#excuse the lack of blanket I. forgot :(

[heres-to-all-that-is-mine]

I still hold much affection for @post-it-notes7 ‘s fic! Chapter 28 was a blast ✨

[entirelysein-e]

『 Sins of the flesh 』

☼ synopsis: You catch your roommate Choso getting off with his little silicone fleshlight and decide to help him get off, indulging in his sinful fantasies of a threesome with the help of his toy.

☼ character: Choso

☼ wc: 2.2k

☼ cw: fem!reader, afab!reader, dom!leaning reader, Choso getting caught, mutual masturbation, cum eating, cunnilingus, sex toys (fleshlight), mentions of sex

☼ notes: so uhm this happened 🫣 totally not self indulgent as always- I would never | don't forget to sign up for the taglist! | requests are open!

Having Choso as your roommate was the best thing that could have happened to you. That man was almost nonexistent while you were home, next to your shared dinner and movie night on Fridays - A thing you started since you found out you both enjoy the same genre of movies. Otherwise, he was as quiet as a mouse, never bothering you or taking up too much space. The shared living room was always kept tidy, although his room was a pure mess, but he would never make his chaotic habits a problem you'd have to sort out.

When your work day ended earlier than usual, you made it your first priority to let your mouse of a roommate know, texting him a simple “coming home early! :)” a habit both of you grew used to, just to let the other know to take private things into your own rooms. The moment you entered the shared apartment, the lights were out and it made you a little suspicious. He should be preparing dinner already; perhaps he just forgot it was his turn this Friday?

As you made your way towards your room, you casually walked past Choso’s room since just the small hallway stood between your rooms, doors across from each other. A small whimper made you stop dead in your tracks, almost alarming every molecule in your body for a potential threat. Your head snapped towards the noise - Choso’s room - just when another noise came through the crack of the door. The heat rose up your cheeks, the tips of your ears suddenly became hot to the touch when you heard the way he just moaned your name. It wasn't a pained moan, your body letting down its guard upon hearing how pleased he sounded and you should be repulsed. You should loudly announce your early arrival and stare him down when he comes crawling out of his room, but you didn't. Instead, you leaned against the doorframe, trying to spy through the smallest crack in the door, to see him lying sprawled out on his bed, one hand holding onto the pillow beneath his head as the other fisted tightly around the fleshlight he used to pump his own cock.

The sight made your thighs clench and you started to imagine how hot it would be to ride him, how pretty he would look beneath you and how cute his whines could get when you made him cum. “Ngh yes! Just like that,” he whispered and his brows knit together when his hips started to meet the movement of his hand. Perhaps you could slowly push open the door and get a better view of this breathtaking scene to fulfill your own perverted fantasies?

Just as you wanted to put your hand against the door to grant you a better view, the shift of weight made the floor creak beneath your foot and Choso ripped the blanket over his body, covering the shameful act of getting off to the thoughts of his roommate.

“Hello?” He called out, cheeks burning bright red and you simply knocked against his door, trying not to act obvious - like you didn't just watch him masturbate like a little creep.

“I’m home early. Can I come in?” You ask through the almost closed door in front of you and you hear the fabric of his blanket shifting.

“Uh… yeah, I just got out of the shower." Choso lied, trying to excuse his lack of clothes as you opened the door. His hair was dry, of course and he cursed himself for that excuse - why would he go hide in bed naked after a shower?

You glanced around awkwardly, avoiding to look at Choso, who had the blanket up to his chest, his face sticky with sweat and a few stray strands stuck to his blushy skin as he avoided your gaze as well.

“I texted you that I'm home early so you could already co-” *thud* You stopped talking mid-sentence as the rather loud thud cut you off, both pairs of eyes snapping to the source of sound - and there it was in all glory: A slicked-up silicone fleshlight.

Both of you were unsure about what to say or do, your eyes glued to the toy until yours suddenly darted around the room, looking everywhere but the toy as you cleared your throat.

Choso wished to be swallowed whole by the ground, to disappear in a box of shame upon getting caught like that. He shouldn't have allowed you in, told you he's changing and now he's in this unbearable situation.

“I- I didn't know you were… busy,” you lied to break the uncomfortable silence, but your eyes kept flicking back to the silicone pussy on the floor, glistening in the soft light as the lube that was running out of it slowly pooled beneath it. It took a while for Choso to muster up the courage to speak again, the bed creaking when he sat up to reach for his toy.

“I'm so sorry… I didn't mean for you to… see,” he mumbled ashamed, unable to let his eyes wander towards you as the toy disappeared under the blanket again, but you shook your hand and wiped off the sweat that formed on your hands.

“Can I help you? Can I please you with it?” Your voice almost cracked, but you were sure of it, wanting to indulge in your fantasies if he'd allow it. “I heard you moan my name,” you continued, simply pointing out the fact to let him know that you're aware of what he was thinking about.

To everyone's surprise, Choso gulped and his Adam's apple bobbed visibly, the soft fabric of his blanket slowly sliding down his chest when he stopped clutching it tightly. “You don't have to… but I wouldn't say no to you,” he confirmed verbally, not expecting you to indulge in his sinful acts, but gods - he craved your touch. He couldn't stop imagining how soft your hands would feel against his skin, how your skin would be glowing when you're riding him, or how sweet your kisses would taste after you came around his manhood.

With legs like jelly, you walked over to his bed and the man simply leaned forward to capture your lips in an almost innocent kiss. Both of your insecurities were felt, but things quickly escalated when you slowly pulled back the covers to touch his skin. Your fingers raked over his chest down to the little happy trail and back up to his chest, where you teased his sensitive nipples. A small whimper escaped his lips, which gave you a chance to slip your tongue into his mouth.

When you parted from the kiss after what felt like a small eternity, a small string of saliva connected your lips and eager hands peeled the covers back further. Your eyes went from his down his body, eventually resting on his cock, which almost let you gasp in awe of how well endowed your roommate really was. With a firm grasp, you take ahold of the fleshlight that rested next to his thigh and your other hand grabbed the base of his cock, your eyes looking for any signs of hesitation.

“Please,” Choso begged, his voice barely above a whisper when you grabbed his cock, the anticipation of the pleasure you'd bring eating him alive. Your eyes were fixated on his when you moved to straddle his lower legs, your lips coming closer to the tip of his cock but leaving just as quickly after you simply spat on it, the fleshlight engulfing him seconds later. The sight was one to behold, his dark eyes rolling back as his jaw slowly went slack to let out the softest moan known to mankind and one of his hands flew up to grab ahold of the pillow again. Seeing Choso so lost in pleasure turned you on beyond belief, wishing you switched places with this shitty piece of silicone you used to fuck him instead. The lewd, squelching sounds filled the room alongside Choso's breathless moans and you simply couldn't bring yourself to look away, moving the fleshlight just slightly faster.

Choso was chasing after his high when you picked up the pace, his hips meeting the thrusts of your hand since he was so close when you made your presence known.

“Are you gonna cum for me like a good boy?” You asked sweetly, the grip on the silicone toy tightened to help him reach his peak faster. You wouldn't edge him - at least not this time.

The man beneath you could only nod helplessly at your words, his moans and ragged breath made answering quite hard, but you didn’t expect him to moan your name this lewd when he spilled the seed into the fleshlight, hips sloppily thrusting into it when you slowed down to not overstimulate him.

“What a waste,” you mumbled more to yourself upon pulling the toy off of him, his cock already growing soft, but he heard your words, unsure if you meant that he was disappointing. His brows furrowed together, but your next move made his cock twitch and grow hard once again.

Without letting a drop go to waste, you brought the silicone cunt up to your lips and put your tongue out to catch the cum that slowly drizzled out. The first drop hit your wet muscle and you whimpered, the hot, salty liquid resting on your tongue before swallowing it down. “Get off with it. Rub your pussy with it,” Choso ordered with a hoarse voice. He didn't want to be selfish, you deserved to find pleasure with the very same toy and he didn't care if it was filled with his own cum, he'd paint your walls white any day if you'd only ask him for it.

Wondering if you just heard him correctly, you processed the words in your head before nodding in such a needy way before shedding your clothes in record speed. You should be ashamed to sit on your roommate's bed with your legs spread wide while you rub his cum-filled fleshlight over your glistening cunt, the silicone clit nudging yours just the right way. Yet the shame never came, perhaps it was drawn out by the overwhelming pleasure you felt upon smearing the cum all over your already wet folds, humping the pussy-shaped silicone like a bitch in heat while Choso palmed himself to the view.

“You're so fucking hot,” he mumbled out, moving his hand to cover yours and rubbing the toy against you now to help you get off just like you helped him.

Nodding your head as it fell back, you started grinding your hips a little harder. A small stain of your own arousal mixed with his seed started to stain the sheets, but neither of you cared, minds hazy as you got each other off.

“Need to have two fucking- need to have one on my face and another riding me." Choso moaned his fantasies out, dreaming of having two women use him for their pleasure and it was enough to send you over the edge, whining desperately when he moved the fleshlight against your sensitive clit faster to prolong your orgasm until you pushed him away, thighs closing out of instinct and it made you chuckle softly.

“You couldn't even handle two women.” Your words sounded teasing, but perhaps you can start preparing him for it.

The man barely heard your words, his fist working faster over his cock to reach a second orgasm. Only your hand pushing him down onto the bed ripped him out of his own thoughts and before he could ask what you're doing, your dripping wet cunt was right above his face as you straddled his head.

“W-what?” He asked slightly confused, wondering if you'd want to take this further than just mutual masturbation and his tongue darted out to wet his lips.

“You wanted two pussies, got a real one and a silicone one here, so go ahead,” you said smug, a grin tugging on the corner of your lips when you reached for the lube on his nightstand and squeezed a generous amount over the fleshlight before wrapping it around his cock for a second time tonight.

Choso's mouth fell open once again, his cock was so sensitive, but he needed this, needed you. He needed you so badly that he didn't even mind his own cum coating your folds as his tongue started dragging through them in a lazy zigzag motion before his lips wrapped around your bundle of nerves to suckle on it ever so gently.

“That's my good boy. Make me cum before you do and I'll let you finish in my cunt,” you moaned out when his tongue eagerly flicked over your clit upon hearing your offer. Of course you wouldn't make it easy for him, the fleshlight gliding over his dick faster with each stroke and it took everything in Choso not to release, needing to feel your pretty pussy milking him. Perhaps he should have let you catch him sooner.

[cher-rei]

prompt 9 or 10 w pedri 🙏🏼

pack it up- pedri gonzalez [ P.G ]

you and me, always forever [always forever- cults]

pairing: pedri gonzalez x fem!reader

summary: watching the football match with pedri starts off cute, but you've said felix's name one too many times.

genre(s): flufffffff

[wc: 2.5k] masterlist

notes: I changed the plot of this a bunch of times for no reason I swearrr

"amor the match is starting!"

your call had pedri rushing from the kitchen with his hands occupied by the assorted candies that you asked for. he set it down on the coffee table just in time and settled down next to you on the couch, pulling you closer to his side underneath the blanket.

"I can't believe you're making your injured boyfriend run around for some sweets," he said in disbelief and looked down at you, but yours eyes were glued to the tv screen.

this was a match that you couldn't afford to miss, athlético vs barça was not something that anyone took lightly. that's why you prepped a little more for this match than usual and your boyfriend decided to join you at home instead of going to the stadium with the excuse that it was too cold outside.

you didn't complain though, having pedri at home was a gift from heaven but of course you still wished for a speedy recovery and all that... but he was home and got to spend time with you, so it was okay right?

your lack of response had him dumbfounded, he stayed at home for this? he clicked his tongue and faced forward, mumbling about something under his breath but you were quick to shush him.

"shush babe." you softly hit his arm. "you can complain later."

this wasn't the first shocking thing that has happened today at all. just before kick off, you told him that you forgot to put your barca jersey on and rushed to your room which had pedri smiling from ear to ear, thinking that you would be coming out in one of his jerseys.

and oh how wrong he was.

his smile immediately dropped at the sight, not just because it wasn't one of the jerseys he gave you but rather your own, but also because of whose name and number were flaunted at the back.

your boyfriend blinked up at you, and you asked him what was wrong, clearly not seeing an issue. "is there something wrong with my face?" you put your hand to your face, walking over to the mirror hanging on the wall to check but nothing was there.

"uh no," he said through a forced smile. "but there's something wrong with what you're wearing right now."

your head tilted in confusion and you looked down at your outfit, not seeing an issue with it all. your shoulders slumped and you looked at him in confusion. "there's nothing wrong with what I'm wearing."

"last time i checked, felix isn't your boyfriend, i am." he pointed to himself for emphasis but you only rolled your eyes at his childishness.

"are you serious right now?" you sat down beside him and he shot you a look of judgment buy your were adamant on not changing.

"last time I checked you're not on the pitch right now, felix is." you gestured to the tv yet pedri remained stubborn, saying that it didn't matter whether or not he was playing or not.

where did you even buy that jersey?? he needed to burn it asap.

he was upset but all it took was a quick peck on the lips to ease his mind, reassuring him that you wanted to give felix some extra support because he was playing against his own club. and that made sense to pedri, the support was needed and it was appreciated.

so for the first 20 minutes of the game, your yelling was held at a minimum but the closer you got to halftime time the more restless you and pedri got. the team's play was just too messy, there was no communication or stability.

the ball was lost every other touch, barca could barely make it past the halfway line and they kept on passing the ball back instead of taking their chances. it was frustrating, to say the least, especially for pedri because he was supposed to be there.

he was supposed to be running on the pitch, ensuring that the midfield wasn't a total wreck but he wasn't. he just had to get injured again. you felt his body tense up beside you and immediately knew what he was thinking.

"hey," you called softly and flashed him a small smile. "are you okay?"

when he looked at you his mind immediately eased— one look and a smile from you and he felt so much better. sure he was bugged about the whole jersey thing but you still looked so adorable cuddled up to him that he forgot about everything.

he gave you a reassuring hum and a kiss on the forehead before turning back to the match. his fingers ran through your hair soothingly, your eyes daring to close but you wouldn't dare tell him to stop.

it was now 35 minutes into game time and nothing had happened which had pedri scoffing. "I think you're jinxing us."

"as if, just you wait," you countered but he wasn't too sure about your answer. it wasn't playing in your favour by the looks of it and he swore that it was your jersey, it had to be and when he told you that it was you shook your head, swearing that felix was going to score.

pedri was still I'm disbelief, shaking his head until you shot up when gundogan got the ball, choosing to pass it to lewandoski who was already in the box. it all happened to fast that you barely saw it, both you and pedri holding on to each other until the ball went into the net, by none other than felix himself.

"let's go felix my boy!!" you leapt from the couch and stood in front of your boyfriend who sat silently in disbelief until it sank in.

he looked up at your smiling face with his eyebrows raised. "your boy?"

you chose to ignore him and pat the barcelona crest on your jersey. "pack it up, lover boy. I called it."

the commentators were going crazy, everything happening so fast but you were still standing in front of the tv with your phone in your hand, happily adding the moment to your instagram story and replying to gavi's message about the goal.

"xavi got a red card," pedri said in hopes of redirecting your attention away from felix and his goal. he was happy for his teammate obviously— he was ecstatic, but not about the part where his girlfriend was celebrating as if he was her boyfriend.

he didn't know why, but he was in a rather jealous mood today. he wasn't the jealous type, and you knew that which was why you couldn't help but tease him with the opportunity given.

you put your phone back down on the coffee table. "I don't care about xavi right now. this is about felix and his redemption. the clubs redemption too-- but mostly felix's."

something about the way you said felix's name made pedri's jaw tick. it was like a broken record sounding from your lips, over and over again until he finally let up and pulled you onto his lap which had you all too amused.

"do you know how many times you've said his name tonight?" he asked with a quirked brow.

you tried to ignore the feeling of his hands trailing up your shirt onto your bare skin. it was so rare to see him this riled up, this adamant because pedri was a baby. your baby, who preferred to be the little spoon and smothered in kisses.

so you couldn't falter. not now.

your shoulders shrugged innocently. "the normal amount."

the normal amount? as if.

that wasn't even remotely close to what he wanted to hear and you felt it in the way he looked at you. the living room was dark— the only source of light being from the tv that you'd lost all interest in because your boyfriend was staring you down.

his eyes dropped from your eyes to your lips and you felt your face heat up in anticipation.

"6 times," he muttered just above a whisper and inches towards you achingly slow, only to pull away at the last second because second half had starterted by the sound of it.

he pat your thigh lightly and set you back down beside him, your body still in shock at the fact that he pulled away before kissing you. you looked up at pedri with your lips slightly parted, not sure of what to say.

"what?" he asked with a chuckle and gestured to the tv. "felix is there not here. you're supposed to be supporting him."

oh so he was playing like that tonight? your boyfriend loved to tease you whenever he got the chance. he was playful sure but this was a tad bit too far for your liking. anyway, you brushed it off and continued to enjoy the game, but with less talking.

not too long after second half started lewandoski was able to make the score 2-0 , and this time pedri was the one to jump up in victory whereas you just watched him. you weren't upset, not by a long shot. if he wanted to play, then you'd join in.

your boyfriend spared you a few glances every so often and noticed the bit of space that was left between you two. he watched you silently and began to wonder what the issue was and when he asked if you were okay, a nod was sent his way.

ten more minutes had passed with little to no words exchanged and he was starting to grow restless, whereas you continued to watch the match unbothered. if there truly was an issue then there was only way to make sure of it.

your hand was free, resting on your thigh so naturally his hand slipped into it but you were quick to pull away and instead bent over to reach for your phone on the coffee table.

it was his turn to be shocked— his lips parting and a scoff of disbelief exiting but you paid no mind and continued to go through your phone, only looking up at the tv when you heard that fermin scored.

"how long are you going to keep this up for?" pedri suddenly asked out of the blue and your best act of nonchalantly confusion and asked him what he meant.

his eyebrows quirked up. "you're not talking at all and when I tried to hold your hand you pulled it away."

you raised your phone into the air, "because I wanted to get my phone--"

"oh so you can hold my hand now then?" there was a twinge of anger in his tone, it was almost unnoticeable but you caught it and carried on with the act and shook your head to the side.

"I'm still using my phone pedro--"

pedri's body tensed up at the name that fell from your lips as if this night couldn't have gotten any more confusing. he turned to face you fully. "what did you just call me?"

you squinted, trying your best to suppress your smile because you knew that he hated it when you said his name. it meant that he was in trouble which was rare so for you to say to so casually had him panicking.

"your name?"

"did I do something wrong? are you going to tell me that you want to sleep in the guest room tonight too?"

he began to get riled up and it was seen in the way that his eyes began to wander and never met yours. he had officially gone into full panic mode which you hadn't expected at all, so now it was your turn to let up the act to try and calm him down.

your hand immediately found his and you urged him to calm down, saying that you were just teasing him. you went on like this for however long, spewing apologies and reassurance because having him upset was the last thing anyone wanted.

that was until you saw his lips curve up ever so slowly. your blood began to boil in the realisation that he wasn't being serious at all and had you feeling as guilty as ever for absolutely no reason. without a second thought, you let go of his hand and hot up from the couch.

pedri couldn't stop smiling, a soft chuckle leaving his lips while he tried to pull you back down but you already had your phone and started walking away. "baby wait," he called out after you but no second glance was spared from your side.

"where are you going?" he watched as the figure began walking up the stairs, each step filled with more irritation than the last but he couldn't push aside how adorable you looked.

you scoffed. "the guest bedroom."

your answer had him running after you in a matter of seconds, his laughter echoing through the house as he called out your name and luckily he caught you at the top of the staircase. pedri's arms wrapped around you but you fought it and tried your best to escape his embrace.

"amor I was only teasing you," he said in between his laughter and spun you around to look at him. the pout on your face had his heartstrings tugging but you only rolled your eyes.

"is it because I didn't kiss you hm?" he asked playfully and leant down to kiss you but you turned your head away from him stubbornly. did that stop him? not in the slightest, because he opted for the next open space— your neck which had you in a fit of giggles.

featherlight kisses trailed from your collarbone to your neck— each kiss more delicate than the last and placed so carefully to the point where you couldn't fight it any longer and admitted defeat.

"okay I said you won," you repeated but he didn't stop, a low hum sounding against your skin instead.

"I haven't won until this," he tugged on the hem of the jersey you were still wearing, felix's name at the back. "is on the floor."

[shapard]

Thorned 🥀

Lucifer x human!reader

This is a friendly reminder that the images are not mine! I always link the original post! (At least I open it on my Mac)

I want also to apologize for not posting a lot. There's just a lot going on.

Mention of arm loss, fluff

Sunglasses At Night

Chapter 4 < Chapter 5 > Chapter 6

You hummed in content as you cuddled into the soft blanket that was draped around your body. The blanket was way too comfortable to lay in than the cold ground you usually slept on. It almost made you forget the tragedy of the couple days.

After some time, you opened your eyes, and you rubbed them with your right arm. You wanted to lift yourself up with your left arm, but nothing moved.

Scared your eyes rushed to your left side seeing nothing.

No Arm attached.

Tears pearled down on your face and your right arm clutched on your left shoulder trying to comprehend that your other arm is just poof, gone.��

“I’m sorry.” The sudden voice of Lucifer startled you. He stood beside you and looked down in regret. “Where is my arm?” You asked trying to stay calm. “I couldn’t-“ Lucifer breathed in sharply and looked finally into your terrified orbs. 

“I only could heal your burns. But I couldn’t bring back your arm-“ You looked at the bandages that adorned your body, what happened?

As If Lucifer could read your mind, he told you everything that he found out. 

That a person put bombs in the basement you were staying. The bomb exploded before Lucifer could get you out. And in the mess you lost your arm.

You started to sob hard when you came down from the shock. The lack of memories burns in your head, like they want to tell you that you forgot something Important.

Your skin ached from the freshly healed wound and your skin is fury red. Lucifers eyes remain on your shaking figure, too scared to touch you. Too scared that you will break in his arms.

It’s weird. The feeling of losing one arm is weird. 

Lucifer laid a cup of Tea on the nightstand. The steam that escaped the cup is a reminder of its hotness. With a pull you remembered Lucifers wording. 

he couldn’t bring back my arm? He healed my burns? How can someone heal wounds? Your confused expression meets his warm one. 

“You couldn’t heal me? Lucifer, you’re confusing me.” Of course. You got heavy burns in the explosion, and you lost your arm. You should have died that day. The blood loss must’ve been insane and yet you’re here without any scars. 

But it's not for a human possible to heal someone out of scratch. Not wounds like this.

Lucifer took a deep breath, and his hands went up to play with his golden locks. His gold hair was messy and eyebags adorned his normal pearl white skin. 

Lucifers face was even whiter than before, how is that even possible. ‘Shit,’ Lucifer thought, ‘Shit, Shit, Shit, Shit, Shit!’ “How am I still alive?” Lucifer laughed nervously before excusing himself.

You stared confused at your one arm. “I really only have only one now.” Lucifers words confused you a lot. Hot tears burn in your eyes as you couldn’t believe what happened in the span of couple of weeks.

You definitely have to find out how you survived. What even is Lucifer? Who exactly is Lucifer?

___

Lucifer was in the small garage beside the house you were in right now. His hands were working graceful on the golden metal that resembled an Arm.

Lucifer looked at the view sketches he did of your unharmed arm when you were asleep. He’s been working on this since the incident.

Lucifer will never forget the horror of your face as you realized that your arm was gone. How the soft tears rolled down on your beautiful face. At that moment of vulnerability he just wanted to take you into his hands. To soothe the pain you felt. Maybe even take it.

Your gentle hands around his neck. You, crying under him despite the height difference.

Lucifer shook his head. Yes, your beautiful no doubt but he is your friend. He can’t think of you in other terms. But he caught himself every time he thinks of you. 

His heart pumps hard as he put a gear into the arm. His tongue went over his dry lips as he focused on the mechanism from the new arm.

Maybe this will bring a smile onto your face. Lucifer couldn’t bring your arm back, but he can give you a newer one with more functions. 

The gold was stunning as it shimmered in the sun. “Okay now slow,” with a click the last gear was put in place, “And finished.”

Proud of his work Lucifer lifted it up to show you his new gift for you. Lucifer ran up to your room and knocked softly onto the firm wood. It took a few moments till he heard your voice “come in.” 

Lucifer walked into your room and softly shut the door behind him. “I got something for ya.” You looked up to him and smiled. You still had a lot of questions, but they can wait. 

"I know it can't replace it. But it's better than nothing." The nervous smile of Lucifer made you wonder what he has for you.

You laughed as Lucifers smile brighten your mood. He opened his arms and in them there laid a golden arm with white, red pattern on it. He laid it onto your lap as he sat in front of you. His smile never left his face.

Lucifer really is pretty. 

The arm had some birds and stars engraved into it. One reminds you of the polar star. “Should I help?” Confused you looked up to him.

Like a dump cat the gears in your brain started to work. It was a replacement for your old Arm. You felt so stupid right now. 

Embarrassed you nod your head and Lucifer chuckled. The bed sheets moved under him as he leaned towards you. “This might hurt.” You opened your mouth to ask what he meant but a loud click echoed through the room. You yelped at the pain on your left shoulder blade. 

'Fuck that really hurt.' Lucifer sat up straight again, his red orbs searched yours. Waiting patiently for a reaction of you. You tried to move the arm and to your surprise it moved perfectly like your old one. 

Maybe even better. 

Lucifer grew nervous as you don't show any sign of happiness. “Is it okay?” Lucifers voice was soft with a slight worry in his undertone.

“Okay? Luce it’s perfect.” The sudden hug startled Lucifer but he soon gave in. The hug was way to comfortable, but when Lucifer winced, you moved fast out of his touch. 

“Are you alright?!” Did he got hurt from the exploding? And you were now adding more pressure onto it? Why haven’t you even thought about that he could got protentional hurt?

“Ah- Yes kitty I am alright. It’s just your arm is a lot of stronger now-“ You gasped loudly in excitement. “Really?! That’s so cool!” 

Lucifer watched as you did weird yoga poses. You sprung onto your new arm and made one-handed handstand.

Even though you two lived together this long he hasn’t seen this side of you.

Maybe Lucifer shouldn’t have healed you completely. But even if it means your body is at its healthiest doesn’t mean your mentality is. ‘Maybe that’s why she acts that way?’

“You should rest.” Disappointed you plopped onto the bed. Lucifer really knows how to ruin the mood.

Lucifer laughs at your childish antics. 

Cute. 

You looked out of the small window of the small room you rested in. Besides having back your arm there was something missing.

Something Important.

You forgot Important Information, that’s what your gut told you. And it was making you impatient and rather tense.

He gave you a last glance and then went to your unwashed clothes. He took them in his hands and went to the lake nearby.

The water seemed clear so he took your shirt, before he could dip it into the water a small letter flew out of it. Lucifer raised his eyebrows as he took the letter in his hands. 

“Experiment V?”

A/n: This was shorter than I thought, well.

Y'all I just got finished with the script for the whole series and woah was that a process! Hope y'all have/had a beautiful day<3 Don't forget to give yourself some Love.

What do you think about Experiment V? Any theories?

💫

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[lovely-showtimes]

Hehe… silly request time… Can you do Tsukasa, Airi, and Haruka x a reader who is “self-aware” (self-aware in this instance meaning they know they’re in a game)? It’s okay if not (^_^)

♡ . self aware.

characters - haruka, airi.

type - scenario.

warnings - unreality.

a/n - i'm so sorry that this took so long T_T i wanted to get to this earlier because i think 'self aware characters' as a concept is very interesting !!! but my brain wouldnt let me write unfortunately... haruka might be ooc, despite how much i love them im very unfamiliar with mmj as characters & their stories </3 i'm also sorry for not doing tsukasa for this one, i wanted to include him and i originally did have an idea for his section, but i took so long to write this i forgot what it was ... i hope you enjoy anyway!

"Do you see anything you like?" You call over your shoulder, turning your attention away from the sweatshirts in front of you.

Airi stands by several dresses, scrutinising them. The two of you decided to go out shopping together, as you felt like your wardrobe was lacking. Airi was eager to help, confident in her sense of style that she can get you something nice, as well as something for herself.

Her brow creases in thought and she stops in front of one particular dress.

"C'mere for a sec," she calls back to you, and you walk over. Airi steps to the side, gesturing to the dress with a furrowed brow.

"Have I worn this before?" She asks. "I mean, I doubt you'd know, but still. It feels so familiar, but I also feel like I've never seen it before."

You squint at the dress. That's right... you recognise it, don't you?

"You wore that in the trained version of your Re-tie Friendship card, didn't you?" You comment quietly. "I liked that one, it was pretty."

Airi goes quiet for a few moments. You catch a befuddled look on her face out of the corner of your eye. "...Excuse me? What's a 'Re-tie Friendship card'...?"

You spin to face her, eyes wide. "Eh? It was your third focus event. Don't you remember it?"

Her confusion only grows. "What on earth are you saying? No, I don't remember it."

Your eyes lock for a brief period of time, the two of you studying each other for a single hint of what the other was talking about. Then, it hits you.

"Oh!" You gasp. "You didn't know about the whole game thing...? I thought everybody knew, but we weren't supposed to talk about it."

The fact of your entire life being a simple game was one you've always been aware of. You had never tried to bring it up to anyone else, or research it before. It had never occurred to you - it was as obvious a fact as saying "the sky is blue".

Airi shakes her head, placing a hand on her temples. "You're making no sense! What game thing?"

You open your mouth to respond, but you hesitate. Should you really elaborate on what you mean? Maybe it's for the best that you don't tell Airi about your shared existence within a game. It might be a bit much to take in all at once.

Maybe another time.

You smile brightly and shake your head. "Oh, you know what? I just realised, I was thinking of something else. Oopsies! Ignore me."

"...Right." Confusion and slight frustration still lingers on Airi's face, but she sighs and shakes her head. You're probably just referencing something from some game you like, right? Maybe she should look into it later, to understand what you just said to her.

Airi's gaze drifts back to the dress once more. That feeling of déjà vu still hovers in the recesses of her mind when she gazes at it, and it's unsettling. Maybe she should look for something different to wear.

"I had the strangest dream last night," Haruka comments, staring at the sandwich in her hands thoughtfully. The sun shines down on you both as you sit on a warm, grassy hill on a red-and-white checkered blanket.

You beam brightly, head tilted curiously. You swallow the bite of food in your mouth. "Oh? What happened?"

"I was dancing to a song I've never heard before. It was in a completely different style than we usually dance to as well, it was quite mellow and calm. I was dancing with a few other people too... Kohane, Ichika, and two other people I didn't recognise... a girl with grey-ish green hair, and a boy with ginger hair."

Haruka shakes her head. "How strange. And the weirdest part was, when I woke up, I remember thinking 'Ah, another one of those dreams'. I haven't dreamt of anything like that before."

She takes a thoughtful bite of her sandwich.

You can't help laughing a little at her bizarre dream. "I always have those dreams! The people who play this game like to make us dance with the other characters. It's quite fun, I like trying to think of what kind of person makes me dance to a certain song with certain people."

You tap your chin curiously. "Perhaps they like to think of me and the others in a romantic relationship? Perhaps they like to think of a different scenario where we are in a band together? Perhaps they feel romantically towards me? It's so interesting."

You chuckle to yourself once more, taking another bite of food. Goodness, it's so tasty. The work the two of you put together to create this whole picnic really paid off! You were especially looking forward to trying those cupcakes, you put a little extra love into each of them! In particular, you-

"Love, what game? What- What are you talking about?"

Haruka's voice snaps you out of your thoughts. Her gaze is full of confusion and concern for you. Her grip on her sandwich has gotten just a little tighter.

You simply gaze back at her as if it's all perfectly normal. "The game we're in. You didn't know?"

Silence hangs in the air. Haruka's gaze shifts around, landing on you for a moment or two before looking away.

Eventually, she clears her throat and nods, deciding to play along. "Right! Of course, I remember now. How could I have forgotten?"

Your joke had unsettled her a little, but she decides to just shake it off. That's all it was, anyway. You're just joking, aren't you?

...Aren't you?

[seirooo0]

Rui lacks in content so much I'm gonna strt crying, anyways take this rui x reader I made out of desperation for rui oneshots

words: 2,806 💀

plot: u sick as fuck and rui takes care of you

gn reader, use of you/your pronouns, also established relationship

What a great day it was for you— was something you wish you could've said but unfortunately, "sick days" exist (you probably forgot about them with how "healthy" you are). Spending the day doing nothing but dreading the headaches and the pain of being sick, maybe you're too dramatic that you'd fit in a theatrical scene but this is what it felt like for you. How long has it been since you last fell ill? It felt like a millennial or it's an exaggeration.

You wouldn't mind having such a day today, but it's so damn boring for you. Nothing to do all day other than resting and eating and resting, or perhaps you're into that if you're such a lazy guy. But anyone with shame in themselves wouldn't use this excuse to skip school, you're not an asshole after all. Clearly, you're worried about what's happening at school right now. Given that you had a test today, but your mother seemed persistent to make you stay in bed. Quite annoying, but it's the motherly nature in her, you can't blame her at all for worrying. Looking dully at the ticking clock, you wondered; how many hours had passed by now? With nothing to do, no sort of entertainment (you chose not to use your phone for health's sake), and you're just literally laying in bed like some sort of corpse in a coffin; motionless as hell.

And either your mom was so nosy that she had to call your boyfriend (weirdly enough, can't she just call dad or you're dadless (I'm sorry)) or one of your friends noticed that you weren't around so they called Rui in to visit you. But right now, all you know is that the purple male is right in front of you, cooking something in the kitchen. You had to drag yourself out of bed just to see who the hell entered, you would've freaked out but then you remembered your mother probably gave him the spare keys that you were looking for for the past 3 months. Standing behind him, you covered yourself in your blanket as if you're freezing to death, and you wondered if it's even enough to warm you up despite the scorching weather outside right now. Rui felt your presence almost immediately by the time you entered, and on his face he wore his signature cat-like grin (something that you always wondered; is he some sort of cat reincarnation or what) "You're awake, or perhaps you weren't sleeping at all? I heard you were sick today, so I came here just to watch over you, dear." He said, and despite his little cat-like grin, you can tell he's worried about you. "And which bastard?" "Don't call Tsukasa a bastard! Do you want me to snitch on you?" He replied with a laugh, honestly, it doesn't make a difference. You kind of wished Tsukasa pretended you existed in school today, but with how much you two hung out together you figured that won't be the case. "What about classes?" "Oh, don't worry about that, worry about yourself first." With his simple retort, you figured he might've skipped classes today just to tend you. You feel a little guilty now, but sometimes you're an ass. You kinda don't care about that, at least he's spoiling you (no shame at all, it seems). Maybe sick days aren't as bad as you thought.

"Come on now, standing up won't do at all." He said, and clearly you could feel some sort of evil teasing intent. And surely enough, without warning he lifted you up as if you're a small little thing (with his height, it's almost impossible you're not at least a few centimeters smaller than him unless) and what's worse, it's bridal style. Anyone who has no idea that you two are in highschool would mistake you two for an old married couple but Rui's uniform is still on, so that's a given. "H-Hey!" "Don't squirm around now, or else I might drop you!" The male laid you down on the sofa, which is fortunately comfortable enough to lay down on. You watched as Rui fixed the blanket for you, neatly covering you up like some sort of delicate, beautiful thing. "Now then… Hmm.. I'm less experienced with these types of things, but I assure you I'll take care of you, okay dear?" You feared he may blow up your kitchen with his limited culinary skills and with how experimental he tends to be, but right now he looks promising. You simply nodded your head, giving him a soft smile that would easily melt his heart but of course, this is Rui. You wished you would've seen him blushing a little more though. "Yeah, but isn't carrying me a little too much? I can walk, mind you." "Fufu~ I just wanted to be as close to you as possible. is that the answer you're looking for?" And like the usual you, his words managed to tug your heartstrings, enough to make you blush. His choice of words and his charm always managed to hit your heart like cupid's arrows whenever he's around. And thinking about him like this makes it feel like you guys aren't dating, that was 4 months ago dear, you already have his heart and he has yours. "Anyway, stay put alright? I'll bring you some tea and some porridge." He said, his figure slowly getting farther and farther away from you and towards the kitchen. You watched him attentively, and it's probably the sickness hitting you like alcohol but you seem to notice every little detail in your surroundings but specifically; on him. The way sunshine hits him that he seems to have come out of a beautiful photograph, his golden eyes shining in the dimly lit kitchen, you thanked the weather with how sunny it is today, otherwise you wouldn't witness such a scene. Everything feels as if it came out of a dream, that it took you a few moments to realize he's walking towards you. And like the observant little shit he is, he always seems to notice your actions the same way you take note of every detail in today's scene. "You always seem to love staring at me, don't you?" He teased, breaking you out of your dreamy reverie of him. His head tilted at an angle as he placed the tray of food on the center table, sitting down next to you. "Can you feed yourself, or would you like for me to feed you?" You can't tell if he's teasing you or if you're really high from your fever, he looked at you awaiting an answer that you can't seem to find in your head. How empty was it at the moment? I doubt you can even think straight. And for anyone who knew you as a complete stranger with no deep knowledge of each other, your prolonged staring could become off-putting. Thank the gods Rui was patient with you, but since you couldn't answer he decided to take things to his own accord. Right now, all you can see is him picking up the bowl of porridge and the spoon, you've already forgotten his question and looked at him in complete confusion. He seemed to notice that little expression on your face. "Well, it doesn't seem like you want to feed yourself. I'll do it for you instead." He said with such a smile, you can't tell if it's a cheeky one or a warm smile, all you knew is that you'd fall head over heels for him all over again like this is the first time you've seen such a man so fine (despite his awful choice of casual clothing and his eccentricity).

Bringing the spoon-full of the porridge, he brought it closer to your mouth (he made sure it's cool enough to swallow down), and with a bit of reluctance you opened your mouth and ate up the food he had offered. He seems to be pleased that you didn't deny it at all. This cycle continued on until the bowl was empty, you wondered how much time had passed because for you, it felt like hours. Handing you the cup of tea he prepared, Rui took the dirty dish and went ahead in the kitchen to wash it. Today seems calming, he wasn't acting out his usual teasing bullcrap which was a little odd. You watched him wash the dishes, weirdly enough you seem to focus on him more than anything today. And you're sure he noticed that from the moment you two had seen each other in the house. Comfortable silence engulfed the both of you as Rui worked on the dishes and you stayed on the couch, sipping the warm tea he had prepared for you. The taste of the porridge was still on your tongue, and if you were to be completely honest it doesn't taste really well. But you couldn't really voice that out, unless you're a cruel bastard or some sort of brutally honest person, regardless you kept those words to yourself. But Rui can tell you didn't like it from the moment your face contort to an expression similar to disgust, and you feel a little bad you wished you could've hid it better the same way he hides every emotion with such a calm demeanor. Upon taking your final drink of tea, you looked back at him and with perfect timing, he's done cleaning the dishes as well. Rui looked back at you while he's wiping his hands, he simply gave you a smile before walking back towards you. You're not quite used to this side of him if you were to be frank. "You act weird today." You said, and you just realized the word choice of yours. How stupid, you thought, you could've said "odd" or anything similar to that. But well, he didn't seem offended by that, rather he just gave you a simper grin as he sat down on the couch (with what's left of an empty space, since you're laying down) "Do I? I don't seem to understand what you mean, elaborate please!" That came out more unserious than what you had expected, but this is Rui after all. And it's not a heavily serious situation, both you and Rui knew that given by the light atmosphere around you two. This time, you actually took enough consideration with your words making sure no sort of misunderstanding happens "You don't seem to be— well… Rui? How do I put it into words..—" And as if he's reading your mind, he immediately replied to you with a knowing smile "You mean the usual teasing and the eccentricity everyone and you know me for?" He looked at you with arms crossed, and you nodded ever so slightly. It feels a little embarrassing to voice that out now. "Well, I figured you're not in the mood for that since you're sick. And don't I throw in some jokes for a light-hearted atmosphere? Did the sickness get to you so bad now, dear?" Oh, and the usual him is back. You smiled at his consideration, though you wanted to say he can just keep his usual teasing around, a moment like this isn't so bad once in a while. Sure, you kind of miss it (even if it's just a single day without it), but it can't be helped now, can it? You let out a chuckle "Maybe? Well, it's a natural thing I suppose." He let out a laugh as a response.

Rui's hand gently landed on your forehead, checking your temperature. He treats you so delicately that you wished it was an everyday experience. You took a mental note of getting sick again some other time for him to dote on you all over again. "Hm, your temperature is still high… I'll go get a wet cloth for you." That was the last thing he said before standing up and leaving you behind. Sounds sad doesn't it? Don't be so gloomy now, he just went to the bathroom to get a basin and a cloth to soak it in water. Generic first fever kit, the same way your mother always does, don't you know that? But knowing you, you're a clingy bastard towards him. It's not a surprise you'd like to be near him almost all the time. And it just became worse with your fever putting you in such a silly little goofy mood that you don't want him to leave at all. Oh, and while you're doing your little monodrama, he just came back and it hasn't even been an hour. Yeah, this is all the work of your fever, sure. And you're not quite sure what kind of expression you were making, but Rui looked at you in amusement (kinda worrying, don't you think?) "Is my brief disappearance such a huge problem that you'd be making an expression beyond describing?" Frankly, you wished he wasn't such a teasing type of guy, but here's the situation you ended up in. You looked at him with a cranky expression and he simply laughed as a response. Watching him place down the small basin on the table, you wondered if this was even necessary at all if you were the type to just sleep off an entire fever and wake up all healthy again. His hands squeezed out any excess water on the cloth before placing it on your forehead, the coolness was enough to make you relax as you let out a soft sigh. He looked at you with a small smile on his face before placing his hand on your head, "Get better soon, otherwise I might start missing you at school." he said, grinning playfully. You laugh at his little statement, kicking him playfully (since he sat by your legs). "Hey, hey!" "I'll be back in no time, I'm a healthy person after all unlike you." You joked, earning a little laugh from the man himself. Rui looked at you with a little coy smile before placing a hand on your head "Well, even so who knows if it'll be worse," He started as he planted a fleeting little kiss on your cheeks, enough to make you flush from surprise. "That's why I want to make sure you're alright so long as you're in my care, dear." His sudden endearment was a sure surprise for you. It doesn't mean he doesn't show any affection though, don't get me wrong, but to see him with such an expression full of genuine love and worry for you is such a dreamy scene. You wished you could see this almost everyday if possible. Sure, you miss his little antics, his teasing, but having something like this for compensation isn't so bad after all. You smiled at his little declaration, letting out a giggle, "I'll be alright, after all my dear Rui Kamishiro is taking care of me." You said, cringing a little at your choice of words. He seems to take that excellently, letting out a soft laugh before his hand (that was previously on your head) breaks contact. Oh how you wished it lasted a little longer.

"Then I'll let you rest, you can call me if you need anything.." He said, standing up and beginning to walk away and as if you were possessed by some unknown force, your hand reached for his, stopping him in his tracks. He looked at you, a little confused and curious. Gathering enough of your thoughts to construct a coherent sentence, you spoke out with what's left of your shame. Is it too much to ask if you simply wanted to be with him? "Stay with me for a little longer.." You managed to speak out after a moment of awkward silence. Rui looked at you, not reacting whatsoever. That simple action made you a little worried that subconsciously, you let go of his hand. But it didn't seem like that was his plan, as he immediately grabbed it again the moment you break contact with it. "No need to act so shy about it, why are you acting as if we're not dating?" He laughed out, before sitting on the floor, next to your face. It may be a way to tease you, perhaps, or he simply wants to be near you as possible. Either way, you smiled at his little gesture of endearment. "Thank you." "Anything for you, dear." Those were the last words you heard from him, drowsiness hitting you like a truck as you slowly fell into dreamland.

And as for how Rui is going to explain this to your mother if she ever found out he skipped school just to tend you, you can find out about that in another time.

I can't take it anymore doggey

[another-heroine]

A Lovely Hand

Last one for the OC Kiss Week. I had so much fun. Even the lack of confidence about my English writing was lifted away.

Last, but not less important, this is about my fav girls in the entire Golarion. Kadira belongs to @spyridonya and Ekaterina is a well known figure around here because I’m obsessed for her lol

Thank you again for coming aboard with me and those mental barbies, Spyri.

CW: Period cramps, a ton of pain, sleeping together, just Katya being Katya

If she lay quietly, nobody would ever notice what was going on. Kadira was sure about it. She said good night to the others and slippered into her bedroll, only letting the pain flow after she was all covered up.

Good gods, how it hurted. And in those wastelands it was impossible to find any kind of herb that could relieve the sensation of her womb attempting to kill her. Kadira tried to extinguish the cramps with a magical trick, but she was so tired and disoriented it was useless.

She pouted. That was it. There was no escape.

Everybody was already asleep, except for the watchers. But she would not bother Lann, nor Ulbrig, about it. Actually, telling any of them surely would be an embarrassing situation at least — the first was too awkward, the latter probably would recommend nonsensical methods.

She had to endure it alone. It was not like the first time she was by herself though.

The woman was so deep in her ache that barely heard muffled steps approaching. A shiver ran down her spine when she finally realized that someone was right behind her. Her tail snapped under the blankets as a reflex. But soon the soft glow coming from the silent person made her nerves relax: it was Ekaterina.

“Sorry,” the aasimar said hushed. “May I sleep with you?”

Kadira felt flustered, and covered her nose like a shy kid. “Sure,” babbled.

She knew the question was really about that: only. Sleep. Ekaterina was not like Daeran, though Kadira noticed he was acting much more respectful towards her lately — in Daeran's way, of course.

The aasimar put her bedroll next to Kadira and at first sat over it. Her hair was already down, and she took off her baubles before finally joining the tiefling that night.

“There,” she giggled, pulling Kadira close. “Not quite as comfortable as we deserve, but better than nothing, right?”

Kadira nodded. Her womb twisted harder than before and she bit her lip. Damn.

The slight movement made Ekaterina frown. “Something wrong?”

Kadira swallowed. She was not Lann nor Ulbrig, thankfully. The sorceress could count on her.

“I'm… I'm sore.” Kadira turned around, slipping her tail under the blankets. “We were so busy lately that I forgot to keep track of my moons…”

Ekaterina's eyes arched. “Oh…”

“I know, it’s bad.” Kadira dropped her gaze, feeling ashamed. It was not her fault and she should not feel that way, but…

“Excuse me, my dear.”

If she was not dealing with that lot of pain, Kadira would be stiff and blush. But she let the druid rummage over the bedroll, reaching for her belly with warm hands.

“Tell me where it hurts.”

“You are on the right spot,” she affirmed.

Katya closed her eyes and concentrated. Her hand became warmer and Kadee felt magic rushing through them. It took a while to work. She took deep breaths, resting her forehead on the woman's shoulder, inhaling her scent.

When the cramps were lifted for now, Kadira finally felt her eyelids heavy. She was relaxed enough to drift to Desna's realm.

“Better?” Ekaterina asked, leaving a kiss among her thick black curls.

Kadira agreed. “Thank you.”

The druid buried her cheek in her lover's hair. “Good night, Kadee.”

[callmeklair]

declaration

chapter one 

“it’s only you and me today”

- Yui’s room, Sakamaki mansion : 

‘Hmm … so let’s see. I need to meet up with Shin-kun and his brother, tomorrow instead of going to school, and guide him around the town. Should I wear my casual pink one dress or…’ Yui went through her wardrobe as she looked at the few dresses, present in front of her. “Bitch-chan~” The blonde squeaked at the sudden call of her name. No, her embarrassing nickname which was given to her by none other than the pervert of the Sakamaki household, Laito Sakamaki. He was standing near her bedroom’s locked door, looking at her with a mischievous grin, plastered on his face. 

“L-laito-kun, do you need something?” her question made his smirk turn into a frown but soon he composed himself back to his smirk, before teleporting right beside her. "That's not what I was expecting but … it looks like you are so immersed in your wardrobe that you forgot me. I have been calling out to you for quite a few minutes, you know." Yui meekly apologizes for her lack of response and looks away as a blanket of silence falls between them. "By the way, what are you doing?" His question made her look at him as she turned towards her closet and pointed out that she needs to take the new transfer students out tomorrow and guide them, but she doesn't know what to wear. 

"So the talk that you are assisting the new transfer students to the town is true, hmm?" he hummed as he scanned his eyes inside her wardrobe and suddenly his eyes flickered with excitement as he drew out a dress for her. A blue jacket over a white shirt with a brown bow on the front and a beige skirt. Yui looked at him in surprise as she couldn’t believe that Laito actually helped her out by selecting a dress without any perverted actions. Not gonna deny tho, he really has a good taste in fashion. 

Smiling, she thanked him but instead of accepting her gratitude, the man teleported and pushed her, gently, on the bed. Frightened by what was about to come she tried to push him away, but her actions only made him more excited as he pinned her wrists above her head and brought his fangs near the area between her shoulder and neck. Yui shouted his name desperately and reasoned with him to not drink her blood as she has to guide new students out tomorrow. He ignored her words and she felt him graze his fangs along her skin, her body shaking rapidly and clenched her teeth. Laito's grip tightened even more, she felt her wrists were going to snap into pieces until a burning sensation hit her neck as he dug his fangs in her flesh and Yui squirmed in pain beneath him. He took gulps and gulps of her delicious blood and in response, her mind started to become hazy and her vision got blurred as she started to lose her consciousness. 

--Next day--

- Outside of the Ryoutei Academy :

“Are you ready?” Shin calls out to Yui cheerfully and she gives him a little nod in return, with a small smile. Internally, she apologizes to Shin for her lack of enthusiasm and kind of rude behaviour but she is not at fault tho, a vampire drank her blood even after her protest and she has lost a good amount of blood due to it. Seeing through her odd behaviour, he worriedly asks if everything is okay and biting her bottom lip, she shrugged it off by using the upcoming exams as an excuse. “Maybe it’s because lately I have been confining myself in my room to study without eating anything for hours.” and with that she changes the topic, asking Shin if his older brother won’t come and he gives her a bitter smile. 

“No, he prefers to stay home most of the time. So it’s only you and me today” he emphasizes the you and me in his sentence and switches his smile to that one of a cheery one. Thankful that he didn’t suspect her lie and changed the topic, she sighed in relief internally. At least she was able to hide the marks of Laito’s fangs by putting the collar of her shirt above the jacket. 

- In Town :

“So where should we start with?” Shin asks as he scans the town from faraway. Confused, she looks around and sees a poster of a carnival. Cheerfully she calls out his name and points towards the poster and he follows it. “Ehh a what? Carnival?” Shin questions the petite woman and she nods which causes him to laugh in surprise. “You are acting like a seven year old child instead of acting like a seventeen year old, do you know that? Well it’s not a bad idea tho, it looks interesting so let’s go there … for you” his comment made her blush as she looked at him meekly before giving him a big smile. 

After reaching the carnival, both of them started to wander around before stopping at a specific game stall. Her eyes sparkled like diamonds in the shimmering moonlight and a big smile found its way on her face just like a child who got a candy. The game was not something that special but to her, it deeply helds a lot of memories of her childhood as she looked at Shin in anticipation, before arguing if they could try it out. 

It was a normal loop ring game with 3 levels, or you can say rounds, to play & win. First, there were six sticks to throw loops at near distance. Then for the second round, eight bottles were aligned in perfect order at some far distance, probably 5 metres. Last but not least, 10 bottles were kept at the corner for the final round. In each round, there is a necessity to pass loops in maximum four, except in last, there is a necessity of eight loops out of ten. 

He clicked his tongue in defeat, knowing there is no other option left than listening to Yui as he nodded cheerfully and she squealed excitedly. Grazing the crust of loops with her delicate fingers, the blonde woman started the game. A sudden course of adrenaline rushed through her body as with a good level of concentration, she threw the first ring and it landed on the stick, as it leaped and circled around the long wood and landed slowly. Clapping her hands together in delight at her first win, she continued to play. In this way, Yui won the first and second round without missing any shot as Shin looked at her in awe. Small beads of sweat that formed on her brow trickled down her face, her platinum hair that was bouncing over her shoulders during the game is now glued at her neck.

Bewildered by her capability, the owner of the shop gave her a look of amazement. Without wasting a second, Yui prepared herself for the last round but the distance bottles were in, making it impossible for her. Any human can’t win it that easily, but it didn’t stop her and she tried only to lose her target in the first throw. Shin observed her and her actions and smirked, taking it as an opportunity to shine himself. His slender, pale fingers wrapped themselves around hers before tossing the ring and it landed perfectly. 

Her heart started to beat rapidly in her chest as she tried to free herself from such close contact with a stranger who she didn't even know nicely and more to that, they were keeping an eye on her, she cannot put Shin in danger. 

“They really are having so much fun together~” From somewhere far away, Kou pouted while looking at the pair in front of him. “He really is taking advantage of the situation” Subaru scoffed, rage was clearly seen on his face. “Ehh~ but he looks harmless, for now” Kou replied which angered the silver haired man more as he glared down at the idol, “Most harmless people are the only harmful ones.” Subaru shot back at Kou, which made his smirk wipe away from his face. “Are you talking about me!?” Kou questioned, though his tone was normal, his eyes were depicting anger.

“Stop bickering like little kids, you two” Yuma cut them off. “He started it!” Kou whined. “Where is Ayato?” he continued and looked at others in a questioning manner. Subaru grumbled under his breath before leaving. Sighing, the remaining two boys follow him in search of Ayato. 

Meanwhile Shin and Yui continued with their game as Shin won and they were now searching for the prize to take. The female's eyes roamed inside the stall, taking a look at each and every item present over there, until her eyes landed on a plushie...a pink wolf plushie. 

She asked the shopkeeper for the soft toy and he gladly gave it to her. She held the toy close to her as it was something precious. Shin looked at her, amusingly, as he questioned why she chose a simple plushie out of all. Though Yui knew, wolves attacked the brothers in search of her but there was something special about this one. "I don't know myself, but this looks so fluffy and comfy that I wanna have it by my side whenever I feel sad. It seems relaxing. I may sound weird, but … I just feel something extraordinary about it." She paused as the look on Shin's face made her laugh. He was bewildered by her words, no one has ever given him such an answer. 

"Ahh- you really are strange and weird." Shin complained but his expression suddenly switched to cheery as he asked Yui if she was hungry. "Putting everything aside, wanna go and have something to eat?" Without hesitation, the latter nodded. 

------------

"Here you are." Subaru called out to Ayato who was watching the pair from a distance. His eyes flickered with gentleness as he saw Yui walking with a bright smile he had never seen on her face. "Tch" Subaru scoffed as the older boy didn't reply back and continued staring at two specific people. 

"Do they really have to send the ones who have feelings for that sow." Yuma's question caught Kou's attention as he hummed. "They both really care for m-neko chan”

------------

“So what do you wanna have?” the strawberry haired man asks Yui. “I’m okay with anything but how about macar-- ahh” she felt someone pushing her harshly as she landed flat faced on Shin’s chest. Angrily, Shin calls out to the man who pushed her but he was nowhere at sight. He grabbed Yui tenderly and asked her if she was okay, to which she nodded; he rubbed her nose slowly because it was covered with a tint of red but the other way around it made her cheeks go cherry red. He slowly grasped her hand in his before walking ahead. His hand was cold, ice cold, just like them- 

------------

“Thank you for accompanying me today. It was a nice trip, So did you have any fun?” Shin asked Yui and she nodded in delight. “Yes, thank you so much. I had such a great time with you- I mean due to you.” She smiled and he smiled back before saying his goodbye. “Wait- it’s not okay for a girl like you to wander alone at such late times. Should I drop you?” He stopped in his tracks as a sudden realisation hit him. “No! I mean no- I’m good. Someone is coming to pick me up, you can go. Bye, good night.” with that she walked away as quickly as possible and met up with her bodyguards, who were still watching them from the inside of the carnival.

“You two were acting like couples, you know. It made me so sad, m-neko chan.” The idol commented as Subaru held him back from hugging Yui. Kou grunted in annoyance because of baby sakamaki’s actions. 

“Sow … you looked comfortable and happy, plus he didn’t harm you so we should go back and report to Ruki and Reiji.” Everyone nodded in unison but for Yui something was off. Ayato. He hasn't spoken a word since the time she arrived. 

Back in the Sakamaki mansion, Reiji and Ruki are sitting in front of each other while asking questions to Yui. “So tell me honestly. Did you notice anything different, odd or off? Even the slightest?” The raven haired man asked in a stern voice as Ruki kept staring at Yui. Should she tell them about his hands which were bitterly cold … or she should not? Knowing, if she lies, the people before her will detect it. “Good grief, you really are not-” “His hands! They were cold, just like you all” Yui cut him off before he could comment anything, sharply, towards her.  

“Could he be one of the founders?” Ruki asked, his eyes glued on the spot Yui was standing and Reiji just sighed in return, “Maybe, but I hope not otherwise she is already in the lion's den.” 

A shiver ran down Yui's spine and she excused herself from the two men. Upon reaching her room, instead of taking a bath she changed her clothes and laid down as memories of today’s event rushed through her mind. ‘Could he really-��� her thoughts made her more upset and she closed her eyes to get away from reality while hugging her stuffed toy, which she received today, tightly around her chest.

There she was in her usual, strange dream. A mysterious sound echoing inside the not-so-familiar white room with a tree in between. But today something was different, a shadow, there was a shadow behind her. Yui turned around to see no one as the black silhouette shifted into another direction. Again she tried to turn around and called out for it but no response. For a moment there was silence, then suddenly rustling noises were heard from behind the tree. Scared, she stepped back and caught a glimpse of blond? ginger? no- ginger blond. ‘Shin!’ she called out sub consciously and it swiveled it’s head around at her voice. She raised her hand to catch him but it was too late, the sound echoing around got way too loud and she covered her ears while screeching.

“Shoot-” Shin wakes up with heavy gasping and beads of sweat covering his forehead. He brought his palm near his face and panted heavily … ‘What the hell was that dream!? That voice, it sounded like hers. Damn!” He walks out into the kitchen and drinks two glasses of water to calm himself down but before he can leave, he is interrupted by Carla. “Shin. Is our plan succeeding?” “Yes brother!” The strawberry haired man replied with only a couple of words as the dream he had still lingered around his mind and a feeling of irritation was twirling around his heart at the mention of the plan from his brother.  

[abraxos-and-ataraxia]

He Saw Sunlight

Pairing: Lucien x Elain

Word Count: 1.4k

Warnings: none

Summary: When Lucien visits Velaris for the winter solstice, things don't go the way they usually do...

My @acotargiftexchange present for @elliemarchetti 🎁 I hope you enjoy!

* * * * *

Somehow, forced cheer had become Lucien’s winter solstice tradition. As the years passed, he found it more difficult to send word that he wouldn’t be visiting Velaris after all, so he found himself in Feyre’s sprawling manor each and every year. He always brought two gifts—another tradition—one for Feyre and one for Elain. In later years, he befriended the eldest Archeron well enough to know her tastes. Filthy romance novels from his travels were always sure to please her. The rest of the inner circle were pleased enough with his lack of presents, if only to excuse their own.

After so many solstices, Lucien had grown used to Elain’s polite expressions. She opened his gifts with grace, a quiet thank you, and then set them aside. He’d never seen her use any of them since unwrapping the paper. A part of him wondered if he should stop trying so hard. Yet Lucien could not stop knocking on their snow-dusted door.

He’d arrived with time to spare, so he was sitting in a plush armchair by the fireplace when he caught a glimpse of movement from the hall. Lucien turned just in time to see Elain darting out the door, a bright red cloak swirling behind her. He frowned, glancing at the clock above the mantel—there was only an hour before dinner. Where was she going so soon before the festivities? Then his frown deepened—was she meeting someone else for the solstice? Surely Feyre would have told him…but then again, she’d kept plenty of secrets in the past.

Something tugged at him, like he was at the end of a long string. He didn’t stop to consider anything further. Soon, Lucien found himself following the footprints in the snow, heedless of the cold nipping at his cheeks.

Elain’s red cloak glowed like a beacon in the rapidly darkening streets of Velaris. Her pace was brisk, but Lucien’s long legs allowed him to keep her in view. He watched her carefully, noting her cheerful grin, the way she waved at local shopkeepers as they closed for the night. Elain seemed to know all of them, from the sound of their casual greetings.

When she ducked under a snowy awning, Lucien held his breath, unsure what sight awaited him next. But to his surprise, Elain merely pulled out her wallet. She exchanged coin for a pastry before ambling down the street once more. Curious, Lucien darted over to the shop’s window, keeping one eye on that bright spot of crimson. “Excuse me,” he began.

But the shopkeeper ignored him, pressing a pastry into his open hands. “Happy solstice,” the older male said with a smile. Before Lucien could offer up any money, the male closed the window once more.

Baffled, and more than a bit suspicious, Lucien inspected his newest gift. Some sort of lemon cake, draped in a thin layer of icing, and small enough that he finished the pastry in two bites. Satisfaction curled in his stomach, followed by another small tug. He listened to it, turning down the street to follow those footprints. He hardly needed the trail—he could find her anywhere. His mate, that gentle pull reminded him.

He followed Elain across the city as night fell, blanketing Velaris in starlight that reflected off the recent snowfall. For the first time since Feyre revealed the well-kept secret, Lucien let himself be dazzled. It was a beautiful city, filled with colorful people and brilliant sights. Eventually, he stopped minding the time and started appreciating the art and food and music that ran through the city like its lifeblood.

Eventually, he forgot that he was following Elain to find out where she was going, and he let himself get lost in the places she led him to.

“Do you like it?” The question, softly spoken, almost failed to catch his attention. But the bond thrummed in his chest like a harp string, carefully plucked.

“I am afraid you’ll have to be more specific,” Lucien said, turning around slowly.

Elain dipped her head, a tentative smile flickering over her lips. She took a few steps closer, meeting him in the middle of the cobblestone street. Lucien couldn’t tear his eyes from her. Her rosy cheeks, the way she twisted her fingers together, the hood draped precariously over her spill of bronze curls. It took all of his strength to stand still, to keep from reaching out to her.

“The city,” Elain said, her eyes glittering up at him. “Do you like it?”

Thinking of all the lovely places he’d followed her to, his nod was automatic. “Velaris is a beautiful city.”

“Yes,” Elain waved his answer away, mouth pursed with the stirrings of irritation. “But do you like it?”

Lucien blinked. “I liked the bakery,” he began again. “Lemon cakes are some of my favorites.”

“They’re my favorite cakes in the whole city.”

Encouraged, Lucien continued. “I liked the lights strung around the market square and the bridge over the waterfall.”

“I’m glad of it,” Elain said, smile widening.

“The hot chocolate was some of the best I’ve ever had,” Lucien went on.

“Oh?” Elain frowned, brows furrowing. “So you’ve had better?”

With a careful nod, he explained his centuries of travel across Prythian. “The Winter Court has some of the best coffee shops, and one of them serves my favorite hot chocolate.”

“I’d like to go one day. To try it.”

Lucien blinked at her again. “I didn’t think—”

“That I would want to?” Elain shook her head, her cheeks pinkening further. “I’m sorry, I’m going about this all wrong. I just wanted to talk to you and I couldn’t think of any other way to start.”

Mind utterly blank, Lucien simply stared at her. She wanted to talk to him? He would gladly speak of the weather, of the color of the sky, of anything she wanted. “There’s nothing to forgive,” he said. “I’m happy to start however you’d like, but perhaps you can explain what your plan was tonight. Where are you going on solstice? Shouldn’t we get back to the house?”

“Well…this was the plan.” Elain fussed with the edge of her cloak, biting her lip firmly enough that Lucien worried she might break the skin. “I showed you my favorite places. I hope that one day, you might show me some of yours.”

Lucien watched her carefully. His mate, whom he had assumed wanted nothing to do with him, now reaching across the chasm between them. How could he do anything but meet her in the middle? He smiled, waiting for Elain to look at him again. “You hope, or you know?”

When she smiled back, the bond between them started to glow. “I may have Seen a few things, but I won’t spoil them for you. For us,” Elain corrected. “The future is always changing.”

“I’m glad of this change,” he said. Glad, too, that he could be honest with her. That she wasn’t running away. That he knew the warmth of Elain’s smile directed at him. That he wasn’t dreaming again.

Before he could suggest they return to the manor, Elain hooked his elbow with hers, tugging him down the street once more. Struck dumb by the unexpected contact, Lucien didn’t try to argue.

They walked until their noses turned red from the cold, and Lucien had to summon small flames to warm their fingers. They talked until Lucien’s voice was hoarse, and Elain led them to a cozy pub open late for revelers. They drank until Elain demanded a dance, then three, and they stumbled out into the snow, still laughing. And when the stars began to wink out, they meandered through the snowy city, making their way home together.

“Tell me something, Lucien.”

“Anything,” he said, meeting her gaze, holding it. For a moment, the two of them stood still, suspended in that moment of complete and utter sincerity.

“Tell me something that makes you happy.”

Following the golden heat of the bond in his chest, Lucien leaned forward. He waited there, Elain’s mouth just out of reach, until she broached the distance herself. They tumbled into the kiss, head over heels, lips parting only to return seconds later. He couldn’t stay away. Only one taste, and he knew there could never be another. Lucien was lost to her.

“You,” he breathed against her, their lips brushing. And behind his closed lids, he saw sunlight. “You, Elain.”

[spencer-reids-adventures]

if and when you have the time and brain space I would love to see your take on emily trying to get an adhd diagnosis (preferably with jemily or just gen! bonus if reid can help her out a little)

Spencer shows up at Emily’s house to pick her up for a film festival, and she answers the door half dressed, eyes wide and frantic. Spencer can see into the living room, where here TV is on, the laptop is open on the coffee table, and two books and a kindle are laid out on the couch.

“I’m so sorry,” Emily groans. “I thought I had more time, and then I forgot where I put the shirt I wanted to wear, and then I got distracted by this video of a guy cleaning a really gross carpet, and—”

“Hey, it’s okay,” Spencer says calmly. “Even if we miss the first film, we can just catch the next one. That’s why it’s a film festival. No worries.”

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” Emily mutters as she stalks back to her bedroom to finish getting dressed. “I can’t ever seem to get my shit together.”

“Nothing’s wrong with you,” Spencer says. “Has it always been this way for you?”

“Yeah, I guess. I mean, I’ve always been, you know…flaky.” She grimaces when she says the word, as though it tastes bad in her mouth. 

Spencer frowns. “Have you ever been tested for ADHD?”

Emily freezes with her sweater half on and stares at Spencer.

“Of course not,” she scoffs. “I did great in school, despite everything.”

“That doesn’t mean much. You could still have it. It would explain a lot.”

“I don’t need to make excuses for my behavior, Spence. I’m flaky, that’s just how I am. I’ll probably always be like this. I just have to deal with that.”

“Do you have a therapist?” 

“Yes.”

“Consider bringing it up to them,” Spencer says. “Just consider it. Okay?”

They eventually make it to the film festival, and Emily puts it out of her mind…until later that night, when it pops back into her consciousness. And despite her reluctance, she follows Spencer’s advice. She considers it.

A week later, she brings it up to her therapist and he agrees to do a screening with her. Before she knows it, she’s being referred to an outside clinic for ADHD testing.

She feels silly walking into the building. She’s a grown woman, not a hyperactive 10-year-old boy. If there is something wrong with her, it should have been caught earlier, when she was a child. She doesn’t belong here. She doesn’t need this. She should leave—

There’s a chirp from her pocket and she pulls out her phone to check her texts. There’s one waiting, from Spencer.

Hope everything goes well today. I’m proud of you.

She sighs, puts the phone back into her pocket, and decides not to leave.

A few days later, she meets with someone at the clinic for a follow-up appointment where they tell her that they are, in fact, diagnosing her with ADHD. The clinician talks about what that means, and her next steps, and asks if she has any questions, but all Emily can do is try not to cry.

All of those things she’s struggled with, all the missed appointments, the lack of focus, being late all the time, all the shame and frustration and anger and disappointment…

How does she reconcile the fact that it wasn’t actually her fault? How is she supposed to accept that maybe she’s not a monster, a terrible person, a bad partner? Her whole paradigm has been shifted, and she doesn’t know how to deal with it.

She shows up on Spencer’s doorstep that night with a bottle of wine and tear tracks on her cheeks.

“Come in,” Spencer says immediately, as if he’d been expecting her. He walks her to the couch and gets her settled with a soft blanket and a box of tissues. He pours her a glass of wine and then snuggles up next to her on the couch with a glass of orange juice and his own soft blanket. 

“Sorry,” Emily mutters.

“You have nothing to be sorry for,” Spencer promises. “Do you want to talk about it, or would you rather not think about it right now?”

Emily shrugs. “It’s just so much,” she says. “I don’t… I don’t know.”

“I’m here for whatever you need, Em. But I need you to know that it’s going to be okay. I know it feels like a lot has changed, but you’re still you. And now you can get the help you’ve always needed. You know?”

“I know,” Emily whispers. “Thank you.”

“Anytime.”

[huggybearsunshine]

Fewer Things 8

[Part 8] Cas’ alcohol tolerance has dropped significantly, and he doesn’t know his limits.

Dean found himself hovering, for lack of a better term, as the days stretched on. He was working on cleaning the mess he made of Cas’ room as promised, but it was like his body didn’t want it to be done.

He did, however, need it to be, as sleeping next to the former Angel was proving near impossible.

And even though Dean had thought about sleeping in the movie room, he couldn’t pull himself away from the former celestial’s side long enough to seriously consider the idea. He would say it was for Cas, but he strongly felt as though that might be an excuse. So he suffered through restlessness for comfort, and that was messed up even for Dean.

Still, wakefulness gave him little reprieve either, what with Cas’ increasing confidence in pushing the limits that had been so set throughout their friendship.

And the hunter even had to admit to himself, he wasn’t really fighting him on that.

They were just little things here and there that he could brush off, but his body’s reaction was the harder part to excuse away.

“Dean?” Cas caught him staring again.

“Sorry,” he snapped the charm into place to disguise his reverie, “You were talking about Michael Angelo, I was listening…”

“Michelangelo,” Cas smirked adoringly.

“Yeah, that’s what I said,” Dean grinned back, sipping his whiskey as his eyes shone over the rim.

“It wasn’t important,” Cas’ features were soft, arm resting on the chair so that his glass hung suspended from his hand, “What were you thinking about?”

“Me?” he cleared his throat, “Was just thinking about taking a drive tomorrow… We’re low on food, and we could use a supply run if you’re interested..?”

“Very,” he leaned his head back until it rested on the back of the chair and his eyes scanned the ceiling, “We haven’t left the bunker at all since I got back… I’m not used to so much down time without an apocalypse or a hunt.”

“Yeah, well you deserve a break,” Dean took another sip to avoid the look he was getting.

“Is that what you’re doing too?” Cas wasn’t swayed so easily from the topic at hand, “Just because I’m human doesn’t mean I can’t still figh-”

“I don’t want you to,” Dean’s voice was stern but without any bite or anger.

“Ever?” the former Angel asked casually as if Dean had a right to say.

The hunter fixed him with a look, considering something for a moment to himself, “I’ll stop if you will.”

This seemed to catch Cas off guard and he straightened up in his chair a bit, “Really?”

“Yeah,” he nodded, “I mean, we’re basically retirement age for hunters- you especially.”

He grinned and gave a teasing wink, and Cas’ eyes scanned over him unguarded, the liquor clearly taking its toll.

“Cas, not for nothing, but the last person who looked at me like that... I got laid.”

Dean’s words ran past his mind unbidden and he was fairly certain his face was red as he downed the rest of his drink and ran a hand over his face.

“You can’t look at me like that,” the words fell out before Dean could catch them, and Cas’ head tilted in response.

“How am I looking at you?” he asked in soft curiosity.

Dean’s chest rose and fell heavily beneath his red flannel as he stared the former Angel down, “You know how.”

“Hey, there you are,” Sam rounded the corner, pausing as he took in the atmosphere of the room, “What am I interrupting?”

“Cas is drunk,” Dean grinned widely, stealing the forgotten glass from Cas’ hand to finish for him and setting his own, empty glass down on the table.

“‘M not drunk,” Cas corrected, still half-laying in his chair.

“‘Course not,” Dean’s smile lit his whole face and spread all the way to his brother’s face as well.

“You guys are ridiculous,” Sam shook his head, “We watching the uh, the thing tonight?”

“The meteor shower!” Cas announced with little physical movement, looking more and more comfortable by the second, “I forgot!”

“Well, lucky for you, I didn’t,” Dean smirked proudly, “I’ve got blankets, chairs, snacks- the whole shebang, and we’ve got about another…” he pulled out his phone, “Forty-five minutes til it starts.”

“What’s a shebang?“ Cas asked, eyeing his glass like it offended him when he found it suddenly empty.

Dean paused for a moment then looked back toward the other man, “I don’t know, but we got the whole thing!”

“It’s a civil war term,” Sam supplied off-handedly.

“Of course you know that!” Dean knocked his shoulder.

“Uh, Dean,” Sam wasn’t paying attention to him and instead looking just over his shoulder, “Might’ve overdone it on the pre-game.”

“What?” he whipped around to see Cas passed out, head tilted back and snoring lightly, “No! He was really looking forward to this!”

He ran a hand through his hair before his eyes returned to the taller of them.

“What?” the word held new meaning in its repetition as his hand dropped at the quizzical and fascinated look on his brother’s face.

“Nothing,” the other man sighed, looking away as his head shook in exasperation, “You got the room ready for him yet or is he sleeping there tonight?”

“No,” Dean’s eyes dropped, “No, I got him.”

He looked back toward the sleeping former Angel, softening as the man’s head twitched slightly and a small sound huffed out.

He approached gently, beaming before him and shaking his knee softly.

“Cas? Buddy?” his voice softened, “Come on.”

“I’m not hogging the bed, you are…” he grumbled out, and Dean’s face went red.

Fearful eyes cut toward Sam, but he was already walking toward the hallway and leaving the pair to their dance.

“Dean?” a deep, groggy voice called him back.

“Hey,” a shine returned with his attention, “Think we might have to catch the next meteor shower.”

“It’s not for another seventy years,” blue eyes saddened as they met with his.

“Maybe a different one then,” he shrugged, tapping his leg again before he rose up, “Come on.”

Cas took his hand and was tugged to his feet, stumbling a bit as he did, but Dean was there to steady him.

“I’m sorry I messed up our night,” he looked so distraught that Dean’s heart pulled in his chest.

He glanced down at his watch then back up to the hopeful, blue eyes awaiting him, “How bout this… We get some carbs in you and you manage to stay coherent for another half hour, and maybe we can see about this meteor shower after all.”

Cas’ head bobbed excitedly, pulling a laugh from deep in Dean’s chest.

“Yeah, okay, come on,” he threw an arm around him and headed them both toward the kitchen.

————————

@destiel-wings @destieliscanon5nov

A/N: Also those of you who comment are blessed by the old gods and the new. Seriously. Giving me life. 🫶🏼

[vamosaespana]

Llegamos a España!!

Good morning travelers…let’s wake you up gently by dropping the temp in the plane to 40 degrees 🥶 I look over to see Andrew looking so miserable as he is trying to wrap himself up in the blanket provided. Libby’s actual teeth are chattering upon waking up…well at least we are up and ready to greet them as they serve us breakfast. Good actually again not to shabby. A smoothie pouch, bread roll with cream cheese and slice of cheese and a slice of pound cake. Carb forward but I am not complaining😋 Love me my carbs. Drinks on the plane I found to be very minimal. You don’t get your own can. Instead a small up with a Dixie size pour it provided. So you make sure you enjoy it but then again cuts down on using the bathroom so I guess that’s a win 🤷🏻‍♀�� Luckily it’s only about 2 hours in the cold we suffer and then we land in Paris…the longest part of the journey is over. Little did we know that our 2 hours in Paris seemed like an eternity 😩

Now we have 2 hours…should be plenty of time to grab something to eat and head to our next gate. Oh no…the Parisians had other plans. Now keep in mind it’s summer but I think they are working on saving money for the Olympics and air conditioning was definitely one of the cuts to the airport. I guess Air France knew what they were doing when they blasted us with cold air….enjoy it while it lasts suckers😈 was I’m sure what they were thinking. As we get off the plane we have to go back through security and get searched which of course took forever. It’s the law of lines…whichever one the Bransons are in get out because it will be the longest! We pass through security and now head to customs. Again another long line of waiting…spoiler alert we made it to our plan but now writing this I honestly don’t know how with how line we waited for everything😧 We pull up to our lovely customs employee where she asks us how long will we be in Paris…sorry to disappoint but only 2 hours…we are headed to Spain. It’s then that the Spanish Inquisition starts. Where in Spain, where are you sleeping, for how long, why, who with? Again it’s my family of 5, so I just think she’s bitter that we aren’t staying in her country and is just reading us the riot act because looking at my family I’m not quite sure what she thinks we are “up to” She finally lets us go and we head to our gate. Here’s where the temp actually turns up and I can only guess they are testing their heat for when it gets to winter time🥵 We pull up to our gate and it has to be the smallest area with the most possible gates that they could squeeze in. So our littlest now is 1. Hot and Sweaty 2. Having to use the bathroom since landing 3. Says her stomach hurts!!!!! Cue the psycho shower music because that is what is running through my head. We are currently in line to board and she looks at me and tells me she’s going to throw up. Now we honestly are surrounded by 150 of our closest friends on this plane and there is no where to move!!!! I then do a mom yell of “excuse us my kid is going to throw up so I advise making a path” I now know how Moses felt when he parted the Red Sea🙏🏻 there was a clear line to a garbage can and we made it with no casualties. Luckily there was a cooling vent near the garbage can that she was able to sit down on the ground and get cold air to cool off. Moms came to support with Lysol wipes and a hand held fan. Luckily no cleanup necessary and her skin returned to freckled peach again. Just in time to finally board! The flight to Spain was a little bumpy but 3 sailed smoothly through it and that’s all that mattered! I took a nap during the flight and woke up to 2 telling me to look out the window. I was giddy like a school girl…it was SO BEAUTIFUL!!! The water honestly bluer than the blue of any filter you could possibly use. You could see La Sagrada Familia and beautiful church steeples dot the landscape. I was so excited and completely forgot about the lack of sleep. The minute we got off the plane I said “see ya” to France and hello to Spain! We stepped off the plane and it literally smelled like a spa…I kid you not! Even the kids noticed!!!! We got our bags without a hitch and headed for the Taxi. We were worried about how we would manage all of us and our baggage (remember we traveled SUUUUUPPPER light🤦🏻‍♀️) Luckily the taxi hearder found us a passenger van taxi and we were on our way to the apartment! 3 fell asleep immediately now officially cooled off and comfortable in the van with actual space and leg room. The rest of us just enjoyed the drive. We arrived to our downtown apartment and the taxi lady laughed again at our luggage and of course GB had to flash his winning Spanish phrases….”soy muy guapo” “soy muy inteligente “ and his favorite “soy un buen amante” of course he got a good chuckle…GB is always one for making people laugh😆

We pull into our apartment and the kids went immediately to their rooms. It was tricky finding a place with enough separate beds as our kids don’t share beds (first world 🙄) plus the whole teenage boy girl thing just makes for hot mess express when too close for comfort. I, as I am sure all you moms do, start unpacking everyone out of the suitcases and get everything settled in. By this time now it’s about 4:00 dinner time here and we’ve been traveling a day and a half so our bodies are all sorts of messed up. Hanagriness sets in worse with GB and 2 and that’s the cue we need food stat! Luckily we are downtown so everything is walking distance and my legs sure needed the stretch. What’s the first thing GB wants to eat….Burgers 🤦🏻‍♀️🙄😩 so off to a burger place we go. Kids are happy with that, well really 1 and 3 are happy, of course kid 2 couldn’t agree but luckily I think being tired she didn’t have too much of a fight in her. We have learned it’s near impossible to have all 3 so we consider 2/3 a win by default. I found this burger place “Central Burger” to be a win and knew I was with my people. On the table, in easy access, without having to ask separately, was my mayo in large jug form (cue angels in glorious song). We entered hangry but exited happy. Once food was in, there was definitely an air of peace and happiness that consumed us😌

As we headed back to the apartment we were all back to joking around and laughing. Ready to go to bed but also going to bed much happier. Excited for the day ahead but also excited to just sleep with full bellies in an actual bed. Good night Barcelona. Tomorrow we seize all the moments you have to offer us 😍

[seravphs]

I ran out of tags so now I'm being forced to actually articulate my points in a text post.

I'm so intrigued by the hint of what role the reader plays in jujutsu society! I wonder what she does with all the historical documents.

I have this problem where I find every single trope universally appealing. I really love marriage fics where there's this celebration of love and the culmination of the years that the two of you have put into each other but I also love when marriage means nothing in the face of this greater bond. Stsg are a unit and vows/ceremonies/tuxedos wouldn't change that.

Also who's wedding lol I hope we know them and I hope it's beautiful.

Since I'm rewriting this I can say that I was being silly the first time I was reading because I once again was blindsided by events that I'm sure were discussed in DDAO chapter 2. I feel like there are holes in my memory because I don't remember why stsg are mad at each other 😭 I just remember Megumi being cute.

I love rip mc so deeply but she concerns me so much. I know she doesn't eat as well as she's supposed to and she lets sashisu walk all over her. I mean, Shoko less so, but because mc is so ambivalent to everything I feel like inevitably happens despite the fact that Shoko is better than stsg.

Even though rip mc is probably canonically older than me she feels so much like a littler sister I want to watch out for her and call every day at 12 to make sure she eats and yell at stsg to consider her feelings more and give her breathing room to make her own decisions.

(This is the part where I was being stupid but) I forgot that you already said that she had depression in the tags so I was psychoanalyzing her for no reason being like wow these are symptoms of depression! (Duh.) Please excuse the next few paragraphs but

It's definitely not healthy to be so lackadasical about any and all decisions and I'm concerned that it's a sign of a deeper problem that she goes with the flow so often. It feels almost like she's being suffocated by her much stronger friends. I don't want what I’m going to say next to happen especially because rip mc is so fixated on wanting them all to stay together as her predominant (and only) desire in life but I wonder if it's even healthy for her to be with them at this rate.

Splitting them up would hurt me so bad but it feels almost like a situation where you need to lance the boil. She's so used to living according to other people's means that I want to see her pushed to choose things for herself and learn to want things - which is such an interesting trait for a character.

I just read the part where all the days blur together and everything is bland so I'm not imagining it! Girl you have depression 😭. (This is when I realized that I should go back and read the tags.)

Rip mc as a character is so compelling to me precisely because she's so neutral about everything. I think the rise of the 'mary sue' as a cultural thing in fandom where people started pointing out how bland characters were led to a fear of creating weak/passive characters. I know it sounds like I'm insulting rip mc but I'm not (I'm also NOT calling her a mary sue)! Please hear me out.

I love rip mc but she is someone who doesn't take action, instead letting her life be governed by the desires of others. This lack of desire for action for herself would be the very first thing most people would point out as a weakness of x reader fiction because it's suitable for a vehicle to project on. The more bland a character is, the more 'mary sue', the easier it is for the person reading to feel that the character can embody them. Yet rip mc's passivity is precisely what makes her such a distinguishing character.

Rather than a void for someone else to express themselves through, rip mc presents a realistic depiction of young adult life through depression. I want to wrap her in a blanket and feed her hot soup and tell her everything will be okay. I like that she's so nonchalant about everything at the same time that it frustrates me because I care about her. I guess what I'm trying to say is that rip mc's inability to want things is interesting rather than bland. The way she treats life as something to be endured rather than lived is captivating.

Back to my point earlier about splitting up, because mc is so ambivalent to life, I fear that leaving sashisu would be a tearing wound. Stsg are a lousy support system but at least Shoko tries. It could be even more dangerous to just leave her on her own without anyone. Rather than learn to live for herself, I'm afraid she would just collapse in on herself. The descriptions of her mental illness are even more heartbreaking especially because she's trying not to burden her friends.

I'm glad DDAO is diving into mental health because after everything the sorcerers have been through, I know they're having more mental breakdowns than we're seeing. We avoided the tragedy of the plasma vessel arc but at what cost? Now we're witnessing the tragedy of rip mc 😭

The minute Shoko said "they're fine, they always are" my body seized up because I'm scared it's going to be a repeat of pva where Geto's like everything's fine and Gojo just believed him like guys no maybe everything is not alright. Yaga needs to invest in school wide therapy.

I kind of hate that I like Hideo.

Rip mc's going for a master's AND a PHD? I love an educated girl.

I wonder if Hideo's going to be the catalyst for all the changes I was talking about earlier.

There's so much rip mc lore I don't know 😭

"You have no right to forgiveness. You allow yourself just enough happiness, and that's enough."

I love Gojo even though he's a prick.

No more coherent thoughts (if there any in the first place) to conclude this! Just wow!

dog days are over | chapter three

pairing: gojo satoru x fem!reader x geto suguru warnings/tags (for this chapter): beginnings of a panic attack, mentions of implied dissociation and depression, slight nsfw word count: ~7.7k

fic masterlist read on ao3

There’s a wedding.

You know this because Satoru is holding a pristine white invitation with elaborately floral borders and calligraphy so curled it’s difficult for you to read it when for all intents and purposes, you are used to handling and deciphering historical accounts and journals.

That’s not the only thing.

The invitation had been addressed to both Satoru and Suguru.

The two of them are getting invitations sent as one. It means something. It’s an acknowledgement. Unspoken, but palpable. 

Satoru flicked the invitation open, indifferently scanned the contents, and threw it on the nearest surface (the desk in front of him) with a lazy flick of his wrist. In his words: a higher up’s daughter was getting married to some big shot young politician. Their honored presences was humbly requested. They’d be delighted to have the strongest in attendance for the joyous occasion.

You picked up the invitation and scanned the date. Next month, on the sixteenth. A Friday. You have off on that Friday. You know that because there is an exhibit one of your professors is curating at the Tokyo National Museum you had planned on asking Satoru and Suguru to.

Satoru doesn't really respond well to invitations. You could still ask him—

“Friday’s going to be a real pain.” Satoru texts away on his phone. You watch as Suguru replies in real time. You wonder if the two of them have resolved all of their problems if they’re texting normally. 

“Oh,” you say, surprised. “You’re going?”

Satoru’s gaze momentarily flicks up at you, holding your gaze for a few seconds, before returning to the screen. “Might as well.” The words come out begrudgingly. Satoru makes a face at his phone, presumably one of Suguru’s texts, and types out a long response.

You suppose that means that they have plans already. You don’t mind. You had been intending on going alone anyway.

Your own phone vibrates in your pocket. It’s a message from Shoko.

Ieiri Shoko

[4:31] there’s a wedding

[4:32] i have been invited to a wedding

[4:33] Satoru and Suguru too. Satoru said he’s going. Suguru too. Probably.

[4:33] ? Those two? lolololololol 

[4:34] I didn’t think Satoru was going to go. 

[4:36] your guess is as good as mine.

[4:36] how about you come with me? be my plus one

[4:36] say yes

You stare at Shoko’s text. Come…with her? To the wedding? You hadn’t expected to be invited. Either as a person or a plus one. You wouldn’t know anybody. The thought of being surrounded by people somewhere clearly didn’t belong makes you nervous. You won’t be able to rely on Satoru or Suguru or even Shoko’s presence. They’d be busy, too busy for you. You’d stand in a corner and stay quiet, and people would brush over you, a nameless person of little importance and significance.

If you’re being honest, it doesn’t sound like a good time. If Shoko really needed you it’d be one thing. But you’re sure your presence wouldn’t be missed. 

You’d let her down gently. 

You press out of the chat just as Satoru stands up to peer down your head and squint at your phone. You wonder what has him so curious, and shut your phone off and look up. 

“We should go meet up with Shoko and Suguru, shouldn’t we?”

Satoru only sighs, rubbing at his neck with a faintly irritated look on his face. That’s not good.

He takes your hand and leads you out the door.

----

Dinner is fraught with tension. You look from Satoru to Suguru who are pointedly refusing to look at each other, which is difficult, considering they’re sitting shoulder to shoulder in a crammed yakitori restaurant. 

You’re…unsure what exactly is going on. You thought your worries about Satoru and Suguru were a worry for the past, but now, it’s impossible to ignore the pointed silence, Suguru’s cool silence, or even Satoru’s increasing agitation. Without the usual sunglasses perched on the bridge of his nose, it’s even easier to tell Satoru's patience is running thin.

You look to Shoko, whose head rests on your shoulder as she idly scans the menu, unbothered.

“We should share the chicken meatballs,” she says. “And the squid. I’ll order two draft beers, and maybe some plum wine…”

You make noncommittal noise. Then look back to Satoru and Suguru, wondering what you can say to dissolve the tension and make them look at each other again.

“So,” you clear your throat. “Excited for the wedding?”

You smile encouragingly when they look at you.

“No,” Satoru says, unhappily. “Not really.”

You wonder why he’s even going in the first place. Is it because of Suguru? Are they fighting over attending the wedding? That sounds wrong. Satoru doesn’t like to put up with troublesome things, but for Suguru, a four hour wedding was nothing.

“Only children think the world bends to their whims,” Suguru remarks pleasantly, despite the sharp edge of his words. “Adults should know better. Even Mimiko and Nanako know better. Tsumiki and Megumi—”

If there’s one thing Satoru can’t handle, it’s a lecture from Suguru. That hasn’t changed since high school.

“Yeah?” There’s a dangerous challenge on Satoru’s tongue as his eyes narrow in accusation. “I know what I want. If that makes me a child, then fine. At least one of us does.”

“Shoko,” you whisper to her. “Something’s wrong.”

Contrary to your own panic, Shoko’s watches the two, amused. “The only thing wrong here is that I don’t have a beer.” She waves a waitress over just as Satoru and Suguru fall into stony faced silence.

A young, fresh faced waitress with her hair tied up in a ponytail bounds up to the table. Shoko lists half the menu, ordering for the table. Then she orders drinks. Alcohol for you and her, a melon soda for Satoru, water for Suguru.

“Make that three,” Suguru interjects. “I’ll have a beer too.”

She flushes prettily when Suguru gives her a polite smile, slyly tucking a strand of hair behind her ears. Satoru’s face darkens.

“How is medical school?” You ask Shoko. “You’re taking care of yourself, right?” You hope she’s taking breaks in between her studies and her work at the school, eating well, and sleeping a good seven hours every night. 

She faces you, cheek flattened on her open palm. “I should be asking you that. Do you even remember to eat if I don’t remind you?” She pokes your nose.

“I eat,” you say, a touch defensively, but you already know Shoko knows better. Sometimes, you forget to eat. Sometimes it’s too much of a bother. You're fine though. Healthy enough.

“Hmmm.” She turns her attention to Satoru and Suguru. “This wedding is going to be awfully awkward if you two don't kiss and make up soon.”

“Everything’s fine,” Suguru says civilly. He softens at your concerned look. “It’s fine.”

You don’t believe him.

Satoru’s gaze is flinty. “Who says we’re even going together?” 

“You’re free to go by yourself,” Suguru replies, serenely unbothered.

“Maybe I will. Maybe I’ll go with Shoko.”

“Absolutely not,” she says immediately. “I’ve already got a plus one.”

Your stomach drops, put on the spot. You hadn’t had the time to think of an adequate excuse to avoid the wedding as Shoko’s date. It’s too late for excuses if Shoko’s already told them you’re going. You can’t let her look the fool by backing out now!

They look at you. Your lips curl in an automatic smile.

There’s the beginnings of a playful grin on her face. “We’re picking out dresses tomorrow, aren’t we?”

“Yeah…”

Well, if any good came out of this wedding, it would have to be getting to go dress shopping with Shoko and helping her pick out a formal dress. You’d like that. You always thought she looked good in bold colors, and if the occasion warrants it, she’ll wear her bright red lipstick. You already feel lighter, excited at the prospect of seeing her in all different types of dresses. You’d take the job seriously, make sure you help her pick the best—

“Kimono,” Satoru states.

“Dress,” Suguru asserts.

You blink. Their gazes clash, and you can feel a chill come over you. What are they fighting over now? This might even be worse than the several occasions they fought in high school. Never had they fought about anything that couldn’t be settled with a good fistfight. Something tells you this runs deeper. It’s more than a trivial burst of high tempers, more than juvenile attitudes at work.

“What?”

A lazy smile hangs from Shoko's lips. She is thoroughly amused, taking everything in as if she’s at the theater. “I asked them whether or not I should put you in a kimono or a dress for the big event.”

You didn’t even think about what you’d wear to the wedding. You assumed Shoko would give you something. And if not, you could just go shopping. If Shoko was too busy to come, then Ijichi usually had a good eye for silhouette and fashion. You worry about your kouhai once more. He really is too competent for his own good. You hope you won't be troubling him too much in the future.

You are discomfited. You don’t want the hypotheticals of something as inconsequential as what you plan to wear to an event to be another point of contention between them.

“That’s…I don’t really care what I wear.”

“Whatever you want to wear,” Suguru says reassuringly. “I’m sure you’ll look perfect regardless.”

You warm at Suguru’s words, unexpectedly abashed as you lower your gaze to your lap. It’s hard to think of yourself as perfect, especially in terms of appearances when you’re anything but. You determinedly meet Shoko’s eyes. “I’ll do my best not to embarass you,” you say deathly serious.

You’ll do your best to be sociable, speak when spoken to, and try not to let yourself get caught up in all the important people you’re sure are going to be in attendance. You figure if anything this could be practice. Making new friends. Although all you’ve known for the last years of your life is Satoru and Suguru and Shoko. Occasionally Utahime when she visits down from Kyoto. Mei Mei too, even. You can’t rely on them forever, you know this. It’s easy to forget the monotony of the days before you entered high school. Days passing while in a trance, food tasting bland, the perpetual buzzing in your ears. You slept and slept and slept. You spent more days asleep than awake until you were inevitably needed for another mission.

You don’t think you had known what it meant to live, in those days. You didn’t know that the salty breeze of the ocean was a sensation in your nose that felt akin to the seconds before a sneeze. You didn’t know that the colored disco lights in a small karaoke room could bring you so much joy. You didn’t know that hot summer days could be idle, that eating a popsicle with friends could be a momentous occasion. All of these moments, engraved on your heart. You’d take them to the grave, and you’d be content.

You still occasionally experience these fits of sadness so encompassing you drown in it. Especially around certain times in the year. Sometimes, you find it difficult to wake up. There’s a boulder in your chest, pressing on your lungs and weighing you down. You sleep for days. Wake up to remind yourself that you still exist, and close your eyes. Other days, you feel your body move on auto pilot, from one destination to another, cursory smiles and words. You don’t remember much of anything. Just that when you wake up, you feel yourself again. And if you don’t, you sleep and repeat until you do.

It’s a troubling matter to articulate. Something you’ve never quite put into words. If it’s an inconvenience to you, it’d be an annoyance to others. So you keep quiet, and hope it stays a secret, where it won’t bother anyone.

“As if that matters,” she sighs, eyeing you warmly. “ You’re not that one that needs to worry about embarrassing me.”

She side eyes the two men seated across from you, and sighs. "Hopeless.” She flings the word at them. 

Your waitress returns with skewers of meats and vegetables and more. Shoko gratefully takes her drinks, and downs half of it down. Then she takes a chicken skewer.

The rest of your meal continues in either silence or short lived conversation. Suguru asks about your thesis. About Shoko soldiering through medical school. Shoko orders more alcohol. You ask him and Satoru about Kyoto, since the two of them have been spending more and more time at Kyoto tech for one thing or another. Meetings, clan visits, Satoru visiting members of the Gojo clan, etc. You stick to safe topics of discussion, and decide that any talk about matchmaking ceremonies or arranged marriages is dangerous.

It’s only so often that the four of you can meet up like this. Adult responsibilities and all. You hope Satoru and Suguru make up soon. To you, this time is precious. And even with Satoru and Suguru refusing conversation with each other, you’re happy to be with them.

The night goes by in a blink of an eye. Shoko orders another round of drinks. Soon it’s twelve in the morning, and Shoko calls for the check. You’re getting ready to leave when your waitress approaches apprehensively.

“Excuse me,” she says, fingers curled around a piece of paper. You watch eagerly, excited at being able to watch a confession unfold. But the storminess in Satoru’s expression creeps back in and you sweat. She hesitates, gaze flicking from Satoru, back to Suguru, and draws back with a shake of her head. The scrap of paper clenches in her hand. “I’m sorry, I thought—” 

“Oh, I am,” Suguru smiles. “Single.”

Shoko chokes on her laughter. Satoru doesn’t look amused in the slightest, jealousy as palpable as a strike of lightning and the aftermath smell of burnt grass. You stare down at your lap, willing yourself to be as small as possible, discomfort prickling at your chest.

“Oh…Oh! Then I—” she flushes, looking back at the gaggle of other waitresses towards the cash register, two of whom give her a thumbs up. She extends her arms, bowing her head, piece of paper tucked between her fingers. It looks like an offering. An offering of Valentine’s day chocolate. “I wanted you to have this! Just—just in consideration of me!”

It’s undoubtedly endearing. You’ve never been in love. You wonder if you were normal, if it’d come more naturally to you. If you were a normal girl without the occasional bouts of terror and sadness and the all consuming exhaustion. Without the need to hide away every once in a while. Someone who could lead a happy and guiltless life. You wonder if you had ever had a chance. A possibility for you to be loved. Or if it had been the inevitable circumstances of your birth that had condemned you to a lonely, forgotten existence.

Shoko takes you by the arm, excusing the two of you for fresh air, before you can hear or see Suguru’s response. 

Outside, snow is beginning to fall. You stare at it as it lazily floats onto buildings, Shoko’s head, the ground. You brush the white off her head as she lights a cigarette and inhales with a gusto.

“I needed this!” She rests against the brick of the restaurant and exhales. “Those two love to make their business everyone’s problem, huh.”

Your lips twitch, despite the gravity of the situation. “I’m worried about them.”

“They’ll be fine,” she briefly stares at the lit end of her cigarette, the ashes flickering to the floor, before meeting your gaze. “They always are, aren’t they?”

----

You immediately feel out of place as you and step into the hotel’s banquet hall for the wedding reception. It’s beautiful, decorated with flowers, vines that hang from the ceiling and down the columns, and ice sculptures set up around the floor. Round tables with designated seating and personalized name cards set atop the plates fill the venue while leaving the middle of the room, the dance floor, open. Not a single yen wasted.

You scan the crowd of faces for Shoko, or even Satoru or Suguru. There’s not a single recognizable face. You swallow down your growing unease, adjust the silk skirt of your dress, and try your best to inspire confidence in yourself. 

You slowly take in the rest of the grand room, take a glass of champagne offered, and then realize you’re too nervous to drink. There seems to be an unusual amount of people concentrated around the main entrance. Your skin prickles uncomfortably. Years later, you still don’t do well around consistent crowds of people. Sometimes, it feels like if you’re slowly suffocating, boxed in where the walls are slowly closing in on you.

It’s not a pleasant feeling. You walk in the opposite direction and try to tune it out, careful not to grip the champagne glass too tightly. You hadn’t been invited to the actual wedding procession. You wouldn’t be invited to the Shinto ceremony either. That was reserved only for a special group of guests. You’re glad for it. You don’t know if you can survive in close quarters with people important enough to run the country of Japan.

“There you are,” a familiar voice pulls you out of your thoughts, a hand on your shoulder.

You turn, brightening. “Shoko!”

She looks stunning in the dark crimson gown she picked out when the two of you had gone dress shopping, and you can already see a few interested glances in her direction. Her hair is braided up, exposing her slender neck, and you can smell the cypress of her favorite perfume. You catch yourself staring at the red lining her lips, a few shades lighter than dress. If anything, you think being able to see Shoko like this is worth all the troubles of pretending to be… somebody.  

“How was the wedding?” You hand her your own untouched champagne. She lifts it to her lips and it’s gone.

That gets a grin out of her. “Interesting.”

She tells you that it had been an arranged marriage, and the bride had staunchly resisted the match, to the last second, which explained the closed, intimate ceremony. Furthermore, the bride refused to write and recite her vows, which had made for an entertaining scene on the altar. And that when the groom had leaned down to kiss her, she had angled her face away, so that his lips had collided with her cheek instead of lips.

The story is entertaining. Though you can’t help but feel bad for the bride, forced into a marriage by forces outside her control. What if she was already in love with somebody else? What if she had no interest in marriage? What is she didn't want a husband?

Shoko draws back a step, looking you up and down with a nod of approval. She smooths out the neckline of your dress. “I thought you’d look good in this one. It makes me want to show you off.”

You glance down at the silk dress adorned on you, so soft it ripples with every movement. It’s a pretty dress, although you’re sure you don’t do it justice.

“How are Satoru and Suguru?” You ask hesitantly.

Shoko tilts her head towards the main entrance. “How about you ask them yourself?”

Upon closer inspection, you realize the crowd of people around the entrance had been gathered around Satoru and Suguru. Huh. You didn’t originally notice them. You must have been too caught up in your head.

“No thanks,” you say, not wanting to intrude, but you take the time to watch them for a little longer.

Suguru’s face is animated with a bright smile as he converses with several other older guests, head slightly inclined in a politely deferential stance. They’re both in Kimonos. Matching colors. That brings a smile to your face. Still united in some way even if they may be in the midst of a long standing argument.

Satoru’s face is shaded with sunglasses, a suspiciously blank expression in the indifferent set of his lips. You aren’t sure you’ve caught his eye, but he perks in your direction, and when you raise your hand in a slight wave, he straightens.

Shoko weaves her arm through yours. “Alright, let’s get more drinks!”

You catch the frown forming on his lips just as Shoko tugs you away.

Shoko manages to get an entire bottle of champagne. Then she leads you to the largest table in the room, towards the front of the banquet hall, and gestures to your seat next to hers before taking a seat and filling her glass back up.

“I healed the bride’s father a while back,” she says, taking a sip of the champagne. “Stage 4 kidney cancer.” She makes a face. “I hate making house calls, but the higher ups insisted. I’m not trying to become a private doctor.”

“He must have been grateful.”

“He was,” she snorts. “He tried to buy me into his employ.” She leans back into her seat, looking at the banquet hall. “The man certainly has the money.”

“You like it at jujutsu tech,” you say with a bright smile. “You’d never leave us.” You’d like to think she’d never leave you.  

“I wouldn’t leave you,” she says, matter of factly. “How could I leave you with those two insensitive jerks?"

You’re so pleased you don’t think your smile can contain it all. She said she wouldn’t leave you. The champagne you took one sip of sits bubbly in your stomach. “I’m sure it wouldn’t be that bad. Less work, more money…” you shrug. “If it made you happy, I wouldn’t mind.” Jujustu tech would probably fall apart without Shoko, so you leave that part out. You just want her to be happy.

She exhales. “I’m happy where I am right now.”

The two of you share a smile.

Shoko’s bottle inevitably runs empty while she recounts a funny incident in medical school involving a cadaver, and you offer to get her another one.

When you come back, there’s a man you don’t recognize in your seat, conversing with Shoko. You wonder what they’re talking about, for Shoko to look so unusually engaged. You’ve observed her in all her varying degrees of disinterest and moods to be able to read her well. You don’t want to disturb her. So you drop the bottle on the nearby counter of the open bar and turn on your heels to do another lap around the room. Once again, you spot Suguru and Satoru, who have relocated to underneath one of the glass stained windows running the length of the wall of the room.

Satoru is with the groom, a tall man with handsome features dressed in a tailored black suit. The rising star politician, you assume. Next to him, his sullen bride stands, surly disposition visible all the way from your place in the room. A stunning emerald dress is draped across her figure, ending at her ankles. Her arms are crossed. Satoru’s lips move in response.

Next to him, a couple feet away, Suguru is talking to a woman dressed in a silver colored heavy furisode, the two of them deep in conversation. Your interest is piqued. You can’t quite see her face, her back towards you, but you think she may be Suguru’s matchmaking attendee. 

You should give them privacy. Well. You shouldn’t be gawking at them. You turn just as someone else steps behind you, colliding into them. The ensuing collision has you precariously teetering back. Before you can regain your balance, a strong hand wraps around your upper arm, another around your waist, steadying you at once.

“You alright?”

The man you bumped into you gives you a dirty look, before continuing on his way. You look at the man. There’s something familiar about the set of his cheekbones, the curl of his lips in an easy smile, his dark green gaze, like the clearing of a forest. You’ve had this thought before, long ago. When the green of a boy’s eyes made you remember there was color in the world.

“Yes,” you reply slowly, waiting for him to let you go. “I’m fine, thank you.”

“I’ve been watching you.”

You stare at him, unsure of how to take his comment. Watching…you…? You hope you haven’t done anything embarrassing. “Excuse me…?”

He promptly drops his arms and steps away. You slowly move to take a step back. Maybe you could pretend someone was calling you over—

“Wait a minute! That made me sound—” he shakes his head. “Wait.” He extends his hand, a wide grin on his face. “Let's start over! Shirokami Hideo.”

It clicks. Oh. You know this man. Well, you knew the boy. You don’t remember much from your time at the Kamo compound. It’s a series of blurred faces and muffled voices. Long stretches of darkness. You slept a lot back then too, you think, because the only thing you do remember in clarity is the sandalwood scent of your comforter, and your preference for sleeping on futons. 

“Hideo-kun,” you say, as you remember a shallow brook deep in the forest, and the boy who had taught you to catch fireflies with his hands. You wonder how and why you had forgotten in the first place. You left the Kamo compound, and forgot it all in the monotony of the ensuing years. His voice is deeper, and he’s grown into his face, but if nothing else, his eyes are the same. “I remember you.”

He beams. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

“Do you still like stargazing?”

---

The surprise must be evident on your face because he sheepishly scratches his face. “The first time you talked to me, it was to tell me that I was looking at the Canis Major, not the Crow.”

You don’t remember it, but it touches you just the same. To think that someone remembered you, even when you didn’t. You had left a piece of yourself in someone.

You take a bite of your lobster, nodding. “I do. I try to go when I can. But I’ve been so busy lately…” You’ve also been meaning to take the kids with you one night. When the weather warms up, you’ll bring them to the mountains. They’d like that. You know Tsumiki was delighted when you gave her a book that illustrated the constellations. You had bought it for her with Megumi on one of your outings.

Hideo nods in sympathy. “It’s tough being a jujutsu sorcerer. Trust me, I’m taking advantage of the low season to take time off to relax!”

The two of you sit at a table tucked away in the far corner. Hideo’s table. There had been an empty seat which he offered. You gratefully accepted, especially when you managed to catch a glimpse of your original table. You had seen Shoko, Satoru, and Suguru. Along with the bride, groom, and a couple other distinguished people seated at the table. You’re glad to escape from the scrutiny. You do much better in obscurity. 

You spent the last hour catching up. Hideo was mainly located in Kyoto, with his clan, a Kamo branch family, but he had been preparing to move to Tokyo for a change in scenery.

You knew him for a brief three months, before his return to his clan for his mother’s funeral. He regretted not being able to leave you a note, or tell you that he was leaving. He tried to contact you after, but nobody knew your whereabouts, especially since you moved back to Tokyo and was subsequently lost in the system.

Currently, with his father on bedrest, he was preparing to take over the clan from Tokyo. The move to Tokyo is an effort to bridge the gap and relationship between the Tokyo and Kyoto jujtusu societies.

In return, you offered your own mundane and uneventful recollection of your life up to this point. Compared to Hideo’s, you didn’t have much to offer. You moved to Tokyo after studying the katana at the Kamo compound. Undertook missions as expected of you, and lived alone up until high school. Then you enrolled in jujutsu tech. Now you’re in school for your masters, and then hopefully, a PHD.

It feels odd to talk to someone other than Shoko, Suguru, and Satoru. You don’t know Hideo nearly as well, despite a brief history together. Where you can search for familiarity in the softness of Suguru’s smile, the mischievous curl of Shoko’s lips, Satoru’s straightforward demeanor, there’s nothing here to cling to. You don’t remember what it ever meant to be without them. It’s alarming. It’s frightening.

But you think this is what it means to start anew.

The room quiets as a spoon taps glass. Attention gathers towards the table in the middle of the room where an older man in a tuxedo stands. It’s a five minute speech that you don’t really give much thought to, your thoughts with the bride who looks precariously close to storming out of the room.

Hideo tilts his head towards you, his lips in your ear. “She doesn’t look too happy, huh.”

You have to agree.

There are three more speeches. You don’t recognize anybody. Soon after, conversation fills the room once more.

During a lull in a conversation, you excuse yourself to the restroom for a few minutes to yourself. Upon entering the brightly lit room, your gaze is directed towards a woman seated on one of the loveseats in front of a large, wall length mirror, fixing her makeup. You recognize her silver kimono immediately, and when the small, compact mirror slips from her hand and onto the floor by your feet, you bend down to hand it to her. There’s a lotus engraved onto the back of the mirror. 

“Thank you,” she says delicately, fingers brushing yours as she takes back her mirror. Up close, you take in her full appearance. The delicate contours of her light makeup to her exceptionally beautiful hazel eyes. Her brown hair is shoulder length, brushing her shoulders, bangs immaculately cut across her forehead. She looks like a doll, even more so when she gives you an inquisitive look, a polite smile curling her lips.

“Is something the matter?” 

You realize you’ve been staring. Your face burns. “I’m sorry,” you say, voice reedy, unable to articulate how lovely you think she looks, or how you had seen her talking to Suguru earlier, and whether or not she is who you think she is. So you simply awkwardly look at her. Nod your head in a curt goodbye and turn back around, intent on not speaking to anyone but Hideo for the rest of the evening, lest you embarrass yourself further.

You run right into someone’s chest, and hear a familiar voice say your name, the familiar scent of sandalwood in your nose, as a hand on your upper arm rights you back up.

“Suguru,” you say happily, looking at him. Up close, you think he looks especially handsome in his dark blue kimono. His usually pulled up hair is down, flowing down his back. You like it when he lets his hair down. You didn’t think you’d get to see him, or even talk to him today. “I seem to be bumping into a lot of people today…”

Concern immediately colors his face as he smooths your hair down and fixes the shoulder of your dress. His hand stays on your shoulder, thumb tracing your collarbone in comforting motions. “Everything alright?”

“Yes!” You reply immediately to assuage his concern, if anything. You hope he's alright. Or at least making nice with Satoru for the duration of this event. You're sure they've grown past making a public spectacle of their arguments, but one can never be too sure. “I’m no good at these types of events. I guess I’m just a little nervous…”

“I was looking for you,” he says, eyebrows furrowed. “Shoko said you were…” his features grow taunt, lips tugging into a slight frown, “fine. But you weren’t in your seat.”

Shoko must have seen you with Hideo. Which meant she looked for you. Your smile grows wider. However, even the thought of returning to your designated seat surrounded by the most important people at the event you’d be expected to converse with makes your stomach twist. Embarrassing yourself was one thing. Embarrassing Satoru, Suguru, and Shoko was another.

“She’s right,” you confirm, doing your best to reassure him. “I found an old friend!”

His lips reflexively twitch into a smile, maintaining an amiable expression, but it doesn’t touch his eyes. “An…old friend…?”

“I’ve been with him the entire time, so you don’t need to worry. I’ll introduce you,” you say eagerly, excited at the prospect of being able to introduce Hideo to Satoru, Suguru, and Shoko. “He—”

“Are you cold?” Suguru suddenly asks you lightly, hand slightly squeezing your shoulder. “The air condition is cold in here, isn’t it?”

“Not really,” you blink. “...Are you cold?” That wouldn’t do. Maybe you could ask the hotel receptionist—

“Geto-sama,” a voice interrupts, “I didn’t think I’d find you out here.” You turn, seeing the woman in the silver kimono, once more, smiling, a fresh layer of red painting her lips. You straighten, resisting the urge to smooth out your dress.

“I was on my way to get some air,” Suguru answers with a smile of his own. “I ran into a close friend.” He chuckles goodnaturedly. “I’m trying to convince her to come back with me.”

Come back with him?

Her gaze slides to you. If she remembers you, her expression is unreadable. Her eyes slightly widen. “Oh my,” she lifts her hand to her mouth. “Is it your seat I’ve taken? My apologies—”

“Oh, it’s fine!” You wave her off. She looks genuinely apologetic. “Please, take my seat. I’ve found another with an old friend.”

“Is that so…” She trails off, glancing up at Suguru. “Forgive me, we haven’t been properly introduced.” She lowers her head. “Sasaki Kumiko. Pleased to meet your acquaintance.”

You reply with your own name, and an encouraging smile.

“Speaking of,” you step away. “I’ve kept Hideo-kun waiting long enough. Why don’t you take her with you to get fresh air, Suguru?”

“It would be a pleasure,” Kumiko says, eyes brightening at the idea, giving a face a certain type of incandescent joy. “I would love to accompany you.”

You don’t wait for his reply to make yourself scarce. You give his hand a little squeeze, before making your way back to Hideo.

The two of you fall back into easy conversation and talk until the moon is high and bright in the sky. Plates are cleared and guests start to rise once again, mingling and talking as the dancefloor begins to fill up.

You’re unsure of what to do. Should you look for Shoko again? You’re not much of a dancer. You don’t want to hold her back with your discomfort. Hideo lightly taps on your arm, bending down to whisper into your ear: “There’s a garden outside. Do you want to walk with me?”

You are instantly relieved. With everybody crowded around the dance floor to witness the bride and groom’s first dance, the two of you would be able to slip outside. Nobody would be there. You could get away.

You nod, and he takes your hand, leading you towards the exit leading to the hotel lobby, and then outside. As the two of you step out into the pebble lined path, lit up in anticipation for the wedding, you can still hear the strings of the quartet playing from the ballroom. Immaculately tended flowers line the path, flowers of every color and shape. You sigh, feeling the tension slipping from your body. 

“I’m sorry if I scared you. Earlier.” Hideo laughs, rubbing the back of his neck, turning to you earnestly. “I saw you earlier, and I spent so much time thinking of what to say to you that I completely forgot what I was going to say!”

You laugh, despite the outside chill trailing over your body. You relate to the feeling of your tongue not working at times. “You didn’t scare me. But I did think you mistook me for someone else at first,” you admit. You were initially perturbed, that was true. You’re glad he cleared the air before you managed to escape. You’re glad that you’ve met him again, after all these years.

The path opens to a small clearing with an empty fountain as Hideo fondly details his short lived time at the main Kamo estate with you. At the Kamo compound, he was one of many boys, left alone to his own devices in favor of the more elite sons of the family. It was the first time he had ever tasted freedom away from his own clan estate, where he was coddled by servants and his sickly mother.

Upon your silence, he looks at you, concerned. “Is it cold?” He moves to take off his jacket but you stop him.

“It’s not that,” you blurt out. The cold feels good on your skin. Calms you down. “I don’t remember much from back then. It’s all…hazy.” Any recollection of your childhood draws a blank. It makes you feel bad that you can’t dignify his memories with your own. “But I know that…” you trail off, staring at your feet. “You were kind to me. Back then.” Even you know that you hadn’t been in the right state of mind so soon after your father died. You wanted to leave the past behind. You didn’t want to remember. You had to forget to survive.

You sit down on the cold surface of stone, and exhale. You didn’t realize Hideo’s appearance would dredge up the past like this. You feel tired all of a sudden. You want to go back to the apartment you’ve made a home, curl up in your bed, and let sleep claim you once more.

A weight settles on your shoulders as the warmth of Hideo’s jacket envelopes you. He takes a seat next to you, gaze searching yours. 

“You were a child,” he says gently. “It’s okay to forgive yourself—”

You don’t hear the rest of his words as blood rushes to your ears. You can’t swallow the lump in your throat, and your face feels hot to the touch. Your fingers curl into the skirt of your dress. Forgiveness . You have no right to forgiveness. You allow yourself just enough happiness, and that’s enough. 

“—it was only three months.” His gaze turns a touch concerned. “Are you alright?”

Panic bubbles in your chest as you manage shallow breaths, staring at him in increasing discomfort as your vision begins to go spotty.

Forgiveness? Your father died before he could forgive you. He died resenting your birth. He wished you had died instead of your mother. The forgiveness to absolve yourself isn't yours.

“There you are.”

You’d recognize the sharp cadence of Satoru’s voice anywhere. You focus on it. He’s unhappy. You wonder if he got into another fight with Suguru. You turn to where he stands, arms crossed, jaw set into a hard line. In the moonlight he glows otherworldly, a piece of divinity on earth. If only his expression matched.

His eyes are piercingly alight as he approaches. “Shoko’s looking for you.”

“Oh.” You perk up. “She is?” In your momentary elation at the prospect of seeing Shoko again, the anxiety dissipates enough for you to collect yourself. You almost forget to make introductions, but Hideo beats you to it, standing up. 

“Gojo-sama,” he says, inclining his head. “It’s an—”

“Like I care,” is Satoru’s clipped response. A dismissive glance in Hideo’s general direction, before his gaze is focused on you again. You stare at him, taken aback at his rudeness.

He pulls you up, not roughly, and examines you with a keen eye. He takes in the coat on your shoulders, and irritation shrouds his face once more. He swipes it off your shoulders and throws it back on the fountain. Then he takes off his haori and sweeps it over your shoulders. Without another word, he takes you by the wrist and away.

You give Hideo one last glance over your shoulder. He waves, a good natured smile on his face.

You eye Satoru’s back, trying to tug your hand back to your side to no avail. His fingers are locked around your wrist. Despite his annoyance, you’re happy to see him. There’s so much you want to tell him, about all the small details about your shameful past you tried to hide, about the small things you did remember about your time at the Kamo compound, even about Hideo—

You are backed into a wall, Satoru looming above you, eyes flashing. “Who the hell was that?”

You blink at him, looking from Satoru’s left arm caging you into the wall, to the other with slight disbelief.  “Shirokami…Hideo…” We lived together when we were younger. Back when I had nobody. Back when I was a ghost. He taught me how to catch fireflies. I don’t remember much about those days, but I think he made me happy.

You hold your tongue.

You hope you aren’t being presumptuous. “He’s a friend—”

Satoru’s fingers dig into your chin as he lifts your face up. You look into his eyes, brighter than the moon hanging in the sky, and you think there’s something disconcerting in the way he looks at you. Like you could ask him to defy the laws of the world. For you, he do it. And if you asked him to bring down a star, he’d lay it on your palm.

The world stills, just as it usually does when you meet his gaze. Your heart skips a beat in your chest as you stare at him, daring you to pull away, to drop your gaze back to your feet.

You feel his hand curl around your nape, pulling you to him with a squeeze that feels branding. He takes your lips with a bruising kiss, pressing you back into a garden shed. A startled noise leaves your open lips, and Satoru takes advantage, teeth sinking into your bottom lip with a distinct viciousness. You feel his tongue dragging against your own, hungry. Your eyes widen, never leaving his lidded stare that could be a glare. His hands come up to cup your face, angling you to his whims, effectively keeping you still against the onslaught of his lips as he steals your breath away.

He’s all you can see and feel. The heat of him, his palpable desire, so feverish it eats you alive. You push at his chest, feeling the lack of oxygen muddle your brain but he only holds you tighter. When he finally pulls away, a string of saliva briefly connects your lips, broken when Satoru’s tongue runs over his lips. Your hands are fisted into the fabric of his nagagi so tightly that you’ve pulled it open, exposing more of his chest than necessary. You let go, hands falling limp to your side.

His eyes lower back to your lips, and you startle. You’d take a step back if you could, but instead you push back into the wall. Somewhere in between, Satoru had lifted you up, your legs loosely wrapped around his waist, dress hiked up. Satoru’s hand is resting on your bare thigh with a grip that has no intention of letting you move, and a shiver rips through your body as you inhale gulps of air. His leg rests between your thighs, reminding you of the uncomfortable wetness staining your panties.

He leans forward and you unknowingly tense, but instead of your lips you feel a sting on your neck. Teeth. You wince, but Satoru holds you in place, fingers curling into you like a warning. You feel his tongue tracing the bruise, before he straightens with a finality. You might be shaking but you’re unsure if it’s from the cold or…

You stare at him, stunned, while he meets your gaze unrepentantly.

“I…” your voice trembles as the awful reality slowly sets in. “Could you…” you struggle with the words. “...Please put me down.”

For one terrifying second, you see the beginnings of the stubborn set of his eyebrows, as if he might refuse.

Then, wordlessly, wearing a frown, he lifts you down.

You don’t think. You bend down on unsteady legs to pick up his fine haori that had fallen to the ground, and neatly fold it. You hand it to him. He takes it. 

“Good night,” you intone.

You stiffly walk back into the hotel lobby, where everyone has gathered, ready to leave for the night or take taxis to the invite exclusive after party. You think you might walk to the train station. Nothing feels real.

You should text Shoko. Tell her that you didn’t feel good and that you took a taxi home. Yes, you’ll do that.

You accidentally meet Suguru’s searching gaze from across the room. You register surprise across his face. Then he slowly makes his way through the crowd. There's something wet on your lips, and when you raise your hand there's a smear of blood on your fingers. You take a step back, stomach twisting into knots. You’ll walk.

You’ll walk.

You turn around, starting through the hotel lobby where cabs have begun to line the entrance and the streets outside. You'll feel bad later. You walk through it all. Once you get far away enough, you manage to flag an empty taxi down.

You don’t remember the car ride home. You enter your apartment and make it to your bed just as your legs buckle. You fall asleep in daze, wondering if the night was all just a bad dream.

[leafs-lover]

The Finality

Another installment of the Auston Matthews X Friend series, taking place a few months after YN left his barbeque.

Warnings: Swearing, smut - fingering, P in V, cream pies (wrap it kids 😉) 18+

Three months.

That’s how long it’s been since you saw or even spoke to Auston, someone you’ve known for over fifteen years, one of the most important people in your life. Your best friend.

It’s been three months since you spoke to your best friend.

After storming out of his house with your dress inside out and clinging to your damp bathing suit, you didn’t look back. In the weeks that followed, you’ve talked to Kayla, and to Sarah, even messaged with Trevor a little. Trevor told you Auston was a miserable ass the last few weeks he spent in Arizona.

They all told you basically the same thing - get your head out of your ass and admit what you’ve been feeling.

They all assume you are in love with your best friend.

You’re not.

And it’s ridiculous advice. That’s why you are sitting at a table in a dimly lit, high-end pretentious restaurant with Jerome. He is your roommates - boyfriend’s - college friend’s - roommate’s - brother. And his personality is about a lively as the atmosphere in the restaurant.

Maybe he’s not as dreadful as you think, but sitting in complete silence, in a stark white room, sounds more exciting than being at this table. It is the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, and most people have already taken off to fly home, the streets even had an eerie emptiness to them. But your lack of enthusiasm has little to do with the mostly empty restaurant, and more to do with the company.

He is your cliché accountant. Or was it investment banker? Account manager? At this point you can’t even remember. The only reason you remember his name is because he has referred to himself in third person at least seven times, while telling you stories that you can only assume were obnoxious and boring. He mentioned the cylinders and torque on his blue Lamborghini within minutes of picking you up, and at that moment you knew tonight would suck. And every time he opens his mouth it just gets worse.

If this date was orchestrated by Kayla or Sarah, you would have thought they purposely picked the most ignorant and self-righteous person known to man. But neither your roommate nor her boyfriend know about what happened in August.

You are barely halfway through dinner, but you just can’t take it. He is just so annoying. Maybe if he let you get more than six words in at a time, or talked about something other than money, cars and Armani you’d be slightly interested in getting to know him more. But if you were to ask him any question about yourself, even something as basic as your hometown, he wouldn’t even be able to tell you the answer, because he never asked.

“Can you excuse me.” Your chair scraps loudly against the wood floor, the sound almost nails on chalkboard, drawing eyes from the small group of patrons. “I just forgot; I have something I have to do.”

Tossing the napkin onto the entrée you barely touched; you reach for your purse and fling the strap over your shoulder. For the first time you see an emotion spread on his face – confusion. His brows are creased, and lips pursed as he watches you.

“Right now?” he blinks, putting his fork down on table. “In the middle of dinner?”

“Yes, it’s very important.” Pulling out your wallet you drop a couple bills on the table, ignoring his objection, and walk out of the door without another word. He might have offered to drive you home, or maybe he was telling you to keep your money, he could have asked when you’d be available to reschedule, or he could have said nothing, you have no idea. You just needed to get away from him.

It’s dark.

There is a crispness to the air, and hazy dark clouds blanket the sky, all indicative of an incoming storm. This time of year in Toronto, it could be rain, it could be snow.

He couldn’t tell you what woke him up at 6am. Felix wasn’t scratching at the door, still curled up beside him on the bed, kicking and whining as he chased the ever-elusive rabbit in his dreams. The halls were quiet, none of his neighbours making a noise. His phone had no new notifications, no missed calls, nothing that could have prompted him walking up almost two hours early when the sun had barely peeked its way through.

But there he is, sitting on the park bench waiting for Felix to pee before he can go back upstairs. He feels a few drops on his hands, saw a few stain the light grey track pants he decided to wear.

“Fuck,” he mutters under his breath, hoping Felix would finish up before the storm really starts.

Once Auston opened the door and shook off the wet bucket hat, Felix was gone. Instantly running away towards the kitchen. Odd behaviour, given his breakfast was handed out at 8am like clockwork.

A loud crack of thunder is followed up by the sound of rain, water trickling down the floor to ceiling windows. Going to make himself coffee, Auston’s heart flips and his stomach tightens seeing a silhouette crouched over in the dark kitchen, petting his dog as if they are welcome in his home. What’s worse is Felix is eager to accept the pets from the trespasser.

“Such a good boy,” the all too familiar voice calls out, and his heart rate begins to settle.

“YN?” Auston flips on the light, his voice sounding as broken as you feel. He doesn’t look okay; in fact, he looks like hell - the bags are darker than his actual eyes and his shoulders are slouching, trying to bear the metaphorical weight that has been holding him down. Rain drips from his dark curls and clings to his forehead, his long sleeve is drenched.

While it’s obvious you’re tired, his first thought was ‘fuck,’ because you look fucking good. The little black dress holds true to its name, ending high on your thighs, the cut in front low displaying a sliver of your breasts - not too much, just enough. Your makeup is light, showcasing your natural beauty, only the light pink cheeks cheeks and slight glow evidence you’re wearing any at all. He hates that you look good, but mostly that this look wasn’t for him.

“Hi,” you breathe out. It wasn’t until you spoke that he finally acknowledged you are real, and not a dream – something he had been having recently. Giving Felix one final scratch behind the ears, you wobble to your feet and stare at him, nervous waves threatening your balance.

“What are you doing here?” his brows furrow and arms cross over his chest.

You’d like to say you thought about it on the drive to the airport, the five-hour flight, while entering the combination to his keypad, the twelve minutes you spent in the dark and empty apartment. But you didn’t think about it once. The reality is, the second you left that restaurant everything is clouded by a heavy fog, and you really don’t know why you are in Toronto when you are supposed to be working in LA in a few hours.

“I had a date," your voice is quiet, as if the full weight will cause everything around to shatter.

“In Toronto?” he tries to disguise it, but you can hear the hurt in his voice.

“In LA,” your response is short, it’s all you can handle right now.

The gentle drizzle grows into a sudden downpour, and Felix curls at your feet, hiding from the crackling thunder and violent gusts of wind that shudder against the windows. “And you came to Toronto to tell me about it?” He hasn’t moved from the doorway; he can’t move from the doorway. “Sounds like something you could have said in a text, but that would involve you acknowledging me.” There is the bitterness he no longer tries to hide.

“It sucked…he sucked.”

“YN, what are you doing here?” he shakes his head frustratedly, not wanting to engage in this any further.

After you abruptly left his house he took a few days, then he sent you a message. Then another, and another, almost one every day. You never replied. He sent you snapchats of Felix, forwarded you memes on Instagram, tried just about everything to contact you, and you never replied. In fact, you would take days or weeks even to open those messages.

Then eighteen days ago he stopped.

He had tried, and now he was done. He couldn’t even lie and say that didn’t hurt, the fact that you turned off the switch to your friendship so effortlessly. But he couldn’t keep trying, because every time he didn’t see your name on his phone, his heart broke a little bit more.

“You kissed me.” It’s a hollow attempt to explain your presence.

“You kissed me back,” he counters.

“You kissed me,” your eyes dart to the floor but he see’s the heat building inside. “You touched me,” you barely manage to whisper the last part out.

“You wanted me to.”

Normally Auston wouldn’t speak on your behalf, but the way your body arched into him, the moans and groans catching in your throat, the tugging on his dampened curls, he has zero doubt you wanted that, wanted him. And he is 100 percent right.

“Nobody has kissed me like that since…made me feel…” you trail off, playing over the dozen dates you have forced yourself on to try and act as a distraction. Some of the guys were nice, funny, handsome, everything you would look for in a potential boyfriend, but they didn’t kiss you the way Auston did. They didn’t fill you with an insatiable desire for more, instead they only caused your heart to ache for the man more than 4000km away.

“Made you feel what?” Auston finally moves from where his feet had been glued, now only inches separate you. So close you can hear his heart beating, and if willing, could touch him.

“Complete,” you barely manage to speak. “Happy.” Your eyes finally meet his, and they are void of usual confidence, and instead are full of a raw vulnerability you have never seen. “They weren’t you.”

Those three words were all he needed to bring you in for a hot, fiery kiss, full of tongue and wandering hands. He reaches down to grab your ass, but this time instead of setting you on the counter he carries you down the hall and drops you on his bed. His sweater and trackpants are gone, leaving his hard chest and muscular body fully on display for you to gawk at. A trail of hair descends down his chest and disappears under the tight black boxers, that slowly tighten as he takes you in.

He wastes no time crawling between your legs and hiking your dress up, bunching the fabric above your hips. Sucking on the thin cloth that covers your core, he moans at the anticipation ready and waiting for him. He can’t even be bothered to slide it down your legs - it will take too long, and you can’t even bother to scold him when you hear fabric ripping and cool air connecting to your pussy lips, erupting chills through your spine.

“Shit YN,” he places a few kitten licks to your entrance, coating his lips in your flavour. “I’ve barely touched you and you’re soaked.”

“Have been since I last saw you,” you gasp when he wraps his lips around your clit and drives two thick fingers inside. A disgusting slurping sound overpowers your moans as Auston fucks his fingers in and out, drenching them in your essence. Your toes curl into the bed, and you fist the duvet, reveling in his touch.

Auston adjusts the speed and depth, playing around while listening to your breathing and moans. Finding the spot that jolts your entire body into his face, he does it again, and again, and again, every time smirking into your heat.

The scruff on his jaw burns the inside of your thighs. The knot in your stomach tightens and threatens to snap. The tears in your eyes build. The curse words being spewed get louder. Tears kiss your cheeks and the headboard rattles against the wall, all while the knot unravels. Pure euphoria floods your veins, and your hips arch further into him, writhing against the touch of your best friend. He slows his fingers ever so slightly to draw out your orgasm, not wanting it to be over.

“Fuck, that was better than I could have imagined,” he grins, licking the mess off his finger. Leaving a trail of featherlight kisses up your body, he nips and sucks, marking you along the way. Stopping at your lips, he places a soft, warm kiss, letting you briefly taste yourself on his tongue, then lets his forehead fall against yours. “I’d be lying if I said I haven’t been wanting to do this every single day for the last ten years,” Auston’s voice is soft as a light layer of tears glisten on his pupils.

“Me too,” you breathe, bringing him in for a kiss that starts soft but quickly builds to more.

**

“I still can’t believe you’re here,” he runs the pad of his thumb over your cheek, feeling the sweat that sticks to your skin.

“Me either, I literally left during dinner and climbed in a cab. Then I was just at the airport, I don’t even have a toothbrush,” you laugh lightly explaining the events of last night.

“We can go shopping,” Auston gently kisses you.

“I only have that dress, I don’t even have underwear,” you murmur faintly against his lips.

“Sorry,” he kisses you to hide the devious grin that threatens to blanket his face. “They were in my way.”

“You’re not sorry,” you whisper, shaking your head lightly.

“I’m not sorry,” he says, kissing you again.

The kiss deepens, your hand runs up his tattooed arm, then back down, his body pulling you closer. His erection begins to harden between your bodies, and your hand snakes down and wraps around it. Giving him a few tugs, encouraging it to grow, he pulls away and whispers a few curse words, then tries to roll you onto your back.

Having already spent time on your back handing control over to him, you push back, grinning when you’re straddling his waist. The goofy boyish smile on his face makes your heart swell, and you line his leaking tip up to your entrance. Taking a second to adjust to the stretch, your eyes roll into the back of your skull.

“Fuck, this is a good view,” his dark eyes sparkle as he breathes you in. His dark hair sticks in every direction on the pillow, some clinging to the beads of sweat on his forehead.

It doesn’t take long for one hand to find your hip and the other moves to your clit. You whimper when he drives slow but deep circles into your aching bundle of nerves, all while his cock grazes the spot that teeters with your release.

“Aus,” it’s a deep, uneasy breath that catches in your throat. The previous two orgasms have you tingling, barely able to contain yourself, but you haven’t had enough of him. Don’t know if you ever will.

Auston wants to thrust up into you, retake control and have you and your perfect breasts bouncing all over his cock. He also recognizes those signs of your impending orgasm, and waits, continuing to do exactly what he had been doing at the same speed as before.

“Cum for me,” Auston pads around your clit again, waiting for the soft moans and curse words to be all that is heard.

“I love you,” you murmur. Tracing the tuft of hair that runs down his abs, you clench around him, letting your release soak his cock. Within seconds of feeling you spasm around him, he is painting the inside of your walls with a sticky white seed. After a few shallow thrusts, his hands ease up, and he lets you fall into the space beside him.

Tears burn when he doesn’t say it back.

Was this just sex for him, a way to release pent up stress, nothing serious? You didn’t exactly talk about anything, once you started kissing you were both naked in minutes. And since getting naked you haven’t left his bed, tangled up in the other.

“Did you mean it?” he whispers, his voice full of hesitation, the answer threatening to ruin everything.

“Of course,” you choke back a sob, “I love you Auston, been in love with you for a while, just took me a bit to figure it out.”

Relief washes over him and is soon replaced by joy. Wide and beaming eyes, a fluttering in his stomach, his heart palpates in his chest. “I love you too YN.” Everything feels right in the world when he says that. “I love you so fucking much.”

**

The next five days were the best five days. You spent it cuddling, cooking, walking Felix, watching his hockey, kissing – so much kissing. He scored a hattrick and presented you with the puck in the hall. He ignored Will’s teasing and Mitch patting his shoulder, shouting, “it’s about damn time,” as he kissed you after the game. He rejected the offers for post-game drinks and dinner, instead opting to get takeout at his favourite restaurant and barely getting three bites in before kissing you again. You couldn’t your hands off him, and he couldn’t keep his dick out of you. By the time you woke up Friday you couldn’t walk right, but that only encouraged him more.

Then Sunday came. He and Felix lay on the bed, reluctantly watching you fold the couple pairs of trackpants, leggings, sweaters - all the clothes he had bought you – and tuck them neatly into his dresser.

“Stay another day,” a hint of desperation is in his words.

“My boss wasn’t thrilled that I missed Wednesday,” you reply, gently closing the final drawer. Walking over to him, you crawl into the bed beside him, falling into his warm embrace. “I can’t miss another day.”

“Move here,” he isn’t entirely joking.

“You know I can’t,” you whisper. You don’t have a job in Toronto, you also don’t have a visa required to get a job, you have a roommate you can’t exactly leave high and dry, and countless responsibilities waiting for your return. You can’t recklessly abandon your life and move to Toronto, no matter how much you want to.

“Felix will miss you,” the bernadoodle’s ears perk up upon hearing his name, before settling back in for some pets.

“I’m going to miss him too.” Flicking your eyes up to his face, your heart breaks. You’ve never seen so much turmoil before, it’s oozing out of every pore. “And you.”

The kiss is soft but halted by his heavy gulp. “How do we do this?”

“One day at a time,” you offer, gently running your nails through the scruff on his jaw.

Auston just lets go of a defeated sigh, it’s not the answer he wanted. He was hopeful of some wise words, an actual plan, maybe another weekend in which you could visit again. Any sort of inner workings of a schedule.

But this was so unexpected, you didn’t have time to process what was happening until you were standing in his kitchen kissing him. You barely remembered to book a return flight home so caught up with him and the bubble you had built in his bedroom.

There is FaceTime and snapchat, and it worked to fill the void while you were just friends, but you’re not just friends anymore. In normal circumstances the pain wouldn’t faze him, but you are far from normal to him. He finally has the piece he didn’t know he’d lost, and now he has to let it go. It could be a week, could be a month, maybe even more, he has no idea. All he knows is you’re leaving and taking a part of him out that door.

[delusional-angel]

a replaced!mc au pt. ii〚Flectere si nequeo superos, Acheronta movebo.〛

"If I cannot bend the will of Heaven, I shall move Hell."

part unus

This series was inspired by the writings of @wafermelons and @pen-ink-therapy whose work showed me how cathartic writing and reading angst could be.

Imagine an alternate universe where the seven avatars who have come to love the MC with everything they have, reject them for another. Old wounds are ripped open and laid bare for all to see. Grudges are brought to light, but with it comes an inner peace MC hasn't felt since they became the emotional support of the seven demon lords of the Devildom. Through trial and fire, MC will begin a new journey and the brothers will lose what cannot be replaced.

Warnings: mental abuse, emotional abuse, acts of violence, suicidal ideation, poor mental health, angst, mentions of past death, MC chose violence.

Note: There will be n/sfw and yandere content in future installments because I am a ✨ w h o r e ✨

The look on Mammon’s face—for lack of a better word—was priceless. One sentence. One response from you was all it took to crack his face in two. Your softly smiling lips and impishly twinkling eyes didn’t betray your emotions like his did, but inside you were just as surprised at yourself. The sentence flowed from your lips like a cool breeze on a warm summer’s day. It should’ve hurt, or been scary, or sent you into a panic attack afraid of all of the things that could be done to you in retaliation for daring to talk back—but it wasn’t and you didn’t. You forgot what this felt like, defending yourself against those who sought to tear you down with their hands or their words. It was always scary at first. The buildup of anxiety that festered the longer you took to defend yourself, but once you did, they almost always backed down because they thought you were an easy target and you proved you weren’t.

It was like how a bully's face crumbled in humiliation when you snapped back. They thought you were prey to make an example of in front of your peers, but they were so wrong. You could recall a relative who thought their blood ties could excuse bad behavior, only to get settled in front of the whole family, consequences be damned. You forgot what this felt like. To care about yourself. To begin to love yourself again. When you defended yourself, no matter the outcome, you were affirming your worth and your dignity was not something that could be taken away no matter how daunting the foe. You stared the second strongest lord of the Devildom in the eye and quirked an eyebrow. If you were to die for this, you sure as hell were going to get your money's worth.

You had always been worth so much more than you ever believed, MC.

While you had been invigorated and ready for conflict Mammon’s face had cracked, but by the grace of Diavolo it didn’t betray the mayhem raging inside. His eyes were wide with trembling pupils as if he was having trouble focusing on the human standing not even two feet away from him. Mouth slightly agape, no sound came out. His brothers, the mighty avatars, were frozen where they were. Asmodeus had been curled up on the couch with a throw blanket, but now his eyes were wide, and lips a wobbly line. Belphegor and Leviathan who had been grabbing for Danielle who had been scrambling towards you, were now frozen with their arms extended.

Satan had been stalking towards you with nostrils practically flaring when your words brought him to an abrupt halt. Beelzebub who had been seated on a chair was now sat upright, confusion and concern marred his features as once again he was at a loss of what to do. Lucifer stood the closest to you and Mammon, but he too had paused. He didn’t register that a mere human’s words had halted his movements and if he realized or someone was suicidal enough to mention it, he would surely combust on the spot. The silence was going on too long for your liking. I mean, you had places to be tonight. They had wasted enough of your valuable time—time a mere mortal like yourself couldn’t get back—and you’d be damned before you let them take a second more. Hurry up and start the confrontation so you can get the fuck on.

“What’s the matter, Mammoney? Cat got your tongue?” You used the old nickname he once wore like a badge of honor. He’d go out of his way to have you call that name in public, wanting the world to know that he was yours. Things had been so good once. You were so happy. Don’t worry MC, you can be happy again. It just won’t be with him.

Mammon had to shake himself from his stupor. He hadn’t heard that nickname in so long, and for some reason unknown to him, his heart ached. However, he couldn’t think over these foreign yet familiar feelings now. His brothers were watching and he wasn’t about to let himself be cowed in front of them.

“What the fuck did you just say to the Great Mammon?” His canines seemed more prominent, and his eyes sharpened with a danger never intended for you before. His fists were balled and shook slightly, and you could see the you of the past throwing yourself out of the way, so terrified of an attack. That was no more.

Your smile never left your lips, you didn’t even hesitate, “You’re a goddamned hypocritical little bitch and caring about you was one of the biggest mistakes I’ve ever made.”

He stumbled backwards and the bubble burst. Lucifer was charging at you, drawing up to bring his full form over yours. He was darkness and the odor of burning blood and rusty iron from chains and torture. “MC! How dare you—!”

You turned your head to the left to lock eyes with the furious demon. The fallen. He thought he was so scary, but the flash in your eyes was murderous. He had always thought he was so intimidating. A word from him, and everyone would fall into line, but you weren’t one of them. You looked at him and all you saw was a waste of space. His booming voice that seemed to reverberate in the common room and the hellfire that was his eyes, did nothing to you. Instead, your own eyes were alight with unbridled rage at his insubordination.

“Shut the fuck up!” Your voice was a growl, a beast that long lay dormant inside was awakened and out to protect you. "I am your master and you will obey me."

Every demon in the room was thrown back as strong gales of wind spun with you at its center. All were tossed back from their spots and sent crashing into furniture or the walls around you. Beelzebub was thrown into a display shelf, glass and priceless antiques were destroyed beyond repair. Asmodeus was thrown up where his head hit the ceiling on a tender spot that sent tears blurring his vision. He fell on his side and could immediately feel the bruises forming. Belphegor had been ripped backwards where he skidded across the carpet and bumped into an end table that fell over to crush his thighs.

Leviathan was ripped from his seat and spun in the air where he was thrown at the door where his head collided with the doorframe. His vision blurred and mind raced, unable to latch onto any thought but of terror and confusion and the splinters stuck in his scalp. Satan felt a punch to his gut that propelled him back into the lit fireplace. It took agonizingly long seconds before his body registered the heat. Then, he quickly threw himself on the rug before him and rolled to extinguish the flames, being too stunned to even think of a spell to put them out. Mammon was thrown back where he slid across the carpet and against the wall. Family photos and memories fell from the surface onto and around him. Glass shattered and frames broke and a picture of you and him on a rare trip to the human world caught his attention. You were holding his hand and beaming like it had been the happiest day of your life.

Lucifer should’ve been the one out of the brothers who could stand his ground, but his knees were kicked in by some invisible assailant, and he was tossed aside like a ragdoll. His wings wouldn’t listen to him and appear to catch his flight, so he was cast aside like something insignificant, an indignation he was sure he had never felt in all of his days.

The epiphany came too late. The paltry amount of magic Solomon had leant you at the beginning of your first semester was overwhelmed by your natural talents. You were able to summon the brothers to your side without a formal invocation and they had been imbued with strength they had never felt before from a pact mate. You were far stronger than they had realized, but somehow the fact had been forgotten. Why did they forget? Because you never used your pacts. You treated them like friends and only called when your life was threatened. You never asked for anything, but a bit of their time and they couldn’t even give that. This time, your command wasn’t imbuing them with power, but draining them. While all of this was happening, no demon uttered a single sound, not even a pained groan from their throats, because that was your command: To shut the fuck up. Their bodies listened and obeyed.

You exhaled. You had been afraid for nothing! All this time you held your tongue, bowed out with your tail between your legs and avoided confrontation like it was a fatal contagion because you felt it could kill you. Your life had been threatened in every possible way it could be and you still had panic attacks at night. You would awake unable to move and the air leaving your lungs. You couldn’t breathe or make a single gurgle inside of your throat and your vision would begin to go spotty. Every time that happened you were taken back to your throat being crushed by the hands of someone you foolishly trusted. Your lungs failed you and desperately clawing hands made no scratch on the demon who straddled your weakening form. You couldn’t have done anything to protect yourself back then, and it had hit you long ago how insignificant you truly were.

You could be killed by these creatures who didn’t view you as more than a fly—they had killed you like the fly they saw you as—and every threat may have been filled with truth. Almost eaten in a fit of rage because you were close enough and food. Almost ripped apart because you dared to say 'no.' Almost maimed over a stupid game that didn’t matter. Threatened to be sold or killed or disfigured or tortured until you were actually killed and brought back like exchanging a faulty product for a new one in store. Maybe you had been replaced long ago by a new you who they didn’t bother to ask how you felt. A new you who forgave and forgot.

In the chaos, Danielle was the only one left untouched. There was a slight tremor in her legs as she walked towards you, but it vanished the closer she got. Her back straightened and eyes never left your own. She stopped short, not wanting to invade your personal space, not from fear but from compassion. “MC, are you okay?”

You always looked at her with a softness your eyes had lost towards the brothers, and your smile bloomed into something shy and incredulous. “You’re something else, Danielle. You know that?” She shook her head, worry evident on her features. She pointed towards your hand that glowed with the signature colors of the demons you were in a pact with. The sight soured your expression.

Raising it to get a better view, these colors once gave a feeling of security but now they were a ball and chain you needed to find a saw to cut off. You wiggled your fingers and glanced at her. “Y’know, I was tricked into making these pacts.” She perked up then. She didn’t know how it happened and she never asked because she felt it hadn’t been her place, but she had been waiting to hear your side of things. “I thought I was helping,” you turned away from her, her honest eyes doing something to you, “but I was the only one hurt in the end.” Your throat became sore.

“MC?” Danielle started.

“Yes?”

“I’m on your side.”

You laughed. Come on, now. This had to be a joke, but Danielle stared at you with a resolve that you knew you couldn’t shake. You shook your head as you gazed at her, “I wish that we could’ve been friends.” You smiled and she could feel that same shyness she felt when first meeting you. She had always wanted you to like her, but she didn’t get the chance. “You should go.” You inclined your head to the door. “There’s something I have to do and…I don’t want to scare you.” You couldn’t budge her. “I’m not afraid, MC.” She was already going back to her spot on the couch where she sat crisscrossed. “And I feel like I should be here. Everything needs to come out in the open and I understand if you hate me—.”

“I don’t, Danielle. I could never hate you.” You smiled and she had to look away and clear her throat. Please don’t look at her like that when she’s trying to be serious and supportive here! “Well, no matter what happens here, I just want you to know I’m on your side.” she forced her eyes to meet yours again. You shook your head again, but maybe you didn’t hate the fact that she was here. What was going to happen in this room would sever the ties that bound you to this house and everyone in it, but that thought didn’t scare you like it once did. As cliché as it sounded, you truly could see the light at the end of this tunnel.

Turning away from her, it was time to get started. Your voice was clear and even when you turned your attention to Lucifer who had pulled himself up from the crumbled heap he once was. “Kneel before your master.” Avatars were drawn from their positions and forced to form a circle around you. All were forced to their knees, crashing harshly against the floor and nearly shattering kneecaps. The loudest of the brothers, Asmodeus and Leviathan, weren’t allowed to even make a peep. It was so nice to not hear their shrill voices for once. You basked in the silence, but your attention never left Lucifer whose eyes tried to express every vile intent and curse he could muster, ruby red eyes shaking and mouth drawn tight. You weren’t satisfied.

“Lower.”

Shock appeared on every brother’s face. Even Lucifer’s eyes widened as he was forced down onto his elbows where his fingers laced before him as he faced the floor at your feet in obedience. This still wasn’t enough. “Lower. Face down, ass up.” The smile that adorned your features was salacious. His once proud form prostrated himself in the same humiliating position you had been in not hours before. Forehead pressed against the floor and his ass being the highest point about him as it was raised in the air, he looked like a servant in devotion to their master.

“I’ve called you here for one last family meeting. You will listen to every word I speak and commit them to memory where they will forever be engraved on your hearts. They will invade every moment of silence you’ll ever experience. They’ll haunt your dreams and never let you rest. If I had to suffer from your words, so should you.” They must obey. Their confusion and fear were tuned out in favor of their ears and minds focusing on you and what you had to say. What was going to happen? What do you mean you suffered? You didn’t care for easing their anxieties, instead reaching down to take a fist full of Lucifer’s always perfectly styled hair painfully by the roots to jerk his head up to face you. Your eyes scanned his face looking for something of substance or value. Your eyes were unreadable, and he could feel an anxiety from being judged rise inside of him. Finally, your eyes flashed as you came to your conclusion.

“You look pretty like this. No wonder Diavolo keeps you down here—on your knees where you belong.” If they could’ve there would’ve been audible gasps heard in this room. “Just don’t forget who else owns your ass.” The look on his face should’ve been memorialized, but you didn’t waste time on him as you released his hair—now messy—and his head fell to the floor once more.

You retook your place at the center of the circle and gazed at every face. Every single one you had cared for in some way, but now those feelings had burned to ash, and something new thrived in its place. You needed to quench its thirst. As far as humans go, you tried to be good and kind. You tried to extend the same kindness to others that you wish you had been given at some of your lowest points in life. You never wanted others to feel the same hurt you did, but at the expense of your own health? You should’ve treated others like they deserved to be treated, MC. Don’t be good and kind; don’t be their Lilith. Let that vindictive bitch inside out.

“There are some things I have to get off of my chest.” You started, “Everyone else got to share their feelings, so I should get a turn before I go. Just remember: You unloaded all of this on me to fix and didn’t realize you were giving me ammo.”

You walked towards Mammon, the look in your eyes felt so disconnected to what he was used to as you gazed down at him.

“I guess I’ll start with my first,” you grinned, but he couldn’t feel the butterflies he used to. He felt cold. “Everything you did hurt the most, Mammon, because I loved you.” His eyes widened and he struggled to open his mouth or even whine, but nothing would come out. His throat was numb.

“You always pushed me away, but I couldn’t help but care. I never felt safer than when I was with you, and I trusted you over anyone else.” You searched his eyes, and he could feel the emotion. You were hurting and he was the one who caused it. How did he let it get this far?

“I was so stupid.” Wait, what?

“Everything that your brothers had ever said was true. You’re lower than shit, and not even half as useful. You go on and on about being the greatest but you’re a slave to some fucking witches who’ve made you their bitch and you let them. Either you get trapped in schemes that anyone could see, or you throw yourself into shit chasing coin that you never get to keep. You debase yourself for things or money that mean nothing, and in the end, you’re left used up and empty. You’re the cheapest fucking thing on the market, but no amount of grimm can buy back the dignity and respect you lost. What’s the point of making a pact with ‘the Great Mammon’ if everyone gets a turn? How many people have you had to suck and fuck to get out of debt just to fall into an MLM? You ask for respect, but when have you ever been worthy? When have you ever been someone to be proud of?”

You stoop down to meet his eye level, his trembling pupils and glassy eyes can no longer reach your heart. “The Great fucking Mammon is a delusion to save your shit self-esteem from everything people say because you know it’s the truth. You’re a greedy pest with no sense of self-worth so you take and take from everyone around you to bring them down to your level.” You tap a finger to his heart, “But no amount of grimm will change what you are or what people say. The only thing that can make the change is you, and you gave up a long time ago, right? You tried to play the good guy with me, but that crashed and burned. ‘I’ll protect ya!’ ‘I’m your first man!’ But how long did that last, Mammon? You kept me alive for what—a few months?—And then watched your baby brother kill me. Did you like it?” You leaned forward, voice dropping to a low whisper that sent chills wracking his spine. “Did it satisfy something in you watching that pesky little human being killed? I bet you liked that I couldn’t bother you anymore. If the human was out of the way, you could have more time to chase that grimm! Mammon, you’re the second born and Belphegor’s the weakest. If you wanted to save me, you would’ve. For once, just accept the truth. If you really cared you would’ve done something about it, but you chose you brother over me. You all did. Give me back the time I wasted loving you.”

You gently touched the gold change around his neck, only to cruelly rip it from his throat. A spell in your mind, a reverse alchemy that regressed an item to its basic components had the ‘gold’ chain reduced to mere copper. You stared down at the mineral blankly, then chuckled. “Cheap and tasteless. Typical.” You dropped the ash and grains at his knees and stood up to find Leviathan. When your eyes locked on his, he wanted to shrink in on himself and disappear. His turn was coming.

“Leviathan, you were wrong. People don’t hate you because you’re some yucky otaku.” Your voice was reassuring like the times you talked him down from his self-deprecating tangents. He foolishly let himself relax. “Please smile for me.” You cooed and his muscles drew back to expose his pearly whites to you despite his eyes betraying his fear.

His tense muscles relaxed the moment before your foot collided into his mouth.

Your shoe was a battering ram against his teeth, knocking his head back with a snap and him tumbling backward and on his back. The entire time, he didn’t make a sound. Some teeth loosened while his front ones chipped and broke. His mouth wasn’t allowed to open despite filling with blood and fragments of a broken smile, so he had no choice but to swallow it all down. The blood wouldn’t stop but he choked it down all the same. Tears poured from his eyes pathetically, but he couldn’t even sniffle.

“People hate you because you’re a manipulative, whiny, bitch-ass bastard who sucks the joy out of every place you go. You’re almost as much of a blackhole as Beelzebub, listless and empty, and like your older brother you take, and you take, and you take. You take good will, you take patience, you take the last shred of sanity needed to deal with a pathetic fuck like you! You take more than a person can give and you want more, but Leviathan, I have to tell you—you’re not worth it and you never will be.” Your once low voice when berating Mammon rose an octave, showing how annoyed you had been with Levi all this time.

“The most insecure are always the loudest, and you never shut the fuck up. If you hate being such a bother, why don’t you just disappear? The third born and leader of a fucking navy, but you can’t make any friends or inspire anything but pity. You need your hand held just to leave your room, but at least you’re considerate enough to know that no one wants to be seen with you.” You sneered down at him. He had truly been an annoyance for so long. You found a kindred spirit in him, his raw insecurities mirroring some of your own, so maybe that’s why it hurt so much to be left behind by someone you thought understood you. “Now don’t go withdrawing into yourself now. You’re always so expressive when playing those video games with the other scrotes who only have experience with their free hands. You’re so good at games, that’s the only thing you can be confident in. But when you lose? Everyone loses. They lose a tooth, they lose a friend, they could even lose their lives. Misery loves company because the only company you can keep are those you ruin.

“You’re weak and bitter, and not everyone is going to fall for your shit. What else can you offer than that? What more can you bring to the table, Levi? Nothing and you know it. I'm sure you were as useless in the celestial realm as you are down here." Snot dribbled down his chin as you hissed in dissatisfaction. "That's why you fell, right? Not some grand purpose you deluded yourself into believing like Lucifer— you fell because you had nowhere else to go. If your brothers left you'd be all alone. Heaven knows you're not the best at socializing, and you'd be up there all alone with no one you could talk to. Let's be real, you won't focus on anything that isn't a waifu or shitty otaku cashgrab, because you knew they would see through you as the waste of space, bottom of the barrel, unwanted middle child you are." Your sneer dropped into a flat line and your voice became a grave monotone, "You were right. Shove a loli figurine up your ass, you fucking degenerate, and throw in the fucking towel.”

You were out of breath at the end, but felt so fucking alive. You had cared about him once. The social anxiety was real, and you wanted to help him and grow together, but he let go of your hand. You were just paying back what was owed.

You turned to Satan and frowned. His eyes were like those of a caged animal, parts afraid, but parts ready to rip the keeper limb from limb if they dared approach. “Well, if it isn’t Lucifer’s precious little boy. His happy little accident.” You grinned wickedly and his eyes widened. “An amalgamation of some of his worst parts, but nothing left to stand on your own.” You raised a finger and he rose to his feet without hesitation. “At least you know a few tricks.” You continued, “Maybe show me what you did to me that one time.” His eyes widened, as his body levitated in the air and crashed into the wall behind him. Maybe it was your own influence, but the wall around him seemed to erupt as he went back as far as the wooden and stone beams lining the foundation of the home. Dust and cobwebs and construction fell around him and sent plumes of dust around the room, but you just stood and stared with your hands in your pockets. “Make yourself comfortable.” You said and his body began to grind into the beams and plaster with every bit of harshness and pain you had felt tenfold. You could see the veins straining in his neck and chose to let him slowly grind to a halt. His skin blazed a brilliant red from beneath his shirt, up his neck and to his ears.

“Are you angry?” You raised an eyebrow with a bored tone. “You’re so predictable, but it makes sense. You’re a product of a single emotion so how complex could you really be, right?” You didn’t wait for an answer as you mused over his existence, “Born from rage, you were conceived from trauma, but lots of people were so don’t let that get you down. You were never wanted and never meant to be anything more than a product of the worst moment of Lucifer’s life.” Your smile widened just a bit and the lights were dancing in your eyes. “You’re nothing more than an extension of someone else, and because of that you’ll never be whole. You can read every book from the Great fucking Library of Alexandria, but that won’t teach you what it means to feel. You can read about people’s lives and their dreams, but that won’t give you your own. You’ll never be able to be anything more than what you were after the fall. Wrath and hate and violence. You’re no more than a shade with one purpose and that’s just to be. So fucking controlled by your rage, do you even have a free will or to this day, do you still unconsciously act on Lucifer’s feelings? Could you ever exist without him? Do you even exist now?” For once, it looked like the demon would shed tears from anger, but you didn’t care. The look on his face was kind of cute in a way.

“Also, before I forget, you’re a pretentious prick. Yeah, you’re well-read but how could you not be when it’s the only way you know to live? You try not to be like Lucifer, but you’re copy. Wake the fuck up. Everything you loathe about him you have right in here.” You point to your heart, “And that’ll never go away as long as you live. You could never exist without him, but he can without you, and you know that.” He stared at you from his crucifixion pose in the common room’s wall and it looked like all of the fight had left him. He almost looked like the cute kittens he loved so much. You had bested Wrath.

You turned on Asmodeus and could see the teeth chattering behind his lips. You stood above him and scrutinized his features. Was he beautiful? Well, everyone else said so. What were you not getting?

"The Jewel of the Heavens," you started, "turned public toilet."

The tears spilled from his eyes and that fueled you. You had cried in front of him so many times; His words dressed you down to every insecurity you stupidly shared when you trusted him, and he turned them into knives and spit poison at you. Everyone had flaws, but his fault was acting like he had none. He was a huge slut with no self worth, yet acted like something to be treasured. "Free to use."

"You think people like being around you? You think they love you?" You began, "but people only like what you can do for them or what you let them do to you, Asmodeus." Your voice took on the faux compassionate tone his would take when giving you 'advice' and you even gingerly placed a hand over your chest and tilted your head, eyes boring into his own. "People don't want to hear your opinions. It doesn't even matter if you lay there like a dead fish, because dildos and fleshlights don't need feelings."

"That 'love' is dopamine, sweetie. When people cum, they feel a rush of neurochemicals that trigger pleasure, motivation, and desire. People will say anything before post-nut clarity kicks in and one of the biggest little lies they'll say is that they love you." You looked down at him like you truly pitied him and maybe you did. Even you wouldn't let yourself be as delusional as he is. "People don't love you, but they sure love fucking you, and you're not too picky as long as someone throws a few compliments your way. When you tried to get me into bed after complimenting your hair, I thought: This bitch is a lost cause." You grinned recalling that memory that seemed so long ago.

Your brows furrowed and the smile you sent looked apologetic, as if you were trying to break the news gently, “Y’know, Asmo…” You started—spurred on by his puffy and red face, wet cheeks, snot, and shaking lips—“How your powers don’t work on me?” You stared him deep in the eyes with a smile that he once called beautiful. “Maybe I’m not immune, and maybe you’re just a basic little bitch.” His expression shattered into a million pieces and the tears were back in full force. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I’ve always been able to see right through you. So, maybe I can see your disgusting insides on the outside? Something about you was always a little disgusting to me. Everyone and anything could touch you and your touch felt like an infection to me. I washed my sheets at least three times after you slept in my bed." you shivered involuntarily. "Something just made my skin crawl, y'know?” You added conversationally like you were shooting the shit on an average Sunday afternoon.

“You embody your sin just like the others and you’re good at what you do, but would your fans feel the same if they could really see you? The insecurities and the viciousness are really fucking ugly, and you do not wear them well, darling. You can fluff yourself up as much as you want, but we both know what you truly see in the mirror and it’s not pretty. You take care of yourself, but what’s left? Nothing. Asmodeus, you want love, but the only love you can get is physical and skin-deep. I promise you that no one could stand to be around you for five minutes if they had to do anything with you other than fuck. How could I stand you? Because I accepted it. I accepted the ugly parts because everyone has them, and I didn’t hold you to the impossible standards that you did.” You sighed as if tired with him and it all, “But for a former Jewel of the Heavens and fifth demon lord, you’re pretty fucking bland. Safe and without substance.

“You can fill the holes in your head and your ass, but you’ll never fill the one in your heart. You can’t give love and you can’t get it, sweetie. I pray you never lose that face cause you’ll really have nothing left.” You smiled as if giving heartfelt advice and turned your back to him just as quickly. He was shut out and discarded like last week's trend

Your eyes found Beelzebub but his were looking anywhere, but at you. He knew what guilt felt like, but never did anything about it. “There’s my big strong protector.” You could see his Adam’s apple bob. “Well, you’re good at protecting everyone else. You’ve got Lucifer’s back even though you don’t know what the fuck’s going on most of the time, and you could even back up a murderer over me.” His eyes found yours now. “You try to be the strong silent protector, but you’re more of a bitch-ass hypocrite than Mammon. Clap it up.” You clapped for him with a grin, “You’re as much of a drain as Leviathan and a one dimensional, listless bastard as Satan. You were always good at following the others, after all.

“You hold onto the past and let it tear you up inside and you eat to fill the emptiness for a little bit, but you’ll never be whole, Bumble Bee.” The nickname made his heart ache. “You’re an empty hole that’ll never be filled just like Asmodeus, and the same way you followed Lucifer into Hell, you’ll follow anyone because you don’t think for yourself and you're slow as fuck. If you weren’t a shadow or up Belphegor’s ass, you’d be nothing, and it’s sad you’ve never realized this. You think you’re kind and compassionate? You’re a dumbass that follows the leader, let’s not dress it up as something else.” You pulled out your ace. You didn’t care what would happen to you. After everything that happened, you’d sure as hell take someone down with you.

“Can we talk about Lilith? You should really stop blaming yourself. What else could you have done? I thought that it wasn’t your fault, but the second time you let someone be killed in front of you I started to notice a pattern. When it was my life on the line, you chose your twin—you always choose that trash in the end.”

You knew that your words should’ve gotten you killed, but your powers were too strong as your words penetrated their minds and nestled in deep. “Just admit it, Bumble. You don’t care about anyone else but keeping him alive even if he’s a genocidal maniac. It’s not sibling love, but dependency because you’re too afraid to live for yourself. No matter who it is, or what stake, you’ll always choose him. I did everything I could to help him for you. You cared so much and were hurting and I…” Your eyes got a little glassy and you paused to stare him down. “I wanted to help you forgive yourself, but you never should. You should live with your decisions for the rest of your shitty life and let the regret eat you from the inside out. I hope that at the end there'll be nothing left of you.”

You stood still for a moment before turning. There were no more smiles, but a burning ice in your veins. Violence hadn’t been your first instinct for so long, but gazing at Belphegor’s neck, it looked so scrawny and you could practically feel the bones breaking in your hands. “Belphegor.” You could feel the rage rolling from him in waves. He would have your life for what you said to his twin, but not if you had his first.

“Did you really think it was over?” You wanted to kick him, to crush his throat, to rip every strand of hair from his head, but that could wait. “What was it about you that made me want to help you? You had his eyes so I trusted you. I shouldn't have been so sentimental.” You gazed at him wistfully, but a chill ran down his spine. “Do you really believe I ever forgave you? Every time you hugged me, I wanted to throw up. When I was alone with you, I felt your hands around my neck and I was fighting as hard as I could, but no one came to help me. It took so long to die. I tried so hard but that meant nothing in the end. I felt myself die and everyone just watched. Surrounded by people, but I was all alone.”

They thought you had forgotten. This timeline’s MC had died, so those shouldn’t have been your memories! It should’ve been a clean slate. They stupidly forgot that if you remembered the good times pre death, how could you not remember the most traumatic event of your life? Your throat was growing tight, and you unconsciously touched you neck, “I can still feel your hands. I can feel the blood vessels bursting in my neck and eyes. You were the last thing I saw as I died, and to the end I was wondering what I did wrong. 'How did I make you turn on me? Did I offend you? I thought I had been helping.'

“But it’s okay, Belphegor. I got a second chance to see where I went wrong and I can see that you were always a greasy bastard so caught up in the past and your survivor's remorse sister complex. I wish God had wiped you out of existence before you even landed. You wanted to end humanity, but you should’ve started with yourself. The problem was always with you. Always you. Blaming your problems on others, you even blamed Beelzebub for saving your sorry ass and I hate that he saved you too. Meeting you was the worst thing that ever happened to me, and I wish I had listened to that arrogant bitch about the stairs, but you should know better than anyone that we can’t go back. We deal with the present.

“Do you think Lilith is proud of you?” his eyes were wild, silently screaming to stop talking, but you continued. “I’ve felt her since my first day here.” You said, and that was the truth. You had never been alone when you arrived, but her form was not enough to interfere or protect you. “She had always been watching you all… She saw everything but loved you anyway.” You were looking him in the eyes and the anger turned to pity at his foolishness, “She. Saw. Everything. She was there when you killed me, and she’s been angry with you ever since. When you fell from Heaven, you fell somewhere too low to reach. You’re irredeemable and I wash my hands of you."

You huffed and softly shook your head like a disappointed parent. “Just do one last thing for me, Belphegor." You looked at him now and he recognized that expression. After a long day of coddling the brothers, you would be emotionally drained but he still sucked every drop of attention you had to offer until you had nothing left to give.

"Close your eyes."

His eyes closed immediately.

“Now, fall into a never-ending nightmare where you’ll feel everything I felt."

You didn't second guess yourself.

"Die then revive and die again—"

He deserved far worse.

"staring up at your own face killing you.”

He was lucky you would let him live.

Beelzebub would’ve yelled out, he would’ve ran to catch his brother from falling to the floor in a heap, but he couldn’t do anything for anyone. Belphegor began to twitch and squirm on the floor, then he started to convulse and buck as if trying to throw someone off of him. His hands desperately clawed at his neck, trying to pry something off —perhaps a pair of hands that had a bone-crushing grip on his windpipe?— but he only tore into his own flesh, drawing bright red gashes. He wheezed, and you could see his chest desperately rising and falling as he choked down shallow breaths until his chest couldn’t rise any more. He fell limp for a few moments, and then reanimated again where he started the horrible cycle all over again. Seeing that your work was done, you turned to the last event.

“Lucifer,” you called softly to him like you did before entering his office, “Have you thought about what you’ve done? No, I’m not talking about the lies and the imprisonment. I’m talking about the threats and the violence and everything you’ve ever done to the first human in your care.” His mouth stayed sealed, and you smiled at the back of his head that was facing you.

Then, you raised a foot and stumped his head further into the floor.

One.

“You always acted like you were better than everyone else.”

Two.

“Because you felt like you were the lowest.”

Three.

“There’s a limit to how much you can fake it, Lucifer.”

Four.

“Everyone can see you for what you are.”

Five.

“An angel fallen from glory desperately clinging to a pride he doesn’t have.”

The violence made you feel a little better, but it didn’t help. You could never change a demon and he would never understand how much he hurt you. “Look at me, Lucifer.” He groggily raised his head and although the fight left his eyes, he was still alert and aware, and his body awaited your command. A brilliant red spread from his broken nose and across his face. How the mighty had fallen. “You hated me from day one and it’s always been mutual. You’re a pompous bitch who thinks he can micromanage everyone around him, and be the pinnacle of perfection we should all strive to emulate, but don't delude yourself, the only thing you can be proud of is your place at Diavolo’s feet. You went from being a lapdog for one master to another, and you don’t even see it. Maybe you’re not that smart after all.” You tilted your head quizzically. “I hate everything about you because you’re every trait I’ve ever seen in an abuser back in the human world. Mammon takes, and Leviathan manipulates, Satan rages and hurts, and Asmodeus tries to destroy people from the inside, and Beelzebub betrays, and Belphegor should’ve been destroyed so many times over.

“And you think you run a tight ship? You think you have the right to fucking discipline me, but you can’t even control your damn family! Everything was falling apart, Lucifer. Everyone hated each other and themselves, and everything was on the brink of imploding because you were too incompetent to keep your little brothers in check. One wanted to destroy humanity and you were too much of a pushover bitch that you couldn't give him a spanking—just sent him to his room and called it a fucking day. Excellent parenting, by the way! No wonder the others are goddamned tragedies: They're true testaments to your capabilities as a leader." You hissed through your teeth and looked down at him like an insect too much of a pain to even crush underfoot.

"You’re not superior, reliable or the most capable person in the room. You’re a wine mom trainwreck that’s trying to prettify the disaster that is your life. You're a fucking mess—a walking moral story to never be like you. Never in my life have I ever seen someone ruin everything they fucking touch! In this, you're truly superior." You clapped mockingly. "I may be a human, but you’re a disgrace, and unlike me, you don’t have the capacity to change. Stay bitter and twisted for all of eternity, you melancholic bitch. Every time you look in the mirror see all of the ways you failed everyone you ever cared about. Remember that human who almost trusted you and died for it.”

You stepped back and finally exhaled. Anxiety and self-doubt fell from your shoulders. Every way you thought you were undeserving of love was untrue, and you thanked whatever power was out there that you realized it before something irreversible happened. You had been teetering on the edge of oblivion for so long, and tonight may have been the night you ended it all. Checking your phone may have been the thing that brought you back. You chuckled and tilted your head back with your eyes closed. It wasn’t raining but you felt refreshed. “I wasted so much time here stressing over things that never mattered. Killing myself for nothing.” You sighed again and rolled your shoulders, already thinking of plans for the future. You had far too much to catch up on!

But first…You turned on Mammon once again, “Mammon, retrieve my grandmother’s ring in pristine condition. The same way you found it when you stole it from me. I don’t care if you have to lie, cheat, steal, kill or debase yourself in anyway—I want my fucking ring.” Your lips curled, “Even if you have to humiliate yourself, preferably with video evidence, do what needs to be done to get it back.” His face paled and lips trembled pathetically. You weren’t doing anything worse than what Lucifer would’ve done. Honestly, he should be grateful to have such a kind master.

“You have five minutes.” His wings were already ripping from his back and propelling him in the air. “Oh, and Mammon,” he looked to you, and you lifted the corners of your lips with your fingers mockingly, “Do it with a smile!” His mouth contorted into the pained open-mouthed grin of someone trying to hold back tears. You waved him off and turned around to see Danielle standing behind you.

“Oh! Ah… You saw all of that, huh?” You asked sheepishly. Danielle stepped towards you until you were as close as you two had been when she tried to press you back outside, so close you could almost hear her heartbeat pounding in her chest. “I didn’t want to scare you.”

“You didn’t, though!” She was reaching for your hands and taking them in her own. Her hands were so small and soft and a loneliness you had tried to ignore for months hit you at once. When was the last time you felt such warmth? Even holding another’s hand was now foreign territory and your hands shook with nerves. “I told you I was on your side, MC.” She affirmed like you should’ve never doubted her. “I don’t know all that happened, and I won't pretend to, but did they…were you…” She didn’t know if she even wanted to know, but it would explain so much! The fear and the panic attacks and the signs of PTSD were so familiar to her. She had witnessed similar symptoms from abuse survivors, and she had done her best to not isolate you, but then it came to the point that she had to avoid you for your own safety. She took a quivering breath, not aware that her hands held your own tighter and that she was shaking.

“It’s in the past, Danielle.” You squeezed her hands back and released them, drawing away from her as she desperately wanted to reach out and take your hands again.

“I’m leaving. I don’t know where I’m going, but forget about me, okay?” She was about to argue, but your smile and the tender hurt in your eyes silenced her. “You make everything better just by being. Stay here and be happy." You nodded your head affirming your beliefs, "You deserve to be happy.”

“But where are you going? I can go with you!” She was leaning into you, wanting to invade your space, but holding herself back. You tucked a loose stand of silky hair behind her ear and slipped away before she could grab you and never let go. “For now, just forget I was ever here. I want to disappear, but on my own terms.” You began walking to the room that was never yours and she followed after. You two had left the six remaining demons to kneel in the common room completely forgotten.

Slinging your bag over your shoulder, a strangled whine left her throat. You had already packed! You had planned to leave from the start. “If you don’t feel safe here, just tell me or Diavolo or literally anyone else and we’ll take you somewhere safe.” You looked at her with concern, “Do you feel unsafe here, Danielle?” She couldn’t lie. She knew that things were fine for her here, and she couldn’t lie to you just to follow along. She could tell you needed to be away from everything that reminded you of the pain, and that may have included her.

“I’ll be okay, but I won’t forget you and you can’t forget me.” She commanded and you laughed. You both returned to the common room where Mammon was already waiting with the others. He was out of breath and covered in foliage and sweat, but he had made it in time. Extending a hand, he placed your ring into your waiting palm and you turned your back on him without even a glance. Danielle watched you examine the ring and put it on your finger to admire. Your guard lowered the slightest bit as you gazed at the precious keepsake, and she fought the urge to reach out to you. She didn't want to ruin this moment of peace for you.

Soon, you looked up at her refreshed and ready to depart. “If we had met in the human world, I would’ve been drawn to you, y'know?" Your expression became bashful. "I really would've wanted to be your friend.” You said and that only made her sadder. “I wish we could’ve been friends.” She balked at that. “W-we still can be!” You looked at her carefully and then nodded. “Yeah... Yeah, you're right! I still have your number and you have mine.” An easy smile was on your lips as you were once again thinking of the future. “When I get to where I’m going, can I text you?” “You better call!” You both giggled and for a moment, things felt normal.

It was so nice to finally talk to her, but now that you could you were at a loss at what to say. All you wanted to do was open your mouth and let everything spill out.

“I… Danielle, I’ve died every day since being here. Things were so good for a time if I just forgot everything that happened to me and forgave it all, but I was killing myself to make others happy and I don’t want to die again.” Your eyes were glossy with unshed tears, and you tried to sniffle without her hearing. You could read her thoughts and stepped back before she could advance, “Please don’t. If you hug me, I really might break down.” She held her arms to her sides and tried to look composed. She wouldn’t make you cry.

“Promise to call me and I won’t.”

You sniffled and burst out laughing. “Okay, I promise.”

You stood around and smiled at each other while Belphegor spasmed beside you. Her eyes dropped to his form, annoyed that he was ruining her moment before your left.

“What are you going to do about them?” She pointed at him, but you were already walking to the front door. Turning back, you cast a glance at the wreckage you caused: the room that a literal twister had gone through, the blood and bruises and the broken bones and the demon trapped in a nightmare of his own design.

You smiled a devil may care grin, “That's not my problem anymore!” and shut the door behind you.

┊         ┊       ┊   ┊    ┊        ┊

┊         ┊       ┊   ┊   ˚✩ ⋆｡˚  ✩

┊         ┊       ┊   ✫

┊         ┊       ☪⋆

┊ ⊹      ┊

✯ ⋆      ┊ .  ˚

˚✩

You were on autopilot tonight. Your steps felt feather light against the cobblestone that once marked impending doom, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves around you and filled your lungs with fresh air. This time, you were leaving the House of Lamentation with no intentions of returning and the taste of freedom was sweet on your tongue.

You trusted your instincts to guide your way and found yourself at the gates of the castle. The iron gates stood tall and foreboding before you, but they opened before you could even stop and consider your options. A svelte silhouette stood beneath the moonlight, pressed uniform catching the light in his polished buttons and buckles. “Welcome MC, it’s a little late for a stroll, isn’t it?”

Another elegant figure stood beside the first, clothes and shawl glowing faintly from a fine material out of this world. Posture relaxed yet regal while the other was perfectly poised, they both felt familiar and safe to you. “Right on time! We were on our way to retrieve you, but you came to us.”

Stepping forward you grasped the outstretched hands waiting for your own, and left the shadows behind.

┊         ┊       ┊   ┊    ┊        ┊

┊         ┊       ┊   ┊   ˚✩ ⋆｡˚  ✩

┊         ┊       ┊   ✫

┊         ┊       ☪⋆

┊ ⊹      ┊

✯ ⋆      ┊ .  ˚

˚✩

To be continued~

Hey hey hey~ that line about fixing problems and being given ammo? Totally took that from @romancedeldiablo when we were chatting 😘

@romancedeldiablo @magneticwimp @yaboihack @jisoosupremacist @da-sinnamon-roll @idobvibing @kita-sds @neptune-cinths @anotakugardener @tinygremliin @bby-sparkler @crystal-freak24 @road-k1ll @nice-try-time-isn't-real @ghostl1ykisses @riordanversexreader @blacktailedfox @foxlikeeyes @prefesro @sadgirlstuffsstuff @ckapoteinterreson @flareon2005 @rose2889 @wawadraws12 @maessite @loev4eva @mythsofkairos @keshieowo @itsuki-yuuma @noodlesthesimp @galaxy-luvletters @here-queer-and-confused @gayassfuckinghomosexual @itshimbotime @pen-ink-therapy @deltatauri @scfftyy @beef-noodles-with-eggs @imasimpsstuff @books-and-catears @shoukuto @eunn @saintoshi @sunset-murders @gallantys @curatornil @azaleawisterias @sucker-for-angst-and-fluff @kittykitkatstrawberry @gene-san @obeythebutler @thesadpinkclown @smikys-stuff @ryokuu @jiminslajibolala @galactic-anarchy @venixxvoid @fallowdoe @comfydrem @sutsuxan @suunao @bear-likes-mushrooms @moontofuu @ellykralie @fuegy-fuegy @wonder-alien @reveltica @hislittlecumwhore @chosomybeloved @1On31y-1OOn3y-1Os3r @sukunas-cult-leader

[erodasfishtacos]

HSLOT PHILLY

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-

Harry is predictable.

He falls into the same patterns during every tour since he was on the Up All Night with One Direction.

The excitement that comes with the first couple of shows begins to fade as he starts his world wide tour that doesn’t end for nearly eight months.

His constant adrenaline wears off and his exhaustion from not having toured in two years settles deep in his bones.

YN senses it from a mile away, has nearly eleven years experience dealing with her jet-lagged, exhausted, and stubborn husband.

It hits the day of the Philadelphia show, they got in late the night before, and YN always set her alarm for seven thirty in the morning to workout.

Ninety-five percent of the time, Harry got up with her and they either did a jog around the new city or they took advantage of the in-hotel gym.

Four percent of the time, he would whine and tug the comforter over his head, whimpering, “M’too tired, baby. Stay in bed w’me.”

And then the one percent, which was today.

The alarm emits a low, constant beep that rouses YN, in the time she takes to rub her eye and come back into reality - Harry hisses with a sharp edge, “Turn tha’ fuckin’ thing off.”

She bites her tongue at his tone, reaching to turn it off but she can already tell what day they’re going to have.

YN slips out from under the covers and automatically gets a comment from her husband, it another whiney demand, “Cover m’feet, y’too the blanket off them.”

“Yes, your majesty,” YN replies reproachfully, rearranging the blankets before quietly moving around the room to change.

“Stop makin’ so much noise.”

“Turn off tha’ light.”

“S’too early f’this, d’you not care that m’tired?”

She chooses to ignore the remarks, hoping that he can sleep off the attitude.

When YN is about to leave, he grumbles, “Y’need to kiss me goodbye.”

Harry purses his lips for a soft kiss, not moving a muscle, and after that - she leaves to head down to the gym.

YN is required a body guard, definitely when she isn’t with Harry or a group of people, and she decided not to follow those rules today.

She had her TPWK water bottle in hand, a cute workout set on ***, and her AirPods tucked in her ear with some Spice Girls playing.

It’s only about twenty minutes into her exercise, a light jog on the treadmill, that a young girl slips up beside the machine.

YN is kind, stopping the belt to smile for a selfie before the girl scampers off and she resumes her run - music blasting.

However, what YN didn’t know, is that fans had found out early in the morning which hotel they where at and a hoard was rushing towards the small gym.

It’s not even ten minutes later when a swarm of fans in rushing into the work area, lining up around her machine with their phones flashing and recording.

She tries to be nice, “Hey! Uh, I’m just trying to workout. I’m sorry, but no pictures please.”

Then there is loud protest and people shoving each other, begging and pleading for a selfie or for her to sign something - all because she was Harry’s wife.

There is literally no exit to escape to, so she relents and anxiously calls Frank - one of the body guards - to come retrieve her.

-

The whole way back up to her hotel room, Frank is lecturing her about safety and how she could have gotten hurt.

And when he scans the keycard for her hotel room, she feels her stomach drop because Harry is sat against the kitchen counter.

His brown locks are rumpled and going every which way, just in his briefs that are low on his narrow hips, and absolutely irate expression on his face.

“Are y’fuckin’ kiddin’ me?” Harry snaps, brow furrowed and jaw clenched - his arms were crossed tightly against his chest.

“Good morning to you, sunshine,” YN mutters, shutting the door and kicking off her tennis shoes to the side.

“Don’t,” Harry replies sourly, “Please explain t’me why I get woken up by Frank to be told y’getting mobbed in the gym? And y’didn’t to call him.”

YN bristles at his tone, giving him a pointed look as she steps further into the room, “It’s not a big deal. I just wasn’t thinking.”

“Y’right about that, y’weren’t thinkin’. It is a big deal, y’could have gotten hurt - shouldn’t have t’babysit m’own wife,” Harry huffs, stomping back over to the bed and sliding back under the covers.

“You better watch your tone-“

They’re interrupted with a knock to their door, Harry throws the covers over his head and leaves YN to open the door.

It’s Jeff, who barges in with a coffee in one hand, “Come on, H. Did you forget? You have soundcheck early today and then you have to meet with FullStop to review the details of that new merchandise contract.”

“No, move it,” The popstar groans, muffled from the heavy blankets over him, and his manager and wife give each other a knowing look.

“We can’t. Get up, we need to leave in fifteen,” Jeff replies casually, unbothered as he sips from his to-go mug.

It has Harry dramatically ripping off the covers and getting out of bed, as he charges off towards the bathroom, he shouts backwards, “Wish someone would have fuckin’ told me! Like m’manager or m’wife!”

“Oh my god, here we go,” YN groans quietly to Jeff, snatching up the few things she needs for the venue as well as Harry’s and shoving them in his duffle.

He comes out a few moments later, dressed in running shorts and a vintage Queen shirt - going to tug on his Nikes without a word to either.

But in true Harry fashion, even when he’s mad, he’s still a gentleman. He slips the duffle off his wife’s shoulder so she doesn’t have to carry it.

“Thank you,” She murmurs but he avoids eye contact, being the first to open the hotel room and trudge towards the awaiting car.

It’s a quiet ride, Harry looks out the window with a deep frown and puffy eyes - eyes heavy from the lack of sleep.

Usually, he’d be curled into YN - snuggling as close as possible and asking for her to pet his hair to soothe him.

Not today. But he does have his hand on her thigh.

There’s already fans at the arena and Harry doesn’t acknowledge them - keeps his head down and walks quickly into the private entrance past the barricades.

When a irritated fan screams, “Asshole! We waited all night here for you!”

YN watches as Harry goes to turn, to say something but she pushes him forward through the door to prevent him from doing something he’d regret when wasn’t in a foul mood.

They manage through the long hallways, filled with bustling tour crew, and everybody there to make the show happen.

Sound check isn’t as fun as it usually is, the band stays low-key when Harry does exactly what he needs to do and nothing more.

And after the merch meeting, Harry has reached his limit apparently.

He was so tired, so fucking moody that he couldn’t deal with anymore human interaction.

YN has to step in when she gets a text from Harry Lambert.

Come get your husband. Sarah’s Kitchen.

She sighs, excusing herself from hanging out with Jeff and Glenne - she can hear him from the hallway and now she’s finally get irritated.

“I asked for that specific brand. It’s literally one of the only things I’ve asked for on this tour.”

YN takes a deep breathe before stepping in, there are crew trying not to stare as Harry complains to Sarah about something unimportant.

“Harry,” She says flatly, “Come on.”

He snatches his water bottle and follows his wife out without another word, trailing behind until they end up in his dressing room.

“You need to stop. You’re being a literal nightmare today,” YN tells him, watching him as he digs in the duffle.

“Where is m’charger? Did y’not pack it?” He ignores her words.

“I must have forgot. Harry, I know you’re tired but you can’t be treating everyone like-“

Harry pushes back the bag, seething for no reason, “I’ll treat people however the fuck I want!”

“You’re acting like a spoiled popstar right now,” YN replies, attempting to stay level-headed and calm with him.

“S’my show! M’tour!”

“Yes and everyone is here to support you and you’re treating them like shit. Including me, I’m your wife - the one person in the world that’s here for you no matter what and you’re being downright mean.”

“Y’so fuckin’ sensitive,” Harry mutters angrily, digging around to try to find a charger in a different bag.

And…that stung a bit.

When he doesn’t get a response, he looks up and notices how her demeanor had changed - it brings him back to reality for a little bit.

“I’m not going to stay here and be talked to like that because you don’t feel good. I’ll leave you alone because you are being insufferable.”

“Bab-“

YN is already out the door, storming back to Sarah’s kitchen to apologize for her husband’s diva behavior and everyone shrugs her off - knowing it’s not her fault.

She is sat down with the band and a few others when her husband saunters in, he doesn’t look at anyone else as he walks up to his wife.

“Baby, can I talk to you?” He mumbles, his warm hand coming to cup her shoulder.

“Harry,” YN says back, they’ve been together for so long that those words are all she needs to say for him to formulate a response.

“Come nap w’me please, need you. I’ll apologize t’you,” Harry says, his palm encompassing and big on her.

“Harry,” She repeats.

The crew looks on in amusement as Harry huffs, he lifts his head and speaks loudly to the room at once, “I apologize for my behavior. I have no excuse for getting upset like I have been today. I hope you guys can forgive me.”

Everyone assures him that they forgive him, most of them have dealt with actual spoiled celebrities and Harry was just having a bad day (which still really wasn’t that bad.)

“Okay, come on, bunny,” YN agrees, satisfied and can’t help but smile a bit when she stands up and Harry automatically intertwines their fingers to hold her hand.

The sofa in his dressing room folds out to be a bed and they still had hours before the show.

Once they’ve locked the doo and settled down on the mattress - they’re both laying on their sides, facing each other.

“M’sorry, darlin’,” Harry whispers, “I haven’t been very nice t’you today. I was just upset about the gym thing and just being so tired.”

YN hums, combing throwing his fluffy curls with her fingers as his hands explore over her hips and belly like always.

“You always get like this every once in a while on tour, like a little spoiled popstar,” YN says softly, no sharpness in her tone, “You also need to be nice to your wife.”

“M’always nice t’my wife,” He mumbles childishly, leaning forward to nip at her chin, “I am sorry, know tha’ when I act like that it embarrasses you.”

“You’re better than acting like that,” YN reminds him, allowing him to tug her into his warm, now bare chest, “I’m never gonna let you turn into some fame monster. You’re gonna stay the kind, funny, compassionate person I met when I was young.”

And when YN doesn’t get a reply, she glances to see Harry’s eyes shut, mouth slightly parted as he breathes rhythmically and his entire face relaxes as he sleeps.

“Still my boy,” YN murmurs lovingly, nuzzling before letting sleep overtake her.

-