlook you saying anything about the Valks picks? Im feeling like KT, Billings, Temi, and Burton could all stick. And wouldnt shock me if Martin ended up there as a depth piece. Cant speak much to the international selections personally. Sidenote Im meh on their jerseys, dont love & don't hate. Ok Im off to blast some Christmas music and get work done. Laters :)

-☕️

BESTIIIIEEEE HI <3

I very much loved the pick-me-ups; they made me smile and I really needed it after that.

Ah the beauty of hindsight...because it definitely was not a good showing.

I fear with time the relief from it being minor has just gone to feeling antsy for her to be back with every ticking day. Like I know I'mma be overreacting but I think I'mma be sick if she doesn't play tomorrow (and I think there's a very high chance she doesn't)

LMAO well I'm glad that worked out well for you time-wise!

I don't think I had very many big thoughts. It looks a lot like an expansion draft would with some good role players but clearly missing a strong core that they probably expect to build in the actual draft and free agency. I think Temi and KT were especially good picks and I definitely expect them to stick. The other two, I feel like could either stick or maybe be used for trade deals? I wasn't a big fan of their jerseys either I fear.

#ask #☕️ anon my love #YES CHRISTMAS MUSIC I ADORE IT SO MUCH

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lolitaa-17 · 2 years ago

Text

-compass; R.braun x f!reader

warnings; angst idk,fluff,cussing, not romanticizing mental health.

Not proofread

Music was softly playing through your headphones as you looked out the window. The sun was starting to rise. You blinked as you felt as if your eyes were going droopy. You don’t know how many months it’s been since you’ve had a good nights rest.

“Y/n what the fuck are you doing awake so early” you roommate spat out a little spooked.

“I’m sorry I didn’t wake you up, did I?” You asked pausing your music and taking off your headphones.

“No not at all you just spooked me out.” She rubbed her face with hands trying to wake herself up. “I have early classes today anyway”

Which reminded you that you needed to start getting ready for work since you had to open today. “Oh okay, I’m gonna head out to the bathrooms.”

You grab your towel and the basket that had all your hygiene stuff.

After returning back from the bathrooms you put on some jeans a black tee shirt. You grab the apron sitting on the chair and the hat you had to wear for work.

It was like a repeating cycle. Work…school…”sleep”. You just wanted it to end already. You were tired of this and you felt as if there was no point because in the end you will always be doing the same cycle no matter what occupation.

Your phone alarm rang signaling you that it was time to head to work. You grab your car keys and the pack of cigarettes that had been sitting next to the keys and you head out.

You really didn’t have much of a social life on campus. You just wanted to get school over with so you didn’t involve yourself much of the parties. Of course you went to some but just small ones here and there. The only “social life” you really had was at work. Your job consists of you, Sasha, Niccolo and Reiner. They were your work buddies but it was only mainly just small talk.

You enter the dark coffee shop and start setting everything up for the day. After setting everything up you heard the bell of the front door jingle. You look up to see Reiner.

“Hey y/n!” He lets out a small smile

“Hey”

He starts setting up some stuff here and there. He was honestly a very sweet boy. You thought of how attractive he was and how he’d cheese over some cheerleader who he was madly in love with her. Once he told you about her you immediately knew you stood no chance.

“So what do you plan on doing this weekend?” He asked as he’s unpacking some new cups.

“Probably go to the beach and just sit around” It was one of your favorite things to do especially in paradis.

“It’s still pretty chilly out though, don’t you think?” He asked.

“I prefer it like that”

“Well I have an extra ticket to this amusement park-“

You nod your head before he could even finish.

“What why?” He was basically begging you to answer him.

“Reiner I don’t do amusement parks, plus I don’t wanna third wheel.” His smile dropped.

“Well it’ll just be the two of us.” He goes to the storage closet as you felt the mood change.

Had something happen between him and that cheerleader. You then thought about how he hasn’t really been bringing her up at work at much, or at all even.

The door bell jingled again revealing Sasha and Niccolo. They always arrived at the same time especially for the fact that they had been living together in their small apartment. They were honestly really cute and you envied them.

After a long five hours of your shift you could finally leave as you four switched with the other four workers who had just started checking in. You said bye to Sasha and Niccolo. You didn’t know where Reiner was so you just left.

After reaching your car you hear your name being called out.

“Y/n, wait up!” Reiner was running toward you.

“Oh hey”

“W-wanna go to the um beach?” He asked trying to catch his breath.

“I have class in like 30 minutes.”

“No no not today. Tomorrow”

“But I thought you were gonna go to the amusement park” you were a bit confused

“I gave the tickets to Sasha and Niccolo”

“Are you sure? I’m kind of boring out of work” you forcefully laugh.

His gaze soften “yeah I’m sure I want to go”

“Okay I’ll um text you when I’ll be going, I’ll pick you up” you wave at him as you enter your car and make your way to your dorm to change into something more comfortable for class.

There you were again. But this time you lie down facing the wall in hopes you wouldn’t freak out your roommate again. You thought you slept a good hour or so but it had only been a 5 minute nap. You check the time.

3:45am

You sigh and sit up from your bed. You slipped on your slippers and grabbed a lighter and the pack of cigarettes on the counter.

You sat right next to the door outside of the building of the dorms. It was pretty cold as you sat out there with a pair of blue checkered boxers and a large white tee. You inhaled the smoke from the cigarette. This felt like peace. Just nights like this. But for some reason you still felt some void that needed to be filled.

As you leaned your head back and blew the smoke out your mouth you felt car lights pull up in the parking lot right in front of you.

“Y/n what the hell are you doing out here in the cold.”

You look up and see Reiner getting out of his car.

You lifted up the cigarette to show him.

“I told you to stop smoking the other day y/n” he walks over to you as he took off his jacket and put it over you.

“Well why are you out so late?” you asked him in hopes of changing the subject.

“Couldn’t sleep so I went to the pharmacy to grab melatonin.” He reached in his back and opened the pack of the melatonin gummies.

“You think those actually work?” You bitterly chuckled.

“They always do for me” he said popping two or three in his mouth.

“That must be nice” you put the cigarette up to your mouth again but this time Reiner took it and threw it to the other side of the grass.

“What the fuck man” you softly punch his leg.

“Here I got something better.” He reaches in the plastic bag and grabs out a pack of gummy worms.

“Fine.”

“Here let’s head to my room” Reiner says

“But your roommate.” You say looking up at him as he got up.

“He’s at some interview for a couple days, he’s not here right now.” He reaches his hand out to help you up.

You guys make your way to his dorm. It wasn’t how you expected it. It was cleaner than you expected. Cleaner than your dorm.

You threw yourself on reiners bed.

“How come your bed is much more softer.”

“Shit I bought a whole new one, no way was I gonna sleep on that piece of cardboard”

You softly chuckle sitting up to let some space for Reiner.

You shove a few gummies in your mouth. He looks at how you’re destroying those gummies.

“Mentally noted that you fuck those gummies up”

You roll your eyes and hand him one.

“Shut up.”

The silence was getting really loud when suddenly you remembered he had bought melatonin to sleep.

“Wait I’m sorry I should go, you probably wanna knock the fuck out right now.”

He laughs “nah you’re good.”

“No really you look tired as shit”

“Nah I like the company” he says as he laid down next to you while he stared at the ceiling.

“Reiner I have to ask you something.”

“Hmm?”

“What happened with you and that cheerleader chick?” You asked him while popping s gummy worm into your mouth.

“Oh her. Yeah um turns out she has a girlfriend.” He softly laughed at himself.

You stopped chewing at the sudden news.

“Your over her though right?” You asked breaking the silence.

“Oh definitely, ever since she told me we’ve been chill.” He sighed as he closed his eyes.

“Sorry for bringing it up.”

“No you’re good. I was planning on telling you anyway.”

“Can you sleep with me?” Reiner spoke again.

“What?”

“Never mind sorry. There’s just been so much going on lately and-“

“No I get it. I’ll stay” you smile and lay down next to him.

“Sometimes we just need people when we’re at our lowest.” You whispered

Maybe you needed someone too. Maybe that’s why you’ve always felt empty. You never bothered talking to people out of work on your free time and your roommate? You guys would have little “sups” here and there but that’s it. But right now you felt. Filled. Like you didn’t feel empty anymore. And you liked it.

You grabbed Reiners hand and rubbed it. You look over and he had knocked out. You smile to yourself. How peaceful he looked sleeping but what was he feeling? Was he hiding the fact that he was hurt by the girl he liked rejected him? It hurt you just thinking about it. A little jealous, but you never made a move so how could you be jealous?

“I think I like you Reiner. I think you are worthy of saving me” you whispered while he was soundly sleeping.

Soon enough you heard the birds chirping and but the sun wasn’t out. It was cloudy. You sighed hoping today would be sunny when you went to the beach.

The whole night you laid there with him. Admiring his features as he slept like a baby. His eyes fluttered open and he looked over at you.

“You’re awake already ??” His voice was a lot deeper.

“mhm”

“You look like you didn’t even sleep holy shit” he cupped your face to have a good look at it.

You pull away and pinched his cheeks “hurry up and change so we can go to the beach already.”

He got up and started looking for clothes as he was still half asleep.

“Let me go change too, meet me at my car” you told him as you step out of his room.

You both entered the car after making a quick stop at the gas station to grab a couple snacks. You took a sip from your energy drink while you could feel Reiners gaze on you.

“Y/n…when was the last time you actually slept.” He asked causing you to brake really hard at the stop sign.

“Im sorry i didn’t mean to press on the brakes that hard”

“You gonna answer me or what?”

You sighed “I don’t really…remember Reiner”

“I mean I wanted to sleep yesterday but..” you slowly stopped trying not to confess your feelings towards him.

“But what?”

You parked the car. “We’re here Reiner”

You got out the car before Reiner could even speak. Was this gonna be the day to tell him that you needed him? Did you need him? He made you feel better. His company was warm.

You walked close to the shore as the waves seemed slow but heavy. You loved it. They grey tint to the sky was beautiful. And no one was here just you two.

You sat down and took in a deep breath.

“Isn’t this nice” you look at Reiner who still seemed to be waiting for an answer.

“Y/n…can you talk to me about this? I want to help you” you look at him and his gaze softened.

“Reiner im scared” you whispered.

He sits next to you and pulls you into a side hug. He never let go.

“Scared of what y/n”

“Im scared you’ll push me away…after I tell you what I feel.”

“No of course I won’t, you stuck with me what makes you think I’m gonna leave you.”

You took a deep breath as you felt Reiners hand caress your back.

“Reiner, I’ve always thought there was no point in living if it’s just an endless cycle. Everyday for me is the same. I can’t sleep. I’ve tried everything melatonin,Tea, warm milk, everything Reiner. But I can’t…it’s like I feel empty and my thoughts are just keeping me awake stopping me from sleeping. But yesterday I was with you and it changed. I felt warm and quiet and I was genuinely tired and I wanted to sleep but I was scared that if I close my eyes just for one second you’d be gone. And I just wanted to admire how peaceful you looked and I realized that you made me feel a type of way I’ve never felt with anyone. And I think I like you Reiner.” You look over and see that he tries to process it all.

He smiled “So you’re saying I make you feel better?”

“Basically”

“Listen y/n”

Your heart dropped…you didn’t know if what he was gonna say was either gonna be good or bad.

“I’ve been really off these days lately too and I found myself always getting up extra early to go to work and spend my time with you. And if you want me to be honest. I bought those tickets for us, not me and historia. I wanted to get to know you more and see you outside of work. And yesterday night you made my week feel so much better. I’ve fallen for you too y/n”

You sigh in relief as you dropped down on your back as you felt Reiner lay down next to you.

“So I want to spend more time with you and go on more little dates with you.” He smiled pulling you in as you guys cuddled in the sand.

You felt your eyes slowly drift. You let out a breath before soundly falling asleep in the arms of Reiner. You loved it and you were happy that most days we’re gonna consist of you two being together and Inseparable.

The end

I don’t know if this was good, I’m sorry if I made any mistakes. My head was aching the whole time making this but I just wanted to get it over with so I hope you all enjoy!

#reiner x you #reiner braun #reiner braun fluff #aot #anime #angst #fluff #Reiner Braun angst

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