#feel free to join in on the digging it’s been grand!

[ekingston]

#so heads up i'm taking a course of supercorp history 101 this weekend

I am intrigued, what does this mean 👀

it means i’m taking the water bottle & granola bar @battenthecrosshatches gave me just now & walking the hallowed halls of our corner of the supercorp fandom! i went on a bit of a deep dive through my old tags and got starstruck all over again by our favorite fandom philosophers. we used to kick around ideas like footballs infecting everyone in the best imaginable way and many of them still hold strong today, if not for possible canon or interpretations of upcoming canon then certainly as inspiration for more fic and art!! ie i’m just digging into the treasure trove and sprinkling it as fertilizer 😌

[spookythesillyfella]

This is going to be a weird inbox to get considering it's 3 in the morning (On my end) as I do sent it but I've been wondering if you ever associated any song with digitaltime? This is a relatively new question for me to ask anyone since I don't usually go digging for ships out of the idea MAYBE people may feel embarrassed/uncomfortable talking about it? (Even if it did give them comfort!) If not song(s) at least maybe you can talk about them a bit, I used to love digitaltime back when I first joined dhmis in 2016 so I'm always really amazed the ship LIVES ON somewhere! (FEEL FREE TO TALK ABOUT SONGS AND HEADCANONS/IDEAS if you wanna do both I'd LOVE to hear!) I've been meaning to inbox you for days actually! Just couldn't seem to get myself to do so relating to mental health crisis haha. I'm hoping I'll be able to reach out WAY MROE OFTEN just to remind you I am here!! Really always excited/interested in what you have to say even if I've not expressed it forwardly back at least this way uuhh uh. You can ignore this </3 I know it's been hard lately!

Stay strong !!

HII !!!! HI HELLOO HIII !!!! :DDDD

ouhhh goodness i adore thiz question – i love listening to muzic and thinking about theze lozerz X33 I JUST NEVER GET THE CHANCE TO CUZ NO ONE AROUND CAREZ ABOUT THEMMM >X[

i actually have quite a lot but i cant just go on a 3 hour analysis of all the onez . so might az well give you the short n sweet of it – i really wouldn't want to waste your precious time ahaha ¥_^

★ "505" – Arctic Monkeys ; probably my favorite on the list but itz also one of the most SELF INDULGENT

the lyricz are just really fitting with my vizion of them – the lyricz "I'm going back to 505 // If it's a seven hour flight or a forty-five minute drive // In my imagination, you're waitin' lyin' on your side // With your hands between your thighs" fit with the fact they really love one another tremendously – their devotion

also the lyricz "Not shy of a spark // The knife twists at the thought that I should fall short of the mark // Frightened by the bite, though it's no harsher than the bark // The middle of adventure, such a perfect place to start" and "But I crumble completely when you cry // It seems like once again you've had to greet me with goodbye // I'm always just about to go and spoil the surprise // Take my hands off of your eyes too soon" LIKE I DUNNO HOW TO EXPLAIN THEZE BUT THEY REALLY REALLY DOMAKE ME THINK OF THEM ........

★ "I Wanna Be Yours" – Arctic Monkeys [dont ask why i associate them with Arctic Monkeys so much . okay ???]

y'know how Colin tendz to talk a lot about how clever and cool and useful he iz ? i think thiz song iz very fitting to how he'd want to be like . useful for Tone – the peak of intimacy iz to be uzed . something something etcetera

★ "As The World Caves In" – Matt Maltese

fitting from Tonyz perspective . in my opinion – how he'd want to spend hiz remaining time alongside Colin . even if . in the grand scheme of everything . itz such a small speck ; how Colin makez Tony feel fulfilled . and how even when all run out of time . hez happy to have spent it together – none wasted

★ a couple of honorable mentionz that i won't go in depth on :

– "Cigarettes out the Window" – TV Girl [mostly cuz i wanna do an in-depth au related analysis on it sometime in the mear future]

– "Show Me How" – Men I Trust [would like to analyze thiz one too but can't really see myself doing it ; the lyricz "Tell me why // Your hands are cold" are rlly hv digitaltime though i swear]

– "Daisy Bell" – Harry Dacre [iz thiz in part cuz Colin iz a computer ? if i answer that question truthfully . you'll chase me with pitchforkz]

– "My Love Mine All Mine" – Mitski [i can't go in depth about thiz without bursting into tearz ; i really love it]

– "Lovers Rock" – TV Girl [im scared of talking about love ; love iz very scary to me]

– "P.U.N.K Girl" – Heavenly

– "Who Knew" – The Correspondents [a relatively new song ive started listening to and i hadn't had the chance to properly dissect the lyricz and analyze them – but . since it remindz me of me n my lover . therez a 90-ish% chance it remindz me of them too]

TYSM FOR THE ASK AGAIN !!!!!!!!! I LITERALLY LOVE TALKING ABOUT DIGITALTIME – THEZE FREAKZ ALWAYZ LINGER IN MY MIND !!!!!!!!!!! IVE BEEN SO STUMPED WHEN IT COMEZ TO IDEAZ TO WRITE AND / OR DRAW THEM SO JUST GETTING TO GET SOMETHING OUTTA MY BRAIN IZ REALLY GOOD

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF CUZ ILYSM !!!!!! YOU HAVE NO CLUE HOW HAPPY THIZ ASK ACTUALLY MADE ME . SO THANK YOU <33

[inquisimer]

2024 writing round up

bringing back this year-end writing review because I'm a stats nerd and it's always fun to be surprised by how much the time and effort and works add up over time! tagging forward (to some new people - you're always free to ignore or let me know if you don't want to be tagged in things <3) if you'd like to join in: @soupandsorcery | @brightaxe | @glitteringdust | @crabs-with-sticks | @dustdeepsea | and an open invitation to anyone who sees this and would like to do it - tag me so we can celebrate all we've done this year!

words posted: 160,320

additional words written: 46,038

grand total of words: 206,358

fandoms: dragon age. and dragon age. oh, and also dragon age 😂

highest kudos: to feel the sun from both sides at 166 - a missing "what are we even doing right now" scene from the Rook x Lucanis romance <3

highest hit oneshot: I pick my poison (and it's you) at 1515 - yeah, no surprises here, it's the porn 😂 Arlow and Lucanis fuck on the rooftops in Treviso and I pretend there's a plot by drawing a line between the purple lanterns and Spite's wings.

new things I tried: writing (and finishing) a smut piece! that's been on my want-to-do list for a while, so that feels good to accomplish. I also wrote and posted my first polyship works this year!

fic I spent the most time on: the very condition of existence, my fic for @thedragonagebigbang! Female Mahariel/Anora, a childhood friends to strangers to lovers AU where Mahariel & Anora meet as children in the forest outside Gwaren and are reunited years later during the Landsmeet.

fic I spent the least time on: this one is always hard for me to gauge, but probably either softness did not serve me or spit your blood and bare your teeth, two of the pieces I wrote about Nika Brosca's history with the Carta for Febuwhump (mind the tags)

favorite thing I wrote: of my completed works, knee deep without a plea - Lucanis' POV of the weeks Rook spends in the Fade prison! I am really proud of the details I worked into this one for Lucanis and Spite, and the emotions across all of the characters. Honorable mention to before you can kill the monster (you have to say its name) - my WIP rewrite of the end of Davrin's personal arc, incorporating more of the nuance from Isseya's character in Last Flight, and filling in the gaps between the end of the novel and where Veilguard picks up. I'm really proud of the first chapters, and of where my outline is going, but I don't think I can put it at the top of my favorites until it's fully realized

favorite thing(s) I read:

there is no god but they'll kill you for him by tenderest (@/tendertieflings) - f!Lavellan & Dorian, Solavellan, heart-wrenching and angsty "Dorian & Lavellan deal with everything that happened with Solavellan and the world post-Trespasser.

floriography by ritualist - Harding/Josephine, tooth-rotting fluff and humor that contrasts Harding's earnest nature with Josephine's poise, bringing them together in a very sweet way.

contact poison by hellsreluctantheir (@/nonagesimus) - Teia/Viago, yes it's smut but it is also an amazing exploration of their dynamic, and really digs into some of the issues laid out for Viago in Tevinter Nights.

Razorwing by unoshot - f!Rook/Lucanis, a character study of their relationship throughout Veilguard that really pops off with the emotion and the imagery.

hound dogs howlin' round the gate by mortonsspoon (@shivunin) - f!Tabris & f!Tabris, I'm admittedly biased af bc this was an OC gift for me BUT objectively it is such a heartfelt piece about Tabris cousins that will get you all up in your city elf feels 😭💜

writing goals for 2025: finish & publish the rest of before you can kill the monster (you have to say its name)! And if I'm really ambitious, finish my Mahariel cure-for-the-Calling fic, which was the first DA fic I ever conceptualized, but has languished as I work and rework her canon. But it's outlined and I would love to write and finish it!

new works: 65 (!!!)

template under the cut!

words posted:

additional words written:

grand total of words:

fandoms:

highest kudos:

highest hit oneshot:

new things I tried:

fic I spent the most time on:

fic I spent the least time on:

favorite thing I wrote:

favorite thing(s) I read:

writing goals for 2024:

new works:

[zethsdumpster]

Decided to have some fun with those "Rate the Ship" memes, I'm going to start with Acechiji and go from there, I'm also open to ship suggestions (preferably sent to my ask box)

Rate the Ship - Portgas D Ace x Vinsmoke Ichiji

NOTP | Ew/uncomfortable | Eh |Alright | I like it! | They look nice together| Let’s do it! | OTP | OTP of OTPs

Who realized they were in love first- Ace

Who said “I love you” first - Ace

How did they fall in love? – They find the other intriguing (and also attractive), Ichiji's coldness makes Ace want to dig his fingers under his skin and find the human hiding inside the robot, while Ace's everything makes Ichiji want to pull out his brain and study it, especially when Ace "makes him" bring out things within himself that not even he knew he was hiding, leaving him unstable on his feet and even more annoyed and curious about Ace, shifting their perspectives of the world irreparably.

How was their first kiss? – A moment of impulsivity that takes them both by surprise, is chaste and short, little more than a peck on the lips.

Who proposed? – Ichiji

Who is the best man/men? – Sabo, Luffy, Niji, Sanji, Yonji

Who is the bride’s maid(s)? – Reiju

Who did the most planning? – Ichiji

Who stressed the most? – Ichiji

Who was specifically not invited to the wedding? – Judge

Who is the one to instigate things? – Ace

Who gets stuck with the most diapers? – Ace

Who is the stricter parent? - Ichiji

Who stops the kid(s) from doing dangerous stunts after school? - Ichiji

Who remembers to pack the lunch(es)? – Ichiji

Who is the more loved parent? – both

Who is more likely to attend the PTA meetings? – Ichiji

Who cried the most at graduation? – Ace

Who is more likely to bail the child(ren) out of trouble with the law? – Ace

Who does the most cooking? – Ace

Who is the most picky in their food choice? – Ichiji

Who does the grocery shopping? – Ace

Who is more likely to surprise the other(s) with an anniversary dinner? – both

Who is more likely to suggest going out? - Ace

Who is more likely to burn the house down accidentally while cooking? – Ichiji

Who cleans the room? – Ichiji

Who cleans up after the pets? - Ichiji

Who is more likely to sweep everything under the rug? - neither

Who stresses the most when guests are coming over? – Ichiji

Who takes the longer showers/baths? – Ichiji

Who takes the dog out for a walk? – Ichiji

Who is most likely to sleep till noon? – Ace

Who plays the most pranks? – Ace

Who would have the others’ picture as their phone background - either neither or both

Who leaves notes written in fog on the bathroom mirror- both

Who buys the other cheesy gifts- Ace

Who initiated the first kiss- Ichiji

Who kisses the other awake in the morning- Ichiji

Gives nose/forehead kisses – Ace

Who starts tickle fights- Ace

Who asks who if they can join the other in the shower- Ace

Who surprises the other in the middle of the day at work with lunch- both

Who was nervous and shy on the first date – Ichiji (but you wouldn't have known by looking at him)

Gets jealous the most- neither

Drags the other person out into the water on beach day - Ace

Who kills/takes out the spiders- Ace

Who loudly proclaims their love when they’re drunk- Ace

When I started shipping it- I was writing a fic where Ichiji ends up with Whitebeard and is there to save Ace and Luffy at Marineford, I wrote a grand total of 1 interaction and my brain went "It's free real state" and they've been growing in my brain like black mold ever since

What makes me happy about them- everything uwu (they're both doomed siblings, two sides of the same sibling-shaped coin, hot fire vs cold fire, "believes themselves unlovable" x "isn't supposed to have feelings/emotions but falls in love anyway", and there's more, they have a lot going on ur honour)

What makes me sad about them- ... canon ...

Things done in fanfic that annoys me- Top Ichiji/Bottom Ace (doesn't really annoy me but I won't read it + there's only, like, 1 fic/1shot with that too so)

Things I look for in fanfic- the fic T.T

Who I’d be comfortable them ending up with, if not each other- Masked Deuce and Shuraiya Bascud, with either is good

My happily ever after for them- Together with their families by their sides (and with Judge out of the picture)

[alohaastro]

Moon transiting Cancer, Saturday, July 6th, could activate contradictory and complex feelings, causing you to dig deeper into the "why" of those feelings, and to seek boundaries you are willing to live with, as the almost new moon joins Venus in Cancer, moving closer to Mercury in Leo, while forming a T-square aspect pattern with Chiron in Aries, and Pluto retrograde in Aquarius. Have you ever been crazy with desire for someone who doesn't feel the same way about you, causes you to compromise your values, or makes you more miserable after each time you see them, because you know it will never be how you want it to be? Have you ever had an addiction so compelling and controlling that you think you can't live without it, but you hate the harm it is doing to you mentally, physically, and emotionally? Perhaps something in your life, that only you have the power to change, is coming to your awareness and reaching the tipping point. The good news is that the moon and Venus form a Minor Grand Trine involving Mars conjunct Uranus in Taurus, and Saturn retrograde loosely conjunct Neptune retrograde, both in Pisces, which can help you to initiate change, break free from, make a sacrifice, quit, leave, release, limit, or block, anything or anyone you decide is no longer who or what is good for you. Jupiter in Gemini square to Saturn in Pisces could play the temptation or guilt trip card with statements like, "But we are so good together", "Can't we still be friends?", or "A little bit won't hurt", and only you can decide if you are strong enough for that. Your time might be more productively spent on the work of understanding and loving yourself better, even if it means an extended time out, or a final ending.

[berryscaryskies]

"Despite your love for the environment and the planet you also Really love consumerism, you just have to have your things! You try to balance these aspects of yourself as best you can in whatever ways you can, which isn’t always easy, but that won't stop you! You’re gonna have it all and no one can stop you."

-My earth gen is Chirimoya! Growing up Chiri was spoiled with love and support by her whole family, and her dad especially. He hated the idea of leaving her alone so he'd take her on all of his jungle excursions(the safe ones anyways) and archeology digs. From these trips Chiri developed a grand sense of love for nature and the world around her. She could spend hours simply sitting outside watching plants grow. 

-Chiri's very first collecting habits started up with going on these trips with her father. He would occasionally gift her fossils he had no need for and she'd display them proudly. As an adult her house is practically full to the brim with just the Stuff she's collected over the years. With her most lucrative and completed collection being her Frogs. 

-Chiri LOVES frogs, she's been breeding and caring for them since she was old enough to and she has her frog terrariums proudly displayed throughout her house.

-I wanna talk about Alice too! The two met as children in Oasis Springs, her father was scowering for limestones meanwhile Chiri met Alice(and their other bestie Julie) at the park. This trip is also when she caught her first frog! Chiri and Alice hit it off super well and the two would hang out all the time, turns out they went to the same school as Chiri also invited Alice home after class frequently. It was only as teenagers that it became clear to Chiri (and me) that Alice had a massive crush on Chirimoya and after a bit of lowkey flirting and constantly spending 1 on 1 time together the two went on a date and the rest is history.

-They went camping at granite falls for their honey moon after their wedding and they both seemed to have a great time. I think once their kid(s?) are old enough they'll go a couple more times.

-there was a period of time where Alice actually wore a paperbag over her head in game, i eventually decided to take it off cuz i wanted them to have cute childhood pictures together, but I like to imagine it was Chiri being sweet and Alice's big crush on her that made her stop wearing it lol

-they wore their friendship bracelets To Their WEDDING 😭it was literally so stinkin cute and sooo sweet, im like obsessed with them. THE childhood friends to lovers ever.

-Not in the drawings but I actually think Chiri is pansexual, but she's literally only ever dated or had serious feelings for Alice. A bit opposite of her parents who both never really settled down ever with anyone and preferred the casually dating/woohoo-ing people but generally single lifestyles.

-Alice is a school teacher, and because of her love of music trait i like to imagine she's specifically a Music Teacher at school. She spends most of her free time at home on an instrument, and I like to imagine the three of them having little jam sessions cuz Chiri isn't horrible at the guitar either and little baby Olympia join in however she can. With little mini dance parties popping up on occasion.

-Since Olympia is so young and I have plenty of playtime left with Chirimoya(and also she's currently my favorite generation thus far) I imagine I'll have more content for her as things finish up and Mars Gen truly begins.

Sim Chiri and Alice plus their adopted daughter Olympia

[cococroissant]

The Purest Laugh (A weird fever dream)

So… I had a dream last night, a really weird one, but one that was pretty interesting and worth remembering.

It follows a little blonde haired girl (with the same style as Song of the Sea. In fact, everyone in the dream, not including the vampire, had this art style) who is learning piano and is staying at a vampire's place for some reason (who is apparently a musician himself claiming that, "he can only stand music played by gifted fingers" when he notices the blonde trying to play his grand piano in his cramped living room).

The girl seeks to find her lost friend (a black girl with an afro) exchanging letters to have more information on where to find her. She's obviously been traveling a lot just to find her.

Then the king, his wife, and his daughter come to the vampire's house. For what reason? I don't know… maybe to collect taxes or something.

A bird flies through the living room window as the royals are talking with the vampire, giving the girl a letter that is placed in its beak. After reading it, she laughed pleasantly (more like singing, if I remember correctly her laugh was more like a song), and the royals immediately turned their heads.

The king approaches the girl, a wide welcoming smile on his face. He demands her to give her laugh to him in exchange for living in the palace.

The girl politely rejects, saying she needs to find her friend before anything. The king immediately gets defensive, his wife joining in with his hostility.

Now the next part is probably the only reason as to why I remember the dream so well, because the pain was so real that I can still feel it.

The king draws out his sword and digs it into her stomach (or near her breast area) as his wife speaks.

"You may find your friend but you only have so long to do so. If you find her in the required time then you will be free from the deadline and your laugh will not be wanted. But if not, you will marry my eldest son and your laugh will be ours."

Her blue eyes widened in horror. Without other choice she agrees, being kicked out of the village to find her friend as soon as possible. Though she has to lie on the ground for a while as the pain from the king's blade is still present and every breath makes her feel the stabbing all over again.

And I know that for a fact because I could FEEL IT. Like dude I can STILL feel it! I'm surprised I didn't jolt awake due to the insane amount of pain I felt. Like that was the closest thing to actually being stabbed oh my GOD IT HURT-

But for a dream the story was very well put together. And the girl wasn't traveling alone, she had two other friends who were girls, though they didn't/couldn't join her on her quest.

Maybe I should write a book based on this because oh lordy. I don't know why my brain manifested Cartoon Saloon imagery but hey I ain't complaining.

[denim-mixtapes]

Nice List jim hopper

Hiiii thank you for requesting Hopper!! I haven't written anything for him yet because I wasn't sure if there was a demand, but back before season 3/4 he's the only person I read fic for in the ST fandom so I'm happy to get the chance!! I don't really know where this lines up with the canon. Probably somewhere in season 2 but??? Let's just pretend that canon doesn't exist anyway.

Picking out a Christmas Tree with Jim Hopper w/c: 676

Join the Christmas Party!

“Are you gonna tell me why you dragged me all the way out here, Hop?” 

You wring your cold hands together, willing away the shiver that follows as Hopper digs in the back of the pickup truck. 

“You said,” he grunts, fighting with something in the bed, a fierce metallic clunk interrupts his sentence. Pulling what you now recognize as a hacksaw free from the clutter, he huffs and continues, “you said you’ve never had a real Christmas tree.” 

“Oh.”

It’s all you can muster. Your heart cracks at the gesture, the fact that something small you mentioned in passing a few days ago led here, to the middle of nowhere on the outskirts of Hawkins, surrounded by rows and rows of evergreen trees.

“Yeah, oh! Now come on, ’M already freezing.” 

He guides you up the first row of trees with a firm hand on your lower back. Something you’ve learned in your time living with Jim Hopper is that he’s a man of few words. He never has too much to say, and even when he does he struggles to say it. But that doesn’t mean he can’t find other ways to make his feelings known. In small gestures; a fresh pot of coffee before he leaves for work, or throwing your towel in the dryer so it’s nice and warm when you get out of the shower. Or in larger, more grand ones like this, he never fails to make you feel loved. 

“Do you have decorations already?” You ask, lacing your fingers with his and tugging along toward a tree that caught your eye. “I don’t remember you ever having a tree in the past, real or not.” 

He huffs a single, clipped laugh and shrugs, “I think I’ve got some lights out in the shed. Maybe. It’s, ah, been a while since I put one up, you’re right.” He didn’t need to tell you that the lights were leftover from Joyce’s predicament last year, or that the few ornaments he does have aren’t meant for the tree. Not anymore, they’re too special, handmade little things from Sara’s daycare and elementary school holiday parties, a My First Christmas ceramic teddy bear that he can’t bring himself to throw away. You can see his expression go blank at the thought, his hand tightening around yours ever so slightly, but don’t dare mention it.

Humming thoughtfully, you notice that the one that caught your eye has a bald spot in the back and move on. “Well then we’ll just have to start our own collection from scratch!” 

The smile that takes over his features is still a little guarded, but it’s warm despite his apprehension. “Yeah?” He asks, voice thick with emotion, and presses a kiss to your temple. His whiskers tickle against your hairline, cold nose pressing into your skin and sending another shiver down your spine. “I like the sound of that.” 

As you turn the corner to the next row of trees you spot the perfect one, and without thinking you drop his hand and run for it. “This one!” You shout, turning in place and bouncing on your toes. Your excitement is contagious, only encouraging a wider, joyous smile onto his face as he jogs to catch up. “This is it!” 

It’s picture perfect, almost as wide as it is tall, standing just a little taller than your head. The branches are full, evenly spread, and if you didn’t know any better you would say it was store bought. Fresh snow dusts it evenly, glittering in the winter sun.  

From behind Hopper engulfs you in his embrace, thick arms wrapping around your waist, careful of the blade in his hand. He rests his chin on your shoulder, “looks like a winner to me. This the one you want?” 

You don’t give a verbal response, only lean heavier back into his hold and nod. 

With another quick kiss pressed high on the apple of your cheek, he releases you and twirls the saw in hand with a flourish, “then it’s yours.”

[tarydarrington]

Essek doesn’t remember much of their introduction, this time around. He had arrived at Caleb’s home in the early afternoon for their scheduled research. They had exchanged pleasantries. Caleb had pulled him into a hug, as he always does these days, and the two of them had made their way to the tower. There might have been more - conversation, witty barbs thrown around between friends, and the like - but all of it had left his mind the moment he saw the corner.

Caleb had seen the questioning look on his face, and a flush had tinted his face as he informed Essek that he has a date, tonight. Then they had settled in with their books, as though everything were perfectly normal and there was not a fist around Essek’s heart.

His eyes scan over the same sentence for a tenth time.  It shouldn’t bother him. Caleb is free to seek out partnership wherever he wishes. Certainly, there are many better-suited than… well, there are people who would suit him well. People who are not so shy of touch, who have no tangled past to trip them up, who are lucky enough to see him every day.

It’s only that Essek had let himself start to believe that maybe...

It doesn’t matter. He swallows it down.

Caleb has a date. That is perfectly acceptable. There is absolutely no logical reason why Caleb should not have a date. He is uniquely brilliant and talented, impossibly kind-hearted, utterly endearing, more handsome than anyone Essek has ever-- stop. He is an impressive man, is the point, and certainly no one could be around him for long without noticing.

It looks… Something aches in Essek’s chest. He had never courted during his time in Rosohna, but from time to time, he had born witness to the habits of others. Always, their meetings had seemed extravagant, grand, gaudy - as though the whole of the city might stumble in and judge them unworthy. This little corner of the library is a far cry from any of that.

Two cushioned armchairs have been pressed close to a little, round table. A deep red tablecloth rests atop it, and a set of amber-colored candles wait unlit in the center. Their varying heights remind him of his towers, and the hollow pang in his chest at the thought has him retreating back to his book.

He doesn’t make it more than two lines before his thoughts begin to drift again. It looks so… intimate. Everything Caleb has set out, save the decorations, had already lived in this room. Essek has curled up in those armchairs on many a night, as he waited for Caleb to finish his sleep. He has piled books on that table, caught up with Caleb in the rush of research.

And it’s all so close. So neatly tucked into that little alcove, cozy enough that two people could whisper and still be heard. He knows because he and Caleb have sat propped against the bookshelves there, tossing ideas back and forth. That area is where he keeps their own books: the ones he and Essek have filled together, the ones full of research notes and new spell ideas. Perhaps he’s planning on pulling one out to impress… whoever it is.

Essek feels a bit sick. Man? Woman? Neither? Both? Are they a fellow professor, or a merchant, or an adventurer? Something else entirely? He wishes Jester were here to pry for him. He wishes he didn’t want to know.

Whoever they are, he thinks as he steals a glance back at the alcove, they had better treat him properly. They had better give him everything.

From the corner of his eye, Essek sees Caleb’s eyes flick up to watch him. He looks away hastily, but the way his face softens tells him Caleb has seen him looking.

“What do you think of all that?” he asks with a nod toward the corner.

What does he think?

If Caleb had been trying to design this evening for him, he couldn’t have done better. A small, foolish part of Essek can’t help but wonder if he had been trying to design it for him - but he digs one sharp tooth into the inside of his lip to chase the thought away.

“It is… “ It shouldn’t hurt like this. He has no right to let it hurt like this. “I cannot imagine anything more lovely,” he says truthfully. “I certainly hope your… companion agrees.”

A small smile pulls at Caleb’s lips, and Essek’s heart aches with the hint of fondness in it, as though he’s imagining impressing his mysterious partner this way. “Ja, well, I am hoping my companion will be willing to join me for it,” he says, and his gaze drops back down to his book.

Essek quirks an eyebrow in question, but Caleb doesn’t look back. He’s gone to the trouble of setting all this up, and he still hasn’t so much as asked? But Caleb doesn’t offer any further insight on the topic, and it is most certainly not Essek’s place to ask; so, with what he hopes is not an audible sigh, he tucks back into his book.

Mercifully, the topic is interesting. For the last several months, he and Caleb have been exchanging notes on a more wide-reaching version of Programmed Illusion, and Essek has always been at his best when playing with new magic. The two of them settle into their usual rhythm, the thought of the corner table only nagging at the back of his mind from time to time, and while away the hours together.

It's already half past nine when Essek realizes just how caught up he's become. With a sigh, Essek replaces his book on the table and rises.

“I apologize. I lost track of time.” But Caleb couldn’t have, could he? “I should let you go.”

Caleb's eyes flick up from his reading, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. "There is no hurry, friend," he says.

He stands, as well, as Essek begins to float toward the tower's central cylinder. Truly, he doesn't look rushed in the least. But for once, Essek would very much like to be out of his home quickly, with as little time as possible spent in eyeshot of that perfect, little corner.

“You have someone to meet, do you not?” he prompts. He’s lucky to have had so much practice keeping his face calmly polite.

Caleb smiles, a taut and fragile thing. “Well, no,” he says, “not exactly. Just something to ask.” He clears his throat. With a strange, new nervousness about him, he clasps both hands in front of him and straightens his spine. “So,” he says, inclining his head towards Essek. “Essek Thelyss. Would you care to join me for dinner, tonight?”

Months later, with a smile equal parts smug and fond, Caleb will use Seeming to recreate the way Essek’s face contorts itself before he schools it back under control.

“I--” he attempts. The shade his face must be. “That would, ah…” He is an idiot. An idiot who can’t even find his words, an idiot for whom Caleb-- for whom all this has been planned, and-- “I would be…”

Caleb’s smile softens, and he holds one hand out between them. Essek numbly, slowly, carefully reaches out to take it.

As soon as their hands touch, the lights in the library gutter out, and the candles on the table wink to life. Above, a web of amber stars and constellations spiders its way across the ceiling. The sky above Rosohna. Just where everything would be from his towers, on this day, at this time. That fist around his heart is back, but for an entirely different reason. He had been wrong. There had been a way to make it more perfect, after all.

Essek doesn’t realize he’s staring until Caleb leans in close and murmurs with an audible grin, “I may have figured out that spell a bit earlier than anticipated.”

His only answer is a breath of incredulous laughter and a look that he’s sure is entirely too moon-eyed to be dignified. Under the circumstances, he can’t bring himself to care overmuch. In any case, Caleb seems to appreciate it; the smile on his face is worth just about any amount of indignity, as is the rush as he twines their hands tighter together and leads Essek towards the alcove.

Perhaps there are a dozen or a hundred or a thousand people better suited - or perhaps there are not, he thinks as he settles in between the books they’ve filled together. Perhaps, he thinks fleetingly as a shooting star above catches his eye, he will have to spend some time studying the sky above Blumenthal. He’ll certainly have to finish that spell.

[notthetwilightyouremember]

The Dinner

We hadn’t long landed at the island, which was still mind blowing to say, when Edward sent me off to have a “human moment”. The large bathroom off the bedroom, had a large bath, which I was happy to take advantage of.

Nerves had kicked in while I soaked in the bath, leading to a mad rush as I shaved every part of my body, would Edward prefer that? I could feel myself spiralling, as my nerves grew. I had to get out, re-join Edward, distract myself with him.

I wrapped myself in one of the fluffy robes that hung on the back of the door and padded out into the bedroom where my suitcase awaited. I heaved it onto the bed, why did it weigh so much? What had Alice done while I wasn’t looking? Taking in a deep breath, I unzipped the luggage with shaky hands, only to be greeted by an explosion of lace and silk. Alice had clearly repacked my case, stuffing it full of what her version of honeymoon attire was. I rolled my eyes; it was just like Alice to do something like this. I tried to dig through the mountain of lingerie but quickly realised it was pointless.

A sigh escaped my lips.

Grabbing Edwards suitcase instead, I grabbed one of his t-shirts and a pair of boxers. The fabric was soft against my skin, immediately bringing a sense of comfort and soothing my frayed nerves. My hair was still wet and clung to my back, but the tropical breeze stopped the sensation from being unpleasant. I fumbled around looking for a comb, why did Alice have to repack my suitcase? As I picked up various pieces of lace, a piece of paper fluttered free. Thick card stock, it could only be a note from Alice. Sighing I picked up the paper and opened it.

Enjoy your honeymoon, I repacked your original suitcase into the plain black bag, I hope you find my gifts useful!

Alice xxxx At least I would still have my things, I doubted Alice would know what I needed for my more human moments. The plain black case was easy to find and I felt a smile form on my face, as I was greeted with my own clothes. I grabbed my comb, raking it through my hair, the tangles making me wince. The ends had already begun to dry, making my job harder. But eventually I finished, my hair hanging limping around my face. Beautiful, I thought bitterly. But Edward had always liked my natural look. The thought brought a sense of comfort as I chucked my hair into a low ponytail so it fell down my back.

I looked around the bedroom, would I need to do anything else to make myself ready for Edward? Perfume? Deodorant?  Makeup? Maybe one of Alice’s pieces? No Edward liked me as I was, I wasn’t going to try and change that now.

My stomach let out a growl, the nerves had stopped me from realising how hungry I was. I hadn’t eaten anything on the plane. I did spot a kitchen, when we first arrived, had they stocked it for me? Only one way to find out, I guess.

I wandered my way to the front of the villa, the smell of pasta enticing me forward. Had Edward cooked? I laughed to myself at the thought, vampires didn’t cook silly. Yet as I turned the corner, the most beautiful sight greeted me and almost brought me to tears. Edward was at the stove, carefully watching something in a pot. The table had been dressed with flowers, reminding me of the meadow. A selection of candles lit up the table, their scent fresh like the forest that surrounded us at home. A single place had been set for me, a tall glass of coke with ice floating on its surface, waited for me.

“Oh Edward,” I choked out, from the lump in my throat.

He glanced up to me, breaking out into a dazzling smile as he drank me in, heat seared through me. How did he always look so breath taking? I felt a blush spread across my cheeks.

“Dinner is almost ready.” He was by my side in an instant, “take a seat.”

He guided me to the table, pulling the chair out for me, with a grand sweep of his arm. I ducked under it, taking a seat. He pushed me in, ever the gentleman. It was even more beautiful close up, the candle light provided a soft glow that made the atmosphere almost magical. Edward rushed back to the kitchen, lifting ravioli out of the pot and into an awaiting plate.

I found tears welling up as I realised what he was recreating, our first date, when I revealed I knew what he was. I remembered the nerves I felt that night, the scary men who Edward had chased away, the way Edward couldn’t believe I wasn’t in shock. It was hard to believe how far we had come since that night. How many battles we had faced, first James then Victoria, but here we stood. It was going to be weird, just getting time to laze around with Edward for a month, we hadn’t had such a time since our first summer together. I was looking forward to it, we certainly needed this after everything we had been through.

I was hoping to spend our first month as a married couple in honeymoon bliss. As Edward placed his dish in front of me, I couldn’t help but think we could.

It smelt surprisingly good, considering it had been made by a vampire, how did he know how to create the flavours?

“So, if I eat this will it poison me?” I joked, as Edward sat beside me.

Edward laughed, a musical sound. “No, Renee proved a reliable test subject.”

“Renee?” I laughed. She couldn’t cook to save her life.

Edward nodded. “Maybe a little help from Seth as well.”

I beamed at him. “Thank you, Edward, this is beautiful.”

“Say that after you try it,” Edward grinned.

I speared a ravioli with my fork, making a show of smelling it first, before popping it in my mouth. The flavour exploded immediately, making me moan, it was delicious.

“Is that a good sound?” Edward asked.

I picked up another, eating it quickly. “Oh yes, this is fantastic Edward, I can’t believe you made it.”

“I’m glad love.” Edward looked away, if he was human, I was sure he would be blushing. “I know we agreed to no presents, but I thought this would be allowed.”

I found myself choking up again, I reached for his hand. “It’s perfect Edward.”

His answering smile, took my breath away. I would take a thousand mushroom ravioli over any expensive gift anytime. The amount of work he must have put in to learn the recipe, blew me away.

“Although, there’s one thing missing.” I tried to make my tone serious.

Edward frowned, “what?”

“A kiss for the chef,” I explained, barely containing my laughter at his worried expression.

He leant forward placing a small kiss on my nose, “that was a very cruel trick to play Mrs Cullen.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck pulling him closer, silencing him with a kiss. One he happily returned, making me melt against him. Time forgotten.

Happiness bubbled up inside me. It was going to be a good honeymoon.

[inhuman-obey-me]

Deadly Envy

Word Count: 1.8k Description: Perhaps directing insults directly to the Avatar of Envy's face is a mistake -- or, Leviathan reminds some demons of their place. Part of the A Demon's Nature series. Finally got back to continuing this, so here's Leviathan! Apologies for the delay, hope this is okay;; Note: Vepar is a demon associated with the sea and is one of the 72 demons that Solomon has a pact with, mentioned in the Ars Goetia. They were often depicted as a merman. Lassal is a minor demon named in the Liber de Angelis and is associated with the moon. Can also be found on AO3 here. content warning: blood, brute force violence, mild gore, use of hallucinogens

The Avatar of Envy was not one to find comfort in being alone with his thoughts, but there were times where he would wander to a certain cove by the oceanside, a place just for him where he found a sense of peace, a sense of belonging. The taste of salt in the air, the gentle spray of ocean mist, the sound of the waves crashing into the surrounding rocks -- yes, this was another home for him, one he dearly missed.

Leviathan closed his eyes, basking in the light of the Devildom moon as he debated going into the water tonight. It would be nice to go for a swim, but he was also itching to get back home and watch the latest episode of the anime he had recently gotten into.

“Well, well, who do we have here?”

Leviathan’s eyes snapped open, his body tense as he recognized the voice of the demon who unceremoniously interrupted him.

“Vepar,” the name left the sea serpent’s lips in a near hiss. “What are you doing here?”

“Why, enjoying the view this fine evening. I assume you’re doing the same? What a surprise, to see you actually outside! I thought you loved the computer screen more these days.” They laughed, a ripple of malice present in what should have been a joyous sound.

Of all demons, why did it have to be Vepar that had found his sanctuary? Every time Leviathan looked at them, or thought about them, envy bubbled in his chest and filled every fiber of his being.

Vepar had been one of the angels who fell alongside the brothers in the Great Celestial War - one of the few survivors outside of his family - and had been a rather high-ranking officer in the army at the time. After becoming a demon, they managed to become a Captain in Hell’s Royal Navy, following Leviathan as his subordinate. Or, that’s how it would have appeared, if it wasn’t for the fact that Vepar had seemingly lost all respect for their superior.

Their relationship was practically non-existent these days, as the Royal Navy hadn’t been active in centuries. They were never terribly close to begin with, but a great chasm seemed to have opened up between them as the years passed and Leviathan watched Vepar be so … successful.

How was it that this demon who ranked beneath him had managed to climb up so much higher in the social sphere? In true normie fashion, they had no issue conversing with strangers and seemed to make friends wherever they went. They were smooth with their words, charming with their smile, and always knew the right thing to say.

Except when it came to Leviathan.

“What’s with that look? I was just speaking the truth, wasn’t I?” Vepar grins, their mockery obvious. They brush a long lock of hair from their face before looking over their shoulder. “Oh, Lassal, look who I found!” They call out behind them, and soon another demon appears from the dark, his wispy white hair reflecting the moonlight. He was one of the lesser demons who seemed to cling to Vepar whenever they were together.

“Ah, Lord Leviathan..!” Lassal starts a bit nervously, unsure how to act in this situation. After all, he often joined in on the endless ribbing of the Avatar of Envy. The Greater Demon was never around to hear it, so what was the harm? “It’s, uh, nice to see you.”

“I was just telling him how strange it was to see him here. After all, I don’t think there’s a video game store anywhere near this area.” Vepar continues, the deriding smile still on his face. “Such a rare sighting of the ever-elusive demon. And all alone, too … but, I suppose it’s true that you don’t have any friends.”

Leviathan glares at the long-haired demon, his hands now curled into fists as they continue their jabs. Has he really become such a joke? Of course, a worthless otaku like me doesn’t deserve any respect, he thinks, They only care about my position when they have to…

“I would offer you to join us, but… hmm, you’d honestly just kill the mood.” Vepar shrugs, turning to Lassal, and attempts to get him to join in. “Isn’t that right? I mean, we all know how pathetic he is!”

The jealous thoughts continue to invade his mind. They only care because of my brothers. I’m obviously the weakest link, huh? Even Solomon liked Vepar enough to make a pact with them … they might be even better friends than we are …

“R-right!” Lassal easily bends to the other demon’s will. “Sorry, Leviathan, but you’re not really fun to have around.”

And then they feel comfortable enough to talk like this to me, to my face?! They have all the qualities I lack, everything is so much easier for them, and I’m just a laughing stock who only deserves mockery, huh? Is that it..?

“Oh, so polite. Come now, weren’t we talking earlier of how sad of a demon he is?”

“Yeah,” All nervousness is gone from Lassal, a rather smug expression taking over his features instead. “It’s hard to believe that he’s one of the demons ruling over us...it’s funny because even he knows how depressing he is, isn’t that right?”

They really think they’re so much better than me?!

“And to think, he’s Grand Admiral -- ”

“SHUT UP!” Leviathan finally speaks, his envy burning hot and turning into rage as he lunges at Vepar, his claws digging into their throat. “You actually think you can just talk to me like that?” His eyes shift, turning more snake-like while ink spreads through his sclera. His horns grow larger, his tail longer, and his teeth look a bit too sharp when he growls at them. “May I remind you that YOU serve under ME?”

A gargled choke manages to leave the caught demon’s mouth, their eyes wide in surprise. Lassal, who let out a squeak of terror when the third-born attacked, was trying to scurry away from the scene -- only to be caught by Leviathan’s tail in a tight grip.

“And where do you think you’re going?” The sea serpent shot a deadly glare at the lower-level demon, hoisting him up into the air to dangle upside-down. Leviathan turns his attention back to the other demon, trying to stop himself from ripping their head off right then and there.

“I might not be the most sociable guy, or the most popular, or the coolest, or … whatever! But if you really think you can just talk shit to my face and get away with it, you’ve got another thing coming.” His forked tongue slips through his lips with a menacing hiss. “It seems you both need a reminder that I’m the Third Demon Lord, your superior, your Greater, your ruler.”

“I-I’m sorry…” Vepar manages to get out, their previous haughty air vanishing as dread sunk in, a heaviness sinking into their bones. “I--”

“Oh, save your fucking apologies, Vepar!” Leviathan spits at their face. “If it wasn’t for your little pact with Solomon, I would kill you this instant.” He momentarily digs his claws further into their skin. “Your little friend, on the other hand…”

Lassal whimpers, trying to shake his head furiously. “P-please Lord Leviathan! I-I only said such things b-because Vepar made me! They -- “ His words are cut off with a choke as the Avatar’s tail tightens around their neck as Leviathan brings him close to his own face.

“Wow, throwing them under the bus? I guess I can’t expect anything more from the likes of you.” Leviathan sneers, the claws of his free hand going to drag down along Lassal’s face, venom leaving their tips and entering his bloodstream. With a flick of his tail he slams Lassal into the ground head-first, the jagged rock they were upon cracking slightly from the force. “If you thought I was going to go cry in my room because of your taunting, you were sadly mistaken.”

Lassal’s skull was fractured, blood dripping from the head wound caused by impact. If he was trying to say anything more, it came out in incoherent words and sounds, which soon turned into struggling screams. The venom that now coursed through his veins had a hallucinogenic quality that made the victim feel as if they were drowning, and it seemed to be working rather well. Leviathan thrashed him about again, making sure to smash his skull against the rock over and over and over and over and --

“Leviathan, stop! He’s dead!” Vepar screams, managing to get some more words out as the grip on their throat had slightly loosened while the Avatar was preoccupied with the other demon. Leviathan makes sure to deliver one more whack for good measure before dropping Lassal to the ground, his head smashed to bits and nothing more than a messy pile of bone, blood, and flesh.

“So he is.” His voice is cold, distant. His orange-purple eyes are glowing as he turns his attention back to the still living demon. “Now, as for you, Vepar… what was it that you wanted to say earlier? Something about how you couldn’t believe I could still be called the Grand Admiral of Hell’s Navy?”

“I-I didn’t say that, I just … look, I’m sorry, okay? You just a-appeared to have become so weak, you -- “

“...became an easy target?” Leviathan finishes their thought. “Well, let this be a lesson, Vepar. Think you’re better than me all you want, think you have so much more than I do, but at the end of the day…” He drags his claws down Vepar’s chest, sharp points sinking into their flesh and creating several large gashes that spurt dark ichor. They bite their lip in an attempt to hold back their cries of pain, tears streaming down their cheeks. “...I am at the top. I have more power than you do, and I will make sure that your existence will be a miserable one if you dare challenge me again.”

Mumbled words left Vepar’s lips, soon followed by a sharp cry when Leviathan sank his claws into their torso once more.

“What was that?”

“Y-yes Grand Admiral, sir. N-never again, sir!” The words tumbled out without a second thought, the demon trying not to let his body tremble too much from the mix of fear and pain.

“Good.” Leviathan retracts his claws and lets Vepar slump to the ground to their knees, his cold gaze lingering on them for a moment before looking over to the mangled corpse of Lassal. Turning away from the scene, Leviathan begins to walk away, raising a hand in the air.

“Clean that mess up.” He pauses, looking over his shoulder to fix the fellow sea demon a menacing glare. “And that’s an order.”

[lewisdiary]

Amber Lounge

Lewis Hamilton x Reader

WARNING: 18+, NSFW, explicit, alcohol, drugs, unprotected sex.

Word count: 3,600+

What's a beautiful girl like you doing in a club all by herself?

Another party, this time in Monaco. Your glass, filled with what seemed like a very expensive gin, vibrated to the the loud music playing in the club.

Let loose. You thought to yourself slightly lowering your body-con black dress and searching for familiar faces.

You looked around the VIP party you had been invited to. Ever since your dad's business put him on the "Forbes Richest" list your reputation had skyrocketed along with it. You were an A-lister yourself at this point, everyone longed for your appearance at their events, and as if your life depended on it, you attended. Your social media and events presence had helped you befriend the hottest models and richest rappers in the game and you quite enjoyed the lavish lifestyle.

You and your dad had flown down for the Monaco GP weekend, courtesy of the team principal of the most popular F1 team, Toto Wolff. Surprisingly, it was your first Grand Prix, and probably your last. The hospitality was, as usual, amazing but you found watching cars go around in circles slightly boring.

You took a rather large sip of your gin and started to tune into the beat, your body processing the large quantities of alcohol you had decided to ingest.

Because you hadn't been invited to the Grand Prix by a driver in particular and had failed to engage with any during the "boring" weekend, you found yourself attending the party and having to fit in all by yourself. Making your way through the club you encountered a few drivers, whom you recognised and recognised you, and their respective guests. You knew you weren't an easy face to forget, so it didn't take long before a few people started commenting about your presence.

Making yourself comfortable around the younger squad of drivers, your body swayed to the loud music that hit your ears. Your eyes shut as you engaged with the environment, allowing the melodies and strong base to sway you in.

"You're a Mercedes guest, aren't you?" A familiar voice rang through. Russell. Your eyes opened to look at the briton who stood very close to your ear, making sure his words were getting to you just fine. You nodded quickly, downing your drink before replying to him "Well, my dad is. I just tagged along"

His lips turned into a small smile as he took a good glance at you, leaning closer again he chatted a bit more; "and what did you think of it?"

"Not my vibe" You shrugged jokingly. "This though, is!" You put your empty glass down in a nearby table and pulled George into what seemed like a circle of people dancing, as In Da Club by 50 Cent started playing.

You both started dancing to the song, George's friends joined, and in no time you set yourself in the party ambient, drenching yourself in alcohol as more bottles were brought in at the request of Russell, Latifi, and a few other younger drivers you hadn't gotten your way around.

0 To 100 / The Catch up - by Drake came through the speaker.

This DJ knew his set you thought, before excusing yourself from the crowd that had embraced you. Feeling the need for a switch of environment you made your way to the bar. On your way, you drunkly greeted a few familiar faces, Bella Hadid and what looked like some actors who had come down for the Grand Prix.

Sitting on an empty stool at one of the bars in the Amber Lounge you asked the bartender for a glass of your favourite, gin. Your head nodded to the beat, it pounded hard. You knew you were more than tipsy at that point, but there was no sign of slowing down.

"Ayo! Bring us a bottle of your most expensive Prosecco!" You heard a voice yell through a line of people standing at the bar. A familiar voice.

His voice sang along to the lyrics, you were tempted to turn around to check who was yelling right behind your ear but your motion to turn was interrupted by the glass of gin you had requested being brought to you.

As you fiddled with the purse that hung around your shoulder, looking for your card, the familiar voice spoke again: "I've got that for you. On my tab, Mikey!" This time much closer to you.

You turned to your left, wanting to finally put a face to the voice your alcohol-filled brain didn't seem to recognise. Looking at the 5'9 figure standing next to you, it hit you that: you had failed to engage with any driver during the Grand Prix except for one.

It was more than obvious that you weren't going to be at the Mercedes garage and not meet their prominent stars. Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas. It was Qualifying day and after an amazing performance from both drivers, Toto, at the request of your dad had introduced you to his prodigies. You had gotten the chance to meet the drivers and congratulate them both for their front-row quali positions.

Bottas was the quiet one, after meeting you and your dad he excused himself to his driver room. Lewis was more of a personality, he knew your dad from reading about him and their conversation seemed to flow from F1 to business to possible future lunch meetings. He glanced at you from time to time, the conversation didn't interest you but he somewhat did.

You knew Lewis was quite the party boy and a ladies man, it suited his champion attitude, so seeing him at the club did not surprise you at all. He had won the Grand Prix you remembered, your mind doing a little backflip to being at the back of the garage and giving him a quick hug after your dad had burst into "here's the man of the evening" compliments.

Your altered system forced you to bite your lip at the thought of Lewis Hamilton standing in front of you.

"Hey, it's you!" His eyes widened at the realisation, his breath smelled like nothing but expensive alcohol. He was drunk as a skunk, and to your liking, he looked extremely hot.

You widened your eyes jokingly, following his cue. "It is I!" you laughed slightly, trying to mock his accent.

"I met you on Saturday, no? Your dad is Toto's friend. What's your name again?" He grabbed the Prosecco bottle that had been handed to him and moved an inch closer to you.

"Yep, that's my dad! Y/N!" you yelled through the gap left between the two of you.

"And what's a beautiful girl like you doing in the club all by herself?" He asked before singing to a few lyrics of the song that currently burst through the speakers that were placed at the bar.

"Enjoying herself." You grabbed your glass and, nodding at him as a thank you for the drink, you stepped down the stool and made your way to the dance-floor. Nervously nibbling on your bottom lip at your choice of words you wondered if a little mystery was enough to keep Lewis interested.

Your hips moved at the sound of Ginza by J Balvin and almost immediately, you felt a body swaying along with yours. Him.

Lewis took a sip of the Prosecco bottle he was meant to take back to his group of friends as his own hips fell in somewhat of a sync with yours, his free hand grabbing your left thigh pulling you closer to his body. His motion felt like a cue for you to bend slightly and begin to grind on the "man of the evening", he deserved a little fun after the hard-work he put out on the track.

Eyes started turning to you two, as your bodies got carried away by the effects of the alcohol you had been consuming. You shrugged out the thought of being watched. If Lewis was comfortable, you were too.

"Y yo hoy estoy aquí imaginando. Sexy baila y me deja con las ganas" Lewis sang along to J Balvin but he sang it so close to your ear, he knew it was meant just for you to listen. His raspy voice sent chills down your spine, you didn't know what the words meant but he made them sound sexy and it empowered you. You chewed on your bottom lip as the DJ switched songs and moving away from him you sipped on your gin, cheering at the former drivers that had put you in the mood to party, who shot you back just as happy glances.

"Come to my table! Let's have some fun!" Lewis' drunk voice echoed through the pounds of your head. He was quick to grab your arm and pull you through the crowd to a more secluded area.

"Y/N everyone!!" He yelled once you approached a group of what looked like more mature and older people. Everyone turned their heads at the two of you and cheered loudly at Lewis' introduction of you, almost as if they were celebrating you tonight.

Daniel Ricciardo. Winnie Harlow. Neymar Jr were some of the faces you were able to recognise at first glance, everyone seemed as slapped as you, some of the girls were high as kites twerking on anything they could put their asses to. Now this was more your vibe.

As the night went on; more drinks came, you danced and enjoyed yourself. Sexual tension between you and Lewis had become hard to ignore and the amount of alcohol in your body had you craving him... all over you.

It's now or never you thought to yourself.

Downing your, God knows what number, cup you looked at Lewis who found himself having fun with his mates, his smile widely spread across is face, revealing his perfectly sharpened canine teeth.

If anything, we blame it on the alcohol.

You mentally thanked the Dj as Wild Thoughts by DJ Khaled started playing. Lewis' eyes darkened as he noticed you approaching him. Your dress hugged your body perfectly, making your figure hard to look away from. In a blink of an eye you had found your groins against one another's grinding on each other to the beat.

As the song went on, Lewis spun you around, having you against him drove him crazy. His hips thrusted your back, his fingers digging the skin on your thigh. He licked his lips at the thought of you, and almost as if he had been waiting for this moment the whole night, his lips met your bare shoulder.

Without ungluing his figure to yours, his tongue slowly traced your neck, sending chills down your spine. "Have I told you how beautiful you look?" He mumbled in between kisses on your bare skin. He didn't have to win you over with compliments, he already had you.

You could feel death glares from Lewis' female guests because of the moment you and the world champion were sharing. You used the uncomfortable stares as your cue to leave, turning to Lewis for the first time in what seemed like a long night, you stared into his - slightly droopy from the alcohol - brown eyes. Your arms automatically swung to his neck, he had yet another bottle in his hand but did not hesitate to wrap his arms around your waist.

"I don't think your friends are enjoying this little show we're putting on" You mumbled, signalling to the ladies who stood in the corner. Your eyes went from staring into his to looking at his lips, your breathing had become intense as you felt Lewis's body awfully close to yours, his member slowly caressing your upper thigh. He licked his lips, noticing how badly you stared. At that point of the night neither of you could contain how much you craved one another.

"They don't have to watch" Lewis whispered, shooting a quick glance at the models who seemed rather upset with his lack of attention on them; back to you, before grabbing your arm and pulling you through a back door that was close to the VIP area you were in, he mumbled: "I know a place".

You found yourself stumbling through the front entrance of a rather fancy building. Lewis lived conveniently close to the Amber Lounge, and in no time, his body guards had escorted the two of you to the penthouse.

Thanking his driver, you made your way into the elevator, and as soon as the doors shut close, Lewis had you pinned against the back wall. His eyes darkened again, his breathing hard over your lips.

Even drunk as a skunk, he looked and smelled amazing.

You watched him bite his lip as he leaned closer, making you crave his lips on yours even more.

It felt like heaven. When Lewis finally crashed his lips on to yours, his body weight causing you to lean further against the wall... it felt like heaven.

You groaned as the kiss didn't last as much as you wished to, the ding from the elevator interrupting it.

You were given no time to take in the surroundings of Lewis' perky home. He placed his arms on your hips and you automatically straddled him, the heat was back like it had never left, your lips were on his yet again. He kissed you so passionately you thought he was compensating from not doing it earlier. He knew his way through his home, and as your tongues met, he quickly found his way through his living room to his astounding suite.

Lewis dropped you on his bed, his eyes filled with lust and hunger. Behind him, the view of Monaco’s nightlife and beach shone through his large windows, the moonlight setting the perfect ambiance for what seemed like an exciting night for the both of you.

Your thoughts were distracted by Lewis’s touch. He had quickly removed his shirt and tossed it aside, his fingers now rested on top of your wet panties, his thumb caressing your clit. His body hoovered over yours, you closed your eyes and tilted your head back, allowing your body to feel Lewis’ movements on your area.

“Look at me” He demanded, his voice as deep as you’d ever hear it. “You’re so wet” He mumbled once your eyes obediently met his. Starving for him inside of you, you pulled your dress up your waist not once breaking eye contact, which caused Lewis to smirk. He attacked your neck, sucking and nibbling on your bare skin, his fingers slid your panties to the side, and with a small bite to your neck he inserted two fingers into you. You gasped at his sudden movement and your walls clenched in pleasure.

“Fuck!” Lewis muttered as he felt your juices coating his fingers. As instinct your knees bent, allowing Lewis to get a better grip of your inside walls. He picked up the pace, thrusting his fingers in and out of you. As your moans started getting louder, you feared Lewis had neighbours so you instantly bit your lip trying to contain your pleasure-filled screams.

“L-Lewis” you stumbled on your words, he knew just how deep to thrust and how much to curl his fingers. You longed for him inside you, your fingernails digging his tattooed back and your head titled back.

“Yes, baby?” He was enjoying watching you squirm in pleasure, his member hardening at the sound of your voice in his room.

"Don't make me wait" you pleaded, not being able to contain your hormones any longer. You wanted him inside you: “I want you. I want you to cum with me”

As if your wish was his command, Lewis’ drunk figure moved his hand away, he stood in front of the bed, and you took the moment to remove your dress, revealing your perfectly shaped and tanned body. Lewis, on his turn dropped his jeans. Both of you stood in awe of one another for awhile, hunger rising. He observed your breasts, and you engulfed the length of his now erect shaft.

You slowly removed your panties and dangled it in front of him, teasing the man that was going to eat you alive, the room smelled like expensive cologne and Prosecco. Lewis jaw hardened, his tattoos made his muscles more prominent... You just wanted to dig your fingernails on his biceps at that stance. He grabbed the panties off your hand and threw them to the side along with your dress and swiftly made his way on top of you. Cupping your breast with one hand, his thumb played with your nipple whilst the other filled his mouth. You lowered your hand and began to stroke Lewis’ cock; as soft and deep moans leaving his throat, your spine shivered.

“I want you so bad” You whispered, placing Lewis right at your entrance, the tip of him rubbing against your wet and now throbbing clit.

“How bad, baby?” He asked, pecking your lips. With his voice in a demanding whisper, you were quick to realise how much of a tease Lewis was, he enjoyed making his victims beg for him. He knew how good he was.

“So… so bad” You moaned into his lips. Just as much as Lewis, you knew what you wanted and you too knew how good you were. Not wanting to waste another second you took charge, placing his shaft at your entrance you helped him penetrate you. Lewis broke the kiss he had engaged in with you, a loud moan leaving his mouth once he felt how tight you were.

It took you a second to adjust to Lewis’ length as he made his way in and out of you, although intoxicated, he noticed your slight discomfort: “Are you alright?” he questioned, his furry brows tightening.

“Shh… don’t stop” You reassured him. With your hand around his neck you brought his head down to yours, you had grown to love his soft lips around the flesh of your neck. At your call, Lewis lowered his weight on to you and steadily picked up the pace. Every thrust brought you closer to an orgasm, his cock rubbing on your perfect spot.

You clenched your walls, digging your nails through his tattooed back. “Fuuuck!” You heard Lewis scream in absolute pleasure at the tightness around him. Lewis’ thrusts became deeper and faster, his forehead had grown sweaty, the room steamy. As he picked up his pace, all you could hear was small grunts from his perfectly sound voice and the clapping of his thighs against yours.

“I’m gonna cum” He moaned through shortened breaths. His warning brought you to your dominance senses. The thought of having Sir Lewis Hamilton begging you to cum extolled your ego. Without thinking twice you shifted your weight to the side, motioning what was well understood by Lewis. It was your turn to be on top.

Lewis, at the realisation that he was sleeping with a woman who knew what she wanted, eagerly obeyed and placed himself closer to the headboard of his king sized bed, not minding that you had interrupted his almost-orgasm.

Feeling good about impressing the seven-time world champion you slowly crawled up to the man that looked at you so hungrily, lust in his eyes only becoming more and more visible. His jaw clenched again as you straddled his waist, his now, thanks to you, cream-full cock entering your threshold again. Another loud moan, this time from the both of you. You bent over slightly, placing your hands on Lewis’ shoulders for support as you started bouncing on him.

“Just like that baby” He sang to you, one hand was tightly wrapped around your neck, and the other slapped your ass as hard as he could bring himself to. It drove you crazy, it made you want more of him in you.

Your breathing had gotten harder and your forehead had met his. “I want you to cum for me” You demanded. Lewis knew he was close to his finish line, but wanted you to finish with him. As you seemed to enjoy, he kept his veiny and robust hand around your neck, giving it light squeezes every time he felt you really deep.

His free hand moved to your clit and you shot your head back in utter pleasure.

“Right there… Keep it right there” You begged, knowing exactly what was going to happen in the next thirty seconds. Lewis, in satisfaction, rubbed on your throbbing bud whilst his own hardened at every movement of yours. His teeth met his bottom lip and his eyes fell shut. You knew he was ready to release, but you weren’t going to let him off easy.

“Look at me” You called. Your ego growing with every sign of obedience from Lewis. His eyes watered a little, you knew you had him, and every thrust brought you both closer to your orgasm.

“Baby…” he whispered, his hand still in circular motions around your clit, his grip becoming weaker “Please” he begged, at no point breaking the eye contact you called for. Pleased with his submission, you mumbled: "Don't stop", and he understood the assignment. You both picked up the pace, his finger on your wet clit in circular motions and you on top of his cock, bouncing up and down.

Before you could say knife you felt your legs shaking, your whole body trembled as you released all your juices on Lewis' hand and cock, a loud moan leaving your throat, your voice echoing in the penthouse.

Sorry neighbours.

And with no time to digest the wonders that Lewis had done to your body, he quickly pushed you off him and you obeyed, his pulsating cock releasing right then and there, on his six-pack filled torso.

You were both breathing heavily, laying on your backs. The comfort of Lewis' bed took you in, your head pounding again from the intoxication, the large amount of alcohol still in your system. He chuckled slightly at the turn of events of that Monaco GP Sunday, his gaze never leaving his ceiling.

Eager and starving for more of you, Lewis found in his deep breaths strength to ask: "When do you leave?"

[secretpeachtea]

Onigiri Miya Tidbits BONUS Chapter

Title: August 14, 2022

Genre: gen fic, reader insert

Word Count: 3.3k

Summary: Onigiri Miya is now hiring and you just happen to be the right person for the job. The business has been gaining popularity since its grand opening, and many customers travel from different cities just to have a bite of Miya Osamu’s delicious recipes. You did expect some craziness from working in food services, but what you didn’t expect was to be bombarded with frequent tomfoolery from a bunch of attractive volleyball players during your shifts.

disclaimer: manga spoilers

A/N: IM BACK WITH A BONUS CHAPTER. FURUDATE FEEDING THE NEEDY SO I DECIDED TO DO THE SAME. enjoy the utter chaos that ive manifested with my self-indulgent intrusive thoughts

Previous///Masterlist///ao3

You let out a sigh of relief as the hot and humid summer air is replaced with the chill of Ota City General Gymnasium’s fresh air conditioning as you walk indoors. The sweltering August heat often makes you feel sluggish and uncomfortable, so you’re grateful that you don’t have to be standing outside for the whole day. Bless indoor volleyball.

The person walking next to you lets out their own relieved sigh as they wipe a few beads of sweat from their forehead. You let out a small chuckle as you compare your comfy t-shirt and jeans to your companion’s attire. “No one said you had to wear a whole button-down and vest combo to the game.”

Kuroo lightheartedly rolls his eyes at your comment. “Not everyone has a day off like you, (Name)-chan. I organized this whole event, so I’m still on the job. Gotta keep up my professional look to make sure everyone knows of my hard work.”

“I will admit I’m pretty impressed by how you managed to get everyone here today.” You remember the day Kuroo had called you from Brazil to ask for a favor. He had wanted you to recruit Aran and Suna in person since you happened to have been nearby where they were practicing at the time. Technically, it wasn’t really your place to do so, but the man had seemed so desperate and you caved when he had told you his flight to Japan had been delayed for twelve hours. “Traveling the world really paid off, huh.”

The businessman shrugs his shoulders nonchalantly and gives you a smug smile. “What can I say? I’m a master at motivating.”

“More like a master at manipulation.”

“That’s a bit of a fancy word for it, so I’ll stick with what I came up with.”

“Right.”

The both of you make your way towards the main gym while trying your best to avoid the large crowds of excited people. You’re about to walk up the steps to find a good spot to sit down and watch the game, when Kuroo stops you by placing a hand on your arm. You look at him curiously when he digs into his pockets and takes out a plastic card attached to a lanyard. 

“I pulled some strings to get you this special pass to watch the game from the court. All you have to do is flash this at the security guards at the barriers and they’ll let you in. I’ve already let both supervisors on each team know to expect you, so you’re free to sit alongside the other players on the bench,” Kuroo explains.

Your eyes widen once you finish processing what the man had just said. “Is that even allowed?”

“Like I said, I was able to pull a few strings with the event organizers. This game technically isn’t official since it’s mostly for promotions, so there aren’t any issues with it.” Kuroo smirks in amusement. “Plus, you’re not just any fan or civilian. You’re a very valuable and well-known sports nutritionist.”

You definitely weren’t too far off in labeling him as a skilled manipulator. His tactics are well thought out. Was it working on you too? Perhaps.

You take the pass from him and place it around your neck. “I really appreciate this. It would be incredible to watch this game from up close. Will you be joining too?”

Kuroo pats your shoulder in acknowledgement as he shakes his head. “Nah. I’m gonna be walking around making sure everything is running smoothly, so I probably won’t even be able to watch the full game sitting down. I’ll see you around.”

With that, the two of you say your goodbyes and part ways. By the time you reach the court, the volleyball players have already been introduced to the crowd and are waiting to warm up before the actual game. True to Kuroo’s words, the security guards don’t even bat an eyelash as they push aside one of the barriers for you to walk past after they recognize your pass.

The first person you make eye contact with just so happens to be one of your favorite coworkers standing off to the side with an exact replica of your pass hanging around his neck. “Hey, Iwaizumi!”

Said male gives you a small smile as you share a fistbump with each other in greeting. “I told you Hajime is just fine. I see you got yourself one of the special passes from our local con man too?”

You grin at the taller male. “Well, Hajime. We’ve definitely got some good connections.”

Before you could really start a proper conversation with the athletic trainer, a loud gasp fills the air and catches both of your attentions.

“(Surname)-chan?!”

Without even giving you a moment to react, a large, muscular body barrels towards your direction and practically slams their hands down onto your shoulders with familiar aggressive affection. You have to hold back a flinch when Bokuto leans to take a good look at your face. 

Another shorter figure follows Bokuto from behind. Hoshiumi grins as he moves his head around his teammate’s broad shoulders to look at you. “Isn’t it your day off today, (Surname)-san?”

“Yeah, but I thought this game was too good to pass up on. I haven’t seen some of you since the Olympics,” you reply as you slowly peel Bokuto off your body but lightly pat his head to let him know that you have nothing against him. “I was going to go up to the stands, but I got a pass to sit with you guys on the bench during the game.”

Bokuto’s eyes sparkle at your revelation. “That’s awesome! You can come sit on Team B’s bench and watch all of our cool spikes!”

You’re just about to respond when two new voices interrupt you once again.

“Now, why would (Surname)-chan sit on the loser’s side of the court?”

“She would be much more comfortable sitting on Team A’s side of the court. Isn’t that right, sweetheart?”

Two tall shadows loom behind you, but the tone of the voices have already given you a good idea as to who they may be. When you turn around, Oikawa and Atsumu stand side by side smiling threateningly at Bokuto and Hoshiumi. 

Ah, shit. Here we go again.

“What makes you say that we’re the losing team, hah?! We’ve clearly got the stronger players, so (Surname)-san would prefer to be with the strongest.” Hoshiumi gives his opponents his signature sneer. 

Atsumu glares back with confidence. “In that case, (Name)-chan would prefer to be with us. Plus, she has good taste, so the obvious choice is Team A.”

Your heart starts to drop into your stomach when you see some pointed stares from the crowd at the little group gathered around you. It seems like…whatever this is has attracted the attention of quite a few people including the other players on the court.

“Is that (Surname)-chan?”

You let out a sigh of defeat when you hear a few more footsteps scrambling over to your direction. The last thing you want to do is risk being kicked out for being a distraction to the players, but alas, nothing really seems to go your way when it comes to these chaotic volleyball players.

You’re bombarded by more familiar faces and they each greet you in their own unique ways whether it be a friendly wave or a simple nod. Hinata is the first to speak up, “Hiya, (Name)-chan! What’s going on?”

You relay the whole situation for everyone to hear, fully expecting them to brush off the silliness with a shared lighthearted laugh. What you didn’t expect was the spike in tension in the air.

Kageyama steps forward with his typical stoic expression, but there’s a hint of competitiveness in his stare. “It’s true, though. Team B is the winning team.”

Hinata sports a determined look and faces his rival. “We’ll see about that, Kageyama! I’ll defeat you today and even the score to 1,657 wins!”

Goshiki stands proudly behind Hinata. “That’s right! We’re going to win with the beautiful, (Surname)-san, on the bench with us!”

As if appearing out of thin air, Yamamoto slots himself in the conversation as well. “I think you mean the gorgeous, (Surname)-san, is going to sit on the bench with Team B!”

Alrighty, time to move on. You spot two of your favorite liberos and quickly shuffle away from the new problematic group.

“Komori-san! Yaku-san!”

The two males give you sweet smiles that drastically lowers your stress level. They’ve always had a much more mature demeanor compared to their previous teammates, and you can’t help but appreciate their level headedness whenever you start feeling overwhelmed. You raise both of your hands to give them a high five and they respond happily.

“Seems like you’re in high demand, (Surname),” Yaku jokes.

You shake your head in mild disappointment. “I can’t seem to catch a break even on my day off.”

“I can’t blame them though. You are pretty reliable.” Komori bashfully rubs at his neck. “There are very few people in the world that can stabilize their chaotic mess.”

The shorter libero laughs heartily in agreement. “Yeah, even the teams for today aren’t spared. Team B’s got the loudmouths Bokuto, Hoshiumi, and Yamamoto.”

“I’d take loud and boisterous over dramatic and sly. It’s either bickering between Miya-san and Oikawa-san or underhand comments by Suna-san and Kiyoomi. There’s really no end to it,” Komori sighs.

“You’re telling me. Team B would definitely benefit greatly from (Surname)’s presence,” Yaku supplies.

Komori’s smile twitches. “I think Team A would really appreciate (Surname)-san’s calming aura more or they might break out in a fight or something. That would really mess up the flow of the game for both teams.”

Yaku narrows his eyes. “No way. Ushijima and Kageyama were talking about charcoal in the locker rooms with the most stoic expressions I’ve ever seen on a person and next to them, Bokuto was spouting nonsense left and right. There’s definitely only one brain cell in my entire team, so (Surname) should definitely sit with us.”

“Well, Kiyoomi almost pepper sprayed Goshiki when he stepped a little too close for comfort and ended up running into Hinata who ended up accidentally tripping Ojiro-san all while Suna-san recorded everything on his phone for blackmail.” Komori’s smile is visibly strained as he takes a deep breath. “So, (Surname)-san can substitute for the lack of brain cells when she sits with us.”

Cue your nth sigh of the day. You’re slowly losing the little faith you had in these men. The two liberos continue to ramble about their respective, troublesome teams and don’t even notice when you start to walk away. 

You hear a strange strangled noise and turn your head in that direction only to find Iwaizumi, who had somehow migrated to a spot near Team A’s bench, hunched over with puffed up cheeks. He had clearly been holding in his amusement for who knows how long, but once you make eye contact, the athletic trainer bursts out in laughter. The people around him glanced at him strangely for a moment before shrugging their shoulders and going about their own business.

If you weren’t in such a public area, you would’ve definitely flipped him off. In the middle of rolling your eyes, you bump into two very solid objects…or rather people. There’s a hand on both of your shoulders to keep you from falling backwards and when you look up, Ushijima and Sakusa are staring down at you.

You wait with bated breath at what kind of nonsense they might come up with to get you on their side of the court. However, you find yourself blinking owlishly at them when they both just simply pat your shoulder almost sympathetically before walking back to their respective benches. That seemed to have been the last straw in completely defeating your last ounce of patience.

“This is ridiculous.” You start walking back to the way you entered the court and get ready to ask the security guards from before to kindly let you out of your misery. You’ve made the decision to just simply go back upstairs to the stands and watch the game far away from any volleyball-athlete-tainted grabby hands. Maybe you’ll even get the chance to watch the game with Kenma if you find him quick enough.

And, of course, the universe decides to give you the exact opposite of what you wanted when you feel a hand grab onto your left wrist. Hoshiumi had been the one to grab you and is now pulling your body towards Team B’s bench. “Let’s go, (Surname)-san! These guys don’t know what they’re talking about!”

Just as you’re about to tell him that you’re planning on leaving instead, a much larger and calloused hand grasps onto your right wrist. This time, Atsumu was the one to seize you from the other side and is also tugging in the opposite direction, effectively stopping you and Hoshiumi in your tracks. “Now, now, little one. I’m taking (Name)-chan to where the adults are, so let go.”

Hoshiumi’s face reddens at the little jab at his height and a newfound strength seems to overwhelm him. You let out a yelp when the white haired outside hitter yanks your arm and even starts dragging Atsumu with his heels digging in the ground. For someone that’s not much taller than you, he’s a lot stronger than you expected.

Oikawa has also entered the fiasco again and grabs onto the crook of your elbow to help Atsumu tug you to Team A’s bench. “We’ve had enough fun. You’ve had more time with (Surname)-chan in Japan, so let us spend some time with her!”

By now, you can practically feel the curious looks from a large portion of the audience from the floor as well as the stands. To make matters worse, the volleyball players seemed to have completely forgotten that this game is a very public event that’s supposed to be shown on live television. You make the effort to ignore the large cameras starting to point in your direction before you actually burst from anxiety.

“Oh, boy! This looks kind of fun!”

You look up at the ceiling for a couple seconds to silently curse at the universe as Bokuto joins the human-centered tug-of-war battle. However, instead of grabbing onto you, the enthusiastic male grabs onto Hoshiumi sides. The shorter of the two outside hitters starts cackling intensely as Bokuto unintentionally grips onto the most ticklish portion of his body. Hoshiumi’s hold on your wrist loosens completely which causes you to fling right into Atsumu and Oikawa.

Your body twists around in the air until your back hits Oikawa’s chest and Atsumu hugs your arm possessively.

“Ha! We win!” Atsumu yells in victory as Oikawa sticks his tongue out childishly. The two laugh together comically and your head slumps in mental exhaustion when a sudden eerie chill fills the air. Hoshiumi and Bokuto have terrified expressions on their faces as they focus their eyes on something behind the three of you, while Atsumu and Oikawa instantly grow silent. You feel the two that are still latched onto you stiffen their entire bodies as a pair of arms encircle their shoulders.

“I’ll give you 2 seconds to take your hands off my girlfriend before I teach you who the real monster is in this generation.”

The deep timbre of Osamu’s voice rings through the air and even some of the onlookers have stopped breathing. Atsumu and Oikawa spring away from you as if your body was burning theirs and gulp nervously as the CEO of Onigiri Miya stares them down.

You finally turn around and see your boyfriend out of his uniform and dressed in a comfortable shirt and shorts. His hair is a bit disordered from wearing his work hat all morning in the food truck, and he probably ran his hand through it several times to make it a bit more presentable but ultimately gave up. There are still some signs of sweat around his neck and his cheeks have a slight red tinge to them meaning he probably came straight here after work. The intense look in his eyes is a pretty big contrast to his usual calm expression, but you definitely notice how he softens when he looks down at you. “Hey.”

A blush makes its way onto your cheeks, and you can’t help the smile making its way onto your lips. “Hey.”

The matching smiles on your faces seems to be enough for everyone to finally breathe normally again.

“Let’s go sit. Warmups should be starting soon.” Osamu takes your hand into his and locks your fingers together. He chuckles when he sees your eyes questioningly trained on the lanyard around his neck. “Kuroo-san stopped by a while ago to give me a pass too. Said something about needing someone to make sure you don’t lose your sanity with these guys.”

“Then, I guess I’ll have to thank him later because I was just about ready to risk it all and get canceled on Twitter for putting a few famously attractive volleyball players in an embarrassing headlock.” You huff in exasperation.

When you look back towards Team A, you see Atsumu sulking on the bench with Aran patting him on the shoulder comfortingly while Suna looks to be recording the whole situation on his phone. Oikawa is equally sulking in the corner as Iwaizumi laughs until his face turns beet red.

Osamu leads you to Team B’s bench and Bokuto and Hoshiumi celebrate your presence without overstepping their boundaries this time around. The rest of the team greets you both amiably before making their way onto the court to finally start their warmups.

As you sit beside Osamu and watch all the players turn serious on the court, a huge contrast to their wild personalities, a warm feeling encompasses your heart. It’s quite crazy to believe that all of these volleyball players from around the world have gathered today to simply play together and tell everyone about the sport once again. Sitting here feels like you’re reliving the memories of your time working at Onigiri Miya and meeting everyone. Many of the friends you made along the way are standing before you doing what they love with bright expressions on their faces as if there are no current concerns in the world or responsibilities for tomorrow.

There’s no need to think about the future or worry about what comes after because what matters right now is getting absorbed by the fun and enjoying the sport called haikyuu.

Leftovers

“My what did what, now?”

Osamu looks at you dumbfounded by what you had just told him while scrolling through social media.

“Your fansites grew after the game,” you repeat. “In fact, they’ve apparently tripled in size after you showed up and threatened the guys on live television. People have now labeled you as one of the ‘hot volleyball guys’ and now Onigiri Miya fans are keeping track of all the games you go to.”

“That’s…a little freaky, not gonna lie.”

“Well, you did show up looking like the hottest man alive, so I kind of get it.” You laugh as your teasing flusters him. 

Osamu walks over and joins you on the couch you're currently lounging on and places his arms around you in a gentle embrace before kissing your temple lovingly. “As long as they don’t get in the way of our relationship, then I guess it’s fine for now.”

“As if anything will be more of a nuisance than Atsumu,” you reply.

Your boyfriend chuckles in agreement. “You’re definitely right about that.”

A/N: i dont plan on writing any more chapters for this series (unless furudate brings out more crumbs for me to pick up off the ground with my bare hands) thank you for loving this series and i hope this surprise chapter was able to make you smile! :D

i tried to include an updated taglist for this series in the hopes that y’all actually want to read this but some of your @s have changed and i couldnt find the updated ones so i took them out (if you’d like to be taken off the list, feel free to message me!)

taglist: @omiisangel​, @bokuatsubro, @kaleidoscopekai,  @geektastic84, @ntimacy, @sagefzy

[jinx-jade]

A Swallow’s freedom Part 1: The death of Marinette Dupain-Cheng

The death of Marinette Dupain-Cheng was all caused by one Lila Rossi. She may not have physically killed her, but the death of Marinette could all be pinned back to Lila Rossi’s first day of school.

When Lila first joined Miss Bustier’s class, she would spin these grand, too good to be true tales. This was most likely to grab the attention of those who value things and people that are shiny and new.

Then Lila slowly made her claims more realistic.

She made them harder to prove wrong or right.

At some point, Lila had Alya remove any interview that could cause a problem if the wrong person saw it. Of course, she never told the ladybloger that this was the reason for wanting them taken down.

Slowly, Lila became the talk of the school, the new star student, the new popular girl that everyone wants to be, the person everyone wants to be friends with.

Lila got everything she wanted.

She was treated like royalty who had suffered at the hands of a monster.

A monster that Lila created, not that anyone willing to stand up to her knew.

The monster’s name was Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

To paint Marinette as a monster took time and effort. Unlike the grand stories Lila started with to get the school wrapped around her finger, Lila had to start small.

The liar would mention how Marinette was never where she should be.

She would point out mistakes in Marinette’s excuses.

Slowly, Lila moved from real problems to false claims that no one could prove wrong.

Lila planted her seeds wherever she could. Some had even gotten back to her parents and they grounded her to the point where she wasn’t let out of the house, doing school online.

Much to Lila’s joy, Marinette Dupain-Cheng slowly disappeared into the background. No one paid the bluenette any mind, not even her parents.

Tom and Sabine seemed to prefer Lila over Marinette with how they’re always checking on her when she’s at the bakery, giving her free treats, and showering her with compliments.

Marinette slowly became fed up with how she was being treated. Researching her family tree to find a relative that she could potentially stay with, in some sort of half thought through runaway plan.

During Marinette’s research, using a bit of aid from her magic, she learned that Tom Dupain and Sabine Cheng were not her parents, they were her Aunt and Uncle.

Her mother was a woman named Chéng Féng and her father was unknown. According to medical records, Chéng Féng died only moments after naming her daughter. Digging a little deeper, Marinette found her original birth certificate. The name Chéng Yàn printed clearly on the document, even if it was only an online version.

With her curiosity piqued, she cast a simple illusion, creating a globe of the world.

Taking a needle and pricking the tip of her finger, she dripped two drops of blood at the north pole.

The blood drops went two separate ways. One went to someplace in China, Hong Kong before the blood turned black. The other drop went to the USA, New Jersey before breaking into a small rose red and large crimson droplets.

This is where knowing the meanings for blood magic came in handy. Black blood means dead. Crimson means full blood. Rose-red means half-blood.

Marinette.

No.

That felt wrong now, but Chéng Yàn didn't feel right either.

Not yet at least.

Letting out a sigh she went back to her previous train of thought.

 She now knew her mother was deceased, her father was alive, and she has a half-sibling.

Digging through her mother's travel history wasn't difficult. Finding out who her father is was even easier.

A few tabloids had taken pictures of Bruce Wayne with his current lover Chéng Féng. The timeline matched up perfectly. Of course, she also checks with a bit of magic, just to be sure.

Once she was a hundred percent certain, she continued her digging, learning about her father and apparent little half-brother. If during her digging she ran into information about the bat family's identities, well, then no one else needed to know.

The bluenette fell asleep in the early morning hours instead of the night hours. The reason was due to some late-night planning.

Her plans did include running away, but strangely they didn't include meeting her father and brother.

Her plans included traveling the world and helping people get out of bad situations.

To be fair, she had been half asleep while making this plan, yet the longer she looked at it, the more she thought it was a good idea.

She thought through all the reasons to stay and leave, the pros and the cons. Surprisingly she found no reason for her to stay. 

Paris’s villains have already been dealt with. She was already doing school online. She didn’t have any friends or strong bonds to keep her in Paris.

Sure she had to take care of the kwamis, but they already gave their blessing for her to leave. They seemed to have collectively come to the agreement that this environment was toxic and slowly killing their guardian.

Before running away, they figured out all the big details, then moved to all the smaller details. Once the planning was complete they started their mission.

The kwamis only referred to their guardian as Chéng Yàn to help her get used to the new name. Her original name, which was her mother’s gift to her before she passed. A gift that her Aunt and Uncle stole from her because they wanted a child of their own, including a name of their choosing.

Chéng Yàn let out a slow breath to calm herself. There was no point getting worked up over something that won’t matter at the end of the month.

Using her time wisely, Chéng Yàn rewired the inheritance from her mother to only be accessible to herself. Making sure that her Aunt and Uncle wouldn’t ever see a cent of it.

To her surprise, it was quite a large inheritance, it would easily have her set for life. Especially if she kept doing her clothing commissions, but her commissions would be too easy to trace back to her. Maybe later she will start some kind of business, but for now, she’ll simply live off of her commission money, which was nothing to laugh at.

At the end of the month, everything was ready for the last phase of her runaway plan.

Miss Bustier’s class was getting icecream from André, right next to the seine.

One of them seemed to notice Marinette and points her out to the others.

Just in time for them to see her jump.

Gasps and screams could be heard from the class of sheep.

The police were called when she never resurfaced.

The authorities swept the seine for the young girl’s body, but all they found was Marinette’s signature blazer and purse. They claimed the current must-have swept her body away, and with that, Marinette Dupain-Cheng was pronounced dead.

No one noticed the girl who had been watching from the shadows leaning against an alley wall dressed in a red leather jacket, a white sweater, black leggings, and black combat boots. Her hair was freshly cut to shoulder length with the tips dyed red.

She pushed off from the wall, walking deeper into the alley before stepping through a portal.

To where?

She didn’t know.

Right now there was only one thing she knew for certain, Marinette Dupain-Cheng was dead.

[thedamageofherdays]

Another week, another reading log. I've read a lot of amazing things this week and I'm excited to share this list with people. I also posted a rec list this week with 20 fics with less than 200 kudos, which also contains some lovely fics for people to check out <3

🌻 marks a favourite, 🔒 marks a fic that is only available to ao3 users, 🍀 marks a fic that is only available on Tumblr

but if i catch a glimpse of you (it helps me feel at ease) by papesdontsellthemselves @turtle-steverogers [Stucky, 809 words, Not Rated]

Steve feels almost at home, standing beneath the brilliant rock formations, weathered by time and constantly shifting. The sentiment is familiar, and one he’s ever-living, though he’s inclined to believe his story is one much less beautiful than the sheer cliffs around him. Part of him wants to believe that this is the full circle he and Bucky have been eager to come to-- fulfilling the final few dreams of those two younger boys, already tainted by war and desperate to live out a fantasy. His thumb finds the ring that sits on his finger, twisting it out of habit, the palladium rubbing against his skin. Those dreams had seemed so unattainable at the time. But then they’d died, and came back to life, and suddenly marriage and a little road trip didn’t seem so out of reach.

-

Or the boys see the Grand Canyon

and they said you were the crooked kind (but you were always gold to me) by papesdontsellthemselves @/turtle-steverogers [Stucky, 1,6k words, Not Rated]

It’s more than Steve has ever said on the subject and Bucky lifts his head, listening. Hearing Steve like he’s so obviously begging someone to. His heart breaks-- there’s no way it wouldn’t, hearing Steve talk about himself like that-- but he ignores it for now.

“You ain’t dirt, Stevie,” Bucky whispers.

Steve turns his head away and doesn’t answer.

-

Or it's a bad day for both of them, but that's alright. They've got each other.

Drunken Confessions by BrokenApril [Stucky, 1,9k words, General]

Tony is holding another party, a smaller one this time, and Bucky finally decides to join in. Steve's keeping a close eye on him, insisting its just to make sure he's okay, but Sam - and Bucky - know better. Maybe its time to bring up something Bucky figured he'd have to take to his grave.

The Spin I'm In by victoria_p (musesfool) [Stucky, 3,5k words, Teen]

Five times Bucky kissed Steve because of ~reasons~, and one time Steve finally believed he really meant it.

Did you just steal my fries? by Gfawkes [Stucky, 1,9k words, Mature]

"Did you just steal my fries?"

“Yup. Paybacks."

"Paybacks for what?" He settled back onto his stool, sliding his plate safely away from Bucky's grasp.

"For taking 45 years to find me.”

_______________________________

Retired Veterans Bucky and Steve go back to college; Bucky steals more than Steve's heart.

Stucky Week 2021 Prompt 7 #Fluff

Indulge (With the Trappings of Love) by UisceOneLove [Stucky, 1,6k words, Teen]

Having a free day to themselves in the apartment leaves Bucky able to make some plans. Out of everyone, Steve Rogers deserves t be taken care of for more than just his health.

And Bucky's just the pal to do it.

🌻 no use speaking in absolutes by dontcallmebree @iamthe-wo-manwhocan [Stucky, 1k words, Mature]

The voice echoes in his mind: “Once a killer, always a killer.”

He can’t even remember who had said it, exactly. Maybe it was someone on his so-called team, or maybe it was a stranger he had passed on the street. Steve can’t tell the difference anymore.

Steve returns to what he does best: Proving everyone wrong.

🌻 here i am myself (after all the years that passed) by BuckWild (AnubisWrites) @blanket-burrito-bucky [Stucky, 1,6k words, Teen]

He covered his face with his hands and leaned over, digging his elbows into his legs. The pain helped to distract him a little, but the scent only seemed to grow stronger, and the world seemed blurred around the edges.

No. No. No. No.

or the one where Steve has body dysphoria, and Bucky takes care of him and helps him feel calm and loved

Stark Surprise by Broken Star (CountessRavengrey) @countessravengrey [Stucky, 2,1k words, Mature]

Alarmed, Tony started forward. He’d feared this would happen. After everything the Winter Soldier had done, especially his involvement in Tony’s parents’ death, he was least trusting of Steve’s old army pal. And the way the ex-sleeper assassin skulked about, speaking little to all but Steve and shadowing Steve’s every move, had always creeped Tony out. He didn’t know what he could do if Bucky actually attacked him, what with the Iron Man suit currently on the assembly for repairs twenty stories up, but Tony couldn’t stand by and let the Winter Soldier gut his teammate.

_____

AU. Tony gets the surprise of his recent life when he goes looking for Steve and Bucky, and discovers that the two men are more than teammates.

Home Is Where the Heart Is (And Where You Get to be Yourself) by KeepYourElectricEyeOnMe @moonagedaydreamohyeah [Stucky, 4,4k words, Teen]

““You are free.”

The words register clearly enough, but it’s like the emotional reaction that should be happening, haven’t gotten the memo yet, like there is some sort of wall between his thoughts and and his body.

Or maybe it’s just that it all seems a bit anticlimactic. They’ve been working towards this for months. Having the culmination of all that work be that nothing is happening might fit the success criteria for the whole operation, but yeah.

Anticlimactic describes it pretty well.

He will never be the old Bucky again.

But at least he is himself.

As the realization of what that means begins to take over, a trivial fact arises and slowly but surely fills up his body, replacing the numb feeling bit by bit:

Every small action he makes will be his own from now on.”

Or: Bucky is rid of Hydras programming. He need a bit of time (and Steve) to process it.

Inspired by Sebastian Stan’s phenomenal and heartbreaking performance in episode 3 of TFATWS.

🌻 Brooklyn Buddies by daisymondays [Stucky, 13,3k words, Teen]

Steve Rogers goes to Brooklyn Buddies Shelter for a dog and ends up with a boyfriend. He's not too disappointed.

Three Pencils and a Garage by hazel_lannister [Stucky, 13,6k words, Explicit]

Steve is an art student that doesn't have much but a big heart, while Bucky is a guarded mechanic that shows him kindness. Steve is finding more and more excuses to return to Bucky's garage and Bucky slowly lets him in.

A Way to Stay Warm by emphasisonem [Stucky, 3k words, Teen]

Bucky’s been wondering for months now what it would be like to get Steve Rogers into his bed. Granted, he never assumed Steve would be wearing about fifteen layers of clothing and still be shivering, but beggars can’t be choosers.

In which Bucky and Steve's apartment loses power during a snowstorm, and, consequently, there is no heat.

The One with the Waggly Tail by emphasisonem [Stucky, 1,7k words, Teen]

“Hey there, mutt,” Steve greets her softly, palm out so she can sniff him. He must pass because her tongue sneaks out to lick his fingers. Steve laughs; it tickles.

“What do you wanna call her?” Steve asks as he reaches to scratch behind the dog’s ear. Her fur is smooth and soft, and her eyes begin to close in contentment. Steve guesses he could get used to having this big lug around their place.

When Steve looks up, Bucky’s eyes are wide, mouth open and moving as he attempts to form words. Steve quirks a brow, waiting.

“What do you mean what do I wanna call her?” Bucky finally asks, voice incredulous.

In which the boys visit an animal shelter.

lock this wild heart up by orphan_account [Stucky, 4,5k words, Not Rated]

“No.”

“Bucky—”

“It’s not happening. I’m not helping.”

Or: Steve is a scheming prince, Bucky is his best friend and bodyguard, and they’re both pining idiots.

Made It To The Milky Way (To See The Stars All Faded) by geckoholic [Stucky, 4k words, Teen]

Steve and Bucky at the movies, past and present.

I Just Wanna Dance With You by HeliosNerd [Stucky, 2,2k words, General]

What if... after Captain Carter disappeared and the war was won, Bucky was discharged?

🌻 i'd like to have another kiss, another flashing chance at bliss by dreadlockholiday @dreadlockholiday [Stucky, 2,3k words, Teen]

"Steve," he says tentatively. "What's this?"

"Uh," Steve starts. Talking and answering questions wasn't part of his plan, and he suddenly finds himself unable to say a single word. He shifts anxiously on his feet, warmth filling his face until his ears feel so hot they start itching. "Well, it's..."

Bucky's looking at him expectantly, hope and awe written all over his face.

"It's your birthday," continues Steve, clearing his throat and wiping his sweaty hands on his pants. "So, uh, happy birthday. It's for you."

-

Steve is very nervous about giving Bucky his present.

It's Been a Long, Long Time by dixons_mama @dixons-mama [Stucky, 1,1k words, General]

Steve wondered why Bucky had invited him to the dance hall after-hours.

Flashes of Colour to My Heart by AvengersBarnes (JaskiersWolf) [Stucky, 7k words, Teen]

It's the day before Steve's birthday and Natasha is trying to catch up on some paper work when she gets an unexpected visitor.

🌻 Chasing Heaven by BonkyBornes @padfoot-and-the-marauders [Stucky, 1,9k words, Not Rated]

Steven Grant Rogers has been chasing Heaven his entire life. He was sixteen when he realized it could be found in a person.

Florescence: Seed by AllegedlyAnn [Stucky, 4,7k words, Mature]

“I hope your arm continues to heal well, Your Highness.”

Startled, Bucky turned around to see Captain Rogers walk towards him. An easy smile on his ridiculously handsome face with that stupid fucking awesome beard and beautiful blue eyes. Not to mention that he was only wearing a white linen shirt with his upper buttons undone, allowing Bucky to get a glimpse of his curly chest hair.

The fucking commander of the Stark Army that had fished Bucky out of the burning forest a good week ago like he was a stupid damsel in distress was practically walking around the city as good as naked. Without a care in the world!

thrilling wonder stories by luninosity @luninosity [Stucky, 1,2k words, Mature]

"I'm a writer," Bucky said.

🌻 accidentally need you by biblionerd07 [Stucky, 4,6k words, Teen]

Steve and Bucky broke up, but they're still friends. They just happen to keep going on dates and sleeping together. It's not a thing. (Except it is.)

away so long by biblionerd07 [Stucky, 3,4k words, Teen]

Bucky wants peace. Steve wants Bucky to have peace. But there’s only one way to guarantee that, and Steve’s fine with doing that for Bucky. The problem is, there's only so long he can be a one-man wrecking crew, wandering around alone, and he's not sure what else he can do.

honey, you're familiar (like my mirror years ago) by yusufsmoon [Stucky, 9,6k words, Teen]

Bucky says softly, “Were we together, before?”

A rusty knife seems to plunge into Steve’s heart. “You don’t remember?”

Bucky breaks eye contact and shakes his head, “No, m’sorry, I don’t.”

The knife twists.

Or: Bucky comes back to Steve and somehow remembers everything but their relationship. Suspicious.

'til you come to me by radialarch [Stucky, 4,9k words, Teen]

"I'll do it," Steve says. "I'll marry Bucky."

(It's because of the Russians.)

🔒 it don't mean a thing (if it ain't got that swing) by carissima [Stucky, 6,3k words, Mature]

“Alright,” Bucky says and stands with his hands on his hips and gives Steve a narrowed glare. “Hit me. What went wrong?”

“I uh, don’t actually know?” Steve says, and now he feels an embarrassed flush creep over his cheeks. “She stood me up.”

Bucky stares at him. Blinks once. And stares some more. “You,” he says flatly. “You got stood up?”

Masquerade by Ser_Charlemagne [Stucky, 5,5k words, Teen]

October 20th Prompt - Secret Crush

Steve Rogers never removed the Winter Soldier's mask, but sought to help him anyway. After turning on HYDRA and saving Steve from the Potomac, the enigmatic Soldier returned to his side to accept his offer of compassion and help, but for nine months, never removed the mask in his presence while he began to recover himself.

Then, one night, they shared a dance.

Girl on a mission by rainbow_nerds [Stucky, 845 words, General]

Olivia Jane Rogers is six and a half years old, and she has decided her dad is in desperate need of a date

🌻 Couch cushions on the floor by unremarkable @otp-holic [Stucky, 1,5k words, General]

Mindless domestic fun through with cushions and pillows.

We can put couch cushions on the floor like when we were kids, it'll be fun.

The One True King by roe87 @jro616 [Stucky, 12,3k words, Teen]

(Alternative title: The One True Thot)

--

Steve just wants to live out his life on the beach, despite being half Atlantean and of royal descent, and he almost gets his way...

Then his once betrothed, Bucky, shows up out of the blue and demands Steve aid him on a quest to recover the lost trident of Atlantis.

Steve agrees to help Bucky in his quest, and to defeat the power hungry Stark before he brings war to the Atlanteans and the surface world. And, Steve finds he enjoys being with Bucky again, and he willingly embraces his destiny as protector (Thot) of the deep.

🔒 they say love is a virtue by agetwellcard [Stucky, 22,6k words, Mature]

“I have a bet,” Tony announces to the room. He stands up, repeating himself a few times so that everyone is forced to stop the game and look up at him. He looks straight into Bucky’s eyes when he goes, “I bet you fifty dollars that you and Steve can’t spend a whole week pretend married without realizing that you’re both in love with each other.”

Boyfriend For Hire by Brenda [Stucky, 4,7k words, General]

"I'll pay you a thousand dollars to be my boyfriend for the next hour."

Or: Bucky is desperate, Steve is smitten, and this might just be the start of something special.

Where the Heart Is by Chancy_Lurking [Stucky, 12,1k words, Teen]

“Couples are more than welcome to room together.”

Steve freezes up, feels his eyes go a little wide before he can help himself. He stumbles over his words, “Oh, I—No, we’re not—”

“We’re not going to give you any trouble about that,” Fury presses, turning to squint at them head on. “Stark likes to say we’re opened minded and close-knit. Your private life is your business, but you don’t need to hide here, understand?”

Steve goes to reiterate that they’re not a couple, but startles when Bucky’s hand settles on the small of his back. He looks at him like he’s lost his mind, but Bucky’s just smiling at him. “Never can be too careful these days,” he says.

(Steve and Bucky pretend to be a couple when they move in, but at some point, it stops feeling like pretend.)

Have you heard, it's in the stars by victoria_p (musesfool) [Stucky, 3,1k words, General]

Telling the girls he's dating Captain America is the best idea Bucky's ever had.

🍀 Vampire Daddy Steve by @howdoyousleep3 [Stucky, ? words, Not Rated]

“Steve…Daddy, I can’t…can’t anymore. Too—”

Bunny by brewingbucky @brewingbucky [Stucky, 4,8k words, Explicit]

Steve Rogers is a natural born leader, captain of the football team, and he’s used to be in control. His life is good, great even. A full ride scholarship to college, pretty decent friends, and usually a girl hanging off his arm squeezing his bicep.

Steve doesn’t have any reason to want anything different. Until he meets Bunny.

🌻 I Love Rock & Soul by attackofthezee (noxlunate) [Stucky, 5,5k words, Teen]

“What’s the prognosis?” Bucky asks, his shoulder pressed lightly against Steve’s. The touch is grounding, a stark difference from the couple times they tried to separate before Wanda got there and Steve had ended up lightheaded and halfway to a panic attack.  Wanda stands up a little straighter, brushing her hands against the multiple layers of fabric that comprise her skirt. “Congratulations gentlemen, you managed to bind your souls.”

Or sometimes you touch a rock and end up soul bound to your best friend who you've been pining over for years.

[eighthman-bound]

Batman: Penny Drop Part One

Having been missing for years, gone rogue on some ‘self-discovery’ trip in his early 20’s Bruce Wayne, the great ‘Orphaned Heir’ and culmination of mixed bloodlines between Gothams great ‘Trinity’ of families, The Kanes, the Arkham’s, and the Waynes, is all but officially seen as dead in the eyes of Gotham. 

Without a proper confirmation or body, Alfred Pennyworth doesn’t so much as progress naturally through the 5 stages of grief but cartwheels across all of them in random order on a dime.

One minute he’s rage-filled about the selfish rich boy who abandoned him and his duties, the next he’s in a broken sobbing state wanting his boy to come home, before having himself cleaned up by the evening to once again get into contact with the old boys from his green beret days to dig deeper for more news, he'll bargain anything for just a blurry image of someone in a Hong Kong jail cell who may or may not be Bruce.

In the end close friend and counsellor Leslie Tompkins convinces Alfred to finally abandon his loyal post at Wayne Manor.

It seems unlikely Bruce is coming back and if the lord of the manor is gone indefinitely, who would hold it against the servants to live their own life?

Alfred has already gradually been letting go of the other staff at the manor over the years, all the chefs and gardeners (giving them the highest of recommendations to other clients of course) until there is hardly anyone left.

Now it’s finally time for him to move on as well as he finally takes advantage of a wealthy sum Thomas Wayne had left for him to enjoy an early retirement as he takes a flight out of the states to try and re-connect with his estranged, born out of wedlock daughter, Julia.

Wayne Manor is finally empty, save for the memories that haunt it.

Wayne Enterprises promises to honour and protect the landmark home and estate of the family it spawned from, by ensuring Wayne Manor becomes a heritage site, a tourist attraction for all to explore the history of the family that shaped this great city…

Naturally, that plan never came to fruition, just another grand promise a falling city made and promptly swept under the rug.

Some board members probably saw the chance to ‘mislay’ the funds to get a bigger Christmas bonus.

And so unattended to Wayne Manor slowly decayed over several more passing years.

At one point a young man arriving in Nepal finally relents to a very old, persistent temptation he’s been fighting to ignore and tries to send a call back home.

All he gets is a dead line within the mansion.

Eventually new residents find their way to the manor and find others, setting up a wary union within the rotting walls.

They are the abandoned souls of Gotham, the runaways and homeless.

It feels like even more of a death sentence to live out the streets now, with the so called Tally Mark killer roaming free for over a year now, homeless and drunk passberys found savagely murdered, their throats slashed and deep cuts resembling tally marks found on their torsos. 

Sure there are a homeless shelters in Gotham, but anyone whose been around the block long enough knows they are so badly funded and staffed they have basically become traps now.

Recruitment places to pick up the latest call girl for shady clubs like the Iceberg Lounge or to find newest recruit for local crime gangs, seeking the desperate to join their ranks. 

None more enticing and just as dangerous than the rising Red Hood Gang. Put on those crimson helmets, and who you used to be is dead, you only go by a number now. 

The higher you’re number the more benefits you reap, better weapons, durable body armour and upgraded, stronger helmets.

But your past name is now a forbidden title. 

You give that or any other identifying piece about your life to the police or anyone; you’re dead.

The deal is you wear that mask and do jobs for a number of years, your reward is the gift of a new life, a new wealthy identity supplied by some very powerful people.

Refusal to join a gang just puts a target on your back, one that will get you brutally attacked every chance they get til you relent and join or finally just succumb to the wounds and die in the gutters.

The sad thing is though that’s not even the worst thing.

There are now rumours of kidnappings, reported sightings of homeless people being taken off the streets or from the back of shelters by a guy in a hearse, a man wearing old fashioned medical aprons and a mask, a grotesque, disturbingly realistic mask, of a pig.

Gotham is Weird.

Leslie Thompkins clinic used to be considered the safest place to go for those who had nowhere else, her passion inspired loyalty and a keen neighborhood watch led by the Thomas family.

Til Halloween last year when parade artist turned manic vandal, turned fucking terrorist Julius Day aka ‘The Calendar Man’ blew it up to cover up his escape.

Gotham Is Freaking Weird.

With the streets and shelters not safe, about a dozen people of varying ages and backgrounds traverse to the outer edge of city to find some kind of sanctuary within the abandoned Manor. A union of necessity eventually forming into one of commodity as they huddle for warmth and scrounge for survival.

Occasionally others use the Manor for themselves, a pit stop before they depart the city or for some like the Red Hood Gang a warehouse to hide in til the heat dies down after a heist. If the homeless keep their distance from the Gang, they can survive these kind of interruptions with a beating from the gang as ‘entertainment’ at best.

Eventually the regular faces of the self-titled ‘Gotham Exiles’  come into order. Former 5-star chef Maurice on the run after one of the Maroni twins was poisoned on his watch, mute Harold, far smarter than he looks, runaway teen Vicki Vale, street queen Angel, Garfield Lynns,  pyrotechnics assistant found at wrong place, wrong time and with wrong memory black in the middle of the recent, now infamous Johnny Charisma stadium fire, and others of varying life stories.

One day a newcomer comes to the mansion, a traveller with cold eyes, who looks like he’s been through wars and probably hasn’t cleaned in years-

(“Look man we keep telling you, having an extreme temperature endurance test or whatever the fuck under a Siberian waterfall doesn’t count as a shower!”)

He comes back to Gotham after a long time away expecting something familiar, a remnant of his past, not to find vagabonds holding up inside his childhood home. Without his old butler, his guardian, the man is a bit unsure on how to go about reclaiming his family resources to fund the mission he’s about to embark on.

This wasn’t part of the plan; but he can make this work he stubbornly tells himself.

The homeless group are kind of off-putted by this newcomer and how he asserts himself into their refuge without hardly a word. 

They don’t even know his name.

He’s not a social guy, the longest conversation he’s had in the last seven years was when he spent over an hour bartering for a donkey with a merchant, to travel on to the mythical, supposedly hidden city of Nanda Parbat. 

It was an excruciating experience for him.

He seems to know his way around the place though, he somehow found and unlocked a hidden room within a day of being there.

They kinda assume he used to be a worker or something for the place when the Waynes were alive, and even If not he did discover the room and so leave it up to his permission if it’s okay to pawn off the stuff inside. 

Finders keepers rights and all that.

_____________________________________________________________

Maurice: “Hey mister um, you okay if we sell these tuxedos? We know a guy on Finger street who would pay handsomely for them.”

“…”

“Uh… sir?”

“Leave one for each of us, sell the rest.”

“Oh, Okay! Yeah yeah that sounds good thanks. Um, these jewellery, they good to go?”

“Yes. They caused more trouble than they’re worth”

“Yeah yeah for sure for sure. By the way, some of us been talking, we should probably get rid of that painting up there with the Waynes and their kid, feels pretty morbid to keep around, bad enough we’ve invaded the old house-“

“The painting stays.”

“You uh, you sure? Some folks in this city are obsessed with the ‘Wayne Curse’. Vintage like this we could have a bidding war with the right people-

“We’re not selling it”

Garfield Lyyns: “Why sell it, with a big oak frame like this, I can make sure we got a nice warm bonfire for a week. Heck the creepy picture itself can make for good kind-“

“Don’t Touch The Godamn Painting Garfield”

“…”

“…”

“… Sorry. Sorry man. No- no touchy the painty got it. Cool, cool, we’re- I’m gonna- I’m gonna go get some fresh air.”

______________________________________________________________

They try to get him to open up, tell him a bit about their own lives, how the city or sometimes their own family betrayed them.

He doesn’t talk back so they assume he doesn’t care.

He actually cares immensely.

Despite his attitude problem, he’s actually like super helpful.

While not having access to his own inherited wealth, the man did acquire a healthy amount of money he ‘liberated’ from criminals he encountered during his travels abroad. The homeless people wake up and find food and resources like a heater next to them.

The stranger doesn’t elaborate on how he got them.

They’re like “Oh- okay, cool, thanks man.”

Though he really becomes a part of a group when the Red Hood Gang comes back after the latest heist, holed up in the office of the late Thomas Wayne while the terrified exiles urge him to stay low.

These criminals are using his home to scurry away in, hurting these people who are already exiles from their own city and are now his responsibility?

Yeah, screw that.

The stranger bursts down from the ceiling of the office, singlehandedly beats the crap out of the Red Hood Gang, one guy against eight, he’s a total beast, he’s shattering some of their helmets with just his fists, its terrifying yet kind of deeply satisfying  for the homeless to watch. These guys have guns and yet he’s weaving around them and disarming them like nothing. He’s so lost in the frenzy the homeless people basically have to dog pile him to stop him from beating on the already down last Hood.

They let the gang go after they wake up, and watch them limp away.

The gang swears they’re gonna come back, they’re gonna bring a whole army, they’re gonna burn this place to the ground- and the stranger just casually responds like “Yeah no I don’t think that’s gonna happen, see I took pictures of you guys faces while you were asleep, looked them up on the police database and- yes the police database. Of course I hacked it, was it meant to be hard? Now listen— no-no, guys LISTEN; I know who you guys are, and that’s a big no-no for the Red Hoods right? You come within a mile of this place again,  If I see some upstart motorcycle gang marching up that hill or a single trampled orchid, your identities get leaked to the press and suddenly the Red Hood gang's famous anonymity has a massive hole in it. I know scum like your gang and I can say Red Hood Alpha won’t hesitate to kill you guys first before he even thinks about coming after this place. You want to get out of this week alive? Get the hell out of my city. 

Follow the Gotham river south and you guys are free in Bludhaven. Everyone knows that’s where all of Gothams shit ends up anyways.”

The humiliated gang run off. The stranger notices the Exiles are staring at him weirdly.

Even with his, shall we say unique mindset he still feels self conscious about it, the confident voice he had is now back to being his usual, whispery mumbling stae. “What?”

“ ‘That’s where all of Gotham shits end up anyways?’ ” Garfield snorts.

“I wanted to unnerve them. Do you, not think it worked?” He inquires, deeply resenting how he sounds right now. 

“Do I think it worked; look at them man, they’re leaving us alone aren’t they!?” 

The whole gang cheer him on. Vicki promises that next time she’l write his lines to avoid something so ‘edgy’.

They kept the Hoods gear. The stranger has a particular interest in Red Hood Beta’s helmet. It’s made of much sturdier stuff than the others and houses a few neat gadgets within like a focal lease and a communication channel to the rest of the Red Hoods. He has plans on how to give the mask a ‘make-over’, make it his own, use the enemies own tech against them. He’s earned a new nickname within the group now, his personality of silent stoicism suddenly flipping to white hot rage within a moment has gifted him the title ‘Matches’ by Garfield Lynns.

Other intruders come in the following months, abusive pimps or exes tracking down their ‘property’.

Matches improvisations soon become a trusted tactic as he goes all Home Alone on their asses but even darker to the point that grown men run out of the mansion screaming, believing they’ve been haunted by the ghosts of the Waynes.

By this point the Gotham Exiles fully embrace ‘Matches’ as part of the group and though he won’t admit it, he’s secretly happy to have the company for the moments when he’s not working on something in secret within the mansions caverns. After a while he even invites Harold, a mute with seemingly expertise levels of mechanics to come join help assemble whatever it is they are doing down there.

Once or twice he’l even mutters that his name is actually Bruce- this leads to some speculation within the Exiles that this guy might just possibly be the great Bruce Wayne, the city’s prodigal son, back as some kind of martial artist hobo- Yeah right. Only Vicki really believes that, most of the others think it’s just a naming coincidence or a joke on Matches part.

It’s not too long after that a new rumour hits Gotham streets. It seems the beat down at Wayne Manor of the Red Hood group marked the beginning of the end of the Red Hood gang, as multiple heists and other Hood operations are ruined, police are finding members of the gang unconscious at the scene of the crimes, finally leading to the apprehension and unmasking of members of the gangs. The one thing they all have in common is how they babble about a monster being the one that attacked them, a giant Bat.

Soon more heists by other gangs are foiled. Julias Day is found tied upside down from a crane on Labour day with a broken nose, his bombs defused, crying and laughing, blithering about how The Bat marks “Circular time finally breaking”

Victor Zsasz, a stockbroker from a late, wealthy family is found running on the streets in a bloodied state trying to escape the shadowy monster that infiltrated his deluxe apartment. 

While he’s in the Hospital the police are gifted information by an anonymous source tying the true identity of the Tally Mark killer to Victor Zsasz. Upon investigation it’s revealed underneath his always worn turtle neck are self-inflicted scars over his body, tally marks matching the number of trademarked marked victims of The Tally Mark Killer.

After a failed, violent attempt to escape Victor is arrested for further investigation, but it’s not long before news reaches the masses, increasing the intense hatred against the 1% elitists of the city for allowing this, Freak to live ease free amongst them.

Vicki figures it out first, but it doesn’t take too long for the other Exiles to get there. It’s not exactly impossible to connect the weird but heroic hobo living in the cavernous basement who disappears at night to this new, almost ‘mythically regarded’ vigilante who stalks the night.

Some of the Exiles don’t want to address it, they just wanna leave well enough alone.

It’s only til later that week, at mid-day when Matches finally awakes and leaves his caves (the guys wearing sunglasses indoors what the hell) does Vicki casually shouts while making lunch “Hey Bruce, are you the Batman?”

“…”

“… :) )

“… yes…”

“Okay awesome thanks man, seriously. You want some cheese wizz?”

“… yes please.”

Not long after the Exiles take a keen interest in returning the favor and helping out Matches, or they guess as he’s going by now, The Batman. Sure maybe they can’t help him out there on the streets but they can make sure he’s a somewhat half functioning human when he’s back in the caves by forcing him to eat proper food and get some actual sleep. And on the few occasions when he’s left wounded in a ditch or gutter somewhere and overcomes his pride to call for help they come running in one of Harold's spruced-up cars.

Overtime with the crime rates going down now the serial killer and terrorists are off the streets and gangs like the Red Hood Gang are starting to dwindle the Exiles build up confidence to ask Matches for a more personal favour.

They ask him to do what the police won’t even accept as a real problem and find the Pig masked man who has been kidnapping people, some of them friends of people within the Exiles group.

How could he refuse a request for help to people who are growing to mean a lot to him?

_________________________________________________________

A month later, The Batman is seeing crashing out of a 30 storey new apartment, the grand studio suite he was investigating belongs to one surgical Professor, Lazlo Valentin. The trail of the Pig kidnappings lead to here; however what he didn’t realise though was, firstly The Pig man, whether he really is Lazlo or not was waiting to greet the Batman with a rusty saw leading to the most disturbing ambush Batman has had yet, forced to dodge swings of the blades all while in-between singing random opera notes ’Pyg’ talks about how he will operate on and ‘complete’ The Bats transformation.

Secondly, it seems Valentin has some strong connections, as the Falcone’s family very own personal surgeon.

One such benefit of being in a crime family’s pocket is that when unwanted guests are caught on camera breaking into Valentins apartment, a welcoming committee of Falcone’s armed men arrive swiftly and force said unwanted guests to leave; one way or the other.

In Batman’s case it’s through the window with bullets firing all over him,viscious cuts on his body.

It’s during this fall the first picture of The Batman is taken from the distance, finally adding some credibility to the rumours. 

From the far off, barely focused picture it looks like The Batman is something akin to Dracula, soaring through the sky.

In reality it’s a crumpled piece of man in a costume that looks less impressive the closer you actually look at it, a hastily put together halloween costume draped over body armour and a Red Hood helmet spray painted black and fixed with Bat-ears. A wounded man who for most of his life has resented the fact he is just mere flesh and blood, who survives the fall through the skin of his teeth with his hastily fired, janky grapple hook and has just enough common sense to call the exiles for help before he blacks out.

______________________________________________________

Let’s get back to Alfred; enjoying the last several years in peace (bordering on tediously dull, to be honest)

After a rocky start he made some kind of peace with his daughter Julia. They’re not super close now per se but they call once a month now, two if there’s a holiday or birthday, so that’s something.

At the moment he’s settled in Paris, working on and off on a Theatre stage play.

It’s while at the pub on the nearby television he sees a new report on his old home city, Gotham. He’s kept a mild interest in the latest news coming from that architectural nightmare for the past year, it seems the murderous monsters of that city are finally being captured, though he very much doubts it has anything to with this ‘Bat-Man’, or if it does he’s just a theatrical vigilante whose wealthy and stupid enough to be such things, not the supernatural being some internet conspiracist are so desperate to believe in, surely it’s just the latest in a long line of myths the city seems so fond of clinging onto like The Court Of Owls and The Pale Man. Bedtime stories to scare your average Gothamite tot with.

Gotham Is Weird.

However this newest report seems to finally prove this myth is real with a picture from an amateur photographer Alexander Knox, who lived across Valentin’s apartment, who had the idea to keep his camera aimed on the building after hearing gunshots and captured the shot of a clad in black, seemingly winged being people believe to be The Bat-man flying out of it.

As Alfred looks at the picture, he realises what it really is. It’s the realisation of a drawing the young boy he had lost had drawn, a week after he had fallen into a hole far into the Wayne estates, leading to some kind of cavern.

When the boy emerged hours later, his body and suit covered in mud, hands bleeding from crawling through a jagged tunnel, he just simply said “I followed the bats out.”

It was the first time had spoken since the alleyway. Since he lost his parents.

It was the first time something then numb shock was shown on his face.

It was a look of triumph. Of sadness.

Of rage.

Of course Alfred realises what the captured image really represents.

It means his boy has returned home.

Less than 24 hours later he’s on a flight back to Gotham.

He rents a car (after shouting at the seller for his piss poor attempt to rip him off) and just drives straight to Wayne Manor, quickly strolls through the main doors, casually waltzes past the booby traps left in the halls (Who do you think ‘Matches’ learned it from?) absentmindedly realizes there are other people in the house, poor souls from the look of things who seem warier of him than him at them.

They don’t seem like junkies, if they were he probably would have politely but firmly asked them to pack up and leave already. But if they’re here, maybe they’re all Bruce has company.

Okay, he tells himself, they wasn’t part of the plan; but he can work with it. 

That can come later though, he’s got someone he needs to see first.

And he has a pretty good hunch where he can find him, the area that was formerly the manor’s basement, knocked down before Bruce left the house to connect with the larger underground cavern.

He comes across Harold down the basement, blocking his way. They kinda just stop and stare at each other for a moment, sizing each other up. Alfred raises an eyebrow, calculating if he needs to throw hands to get to his kid. 

Harold may be silent but he’s not stupid, far from it, even though he’s older he recognises the the man in front of him as the man in the picture frames ‘Matches’ keeps close to his underground workshop, so he just casually point’s Alfred in the right direction. 

Alfred passes by, without a word he gives Harold the left over bag of sweets he had for the flight.

As he munches on toffee, not for the first time Harold thinks arriving at this manor is the best thing that has ever happened to him.

____________________________________________________

Batman has been in the caves ever since his brutal beat down last night and the Exiles essentially saved him by getting him off the roof in time before Falcones men reached him.

His costumes left as a crumpled heap on the floor, Bruce on a makeshift operation table, re-doing his stitches, glancing at what pieces of potential clues he grabbed with him from Valentin’s apartment.

Profiles on prolific bus drivers within the city. Makes no sense. None of what he saw in that apartment did.

He hurts like hell but is stubbornly not letting anyone help him.

He feels a hand take over applying a bandage. 

“Harold for the last time I don’t need your-“

He looks behind him, and practically finishes that sentence in a whisper, as he stares up, see’s the face of the man he’s known since childhood staring back at him with an unreadable expression.

He doesn’t try to fight back as Alfred finishes the bandaging him up, both are silent. Bruce is questioning is he’s hallucinating his old butler, his guardian.

Alfred is just trying to hold in all that he wants to say long enough for him to prevent these wounds from becoming even worse.

_________________________________________________

In the distance from the other side of the Caves the Exiles are gathered, trying to figure out just what is going on. Who is this new guy with the moustache and the most British accent they’ve ever heard? Does he know Matches? What does this mean for the whole, Bat-vigilante thing Matches has been doing?

Hey shush shush, they’re talking.

I can’t hear them.

Hey shut it!

Man I’ve never seen Matches look so… I dunno, shaken?

I mean he did lose a lot of blood; again.

Nah nah, this is different, this old guy, he means something.

… Harold why are you smirking man? What do you know that we d-

WOAH, Geez!

What, what!

The old guy’s… hugging him?

Mh, kay, okay, guess they are close. I mean, if that was anyone of us Matches would have totally break our ribs right?

Yeah totally. Hey, you don’t think the old guy is his da-

…

…

…

Did… did he…

Yep.

Dude, did he just slap Matches?

Yep. 

… And Matches hasn’t ripped his arms off?

I mean, he’s gonna soon, right? I mean there’s no way Matches will-

….

Oh. Okay I guess they’re hugging again. 

God guys, look, Matches is sobbing man.

The old man is too.

Hey, what’s that sound?

I… think they’re laughing?

… Matches can do that!?

…

This is… this is weird right? Even by, like, everything else’s standards, this is weird.

Yeah…

…

I think I think we should leave them to it. Whatever this is, this isn’t for us.