#eugh I just want to go back to playing like normal

[quitedisastrous]

neopronouns are starting to look mad appealing. i get it now

[gallifreyan85]

And From the Dark Into the Light

pairing: mentor!Agatha x reader

summary: part 2 (and last) of the bring your mentor back from the dead mother's day fic. gifts, grief and overdue hugs + lots more. Can be read as standalone.

A/n at the end, I rambled. enjoy!!

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆

When you stepped back into the house, you could've sworn it felt warmer. You could hear children playing somewhere outside, soft laughter and chatter from down the street, a quiet, normal evening in Westview. Even though you knew it was everything but. Agatha had just closed the door behind the two of you, looking around her home in what seemed some kind of quiet contemplation. You tried to keep holding her arm, fingers twisted into the fabric of her sweater, but at some point she stepped away from you and gave the living room another glance.

“You really let this place gather some dust, huh?”

You pressed your lips together, ignoring the urge to reach for her hand again. You kept wanting to make sure she was really still there, still alive. Part of you was expecting her to drop to the ground and go back to being a ghost, or worse, just stay dead. But all she did was sigh at your lack of answer, and lock the front door.

Senor Scratchy peeked out from behind the couch at the noise, curious of all the commotion, then sniffed in her direction and made his way over to her. She paused, and you caught her split second of hesitation, how her eyes went your way briefly as if checking whether you were watching before she bent down to pick him up, cradling him in her arms.

“Hey there mister.” she murmured softly, one hand moving to pet his soft fur, “Did you miss me too?”

There was something soft in her expression.

You fought down the urge to step over there and join in. Try to get her to hug you again. You weren’t going to be jealous of a bunny for hell’s sake. No matter how much something in your chest twisted every time her hand went over his head, soothing and gentle.

“We both missed you.” you said, forcing yourself to look away.

“You’re about the only ones.” Agatha replied, gently plopping the rabbit back onto the carpet. You watched him sniff at her shoes and then hop off, scurrying into the kitchen. Agatha glanced at your backpack on the couch, and you felt a jolt in your stomach as you remembered what was in there. Before you could panic any further about giving your mentor a Mother’s Day card briefly after successfully bringing her back from being dead-- or at least from being a ghost-- she interrupted your internal panic by sighing loudly, and in that all-too-familiar Agatha manner you so desperately missed, tossed her hair back and said after a loud eugh and a huff,

“I look like I just rose from the grave,” she frowned, and pointed a finger at you before you could say that she technically just did.

You fell silent.

“I need a shower.” she said, turning around disappearing into the hallway, leaving you alone with your thoughts and your slowly increasing nerves. “And so do you, by the looks of you clothes.”

You looked down at yourself, jeans patched with streaks of green from the backyard lawn and the occasional splotch of freshly dug earth, dirt, and your own sweat.

She was right. You did need a shower.

You stood there for a moment more, listening to the sound of her room door closing and drawers opening. The bathroom faucet turned on. Then the shower too. Senor Scratchy knocked something over in the kitchen, snapping you out of your reverie. Sighing, you picked up and unzipped your backpack, rummaged through it until you found the mug, still in the same box you’d left it, purple bow and all.

You undid the ribbon.

Opened the box.

Stared at the mug, emotions swirling in your chest, anticipation coursing. Then you closed the box and hastily redid the bow.

It was fine. This was fine. You’d just--

Give it to her.

Approach her, smile, tell her the truth, tell her thank you. You had so much to thank her for. You weren’t expecting a huge reaction, she wasn’t too big on the touchy feely stuff, always covered it up with the snark and attitude, but you knew she cared. You only wished you could tell her just how much you did, too. You set your bag down in the kitchen, gave Senor Scracthy some fresh food and water, and went down the hall into your room. It was just as you’d left it. Clothes strewn over the place-- you picked out a clean outfit and dumped the rest into the hamper.

Agatha was right- the house was dusty, and you had yourself to blame, but you couldn’t find it in you to come back while she was gone. You should’ve, should’ve stayed behind to set things straight and clean up and look after the damned rabbit instead of the neighbors, but you couldn’t. Coming back alone was too heavy. Grief was heavy. You pressed a knuckle into the corner of your eye, wiping away tears that had gathered there again.

You had to pull yourself together.

It was a good day, a happy one, you brought her back and she was fine, so you were too.

Right?

You dismissed any further thoughts of tidying your room and went into the bathroom to clean up. Then, in fresh clothes and with a foe smile, you stepped back in front of the mirror to tie your hair back loosely. Fixed it. Tugged a few strands loose. Then untangled the tie from your hair and threw it off to the side. You took a breath.

When you came back into the living room you were surprised to see that she was already out of the bathroom, lilac sweater on, soft clothes and wet hair spilling over her shoulders like a curtain of dark brown. She seemed... softer, somehow. More approachable. More vulnerable.

Unlike herself.

You simply stood for a moment, watching her sitting on the couch, sipping from a mug. It was a scene so normal and familiar to you yet somehow so far away from what you were used to, from what used to be routine.

She looked up ahead, but you knew she knew you were there.

“I see you made sure to leave a pot of lukewarm coffee for me as a welcome back present,” she said, voice nonchalant as ever, “could’ve at least warmed it up.”

It was a joke and you knew it, but it was hard to laugh for some reason. You tried to smile. Maybe you failed a little. If she noticed she didn’t say, simply took another sip and sighed into the quiet space.

“That’s uh, mine.” you said eventually, a little awkwardly. “I made it while I was digging up... your…”

You stopped. She didn’t seem too bothered that you were apparently talking about digging up her previously dead body in her own backyard, and instead set the mug down. You fought the brief urge to pick it up and smash it across the floor. How could she be so casual about this? About being gone, being--

Did she not know how hard it had been for you? The damned chaos everything was in after you’d stormed off and left her here with Billy? Of course, she didn’t, she couldn’t, because she wasn’t here, so she couldn’t have known how hard it was for you when you came back that same day later, came into the empty house, tried to get back to a normal life without her there and cried in your room for hours. The way you’d curled up in her bed, face pressed into her pillow, trying your best to find comfort in the faint ever-lingering traces of her presence there, in the echoes of her perfume, her scattered things, her sweater you held and clutched as you cried yourself to sleep. It was hell, knowing the one person you so deeply cared about, considered family, your only family, was now gone, and there was seemingly nothing possible you could do to bring them back.

You supposed to her, after so many years of being used to everyone wanting her dead, seeing your grief and sorrow and despair was too foreign of a concept. You didn’t blame her for that. They asked you to join them, her and Billy, expected it even, and you just stormed off and left, not wanting to face the facts that were then true. Now they weren’t anymore. You watched as a droplet of water slid down one of her dark curls and fell onto the armrest of the couch.

“Where did you go?” she asked suddenly, voice soft and low, but also curious. “After you left, where did you go to?”

You glanced away.

“Just stayed with a few people. Asked around about some spells.”

That was a very big understatement of the truth. Yes, you stayed with some friends. Yes, you asked about spells, but that asking was more of a you banging on every known witch’s door demanding they share all their gathered-thus-far knowledge of bringing people back from the dead, every spell, every charm, every enchantment involving chaos magic or potions or rituals or sacrifices. You hoped you wouldn’t get to the last part, and fortunately you hadn’t in the end, but the nights you didn’t spend crying into your pillow you spent staring up at the ceiling or out the window, wondering quietly to yourself how far you’d go to do this. Would you end up like her too? Earn yourself a reputation for the lengths and sacrifices you were willing to achieve to get what you wanted, what you needed?

And most importantly, how would she react? You thought maybe she would be proud, but then later you started to wonder of she’d secretly feel disappointed, because she didn’t want you to be like her.

Either way, it was all irrelevant now. She was here and she was back. Once and for all.

You circled the coffee table to sit next to her on the couch, a little space between you, enough for you to see one of her fingers tangled in the thin gold chain of her brooch.

You hesitated.

Glanced at the clock in the kitchen.

It was almost ten at night, later than you’d thought. You both lost track of time.

“Thank you.” her voice startled you a little, and you turned abruptly.

“Uh- I—”

“For bringing me back.” she said, tilting her head a little, “Must’ve took some real magical effort, and I’m here without any missing pieces so I guess that means you did well.”

It was a clumsy was of saying she was proud of you, but you took it with grateful want in your heart. You allowed yourself to smile a little.

“You’re welcome, I guess. It was- well- I just-”

“Really wanted to earn my favour?” she smirked, “I’ve seen other witches go to great lengths, toots, but this—”

You laughed a little. “Shut up.” but you were already feeling lighter. You glanced briefly to the kitchen. To your backpack on the floor. Bit your lip.

“One second,” you said, quickly getting up and going into the kitchen, leaving her with a muttered “Okay, whatever…” still in the living room. You knelt down and unzipped your backpack before you lost the nerve for it, and took out the box and card. Holding both in a slightly shaky grip, you went back over to her, both items hidden behind your back. She gave you a very obvious and suspicious look.

“What?”

“I, uh. I have something for you.” you blurted.

She blinked. Looked you up and down once and set down her mug.

“Is it a decent cup of coffee? You’d think being dead earns you one, but apparently-”

“No. It’s- um. It’s-- for today.” you practically winced when she gave you a confused look, “I know you probably don’t, uh, but...just- here.”

And you shoved the card into her half-outstretched empty hand.

She paused. Stared at the card, stared at the text on it.

Happy Mother’s Day.

She didn’t say anything.

And suddenly you started to panic. Why did you even think this would be a good idea? Like, at all? Giving your mentor-- who is also Agatha Harkness-- this? And calling her like a-- a mother-- when you knew she had-

That she was once-

An apology was half-ready at the tip of your tongue when she opened the card. And started to read. You had half a mind to snatch the thing from her hand and bury yourself in the yard in the hole from her grave. This was so much worse that you thought-- what if she-- if you- if-

You saw her eyes skim over the words once, then again, more slowly. She read your scribbled text, and you fought to try and forget the exact wording you’d used. Something like thank you Agatha, for being the best and most awesome and chaotic and witchy mentor ever, and also sort of a mother-figure--

Or had you written for teaching me about more than just magic and how to hex someone--

You wanted to hide behind your hands. Brace for a hex sent your way. Something. Anything.

All you got was just-- silence.

You couldn’t tell if it was a good or bad kind of silence, but Agatha, for once in her three-hundred-and-fifty years of life and death and being a ghost and then life again, had nothing to say. No snarky comment. No teasing smirk. No mocking remark. Nothing.

And that perhaps scared you more than all those sleepless nights combined.

You swallowed.

“Um… Agatha?” you tried hesitantly, your own voice rather frail and tentative.

“Are you, uh-”

“You got this… for me?”

You nodded.

“Today?”

Another nod. “Yeah, cause it’s… I wanted to-- today, cause-” you fumbled, “I mean of course I would’ve gotten you back anyway I just thought- today- cause- it’s… yeah.”

She didn’t reply.

“I also got you a gift.” You blurted again, cursing yourself for it internally, because you weren’t even sure if you were just making this worse, whatever this was, but when you held the box out she took it.

You watched her deftly open the lid and pull the mug out.

Best Mom Ever, it said.

It was Easter sales. It was cheap. It had some silly spring themed design on it but there was a bunny that made you think of her, and you chose the one with the text in purple that just matched her robes.

“I was gonna go for ‘best mentor’, but they didn’t, uh, have those.” you said pitifully.

Agatha opened her mouth, still staring at the mug, then closed it again. She turned it over. Tilted her head at the little brown and white bunny painted on it. Turned it back over in her hand. And you were suddenly wishing you’d never done any of this.

It had been a bad idea. She was just back from being a ghost, back to being alive, and what if you made things weird now, what if she--

You blinked, fought the tears back down again.

But this time they wouldn’t listen to your will. Instead they gathered in your already glassy eyes and spilled softly once you blinked, silent as a feather. You turned to leave but she held up a hand, and you stopped. You didn’t have it in you to disobey her right now.

You opened your mouth. “It’s just…” your voice was shaky and soft, “You were gone for s-so long and I- I never got to tell you thank you- I just-”

You forced yourself to take an uneven breath.

“You don’t have to- to say anything about this, ever again, just- don’t throw it away please. I...”

Those weren’t the words you’d had in mind but it seemed your heart had chosen now to be openly vulnerable and pitiful and every bit as needy as she’d always jokingly described you. You bit your lip to stop yourself from spiraling further.

Agatha finally sighed softly. She shook her head a little. And huffed.

“As if I’d throw away something as pathetically sentimental as this. Pfft.”

You felt a tearful laugh bubble out of your throat.

You watched her turn the card over once more, eyes briefly skimming over the text.

“Guess I’ll have to find somewhere to hide this,” she said, a faint smirk back on her face, “or it’ll ruin my fearsome reputation. Can’t have everyone thinking I’ve gone soft now that I’m back, but…”

You looked up, so evidently hopeful.

“But?”

She smiled. “But... I suppose it’s not too bad that you think of me as a-- as—”

And you realized her stopping wasn’t to tease you, it was because she was flustered.

The Agatha Harkness, flustered over a Mother’s Day card. Your life was something special, with the things you got to see.

“Do you like them?” you asked, so shyly and hopefully that even she couldn’t hide a hint of fondness in her eyes that shone through.

She sighed like it pained her to say so, but gave a sort of half-nod, half-shrug.

“It’s my shade of purple.” she said, glancing back down at the mug. “Card’s a bit tacky, but I suppose your sappy writing inside adds to the overall value.”

She smiled. “You can stop holding your breath, toots. I find it embarrassingly endearing. Both the card and this.”

You felt as if the weight of the world was off your heart.

And then you couldn’t hold back any longer and hugged her.

She stumbled back a bit against the cushions at your half-tackle, both hands balancing (adorably) to keep the mug from knocking into anything as you hugged her. Then she somehow set it down onto the nearest sturdy surface, and carefully hugged you back with an exaggerated sigh.

“I suppose this is my punishment for being overly influencial in your life.” she exhaled woefully, patting your back.

You just smiled and hid your face into her shoulder, inhaling that familiar lavender-and-magic scent of her perfume, feeling the dampness of her still-wet hair against your cheek, the everlasting safety and comfort you felt every time you were wrapped in her arms. You buried your head deeper. Closed your eyes, feeling more tears falling freely.

“I really missed you.” you mumbled, “It was so quiet without you, and so lonely, and I’m sorry I wasn’t here- I just couldn’t-”

She sushed you gently, softly, warm hands never faltering in gliding over your hair.

“Don’t apologize.” she murmured. “You have nothing to be sorry for.”

“But I should’ve been here—” you sniffled quietly, “To- to take care of Senor Scratchy a-and-”

“He’s a tough cookie.” she said, voice firm but still soft. “And so are you. You’re strong. More so than you believe.”

“I don’t feel strong.” you mumbled.

It was true. You didn’t. At all. All you wanted was to stay in her arms and cry and have her comforting you until your tears all stopped and your heart felt full, and then have her promise to never, ever, ever leave you again. You didn’t think you could take it. Couldn’t take the loss of her.

You felt her lips brush against the top of your head as she spoke her next words.

“You know, I don’t always feel strong either.” she said, quiet as the night.

You looked up. Frowned a little. Of course it was true, you supposed no one could always feel strong all the time, that was impossible, but hearing her say it was just…

“Of course you can’t tell anyone that, it’ll ruin the fun, but…” she sighed softly, blue eyes meeting yours, finally making you feel reassured. “I think you’ve gathered my mother wasn’t the best at… anything remotely relating to care. Sometimes I worry that I’m becoming just like her.”

You opened your mouth instantly to argue but she shushed you.

“But when you go ahead and do sweet things like this…” she gestured vaguely to the card and mug you’d given her, “it’s when I think that I must be doing something right. Even if I don’t say it often. I do care about you, hun. So much.”

“I love you too.” you mumbled, tucking your face back against her sweater. You felt her still against you, her breath stuttering in her chest for one brief moment.

“You do, do you?” she murmured back.

And too exhausted to care, you simply nodded against her, because it was the truth. You did love her. She was your scary, chaotic, witchy mentor and your only family, and you loved her in a way you never loved anyone else. Maybe because you never had anyone else like that, but maybe because there was no one else like her. She was so greatly, chaotically unique, and she’d chosen to teach you, to let you stay, to let you in. It made you feel so special that you didn’t even care if she’d say it back to you of not.

So when she said in a soft whisper, “I guess I love you too, then. You little menace.” you couldn’t think of a response that conveyed your happiness, and just closed your eyes.

You stayed like that for a while. You wrapped tightly in her arms on the couch, clinging to her because she was finally, really, actually back, and then listening to her list of threats of hexes that she would cast if you ever uttered a word to anyone of what she’d just said to you. But your smile never faltered. Your relief finally didn’t dim. And after reluctantly letting go of her so she could disappear into the kitchen while she ordered you both takeouts-- you really had to go to the store someone soon to get food-- you took her teasing when she came back in a few minutes later, reappearing with a fresh cup of coffee in her new mug that she was now claiming was cheap and too suburban and basic, but you didn’t miss the genuine smile she tried to hide every time her eyes went over the words.

And later, when you went to say goodnight and stayed for another hug because you had to make up for all the time she was gone, maybe you glimpsed that card somewhere in her room, high on a shelf enchanted to repel dust, or tucked away in a desk drawer that only held some of her most important, valuable trinkets and possessions. When you drifted off to sleep that day, Westview now quiet and soft against the backround, nothing but the sounds of magic thrumming in the air around the house and the occasional cricket in the Azalea bushes outside, you felt ready to start the rest of your life again, everything and everyone now safely back into place where you needed them most. Finally, after what seemed a dozen nights of tears and sleepless thoughts, poring over spellbooks and centuries-old tomes, you let yourself rest, and softly fell asleep.

🐇.•*¨`*•.¸ 🐇.•*¨`*•. 🐇¸.•*¨`*•. 🐇

A/n: ...phew. took me 2 weeks-ish to start writing this, and then i wrote most of it yesterday in ungodly hours of the night and went to bed. With college and everything i probably won't be able to post as much as I did before but i'll try to keep at it whenever a new idea strikes, and i always love reading yall's opinions or anything else, so if anyone sends in an ask pls know i'll get to it as soon as i have time (i always want to make sure i reply properly to y'all and not just write something hasty in the moment.) This was not proofread, I'm sorryyy. When she mutters 'okay whatever' i see it like in ep2 after Jen comes in and Agatha's like 'i don't care, do whatever she wants...' all grumpy and- anywayy. Title is from Soft Universe by AURORA. I try to match the song to the vibes of the fic and when I saw the lyrics for this one it was perfect. Hope you have a wonderful day and happy Easter holidays to everyone who celebrates!! 🐰🐇🐰🐣💐 side note: you all always write the best comments, i wanted to say thank you for always making me smile :-)

Taglist 💜 @milflovers4 @senhorita-girassol @dandelions4us @kaymariesworld @ahintofchaos @atlasimagines

[angelpuns]

50au part 33

Leo had spent nearly an hour pacing in front of Donnie's door. He was sure the softshell was asleep - which as good. Otherwise he was listening to Leo pace back and forth and mutter to himself about what to do. 

On the one hand, he could talk it out. Which he hated doing. They'd been talking things out so much after the invasion and even though it- it worked, he still hated the way it made him feel. 

Like someone had turned him inside out for everyone to see and it took everything to fix himself again after. There were still things they didn't really work through, because they weren't perfect and Leo certainly wasn't going to push to work through them when everything was awesome and perfectly fine and normal. 

And hey, maybe this could be one of those things. He could just- just ignore it and pretend he didn't snoop through Donnie's files and pretend he wasn't totally worried about the future of his relationship with his family and how they were never going to look at him the same again and- 

Ugh. Okay, maybe he did need to talk it out with them. He didn't want to - pizza supreme he did not want to - but maybe it would get rid of that persistent sick feeling. Like they would eventually leave him behind now that they'd seen him at his worst. 

Brother or not. 

Leo wrung his hands out, squeezing his knuckles and his fingers almost painfully tight. He didn't want to talk about it and he didn't want to know any of the other stuff he did while he wasn't…while he wasn't his best self.

While he wasn't playing his role in their family. He'd always wondered what he was without them. The answer seemed to be that he was scary. 

And violent. And not at all the Leo they wanted him to be. 

Leo finally stopped pacing. He didn't want to think about this anymore, he didn't want to make this decision right now. 

So, he needed a distraction. And he was almost positive he hadn't been to Run of the Mill in a while - considering he probably hadn't even remembered it existed. 

Leo sighed. He just needed a distraction, that was all. He wasn't gonna bother Hue so with his problems or- or ask advice like he usually did. 

He was just going for a distraction. Maybe he'd get lucky and an interesting customer would come in. Or maybe he'd get even luckier and his ‘least favorite waiter’ would come in tonight. 

Leo slipped back to his bedroom as quietly as he could, just hoping his pacing and muttering hadn't woken Donnie. 

Who was he kidding, Donnie slept like a baby when he actually slept. 

Leo grabbed one of his swords and went to cut a portal, but decided at the last minute he should at least look presentable. 

He glanced in the mirror and grimaced. Eugh, yeah, when was the last time he washed this hoodie? Or put on deodorant? 

…or even showered? 

Memory curse be damned, he was gonna look and smell nice. Even if the restaurant was empty, he deserved a little treat. 

For a second all he could think about was how much blood had been on Donnie's face in that video. 

..or maybe he didn't, but he could pretend he deserved a little treat. This was supposed to be a distraction, after all, not a pity party after he'd ( albeit accidentally ) been the shittiest brother alive.

Leo took a quick shower, dressed, and was on his way within 15 minutes. He cut a portal to Run of the Mill and breathed in a deep sigh at the smell of pizza in the air. 

It was always so warm here, the transition from the chilly lair making him grin. 

This was gonna be a good night, whether he actually deserved it or not. 

Leo made his way to his favorite booth, sighing and taking a seat. It wasn't too busy tonight, mostly just regulars chatting and eating. He glanced around, trying to see if he could find- 

“Oh Le- er- uh- I mean-” 

Leo turned at the voice and grinned. 

Yuichi stood, notebook out as if to take his order. Even though the last time Yuichi had taken his order had been ages ago. 

“ Can- Can I take your order, sir-”

“ Hey, cottontail, I missed you~” Leo leaned up and tugged Yuichi down into the booth by his shoulders, and right into a kiss. 

 Which is how Leo had been greeting him for nearly a year now, even though it made his cheeks burn and his stomach flip every single time. 

Except -  instead of leaning into it and giggling and doing that stupidly cute nose twitching thing he did, Yuichi pulled back and stood up defensively. Like- like he was scared or something. 

“Woah, h-hey, Ich, what's wrong?” Leo frowned, chest filling with dread. Was…was Yuichi scared of him, too? Had he been here during the curse? 

It wasn't like Leo had told anyone about Yuichi, so why would he- he hadn’t forgotten his boyfriend too, had he? 

“ Um- it's not - you…you’re not still mad at me?” Yuichi asked, frowning faintly, “ I mean last time I saw you…but Hueso said there was a- a curse or something, but you were really upset and I just wanna makesureyouaren'tstillmadand-”

“ Calm down, mi alma , I'm not mad!” Leo fought to fix his face, his own anxiety simmering dangerously close to the surface, “ I just - there was a curse and-and I guess I…forgot about you, too…” 

He swallowed the lump in his throat and stared down at the table. 

Yuichi was scared of him too. He must have been, he wouldn't be acting like this if he wasn't. 

Leo had come here for a distraction, but the curse just kept coming up in the worst ways. He was a…a monster. He must have been, or his family…his boyfriend, his twin, they wouldn't be acting this way. 

He needed to find out what happened during the curse. He needed to know how to fix it. How to make everything better and show them that..that he wasn't as scary as he had been during the curse. 

“ H-hey, it's okay, don't cry,” Yuichi had a hand on his shoulder, rubbing a circle into it with his thumb. Leo didn't even realize he was crying. 

He sniffed, but didn't look up. Yuichi was scared of him. Donnie was scared of him. He bet Raph and Mikey were, too. 

That's why Mikey kept asking if hugs were okay, why Raph wouldn't even touch him. 

He must've done something terrible to Yuichi, too, for him to act like this. 

Except, Yuichi sat down next him and pulled him in close, like he wasn't a monster waiting to snap or something. 

Which apparently he was, he just hadn't…he hadn't known. Don't get him wrong, Leo knew he could get angry. He'd been so, so angry after the Shredder. And he'd been so angry at CJ after Raph was- 

And he'd been angry for a long time after the invasion, too, but never at his family. Never at Donnie or Mikey or Raph or Dad. So why had he-? 

He buried his face in Yuichi's shoulder and tried to stop crying. To stop being pitiful and sad when he was supposed to be apologizIng. 

“...Ichi…” he murmured, voice muffled by Yuichi's uniform, “ I'm s-so…so..sorry..I didn’t- I wasn't…” 

And what was worse than being a monster? Being a monster that didn't take responsibility for what he'd done. 

“‘m so sorry…mi media naranja, I’m so-so sorry…” he murmured, trying not to squeeze Yuichi too hard. He was probably scaring him now, too. Yuichi was probably going to tell him to fuck off for doing…whatrver he had done. He didn't want to know, really, but he should! he should know! 

He needed to take responsibility, even if he hadn't exactly been himself, because that Leo was him, too. 

Angry and violent and scary. 

Three words he'd never use to describe himself, because that would be admitting too much of the truth. 

It would be too real and he'd never be able to take back the perfectly crafted mask, never be able to pretend everything was fine again. 

Because it wasn't. 

And he was still so, so angry. 

Leo sat there for a while. He buried his face in Yuichi's chest and told himself it was just for a second, because he had to pull himself together. 

He was sure that- that because he scared Yuichi he must have scared Hueso too. So he would need to apologise to him as well. 

He mumbled as much to Yuichi, who just rubbed his shell and said he was fine, that Hueso wasn't upset with him. 

Which was weird, cause Leo must have done something here. 

He pulled away with a sigh and deep sniff. 

He had to do the good thing now and talk about it. Even if Yuichi was scared of him and was definitely never going to talk to him again. 

“...Ich..are you… Wh-what exactly happened when I was here last time?” he asked, though he dreaded the answer. 

“ Did I do something.. Scary?” 

Yuichi stared at him for a moment, nose twitching a little. Then he laughed, giving Leo a little side squeeze, “ Scary? No, no it wasn't- you weren't really scary,” 

Leo must have been making a face, because Yuichi’s grin fell into a much gentler smile. 

“ I promise, you weren't scary at all. I mean- I was a little worried and all, since you were yelling and got mad and all, but I definitely wasn't scared,” He explained, leaning over a bit and nudging his head against Leo's, “ …you want specifics of what happened? Cause I only know about half of it,” 

Leo nodded a little. He felt a little better knowing Yuichi wasn't scared of him, and that he hadn’t done anything like he'd done to Donnie. He already felt sick to his stomach at the thought of genuinely fighting his twin, he didn't need to heap more guilt onto that. 

“ Okay, well…” 

Yuichi explained that Leo had come in looking a little rough, and when he hadn't known who Yuichi was, the rabbit had thought it was some kind of act. Which had led to Leo shouting at both him and Hueso. And then Leo had apologized for shouting and Yuichi kept him company while he ate, though they didn't talk much about anything. 

“ And then your brothers showed up, and the next thing I knew Donnie shot me with a dart and I was taking a nap on the clock,” He shrugged, “ Hueso told me later about the curse and that you got home safe, at the very least. I really don't know what happened after that,” 

Leo sighed in relief. It seemed like he really only had been acting like a Karen, if Yuichi's story was true. 

“...thanks. I know it’s-it's really silly, wanting to know what happened,” Leo sighed, tired now that he wasn't spiraling over potentially hurting his boyfriend. He sunk deeper into the booth and leaned against Yuichi, “ ‘m sorry I asked for your manager. That wasn' nice…”

Yuichi chuckled at that, leaning over and giving him a little peck on his nose. 

“ It’s not silly. I'd be scared if I went a week without knowing what I'd done,” He sighed, giving Leo a little squeeze, “ I don't know. It was kinda giving ‘ he asked for no pickles’, ya know? My big, strong turtle boyfriend fighting the man or whatever,” 

Leo snorted, “ I don't think it counts if you were quote “The Man” in this situation. But I'd fight for you to have no pickles anytime, on my life” 

“ Damn, that's a pretty serious promise. You sure you can keep it?” Yuichi teased, sitting up a little. Leo sat up as well, turning to say something totally witty and cool, but he was cut off by a loud bang!

He and Yuichi turned towards the entrance to see Donnie there, holding some sort of gun ( almost definitely of the lethal variety) with the remains of the wall blown to bits behind him. 

“ WHAT IS IT WITH YOU HAMATOS DESTROYING MY RESTAURANT!?” Hueso appeared from the back almost instantly, pointing at Donnie, “ Donatello, I told you it was fine last time, but this is just-” 

Donnie made eye contact with Leo and cut Hueso off with a shout, hurrying over to the booth. He swung his bo down towards Yuichi, stopping inches from his nose. Threatening him. 

“ Get back! what are you doing to my brother!?” 

“wh- DONNIE!?” 

It was almost comical watching Yuichi pull away from Leo and stand up, hands up in surrender, “ I wasn't doing anything!” 

“ Dee, back off!” Leo grabbed the end of the bo and pushed it away, “ what the hell man? You don't talk to me for a week and suddenly it's ‘ oh! Leo's in danger! I better save him from his boyfriend!’”

He was too angry to really care that he'd just completely outed himself, but it wasn't like it was a secret or anything. 

Leo had just been so worn out from all the discussions about feelings and being open and honest that he kept this little tidbit to himself. Both the whole liking men thing ( which he was pretty sure was obvious anyway) and the Yuichi being his boyfriend thing. 

“ What? Boyfriend?” Donnie turned to glare at Yuichi, then glanced back at Leo, “ since when do you have a boyfriend? And why wasn't I made aware of that development?” 

“ You don't have to know everything about my life, Donnie, we talked about that, remember?” He bit out, trying his best to keep cool and failing quite miserably. 

He couldn't believe this after Donnie not even wanting to be around him for a week. He gets that much, Donnie was scared! Everyone was fucking scared of him! He wouldn't want to hang out with that Leo either! 

But now he was doing this complete turnaround and it was- it was all so ducking confusing! 

So give him some grace for what he was about to do next. 

“ unless something happened that you're not telling me about? Because you and everyone else seem determined to keep the truth from me-” he hissed, unable to keep himself calm. Fuck talking shit out, he was so tired of whatever the hell was going on with his family. Even if they were scared of him, Leo wanted to know what happened. What he did. He was so sick of being so confused all the time,  “ I mean- shouldn't you tell your twin that he tried to fucking kill you? I think that would be kind of important information, Donnie!” 

Donnie had the decency to at least look guilty. Even though something in Leo's chest ached when he saw it- especially knowing he was doing the complete opposite of being ‘ not scary’. 

Hah, he was fulfilling the prophecy his cursed self had set out for him. To be angry and scary and too-too fucked up for his family to be around him. 

He sighed shakily, the anger bleeding out in the face of Donnie's silence. He was exactly that, wasn't he? Too fucked up and scary and angry for his family to love him. 

“ Can you just…just tell me everything that I did during the curse?” He muttered, too wore out to yell anymore, “ ….I just want…i want to know how bad I really was, so please, just…just tell me…” 

Donnie stared at him for a moment longer. Yuichi had run off at some point. 

Leo wondered if he'd lied about what Leo had been like during the curse. Lied about being scared of him. He was never good at really lying, but….if he was scared Of Leo… 

After some silence, Donnie finally sat down in the booth across from him, hands folded in front of him. He still looked scared, the expression on his twin's face making Hus stomach sour. 

“ Okay. You want to know…everything that happened..” Donnie murmured, pressing a button on his wrist tech and opening some sort of document, “ I don’t want to lie to you, Leo. It was never- none of us were trying to keep it from you, just-” 

He sighed, “ you're not going to like it...any of it.”

“ I don't care,” He sighed, “ I don't care. Just..just tell me, please”

--

Okay here's the absolute bonkers leosagi chapter that doesn't?? idk i don't like it v much, it's totally unecessary :/ But one day when i write the real fic maybe I will be able to integrate it more. Also it was goofy and then gets serious again LMAO

enjoy. or not.

Part 1 | Part 32 | Part 34/the end

[forlorn-crows]

quick little thing to write: mounty begging rainy to pleaseplease open his legs and let him see his cunt we wants to kiss so bad

two days of ghoul cunt in a row eat up fuckers

what is quick to us will certainly not be quick with rain in charge . . . transmasc rainy as always, you know the drill

Mountain could watch for hours how rivulets of water flow over Rain’s naked form; clear veins of his element clinging to his skin in entrancing lighting-shaped patterns that draw his eyes all the way down to his toes. He watches as the pathways along his back fork and morph as his mate washes his hair. They zigzag along the ridge of fins on either side of his spine and cut across his ribs, just to meet again at the little divots in his lower back and snake down to the backs of his thighs. Mountain can’t help but reach out and divert the flow, running his palms along his torso with a happy rumble. 

“All you ever do is ogle me,” Rain complains with a false pout. “Can’t ever be bothered to use those hands to scrub instead of grope, hm?”

“I like your grime; why would I ever wash it off?” Mountain counters with a nip to his soapy ear. “I’d let you be my slimy fishy forever,” he whispers against the shell of it, using his proximity to wrap his arms around his waist and pull him against his chest with a self-satisfied trill. 

“Eugh. You’re a nasty beastie.” Rain swats at him with the end of his tail, fins slapping wetly against Mountain’s calf. 

“Your nasty beastie.” He hooks his chin over the water ghoul’s shoulder, face straight into the shower spray. It’s pleasantly warm, warmer than Rain usually likes, for Mountain’s sake. He hums at the shampoo-scented steam swirling around their faces, some beachy coconut variety that Rain nicked from one of their tour hotels—rare that he even likes any of the scents, let alone approves of the quality enough to use and take home. “Mm, you smell good.”

“I better,” Rain says airily. But he turns to give the earth ghoul a kiss anyway. It’s a small peck that turns into a lingering kiss, and that, paired with Mountain’s morning wood, turns into a full makeout session, all hopes of using the shower for its intended purpose gone down the drain with the last of Rain’s shampoo. 

“You’re too easy, my love,” the water ghoul teases against his lips. 

Mountain presses fully against his back, the hands on his waist drifting up towards his tits. He gently palms them both and ruts into the cleft of his ass, rumbling deep in his chest when Rain sighs prettily into his mouth. The earth ghoul licks in then, twirling his tongue around sharp double fangs. 

“How can I not be, sharing a shower with a beautiful siren like you?”

Rain smiles and reaches back to grab at Mountain’s outer thighs. Pulling his hips more purposefully against him as he arches into all of his touch. “Mm, keep saying nice things,” he says with a hint of mischief. 

“So gorgeous,” Mountain mumbles, grazing his lips against his sharp jaw. He sucks at the spot below his ear and earns a pleased huff from the water ghoul. He keeps going, dragging his mouth over fluttering gill fins and the soft skin of his neck. “Taste so good, tadpole.” 

Rain nuzzles against him. “You tell me often.”

“And I’ll keep telling you,” Mountain answers. He kneads harder at Rain’s tits as he moves to kiss over his shoulders, his spine. “You’re so soft. Like silk.” The words make him bite back a groan. Mountain echoes the sound with one of his own. Cock kicking against the back of Rain’s thigh as he sinks further down. “Fuck, you always make the prettiest noises. Will you make more for me?” 

Mountain’s hands drag down the front of Rain’s torso, coming to rest on his lower belly. Fingers playing with his damp happy trail, up and down. He’s soft there too, normally fluffy hair smoothed down by the water and coated in conditioning body wash. Could spend hours just there, too, playing with it. But Mountain shifts his attention and plants a kiss right above the base of his tail, and Rain breathes a cross between a laugh and a moan. Mountain can feel his stomach spasm under his hands. 

“Yeah,” he says softly, lifting his tail and swaying his hips. Making sure Mountain gets more than a delicious eyefull. “How ‘bout you make me?” Rain turns and looks down at him with a smirk and still-tired eyes. The smell of his arousal hits him like a brick, amplified in the humid air. Mountain shudders and lets his face fall forward into the small of Rain’s back, nose pressing flat into one of the dimples just above his ass. Snuffling like a dog to take in as much of his smell as possible. 

“Fuck,” he sighs. “Fuck, Rain.” Mountain’s mouth waters with the need to taste that arousal, cock bobbing to full hardness against his stomach. “Belial, I need you.”

Rain hums. “”M right here.”

“Let me see,” he pleads, hands sliding down the front of his thighs. “Please, need to kiss it, let me—”

“Yeah? You want it bad?”

Mountain whines, pathetic in his need for Rain’s cunt. “Please, darling, please don’t tease.” He brings his hands around to that perky round ass, grabbing both of his cheeks and spreading just so he can see a little more. The sight of his pink hole above perfectly dusky lips almost does him in right there. 

“Go on, put your mouth on it,” the water ghoul groans, leaning forward onto the shower tiles and spreading his legs. “Show me how much you want it.”

Rain’s lips spread apart as if in slow motion, obscene and sinful and wet as they separate in front of Mountain’s face, and the earth ghoul forgets how to breathe for a good five seconds. The stream of the shower morphs again and diverts a line right down to Rain’s dick. Mountain catches himself drooling as the water trickles off the little head, reminding him of soaked laps and wet sheets and endless orgasms squeezed out on his cock, and it’s so violent an image that he has to grab at himself to keep from shooting over Rain’s ankles. 

“Fuck, how’re you this perfect,” he growls. Without further hesitation, Mountain flips himself to sit between his legs, hands on either side of Rain’s feet, and nose pressed firmly into his mound. He darts his tongue out to lap at his clit, groaning as he coaxes it to full hardness in his mouth. The musky, salty taste of him grows stronger the longer he suckles at the tip, and Mountain could jerk off to just the sight of Rain above him, looking over his tits with heavy eyes and plush bottom lip sucked into his mouth. 

“That’s it,” the water ghoul breathes. “Shit, you kiss it so good.” He keens at a particularly hard suck, and both of their eyes roll.

“Pretty,” Mountain mumbles against his folds. Dipping a little lower so he can really taste them. 

“That fucking nose, sunflower,” Rain gasps. He drops a hand down to his horns, gripping the base of it so he can grind from tip to bridge. “Feels so good.”

A jolt of pleasure runs down his spine, and it rips an embarrassing, garbled noise straight from his gut. “Satanas, Rainy, use me,” he blurts out. 

Rain huffs a laugh. “You’d suffocate if I used you how I really wanted.”

A glob of pre fit to rival a water ghoul squirts from the tip of his dick, and he stutters into his entrance: “I’d—fuck, I’d let you.” 

“Hh-oh,” Rain gasps. “Sit on you ‘til your eyes cross.” He grinds again, smiling lazily. “So cute when you do that. Drunk on me like a dog with a good bone, huh?”

Mountain groans long and deep, gripping Rain’s thigh like a vice. Eyes threatening to cross just as mentioned. 

Rain shakes his head, hips bucking. “Are you gonna wring one out of me in here, or are you gonna let me ride your face on the bed like a good boy?”

“‘M your good boy,” he parrots back, eyebrows turning up in the middle. 

Rain twists the water to OFF and reluctantly steps away from Mountain’s mouth. “Then you better get out of this shower in the next minute, or I’m taking you right here on the tile.”

[mammons-hubby]

Hiiii :3 can I request platonic headcanons of the brothers with MC who is a child/preteen? You pick which age you're more confident writing, but like in this 8-12 yrs range if possible, thank youuu🩷

I wasn't sure if to make the Mc be cursed or the Mc being chosen for the program while still being a child. I chose the later, hope you enjoy!

The little Mc! :

When the one stepping out of the portal was a 10 year old, he almost passed out.

Lucifer

This wasn't in the papers, at ALL. There is just no way this could've possibly happen, maybe a child stepped into the portal by accident?

But no, once the kid was questioned it was obvious they were the exchange student they were expecting.

Internal panic.

This kid can't go to the basically highschool for demons, and there are no schools in the Devildom.

He has a really stern talk with the brothers so they behave in front of them.

Depending on your behavior he may start to get more grey hairs or take a big liking to you.

In the end he ends up really attached to you.

Pampers you, and denies he does it.

"What?! I gotta take care of a kid?!"

Mammon

New babysitter for Mc. He at first dislikes it a ton, but he has a soft spot for kids so he doesn't take it on you, but you notice he is kinda mad.

Very overprotective. Not at first but with just a couple of days he really starts to like you and can't leave your side.

Will bother you to get a reaction, if you start crying he may even give you some Grimm.

Teaches you how to gamble and gets strung to the ceiling.

Gives you piggybacks.

He may involve you in money schemes at first but never putting you in any actual real harm.

Great. A little kid with sticky fingers.

Leviathan

He doesn't want you anywhere near his room at first, afraid that you will break his precious figurines or destroy his Manga collection.

He still forces you to watch Anime, but in the living room with him. Once you get a liking to it he even dresses you up as his favorite characters.

Once he realizes you won't purposefully break anything of his, he invites you to his room.

You are mesmerized by the pretty lights, the bathtub and the giant aquarium, you say hi to Henry and he melts.

He sees you looking everywhere with awe, and he feels very proud of himself.

From then, you start to play games in his room and carefully read his Mangas.

Lets you play with his tail in his demon form. He finds it kinda funny but gets grossed out when you put it in your mouth and cover it up with saliva. Eugh.

He is kind of curious about you and how you ended up in the Devildom, for Lucifer to make such an oversight is clearly extremely bizarre, almost imposible.

Satan

You kinda look at him with your big baby eyes and he looks back at you, until one of you stops staring and go back to their normal routine.

He is chosen by Lucifer to be your personal teacher. He complains but knows he has to do it.

He will try and teach you things to bother Lucifer, succeeding in some and failing in others.

But he also takes a lot of effort to learn about human culture and teach you the right things and needed things for your mental development.

Will read for you to fall asleep. Devildom fairy stories and others, you seem to like grim stuff too but he reads this stuff to you very rarely. Doesn't want you to be negatively affected.

Buys you a cat onesie and takes lots of pics. Super adorable.

He finds you extremely adorable and amusing, like a little pet.

Asmodeous

He will dress you up in the prettiests of clothings, with the most expensive perfume and hair decorations.

You seem upset and he doesn't understand at first. You explain you don't like being treated like a doll for his amusement.

He thought he was doing everything right?

He thinks about it hard and realizes that maybe being treated like a thing rather than a person must've hurt you.

He apologizes to you and offers to take you to eat something yummy.

He tries and know more about your likes and dislikes. About the shows you like, your favorite colors, the type of clothing you like.

He takes you to buy some pretty clothes of your choosing, and even gets you a cute haircut.

You feel better when you can also express yourself. But from time to time you let him dress you as he wishes, you even match clothings sometime.

Okay so at first a bit dangerous to be near him, considering he sees you as small and chubby and feels the urge to put you in his mouth.

Beelzebub

Once he controls the urges, he is very sweet and caring.

Kinda blunt when he talks, but not clueless. He is not dumb so he knows that he shouldn't say certain things, but considering he is quite honest he lets slip some stuff, but inmediatly notices and fixes it.

Will share his food with you and sit you on his lap while you eat, sorry if you get slobber on your head.

Will make sure you get proper exercise so you grow strong.

Will also take you on piggyback rides wherever you'd like.

Considering he has a younger brother, he grows attached to you very quickly and would give his life for you, and take others.

Belphegor

It depends. If this is an universe where Belphegor doesn't have a vendetta against humans, he may not care too much at first, but then begins to like you.

He would take naps with you, and help you draw and color stuff.

He is the youngest brother, so he may teach you how to get away with being a brat, much to Lucifer's dismay.

Now. If it's the og timeline Belphie?

Things are difficult. He will still try and trick you into doing the pacts with his brothers. And you're a child, so you'd probably believe him.

He does feel more guilty about wanting to kill you, but in the end commits regardless.

It's up to you to forgive him or not. He did kill a child after all.

The brothers are all shocked at him, and disgusted.

It takes a while before things settle down after discovering you're Lilith's descendant.

They're very wary of leaving you with him in a room, in case he tries to hurt you.

But Belphegor feels extremely guilty. It eats him alive, he can't believe that his rage for humanity would make him kill a literal kid.

He tries to make it up to you by being present in your life. Helping you get ready on your day to day life. Taking you places you need to go, pampering you.

It's still up to you if you'll ever forgive him. Perhaps you do, but you'll never forget it.

You can still have a nice relationship with him though, it's not the end of the world. And your life is just beginning.

[bobbin-buckley]

That Girl Is Mine

Tara Carpenter x Saxophoneplayer!Fem!Reader

Summary: You play saxophone with a band called “Sweaters In Fall”, you and another girl plus three other guys are in it. You’re girlfriend Tara comes to see your biggest concert at the Radio City Music Hall (NYC), after the concert things do seem to work with you in the band

Warnings: Fluff, Cat-Calling, Little bit of blood, Pervert, sexual mentions, lots of cursing, some punching

Y/F/B: Your Favorite Band

Y/N/N: Your Nickname

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It’s the night before you and your bands performance at the Radio Music Hall.

You were very nervous, it was unusual for you to be this nervous. It wasn’t because of the people but it was because your girlfriend was coming to watch with her friends and her older sister Sam.

Not that you were scared of Tara being there, you were excited that the dark brunette and her friends were coming, it was just Sam.

Sam never really liked you, she had her suspicions. You respected that since after what they’ve gone through was tragic. This special night wasn’t just about winning an award to you but it meant to prove yourself worthy for Tara, you wanted Sam to see your talent and maybe she’ll like you. Maybe….

“Yo Y/n! What’s got ya all worked up?” Your bandmate Damien asked, he was a nice guy, he was a tall lengthy black man about in his middle twenties. “You’re not all pumped up like you normally are during rehearsal.”

“Just nervous I guess…” “Nonsense! You’re never nervous!” Kayleen hyped. Kayleen was your best friend, you guys were pretty close she was the reason why you joined the band. Damien and the other two guys were a little eh about another Saxophone player joining, but the raven hair just glared at them and had you join. You were the high voice of the group, the great Alto Sax player.

“Yeah, Y/N/N, you seem so low right now and you’re the loudest person normally.” Pip spoke, Pip was your 3rd favorite of the group. He was pretty quiet the majority of the time but he indeed was a fantastic Trumpet player. ‘Pip the Pipet’ Damien gave him the nickname, Pip hated it but he’s adjusted to it now since it sticks with him.

You all had nicknames, yours was Sexy Sax (boy you hate it but at this point you don’t care, Tara teases you about it), Kayleen’s was Sax Positive, every time you hear that nickname you can’t help but laugh a little. Damien’s is Damn Keyboard (idk) as he played keyboard in the band. Last but not least Dan…

you hated Dan oh boy, if you were to go ghostface he’d be the reason.

Dan was a creep in your opinion. Nobody else agreed though, he was just very…odd. He was an older man, I’d say in his early 40’s, he does have a lot of experience in jazz and band in general but he seemed off…every time after your solo in one of the songs you’d catch him looking at you with heart eyes, you’d catch him doing it to Kayleen as well. Eugh…you hate him

“Yeah baby stop being so low, your supposed have a high pitched voice in the band. If you know what I mean.” Dan said…flirted?

You wanted to throw up after he said that. Fuck he gives you the jeepers creepers.

“I’m fine guys I swear. It’s just my girlfriend is coming to watch tomorrow and her sister..isn’t quite found of me..” you rambled.

“Sorry to hear that champ. But everything will go great! Just…focus on yourself and not the crowed.” Damien explained, you have him a nod.

“Well, it’s getting late guys we should head home for the night,” everybody nodded in agreement with Pip.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was a quick walk home, you hadn’t lived far from Damien’s house. Which is where you guys rehearsed most days unless the Blackmore’s band director lets you in.

Moonlight On the River by Mac DeMarco was playing in your ears, your saxophone in case swaying in your left hand as you trotted in the perfect white snow on New York’s streets to your way home.

You swore someone was following you, feeling eyes staring at the back of your head. You stopped in your tracks turning around to see no one.

Maybe it’s an animal or my imagination?

You thought

As paranoid as you used to be it’s been higher ever since you heard about the ghostface attacks. Tara always pushed you away when you met, you weren’t sure why until you discovered she was The younger sister of Sam Carpenter.

Eventually you told her you don’t care about some psycho idiot under a ghost mask with a knife.

It wasn’t long after you confessed that you really liked her and started the first date. It’s been a few months since you guys started dating, you both were happy.

You told Tara you’d always be there for her if she wanted to talk about everything or anything else that’s keeping her down. She appreciates you for that, but also doesn’t want to burden you because she knows you have your own issues.

Opening your apartment door, stepping in and feeling the nice warmth greeting you. You flicked on the lights with your free hand after slipping off your shoes and walked to your bedroom.

You sat down your saxophone in the corner of your room as well as your backpack, coat. Walking over to your bed taking the snow covered sweater and sweatpants you were wearing off. (I’m more masc btw so masculine wear)

Putting on a white-T with a sweatshirt over that has Y/F/B on it and throwing on a black pair of sleep pants. That’s when your phone started buzzing in your bag.

You grabbed your bag again and opened it to grab your phone, seeing that your one and only was calling you.

With a smile you pressed the green button without hesitation and pulled the phone to your ear.

“Hey Baby!”

You blushed at her voice and nickname

“Hey Tar, how was your day?”

“Not bad, just- some arguing with Sam. You know, the usual.”

“Sorry to hear that, what was it about? If you done mind me asking.”

“It’s fine love, it was just about me walking alone to school. She needs to grow up sometimes, I mean I do appreciate her safety, it’s just a pain up my ass all the time.”

You understood Tara’s annoyance, your mom was the same. She’d harp on you about being safe even if your taking out the trash, (though you don’t live with her no more)

Sam was always protective, ever since the first Ghostface incident. Sam has prevented Tara from having outside friends (definitely after Quinn and Ethan).

That’s why Sam dislikes you, she’s scared you’ll be the next ghostface. But Tara wants Sam to understand that she’ll fall in love at some point, and she already has. It’s you

You’re the lucky girl

“Yeah I know hun, hey tell you what. Tomorrow night I’ll prove Sam with my magical music talent that I’m worthy!”

Tara chuckled, “sure baby, you are quiet talented my musical girl. I’m excited for tomorrow, by the way, how was practice?”

“Good, Kayleen and the boys are hyped. I think we’re all ready, I’m just a bit nervous…” you said, biting your nails.

“Why nervous Y/N/N? You’re never nervous.”

“That’s what the band said..haha.” You paused with a fake laugh. “I guess it’s me trying to prove how good I am to Sam, and how important you are to me.”

“Honey, even if Sam didn’t care about tomorrow then screw her, cause you shouldn’t care about what Sam thinks. It’s Sam! But I know Sam will get your trust eventually she just has a hard time opening up,” you sigh, “plus I think she’ll love it. Sam really likes music if you didn’t know.”

“I didn’t know actually, but thanks Tar.”

“No problem baby, I gotta go Sam needs my help with dinner. I’ll see you tomorrow night! Love ya!”

Your heart skipped a beat, “love you too, see ya!”

You smiled widely after Tara hung up. You were going to prove your worthy for Tara to Sam.

Sam doesn’t realize how much you love that little feisty girl

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It’s currently 7:30

Your show starts in thirty minutes

Sitting on an old chair in the back room as Kayleen does a few more touches with your make-up

You weren’t a big fan of wearing make-up, but Kayleen insisted on you wearing some especially for tonight. It wasn’t crazy make-up, just some highlights and eyeliner, nothing punk looking but more casual.

“Cmon Y/N/N you’re our sexy sax you gotta look sexy,” you rolled your eyes. “Even Pip gets a little bit of a make-over!”

“Uh-what?” Pip quipped.

“…Annnnd done!” Kayleen exclaimed, “it’s your turn Pip!”

Pip groaned but gave in

“A-are we all getting make-up?” Damien asked.

“No, Pip just doesn’t get the option because he’s one of our big soloists! But if you want make-up I’d be happy to-”

“Absolutely not,” both Damien and Dan said. The raven shrugged and went back to work

“So Y/N/N? How are you feeling?” Damien asked, as he sat next to you.

“Better, I talked to my girlfriend last night and told about my nerves but she said I’ll be okay and other things.” “Awe, she must be a real sweet one.” You blushed as his comment, Tara was a sweet one even if she’s a little feisty at times.

“We have about ten minutes left.” Dan looked at his watch.

“Shit!!” Kayleen squealed.

You laughed at her antics when she jumped to grab more blush

“We’ve got time girl.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tara shifted in her seat as she looked around the interior of the Music Hall.

She’s never been inside the music building, she’s only passed in on walks, in a taxi or on the bus.

It was quite beautiful, the lights were pretty, the room was nice and warm and it was just gorgeous in general, it was a very open dome with a lot of people.

Sam didn’t want to spend a lot of money so they chose the middle seats on the balcony. Tara wouldn’t really be able to see you but the tv’s they had were enough to see your gorgeous face.

“God I’m so excited! Thanks again Sam!” Chad smiled bright. Mindy thanked her too.

“Of course,” Sam smiled. “Thanks Sam, seriously, you don’t know how much this means to me and especially Y/N/N.”

The older Carpenter smiled at her little sister.

“Up next we have our Jazz Band “Sweaters In Fall!!!”

When Tara heard your band name she perked up and watched ahead of her as she cheered with the crowed.

You and band walked up stage with your instruments, the keyboard and drums already set for Damien and Dan.

“Let’s meet our lovely band! Up first is Pip the Pippet! Our Trumpeter!” Pip smiled shyly.

“Second we have Sax Positive Kayleen!”

Mindy shook her head, “reminds me of Quinn sadly.” Tara chuckled a bit.

“Third we have Damien that Damn Keyboard!” Everybody laughed and cheered.

“Fourth we have Drummer Dan!”

“He looks like he’s sixty!!” Chad yelled. Tara didn’t like Dan, the stuff you’ve told Tara about him make her sick in the stomach but that feeling faded away once the guy announcing announced your name.

“Last but not Least! Y/N/N the Sexy Sax player!!” (Sorry not sorry)

Tara blushed when you waved a bit to the the crowed. Knowing you were looking for her.

“Let’s get this party started!”

~~~~~~~~~(sorry if it’s cheesy 😭)

You were at the last song of your album. The next song was more of something you wrote yourself. (Not actually 😭 cause that’d be copyright)

Tara cheered with the crowed once the song was finished. You eagerly searched for her in the crowed then spotted her a bit later.

You blew a kiss at her as she did it back.

“Cmon Y/n! We gotta go!” Pip called.

You nodded, taking one last glance in Tara’s direction before following your friends.

~~~~~~~~~~~

“That’s it! That was it my guys!” Damien screamed in victory.

“Eh it was alright-” “What do you mean it was alright Kay? That was our best yet!!” Pip cut off Kayleen.

You smiled bright once you entered the backroom. This was definitely the best performance you’ve had in awhile, and you were proud of that.

It didn’t matter to you if you won something but- it mattered that you did it. All you cared about was Sam liking you.

The band continued to talk about the performance whilst you put up your saxophone.

“Y/n!” You looked up at her voice.

Tara jumped into your arms with a big smile, Sam and her friends no too far behind.

“Hey babe! How’s you guys get in?” You looked over Tara’s shoulder, making sure no guards were about to run in saying they broke in.

“They let us in, I told them I was with you.”

“Now who’s this pretty lady?” Dan asked, he made your stomach curl and in a disgusted way.

“I’m Tara,” she said a little grossed out herself.

“Hey! Y/n, you can officially meet Sam now!” Tara turned to her older sister, motioning Sam to approach.

Sam looked at you with those ‘I don’t trust you eyes’. Sam scared you a bit, but being up close..Jesus you were more scared.

“Nice to meet you Y/n,” your eyes widened. Sam, Sam Carpenter being nice to you? She held out her hand waiting for you to shake it. “I-uh hi- S-Sam.”

Sam pulled her hand away and chuckled, “you don’t need to be afraid of me. Sorry for scaring you a bit, I’m a bit worried meeting new people. As Tara probably already told you.”

You nodded with a small smile. Tara was ecstatic with your first impressions on each other.

“Yo Y/n! You gonna introduce them?” Damien spoke.

“Oh uh- yeah! This is my girlfriend Tara her sister and friends. Guys this is Damien, Kayleen, Pip and-..Dan.” You pointed to the each of them.

There were some waves and hi’s

“Y/n, you didn’t tell me your girlfriend was hella hot.” Dan walked close.

“Excuse me?” Both you, Tara and Sam said.

“You heard me.”

You looked at Dan with hatred. “Back the fuck up.”

“Woah, no need to get all frisky babe.”

“Don’t fucking call her that!” Tara yelled.

You put a hand out in front of Tara, keeping her back.

“Damn, she’s loud too.”

“Shut the fuck up you perverted mother fucker!” You shoved Dan back, but it wasn’t long before he struck your nose with his fist.

You stumbled back, wincing and clutching your nose as it bled. “Y/n..”

“Oh come on Y/n, your worse than your are at pleasing her.”

That’s when Sam lost it as well. Sam punched Dan, you pushing Sam back to finish the job.

You grabbed him by the shoulders and slamming him against the wall. “I swear to fucking god! If you ever say any of those things ever again I’ll break your skull!!!”

“Hmp, I’d like to see you try.”

Damien and Sam both grabbed your arm before you got the chance to swing another punch at him.

“Let me go!!”

“Dan, get the fuck away! Go! You’re out of this fucking band!!” Damien screamed.

“Whatever, I didn’t want to be here anyways, I just wanted to see some ladies.” Dan chuckled.

You snarled. “Get him away from me.”

Damien and Pip nodded before getting Dan out of the room.

“Y/n-” “Let’s just go home.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“How’s it feeling?”

You and Tara were in her bedroom. After tonight’s event, your hand was swollen and bleeding. Sam checked it and no brokenness to it, just some bruises and scratches, plus it’ll sting.

“Like shit.” You huffed, laying back on her bed. Tara already patched you up, it hurt like a bitch too.

“I’m sorry,” “no. I’m sorry, I should’ve just kicked him off the band way before!” You threw your hands up.

“Baby, it’s not your fault. It isn’t your fault he’s some fucked up pervert, but thank you for defending me.” Tara brushed her fingers through your sweaty hair.

“Anytime..” you smile. Tara leaned down to kiss you on the lips, placing her scarred hand on your unharmed cheek.

“I love you.” “Love you too.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is fuckin cheesy.

Sorry for not uploading this faster than I planned. Weird shit has happened this past week

I need ideas cause my brain hurts and I can’t think of anything rn

[hijackalx]

KARLACH SFW HEADCANONS: 

 shes literally the least toxic out of everybody 😹😹 SHES JUST SO SWEET !!!! she loves to take care of tav, like after battles she'll have them sit on her lap while she dresses their wounds HELP !!! and the whole time she'll tease them with sneaky touches. she also likes to pick up tav, like spinning them around or throwing them over her shoulder is funny to her.

shes got a really innocent and childlike quality to her especially when shes in love like her and tav banter so often but its always lighthearted and sweet. and theyll play games with each other while traveling like who can throw the rock the farthest or some shit 😹😭 karlach would win normally but she likes to hold back so tav can win.

i also think shes pretty sensitive lowkey and its easy to upset her. she doesnt get mad though she just gets in her feelings and gets sad and distant. might need reassurance from tav sometimes when it comes to how much they love her.

love language:

giving = psychical touch and gift giving.

after not being able to touch people for soooo long of course her love language is touch. she literally cant get enough of tav, she almost always has a part of her touching them. i feel like she likes to wrap her tail around their leg when theyre talking lol like a cat. i can also see her being really excited to give tav items shes found or bought. all because they reminded her of them 🥰 her and tav should start a rock collection she'd love finding pretty rocks for them im crying can u imagine the party walking through the mountain pass and karlach keeps stopping to excitedly point out a rock to tav 😭😭

receiving = obv psychical touch but also acts of service? i feel like she doesnt ever EXPECT anything from anyone so when tav does go out of their way to do things for her it almost makes her cry lol.

shes also def as big and buff as she looks. like 6'4 pure muscle baby. she is a sight to behold. also feel like shes got bangin thighs and some booty too 🤭 she loves to sit tav on her thighs and do some nsfw things with them too lol

KARLACH NSFW HEADCANONS:

 okay so karlach i feel is very switchy. like she really enjoys being dominant and on top but she'll also be submissive and bottom too. she really just likes to do what tav wants. that being said i feel like shes rlly a giver like she just wants to see tav get off and it turns her on so much.

ok this might be kind of obvious but she will want tav to call her mommy LMAO like she loves it and she also loves when tav calls her that outside of sex its just so saucy eugh 😜

sooo into thigh riding like will sit tav on her thigh and bounce them or press her thigh/knee betwen tav's legs so they can grind against her like its her favorite OK

cannot get off if tav hasnt yet so how long she lasts usually depends on them. its that serious

okay. listen. i feel like karlach is more on the vanilla side AND I KNOW RHATS NOT WHAT YALL WANNA HEAR BUT YOU WILL HEAR IT ANYWAY !!!!!! like besides the mommy thing she just doesnt have that many kinks BUT she will participate in whatever kinks tav has so 🤷🏼

likes to wear a strap. a big ass gargantuan one too #prayfortavshole i also think shes prolly a lil dry normally cuz of her condition and all that...... but thats ok baby thats why we have lube 😘 (also LOVES when tav uses their spit as lube)

aftercare is very important to karlach cuz she likes to take care of tav already like i said before. like she'll clean them up and maybe suggest giving them a bath after 🥺 and she'll tell them how much she enjoyed it and all that

[turtle-steverogers]

no but Steve checking out during a mission and no one realizing because it's normal by now. Sometimes Steve goes quiet on the comms and they've gone on enough missions to know he's not chatty. No one questing why Steve skipped on clean up because, well, he's Cap, he is usually the one ordering it, so he must have had a good reason. No big deal.

Then a newly cleared Bucky suits up with the Avengers for the first time, expecting it to go relatively smoothly since they've been doing this for over 3 years now.

Fuck was he wrong.

No bc exactly, and Bucky already knows what's happening, because it happened sometimes during the war, too. The way Steve would check out-- go distant, eyes glazing over, unmoving, unseeing, unhearing. Like everything overloaded at once, and he just... went away. He'd always done that. Gone away in his head when things got too loud, either literally, or somewhere inside of him. But during the war, it got worse, and now? Oh god.

It's Bucky's first mission back, and of course it's something fucking ridiculous. Giant mechanical cows, because some idiot wanted a farm themed apocalypse, and really, the universe has got to be playing a joke on Bucky by now, because he's getting really fucking sick of this shit. He's ruminating on that as he slices another mechanical cow's head off to a rather horrible sounding moo, and it's only afterwards that he realizes he hasn't heard Steve say anything for a while.

"Anyone heard anything from Cap lately?" he asks into his comms, walking briskly around the... wiry cow carcass. Eugh.

"Nah, not in a minute. Last I saw him, he was heading south towards that library to stop the cows from getting civilians in there," Clint says. The sound of an arrow being fired thwips through the comm.

Bucky frowns. Steve's usually pretty vocal on missions-- doling out directions and strategy.

"No? Anyone seen him?" he asks, watching as a couple more cows explode in the distant via Tony's reactors.

"No, why?" Comes Natasha's voice. "You need him? He doesn't normally talk during missions."

And shit, what? Bucky knew that the others had missed a thing or twenty about Steve, but this was unacceptable. This was dangerous.

"Yes, he does," he snaps, already starting to jog toward the main street and over towards the library. "Shit."

"What? What's happening?" Tony asks, sounding out of breath.

"Steve-- fuck. This isn't-- if he's quiet, it ain't good," Bucky says, trying to keep his temper in check, because being angry when he gets to Steve is far from a good idea. "You guys coulda stood to pay more fucking attention."

Natasha says something else over the comm, but Bucky isn't listening anymore as he finally spots Steve, staring blankly down at a cow carcass. His eyes look distant, his hair is bloody. He's swaying a little, clearly a little off balance. Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck.

Bucky jogs over, slowing when he gets close and stopping about a foot away. He'd learned very early on that touching Steve when he's dissociating usually ends in a black eye and a very panicked Steve. Well. More panicked than he already will be when Bucky manages to bring him back to earth.

"Steve?" He keeps his voice even, but firm. "Steve, it's Bucky, pal, you're okay. Can you hear me?"

Steve looks up, eyebrows furrowing. Bucky inches closer.

"Steve, do you know where you are right now?"

Steve looks around, eyebrows still pinched. He nods, slowly, like he's moving through syrup, then he shakes his head, looking down at his hands, moving his fingers before pinching the bridge of his nose. Fuck. He's really out of it.

"That's okay, pal," Bucky says, moving close enough to touch if Steve needs it. "That's okay, just focus for a moment. My voice, the wind. Can you hear the wind?"

Steve doesn't look up, but eventually, he nods.

"Good, that's good. Wind, my voice... what else?"

"Um." Good. He's talking. That's good. "Cows-- fuck."

Bucky sees the moment Steve comes back to himself-- or at least, back to the moment. He kneels down when Steve slumps to the ground, teeth chattering. He's staring at his hands again. Yep. Nope. No more mission for him.

"I'ma need a med evac at the library. Stat," he says into his comm, before switching himself to mute. He hears Sam give an affirmative, then firmly tunes them out. "Steve, look at me."

Steve does. Well. He looks at Bucky's chin, which is close enough. Steve never did like looking at him in the eyes. That, at least, was normal.

"Can you take my hands?"

Bucky reaches out and Steve tentatively takes them. Bucky smiles at him and starts to squeeze. Steve always liked the squeezes.

"Feel that?" Steve nods. "Good. Focus on that. We're gonna get out of here in a moment, but for now, just feel your skin on mine. Focus on right here, right now. Just our skin, okay?"

"Just our skin," Steve echoes, and Bucky offers him a smile and another squeeze.

It takes longer than Bucky would prefer for evac to show up and by the time he gets Steve on the jet, he's looking a little clearer, if not pretty shaken. It's going to take Bucky a while to help him come down completely, but he's definitely going to have some words with the team later. How the hell had they missed this? How the hell had they missed so much with Steve?

Steve stares out the window, hands pressed between his knees. He's still shaking, and his complacency with leaving the mission is concerning, but Bucky doesn't mind rolling with the punches as they come.

Eventually, Steve reaches out for him and Bucky holds him close. At least he's here now. At least Steve has someone to see him again. He deserves that, at the very least.

[valleygirlmukuroikusaba]

feeling like im in the minority with how i percieve this particular character(mukuro) sighhhh

bc i been yapping a bunch with some other fans and like. while im not axed on sight for "mischaracterization"(mostly bc im hanging out with ex-fans) it is a lillll. a tad bitttt frustrating

bc atp its just like junko but what if she was normal and not a freak and her name happened to also be mukuro ikusaba. so non despair junko if you go the route that mukuro is meant to contrast junko. but like ive been kinda taking it as junko parallels mukuro since ive kinda made a bit of space in my head that makes it feel like the rest of thh was meant to compliment thh ch1

like something abt thh feels like most of the care and development was mostly focused on fleshing out ch1 and the rest seems like a afterthought. tho i cant put my finger on why it just really stands out to me

tho afterthought might be too harsh of a word hmmm

im not sure if im like outright ignoring who mukuro actually is in source. which uh tbf i have no fucking clue aside from the fanon emo interpretation that i cant actually even back up bc im missing required information and like . i feel like theres a chance that it could of been change of direction during conception bc im not even sure what the whole decision behind making junko(mukuro) the ultimate soldier is rlly abt? again this opinion could very much change the moment i watch the dr3 anime or smth. maybe future me might come across it and go wow i used to see mukuro like this

tho my au is still gonna focus on this ch1 mukuro concept and yeah i mean tbf im ignoring a good chunk of the canon lore here to make this work in a v3 like setting i think my version of mukuro changes nothing.? it might be jarring to danganronpa timeline lore truthers bc v3 doesnt really give a good conclusion to the HPA/FF saga but truth be told im not actually that much of a fan of that huge lore direction, bc while playing sdr2/udg and thinking back on it im just tryna like get things to fall in place a bit and then hit a brick wall and be like. wow danganronpa lore kinda bad ngl lol

anyways back to mukuro-junko and my au:

so generally uhm its v3 setting-like but its also abt the media from the outsider's view as well since like. theres legal accusations and disinformation and a bunch of like . idk modern au but also like its abt production in the end and i like the idea that mukuro(+leon) r like individual artists in comparison to big companies in the entertainment industry and i like that ill still have kinda freaky junko enoshima to like contrast that i think

well she's not particularly as artsy like junko but this au has it that she put in as much if not more than junko to keep up appearances bc she does go though with the junko disguise to the point the legal team gets them confused with how much forgery mukuro is capable of and i dont think junko nearly has enough time to focus on her sister while also running the entertainment company so mukuro has to make do with some parts of junko's plan on her own(and then she comes around to makoto and the others later)

like this junko is not nearly as fucked up as canon source junko but like symbolically i think its fine to have her in opposition to mukuro in terms of where i want to head with the story! man i wish i knew how to write a narrative like . this au eats at my brain eugh

[the-cookie-of-doom]

HI, HELLO, WHAT IS THIS WARMER THAN THE SUMMER INGREDIENTS FIC???? :D :D :D :D :D :D

Send me an ask and I'll tell you about one of these WIPs

This fic is a SHAMELESS PWP inspired by Win's bold as fuck request for Tops to join him in the shower?? Like what was that??? and then they just never elaborate on it??? Target could never, Ingredients by itself had me shook, but that scene took me out.

This is one of those WIPs I've had since like. November. I feel like I watched it immediately after finishing Ingredients. Which I didn't actually watch immediately after KP! Bc I was trying to be normal! I also didn't start listening to Jeff's music for a month or two. Then I decided fuck it, he's pretty 🥺

Despite his bold, impulsive invitation, Win didn’t really expect Tops to join him. He startles when his roommate—crush, boyfriend?—pulls back the shower curtain and steps in behind him, and only just manages to strangle his scream into a choked out, eugh!  “It’s just me,” Tops says softly, as if it could be anyone else.  Win slicks his hair back from his face and starts to turn around, but Tops stops him.  “Please don’t.” “Why, are you naked?” Win laughs at Tops’ flustered sigh.  “Yes.” “Good. It would be weird if you weren’t.”  It’s a little bit weird that he is, too, but not a bad weird. It’s weird like their first kiss was weird. Strange and new and filling his insides with sparklers that Win wants to write about. The idea of it, the knowledge that Tops is completely bare behind him, makes Win all warm inside. He feels that shimmering sparkle again, tingling beneath his skin.  “If you’re going to stay back there, wash my back?” He holds a fluffy, soapy loofa over his shoulder. Tops takes it—Win imagines the bashful look he must be wearing, the way he always looks down to hide his pleased little smile—and drags it across Win’s shoulders. After a few careful strokes, he grows brave enough to lay his bare hand against Win’s back. It’s electric.  They stay like that for a long time, not talking. Tops hands working over Win’s body. It makes Win feel like syrup, warm and relaxed. Then Tops gets bolder, scrubs his bare hand on Win’s skin, too, gradually working his way lower. His fingers glide over Win’s spine like Win’s fingers over a fretboard.  “Win?” “Hmm?” Win opens his eyes—doesn’t know what they closed—and squints at the wall through the water spraying down his front. Tops hands are on his hips, he thinks. Tops hands. He’s touching me. One hand is still buried in the loofa, and he’s been touching Win the entire time, but it’s only just now starting to really sink in.  “I’m done,” Tops says, his voice quiet beneath the deafening roar of the water. Win hears him anyway. Picks out the sweet note of his voice amidst the static white-noice like only a musician can.  Win swallows. “Thanks.” he steps more fully under the water and sluices off the soap. “Your turn?” “O-oh. Okay.” Tops shuffles around behind him. When Win turns, he’s met with the expanse of Tops’ back. Which… he hasn’t actually seen before, has he? Tops has seen him, that time after his shower when Win was so eager to play his new song he forgot to even put on clothes until Top reminded him. But this is new.  Everything about him—about this, them—is new.  Win smiles to himself. He takes the loofa from Tops and drizzles more citrus-scented body wash over it, before dragging it down his back, generously soaping him up. There’s enough alcohol still in his system that it could easily take the blame for his boldness, but the truth is, Win has never had to hide behind alcohol for courage. Almost never.

[shortystack75]

Hey its been a year girlypops I'm play lis2 again

Pot farm and im bonding with the guy...? Hes got a daughter!

My Sean sitting in silence as Hannah and Cass fight like his moms are beefing

Finn!! Stop flirting with me 🥴 how is Sean supposed to function when you're flirting with him 🙄

Helping Hannah peel potatoes she feels like my sister 🥺 God this feels like such a good talk for sean

Sean being a little freak when Cassidy snatched his drawing 😭 i wonder what she would've said if I drew her but I drew finn

We are little wolves 🥰

BBG STILL TRIED TO TAKE A PUFF NOOO 😭

Sean this is NOT how I would've taken this convo- HES NINE!

Oh shit thats a big trunk hey dude

"I'm not a kid. Anymore" bbg you are NINE.

Mmm normally id say fuck it sure to weed but I feel this would be a bad decision with my son next to me

Finn wants to get a beach house...? Hey hey finn. Hey finn. WERE maybe going to a beach...

...... I have to make the choice to romance finn rn huh 🤨 go to bed or get a haircut....... UGHHHH in sorry Daniel 😔

"Don't look at me boy. I only cut weed ☝" Hannah i love you. FINN PLS SONT BUTCHER HIS HAIR. ..... ITS NOT GREAT. Ill say he likes it to like finn but Its meh

Sean's little "erm. How long have you to. Been together 😳" bbg thats not the vibes, they're sweeties

"Would you consider yourself bi-" "Horny 😌" BROTHER-

I love finn calling everyone sweetie btw 🥺 have I mentioned that?

I was not expecting this music but okay pfft.

Daniel,,, Daniel you be getting us all fired 😑What. WHAT DO YOU MEAN TEAXH HIM A LESSON im gonna kill 😤

Also they all know about Daniel powers now and Sean has a black eye.

Jake sweetie pie do not make this about religion.

SIGH. I really don't wanna go along with the heist but I Google it and its the only way to romance Finn 😑 Is Sean getting dick worth it? Obviously Daniel will be fine in the end but surely this ONE thing won't be a giant setback for Daniel right?? Right??? It'll be okay to be selfish and get Sean a bf right???

Sigh this is a bad decision but OH A KISS OKSY- 😭 SORRY DANIELS MORALITY BUT I WANT ONE NICE THING FOR SEAN

"Secret girl talk" I'm gonna guess its about their fight about where to go next

Bbg tattoos don't hurt THAT bad my first tsttoo was on my finger

Oop i forgor to catalog but I was inching around like such a pest to find all the cameras and it took me like 45 min bc I kept rechecking 😭

Bro still came out after we opened the safe tho 😔 finn and Sean are down for the count and my DON GOT SHOT!!

Oh fuck wait SEANS EYE! HELLOW?!

Okay well obviously Sean's not dead but damn. My bad 😬

Choice overview: (bad quality bc im taking pictures of it on my phone instead of ssing it)

God ibremeber Cassidy being like "i can stand up for myself sea " like yea I know girlypop I'm just trying be supportive 😔

I only just found out I didn't need to get the haircut 😭 I COULDVE WENT TO BED WITH DANIEL??? FR??? GOD I WOULD HAVE I PROMY!

She can't be angry if she doesn't know ☝

Eugh boy 4 %.. it was that back camera right? That shitter just would not let me destroy it i had to reload twice

0%?? I mean I guess they just don't be shooting ppl, fair!

Guys why is he so mad at all of you?? 60% didn't help??? Crazy

The preview!! I knew he'd be fine. But also... toast? WHERES DANIEL- ERMM! ☝

Dunno when I'll continue again but tataa!

[vargamornight]

old personal drama rant beneath the cut

i’m actually never going to be over the fact that my friend, who lives with her abusive parents and can’t move out because she’s disabled and can’t afford to live on her own, had a support network that consisted of literally just me, my partner, and her online friend who she gamed with once a week. and then the online friend moved in with her husband and didn’t make time for her anymore, so she started spending more time with me and my partner, and absolutely nothing about the way we treated her changed. we still supported her, still encouraged her, still assured her that her shitty parents were shitty and that she wasn’t worthless or a burden or anything else psychologically abusive parents love to make their children believe. we didn’t treat her any differently than we did before we were together, because we’re adults, and she was my best friend and my partner’s good friend.

one day i woke up and they were playing a game together that we had previously all played together, and i was like hell yeah! how are you liking it? because it wasn’t something they were familiar with. and they were having fun, but she had to take a nap, so he and i played. and when she woke up and saw that we were playing without her, she basically was like “i can’t believe you would play without me, this was supposed to be a game we all three played together.”

and i was like… you literally played without me today. literally today. and she was like that’s different! but could not explain why. and then proceeded to accuse us of “talking about our sex life” in front of her, which. i know you guys don’t know me really but jesus fucking christ i would never do that. i would NEVER do that. the very idea makes me so fucking uncomfortable. just THINKING about doing that EUGH no. i don’t even talk about it HERE, which is essentially my diary where i talk about EVERYTHING. my sex life is, simply put, private. it always has been and always will be. i am just not that person.

(this is the same woman, also, who insisted it was totally cool and fine and normal to talk openly about the kinks you have and the sex you want. i don’t disagree, but i also just don’t fuckin do that, and also like…….. do you see the hypocrisy? anyway)

and when i pointed out my very private tendencies, and asked for examples of times we had made her uncomfortable by saying things like that, she couldn’t name any. i let it slide because we both have the same adhd and cptsd related memory issues so i honestly didn’t press that. like i knew for a fact based on who i am as a person that she was just blowing something out of proportion, but i wasn’t going to say that. not in those terms.

but upon asking gently for clarification, she essentially rambled nervously until we came to the real issue which was that i was in a relationship and she wasn’t, and she didn’t like that. she asked us to basically act like we weren’t dating whenever she was around, which, because her only other friend did not have time for her anymore, was probably 90% of the time we were conscious. and she wanted us to do this because she had never been in a relationship despite wanting one, and having to be reminded of that fact every day was too much for her.

and when i said that that was a frankly ridiculous request, she lost it. i was so patient with her, so supportive, throughout not only that conversation but also our entire friendship, but this was literally the first time she’d ever done something that made me put my foot down, and she couldn’t handle it. she said i was gaslighting her by insisting i didn’t talk about my sex life, and how dare i not believe her when she couldn’t remember any specific examples when she has memory problems, and completely ghosted the both of us after i told her we could talk about potential solutions that don’t require me and my partner to pretend we’re not together.

then after two weeks of nothing from her, she came back into my discord dms to tell me that she deserved better.

i truly am proud of her for finally saying that to anybody about anything, but of all the people. of all the scenarios. of all the times to say it. she now has absolutely no one on her side because she decided my happiness poked her the wrong way.

and i say MY happiness because throughout this entire thing, she didn’t say a damn thing to my partner. he even tried to reach out to her because obviously i told him what she was saying because it involved all of us, and she ignored him.

[sunlightbender]

A Somewhat Scathing Barbie Review (from a Barbie lover)

SPOILER WARNING FOR THE BARBIE MOVIE

Okay, okay, PLEASE don’t skin me alive for saying this, but I thought the Barbie movie was mid at best. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t terrible, but I’ve been seeing people all over the internet praise it as the greatest cinematic masterpiece of our generation and it’s just... not.

As a positive opening, here’s what I liked:

Set design

Costuming

Acting

(Controversially) The narrator

The music

It’s obviously a gorgeous movie. It’s got so many references to actual Barbie sets and outfits, and as a Barbie fan it’s so much fun to see real people in replicas of Barbie clothes. It’s also super funny, and the music is really enjoyable. With so many positives, it might seem odd that this is titled as a scathing review, but for me, the most important factor in any movie is the story, and well... Barbie’s kind of sucks.

Look, I don’t want to ruin anyone’s perspective on a movie they enjoyed so I’d suggest stopping here if you really liked it. 

The storyline was so heavily lacking. My first biggest qualm: this movie isn’t feminist, it’s sexist, dressed up in feminist frills. Disclaimer: I’m a feminist, hardcore, my family teases me about it all the time. From the very opening of the movie, where they mention that the Barbies see themselves as having made a feminist impact in the world, implying that Barbie as a brand HASN’T done that... eugh. Sasha’s opinion on Barbie is very heavily hinted to be the ‘correct’ one, where Barbie hasn’t positively impacted real women. Gloria’s suggestion at the end, to make an ‘ordinary’ Barbie backs this up - the energy of “We need a realistic Barbie, not the silly, pretty, blonde bimbos of the past”, if you will. 

Let me state this: Barbie is, and has always been, a feminist. Barbie has represented strong women for ages. Barbie, in her pink and glittery glory, has had hundreds of careers, dozens of friends, is loved by all, lives life on her own terms, and has Ken as an accessory. She’s gorgeous and fun and smart and powerful and capable. She has ALWAYS been feminist, and any girl who grew up with Barbies will tell you that playing with them has only helped them imagine “what if I could be-”, in the best possible way. As a woman in STEM, I remember playing with Barbies as a kid, and knowing that I could really do anything, because Barbie could too. 

To build onto this, Gloria’s suggestion that an ‘ordinary’ Barbie be made is ridiculous - I’ve always viewed most Barbies as ‘normal’ people! Are they incredible? Of course! But they’re normal people - that’s the whole POINT of Barbie - she can be anything, she can do anything, she’s incredible because women as a whole can be anything, do anything, and are incredible. To have an ‘ordinary’ Barbie that women can relate to is to imply that ordinary women aren’t capable of being vets, engineers, lawyers, environmentalists, businesswomen, etc. It’s almost as if the movie struggles to differentiate Barbie, the brand, from Barbie, the character. Can any one person have 200+ jobs? No, of course not, but Barbie, the character, has NOT done all of those - it’s just all different fields that Barbie could be capable of - because Barbie, the brand, represents everything that women as a whole can accomplish.

Next, the Kens. Oh god, the Kens. I LOVED the start of the movie. Himbo, accessory Ken is incredible. I love him. I finally understood why straight women loved Ryan Gosling. Then he became a misogynist. Ken’s whole arc is so rushed and muddled. Ken was miserable and bitter even before things started going wrong. In the perfect Barbieland, why should Ken be bitter? It doesn’t make logical sense - before Barbieland was falling apart, you’d think the Kens would be okay with their position in the world. And if not, then is the implication that Barbieland was never perfect? That didn’t come across to me. Let’s be frank, in a perfect Barbieland, there’d either be perfect equality where nobody was upset, or everyone would be 100% okay with the inequality in the world. 

He was so obscenely sexist that the funny movie became genuinely uncomfortable to watch, and for the conclusion to be for Barbie to APOLOGIZE to him despite him stealing her house and brainwashing the country...????? And then the main issue was never even resolved - the hardcore matriarchy continues to exist - just everyone saying “I am Ken” is not going to prevent another Ken uprising, and if Barbieland is perfect, I reiterate once more, KENS DESERVE TO BE TREATED FAIRLY TOO. Also, it seems a little anti-feminist to make the Barbie movie essentially a Ken movie with Barbie crying in the back. The plot was SO Ken-heavy that it didn’t feel like a Barbie movie at all. A really feminist movie would’ve made Ken a background, barely-important character, but he runs the show.

I won’t go on and on, but it’s really uncomfortable. Including the forced almost-kiss. 

Lastly, my big qualm is that Barbie becomes a human. Come on, is humanity not over ourselves already? Why do we make everyone in movies obsessed with us? It’s not enough that aliens should want to live on earth, or that princesses should dream to be common, or that robots wish they were human, Barbie herself has to long to dress in beige and be called Barbara. It was implied that the feminist out here is that Barbie has to escape Barbieland, to become her own person, but Barbie, the idea, has already been feminist! It was important for her to be Barbie, the idea, and there’s no sense to why she should want to be human. Why can’t she stay a perfect stereotypical Barbie, another cog in the perfect, plastic Barbieland machine? What’s wrong with that?

Then, all the dropped plotlines:

Gloria and Sasha’s relationship

The CEO

Ken’s still miserable

Barbie’s impact on the women of the world

Brainwashing apparently is fixed by one cheesy speech?

I think it’s a huge case of target audience. I only realized today, three days after the early screening day when I watched it, that it was not made for Barbie fans like me, who watched every piece of Barbie media, who’ve loved the brand for years. It’s made for people who played with the dolls in the 90s, relegated it as “for kids” and were waiting for a socially acceptable excuse to watch a pink movie again.

Was it a terrible movie? No, I suppose not, but frankly, the movie was muddled, corny, bland, and everything that the movie tried to do has been done better by Barbie’s animated movies and show. If you haven’t watched them, I’d suggest starting with Big City, Big Dreams. It’s a short, easy watch about being competitive without being toxic. The Dreamhouse Adventures series also has a lot of great messages. And then, my personal favorite, the Princess and the Pauper, has an awesome message about women supporting women. Now the men in THAT movie really ARE side characters.

One final comment: Barbie doesn’t give kids eating disorders. Adults telling kids they should look like Barbie gives kids eating disorders. And if you’re blaming Barbie for that, well, please also look at Disney, which pretty exclusively has their fat characters be villains, or toxic teen movies from the early 2000s which called people at size 2s fat. Take it from a woman who’s had multiple eating disorders.

What a rant, huh? And that’s WITHOUT getting into the lack of queer rep in a movie that marketed itself as being very camp - Hari Nef aside (she was wonderful!). If you enjoyed the movie, please don’t let me ruin it. It was definitely a lot of fun, but for me, the story really broke the movie. I’ll give it a 6/10 for enjoyability, and a 4/10 for objective quality.

[hurrl]

You know I gotta request a fic with Chrys and Ronny. Maybe the theme can be teasing? 😳👀

OF COURSE!!!

Listen. They're roommates in this one

For whatever reason, when Ronny woke up this morning, he decided to choose violence.

"You know you snore, right?" He walked into the kitchen, an impish grin on his face knowing Chrysalis was in there.

"I literally don't" Chrys hadn't even finished her protein coffee, it was too early for his shit "But if it's such a problem, you can always leave,"

Chrys had moved Ronny after her dogs, Dolce and Gabbana caught him mid-break in a few months. Normally she would've let them tear an intruder apart, but there was something about Ronny; a certain "wet ratness" to him that made Chrys want to keep him. He was like her own personal project. A pet!

"Hey, I'm just looking out for you," Ronny put up both his hands, "I could hear you from down the hall last night. Seriously, whoever did your nose job probably deviated your septum, you should get your money back,"

"My septum is perfect, my nose is perfect," Chrys said in a sing-song voice as she placed her hand over her heart. She then clicked her tongue and scoffed, "Literally suck a dick," "Know where I can find one?" He laughed. He was honestly surprised at how easy she was to piss off today. "There's a huge one standing in front of me,"

"Too bad I can't suck myself,"

"Remove a few ribs, you'll find a way," Chrys scrunched up her nose, as she began to exit the kitchen.

Hey, wait, no! He wasn't done messing with her!

Ronny followed Chrys down the hall and made sure to invade Chrys' personal space as she walked.

"Aw, don't leave, we're having fun. So what if you snore-"

"I don't snore, snoring is for ugly people!" Chrys huffed.

"Wow, I really stuck a nerve, huh?!" Ronny started to cackle- he had this really annoying hyena laugh that made Chrys cringe, "C'mon, don't get mad at me because I told you the truth," "Oh, you want the truth?"

Shit, he was about to get kicked out, wasn't he? He started planning on how many things he could swipe before she sicked the dogs on him.

"Pfft, yeah! Let me hear it!" Despite acting so brazen, he was preparing himself for the worst. This really was one of the better places he's stayed at, yeah he could swipe a good amount and make a decent profit, but he knew he'd miss hanging around.

"I think you're really cute, Ronny," Oh she's doing that again.

"Ha ha," He feigned a laugh. He had fallen victim to this Chrys tactic in the past, "Not falling for that one," again.

"No like... seriously," Chys twirled her strawberry milk pink hair, "I know I've joked about it before, but you're actually really hot. And I know you're only messing with me because you feel the same way," "Yeah I also think I'm really hot," Ronny rolled his eyes, this was lame, she had turned his fun into a joke. He tried to walk past her but she grabbed him by the shoulder and pushed him against the wall.

"Don't you ever imagine what it would be like, you and me?"

"No, why would I do something like that?" He felt his face heat up, if he had never thought of it before, he was thinking about it now. He knew she was messing with him, but still, it was kind of hard to not think about it when they were chest to chest.

"Your face is all red!~" Chrys teased, "It's cute when you blush like that," She brushed a piece of his hair behind his ear

"Can you fuck off?" He was determined not to entertain her.

"Aww, are you upset?" Chrysalis pouted, "You want it to be real, huh?" She giggled, "Well guess what? we can make it happen, right now~" She tugged him closer to her by the belt loop of his jeans.

Fuck-

"Someone's excited," She purred. He knew better than to play into it, but since she was going this far- "Why don't you take care of it then," Nailed it, he probably sounded so sexy and cool right there.

"PFFT HAHAHA!" Chys let go, holding her sides as she laughed, "Oh my God oh my God, what was that?! Eugh! yuck!"

"I was just playing along," He fell for it AGAIN

"That was not playing along. That was full on- I don't even know what that was? Some sort of pseudo-dom bullshit?"

"It was a joke-"

"Uh-huh, sure," Chrys nodded with a smug look on her face, "You know I really was considering fucking you before you said that corny shit,"

"No, you were just messing with me because you were pissed off about the snoring thing," "I was, but like," She gave him the once over and shrugged, "You're cute enough! It's just, like, IF we ever have sex I wanna have sex with Ronny, you know? Like... my Ronny. The one who broke into my house and almost got mauled by my dogs, he's awkward and annoying-" "I don't know what you're talking about,"

She laughed through her nose with a shrug before walking off, "You know, I got a fleshlight through PR if you need to take care of that problem I caused~!" God, he couldn't stand her sometimes... but since she was offering-

[hijackalx]

WYLL SFW HEADCANONS:

 wyll puts on this tough guy front but he is A BIG ASS BABY YALL !!! like he wants to be babied sooo bad lowkey. he wants to lay his head in tav's lap while they stroke his head and listen to him complain about his day 😭😭 hes so sugary sweet too. like calls tav so many pet names and wants them to do the same. the type of dude to text tav some shit like "goodmorning starshine! ⭐️😁" #CORNBALL !!!!!!! but in a good way tho like its just so goofy and endearing

okay but sometimes if hes feeling really moody he'll get kind of toxic. like if tav doesnt watch what they say to him he'll shut their ass OUT and get pissedddd. he usually comes back around tho in like an hour so its ok lmaoo

also even tho he wants to be babied behind the scenes in public he wants tav to be like, his damsel in distress. he just wants to protect them and play the knight in shining armor so bad. it makes him happy just go along with it yall

i feel like hes similar to lae'zel in a way like he also just wants to feel like hes good enough. validate him or he'll be sad (it will crush him eternally)

love language:

giving= physical touch and acts of service

was anyone surprised. i feel like he wont be comfortable touching tav for a while tho like he just doesnt want to overstep boundaries. he is the type of person who takes that kind of stuff reallllyyyyy slowly at first like itll have tav wondering if hes disgusted by them or something. like why did u jerk ur hand away like that tf? the whole time hes just being considerate 😭

receiving= words of affirmation. and quality time cuz him and tav do a lot of leaving room for jesus at the start. but yeah he just likes to be around tav like kind of the clingy type ? not obsessively tho. if they need space he'll respect it. he also wants tav to tell him what a big strong man he is and also praise him for always protecting them and all that.

i think hes pretty tall im getting 6'2 vibes from him also pretty buff. like HIS ARMMMMSSSS OKAYYY i feel like theyre his prized characteristic. ugh imagine them flexing while hes showing off and dropping baddies for u 😍😍

WYLL NSFW HEADCANONS:

i feel like he switches between dominant and submissive OCCASIONALLY but hes mostly dominant. like he feels it is his manly duty or whatever LMAO although he just kind of naturally takes control like that. like i dont think he thinks about it very much.

the MOST vanilla mf here. but thats ok. his fav position is missionary but sometimes he likes to spice it up with doggy style lol. lovvvessss oral like both giving and receiving. i think when hes receiving oral is when he'd be most submissive tbh. how tav looks going down on him is just sooo hot and how they look up at him like he prolly nuts quick asf gettin his meat slobbered on LMAO

godddd i feel like hes totally into breeding tho. like wants to cum inside SO BAD !!!! if tav is afab hes totally into the idea of getting them pregnant and is open to having lots of kids. if tav wont let him cum inside he'll ask to finish on like their face or stomach.

he prolly has beautiful ass rugged manly hands and they prolly feel soo good on tavs skin.... especially if hes fingering/giving a handjob 🤭 EUGH I LOVE IT

omgomgomg hes into manhandling too like he def wants to pick up tav and throw them around *gently 😌 hes not into hurting tav even a little bit like if u suggest it he will literally go soft af and it will turn into a naked therapy session

i wouldnt say he normally finishes fast only when hes getting a blowjob. other than that he has good stamina. also hes prolly around 7 inches a little closer to 7 than astarion is lol. his definitely looks angry af tho like rlly veiny and THICK !!!

during aftercare he expects tav to be attentive to him like hes WORE OUT !! he wants them to get the towel for him 🥺 and clean him off 🥺 and get him fresh clothes 🥺 and tuck him in 🥺 and kiss him goodnight 🥺 HAHAH BUT IN A CUTE WAY OKAY

[mt07131]

Underdark Unearthed- Xuna

The Selûnite outpost in the depths of the Underdark was certainly an unusual find, but stranger still was Xuna.

Or, to be more accurate, how she had been acting since the path through the Underdark was agreed upon. She hid it well, if you were someone who was less perceptive to the emotions of others. However, to someone like Astarion who has spent the past two hundred years learning how to read people and get under their skin in the most delicious ways, the signs were obvious. The constantly shifting eyes, the unease in her posture, and the pacing made it clear- something was bothering her and it had to do with where they currently stood. 

The group had decided to make camp in what looked to be the only semblance of a structure for some distance. Not that that had ever stopped them from camping in the wilderness before, but it was nice to have a massive, functioning gate between you and the horrors of the Underdark. From where Astarion stood, he could see the bright shock of Xuna’s hair peeking out from between dark stones where she stood on one of the ruined upper levels. Her back was turned to them, her gaze focused solely on the darkness beyond.

He decided at that moment that, yes, he did want to know what exactly was irking her. Normally, he wouldn’t be the one to seek her out. He was far too important to be chasing after her (and he had to admit, he liked watching her trot up him with that smirk on her face that meant he would get to feed on her) but this time was different. Things between them were different, ever since their shared night.

And so, he climbed up those ruined stairs, coming to rest on their now shared platform. There was a beat of silence, and then-

“If you were hoping to sneak up on me, you’re doing a pretty shit job of it.” Xuna spoke up, unmoving.

He scoffed. “Now, darling, why would I ever do that?” He asked, almost offended.

She finally turned to face him, raising one unimpressed brow. “I could think of any number of reasons. Snatching something from my pockets, coming to push me off this platform to my cruel and untimely death, the list goes on really.” She pointed out. Then, she cocked her head. “Now, what’s the problem?”

“I-” And he hesitated. He hesitated because he felt concerned. He felt concerned for someone other than himself. 

Eugh. 

It left a sour taste in his mouth, and yet he couldn’t find it in himself to mind. “You’ve been antsy ever since that druid suggested the Underdark, even more so since we descended. Something’s irritating you.” Astarion pointed out.

Xuna rolled her eyes. “Everything’s been irritating me since I woke up on a nautiloid with an extra passenger in my skull.” She retorted. “Can’t a girl just go off and think about all the shit that’s happened to her and all the shit looming in front of her?” She shrugged.

Astarion stepped closer, clicking his tongue. She wanted to play a game, did she? Well, he did so love to poke and prod. “Try again, darling, that isn’t quite it.” He grinned.

Another raise of the brow. “And let me guess, you’re going to keep bothering me until I spill my guts to you one way or another, hm?” He didn’t respond to that, so she huffed. “Fine, okay, it’s just… it’s the first time I’ve been back down here since… since I was exiled.” She muttered that last part under her breath.

He leaned in ever closer. “Speak up, I didn’t quite catch the ending there.”

“Since I was exiled!” Xuna repeated with an annoyed groan. “You’ve lived for quite some time, Astarion, I’m sure you’ve met your fair share of drow. But how much do you actually know about the people, how we live?” She asked.

Now, it was the vampire spawn’s turn to shrug his shoulders. “I’m no expert if that’s what what you’re asking.” He responded. Though, he had to admit, he was intrigued. He knew there was something else lurking beneath the rogue’s surface, and exile was certainly something interesting.

Xuna shifted her weight. “Ultimately, I was exiled because of these.” She jabbed two fingers towards her face, towards those lovely lavender eyes he had grown fond of. “When a drow child is born, particularly a daughter, the priestesses say Lolth blesses the birth. That’s not the whole story, not really.” She began. “Truth is, the Queen of Spiders lays her own claim to the child, marks them as another strand in her web. And that blessing is evident by the drow’s red eyes. So, when a well-revered priestess of Lolth in Menzoberranzan, the City of Spiders, Lolth’s city,” She emphasized. “Births a daughter without that blessing, without those tell-tale red eyes, well, that’s a bit of a bad omen.”

At that, Astarion’s own brow reached towards his hairline. “My my, and so the cursed daughter returns.” He purred. “Though, from what I do know about your goddess, color me surprised that you still live.” He noted.

She snorted. “Yes, Nixunalyn Mizzrune, the cursed daughter, still lives. And don’t put words in my mouth, I do not claim Lolth as mine. Why should I, when she didn’t claim me?” She challenged. Then, she sighed. “Even with Lolth’s silence and apparent dismissal of my birth, my dear mother would rather pluck out her own eyes and eat them than sacrifice someone that could become a tool. As I said, she was- is- respected and well-known, and she needs every advantage that she can muster to stay in the favor of both Lolth and the Council. Make no mistake, she did try to seek answers. The amount of rituals and services I was subject to as a child only to be met with silence number in the dozens, close to a hundred maybe.” She explained.

“And so she, what, locked you away in some dark tower?” He asked.

Xuna, for the first time in this conversation, laughed at that. “I could only wish she did. No, I was still expected to act as any upstanding Menzoberranyr would, just with the addition of constantly being under glamours and illusions and tightly shutting the lips of all who lived and worked in our home. I was… tolerated more than I was raised, and that only got worse once my younger sisters were born, as normal as any Lolth-fearing drow would hope. And then, it all came to head when I reached adulthood.”

She turned back around, coming to rest again at the edge of the platform, looking out at the endless, eternal darkness around them. Astarion followed a step behind, waiting for her to continue. “The day I became an adult, my mother came to me in the dead of night with an… offer.” The venom in her tone around that word hissed through the air. “It was a simple ultimatum- leave Menzoberranzan of my own free will and never return, or face the wrath of the Spider Queen.” She admitted.

Her tone had changed when she spoke those words, like she was reciting some ancient edict. “Those were…” He began.

“Her exact words, down to the sheer disgust in her voice when she spoke them to me.” Xuna finished. “The implications were obvious. We were lucky enough that no misfortune had fallen upon us while I lived there. But, Lolth is twisted and thrives on stirring mischief and ruin. And if said ruin or a great misfortune were to come bearing down on the house, it was clear that the blame would be placed at my feet for simply existing. So I did what any sane person would do and willingly exiled myself from the only place I had ever known as a home. There’s my tragic tale, happy?” She crossed her arms over her chest.

Astarion gave her another smile, but it was small, grateful almost. The fact that she trusted him of all people with such a lofty story certainly meant something. “Indeed, darling.” He said.

She gestured out before them. “So, to answer your original question, I’m antsy because I’m back in the place that I once called home and yet haven’t done so for, oh, seven years or so.” Astarion opened his mouth to retort, but she held up a finger. “Not a word from you, I know seven years is nothing to someone as long lived as you.” She interrupted in a poor mockery of his imperious tone. “But it’s just… a lot, okay? So I’d appreciate it if you kept it between the two of us.”

“Of course. You…” Trusted me, he wanted to say. “Aren’t the only one with a sordid past here. But I must ask, why come back? We could have easily taken the mountain passage, and it seems your word has become law in this merry little group.” He pointed out.

Xuna chuckled. “Illogical, isn’t it? And yet, it’s also illogical to think my family would even know I’m back, given how far south we are of the city. Though it seems poor logic has taken the reins of my life in recent days” Then, she sighed. “And I suppose it’s high time I stop being afraid of an entire region. As you said, I’m not the only one here with secrets in her past, I can’t pretend I don’t have the Underdark running in my veins.” She said.

Part of him wanted to reach out for her, but he stopped himself. “And there’s this cult, of course, lest we forget that minor problem.” He said.

She snorted at that. “Ah yes, the evil cult that wants to seemingly take control of the whole of Faerûn that has made a base in the place that is commonly known in polite society as being a place of darkness and horrors. It’s a little too stereotypical for my tastes.” She jested.

They should have gone back to the rest of the group then, a night’s rest the only thing standing between them and the looming task ahead. Yet, the pair seemed more content to stand together in a comfortable silence, basking in the idea of knowing just who you were traveling with, and who you were giving your heart to.