#for the sole purpose of being able to say LOOK!!! SEE!!!!!!!! you guys don’t even know HELA VARAL!

[planet4546b]

every other post on here that’s like ‘i wish there was more media with (blank) in it!’ literally exactly describes something that exists in friends at the table the fact that everyone in the world doesn’t listen to friends at the table drives me bonkers

[archiveikemen]

William Rex 2nd Birthday Campaign: Story (2024)

Chapters 1 - 3

This is a fan-made translation solely for entertainment purposes with no guaranteed perfection. I do not own any of the original content. Please support CYBIRD by buying their stories and playing their games. Reblogs appreciated.

Warnings and FAQ

!! Contains spoilers from William's main story !!

1st Birthday Campaign Story

—

I occasionally find myself reminiscing about the very first time I touched the pair of hands that took lives and gave freedom to others at the same time.

I have no regrets about surrendering everything in my life to those hands.

That’s why, today too, I’m by your side and singing my songs of love for you to my heart's content.

…

On my beloved’s birthday, I went to see my lover earlier than anyone else.

Kate: Happy birthday, Will!

William: Thank you, Kate. Looks like my little robin woke up earlier than usual today.

Kate: I did that to be the first to wish you a happy birthday.

William: Ahh, so that’s why this morning feels more wonderful.

William: What’s that tea trolley with the delicious looking black tea and sandwiches?

Kate: It’s your special birthday breakfast. I borrowed the kitchen this morning to prepare it.

Kate: Ah, but that's not all. I have more surprises prepared for you today—

William: … Fufu.

Kate: Will?

William: Nothing. I shall not doubt your confidence.

My cheeks turned red, it made me both happy and embarrassed to hear his jolly laughter.

Kate: Today’s your special day, and it has to be memorable for you.

Kate: I’m sorry for being so greedy.

William: You know that your greediness is what I love most about you, villainous woman.

Will smiled and gently pulled me closer by the waist.

William: Come, Kate. I shall enjoy the best breakfast with my adorable lover.

After finishing the dessert strawberries,

William: So, what does my greedy little robin want to do today?

Kate: What do you say about going to a photography studio to have your photograph taken?

William: A photograph… I’ve never thought of that.

Kate: I want to immortalise you, the embodiment of evil, as the fairytale keeper.

Kate: Words are wonderful indeed, but I feel that photographs are meaningful as well.

May my records of the self-righteous King’s sins be passed down from generation to generation, like a spoonful of poison warning against committing evil deeds.

“Look, the self-righteous King will come if you commit evil deeds. Therefore, you must never be evil”.

Because a fairytale can only end when evil has received judgement.

Kate: … You don’t want to?

William: I’d love to, this is a wonderful present you thought of. Thank you, Kate.

Kate: I’m relieved to hear that. Knowing you, there must already be one or two photos of you taken without your consent,

Kate: Besides, Her Majesty is quite a big fan of taking photos… right?

William: Yes, there's even a saying that “she is the pride of England’s photography”.

William: However, excluding a few candid shots Victor took, there has never been a proper photograph of me.

Kate: Why is that so?

William: Her Majesty never allows herself to be photographed. It’s unfair that I’m the only one being photographed, right?

William: Even though she has a role to play in this evil too, I’m the only one being known as the villain.

William’s exaggerated shrug brought a smile to my face without me realising it.

William: My “very first” photograph. I love this present from you.

(Will’s first… hehe)

Kate: Then let’s hurry to the photography studio. I have the carriage ready— ah.

When I was about to stand up and head out, Will pulled me back and I fell into his chest.

William: Before that, I want a birthday kiss.

Kate: … But we’ll be late for the photoshoot.

(I want a kiss too.)

(But I know that if we kiss, we won't be able to stop.)

William: You’re being a naughty girl, saying things that go against what your heart desires and making me out to be the bad guy.

William: Kate, “what do you want”...?

He easily exposed my innermost desires, unravelling my heart like loosening a knot.

There was no point trying to hide anything from Will.

Kate: Will, I want a kiss.

William: Shall we do that until we get tired of it, Kate?

…

We would never get tired of kissing, so we reluctantly parted our lips and made our way to the studio just in time.

Studio Owner: I’ve been awaiting your arrival!

Studio Owner: We have lovely weather today, so we can have a photoshoot both indoors and outdoors.

Studio Owner: Where would you like to have your photos taken?

Kate: … Will would look amazing outdoors. Ah, but he looks good indoors too.

Studio Owner: Ahaha, let’s do both then. This way, please.

Kate: Oh, thank you…

William: You’re so lovely when you’re being loyal to your desires. Well then, I shall live up to your expectations.

The photoshoot began a few minutes later, and it didn't take me long to realise what Will meant by those words.

(W-William… he looks PERFECT!)

With every pose Will struck, I could only sigh in awe.

William: How do I look, Kate?

Kate: … Perfect. Ah, please show us a wink.

William: Ahahaha! I’m glad you're enjoying this.

— At that moment, the doorbell at the entrance of the studio rang.

An elderly couple walked in.

Elderly Woman: My, are we a little too early?

William: We were just about to take a break. Would you like to proceed with your photoshoot?

…

Studio Owner: Let’s start the photoshoot! Alright, here we go.

We decided to watch the elderly couple during their photoshoot.

Under the clear blue sky, their smiles and the present moment were captured with every click of the camera shutters.

(They lived a long life together snuggled up like this… how beautiful.)

Watching them hold hands, their hands wrinkled from old age, my chest felt tight.

“Destruction” awaited Will and I with open arms at the end of our love story.

There was no knowing for certain that our destruction wouldn't come tomorrow.

There might never come a day when we could lean on each other lovingly like that elderly couple.

(Even so, I have no regrets. I will continue to live freely by Will’s side until the final moment of my life.)

(It's my freedom and my heart’s desire to love him until the end.)

The heart that Will set free continues beating to this day.

William: ...

William: I have a favour to ask of you, Kate.

Kate: What is it? It’s your birthday, so I’ll do anything you want.

William: Sounds promising. Well then, will you take a photo together with me?

Kate: Together?

William: Yes. You’re allowed to refuse if you don't want to be remembered as the self-righteous King’s lover.

Kate: Let’s take a photo together!

Kate: … Actually… I’ve been wanting to take a photo with you…

William: Ahahaha! I had a feeling you did.

William: If that's the case, let us flaunt our evil to the fullest.

— I wonder what the people looking at our photographs in the future will think of us?

Will they think of me as a foolish woman who was spell-bound by the sinful self-righteous king, leading to my own destruction?

(I don't care what they’ll say about me.)

(Because my heart is free and happy.)

…

Upon returning to the castle after the photoshoot, I guided Will to the dining room.

All the members of Crown were present to celebrate his birthday as planned.

We had cake decorated with strawberries, enjoyed a delicious feast, and drank wine until late into the night—

…

Kate: Mm… nn…

I was roused from my sleep by the gentle sunlight hitting my eyelids, my body wrapped in the sheets and the heat from last night still lingering.

(Ah, Will and I got intimate last night, and we fell asleep right after—)

(Is Will still asleep?)

I slowly lifted my head from Will’s chest that smelled like roses and caught his eyes, the colour of blood gazing at me.

His eyes seemed to hide a gentle rainfall.

Kate: … Will?

William: … Kate.

William: How many more of such special moments will we have?

His tone sounded more serious than usual, I gazed at Will while being held close to his chest and listening carefully to his every word.

William: I don't mean that I’ll let you die easily, but…

William: We’ll never know for sure whether fate will take you away tomorrow.

Kate: Yeah…

William: However, that won't make me regret or give up on loving you…

William: No, instead, that’s why I—

Kate: Will, mm…

William pressed his lips to mine.

The kiss felt more passionate than usual, and I found myself reflexively clinging to his shirt—

Our lips finally parted and he whispered in between ragged breaths.

William: I will risk everything I have to love you.

William: I will listen to and cherish the voices from your heart, and sing the melody of the finest love song.

At that very moment, Will and I shared the same emotion in our hearts.

We didn't know what would happen tomorrow, making that moment all the more precious.

I felt alive.

Kate: Sometimes… I wonder…

Kate: What kind of facial expression will I be wearing when my ultimate destruction comes?

Kate: I think… I’ll surely be smiling happily.

William: … And when I’m holding your happily smiling dead body in my arms, your poison will spread and stop my breathing too.

Kate: … At that point of time, shall we go to sleep together at the finishing line?

William: … Yeah, sounds good to me.

William: But let's put that plan on hold for a bit.

William: For now, may I kiss those beautifully wicked lips of yours that can charm even the most sinful of men?

Kate: Yes… kiss me, Will.

Kate: Mm… nn…

William: Kate…

The desire in his gaze, the smell of roses in the air, the feeling of his hot fingertips on my skin.

Everything Will gave me fueled my desires and made me breathe.

(I was as good as dead before I met Will.)

I spent my life suppressing and killing my heart, ignoring my inner voice.

I felt lost, not knowing what I wanted.

Loving Will might’ve made me born again.

Kate: Will, Will…

William: … Hm?

Kate: If I keep being loved like this… I might never bear to leave you.

William: Want to hear something that’ll benefit you?

Kate: …? What is it? Please tell me.

William: I requested a day off on the day after my birthday.

William: Because I wasn't confident that I’d be able to let you leave this bed.

Kate: E-Eh…?

I was surprised for a brief moment before I burst out laughing.

Kate: … Fufu, ahaha!

Kate: I didn't expect you to surprise me again this year!

William: It’s not as if you don't know that I’m very loyal to my desires?

Kate: Yes, of course I know that.

William: So, Kate. Shall we make love in bed again, or—

Kate: I want it all. Give me a taste of everything.

William: Alright. … I was just thinking the same thing.

William: We’ll make love so hard, you’ll have scratches on your back.

Kate: Ah.

Will laughed as I looked in surprise at the scratches I left on his back last night.

…

A few days after Will’s birthday.

I went to the photo studio to collect the photos we took on his birthday—

Studio Owner: Huh? Didn't you just come to pick up your photos earlier on?

Kate: Eh? Was Will here?

Studio Owner: Yes. Fufu, the two of you sure think alike. The photos turned out wonderful too.

(I missed him. … This is embarrassing.)

(But it makes me wonder if Will was looking forward to seeing the photos. I’m happy if that's true.)

Kate: Thank you for taking such wonderful photos of us.

Studio Owner: …

Studio Owner: When he came to collect the photos, I told him “you look happy”.

Kate: Eh?

Studio Owner: But—

– Flashback Start -

William: Happy, huh. That’s strange, because people can never know what’s in another person’s heart.

William: Even though someone appears to be happy, they may be burdened by the feelings of loneliness, conflict…

William: Take these photographs for example. When the future generations look at them, it’s up to them how they want to feel.

William: But that's alright.

William: … Only the people in the photographs know the truth.

– Flashback End –

Studio Owner: That was why I couldn't help but ask him a question.

Studio Owner: “Is your heart happy?”

Kate: What did Will… what did he say?

Studio Owner: “It is, as long as I’m living with her”.

Kate: … I-Is that so?

(I… I see.)

Unexpectedly learning of Will’s genuine feelings made me so, so incredibly happy, I nearly cried.

At that very moment, I felt truly happy.

[badasbebi]

not my fault ➛ 2/2

read part one

✦ pairing: bada lee x fem!reader

✦ summary: discovering that a cute girl you saw at your college orientation is your roommate, you become eager to get to know her. however, things quickly go awry when she turns out to be much more difficult to get along with than you could've imagined and abruptly leaves you in the dust. fueled by your terrible experiences with her and rumors about her dating habits, you swear to stay away from her at all costs. will you be able to keep your promise?

✦ genre/au: fluff, smut, my poor attempt at a rom-com, college!au, enemies to lovers, (very slight) roommates to lovers

✦ word count: 9.8k (im still embarrassed)

✦ warnings: isn't proofread. MDNI!!!! top!bada, top!reader for 2 seconds, oral sex (reader receiving), fingering (reader receiving), bada is a giver, one of my first attempts at smut so please bear with me lmao.

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At this point, the school needed to compensate you for how much time you were spending watching and judging their sports teams. Or, maybe you should be paying rent, with how often you're staying here. The thought alone makes you cringe. Tuition was enough. 

Your legs are crossed, and a notebook rests on your lap as you sit in the bleachers, observing the dance team once again. This time, you're not waiting for Lusher. You're here for Bada, who said she could only meet with you after practice today. You're just grateful you're indoors today, and away from volant objects.

It's been a few days since the interview, and you've managed to avoid seeing her in person as much as possible. You've been communicating solely through text, not even bothering to exchange words in class. You know it's childish, but you don’t have the vigor to deal with her head-on. Besides, this way, you can focus on your part of the project, and not Bada's... everything.

You scan the gym floor and pinpoint her. Today, she's wearing a short-sleeved shirt and another pair of cargo pants, driving you to deliberate about how many she owns. If you looked that good in everything, did it matter?

You shake your head, averting your eyes before she notices your staring. You're not even sure what the purpose of your being here is. You probably could've waited to come closer to the end of practice. it was an admittedly nice way to occupy your time while you waited, you assure yourself.

The team is working on a new routine, one that involves a lot of acrobatics. They're running through their routine for the third time. Each time, they seem to get better, their movements more fluid and precise. You watch, fascinated, as Bada twists and turns, her limbs moving in a way that seems almost impossible. She's incredible. She's probably the best dancer on the team, not that you would ever tell her that.

After what feels like an eternity, the music comes to an end, and the team collapses to the ground, panting and sweaty. You're a little out of breath just watching them.

"Good job, guys," Bada says, her voice ringing through the large gym.

"Thanks," someone calls out, her tone laced with exhaustion.

"Let's call it a day," she says.

There's a collective sigh of relief as the team gathers their things and starts to leave. A few people linger, chatting with each other. Bada is one of them, talking to a group of girls. You try not to stare, but it's hard not to notice the way she laughs and smiles around them.

You look away, darting your eyes around the room, when someone catches your eye. Once you realize who it is, your blood runs cold. How did you not notice her before? Probably because of Bada. Damn that woman.

Aiki is on the opposite side of the gym, standing near the door. She's talking to someone and hasn't seemed to notice you yet.

The last thing you need right now is to run into Aiki. That encounter last year was awkward enough. You have no interest in rehashing the whole mess, especially with Bada so nearby.

You snatch your stuff, flying down the bleachers at a speed you did not realize you were capable of. You take the steps two at a time, adrenaline is burning in your veins, nearly tripping over yourself in the process.

You finally reach the bottom, and without a second thought, duck under the bleachers, hiding yourself from view like a criminal hiding from the police. 

Your heart is racing, and you lean against a pole, trying to catch your breath. You peek out and see Aiki still hasn't noticed you. She's chatting animatedly with whoever she's talking to and doesn't seem concerned about finding you.

You breathe a sigh of relief, and slide down to the ground. You rest your head against the pole, and close your eyes, willing your heart rate to slow down. This was ridiculous. You needed to exercise more.

"What the hell, y/n?" a familiar voice calls from behind you. You scream, jumping up and banging your head on the metal.

"Ouch," you hiss, rubbing the tender spot.

"What are you doing?" Bada asks, her tone equal parts amusement and annoyance.

"Uh, nothing," you say, trying to hide your embarrassment.

"This is so weird," she states.

"Sorry," you mutter, ducking your head.

"Are you okay?" she asks, her tone softening.

"I'm fine," you say, brushing her off.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," you sigh.

She takes a step towards you. "I can help you. I'm a nurse's aid, remember?" she points out, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

"No, it's fine, I'm okay."

"Okay, well, if you're not gonna tell me what's going on, can you come out from under there, at least?"

"Uh—"

"Y/n?!" Lusher's voice rings out, running up to the bleachers.

"Shit," you whisper. You did not need two witnesses present for this mortifying experience. 

"What are you doing?" Lusher says, peering over Bada's shoulder. 

"Nothing," you call, trying to sound casual.

"Why are you hiding under the bleachers right now?"

"I'm not," you lie, wincing. 

"Y/n," Bada says, shaking her head.

"Shhh," you hush.

"You're ridiculous," she chuckles.

"Both of you, come!" you hiss. 

"Is she serious right now?" Lusher whispers to Bada.

"Apparently," she sighs.

"Come on," you say, reaching out and grabbing Bada's wrist.

You pull her towards you, and she stumbles, losing her balance and landing on top of you. The both of you yelp in surprise, and a laugh escapes your mouth. It's surprisingly comfortable. You resist the urge to pull her closer.

"Sorry," Bada apologizes, her face inches from yours.

"It's okay," you say, your breath catching.

You're suddenly aware of the warmth of her body and the closeness of her lips.

"Uh, we should probably get up," she murmurs.

"Right," you say, nodding, but neither of you move.

"Hello?! Are you about to have sex?!" Lusher's annoyed voice snaps you out of your trance.

"No! uh, let's get up. Seriously," you say, gently pushing Bada off.

“Good idea,” she agrees. 

Bada stands up, and holds out her hand, helping you up.

"Thanks," you mumble, feeling your face grow hot.

"Y/n, seriously, what is going on?" Lusher demands, her patience wearing thin.

You step toward her, glaring. "When did Aiki join the dance team, huh? Why didn’t you tell me?” 

Lusher's mouth widens into an 'o'. She sticks her finger up, gearing up to defend herself. 

"Um, she didn’t,” Bada cuts in. "She's just helping us choreograph some of our routines."

"Oh," you say. 

"She’s really good, so I thought it’d be fun to collaborate with her,” Bada explains.

"So, she's not a member of the dance team," Lusher clarifies, giving you a pointed look. 

"Nope," Bada says. 

"Oh, well, uh, good," you say, a mixture of confusion and relief swirling within you.

"So, why are you asking about Aiki?" Bada asks, rubbing the back of her neck.

"She's my ex."

"What?" Bada's mouth drops.

"Yeah,” you admit, woefully. 

"Really?"

"It's a long story," you sigh.

"Huh," Bada says, looking stunned.

"So, that's why you were hiding under the bleachers?" Lusher inquires.

"Yeah. I didn't feel like talking to her."

Bada still looks dumbfounded. She's staring at you, and it's starting to make you nervous.

"Well, that’s silly! But I'm glad you're not in danger, or whatever," Lusher says.

"No. I was,” you deadpan. 

Lusher snorts and shakes her head. "Anyway, I know you're here for Bada. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I'll leave you guys be," she says, wiggling her eyebrows, out of Bada's sight.

You hiss at her, imagining strangulation. 

"Bye, Bada. Bye, y/n. I'll see you at home," she calls, sauntering away. 

You shoot her a middle finger.

"Bye," Bada says with a small wave. 

She turns to face you, and she stares at you, hard, her eyes unreadable. Your stomach churns with anxiety.

"Nothing," she says, a small smile forming on her face.

"What are you smiling at?"

"I just didn't know that Aiki was your ex-girlfriend."

"There's a lot you don't know about me," you retort.

"True," she says, the smile never leaving her face.

"Anyway, can we get going now? We have work to do," you say, trying to get the conversation back on track.

"Right," she says. "Lead the way."

You walk side by side, the silence between you thick and uncomfortable.

"So," she starts, clearing her throat. "I was thinking...would you mind stopping somewhere and getting something to eat?"

You stop walking.

"Why? Are you hungry?" you ask, suspicious.

"Yeah, a little," she says, rubbing her stomach.

"What are you craving?"

"Anything is fine," she says, a little too quickly.

"Bada, just tell me," you groan, annoyed.

"Okay, fine. I've been wanting to try this new Korean BBQ place that opened a few blocks away."

You bite the inside of your cheek. Of course, she wants to go to a restaurant. You're not sure why you were expecting anything else.

"Um, I guess we could do that," you say, hesitantly.

"Great!"

You follow her as she leads you out of the gym and into the bright, warm afternoon sun.

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You find yourself sitting in the booth across from Bada, staring at a plate of food. 

"What's wrong?" Bada asks, noticing your apprehension.

"Nothing," you reply, forcing a smile.

"Okay," she says, not sounding convinced.

You pick up a piece of meat and put it on your plate. The smell is amazing, and your mouth waters.

"Are you going to eat?" Bada asks, gesturing towards your untouched food.

"Yeah," you reply, picking up a piece and bringing it to your lips.

"So, um, how have you been?" she asks, breaking the silence.

"Fine," you say, taking a bite.

"That's good."

"Yeah," you say, chewing.

"And, uh, how's your part of project going?"

"It's going," you respond, swallowing.

"Cool."

"Mhm," you hum, not bothering to elaborate.

You hear a sigh. "Do you always have to be like this?" she asks, exasperated.

You huff. "Like what?"

"Cold. Distant," she says. 

"Excuse me?" you snap.

"You're always so closed off. It's frustrating."

You drop your chopsticks. "Are you messing with me right now? You're the one that's been standoffish since I've met you. And what was with that whole moving out situation that you still haven't given me an explanation for, by the way?"

Her face softens. "Look, I'm sorry about all that. I was just...going through something."

"What were you going through?"

She averts her gaze, and fidgets with her chopsticks.

"Hey, it's okay, you don't have to tell me," you say, feeling bad for pushing her.

She bites her lip, and your eyes are drawn to the movement.

"I don't mind telling you, but can it wait until later? I don't know if it's the right time."

You nod, and return to eating, a little more at ease than before.

"So, you and Aiki?" she says, after a beat.

You freeze. You were hoping that she had forgotten about that.

"Yep," you say, your voice tight.

"How did it happen?"

You shrug. "It was just a short high school fling. But, you know, first lesbian heartbreak and all."

She snorts. "I get that."

"Really?" you respond, leaning forward. You're too nosy to pass up on this.

"Yeah," she says, a little sheepish.

"Who was it? Do I know them?"

"I'm not telling you."

"Is it Doyeon?" you guess, grinning.

Bada nearly chokes on her food. "What?! No. She's just...no," she sputters.

"Tatter?"

Bada squeals, shoving her head in her hands. "Ew, no! She's like a sister to me."

"Hm," you say, tapping your chin.

She glares at you. "It's none of your business."

You shrug. "I'm just surprised, that's all," you say, nonchalant.

"Why?"

"Well," you begin, resting your elbows on the table. "You're like, a total heartthrob. Everyone's crazy about you."

She lets out a bark of laughter. "No, I'm not," she says, dismissive.

"You are," you insist. "Do you know the vile things I've heard women say about you? I'm surprised you don't need bodyguards. You have literal fangirls."

She rolls her eyes. "Okay, maybe a few girls like me. But, they're not crazy."

"I beg to differ."

"Whatever," she laughs.

"All I'm saying is that I'm surprised you've gotten your heartbroken by women before. It seems like you'd be able to get any girl you wanted, and keep them."

Her face grows solemn. "It doesn't always work like that," she says.

You're taken aback. Her eyes are a storm, dark and intense.

"I guess you're right," you agree, trying to break the tension.

She clears her throat. "Let's just eat."

You're confused, and a little worried, but you're also starving.

"Right," you say.

The rest of the meal is silent, the two of you not making eye contact.

After a few minutes, she finally speaks up.

"Are you ready to go?"

"Yes," you reply, grateful to be leaving.

"Let's get going, then," she says, grabbing her card.

You slide your backpack across the seat, toward your body. "I'll pay," you offer, pulling your wallet out. 

"No, it's fine," she insists, reaching across the table and swatting your hand away. 

"Bada," you warn, a little annoyed.

"It's just one meal, and I asked you to come here with me. It's only fair that I pay."

You open your mouth to protest, but the look on her face stops you.

"Fine," you grumble, shoving your wallet inside your bag. 

"Thank you," she says, giving you a small smile.

She gets up, and heads for the door. You follow her lead, getting up from the table, uneasiness settling in your stomach. 

The two of you make your way to the cash register, where the hostess greets her enthusiastically. She hands her the bill, and Bada hands her the credit card, and the hostess takes it, grazing Bada's hand with a coy smile. You glance at one of the tables nearby, contemplating how much of a hassle it'd be to gouge your eyes out with chopsticks. You decide against it, knowing that you'd probably be banned from this delicious restaurant and would never be able to return. You sigh, depressed, and when you focus on Bada again, you're caught off guard by what you witness. Bada thanks the hostess and turns to leave, not bothering to wait for the receipt. The hostess frowns and calls out a goodbye, which is met with Bada's disinterested wave. You trail behind her, raising an eyebrow at her, and she ignores your questioning look. 

Rather, Bada grabs your wrist and guides you outside. You try not to notice the way her palm feels against yours. Yet, you are unable to suppress the smirk that emerges on your face. 

Once you're outside, she drops her hand, and you're reminded of the discomfort that occurred in the restaurant.

You squint. The sun has started to set, casting a glow over the city. The streets are crowded, the hustle and bustle of people passing by.

"Give me your bag," Bada demands, holding out her hand. 

You gape at her, then clutch your backpack, surveying your surroundings for any law enforcement. "Sorry, what?" 

"Your bag. Give it to me." she repeats, her hand still extended.

"Are you trying to rob me?" you ask, baffled. 

"What? No. Why would I do that?" she clarifies, incredulous. "I'm walking you home, and we have a long way to go. Your bag is gonna get heavy. So, give it to me." she explains, wiggling her fingers.

"Oh," you say, feeling foolish. You loosen your grip on your bag. "No need for that! I can take care of myself."

She gives you an impatient look. "Do you have to argue with me about everything? Just let me walk with you, please."

"Fine," you relent, sliding the backpack off your shoulder and handing it to her.

"Thank you," she sighs. 

She takes a step closer to you, and to your surprise, laces her free arm through yours.

"Lead the way," she instructs, motioning ahead.

You stare at the place where your arms are interlocked. "What are you doing?" you question, alarmed.

"What does it look like? I'm walking with you."

"Uh, I guess," you say, your heart racing.

"Ready?"

"Sure" you mutter, defeated. 

"Let's go."

You begin walking, your arms intertwined. Your pulse is erratic, and the closeness of her is sending heat waves throughout your body. You're sure she can feel the beating of your heart.

You walk in silence, the sounds of the city filling the air.

"I'm sorry if I got a little weird back there," Bada says, breaking the silence.

"It's okay."

"No, it's not. I didn't mean to make things awkward. I just...get a little sensitive when it comes to talking about my love life."

"Really?"

"Yeah," she admits, sighing.

"Well, that's understandable. It's hard talking about failed relationships."

"Exactly," she says, turning to look at you. "But, thank you for understanding."

You feel the weight of her stare, and a blush rises to your cheeks. What was going on with you right now?

"Don't mention it."

"Y/n," she says, her voice low.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for going to dinner with me."

"Of course," you say, your words caught in your throat.

"I had a really good time."

You can't think of a response, her brown eyes drawing you in.

"Me too," you manage.

Her mouth curves into a grin.

"Can I do something?" she whispers.

"Um, yeah, sure."

She leans in, and adjusts a strand of hair that's fallen onto your face. Your breathing quickens. You didn't even realize that a strand was in front of your face. Her eyes are locked onto yours, and her hand lingers on the side of your face. 

"Better," she says, her face centimeters away from yours.

You swallow. "I- uh- thank you."

She pulls away, and a sense of disappointment settles within you.

"It was nothing," she says, her eyes twinkling.

"Okay," you reply, unable to form a coherent sentence.

You're both silent again, and the rest of the walk passes in a blur. Before you know it, you're at your doorstep.

"This is it," you say, turning to her.

"This is your apartment?" 

"Yep," you confirm, reaching into your pocket for your keys.

"Alright, cool," she says, tossing you your backpack.

You catch it, the straps hitting you in the face. Please stop this madness, you think. At least you caught it. Maybe there's still hope for you. 

"Thank you," you say, slinging it onto your back. 

"Of course," she flashes you a bright smile, and your heart skips a beat. “I had a great time.”

“Me too,” you confess, your palms sweaty. "I'll see you tomorrow?" 

"Tomorrow," she echoes, her voice soft.

You're not sure what else to say, so you give her a small wave and head for the door.

"Goodnight, y/n," she calls gently, as you reach for the handle. You turn to look at her, and her eyes are shining, a smile tugging at the corner of your lips.

"Goodnight, Bada," you respond, giving her a smile.

She nods, and with one final glance, she turns and walks away. You watch her retreating figure, and let out a breath you didn't realize you were holding.

"What the hell was that?" you whisper, your head spinning.

You enter your apartment. It's dark. Lusher must not be home, which makes you want to cry. You wanted to talk to her about today.  You throw yourself onto the couch. You replay the evening's events in your head, and as you do, you feel an incoming headache.

You sigh, and close your eyes. Tonight was weird. Really, really weird.

Your phone buzzes, and you grab it from the coffee table. You have one new message.

You unlock your phone, and check the message. It's from Bada.

Bada: hey, did you get inside your apartment alright?

Y/N: yes

Bada: good. i was just making sure. 

Y/N: thanks.

Bada: no problem. :)

You stare at the screen, and quickly type out a response.

Y/N: thanks for tonight. i had a really great time.

Bada: me too. 

Bada: we should do it again sometime!

Bada: I mean, other than our meet-ups for the project. 

This is when you remember for the first time since the end of dinner that the two of you are doing a project together. That was the original reason for meeting. 

You: yeah, definitely.

Bada: awesome!

Bada: sweet dreams <3

Y/N: night.

You throw your phone down. Your head is reeling. As you lay there, the sound of your heartbeat in your ears, the memory of her fingers brushing your cheek plays in your mind. The warmth of her touch. The softness. And her eyes. Her eyes.

You let out a sigh, and rub your temples.

"Get a hold of yourself," you mumble.

But, no matter how much you try, you can't stop the butterflies in your stomach, or the warmth in your chest. Something shifted today. Maybe it shifted from the moment you began working on this project together. With every meeting, Bada proved to you that she's not the stuck-up, self-centered person you thought she was. No. She's smart. And she's kind. So, so kind. Gentle. Talented. Nothing aligned with the image of her that you created in your head.

As much as you've tried to push these feelings away, deny them, repress them, they keep coming back. And with the way she's acting, the way she's been treating you, it feels like she may feel the same. But, what if you're wrong?

The thought scares you. If she didn't reciprocate, the embarrassment would be insurmountable. It would ruin everything. Your seemingly newfound friendship. The project. Regardless of how great tonight was, you cannot help but think back to that day in the locker rooms, and how dismayed she sounded at the thought of asking you out. Even if her feelings have shifted and she finds you attractive now, what if that's all that it is? Attraction. Lust. The thought of it makes you nauseous. You're not sure you could survive her using you and then discarding you, like some kind of toy, like the other ones. 

No, it's better to remain friends. Just friends. Besides, you're sure that these feelings will dissipate soon. They have to. Right? Maybe you'd just steer clear of her for a little while to be safe. It'll give her the space she needs to forget about this, and give you the time to bury these stupid feelings.

You decide to text her.

Y/N: hey, i'm really tired. can we reschedule tomorrow's study session for next week?

She replies almost immediately.

Bada: yeah, no problem. are you okay?

Y/N: yes

Y/N: just had a long day.

Bada: alright, take care.

Y/N: will do.

Bada: oh, and one more thing.

Y/N: ?

Bada: thank you again.

Bada: i mean it.

Bada: and i'm glad that we're friends.

Your stomach flutters. Friends. Yes. This is exactly what you need.

Bada: goodnight.

Y/N: sweet dreams.

You toss your phone onto the couch, and get up. You're exhausted. Physically. Emotionally. You need to get to bed. You trudge to the bathroom, and wash up. Then, you change, and climb into bed. As you drift off to sleep, a million thoughts are swirling through your mind. But, the one that lingers is the image of her eyes, warm and bright, staring at you.

✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧

You're lying in bed, your laptop open, the blue light washing over you. The room is silent, save for the sounds of your keyboard, the tapping of keys. It's late. Really late. But, you can't sleep. Every time you close your eyes, you see her. Those brown, inviting eyes.

You groan and sit up. You need a distraction. You can't use your phone, because you'd have to face the dozens of unread texts from Bada that have been collecting dust for the past couple weeks. You haven't talked to her at all since that night, even going as far as to skip the class that you have with her. It seems like she's given up trying to reach you, as today is the first day you've gone without a message from her. Thank God. 

You pull your laptop onto your lap, and open a random YouTube video.

It's a funny skit. A couple. They're arguing. About something mundane, trivial. You find yourself laughing. For a moment, you forget about her. But, the feeling doesn't last. Because, after the skit is over, the next video starts.

It's a music video. Two women. They're singing. It's a love song. You can't focus on the lyrics, the images, the sound. All you can see is her. Those eyes.

You slam the laptop shut and throw it onto the bed.

"Dammit," you mutter.

You can't think straight. Everything is clouded by her. By Bada. You're losing your mind. You need air.

You stand and walk to the window. You look outside. It's quiet. There are few cars, no people. Just the lights, casting their glow upon the buildings.

You rest your head against the window, and sigh. You've never felt this way before. It's maddening. Infuriating. But, you can't help it.

You hear your door open, and Lusher steps into the room.

"Hey," she greets.

"Hi."

"What are you doing up?"

"Couldn't sleep," you reply, not turning around.

Lusher leans against the wall, studying you. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Y/n," she sighs, "You know that you can tell me anything."

"I know."

"So, what's going on?"

"I don't know," you shrug.

She walks towards you and stands beside you.

"Come on," she insists, "Tell me."

"It's stupid," you grumble, shaking your head.

"I'll be the judge of that."

"Fine," you relent.

"Let's hear it," she presses.

"Well," you start, "It's about Bada."

Lusher smirks. "I knew it."

"You knew what?"

"That you had a crush on her."

"Wait, what?" you splutter, turning to face her.

"You're so obvious," she accuses, crossing her arms.

"No, I'm not!"

"Oh, please," she laughs, "Even when you claimed to hate her it was written all over your face. I mean, why else would you be so upset over your roommate of one day leaving you? Because you had a humongous crush on her and got embarrassed when she seemingly rejected you!"

"That's not it at all," you retort. "It was the principle! I mean, filing a complaint against me is crazy."

"Y/n," she says, gently. "You have a crush. It's normal."

"Yeah, well, I'm not sure if the feelings are reciprocated."

"You know, the day that you guys got paired up for that project, she sent me a text asking me what kind of coffee you liked. We'd never even texted before that," she reveals. 

You blink in disbelief. "What?"

"Yeah," she chuckles. "Apparently, she was trying to get on your good side and impress you."

"Wow," you mumble.

"But, I guess I ruined it for her," she jokes.

"Why'd you tell her about the coffee?"

"Because, I'm your friend. And I could tell that you liked her. A lot."

"I don't know," you say, shaking your head. "Maybe it doesn't mean anything. She's a flirt, and she's nice to everyone."

"You're not wrong. But, y/n, you gotta trust your instincts. If you feel something, go for it."

"Maybe," you respond, not sure if you're convinced.

"Just don't sit here and dwell on it," she says, wrapping an arm around your shoulder.

"Can we get out of here?" you ask, still wanting a distraction.

"Sure. Where to?"

"Anywhere. The library. A bar. A club. Just, not here."

"Alright," she says, grinning. "Let's go."

–

Lusher brings you to a house party. You're not in the mood, but she manages to convince you to come. After a couple of drinks, you're feeling a bit more relaxed. The music is loud, and the crowd is rowdy, but you don't mind. It's a welcome distraction from your thoughts.

"There she is," Lusher shouts, pointing to a familiar figure.

It's Bada. Her hair is tied into a ponytail, and she’s wearing a short-sleeved patterned button-down shirt, black baggy pants. She looks good, as always. She's dancing with a group of friends. There are a couple women standing suspiciously close to her, giving her heart eyes. 

"Do you want to say hi?" Lusher asks, nudging you.

"No," you yell over the noise, "She looks like she's having fun. We should leave her alone."

She gives you a pitiful look and sighs. "If you say so."

You take another sip of your drink. You watch her as she dances, her hips swaying, her arms above her head. She looks happy. Carefree. You can't help but admire her, even now, in this house full of people. She's beautiful. Ethereal. The way the light catches her hair, her skin. She's captivating.

"Excuse me," a voice interrupts your train of thought.

You turn around. It's Aiki. 

It's settled. Someone has invoked a curse on you, and you're doomed to suffer incessant encounters with unattainable women who have broken your heart until the end of time.

"Hey, Aiki," you greet, attempting to hide your discomfort.

"Hey," she responds, her gaze flickering to Lusher. "And who's this?"

"I'm Lusher, y/n's best friend. We went to school together. I'm also on the dance team."

"Oh, right! The famous Lusher," she exclaims, offering her hand. "Nice to finally meet you. I've heard a lot about you."

"Same," she nods, taking her hand.

Aiki's attention returns to you. "Y/n, I didn't expect to see you here," she notes, sipping her beer.

"Yeah, well, here I am," you laugh awkwardly.

"You should come dance with us," she invites, motioning towards the crowd.

"No, thanks. I'm not much of a dancer."

"Really? You looked pretty good when we danced together," she comments, smiling.

You laugh. "Trust me, that was a one-time thing."

"Aw, come on. I'd love to see you dance again," she insists.

"No, really. It's not happening," you say, holding up your hands.

"Oh, c'mon. Just one dance," she begs, taking a step closer.

You mull this over, tapping your fingers against your cup. "Well, maybe just one."

"Yes!" she cheers, grabbing your hand.

You glance at Lusher, who offers an encouraging thumbs-up.

Aiki leads you to the dance floor, and the two of you join the throng of sweaty bodies. She begins to dance, her hips gyrating, her arms raised above her head.

"C'mon," she urges, "Join me."

You hesitate, not wanting to embarrass yourself, but her enthusiasm is infectious.

You begin to move, swaying your hips to the beat.

She steps closer, her hand finding its way to your waist. "That's it," she praises, her voice low and seductive.

Your pulse quickens. You can't help but be reminded of the last time the two of you were this close, the night when she asked you out.

Her grip on your waist tightens, pulling you closer. Your breath hitches, and your eyes lock.

"Y/n," she whispers, her lips inches from yours.

Your heart hammers in your chest. You feel her fingers trailing along your side, her body pressed against yours. The music drowns out all rational thought. All that matters is her, the heat of her touch, the sound of her voice. Her breath is warm against your cheek. Her hand caresses your neck, drawing you closer. Your eyes flutter closed, and—

A heavy weight comes crashing into the two of you, sending the both of you stumbling backward.

"Watch it," you snap, looking over to see the culprit.

And it's Bada, of course.

She's holding a red cup, staring at the two of you with an unreadable expression. 

"Sorry," she mutters, taking a step back.

��You glance at Aiki, who looks like she's bordering on being concussed, and then settle your gaze back on Bada. 

"Bada? Where the hell did you come from?" you question, rubbing your forehead.

Her jaw clenches. "Nowhere."

You let out a short, dry, disbelieving snort. “That explains a bunch.”

"Sorry," she repeats. "I tripped."

"Right," you say, not believing her.

"Where have you been?" she asks, taking a small sip of her drink. You study her face, noticing the pink flush on her cheeks. You'd assume it was the alcohol, but she doesn't seem drunk. 

"Around," you answer, crossing your arms.

"Well, I didn't see you at class," she points out, taking another sip.

"I was busy," you lie, not wanting to give her the satisfaction.

"So busy you couldn't even give me a heads up?"

"Yup," you reply, popping the p.

"What about our project?"

"Is that all you care about?" you retaliate.

She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth, sucking in a breath. "No, but-"

"Um," Aiki pipes up, lifting herself off of the floor. "Am I interrupting something?"

"No!" you say. 

 "Yes," Bada responds at the same time, venom laced through her voice.

"Bada," you growl, glaring at her. "Stop."

"Well, are you not done?"

"Done with what?"

 "Her," she spits. 

 "Alright, well," Aiki interjects, holding up her hands. "I'm done! I'm gonna head out, Y/N. I'll catch you later...or not." Aiki says, fast-walking away with a limp.

"Bada," you whisper, anger bubbling up in your throat.

"What?" she says, her gaze piercing.

"Are you kidding me?"

"What, did I ruin your date?"

"Date?" you scoff, shaking your head. "That wasn't a date."

"Uh-huh, right," she says, sarcasm dripping from her voice.

"What is wrong with you?"

"Me?" she scoffs, stepping forward.

"Yes, you!"

"You're the one who's being difficult here, y/n. Not me." she retorts, setting her drink down on a nearby table.

"How am I being difficult? All I've done is try and do the project. I've put up with all your shit."

"Forget about the stupid project! This is about us."

"There is no us," you shout, jabbing your finger into her chest.

"I know you don't mean that."

"You're unbelievable," you grumble, pushing past her, up the stairs.

"Don't walk away from me," she demands, chasing after you.

"Leave me alone, Bada."

"No," she protests, reaching for your wrist.

You stop, turning around. "I told you to stop," you yell, shoving her away.

"I'm not going anywhere," she warns, her eyes narrowed.

"God," you groan, massaging your temples. "You're impossible."

"And you're being a coward," she snaps.

"Coward?"

"You're avoiding me," she states, her voice steady and calm.

"Maybe I am," you fire back.

"Why?"

"Because, you're exhausting," you explain, throwing your hands up.

"Exhausting," she echoes.

"Yes, exhausting," you affirm. "I can't stand you, Bada. You're arrogant and conceited and-"

"You want me," she interjects, her voice barely above a whisper.

"W-what?"

"You. Want. Me," she repeats, each word slow and deliberate.

"I-I..." you stammer, rendered mute. You were not prepared for this level of confrontation. This is not how you expected tonight to go in the slightest. You couldn't tell Bada  you wanted her, even if you did. And, now, you know you do. More than anything. You've been wanting her for so long. But it's not like she wants you back in the same way.

"Tell me that I'm wrong."

"Bada, I—"

"Tell me that I'm wrong, and I'll never bring it up again."

You open your mouth to speak, but the words die on your tongue.

"See," she laughs, though there's no humor behind it.

"Shut up," you murmur, massaging your forehead. 

"No," she defies, stepping closer.

"You're so annoying," you complain, turning around.

She follows you. "Where are you going?"

"I don't know," you answer truthfully, stomping further up the staircase.

"Y/n," she pleads, grabbing your arm. "Just tell me that I'm wrong."

"Bada, let it go."

"Tell me," she begs. 

You turn around, infuriated, your veins pulsating. "What is the point of this? Do you just want me to tell you that I want you so that you can feel good about yourself?"

"The point of it is that I like you, y/n! I really, really, like you. And you keep pushing me away! Why?" She exclaims, throwing her hands up. 

You can feel the tears pricking at the corners of your eyes, but you're too angry to care. Bada's confession should give you some solace, but it only makes the ache in your chest stronger. You need to get out of here. Get away from her. You can't deal with this anymore. You can't take it. She's too much. She doesn't understand. She doesn't know how badly it'd wound you if things didn't work out. If she ended up hurting you. Or worse, forgetting about you. 

"Because," you pinch the bridge of your nose, exhaling, attempting to calm yourself down. “I don't want to get hurt."

“Y/n," she says gently, stepping forward.

"Don't," you warn.

"I would never hurt you," she reassures, her hand cupping your cheek.

You stare into her eyes, searching for any trace of dishonesty, but find none.

"I would never intentionally hurt you," she corrects, a sad smile on her face.

"Bada," you mumble, her hand warm on your skin.

"I know you're scared," she continues, her voice soft and soothing. "But I promise, I'll take care of you."

"Bada, you don't understand," you argue, stepping back.

"Then help me understand."

"I..." you trail off, unsure of how to continue. "I like you. I like you a lot. But I just cant stop thinking about that whole roommate situation. And...I heard you say something in the locker rooms one day when I was visiting Lusher."

Her eyebrows furrow. "What'd you hear?"

"You said that you didn't want to me. At all," you explain, fidgeting with the hem of your shirt.

"Oh, y/n," she sighs. "That's not true."

"What?"

"I've liked you for a long time. Probably since I first saw you. That's actually why I switched rooms. I didn't think you'd be into me, and I was afraid of rejection, so I ran away," she confesses, her gaze cast downward.

"Bada," you breathe, shocked.

"But I'm done being scared. And I'm tired of running," she declares, looking back up.

"What does that mean?"

"It means that I'm not going anywhere," she promises, taking your hands.

"Bada, are you sure? This is a lot."

"I've never been more sure about anything," she states, her tone firm. "But are you going to stop running too?"

"Bada, I—"

"Please, y/n. Take a chance on me." she requests, squeezing your hands.

 Was the risk worth it? Were you willing to put your heart on the line? Would she keep her promise and not break your heart? The questions flood your mind, threatening to overwhelm you. But, when you look into her eyes, the answer is a clear yes. Because, really, now that everything was on the table, when did she ever give you reason to doubt her? When did she not deliver? Maybe it was time for you to have some faith in her, just like she has faith in you, right now.

You exhale. "Okay," you relent.

"You will?"

"Yes,” you nod, vigorously. “Let’s give this a try."

"Yay!" she exclaims, pulling you into a hug. You laugh, wrapping your arms around her waist.

"I'm sorry I've been such a jerk. I felt so awkward and shy around you, I didn't know what to do" she apologizes, burying her face in the crook of your neck.

"It's okay," you say, running your hands along her back.

She removes herself from the embrace, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear. She studies your face, her eyes roaming over your features.

"Can I kiss you?" she questions, her thumb caressing your cheek.

"I guess so," you shrug, feigning nonchalance with a sly smile on your face. Deep down, you've been waiting for this moment since the day the two of you met. You've dreamed about what it would feel like, how her lips would taste. You've thought about it while lying awake in bed at night, while doing homework. It's a constant, nagging thought. Her face draws closer to yours, and your eyelids flutter closed. You feel her breath fan across your lips. Your heart beats rapidly. Then, finally, her lips meet yours, and everything else fades away. It's like nothing you've ever experienced before. It's tender and passionate, sweet and perfect. You wrap your arms around her neck, deepening the kiss. As she holds you in her arms, your fears disappear, and a new feeling takes their place. A feeling of warmth, safety, happiness—more than that. When you part, the both of you are breathing heavily. Her eyes are wide, filled with wonder. You're sure your expression mirrors hers. Neither of you say a word. Instead, you just stand there, drinking in each other's presence. You're not sure how long you stay like that. 

Eventually, she lets out a soft chuckle, breaking the silence. "Was that okay?" she asks, biting her lip.

"Yes," you confirm. "More than okay."

"Good," she beams, pecking your lips. "Want to go back downstairs?" she offers.

"Actually, can we go to my place? Lusher will be gone," You suggest, hoping she catches the hint. You can't help but glance at her lips. You're eager to have her all to yourself. To be alone with her. To do whatever the two of you want. If the blush creeping up her cheeks is any indication, she knows exactly what you're insinuating. She nods, and the two of you descend the stairs, hands intertwined. She stops to grab her jacket, and once the two of you make it outside, the crisp, night air hits you. It's cool, and refreshing. As the two of you begin your walk to the apartment, she leans in, her shoulder brushing against yours. The contact sends a shiver down your spine. You can't believe how close the two of you are. How intimate it feels. It's a welcome change from the distance you've forced upon the two of you for the past few weeks. A small part of you is afraid. But a larger, stronger part of you is excited. Excited to explore this newfound intimacy, and whatever may lie ahead. And for the first time in a while, you feel genuine hope.

"Here," she offers, draping her jacket over your shoulders.

"Thank you," you murmur, wrapping it around yourself.

The two of you hop in Bada's car, the engine purring to life. 

"You cold?" she asks, turning the heater on.

"Yeah, a little," you admit, rubbing your hands together.

"Here," she offers, taking your hands in hers. You look down, watching as she runs her thumbs over your knuckles. "Better?"

"You're cheesy," you tease, rolling your eyes. Though secretly, her touch does make you feel warmer. Better. It makes your heart swell with affection, and the corners of your mouth turn up. It's like her presence is melting the ice surrounding your heart.

"I like cheesy," she counters, grinning.

"I'm lactose intolerant," you retort.

"Oh, no," she pouts, feigning concern. "Guess I'll have to come up with some other way to make you happy."

"I can think of a few things," you flirt, giving her a coy smile.

She just smiles, and the two of you fall into a comfortable silence. After what feels like an eternity, the two of you pull up, and Bada turns the car off. She hops out, making her way to the passenger side door, opens it, and extends her hand. You take it, and allow her to lead the way. The two of you climb the steps to the apartment, tension growing thick. Once you reach the front door, she lets go of your hand. You immediately miss the contact, and your heart rate picks up. You unlock the door, and step inside. She follows behind you, closing the door and locking it for you.

"It's freezing," Bada says.

"Yeah, sorry," you say, closing the door. "The heating's broken. It should be fixed by tomorrow, though."

"It's fine," she assures, wrapping her arms around you from behind. 

You lean back, savoring her warmth. You've fantasized about this more than you'd like to admit.

"Bedroom?" she whispers, kissing your temple.

You nod, tugging her through the apartment and into your bedroom. Bada shuts the door, and you turn to her, staring into her eyes.

"Hi," you whisper, placing a hand on her chest.

"Hi," she whispers back, placing her hand over yours.

You lean in, brushing your lips against hers. She reciprocates, capturing your lips with hers. Her hands slide down to your hips, pulling you closer.

You tilt your head, deepening the kiss. Your hands move to her hair, tugging lightly.

She moans into your mouth, her grip tightening on your hips.

You pull back, gazing into her eyes.

"You're so pretty," she murmers, her thumbs rubbing circles into your hips.

"So are you," you counter, smiling.

She leans in, pressing her forehead to yours. The two of you stay like that for a moment, drinking each other in. Finally, you pull back, grabbing her hand. You shove her onto the bed, and then fall on top of her, your legs straddling her hips.

"Hey," she giggles, wrapping her arms around your waist.

"Hey," you reply, a smile on your face.

"You're so annoying," she says, leaning in. 

"And yet, you're here," you point out. 

She ignores this, deciding to press a kiss to your lips, her fingers moving up your back. You sigh into her mouth, your body relaxing against hers. She slides her tongue into your mouth, eliciting a moan from you. Her hands move to your ass, squeezing. You roll your hips, grinding against her. She groans, her grip on your ass tightening. She sits up, her lips never leaving yours. She scoots back on the bed, her legs spread, and you sit between them, still straddling her.

"You're such a tease," she says, her voice husky.

"Oh, yeah?" you ask, smirking. "How's this for a tease?"

You slip your hand under her shirt, tracing circles on her stomach, her abs. You can tell she's not wearing a bra. 

"I don't know," she sighs, her head falling back. "Keep going, and we'll see."

You lean down, peppering kisses along her jawline. She tilts her head, giving you better access. You suck on her pulse point, her breath hitching.

You move lower, kissing and sucking her neck.

She groans, her hand tangling in her hair. You smirk at this, trailing kisses down her chest. You unbutton her shirt, exposing her breasts. You take a nipple into your mouth, swirling your tongue around the stiff peak. She lets out a string of curses, her grip on your hair tightening. You give her other nipple the same attention, relishing the noises coming from her. You trail your hands down her sides, settling on her thighs.

You're about to give her a command when, suddenly, she stops you, pushing your head away. 

Before you can protest, she grips onto your waist and flips you over. You let out a squeak of surprise. 

She stares down at you, a smug grin on her face.

"What are you doing?" you ask, your voice breathy.

"What am I doing?" she repeats, raising an eyebrow. "I'm getting revenge."

"Revenge?"

"Yeah," she replies, her hand snaking its way up your shirt. "For teasing me."

"How do you plan on doing that?"

She pauses, a thoughtful look crossing her face. "I think I'm going to start with..."

She trails off, her gaze focused on your pants.

"What are you—" you're cut off by her hand moving to the button of your pants, undoing it.

She slides the zipper down, revealing the lace of your underwear.

"Nice," she murmurs, a grin on her face.

You're about to reply, when she moves her hand beneath the fabric, cupping you.

"Oh," you breathe, your hips bucking into her touch.

She begins rubbing slow circles on your clit, causing you to writhe underneath her.

"You're so wet," she states, her fingers picking up speed.

"All for you," you manage to get out, your breath ragged.

"That's what I like to hear," she says, slipping a finger inside you.

"Oh, fuck," you moan, your back arching.

She adds another, long, finger, stretching you.

"You're so tight," she marvels, pumping her fingers in and out.

You moan, grinding against her hand. She curls her fingers, hitting that sweet spot inside you.

"F-fuck," you curse, your walls clenching around her digits.

"Such a dirty mouth," she scolds, adding a third finger. She moves her mouth to your neck, her teeth scraping against the sensitive skin.

You pant, your toes curling as her pace increases. She hums in response, her fingers curling inside you, her thumb pressing against your clit.

"Fuck, Bada," you moan, gripping onto her wrist.

"You close, baby?" she asks, her breath hot against your neck.

"Y-yeah," you stammer, your hips meeting the movements of her fingers.

"Gonna cum," you mumble, your vision blurry.

"Mm-hmm," she nods, her gaze intense.

"Fuck," you cry out, and as your climax approaches, she removes her hand, leaving you frustrated and empty.

"Bada," you gasp, panting. "What the fuck?"

"I'm not finished with you," she states, a mischievous grin on her face.

"I wasn't either," you pout.

"We'll see about that," she teases, her hands moving to the hem of your shirt. She pulls it over your head, tossing it to the floor.

She gazes down at you, a hungry look in her eyes.

"Take those off," she orders, gesturing to your pants.

You oblige, sliding the rest of garment off and kicking it to the side.

"Good," she praises, a smirk on her face.

She stands, removing her shirt, pants, and boxers, her toned body exposed. You bite your lip, drinking in the sight of her. She crawls on top of you, her body hovering over yours. She kneels in front of you, her fingers ghosting over your skin.

"So, you gonna finish what you started?" you ask, raising an eyebrow.

"I don't know," she says, a glint in her eye. "I might."

She kisses you, her lips soft and pliant. You part your lips, allowing her tongue to slip into your mouth.

"Bada," you groan, tangling a hand in her hair.

"What is it, baby?" she murmurs, nipping at your bottom lip.

"Need you," you whisper, your hips bucking into hers.

"What do you need?" she breathes, her hand ghosting down your torso.

"Your fingers, your mouth, everything," you reply, a whimper escaping your throat.

"Everything, huh?" she teases, her fingers dipping beneath the hem of your underwear.

"Fuck, please," you beg, arching your back.

"Since you asked so nicely," she replies, her voice dripping with desire.

She ducks her head, her lips trailing kisses down your chest, her hands pushing your underwear down. You kick the last bit of fabric off, leaving you bare before her.

"Beautiful," she murmurs, her fingers circling your clit.

"Ah, fuck," you moan, your hands gripping the sheets.

She sucks on your inner thigh, her tongue tracing patterns on your skin, her fingers never stopping their ministrations. She spreads your legs, her hands pushing your knees up, exposing your wet, aching center. She exhales, her gaze hungry. She places an open-mouthed kiss to your slit, her tongue lapping up your juices. You keen, your hands finding her hair.

"More," you plead, your hips canting.

"Whatever you want," she promises, her fingers digging into your flesh.

She dives in, her tongue flicking across your clit, her nose brushing against the sensitive nub. You cry out, your body writhing beneath her. She wraps her lips around your clit, sucking hard. Your toes curl, and a low, guttural moan escapes your throat. She hums in response, her eyes boring into yours. She presses a finger to your entrance, her tongue continuing its assault on your clit.

"Please," you rasp, your breathing ragged.

She enters you, her digit pumping in and out.

"F-fuck," you swear, your head rolling back.

She adds a second finger, her tongue swirling around your clit.

"Bada, I'm close," you warn, your walls tightening.

She hums, her fingers curling inside you, her mouth closing over your clit, sucking hard, and you chant, your hands tangled in her hair.

Your climax crashes into you, and you cry out, stars exploding behind your eyelids. She works you through it, her fingers coaxing every last drop of pleasure from you.

You pant, your body trembling. She smirks, pulling her fingers out of you.

"Tired already?" she teases, wrapping her arms around you.

She grins, capturing your lips with hers, and you can taste yourself on her tongue. You melt into the kiss, your arms encircling her. 

"Get some rest," she suggests, pulling away. 

You pout. "But what about you," your gaze trailing down her naked form.

"I'm fine, we'll continue this another time," she reasons, kissing your temple.

"Fine," you relent, cuddling up to her and nuzzling her neck.

She rests her chin on top of your head, her hand gently rubbing your back.

"I'm really glad we met," you murmur, the exhaustion finally catching up with you.

"Me too," she replies, kissing the top of your head.

"You're gonna stay the night, right?"

"Of course," she affirms, giving you a squeeze.

"Good," you mumble, drifting off.

You smile, listening to the sound of her heartbeat, your eyelids growing heavy.

She whispers something that you can't quite hear, but before you can ask her what it is, sleep overtakes you.

✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧

You wake up the next morning to find Bada fast asleep beside you. You roll over, facing her. She's on her back, one arm draped over her stomach, the other above her head. She's snoring lightly, her features relaxed. You try not to coo at how adorable she looks, and instead, get out of bed and make your way to the bathroom.

You take a quick shower, and then put on some sweatpants and a t-shirt. When you walk back into the bedroom, Bada's sitting up, her phone in her hand.

"Morning," you greet, crawling onto the bed and sitting next to her.

"Morning," she replies, her gaze focused on her phone.

"What are you looking at?"

"The news. Look,' she answers, handing her phone to you.

You read the headline.

'Improved conditions for the girls' basketball team after protests'.

"Oh, wow," you say, surprised.

"Yeah," she smiles, taking her phone back.

"Our project is kind of fucked now," you realize.

"Nah, it'll probably be fine. We'll just talk to the professor about it,"  she assures, putting her phone on the nightstand.

"What time is it, anyway?"

"12:30."

"Really? I thought it was earlier," you state.

"Well, we didn't get much sleep," she teases, a grin on her face.

"I wonder why," you reply, rolling your eyes.

She smiles wider and gives you a peck on the cheek. You laugh, her lips tickling you, your heart overflowing with joy. You felt like you were dreaming. Speaking of which, you suddenly remembered what she had whispered to you last night.

"Hey," you say, gently pushing her off of you.

"What's up?"

"Last night, right before I fell asleep, you said something," you start, trying to remember exactly what it was.

"Oh," she laughs, a blush forming on her cheeks.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing, just... nothing," she says, shaking her head.

"Bada," you urge, poking her side.

"Ugh, fine," she sighs, running a hand through her hair. "I, uh, I said I love you."

Your eyes widen in disbelief. "What?!" you gasp, 

Her face flushes with embarrassment. "I know, it's stupid, and you don't have to say it back or anything, but I-,"

"Bada, shut up," you interrupt, pressing a finger to her lips.

"Huh?"

"I love you, too," you reveal, smiling.

"R-really?" she splutters, gazing at you in astonishment. 

"Yes," you chuckle, kissing her forehead. 

"Wow," she whispers, staring into the distance.

You laugh. "What, did you think I wouldn't say it back?"

"Well, I didn't really know," she admits, scratching her head.

"Of course I do," you insist, cupping her face.

She stares at you, her eyes wide. You stare back, your thumbs caressing her cheeks. Your heart swells as you smile at her, and her lips tug up into a smile. There's something so endearing about the way her eyes sparkle, her skin glows.

Then, she pounces on you, showering you in kisses.

"Hey, stop!"

"No," she giggles, her lips trailing down your jawline.

"Bada, seriously," you laugh, trying to push her off.

"Nope," she declares, her hands roaming under your shirt.

"Oh, my God," you sigh, giving in to her affection.

You hold her close, your arms wrapped around her. As she's getting increasingly handsy, you hear the door slam open.

"Okay y/n, TIME TO WAKE UP! I cannot believe you left the party without-" Lusher stops in the doorway, gasping as she lays her eyes on the scene before her. 

"Fuck," you curse, scrambling out from under Bada and falling onto the floor.

"Oh god," Bada mutters, standing up.

"Lusher, please-"

"Bada?!" Lusher screams, her eyes wide. "Oh! My! God! How did this happen? Wait."

You groan. Here we go. "Lusher, please let us enjoy our-"

"God I'm glad you two finally got together. I was sooo tired of hearing you two mope about how into each other you were. It's about time, seriously."

"Lusher."

"Sorry, you know, I had weird premonition when I fell asleep that you guys hooked up, but I wasn't sure. Guess I'm a psychic," Lusher exclaims, giddily.

"Lusher."

"Okay, well, I'm glad it's true. And also, I'm very happy for you. Anyway, I'm going to go now," she announces, backing out of the room.

"Thanks, Lusher," Bada laughs.

"No problem. Also, by the way, I'm going to be a bridesmaid at the wedding."

"LUSHER."

"What? Okay, I'm going, I'm going. Bye!" she shouts, shutting the door.

"Oh, my God," Bada mutters, sitting back on the bed.

"Yeah," you agree, crawling back onto the bed and plopping next to her.

"She's a character."

"That's an understatement," you laugh.

"Anyway," Bada continues, a mischievous glint in her eye.

"Wait, what are you-,"

She pins you down, a smirk on her face. "Back to what we were doing!"

To Lusher's dismay, you and Bada spend the rest of the day locked away in your room, the two of you only coming out to grab snacks. And you couldn't be happier with how everything turned out. You almost laugh, remembering how hard you tried to convince yourself that you didn't have feelings for her, how you didn't want to date her, how she was out to get you.

But now, here you are, your head resting on her chest, her arms wrapped around you, her body pressed against yours. It's a dream come true.

And you wouldn't have it any other way.

[tuliptic]

“You keep me awake at night,” they said, But why? How?

Piles go from up to down, pictures are drawn by me, everything is literally by me. And I do not consent to my work being used by third parties in other websites as well.

Now. Breathe in with me, and then breathe out. Picked your pile? Let’s find out what are the answers. PAC idea by @nikolaiiy btw I need to give my niece some recognition here too.

Disclaimer: This is solely for my entertainment purposes. Take only whatever you feel like it. If it doesn’t resonate, it’s okay to just drop it. 

Content warning: Mentions of sex without details. Just to let y’all know beforehand.

Decks used: Luna Cat Tarot Deck (Major Arcana), Kawaii Tarot Deck, Starcodes Astro Oracle Deck, self made decks.

Pile 1

Hey Pile 1! Your person thinks of you as their whole world, and that you’re their source of joy and beauty. You bring colours into their lives but this person of yours but they just… Don’t know how to deal with it. See, they have a lot of conflicting thoughts, and sometimes you guys have arguments that can be pretty harsh, creating discomfort between you two. You both have legit points but sometimes it just happens. And in late nights when they’re all alone, they will be replaying the scenes, trying to see it from your point of view, trying to see how they can make it up to you if it’s their mistake.

You remind them of their childhood, probably their ideal type when they were a kid, since we have a childhood card here. They probably had a dream of dancing with their future spouse and just wanted to ask you out for a dance some day, though I have no idea how and when but yeah. Or maybe you can ask them out for a dance in the living room with some nice music playing. That would be great too!

Your person doesn’t tell you their thoughts, their fantasies they have for you cuz they’re afraid of you judging them, so there’s this fear that I’m seeing where they worry if you leave them, since you’re such an amazing person and there may be other suitors who are interested in you. They’re a sensitive person and can be slightly low in their self-esteem, questioning how someone as wonderful as you would be interested in them.

Dear Pile 1, I hope you understand that these MAY be the thoughts that goes through the mind of your person, and I wish and pray that you’ll be able to give them the assurance they need and help them little by little with their self esteem. As someone who’s been through that, personally, I know that self esteem is something that can’t be built overnight. Your person is also working on it with the Magician at the bottom of the deck. It will work if you both work together.

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.

.

Pile 2

Hello Pile 2! Your person is a huuuuuge sweetheart who’s deadass thinking of getting married to you. They think of you as their whole world and just want to proceed into the next stage of life/relationship with you even in the earlier months of dating. I honestly have no idea what else to say. The cards flipped themselves out and just wanted you to know that your person loves you like there’s no tomorrow, as the Lovers and Two of Cups came out. These two cards are one of the best to pop up when there’s a love related reading and… Here they are!

Not to mention there’s also Juno, a card that talks about partnership, which further solidifies my suspicions of them wanting to marry you. They honestly can’t wait and may even practice marriage proposals inside their head. They are imagining how the lives of you two together may be, how it’s like for them to be walking into a new future with you, how it is like to achieve a common goal (family) together. 

You make them weak. The thought of you just makes them have giddy smiles all over, not giving a single care if anyone sees them looking like a starstruck fool. It makes sense tho, seeing how you’ve freed them from whatever that has been holding them back, allowing them to charge forward to pursue you.

Your person is shy to ask for the reciprocation of their feelings. It’s like… They love you a lot, and a little love from you can keep them continuing to love you more and more as the days pass by. They won’t feel defeated as long as you’re by their side. Remember to love them as much as they love you okay?

For some reason, it feels like your person has an air of authority and mystery over them? They’re probably someone who’s also authoritative at work or the more dominant person in the relationship, steering and guiding you through the ups and downs of this relationship.

Dear Pile 2, I can see your person is really reaaalllllyyyyy wanting to marry you You’ll need to remember to voice out your thoughts if you’re not interested in marriage, or you’re not ready for that yet.

.

.

.

Pile 3

Yo Pile 3! Not gonna lie, your pile is giving me sexy and nsfw vibes. Your person is probably someone older than you and much experienced in you in any and every way, life or even sex. This pile literally made me have that 👀 eyes cuz the cards are giving me that energy (cues KAI’s Mmmh). They wanted to do so many things to you, but they had to hold back, because they know you’re still inexperienced. They had to stop themselves from thinking about it cuz it makes them slightly upset that they got to take things slow even when they love you so much, but they’re willing to wait. They’re willing to court you. They mean it. They love you so much that they’re willing to put their wants aside.

You make them weak in the knees, they’re literally weak for you. There will be some indecisiveness on thinking where do they want to bring you, or what y’all should do for the next date, or what to eat when y’all hang out the next time. This is because they want to give you the best, not to mention that you’re always in their head. In the end, they’ll just stop being indecisive and decide that doing all of them would be the best option.

As smart as they may be, they’re always imagining scenes in their head and practicing the words they want to say to you. It’s like they have no idea how to really charm you with their words when you’re with them and they’re determined to do it better. The best way to do it? Imaginary practice. Though they still might fail cuz I have a feeling that you’re the type to act slightly different from what they expected.

Dear Pile 3, you are their source of fun, their source of joy, and they just want to achieve every single happiness and to enjoy them with you, their beloved. They just want to experience everything with you and want you by their side to be participating in their life. It’s a cute energy yet a hot one at the same time I don’t know how this is possible.

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.

.

Thanks for reading until the end! Feedbacks and reblogs are appreciated!

Y’all can drop by my Instagram here if you’re interested as well! I’ll be posting different types of PACs over there in the future but will also post more here I guess lmAO

[tgmsunmontue]

Online & Anonymous 5/16

Hangster. Explicit. Years before they meet in person Bradley and Jake strike up a friends-with-benefits relationship online. And then something more like an actual relationship.

Odd year = Bradley's POV and Even year = Jake's POV

>>Bradley chatting (bold and italics)

>>Jake chatting (italics)

2005/2006 2007 2008 2009

2010 – Jake

                He’s a fully commissioned officer, a naval aviator, junior grade lieutenant. He’s got his wings and he knows he’s good. He can control himself physically and he considers a plane a simple extension of that. He loves flying like nothing else. His first deployment has him practicing night landing and takeoffs, something he can’t say he’s a fan of, but he also manages better than most of his counterparts and it leaves him feeling smug. He’s getting better at flying and he’s already itching to get an invitation to

                He hadn’t been convinced about switching to a different messaging app, especially one that required him to buy a new phone. However he has no regrets. The amount of messages he and Nick send back and forth increases, it’s much quicker and convenient. And while he ignores the messages he gets from strangers he definitely enjoys looking at the pictures. He jerks off more than usual but then the novelty wears off.

                Nick does not wear off.

                If anything Nick seems to get better. He’s definitely using the app to its full purpose, whenever he’s somewhere there are plenty of guys also using it; Nick shares stories with him, tells him about the guys he sleeps with and Jake lets himself live vicariously through him. If Jake felt more confident he’d be doing the same. Wants to do the same but is also terrified. Admires Nick for seeming not to care about being caught. Wonders if he’s developing a voyeurism kink. Except everything he sees is solely in his imagination.

>>Would you send me a picture of your dick?

>>You want a picture of my dick?

>>Yeah. I’m kind of attached to it, and I haven’t even seen it.

                He doesn’t say that he’s also attached to Nick. Doesn’t want to come off as needy even if that’s exactly how he feels. He’s seen pictures of Nick’s stomach and thighs, his chest. He’s seen a hard dick being palmed through the fabric of his briefs, but god yeah, he wants to see the real thing. It’s not immediate and he wonders what Nick is doing, has already said that he’s by himself and not going to be interrupted. Then the picture comes through and he knows Nick is over six foot, maybe has big hands, and he’s holding his dick in his hand and it’s dark dusky pink at the head, his fingers are curled around the shaft loosely and god he wishes they could video chat or something, it looks average, if he assumes Nick’s hands are normal sized.

>>How big are your hands?

>>You trying to figure out how big I am?

>>Maybe.

>>I’m plenty big enough. Never had any complaints.

>>Thinking about your hands on me too.

>>They look like nice hands.

>>I used to play baseball. Big mitts.

>>Yeah? Long fingers too looks like.

>>Yeah, I play the piano. Long fingers come in handy.

>>Bet they come in handy for lots of things.

>>You’re not wrong.

                Jake bites his lip, looks at the picture again, imagines wrapping his mouth around the head and licking and sucking, making Nick come with nothing but his hands and mouth.

>>Thanks for the picture. It’s a very pretty dick. Now I can imagine sucking it.

>>Fuck.

>>If we ever meet I hope I’m able to do everything properly. Like I can in my head.

>>When we meet.

                Jake rolls his eyes.

>>And I don’t care about it being perfect. Sex generally never is.

>>We’ll have fun and get each other off.

>>More than once.

>>Definitely more than once.

>>We won’t leave bed for days. Maybe lock ourselves away from the world when we’re both on leave.

                Jake lets himself dream.

…            …            …

>>Do you ever hook up with other guys?

>>In the service I mean?

>>I mean. I have once or twice. Got to be so careful.

>>There’s this subtle careful look that gets exchanged. I’ve given it and had it ignored, and either the guy isn’t up for it, or just missed it completely. Other times…

>>Other times?

>>It’s been hit and miss. Sometimes the guy is angry and can take it out on you. Other times it’s just sex. Other times they can think it’s the start of something.

>>Take it out on you? What do you mean?

>>Oh. Just.

>>Rough. Angry with the whole thing. Think they’re angry at themselves. That whole not wanting to want another man that way.

>>And you let them?

>>Sometimes. I’ve walked away when I’ve been seriously worried.

>>But I like it a little rough sometimes.

>>Reminds me I’m with a man and I don’t have to hold back my own strength.

                Jake bites his lip and shifts a little, already starting to get a little hard, and they aren’t even talking about having sex with each other, just talking about sex in general and he can’t believe it’s getting him hard.

>>You getting hard?

>>Yeah.

>>You know me too well.

>>Of course I do.

>>I wonder how hard I can get you.

                Jake knows exactly how hard, he goes back and reads some of their conversations sometimes and they get him hard every single time.

>>I wonder if I told you not to jerk off, and talked to you like this, whether you could come from it.

                Jake knows that that won’t happen, he always needs a little friction. But…

>>I’m willing to give it a try.

>>Yeah?

>>Want me to tell you when it’s okay to touch yourself? When you can come?

>>You like the sound of that?

>>Yeah. Little bit.

…            …            …

                He refuses to think about what he has with Nick as a relationship. At least not a romantic one. He is definitely his best friend though, right up their with Javy, although Javy hasn't ever made him come. Some months are quieter than others, and he gets it now. Nick is deployed. Hell. Considering both their schedules it’s a miracle they’ve managed so much communication already. He desperately wants to ask him which service he’s in, but unlike his name, Nick hasn’t offered to share that. However, knowing that they’re both military opens a different type of floodgate and Jake finds himself talking about his team, squad, group, platoon. He changes up what he calls them. If Nick asks he’ll tell him, because then he’ll feel better about asking himself.

                The question doesn’t come though.

…            …            …

>>Tell me something you’ve never told anyone else.

>>Other than the fact I’m gay you mean?

>>Ha ha. Yeah. Other than that.

>>I miss my parents.

                Jake’s fingers hover over his phone, not sure what to say. He knows Nick’s parents are dead, and Nick knows his own parents kicked him out… God they’ve both got issues there don’t they. Still, missing them doesn’t feel like something he’d be ashamed to admit.

>>My dad died when I was three. My mom died of cancer fifteen years ago.

>>Oh shit. I’m sorry.

>>I was raised by my godfather after that, but I’m not talking to him either.

>>I miss him too sometimes.

>>I had this whole other family and I just turned my back on them and some days I wonder if it was worth it.

                Jake wants to ask, wants to know, because he aches for his family some days, knows he can’t go back. His parents made it abundantly clear that he was no longer welcome, and he wonders if they’d even care if he died.

>>What made you turn your back?

>>You don’t have to tell me, just, I’m here, if you want to tell me.

>>I applied to one of the academies. He pulled my papers. Told me I wasn’t ready. So I went and enlisted anyway.

>>Oh shit.

>>Yeah.

>>So. I’m still angry about it, but I also miss them. Him. Families fuck you up.

>>Yeah. They do.

…            …            …

                It takes a near miss and he lands on the carrier inwardly shaking, although he doesn’t let it show outwardly. But he’s just realized that if something happens to him Nick will never know. He doesn’t want to put him through that. He carefully writes down some instructions and what he wants to say, then he changes the lock code on his phone to Javy’s year of birth, he can’t forget that and it’ll remind him everyday of why he needs to be careful. But also the best. He finds Javy and walks him through it, show him where he hides the app and where he’s going to keep the envelope. Usually they’d joke about something like this, but after the day they’ve had neither of them are feeling in a jokey mood and Jake has no one else to ask.

>>I told my best friend about you. If something happens to me he’ll let you know.

>>How?

>>Gave him a sealed envelope with instructions. Told him I was trusting him, and that if he wanted to keep his sanity he wouldn’t risk opening it. You know what he said?

>>What?

>>That he’d already seen plenty of dick on the locker room and wasn’t going to go looking for any more.

>>But also that he’d do it. So. Yeah.

>>You don’t have to worry about me dropping off the face of the earth and forever wondering what happened to me.

>>He’ll let you know.

>>Wow. Okay. That’s really thoughtful of you.

>>Thanks I guess.

>>Shit. I hadn’t even thought of it.

>>I’ll do the same. It’s not like what I’m doing is any safer than what you’re doing.

>>Yeah. I think not knowing would be the worst part.

>>I wanted to ask you, if you could do that for me.

>>So thanks for offering already.

>>You sure you don’t want my name? That would suck to find it out after I’ve died.

>>Don’t think calling you anything different will make you dying easier on me.

>>So try not to die okay?

>>I’ll do my best.

2011 - Bradley

[chainkeepustogetherr]

helllooo everyone !

just wanted to clear something up, in regards to my recent post.

im aware some people dislike the idea of smut / any form of sexual writing in regards to celebrities / influencers / musicians / etc etc etc. which is totally validated, id never tell anyone how to feel or why they should feel a certain way abt a certain thing.

BUT ! i also know some people love that side / genre of writing, ive been requested a few times to write any forms of smut & so forth over the duration of this account by (i believe?) several accounts.

i just wanted to say, writing smut, reading smut, being a “producer” of that kind of content, i never ever mean to cause any form of uncomfortablility or unnerving sort of feelings by writing & posting that form of stuff. to you, the reader, to people who may of known jeff/anyone i write about, ect.

my sole purpose behind creating & writing these things are to make you guys happy, n to also have a form of a creative outlet as well. never anything malicious or weird, i hope everyone truly knows that !

me personally, i do not see an issue with smut writing, unless said individual your writing it about has made it clear that it’s something that makes them uncomfortable, or genuinely involves something totally immoral & borderline criminal. or criminal full stop.

im gonna try & be as polite as possible when i say this, i hope no one gets offended by it, but if fanfiction/smut in particular is something you don’t enjoy reading or dislike the idea of, you never have to read it, you never have to like it, repost, or even spend more than 2 seconds looking at it.

ive had a few requests (WHICH I LUV BY THE WAY, keep them coming pleeeease <3) asking for smut for a while now, n i wanna be able to post writings n stuff that you guys have requested & also enjoy as well. its a scarce market out here yall i understand 😭

but as i said, you never ever have to read anything that makes you feel a certain way. if that includes avoiding my page at all costs, thats totally fine too, id never want to make anyone uncomfortable or feel a certain way about any of my posts.

just wanna make yall Happy w a capital H ! thats all:)

NEW STUFF COMING SOON THOUGH ! stay tuned for that. love yall. xoxo

[iturnlemonadeintolemons]

Firstly, absolutely love your one shots of klaroline!

Second, if you are still taking oneshot ideas; I would love a one shot with the premise of Klaus and Caroline meeting and are getting close, and oblivious interested in each other then when he attempts to ask her out, she joking says she has a hot date with an english accent and points to Rebecca and misinterprets as the guy behind her ( Enzo or someone else) and becomes slightly moppy and avoids her. And the guys can be teasing klaus about his rejection. She finds out during girls night/ a gathering by accident and has to find him and is worried that she lost her chance.

I feel like you are one of the people that might be able to do this storyline some justice.

One day, someone will ask me, hey, give me a list of the times you felt the most shameful in your life, and this? Me responding to an ask sent to me freaking months ago will be at the top. I'm so, incredibly sorry for the delay, I hope this does it justice! I changed it up a little bit since I don't have the time to write long drabbles, but I hope this is good too!

.xxx

“This is a complete waste of my time.”

Klaus sighed and turned to his prat of a younger brother, who was grumbling and fiddling with his tie next to him. “Yes, Kol, I heard you the first two times.”

“Well, this isn’t fair,” Kol whined. “I don’t even know the man, why am I even here?”

“Because I was supposed to bring a guest, and Stefan was busy. Quit whining about it, will you? It’s not like you're getting a bad deal out of this.”

“I can get food and music at home as well, Nik.”

“Well, you can't get a date sitting on the couch, and that’s why you're here.”

“So your sole purpose for bringing me here was to find me a date?” Kol deadpanned.

“No, my sole purpose for bringing you here is that everyone was bringing a guest and I didn’t want to be the only one who didn’t,” Klaus said irritably. “Grow up, Kol. You're been crying about meeting someone new for ages, here’s your chance.”

Kol grumbled and walked away from him, muttering something about infuriating older brothers. Klaus smirked and took another drink off the tray, nearly jostling someone behind him.

“Oh, I'm sorry,” said a voice, and Klaus turned around to see a lovely woman blinking at him, looking frazzled. “My mind really is somewhere else today, I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

“No harm, no foul, love,” he replied smoothly, handing her a glass. “You're fine.”

She smiled, and Klaus felt the corners of his own mouth tick up when she did. “Thanks. I'm Caroline.”

“Klaus. Who are you with, bride or groom?”

Caroline winced. “Technically no one. I'm here as a guest of a guest.” She winked, and Klaus grinned. “I'm visiting for the wedding. Rebekah and my friend brought me.”

“That’s funny, Bekah’s never mentioned you. Remarkable, you seem like the woman who’d leave a lasting impression on someone.”

Caroline rolled her eyes. “Bekah’s an ass. We haven't seen each other in a while, maybe that’s why. We were in college together, roommates for two months while mine travelled. Funny you think that’d make you mention—”

A small spark of memory kindles itself in the back of Klaus’s mind. “Caroline? You're Caroline?”

Caroline’s eyes sparkled. “So you have heard of me.”

“A few times.” More than a few, if he was being honest. Rebekah had raved about her friend in college, but he hadn't paid any mind to her, she had gone through friends like tissues at the time. This one seemed to have stuck, however.

And how thankful he was for that, Rebekah befriending the lovely woman in front of him.

“How do you know Rebekah?” Caroline asked, her eyes lingering on his face.

“She’s my little sister.”

Caroline’s eyebrows flew up in surprise. “Oh. So you're one of her gazillion brothers.”

“She’s never mentioned me? I'm hurt,” he replied, placing a hand on his chest in mock offence.

She snorted. “Yeah, right. You're one of the only brothers Bekah does talk about. But Elijah is a strong contender too. Where is he, by the way, I haven't seen him.”

“Oh, he had a bit of business to wrap up at his firm, said he’s be a bit late. But no matter, I can keep you company instead. And I assure you quite thoroughly, love, I'm much more interesting than Elijah is.”

Caroline shook her head, a smile escaping her. “If that was your attempt at a pick-up line, it was terrible.”

“Do you need me to be more obvious, then?” Klaus asked her innocently. “Very well, then. Caroline, could I buy you a drink?”

“It’s an open bar.”

“Well, you could just sit next to me and grace me with your presence,” he offered, dimpling, barely resisting the urge to smirk when Caroline’s cheeks turned red.

“I'd love to,” she sighed, a small smile on her face, “but I can't. I already have a hot English date, who’s very bored already, needs me for company,” she grinned, gesturing behind her, where Rebekah stood with her friend, a tall man who he’s never seen.

Klaus disliked him immediately.

“Oh,” he said, sounding incredibly stupid. “That’s alright.”

“Maybe later,” Caroline said, sounding sincere. “I'm actually—”

“Gorgeous!” the man called from behind her, and Klaus resisted the urge to growl at him to leave them alone. “Where have you been, Rebekah's been looking for you.”

“I got sidetracked,” Caroline grinned, looking at Klaus. “Enzo, this is Klaus. He’s Rebekah's brother. Klaus, this is Enzo.”

“Charmed,” Klaus gritted out. “How do you know my sister?”

“We met at college, she was over all the time when I lived with this one,” he said, gesturing to Caroline, who smiled. “Haven’t been able to shake her since,” he grinned. “She’s a good friend.”

Klaus pushed down a grimace. Caroline was living with him?

“Of course,” he ground out. “If you’ll excuse me.”

He strode away, uncaring of his short replies to the man—Enzo, he reminded himself. He didn’t know why he was so upset over the fact that Caroline was available, she wasn’t the only beautiful woman at the wedding, he’d find another girl to buy dinner or something.

The thought didn’t appeal to him.

.

.

.

His sister finally found him at the end of the wedding, Caroline in a tow. “There you are!” Rebekah announced, moving in for a hug. “I haven't seen you all day, Nik, have you been avoiding me?”

Truthfully, he hadn't been avoiding her, he’d been avoiding Caroline and her boyfriend.

“Of course I haven't, Bekah,” he replied, kissing her on the cheek. “I've just been occupied with other things.”

“I'll bet,” she sniffed. “Too busy to greet your favourite sister?”

“You're my only sister.”

“Technicalities.” Rebekah waved him off. “Have I introduced you to Caroline?”

“Oh, we’ve met,” Caroline smiled at Klaus, leaving his throat slightly dry.

“Oh, good. She’s the friend from college I was telling you about, Nik, remember?”

“Yes, Bekah, I do,” Klaus replied monotonously.

“Oh, and Enzo, have you met Enzo?”

Klaus’s smile tightened. “I've had the pleasure.”

Caroline frowned at his tone, but Klaus couldn’t bring it in himself to feel ashamed. Elijah had always said he had a petty streak in him, and right then, it was showing.

“Lovely! We should have dinner while you're still in town, Nik, are you free tomorrow?”

“Yes,” Klaus said distractedly. “I have time at twelve, you can pick the place.”

“Really? Something’s up, clearly, you never let me do that,” Rebekah said teasingly. “Well, I have to be off, but I'll call you, and you better pick up, okay, Nik?”

“Yes, Bekah, I will.”

Rebekah waved goodbye over her shoulder, heels clicking against the smooth tile. Caroline turned to him, blue eyes narrowed in her lovely face. So,” Klaus said, breaking the silence, clearly his throat, “I should leave—”

“You know, the whole grumpiness act isn’t that endearing, but the pout is cute, so I'll excuse it this once.”

“What—”

“Enzo’s just my friend,” Caroline burst out, twisting her fingers together. “I was making a joke. I meant to point to Rebekah as my ‘date’. Enzo and I are in a relationship strictly in the platonic sense. He told me you might have misunderstood me when you left. And I am free,” she said all in one breath. “After the wedding for dinner. That’s what I was saying before he interrupted me.”

Klaus blinked, embarrassingly disoriented. “But…but he said you lived toge—”

“We were roommates,” Caroline explained. “In college. There was a housing mishap and he was the only one left, it’s a long story. The point is—” She breathed in deeply, looking at him hopefully. “I'd love to have dinner with you. If you still want.”

“Oh, sweetheart,” Klaus grinned, making her blush. “You have no idea how much I want.”

Four years later, Klaus did manage to get along with Enzo, and he and Caroline somehow managed not to roll their eyes at Enzo’s teasing jab during his man of honour speech at their own wedding.

xxx.

Thanks for reading!

[fallingangeltl]

Adder SSR Story - The Ruler of Demons

Chapter 1

Marquis Nasturtium: What did you just say!?

Adder: …… Did you not hear me? I said that a meeting for the sole purpose of reporting information was a waste of time.

If you can’t understand that, then why don’t you relinquish your seat to someone else? You senile old fool.

Marquis Nasturtium: Gh…… Hmph!

Then excuse me for today. Farewell, Your Excellency the Duke……!

(The Marquis leaves)

Attendant: Sir, p-please wait!

Adder-sama. Please excuse me.

(The attendant leaves)

Adder: ……

Hmph……

Rosé: El-der bro-ther♡

Adder: …… Rosé. I told you to knock before entering rooms.

Rosé: Well I just saw the old dolt going home♪

…… Hey, that’s the new spy we set up with Nasturtium isn’t he?

That young attendant. From the looks of it, he didn’t seem all that reliiiiable though?

Adder: Look at this.

This is the report left behind by that attendant.

Rosé: Heeh? From that meeting just now?

Even though that old dolt seemed to have a good eye. He passed it over nicely huu~h.

Come to think of it, that Nasturtium guy seems to be getting carried away. Even in the lounge the six demon houses go to has been filled with whispers that he’s strangely well off♡

They keep saying things like “The Six Demon Houses will become the seven demon houses.”

Adder: That’s why we’ve sent a spy there. He’s an exceptionally outstanding guy.

Rosé: Hee~h, outstanding?

Adder: He’s also talented. Even if something were to happen, he’d be able to handle it himself

Rosé: As expected from my elder brother♡ You really do trust your subordinates don’t you.

Adder: What?

Rosé: It’s a~lright♡ Because I understand.

Elder brother is honest, serious, and dee~ply passionate♡

Adder: Don’t say it in such a sickening way.

Belladonna is different from the other demon families that face a constant stream of betrayals and infighting. 

I’m simply doing what’s necessary to keep powerful demons in line.

(Time passes)

Adder: …… Enter.

Vanis: Can I have a moment?

Adder: What is it?

Vanis: I have both good news and bad news, which would you like to hear first?

Chapter 2

Adder: Don’t put on airs, Vanis. Let’s talk quickly. I’m busy.

Vanis: So cold. Well, I’ll start with the good news then.

The spy sent to Marquis Nasturtium…… He contacted me via magic.

It looks like those guys are buying up magic tools and weapons.

So that they can attack Belladonna soon. 

Adder: Ha, and he didn’t even know that information was being leaked. What an idiotic man.

We’ll give him what he wants, and then turn the tables on him.

So, the bad news?

Vanis: Apparently, the spy was caught infiltrating Nasturtium.

Adder: ………

Vanis: Just as I was listening to the report, the magic ceased.

I heard a voice clamouring around right before it ended. By the looks of things, I wonder if he was found and imprisoned?

Adder: …… Is he currently being interrogated?

Vanis: I guess so. Rumor has it that the Marquis Nasturtium has an extreme preference for imprisoned people.

However, there doesn’t seem to be any concerns about information leaking. He said he would kill himself if a situation such as this ever arose.

It’s an admirable thing. It’s such a shame though, I really liked him too.

Adder, you feel the same too, don’t you?

Adder: He shouldn’t make decisions of his own accord. If he makes a mistake and dies while spying, then Belladonna doesn’t need him.

In the end, that’s all he was good for. 

If you’re a member of Belladonna, show that you’re willing to return even if half of your body is gone.

Vanis: I see. You’re so strict.

That’s the end of the report. Then, that’s it from me.

I know you’re busy, but please take some time to mourn for him, okay?

Adder: Don’t give me instructions.

Vanis: It’s simply a request.

Chapter 3

Vanis: Adder.

Adder: What. Unlike a certain freeloader, I’m busy.

Vanis: Did you hear that the Marquis Nasturtium’s group are causing some trouble at the outskirts of the forest?

Adder: What, that matter……

It’s probably infighting. It’s a common story among up and coming demon families.

Vanis: I suppose you’re half correct and half incorrect.

…… It seems the person being chased by them is a traitorous attendant.

Adder: He’s alive?

Vanis: I have no idea. It looks like he’s fighting on his own in the forest.

Nasturtium seems to be expending a lot of effort to catch him alone. As expected of an outstanding subordinate.

Adder: …… He’s an idiotic guy.

Vanis: I just thought you should hear that. Sorry to interrupt you. See you.

Adder: Wait, Vanis. Gather everyone in the manor.

We’re going to clear out the Nasturtium guys in the forest.

Vanis: Eh? I don’t mind but…… Could it be, you’re doing it to save him?

Adder: He showed his determination to return to Belladonna. I’ll take advantage of his stubbornness and treat him leniently.

I intended to make Nasturtium pay for mocking me from the beginning. 

Vanis, you’re coming too. You’re the only one who can contact him with magic.

Vanis: What a relief, Spy-kun. It seems your obsession with life appeased the head of the family.

Rosé: I’m really allowed to go all out? Elder brother, don’t you go back on your words♡

Adder: Ah, I don’t mind if you’re rough with them.

Rosé: Let’s do it~♡

Subordinate: Adder-sama, all personnel have been assigned.

Adder: I’ll finish them off within the day. I’ll exterminate the entire clan.

[marvelmaniac715]

This is part twenty of my Human Chucky au! I’m writing a more serious fic later, so this is just something fun to get my creative juices flowing and indulge the Swifty within me. Some may say that it’s unrealistic that Chucky listens to Taylor Swift, and to that I say - have you seen the man? He’s the most overdramatic bastard I’ve ever watched onscreen. Of course he listens to Taylor Swift and quotes the lyrics in his dramatic monologues to victims (particularly ‘I’m a nightmare dressed like a daydream’). Anyway, I hope you’ll enjoy reading this fic as much as I enjoyed writing it :). Quick note - I don’t at all condone or encourage Chucky’s behaviour; the man is insane, but the scene where he takes tickets by force was a lot of fun to write XD.

————————————————————-

Chucky had a problem. He lived with two teenagers. That in itself wasn’t the problem, exactly, the problem was a curly haired blonde who had infiltrated his home, her voice blaring out of speakers and her eyes piercing his soul from a wide range of posters and album covers. Yes, Chucky’s problem was the singer-songwriter Taylor Swift.

To be fair, he didn’t know all that much about her, his kids were obsessed, and Chucky didn’t really know how to respond whenever either Glen or Glenda would quote song lyrics at him or start gossiping about the singer’s latest breakup or relationship. Pop culture knowledge from the 2000s to the 2020s wasn’t exactly Chucky’s strong suit, he didn’t know Ed Sheeran or Lady Gaga or, to be honest, most popular singers or bands (although, he was quite partial to Panic! At The Disco, their song ‘Teenagers’ gave him a good laugh). 

But one day, whilst venting to Tiffany about his inability to understand his children’s interests, his wife made the innocent suggestion of googling Taylor Swift to see what happened. He tried that, and there were millions of results. So, to narrow it down to the important details, he decided to post on every social media app and site he owned. His message read:

‘Swifties - help! I have two teenage children, and they’re absolutely obsessed with Taylor Swift. I’m a pretty old guy, and I know absolutely nothing about her, but I’m desperate to connect with my kids, so please, help me. I’m not asking much, I just need to know her most popular/famous songs and enough information about her to carry me through a ten minute conversation with my sixteen year olds who will absolutely rip me to shreds if I confidently give them incorrect information about a woman they’ve begun referring to as ‘Mother’. Any information you’re willing to share would be greatly appreciated.’

This message, born out of frantic panic, would change Chucky’s life forever.

————————————————————-

A great deal of information was sent Chucky’s way at an alarming rate. The Swifties, if nothing else, were extremely dedicated, and in no time at all, he knew everything there was to know about Miss Taylor Alison Swift, right down to her mother’s maiden name (it was Finlay). He had to say, despite initially embarking upon this great knowledge quest for the sole purpose of being able to talk to his children about their interests, he was actually becoming a big Taylor Swift fan - a Swifty.

Glen and Glenda were, of course, thrilled that their dad not only understood their references, but willingly and enthusiastically joining in with their conversations with opinions of his own. At least once a week the three would get into a big debate over which Taylor Swift era was the best, always arriving at the conclusion that every era was in fact the best.

Tiffany would never say it directly to her husband, but she was convinced that he was an even bigger fan of Taylor Swift than the twins…

————————————————————-

Glen peered at their father’s latest painting with a great deal of confusion.

“Uh, dad?”

Chucky looked up causally, brush still dipped into purple paint.

“Yeah, Glen?”

Glen cleared their throat, not really knowing how to approach this topic, but eventually going with:

“Is that Taylor Swift fan art?”

Chucky glanced back at his painting, which did, admittedly, quite resemble the album cover of ‘Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)’ and frowned. Then, he turned to face Glen and protested weakly:

“It’s not… not Taylor Swift fan art.”

————————————————————-

Whilst Chucky was scrolling through social media, he found out about the upcoming Eras Tour. He asked the twins later that day if they wanted to go, and was quite surprised when Glenda burst out laughing and Glen looked down sadly at the floor. When he asked, with a great deal of confusion, what was wrong, Glenda laughed again, bitterly, and deadpanned:

“Dad, those tickets are like gold dust. It’s never gonna happen.”

Immediately agreeing with their twin, Glen hummed under their breath and nodded before sadly remarking:

“You left it too late to try and get tickets. Glenda and I tried to get some months ago back when they were on presale and we didn’t manage. You’re not gonna get them, I’m sorry.”

Seeing this as a challenge, Chucky wrapped an arm around each of his children, flashed them the same smile he’d given them just before beating one of their classmate’s dads in an arm wrestling contest with a prize of $20 and quite confidently told them:

“Don’t worry, your dad can do anything.”

————————————————————-

Chucky could not, in fact, do absolutely anything. He’d spend hours, days even, trying to find Eras Tour tickets, but his search was unsuccessful no matter what he tried. He almost gave up, but then he overheard a stranger in a coffee shop say that she was taking her two kids to the Eras Tour. Now, Chucky had mostly put his serial killer ways behind him, but he was a man on the edge - he was getting those tickets if it killed him.

When he had finished his coffee, Chucky began covertly stalking the woman, watching her every move. It was the dullest thing he’d willingly done in years, but the prize at the end would be so, so worth it. Thirty dismal minutes passed as the woman sipped her latte and gossiped with the friend she had brought with her. But eventually, Chucky’s salvation came as the woman excused herself to go to the bathroom. He didn’t follow her into the bathroom, that would have been weird, but instead he lingered outside, pretending to be waiting for the men’s room, and when the woman walked out, Chucky struck.

With one hand, he pinned the woman by the throat against a wall, and with the other he yanked her bag off of her to search for the tickets. The entire time, the woman stared fearfully at him with wide, tear-filled brown eyes. Bottom lip quivering, the woman pitifully croaked:

“P-please… I have a family.”

In a dismissive tone, Chucky responded:

“I’m not trying to kill you, I’m looking for the tickets.”

This momentarily broke the woman out of her panic as she asked in confusion:

“What?”

At this exact moment, Chucky had emptied out the woman’s bag and her wallet, still finding absolutely nothing, so he glared up at her and growled:

“The tickets, where are they? What have you done with them?”

The woman was still extremely confused as she whimpered:

“What tickets?”

Chucky tightened his grip around the woman’s throat and repeated, practically foaming at the mouth in his rage:

“The Eras Tour tickets. Where are they, woman? Come on, you can’t be that dense!”

A glimmer of understanding flashed in the woman’s eyes as she stuttered:

“They’re- they’re on my phone. They’re digital tickets. Do you want me to send them to you or something?”

Chucky nearly nodded, but then he remembered that he got a lot of emails and texts every day, and screenshots might not be valid as proof of ticket ownership, so instead he shook his head and decided:

“No, it’s simpler if I just take the phone.”

The woman barely had time to comprehend this before Chucky had grabbed her phone from her bag, given her a faux-polite smile and ran off, yelling over his shoulder:

“Thank you for your cooperation!”

————————————————————-

Tiffany was incredibly startled when her husband grabbed her by the arm one day and dragged her into his studio without a word. She was even more confused and startled when he looked at her, incredibly seriously, and informed her that he required her specific set of expertise one last time. Her mind, of course, immediately jumped to killing as she whispered:

“Do- do you mean you need my help with killing?”

Chucky looked confused then, furrowing his brow as he said:

“Uh, if you mean killing it at the concert, then yeah.”

Oh, he was looking for fashion advice. That was honestly the last thing Tiffany thought that Chucky would ask her to help with. She immediately and enthusiastically agreed to help him, but regretted her choice almost as fast as she’d agreed to it when her husband, a man who had never really seemed the type to care about what he wore, always throwing on the thing that was closest to him from his closet, pulled out a set of mood boards and began to explain his options to her in immense detail:

“Now, this one says ‘I’m a badass who appreciates good music’, whereas this one takes inspiration from the Lovers album and says ‘I’ve got a sensitive side’…”

[banannabethchase]

We get a bit of a stronger look into how Matt and Nick's lives look, and just how strange their friend groups are. Plus, Matt gets a date.

~

Noting that, again, people call Matt by the wrong pronouns, but only those who do not know Matt is a girl.

~

Friday, December 12th

Nick

Nick doesn’t dislike Mox, is the thing.

“I don’t,” he tells the Adams and the rest of the lunch table the next day. He’s probably done well on that Physics test, he thinks, after he and Adam met up for a quick study session before school, but that’s not the only thing he’s focused on right now. “It’s just. I don’t know if he’s good enough for Matt, you know?” He doesn’t say “for my sister”, but he’s thinking it.

“I agree with you,” Adam says. His arms are folded across his chest, and Nick definitely doesn’t look at the way it makes his biceps bulge out and – nope. Not looking. “Ever since middle school I haven’t liked him.”

“You’re biased,” Cole says. “He’s hot, and he’s nice.”

“In middle school he punched me out in the middle of a soccer game.”

Nick and Cole roll their eyes at the same time, just like always.

“What are we talking about?” Riho, arm in arm with Willow. The two of them sit in their chairs, almost floating down.

“I know that look,” Willow says. “Nick’s whining about something. Nicky, what are we whining about today?”

“He still hates Mox,” Cole says.

“I don’t hate him!” Nick says, gesturing with his fork. “I just. I worry he’s going to hurt Matt. We all know how Matt gets in a relationship.”

They all look at Cole.

“Okay, we weren’t in a relationship, and all of you know that.” Cole turns pink and sinks down in his chair. “But, fair. Matt catches feelings more easily than Adam catches the flu.”

“Hey!”

“It’s an apt metaphor, and you all know it,” Cole says, rolling his eyes at Adam. “Regardless, all I’m saying is Nick has a point. If Mox starts doing some of the shit he was pulling back in middle school.” He shrugs. “We might have to beat up one of our own teammates, and that isn’t exactly gonna fly with Coach.”

“He’d understand if Mox deserves it,” Nick says. He shoves a forkful of pasta in his mouth. “He better not, though.”

“You guys see him every day,” Willow says, peeling an orange without looking at it. She’s taking the peel off in one perfect piece. Nick wonders if she has some weird magic power or if that’s just a special talent she has. “And you have this little trust in him?”

“If I was this suspicious of Willow, we would never be able to be a team,” Riho says. She bumps Willow’s shoulder. “I guess the base and flyer relationship is stronger than a basketball team.”

“Is not!” Nick says. “We love each other! I just love Matt more.” He stares at Cole. “And I won’t apologize for it, no matter how much you give me those pitiful sad eyes.”

The conversation shifts to homecoming, where four of them gang up on Cole for being the only one with a date for the sole purpose of making him blush, and they shuffle out of the cafeteria twenty minutes later, arguing about what’s better: cheerleading or basketball.

“You can’t use jumping as a reason, Willow, we jump too,” Cole says.

Adam shoves his glasses up his nose as he adds, “As an impartial third party with no personal interest in the matter, I think cheerleading is more athletically demanding.”

“We didn’t ask you, Mr. Third Party,” Nick says. He grins, though, and Adam bumps his shoulder, so he bumps back, and the two of them have their hands all over each other before Nick can even breathe about it.

“Oh, now they’re flirting,” Willow says. “What a distraction.”

“We’re not flirting,” Adam and Nick say at the same time. They simultaneously scoot away from each other, a big gap in between them.

Riho eyes them knowingly, fighting a grin. “Sure you weren’t.” She loops her arm through Willow’s again. “Bye, boys.”

“How do they always make me feel like the biggest dumbass ever?” Nick asks.

Cole snorts.

“What?”

“You two really – you don’t get…? Okay. Well. I’m not gonna tell you.” He kicks Adam gently in the shin and yanks Nick’s ponytail. The Cole goodbye. “Bye, boys. I’m going to go fail a Chemistry test and make out with Kyle about it afterwards.”

Nick is left with Adam. And it’s somehow just a little bit awkward.

“You know,” Adam says, as they make their way upstairs toward their World Literature class, “it’s not that I hate Mox, or anything. If he makes Matt happy, that’s cool. But I don’t trust him.”

Nick nods. “I get that. I mean, he did punch you in the face.” He stops at Adam’s locker, where Adam gathers his books. Nick just adjusts his backpack on his shoulder – he doesn’t bother with lockers anymore.

“He did. And then I kicked him in the stomach. And then we both got kicked off the soccer team. And we haven’t had, like, a real conversation since.” Adam does that thing where he sort of hunches in on himself, clutching his books to his chest. “So. I don’t want to ruin Matt’s happiness just because of my issues, you know? But I’m worried about - her.”

Nick nods, holding the door for Adam.

“Thanks,” Adam says, and Nick’s almost knocked over by the smile on his lips.

Oh. Oh, no.

“Any time,” Nick says, and he trips over his toes a bit as they sit down at their table.

“Alright, almost adults,” Mr. Baker says, clapping his hands. “Warm up time. Who’s ready for a flash argumentative essay on the merits of black licorice as a candy?”

“Ew,” Nick mutters.

“Better than helping a cow give birth,” Adam replies.

Nick snorts. “Fair.”

~

Matt

Crutches suck. The morning starts okay, since all her first three classes are on the first floor, but, after lunch, she has to figure out how to get to Chemistry, and it doesn’t go well.

“These things so suck,” Matt complains as she hobbles next to Britt. “And the school elevator is broken again, so I can’t even use that to help me!”

“You’re going to be fine,” Britt says. “Grab my arm and quit whining.”

“I am going to whine,” Matt insists, using Britt’s arm and the railing to hoist herself up. It’s easier than she expected, Coach Rayne’s pushups giving a result somewhere at least, but Matt’s still panting when she gets to the top of the stairs.

“Sucks,” Matt says again. “I need a second.”

“Okay.” Britt hands her back the crutches and makes her way to their chemistry classroom, and Matt wonders if she should have directly asked Britt to wait. Just in case Matt falls or anything.

She’s hobbling next to the wall, leaning against it every few steps, when someone says, “Matt! Need help?”

Matt feels a bloom of excitement billow through her entire body. She turns to see Mox waving at her.

“Hi,” she exhales. “Yes. Oh my god. Could you, I don’t know, maybe get my backpack?”

Mox slides it off of Matt’s shoulders and adds it on top of his backpack like it’s nothing. “Where are you headed?”

“The twelve hundred hallway,” Matt says. It’s easier to use the crutches when there isn’t a thousand-pound weight on her back. “Science wing.”

“No shit?” Mox says. “Me too! I have Physics with Nathanson.”

“Nick has him, too,” Matt says. She doesn’t miss the way Mox keeps pace with her, makes sure she can keep up. “He any good? I took Marine Biology last year for my science credit, so I never had Physics.”

“Oh, he’s great,” Mox says, lighting up. “I mean, I’m awful at reading, but physics is all numbers and formulas I can memorize so I’m having a blast.”

Matt never realized somebody could look that excited about physics before. “Really?”

“Nathanson lets me apply most things to basketball. Or cars. Or anything that I like, really.” He turns to Matt. “This your room?”

Matt blinks. She hadn’t realized they’d made it to Ms. Hammond’s class already. “Yeah. Um. Thank you for carrying my backpack.”

“Oh, I can bring it into here.” Mox sidles into the room like he knows it. “Hammond and I are tight. She was my science teacher back when she taught 9th grade earth science.”

“I didn’t have her,” Matt says, sliding into her seat. Mox plops her backpack in front of her, adjusting it so it won’t fall over. That blooming in her heart takes over again. “Thanks, Mox. I, um. I really appreciate it.”

“I’ll wait outside your class when the bell goes so I can help you get to your next class.” It’s almost like an expectation, like it’s a plan they’ve already decided on.

Matt might pass out on the table. “Okay. Thanks.”

Mox turns to leave, then, in a weird little motion, turns around and touches Matt’s hand, so gently it almost hurts. “Any time.”

Britt walks in a minute after the bell. Her hair is all messed up – Matt doesn’t even want to know what she and Jamie got up to in that time. “What’s wrong with you? You’re all – oh.” Her lips curve into a smile. “You see Mox again?”

“Shut up.”

~

Sure enough, Mox is there to walk Matt to her AP French class, resting her backpack on the table and squeezing her hand again before leaving. Matt might explode with all of this.

Kris turns to him. “You know Mox?”

Matt nods, her hand tingling. “He’s on the basketball team I cheer for. Plus, Nick’s on the team.”

“He’s awesome” Kris says. She tucks her hair behind her ear, revealing what may be another new planet tattoo behind her ear. Matt wants to be like Kris. She doesn’t think she’s brave enough yet. “I bet he likes you.”

“You can’t know that.”

Kris raises a purple eyebrow. “So he’s carrying your backpack and squeezing your hand, what, platonically?” She grins. “I think he likes you. And I think you like him.” She wiggles a little in her seat. “Claudio and I have shop together tomorrow morning – want me to see if he can ask Mox?”

“No!” Matt says, panicking. “Please, no. I, um.” She feels herself burning pink. “I think I have it handled. I’m – yeah, I’m good.” She fumbles her pen and it falls to the floor.

Kris laughs so hard she starts coughing, and Mme Rivera has to bring her a glass of water.

~

Mox walks Matt to the gym when the bell rings, even though Matt’s feeling like she’s finally gotten the hang of the crutches. She’s not willing to give this up.

“I’ll see you, um.” She bites her lip a little. “After practice?”

Mox nods. “Yeah. Hope so!” He squeezes Matt’s hand again, swinging it a tiny bit. “See you later.”

Matt realizes, as Mox walks away, that he wears tight jeans. And those tight jeans, conveniently, frame what is a very cute butt.

What’s less convenient, though, is what she’s stuck doing throughout practice. Despite taping her ankle that morning before school, Doc still won’t let her do anything. She’s on a bench, doing the arm movements to the best of her abilities as Megan Thee Stallion blares across the small practice room. It’s not their performance song, but it’s Coach Rayne’s favorite practice music since the BPM is similar enough to their routine mix.

It’s boring, though, to be stuck on the bench. All she wants is to be back out there. She can see the hole in the dance where she’s supposed to be, like a ghost of her role on the team.

“You look miserable,” Britt says, and Matt’s learned to interpret her chipperness not as a reflection of the words she’s saying. “What’s with the pouting?”

“I’m not pouting,” Matt replies.

“You are, but it’s cute,” Willow says. She sits down on the bench next to Matt. “You’ll be back at it in, like, a week. Just make sure to get that ankle brace and tape yourself up, and you’ll be all set.”

“Thanks, Wills,” Matt says. She leans her head against Willow’s shoulder. “See, Britt? That’s how you comfort a g – a person.” Matt tries her best not to let her expression slip. “Um. What’s next?”

“Coach wants us to do conditioning.”

Matt snorts. She can’t help it. “Have fun running on the track!”

“Oh, no,” Riho says, pausing from chugging her water. “You’re mistaken. We’re doing abs.”

Matt feels her heart drop. “Oh boy.”

“Yup.”

Matt, along with the entire team, is sweaty, miserable, and sore half an hour later. She didn’t even get to avoid planks – Coach Rayne made her do them on one leg.

“This is your fault,” Willow says, face down on the gym floor. “If you didn’t get hurt, we could have had a normal practice. Matt, we’re fighting.”

“What happened to you being all nice to me earlier?!” Matt exclaims. She sits up.

“That was before you forced us into half an hour of ab work,” Willow says. Her glare is weak, though. “Mutiny. I’m mutiny-ing you from your co-captainship.”

“You can’t do that,” Matt says, poking at her side. “That’s treason!”

“This is cheerleading,” Britt says, dumping the rest of the water on her head. “It wouldn’t be treason. We’d vote on it. Athena might agree. You’d be impeached.”

“I agree,” Athena calls from where she’s face down on the floor in the middle of the room.

“Somebody’s spent too much time studying that APUSH exam,” Matt singsongs.

They get themselves up and over to the bench. Matt’s able to put a little pressure on her ankle. It’s sore, but nothing sharp or extreme.

“Need me to get your crutches?” Willow asks. “I promise I’m not doing it to trip you on purpose so I can defeat you for captain.”

“I don’t love it when you bring up hypotheticals that don’t feel hypothetical,” Matt says. It’s slow, and it’s wobbly, but Matt’s able to make her way over to the door with her backpack and gear back without much trouble. She’s through the door, feeling like the distance to the nearest bleachers is almost impossible to manage, when she hears the squeak of basketball sneakers.

“What are you doing?” Mox says, making his way over to her. “Here, let me get that.”

Before Matt can protest, Mox is gently sliding her backpack off her shoulder and carrying it to the bleachers. She doesn’t even get a chance to respond before Mox is offering his arm. “Need help getting to the car?”

“I have the crutches,” Matt says. The butterflies in her stomach are going insane. “Um. But if you walk next to me, just in case, that would be great.”

Mox beams, nods. “Yeah, I can do that. I just have to -”

“Moxley!” shouts Coach Gunn. “Leave your boyfriend alone and get back over here.”

Matt’s not the only one who blushes at that. She’s also, she notes, not the only one who has a little smile in response.

“Yeah, yeah,” Mox calls back. He turns to Matt. “You good?”

Matt nods, settling herself onto the bench as she waits the last few minutes for Nick and Mox to finish up. “Yeah. I’m good.”

She watches a little absently, unable to focus on the anything now that she can see the shape of Mox’s butt through his shorts when he runs. Nick keeps glaring at her, but she doesn’t think he’s that mad about it.

“Alright, you dramatic little dork,” Nick says. “Get up. I’m driving you home and then not looking at your dumb face for, like. A full day.”

“You’ll see me tomorrow,” Matt replies, getting to her feet. “Like, no matter what you do, you’ll see me tomorrow.”

Nick groans. “Don’t remind me.”

“I mean,” Mox says, “I can drive you home, Matt. If you two need some time away from each other.”

Matt feels her eyes widen. “You’d do that?”

Nick looks between the two of them so fast his ponytail nearly falls out of its holder. “Matt,” he says, “are you sure?”

“Yeah,” Matt says. “I mean, Mox, if you’re okay with it.”

“Yeah, wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t.” He shrugs. “Here. Give me your bag. I’ll carry it.”

Nick looks hesitant. Matt knows why, of course. That fight with Adam, back in eighth grade.

It’s been almost four years, Matt wants to say. If you’re so worried, why don’t you tell Adam and actually ask him out, Matt wants to say.

But she’s busy with her own snippet of a fairy tale right now. She’ll worry about those two bozos later.

“I’ll see you at home, Nick,” Matt says, waving. “Let Mom know I’ll text her.”

Nick nods, walking backward. “Okay. Just, um. Text me? When you’re on your way.”

Matt rolls his eyes. “Sometimes, Nick? You act like you’re my older brother.”

Nick replies by flipping him off, which feels about right.

“So,” Mox says, looking not even mildly winded by carrying four bags at once, “what are you doing after this?”

“After practice?” Matt asks. “Like, now?”

“Yeah,” Mox says. He manages to hold the door open for Matt. “It’s Friday. Do you, uh.” He flicks a glance to Matt, something a little shy and a little scared. “Do you have a fancy date or something?”

Matt shakes her head. “No. Would you like to do something?”

Mox trips over his own feet. “Oh, come on,” he says, grinning. “I was gonna ask you out! You beat me to the punch!”

“Well, in that case, pretend I didn’t say anything.” Matt exhales as she leans against the crutches. Going uphill in these suckers was no joke. “So, now you can ask me.”

Mox nods, adjusting the bags. “Matt,” he says, a little shy still, “would you like to get ice cream with me?”

“I’d love to go get ice cream,” Matt says, “as long as you hold it for me, because I don’t have enough hands.”

“We can sit down,” Mox suggests. “Hayward’s has a little indoor seating area. That way we can,” he pauses, “um, hang out a little longer. If you want.”

Matt nods. “Definitely. Where exactly is your truck?” She tries not to let on how exhausted she is.

“My truck’s right over there,” Mox says. “I’ll – you sit down, on that bench, okay? And I’ll pull the truck around.”

“You don’t have to –”

“I don’t have to, but I’m gonna!” Mox says. They way he hustles to his truck is almost puppylike in its eagerness, and Matt wants to catch it and hold it in her hands. Mox chucks the bags in the bed of his truck then hops into the cab. He’s not exactly graceful as he tumbles into the driver’s seat and drives a little recklessly over to Matt, but it’s charming and sweet and Matt is overly excited.

She’s also horribly aware that she hasn’t showered and probably stinks. She tests a slightly conspicuous sniff. Not too bad. But she’s concerned.

Mox stops in front of her, grin just as big as it’s ever been. “Hey,” he says. He leans over and pushes the door open. “Need help getting in the car?”

Matt nods. “Kind of.”

“Right. Right.”

Mox hops out of the car with the same level of enthusiasm as before. He helps Matt navigate the curb, then grabs her crutches and puts them in the bed of the truck. “You good?”

“This truck is up really high,” Matt mutters. “Is that normal?”

Mox shakes his head. “Nah, this was a hand me down from a guy who works at my dad’s shop. Bought it for two hundred bucks. The weird modifications are why it was so cheap.”

Matt manages to haul herself up onto the seat, ankle a little cramped but zero pain, and she takes inventory of the truck. There’s a book at her feet, a graphic novel she recognizes from Nick’s library, along with some receipts and a Big Gulp cup. The interior isn’t dirty, or messy, but there are random pieces of paper scattered.

“Sorry about that,” Mox says, blushing furiously as he tries to tidy everything up. “I’m bad at cleaning up.”

“It’s not bad!” Matt says. “It’s just a couple things. Nothing like Adam’s truck.” He pauses. “Don’t tell him I said that.”

“Okay,” Mox says. “I won’t.” He smiles at her for long enough that Matt is pretty sure he forgot what he was doing. “Right. Um. So, Hayward’s?”

Matt nods.

They’re all but silent during the ride. Matt keeps trying to come up with something to say, something witty or cute or sexy, but nothing comes to mind. Mox is playing a CD, something Matt hasn’t seen in a while.

“What’s album?” Matt asks. It’s not screaming, technically. She knows that much. Matt listens to some screamo, if it’s girls singing, but she’s never heard this before.

“Oh, this is one of my dad’s old CDs he used to listen to after I was born,” Mox says. “Three Days Grace. Heard of them?”

Matt shakes her head. “Nope. Never.”

“Oh, no way. Papa Roach?”

“Cockroach?”

“No!” Mox laughs. “Oh, I’m gonna have so much music to show you, Matty, just you wait.”

Mox chatters through three songs, giving Matt every detail about every song. Matt’s unable to keep herself focused, distracted by the way Mox carefully watches the road as he talks, the way he moves his hands to add emphasis. His eyes. His mouth.

“What music do you like?” Mox finally asks, taking a breath.

Matt takes a second to think. She can’t say what he really thinks – the 90’s country pop his mom plays, bimbocore, pretty girls with angry voices – so she shrugs. “A lot of stuff.”

“Okay, too broad?” Mox’s eyes flicker over to Matt’s face. “Um. What’s the last song you listened to?”

“Oh, that’s easy,” Matt says, pulling out his phone. “Nick had control of the music this morning, so we listened to his playlist.” Matt pulls up the Spotify playlist. “Backstreet Boys.”

“My mom loves the Backstreet boys,” Mox says. “Obsessed with ‘em. She went to their concert in like 1999.”

“My mom played that Millennium album all the time. And so much country music, too.” Matt turns in his seat. “What’s your favorite one?”

“Obviously ‘Everybody’,” Mox says. “But mostly I think I liked it because I could say the word ‘sexual’ without my mom yelling at me.”

Matt feels herself beaming. “I like I Want it That Way.”

Mox turns into Hayward’s, parking gently in the shop parking lot.

“Hold on,” Mox says, “let me get your crutches.”

Mox half runs, half hops around the truck until he makes it to the door and opens it. As Matt gets herself out on one foot, Mox is sliding the crutches under her arm. She grins up at him.

She’s a little cold, her jacket just a little too thin to make up for the light gym pants, and Mox frowns.

“Do you need a jacket?”

Matt considers saying yes, but she’ll be fine once they get inside. “Keep yours. Maybe later.”

Mox ducks his head, rubbing his hand on the back of his neck. “Okay.”

He holds the door for her, making sure she gets in okay on her crutches.

~

Nick

He shouldn’t be anxious. He shouldn’t be worried. Matt’s in public getting ice cream with a boy. That’s it. She’s fine.

Why is he so anxious?

“Nicky, are you feeling alright?” his mom asks. “You look like you’re freaking out.”

“I’m fine,” Nick says, fiddling with some of the damp hair that slid out of his bun. “I’m definitely fine.”

His mom stares. “Are you upset Matt’s on a date and you’re not?”

“No!” Nick answers, far too quickly. “Um, I mean. No.”

She smiles, gently. “Oh, Nicky. Is this about Jude?”

It wasn’t, it really wasn’t, until the moment she said it. Now, kind of, it is. Jude went off to college a thousand miles away to a paleontology program that accepted him off the wait list in the middle of July, and didn’t even think about Nick in the decision. He was just gone. “A little,” Nick says.

She pats the space next to her on the couch and Nick slides down onto the couch next to her. She wraps her arms around him, letting him rest his head on her shoulder. “So, let me make my observations, and you can tell me I’m wrong and out of touch when I’m done, okay?”

“I’m not gonna do that, Mom,” Nick says.

“Well, you’re allowed to, since you’re a teenager and I’m an old fart who remembers nothing of what it was like to be a kid.”

Nick laughs. “I don’t know. I think it’s just easier for Matt, you know? Gets along better with people.”

“Well, that’s not true.” His mom changes the channel.

Nick turns to her, confused. “What?”

“Baby, you don’t remember?” Nick shakes his head. “Oh, kiddo. Matt used to wait for you before he went into a different room, before he’d go play. Anything, He’s only outgoing when he has you at his back.”

Nick thinks about it for a second. He is starting to remember flickers from his childhood, when Matt would wait for him far longer than she needed to. Hovering at the bottom of the slide at the playground, stretching out her hand before they’d jump into the pool, gluing herself to Nick’s side at pasta parties while she chattered away and following him like they were tied together.

“You know,” his mom says softly. “It’s not a bad thing or a problem. Matt just knows if you’re there, he can be himself. That’s why he’s able to get along with everyone. He has you to keep an eye on him.”

Nick’s quiet again. “That makes sense,” he says.

“I know I haven’t really met Jon very much,” his mom says, “but I do think he’s different than Jude, honey. For one, he’s the same age as Matty, right?”

Nick nods. “Yeah. They’re both seniors, at least.”

“Which means they’ll both be going off to school or work or something else after this year.” His mom pats his back, a familiar pattern that has soothed Nick since he was a baby. “I think you might be scared for more than just your brother, honey.”

Nick wants to say that, no, he’s scared for his sister. That he’s scared Mox might not care for Matt the way she deserves when she comes out, that he’ll leave, that he’ll hurt her.

But he can’t say any of that. Because it’s not his place.

“Maybe,” he says slowly. “I just don’t want him to break Matt’s heart, you know?” He allows himself a little laugh. “I don’t want a repeat of Cody.”

“Oh, god,” her mom groans. She starts laughing. “Don’t remind me of that chaos. I’m just glad that little shit moved across the city.”

“Me too,” Nick mutters. “Also, I can’t believe you just swore.”

“Well,” his mom says, “Cody earned it, didn’t he.”

[warwickroyals]

beginning - previous - next

[ALEX] I took off leave so I could see her and she’s not even here.

[TATIANA] I’m sorry, hun, but everything had already been arranged days ago. She was always meant to spend spring break with her mother.

[ALEX] Arranged by who? Nick is not Margaux’s father. I am. Me.

[TATIANA] Nicholas had nothing to do with this. You know he would have preferred for Margaux to stay with us longer. It just wasn’t possible; we both have full schedules this coming week.

[ALEX] So, it’s my fault? Is that what you’re saying?

[TATIANA] I am not blaming anyone for anything but, from what I understand, Kamryn has been trying to reach out to you for days now to no avail. If you don’t communicate, things are going to get done without you. Kamryn maintains sole custody, remember that.

[TATIANA] Don’t look at me like that, sweetheart. I mean none of this with malice. Now, come sit with

your mama. Some tea will make you feel better, and we have maple cream cookies, too.

[ALEX] I want you to be honest with me, Nick, did you tell Kamryn about my thing with Nadia?

[NICHOLAS] Your thing with Nadia? Whatever happened to hello or how are you?

[ALEX] Just answer the freaking question, Jesus. Did you tell her?

[NICHOLAS] I didn’t know about it, but the fact that you think I’d know or even care . . . that’s interesting.

[ALEX] You’re not exactly known for minding your own business. Telling her seems like something you’d do.

[NICHOLAS] Out of what? Spite? You two might think I’m some evil Machiavellian type, but reality proves otherwise.

[ALEX] Really? You took Margaux all the way up here. You go out of your way to inconvenience Kamryn.

[NICHOLAS] It was a mistake, an honest one. You two are ridiculous, by the way. Kamryn McClelland is not being inconvenienced by a slightly long car drive.

[ALEX] She’s not like us, you know that. She has an actual job. She doesn’t even fly private anymore, not with the way things are right now.

[NICHOLAS] How thoughtful, I’m sure the fact her father is two seconds away from being ousted as party leader has nothing to do with it. Alex, do want to know what would actually help? Kamryn telling me her issues with me, with us, directly.

[ALEX] You can’t blame her for not trusting you, you and Mom both made her feel unwelcome, ever since high school.

[NICHOLAS] I don’t care what she thinks about me: I don’t want to feel guilty about spending time with my niece. I swear this is the tenth time: I’ll schedule a meeting. I have the power to make things easier.

[ALEX] I don’t know. It depends. Will you tell Schuyler?

[NICHOLAS] When did Schuyler become an issue?

[ALEX] Nick. Be serious. The guy leaks more than a broken faucet. You don’t have to tell him everything, y’know.

[NICHOLAS] He’s the one in charge of my schedule—And you know what? That’s sad. The way you’re suddenly distrusting him. You’ve known him your whole life.

[ALEX] And? The most he’s done is draft a few statements. I’m supposed to lick his ass now?

[NICHOLAS] He’s my private secretary. He was Dad’s. Things wouldn’t get done without him.

[ALEX] Don’t act stupid, this isn’t the first time I’ve been hurt by this family. This isn’t the first time my family has briefed against me. My distrust has been earned ten times over already, it’s whatever. What kills me is that they’re punishing Kamryn and Margaux through me, it’s fucked up.

[NICHOLAS] Grandpa was only trying to help you find purpose. He gave you a choice: military or university.

[ALEX] That doesn’t explain why he’s kept me shackled at Scarborough for so long, or why he’s banned Margaux outright from public appearances—

[NICHOLAS] She’s a private citizen, Alex, it’s for her protection

[ALEX] —I’m missing things; I’ll never be able to make up for that later.

[NICHOLAS] It’s easy to blame others, but I know you struggle with taking initiative. You worry about protecting Kamryn, but she rejected that protection. She broke up with you because you’re a Warwick. She broke up with you because you’re a Warwick. That is the original sin in her eyes. That’s why she refuses to talk to me, Mom, or anyone else.

[ALEX] She refuses to talk with you because she doesn’t need you. And I don’t need you to be a good father. I doubt you’ve ever actually been in love before, it’s always been just you, the only thing you care about. I’m sick of having the same five arguments with you.

[NICHOLAS] Fine, I’ll leave you alone. You’ll be happy to know I’m taking off tonight. I promised Mom I’d start therapy on Monday so . . . I don’t know, sometimes it’s hard being a chronically unlovable freak. Maybe if I’m honest enough, I’ll get an Adderall prescription just like you.

[NICHOLAS] Oh, one last thing, when Robin finds out about your thing with Nadia, it won’t be pretty for you.

[archiveikemen]

『 Dark If 』 Story Event: Premium END

Jude Jazza

This is a fan-made translation solely for entertainment purposes with no guaranteed perfection. I do not own any of the original content. Please support CYBIRD by buying their stories and playing their games. Reblogs appreciated.

❥･• Warnings and FAQ

Pretending to obediently stay in the palace, I explained the details of the curse to my father.

However, —

King: Are you saying that you have an illness and will die soon? There is no way I will believe such a ridiculous thing!

King: Poor girl… you must have been brainwashed by that wicked fairy.

Kate: No…! Please believe what I’m telling you…!

King: You are forbidden from leaving your room, until this mess is resolved. Do you understand me?

My father refused to believe my words, and locked my room door with multiple locks.

(This won't do… I need to escape this room and find a spinning wheel.)

Tying a few dresses from my closet together, I secured them to a pillar and opened my window.

…

Meanwhile—.

Inside a cell in the palace’s dungeons, the prisoner leisurely takes a few puffs on a cigarette, making the prison guard panic.

Warden: W-Where did you get a cigarette from… who lent you a fire to light that up!?

Guard: I- I didn't know he had a cigarette!

Jude: You’re making too much noise over a little cigarette.

Jude: Instead of fretting about something this stupid, you’d best get a spinning wheel ready if you truly cherish your princess.

Guard: What are you talking about?

Jude: Your dear princess has an incurable illness that your incompetent royal doctors won’t be able to cure even in a thousand years.

Jude: Once her curse takes effect, time will stop for her body. During the time when she’s asleep, I’ll treat her illness.

Jude: I wanted to say the same thing 10 years ago, but those useless bastards refused to listen to me.

Warden: He’s merely spouting nonsense to save himself! Ignore him!

Jude: *sigh*...

Jude let out a deep sigh with some purple smoke and pressed his cigarette butt onto the cold prison floor.

Jude: All of you are asking to be beaten to a pulp.

…

Kate: This should be where the textile mill is located…

(It’s impossible for me to break into it with all these barbed wires.)

(I’ll be caught by the security if I enter through the main entrance… I don’t have time for that.)

Kate: At this rate, I’ll have to break my way through the barbed wires and end up covered in blood—

???: I didn’t think “Thorn Princess” referred to a princess torn to pieces by thorns.

Kate: …!?

I was startled by the sudden sound of someone’s voice, and turned around to see a man with mint-coloured eyes who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.

Kate: W-Who are you…? If you’re one of my father’s acquaintances, I’ll have you know that I won’t be returning to the palace. Please, leave.

Fox: I’m merely a lying fox.

Fox: And I happen to know where to find what you're looking for. Now, am I lying or telling the truth?

Kate: …! How did you know what I'm looking for?

Fox: Who knows? Let me get this straight, you’re looking for a spinning wheel to prick yourself on its spindle so you can fall into a deep sleep.

Fox: When that happens… you won’t be able to return to your original world for the next 100 years.

Fox: If “that guy” fails to find a cure to your illness, you might even die in your sleep.

(This man… he seems to know everything about my situation.)

He could be a similar existence to Victor, the man I met before being transported into this fairytale world.

I looked directly into his mint-coloured eyes.

Kate: — Even so, that doesn't matter to me.

Kate: Because he’s only trying to keep our promise.

Fox: Hmm… then I shall take you to that thing you're looking for.

…

The fox guided me to a clock tower overlooking the whole country.

Kate: Jude…!?

Jude: Tch… why aren’t you in your room?

Kate: How did you escape from prison… or rather, how did you break into my room!?

Jude: Your palace is guarded by a bunch of monkeys with worms for brains. No wonder the princess who grew up there has absolutely zero crisis management skills.

Kate: What…? But, Mr Fox, I was looking for the spindle of a spinning wheel, not Jude—

Kate: … Huh? The fox isn’t here…

I looked back and realised that the man with mint-coloured eyes had vanished.

Jude: Talking about foxes and whatever, have you lost your mind?

Kate: N-No…!

Kate: After we were separated— I made a promise with you from the past.

Jude: Ah…? What are you talking about—

Jude: — Are you saying that the present day “you” made a promise with “me” from the past?

Kate: It appears so… I don’t understand how I was transported into the past either.

Jude: If there’s magic that can stop time, perhaps there’s one for something like this too. I don't know for sure, though.

Jude muttered in a dismissive tone and frowned.

Jude: … I get it. I thought you’ve already forgotten about the promise.

(I thought I did, but…)

– Flashback Start –

Kate: You’re the fairy who cursed me, aren’t you?

Kate: I apologise for the sudden visit, but I’m here to speak with you in regards to lifting the curse.

Jude: … Ah?

– Flashback End –

(Could it be…)

Kate: By any chance, were you mean towards me at our first meeting because of that assumption?

Jude: I don’t remember things that happened a long time ago.

Jude: So now you know why you’re cursed?

Kate: Yes… and that’s why I’m looking for the spindle of a spinning wheel.

Jude: Then I have one here.

Kate: Wha… what!?

Jude pulled out a sharp needle from his pocket.

Kate: Why do you have that with you…?

Jude: Of course it’s to prick you with it.

Kate: I-Isn’t that too sharp to be a spinning wheel’s spindle…?

Jude: A blunt one would be useless.

Kate: I asked the same question to you from the past, but…

Jude: Tch… you have too many questions, young lady.

Kate: Why do I have to prick my finger on a spindle…?

Jude: Maybe it’s just the way you look, who knows. Besides— you seem to enjoy pain.

(... Ah, just as I expected.)

(That boy was indeed Jude.)

My chest felt warm.

It was as illogical as falling for the person who kidnapped you—

I was attracted to this man.

Both the “me” who came from London, and the “me” who lived in this world were.

Kate: … Please tell me one last thing.

Jude: It won't be the last. I said I won’t let you die.

Kate: Why are you doing so much to help me…?

Jude: …

Jude: Because I hate owing someone. It’s just in my nature.

(... I see.)

Kate: … Fufu, that’s so like you.

Jude: Ah, also…

Kate: …?

Jude: That day I met you in that back alley… you were the type of person to jump into trouble without thinking it through, then yell at some kid you just met.

Jude: Even though you spent your life confined in the palace and your life was hanging by a thread, you were a tough princess who knew to bite back.

Kate: … Are you mocking me…?

Jude: I’m praising you.

Jude: But — now I think about it, 100 years of my life isn’t going to come cheap.

Kate: Huh…?

Jude: Although both acts count as “saving a life”, you coincidentally being in that alley and saving me isn’t the same value as me spending 100 years to find you a cure for your illness.

(Did I unknowingly dig my own grave…?)

Jude: Let’s say what you did for me is worth only 50 years of my efforts—

Jude: After I successfully cure this illness of yours and you awaken from your sleep, I can use the remaining 50 years to conveniently have you do hard labour for me.

(—!)

Kate: Does that mean we’ll still be together after I wake up…?

Jude: Tch, you made that sound creepy.

Jude: Make sure you properly return the favour, got it?

Kate: Understood… I promise to compensate you in full for the 50 years!

I never expected myself to feel that happy before falling asleep due to my curse.

Kate: … Please go ahead and prick me.

I heard the soft rattling of the chains on his clothes—

The spindle slowly sank into my skin.

Kate: … nn… ugh…

Heat rose from the site where he pricked me, and gradually spread throughout my body.

The sensation was like being poisoned, and I felt a little afraid…

(Remember… this pain and curse are from Jude—)

Jude: … Feeling good?

Kate: …!?

I opened my eyes to see Jude laughing at me.

Jude: As expected, you do like pain. … You’re a nasty woman.

(Ah…)

I felt my consciousness slipping away.

It was as though I was slowly falling asleep, feeling slightly fatigued.

Kate: J-Jude…

Jude: — Good night, Princess.

After I heard his gentle voice, my consciousness faded into darkness.

And then — the time between losing consciousness and feeling a bright light shining on my face felt both instant and like forever at the same time.

…

I slowly opened my eyes.

I was in neither the clock tower nor the palace. Instead, I found myself in a quiet castle shrouded in thorns.

Ellis: … Ah, Jude, Kate is…

I looked in the direction of the approaching footsteps, and a man wearing a sadistic smile was looking down at me.

Jude: Awake at last, sleeping beauty?

Kate: … Am I dead?

Jude: What?

Kate: Because… 100 years should've gone by, but you and Ellis haven't aged into old men.

Jude: …

Jude: Stupid.

Ellis: Fairies have the ability to manipulate time, so they can also control the physical age of themselves and even other people.

Ellis: As long as they don’t get fatally injured, they won’t die from old age.

Jude: Did you learn nothing about fairies despite locking yourself in the library for days to study, idiot?

Kate: … What about my illness…?

Jude: I had 100 years, of course I cured it.

His triumph and haughty smile made my heart ache.

“I won’t ever break this promise, even in death.”

Since 100 years ago, I knew that he meant what he said.

Kate: Thank you, Jude.

Just like he did 100 years ago, Jude hooked a finger under my collar and pulled me closer.

Jude: I’ve done my part, now… time for your part of the debt to be paid.

Kate: Okay…!

The budding feelings of love I felt in my heart 100 years ago came back to me.

Aware of my growing feelings, I nodded enthusiastically.

I still didn't know what was missing from this twisted fairytale world, but…

(... If possible, I want it to remain undiscovered forever.)

Because, in this world, I had fallen in love with him.

— There was no returning to my original world.

[lazyliars]

/rp

Before I get into it, I want to state that is EXPLICITLY an analysis of the Characters, and is not intended to touch on how the cc’s played them in a meta sense unless specifically stated otherwise.

Also, this is technically a part two to my other post, which took a more in depth look at Techno and Phil’s reactions to Tommy’s death. It’s not necessary when reading this post, but I don’t address their reactions here.

So. The question must be asked.

Are we [the Syndicate] the baddies?

Yes.

The End.

 Why are the Syndicate the baddies?

They got damn logo is a wither skull.

The End.

That's not how this works.

Yeah, yeah. You’re right.

The Syndicate's goals as an organization are not inherently bad. They seem to have good intentions behind them, and the focus on the freedom of it's individual group members is important to remember when talking about it; It is not a government. There is no hierarchical power system. No one is forced to do anything against their will, or surrender any of their rights or power to remain a member. It is not a government.

I also want to address Techno and Phil backing Ranboo into a corner – I see them getting a lot of flack for this, but I personally do not think it is relevant to the greater discussion, or necessarily representative of any contradictions within the organization. It was clearly played for laughs, and after they back off they clarify to Ranboo that they won't force him. Then later when Phil and Ranboo are alone, Ranboo feels safe enough to express that he felt like he was pressured into it, and Phil assures him he is allowed to leave whenever he wants; He is not being forced to do anything, and he is not being coerced or blackmailed.

None of the Syndicate members have done any wrongs against each other in the context of the Syndicate, OR gone against any of the Syndicate's core principles.

That, said, holy shit are they the baddies.

Listen, there's trying to telegraph a meaning or message to the audience and then there's having your logo be wither skulls on blackstone. That is straight out of the skit I keep referencing, seriously.

Okay, but, they laughed at it! It was played as a joke, just like the Ranboo thing!

The Ranboo thing was improv, the Syndicate's headquarters were planned – the artistic choices that they made reflect on what role they want the build and the organization inhabiting it to play in the future storylines.

Wither Skulls kind of have some CONNOTATIONS. Techno is an English major, I don't think he chose the most threatening imagery possible on accident, and then joked about the way people would interpret it just to stir the pot. This reads as hugely intentional.

And beyond that, the jokes they make during this part aren't “haha yeah, we look bad but we're actually good!” they're “you can tell by looking at these that we're the good guys wink wink, this is good guy stuff right here :)” It is a joke about how they are definitely not the good guys. This isn't even a case of unreliable narrators, this is one step down from flat out saying the meta intent.

But okay, I hear you, I'm talking about things that haven't happened yet. The Syndicate hasn't used any Withers, they could be an aesthetic choice.  Lets look at what they do in practice.

So, they barge into private property, assess Snowchester's right to continue existing based entirely on their own ideals of what Freedom is, and then only once Tubbo assures them that they have no standing leader do they grant the place their approval to, and I gotta stress this part, continue existing.

 In my Quackity meta, I already talked about how Government in the context of a M1necraft RP cannot be compared to IRL Governments on a one-to-one scale. They don't serve the same purposes or have the same type of power. What I didn't talk about was Agency in the context of m1necraft governments.

In an irl government, if you are born into one, you can't really leave without committing a massive overhaul on your life, which can be expensive and difficult, if not impossible for many people. Even in a “benevolent” government, the simple physicality of where you were born can prevent you from leaving it easily.

The same hurdles do not exist in the Dream SMP. People who join M1necraft governments choose to. They want to, either at the beginning when they form one, or later on when they join up. So far, no Government has just Sprung Up and forced the current residents of an area to become dependent on them, except maybe the Eggpire, who's status as a government is... shakey.

And even when people want to leave or separate from the government, they have been historically able to do so without any trouble or any effort from said governments to stop them. Jack Manifold emancipated from Manberg. Fundy and Quackity both left to start new nations. In all cases they were allowed to do so without any attempts on the part of the governments to stop them, either through force, or institutions preventing them from doing so.

The most anyone has lost when leaving a government is their house, which is still usually their property anyway, and is something that is easily rebuilt elsewhere and is inconvenient to move anyway.

The only exceptions to this might be Schlatt exiling Wilbur and Tommy - but even then, they weren’t trying to leave, they were trying to get back in, and of course the original L’manberg revolution, where Dream attempted to force L’manberg back into the Dream SMP, which wasn’t even a government at that point in time.

I don’t consider Phil’s house arrest an example of a government forcing someone to stay a citizen - that was treated less as a matter of a citizen wanting to leave the country and more as a threat to national security. Still pretty fucked up, but it’s a different issue.

What I'm saying is, If Tubbo wants to create a government out in the middle of nowhere, threatening no one, forcing no one to join either through force or desperation, and allowing people to join willingly because they want to, then he should be allowed to do that.

The Irony of the Syndicate, a group of people consisting of some of the richest, strongest people on the server, going around and enforcing 'Freedom' that entails no one person having more power than any other, is absurd. 

It shows an extreme lack of self-awareness and/or self-righteousness, as they seem to think that they deserve to be the ones who decide what constitutes a government.

Snowchester is a small independent nation - they shouldn’t have to live in fear of being obliterated if they don’t walk on eggshells to meet an arbitrary standard decided by people who’s only authority on the matter COMES FROM THEIR PERSONAL POWER. No one elected them! No one chose them! They were not “approved” by the server at large to enact this kind of law.

The Syndicate are not a government, but they are an unsupervised power structure exerting their ideals on a land that did not ask for them. Like, These people have invented an actual Authoritarian-Anarchist faction. How the hell did they manage this?????

Back on topic.

Tubbo shows them the crater left by his nukes. The reaction is oddly positive – the nukes are fine by the morals of the Syndicate, apparently. I'd argue that they come across as more impressed than anything else; they seem to respect Tubbo for having gotten ahold of “real” power.

(There's a few good memes out there about “We can excuse nuclear weaponry, but we draw the line at Government!”)

So. By the Syndicate's standards: A single person or group of acceptably equal persons with weapons of mass-destruction are only worth “keeping an eye on” because they might provoke other people.

Like, I consider Project Dreamcatcher to be one of, if not the most morally ambiguous thing Tubbo has ever done, largely because it was all on his own initiative. He holds some culpability for The Butcher Army and Phil's house arrest, but they weren't his ideas and he was mostly following Quackity at that point.

And Phil tells Tubbo, IMMEDIATELY AFTER SEEING THE NUCLEAR CRATER:

“Looks like you've reformed a little bit Tubbo, I'm proud.”

And it's fine. Crimes against nature? Fine. A sign of healing in fact!! Tubbo is having a sweeeelll time and he definitely didn't make these nukes specifically in fear of being attacked by these exact people! Tubbo is doing great. Tubbo is doing fine. Tubbo. is. FINE.

Anyway.

I don't think this presentation of the Syndicate was an accident. Looking at the greater lore of SMP right now, after the Egg is done, their list of enemies is slim, and considering that they seem solely invested in taking down governments, that leaves maybe Snowchester, Kinoko Kingdom, and Eret and the greater Dream SMP.

Snowchester has not been shown to be corrupt, evil, or have any intent to go down that route. The most ambiguous thing they've done is, again, is the nukes. Other than that, it's pretty much your average cottagecore snow village.

Kinoko is presented in an even more morally 'good' light, Karl having founded it specifically for his Time-travel library purposes, which are currently being treated by the narrative as a selfless act, if not downright heroic.

Eret is also a fairly 'good' aligned character atm. He's been on that redemption grind since the og betrayal, and doesn't seem keen on backtracking. He's actively tried to leverage his position as king to make things better, and hasn't been quiet about that. He was also 'validated' by Tommy*, a character who has been described both by his allies and enemies as “the hero,” so take that as you will.

What I'm getting at is, all of the current potential enemies for the Syndicate aside from the Egg, are currently being cast as 'good,' and if they were to be attacked, they would undoubtedly have the moral high-ground, unless something drastically changed.

The only potential shakeups I can think of is are a Dream escape and/or a Wilbur revival, both of which could draw the Syndicate's attention and ire, depending on how things go. That said, it's just as likely that either or both of them would join the Syndicate – Dream still has that favor, and Phil and Techno both seemed to think Wilbur would've agreed with their blowing up L'manberg.

Both of those characters are currently **villains – the fact that they're both prime candidates for the Syndicate is a huge indication of the direction it's going to go as the plot moves forward.

((*I know some people are gonna come at me for painting Tommy as the “deciding factor” of what is morally good, so lemme just stop you there. I'm not talking about Tommy somehow having the 'right' to decide who is and isn't good, and definitely not the right to decide who should and shouldn't be king. I'm saying that Tommy, a character who the narrative treats as, if not a good person, then a person who is trying to be good, was in support of Eret, a character who has also been trying to be good.

Eret doesn't gain the moral highground because Tommy said so, he gets it because a character who the narrative treats as trying to do better, acknowledged Eret's earnest attempts at doing the same.

**I'm referring to Wilbur here as a villain because Tommy seemed convinced he would be if he were to be brought back. There is always the possibility that he's wrong.))

So, to summarize this: I read the Syndicate as being intentionally positioned as future antagonists, if not outright villains of a future arc. They are NOT a Government but their goals are contradictory with their means, and it is important to keep in mind that they plan to enforce their own brand of freedom on people who did not grant them either the authority or permission to do so.

So, uh. Can you tell I loved these streams? They were seriously so good. I kept switching between Ranboo and Techno's POV's trying to keep up with everything. I still have to watch Niki's!

All in all, I'm super, super excited for whats coming next, egg stuff, Syndicate stuff, Tommy stuff, all of it.

[tender-rosiey]

ooooh! requests are open, yay!

could i request headcanons of dazai taking care of you when you're sick? i have a fever right now and i feel like this would be the best request for me to submit, bahahaha

❥ Dazai taking care of sick s/o

ᴀ/ɴ: *cracks knuckles* well isn’t this convenient, I was sick just last week so now I shall indulge myself in this piece; hope you like it 💘

Life sucked

Sole proof of that is your bedridden self surrounded by tissues and trash cans as well as empty medicine bottles

You weakly sat up, hand reaching out for the packet beside you only to find out that it was empty

You collapsed back into the bed thinking about how much life hated you right now instantly regretting it by the following headache that came because of said action

But then another headache followed it and it was quite the big one

“Belladonna~!”

It was named Dazai

The very man that let you play like an idiot in the rain and just danced with you outside without the slightest warning that you might be sick the past night

Okay that might be a lie he did warn you once

“Y/N, my love, if you go out right now you will get sick so how about— okay nevermind I can’t say no to you; LETS GO!”

But his resolve might have been a little too weak

You are still wondering how he didn’t get sick as well, guess life has favorites

Perhaps he didn’t hold you back on purpose so he can take care of you (or because he has a weak will when it comes to you), but you were just a little worried since he would be the one responsible for cooking and you really didn’t have a death wish today

“My my, you look miserable but still good enough for me.”

“Wow thanks, babe.”

“Anyways, I got the medicine so you can feel better as well as free cuddles from me, your one and only!”

And just like he said, when he went out it was for the medicine and for some reason he got every medicine for a fever he could find and the excuse was “you never know what might be lying deep inside a simple fever”

And he is not wrong so we will give him that

Now, he made you some chicken soup and for once followed the damn recipe so you were able to avoid being poisoned today horray ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ

He insisted on feeding you too

“Belladonna say ahh~”

If the fever is making you lose your appetite then he will gently try to convince you to eat even the slightest bit so you can take your medicine

“Osamu, I can’t; I don’t wanna eat~”

“I know, love; just please this one spoon, you need to eat proper food so your body can gain nutrients.”

He gently held you close to his side after making you sit up slowly again, comfortingly rubbing your arm as he gave you the medicine

After every dose he would give you a soft kiss on the forehead or shoulder, that’s a m u s t; he is proud of you for being able to endure this so naturally you need a reward

And in the time you were sleeping to rest your body in order to achieve your full recovery, he took the liberty upon himself and cleaned the tissue filled room so the bacteria doesn’t spread furthermore

“When they said life would gift you, I did not expect snot to be one of those gifts. The things I do for my belladonna *insert a very very dramatic sigh*”

Now dazai isn’t dumb, he just acts like it

But I mentioned that cause that idiot (affectionate) will keep smothering you in cuddles and kisses so it can ‘help’ you get better quicker

Despite knowing full well his dumbass (derogatory) might get sick instead and you guys will miss yet another day of work and kunikida will scold you both for your childish antics and not being able to take of yourselves for the single moment he is away

He is probably intentionally trying to get sick at this point

“It quite saddens me seeing you sick like this, my love; so, please take care of yourself more in the future and I will be here to watch over you.”

“Osamu, you allowed me to go in the rain at 2am.”

“We do not speak of that.”

He will stay by your side all day and won’t leave you even if you need to go to the toilet, who knows what might happen in that one second he isn’t there

Hell you could just pass out when you are in there

And he won’t sleep until you are alright and in full health

Like while you are resting he will check every 2 hours if your temperature has decreased and his heart will ache whenever he hears whimpers of pain from you and your heavy breathing as you try to soothe the pain you are feeling

As I said earlier, your cute self isn’t leaving his embrace and shall be cuddled until you are all well and healthy

But your healthy self then will have to take care of the all mighty dazai osamu who is now sick in bed

“Sorry, belladonna; I just can’t help but show you how much I love you even when you are sick ;p”

copyright © 2020 tender-rosiey

do not copy or plagiarize or you will be reported

[tryingmyves]

Girl All the Bad Guys Want

okay i won’t lie, i remembered this song exists and i could not get the idea of a badboy!iida out of my head

this is a bit self indulgent because i was definitely that girl in hs lmaoooo

anyhow hopefully y’all like it too

PAIRING: Iida x Y/N

cw: badboy!iida

✨ tagging the iida army: @coleluuviida + @saturnity + @peachiileaf ✨

You have a reputation at UA, mostly with the male students. It isn’t something you put effort into maintaining or even something you cultivated on purpose, but you’ve gained some notoriety amongst your peers. At first glance, you don’t seem too different from your female classmates. You certainly don’t feel superior or disparate from them, but you’ve also never quite felt like you belonged with them. You don’t excel at being soft and demure, and you refuse to shrink yourself down in order to make others more comfortable in your presence. You spit in the face of all the things typically expected of a lady. And frankly, you’re more than a bit awkward when you hangout with the girls from your class. They always invite you to their sleepovers and shopping trips, and try to engage you in their conversations, but you’re always worried about saying the wrong thing or accidentally offending them. You’re never really able to add anything of value when they talk about the boys in your class - a recurring subject. Mina knows everything about everyone in class; she loves to gossip. It’s like her horns serve as antennae and pick up on all the juiciest secrets. She is always interrogating the other girls about their crushes but you just never really felt that way about anyone. Honestly, you find the conversations about who likes who to be a bit boring. You typically end up hanging out with Bakugo, Kirishima, and the rest of that squad. Boys are just easier to be around. They don’t get offended at your crass comments and your sometimes gruff disposition looks outright friendly next to Bakugo. 

Your undeniably attractive appearance, unquestionable skill with your quirk, and nonchalant attitude have landed you in the sights of several of your fellow UA students. You are the embodiment of do no harm, but take no shit and something about you is intoxicating. Mina frequently jokes with you about how the entirety of the Bakusquad is duking it out to see who gets to ask you out first. You roll your eyes at her, convinced she’s imagining things. But in reality you’re just clueless. As cliché as it is, you really are the girl all the bad guys want. Too bad you didn’t want them back. 

What you didn’t expect with your tough exterior, competitive nature, and tendency to slack off on class work is that class rep, Tenya Iida, would want you too. God, not even he expected it but he had fallen hard. You frustrate him. You’re just as smart as Yaomomo or Todoroki, but you skate by in class. You don’t outwardly disrespect authority, but you won’t blindly accept orders just because someone says so. He thinks the rap metal music you listen to while training is abrasive and doesn’t understand why all your favorite artists sound like they’re mad at their fathers. He finally gave up on lecturing you on the fact that the fishnets you wear with your uniform are not regulation and he was still wrestling with how he felt about learning you were one of the students caught at a dorm party with alcohol a few weeks ago.  More than anything he hates that you’ve so effortlessly got him pining for you and you haven’t even noticed. Iida loves the rules! Order, structure, regulation - these are the things that Iida covets, so why was he craving the taste of your lips on his?

He is tired of silently lusting after you, and decides he’s going to try actively pursuing you instead. Tenya thinks that you like “bad boys” so as foreign as the concept is to him, he concludes he’s going to have to take on that persona. He starts off simply, making a playlist of songs he’s heard you blaring from your dorm. He eases himself into your music, starting with Linkin Park and Korn, before adding Incubus, Machine Head, and even some ICP to the mix. He’s hesitant at first… the music just sounds so hostile and aggressive to him. But soon he finds himself relishing the fierce energy the songs give him. Tenya gets why you train to this sort of music, his workouts becoming more intense than ever. They end in his chest heaving and his hair plastered to his forehead with sweat. His muscular calves throb vigorously after every run and he feels powerful. It gives him a new found confidence that he strategically channels into his interactions with you. For class today, Aizawa simply instructs you all to pair off and spar. You’re about to ask Sero to partner with you when he approaches. 

“Y/N. You’re with me.” Tenya doesn’t ask, he’s telling you you’re his partner. 

A small sound of surprise leaves your throat at his unexpected forcefulness, but you don’t question it. You just nod, giving a small shrug to Sero before following the class rep to a vacant spot of the training gym. 

You look over your challenger, rolling your head on your shoulders a few times to loosen up. “Don’t expect me to go easy on you. You asked for this,” you smirk, bringing your fists up in a defensive stance. 

Before you can even blink, Tenya has closed the 10 foot gap between you, sweeping a long leg beneath yours in a circular motion, knocking you off your feet. You land with a thud on your back and the air in your lungs is forced out with a nmph. 

“Just try to keep up, Y/N.”

Oh, it’s on. Previously you found Iida’s flustered demeanor around you endearing. But this new, assertive, almost cocky disposition is irresistible. His momentum propels him in a circle while he stays anchored in place on his massive left thigh. As he finishes turning through the motion he reaches forward hoping to pin your arms to the ground, but you’re just getting started. You plant the palms of your hands on either side of your face and kick up from the ground with a boost from your quirk. The added flow of air thrusts your legs up and over your head so you are now standing once more. You are sure that the soles of your shoes connect with Iida’s face during your arch through the air. 

“It’s not going to be that easy, specs,” you taunt. Now it’s your turn. 

You launch yourself at Tenya, closing the small gap between the pair of you in an instant. He extends a locked arm to block your approach but you simply dip your head, gliding underneath and down the length of his limb until you are just one step behind him. You pivot on your right foot as you swing your left arm across your body. Your open palm lands just between Tenya’s shoulder blades, your natural momentum accompanied by a gale force wind. The impact knocks him off his feet and sends him toppling forward. Tenya’s speed is unmatched and his large frame is covered in tone muscle, but with the addition of the very air around you, your strikes are ferocious. Your air quirk aids in your mobility, but you’ve used it to master hand to hand combat. You dominate in tight quarters, so you just need to keep Tenya close. He’s already returned to his feet, calculating his next move. The moment ‘s hesitation creating an opening for your right shin to collide with his side. Tenya growls through gritted teeth in response to the blow and the feral vibrations send shivers down your spine. Instead of recoiling from your attack Tenya’s hands clamp onto your shoulders like vices. His brows are furrowed in smug determination, and he practically sneers “Recipro Burst!”

You are propelled backwards rapidly, the gym surrounding you flashing by in a blur, the only thing you're able to see clearly is the dark glint in Tenya’s eyes and the zealous grin on his lips. You try to activate your quirk to counter his momentum, but it’s futile, he is pushing you backwards so quickly you can’t manipulate any of the air whizzing past you. Your back is suddenly pinned to the back wall of the gym, Tenya’s large hands holding your slender wrists to the concrete wall. He places a muscular thigh between your legs so his left knee is pressed to the wall as well - he has you completely immobilized. Both of your chests are heaving, your faces no more than three inches from one another. You don’t know what possesses you but you smash your lips to his, desperate to close the miniscule gap between you.

Tenya’s body stiffens in shock for a moment before he opens his mouth, snaking his tongue past your lips. You wrench your hands from his grip, placing one on the back of his neck and tangling the other in the mess of his navy hair. You didn’t expect the class rep to be such an amazing kisser, but when he catches your bottom lip between his teeth you can’t contain the soft moan that escapes you. Tenya swallows your noises and begins to pull away. Your lips hungrily follow after him, but you’re stopped when one of his calloused hands rests on your neck with just enough force to hold you in place. 

“Such public displays of desire are unbecoming of future heroes, Y/N. Come to my room this evening and we can finish this privately.” And with that, Tenya separates himself from you completely, already settling into a stance that signals he is ready to continue sparring.    

[thewritetofreespeech]

hello!! i've made a request before but this idea came in my brain and i heard your requests were open. So ive seen a lot of fics of the brothers saving mc, but what about mc kinda of saving the brothers, i mean like badass sword fighting style. Just like a stereotypical disney prince saves a princess mc kinda saves the brothers from getting killed by a lesser demon with a sword and just being badass (and sword) and the bros find it hot (weak humans? never heard of them)

*spongebob narrator voice* 400 years lat’er..... So sorry this took so long! I genuinely don’t know why I couldn’t get it done. When I actually tried, I got it done in like 2 days. My only excuse is that I’m a horrible trash munny >.<

Obey me Boys + Power Princess MC

Lucifer

It offends him that this creature, this being not fit to lick the soles of his boots, would raise their hand to him. The attack was not even what upset him, but just the gall. The utter stupidity of this decision to throw one’s life away. The fact that they had attacked with you around only made him wish to end that pathetic life that much sooner.

“Step back [Y/N]. I’ll deal with this quic—” Lucifer cut himself off when you rushed forward. A bright shining sword in your hand as you lunged. Slashing through the demon, who wailed and instantly turned to dust & ash. “What on Earth was that?”

“Oh. It’s my sword.” You reply nonchalantly. Turning around to show it to him. “It’s a holy arc sword, or something. I can summon it from my bracelet whenever I need it. Cool to know it actually works in a pinch.”

“And where did you get such a magical artifact?” Lucifer asked. Perplexed beyond reason, but trying not to show it.

“Lord Diavolo gave it to me when I first got here.” The demon arched a brow. Lord Diavolo? “It would be really irresponsible of him to just let a human wander around hell without some kind of weapon.”

He paused for a moment. Trying to piece all of what you had just said together. Then he just chuckled. “Yes, I suppose it would be.” And here he thought that he had been the only one protecting you. When all along you could do it yourself.

His hand reached out to pat your head fondly. His breast swelling with pride. “I’ll have to thank him for giving you such a thoughtful, practical gift. We’ll also have to add sword play to your lesson plans. I’d be more than happy to be your tutor.

Mammon

‘Shit!’ Mammon mentally cursed as he was hit again.

This wasn’t the first time he’d been rough up outside a club. Given his lifestyle, and his gambling track record, he’d been pummeled by a few bouncers in his life. With his immense power, he could easily take them; if he tried. But then he would be banned from the club, and ever other, and that was something he couldn’t handle over the humiliation of being beat up by these clowns. He needed this. It was all he had.

So, he took his beatings from lesser demons when they came around. He’d only wished they’d picked a different night to get their ‘payment’ back since you were supposed to be here soon.

“Come on guys. Don’t ya think you’ve had enough?”

“We’ll tell you when we’ve had enough!” One demon sneered at him, before kicking a man while he was down. Classy. “You owe us. And we’re gonna get back every cent you owe out of your hide!”

The demon reared his foot back to kick him again, and Mammon mentally sighed. Preparing himself for the kick and really being over this since it began. But….no kick came.

The demon let out a loud grunt over the sound of a metal ‘wack’ before the two, even lesser goons beside him suffer the same fate and they all slump to the ground. “Mammon! Are you ok?!”

The silver haired demon looked up at you in shock. The light from the street lamp causing a halo to form around you, highlighting your worried face as you brandished a rusty pipe like some great sword. “Yeah…I’m fine….”

“You don’t look fine! You’re all beat up!” He just sat there as you dropped the pipe and dropped down to him. Fretting over him as you looked him over. He couldn’t hear what you were saying over the beating sound of his heart in his ears.

No one had ever tried to help him before.

Mammon lifted his arms and wrapped them around you. “Mammon? What—“Let’s get out of here.” He interrupted as he hugged you. Standing up, and helping you to your feet, after a moment to walk out of the alley. “I don’t want to be here anymore. I wanna go somewhere with you.”

“But….I thought you wanted to go out tonight. Play cards. You said you were feeling lucky?”

He couldn’t tell if that was a jab or not, but replied, “well clearly I was wrong.” Though despite his bumps and bruises, he did still feel pretty lucky right not. “I just want to get out of here. I don’t need this anymore.” You both decide to head home to help Mammon nurse his wounds. He never went back to that club, or really any club, after that night.

Levi

“Levi….I don’t think this is such a good idea.”

“Nonsense!” Levi quipped in response to your perfectly reasonable, concerned feelings. “It’s just a little further. Besides, I want to see Henry 1! I’ve missed him a ton recently, and want to make sure he remembers me.” It had broken his heart to discover his poor, lost serpent had been down here, all alone, this whole time. So he made an effort to see him every now and then.

“Yeah but…isn’t this still like super-secret for Lord Diavolo’s family and stuff? What if there’s like booby traps and stuff?”

“Come on! There weren’t any booby traps or anything before. Why would he when he has Henry to keep it…..” Levi trailed off as both of you were ingulfed by a long, dark shadow. A low hissing sound growing louder as a gold, stripped serpent towered over you with a menacing glare. “That’s not Henry.”

The snake hissed loudly with bared fangs and an open mouth, and you both scream and run to get away from it.

The serpent of course chased you. Easily able to keep up, and only loosing you when the two of you duck into a narrow corridor. Levi turned around to say something to you, but you were gone. His immediate thought was that the stranger snake had gotten you, and it was all his fault, and he would never see you again!

When he came to the end of the corridor, walking out like a man on death row instead of running, he looked up to see the snake in front of him. Clearly angered by having to chase him. Levi didn’t care. He wanted to die if anything happened to you. He’d rather die than live one moment without you.

Prepared to accept his fate, the demon didn’t move when the snake unhinged his jaw to eat him in one gulp. Only for a sharp spike to thrust out from his mouth a moment later. A strange, hissing gasp escaping it before it slumped down in a lifeless heap on the floor. “[Y/N]!”

“Jesus! Not to put too fine a pin on it, but this place is literally a maze. One minute I’m next to you, and the next I’m in some armory on the other side of the hall 50 feet away. Are you alright Levi?”

The demon scrambled up the snake corpse to stand next to you and wrapped his arms tight around your being. “[Y/N]! I was so scared! I thought this Henry imposter got you, and you were dead, and I couldn’t think of anything!”

“I’m really ok Levi.” You assure him, as he wept into your shoulder. “Do you still want to see the real Henry? I think I spotted where he actually is when I was running back with the spear?” Levi nodded into your shoulder. Still not prepared to let you go.

Satan

Satan always tried to be a reasonable man.

He hated being referred to as ‘The Demon of Wrath’. It wasn’t his wrath that had caused him to be born. And he wasn’t any angrier than his brothers, so why did he have to be labeled the ‘bad seed’? So he always tried to be level headed. Calm. Patient. But there were somethings he just could not abide. Like the boorish behavior of someone talking loudly in the library.

“Excuse me,” the blonde said, attempting to remain calm, as he came over to the rude demon two tables over, “could you please keep it down? This is a library.”

“Yeah. I know what it is.” He quipped back rather snippily. “What are you? The librarian?”

“No. Just a fellow book lover.” Satan replied. Grinding his teeth now. “And one who can follow the rules and basic social decorum of keeping my conversations to myself in a place like this.”

“Are you calling me stupid?!”

“No. I’m calling you uncouth. A word meaning undignified, and without manners.”

“Why you!”

The demon rose to his feet, towering over Satan now that he was standing. Not that it mattered. Height was not an immediate representation of strength. Look at Belphie. His younger, shorter brother could level a whole city with a flick of his wrist. Satan could easily dispatch of his imbecile without even breaking a sweat.

He never got the chance though, as just after he stood the demon let out a grunt and slumped to the floor; with you standing behind him on his depleted chair with a book in your hand like you had just pulled it from The Stone. “Bet you’re glad I think Kindles are dumb now.”

Satan had to right himself on what he was seeing, and then frowned at you. “I never said that, and get down.” He insisted. Offering you his hand to get down. You hop down with ease and set your weapon book on the table. “Honestly, I could have handled him without resorting to violence or cheap theatrics.”

“Cheap?? This book was very expensive.” You insist, and Satan had to scoff.

“Be that as it may, please do not use books for more than their intended purpose. I appreciate the assist, but I can’t have you hurting yourself or fine literature in the future.”

“You’re such a buzz kill sometimes Satan…..”

Asmo

Asmo always loved going to the club. The dancing. The energy. The pulsing music. The people.

Well…usually the people. Some people, usually bro-dude demons, just couldn’t take a hint that ‘no’ meant ‘no’.

“Come on Asmo! Why are you being so stingy?!”

“I’m not being ‘stingy’,” Asmo replied with a frown marring his beautiful face. “I’m just not interested.”

“You were interested last time.” His pursuer replied. Like that somehow gave automatic permission that things would happen again.

“That was a long time ago.” The dusk haired blonde replied. Sipping his cocktail and looking thoughtful across the spacious VIP lounge over to you.

Yes, things had certainly changed. Once where it would take a whole room of people and attention to make him content, these days all he wanted was you. Just you sparing a moment to look at him made his heart feel incredibly full. He had come here to have a fun night out with you, but it seemed no matter where he went his beauty was always causing problems.

The lesser demon frowned, then looked towards the direction Asmo was looking to land on you. “Shoot, just bring them along with us.”

“Excuse me?” Asmo asked. Beautiful expression turning Ignatius as he sat down his drink.

“Bring them along. I’ve never had sex with a human. But there must be something to it if you’re willing to do them. Not that I suppose that takes much….”

At that, Asmo leapt from his chair and grabbing the brute by the collar. He wasn’t normally one for violence. He wasn’t like his dull brothers. But he couldn’t let a slight like that against you slide. “Take it back!”

The two demon’s scuffle. Clearing out the VIP lounge as everyone ran. Scared that they might transform at any moment and literally tear each other apart. Asmo somehow ended up on his back, a position that usually didn’t bother him, as the other reared back to punch him in the face.

Or, at least he would have if he didn’t start convulsing and fall on the ground a moment later.

“Asmo! Are you ok?!”

The Lust Demon looked at you for a moment. Then delicately covered his mouth with both hands. Returning to normal. “[Y/N]! You saved me!!”

“Yeah. This little thing packs a punch.” You replied. Holding out your little pink taser from She-Sword from your clutch. “I couldn’t let this jerk hurt your beautiful face.”

“No one is more beautiful than you my fierce warrior queen!” He praised. Basking in the moment for only a second before you both scamper off before security came.

You both might be beautiful, but you didn’t want to end up on the evening news.

Beel

“I want to take up kendo.” Beel announced to you one day. Out of the blue. “I’ve been looking for ways to add variety to my workout. I came across this video on kendo and thought it would be fun.”

Of course, Beel knew you had practiced kendo in the past at school. So he might have also been looking for fitness activities for you to do together. In any case, he really liked seeing you in your little workout outfit. It was super cute.

He also liked you showing him the basics of kendo; stance, footing, basic strike movement. When he felt he had gotten the hang of it, Beel jovially asked for a sparring match with you.

“I don’t know….”

“Come on [Y/N], sparring with someone is the best way to learn fighting.” He reasoned. “Besides, I’m not gonna hurt you.”

“I’m not worried about that….” He heard you mutter under your breath, but thought that he must have imagined it as you squared off.

Standing across from you in the arena, something changed. The hair on the back of Beel’s neck stood up. Not in the excited way that it normally did when he saw you. But something more….primal. His grip tightened a little more as he realized he might have to get a little serious with you.

It was all for nothing though as the match was over just as soon as it started.

The shinai went flying out of his hands, landing across the room just as Beel landed on his butt. His backside throbbing as his bell was rung clear as day. He rubbed his head as he looked up at you. “I may have forgotten to mention that I was three-time national kendo champ all through school.”

The demon looked up at you with a shiny, sparkly gaze only until now reserved for delicious food. “Teach me sensei!”

Belphie

He hated being out. He wanted to go home.

Being outside in the sun, with all these…..people was hell to him. Belphie would rather be home, in actual hell, with his blanket and pillow and quiet, rather than ‘top side’ with you for the whole afternoon. Not that it was you or anything. You were the only bright star on this miserable day. He’d be damned if he’d let one of his brothers spend the day with you when he could.

“Belphie, do you want an ice cream? Maybe that will help with the heat?”

He wanted to say that the only thing that would help him was getting the hell out of here. But, he bit his tongue. The demon knew how important this was to you to come ‘home’ now & then and he didn’t want to ruin it for you. So he just nodded and asked, “strawberry please.”

He sat in the shade as he watched you go over to the ice cream truck alone. Maybe this was a bad idea. Maybe he was just a hopeless shut in. Like Levi, only worse. He just wanted humans so much that being around them was making him crankier than normal today.

“Geez, get a look at that side show over there.”

Belphie looked up from his daze at the human who was a few yards away from him. Snickering and staring with his friends in a voice that a regular human wouldn’t be able to hear. “If you have something to say, then say it, you chicken shit fuck.” Again, he was very cranky.

The human was obviously taken aback at being heard and then called out like that. “What did you say to me?!” He yelled, once he got his bearings on the situation, and took a ‘threatening’ step forward to see if he would repeat it.

“I said ‘If you have something to say, then say it, you chicken shit fuck’.” Of course he repeated it. “Don’t mutter something under your breath like a coward. Say it like a man, or keep your gross mouth shut.” This was why he hated humans. No spine.

Well, metaphorical spine. If he kept this up, Belphie was gonna prove that he had a spine when he ripped it out and made him wear it as a neck tie.

“You little fuck--!” Belphie, of course, didn’t move when he stomped closer. Not that he needed to, because he was stopped in his tracks rather abruptly when you stepped between then. Holding a knife from your pocket.

“I suggest you get out of here, before the only ‘side show’ around here is your knife swallowing act pal.” The man seemed to frozen for a moment as he tried to process if you were serious. Then his flight instincts kicked in and he took off running with his friends across the park. “Gosh, I think I’ve been spending to much time with you guys. I never would have done anything like this before.” You said after a sigh, then turned back to Belphie.

“My hero.” He cheered softly, in his typical tired voice but still with a soft smile. Seeming extremely proud of the bad influence he was on you.