#fics going to be late today

[demaparbat-hp]

Hey, @geothewriter, was it necessary to break my heart?

A little thing for Vermillion Seas, Cardinal Skies, a truly magnificent fic that has left yours truly rolling on the ground more than once. I'll post the entire artwork once it's finished! For now, you get a little sneak peek.

Start reading the fic here. You can find Chapter 19 (from which this scene comes from) here!

[myokk]

This couldn't be happening again.

He was so foolish, to believe that he could try and befriend someone new, and that things would be fine. How could he have done this to Eloise? Sebastian had long started to believe that he, too, was also cursed: somehow everyone and everything he touched turned to ashes and he couldn't bear to see the insidious tentacles of...whatever this was reaching out to wrap around Eloise as well.

Hadn't he done enough damage already? And yet...

He couldn't let go of his hold on her body, hoping against hope that he could do something to help her. He slowly turned her body around so that she was facing him, hands reaching up to cradle her pale cheeks as he whispered feverishly: please please you can't die please Eloise please it's going to be fine...

[osamusriceballs]

Last-Minute Plans

Ushijima x fem reader

Warnings: NSFW (cockwarming, rather soft)

Words: ~ 1,5 k

About: Wakatoshi got a ring for you, and he needs to make sure it fits.

A/n: Happy Birthday to our beloved Wakatoshi-kun~

"It fits,"

he mumbles with a sigh of relief, one he hadn't realized he was holding. He looks contently at the jewelry now adorning your ring finger.

Ushijima knows that he's late with this. He should have attempted this plan a long time ago; he despises last-minute actions. Lately, however, you've insisted on waiting until he returns home late from practice due to extended training sessions just before the crucial match, making it impossible for him to secretly slip that ring onto your finger to see if it fits. He's aware he hasn't been giving you the time you deserve lately, but he's determined to make it up as soon as he can. He intends to spoil you as soon as the match is over and his schedule finally allows him to have more free time, treating you like the princess you are.

He had nearly abandoned the idea of trying the ring on your finger. He considered simply hoping for the best, planning to alter the ring quickly after proposing if it didn't fit. He knows you wouldn't have minded, but he wanted this moment to be perfect. The first difficulty he had encountered, however, was that you had rings in various sizes in your jewelry box- probably for different fingers, but even after sorting through them, he was still not convinced that he chose the right size.

Relief washes over him as he sees the ring fitting comfortably, and for a short moment, he envisions your future together. He dreams of having you sleep beside him every night, of going on the vacation you've always dreamed of, and of giving you the beautiful wedding ceremony you've always wanted. He's already asked Tendou to be his best man and informed his parents of his plans. He even decided to send his father a notice that his son will be getting married soon—hopefully.

The ring looks stunning on your hand. It's noticeable yet subtly elegant. He's confident you'll love it; you've often praised his taste, describing him as simple in his choices, which you adore.

His gaze drifts to your peaceful sleeping form. You must be exhausted not to have woken up yet. Normally, you'd wait until he returns or awaken when he quietly lies down beside you, an act he's yet to master. You'd always greet him with a tender kiss, a gesture he cherishes most during his days and misses the most when he's away. Yet, you sleep soundly, your face soft, breathing steady. You're wearing one of his shirts, the old Shiratorizawa jersey you claim is the comfiest—adorable on you, he agrees.

He's fairly certain you're wearing only flimsy panties beneath, but he'll take his sweet time tomorrow to explore every inch of your body.

"Toshi," your sleepy voice pulls him from his daydreams, and he quickly hides the ring, clutching your hand in his. You stir, turning towards him, brows furrowing as you reach out blindly.

"Y/n, go back to sleep. It's late," he murmurs in a soothing tone, knowing you find his voice calming.

"I missed you," you groan, squinting your eyes as you try to make out his face in the dimly lit room.

"I missed you too," he replies, smiling softly and leaning down to press a tender kiss to your lips. You smile in return, bringing your free hand to his cheek, a bit clumsily—almost slapping his face, but he doesn't mind; he is simply happy having you close.

"You haven't shaved today," you mumble as you caress his cheek. He hums in response. "I forgot. Does it bother you?"

"No, it doesn't. But you never forget to shave. What was on your mind today?"

You, he thinks, but for once, he refrains from sharing his thoughts. He needs to distract you, to take back the ring unnoticed. How you haven't noticed it so far surprises him.

"I was thinking about…" he begins, his voice trailing off, unsure how to respond without you getting suspicious.

"Wakatoshi, come to bed. You seem really tired," you yawn, and he suddenly knows what he needs to do.

Ushijima leans down to kiss you again, this time deepening the kiss with more passion. He feels your response, your body arching into his touch, your lips moving in sync with his.

"Toshi," you're already breathless after a few kisses, and he finally feels your hand relax, fingers intertwining with his with the metal still on your finger. He typically holds your hand more firmly, but now he keeps his grip gentle, ensuring you don't feel the ring on your finger. With his free hand, he traces the hem of your shirt, his fingers gliding beneath the fabric, encountering the softness of your skin.

"Want you, but I'm tired," you whisper against his lips, prompting him to nuzzle against your neck. "Should I pleasure you? Should I make you feel full?" You moan softly and weakly nod, your eyes barely open in the dark room. Unbeknownst to you, a wave of relief washes over him. This may not be going exactly as he planned, but making love to you with the ring already on your finger is better than he could have imagined.

He quickly runs through potential scenarios in which he could smoothly slide the ring off your finger, deciding to position himself behind you while maintaining a hold on your hand in front of your body. Shifting his body weight, he maneuvers behind you until his chest presses against your back. He skillfully settles beneath the blanket without releasing your hand, making sure not to tighten his grip around your fingers. His lips find your neck, where he places the gentlest kisses against your skin, earning the softest, most beautiful moans from your lips. His hips begin to rhythmically move against your backside, and he feels how he hardens in his pants.

You contently hum while you lean into his touch, raising one leg to allow him to slip his thigh between yours. "Feels good," you murmur as he starts a grinding motion against your pussy. He feels his growing need, a nearly instinctive response to your body. His earlier suspicion about you wearing only his shirt and panties appears accurate; that much he notices when his shorts ride up and his bare thigh grinds against your cunt. As much as he wants the feeling of your bare skin against his, he knows that undressing might raise too much suspicion. Instead, he guides his free hand downward, gently tracing circles against your clothed center.

"You're so perfect. So beautiful. I love you so much," he whispers into your ear, causing you to shudder in his arms. Your grip on his hand tightens, while your other hand softly clutches the sheets. He understands your needs. Grateful that he's still wearing the soft shorts, he pushes them down slightly, quickly freeing his cock.

"Should I use some lube?" he asks, concern lacing his voice, worried about hurting you since he hasn't fully prepared you yet—a truly challenging task when ensuring your hand remains held and he can only use one hand properly.

"Think I'm wet enough," you mumble, and he dips two fingers between your folds to confirm, and he is rewarded with enough arousal to forget about his worries.

As much as he wants to ravish you right now, he knows you would probably drift off to sleep if he makes love to you tenderly—so that's precisely what he does. He gently spreads your legs further with his thigh, allowing his cock to rest between your legs. It has almost become a routine for him to set aside your panties and gradually ease his cock inside you- a practice that you often do after he comes home late from his practice sessions.

A breathy moan escapes your lips at the stretch, and he feels his own body tensing at the sensation of your soft walls around him. He continues to push until he's fully inside of you. You always take him so well—it feels breathtaking to be buried deep inside you. He still hopes you'll succumb to sleep in this embrace, even though he's surely wide awake himself.

"Feels good," you hum, your breathing gradually returning to a steady rhythm. He pulls you closer, inhaling the soothing flowery scent of your hair- a scent that always brings him comfort and calms his mind when he can't seem to rest. You might not fully grasp how much he loves you—how every fiber of his being yearns for you, how he wishes for you to be happy and to be his. This is precisely why he plans to propose to you tomorrow and to place the ring back on your finger. You wouldn't refuse him on his birthday, would you?

"Sleep well, my love."

[tomaturtles]

IT'S KAWOSHIN DAY!!! As well as the last day of Kawoshin Week :') It's been such a blast, gonna miss it when it's over

Kawoshin Week Day 7: Cuddling/domestic fluff! + Sleepover and Spinoffs (again)! Based on the Campus Apocalypse sleepover chapter ☺️

[tetzoro]

good morning my sweet friendz and happy tuesday. i just wanted to take a sec and say i’m glad that you’re here with me and that we get to be cozy in our lil corner of the internet together. i hope today treats you kindly and i’m really proud of you. 🤍

[rafyki]

Goth! Nico/ Surfer! Percy AU Part 8!

Hi, sorry for the wait!! I was a little in doubt about if making this chapter in Percy's or Nico's POV, tbh, but in the end I decided that we're back to Percy! I always enjoy writing him being all smitten and in love <33

Enjoy~

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7

You can also read it on AO3!!

~~~~

Percy had been looking at his phone for what felt like hours, staring at the empty message box and the name written on top, trying to find something, anything, to write that wouldn't sound extremely lame.

He knew his friends were looking at him, probably thinking he was the most ridiculous lovesick fool they had ever seen - which was fair, honestly, because Percy did feel like he was one second away from screaming into the void and starting to roll around on the cafe’s floor. 

So, yes, he was a lovesick fool - but a lovesick fool with his crush's number now safely saved into his phone.

Crush.

It had been two days since his meeting with Nico at the beach, and for the whole time Percy had felt like the word wasn't right, wasn't nearly heavy enough to embrace the way he felt. When he had told Annabeth, she had looked at him and smiled.

“I can see that, Percy, but you do realize you barely know him, don't you?”

It was true, of course it was - yet it didn't matter.

Percy could still feel the warmth of Nico's hand in his like it was engraved on his skin. The need to hold it again was almost overwhelming, Percy could feel himself going crazy for it.

They had held hands, and it had felt like Nico hadn't wanted to let go either, that he had wanted to make the contact last as long as possible just like Percy had.

Percy wanted to text him. But what do you even write to the guy who's been haunting your mind for the past few months and who you aren't exactly friends with but at the same time it feels like you're so much more?

“Hi, it's Percy, how are you?” 

Yeah, no, that was lame. 

“Hey, would you like to go on a date with me?”

Too forward, definitely not.

Percy groaned, frustrated.

“I swear to god, Jackson, if you don't stop staring at that phone right now, I'm gonna kick you out of this place”.

Thalia's voice pulled him violently out of his thoughts.

“This is a public space, Thalia, you can't kick me out”, he replied without even looking at her.

“Oh yeah, watch me”.

Percy only looked up at her when a kick did actually hit his legs under the table.

“Ehi!”

Thalia smirked down at him. “Told ya”, she said. “I can't believe I only come here like two times a year - and when I do, you're too busy to look at your phone to actually talk to me? That's low, Jackson”.

Percy rolled his eyes, but the pull in his guts let him know that he did feel guilty. He sighed and finally put his phone down, straightening himself and going back to sip his coffee. Not that he would apologize to Thalia, but he could admit to himself that she was right; and after all, if he put aside for a moment his current concern, he really was happy to see her. It had been months since the last time they had the chance to hang out together like this.

“Don't mind him, Thalia”, Annabeth jumped in. “He just got his dream boy's number! And now he's trying to figure out what to write to him”.

She said it like it was ridiculous, but Percy remembered how happy she had been for him when he had told her about the events of two days ago, so he didn't take it to heart.

“His what!?”, Thalia almost screamed, accompanying every word with a painful slap on Percy's shoulder. “Why don't I know anything about this! How could you guys not tell me, come on!”

He swatted her hand away. “Ouch, ow, ow, okay, alright!”

“I can't believe this! I can't even remember the last time you had a crush”.

“Yeah, well”, Percy said, and lowered his eyes. “Doesn't really feel like a crush, anymore”. 

“Oh woah, then it must be serious”, she said. “Come on, tell me everything”.

And so he told her - told her about the first time he saw the pretty goth boy working at the beach kiosk, about how long he had spent just looking at him. Trying to leave out the most embarrassing parts was no use because of course Annabeth had to jump in to point out how ridiculous he had been the whole time and how much he had panicked to just go and talk to him to buy something, and obviously she couldn't leave out his plan to impress Nico with his fantastic surfing moves.

“Annabeth, stop making me look like a loser!”

“I'm not making you look like a loser, Seaweed brain, I’m just telling the truth!”.

Percy kept talking, and he kept thinking about Nico, and he knew that he had the most enamored smile painted on his lips as he spoke. He talked and he couldn't stop because, god, he did love to talk about him.

They had only seen each other the previous day and Percy missed him already. He definitely needed to find the courage to text him - perhaps he didn't need to think too much about it, maybe a simple hey how are you would do, after all.

He wondered if Nico was doing the same, looking at his phone and trying to find something to write to him, or maybe waiting and hoping for a text to arrive.

He was so focused on recounting everything that he didn't notice the way Thalia's expression went from curious to surprised, then to confused, and finally to pensive.

“Wait, what did you say this guy's name is?”

Percy stopped in his rambling. “Nico, his name’s Nico”, he said, and finally noticed how Thalia seemed to be deep in thought. “What’s that face?”

It took a moment for her to reply. “Nico as in… Nico Di Angelo?”

Percy stopped and looked at her like she had grown a second head. “What?”

Next to him, he heard Annabeth’s voice echoing the same sentiment.

“What are you talking about?”

“Goth boy, shortie, long hair and lots of piercings, doesn’t seem like he own anything but black clothes, looks like he doesn’t know how to smile-”

“Hey, I’ll let you know that he has the prettiest smile you could ever imagine!”

Thalia waved him off at the same time that Annabeth said “Yes that does sound exactly like him”.

“And he works at the beach kiosk with a blond guy?”

A long moment of silence passed during which Percy kept staring at Thalia as her words kept swarming around in his head, blinking at her trying to process what she had just said. 

It couldn’t be, could it?

“You know him!?”

Percy could feel his heart run around in his chest, pumping blood loudly in his ears.

That felt so much like fate. 

“Huh, kind of?”, Thalia said. “I saw him a couple of times when I went to visit my brother”.

“Your brother?”, Annabeth asked.

Thalia nodded, smiling. “The blond guy working at the kiosk. That’s my brother, Jason”.

Another moment of silence passed before Percy finally came to his senses. “What the hell, why didn’t you tell us!”

This time, it was his turn to swat Thalia’s arm over and over. She hit back with just as much strength.

“Ow, why would I tell you! I didn’t even know you guys went to that beach - see, your fault you don’t tell me anything!”

Percy could feel Annabeth rolling her eyes at their antics.

But he had more pressing things to think about. He couldn’t believe it- really? 

It was so stupid, feeling giddy for something like this, but Percy couldn’t help the smile that rose to his lips. They were connected.

You’re so ridiculous, Percy Jackson, so ridiculous, he told himself, as his heart danced in his chest.

“Nico Di Angelo”, he murmured to himself. 

He knew his friends were looking at him ready to laugh at him. He looked at Annabeth. “See? I told you he must be an angel!”

They did laugh at him at that, and Percy felt so light he joined them. 

“You really are so ridiculous, Seaweed Brain”.

“Hey, can’t a man be a little in love?”

They stopped in their laughter to stare at him, and it took Percy a moment to realize what he had said. He felt himself blush - he hadn’t even admitted it to himself yet, yet the words had felt way too natural on his tongue, leaving his lips without him even thinking about it.

“Percy….”

“I know”, he cut her off, looking away. For some reason, his hand felt warm. “I know, I don’t know him all that well and it’s too soon. But… that’s why I said a little”.

“So you like him for real, huh?”. Thalia asked. The look in her eyes was earnest in a way that Percy wasn’t very used to. He and Thalia had been friends for a long time now, but it wasn’t often that they ended up talking seriously to each other.

Percy nodded. He really didn’t think he had ever liked anyone like he liked Nico before.

“Now, I don’t know him too well”, Thalia said. “But Jason told me once that it took him a pretty long time to get close to him ‘cause Nico isn’t an easy person - so, from what I know and from what you told me, I can say that you are an exception to this rule”.

Percy’s heart was running miles.

He thought about Nico so easily talking to him, smiling at him, thought of him asking about him out of worry, of him taking his hand and getting in the ocean with him despite his fear of it.

“I can ask Jason about him, if you want. But”, Thalia continued, pointing a finger at him. “You better text him - today”.

~~

When he went home that evening, the phone felt heavy in his head.

He would see Nico tomorrow anyway, he didn’t have to text him, he could easily wait until he could talk to him face to face. Or he could simply wait until tomorro’s evening and see if Nico would be at the beach after his shift again. He could.

It didn’t feel like the right thing to do. It felt like the coward way out, the one that wouldn’t lead to anything more.

And so, before he could think too much about it, he pressed send.

Me: Ehi, Nico! You have the afternoon shift tomorrow, right? Let’s hang out at the beach again after it?

[spiderin-space]

Woomy…?

[torchickentacos]

If anyone else's windows device taskbar has been giving them too much world health news and prompting anxiety spirals, you can turn this thing off:

by right-clicking any blank part of the task bar, hitting this:

and turning this off.

Signed, 'oh my god I already mask indoors every day and live in constant fear of my jacked up immune system leading to my untimely demise, please stop telling me about fun new diseases'.

[foxgirlknot]

kinktober 2024 day 1: gearing up (red/ascalon) (ao3)

clock ticks into place. 00:57:00. time to prepare.

cage. ascalon locked it before. cold, uncomfortable between her legs. keeps her secure. begins to purr when hunt begins, harder the closer to her prey.

clothes. plain gray is fine. top, briefs. soft, simple.

pads. black, hard plastic, soft leather. knees, elbows, wrists. not needed, but ascalon insists.

pants, coat. feels light, feels wrong. ascalon removed knives. another rule. feels wrong.

00:58:22. no time to worry.

tonight, different knives. blunt, safe. again, not needed, but ascalon has rules. coated instead in orange powder, on hands, on sheathes. on ascalon, if hunt succeeds. into coat, quickly.

boots. sit, to lace them. tight, but not too tight. need mobility. ascalon is quick.

fingers slip, on laces. 00:59:03. need to hurry.

mask. solid, black. straps around her head, pull over her face, bite the bar. tap the side to seal, air hissing cold to her face.

hood, over her head. to door, tap the keypad, stop the timer.

00:59:46. safe.

ascalon hisses in her ear.

"Getting faster. Good work. Next time, 2 minutes to prepare. same consequence for failure."

nod. she can see. hear her chuckle.

"Good. Come catch me, little wolf."

00:59:55. 00:59:56. 00:59:57.

feel her heart beat harder, breath come faster. ready.

01:00:00. door to her room slides open.

time for the hunt to begin.

[theghostofashton]

inspiration saturday

thank you @alrightbuckaroo @strandnreyes for the tags!!

open tag!

[steddielations]

,

[adrift-in-thyme]

Whumptober Day 16: "Don't go where I can't follow"

Continuation of Day 10

Read it on Ao3

- Time, Twilight & Warriors

- Summary: The Chain attempts to rescue Time from the Lost Woods before it's too late

CW for mild body horror, blood and injury

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

The battle against the Shadow is a long one. Warriors would be lying if he said he was surprised. The monster is more powerful than ever (likely because of all the life force he drained from the rancher, he thinks bitterly) and stubborn to boot. He is not one to go down easily. 

But even the mightiest of evils can fall. Especially when faced with a group of furious heroes. Now he sits before them, bloodied and bound, still grinning as though the tip of the Master Sword is not pressed against his neck.

“Where’s Time?”

His voice is firm and almost devoid of the anger burning within. Warriors supposes years in the military have done him a favor in that respect. 

“Tell us now or that blade will be the last thing you see.”

The Shadow’s grin grows wider and his gaze flits to where Twilight stands, pale and weak but practically emanating fury. “Oh, I’ll tell you. Though it will make little difference. He is well beyond saving, now. You took so very long to take me down, after all.”

The rancher steps forward, hands balled into white-knuckled fists. “Where is he?”

The Shadow chuckles. “So impatient. Haven’t you ever heard that good things come to those who wait?”

Sky presses the sword closer to the monster’s neck. His eyes are ablaze with a fire Warriors knows is always there yet rarely sees.

“Tell us where our friend is,” he says, voice dangerously quiet, like ice about to crack.

“Very well.” The Shadow blows out a long suffering sigh. “Your beloved leader has returned home.”

“To Lon Lon Ranch?” Wind asks, puzzled. But Twilight goes several shades paler.

“The Lost Woods,” he breathes.

The Shadow inclines his head in his direction. “Indeed. You know what happens when an outsider enters those woods, do you not, Hero of Twilight?”

“What?” All eyes turn toward Twilight. Wind’s are as large as saucers. “What happens?”

For a long moment, Twilight doesn’t speak. When he does his voice is nearly as brittle as Sky’s and far more bitter.

“They become stalfos. Skeletal creatures forced to wander the woods forever, bound by their lingering regrets.”

Warriors’ blood runs cold. He whirls back to face the monster, fighting to keep his composure.

“Take us to him, now.”

The Shadow’s smile is borderline demonic. “No.”

“No?” Legend squawks. “What do you mean no? What, can you not even open a simple portal now?”

“I mean just what I said,” the Shadow replies, coolly. “No. I refuse to take you to him. If you wish to speak your parting words to the Hero of Time, you must find your own way to reach him. I would hurry if I were you. He has been there for a few hours now. That is more than enough time for the forest to claim him.”

Twilight makes a choked noise that is half-growl and half-sob. Wild puts a hand on his arm. 

“You do know you’re the one with the sword at your neck, right?” he asks, keeping his gaze on the Shadow. “You don’t really have a choice. You either take us to him or you die.”

“Are those really my only options?” The Shadow pulls his arms out from behind his back, eliciting exclamations of shock and anger from all over the room. He ignores them and lifts his arms with a tired sigh, rubbing at his wrists. “It’s too dull, really, only having two when the world is far more complex than that. Perhaps, next time you will provide me with a more invigorating challenge.”

Sky lunges forward, but the Shadow darts away with ease.

“Too bad that you didn’t win,” he coos, drifting like a smoke cloud on the opposite side of the room. “But you know, many claim that the need for vengeance is a strong motivator. I’m sure you will soon find that to be true.”

They jump for him almost as one. But he fades effortlessly into the shadows, leaving nothing except the echoes of his laughter and the heaviness of dark magic hanging in the air.

For a moment after he is gone, Warriors can only stand there, uncharacteristically paralyzed. Then, Wind’s voice jumpstarts him back into action.

“We’ve got to be able to find him! There has to be a way! Come on guys, think!”

“Yes.” He shakes his head, clearing visions of his little brother wandering like a phantom through the forest he once called home. “Yes, there must be a way. Does anyone have any items that might help us travel through time?”

Besides Time’s ocarina, he thinks, bitterly.

“Better yet, has anyone here conveniently gained the ability to open a portal?” Legend asks, drily.

Slowly, Hyrule steps forward. “Not on my own… But I think I might have an idea.”

Twilight’s eyes light up. “You do?”

Hyrule nods. “I can’t promise that it’ll work. But if Ledge and I work together we may be able to draw on the remains of the Shadow’s magic to reconstruct the portal. It won’t stay open for long though, so you’ll have to get him out fast.”

“How long is not long?” Wild asks, frowning.

Hyrule exchanges a look with Legend. The veteran gives an almost imperceptible nod.

“Ten minutes, at the most.”

Warriors takes a deep breath and blows it out. “That’s all we need.” ----------------

Time doesn’t exist in the Lost Woods. 

There is day and night, of course. But they are the only things differentiating one hour from the next. There are no clocks to read the exact measure of how long you have been doing something. No set times to accomplish one task or another.

It is so very different from Termina. And yet, Time had forgotten. He had forgotten about that characteristic of his home.

Once he had loved it. Now, he abhors it.

It rids him of what little sense of control he still has, draining it away like it steals the air from his lungs, dries the blood in his veins. For the first time in a long time, he has no inkling of how many minutes, or hours, or seconds have passed. And he sags beneath the crushing weight of helplessness.

At first, he forces himself to continue fighting. He still has to save Twilight, after all, and the rest of his boys. He still has to return to Malon. So, he fights the forest with every ounce of strength he has left, until every part of him that is still human is broken and bloodied and his throat is so hoarse from screams of agony that speech is impossible.

He fights until he cannot any longer. 

The forest is strong. That steadfast might once kept him safe from the horrors that awaited him outside. Now, it holds him fast, slowly draining the life from his aching body.

The vines are still around his neck, though their grip has loosened slightly now that he has practically given up. With the way that they have situated themselves, he has little choice but to gaze upward at the clouded sky. In the haze he floats within it is hopelessly blurred, merely a smear of greenish-gold.

Distantly, he wonders if he will still be able to see it at all once he fully belongs to the forest. Will it take his remaining eye too, leaving him to stumble around blindly? Or will it allow him the bitter mercy of being able to see the paths he no longer understands?

A tear rolls down his cheek, leaving a trail of fire. Time closes his eye.

Pain is all he knows now, its wrath unending. He can no longer tell where it begins and where it ends, whether or not it is from his mad struggle or his decomposing body. It doesn’t matter either way. The fact remains the same. This is his fate now, terrible though it may be. He fell right into its clawing clutches. 

He failed. And this time there is no way to turn back the clock. 

Forgive me.

Darkness draws at him, as the vines tighten anew. It tempts him, beckons him forth. But some part of him still yearns to remain awake, just in case some new opportunity decides to present itself. All he needs is for one arm to be free, after all. That is all. 

Yet, that seems as impossible as ever, a foolish thought of one in denial about the approach of his own demise.

Perhaps, he should merely give in to the darkness, allow himself a short rest before he awakens to a nightmare…

“Old man!”

His eye flies open as the familiar voice reaches his ears.

Twilight?

He can hardly see past the nauseating spots of light and darkness, but when the rancher comes to stand before him he can just make out his face, anger and worry and something terribly close to guilt evident upon it.

What would he think, your pup, if he could see you now?

“Pup…you…you shouldn’t be here.”

“Yes, I should.” There is something almost ferocious in his voice. “This can’t happen. Not yet. I won’t let it.”

Yet?

He knew something like this was going to come to pass, Time realizes dazedly. But there is hardly time to ponder the thought further. Because Warriors has just stepped from the portal and is standing before him now, his usual mask cracking to reveal the horror beneath.

“Sprite what…what happened?” He rushes forward, already unsheathing his sword. “What did he do to you?”

Time drags in a breath. “Wasn’t him,” he murmurs. “Not really. It was the forest. Forgot me.”

Something flashes across Twilight's face, come and gone too fast to decipher. Beside him, Warriors shakes his head. Though he is obviously struggling to replace the facade of determination and bravado, it is a losing battle. His gaze keeps drifting to Time’s hands, face going paler with each trip.

“We’re going to get you out of here,” he says, voice firm. “Don’t worry.”

Both heroes raise their swords at the same time and bring them down. Time tenses, hope and fear warring within him. There is a thunk as the metal meets plant material and sends them to the ground. Seconds later, more spring up, tightening around his arms.

He no longer feels the pain of their constrictive grasp in the places that no longer possess nerves. No, those parts have an entirely different sort of agony, the burn as though unnatural flames still lick at him. But Time feels ill anyway.

“They grew back!” 

Warriors turns toward the portal in a whirl of emerald and cobalt blue. “We need more help out here! Hurry!”

Twilight’s face darkens and hardens. He doesn’t wait for the answering calls of the others, or their thundering footsteps. He slices again and again, carving at the vines with a fervor Time has never seen before. But every time he cuts them down, they spring back up, growing quicker and more agile by the moment. And all the while the prickling burn continues to spread.

“Twilight.” It comes out as nothing more than a hoarse croak that sends sharp threads of agony through him. But he has to say it. He won’t let his boys fight the same fruitless battle as him. Especially when the same fate could befall them at any second. “Twilight, it…it’s alright.”

Twilight's head jerks up. He meets Time’s gaze with fiery eyes. But there are tears wavering just behind that steadfast determination. And it breaks Time’s heart.

“This is my fate.” He tries for a smile. He wonders if he can even form one anymore. Is his face already gone, features transformed into the grim glare of all stalfos? “There is no stopping it. Leave now while you still can. It is not your time.”

Twilight chokes on a sob. The tears he had been restraining begin to roll down his cheeks.

“It’s not yours either,” he grits out. “Don’t you give up yet old man. This isn’t your fate. Not if I have anything to say about it.”

“Not if any of us have a say in it,” Warriors pipes up. The other heroes are crowded around him now, all with horror in their eyes and determination etched across their faces. “After all, Malon will kill us if we don’t return you safely to her. And I would kinda like to stay alive for the foreseeable future.”

Then flee this place, Time wants to cry, before the forest claims you too.

But the captain is already turning away from him to address Sky.

“The Master Sword should be able to fight the forest magic better than any of our other items. You cut off as many of those things as possible and we’ll pull him free.”

The Skyloftian nods. With firm resolve in his movements, he raises his sword and brings it down in one, smooth, swing.

Everything goes blinding white.

Pain streaks through Time anew, so severe that a strangled scream breaks free before he can stop it. His back arches, hands curling into fists as his body fights of its own accord to escape the reach of this fresh agony. It is the same burn that accompanies the destruction of skin and muscle, only one thousand times worse. It feels as though he has walked right into the furious flames of Din’s fire.

It feels as though he is being torn apart.

“It’s working!” Warriors yells in the voice of a captain leading his men. A voice that leaves no room for the brokenness that tries to seep through it. “Keep going!”

Sky’s next swing is decidedly shakier. “I’m so sorry.”

Time’s only reply is another cry as it comes again, dizzying and nauseating and too strong to struggle against. He isn’t even allowed a second of respite. Once one strike is finished, Sky doesn’t hesitate to drive home another. Wave after wave of inescapable agony washes over him and Time begins to lose himself within it. 

But then someone shouts, “now! Grab him!” and he plummets back into something resembling consciousness. Hands grasp his arms and pull. He can feel the vines snaking along the ground, clawing at his legs and feet even as his brothers drag him away. He tries to scramble up and away from them, but his body is no longer cooperative. 

It doesn’t matter, however. Because before he can even comprehend what is happening they’re through the portal and the Lost Woods are disappearing behind them. 

His supporters slide down to the ground and Time crumples along with them.

“We did it!” Wind exclaims, with a leap of joy. “You’re not skeletony any more!”

He’s right. Time forces his eye open for just long enough to gaze disbelievingly at his trembling hand. It is flesh and blood once more. As if it were never gone in the first place. As if it were all just another nightmare.

“Yeah…we did. You’re safe, Sprite.”

It’s breathed more than spoken. Time drags his attention away from his hand to see Warriors, his face completely vulnerable now, exhaustion and relief dancing in his eyes. When he realizes Time’s gaze is upon him, he sends him a shaky grin.

“And thank Hylia for it. I couldn't have wrangled this many youths on my own.”

Chuckles sound around the room, thick with relief. Time can’t dredge up the strength to reply, but he manages a smile at least.

“Thank you,” he murmurs, barely above a whisper. 

“There’s nothing to thank us for,” Twilight says, with a watery grin. “I told ya old man, we weren’t gonna just leave you to a terrible fate like that.”

“Of course, not.” Warriors pulls him close and Time lets himself relax against him, just as he did as a small child, curled up beside his big brother. “You’re stuck with us, Sprite, whether you like it or not.”

Time hums and lets his eye slip closed. He can still feel the vines around him and the remnants of the searing agony of his transformation. But for now he can rest, for now he can let himself slip away. 

Because, at last, he is home.

[bug-decal-kissing]

Hey friends!

Alone Inside by ackletze was updated today, with 2/? Chapters released! It has a rating of Teen And Up Audiences and No Archive Warnings Apply, with the additional tags "Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Grief/Mourning, Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Enemies to Roommates"

You can read it here:

I AM SCARED I AM SCARED I AM SCARED. MY BOYS. MY POOR BOYS. THE ANGST IS DEFINITELY THERE. PRISMO I AM SO SORRY SCARAB I AM SO SORRY. THEY NEED THERAPY. THE ARGUMENT HURT OW OW OW/pos. This was such a good chapter, everything felt so real and now I am very scared as to what is going to happen next vbhnjmkl please let the comfort of hurt/comfort come soon/hj

And They Were Roomates by Finn565 was updated today, with 2/2 Chapters released! It has a rating of General Audiences and No Archive Warnings Apply, with the additional tags "Fluff and Angst, Scarab has self esteem issues, They wont leave my head I can not stop thinking about them, Fluff, Angst, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Prismo is actually the best for real, Developing Relationship, Scarab is manic at one point, Touch-Starvedthey both are, Kissing, Wonder what kissing a wall is like fr"

You can read it here:

Prismo you simp/j. I love Scarab using it to tease him, like yes king you are attractive now weaponize it <3. And then they start talking about Jake and that always makes me go🥹 oh my poor boys my poor, poor boys. Scarab is finally being nice for once in his lonely life/j. He can't comprehend that Prismo just wants to be nice to him my poor stupid boy/lh.

Day Jobs and Daydreams by RainSparks29 was updated today, with 5/? Chapters released! It has a rating of Teen And Up Audiences and No Archive Warnings Apply, with the additional tags "Slow Burn, Exes, Enemies to Lovers, Alternate Universe - Human, Alternate Universe - Office, except the office is not present much, it exists in spirit, Narcolepsy, prismo has narcolepsy, Scarab's POV, I like these guys, Hurt/Comfort, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Grief/Mourning, implied prisjake, No beta we die like Jake"

You can read it here:

I was HYPED for this one, I love this work so much, it's just written so well !!! I feel bad for Cosmic now that he has to sit between these two doing whatever the heck they're doing/j. And now Scarab knows that Prismo is at least a little attracted to him, and he has to be normal about that; I could never. I love the way everyone is written in this work, the characters just work so well !

Golden Eyes by Kurei16 was updated today, with 3/? Chapters released! It has a rating of Explicit and Graphic Depictions Of Violence, with the additional tags "Alternate Universe - Pirate, I Wrote This Instead of Sleeping, no proofread, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Torture, Dead Dove: Do Not Eat, Panic Attacks"

You can read it here:

MY BOOOOOOOOY NOT MY BOOOOOOOOY-- PRISMO YOU PIRATE B IT C H/hj. I'm so excited about this fic, I love the pirate AU, even if it makes me want to be violent against my favourite pink sticker man/pos. Scarab is going to need some therapy after this; too bad it's too early for therapists/j. I am HYPED to see nightmo soon too !! I don't know if he'll be worse than Prismo, but the bar is set pretty high right now/lh.

A new work, Like Looking In A Mirror, by phoenixash234flames, was published today, with 1/1 Chapters released! It has a rating of General Audiences and No Archive Warnings Apply, with the additional tags "Multiverse, Sort Of, part of wedding wishes but also not really, AU-ception?"

You can read it here:

I love this series so much, they get to be SOFT and MARRIED <3. I'm glad Orbo is at least a little bit nice, letting them go to Fionnaworld. Also, very in-character of Prismo having no actual plan when they got there. Empty-headed king/j. I always like it when they get to see Fionna and Cake again, it's funny when they realise what's going on between Scarab and Prismo fvgbh They are so silly and it's so nice :].

Seraphyllic-⭑-Prohibited Wish by DrakianDH was updated today, with 4/15 Chapters released! It has a rating of Teen And Up Audiences and Graphic Depictions Of Violence along with Major Character Death and the additional tags "scarab the god auditor - Freeform, prismo the wishmaster - Freeform, Priscrab, ProhibitedWish, Scrabby, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, no beta we get turned to legos like the lich, Adventure & Romance, Story within a Story, Eventual Happy Ending, Maybe - Freeform, Author Is Sleep Deprived, The Author Regrets Nothing, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, You gotta work for the comfort, begining poem important, each chapter a word, prepare"

You can read it here:

Cosmic Owl once more has to sit and watch these two do whatever the heck they're doing/pos. Scarab may be acting like a little baby who wants to sit in his room and brood for the rest of eternity, but at least Prismo is being nice about it wbhdencrf They finally get a chance to be soft and it's so good :,]. I'm now extra scared about the upcoming chapters/lh.

Silly Bug by TJade was updated today, with 2/? Chapters released! It has a rating of Teen And Up Audiences and No Archive Warnings Apply, with the additional tags "Genderbending, Domestic Fluff, Teasing, Humor, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Rating May Change, Suggestive Themes, Awkwardness"

You can read it here:

More of the girls YES PLEASE !!! And we get a little bit of Fionna time too :] ! It's so funny that she sees Carrie and is immediately like 'oh glob not SCARAB,' at least Carrie is nice to her <3. Cake has no filter but that's okay because she's a little kitty. I love seeing them interact with Fionna, she is reeling dcvfgbhj

That Won't Fly With The Boss by just_a_somebody has been updated today, with 5/? Chapters released! It has a rating of Teen And Up Audiences and No Archive Warnings Apply, with the additional tags "Prismo x scarab, ProhibitedWish, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Headcanon, might've given him trauma, please just hear me out - Freeform, what if scarab had wings like scarab beetles are supposed to?, key word had, it makes sense with canon(to me at least), My first fic, Be nice to me, Post-Canon, and they were ROOMMATES, this can probably be considered as scarab having ptsd, PTSD, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Enemies to Lovers, Developing Relationship"

You can read it here:

HYPED for this work too !! Poor Prismo has to deal with Scarab's little guys form, he's lucky they're so cute/j. I love the way Prismo treats them and just how he treats Scarab in general, king is trying his best <3. They get to be soft and it's GOOD !! More people need to write about Scarab's little guy form(/nf), the possibilities of him getting up to no good are endless.

NSFW works are below the cut :].

A new work, got you in my mind, by rizzy_luke, was published today, with 1/1 Chapters released! It has a rating of Explicit and No Archive Warnings Apply, with the additional tags "Masturbation, prismo is whipped, i blacked out and end up with this, ig theres some plot elements here??, theyre texting now"

You can read it here:

Prismo is so down bad it isn't even funny anymore/j. I love the soft office AU, and getting a work from Prismo's PoV is always a treat :]. The ending made me cackle; Scarab you have no idea what you are doing to him <3/lh.

A new work, Touch, by kiripiry, was published today, with 1/1 Chapters released! It has a rating of Explicit and No Archive Warnings Apply, with the additional tags "Fluff and Smut, Fluff, Anal Sex, Biting, First Time, Blow Jobs, Touch-Starved, Prismo wants to touch things, and scarab is helping him, confession kinda?? cause they are idiots, written from a shutdown nest, My First Fanfic, very self indulgent"

You can read it here:

These GOOBS are so GOOBERLY !!/pos. I love how they get to be intimate without having actual sex at the beginning. They are relishing in their human bodies and it is so nice :]. Absolutely smitten for each other too. I love it <3

[set-phasers-to-whump]

leave (stay)

prompt: "leave me alone"

whumpee: illya kuryakin

fandom: the man from uncle

hello here's another sickfic for my beloved illya :) it's sort of pre ship napoleon/illya sort of not idk. what is romance even. hope you enjoy!!

“Leave me alone,” Illya mumbles into his folded arms, before Napoleon has even said anything, before Illya has even so much as glanced up to discover who is behind him. (From the tone of his voice, it’s abundantly clear he knows it’s Napoleon, anyway).

“Well, good afternoon to you, too, Peril.”

Illya does not move an inch, does not reply. Napoleon does not bother to attempt to fight off the instinct to tease him. 

“Sleeping on the job?” 

It is rather odd to find Illya like this, head pillowed atop his arms and a half-complete mission report in the typewriter. It’s something that Napoleon has done on…say, a few occasions, but Illya? He’s far too much of a rule-follower for something like this. 

“Go away,” is the only response Napoleon gets, and, well, if he insists. 

It’s lunchtime, anyway. Napoleon grabs his jacket and heads out to the street, making his way directly to his favorite sandwich shop a block and a half away. 

He eats at a small table by the window, watching the people on the sidewalk hustle by. The holiday season is fast approaching, and already many of them are carrying large department-store bags, surely laden with gifts. 

He muses, idly, on the topic of holidays and whether UNCLE might host - or be open to hosting, upon his gentle suggestion - a party. He wonders whether Illya would be opposed to receiving a present. Probably. 

He barely makes it back to the office before his allotted lunch time is up. He bumps into Waverly in the hall, who says nothing, merely raises an eyebrow. 

Napoleon flashes him a grin and gets the barest hint of a smile in return. He’ll count that as a strong success. 

He is expecting to return to business as usual in the office, but he discovers that Illya has not moved in the time that he has been gone, or, if he has, he’s come right back to the position Napoleon had left him in. 

He must really be tired, Napoleon thinks. After all, he’s seen Illya take out five men in two minutes after not sleeping for three days. Now, even a simple mission report seems to be too much. 

He stands behind Illya for several seconds, hoping for some acknowledgment of his presence. But nothing happens. 

I’m asking for it, he thinks, but goes ahead and jostles Illya’s shoulder anyway. 

He expects Illya’s head to snap up, perhaps for a punch to be thrown his way, or, at the very least, some strong words. 

Instead, Illya slowly lifts his head and turns around, docile as anything. Weird. 

He blinks at Napoleon, rubs a hand across his eyes. 

“Were you actually asleep?” Napoleon asks, not quite willing to believe it. 

Illya’s face morphs into what could be very charitably deemed a glare. 

“No.”

“Somehow, I don’t believe you.”

Illya shrugs. “This is not my problem. Go away.”

Undeterred, Napoleon presses on. “What did you get up to last night, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Sleeping.” Illya looks away from him. He’s angry, which is understandable, but - well, now Napoleon is really curious. And a little worried, not that anyone needs to know. 

“Is something the matter?”

“Yes. You will not leave me alone.”

With this, Illya stands up. He is presumably going to stalk away and slam a door behind him. At least, this is what Napoleon expects.

But this is not what happens. Instead, as soon as Illya’s on his feet, he raises a hand to his head and then sinks right back down into his chair. 

Napoleon is now a lot worried, and no longer in a jovial mood. 

“What’s wrong?”

Illya does not say anything. He’s closed his eyes and he’s breathing very deeply and very deliberately. 

Napoleon has an idea. He takes a step into Illya’s space, reaches out a careful hand. Illya’s forehead and cheeks are hot beneath his palm. Ah. 

“You’re sick,” Napoleon says. 

Illya does not say anything, but Napoleon knows that he’s right. 

“For how long?”

Still nothing. 

“Okay, look. You simply can’t sleep here. It’s far too uncomfortable, and sooner or later, someone a lot less caring than me is going to come by and kick your chair.”

Illya opens his eyes a little. He looks exhausted, now that Napoleon really considers him. And miserable. It makes something in his chest feel as though it is being squeezed.

A solution enters his mind. It’s not ideal, but it’s better than nothing, and he knows Illya will not complain. “Come with me. When you’re feeling up to it.”

He waits for a few seconds before Illya very slowly pushes himself up. Napoleon wordlessly offers his arm, and Illya briefly grips it, closing his eyes. When the dizziness seems to have passed, he lets go and looks at Napoleon. 

“Right. Well. Follow me.”

They go to the break room. It’s a rather forlorn space - the UNCLE agents, by and large, either do not have time to use it or would rather spend their free time anywhere else. The room is dark and has no windows. There is a rather sad bookshelf, a table with two mismatched chairs, and a couch that Napoleon firmly refuses to sit on. 

But it’s a quiet space, and the couch is a better place to sleep than a desk. 

Illya takes it with no protest. He does not bother to undress even slightly, tie and jacket and shoes still on. His eyes slip closed almost immediately, and Napoleon allows himself the simple indulgence of staring at his partner, just for a few seconds. 

“I can feel you looking at me,” Illya mumbles, without opening his eyes.

“Sorry.”

He expects to be kicked out - needs to be, actually, so he can get back to his own work before someone realizes he’s not there. 

“Will you…” Illya mumbles, on the verge of falling asleep. 

“Yes?”

Tell me to leave. Please, ask me to stay. 

He doesn’t get an answer either way. Illya has already fallen asleep. 

He lingers a few seconds more. Wishes for a blanket to drape over Illya’s sleeping form, settles for his own jacket instead. 

He turns off the lights, pulls the door shut behind him. 

“Sleep well,” he whispers into the darkness, and then he gets back to work.

thanks for reading!!! love u all <3

[wikiangela]

after days, I finally made some progress on the bucktommy smut today! (it's 3k and they're still dressed, this is gonna be a long one but when is my smut not 🤣)

[no1ryomafan]

I love how I have a big crossover fic I need to be working on that me and my beta have been chipping away at this month and after that casshern fic I finally gain motivation to write again- but instead of using it on the crossover I went “what if I write ANOTHER non getter fic and it’s kikaider EHEHEHEH” and cue to nearly 1K words later I do this instead