#for my cozy space underneath his desk

[mangosmoothiepussyv3]

rambles in the tags

[monarchberrysblog]

Giving miguel backscratches. Idk saw requests open and i just had to. Theres a spot he just cant reach. Also miguel giving backscratches sounds awesome, dudes got killer nails. Tho maybe his nails would hurt idk

𝔰𝔠𝔯𝔞𝔱𝔠𝔥𝔢𝔰

Miguel O’Hara x GN! Reader

Summary: Your man loves some good back scratches.

Content Warning ⚠️: none lmao

Word Count: 837 words 😋

Author’s Note: Yes. I would DIE to give this man back stretched and for his talons to tear at my flesh and—

This isn't proofread, and mostly wrote this having the reader no pronouns and gender-neutral terms (if there are any)

To my readers who love their baby girls (men who have emotional trauma and baggage), this is for you 💌

The gentle pitter-patter of the cool rainwater created a soft, soothing melody that danced against the glass window. Its rhythmic beat was reminiscent of the delicate tapping of fingertips on a hollow, wooden desk, providing a sense of calm that embraced anyone in its embrace—a three-wick candle flickers from nearby, creating a cozy ambiance. The cozy smell of clean linen immediately filled the space while in a queen-sized bed, someone squirmed underneath the soft blankets and shoved some throw pillows away from them.

Slowly emerging from the sherpa blankets surrounding you, a big yawn escaped before you rubbed your eyes and looked around your room. It was the same old, same old—the cozy blankets and pillows, with a couple of plushies accompanying your bed.

Sighing in defeat, you tucked yourself back into the blankets and looked at the flickering candle. “When is he coming home…?”

The colorful hues of tangy orange, yellow, and red filled the space immediately.

As you lay in bed, lost in your thoughts, a deep sigh echoes through the silent room, drawing your attention. Slowly raising your head from under the covers, you glimpse Miguel's entrance. His tired yet friendly eyes meet yours, and a faint smile spreads across his lips, revealing a sense of relief upon seeing you awake.

“Hola…” He sighed, slowly making his way to your dresser, and dug around for his sweats that he always left behind. You let out another yawn before nodding your head.

The tangy colors that filled the room vanished as you looked over to see Miguel in his Spiderman suit still and slipped into his sweatpants. “Lyla, turn off the suit.” The unbodied AI responded quickly as his suit was deactivated immediately.

Miguel flopped onto your bed with a suddenness that startled you. The impact of his body caused a few of the plushies and decorative pillows to tumble to the floor while you bounced slightly from the force of his literal collapse onto the bed. “Hey,” You cooed to him before you placed your hand on his back, feeling his taut muscles underneath the pads of your fingers. A simple grunt from your partner was a good indicator that the man had a long day and wanted nothing to do but sleep and relax.

“Can you move your hand upwards?” Miguel grumbles to you, face-planted onto your pillows. Slowly, you moved your hand up and massaged the taut muscle. “No, cariño. Don't massage it. Can you scratch that spot?” You hummed to him in response and lightly scratched at the irritated spot. “How is that?” You whispered to him. He only grumbled in response, causing you to chuckle.

If Miguel wanted to, he could sleep through a tornado if he wanted to. The inconsistent sleep schedules were always a concern; however, the man managed to get seven hours of sleep per day, surprisingly. It was at an unhealthy consistency, but this was the first time in two weeks you had seen him on your bed, collapsed on top of plushies and pillows.

Miguel let out a contented sigh as your fingernails scratched his muscles, leaving an invigorating sensation in their wake. "Yes, thank you, cariño," he murmured, his voice low and sultry. He could feel his body responding to your touch, the muscles twitching beneath your fingertips. "Add a bit more force," he groaned, his voice muffled by the fox plushie he held tightly in his embrace.

You complied with his request, scratching a bit more aggressively, your fingernails kneading his flesh expertly. He let out a deep moan of pleasure, lost in the sensation. "There...move to the left, please," he pleaded, his voice thick with desire. You hummed in response, your fingers working their magic, as you inched to the left.

"A little bit more," he urged, his voice growing more urgent. You complied, your fingers dancing across his skin, sending shivers down his spine. He closed his eyes and let out a long, slow breath, completely lost in the moment.

"Alright, that's enough," he breathed out heavily. You instinctively hummed in acknowledgment before gently massaging the reddened and irritated area, which offered him a sense of relief. "How are we doing?" You turned to face Miguel, draping the soft and cozy blanket over him to provide some much-needed warmth.

As his hand moved towards your thigh, you could feel your heart racing with anticipation. You felt a firm grip on the soft muscle of your thigh, his nails digging into your supple and warm flesh. You couldn't help but let out a chuckle as you placed your hand on top of his, letting him know that he should be careful. The tips of his talons lightly punctured your thighs, with the talon in his thumb lightly drawing a puncture wound, drawing a trickle of blood. “Easy there…” You cooed to him, rubbing your thumb against his knuckles. The talons on the pads of his thumb retracted like a cat, and immediately felt his calloused touch.

“Everything is great now that I'm here…”

[admirationandromantics]

Computer Assembling

The photo mentioned is the first one on the three-photo preview on the top. Fucking hell. I swear to god, you guys are going to be the death of me when writing cause ugh, this just flew and flew and flew! I don't have time to write like this, but can't help it when you make the exact scenarios I've been imagining myself. Holy shit, well, read the request and you'll get a good idea of what's about to happen. Ps, added some lovely smut in this, so enjoy <3

Word count: 2,4k (Unedited)

h a i . . . :3 sent u a photo in your inbox to go along with this little request/thot thinking about Chris lowkey being into building computers and he's wearing THAT outfit i sent you and his build looks like that too and maybe the relationship is like you guys are hanging out for maybe the 4-5th time ever and you're just sitting there staring and drooling and not being subtle at all and he's just stuttering and trying not to literally fuck you right then and there while you two are in his room while he builds his new pc build.. oh my god.. i really need nerdy, beefy chris today and your writing always fuels me 🫶😇 -@nerd-space

I can’t help staring at his arms, his sweater rolled up over them, making the lower half partially visible. I wonder what’s underneath the rest of it…

“Can you hand me that star-formed screw?” he asks, reaching out his hand for me to give him. I look around the floor, different bags of screws, corks, plastic and tools. I take some screws with crosses and hand them to him. He takes a quick look to see that they’re correct, before starting to spin them into the metal. I watch intently, his fingers working their magic, no detail too small. Being precise and delicate as he keeps going. Veins forming on his hands as he tightens the screws. 

He shifts, noticing my stare. I can’t control it, therefore I have to force my hand upwards, closing my mouth and turning my head. I bet he’d kick me out for the nasty thoughts I’m having. 

“So” he starts, coughing a little. “Think we can get this done in one night?” 

“I know something we can” 

“What?” 

Shit, I said that out loud. I stutter, trying to find something remotely similar which doesn’t sound as suggestive. 

“I know we can” I quickly rescue myself, and he gives a silent nod, dragging the metalwork on his lap, hiding the view I’m so shamelessly taking advantage of. I sigh, turning back to the equipment. We weren’t far away now, just one board and a little assembling left. I enjoy watching it, not just because of him, but because it looks just like lego. I bet if I bought a set, he’d build it with me. Another reason to watch his hands work, his muscles tense and veins popping. 

His room is cozy. Blinds are open, but the outside is dark. It’s nighttime after all. A lot can still happen before dawn. His walls are full of posters and pictures, his old gaming setup on the desk, as well as a semi-large bed. Around a queen-size one. I take another breath, thighs pressing together to stop my thoughts from wandering. 

“Are you feeling alright?” he asks, cheeks a bit flushed. Is it hot in here? 

“Um, yeah. Just you know”

“What?” 

“Nothing, I’ve just never been in your room before” 

“First time for everything, right?” He laughs a little, and I smile. His hand wanders up to his face, rearranging his glasses, pushing them back. God, if he only took them off, if he did and threw that piece of machinery on the floor and just took me hard right now on the-

“But yeah, none of the others have been here yet” he explains, waving to the room. I nod, looking around once again. The urge to look through his stuff is exhausting. I can’t help myself. 

“Mind if I check your drawers?” I ask, already standing up. He smiles, nodding along and holds his hand out. 

“Be my guest” 

I firstly walk to his desk, opening the first drawer and being met with a couple of game cards, coins and some paper and pens. All of them seem to be minecraft coordinates, remembering where different structures are and other people’s bases. 

“Didn’t take you for a Minecraft sweat–gamer” I joke, looking through the notes. 

“Well, when you’re playing with Josh, you kinda have to” 

“I see” 

I move to the other drawer, bending forward a little since it’s lower. Maybe a bit on purpose? He won’t notice either way. This one is full of candy wrappers, every colour just laying there. I dig through it, finding a small notebook on the bottom. 

“You know there’s something called a garbage bin?” 

“And you know there’s something called privacy?” 

“You said it was fine!” 

“Yeah, yeah” 

I open the book, seeing a couple of old drawings and doodles. Some of them are only scribbles. On one page is Ashley’s name, and my heart falls a bit. This was three years ago. It still doesn’t matter, we all know how down bad he was for her. I sigh silently, closing the book and putting it back. 

I figure that’s it, I’ll stop snooping now. I turn around, seeing him on the chair, screws still in hand as he works intently. I sit down on the bed, right over him, watching as he tightens them, arm flexing in the process. The curvature of his muscles as they reach all the way back behind his sweater. 

Jeez, I need to stop myself, I sound desperate. Desperately horny to be honest, but who wouldn’t be? He’s sitting there, with his arms bare, working his magic right beside me. Glasses on, pants unfortunately on, muscles tensing and a sweet blush on his face. His adorable glasses and messy hair. He said he got out of the shower right before I came. I feel hot, and it’s definitely not okay. What if he still likes Ashley? What if he sees me as just a friend, nothing more? I don’t want to ruin this. 

“Um, y-you’re turning quite red, are you alright?” he suddenly says, a worried look in his eyes as he looks down at me. I pull myself from my trance, chest heaving as I try to steady my pulse- 

“Yeah, I’m fine, just thinking” 

“About what?” He watches as my eyes linger over his arms once again, breathing getting uneven and my thighs pressing together. I have no shame, damnit. 

“Y-you know” 

“Care to elaborate on that?” He laughs a little, gazing over, taking in every inch of me. Am I that obvious? Was this top way too low-cut, because I’ve seen him staring a couple of times. 

“About why you’re staring down my chest” I blurt out, being too forward. Shit. His face gets completely red, hands working in a rush as his attention goes back to the project. He sighs, head leaning back as he collects himself. 

“You can’t expect me not to look when you’re dressed like that” 

“Hartley, are you calling me easy?” 

“Hey, I’ve seen how you’ve looked at me for the last hours” 

The room turns silent, my mouth open to say something back, but I don’t manage. He’s stopped working on the computer, arms stiff and eyes shocked, as if he can’t believe he caught me. Shit, he actually caught me. I’ve been so careful, at least as much as I could. We both stare at one another, and I feel my pulse go up again, heart beating faster and breathing quickening. Fucking hell, why is he staring at me like this? I look him up and down, the computer still being in his lap. 

“I-I um” I start, but can’t finish. A small smile creeps up on his lips as his attention goes back to the project as if nothing happened. I look up confused, wondering what just happened. 

“If my bare arms has that effect on you, you could’ve just told me” he laughs a bit, fastening the frame. 

“What, no, that’s not-”

“I mean, I can take off the whole thing if that’d make you pay attention, but I think it wouldn’t work” 

“Hey, I wasn’t-”

“But you can sit there drooling over my fucking fingers without me thinking about how you’d handle it” 

“What, handle what?” 

He puts the tools down, moving the computer off his lap and walking over. Just then, I notice his large bulge underneath his pants. The thought alone makes my face blush, all the ways I’ve imagined him coming back to haunt me. 

He leans over, and before I can process what’s happening, his lips are on mine, arms on either side of me on the bed. I melt into it, hands going up around his neck, pulling him closer. I lean down, dragging him with and letting him tower over me, even if we’re laying horizontally. His fingers move to grope my thigh, roughly kneading as he bites my lips. I can’t help the moan that escapes my cords, getting swallowed by him as he moves lower and looks up at me. 

“You really can’t keep testing my limits like this”

“What if I do?” 

“Then I can’t be held responsible for what I do next” 

“And what’ll that be?” 

“You’re about to find out” 

His lips leave kisses and bites all over my neck, sucking until he finds the spot making me scream. His hand immediately goes to cover my mouth, smiling as he stops for a bit. 

“Thin walls, I’ve got neighbours, contain yourself”

“Easy for you to say” 

“Do you know how much I’ve wanted to fuck the life out of you for the last few hours?” 

“N-no” I stammer, his hands moving under my shirt, groping my breasts. 

“So much I already had a trip to the bathroom, and you got me all going again as I came back” 

“So, you’ve already tried to take care of yourself” 

“You make it difficult” he smirks, dragging my top off. 

“Well, we have to do something about that” 

“You bet I am” 

He takes hold of my already unbuttoned pants, dragging them off with ease, and watching in hunger as my breast jiggles from the movement. I gasp at the cold air, feeling it especially on my soaked panties. He doesn’t waste time, unbuttoning his pants and dragging off the white, thin sweater, letting me see his muscular build. I reach up to him, feeling every curve of each muscle until he gets impatient and throws me down on the sheets. 

“Again, we’re not testing my limits tonight, they’ve already been crossed” 

I snicker, feeling him cage me with his arms as he kisses my lips. I carefully take off his glasses, placing them on the nightstand. His face is flushed, chest heaving as he breathes, but I don’t blame him. I probably look worse. He kisses down my stomach, stopping by my thighs to suck them dry. I moan loudly, forgetting about the walls and neighbours. They would have to deal with it. He leaves red and blue marks all over, several times causing me to slam my legs shut. He doesn’t get hurt though, his big strong arms keeping them apart easily before moving to my heat. His fingers trace over the wet fabric, and he hums to himself when feeling it. When feeling me. I whine from the tender contact, the touch too weak to do anything about my craving. He stands up, taking fully off his pants and boxers. I do the same, wanting him so incredibly bad, right now. I’ve waited for him long enough. I pull off my panties, unhooking my bra and throwing it off. He stands there mesmerized by the sight, but I don’t let him take it in. 

“Gaze while we fuck, I need you now” I whisper, taking his hand and dragging him over me again. 

“As you wish ma’am” 

He leans over me, letting his length coat itself in my juices. I’m so ready for him, even though I didn’t get the time to see how big he is, I need him right now inside me. 

“Are you sure you can take it?” he whispers teasingly, making my tension build up. 

“Chris, I swear to god I’ll do it myself if you don’t-”

I give a loud moan as he pushes himself completely in, filling me too much, way over the brim. He gropes my thigh, lifting my leg to get him even further, almost reaching my cervix. I whine, the pain and pleasure merging together and starting to build in my stomach. 

“You know, there’s something so satisfying about shutting you up” 

“So this is how confident and cocky you get when you understand that someone likes you?” 

“Maybe”

“Do I need to remind you of the time you saw me in that short skirt-”

I moan loudly again as he pushes out and completely in again. That time, his face was flustered the whole night. I even got a comment from both Mike and Josh, which made him look over more often, watching intently the whole night. 

“If you keep reminding me of stuff like that, we’ll stay here until dawn” 

“I wouldn’t mind that” 

He starts moving, each thrust earring whimpers and moans from us both, filling the room with our voices and sloppy slapping. His hand eventually finds its way down to my clit, rubbing soft circles in rhythm with his movements. My arms go to his back and neck, pulling him down and meeting my lips with his, my nails scratching from the heavy stimulation. He knows what he’s doing, and he’s doing it well, the knot in my stomach steadily building up as he keeps going. 

“Switch” I whisper, and he obliges, turning us around and letting me straddle him. I start moving immediately, chasing my orgasm as he whimpers and groans. I jump up and down, my thighs doing most of the work. He notices quickly, and his arms go to my ass, groping harshly and moving me. The position makes him reach a new angle deep inside, making the pleasure unbearable. I’m so incredibly close, I just need a little more time. I start feeling hotter, sweat appearing on my forehead as I keep up the sloppy rhythm, letting my breasts jiggle in front of him. 

I start grinding a bit when I go down, letting our pelvises touch, and giving me that extra stimulation on my clit. This takes over me, making me go over the edge, tightening around him. I keep going, riding out my high on top of him as he jumps me up and down. He gives one last slam, pressing me deep on him and spilling inside me. Thank god I’m on the pill. 

I collapse on top of him, pulse skyrocketing and chest heaving. We’re both sweaty and flustered, breathing in sync as his hand comes to caress my back. I hum into his neck, kissing him softly. 

“So, I think you might have a thing for me” he smiles, fingers going to tangle in my hair. 

“You don’t say” 

“I’m not complaining”

“You better not” I laugh, capturing his lips on mine yet again. “Should we finish that computer?” 

“You don’t want to see what else these hands can do?” 

“I’m not saying no to that”

[murdafact]

PROXY, ticci toby. (pt 3)

summary: tobys obsession with a girl becomes something different

cw: toby breakin into ur dorm room, reader is 19 & in college

word count: 3.1k

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the last few months have been total shit. you've been stuck in a mental hospital for god knows how long.

being stuck in a place where you're deemed mentally ill is terrible, especially when you know the truth.

but thank god you were getting out today. you had to move into the school dorms, but it was better than being in the hospital.

as you stepped outside, you took a deep breath of the fresh air and felt relief wash over your body. you were finally out, and on top of that, slenderman's goons were gone now too. for now at least...you knew they'd be back soon enough. but for now, you wanted to just enjoy your freedom and the little bit of peace that came with it.

you finally reached the dorms after what felt like an eternity of walking, the cold air washing over you as you used your key to open the door.

the kitchen was comfortably modern and cozy, with wood cabinets and monochrome tiles along the walls. somehow, it managed to combine a professional look; chef-quality stainless steel appliances with an old wooden table. in the living room a plush sofa was nestled in front of floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the field across from where the dorms were held. seems decent enough, right? no. the bedroom was a mess. dirty clothes were strewn about, along with the occasional beer can or food wrapper. the bed was unmade and wrinkled sheets hung off of it in disarray. a desk leaned against one wall, its surface cluttered with papers and other random items that had been shoved there in haste instead of being put away properly. you sighed as you saw someone inside.

"hey, you're (y/n), right? im sabrina. sorry its a mess, i didn't expect you here this early.. let me help you get settled." she smiled, taking the bags. inspecting sabrina, she was a pretty redhead with her hair done up in a messy bun. her pale skin and face had been covered with dark makeup, her blood red lipstick slightly smeared off her lips. she was wearing a simple black tank and some grey sweats, the faint smell of a victorias secret perfume lingering on her body.

slightly taken aback by the stranger, you hesitantly accepted her offer and followed her further inside. she started picking up clothes off of the floor and making the bed across from hers while talking to herself about how it was good that someone had finally moved in since it had been empty for a while now. once she was done cleaning, sabrina stood back and smiled. "there you go." with a grateful smile, you thanked her for her help and she left the room to go about her own activities. as the door closed behind sabrina, you looked around your new living space with relief. everything seemed so much better now, at least for a while it would be.

weeks have passed, you and sabrina had become friends ever since you moved in. she went out to a party with some other people and you just finished studying. as you went to the kitchen, you heard a strange noise coming from the hallway and turned to see him standing in the doorway. he stood there like an ominous shadow, his face unreadable underneath that trademark hoodie and mask. his eyes seemed to burn with the need for something. you shivered at the sight of him, feeling a chill run through you like lightning in my veins as he stepped closer without saying anything. he moved slowly but steadily towards you until you were mere inches apart and you could feel his breath on your skin - cold and metallic against your flesh; it felt oddly calming yet terrifying all at once. your heart was pounding and your hands were shaking, you felt an unseen force pushing you against the wall. suddenly i heard a clink of metal, feeling a cold blade resting on your neck as he pressed in closer. with every passing second his knife edged nearer to puncturing through your fragile skin. in despair, you could only muster up one thought; what do i do now?

you looked up at him, your voice shaking. tears pricked the corners of your eyes as you begged for your life, pleading for him to spare you. your words tumbled out in a jumble – desperate pleas and half-sentences interrupted by sobs that shook through you like an earthquake, rattling every fiber of your being until all that was left was fear and desperation.

you finally thought you were free— safe from him. but here you are, toby's hatchet on the edge of your neck, threatening to draw blood.

pulling down his mask, he laughed maniacally. an awful sound that sent a chill through your body. his laughter was merciless and relentless, as if he were mocking you for your own suffering and weakness. you pleaded with him to stop, begging for mercy but seemingly unheard in the depths of his uncontrollable mirth. his face contorted in glee even as tears rolled down your cheeks; his joy only intensified the desperation and dread you felt at that moment so acutely it seemed like time had frozen around us both forever.

"i-ive been waiting so fucking l-long for this. for you.." toby's words were punctuated by each gasp of breath he took in between his laughter, and you shrank further back against the wall. your heart was pounding so hard i thought it would burst out of my throat, the terror within me obviously noticeable now. "tell me, why do you need anyone else w-when you have me?"

at this, i felt something inside me break. years of fear and trauma were now made manifest in the form of a broken sob that escaped my throat. i wanted to scream at him, to beg for mercy once more, but instead found myself silently shaking my head as tears streamed down my face. toby seemed taken aback by this display, his laughter slowly dying away. he rolled his eyes, "if you w-wont answer me, i'll make you."

toby quickly lifted up his hatchet, hitting you on the head with the back of it. your head was spinning, and then all went black. you felt a sudden shock in your skull that reverberated down through to the tips of your toes. you could no longer feel what was happening, consciousness slowly fading away like smoke in the wind.

he dragged her body through the woods, he was surprised she hadn't woken up by now from her head hitting the uneven ground. when he reached the mansion, it was empty and quiet. slender probably sent everyone on a mission. walking into his room, he threw her onto the bed. tying her hands and legs together in and leaving the room.

he had more important matters to attend to. he wanted her for so long, and finally got her where he wanted her.

toby went and got some rope from the basement, finding some old furniture he could use as a makeshift gag. going to the room, he tied her feet together, then tangled the ropes around her wrists, pulling them tightly behind her back. he stuffed a rag in her mouth and gagged it with tape before securing it in place.

toby hurried back to the basement, where bloody painter and ej had stored their strange experiments. he peered into the glass tanks filled with murky liquids as he hummed a tune. as toby continued to inspect the lab concoctions, something stirred in the back of his mind. (y/n) .. you were so.. perfect.. he thought. he picked up a syringe and a small vial full of clear liquid, ghb, and carefully stuck it into his pocket.

ghb was a popular drug. it was able to completely erase the persons memories once they took it or got it injected into their veins.

perfect..

he made way back to the bedroom, where he had left (y/n). his hands shook with anticipation as he walked closer and closer. he opened the door, to which he saw you still knocked out on the bed. his eyebrows furrowed into a frown, looking at your figure. you still had your pajamas on from the previous hours, your tank and plaid pants along with your dirty socks. he sighed, suddenly feeling a wave of guilt over him. maybe he should just kill you right then and there, just to get it over with. but he couldn't.

god, no. he loved you too much. even though you were just an average teenage girl, he was obsessed. too much to kill you.

just then, he watched as you woke up, your lashes fluttering at him. your eyes widened, seeing his unmasked face. you attempted to scream, until you realized your mouth was stuffed with a gag. "mmmf!" you said, confused. toby just chuckled,

he was about to respond but then suddenly remembered something more important- a plan he had been thinking of for a while. a way for you to forget everything. a way for him to make it seem like he was yours– or like you were his. a dumb, naive girl again. someone who would go under his every command. he pulled out the syringe from his pocket, nearing closer and closer to your neck. you tried pulling away, "stop s-struggling. you'll just make this harder." he said, his voice deep. the cold, pointy metal of the syringe poking at your neck. you felt him slowly stabbing your neck, the metal piercing through your fragile skin he stuck it in deeper, you felt yourself forming tears in the corners of your eyes. "don't cry. it'll be be-better this way." he said, caressing your soft skins, admiring.

you felt the liquid seep into your veins, going through your blood. soon enough, you fell back asleep.

hours have passed. you woke up, noticing you were laid in a bed, being covered by striped blankets. you looked around the room, only being lit by a small desk lamp . you turned your head to the wall and saw a bunch of pictures, seeing a girl in most of them. she looked unsuspected, seeing as she looked like she didn't even know she was being photographed. one was her in a park just reading a book, another while another was while she was sleeping. feeling creeped out, you backed away. you stepped down from the bed, your now bare feet hitting the cold hardwood floor. the wood creaked under you as you stepped, walking to the door. you opened the door, slightly peeking your head out and hearing small chatter. "what? what do you mean you just brought her in? do you know how much trouble we'll be in?!" a man yelled. "i already told him. i h-had this plan for months. and now i can finally go through with it." another spoke.

you backed away into the room, closing the door. you were confused. you felt like you didn't belong, like this wasn't your home. what plan was he talking about? did it include you?

toby and masky were in the kitchen. masky was yelling at toby for bringing someone in, a human girl to be exact. "why the hell is there a girl in your bedroom?" masky asked. "i brought her in. her name is—" "what? what do you mean you just brought her in? do you know how much trouble we'll be in?!" masky yelled. toby sighed, "i already told him. i h-had this plan for months. and now i can finally go through with it."

masky sighed, "you better hope this stupid ass plan works. if it doesn't, boss will kill you and her." he said, looking at him with contempt, then shaking his head and walked away, leaving toby alone.

toby sighed and headed back to the room. opening the door, he saw you cowering in the corner of the bedroom. he sighed. "you're awake." he ran his hand through his hair and sat at the foot of the bed "you don't need t-to be scared anymore. i-i'm safe." he lied. he was a danger to society and he knew it, but he didn't want you attacking and possibly running off. besides, how would you react if he told you he's a wanted serial killer?

you stayed in the corner, trying to decide whether or not you should trust him. you stayed silent for a while, desperately trying to remember him, hell if you even knew him. he could possibly be someone you don't even know. he sighed, turning his head and rolling his eyes. he figured that dealing with someone who lost their memories would be hard.

he started to think of a story, one that would be somewhat believable. "i'm your friend. you remember me, right? my name is t-toby." he said, to which you shook your head. "well, either way, we.. you, um, got into an accident. s-so i took you in!" he lied. you seemed to believe it. "b-but, how..?" you said, your puppy eyes looking at him. "it's a story for another day, are you hungry?" he asked, to which you nodded. you felt drained, mentally and physically.

he walked out the room, to which he was met face to face with hoodie. "tim told me about your little plan. is it going well? is she okay?" he asked. "s-she's none of your concern." he said, walking to the kitchen. "hm." hoodie hummed.

toby prepared a simple meal, and when it was done, he served you. you ate hungrily, finishing the meal in under a minute . "thank you .. " you said, voice calm but soft and quiet. he nodded, taking the plate and going to the kitchen to put it into the sink. he leaned against the marbled counter, wondering how he would deal with you. should he teach you how to be a killer like him, or keep your innocence ?

he decided on the first option. he would rather you to be like him instead of trying to hide you from everything. but, first he would have to make you get comfortable with him first. he sighed, he walked down the hall to clockwork's room, since she was the only one he really spoke to and wouldnt be weirded out from his question.

knocking on the door, he waited a few seconds before she opened the door, her green and clocked eye looking at him. "what?" she spat out, "calm down. i'm just asking for a favour." he asked, "do you have any extra clothes?" he sighed. "uh, yeah. for what?" she asked, walking to her closet and pulling out some shirts and pants from her drawer, "it's for uh.. a girl. dont worry about it." he said, walking inside but looking down at the floor.

clockwork dumped the clothes into his arms, "thanks c." toby said, walking to his room, carefully opening the door so he doesn't drop anything. he walked into you laying on the bed, bored out of your mind. "i'm surprised you didn't leave." he said, dropping the clothes on the bed. "i got you clothes so you can change." you sat up, going through the clothes. you decided on a pair of ripped jeans, a simple burgundy tee shirt and a black zip up jacket. he left the room so you could get changed.

when he left, you swiftly changed into the new clothes, and looked at yourself in a mirror he had nearby. looking at your features, you look exactly like the girl in those pictures. you got chills, but honestly thought nothing of it. he was your friend, right? maybe those pictures were consensual, although you had 0 memory of it. but then again, you had no memories.. you couldn't remember anything.

what a shame.

you shook off the thought and exited his room. were those pictures really you? you thought, walking down the empty halls into a living room, to which you met 2 new people, talking to toby in the dining room.

the first person you noticed was a tall, pale guy, with a slitten smiling face and jet black hair. although the scars were scabbed and seemed to be healing, it was like he was continuing to cut them fresh to keep the smile from healing fully. he was wearing a bloody white hoodie with black jeans and black vans. the other was a short, blonde, elf kid who was bleeding from his dark eye sockets . your head fuzzed, you felt like you could remember him, but you can't place your finger on where.

the pale guy suddenly spoke to toby, looking your figure up and down. "your little girlfriends here." he teased, chucking darkly. you tilted your head, confused. toby walked up to you, "we need to go, i have to train you." "for what?" you asked. "er, for.. fighting. yeah, fighting." he completely lied. you shrugged your shoulders and followed him outside and into an open field behind the house. "here." he gave you a fake knife, since he didn't want to hurt you since you're still a beginner. "i thought you meant fist fighting." you said, looking at the dull blade the knife had. "nope." he said. "try to dodge me." he said, lunging at you quickly, to which you dodged from reflexes and made him miss. "good job, but this is just a start." he smirked under his mask.

oh boy..

eventually, weeks turned into months and you got more comfortable with everyone in the mansion. sure, you made your frenemies, like jeff, or your best friends, like toby, jane and clockwork. you even got little sisters you never had, like sally and lazari.

but, that also means you had to change yourself to fit in with the others. your original (h/c) hair has now been dyed to a (d/h/c). you changed the way you did your makeup, your fashion, you got tattoos from a nearby tattoo shop and scars on your body from previous training with toby or clockwork,and overall changed your personality. you went from a naive girl to an independent woman, you didn't need a man.

although you had that mindset, you and toby started dating a while after you joined him in the mansion.

you were happy with him, and he was happy with you. now he doesn't have to sneak and take pictures of you, he can finally get them consensually whenever he wanted, and he didn't have to hide himself from you. you two went on missions together all the time, killing anyone you saw, and everyone who judged your relationship with him.

the end. ♡

─── 2023 MURDAFACT, do NOT repost as your own.

[alieinthemorning]

Not True  [Diluc Ragnvindr]

Content: Fluff, Hurt (You)/ Comfort (Diluc)

Pronouns: None

Reblogs: Let me know that you enjoy my work and want to see more, so don't forget to like and reblog!

Original Work: I Love you | Diluc Ragnvindr

This work’s concepts, plot and original characters are my own which means I do not allow any sort of creative theft nor do I allow my work to be entered into any sort of A.I. bots. Thank you for respecting my space and boundaries.

You admired Diluc’s tenacity.

Your Lover.

Wine Tycoon

Vigilant of Mondstadt

And whatever else he did amongst the shadows.

Oh and,

Bartender.

The persona he was taking up now.

Sleeves rolled up as he mixed yet another drink flawlessly.

You smiled, admiring him and enjoying the bubbly atmosphere.

Until it popped.

A group of rowdy men howled loudly with laughter.

They weren’t directly beside you, but near enough to have your smile drop.

The bubbly atmosphere wasn’t so bubbly anymore.

Suddenly the whole room was too much and you needed to get away.

“Hey.”

Your breath caught in your throat, eyes flying to meet that of your beloved.

“I have some paperwork to finish before tomorrow.” He extended his hand, “Let’s go home.”

The smile floated back to the surface.

“I’ll brew some tea.”

You stared at the basket in front of you.

Colorful balls of yarn laid like eggs in a nest.

You had…an urge to learn to knit after watching Noelle knit a sweater in an hour.

So, you asked her to teach you.

And things were fine!

While you were with her.

You did a few small things to start

Small shapes like hearts because they were cute, coasters and even mug cozies.

But now that you were home with your latest project, a sweater for your beloved,

you froze.

The task was now daunting and scary.

What if you messed it up?

What if he didn’t like it?

What if he wanted to break up because of your terrible work?

What if—?

“You know,” You were startled out of your thoughts, as Diluc rounded the couch, eyeing yarn. “I was just thinking about taking up a hobby.” He picked one up then looked at you. “Would you be willing to teach me, love?”

You took a shaky breath, as your heart skipped a beat.

“I’ll try my best.”

“We’ll try together.”

“Arugh!” You crumpled the paper in your hand, then slammed your fist into the desk.

This was the fifth time you were rewriting this.

Why was your handwriting so sloppy?

Why did the pen keep bleeding?

Why wasn’t the paper as smooth as it should be?

Why?

Why?

Why?

You swung your hand to the side, relishing in the sound of all the items on the desk clattering to the floor. 

But then your name was being called by your beloved,

And your anger very quickly fizzled into fear. 

You ducked underneath the desk, tucking yourself close and hiding your face away.

The moment you squeezed your eyes shut, the door opened. 

Silence, then footsteps, but not toward you, but the side. 

The discarded items were picked up from the floor, but you dare not face him.

Once everything was back in order, you felt his presence kneeling beside you. 

It took about a minute for you to gain the courage, or rather become uncomfortable, to face him. 

His arms were open, an invitation. 

And you selfishly took it.

“I’m sorry!” You sobbed. “I didn’t mean to! I just got so angry and—!”

“It’s okay.” His whisper cut through your sniffling, “Anger can claim even the gentlest of us.”  

You wanted to run

To hide

To no longer exist. 

You couldn’t handle anymore. 

You knew, logically, that they weren't trying to be mean 

Or rude

Or to forget you. 

You were always so forgettable. 

No wonder— 

“There you are.” His voice startled you out of your thoughts.

You flinched at each of his footfalls, only stopping once he did. 

He curled in on yourself as he lowered himself to you. 

“Whatever it is, it isn’t true.” 

You bit your lip. 

You knew it wasn’t true, but you just couldn’t help it. 

“Let me see you.” He brushed a hand over your head. 

You lifted your head, but the moment you locked eyes with the crimson ones, the tears fell and so did your head.

How could someone like him love someone like you? 

His arms wrapped around you and kissed the crown of your head. “I love you, you know.” 

You nodded. 

“Let me hear you say it. Please.” 

“I know you love me, Diluc Ragnvindr.” 

“And I always will. I will tell you as many times as you need to hear it.” 

“Tell me you love me.”

You felt him smile. 

“I love you.”

Initial Note: Okay, so I know you wanted more than just Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, but I’m only comfortable with writing about that since I suffer from it. I don’t want accidentally offend anyone or present them incorrectly. So I’m sorry about that but I do hope you enjoyed what I did write. Diluc loves you! 

...

So, hey its getting close to two years since I wrote this, or rather the original one because oops this went from

"I want to have all of my Collection works on AO3 to be their own individual works because I don't always read other people's collection works, so why should I have mine like that" to "I should rewrite this"

So uh, maybe more will get an update to keep an eye out.

Also this is the original title of this fic, I don't know why I changed it to "I Love You"

Oh also peep the fact that I fully fulfilled the request out now lol

Gee I wonder what changed.

Totally not related but the second to last part is based off a true story haha :)

Also also, to the person who originally requested this: I really hope you see this! And if you do please send an ask! Reminder that Diluc love You!

Ko-Fi | Commission | Masterlist

[httpsserene-main]

ephemeral (bang chan)

developer notes ☽: inspired by my ig for you page being bang chan bf edits...i did not ask to be depressed because i can't find a man suitable for my standards :) fuck u christopher for being so fine tonight

soundtrack☽: birdie - kota the friend

notifications☽: 818 words, fluff, not proofread, gnl!reader

"time is our only dilemma"

a warm yellow-toned ambient glow is cast within the bathroom from a small desk lamp that you’ve commandeered as a substitution to the harsh fluorescents of the room’s installed lights. a small bluetooth speaker rests on the countertop next to the lamp on its third to last volume setting cycling through a random spotify playlist you’ve selected. it’s probably one out of the hundreds of comfort character playlists you’d never tell a soul that you listen too.

but, you realize that chan’s most likely seen the embarrassing and unending list of the cutesy-fictional catered playlists you’ve become obsessed with in the previous weeks as he’s logged in to your spotify account on his phone. a few months ago, you discovered a new playlist hiding within your massive library that you didn’t add or create, entitled “songs i listen to remind me of you.” that was at the front of your recently played, the cover photo being a picture of you asleep on the couch in chan’s studio (a photo chan’s never shown you). when you clicked to investigate further, you were shocked to see the playlist filled with over a hundred songs, and a description filled to the word limit. tears filled your eyes as you read the romantic note chan had left for you to see, and you listened to the whole playlist while cleaning your entire apartment. there wasn’t a single moment that the heat left your flustered cheeks or the sweet smile left your face. and when you met with your boyfriend in person, you certain that he was blushing underneath his mask when you alerted him of your findings, and he revealed that he was going to surprise you with your specially curated mixtape on your next visit to his studio. 

when you asked why he was giving you such a sweet gift so randomly, his answer came without hesitation. chan said, “there doesn’t need to be a reason for me to express my love for you. of course this gift is meaningful enough for valentine’s day, or an anniversary, or your birthday, but any day i have with you is enough for me to treat you like the love of my life.”

and after a revelation like that, how could you remember the embarrassing fanfic-esque playlists you had downloaded to your phone? they literally don’t matter anymore, not when you have a whole dime piece, respectful, sexy, intelligent, thoughtful-ass christopher bang chan confessing his undying love for you.

that’s all to say that you probably should’ve selected that mixtape to play through tonight, but it’s too late to change that fact, as you would hate to disturb the bubble of space you’ve created in the bathroom to retrieve your phone from the bedroom. and to interrupt the peaceful bath you and chan are enjoying. it’s a rare night that chan was able to join you in your apartment instead of you going to his dorm to see him, and the night is made more precious at the fact that he fought his workaholic tendencies to join you earlier in the evening around seven pm rather than his usual appearance past midnight. and a spontaneous date night was suddenly underway; you and chan cooked dinner together made from the dregs of ingredients in your sparse fridge (grocery day is tomorrow), made progress on cleaning up your animal crossing island together, and even got a few episodes into a short anime you wanted to watch with him. a bath was the only reasonable option to end the cozy date night you both started.

the water is probably half-an-hour away from transitioning from warm to lukewarm, and the bubbles are starting to become sparse. you’re nestled in between his legs, back pressed against his muscled-pillowy chest, head resting aside one of his shoulders to avoid smushing shower cap against his face. chan’s head is propped on the shower tiles, his neck elongated and your fascinated with the view of his adam’s apple bobbing and throat swallowing as he speaks softly to you. his eyes are shut, but he opens them every time you speak to him, seeping with the adoration he has for you. his hands rest on your waist underneath the water, and every so often he squeezes you lighty, and traces patterns on your skin he only knows. eventually you two find yourself running out of things to talk about, but the silence that follows isn’t uncomfortable. you gladly allow your eyes to flutter closed, and chan begins humming softly; both of you are well aware that you should wrap up the bath, as you both still have early starts tomorrow morning, or rather–this morning.

moments like these are few and far for a man of chan’s lifestyle, and neither of you are going to be the one to cut it short. while this scene is ephemeral, that does not mean it is insignificant.

much love, <3 kirby !!!

© killakirby - piracy and plagiarism are not allowed. no reposts on any form of media

[starstwinkleplanetsshine]

Daughter of the Sea

Chapter Five: I Get My Own Beach Cabin (Read on AO3 here)

Thankfully, the Apollo cabin was empty when I got there. I figured everyone was training or doing other activities, as it was the middle of the day. I gathered my few possessions quickly, took one last look around the beautiful room, and walked out the door without looking behind me. I followed the paths to the center of the U and walked up to the run-down beach cabin marked with a 3. Standing right next to the grand, imposing, shining, and ornate structure that was Cabin 1, this one looked even smaller and less impressive. The windchimes were tinkling in the breeze as I walked onto the small patio and pushed open the wooden door with a creak. 

The room inside was cleaner and warmer than I imagined it would be. It was still weather-worn, but it looked less dingy and more homey, like it had been lived in for a very long time. Something about that was comforting, and the cabin felt almost cozy. 

I stepped inside, allowing the door to shut behind me, the only light now coming through the windows that lined the walls, their sills full of seashells. On one end of the room stood a bunk bed with two full sized beds, a dresser, desk, and cozy chair. The bed was hastily made, there were shirts and shorts sticking out of the dresser, and on the wall above the bed hung a mounted horn. Looking at the unoccupied space, I suddenly felt like an intruder. This was someone’s home, my brother's home, a brother who I had never met. I thought about what he might be doing at that moment, and how he had no idea he was getting a new roommate. 

There was an open space in the middle of the room with a worn, blue carpet and a door that I guessed led to a bathroom. In this space, connected to the wall, was also a small fountain that seemed to be supplied with salt-water (don't ask me how I knew that) from an unseen source. I walked to it slowly, listening to the delicate sound of running water, and when I reached it my eyes found my own staring back at me. 

I didn’t know why, but I hardly recognized myself. It had only been two days since I left my home, but something about me looked different, almost older. My hair was the same dark brown it had always been, a mess of waves I could never tame but tried by putting it in a loose braid, the freckles on my face still creating constellations across my cheeks, and my eyes still sea-green. But it was my eyes, I decided, that looked different. Almost sadder. 

I wondered if my twin would share my sad, green eyes. 

After a while I finally tore myself away from my reflection and glanced to the other side of the room with a gasp.

There stood a full sized bed with a comforter that pictured the ocean. But not just any ocean—this one was a mixture of rolling waves in swirls of blues, greens, purples, and pinks, all melting together like an oil painting. And somehow, it was the exact comforter that I had had on my bed in Arizona. My eyes traveled to the walls, where paintings of the beach hung, perfectly placed. Next to my bed stood a nightstand, and on the wall stood a dresser and a desk, along with a comfy chair underneath one of the windows. And folded up against one of the walls was a beautiful blue privacy screen with, again, a gorgeous painting of the ocean. 

At least they stuck to the theme, I thought. 

Quietly I began to place my things in order: my clothes in the dresser, my trinkets along the windows, and my books in the small bookshelf beside the window, all except my large tome of Greek Mythology, which sat on my bedside table. When I was done, I compared the two sides of the room. Mine looked immaculate, put-together, and pristine. The other side looked messy, hastily cleaned, but lived in. His side looked like a home, mine looked like one of those model houses you can take tours of. 

I shook my head at myself. Just give it time. Everyone keeps saying this’ll feel like home soon. 

But not everyone had their godly parent choose their twin brother over them for the past fourteen years. 

With a sigh, I got off my bed and made my way out of the cabin and back to the Big House to see whatever Chiron had in store for me. 

I spent the rest of the day trying out different weapons and seeing which would be a good fit. We started with archery, which went just about as horribly as it could go without me sticking an arrow in someone. Next I tried maces, axes, and spears, all of which I was also bad at. Surprisingly I wasn’t awful at throwing knives, so Chiron set up a training regime with Cadence, who was an expert in that weapon. Lastly, I picked up a sword. As soon as I held it, it felt natural in my hand and I was surprised at how easily the basic maneuvers came to me. Chiron seemed impressed, too, and not at all surprised. He declared the sword would be my primary weapon, with throwing knives as my secondary. I was happy with that. 

Before long a loud conch shell blew, and I couldn’t believe it was time for dinner already. Once in the pavilion, I made my way to the empty table lined with tiny seashells and took a seat. I watched as the other tables filled up, the campers laughing with each other and talking about their days. 

I felt the loneliness creep in as the empty space next to me took up more and more room in my heart. I got a few looks of sympathy from the other tables, and a few kids talked to me in line to give our offerings, but no one came over to the table. I knew they couldn’t, since the night before Cadence explained that everyone sits with their own cabin for lunch and dinner, but I’d be lying if I said a small part of me didn’t wish for it. 

I told myself that I just had to be patient, that I wasn’t truly alone because I had a brother out there somewhere. It was only a matter of time until he returned from his Quest and I would have someone to sit with for meals and to fill the empty bed in our Cabin. 

I could wait until then. 

The next week passed in a blur of training, sleepless nights, and lonely meals. The hours seemed to stretch on forever but the days were flying by. I got to talk to my mom, well, my adopted mom, on the phone, and I felt like a huge weight was lifted off my chest to hear how relieved she was that I had made it there safely. 

It was already the first week of August, and Camp Half Blood was definitely starting to feel more familiar. I had been spending a lot of time with Cadence and Will, and they introduced me to a few of their friends. Soon enough, I had a small friend group at Camp, which made me feel less alone. I was still reminded of my uniqueness, though, at meals and when it was time to sleep in that empty cabin at night. Any day now, I told myself. I’ll meet my brother soon.

[xamassed]

⟬ @bucketfullofocs — Taishiro’s Birthday 8 • 8 ⟭

[Aya @ Tai] His birthday was on a school day, but that didn't stop Aya from taking a bullet train as soon as the school day was over to Osaka to see him. It was his first birthday that she got to celebrate with him, and she wanted to at least try and make it special. Thankfully it didn't take her long to find him.

"Happy, um, Happy Birthday, Tai." She offers him a small, wrapped box covered in daffodil yellow birthday paper. Inside was a necklace, one with a small pendent that could easily be hidden under his hoodie so as to not get in his way. Heart shaped, it seemed black and simple until he held it in his hand. Then the little necklace began to beat. "It's, um, it's a necklace that. Um, recorded my heartbeat. So, um, so you could keep it close, if, um, if you wanted to."

Just in case he didn't like it, Aya had also made a backup plan - a beautiful three layer cake with fresh fruit that she sat on his desk, safe and snug in a container.

"Awwhh, sugar, ya remembered!" He didn't ask her to, and he didn't expect that she would.

Taishiro didn't want people to feel obligated to, though his family always made it a point to spoil him on his special day. They had arrived earlier in the day and left the space rather festive, strips of colorful paper scattered across the desk and floor while half of another cake sat within reach. Opened boxes had been stacked beside the desk along with the wrapping, the inside gifts sat in front of him for him to fondly look at.

Her gift, while strange, didn't put him off. He was curious, the constant and even thrum of a heartbeat making him feel warm inside. The rhythm was familiar, each beat bringing him closer to the answer — until she told him outright that it belonged to her.

"So that's why it feels so cozy." He should have known. Smile soft and endearing, he slipped the necklace on and tucked it underneath his uniform's jacket.

"Now I've got ya with me all the time! If it ever feels like I need ya close, all I gotta do is remember this." Which he realized wouldn't be difficult because he needed her more often than one might think. "It's really gonna come in handy. Thank ya, sweetheart."

She was pulled in close and given a kiss to her cheek before he gathered a dollop of frosting from the beautiful cake and dabbed it playfully onto her nose.

"Now, sit your pretty self down and share this with me! Birthday cake is always yummy, but it's even yummier when ya share it!"

[freebooter4ever]

Some interesting bits of the barn that i saw ^_^

Walt's shaving kit????:

Trains:

I dont know if this is from the era of the barn but i like little handwritten note details like this

I love old windows

OK. So. Since i have now ridden a replica of this train, squatted on the damn thing with my knees up to my eyeballs...i can totally see the appeal of having one of these things in your backyard. But also holy shit would i not want to be seated in that position for longer than five minutes. My knees still arent the same.

He hung his overalls on an old broom rod. Walt was obsessed with self sufficiency almost to the point of detriment, so like…exactly my type of person LOL

Natures wonderland ride cactus concepts:

HISTORY \o/

More desk stuff:

WARD. KIMBALLS. SIGNATURE. DUDE.

i would live in this little room. Just make me up a bed underneath that desk there and i would be happy. (coincidentally this attraction to small cozy spaces is how i ended up living in a closet for two years)

The hole punch was a TRAIN

bonus: "frank! ollie! Let me in i love u!"

[cherryfinolahobbes]

Project Care Bear Stare

Author’s Note: Takes place shortly before Iron Man 2. I never explore much of Cherry’s early history with Tony, only because Im not super confident in how I write him. Been getting the bug to pick my girl back up. Not sure I’ll rp. Im happy writing fics for now. I may go back and edit this. It’s late and I haven’t written anything of any length in over year and am now spent so Im posting it now. Sorry about any errors.

It took her a moment to realize the screaming was coming from herself. She hadn’t heard him. She’d only seen the hand coming underneath the desk. And now they were both screaming. Cherry had holed herself up under the desk in Tony Stark’s workshop. She liked the small space admist all the sci fi technology. The constant hums and beeps and glittering lights were soothing to her overstimulated and traumatized psyche.

Stark dropped down into a squat, his face flushed and his eyes bright with both with irritation at being startled and concerned. He blew a breath through his nose as looked at the squirmed young woman he’d take on. He likened it in so many ways to bringing a feral cat indoors. It wasn’t quite the right comparisons but it had its parallels.

“Hi,” He said, sounded a little breathless, although his voice kind. “Remember me? The guy who saved you?

Cherry could feel the hot prickle of tears in her eyes as her heart beat through her chest. She just wanted the ground to swallow her up. She jerkily nodded as her chest rose with each shaky breath. “Hey, hey,” His voice caught her attention, bringing her eyes to his. He made an exaggerated inhale and exhale. “Look at me. Breathe. You’re okay. There…” She pulled a thin breath into her tight lungs, then another, another deeper one. The final exhale helped resolve some of the trembling and buzzing of her body. “Better?”

Another jerky movement of her head, ��I..I’m so sorry…I d-didn’t mean-“ Her voice jerked like the rest of her body and a harsh sound cut her off.

“You didn’t mean to scream because I snuck up on you like an ass? Don’t apologize, Cher-bear. Came down because I couldn’t sleep,” He tapped his temple, mouth twisting lopsidedly. “Too many ideas. I forgot you like to crash here too,” Her shoulders started to fall away from her ears with his easy smile. Her breathing started to even out as Stark adjusted his squatted stance so he could bring both hands down where she could see them. “And since you can’t seem to sleep either…” He gestured and his fingertips gathered blue light, radiating in the dim atmosphere of the half lit lab. A little cube manifested and he tossed it under the desk to her, particles buzzing. “JARVIS you still got those really good Bugs Bunny cartoons on there, don’t you?”

Cherry didn’t dare touch it as the AI gave a soft and polished affirmative. Like a 3D television screen, a techno color image danced on the cubes sides of the famous wily wabbit dancing off to prank one of his many victims. Tony gave Cherry a small wink and with a grunt pressed to his feet. With a clap and a command the whole work shop came to life. Cherry, cozy in the dim space under the bench, relaxed, letting her brain gladly rot away to several episodes of Looney Toons. Soon along with the comical piano and sound effects from the cartoon the workshop was filled with the sound of AC/DC and Led Zepplin. She wasn’t sure how much time had passed before she heard Tony’s voice, sounding irritated.

“No. DUM-E, I will recycle you. I need the wrench to your left…” There were a couple clangs and an exasperated sound. “Your /other/ left,”

She peeked her head out of her hiding spot to see Tony elbow deep in one of his many cars. The one arm machine he lovingly named DUM-E was attempting to decipher which wrench he needed out of a line up on a tray. Clearly, the mechanic couldn’t point to the wrench as his hands were occupied and was becoming frustrated. She padded out of her space, slipping past the chirping robot to grab the wrench hanging precariously off the side of the tray and stood next to Tony. “What can I do?” She asked.

He eyed her a moment, eyes scanning for the briefest of seconds, before side stepping a bit to give her a better vantage point. His hands were slick with oil, keeping away several cords and cables the were blocking the way. “See that screw there. I need it tightened,” He was able to indicate a screw on the side, pointing it out awkwardly with his pinky. Cherry slipped her hands into the mess of plastic, oil, and cords. It was an easy enough task for anyone, but there was clearly a lot in the way too. It took her a few moments before the task was done and they were able to step back. Tony grabbed a rag off DUM-E’s arm, wiping the grayish black stains from his hands. “Thank you. I’m glad someone can take initiative around here,” His blue eyes narrowed at the robot that made a sad whine, somehow managing to look pathetic without any expression at all.

“You clearly had your hands full,” She said, a small smile tugging at her lips. The task had been small and insignificant, but it felt good to something helpful. It was then her stomach rumbled, loudly. Loud enough for Tony to notice and give a laugh.

“And you’re clearly hungry. Me too,” He said, offering the soiled rag to her. Heat tinged her cheeks and she nodded rubbing at the tracks of grease that smudged her arms. “Good. I’ve had a hankering for a cheeseburger all day. Let’s get you some fresh air, I know a gre-“ The moment Tony mentioned leaving, she froze, the rag falling from numb fingertips.

“I..no. I can’t go out,” She said, shaking her head. “I-he’ll..he’ll find me,”

“Cher-bear”

“He’ll take me back, I can’t go back,”

“Cherry-“

“I CAN’T” Her voice was shrill and high, arms curling in on herself as her fingers hooked near her face. Tony reached out and grabbed her forearms firmly, but not overly so. The feel of his hands startled her, snapping her back into reality. She was sniffling, pathetic, tears winding down her cheeks. “I’m scared,” She finally admitted in a very small voice.

The grasp he had on her arms softened, but he didn’t let go. Tony gave the outside of her forearms a little rub with his thumbs. She hadn’t been here more than a handful of weeks, but Tony had learned two very important things. He already thought of the broken young woman as something of a little sister and that he was the only person she would allow to touch her. The faith she had in him scared him, but he also found that he couldn’t let her down.

“I had gathered that,” He said and saw her lips press together. He gave a little sigh, gripping her arms a little more, hoping the pressure would be a distraction. “Cherry, you can’t live under my work station forever. You can’t just…hide. You can’t let him win,” He saw the doubt swimming in her tearful eyes and released her arms. “and Im not just going to push you out into the deep end and expect you to swim on your own,” He moved back over to the work bench and Cherry slowly followed behind him. Pressing his thumb to the table, a small compartment popped up and out of it Tony pulled a thin, elegant watch with an oval digital watch face. He pressed the compartment back into the desk with a small click and turned to the sullen girl behind him. “Here, put this on,”

Cherry watched the light glint off the white metal of the band and crystal watch face before taking it and slipping it onto her wrist. It was smooth and sleek, cool against her skin. Tony stepped closer and pressed the watch face. “This allows you to be in contact with me, Pepper, or Happy at all times. It’s a direct link to JARVIS…with some restrictions,” He said. “But, most importantly, JARVIS,” He paused a moment and then adjusted Cherry’s wrist so the watch face was pointing away from both of them.

“Yes, Sir,” JARVIS voice echoed between the AI speaking both in the room and in a smaller voice from the watch face.

“Initiate command Care Bear Stare,”

“Affirmative”

For a watch so small, Cherry hadn’t expected the explosion of light sound and color that blasted off it. The noise was deafening and she saw why Tony had tilted her wrist. If either of them had been looking at the watch they would have been blinded. Tony, with his light turned away from the watch, reached over and tapped the crystal face. Instantly they were bathed in quiet and dim light. Her ears rang and she blinked several times before her senses adjusted.

“Got the idea from flash bands, some high power LED lights, nano bulbs, mini sub sonics, and you got yourself an acid trip on your wrist. Anyone tries to grab you, you start that command. As soon as you do, JARVIS will send me an alert. It doesn’t matter where I am, it doesn’t matter if Im in a press conference or in a suit…I’ll find you,” Tony promised, hands gently coming to her shoulders.

Cherry cradled her wrist with watch close to her. Her expression contorting through several emotions before looking up at Tony in confusion. “Why? This…this is so expensive. You can’t…Im not worth all this,”

The Mechanic’s answer came sincerely, startling himself, as he looked at the small, broken woman before him. “Because…I know what it’s like to be held captive…to be hurt over and over again for something you didn’t deserve. I know what it feels like when you need to be rescued and I know how scary it is to have to take the first steps to be rescued,” He squeezed her shoulders gently. “You’re worth it, Cher-bear. You’ve got to believe that,”

There was a pause and then she stepped forward and into him. Tony’s spine stiffened for a moment before realizing she wasn’t having another episode, she was hugging him. He relaxed a moment, patting the spot between her shoulder blades before offering her a small squeeze of a hug back and stepping away.

“Come on, how about that burger? I’ll get one of Happy’s ball caps to wear,”

With a nod, Cherry gave a small watery smile back, “I’d like that,”

[casspurrjoybell-23]

Friday Night - Chapter 7 - Part 2

*Warning Adult Content*

"Would you like a tour?"

The first thing Hunter saw once he went past the door was a locker room.

His brain conjured up bartenders and waitstaff stuffing their belongings in here at the start of every shift.

River grabbed his wrists, cool fingers at his pulse as he pulled him to the right.

At the end of that hall was their first stop... the kitchen.

The warm room was blasting with music, making it hard to hear the classic sounds of chopping and sizzling pans.

River made the introductions between Hunter and the three people cooking, though he had to yell to do so.

"I'm surprised you're okay with the music being so loud in here," Hunter commented, his head bumping instinctively to the reggaeton playing.

"Most bosses couldn't stand it."

"I trust my head chef, Lawrence."

River pointed out Lawrence, a short French man trying to bop to the music as he garnished a plate.

"His philosophy is that you put your whole self, including your emotions, into the food that you cook," River crossed his arms, watching Hunter through the wisps of his lashes.

"So, you may as well put some good energy in there too."

Those words were innocent enough but Hunter felt like there was some innuendo he was missing.

A beat passed where the other man's eyes trailed him with intent.

The slow crawl of River's stare down and back up his body raised every hair Hunter had to its tip.

His dark eyes were so suggestive, Hunter could easily guess the dirty thoughts he had.

A gust of cool air entered the room when one of the waiters entered the kitchen, catching Hunter's attention.

He walked in through the swinging double doors on the other end of the kitchen and Hunter finally understood how the rooms connected in Adonis.

Hunter looked back at River again but the moment was lost.

The man turned on his heel, gesturing for Hunter to follow.

Back in front of the door to the bar, River presented the employee locker room and bathroom.

They walked through the two walls of lockers which led into the breakroom and just past that was the lounge.

Seeing the cozy couches and patterned walls, Hunter almost wanted to go back in time so he could be young again and work here.

"I wish I could go back in time so I was young enough to work here."

River crossed his arms after Hunter spoke, his tilted head catching every last detail of Hunter's appearance.

Joking or not, River's assessment felt like a test and Hunter's skin tingled with awareness.

"There's no need for time travel. You can just work here now," he suggested cheekily.

Slinking up to the other man, he pinched Hunter's shirt, barely grazing his skin underneath.

"I'm sure the old ladies that come here every night would just love you."

Using a door to the left, River left the room while Hunter was still recovering from his teasing.

The deeper into the bar they went, the bolder River became.

Was Hunter ready for what awaited him at the end?

Rushing to follow, Hunter found River in front of what he explained to be their meeting room.

"For most of the day, my managers just use it for work when they're not out front but we also use it for management meetings, interviews with new hires, training, et cetera."

And going to the final door on the left, Hunter was brought into River's office.

The room was two-thirds the size of Hunter's but what it lacked in space it made up for in life.

Despite his desk being large, every available surface was covered in papers or trinkets.

Like the half finished Rubik's cube about to fall off the corner or the handmade bracelet right beside the laptop.

"So what do you think?" River asked, splaying his arms as he spun over his plush rug.

The smile on his face lacked the usual cheeky edge and Hunter felt as if, maybe, he really did care what Hunter's response would be.

"It's nice," he complimented, hands reaching out to graze one of many aged bands posters curling off of the walls.

"I like how cozy it feels."

"You mean small?"

"No," Hunter laughed, hearing River's matching chuckles from behind him.

"I mean cozy. Your office feels . . . lived in. I like it. I like it a lot more than my office at least."

"Now I think you're calling it messy but I will accept the compliment."

River continued to laugh as he walked behind his desk, relaxing into the brown leather chair with all of the confidence a man in his position should carry.

Hunter sat in the chair in front of him and while he knew the conversation had shifted, he found it hard to leave it alone.

Looking around at an office so much warmer than his own, he felt the need to defend it.

"I meant that I can see how long you've been here working and pouring into this bar. Your office shows that," Hunter explained, spurred on by the warmth that continued to grow in River's expression.

"Mine is mostly empty even though I've had the company for two years."

"Thank you," River told him sincerely.

With his chin tilted down and lips contained to the smallest of smiles, the incredibly masculine man looked kind of cute.

Then, the other man paused, the gears in his mind turning.

"You got an office space in two years?"

Hunter almost winced.

Most people he met outside work assumed he was an entrepreneur, starting his company from scratch and getting rapid success in a Steve Jobs sort of manner.

Finding out the company came from his dad eliminated any respect they had for him.

He always felt the label being metaphorically smacked across his forehead.

"No, I'm not that amazing," Hunter joked, mentally preparing for River's inevitable reaction.

"My dad owned the company and I spent my whole life preparing to take over. Of course, I owe most of my success to being born to the right guy but I also worked my butt off to prove to our shareholders that I could run it at twenty-five instead of waiting until I was fifty."

"I get that. You put a lot into your business and anyone who has heard you talk about it for more than two seconds knows how much you love it."

Hunter waited for the insult to his upbringing or dig to his company but they never came.

River was just smiling at him, looking as if he meant every word that he said.

Raising from his seat, River laughed to himself, leaving Hunter out of the little joke but the taller man didn't mind.

"You know, when you first strolled in here two months ago I couldn't decide if you were a country club douche or a really well dressed kid."

Hunter stood up just as River reached him, his crossed arms brushing against Hunter's chest.

Hunter kept his eyes on River's, quickly trying to remember what they'd been talking about.

"Which one am I?" Hunter asked, genuinely curious.

"Neither. Though I think you're supposed to be both."

River laughed freely, taking enjoyment in how irritated Hunter was by his conclusion.

As he sobered, River's fingers fiddled with Hunter's dress shirt, his heat quickly seeping past the thin fabric.

With River's hands dancing so low on his stomach, Hunter's breath grew shallow, the reaction worsening the more he tried to control it.

"But somehow, you're just nice," River whispered.

He caught Hunter's gaze and the look of wonder there struck the taller man to the core.

"I don't think I've ever met anyone like you."

Their eyes locked.

Hunter willed himself to look away but couldn't find the motivation to.

Truthfully, he loved staring into River's eyes.

He loved watching River's pupils shift back and forth or seeing his crow's feet tighten and relax with each change in expression.

Today, the task became harder since... without his permission... Hunter's eyes dropped to River's mouth.

He zoned in on those pale pink lips just as River's tongue darted out to wet them and Hunter's mind went hazy at the sight.

He was reminded of River's hands on his torso, toying with his shirt and Hunter's resolve wavered.

If he could just lean down and close the distance...

A cell-phone rings.

The piercing sound of River's ringtone cuts through the sexual tension with a knife and the two men jump apart.

Pulling out the device, River's stiff expression visibly melted by the time he looked at Hunter again.

"Sorry, I have to take this."

The younger man took a moment to collect himself, running a hand through his hair while River picked up the cell-phone.

"Hey baby, how are you?"

[tessa-liam]

Marabelle Series

Coming Home 

Chapter – 17 

 Choices – The Royal Romance, AU – (cross-over with Rules of Engagement)  

Series Premise – An American teenager from New York City is introduced to the world of a small European country and its society of royalty, nobility, and commoners. How will her life story be transformed? Will this new adventure bring her happiness...or regret?  

Marabelle Series Masterlist, My Complete Masterlist  

Main Pairing – Crown Prince Liam Rys x F!OC Lady Sophia (Sophie) Taylor  

Other Pairings – Maxwell Beaumont x Daniel(from NYC), Drake Walker x F!OC Melanie Smithson                                                                                   Leo Rys x Katie Rys 

Most characters belong to Pixelberry Studios  

Series Rating – M*🔞Warnings: this series will have NSFW material, drinking, crude language & innuendo, gun violence 

Many thanks to @selina012 for pre-reading. 

Category – Alternate universe/on-going series/angst/fluff/cross-over with Choices Rules of Engagement with sprinkles of Canon 

Chapter Summary – Sophie settles into her new home at the palace, as well as Marabelle in the Royal stables. Leo comes home with his new bride. The memorial for the victims of the university attack takes place in the Capital. 

Music & Title Inspiration:

Words: 5.0k 

A/N1: Bethany Beaumont, Maxwell’s mother, is originally from the U.S. and is Barthelemy Beaumont’s second wife. Annabelle Beaumont (deceased) is Bertrand’s mother.  

A/N2: ‘Social Season’ in this AU series refers to a traditional period in the spring/summer for royalty and members of the court to take part in Balls, dinner parties and charity events.  

A/N3: Heartfelt thanks to @Selina012 for joining me in writing ideas and with dialogue/content for this chapter and series. 

Cordonian Royal Palace 

There was something almost dreamlike about walking arm-and-arm with Liam up to one of the lavish bedrooms at the palace. They had scarcely closed the door when his arms slid around her, pulling her tightly against him and tucking her into the warmth of his chest. 

"Are you alright," his warm voice caressing her ear as gently as his breath. 

"Just fine," Sophie gently responded. As she let herself relax and fall into him, Liam tilted her chin upward. His mouth met hers, warm and welcoming. For a few precious moments, there was no outside world. There was only him and her. Nothing between them or tearing them apart. Nothing but him and her, together at last. 

With his arms around her waist, he spun her slowly and tenderly to show her around her luxurious and elegant chamber. It was elegantly and beautifully appointed with richly stained oak furniture. The decor was a soft beige with hints of gold and red, lending a cozy ambiance to the entire space. The walls were adorned with rich gold and scarlet tapestries that shimmered underneath the light of the chandelier hanging from the high ceiling. 

In the center of the room is a large bed with soft silk quilts, fluffy cushions and pillows stacked in a color that complimented the decor of the room and appears comfortable and luxurious.  

Across the room, she could see the vanity desk and mirror with the signature red chair, adorned with rich red velvet and tufted cushions. The courtyard was in view beyond the terrace doors. 

Liam led Sophie outside onto the balcony and pointed out to the courtyard and whispered, “someday ... all of this will be your little place, too.” 

Sophie smiled demurely and nodded, full of hope for the future. A breeze blew by with the scents of flowers from the gardens. 

He finally loosened his embrace a little and planted a sweet and chaste kiss on her forehead. The smile on his face was genuine, and the glint of love was in his eyes. 

After a few moments, her thoughts turned to Hana and her doctor’s comments. Sophie was informed that Hana was in shock and needed to be checked by a nurse while at the palace. Sophie wondered how she was settling into her room. 

“Thank you, Liam, for inviting Hana to stay at the palace while she recovers. She was a comfort to me in the hotel that night, and I am truly grateful for our new friendship," Sophie said with sincerity.  

"My love, you do not need to thank me. It is not my intention to ever make you feel like you must hold gratitude for basic human decency. Especially not when you have been through such an ordeal yourself." 

Sophie had to stifle a laugh at his phrasing, and he responded with a chuckle. "What is so funny," his eyebrow cocked up with the beginnings of a teasing grin on his handsome face. 

"It just seems to me," she begins, hesitating only briefly before the seriousness and courage returned to her, "that there's just something about an 'ordeal' that leaves a woman wanting in your life, huh?" 

Sophie looked down with a smirk. 

Liam looked back at her with a perplexed look for only a second before he gives a soft snort and shakes his head with the realization. 

"Is it any wonder why I love you?" 

She merely hums her appreciation in response and continues her own examination of her new surroundings. 

Liam leaned into her more fully, sliding his arm down the length of her body to slip his fingers between her own and lift their hands into a tight clutch before him, effectively stopping her in her path. 

"Everything you want in the world is available to you, within these very walls. So, if there is anything at all you might desire or even fancy to want, you shall have it," he paused for a brief second. She caught the slight trepidation in his tone. "This is your home for as long as you should so wish, Soph. So, I want you to feel like it's completely yours. Your things are already being moved over from Ramsford and will join you here, shortly.” 

Reminded about Marabelle, her thoughts turned to her loyal companion who had accompanied her through so many days and nights. Sophie hadn’t seen her horse for days and wondered if she was all right at the House Beaumont stables. 

“And Marabelle?” Sophie wondered aloud. 

“Marabelle will now be homed here in the palace stables.”  

Liam seemed to read her mind and said softly, "According to the stable hands, Marabelle became agitated when the shooting happened, as if she sensed her owner was in danger. But rest assured, she is fine and has calmed down now. She will now be homed here in the palace stables." 

Sophie felt unexpected emotions. It had never occurred to her that Marabelle could sense her danger so keenly. This tacit understanding and connection beyond words made her cherish the emotional bond with Marabelle even more. 

Sophie looked up at him with a rather appreciative smile, but he could see the flicker of mischief behind it and was at once curious to know exactly what it is she was thinking about. "What is it," he chuckled softly. 

"Can I decorate?" 

His laughter rang out, a rich warm sound. Sophie didn't even try and pretend like she doesn't absolutely love it when he is relaxed enough to throw back his head and laugh in earnest like he did then. 

"My love, if you think I'd even consider toying with the notion of saying no to your whim or desire, then you haven't known me nearly well enough." His eyes gleamed at her with their twinkle of laughter. 

"Don't blame this on me, Liam. You're the one who suggested I'd find everything I wanted here and be willing to give it to me." 

"Would you believe me," he reached for her free hand with his and lifted both to hold up at his chest level, between them, "if I told you there is nothing in the entire palace grounds and even the kingdom itself, that I would refuse you and anything you wanted." 

He pressed a sweet kiss against the smoothness of the back of her palm and she felt a jolt from the simple gesture. 

"Can I trust that?" Sophie teased with a flirtatious smile, leaning in toward him. 

"Please, allow me to prove to you the sincerity in that promise, because it's quite important to me that you have faith in it." Liam teased back in response. 

"Your majesty." They heard the whisper from the closed door just before it cracked open. Liam did not remove his gaze from Sophie. 

"Speak freely, Tyler, no need for the secrecy and subterfuge. "Liam said calmly but gravely. 

"My apologies, sir, you have an urgent call from the Italian ambassador." 

"Right. Of course, thank you." Liam cleared his throat and cleared his expression, revealing a kind smile as he gently squeezed his grip around Sophie's hands. "I will see you at lunch, my love?" 

Sophie nods her agreement, smiling gently at him as he gently pats her hands before letting go, offering a gentle squeeze at his retreat before heading out. 

After Liam leaves to answer the call in his office, Sophie chose to check on Hana in a nearby bedroom. She began the short journey across the palace's royal wing, passing by an enormous stained-glass window overlooking the lavish courtyard. As she finally approached a familiar corridor and took two steps down the hallway, she sees a blur out of the corner of her eye. 

‘Hah! An unfamiliar woman ducks out of an alcove ... and swings her fist at Sophie's head!’ 

With the quick reflexes from childhood equestrian training, Sophie ‘ducked down just enough that the fist passes harmlessly over her head.’ 

‘Hff! The stranger's other hand comes up to drive another punch at Sophie.’ 

Dodging the second strike, her fist whistles past her face.' 

‘Thunk! Before she can think twice, her hand shoots up and snatches the woman by the wrist. Using her attacker's momentum against her, she yanks the stranger towards the floor and shoves her off-balance onto the ground, sending the stranger sprawling.’ 

‘"What the..." and before Sophie could finish her thought, the woman launched into a roundhouse kick.’   

‘"Yahhh!" In a panic, Sophie stepped forward and stumbled even further into the arc of her kick, but just before it makes contact ... the woman drops into a standing position. 

"You've got potential, but you could use a lot of polish."’ The woman looked at Sophie with an examined eye. 

Sophie gasped and distanced herself from the woman, "Oookay, back up. Who are you?” 

The woman gives a short bow. 

"I'm Mara. Isn't it obvious?" She made a brief introduction of herself. 

Sophie was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized, "You're ... my new bodyguard?" 

"Correct. You're smart. That's good." Mara nodded with a brief smile. 

"Alright Mara, have I done something to make you mad at me?" Sophie looked at this woman in front of her, discontented and confused. 

"Of course not." 

"Then can you explain to me why you tried to punch me in the face? Twice?" Sophia stared at her warily, her eyes alert. 

Prince Liam said you needed the best protection, and I'm here to offer the best that I can.' Mara raised her head in a serious tone. 

You ... did that as some sort of training exercise? 

"I didn't want you to get used to fighting from the ground." Mara nodded. 

Sophie shook her head disapprovingly, feeling both good and amused at Mara’s weird ‘protection’ method. “For someone tasked with protecting my life, that seemed pretty unsportsmanlike to me!" 

" Do you think everyone who attacks you will be honorable?" 

Anticipating Sophie’s reaction, Mara puts her hands behind her back and bounces on her toes, a cheerful smile plastered to her face. 

Sophie looked into Mara’s determined eyes with a mixture of reassurance and unease. Mara’s style is a little hard for her to accept, and she’s not sure she can fully trust her new bodyguard.  

"My instructions were not to be friendly or easy. Prince Liam said, 'get tough and get smart, and don't let anyone near her again' so I will stick to my orders. "Seeming to read Sophie’s mind, Mara explained with a serious look. 

Sophie raised a questioning eyebrow at Mara. 

Mara replied," from now until we capture the enemies or stop them, whichever is first, I am your shadow, Lady Sophia. Nothing else matters to me right now." 

Sophie hears a door open behind her as Liam steps into the hallway. 

"Oh, I see you've met Mara." Liam’s eyes were tinged with relief and anticipation. 

"Yeah, she ... introduced herself...if you can call it that." Sophie nodded and gave a rueful smile. 

Liam smiled, not surprised by the way Mara made her entrance. “I wanted to run an idea by you before we head to lunch." 

 Gardens of the Royal Palace 

The garden lost its old laughter, replaced by an indescribable repression and silence. The flowers also seem to be overshadowed by this sudden change, losing their bright and vibrant past. Madeleine sat alone in a corner of the garden, her dark green dress blending in with her surroundings. 

She sat still, her eyes blank into the distance, her ears filled with the whispers of people around her, talking about the shooting at Cordonia University that shocked the nation. For Madeline, it was a relief that the focus was no longer on her embarrassing divorce from Leo. 

It had been a month since Prince Leo had abdicated the throne and Liam had been made Crown prince. That moment marked not only a major change in the Cordonian monarchy, but also the end of Madeleine's dream of being queen. Her father, Duke Godfrey, who had placed great hopes in her political engagement with Leo, was now bitterly disappointed. The relationship between father and daughter fell to a freezing point, almost beyond recovery. And she herself, because of the sudden collapse of the dream of becoming a queen, fell into a deep confusion and pain. 

During the period when her engagement was broken off, Madeleine went from being the queen in waiting to become the object of public discussion overnight. Curiosity, sarcasm, sympathy... A storm of complex looks and words. She could not bear this change, so she chose to escape, hiding in the family estate in the Duchy of Krona, for a whole month, cut off all contact with the outside world. Even her friends Penelope and Kiara, who were turned away the first few times they tried to visit, gradually lost patience and stopped coming. 

In the lonely manor, Madeleine tries to use silence to heal her wounds, but she gradually senses that the atmosphere inside the manor is abnormal. To say nothing of her father's disappointment, even her mother, always carefree and fond of partying and gossiping, the Duchess of Adelaide became eccentric and seemed to be hiding things from her. In addition, some rarely seen faces frequently appear in the Duchy, either as guests to Adelaide or as mysterious visitors with hidden agendas. Immersed in her own world, however, Madeleine did not pay much attention to these subtle changes. 

Until a few days ago, the sudden shooting at the University of Cordonia shattered all the quiet. The innocent students got hurt even killed, and the whole country of Cordonia was filled with grief and anger. It was like a blow to Madeleine's heart. She realized she couldn't run away any longer. She knew that, as a member of the aristocracy, she had to stand up. The pride and self-respect that remained in her heart did not allow her to remain silent and withdraw when her country was in danger. 

So, she took courage, walked out of the house where she had been imprisoned, and went back to the palace. However, she still chose a cautious lifestyle, trying to avoid the eyes and comments of the crowd. She knew that though she had walked out of the gate of the manor, the shadow in her heart would not be removed for a moment.) 

As Madeleine sat alone in the pavilion in the palace garden, lost in her own memories, the silence was suddenly broken by a soft sound of conversation. She jerked back and caught two familiar figures -- Penelope and Kiara. Their figures stretched out in the afternoon sun and stood out. 

"I really can't imagine that shooting could have happened in Cordonia, it was so horrible. I hope the victims will be fine." There was a tremor in Penelope's voice, a timid and gentle nature that made her terrified by the mass violence. 

Kiara was more profound, with some anxiety in her voice: "Cordonia is not peaceful these days. Prince Leo suddenly abdicated last month, and Liam was appointed crown prince. I don't know what the future holds." 

Upon hearing Leo's name, Penelope instantly thought of Madeleine: "That reminds me, how is Madeleine? We haven't seen her for a long time since Prince Leo abdicated." 

Kiara snorted contemptuously. "Don't mention Madeleine. Don't forget, we went to Krona a couple of times to find her, and she turned us away. Apparently, she chose to hide, rather than face the truth. People like her don't deserve our attention anymore." 

Madeleine's heart felt like fire had been poured on it, and her anger flared up. She had wanted to leave quietly to avoid the awkward encounter, but Kiara's words were like a sharp knife, cutting through the last of her self-esteem. She straightened her back and, in an almost haughty manner, walked slowly towards her former friend. 

"Penelope, Kiara, I can't believe you remember me." Madeleine tried to keep a calm voice, even as the anger inside swelled. 

A flash of surprise crossed Penelope's face, followed by concern. "Madeleine! Long time no see, how have you been?" She held out her hand happily, only to be shunned awkwardly by Madeleine. 

Kiara, on the other hand, was far more indifferent, refusing even to look Madeleine in the eye: "Penelope, why should you be so polite to her?" Even though she was once Prince Leo's fiancée, but now she has been annulled by him, now she has lost her value. Following Prince Liam is the right thing to do now." 

Madeline fought back her anger with a sneer on her lips. "Oh? Did you, now? Kiara, my engagement was broken off by Leo, but that doesn't mean I lost. At least I had a chance of being queen, and it is not for you to judge me." 

Penelope saw this and quickly stepped forward to make peace, "Kiara, Madeleine was our friend, she helped us a lot, she must be very sad now. Why can't we sit down and talk it over?" 

Kiara folded her arms and glanced at Penelope with a few lines of dissatisfaction: "Penelope, you’re too good-tempered. What we should focus on is facts and values, not friendship." 

Madeleine could not listen anymore, and every word seemed to her like an insult. She shook her head and looked at Penelope coldly. "I accept your kindness, Penelope, but I don't need your sympathy or pity." With that, she turned, her dress made a sharp arc in the air and swept away. 

Leo's perspective ...

In the deep and solemn study of the royal palace of Cordonia, the dim light reflected the portraits of the Kings hanging on the wall, and the air was filled with a sense of heaviness and unease. Outside the window, dark clouds billowed, as if foreshadowing the turmoil the kingdom was experiencing. Now, in the study, Leo and King Constantine stood facing each other, their figures very stiff in the weak light. 

"Father." Leo's voice was low, with a subtle tremor. He had just rushed back from abroad, worried about his father's health and shocked and saddened by the shooting at Cordonia University. 

King Constantine's eyes were sharp and complex. He said slowly, "You have come back at last. I thought you had forgotten this country." 

Leo took a deep breath and said, "I haven't forgotten, but I need time to find out what I really want in life. Also, I heard about the shooting and I'm worried about it and about your health." 

"Do you even know how to worry?" Constantine sneered. "You have thrown all this away at the most crucial moment, including your duties as crown prince and your fiancée Madeleine." 

Leo's hands were clenched in fists and his voice was low but firm: "Father, I admit that I did what I did, but it was because I was really not up to the task of being Crown prince, it was not the right life for me. As for Madeleine, there was no real affection between me and her, and I can't stand the thought of being married to her. Besides, I have one more thing to tell you ... this time, I'm back. I met Katie abroad, and she showed me what true happiness is. I have decided to marry her." 

Constantine frowned and expressed his discontent. "Leo, do you have any idea what you're doing? Duke Godfrey is an important friend and ally of the crown, and your engagement with Madeleine is not just about the two of you, it's about the stability of the country! Now, you're telling me you're going to be with a foreign woman? Have you realized that because you left, I had to put Liam on the frontline, and now he's under pressure that doesn't belong to him!" 

"I know I've disappointed you with my decision, but I can't go against my heart." Leo looked down, but then raised his head firmly, without any hesitation or guilt, "I believe that Liam can take on the responsibilities of Crown Prince and that he is better suited to the position than I am." 

The atmosphere in the study grew tense, and eventually the conversation between father and son broke up. Constantine waved his hand, indicating that the conversation was over. "Well, you'd better go. I'm tired and need to rest." He stood up slowly under the help of his assistant, and his figure seemed particularly tired. 

Leo watched his father move away with a mixture of guilt and conviction. He looked at the direction of his father's departure. His heart both worried about his father's health, but he was also confused about his future. Katie's smile and Cordonia's future are intertwined in his mind, making him feel more tangled and struggling than ever before. 

But he also believes time will tell. No matter how bumpy the road ahead, he will walk hand in hand with Katie to face the wind and rain of the future together. Giving up the throne does not mean he has given up on Cordonia, and he will quietly support his brother Liam in a way that is not bound by royal obligations, to do his part for his homeland in a way that suits him. 

The Capital, Cordonia University

The mood was somber and solemn in front of the auditorium, where a memorial service was being held for the victims of the shooting. 

The sky is low, and the drizzle is endless, as if God is silently mourning for the souls of these early deaths. The rain sweeps the world in a hazy gray, covering the land with a veil of sadness. 

Around the palace, as well as far away as the university campus, and even every corner of the country, the flag is half lowered on the flagpole, swaying gently in the wind, like a silent guardian, expressing deep respect for the dead and do not give up. This silent symbol conveys the deep sorrow of the whole country over this tragedy. 

On the green belt in front of the hall, 14 white crosses stood quietly, each bearing the photos and names of the victims, and below them flickering candles whose weak but firm light was warm in the rain. All around hung black elegiac couplets, written on the sad eulogies, the living to the dead endless sorrow. 

With music playing heavily and slowly, the royal family was the first to enter the venue. King Constantine and Queen Regina entered hand in hand, their steps heavy, their faces serious. He was followed by Prince Liam, dressed in majestic black military regalia with gold and red ribbons and epaulets with mixed emotions reflected in his eyes. Prince Leo stood behind Liam, and although he is no longer Crown Prince, he chose to stand here and pay his respects to the victims with his brother. Each member of the royal family wore a commemerative medallion on their chest, which they had specially designed for this day of mourning. 

As the nobles entered, Madeleine was dressed in black, her face pale, her eyes both sad and unwilling. The Duchess of Lythikos, Olivia's bright red head shone out in the crowd, and her eyes were uncharacteristically firm, conveying a silent conviction. Duchess Bethany entered the meeting with the Beaumont family, including Bertrand and Duke Barthelemy, their eyes searching for Sophie's figure. 

In the crowd, Sophie, as a student representative, wore a pure black dress with a small white flower pinned to her chest. Her face was solemn, her eyes glistening with tears, but her steps were firm. She eased her way to the front row to sit beside Daniel and exchanged an encouraging look with Maxwell, who was also wearing a black suit. Maxwell stood alongside his brother Bertrand in the line of nobles, his eyes showing concern and support for his cousin. 

The memorial officially began, Sophie, as a student representative, held a bouquet of white flowers, slowly walked to the front of the crosses of the victims, gently placed the bouquet under one of the crosses, and offered the first bouquet of flowers in the entire activity. Then Queen Regina and King Constantine nodded. Sophia walked slowly to the podium where the royal family stood, faced the crowd and made a low bow to the King and queen before she began her speech. 

"Your Majesties, Your Highness, dear professors and classmates, and every friend here today," Sophia's voice was clear and firm, "we are gathered here on this special day to remember the innocent lives that were lost. Their smiles and dreams came to an abrupt end in this sudden disaster, leaving us with endless grief and thoughts." 

She paused, glancing over the rows of crosses, and continued, "But more than grief, we should remember their beautiful memories and pass on this love and hope. Together, let us pray for the dead, cheer for the living, and protect this land we love." 

Prince Liam slowly stepped forward. He looked deeply at Sophie, and pulled out the commemorative Royal on and gently placed it on her chest. His fingers inadvertently touched the fabric of her dress, bringing a burst of warmth to Sophie. Their eyes met at this moment, without words, but their hearts were deeply connected. 

Constantine, Regina, Liam, and Leo signed their names in the book of Condolences and lit a candle at the cross. Nobles line up, holding baskets or bouquets of flowers, and praying for the dead. Students and professors also came forward to place various memorial items in front of the cross, offering their condolences and blessings. 

As the memorial ceremony went on, more and more people from all walks of life outside the school joined the ranks of mourning spontaneously. They stood in front of the cross, or bowed their heads in silence, or whispered to each other, everyone's heart was full of condolences and best wishes for the families. 

A book of condolences, signed by the members of the royal family, was set aside, filled with messages. Numerous wreaths, baskets and bouquets of flowers were placed around the white cross, adding a touch of colorful light to the oppressive weather. Mementos of all sorts - stuffed animals, schoolbags, shoes, eulogy envelopes and elegiac couplets - fill the green belt lawn. Each one carries the deep memory of the living for the dead. 

The mourning lasted from early morning until dusk. The royal palace and the campus of the heavy bell slowly tolled, the deep and distant bell, echoed in the rain, through the clouds straight to the heart. Later, 14 colorful balloons with photos and eulogies of the deceased were slowly released and struggled to rise through the rain, each carrying a message of despair for the deceased and hope for the future. Despite the rain and overcast skies, the balloons are like a rainbow of bright colors, bringing a warm glow to a land shrouded in sadness. They stagger in the air, and finally disappear in the vast rain, taking people's tears and sadness, but also leaving a faint but firm light of hope. 

The rain is still thin and dense underground, and it seems that it is crying for this tragedy. The scene was immersed in a solemn, only the sound of rain, the crackle of candles and the silent crying of people's hearts. But there was also an unyielding power in the air. In this black sea, everyone, in their own way, pays their deepest respect and memory to the 14 lives lost. The field in front of the auditorium of the University of Cordonia is today the focus of national and international attention, a witness to human grief and a witness to the brilliance of humanity shining in the darkness. This is not only a memorial event, but also a spiritual baptism and rebirth. 

 Throne Room, Palace 

Neville Vancoeur walked down the wide corridor slowly and stopped in front of the large oak doors of the throne room. For him, it was a routine practice to come here, but today his mood was particularly difficult. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Liam Rys had summoned his appearance. 

💠💠💠💠💠

Thank you for reading 💐

@choicesficwriterscreations

@choicescommunityevents

📌tags are in the comments.

[steveshairychest]

After the stuff with vecna and after Eddie has healed from his wounds, he decides to leave Hawkins. Everyone there already wants him dead and blames him for everything so he sees it as the only way out. He packs his stuff in the night and leaves without saying good bye, he hates good byes and he knows they would try and convince him to stay. The only person he left a letter was Wayne.

Fast forward nearly 5 years. Eddie owns a tattoo shop, he has a cozy apartment and two cats he would give the entire world.

On one of his slower days, the bell on the front door of the shop dings, letting him know someone's just walked in. "One second!" He calls from the back room. He takes one final drag of his cigarette before stubbing it out in the cat shaped ash tray. "Sorry. What can i do for you...today." Eddie stops at the front counter, he can't tell if what he's seeing is real or if he accidentally smoked a joint out the back that's making him hallucinate Steve fucking Harrington standing in his shop.

Steve looked just as shocked as he did. His mouth was open in a tiny 'o' and he was staring at Eddie like he also couldn't believe he was real. "Eddie?" Steve came around the counter and stood right in front of Eddie. He was wearing glasses, he doesn't remember Steve needing glasses, and he had let his moustache grow out. He looked good. "Do you remember me? Steve Harrington?"

Eddie rolled his eyes and smiled. "Yes, you're hard to forget, Steve." He tugged a piece of his hair in front of his face, he felt so small under Steve's gaze. Was he angry at him for leaving? Did they all hate him? "What are you doing here?"

Steve sighed and ran a hand through his hair, still as glorious as ever. "Is it not obvious?" He chuckled and gestured to Eddie's flash sheets on the wall. "I came to get a tattoo for my birthday, Robin convinced me. She's trying to find a place to park."

Eddie nodded and leaned over the desk to grab one of his information sheets for Steve to fill out. "Well, fill this out for me, Harrington. Whatever you want is on the house." Steve started to protest but Eddie just shoved the sheet and a pen at him. "Consider it a birthday present and... an apology." He gave him a weak smile, Steve's eyes dropping to look at his snake bites.

"Cool piercings." He leaned a little closer to look at the rest of them. He had snakebites, a septum piercing, his bridge and an eyebrow piercing. "Did you do them yourself?" Eddie nodded, a little out of breath by how close Steve was. "You look great, Eddie. Have things been good for you?" He walked around the other side of the counter, finally giving Eddie space to breathe, and leaned on it as he filled out the form.

Was he really asking him small talk questions? Was he not going to ask Eddie why he left? Why he didn't say good bye?

"I've been good. The shops doing great and everyone around here is really nice, I guess." He fiddled with the hem of his shirt, he felt like he was standing at the edge of a cliff, just waiting for the ground to break underneath him. Waiting for Steve to drop the nice act and yell at him. "How are things for you?"

Steve shrugged and gave Eddie a smile. "Much better now." Eddie scoffed, a smile of his own tugging at his lips. "Robin and I actually just got a place here. We had to make sure it only had two rooms otherwise Dustin would have weasled his way into moving in with us." Just the mention of Dustin's name made Eddie's heart squeeze. He hated himself for never saying good bye to him. "He missed you a lot, by the way."

There it is. The ground shifted and Eddie felt himself tumble down the side of the cliff.

Eddie didn't say anything, just stared at his shoes, biting the inside of his cheek to stop himself from crying. "I'm sorry I didn't say good bye." He tilted his head back and blinked the tears out of his eyes, he spent too long on his eye-liner this morning to cry it off over something that happened years ago. "But I couldn't stay in Hawkins. I had to get out. I don't regret leaving but I do regret not saying good bye to any of you."

Steve was staring at him now, he put his pen down and came back around to Eddie's side of the counter. He stood so close to Eddie he could smell the cigarette he must have smoked before coming in. "You have nothing to be sorry for, Eddie. No one was mad at you, a little upset but we understood why you did it." He hesitated for a moment, his hands reaching for Eddie but stopping half way. "We missed you." He paused. "I missed you. I still have your vest, I can give it back, if you'll let me see you again after this?"

Eddie couldn't stop the tears now. He'd been ignoring how much he missed his friends for years. Ignoring the little voice at the back of his head that would tell him to go back. But having Steve here basically asking if he wanted to be friends again was enough to break him.

"Fuck you, Harrington. Making me cry at work." Steve didn't hesitate this time, he stepped closer and pulled Eddie into his arms, his warmth and smell were still the same. Still so comforting and so unbelievably Steve, it was overwhelming. "I missed you too." He mumbled into Steve's chest.

They stood like that for God knows how long, until the bell on top of the door rang loudly through the shop and caused them to jump apart. "Jesus Christ, I couldn't find a parking- Eddie?!" Robin was standing in the door way now, her shocked face mirroring Steve's when he walked in.

"Miss me?" Eddie said weakly, he knows he looks awful right now. His eyes a little puffy from crying and his eye-liner smudged on his face and the front of Steve's shirt.

Robin smiled and scooped him up in a hug so tight he felt like he was going to burst. "You better give us free tattoos, Munson."

[age-of-play-i-say]

Puppy Fever, pt. 1

I just have a cold, but I woke up aching and foggy, barely able to manage texting Daddy for help. Daddy appeared quickly, with a warm milk drink for me to wake up with. He coos as I take my medicine, and cannot stand my eyes watering as he breaks the news that he has to return to work while I languish in bed. He’d prefer I stay comfortable in my cozy bed, but I can’t bear to have him out of my sight when I’m like this.

He holds a finger up in the doorway and says “Give me 5 minutes, little one, and then Dada won’t leave your sight again” and I can hear him in every room, shuffling around with purpose. I doze unhappily, drinking my sippy cup and hugging my teddy bear stuffie.

Daddy reappears in the doorway and strides for my bed, sliding his arms underneath my body before bracing himself to scoop me up, blankets and all.

I moan, sore and miserable, and snuffle into Daddy's neck.

He does his best not to jostle me, walking slowly. As he does he whispers "I was saving this for your birthday, but today seems like the right time for a treat."

We round the corner to his office and I peer around his neck to see something new - a large plush doggie bed designed to fit under his desk, with grooves for his legs and feet to fit too. I cling to him and kick my feet happily before groaning from the exertion.

He bounces me lovingly before setting me down to explore my new spot. He adjusts my blanket to wrap around my shoulders and gives my bare bottom a pat. 

"Go on, sweetie, there are other goodies in your little baby corner. I'll be right here the whole time, and this way you don't have to go anywhere for my Zoom meeting later on."

I drop to my knees and crawl in. Out of sight, there's a small space heater, a DVD player with my comfort movies queued, starting with Lilo and Stitch. My favorite stuffies are all in attendance.

He also set up a small breakfast tray of different drinkies, snacks, and cold meds. As a final touch, the cold meds have a sticky note slapped on top that says 'grown ups only, Daddy will take care of it'

I coo happily, feeling warm all over for the first time since this cold hit me hard. I peek my face out and mean to thank Daddy, but no words come out. Instead my eyes get watery and I fling myself forward, hugging one of his legs.

He relaxes and settles into his chair, petting my upper back and hair before murmuring, "Sick as a dog, so I figured you might want to be my puppy for today." I whimper and hug his leg tighter, my bare bottom pressing on his socked foot. I'm turning pinker than my fever flush, not sure why I'm so blushy.

I look up at Daddy curiously. 

"Puppy?" I ask. He nods.

"Puppies don't have to speak, they get pets, tummy rubs, snacks." I nod, laying my head back on his knee before he says, "and any accidents or humpies without permission aren't naughty when you're a puppy." My head swivels to meet his gaze.

He was waiting for me. He leans down and pats the bottom of my puppy pen. It crinkles. He grins and leans back up.

"Lined with puppy pads and the base cushion is washable, so my sweet pup doesn't have to think about anything at all if they don't want to."

My lil winkie pulses against his leg without any movement from me, giving away my thoughts. He chuckles before continuing,

"You can also make humpies if you're up to it, or you can ask Daddy for help. No limits on anything that makes my baby feel good today, okay?" 

I nod, still fever-flushed but so aroused by his love and care. I don't look up at him and instead start rolling my hips against his leg.

He chuffs happily and focuses back in on his laptop, ignoring his puppy-baby churning their growing winkie on his bare ankle.

I squeal a few seconds later when my orgasm hits unexpectedly, leaving me gasping and shaking. I've been feeling so awful that getting off felt like a chore, and now Daddy has put me deep in headspace, caring for me more deeply than I've ever known.

No wonder I'm sensitive.

I sigh contentedly and give my sore hips one final waggle before lifting off, grabbing a drinkie from the tray and two stuffies and settling back between Daddy's legs, safe and sound.

[natewriteslol]

May i request the vice dorm leaders dating MC/Reader who has a habit of hiding under things kind of like a cat? Like one time they just see mc under the bed or under the desk chilling.... I have a cat who hides under things and i find this absolutely abdorable lol

Characters: Trey Clover, Rook Hunt, Ruggie Bucchi, Jade Leech, Lilia Vanrogue, Jamil Viper

Y/N is gender neutral :)

Trey Clover:

-He found out about your habit when you scared the shit out of him

-Trey came to visit your dorm after he had finished doing work for Heartslabyul

-He called put your name but... you were no where to be found?

-Trey went up to your bedroom looking for you, going into your closet, bathroom, and then he walked up to pull the sheets from the bed

-"Y/N where are you-AH?!"

-You gripped onto his ankles and crawled out from under the bed

-"By the Great Seven! Y/N you scared me!"

-He doesn't have a problem with your kinda odd habit (he actually finds it really endearing)

-but pls don't scare him like that his heart can't take it aksjffhh

Rook Hunt:

-He's quite used to animal behaviors, being a hunter after all

-But he has never seen a human exhibit such cat like behavior

-Very interesting of you hmm~

-"Ah, mon amour what are you doing under there?" He says as you were under your computer desk

-Won't pester you about it at all! He thinks it's rather endearing <3

-calls you his "minou"

Ruggie Bucchi:

-He went into the common room, looking for you

-You did text him to show up after all, yet he couldn't find you-

-His eyes went to the couch, most of your body was underneath the couch?

-"Y/N, what are you doing under the couch?" Ruggie asked, furrowing his brows

-tbh he has no problem with it, I mean he goes through garbage and picks up random dandelions

-who is he to judge his baby?

Jade Leech:

-Had been looking for you in your room for about a minute

-Only to see you inching out from under your bed...like a gooberish little worm

-He chuckled and then stepped toward you "My dear, what are you doing?"

-Once you explained it gives you comfort while he was still confused, he understood alot better than just you randomly being under your bed lol

Lilia Vanrogue:

-Doesn't really judge tbh

-He swings on the ceiling all the time after all!

-The first time he stops by and asks what you're doing

-Its a little odd but he realizes that's what you're comfortable with

-Lilia just accepts your little quirk

-He sometimes stops by under the desk to sit next to you

-"I must admit it is quite cozy. No wonder you spend so much time down here, hehe~"

Jamil Viper:

-Very confused??

-He originally thought you had stooped down do grab something you dropped

-But there you were, under the desk just typing away at your phone while Jamil laid on the bed reading

-After a couple of moments Jamil asks, "Y/N...What are you doing down there?"

-He quickly learns that going under tight spaces gives them comfort, but he is a little concerned

-What if you bump your head? Or can't get out?

-He loves you Y/N but why are you like this-

[jjtheresidentbaby]

⚽️ here, thanks for getting to the last request so quick!

to me, hotch is the team’s dad for sure (minus rossi, he’s like the single rich italian uncle or grandpa). age order for his kiddos would be emily, morgan, penelope, jj, and reid, which I think is most accurate given their ages in real life? point is, based on that age order, reid is the baby of the family, which is normally how their family is written but jj is the youngest GIRL. and when it comes to the youngest girl in the family, you can bet everyone is protective, esp the dad. so I thought:

jj didn’t have the best father figure growing up. her parents were fighting on the verge of divorce when her sister died. and it’s canon that her father remarried to someone young. so hotch becomes her father figure early on in the seasons, esp when she’s regressed. that’s his little girl and he’d do anything for her, on and off the field. even during cases, he makes sure she’s either with him, safe at the station, or if heaven forbid he has to send her into the field, she’s paired with one of her brothers or rossi.

he doesn’t care if she regressed at work or on the plane bc he’s always prepared for it. a special thing he does is make a cozy safe place for her under his desk, after finding her hiding away in it one particularly hard day. she was anxious and rocking back and forth. he wasn’t able to coax her out but he still had to get his work done, so he let her stay and calm down at her own pace with him close to her. and eventually she does calm down, quietly hugging his legs from underneath the desk.

after that day, he starts adding to that small space: foam letter tiles, a blanket, some soft toys. just so she’d know she was safe and allowed to be there whenever she needed it, whether he was there or not. of course she loves it, clutching onto a soft toy in one hand, her other arm and legs wrapping around her dada’s legs. and even hotch would admit this soothes him too knowing she’s safe with him, even though her being regressed at work isn’t ideal.

but after hotch gets put into witness protection, jj doesn’t have this anymore. she doesn’t have her dada anymore and she hates it. but when Emily is named new unit chief and discovers this space under the desk, she knows right away it was for jj when hotch was still there. it explains all the times jj disappeared into his office for long lengths of time. and as jj’s remaining caregiver, emily keeps the space, even adding more to it: pictures of jj and hotch taped to the walls underneath the desk so jj could have her dada close to her when she needed him. it takes awhile before jj eventually uses the space again on her own but emily quietly reassured her that it’s hers and will always be there for her, that she may not be hotch but she cares for jj and wants her to be safe and happy no matter that headspace she’s in. and it helps emily too bc she misses hotch, the missing 1/3 in their trio, but she’s not alone so even if her and jj miss him, they can miss him together.

and yes, jj does the same thing to emily, hugging her legs from underneath the desk while sucking on her fingers. emily would reach under with a pacifier for her bc “no thumbs, sweet girl. that’s yucky.” She’d stroke her hair, sometimes asking her for her opinion on things while she’s hiding under the desk. sometimes jj responds, sometimes she doesn’t. but emily is just happy to have her there.

Under the Desk | Jennifer Jareau x Emily Prentiss x Aaron Hotchner

find on my ao3 here

a/n: everyone praise ⚽️ anon for having the best ideas!! this makes me wanna sob uncontrollably but also it is so so smart and I love it so very much. and me answering quickly is because my inbox is extremely empty and criminal minds has been in my brain so much (also hotchniss being Jj’s parents? Yes. Immediately yes.)

warnings: mentions of Hotch leaving (no Jack in this), mentions of scratch, angst, crying, anxiety, Hotch being referred to as ‘dada’ & Emily as ‘mama’, pet names in general

───°˖✧✿✧˖° ───

-

Emily bows her head into her hands with a deep sigh, looking down towards the small area under what once was Hotchs desk, she knows what it’s for and why it’s there but she can’t help but wonder if it’ll ever get used the same way again.

The floors padded with a few fleece blankets, both Halloween ones that Prentiss recognizes are taken out of Hotchs old hall closet, stuffed animals line the back wall, a bunny, a dog, a polar bear, and a small tiger. A small box accompanies the toys, filled to the brim with hair accessories and a plethora of different pacifiers.

It looks perfectly untouched from the last time the little girl Emily knows sneaks under there was in this office, she always stands akwardly at Prentiss’s door now, not daring to even set a toe inside. Although Emily has remodeled a bit, setting up pictures of her and the team on her new desk, putting a few of her beloved cat aside them, it still feels wrong for her to be behind this desk.

It should be Aaron. Perfect Aaron who spent his weekends with Jj and Emily, taking them anywhere they wished, holding Jj close to his chest whenever she wanted, Emily knows it’s not the same for either of them. It’s incomplete, not only the team but their trio, two black haired people and a blonde that no longer sew together seamlessly like a hand made quilt.

Instead they’ve all drifted, Emily and Jj not being able to contact Hotch for any reason until Scratch is found, Aaron all alone god knows where, doing god knows what, it pains Emily, though she thinks Jj might be in more anguish.

Jennifer looks close to tears anytime Hotch is mentioned, Prentiss knows she longs for her Dada. A nickname she’s only heard through passing phone calls on late night cases, when Jj thinks Emily is asleep and isn’t listening in to how soft Hotch sounds when Jj mumbles out random things while she laid on her side with her phone on speaker.

It makes it all that much harder to stare down to the crook of comfort that Emily keeps from when Hotch was here, she can’t bring herself to change a single thing, not until Jj tells her it’s okay at least. That day may never come and Prentiss has that gnawing thought at the back of her head daily, that Jj may never slip again, may never be able to step foot into this office without crying.

The days pass deathly slow, ticking second by second, at least that’s how it feels anytime Emily is in the office. Not hers, she can’t refer to it as her own, even with her name on the door and belongings in the drawers, it’s still not hers and she feels out of place, like an intruder of the space.

-

Weeks go by and nothing changes. It’s still horribly painful to talk or think about Hotch too much, there’s still that look of disappointment on Jj’s face every time Prentiss walks out of the office and not Hotch, the shared looks of concern from the other teammates only growing stronger as the days go on.

Emily feels at a loss for what to do. How to help. Can she? Is there a way to help a little girl who’s dada just got ripped away from her without warning? She tries to find scratch, fighting her way with higher ups to get help with the search, it’s not enough.

None of it works or help or does a single thing, not that Prentiss had high hopes, she knows the only thing that will fix this is having Hotch back. Even a phone call would do more than all the tricks Prentiss is trying, just for Jj to hear his voice again, something other than the small recording Emily has caught Jj listening to on her phone as tears slowly drip down the blondes cheeks.

“Jj? Do you need something?” There’s a swell of hope in Emily’s chest when Jj shuffles into the office, actual feet inside, almost directly in front of the desk.

“Can- can I um…” The girl trails off with a fidget of her hands, pulling at her fingers and avoiding Emily’s eye contact. Prentiss has to remind herself to school her expressions, she’s well aware how Jj acts when she’s slipping, endless fidgeting and a mumble prominent in her voice.

“Would you like to sit under the desk?” The doors already closed, same with the shades, so Emily just gives a soft smile when Jj nods shyly then shuffles herself to the space by Prentiss’ legs.

“Jj?” Jennifer holds the stuffed polar bear up to her chest, legs crossed on top of the blanket, but what looks like tears building in her eyes.

“I- I miss Hotch. I miss him so much Em.” She chokes on her words, burying herself into the soft toy to conceal the tears and wetness in her tone.

“Oh sweetheart, I know, I do too. I wish he was here every day.” Emily’s heart cracks when Jj shifts to wrap one of her arms around Prentiss’ leg, hugging her knee to her face and keeping the bear between them.

“D-dada would- would let me hold onto him when he did paperwork, it’d make me feel better but- but it doesn’t make me feel better. I want him, I- I need him.” Jj begs quietly up to Emily, her head tilted up against Emily’s pant leg, tears staining the faded black material, Prentiss can only choke back her own tears while leaning to rest her hand in Jj’s hair.

“I know, I know, sweet girl. I don’t know how to help you, I wish I could go get him for you, I’m so sorry.” Emily stresses out the words around her own heavy breath.

“It doesn’t feel the same. I- I don’t feel the same.” A sob cracks free of Jj’s chest, the stuffed animal gets dropped out of her arm, instead she wraps around the fronts of both of Emily’s legs, crying high pitched against the black haired girl.

“Shh, Shh, I’m right here. I know it’s hard, nothing feels the same because it’s not. Hotch isn’t here, things are bound to change, to get messy, but I’m here. I’ll always be here, even if we can’t see Hotch.”

They stay in that position for a while, Emily bending to rub at Jj’s back, Jennifer wailing against Prentiss til she exhausts herself, Emily stays perfectly still when Jj eventually falls asleep against her legs, crying herself once the silence overtakes the room, pleading with nobody that Hotch will magically walk through the door and fix this disaster.

-

It never happens, a few more weeks and Hotch still can’t come back, it’s still Emily’s job to be in charge of the team and she still cries almost every time Jj slips under the desk to whimper to Prentiss about missing her Dada.

When they’re on a case or in front of the team it’s different, both are good at masking how torn up they are about everything, Jj has gotten quieter but nobody says anything, just like how nobody mentions how closely Emily has come to stick to Jj’s side.

She can’t help it, it’s what Hotch would do if he knew his little girl was upset. Aaron would assure Jj over and over til the blonde had no choice but believe him. It’s more difficult for Emily to get Jj to stop crying or to get her to do anything aside from staring at pictures of Hotch when she’s small, but she’s trying, they both are.

“Emily! Prentiss it’s Jj!” Emily can’t speed out of the office any quicker at Luke’s frantic yell from the round table room.

A million thoughts race around Emily’s head throughout the minute long sprint to the room, none of them come close to the image of Jj sobbing on the floor beside Reid. She’s curled into herself, head stuffed into her knees, arms over her head, body shaking with a small tremor, and sobs echoing throughout the room.

“What happened!?” Emily’s knees hit the floor in front of Jj in seconds, her worry overflowing as she looks helplessly over to Reid for an explanation, who looks up to where Garcia is staring down wide eyed.

“Garcia, what happened?” Emily’s voice is firm and serious, not meaning to snap but unable to stop herself.

“I- I was talking and- and we were talking about birthdays and today is Hotchs birthday and I didn’t think anything about it when I said it- but- but Jj started to cry and-.” It’s Hotchs birthday.

Prentiss knew that, she had meant to bring Jj into the office early today, they don’t have a case, just a paperwork and maintenance type of day, it should’ve been fine, but it slipped Prentiss’s mind and now she feels frozen in place listening to Jj cry.

“Okay, okay, all of you guys go to your desks, give her some space.” Emily orders after a beat of her mind reeling into how she hates that Jj has cried so much lately, almost never ending.

“Jj? Sweetheart, can we go into the office?” Emily asks in the softest tone she can muster with the lump in her throat, she wants to scoop up the girl in front of her, drive to wherever Hotch is staying, break his door in and force him to come home. Back to Jj. Back to them.

“I- I- I want Dada.” The blondes throat forces a strangled noise after the words that shatter Emily’s heart into nothing but dust.

“I know, we can go look at his pictures, I added a few new ones.” It’s about the only thing Prentiss feels comfortable changing, she’s taped some pictures of Hotch and Jj up on the walls of the small area under the desk, there’s one of all three of them that Emily added only a few days ago and Jj hasn’t seen yet.

“I don’t want you to leave.” Jj creaks, lifting her head the smallest amount to blink up to Prentiss, her wet eyes seeming younger than Emily has ever seen, she nods instantly.

“I won’t leave, I’m not leaving, we’re just going to go into the office and try to relax.” A hum before Jj stands on shaky legs to take Prentiss’s hand, clinging to her side as they move down the hall slowly, Emily trying not to look at how the team is standing down in the bullpen with concern plastered across their faces.

-

“See, this one’s new.” Emily pulls the picture down, handing it over to Jj who sniffles the faintest smile onto her face.

It’s from one of the many aquarium trips the trio took before Hotch left, Jj’s on Hotchs back for a piggy back ride, her face a bright smile over Hotchs shoulder, while Emily stands pressed into Aaron’s side, they all look equally as excited to be there. It’s where Jj acquired the polar bear stuffed animal, Emily honestly wouldn’t be surprised if all of the toys were from a trip that the trio had been on.

“Do you think Dada looks at pictures of us?” Jj tips her head to Prentiss, smiling a little more when Emily nods. There’s no doubt in her mind that Hotch has a lot of pictures he’s been staring at, he did that before he left so she can only imagine what he’s like now.

“Of course, I think he has boxes filled with pictures of us.” Prentiss throws an exaggerated tone to her voice that makes Jj giggle, a significant improvement than her past crying.

“He always took lots of pictures.” Hotchs phone storage was perpetually clogged from all the times he pulled out his camera to capture moments of the girls or all three of them.

“He sure did sweetheart, and I bet he misses us just as much as we miss him, probably even more.” Prentiss has overthought a million times about what state Hotch could be in, definitely not a good one, not when he has absolutely nobody, at least Jj can lean on Emily or vice versa.

“He’s not coming back is he?” Jj asks in a whisper, Emily quickly shuffles farther under the desk with the girl, cupping a hand at her cheek.

“I don’t know darling, I wish I could give you more of an answer. But I do know that he is your Dada, no matter what, he will always love you and care about you.” Prentiss rubs her thumb against Jj’s cheek, relishing in how the blonde leans into her touch.

“And you’ll always have this space, we can always think about Aaron down here, with all his pictures and things he got you.” Emily keeps going, her eyes training over to just how many pictures of Hotch are displayed, even one of his ties is taped up after Prentiss found it in the desk drawer.

“Dada was right.” Emily hums confused to Jj, tipping her head for the girl to continue.

“You’re a really good mama, just like Dada says.”