#felt like she wandered straight off of /b/

[alongtidesoflight]

on god youtube has been recommending me trans people with the WORST takes on veilguard's trans representation for days

[azzifuddfanpage]

I can fight

thank you so much for the anon who gave me this amazing prompt: you can read it here!

————

2.1k words (why was this supposed to be my short one)

Tw: none but I didn’t edit so good luck 😺😺

themes: fluff/ angst (not really, paige is just a jealous gf but what’s new)

————

Paige was in her dorm after practice, her hair still damp from her shower, and only a towel wrapped around herself.

She was about to dig through her closet for a hoodie and some basketball shorts when she heard her phone buzz on the table. 

Paige had been expecting a text from Azzi within the next ten minutes, telling her she was ready to get picked up from her rehab. 

Hearing her phone buzz, she wandered over hopefully, picking it up and watching as the screen lit up.

While she did see an Azzi notification, it was not the one she expected. 

“Azzi35 posted” her instagram notification read. 

Paige was immediately doubtful, maybe it was a glitch, Azzi never posts, especially not without telling paige first. It had to have been an add for sure- paige was just surprised she never heard anything. 

When she clicks on the link, Azzi’s dimpled smile fills her screen as she holds up what appears to be a tight body suit. 

Paige holds down on the video as the video jumps to each outfit. Starting with the body suit.

Paige feels the heat in her core burn as she sees the way her ass is accentuated by the way the tight material of the one piece clung to her curves, pulling her in at all the right places, highlighting her girlfriends perfect body. 

The definition of Azzi’s abs is slightly visible through the light material, and paige can’t help her self but zoom in on the fat of her ass as she watches as Azzi turns slightly to show off the rest of the look. 

Paige continues to watch the video, the feeling between her legs growing as Azzi switched into a two piece light blue set that made the tanned color of her skin pop. 

Paige watched the video the rest of the way through, resisting the urge to stop it, but she couldn’t hide the thoughts running through her mind as her beautiful girlfriend flaunted infront of the mirror.

Next Azzi appeared in the brown two piece- that showed off her belly button piercing, and had a zipper right between her breasts. 

“The zipper will not be of much use if she ever wears that around me.” Paige thought to herself as her eyes focused in on the way the pants sat loosely on her hips.

Even when paige thought the video couldn’t get much worse, paige watches as Azzi holds up a tight tank top and shorts. 

“Fuck” paige mutters under her breath, as her eyes wonder Azzi’s body, as she reappears on the screen in the tight black short set.

Paiges eyes wander up her tan legs, seeing the way the material bunches at her abs, and she can just see where the curve of her ass sits at the edge of her pants. 

She smirked as Azzi turned and checked herself out, (paige was doing the same- and had no right to be talking) but would definitely flame her for it later- but not before making her wear it in front of her so she could be the one checking her out. 

She watched needily as Azzi slipped on a tight robe, reminding Paige of the times Azzi would sneak into her room, body wrapped in nothing but a loose robe like that one, and let paige’s hands wander as she made them breakfast. 

As the video went on, and Azzi was now bundled in a zip up and sweats, paige felt a smile tug at her lips as she saw how warm and cuddly Azzi looked all wrapped up in the oversized sweats- paige lowkey wished that Azzi was wearing paige’s sweats but…

Lastly, paige saw the finally tight long sleeve, that drew paige’s attention straight to her breasts, and surely anyone else who was watching would see the same thing, paige would think to herself.

Paiges heart was still beating, Azzi’s beautiful body still flashing in her mind as she clicked on Azzi’s contact- not before saving the ad to her camera roll-, and called her. 

Azzi answers right away “I take it you just saw my ad.” 

“Babe I’m dying, why did you post that now when I can’t immediately put my hands on you.” 

Azzi rolls her eyes  “baby I don’t think it would have gone over well if I had filmed that in front of you. Remember the time I showed you the pink blazer and shorts I wore to the D’Amelio’s, and you almost didn’t let me leave the house?” Azzi reminded as paige smacked her lips together dramatically, 

“Chill, I’m your girlfriend of course I don’t want other people to see how beautiful my girl is.” Paige said pouting into the phone. 

Azzi felt a smile curl onto her lips at the thought of how protective Paige was. 

“You’re cute when you’re jealous.” Azzi said teasingly into the phone.

“Mmmm.” Paige breathed into the phone, Azzi’s words warming her chest. 

“You’re just cute period.” Paige started. “Looked so good in that ad baby. Didn’t even know what to do with myself. If I don’t see you soon might just start touching myself now.” Paige said, her voice a low growl, that made Azzi’s stomach drop to the floor. 

“I’ll be done in 15 minutes and you can come pick me up.” Azzi said her brain running in 50 different directions as she thought about all the things her and paige might have planned. 

Azzi thought she could hear the sound of the music of her ad playing again. 

“Paige are you seriously watching it again?” Azzi asked letting out a soft laugh. 

“Uhm ofc- you didn’t just think I was gonna watch my girl show off her precious body on the internet for my view to be less then everyone else’s… needed to see it on the big screen.” Paige continued, holding her iPad up to the camera that showed Azzi’s ad playing on repeat.

Azzi laughed. 

“I love you baby- be good and maybe I’ll put it back on and let you take it off of me when we get home.” Azzi continued, her eyes scanning paige’s face.

“We’ll see, you should see some of these comments, though. Gonna make it hard for me to just sit back and hear them all talkin bout my girl like this.” 

Azzi laughed as paige began to read some of them outloud. 

“Body so Tea British are coming.. man facts, that’s a bar though.” She continues “Marry me Azzi..” Paige rolls her eyes “she’s already married.” Azzi laughs.

 “Can Paige fight.” Paige scoffs throwing her head back as she plops onto her bed, “Brrooo I can’t do this I’m bout to say something.”

 “Paige calm down, they are just comments” 

“nah I’m bout to like that comment.” Paige said defiantly. 

“Paige Maddison! Don’t even think about it.” Azzi warned shaking her head. 

Paige let out a long sigh “when the season is over and one or both of us are not at UCONN anymore, I’m literally letting the world know how bad I can fight.” 

Azzi smiles “Paige I may be the peoples princess, but I was yours before I was anyone else’s.. you don’t have to fight for me baby. I’m yours.” 

Paige smiles “I love you princess.”

“I love you too,  feel better?” Azzi asked

Paige rolls her eyes “for now.” 

“But I’ll feel a whole lot better when they know you’re off limits.” She muttered. 

“Mommy fudd.” She sneered under her breath. 

“Alright that one literally sounds like something you would say under a fake account or something don’t even play with me right now.” Azzi laughed as paige pouted at the comment. 

“That was one time okay- and I couldn’t help myself.” Paige replied a blush covering her face and she smiled bashfully.  

“Alright baby I love you- the trainer is coming back in to do the shock therapy, but you can leave now and I’ll be ready when you get here. But until then you’re banned from reading any more of my comments until then.” Azzi said, wagging her finger through the screen. 

Paige rolled her eyes, “fine but only if you give me kisses for all the trauma I’ve endured reading those comments.”

Azzi returned the eye roll, “ugh don’t even start with me right now, I swear every other video on my for you page is an edit of you and girls thirsting over your fingers.” Azzi groaned. 

“Don’t even act like you don’t like them.” Paige said smirking. 

“The edits or your fingers?” Azzi asked teasingly. 

“I guess we will have to test it later, but my guess is probably a tie.” Paige said pretending to actually contemplate the pretty obvious answer. 

Azzi and paige continue going back and forth teasingly each other until Azzi’s trainer comes back in and has to hang up against the blondes defiant arguments. 

———

10 minutes later, Paige is in a car waiting for Azzi to come out of the training facility. 

A few more minutes go by and paige feels herself getting a bit impatient. 

To pass the time, she decides to look at the add again, and it still has the same effect on her and as soon as they get alone time she is showing Azzi just how much she liked it. 

She goes back to the comments and sees so many talking about if she can fight. 

Paige feels a brief moment of cockiness. 

A mixture of annoyance and confidence she sets up her phone, “man fuck it.” She says under her breath, recording herself doing the rizz hands, a couple boxing jabs at the phone before doing like a shimmy down her body, trying to turn it into some kind of dance. 

She leans back in the seat as she scrolls through the audio options, landing on a Rocky Balboa sound, and posts to her story without giving it a second thought. 

“Yeah I can fucking fight.” She mutters to herself. 

Within minutes the fans were already having a field day over the TikTok, screen recording it, making connections between that and their previous accusations, Azzi was gonna be so done with her. 

 it takes her only a few minutes for her to see a screenshot of the comment on Azzi’s video asking if paige could fight, pasted over the video of her hilariously uncooordinated stiff punches. Paige felt a wave of satisfaction grow over her knowing that she had indirectly claimed her girl. 

Her eyes scanned over the video, settling on the caption at the bottom that read, “omfg she is letting us know she can fucking fight. Damn Paige, claim your girl then.” Paige smirked and saved the tik tok edit and then put her phone down. 

A couple long minutes later, she saw Azzi’s figure- wearing one of her own hoodies- waddle out to the car, a compression sleeve covering her left leg. 

Paige greeted Azzi with a warm kiss, wrapping her fingers around her back, pulling in the warm body of her girlfriend. 

Paiges hands linger on Azzi’s back as she pulls away guilty.

“so I did a thing..” paige starts, a blush covering her face realizing her rash actions as she looks down at the seat. 

“that sounds ominous, what did you do..” Azzi asks cautiously, trying to interpret the red blush that is quickly spreading over paige’s cheeks. 

 “uhh yeah so I saw more comments about me needing to fight so yeah I uhm- fought.” 

Azzi gasps, bringing a hand to her forehead , “what does that mean paige.” 

Paige pulled out her phone and went to her story, she held it up so Azzi could see. 

Azzi watched as her girlfriend through uncoordinated punches and paired it with a stiff body roll. 

Azzi looked up from the phone, raising her eyebrow at paige. 

“What? I only added the body roll so people would be less suspecting- it could mean anything.” Paige shrugged. 

Azzi smiled, shaking her head in disbelief, “you are crazy.” She said as she gently shoved paige’s phone away, pulling her in so she could place a fat kiss on her cheek.

Paige giggled as Azzi’s lips tickled her skin. 

“you’re not mad?” Paige asked, raising an eyebrow as she placed her hand on Azzi’s neck. 

Azzi shrugged “private but not a secret.” 

Paige’s smile spread across her whole face before she pulled Azzi into a kiss, wrapping her up in a tight hug. 

[lavouredior]

Sooo..

I read all of your fics (AMAZING) and in a Vox x bunny reader I saw that it said she got in trouble for talking to Alastor and uhmm…. You should so write the story of that happening 🤭🤭

i been hoping someone would request this !!

warnings: SMUT, 18+, oral ( m receiving ), bunny’s way of apologizing, punishment, spanking, female reader

Stay Away Bunny

“conejita.” you looked up to see valentino staring at you, in a surprisingly good mood. “i need you to do a favor for me and your little boyfriend okay’d it already.” you just looked up at him questionably.

“i need you to go to that stupid hotel and get my angel dust back okay?” you just nodded, you loved angel dust and were around him a lot when he was staying at the studio. “okay conejita i need him back before nighttime.”

you got up grabbing your stuffed animal from next to you before heading off to go find angel.

it didn’t take long for you to get overwhelmed by the sinners, there were so many staring at you. although maybe you should’ve been paying attention to where you were walking instead.

you walked into a taller demon, when you looked up he had a big smile on his face. “well if it isn’t the infamous vee bunny.” all you did was smile back at him, thinking the smile was him being nice instead of something he always had.

“where you headed little bunny?” he asked crouching down slightly to your height. “valentino wants me to go get angel dust and bring him back home.”

he just nodded, “oh and what a cute stuffed animal you have!” you giggled before holding your stuffy up to him. “she a bunny!” he nodded again “quite a cute bunny you have their dear.”

vox for one was not a fan of val making you his little errand bunny. but he allowed it because val promised he wouldn’t do anything mean to you for the rest of the year if you did it.

what he wasn’t an even more fan of is him looking at his cameras and seeing the radio demon with his little bunny.

vox was furious, immediately using his electricity to be by you guys. “bunny.” he said lowly getting your attention and causing you to run over to him. although when you lifted your arms up like usual for him to pick you up he didn’t.

“alastor. stay away from her. she doesn’t need to be roped into your problems.” alastor simply stood straight again then disappeared into the shadows.

vox walked back to the vee tower with you, doing nothing but holding your hand to make sure you didn’t wander off like you sometimes do. “go to your room, wait there. i’ll come get you when i’m ready.” you nodded heading off to your room

an hour had passed before vox walked into your room and sat on your bed causing you to sit up hoping you were gonna get your normal attention from your boyfriend.

he pat his thigh and you immediately went and sat on his lap. “bunny. no.” you just looked at him confused which caused him to roll his eyes before moving you so that you were laid across his legs.

“bunny i’m gonna need you to count okay?” you didn’t reply, confused about the entirety of what was going on before you felt the first smack. “one.”

that went on until you counted to thirty. then vox simply picked you up and laid you down on the bed before heading back to his office.

you knew he was mad. he used to tell you about alastor and rant but you didn’t know what alastor looked like and thought a friendly sinner was just talking to you!

that’s when you had the bright idea to go visit vox in his office. “bunny i’m not in the mood for you.” is all he said before returning to his paperwork.

you felt bad, whenever you got in trouble with vox ( which was rare ) you had your own way of making it up to him. you walked over to his desk then crawled under and placed yourself in between his legs.

first thing you did was rub ur chin against his thigh, a false security for vox as he just thought it was you doing your usual way of telling him you love him.

what he wasn’t expecting was for you to next start undoing his pants. “bunny.” he said sternly but at that point your mouth was halfway down his length with your eyes staring up at him.

he sighed, he wanted to be mad at you but it was hard when he knows you’re trying your best to make it up to him.

he put his hand on the back of your head and started guiding your head up and down, something he usually did for you when you decided you wanted to give him head

what he wasn’t expecting was you to close your mouth when he went to move your head back down and press a kiss to his tip.

he just looked down at you and smiled “my bunny gonna be a good girl now?” all you did in response was stick your tongue out and let him guide your head back down onto his length.

that went on for about ten minutes before he came in your mouth and then pulled you onto his lap. “show.” you stuck your tongue out. “good girl, now swallow.” you swallowed then stuck your tongue out again to show him proof.

“that’s my good girl.” he said before moving your body so that you laid your head against his chest.

[werezmastarbucks]

shot to the head

masterlist

word count: 1645

warnings: smut

music: i'm on fire by bruce springsteen

He lit a cigarette and took the first drag when he heard the footsteps. His ears were already tuned to that specific trot, the ears of a disgruntled hunter that felt like this was going on for too long.

Usually this business takes one day. He clocks the chick, approaches her, makes her laugh, and shows them both good time, all under twelve hours. Here, this was already past a week. The conversations, the dancing, the smiles and flirting was all very good, but the longer Chibs dragged it out, the more difficult it would be to sever the ties later. He tried not to think of the future, readying his feet, as he listened to her approaching footsteps. Straight into his den, main office, she went. Probably confused it with the accounts room, the doors looks similar. His mind wandered lazily, reminding him that Jackie did ask her to help out a little.

You opened the door and stepped in, and it took you just one second to see Chibs, to immediately understand that you're screwed.

Shit, said the tiny voice, as you stepped back again, closed the door and started running away.

"Nope", he snapped. His eyeballs already took the picture: loose hair, summer necklace and a fucking green sundress. With tiny little flowers. Maybe daisies. He jumped up and all but tore the handle out as he opened the door. He caught you midway, lifting you above the floor with one arm.

"No, you're going to pay for this now", he rumbled lowly into your ear, pressing his face into the nape of your neck, as he dragged you back into the office. You giggled, losing your breath, as you swooped through the air, when he finally married you back with the floor. You stumbled a couple steps back, until the opposite wall cut your escape. You looked at Chibs who was closing on your like a wolf. No, the dog that's been tugged too violently. You weren't sure you hated it completely.

"A week and a half you've been clicking on me nose", he said, "you didn't really think you'd get off?"

You offered him a brave smile, your heart racing like this was an armed robbery. Chibs' face mirrored the smile, but darkened. A step at a time, he approached you, taking in every little detail of the body he was about to violate.

"Whatever am I going to do with ya now?"

"I hope you won't make me dance", you chuckled.

"Now don't give me ideas, you bratty mink", he rattled, grabbing you by the arm and then almost releasing, so that the hold is not too firm. He slid his hand up and down your shoulder, then tickled the ribs. His breath burned your temple, then your face flushed as you finally felt his mouth moving against yours. Chibs kissed you, aggressively at first, just like his touch was, to show how he felt about the whole situation. Then you could barely register what was happening. His tongue, filling your mouth, and one hand, sliding down the thigh and sneaking under the skirt; your knees caved in a little and you couldn't hold a stifled moan. He licked your trembling mouth properly, before letting you take a breath, and then sharply twirled you around like a puppet. Pulling a desk closer, he laid one hand on your back.

You were so wet at this point it was getting uncomfortable. Chibs took his time, probably thinking about how you pulled him apart, vein by vein, a big offense in his eyes; his wounded hand stayed down, massaging your thigh and cluthing on one buttcheek, almost too hard. The other, tugging in your hair, pulled your head back, and you closed your eyes.

"I hope you don't mind me asking", he croaked gently into your ear. His voice gave you shivers, and you twitched under him, the body screeching for some development. The office smelt like smoke, sweat and candy.

"But I'd like some context on that one time when Ned tried to fucken choke ya", you breathed through your mouth, the tip of your tongue restless, "cause I get the same impulse about once a day now".

"I thought you were better than that", you laughed out, excited.

"Didn't take ya for someone who only sees good in people", he uttered, before placing a small kiss on the back of your shoulder. His beard was delightfully tickly. You gasped as his other hand finally reached the hem of your underwear, before slithering inside.

"Oh, you got something for me", he whispered, "don't ya, baby".

You didn't feel like saying anything, arching your back so hard, asking silently, like you were trying to snap your spine. As his fingers started caressing you, you swayed your hips, your hands clenching his forearms.

"What is it? What is it that you want?" he mocked, keeping you in place with one hand on your neck. You laid on the desk, a rash thought visiting you, that you completely forgot why you were here in the first place. And where was, here. This was so good, as he demanded, you had to scramble for words.

"Tell me, what is it that you want from yer dog, Y/N", he insisted. You let another moan leave your lips, moving your hips, and yet his fingers refused to slip inside, because he was bringing his revenge on you.

"If you... don't fuck me now, I'll come anyway, and you won't have your fun", you whispered, your mouth dry. His low laughter vibrated into your back:

"You just can't bring yourself to ask, can you?"

You shook your head, then moved your body to let him know you wanna turn, but Chibs didn't budge.

"No, you'll stay here, sweethear. Now we're doing it my way".

You heard the buckle of his belt clink, and braced yourself. Chibs lifted up your dress, tracing the lines of your body with an open palm, as he gave a little soft squeeze to your shoulder, comforting, he slid inside of you, making you yell out with surprise, and pleasure.

He knew it would be good, but now he was finally celebrating. The view of your arched back, with this soft green dress, and the hair, the walls of your vagina pulsating fevereshly around his cock the second he was there; - he had to slow down for a second at first, searching for the pace, but it was all like a fever dream. Like he was high; the convulsions the body in front of him was going through, made it almost impossible to contain himself. The girl was so starved, so utterly untouched that he almost felt dirty; hell, he was dirty, a dirty bastard, and that's why he got this excellent, wet, hugry cunt. He always got the best one; a matter of skill, but this was pure heaven of reciprocity. He couldn't restrain the desire to bend onto her and taste the skin on her back; nipping, nibbling, as he went faster and faster. You were gasping for air, letting out only a small yelp every time he pushed into you, holding on for your dear life. You stood on your toes to change the angle slightly, so that his cock would slide against the clit every time, and felt the climax approaching. His hand cupped your chin so gently, in contrast with how he was hammering into you, and you mouthed his name on the verge of your might:

Filip, Filip, Filip.

You loved hearing his voice into your ear, low, like he was finally nibbling on a bone he's been chasing. You were almost that. Twisting your neck to an inhuman angle, you caught his mouth, and he filled you on both ends, and you finally came, tensing your whole body around his throbbing cock, and he hummed approvingly. You couldn't believe the relative quiet he demonstrated, as opposed to the whirlwind of sensory overload you just experienced. Panting, catching for air with your mouth, you still felt the electric clouds of mellow pleasure in your body, and Chibs turned you around like a toy again.

"You are very easy to please", he murmured favorably, the sight of his face making you blush again. You tried to shrug, which made him chuckle at the awkward movememnt. You threw your head back, unable to focus just yet. Your lips moved, with only a shade of a phrase. His hand was cupping one of your breasts through the dress, pressing lightly.

"What was that?" he bowed above you, took your hands and wrapped them around his neck. He wasn't done yet.

"Am I forgiven?" you whispered. The sound of his laughter made you wheeze with joy,

"You could never do wrong, my good girl", hand caressed the side of your face as he pushed his cock back. You felt like you saw something you weren't supposed to; the teeth, his smile, pulling his mouth open, his black eyes drilling you before he went on and pressed his face into the anterior of your neck. He started thrusting harder, his hands clutching your thighs, and you felt the second orgasm almost coming. There was a scent of violence in the last several seconds before he gave a big sigh, releasing one of your legs. You both went quiet for some time, and then Chibs went straight to kissing, plucking pecks like little targets onto your collar bones, your chest, neck, your face.

He did win, but he also felt like he fell into one of the snares. He had a distinct feeling like he was thigh-deep in it, because holding you was so nice. He would have to talk about it with the youngster for sure. Filip was an experienced human and he knew that, out of all the ways to kill, a woman knew the most intricate ones.

"Tickles", you yelped, shivering, and he helped you sit up.

"Kiss me".

He obeyed.

[slut4thebroken]

Antidote

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Pairing | Jason Todd x reader

Summary | You go to Jason for help after being exposed to Ivy’s sex pollen

Warnings | HARD KINKS smut, sexual content, 18+, coercion, rape, dubious consent, drugged sex, forced breeding

Words | 1.8k

Notes | idk man I just need therapy at this point

Ao3 link | <3

Masterlist

He opened the door to find your hunched over frame, panting and sweaty. As you stumbled forward into him, he could see your pupils blown wide and the blush on your cheeks. 

“Princess, what-“

“Please help.” You moaned, clutching at his shirt to keep your hands from wandering. “Ivy, she- she did something to me.” 

“Okay- it’s okay.” He stepped away from you to close the door, making you whine. “C’mon, you can stay in my room. You just need to sleep it off.” Leading you down the hall, he watched you try to formulate a coherent response rather than a needy whine.  

“Hurts.” Was all you managed to say. 

“I know, baby. It’ll be over in a couple hours.” 

“Jay, please I can’t wait that long. Please help me. Call- call Dick or something. See if he knows of an antidote.” Jason clenched his jaw at the mention of his older brother. Once you were both in his room, he closed the door and watched you fan yourself, resisting taking off your clothes. 

It would be so easy. So easy for him to take you, make you his, fuck you stupid until all you could say was his name. And why shouldn’t he? You’re the one who came to him like this- vulnerable, pliant, needy. Although this was part of his original plan, he still had doubts that you would come to him. But you did. And it was working out better than he could have hoped.

Luring you to that abandoned warehouse was easy. He left obvious clues for you to find, pretending to be Ivy. Setting the trap was even easier. The second you opened the door, the most potent pollen she has would drop down on you. From there, he just had to trust that you would come to him and no one else. And you did. 

“I know an antidote.” Your eyes widened as your head snapped to him. 

“You do? What is it?” Your voice was getting progressively whinier and it went straight to his cock. He slowly stalked forward, making you stagger back the closer he got, until you finally hit a wall. 

“It’s unconventional. But it works.” He shrugged as he stopped only inches from your burning body. 

“What- what is it?” He placed a hand on your waist and snaked it around your back, then down to your ass. “Jay?” You whimpered, hips bucking subconsciously. He pulled you into his body and tightened his grip on your ass. When you felt the bulge in his sweatpants you took in a sharp breath. Despite the fact that you were panting and practically drooling, he noticed that you were still pretending to object to his advances. 

“What are you doing?” 

“I’m helping you, princess. Gonna make you feel better.” His other hand met the inside of your thigh and slowly snaked up. “You just need my cock in your little cunt. That’ll make you feel better, baby, I promise.” He cupped your sex and your hips bucked forward as you let out a whimper. 

He quickly removed both hands and pulled the zipper of your catsuit down enough to slip it off your torso. Once it was around your thighs, he turned you around and shoved you into the wall. He dragged an experimental finger through your sex and hummed in satisfaction when he felt your arousal. 

“I can fucking smell your cunt from up here.” He growled, making you let out an embarrassed whine. He wasted no more time taking himself out of his pants and pulling your underwear to the side. When the blunt head of his cock brushed your folds, you jerked forward, but he grabbed your hip and held you still. 

“Jason, wait.” Your protest died off into a moan when the tip met your clit. It didn’t stay there long though. Becoming too impatient, he pushed his length into your weeping hole. Despite your moans, your hips moved away from the sensation, so he followed you. He pushed forward until your body was completely flush with the wall, then kept pushing in until his hips met your ass. Scrambling for purchase on the wall, you released a broken moan at the stretch and he leaned his head down to rest his forehead on your shoulder. 

“So fucking tight.” He groaned, digging his nails into your hips. “Is my cock too big for you, baby? Can you not take it?” He cooed mockingly, but all you could do in response was let out a choked sob. “Don’t tell me you’re a virgin.” He chuckled, but it sounded more like a question than a statement. 

He suddenly pulled out and slammed back in, starting a brutal pace. But despite the roughness, you were already nearing your orgasm. When you finally fell over the edge, he let out a strangled moan. 

“That’s it. Good girl.” He moaned, his pace never even slowing. Even after your orgasm, you were still pushing your ass into him and moaning, but now your sounds were pained rather than needy. He’s never experienced Ivy’s pollen before, but he’s heard the stories. Orgasms only help for a moment. Then you’re back to needing to come, only this time you’re quickly becoming overstimulated. “Feel any better yet, princess?” He asked, even though he already knew the answer.

“No.” You whined, reaching a hand down to your throbbing clit. 

“Don’t worry, baby. I’m not even close to done with you yet. We have all fuckin night for me to fuck your holes and fill you up with my come.” You let out a vulgar moan at his words and he chuckled darkly. “Yeah I bet you want my come, don’t you? You want me to stuff you full and fuck it back into you over and over again?” Your nod looked strained, as if part of you was still trying to regain control of your body. That amused him. 

Abruptly pulling out, he maneuvered you to the bed and shoved you backwards, making you land with a grunt. He quickly ripped off your shoes and clothes, then climbed over you and lifted your legs over his shoulders. 

“I’m gonna breed you, baby. I’m gonna make you mine.” He said through a moan as he entered you again and resumed the punishing pace. 

You let out a low whine and if he didn’t know you better, he’d believe it was a whine of arousal, but it wasn’t. Despite your half lidded, lust blown eyes, the blush painting your cheeks, and your moans, this whine was hesitant. It was as close as you’d be able to get to begging him not to come inside you. 

Your body and mind were at war and you relied on him for his help- his restraint. That was your first mistake. If you didn’t want him to take advantage of you, you shouldn’t have come to him pliant and horny. It was your own fault really. And if you accused him of anything different, he’d make sure to say so. 

“Jay,” A poorly toned warning. He’d make sure to mention how you moaned his name. How you clenched down on his cock as he talked about breeding you. He’d tell you how you practically forced yourself on him, barely letting him get a word in before sinking down on his cock. “Please…” He’d tell you how you begged him to breed you. After all, you literally said “please” and who was he to deny you. 

He snaked a hand down to your clit, but found yours already there. 

“Look at that… You want to come again so bad, don’t you?” He cooed and you let out a whimper as you nodded. “Go ahead, princess. Make a mess all over my cock.” He smirked, intensifying his thrusts. His hand reached up and squeezed your neck, cutting off your scream as you came again. This one was more intense than the last one and even though it gave you relief for a moment, the burning came back tenfold. 

He pounded your abused hole as you laid there, limp and breathless. Tears were brimming in your eyes, from what, he wasn’t sure. He’d guess frustration from a lack of relief or overstimulation. As the tears started to fall, he felt his orgasm rapidly approaching. Each thrust of his cock punched little breaths and whimpers out of you, all of it making him impossibly harder. 

“Ready to take my come?” He said breathlessly. You whined again, in a last ditch effort of protesting his promises. “I’m gonna knock you up, princess. Then you’ll be stuck with me.” He purred, an unnerving smirk settling on his lips. 

He thrusted only a few more times before burying his cock to the hilt inside you and letting out a low moan. His brows furrowed as he squeezed his eyes shut, feeling your greedy pussy take everything he had to give. Distantly, he heard you whining and whimpering, still not accepting what was happening. He let his head hang down as he panted, feeling you squirm under him. 

When he opened his eyes again, he was met with the sight of you crying and babbling out pleas as your hips attempted to keep up his previous rhythm. It was obvious that your mind didn’t even have a chance at winning the war against your body. Letting out a low chuckle, he grabbed the back of your thighs and pushed them all the way against your chest, then started fucking you again. You cried out at the new angle and he felt your walls flutter around his sensitive length. 

“It probably didn’t take this time. So I’ll have to come in you again.” He smirked- not even pretending to be coy anymore. You let out a choked sob, probably too overwhelmed physically and emotionally. 

Despite his eagerness to just come in you as many times as possible, he also wanted to savor this. He wanted the night to last as long as possible. He wanted you to cry and beg for him to stop, to not come in you anymore even though he probably already knocked you up. He wanted to keep fucking you long after the pollen has worn off, so that instead of being sensitive and needy, you’d just be sensitive. Maybe he’d offer your cunt mercy by fucking your ass instead. And because of how overstimulated you’d be, you’d probably say yes. He wanted to feel your pussy flutter around his cock as you came, twice wasn’t enough. 

But most of all, he wanted to break you. Body, mind, and spirit. He wanted you so fucked out, so cockdrunk, that you’d let him do anything. He wanted you to beg him to keep you locked up, to make you his mindless fuck doll. He wanted you to beg him to breed you- to fuck a baby into you so you’d have to stay with him. 

And if you didn’t break by the end of the night? He has more pollen, he can do this as long as it takes. 

[bqstqnbruin]

Just Friends - Part 8

I have somehow only spent $117 on books and two of them were for my mother, so a win is a win for me.

Read the previous part here!

Warnings: swearing, anxiety attack

WC: 4002

Enjoy! _____________________

He was so close.

He was so sure that he and Emeline were finally about to kiss, something so minimal but after everything, so momentous for the two of them, and then all of that happened. Of course, something like that would happen.

Jeremy didn’t even wait to hear what Emeline had said to Keelan’s question. As soon as Keelan got down on one knee and pulled out that ring, Jeremy knew he had to leave the room. He had to leave the building.

Her ex-boyfriend was at the party Jeremy had planned for her birthday asking her to marry him when they had been together for seven years before that and apart for only a week and a half. How was Jeremy supposed to watch that?

He could feel his heart racing as he stepped onto the T, the memory of the elevator he still hadn’t set foot on rushing back despite him trying to suppress it. He wasn’t even sure what train he got on, where it was leading him.

It didn’t matter. 

Jeremy didn’t even process the people getting on and off the train as each stop passed by him, the college students getting ready to go out on a Friday night after classes, the fans getting home from the Celtics game that was at the Garden that night, the people going to and from wherever to who knows wherever while his ability to breathe felt like it was diminishing with each second. 

His mind flashed back to the elevator. The train car felt like it was closing in on him, the tunnel vision and the warped voices around him making his heart race.

He tried to think about something to distract him, the way Emeline did for him last time. Everything he tried to think about brought him back to her, seeing her say yes, seeing her kiss Keelan after he slides that ring on her finger, a ring that he knew she didn’t even like the style of because he knew she liked whatever ‘art deco’ was, and the ring Keelan picked out wasn’t that. 

He tried to think about hockey, his mind wandering back to the night that he and Johnny brought the girls to the game. He had one period where he was in goal opposite where they were sitting. If the guys were playing offense, he was busy looking at her and watching her reaction to what was going on. He tried to think about what it was like for him back in college, leading him to wonder what it was like for Emeline to meet Fran, Maddy, and Keelan, on top of losing her grandmother and her childhood home.

After the first panic or anxiety attack he had (like Emeline, he still couldn’t figure out the difference), he had looked into what to do to stop them if they happened. Sticking his hand in cold water didn’t seem like a viable option right now, unless he wanted frostbite or an infection from the Charles. Deep breathing seemed like it wasn’t going to happen. There was one thing he could think of, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 or whatever. It had something to do with his senses, but he didn’t remember what order they went in. The last one, he knew, was one thing he could taste, which was only really the beginnings of vomit. 

God, he couldn’t believe this was happening. 

He couldn’t be on the T anymore, practically knocking over the guy in front of him to get off at whatever stop he had found his way to. He looked around, trying to get his bearings straight, as he figured out he was about a mile or so from home, easily walkable for him and just a long enough time that he hoped he would be able to clear his head. 

The winter air was calming, the shock of the cold in contrast to whatever heat was attempting to pass through the cars of the train. Jeremy could feel his phone buzzing in his pocket, incessantly, probably the girls and Johnny trying to figure out what the fuck had just happened. 

As if he knew.

He pulled out his phone, ‘Dad,’ showing up on the screen. He hadn’t talked to anyone back home since his birthday. He had been so engrossed in both hockey and planning Emeline’s party, nothing else seemed to matter to him. 

“Hey, Dad,” Jeremy let out, hoping that he didn’t notice the way his voice was shaking. 

“Hey, kiddo,” his dads voice comes through his phone speaker, the child-like nickname despite him being 26 making him smile. “How was tonight? Is it still going on?”

The smile on Jeremy’s face disappears as fast as it appeared. He forgot he told his dad about tonight. “Uh, it’s still going on, but I left.”

“Is Emerson with you?”

“Emeline, Dad.”

“Is Emeline with you?” he laughs. He was never great with names, but at least he tries. 

“No, uh.” Jeremy hesitates to tell him. He could easily just say that he got tired and needed to go home, but there would be no way his dad would buy it. Even being in Alaska, his dad always seemed to be able to call his bluff no matter what. “Her ex-boyfriend showed up.” 

“You didn’t fight him and get arrested, did you? Kicked out of your own party?”

“Dad,” he scolds, his father’s laughing ringing through his ears, a small smile coming back to his face. “No, um. He proposed to her.” He doesn’t hear anything from his dad’s end, the only noise around him coming from the Charles. Jeremy didn’t even realize he had walked in that direction. “Dad?”

“What’d she say?”

“I don’t know. I couldn’t be there if she was going to say yes.” 

“What if she was going to say no?”

Jeremy finds a bench along the river trail, sitting down, despite it being freezing from the weather. He rests his elbows on his knees, one hand holding up his head while the other keeps his phone to his ear. “I don’t think she would.”

“Why?”

“Dad, she was with him for seven years. You don’t spend that kind of time with someone that way just to say no.” 

“Did I ever tell you how our mother and I met?”

Jeremy rolls his eyes, the story being told every wedding anniversary. “You went up to her at the bar, you asked her to dance, she said no.”

“Do you know why she said no?”

“Because she’s a feminist and takes every opportunity to say ‘fuck the patriarchy?’”

“Well, yes,” his dad laughs, “But no. She was seeing someone else at the time.” Jeremy perked up at that, not having heard this part of the story before. “She was seeing someone she had been with since high school, and your mom and I met right after college.”

“So what happened?”

“We became friends.” 

“You were friends,” he repeats.

“Eventually she called things off with the other guy. She was tired of waiting for someone who wouldn’t move mountains for her the way she would for them. Then she finally saw me when she was ready to. And here we are, how many years later, with you and Beth to show for it.” Jeremy sat there, trying to take it in. “Hey, your mom’s calling, I gotta go.”

Jeremy and his dad hung up, not having it in him to move from the bench. It was nice and all that everything worked out for his parents, that he got the girl that had the boyfriend at first. But did she get proposed to at a party he planned for her? He knows his mom didn’t go through all the things Emeline went through while she was growing up, that she didn’t have something life altering happen while she was with the other guy on the same level that Emeline did. 

His phone kept going off, the girls and Johnny, the rest of his teammates texting him and asking where he went. They had his location. They didn’t have to ask. 

The only person he wanted to ask, the only person at the party he wanted to notice, but he was sure didn’t, was probably off with her fiance.

___________________________

The next days involved Jeremy going through the motions. His teammates didn’t bring up the party, John didn’t say anything while they were at home. Joonas was starting in net for their game on Sunday, which meant Jeremy just had to hope he didn’t get pulled and have to play. He wasn’t even sure if he could get on the ice if Monty told him it was life or death at this point.

He shouldn’t have to feel this way over a girl he wasn’t even dating. A girl that just lived next door. 

Monday afternoon came around, Johnny and Jeremy getting home from morning skate to find Fran and Maddy outside their door, both with a panicked look on their face. “What’s wrong?”

“We haven’t seen Emeline since the party,” Maddy says, Jeremy’s mind immediately starting to race to every bad or horrific scenario that could be happening. How could they not have seen her? She lived with them? They have her location. Aren’t they the two people who were supposed to be able to see her every move, just like she could and would for them if this situation were reversed?

“What are you talking about?” John asks. 

“She left with Keelan right after he asked her to marry him, you know, and then she said she was with him and going to stay with him until she had to go to work today, so we didn’t think anything of it,” Fran explains. “If she goes with him on a Friday night, then she normally stays the entire weekend and comes home Monday after work, anyway. But then Keelan texted us on Sunday asking if Emeline was ok. And Javier put in the group chat that she didn’t come to work today, which isn’t like her.”

“She always talks about how it’s way more work for her to call out than it is for her to just suck it up and go into work.”

“You guys have her location though, what does it say?” John asks as if reading Jeremy’s mind while he was still unable to get a word out. 

Maddy shakes her head, “Javier already brought that up in the group chat, haven’t you guys read it?”

“We really don’t have jobs where we can be on our phones all day, Mads.”

“No, but you can read since we’ve been having this conversation since last night after your game when we first found out Emeline wasn’t with Keelan, Jonathan,” Fran snipes.

“That’s just not my name.”

“I don’t care.”

“Ok, guys, hey, not important right now. Emeline’s location hasn’t updated since Saturday, and we don’t know why. We’re trying to figure out where she could be, but we need you guys to help.”

“Especially since you guys are the only other option at this point,” Fran adds, a look of desperation on her face. 

“We’re supposed to be on a plane first thing in the morning to head off for a road trip.” 

“What is more important to you right now, hockey, or finding Emeline to make sure she’s ok?”

“Emeline,” Jeremy finally says, the first thing that was easy for him to admit. “Where are places she could be?”

“She really only goes to work and here if she can,” Maddy says.

“Ok, think about places that could mean something to her from when she was younger,” Jeremy says, finally opening the door to let everyone in. 

“She could be at BC. Alumni, Campion, or O’Neill,” Maddy lists off the field where they played and the buildings she spent the most time in.

“She’s from Manchester-by-the-Sea. She took us to the Singing Beach there when we went up to help her clean out the house,” Fran adds.

“Does Keelan have any ideas?” Johnny suggests.

“The jackass said, ‘she’ll probably turn up,’ Fran mocks, making her voice deeper to try to emulate Keelan. “I can’t believe she could be engaged to him.”

“Could be?” Jeremy asks.

“We have no idea if she said, ‘yes,’ or not. She dragged him out of the party before she answered him,” Maddy says. “She always told us if Keelan ever proposed, she wasn’t sure if she would have an answer for him, anyway.” 

“How the fuck have they been together for so long?” Fran asks, to no one.

“What do you mean?” Jeremy follows up. 

“Emeline never really had a great view on marriage, or really any opinion in general. Her grandfather died right before she was born, so she really never got a good look at her grandparents' marriage, and her parents were never married,” Maddy explains. “She had her dad and grandmother, and through no fault of their own, neither of them were able to show her what marriage is supposed to look like.” 

“I always wonder what would have happened if her mom had stayed around. What she would be thinking.”

“I think I know where she is,” Jeremy says, grabbing his keys and heading towards the door. “You guys can come or go look at the other places, but I’m pretty sure I know where to go.”

___________________________

Johnny complained the entire way to Wethersfield about not having any snacks or the ability to take a nap after practice. Fran yelled at him to shut up multiple times, saying that she could just knock him out if he really wanted to go to bed that badly. Maddy tried to calm both of them down by trying to reassure them they could get food once they found Emeline, and that violence couldn’t happen while they were driving. Jeremy tried to fight his way through traffic that somehow seemed to start as soon as they got into Connecticut, and didn’t end until they were off the highway.

“How are there this many people in this state with places to go?” Johnny grumbles. 

“Why are we here? Why would Emeline be here?” Maddy asks, the four of them getting out of the car. Jeremy had pulled into the first place on Main Street where they could legally park, a small brick building with a pizza place inside, really having no idea where they would even begin to look for her as they started walking in any direction. The ‘small town’ was a lot bigger than the four of them could reasonably cover. There was minimal chance of them even running into Emeline. But they had to try.

“Emeline’s mom lives here.”

Fran and Maddy both stop walking, Johnny’s eyes fixed on the pizza place they happened to pull in front of. “Her mom?”

“She told me the same night that Keelan broke up with her that before she started college she had found her mom on Facebook, and she lived in this town.”

“Keelan broke up with her?” Fran asks. “After he proposed to her?”

“No, that night we were up in Vermont.”

“Jesus Christ, what is going on?” Maddy worries, running her hand through her hair. John wraps his arm around her, pulling her in to kiss her on the side of her head to try to calm her, Jeremy and Fran both pointedly looking away from their friends.

“Emeline really does love you,” Fran tells him, staring at him as if she were studying him. “She never would have told Keelan anything that we didn’t know first.”

“So what’s the plan?” Maddy asks.

“Food,” Johnny says, dragging Maddy into Village Pizza. Maddy and Fran both scoff. “It’s right here!” he whines. “We have no plan, and wandering a town we aren't familiar with when I’m hungry, cranky, and have no idea what we’re doing is going to end poorly for all of us. I’m pretty sure there’s a river or some other body of water that isn’t far from here, and I’m not above throwing one of you in it.”

Jeremy looks at Johnny, shaking his head as he opens the door. “We spend way too much time with these girls.”

“And yet you love us anyway.” They sit down, order Johnny his pizza and try to think of anything, anywhere she could be. “There’s no beach here since we’re in the middle of the state, but could she be somewhere near the water? Something like she would be at back where she grew up?”

“There’s the Cove Park not far from here,” Maddy reads off her phone screen. “It’s literally right up the street so we can walk from here.”

“What about the local high school? You said she could be at Alumni Field at BC, so why not the fields there?” Johnny suggests through a mouthful of pizza, finally being useful now that he was being fed.

“It’s a mile and a half up the street,” Maddy tells them.

“Do we think we could find where her mom lives?” Fran suggests. “If she’s been finding her on Facebook, then we could at least get her last name and ask around.” Fran takes out her phone and pulls up the website. “Her mom’s name is Celine, I’m pretty sure.”

The four of them sit in silence, Fran and Maddy both at work trying to find Emeline’s mom while Johnny eats more than half the pizza by himself. Jeremy couldn’t think of anything else. What if she wasn’t at any of those places? What if she was somewhere else completely? Fran and Maddy had to also be sure she was here or else they wouldn’t have trusted him to lead them here. They knew Emeline better than he did, so if they thought he was right, it had to mean something. 

“Ah, we found her. Celine Greco.” Maddy turns the phone to show the boys, Jeremy leaning in much more. She looked just like Emeline; the same red hair and green eyes, her smile the exact same. Her nose and freckles she had to have gotten from her dad, but there was no question that Emeline was her daughter. 

“Ok, but how do we find her off of social media?” Johnny asks. 

“Can I get you guys anything else?” their waitress asks, startling all of them. 

“Actually, can we ask you a weird question?” Maddy starts, Jeremy already feeling panicked. “Do you know a woman by the name of Celine Greco?”

“Why?”

“She grew up with my mom,” Maddy lies, Jeremy impressed by how fast that came to her and how easy this seemed to be for her. “She always meant to reconnect with her after they lost touch when they were younger, but she passed away last month, and I wanted to meet her.” 

Jeremy sat there with his mouth hanging open, both the waitress and Maddy looking at each other with tears in their eyes. 

The waitress sniffles, “Oh, sweetie, I’m so sorry. Her son works here, actually, he should be here in about twenty minutes.” 

The waitress leaves after taking Johnny’s dessert order. “What? We need a reason to be here for at least twenty more minutes, and I’m still hungry.” 

“You just ate an entire pizza,” Fran says. 

“Your point?”

“I’m surprised that even worked,” Jeremy admits. “What are the chances that her brother works here?” It felt weird talking about Emeline having a brother, when her only family was her dad and her grandmother. She had a brother. Jeremy knew she actually had three brothers, and she probably met them already if she’s been here since Saturday or Sunday. 

“Incredibly slim and very improbable, but I guess anything’s possible,” Fran shrugs. They wait while Johnny keeps eating, their heads turning towards the door every time someone opens it. Finally, after what felt like hours in Jeremy’s head, they see a red-headed boy walking in. “Holy shit.”

“That’s definitely Emeline’s brother.” He couldn’t have been older than 16, but he looked almost identical to Emeline. They watched as their waitress talked to him, the boy looking over at their table, clearly confused.

“Marley said you guys know my mom?”

“Um, yeah,” Jeremy says. “Well, of her.” 

“Our moms knew each other when they were younger. They were apparently best friends growing up,” Maddy continues her lie from earlier. “They lost touch, and I wanted to reconnect, learn what she was like. What they were like together.”

The boy nods, clearly unsure of the situation. Jeremey was sure he could tell they were lying. “You two actually do look familiar,” he says, talking to Maddy and Fran. “You played lacrosse at Boston College? On the team that won the championship a few years ago?” 

The girls look at each other, their turn to have confused expressions as the waitress reappeared with Johnny’s chocolate cake. “Yeah, we were. You follow women’s lacrosse?”

“No, actually, my mom did. But only your team and only for four years. She took us to a few games when you guys were playing, she followed your class specifically, but never told us why. She never played lacrosse, she didn’t go to Boston College, I don’t play and neither of my brothers play, so I don’t know why she was so locked in on that team. There was one girl that was her favorite, though. Her name was Emily, or something. I don’t remember, but I think mom just liked her because she had the red hair and green eyes like we do. Dad used to tease her that it looked like that girl could be her daughter, or something.” 

Jeremy felt his heart breaking. All these years, Emeline thought her mom didn’t care about her. She was at her games in college. She was watching her win the championship, and she was bringing her brothers to her games without them knowing. Why didn’t her mom reach out to her? Why hasn’t she said anything in twenty five years?

“Does she still follow lacrosse?” Jeremy asks.

The boy shrugs, “This random high school team up in Boston. Again, I’m not sure why she’s so locked in on them, but, moms, right?” They hear someone from the back call for Oliver, the boy turning and telling them he’ll be right there. “Mom said she was meeting someone from work for dinner tonight. I think she said she was meeting them at Puerta Vallarta, this Mexican place one of our neighbors owns in the next town. You can try to catch her there, I guess.”

“Thanks, Oliver,” Jeremy says, ready to slap money down on the table and run out of the building to go find her.

“Hey, by the way, the police chief is our neighbor. He’s a bastard, but still don’t try anything, please,” he calls to them, running back to the kitchen to start bringing out food to the other guests. 

“He just gave us a weird amount of information, right?” Johnny asks, spraying Fran’s vicinity with chocolate cake, Jeremy putting his arm over her to refrain her from jumping over the table.

“I really don’t get how Emeline teaches children,” Fran adds, grabbing a napkin and wiping down the table, throwing it across the table at Johnny. “You need to hurry up and finish if we have any chance of finding her.”

“The restaurant is a ten minute drive,” Jeremy says, shaking his leg with anxiety as he pulls up the directions on his phone. 

Johnny eats the rest of the cake in a sickening speed, the four of them slapping down way more money than they probably needed to, running out of the restaurant before even getting the check. It was probably the closest thing to illegal they had done on this trip. 

“Do we think that she’s really there with her mom?” Maddy asks, getting in the car.

“It’s worth a try,” Jeremy says, peeling out of the space and down the street. They might actually find Emeline.

[xiaosonlybeloved]

Arguments- Ayato

featuring:- Kamisato Ayato, fem!Y/N warnings:- angst, fluff, a small argument a/n:- and this, is my birthday gift to @kazuuaki , happy birthday bestie! <3 Enjoy your day! (Was originally gonna make this a breakup but changed my mind~) It's short, I know- but it's all i managed to do

masterlist

“You should take a break, ‘Yato. You’ve been working for hours nonstop.” You said, concerned about your boyfriend. He seemed like he’d had enough, the expression on his face anything but pleasant. Wanting him to unwind for a bit, you suggested, “Maybe we could go for a short walk along the beach? That would surely freshen you up a bit.” 

“Get out.” he said coldly, eyes never leaving the countless papers scattered around his desk. “You’re disturbing me. These papers have to reach the Shogun by nightfall, I don’t have to time to rest, and you’re suggesting a walk? Idiot. Can you not see how busy I am?” He hadn’t had a break in ages, was completely sleep deprived (like me), big bags under his eyes and incredibly pissed off in general, increasing your worry for him. You tried again. “‘Yato, that’s why I’m saying you should relax for a bit. Some fresh air would do you good, you’re very agitated right now.” “Of course I am!” He snapped, slamming his hands on his cluttered desk as he stood to look at you. “You’ve been such a nuisance recently, you know that? Always nagging me, ‘Yato do this, ‘Yato do that. Can’t you take a hint and leave me alone?”

He missed the hurt that flashed in your eyes as you swiveled around. “Alright, Ayato, I’ll leave you alone.” You immediately left and banged the door shut behind you. And leave him alone you certainly did.

~⟬◍⟭~

It was early dawn, and the cold grey light filtered through the windows of Ayato’s dark office. He’d been there the entire night, and had just managed to dispatch that set of papers to Inazuma City. Leaning back in his chair, he thought of how you’d scold him for his unhealthy habits, before he remembered the way he’d snapped at you, and the hurtful things he’d said. Shit, he didn’t mean any of that, if anything, it touched him how you always looked out for him. He really owed you an apology, big time. He walked out of the office for the first time since yesterday’s lunch, and went straight to your quarters, knocking on the door. “Love, are you there? Can I talk to you?” He received no response. “Love?” He tried again.

Just then Thoma passed by, confused on seeing Ayato knocking fruitlessly on your door. “Milord, [Y/N] isn’t here. I believe she mentioned yesterday night that she was going out for a bit, somewhere around Watatsumi Island? It was weird, but she was also acting weird so I let her be. She also added that she had some urgent business there.”

 “Oh..” Ayato murmured. “Alright.” But his heart did not calm down, the bad feeling in the pit of his stomach increasing. You two were dating. Surely you’d come back, right? Right?

~⟬◍⟭~

Wrong. It had been days, yet you still hadn’t returned. Ayato grew more and more worried with every passing hour. Were you safe? You hadn’t been ambushed or anything, had you? Were you upset? Were you angry with him? Had he really messed up that bad? Surely he didnt… 

A week passed, and Ayato couldn’t take it anymore. He handed over the duties of the Yashiro Commission to Ayaka for a while, and set off for Watatsumi Island on a waverider in the dead of night. It took him an entire day to reach there, frantically searching for his beloved along the way. The moment he docked on the shores of Watatsumi Island, he immediately started searching around for your whereabouts, not even caring about hunger or thirst. Fear was the only thing he felt, a fear of you leaving him. The soldiers looked so confused on seeing the Yashiro Commissioner running around, but did not question it. One helpful recruit told him that she was wandering near the Sangonomiya Shrine, and off he was. 

“[Y/N]!” He exclaimed, on finally, finally, catching sight of you sitting beneath a tree, a butterfly perched on your finger. The loud sound he made startled away the butterfly, and you looked up at him, before getting up and walking away without a word. “[Y/N], wait please, can I talk to you, please?” He pleaded, catching up to you. You merely shook off his hand and continued walking. “Why are you here, Kamisato Ayato.” You said coldly. “Your wish was for me to leave you alone, and I did that. Why are you following me then?” “[Y/N], I messed up, I know, can you please hear me out? I never meant any of that, I really didn’t, I swear. I was just really anxious and irritated and worried, and I let it out on you. I swear, I’ve been regretting it with every fibre of my being. I love you, you know that, I love you so much, you can never be a nuisance to me, in fact, you’re my saving grace. If I could take back everything I said, if I could turn back time, I would. [Y/N], please, could you forgive me? Please come back to me? I can’t live without you…”

Your eyes involuntarily softened as you stepped back a bit to observe him. He seemed even more tired and upset than the last time you’d seen him, if that was even possible. But this time, there was desperation painted on his features. “Ayato, you really hurt me, you know that right? I was worried for you, all I was trying to do was help you out. So when you snapped at me, I felt really terrible.” You told him quietly. He instantly said, “I know, I realised that. You have no idea how much I appreciate you always looking out for me. I never ever wanted to hurt you. I’m sorry… I’m really, really sorry [Y/N].” He whispered.

You sighed, extending your arms, hugging him tightly. “Come here, ‘Yato.” , and his heart nearly burst on hearing that nickname again after more than a week. He buried his face in your neck, relishing that warm and soft embrace of yours after so long. You gently ran your hands through his hair. “Apology accepted. But you better not do it again, or else-” “I won’t.” He quickly said. “Did I tell you how much I love that nickname?”

You returned with him to the Yashiro Estate, and ever since then, Ayato had been so much sweeter, always minding his words, and spoiling you rotten, despite your protests. But you accepted it, happy to be with your caring boyfriend again.

hehe kazu, i hoped you liked it, even tho its not much :)

[kindnessisweakness2]

11

The next morning Emily drove her truck into Teller Morrow. Clutching the warm coffee in her hand she rolled her eyes at Cara for the millionth time that morning. "Im sorry Em! We didnt mean to keep you awake." Emily nodded at her best friend as she slumped back in the seat. She was grumpy in the morning. Especially since she had no sleep last night from Juice and Cara's long goodbye, if thats what you want to call it. 5am they finally quit it. It didnt matter how many times Emily banged on the wall, screamed at them to shut up or shoved a pillow over her head. Nothing could drown out Cara's loud Moans. "Im gonna miss him so bad." Emily groaned as she faceplanted her steering wheel. "Cara i love you. But please get out and give me five minutes peace." Emily didnt lift her head but she knew from the sound of the door opening and shutting, she left. God she could just fall asleep right there.

Not even 2 minutes later a knock on the window made her jump out of her skin, almost spilling hot coffee over her lap. Looking up she saw a smiling Jax. His face pressed against the window in a funny expression, nose squished. She couldnt help but smile at him. Shaking her head she rolled down the window. His face returned to normal as he threw his arms on the roof of her car and leaned in. He only wore a white t-shirt, his leather and a pair of jeans. Her breath hitched in her throat as she watched the muscles in his arms flex and his shirt rise to show his hips. The delicious V she would love to run her lips over. "Morning Darlin'" She smiled wide at him as she leaned back taking a sip of her coffee. "I heard Juice kept you up all night. Do you want me to put a stop to him coming over?" The look on his face told her he was serious. "No! its fine, honestly. Cara would never forgive me. She really likes him. I just need to start booking a hotel so i can escape the fuck fest and actually sleep." Emily rubbed her dry eyes, she knew she looked awful. Black tracksuit bottoms, a white cropped vest and a black zip up hoodie covered her body. Her hair was down and straight and not one bit of make up covered her face. She didnt really care what she looked like when she got dressed this morning, pulling anything on. Now she kicked herself for it. Here he was looking like a God even in simple clothes and she looked like a tramp. "Nah you wont need a hotel darlin. You can always stay at mine when you wanna get away." Emily could feel herself going red, but before she could say anything Jax pulled her car door open. "Come on, moms made breakfast." Jax threw his arm around her shoulder as she got out of the car. They made their way into the clubhouse under the watchful eyes of many.

Emily couldnt wipe the smile off her face when she was greeted by the guys. Hugs from Opie and Chibs, high five from Happy and even a nod from Clay and Bobby who were deep in convosation. Jax couldnt wipe the grin off of his face either. He loved how the guys liked her already, how nice she was for them. Made him like her even more. Jax pulled out a seat for her at the table where the guys sat and disappeared into the kitchen where his mom was. Emily winked at Cara who was currently sat on one of the many sofas on Juice's lap, giggling as his hands wandered up the back of her shirt. God these next few days Cara is going to be miserable without him. Seriously good sex with Juice had her falling in love already and it had Emily worried. Cara being here was only meant to be temporary. She didnt want either of them hurt. "Here you go Pocket." Jax placed a massive plate down infront of her with a fresh cup of coffee. Sitting down next to her he stole bacon from her place and flashed her a toothy grin. "Fuck how hungry do you think i am?" Emily shook her head before stabbing at the scrambled egg with a fork. "Its for us to share. I've got a long ride ahead." Jax kissed the side of her head before sipping her coffee and handing it to her. Emily's stomach felt like it wanted to burst, releasing all the butterflies he made swirl. Fuck. He knew what he was doing to her. He had to.

20 minutes later, Clay moved to the door of the clubhouse shouting that they were to leave in 15 minutes. That cut the laughter across the clubhouse short. Emily couldnt help the smile dropping from her face. Jax squeezed her thigh trying to offer some comfort. Standing up he threw his arm around her shoulders as he always did and lead her outside to his bike. All the families started to gather outside to say goodbye to their men. "So how long are you away for?" Emily asked as Jax let her perch on the seat of his bike. He lit a cigarette leaning back against the railing behind him. Emily couldnt help but think about how attractive he looked when he was smoking. The way his perfect lips would wrap around the filter and form a perfect O to blow out the smoke. "Shouldnt be no more than 3 days." She nodded and smiled at him softly. "Nice friendly visit, yeah?" She looked at him dead in the eyes as he froze. She didnt know where she got the confidence to ask but she would be a liar if she said she wasnt worried for their safety. Emily wasnt stupid. There'd be no need for such a big club presence if they werent expecting trouble. Emily stood from the bike at the sight of Clay and Gemma walking their way. "Ready VP?" That seemed to shock Jax out of his frozen state. Nodding at Clay he threw the cigarette on the floor, crushing it beneath his pristine Nike trainers. Emily looked down the row of bikers kissing and loving their families as if it was the last time they'd see them. Her stomach dropped at the thought of something bad happening to Jax. She felt stupid, He wasnt hers to worry about. Spotting Cara's long brown hair at the bottom of the row as she hung over a smiling Juice, kissing the life out of her. She worried about Juice too. All of them even. Cara would never get over it if anything happened to Juice and she'd grown to really like the rest of the guys. Her and Happy's talks about Ink, Opie and Chibs love for her food that made her feel good, Halfsacks innocent but puppy like manner as he often put his foot in his mouth, but did as he was told. She hadn't had much interaction with Bobby, Piney and Clay, but maybe that was for the best. She had brought trouble to their door on more than one occasion because of Noah and her temper. They probably werent as forgiving as the younger members of the club.

Feeling Jax move beside her she stepped out of the way allowing him to straddle his bike. She watched him as he clipped his helmet and started his bike. The sound made her wince. There was nothing like the sound of a Harley. Leaning down so he would be able to hear her over the rumble, Emily moved her hand to cover his. "i dont know what's going down in Nevada. But what i do know is I need you to come back in one piece." Pressing a soft kiss to his cheek, Emily tried to savour the moment. Just incase something did go wrong. Which she hoped to god it wouldnt. "Ride safe, Teller" were the last words she could manage before her throat got thick and the familiar sting started in her eyes. With one last squeeze of his hand, Emily moved to stand with the rest of the women and children who were waiving their men off.

And with one last look in those baby blues, the men disappeared from the lot.

************************************************************************

Here is another part loves!

I really hope you enjoy. As always please let me know what you think and where you would like this to go!

Love all messages and comments!

[honeeysagee]

Come In With The Rain

Sam W. x Bucky B. AU: where Sam is a cafe owner in Delacroix and a new mechanic, Bucky, blows into town.

For the first time that summer, it rained. And not just a gentle drizzle, but a full-on downpour. The sky hung low and gray, and the air was thick and muggy as if you had been standing under a dense canopy for hours. The scent of wet earth and damp trees filled the air, with water still dripping from the branches, making the humidity cling to your skin.

For Sam Wilson, the rain signaled a slow day at the shop, but it hardly deterred him. There were plenty of tasks awaiting his attention in the back. One project, in particular, caught his eye: the small battery-powered car he had promised to fix for his nephews, AJ and Cass. It had been months since he made that promise, and today, with the rain pouring down outside, he finally had the time.

For AJ and Cass, the rain meant a monotonous day at the shop, confined to their uncle’s watchful gaze.

As Sam tinkered with his toolbox, occasionally glancing at the shop’s door in anticipation of the bell's chime, he decided to focus on the car. He would look over at his nephews now and then, catching their admiring gazes before they quickly returned to their homework, pretending to be studious. Sam chuckled softly.

The rain drummed on the roof, creating a steady, soothing rhythm. Sam glanced out the window, watching the heavy drops splatter against the road, turning it into a shimmering, reflective surface. A few cars braved the weather, but most remained parked under the awning across the street, seeking shelter from the deluge. Sam flipped on the coffee machine and lit a fire for the boys to keep them warm.

After dusting off his hands, Sam stretched and groaned, then turned to his nephews. "Grilled cheese and soup?" he asked. Both boys perked up instantly. Sam smiled down at them, his grin widening as he led them to the kitchen, memories of his childhood flooding back.

Sam had been around 15 when his father owned the café. He spent countless afternoons and weekends there, working alongside his dad. He'd wander the kitchen with a grilled cheese sandwich in one hand and a hammer in the other. While his father managed the café, Sam busied himself in the back, fixing anything he could get his hands on. That same passion still drives him today, and he often felt his father's guiding hand on his shoulder whenever he cooked or repaired something.

Now, those days are just lingering in the back of his mind. But, they aren't forgotten. Not by a long shot.

"Mom is cooking fish tonight if you want to come over," AJ stated as he pulled bread from a cabinet. Sarah had mentioned it when she dropped the boys off, but Sam told her no. He figured he would be too tired from work today, but the storm came. He shrugged, "I don't know, buddy. How about I come over tomorrow?" AJ frowned, and Sam added, "Plus, tomorrow is the big game. Saints versus Cowboys. Don't we have a bet going on?" AJ brightened considerably at this prospect, "Don't you mean the bet that you're going to lose."

Sam rolled his eyes affectionately. After minutes, the food was ready, and the boys were back in their original seats. They ate in companionable silence while their uncle fiddled with his tools.

Then, the door of the shop was pushed open. The sound drew Sam's attention away from the engine in front of him, and he looked up to see a soaking wet man walking through the door. His clothes clung to his body, and his hair clung to his forehead, sticking straight up like porcupine quills. He looked miserable. Sam almost laughed.

Almost.

He had seen more than his fair share of grumpy customers - ones that didn’t take nicely to his jokes or helping hands. So, instead of asking how the weather was, he asked, “Welcome to the Wilson’s Café.” Sam stood again, his bones growing tired. “Looks like you need help.”

The stranger looked upwards - his eyes matching the clouds of the storm. Rainwater trickled down his sharp features, clinging to his long, dark hair that hung in wet strands around his face. His leather jacket, soaked through, clung to his broad shoulders, giving him a rugged, almost forlorn appearance. As he stepped into the warmth of the cafe, water dripped from his jeans and boots, pooling slightly on the floor. He ran a gloved hand through his hair, attempting to push it back but only managing to slick it further. Despite his bedraggled state, there was a quiet intensity in his steel-blue eyes that captured Sam's attention from behind the table.

"Um," His voice matched everything about him, "Just needed to come in from the rain."

Sam nodded, "You got it," he replied. He gestured to a nearby stool that was stationed by the fireplace, "Would you like some tea? It's very hot." The man eyed the stool warily. Sam added, "First drink on the house."

"You're lucky. We never get our drinks on the house." Cass threw the statement to the stranger, which made Sam roll his eyes. "How do you like your tea?" he asked pointedly. The stranger glanced up at the menu that hung over Sam's head. His eyes shifted left to right before looking back at Sam. "Earl Grey. Medium sugar. Thanks."

The man was short with Sam, which made him push his eyebrows together in confusion. He was new here definitely, he thought to himself. New to the area, anyway. Sam fixed the tea with ease - an order he frequently made for himself on days like this. Then, he marched the warm cup to the man with a leftover grilled cheese.

"On the house too." Sam mumbled. The man grunted and took the mug wordlessly, holding it close to his chest. "Thanks."

Sam returned to his work as the boys focused less on their food and homework and more on the silent stranger who was staring into the fire. Sam would occasionally make a face at the boys which would cause them to turn away but never for too long. As the silence grew so did his frustration with the engine of the small car.

"So, why do you look like that?" AJ asked.

"AJ!" Sam called out. When AJ merely raised his eyebrows innocently, Sam shook his head and sighed. "It's rude to ask strangers stuff like that."

AJ nodded seriously in agreement. "Sorry, sir."

Sam sighed and shook his head, "Okay, you know the drill. Dishes in the sink, and head upstairs," He helped them place their things into a backpack, "No fighting. No biting, and no,"

"Crying." The boys finished in unison. Sam only nodded and patted them on their heads. After they left the room, Sam fixed himself a cup of coffee and headed to the man. "I apologize my nephews. They kind of just speak their minds whenever they want."

The man nodded silently. His eyes trailed over the tools littering the floor with the car - the hammer, the wrench, the pliers. His head nodded to them, "You fix toys?"

Sam shook his head, "Not usually, but I made that thing for the boys, and it doesn't work." He pointed to the engine. "I tried everything that I can think of, but nothing seems to be able to work. And my nephews are getting restless just spending their evenings on homework," he joked, trying to make light of the situation. The man smiled wryly and Sam wondered what had caused such a sour expression. "What makes it tick?" The man asked.

"The engine's busted. Doesn't turn on."

He hummed, then, he stood from the stool. "May I?" He asked, picking up a tool.

Sam was his opportunity. "I usually don't let people touch my tools unless I get their name." The man raised his eyebrows as he began to unscrew the panel covering the engine compartment, revealing the wiring beneath. "It's James," he began, a sly smile playing upon his lips, "But, everyone calls me Bucky." Sam watched as the man slid his fingers inside the wires - his interest peaked by the minute.

"I'm Sam."

Bucky looked up. "It's nice to meet you, Sam." He said sincerely, his voice echoing throughout the cafe. Once the last of the wires was removed, Bucky settled to the floor. His dark blue eyes met Sam's brown ones. "You can ask me."

He had read Sam's face; and saw that he wanted to know more about this stranger who blew into the cafe and started fixing the engine on a fake car. Sam nodded and leaned against the counter. "It's not often we get newcomers. Are you new in town or just passing through?" He asked, curious but cautious nonetheless. He was known to pry too much too soon. So, he kept his distance and just tried to make small talk.

"Not sure yet."

Sam watched as Bucky worked, his deft fingers maneuvering through the tangled wires with ease. It was clear that Bucky had experience with mechanical work, his movements precise and confident. The rain continued to beat against the windows, a constant rhythm that seemed to match the methodical movements of Bucky’s hands.

"You're good at this," Sam remarked, unable to hide his curiosity. Bucky glanced up, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Spent a lot of time fixing things," he said simply, returning his attention to the engine. Sam studied the man closely; his gaze trailing along Bucky’s body, examining every curve, every freckle. Even though it wasn’t obvious from where he was seated, Sam could tell that Bucky was built like a brick house. Strong, sturdy arms, strong thighs, strong calves… Sam’s eyes lingered longer on Bucky’s waist. A little more defined abs than Sam was used to seeing.

Bucky noticed Sam watching him and cleared his throat awkwardly, pulling Sam from his thoughts. He coughed and sat forward on the stool he was perched upon, placing his hands on the countertop in front of him, "Your wiring was wrong. Common mistake."

"Thanks," Sam stated. "Think it will drive now?"

Bucky shrugged, "Maybe, if you get a new battery too. Dead ones don't make the car go."

Sam raised his eyebrows and grabbed his coffee mug. The coffee ran cold by now. Time seemed to speed by when he watched Bucky work. "Pas besoin d'être un connard." Sam whispered to himself softly. His gaze flickered over Bucky once again, who was chuckling into his cup.

"No need to be an asshole."

"French?" He asked, raising one brow. "Je ne voulais pas te contrarier. Pardonne-moi."

"I didn't want to upset you. Please forgive me."

Sam snorted quietly, the corners of his eyes crinkling with amusement. "You're forgiven." He lifted the mug and placed it on the counter with more force than necessary. "So, what brought you to Delacroix, Bucky?" His name tasted like honey in his mouth.

"I couldn't spend another night in the truck, so I decided to stretch my legs, and then, the storm caught me." His words were soft, barely audible as a slight shiver racked his entire being. "Not to mention, I saw the help wanted sign outside the shop," He cleared his throat, "I'm terrible at coffee, but I'm good with my hands."

Sam glanced down at them, which was covered by dark leather gloves. Sam nodded slowly. "Yeah," His tone was soft, "I noticed. I mean. it would be nice to have some help. I have a lot of projects back there that need to be finished," He leaned on the corner, "But, I still need to give you the interview. Can't just have anyone in my shop."

Bucky nodded, but Sam could see his mind was elsewhere with that statement. Sam was known for prying more than he should, offending people where he shouldn't, and he enjoyed it for the most part. He liked to watch people tick and wanted to know how to make them do so, but his mind had already decided that Bucky would not be one of those people - if he could help it. He started easy.

"Where are you from?" A simple question that made Bucky's face twitch. "Originally from Brooklyn. Moved around a lot." His eyes flickered towards him as if he were searching Sam's. "La maison est partout si vous la cherchez. My mother's saying."

"Home is everywhere if you are looking for it."

"Well, have you found it?" Sam whispered like a secret between them was about to be shared. Bucky matched his energy, "Not yet, but I'm not looking for it." Sam hummed as he thought.

"How soon can you start?" The sentence floated between the both of them, as they exchanged glances for several seconds before Sam pulled his bottom lip in between his teeth. Bucky smiled, showing his perfect teeth, and Sam swallowed - taking note that the man before him had no flaws.

"Tomorrow would be great."

"Good," Sam muttered. "We need a new face around here," His eyes flitted up to meet the man, a small smirk tugging at his lips. Then, he glanced over at the shop's window, realizing the rain had stopped. He quickly wiped his hands on his jeans, then stood from the counter. "I have to get the boys over to my sister's place. I can show you around," Sam offered, "If you're up for it."

Bucky smiled softly. "That sounds like fun." The grin on his lips grew wider, "Lead the way." Sam walked to the wall opposite of them and let his knuckles rap the wood in four hard taps. Suddenly, a door from upstairs came bursting open with the patterns of small footsteps following. His nephews were down the stairs, huffing and puffing.

"Who's ready to see Ma?" He grinned, his nephews answering in unison with enthusiastic yeses.

With a laugh, he stepped aside. "This is Bucky. He’ll be helping me with repairs for now. So, you have to treat him nice, alright?" The two children nodded solemnly as Bucky stood awkwardly next to their bubbling energy. It almost reminded him of his sister back home. His heart ached for a moment before he was pulled back into the moment by Sam speaking to him, "Are you ready to meet Delacroix?"

Bucky nodded. "Of course." He followed him as Sam opened the front door. The streets glistened under the soft glow of the streetlamps, their reflection in the puddles creating a mirror image of the world above.

The air was cool and fresh, with a crispness that only a day-long rain could bring. Bucky pulled his jacket tighter around him, feeling the gentle embrace of the damp, clean air. He looked around, taking in the quaint charm of the town. The buildings were a mix of old and new, their brick and wood facades adorned with ivy and flower boxes that overflowed with vibrant blooms, glistening with raindrops.

Bucky felt a sense of ease washing over him. Sam turned to Bucky with a smile. "Thanks for walking with us. It's nice to have some company."

Bucky nodded, appreciating the kindness. "Thanks for the tea and grilled cheese. It was just what I needed." Sam chuckled. "Anytime. And about that job—we'll talk more tomorrow. Get settled in tonight."

Bucky nodded again, feeling a sense of anticipation for the days ahead. "Sounds good."

The evening was calm, the air fresh after the rain. Sam looked at Bucky, seeing a potential friend and ally. "You know, this place could use someone like you. Maybe you'll find what you're looking for here."

Bucky met his gaze, a small smile forming on his lips. "I hope so, Sam. I really do." They shared smiles. Sam could almost feel something else lingering underneath the surface of the smile that rested on Bucky's features, but it wasn't exactly clear. He looked back towards, noticing the lights flickering slightly against the raindrops. Somewhere in the air, Sam swore he could feel it that day, there was hope of something beautiful blooming.

[starwarsmum]

Day 6 is Meet Fail! Continuation of The Adventures of Lady Grey

@maribatserver

https://archiveofourown.org/works/62720593/chapters/160857310

“And you're sure you didn't get anything else about who she is and where she comes from?” Bruce frowned, looking down at Dick.

“I'm sure! Jesus, B, give me a little credit here,” he said, annoyed. At seventeen, he thought that Bruce would trust him at least a little, but it was like he found fault in everything. “And I really think she didn't want to hurt me.”

“She fired a gun at you,” Bruce said flatly. And…sure, if you wanted to get technical, she had aimed a gun in his general direction and told him to move. But they really weren't that far apart so the fact that she had missed must have meant she wasn't trying to hurt him.

“Agree to disagree,” Dick muttered at last, ignoring the exasperated sigh that followed. 

“Chum, I know you feel a little-”

“You have no idea what I'm feeling, so let's not have this conversation,” Dick interrupted, anger bubbling under his skin. “You know what, I need to get some sleep before school tomorrow so we're done with this ‘debrief’. Night, B.”

Once he was out of the cave he headed straight for his room.

_ _ _

The next day he was still in a foul mood and was glad Bruce usually slept in late. He gave Alfred a smile and told him he didn't need to pick him up from school because he was going to be working on a project with some classmates. He was lying through his teeth but he needed some space from all of the suffocating oversight.

He did end up heading to the library, if only so that if Bruce checked up on him he would be somewhere that would be hard to question. But he was bored and pulling random books off of shelves, wandering through the stacks, when he literally bumped into someone.

“Aw, jeez, I'm so sorry,” he said, holding a hand out to the person. Only to find himself face to face with a girl, probably around his age, that had the bluest eyes he'd ever seen. He wasn't sure if his mouth was hanging open but he definitely felt kind of dumbstruck. “Uh, are you alright?”

“I'm fine!” She said, and her voice was an adorable squeak. She was clearly flustered and he felt bad for knocking her off her feet. She brandished a small slip of paper like it explained everything. “Just looking for a book.”

“Do you need some help?” He asked quickly. He didn't know what it was about this girl but he absolutely did not want to let her go too soon.

“Oh, I couldn't possibly-”

“It's really not a problem!” Dick said eagerly, looking at the slip of paper she had clenched in her hand. So what if he didn't really understand how the Dewey decimal system worked? He had a lady in distress and what kind of hero - sorry, vigilante - didn't stop to help pretty girls? Er, civilians. “Give me ten minutes and I'll meet you back here.”

He raced off before she could say anything, hoping he could find it before her.

_ _ _

Marinette had slept in, completely unintentionally, and she cursed herself for it. She'd planned to slip into the library during the early opening hours so she wouldn't be so easily noticed but that plan was shot now. Instead, she was forced to wait until the end of school hours so she wouldn't get a truancy officer called on her.

And then, during her visit, her clumsy tendencies returned with a vengeance and she managed to crash into maybe the only other person in the library except for the staff. Worse, it was a hot guy. She still hadn't quite mastered the art of being chill around anyone she was attracted to so she got stuck with his promise to help her look for a book on historical artefacts.

A yelp and the sound of heavy thuds filled the library and Marinette pursed her lips. Her hero days were over dammit, why should she help this guy? The book she had been looking for was tucked firmly under her arm, having found it almost immediately after the boy had vanished.

The internal war lasted less than ten seconds. Regardless of who she was now as Lady Grey, she was helpful at heart. And if he had gotten into a situation and hurt himself, regardless of if she had asked for help or not, she was going to check it out.

When she turned into the aisle she thought the noise had come from, she was momentarily stunned. He had managed to pull a shelf out of a bookcase, the books all coming down to land on him. He was groaning, a little pathetically if she was honest, and she had to bite her lip to stop a giggle escaping.

“Need a little help?” She asked, starting to pull books off of him and then offering her hand to help him off the floor. He was bright red and the giggle finally escaped. She couldn't help it, but his face flushed even redder and he hid behind his hands.

“Thanks,” he said with an embarrassed smile, grabbing a pile of books and starting to shove them haphazardly back onto the bookcase. She put a hand on his arm to stop him and he stared down at her.

“You can't just shove them anywhere, there's a system,” she whispered. She checked the spines of the books above and below the mostly empty shelf and set aside the book she needed for a minute. “Okay, I'm going to reorganise them, you're going to be my muscle and get them away in the order I say, okay?”

It was quick work with them tackling it together and before long the shelf was back to its correct state. Somehow the boy hadn't gotten any less red and when she picked her book back up he gave a groan.

“I didn't help at all, did I?” He said with a small pout. She clamped her lips shut to keep a laugh in and shook her head vigorously. “Man, that was a fail. I don't suppose I get any points for trying?”

“Given I didn't ask for help? Not really. But hey, at least you're still pretty,” she said without really thinking. And then he was grinning cockily and she was the one blushing. “Um, anyway, I got the book I need so I'm just going to…”

“Maybe I can walk you home?” He asked, and it was impossible not to hear the eager hope in his voice. 

“I'm actually planning on sitting down and doing my reading here,” she said uneasily, partially because she was planning on stealing the book and partially because she could not let this cute guy see where she lived. It didn't seem to dampen his enthusiasm at all, unfortunately.

“Well, I don't have any plans, maybe I could-” 

She was saved by his phone lighting up and ringing too loudly to be appropriate in a library. He swore softly, looking embarrassed again before picking it up. She tried not to look too interested in his conversation but she was kind of curious.

“Hi Bruce…no, I’m just at the library…well I thought I could get my homework done here-” he was cut off by a deep voice on the other end and she could see frustration plainly on his face. “Well why do I have to- fine! Fine, tell Alf I'll be at the library until he gets here.”

“I'm guessing you have to get home?” She said sympathetically. He huffed and nodded, glaring down at a rather nice handset. It surprised her, though she couldn't put her finger on why. Maybe it was because, in her experience, boys that came from money didn't do things as improper as scale bookshelves. “Thanks for trying to help me, even if it went sort of wrong.”

“I failed hard,” he agreed glumly. They stood quietly for another minute or two before his phone rang again and he sighed. “I guess he knew where I was already. That's my ride, so…”

“See you around, maybe,” Marinette said softly, feeling a little bad when he deflated. But apparently he decided that his dignity was already shredded so it didn't matter if he looked a little desperate because he picked up her hand and pulled a Sharpie out of his bag. 

“If you ever need someone who wants to help but will probably be more of a hindrance, that's my number.”

She nodded dumbly, trying not to blush at the unexpected closeness to another person her age. Especially one as cute as this guy. She had no intention of calling him, ever, if only because she only had a cheap burner phone that she used for her work. But he didn't need to know that so she gave him a little wave when he turned back to look at her from the doors.

[asirensrage]

Title: Late Night Discoveries Rating: T POV: Billy Warnings: Swearing. PTSD. Summary: Takes place in Chapter 50 of Tammy Thompson Takes on the Upside Down. Billy is having trouble sleeping and goes for a drive...

He’s been dreaming of this. These woods. They’ve been haunting him and he woke up from the nightmare, halfway getting dressed before he even realized he was moving. He can’t stop though. Not until he finds out what the fuck is going on. He hasn’t felt right in days. 

The forest is fucking creepy. It doesn’t help that the moon is barely half full and he’s wandering around with a flashlight. It’s straight out of a Stephen King book. He always thought those suckers had it coming, but the joke is on him now. 

Fuck. This is a fucking stupid idea but he keeps moving forward. He can’t stop. It feels like something is drawing him in, calling him even though the entire area is silent. Even the animals fucked off and left him. He should have called someone. Not that he knows anyone but still, maybe Kate at least. She had his back. When he wasn’t being an asshole. 

Something snaps to his left and he whirls on it, aiming the flashlight in the dark. “Come on out, dipshit!” he calls, sounding way more confident than he feels. He should have stayed in Cali, gone into acting or some shit. He’s good at faking confidence. He’s good at faking a lot of things. 

Nothing responds. 

“Fuck this,” he mutters. He grabs his pack of cigarettes and pulls one out. Something to calm his fucking nerves since he’s wandering the woods in the middle of the night. He tucks the pack back in his jacket pocket before grabbing his Zippo and lighting it. 

He turns back towards the car, despite something demanding he stays where he is. He doesn’t need this shit. He needs to get some decent fucking sleep so he doesn’t actually scare off the women at the pool. Not that it would deter them. He looks better than the rest of the men in this shit town. 

He points the flashlight the way he came and nearly jumps out of his skin. Someone is standing there. He drops the cigarette. “Fuck!”

He brushes it off his coat and stamps it out before getting ready to fight the figure if he has to. He can take them. 

Billy shines the flashlight up, half expecting the image to be gone like his nightmares, but it’s still there. 

It’s staring at the ground where he stomped out the cigarette. It looks human, even though he can’t really make out their features. 

“Who the fuck are you? What are you doing in the woods?” 

They look up at him, squinting in the light. They’re covered in filth. Smells worse too he realizes now that the complete shock has waned. Their head tilts slightly and he can see their mouth move. 

“What?” 

“B–” It’s a woman’s voice. What the fuck is a woman doing out here? What the hell happened to her? He can practically hear Kate’s voice in his head, telling him to at least see if she’s okay. 

“You alright? What the fuck you doing out here?”

“Ba-”

“Alright, B,” he says. “You hurt?  Lost?”

She doesn’t answer, just watches him carefully even as her eyes dart around them like she’s expecting something to jump out at them. Well, fuck that. He’s had enough surprises.

“Come on, my car’s this way.” He moves towards the way he originally came. She doesn’t. “I’m not gonna fucking hurt you,” he says. Not like he’d even want to touch her when she looks like that. “We’ll get you a ride, a snack…some clean clothes or something.” He had a blanket in the trunk. Usually, it’s for hooking up in the back seat to protect his seats but whatever, he can adjust. 

She still doesn’t move. 

Billy sighs, mentally hearing Kate remind him that people need different things, and he offers her his hand. “Come on, B.”

She looks at him before reaching out slowly. When she finally touches his hand, it’s slow and soft until she suddenly grips it tight like she’s trying to break it. 

“Jesus,” he mutters. He doesn’t comment though. It reminds him a bit of Max when they first met, before the shit really rained down on them. “Alright, let’s go.” 

It takes a bit to actually find the way to the road. He’s sure as shit lucky that he didn’t get himself more lost in these woods, but the urgency to be there has finally died down. He feels like he’s allowed to leave now. 

The woman is glancing around, touching the car and following him, still holding his hand. It’s making him more on edge the way she keeps looking like she’s expecting something else. He grabs the blanket from the trunk and she jumps when he slams it closed. Her eyes are wide and fearful and it actually makes him feel bad. Not that he’d admit it. 

He wraps it around it before ushering her to the passenger side. “You got somewhere you need to go? Home? Where do you live?” 

She doesn’t answer, just stares at him. 

Fucking hell. He considers what he’s going to do. She’s still holding his hand, even as he opens the door and rolls down the window as far as it goes. No way in hell is he letting that smell sink into his car. 

If he takes her to the cops, they’re going to suspect him. That he did this shit to her. Cops never fucking liked him, which was fine, he didn’t like them. But he wasn’t going to get shit for something he didn’t actually do. 

“Sit down,” he tells her. He has to use both hands to get her to sit before he can even close the door. She nearly scrambles out the window to reach him, keening hoarsely, and he has to call out, tell her to wait. He walks around the front so she can see him before he gets in on the driver’s side. 

She’s reaching for him before he even sits down. He’s tempted to shove her off but it’s not her fault she’s desperate for human contact. She looks like she’s been in those woods for years. He rolls down his window too.

He starts the car and gives her his hand, letting her hold it like a lifeline. There’s only one person in this place who might believe that he had nothing to do with this and would help him. He drives to Kate’s. 

She’s still holding on to him with her death grip, the hand not holding his is tightly clenched in the back of his jacket. The house is fucking dark and he knows he’s going to have to deal with Kate bitching at him for waking her up. Thank god her parents are gone. 

He rings the doorbell repeatedly and pounds on the door. He finally slows down once he sees the living room light come on. He sees her peek out the little window before the door flies open and she’s already in a rage.

“What the fuck Billy?”

“Help!” He tugs the woman hiding behind him slightly forward and he can see Kate frown as she gets a look at her.

“What happened?”

“I found her like this!” 

Kate looks at Billy but nods. Before either of them can say anything the woman moves forward, reaching for Kate with her free hand. Kate steps back automatically. He can’t blame her. He already needs to scrub several layers off of his own skin just to make sure it’s clean.

“Tam-” the woman says. “Me.”

Kate glances at Billy in alarm but nods. “Yeah, I’m Tammy. You alright? Have you eaten?” She steps back. “Why don’t you both come in?” Kate holds open the door until they enter and he turns to see her looking around outside before she closes it. She turns back to them. “Where…you’re gonna need to explain.”

“I found her in the woods.”

“It’s two am, Billy. Why were you in the woods?” She asks as she heads to the kitchen.

“I don’t know, alright? I just…woke up and had to go there.” 

She glances at him from the kitchen but doesn’t question it. Kate never does anything he expects. Not since he first ran into her. He pulls B to the kitchen. 

“She found me in there. Asked who the fuck she was, all I got was a letter. Hasn’t left me since. I figured you’d know what to do.” 

Kate puts a plate with a sandwich on the table and motions to B. “It’s for you.” 

“Go,” he nudges her. “Eat.” 

The woman grabs the sandwich but doesn’t sit, eating quickly before pausing and offering the remaining half towards Billy. He can see the grime even on the bread. He makes a face at the thought of eating that. 

“No thanks, B. You eat.” 

She stuffs it in her mouth and he turns to Kate, who’s wearing a matching expression to how he feels. 

“What the fuck are we going to do?”

“Well, first we’re going to get her cleaned up,” Kate says. “Then we’ll call Hopper.”

Billy scowls. “The cops? They’re going to drag me in saying I did it.”

“No, he won’t,” Kate assures. “If he tries, we’ll say I found her in the backyard.” 

Kate gets a trash bag for B’s clothes. “Evidence,” she says. He’ll trust her. She’s the one who works with the cops, not him. They take the woman upstairs to the bathroom…and have to deal with her freaking the fuck out when Billy doesn’t follow her in. The towel rack breaks off the wall in some scuffle before they finally reach a compromise that doesn’t involve him inside or her not getting clean. They keep the door open a crack and Billy is forced to sit outside it, reading aloud from fucking Time magazine. It's the most boring shit, but if it keeps B from breaking more things in Kate’s house, he’ll do it.

When they finally emerge, the woman looks human. She’s got a towel wrapped around her head and she looks as pale as a ghost, making her freckles and auburn hair stand out, but she looks alive. She’s dressed in a set of Kate’s pajamas and he suddenly realizes that she’s not that much shorter than him. A little shorter than Kate, but not by much. She just seemed smaller, clinging to him and hunched in whatever she was wearing. 

“Let’s go to the living room,” Kate says, tying off the garbage bag. He thinks he catches her trying not to retch as she does it. She leads the way and Billy once again finds himself with a new appendage in the shape of this woman. He takes her back downstairs. The bag is dropped near the door and Kate is handing over a glass of water before she grabs the phone on the wall. He sits down on the couch, trying not to wonder how much this is going to fuck him up, and listens as Kate dials. B sits next to him, pressed against his side like she still thinks he’s going to disappear. Not that he’d ever have a chance like this.

“It’s Kate. I need you to get here as soon as possible. Something’s happened. No, more along the lines of…well, I think it’s closer to what you’re used to here. Yeah. Okay, please hurry.” She hangs up and walks into the living room. “He’s coming.”

Billy nods but doesn’t move. Kate sits in the armchair across from them and the silence isn’t tense but it’s weird. He just found a woman in the woods…because he had a nightmare. It’s fucked up. Straight out of some bullshit on late night tv.

“You alright?” he asks the woman next to him. “Wanna talk about it?” She just shakes her head, still looking around. Her eyes keep going between him and Kate. “Not yet? Okay.” He looks over at Kate who’s watching him with a small smile. She looks tired. Of course she does. It’s nearly three in the morning now. He just shrugs. What else was he supposed to do?

There’s a knock on the door and Billy mentally calculates how fast the chief had to be driving to get here that fast. Kate goes for it and he watches as she does the same thing as before, peering out and making sure it’s someone she knows before she opens it. 

“What the hell is so urgent?” Hopper asks as he walks in. He sounds as pissed as can be expected. Kate doesn’t react though. She closes the door after him and points towards them. Hopper turns, looking at them before his mouth drops open. “Holy shit.” 

taglist: @raith-way @arrthurpendragon @zeleniafic @jvstjewels @veetlegeuse @chickensarentcheap @residentdormouse @endless-oc-creations @stanshollaand @wordspin-shares

ST tag: @happinessinthedarkesttimes

[godblessyoublackemperor]

stratford on avon travelogue aka benny's really good super nice day (part 1 of 2)

IIIIIII decided to go to stratford on avon today bc i've been meaning to go for a while and I've got this week off (birthday tomorrowwwww) - cham was gonna come too but had a bit too much work so it was just me, and I was slightly apprehensive about that but i actually had an incredible day and I'm going to tell you all about it RIGHT NOW

I left the house at noonish, its a roughly 45min drive from worcester and the drive was actually really nice, all relatively fast b roads/country lanes. I didn't really have a plan for the day other than just walk around, maybe see some shakespeare shit, otherwise just see my little lizard brain took me, so I just set the sat nav for "stratford on avon" and set off. When i got to the town outskirts i immediately saw signs for anne hathaway's cottage so i was like "yeah aight" and turned off, went down some cute semi-rural residential streets and arrived in a nice green leafy neighbourhood with a nearly deserted car park (no bank holiday today in the uk, we have it next monday). I noticed the minimum stay was 3 hrs so i was like hmmmmm and then when i got to the cottage it turns out you can buy a ticket that gets you into all three shakespeare places (anne's cottage, his birthplace, his new place) so I was like hmmmmmmmmmmm *a plan is forming*.

watch out 🐊

I wandered round the orchard/outsidey bits (a little sculpture/statue trail of shakepeare-y stuff) and did a very speedrun-y tour of the cottage itself - I wasn't super invested or bothered about Learning I just felt like being a tourist and it was honestly super fun to just be like no thanks i don't want any information :) i'll just walk around :)

falstaff's belley, also bees

it's nice she could afford such a cool place, she was good in interstellar

After maybe less than hour I emerged from ann hathaway's cottage and by that time the plan had cemented - I was going to go and see how many of shakespeare's three cribs I could see in a day. I didn't actually need to do this because the ticket is valid for a year but it felt like a fun little goal. I also noted there was a handy signposted route into the town centre so I opted to leave the car there and walk - I both did and didn't regret this decision later.

The walk into town was mostly along a long straight boring road but I did see a cool graveyard and a euphemistically named "SCULPTORS" workshop not far away. The walk in total was probably about 15-20 mins but it felt a bit longer, i eventually got bored and wandered off down a side road and finally got spat out of the sleepy residential streets just in front of Holy Trinity church:

(i didn't know that was what it was immediately, again fully did not plan or research anything beforehand, anyway it is apparently a Landmark so, great 👍)

From here it was a short walk along the river, and by that point i was falling slightly in love with the place already - the weather was just sunny enough, it wasn't too busy, people were boating on the river, there were swans and geese everywhere. After a few minutes I saw these and my original plan to visit some dead bloke's houses sort of got back burnered:

When I saw the boats for hire sign my little lizard brain immediately decided it wanted nothing more in the whole wide world than to go on a little boat on the river avon. I thought "yeah aight" and wondered off to find the actual hire point, these were just moored here and the wasn't anyone actually around to hire them out to me.

on the way i went past some big theatre place? i think it was something to with the dead bloke, idk i was thinking about boats.

a couple more minutes of boat focused wandering brought me to the boathouse (on the right^) which was deserted except for the staff who were all sitting on the veranda eating hula hoops. they seemed mildly surprised that i wanted to hire a boat, and explained that they only electric motorboats for hire that day. I had already seen the sign advertising the option between analogue and electric and i was like "yeah aight", so i paid the man and hopped aboard. I was given a brief how-to, and here i should maybe explain I have not been on any kind of boat in a very long time, my experience extends to heavily supervised rowing on a canal as a kid and one (1) time having a brief go at the wheel of a motorboat on a scottish loch when i was 13ish. None of this really swayed or discouraged me however, so consumed was i with the lizard brain instruction to Go on A Boat. I gamely took in the safety briefing which amounted to lever forward go faster, lever back go slower/reverse, turn to wheel to steer, dont fall in (I'll try not to, i responded cheerily, like a real adult), and I was on my way.

aboard the good ship "number 27"

it took me a couple of minutes to get the hang of the steering, but its top speed wasn't too fast and it actually handled really nicely and responsively so the learning curve wasn't too steep, and pretty soon I was whirring happly along

On the return leg I was just working out how to correct after my big u turn (i only had the boat for 30 mins and was only allowed on a short section of the river) when i spotted something odd and brown on the near side of the riverbank and i was like, is that a fucking otter, and lads IT WAS AN OTTER

i look really unexcited here bc i'm trying operate a phone camera at the same time as controlling an unfamiliar vehicle, and trying not to plough said vehicle into said otter. the otter looks really unexcited here bc im just a twat in a boat and it sees those all the time.

The rest of my journey was uneventful but very pleasant, once i got the hang it was a very relaxing and centering activity and i will definitely be back. I brought the boat back right side up and with me still dry and in it, which the dudes at the boat hire seemed pretty happy about, and they were even happier when i showed them the video of the otter.

From here I sort of just wandered around a bit more? By now it was approaching 4 o'clock and S on A is apparently one of those towns where everything shuts down from like 4 to 5, so it was pretty quiet. I wandered up the high street, wandered into a hi fi store, gawked at some turntables, wandered into a weird little "vintage store", took a picture of a tuba, left, wandered around a bit more, and then walked past a japanese restaurant and stopped and was like hmmmmmmmm.

bonus toilet selfie bc i was feeling myself this day.

It wasn't opening until 5 but i now had a plan formed (completely forgotten about the dead guy's digs by now). I wandered back towards the river, found a gelato place, got gelato (elderflower, battenberg and salted caramel, don't question me), and went and ate the gelato with my legs dangling off the steps by the river OH NO I HIT THE IMAGE LIMIT OK PART 1 OF 2 I GUESS

[rhythmicmeow]

TIMING: Current LOCATION: A General Pet Store PARTIES: Andy @declinlalune & Leticia @rhythmicmeow SUMMARY: Andy and Leticia go to a pet store together, where Leti gets a little dramatic about Andy being a dog person. CONTENT WARNING: None!

The excitement buzzing through Leticia's body wasn't unexpected. The idea of going to a pet store was always an appealing one, though she could write essays about how the catnip that was fresh was better. Writing a shopping list in her mind, she had been reciting it internally while Andy drove. Ask the cashier if the store had pet birds, look at the pet birds, check out the catnip and see if any is good, and maybe buy some cat toys. Inside the store, the list that Leticia had laid out for herself vanished. Sticking closely to Andy's side despite them both being adults and capable of doing their own shopping, Leticia wanted the companionship. She had missed the feeling of going out with friends that she had in California. Missed the phone calls at 2AM with her friend whispering that they had stolen the car keys and could pick her up in five if they wanted to go to the beach and listen to the waves.

This wasn't the same. They weren't kids trying to hide from their parents in the middle of the night, they were adults. But Andy invited her all the same and Leticia had jumped on the invitation. It was nice to feel wanted, even if just in small moments like this.

"What do you still need for him? Her? Uh, the dog?" Leticia asked, hearing the chirping birds and doing her best not to look in that direction. "When did you decide to get a dog anyway? I thought of you as more of a cat person."

—

Andy hadn’t anticipated just how many things a dog would need. Alex had gotten a good majority of things already, but Puppeye had already gone through three of the toys that they’d gotten her, so Andy was out on another trip to get more. This time, with Leticia in tow. 

It was nice, having somebody to do things with that wasn’t just Alex. Not that she typically minded hanging out with her sister, but it was true that she needed her own friends. With Kaden around, there was a little more separation, too, but he was off doing his own thing and she couldn’t rely entirely on him and she knew that. 

She looked over at Leti as they wandered down one of the many aisles made entirely for dogs. Andy had been grateful for Leticia’s accompaniment, even if she did seem a little different today. More excitable and distracted. 

“Um…” Andy looked into the shopping cart, shuffling a few of the items around. “I’d like to get a few more of those colorful chew toys, just because I think she likes them.” At her question, Andy’s brows rose. “Wait, is that because I’m a lesbian?” She was confused, because she wasn’t sure when she’d given that off at any given point. “I mean…” Andy let out a laugh, “I haven’t ever had a pet, and this is the first. I don’t know what kind of person I am.” She leaned against the cart as she drove it forward, tilting her head to look at Leticia as they walked. “You’re a cat person though, right?” 

—

"Colorful ones?" Leticia hummed as she looked at the toys. Her eyes drifted toward the end of the aisle where the cap was stocked with a variety of different toys. Cat toys included. "Maybe there are some over that way?" There weren't. She knew there weren't. Andy probably knew too, but it wasn't terrible of her to want to at least check it out, right? Maybe the perfect toy was hidden among different toys in the wrong spot of the store!

The lesbian comment felt like it came out of nowhere, and apparently, it was Leticia's turn to blush. "Oh my god, that's not what I meant." She felt the same frazzled feeling as she did when she thought another one of her friends thought she was straight. Which wasn't an inherently bad thing, but those were not the vibes that Leticia was trying to put out. But it came out of nowhere, and now Leticia was struggling to contain her laughter.

"Andy." She hid her cheeks and mouth behind her hands. For a solid moment, she stood there and tried to breathe. Not wanting to laugh, but not expecting Andy to play as dumb as she was. "I think I'm more of a cat girl personally. You know? Because of the ears? I can't believe you'd choose a dog over me, a cat. The best cat." The first giggles escaped. "Fuck, Andy. I wasn't expecting that."

—

“Yeah, or like, specific colored ones. I saw a tik tok with a filter over it that showed what dogs like, and it seems like they really like yellow.” She wanted Puppyeye to be comfortable in her new home, and sure, maybe she was going a little overboard, but still. She wanted to do right by the dogs that they found, and until they got more offers with people offering to take them off their hands, they’d be stuck with quite a few until it was all settled. “We can try over there, sure.” No suggestion was a bad suggestion, especially when shopping. Andy hated to do it, no matter what it was for. 

“I got told by…” Were they friends anymore? Andy began to feel the weight of her last interaction with Nicole and Leah and she quickly dismissed it. “Other lesbians, that being a cat person is a lesbian thing. I thought you were making a joke.” Andy watched the blush creep across the bridge of Leticia’s nose and she felt something stir in her chest. She quickly looked away, keeping her expression neutral. 

Leticia’s reaction caught Andy slightly off guard and she looked over her shoulder at her. “What?” She blinked innocently at her friend. And then it was like everything aligned. The cabinet, the constant comments that salt was a no-go for her. “Holy shit. You’re–” She raised her hand to her mouth. “I didn’t know.” It made so much sense and she felt so stupid. She’d been trying so hard not to be invasive that she looked straight through the number of coincidences that led to Leticia being a balam. “You are a cat girl, you’re right.” She tried to imagine Leti with cat ears, but couldn’t quite get there. “Sorry, I’m sorry. Sometimes I’m an idiot, okay?” She let out a laugh of her own and knocked her shoulder with Leticia’s, feeling the blush creeping across the back of her neck. “Listen, I’m not always this clueless, okay?” It was hard to contain her own laughter now and she buried her face into her hands. “God dammit.” 

—

Yellow wasn't her favorite color, but she could understand the appeal. It was happy and bright, and maybe dogs felt the same way? Especially if it was one of a few choice colors they could see. Leticia hadn't had a problem seeing colors, but did the balam? Did she prefer yellow over other colors? The thoughts floated around for a moment before she remembered a toy the next aisle over they had walked past. "What about that nacho and guacamole dip toy? It came with little stuffed chips you can hide inside the bowl for them!"

The laughter was getting harder to mask, her shoulders bouncing with the sound she was trying to hide. "No, no. I promise it wasn't that." She had been so offended that Andy could be a dog person, she didn't even think of the other implications. She had, at first, just assumed Andy had said it to throw Leticia off. And it had worked to that effect, but it was so much funnier as the context was revealed.

Waving her hand at her face, trying to get some air, the laughter didn't stop. "You didn't-" Leticia looked away from Andy, feeling the tears form with the uncontrolled laughter. "I thought you knew! I thought your... you know, just told you what I was. You didn't know." Andy was covering her face after a few apologies that weren't needed. "You're not an idiot, I assumed you knew." She was adding up all the strange moments where Leticia had been more cat than person, and wondered what Andy had thought of her in those moments. What animal did she think Leticia was? "I thought you were pretending just to get a rise out of me," she confessed, putting a hand on Andy's shoulder and leaning into her friend as she laughed. "And it worked too, I was so offended for a minute there, thinking you casually dismissed cats because that would be too lesbian coded." With a deep breath and a slow release, the laughter lessened. So long as she didn't look at Andy directly.

“Mhmm.” It was hard to talk now, especially while she was trying to stifle her laughter. To anyone else, this may not be that funny, but to Andy, it was hysterical. The idea that she’d been hanging out with Leticia for a few months now and had no clue that she was a balam, despite her abilities telling her exactly that. “Listen, I don’t want to talk about it.” She shook her head and tried to ignore the… not sinking feeling, but something else– something unfamiliar, as Leticia knocked back into her. The proximity was easier to endure like this. There was less on the line. 

“I didn’t. I didn’t know, I had no clue.” Should she even begin to tell Leti that it’d been out of courtesy? That she didn’t want to be invasive? Would that dismiss the idiocy altogether? She inhaled through her nose and rubbed her face. “NO! No, I wasn’t.” She shook her head and finally looked at Leti, devastated by the way the other woman couldn’t even look at her. Was it really that funny? “Leti, please.” She snorted through the plea and she pushed the cart forward. “I wasn’t dismissing anything! I just don’t know what kind of animal person I am, you know?” It was a fair enough explanation, she thought. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep the laughter at bay, eyes scanning the number of products on the shelves. “So uh… about the guac?” She looked at Leticia, her expression twisted into something comical. “You’re still laughing, aren’t you?” She couldn’t even see her face, but Andy saw the set of her shoulders. “Come on! It wasn’t even that–” She hadn’t been watching where she was going, and suddenly her cart was crashing into a neighboring display of cat nip toys. 

One of the plastic containers broke, sending the contents all over the floor. “Shit. I’m going to have to buy that now.” Stealing it would be impossible at this point, with all the commotion they were making.

—

Leticia wished she could look at Andy and tell her that she wasn't still laughing. Anyone else in the store might have heard them giggling like children in the aisle, unable to understand how the situation had created a perfect storm of laughter. "Oh my god, did you just accept me climbing on the bookcase as normal?" Or another kind of animal? The balam stirred in protest at the idea, she was too proud to be reduced to any other kind of animal. Not understanding the humor in the misunderstanding. But Leticia? She still had a hand over her mouth, dampening her laughter as much as she could.

"I'm not still laughing!" She said, between fits of giggles. "I would stop a lot sooner if you stopped too!" Andy tried to explain, once more, that it really wasn't that funny, but Leticia was too far gone to calm down with a few short words like that. "You better be a cat person after this," she teased, before hearing the rattling of the display of cat toys - but it wasn't the crack of plastic that reached Leticia first. It was the sudden aroma that filled the area. The laughter stopped and Leticia stilled. Her hand over her mouth now moving to rub below her nose, trying to force the smell away. But there was too much of it.

Her eyes were locked on the broken pieces of plastic, the aisle and the laughter far from her mind now. Leticia knew that she'd owe Andy an apology after this. Before she could explain, Leticia was on the ground, her face pressed to the cold floor and her eyes locked on the other items that had fallen on the ground. All filthy, but somehow the most interesting things in the store. Her hand darted underneath the display, pulling out more of the catnip from underneath and pushing it toward her face. "You should but three. Four. More."

—

A lady meandered down the aisle, tossing a cautionary glance their way. Andy had half a mind to tell her to mind her business, but she looked back to Leticia with a raised brow. “I mean, maybe? I feel like this puts so much into context for me now, though.” There were a lot of things about Leti that were more… catlike than any of the other shifter types out there. But Andy had wanted to respect her privacy, and because it hadn’t been blatantly said, she wanted to let her friend have some semblance of secrecy, if it could even be considered as such, especially at this point. 

Andy didn’t even have to look at her reflection to know that the redness from the back of her neck had spread to her cheeks. Her entire face and chest were warm. “Stop it! Leticia, please.” She shook her head desperately, willing for her friend to just let her get away with this one stupid thing for once. But before she could protest any further, Leti quieted down, suddenly dropping onto all fours. 

She stared in shock as Leticia smeared her face against the floor, hand swiping beneath the display. A few different sized cat toys slid from beneath it, but her friend didn’t seem to care about those. No, it was the catnip. “Oh my god.” Andy looked around them hurriedly, dropping into a crouched position next to Leticia. Her hair hung in her face and the redhead couldn’t get a good look at the expression she wore. “Leti?” She tried, this time a little louder. Would Leticia transform because of this? She hoped not. Leticia was mumbling something under her breath and Andy quieted so that she could hear. “Four? Four more? Four more what?” 

—

Leticia was completely lost on the floor of the store. The cool tiles were soothing like the right side of the pillow. Her pupils were wide, searching for more catnip on the ground and around her, barely hearing Andy’s voice. It was her name, but why wasn’t Andy helping? There were so many cool things under the display. 

Her fingers brushed against a ball that had rolled under the rack, and as it thumped against the back of the rack, it light up. The bright colors caused her to push her head back, her eyes closing while she tried to blink away the irritation, but as soon as her eyes were open again, she was batting at it. “Look.” The ball rolled out toward her feet, and with strange precision considering her condition, she flicked the ball with her foot and rolled it toward her face and hands, where she grabbed it and showed Andy. Proudly, even. The ball itself was in terrible condition, it looked like a discarded toy from an animal who decided it wasn’t as great as Leticia had found it.

Holding it in the air, she tried to push it into Andy’s face. “It’s so pretty, do you like it?” The question of four more what caused Leticia to pull the ball away from her, looking dejected and upset. What sort of question was that? Was it not obvious? She rolled her head back the other way, her cheek back into catnip and her eyes shut as she rotated the side of her head in it. Sharply lifting her head from the ground, she grabbed another plastic container of catnip and held it closely to her chest with the nasty ball she had found. “More,” she repeated, showing what she was holding to Andy, but quickly twisting her body away. “You need to get your own.”

—

Andy didn’t know what to do. She’d never been in this position before. It wasn’t like Alex went crazy over tennis balls or anything. Andy stood frozen next to Leticia, not quite sure how to get her off of the floor. People were starting to stare now and Andy gave them a tight lipped smile before waving them off. “She lost an earring.” But if they were listening, they would know that wasn’t true. Andy decided not to worry about it, at least for right now. 

The ball that Leticia had swiped from beneath the display lit up, rolling towards her shoe. Before she could pick it up, Leti had already grabbed it. Andy stared at the brunette as she held it out for inspection. It was covered in dust, a half-off price sticker that was torn in half and… gum? She leaned back slightly, grabbing her friend’s wrist lightly, steering the other woman’s hands away from her face. Andy was in awe at how the woman in front of her now did not resemble the woman she’d been upright with moments ago. Her hair was in her face, pieces of catnip hanging out of it, as well as some dust. Her shirt was covered in it, too. 

Before she could make a move to get Leti onto her feet, she was dropping back down onto the ground, her cheek smoothing against the tile. “Leti,” Andy whined, looking up to see if anyone was watching them. Luckily they were alone in the aisle. For now. “I don’t want–” Inhaling sharply through her nose, she looked towards the display. She’d dealt with Alex as a child enough to maybe know how to rectify a semi-temper tantrum, if it could even be considered that. “Listen, Leti?” She swiped at Leti’s arm, dusting away some of the catnip that was stuck to her sleeve. “I’ll buy you all the catnip you’re holding, plus two more– four more packets. Only if you get up though, okay?” So maybe she was a sucker, but the last thing they needed was to get reported to any kind of authorities for public intoxication. “Does that sound okay?” She kept her voice low, moving closer to Leti so that she could help support her into a sitting position. Andy moved some of the hair out of her friend’s face, suppressing a laugh at the expression she wore. After this was done, Andy knew she’d never let her live it down. 

—

Leticia’s mind was a mess. The fuzziness inside her head felt like it was getting stronger. Or maybe it was fading and her mind wanted more? She wasn’t sure, but she figured that it couldn’t be fog from too much catnip. She clearly needed more. And she had been about to rub her face on the tiles one more time until she heard Andy say she lost an earring. Was she wearing earrings? Her hands came up to her ears and immediately checked to see if anything was missing. No, they were both there. Had Andy lost an earring? Did Andy even have pierced ears? 

Allowing herself to be propped up so she was sitting properly, Leticia looked Andy directly in the eyes before dropping the containers she had in her arms to the ground, more concerned now about Andy’s ears. She moved quickly, grabbing her ears and pulling them out just enough to check for earrings or lack thereof, and deciding she was satisfied with what she saw, she let go. “I’m not missing an earring and you’re not either,” Leticia said in a not-whisper, leaning closer to Andy as if she had caught her friend out in a lie. “Why would you say something like that? Should I check the catnip for it? I can check the catnip for it. And under the display, there are so many cool things under the display I bet I could find an earring. Do you want an earring?” Maybe if she looked hard enough, she’d find a pair underneath there. Maybe not matching, but a set of something.

She had been about to pull herself out of Andy’s grip once more when she heard the promise of four packets. All she needed to do in turn was get off the floor! That would be easy. Maybe she could jump, that would be really impressive, wouldn’t it? To be sprawled on the floor and then jump to her feet without the usual steps between? “That sounds purrfect, actually,” Leticia replied, sticking out her pinky finger and then, forced her pinky finger around Andy’s and nodded her head. “Now it’s a promise, you can’t take it back. I need these.” She grabbed the containers that she dropped, forgetting to grab the additional ones that Andy had bribed her with, and then situated herself to get up. Forgetting her idea to just jump as well. “Do you think they have fish here?” 

—

Andy hadn’t moved away fast enough. One moment, Leticia was staring into her soul, and the next, her friend was grabbing onto her ears. “Ow.” It didn’t even hurt her, but it left her out of reflex. She craned her neck slightly so that Leticia wouldn’t pull her completely over. She spoke and Andy felt the back of her neck burn with embarrassment. The urge to cover Leticia’s mouth with her hand was strong, but she refrained. Instead, she knelt across from her friend, a dumbfounded expression peeling over her features. “Because.” Because why? Why was Andy so embarrassed about this? Maybe she was afraid– afraid that anyone who knew or could sense Leticia for what she was, would immediately make her a target. Andy pushed the thought from her mind, eager to have some sense of normalcy. Even if this was far from it, at least she could spend more time laughing than throwing concerned looks over her shoulder. 

But Leticia was offering to find her an earring and Andy was shaking her head. “No, you don’t– no.” She let out a laugh, watching Leti as she considered the offer that’d been given to her. Andy hoped that her friend would concede. Andy watched her, wondering if she’d decide it was enough, but she hadn’t anticipated Leticia’s quip. Purrfect. Andy could hear it ringing in her ears now. “You really are a cat.” It came out in a whisper, half-amazed, half-dumbfounded. She didn’t get much time to process, because Leticia’s pinky finger was in her face, then curling around her own. Flustered, Andy nodded. “Yes, okay. I promise.” 

She was careful as she got to her feet, not wanting to tip over Leticia and the catnip canisters she’d collected in her arms. Andy wasn’t sure what to do– would this go away on its own? Was there a remedy? Was it even a good idea to suggest buying them for her as a way to get her out of the store? Any knowledge she had of balams had gotten lost over the years and she tried desperately to comb over memories, hopeful something would come of use for their situation. But Andy didn’t figure that most texts included the bit about catnip, so maybe it was why she was so damn surprised. “Fish? Um…” They probably did. They were at a pet store. “I don’t know. We can check another time, yeah?” Andy focused on Leticia, not knowing whether or not yanking her up by her arms would be all that helpful. Instead, she circled the other woman, supporting her from behind back onto her feet. She steadied the other, hands on Leticia’s shoulders. Leaning in slightly, she motioned to the cash registers at the end of the aisle. “We’re going that way. Do you want to put your stuff into the cart?” Andy’s concern came and went, molding into amusement as she started to dust some of the catnip and dust off of Leti’s shoulders. 

—

Because? There was a pained expression on Leticia’s face. Why was Andy not answering? What did ‘because’ even mean? She opened her mouth, about to ask for a deeper explanation of what that was all supposed to mean and why was ‘because’ the only answer that had been provided. But somewhere in the confusion, Leticia had fully lost her train of thought. Because why lingered in her mind, but followed by a what? Because why what? Puffing her cheeks, she tried to focus on what was happening, but it was like grasping at smoke. For a moment, it appeared like she had something, and then the next, it was all gone. 

The comment about her being a cat - or the compliment - brought a new grin to Leticia’s face. “Jaguar, remember, she doesn’t like being called other things.” Though, balam was the most correct term, jaguar was less foreign to people. “But I don’t mind cat, cats are cute. Way better than other pets.” Which circled her thoughts right back to Andy getting a dog instead of a cat. Traitor. But she could be bought with catnip, clearly. The traitor thing would have to be saved for another time, if she remembered. “Good, good,” she whispered, nodding her head as if they had made some sort of ritualistic pact that Leticia would hold over Andy until they were dead. “If you want me to get those earrings though, I can still do that! I am an excellent finder.” She might have made her way to her feet with Andy’s help, but the floor wasn’t so bad. 

WIth both hands on the cart, Leticia leaned forward and looked at the dog items inside before dumping the few items that she managed to keep in her arms. “Simon’s gonna love these,” she whispered before attempting to drive the cart. It swerved just slightly, causing Leticia to cling to the sides and stand perfectly still in the aisle before she composed herself, as much as she could, at least. Deflating over the handle of the cart, Leticia crossed her arms inside the child seat and slowly rolled it forward. Her mind was still foggy and her thoughts were mostly of fish, but she managed to keep on track to where Andy pointed. “Do you need more avocados for your dog?” Was that why they had gone there? Sounded right. 

—

Andy wondered if every balam faced this kind of thing, or if it was just Leticia. She made a mental note to ask Nicole the next time she saw her, whenever that’d be. They’d talked since their last… talk, and things had gone well, or so she hoped. It was surreal to her that she’d managed to befriend not one, but two balams. Maybe three, considering Luis gave her the same hair raising feeling the other two did. Whatever. Not time to speculate. She felt rude in doing so, anyway. She inhaled sharply, blinking at Leti as she corrected the verbage. “Jaguar. Yeah– uh, sorry.” She felt the back of her neck go red again. 

Leticia continued spouting off that she preferred cats and Andy couldn’t even feign surprise. She seemed like more of a cat person, anyway. “Okay, okay.” She hesitated, not reaching out to steady her friend as she grabbed onto the cart. “No, I– I don’t need any. It’s really okay.” She forced down her smile, though it fought to take up pretty much her entire face. 

Andy stood behind Leti as she leaned against the cart. It began to push forward and Andy had half a mind to grab it so it didn’t steer into another display. She wasn’t sure who Simon was, but assumed it was either another balam or a cat. Probably the latter. Andy wasn’t sure if Leti would have kept a whole other balam from her. Or maybe she would have. It was her right. Andy quickly cleaned up some of the mess, dusting with her hands the catnip into a small pile off to the side. At checkout she’d let them know what happened. She looked up to see Leti continuing to push the cart down the aisle. “Avo…” Right, that was why they were here. “Um, yeah. Let’s… go do that. Avocados.” She hurried to Leticia’s side, guiding the cart in the right direction before stealing a glance at Leticia who was seemingly coming down from her catnip high. I should have taken a picture, Andy thought. Then again, Emilio might have found out about it and tried to get it from her. Probably better that there was no evidence. 

[blubushie]

Oi Mick since you're Sniper IRL what drugs have you taken? You mentioned the whole cane toad thing and shrooms but what else?

Righto only one fucking person knows I go by Mick professionally and I want to know how the fuck you found my blog Jack. (Also buzz me you cunt I haven't heard from you in two weeks.)

If you're not Jack and you're calling me Mick because of the Sniper thing then... this is awkward, I apologise, please call me Blu.

Righto, to the drugs.

Shrooms, obviously. I've eaten them fresh and dry but I prefer dry. Easier to measure out dosages.

DMT. High only lasts for about a half hour. Feels like an all-body glow. Lots of geometric patterns and things moving slowly. Waving your hand in front of your face leaves a trail. Also might meet god.

LSD. Just once, and never again. I've never had a worse trip and it scared me shitless. The body high gives pain relief but it's weird. Pain felt like tingles. Don't ask why I was intentionally giving myself pain, it's just part of the psychonaut process. Couldn't stop yawning at the start which was annoying. Colours were eyestrain-ingly vibrant. I saw them even with my eyes closed. The whispering will drive you crazy. My anxiety and paranoia skyrocketed halfway through and it was awful. I saw things. I will never do LSD again.

Salvia through chewing the leaves. It was fine. Come-up isn't as intense as shrooms, more bright colours but no geometric patterns. However you fall into your head really easily and the trip is insane. I went comatose and had a vision I was a monkey in a tree but none of the other monkeys liked me and would chuck fruit at me. The biggest monkey hit me in the head with a melon and knocked me out of the tree but during the fall the melon became my head. When I hit the ground my melonhead cracked open which spilt seeds everywhere and then these seeds grew plants that fruited little mini-monkey-mes by the navel. They all wandered over and started eating my melonhead flesh while I was paralysed and couldn't move. God that vision was fucking weird. 10/10 would do salvia again.

MDMA at a B&S in the form of pingers. There's a reason they call it a party drug. Ego was massively inflated and I've never had more tickets on myself. I don't remember much of it but from what I heard I wasn't annoyingly arrogant, just more confident than I usually am. Felt like I blended in with everyone around me in a spiritual sort of way. I can confirm that the stereotype of MDMA being a love drug is true to some extent. Definitely heightened sensitivity to touch. At one point I spent twenty straight minutes with my head in a girl's lap as she scratched my scalp and that felt absolutely divine until my mate dragged me back to Matilda to sleep off the effects. Cockblocker.

LSA (a natural drug similar to LSD) from morning glory seeds. It was a sedative more than anything. Gave me that nice tingling feeling that shrooms do except instead of the back of my neck it was just all over. Made me feel much heavier than shrooms do though and my elbows hurt for awhile. Some dizziness and nausea but nothing too bad. I'd do it again.

Opium through smoking in Bali. Opium dreams are weird.

I've smoked hooch (cannabis) a few times but I've never gotten a high off it. I either had some weak shit or I didn't smoke it long enough. I've also tried edibles, no effect. I've given up on hooch.

[marsipanic]

Roy Invidia Fic

Once again, I am back on my bullshit and starting a new WIP without finishing my others lol but that’s ok because I am juggling them. They will get continuation. Eventually. 

Here’s Roy’s love interest, Melinoe. I just really love tsundere’s okay? Also this looks chapter form again, but i just might make this the set up, and then do one shots after. Idk. 

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

Prince Roy of Invidia was in all aspects, everything, to everyone, all at once. As Sole heir to the Kingdom, all eyes were on him to achieve what might be impossible to anyone else. This garnered him lots of attention, in and outside of the academy of the Isle of Colde. As he approached the lecture hall to teach his afternoon class, he was swarmed by the usual group of students, the majority of them girls, and, as usual, he stopped to assuage them. He thanked them for their compliments, their kindness, complimented them all on their natural beauty, and said he looked forward to teaching the class.

This didn’t stop them, of course, and they continued to fawn, and Roy continued to smile and nod, and pretend to listen while his attention wandered slightly to Toa Qelsum standing off in the distance with what looked like another student. His expression was solemn, as it always was, and he seemed to be going over an itinerary with a young woman with long, straight, shining black hair and intimidating green eyes. She did not smile and not in the least interested in what he had to say, although she did appear to be listening.

Roy had remembered they were getting another transfer student from Akedia but was not told the details of the student themselves. Naturally, he should like to welcome her to the academy, if he could just break free from the clutches of his admirers. Alas, it was time to start the lecture and he ushered them all inside and took his place at the podium.

Who but trailed in last but the transfer student. She took her seat as far as seemingly possible from the rest of the students, and remained sullen, her brows slightly knit and her mouth in a flat line.

It was a C and B-ranked class, and the lesson for the day was turning water into wine. The class took their time achieving their results, some quicker than others, but Roy made certain to help anyone in need. Eventually, he found himself checking on the transfer student who sat, looking cross, with a chalice nearly overflowing with a rich, maroon wine.

“Miss Melinoe Cromwell, is it?” He offered her a warm smile, but her expression did not change. “Welcome to the academy. How are you finding it?”

Melinoe merely straightened, keeping her eyes on the chalice. “Just fine,” she said, flatly.

Roy continued to smile and press on. “If you need any assistance whatsoever, please feel free to come to me. It is my responsibility as professor, prince, and S-rank to look after a student in need. And seeing as you are new, and just arrived, if I might—”

“Don’t concern yourself with me,” she cut him off, and glared at him from her periphery. “Now if you don’t mind, if you’re satisfied with my results, may I be excused?”

He blinked at the chilly nature of her response, and then slowly nodded. Usually, his demeanor softened people and was able to charm anyone with a smile and a kind word. His responses were well rehearsed after all. He didn’t remember the last time he felt intimidated by speaking to someone that was not Master Guy.

Melinoe stood and left the lecture hall just as suddenly. As the door closed behind her, the other students began to whisper.

“That’s Melinoe Cromwell. Some brute of a woman. I heard her family sent her here because they were tired of her wreaking havoc at their ancestral home,” one said. Others nodded and hummed in agreement. “She’ll bite out your jugular if you get too close. Poor Prince Roy shouldn’t even bother with her…he’s lucky she didn’t lash out.”

“Prince Roy could handle a violent brute like that easily,” one said. “He’d disintegrate her into ashes in a moment. I know he would.”

Roy frowned. There had to be more to that story than what they were saying, there always was more to the gossip the students drove through the academy.

“Please,” he said, offering a smile. “Let’s not disparage other students. It doesn’t do your natural beauty justice.”

They swooned collectively and went on about their task. Roy looked down at Melinoe’s chalice that she left behind, and carefully lifted it to his lips. The taste was divine, as though the wine had been aged for a century. She had been the first to finish, which meant that her magical ability was above that of a B rank, already.

“Curious,” he said quietly to himself.

***

Melinoe pointed her sword at her partner and waited for him to make his move. The swordsmanship class had been the only one she had been looking forward to at this bloody academy, and it was ruined by being accompanied by the woefully undertrained and weak student body. Her partner audibly groaned when Professor Hawke paired him with her.

“Guess I’m with the savage,” he mumbled. Melinoe’s mouth twitched but she had said nothing.

They each had bowed to the other before starting their sparring. He then clumsily rushed at her, swinging his swords with both hands, which she dodged easily, holding her weapon behind her back. He attempted this a few more times, and each time she was able to avoid his blow, flowing and moving flexibly, as though she was made from water. The other students looked on, partially in awe, although she paid no mind.

Her partner had grown frustrated and angry with each missed blow. He charged at her one last time, roaring in frustration, and she ducked underneath the blade, and swept his legs out from underneath him with one swift kick to the back of his knees.

An astonished silence fell upon the training grounds, and Melinoe then became hyper aware of everyone watching.

“Told you she was violent and could kill a man,” they whispered. “She’s an absolute madwoman. No normal girl could do that.”

“Alright, everyone,” Hawke piped up, looking irritated. “That’s enough for today. Put away your weapons.” ‘

Melinoe looked down upon her partner who was still panting heavily on the ground with sword in hand. A twinge of guilt struck her heart, and realizing she had humiliated him without intending to, she approached him slowly, and bent low, offering her hand to him.

Her classmate’s face contorted in fury. A low growl grew and crescendoed from his throat as he lifted his blade and, in an instant, lunged at Melinoe, who stood wide eyed in shock. The sound of the sword cutting through the air was the last thing she heard before shutting her eyes tightly waiting for the feeling of the blade to go pierce through her body.

She felt sharp pain in her right forearm and wrist, as she was suddenly whipped from where she was standing and pulled backwards.

There was another fat silence. Melinoe slowly opened her eyes, to find that her back was being held against someone’s torso. She looked down and saw that a strong arm was holding her by the waist, clad in crisp white and magenta, that had been splattered with her blood from an open wound on her forearm.

“You must have misunderstood,” a voice said. She looked up and saw the Prince Invidia. His hand had been raised in an arresting spell, her classmate now seemingly suspended in mid-air. He had pulled her out of the way, just before her assailant had managed to inflict any more injury. He spoke with a smile, but his eyes were smoldering with a silent rage.  “I believe Professor Hawke said the lesson had concluded. How unfortunate this mistake led to Miss Melinoe’s injury. I believe we will be having a conversation with the headmaster.”

Hawke came and grabbed the student roughly by the collar, leading him away, defeated, and shamed. Melinoe’s heart raced in her chest, and she remained in shock for only a moment when she heard a group of girls start mewling.

“No fair! I want to be held by Prince Roy!”

“And it’s her, of all people. She doesn’t deserve it.”

Roy’s arm remained firm around her waist, and he bent low into her ear. “Are you alright? I’ll escort you to the infirmary—”

Melinoe didn’t let him finish. She broke free from him, clutching her own arm and started to quickly storm away, trailing droplets of blood behind her.

***

Roy attempted to run after her, when the “Royd Ragers” planted themselves every which way, each one vying for his attention. He smiled at them, but it was partially him gritting his teeth in annoyance. Melinoe was injured, enough to need medical attention immediately, but no one seemed bothered in the slightest by it. Who was going to make sure she made it to the infirmary alright? What’s more, she seemed angry, maybe slightly frightened after the ordeal.

“I regretfully must tend to another student who has been harmed,” he told them. “Perhaps we can continue this conversation at another time? I really must go—”

He looked in the direction in which Melinoe left but she was already gone from sight. He frowned deeply, and determined, set in mind that he would find her.

It wasn’t difficult. He only had to follow the trail of blood droplets left throughout the academy, to Dorm Nivalis. He stood at a door at the far end of one of the halls and knocked.

It seemed to be silent inside. He was sure she was there, however, and raised his fist to knock again, when the door suddenly opened. There stood a severe looking woman, with grey hair pulled into a tight bun atop her head. Her frown lines were etched deeply into her face.

“Prince Invidia, Your Highness,” she said. “What a surprise. What can I do for you this evening?”

Roy looked briefly behind her, and in the distance, Melinoe was sat at a small table, a curtain of her black hair covering her face. Her arm was outstretched, and the severity of the cut was revealed. It looked deep, and the length of it was from just below her wrist to the crook of her elbow. It looked as though her valet had been working at stitching it up and was interrupted halfway through.

“I was looking to check in on Miss Melinoe. She was injured during lessons today, and I felt obligated to ensure that she was cared for. May I speak with her?” Roy asked and again, offered his world class smile.

“I’m afraid Miss Cromwell is indisposed at this time,” the valet said. “May I bring her a message, Your Highness?”

He looked behind her again and to his surprise met with the tear stung eyes of Melinoe. The rims of her green eyes were red, as was the tip of her nose, and the rest of her face ashen. She startled, and quickly turned away, disappearing behind the cloak of her hair once more.

“Are you certain she couldn’t spare just a moment?” Roy asked, frowning. “I would like to tell her that I regret the events that took place today. I would like to reassure her of her safety and that she is very welcome at the Isle of Colde—”

“I am sorry, Prince Roy,” the valet said. “But Miss Cromwell had insisted that she receive no callers for the rest of the evening. I do apologize. I will be sure to relay the message.”

Roy stared past her, at the shape of Melinoe at the table, frustrated and filled with genuine regret.

“Very well,” he said, ruefully. “I shall come back another time.”

The valet curtsied and started to close the door. Roy caught the image of Melinoe turning her tear-stained face back around, stealing a glance in his direction, before it shut with a punctuated *click*.

[foxys-fantasy-tales]

OC Kiss Week - Dance (JudithXChit or Chudith) It is 8pm and I am happy to have finished this little scene in time. I plan on inserting this into book two of Arigale in a few chapters time, but I kept it pretty spoiler free but for the ship, ya know, smooching. <3 You can read more below the cut! I should also have a kiss sketch for these two soon! Keep an eye out for it. I wanted to have it to post with this little scene, but so it goes I guess. (edited - Posted at end! Also have a new divider I just made in Canva!)

Chit stared forward through the thick foliage. If anything, Illene had taught them how great shrubbery and vines were to hide things. Judith was still a couple of steps behind him, which gave him just enough time to take a breath before he grabbed her hand and led her onward. His tail parted the plants and made way, but she still had a few twigs and leaves in her hair on the other side. She looked just like the day he met her. 

“I-I um, made, or well foraged…this.” 

Chit rubbed his head as his tail pointed toward a blanket straight from their room with a candle at each edge and a basket of berries along with roasted mushrooms and fish on sticks. The scent of fresh ash and firewood still clung nearby, but wisps of smoke from the small gathering of wood proved it had gone out. A full moon provided ample light, silver mixing with the hints of golden flames as she took a seat on the multicolored quilt. Chit sat at arm’s length with the basket in the middle with his great tail curled about him in a spiral. 

Judith picked up a couple of skewers and began to alternate between mushrooms and fish without a word. The softness in her eyes, that was something that had changed, and it ripped out his heart to see it. Sparkles that once resided there were slowly returning, yet it felt like years and not months since he’d seen them. A large blackberry bursting with juices was speared by the tip of his tail and held up to her in offering. The appendage wavered, as did his resolve. Judith took it from him gently with her hand. He stuffed down any desires curling in his stomach that she took it with her lips. 

“I know we’ve b-been at odds lately. I was hard on your training. It’s…I-It’s how I learned, but I should have listened that it wasn’t working for you. I’m sor-” A mushroom was shoved into his lips along with her forefinger and thumb. 

“No need. I’ve been pretty rough to handle and I know it,” Judith interrupted.

“You’ve had more than enough reason to,” he argued. 

“You have too. We’ve both been through it, but I didn’t make anything easier. Is…Is this a peace offering?” 

He tucked his lips in under his teeth while a pit formed in his stomach. Of course it was obvious. The candles were a bad call, weren’t they? 

“Only w-wished to make things up to you somewhat. The last time we tried to make time was in Stemoss and, well…” The memory still brought a pain to his gut. Rubbing didn’t help. Black eyes filled with every star in their reflective surface as he ducked from her gaze. Grass rustled as he wiped the juice from his tail there. 

“And before that it was after I had just woken up from a very long nap.” Her hand entered his loose barrier and rested upon his knee. “We had fun there, but… I stressed you out again by wandering off. I’m not used to having someone look out for me so much, but I’m trying.” 

“Y-Yes.” What else could he say? Chit fidgeted by flicking the tip of his tail around and alternating to spinning it in circles. He nearly reached liftoff when she leaned in to kiss his cheek. When was the last time? Did it matter now? Bit by bit, his tail uncoiled itself and fell behind him. “It’s alright, really.” 

“You haven’t made it seem so, but… For now, can it be?” The soft bounce of her bushy hair met his shoulder before her weight settled over it. Hints of the fresh fruit, the ever present sea, and her usual yet strange touch of fresh carved wood and dirt made him feel as though he were bathing in the land itself. If not for the horrors, their forebears may have found this land to be pleasantly hospitable. 

A crack of a twig shocked him to alertness again. A small shadow proved the source of the sound to be nothing more than the wildlife, what little there may be on the island. Judith’s hand moved from his leg to his back and clapped him. 

“W-What was that for?” 

“Too tense. We’ve both been. Come on!” 

“Judith, what are you doing?” He was pulled to his feet as away from their meal to a barren patch of land just outside the candles’ glow. Her hands grasped at his and pulled him a couple unsteady steps nearer before she laid them on her hips. 

“We’re dancing.” 

The phrasing was so matter of fact he didn’t have a chance to argue, or to complain he didn’t know any real steps again. Just like that distant day where he was so relieved to see her alive, to see her smile and frolic about like nothing had happened, she took his shoulders and pulled him along in a dizzying twirl. Step for step, back on his right, then forward, back on left, she made it easy to follow. Where the first was nothing but a whirlwind, she’d calmed to a stiff breeze. She was the sort of clime he could sit forever in just to soak in her rays and a breath of fresh air. The smile she wore suited her better than any jewel. 

“You’re beautiful.” 

He didn’t know he was speaking until the words had slipped from his lips. Abrupt as it was, he hadn’t expected it to stall her so. Judith’s fanciful movements winded down into a close two step with bunched up elbows between them. With all they had been through together, these quiet moments spoke the loudest. Surely, this was to be a memory he could add to the treasures, few that they were, but precious. 

His tail curled at her lower back to hold her near. He didn’t have to speak, to fumble, though his hands shook as he ran both through her long hair to rid her of some of the debris from their walk. Not yet. He didn’t want it to end, so he pulled her along to the right in a circle. Judith became the fulcrum, his anchor. Even as he grew farther and farther away and she fell to giggles at his attempts at improvisation, he knew he’d do it all again to hear her. 

Judith wound herself up in his tail as she spun back to him. Chest to chest, the two breathed in near unison as the breeze stirred the greenery around them. No beat, no lyrics, yet he felt the stir music raised in a soul. She vibrated with it every day, but he’d grown too accustomed, too disinterested in the midst of the turmoil their lives became. Her cheeks were flushed with emotions he knew well now, yet he wanted to hear it once more. It would always be once more. What a frightening concept, yet, she was worth coming out from the dark. 

“I love you,” he whispered. 

The next steps led him back away. She did love a game. He was re-learning how to play. Judith gave chase with a grin and a sparkle back in her eyes. His hands were stolen into hers as she pulled and crossed one to her chest in a half turn. This time she circled around him in a much tighter motion. He jerked some as he was compelled to move with her from the tether of their hands, around and around in circles, the two spun until Chit was dizzy and Judith’s laugh was their background noise. Skips, tugs, untraceable steps all became more common as she danced like the first time they danced. 

He fell behind, leaving her on her own so he could watch a moment. Red strips of fabric spun around her long legs in a blur. No rhyme or reason were in her movements, but it flowed as easily as breathing for her. Out of breath as he was watching and chuckling, Chit ran back in. Judith jumped back half a step in bewilderment as he charged up close. His tail caught her back and pulled her in again. He’d meant to go for her shoulder with his hand to rejoin her, but the softness of her cheek brushed his skin instead. From there, one movement led to the next as if they had practiced more. 

Gentle at first as he parted her lips with his own, yet the heat of the kiss carried down into his stomach. Judith’s hands found a spot to rest on his lower back over the spasms of his tail. Eager lips pressed in harder to his own. The tart, sweet taste of berries melded to his lips. His eyes welled, but he didn’t let it fall until the salt of her own tears turned the embrace that much sweeter. His thumb passed under her eye to wipe at the overflow, but he wouldn’t pull away. 

Both had stilled for an indeterminable amount of time, but the moon still shone above when Judith pulled back to take a shaky breath and finish drying her eyes. Her smile quivered. He wished to cement it, but settled for stealing another kiss. 

“I love you too,” she replied late. Her next kiss pushed his lips to his teeth as her arms wound around his back. He barely kept them upright with his tail, leaning back on it as a spring as they sank slowly to the cold ground below.

(Art by @fracturedfable - Twitter and dA)