#fox is my trash daughter and i love her

[heartless-tate]

High lady. | High Lord Eris X F reader

Summary: You used to love Eris- and now that’s all in the past. Or you at least that’s what you think. Until you receive an invitation to a dance from the high lord- Eris.

A/N: Hellooo my fireflies! I’ve been thirsting for Eris these past few weeks so why not write for him? I can’t believe I ever didn’t like this man 😫. Also for my male readers out there, if you’d like me to rewrite this or any of my other fics with a male reader, just ask! 💕

3k words

warnings: cussing, allusions to sex, use of y/n, slight angst, she/her pronouns

There were no words to describe your shock at seeing the royal invite to the ball. You weren’t high fae. You were a simple, low class librarian. Your name was written in beautiful, classy cursive. A handwriting you recognized immediately. This was handwritten by Eris. Eris Vanserra. Memories flooded your mind.

Running through the gardens, dogs barking behind you playfully. You didn’t have time to react before a body landed on you. Eris. He tackled you to the dirt, his hand was cradling your head to prevent it banging against the floor as he straddled your back. His hounds crowded the two of you, stomping and making noises with excitement.

“Got you little fox!” Eris announced, hugging you from behind.

“Not fair! You said you’d give me a head start.” You pouted. Eris’s laughter filled the air, creating a warm atmosphere. His arms wrapped around your middle and he pulled you into a hug. His embrace was warm and comforting in the cool autumn air.

Cauldron. That was so long ago. Eris was older by you than a long shot, but at that time, you were young. Nineteen years old. Young and innocent. He was also slightly more innocent then, playing with you and entertaining your young soul. Your face flushed a slight shade of pink, and you shook your head. You remember your crush on him. How could you not have one though? Everyone warned you. And you didn’t listen. He was everything a girl at that age would’ve wanted. Beautiful, handsome, smart, experienced, and a prince.

It was only when you discovered Eris was to be betrothed to some high fae daughter in his father’s court, did your little world come crashing down with reality. You were a peasant compared to him. And he likely saw you as nothing but entertainment. So you distanced yourself. You stopped accepting his invites to dinner with his family, you didn’t go out with him anymore. Of course, you couldn’t bear to completely cut him off. So you still would accept his occasional invite to walk with him in the forests with his hounds. He always told you they missed you. Now days, the walks were somewhat awkward. They happened every few months.

The last one was 6 months ago. You always thought you were doing better, you worked at a library, and cared for precious books. You lived in a relatively small apartment, but it was okay. You were grateful, you had a roof on your head and food on your plate. Things had changed since your last walk with him.

Beron was dead. On Eris’s wedding night, before the marriage had been officiated he had dueled Beron to a battle of death. Hundreds at the wedding had witnessed as Eris brutally slayed his father, and placed the crown on his head. Declaring himself as high lord. He released himself of the marriage, and granted his fiancé permission to marry her true lover. When the news escaped to the streets and you heard, you couldn’t help but be nervous. You realized, Eris would be to busy with his court to come on walks with you anymore. And that made you realize that your feelings weren’t gone. You had never gotten over him.

Tonight was a royal ball. You remembered Eris had always begged his father to let you attend the dances and balls, but Beron always refused. Saying trash like you should never be seen with royalty. Eris, stayed by your side though. He’d sneak from the dances and find you, and would dance in the silent night with you. And you had no idea why Eris was inviting you to this ball. Was it pity? Did he want you to experience something nice once in your life? What would you even wear? You certainly didn’t have royal attire.

You ripped open the letter with your nails, admiring the wax seal of a little fox on it. You opened it to a small card inside. Eris’s handwriting.

Little fox,

I’d be honored for you to attend the royal autumn ball tonight with me. A carriage will wait for you at your apartment at noon. Don’t neglect my dogs of your attention any longer.

Love, Eris.

You giggled. You felt like a school girl. You could feel the heat on your face. You admired his familiar handwriting. It was neat and lovely in every sense. A dried viola fell into your lap when you opened the card further. Memories of him teaching you cursive in the gardens made you smile. You stood, grasping the flower, and pulled out the small box you kept of every letter he had ever sent you. Whenever Beron would try to restrict him from seeing you, it didn’t stop him from convincing his maids or servants to get his letters to you. You hadn’t received a letter since his last request to walk with you. The box was filled with the dried flowers he’d always sent with them.

How could you go? What would you wear? You approached your closet. And then you remembered something.

“Eris- I can’t wear this. This is too- too, royal.” You squeaked, admiring the beautiful dress he had just gifted you.

“Wear it. It matches the suit my father made me wear. Let’s dance, little fox.” He purred, pushing hair out of your face. Once the dress was on, he pulled you close to him in the empty streets on the Autumn Court and guided you in a slow dance, uncaring of the lack of music. Or the fact he was missing a royal ball.

You didn’t waste time in finding the box tucked away safely under your bed, and pulling it out. You opened the box, staring at the gorgeous forgotten dress. You had only worn it the last night he had danced with you.

This would work. Looks like all the dances you learned from books would pay off tonight.

Music from the orchestra blasted loudly. You entered the throne room, slightly late. But nobody cared. You were fashionably late- you had to find a mask. It was a masquerade after all. And Eris’s letter was a little bit close to time so, nobody could blame you. People danced in sync all over the room, dresses of different colors swaying. It was so fascinating. You couldn’t help but be mesmerized. Sure, most of these people were stuck up cunts, but they were beautiful, and they knew it too. You walked down the the grand stair case, eyes greedily taking in everything.

And then they caught on him. He sat on the throne, auburn hair messy as if he had ran his hands through it more then once tonight. The crown on his head was slightly crooked, giving him an uncaring look as high fae of all kinds greeted him. His mask was the color of burning fire, gold lace trimming it. He seemed bored, uninterested in this whole party. And he looked every bit of the High Lord you knew he would be.

You didn’t have the guts to greet him. You couldn’t. He had invited you out of perhaps pity. There were clear boundaries you were sure of. And you knew approaching the high lord as a peasant would break every single one of those boundaries. You could already see high fae turning their noses up at you as you walked by.

You approached the giant banquet table, observing the various foods. They were all favorites of yours. Maybe you just had a fancy food taste. You grabbed a glass of fae wine off of a servant’s tray, happy to indulge yourself in high quality wine that you didn’t have to pay for. You decided to eat after you danced.

You turned to face the dance floor. You watched the first waltz come to an ends, couples departing to find new partners. You swirled your wine in your glass, smelled it and then took a taste. It was glorious. Aged, and woodsy. You figured the bottle was easily in the three hundreds. Who cared? You didn’t have to pay for it. You snickered to yourself.

“Dance with me?” A coy voice purred beside you.

You turned, seeing a gentle around your age. High fae. And he was still asking to dance. Odd. His mask was black with silver lace. He wore a simple black tux. His hair was a dark brown, slicked with gel. He had a warm smile. He was handsome. You took his outstretched hand.

“Why not?” You replied, setting your wine glass down on a servant’s tray. The male smirked with arrogance, and swooped you to the dance floor. Music begun, and he started the dance.

“I’m Silas.” He murmured, twirling you. You nodded, having no problem in keeping up with the complex strides of this particular dance.

“Y/n” You responded. His eyes glinted.

“Beautiful name for a beautiful girl like you.” Silas said. He started to move faster, as if seeing how well you could keep up. And you did. Having no trouble at all.

You smiled warmly. This man was nice. You could see yourself with him. But it felt like something was missing. Like a hole in your heart.

“Thank you, Silas.” You purred back, starting to lead the dance. You guided it into a more complex rhythm, going along with the music, but ultimately making it more difficult. You giggled when he tripped over his own foot but caught himself. He glared at you.

“You dance awfully good for a commoner.” He huffed out, twirling you again.

“Having trouble keeping up?” You taunted playfully, not caring of his snarky remark. He was embarrassed. You could tell by how his eyes were roaming the people that had take to watch the both of you dance, interested in seeing how long you could rule the dance floor, he was embarrassed. Your eyes roamed the people. You could feel a familiar sense of someone watching. Your eyes found Eris. He was no longer listening to the fae beside him. His amber eyes bored into you. When you caught eye contact, he smirked. His legs spread as he leaned further into his throne. His eyebrow was cocked, his long talons tapping against the throne.

Cauldron. You had forgot how breathtakingly gorgeous he was. And sexy. You felt your face flush.

A snarl distracted you from him. Silas’s hands clutched your hips.

“Do not mock me.” He growled quietly in your ear. The music’s rhythm went faster, and the dance along with it. The curious fae quickly started dancing again, embarrassed at how they were so mesmerized by a commoner.

You went to take another step, but Silas went crashing to the floor. You watched in shock as he slid on the floor, his eyes wide with fury and embarrassment. His face heated with embarrassment. He looked up at you mouth open as if he was about to blame you, but his eyes caught on something behind you. Or rather, someone.

You turned slowly to see the high lord standing in his full glory behind you. His sharp cunning eyes squinted and mouth pulled into a smirk. He observed the male on the floor before looking at the people around you both. Then his eyes landed on you. You were awestruck by him for a minute- before you realized he was royalty. You started to bow but an invisible force stopped you. Your eyes narrowed in confusion before Eris bowed in front of you.

The High Lord just bowed in front of you. You. A peasant. Before you could say anything he lifted his hand to you.

“Grant me the pleasure of a dance?” He said, loud and clear. Gods you missed his voice. Yours ears picked up multiple gasps of shock. You heard a start of a growl before seeing Eris’s eyes glare into Silas behind you. You heard Silas scrambling away, knowing his place. Eris’s eyes turned back to you. He stayed in a bowed down position, hand waiting for yours. You swallows your shock. So be it. This very much may be the last dance you and him share, and you would take it.

Eris smiled softly when he felt the familiar embrace of your hand on his. His hand wrapped around yours, completely swallowing it. You hadn’t even realized the music had stopped until now. He motioned with his free hand for it to begin again. Fae around you scampered to start dancing, but all of their eyes were on you. On him. And his eyes were on you. And that’s all that mattered.

His free hand moved to your hip, grasping it gently with respect. He slowly moved to start the dance, holding you close. You didn’t know what to say or do other than to follow his lead. You didn’t even realize your mouth was gaping open.

“Little fox, you look like a fish gasping for air.” Eris teased in your ear, and you quickly shut your mouth.

“Sorry-“

“Don’t apologize. You never have to apologize to me.” He replied, smoothly. Gods. It was as if you were 19 again and you were dancing in the empty village with him. His long nails drew circles on your hip as you slowly started ti advance in the pace of the music. He kept up with ease, and you the same.

“Your hounds miss you.” Eris murmured, leaning his head down enough to kiss your forehead. It took every ounce of self control to not accidentally trip in shock.

“My hounds? They’re not mine. They’re yours!“ You started.

“Yes, they are, little fox. You helped me save and raise Sadie’s pups. If it wasn’t for you most of them would’ve died during birth. They are every bit of yours as they are mine.” He responded, pulling you closer. You knew better then to continue this fight with him. He was stubborn. And you knew if you tried to refuse again you’d probably have a pack of hounds at your apartment door tomorrow- out of spite.

“Whatever.” You grumbled defeatedly, shaking your head. He chuckled. His laugh was deeper now. You could smell the envy of other women around you. You wondered if they knew there wasn’t anything to be jealous of.

“So..how’s being High Lord?” You asked, unsure of what to talk about now. Eris frowned with a playful pout.

“Lonely. I’m sure the hounds would agree too. But don’t worry about that. That’ll change very, very soon.”

You weren’t quite sure what Eris was getting on to now. He always spoke in riddles. You sighed. Before you could re-question him, he started talking again.

“How has my little fox been?” Eris divulged.

You blushed. He had always had a knack for that dumb nickname. You were glad people couldn’t hear your conversation. The current dance came to an end and Eris wasted no time in pulling you into another. He knew you would have no problems keeping up.

“I’ve been good.” You responded. You looked up at him. He had gotten taller. And bigger. Maybe it was the high lord magic that transferred to him after Beron died or something. You weren’t sure. But he towered over you, creating a comical size difference. He gave you a toothy playful smile. He was always so carefree around you. You loved it. You loved him.

“You look lovely in that dress.”

“You bought it.” You quipped back at him.

“I have such good taste don't I?” He countered.

You couldn’t help but giggled looking away. The music slowed and you knew this was coming to an end. And gods you didn’t want it to end. His eyes softened as if he too was thinking the same. He grasped you tighter, pulling you closer, your bodies left no space between each others. He leaned down and inhaled your scent.

“Gods. I missed you. I missed your scent. The way you laugh. Talking with you- I missed it all.” Eris started. He held you tighter when you tried to pull away, confused.

“Don’t move away. Let me enjoy this Y/n.” He whispered, head going to the crook of your neck as he slowed the dance, moving with rhythm to the orchestra’s music. You realized how desperate and clingy his hood on you seemed now. As if he had missed you as much as you missed him.

Fuck boundaries. You couldn’t care if you were a peasant compared to him right now. You let your inner thoughts win as you tightly clutched at him. You didn’t wanna let go of him. You let your head lean against his chest, relaxing into the calm and slow dance. You knew fae were gawking at you both. And neither of you cared. Eris seemed shocked at your return of his embrace. The music slowed to a stop, and so did you both in the middle of the floor. Eris gently pulled away, staring at you with such adoring eyes. A sharp contrast to who he was in front of these people. His eyes found their way to your lips. He looked back up at you, a pleading look on his face. You understood what he wanted.

His hand clutched at the back of your head as your lips met. His were soft. It was the most gentle and loving kiss. You couldn’t give a flying fuck about the jealous and envious fae. Not just women. Both males and females snickering in jealousy. Eris pulled away, eyes soft. He took in the sight of you.

He didn’t waste time in pulling you in for a second kiss. This one wasn’t gentle. It was hot. Aggressive. He kissed you as if there was a fire in his bones and you were the only thing that could sooth it. His teeth gently nipped and sucked on your bottom lip. You returned it. His hand clutched at the back of your head, talons tangled in your hair. His other one clutched at your hip and roamed to your lower back. Your hands clutched at the front of his dress shirt. When you pulled away gasping for air, Eris had the biggest smile on his face. His eyes roamed your face again. You lips were swollen and pink from him. You were panting and looking at him as if he was everything. And he returned the same look. He tucked a strand of loose hair behind your ear before cupping your jaw.

“Don’t make me miss you anymore. Stay with me. I’ll give you everything you could dream of. You can be my high lady. Anything- anything you want.” He begged, eyes pleading. You knew he wasn’t lying.

“Eris..”

Eris swear his heart stopped with the way you said his name. He’s positive he would die right here on this floor at your knees if you rejected him. You were all he ever wanted.

“You’re everything I could dream of.” You whispered to him. Eris took in a gasp of air, not realizing he had been holding it. Relief flooding his body. And then pure love. He grabbed your hand before you could say anything and guided you up the stairs the the throne. He turned, facing the crowd with you. His hand placed on your lower back.

The whole crowd of fae stared in confusion and shock. No idea of what was about to happen.

“Well? What are you waiting for?” Eris barked. “Show some respect to your high lady.”

His voice boomed across the room, gasps eliciting from the crowd. And then, they all bowed. You stood in front of the throne, watching as they all bowed to their knees. The scent of fear and confusion flooded from the fae.

Eris smirked before turning around back to you. He knew that despite your anxieties, you were made for this. Just your presence demanded attention from others. He knew you were his. His eyes shined with pure male pride as he removed the autumn court crown from his head, and gently placed it on yours. You watched as he bowed down on his knee, paying respect to you. His queen. You relaxed. Hundreds of high fae all bowed down to you. Your man bowed down to you. You tipped your head up with a smirk.

Eris grasped your hand and kissed your ring finger with a possessive glare at it. As if promising himself it would soon have a ring around it. He stood, and walked you to the throne. He held your hand as you sat down on it, crossing your legs. He stood beside you, eyes peering to the fae. He looked to you. Gods you were gorgeous. He couldn’t help the possessiveness in him that filled to the brim at seeing you where you finally belonged. He had waited so long to be able to do this.

“The masquerade is over. Get out.” He growled to the people, his eyes never leaving you. He didn’t bother turning around to ensure the people left. He could hear them rushing to get out.

He was gonna fuck you on your rightful throne.

[seravphs]

beating hearts promised to bared teeth — part one: “The God Finds A Familiar” 

KITSUNE! GOJO x GOD! FEM READER; KAMISAMA HAJIMEMASHITA AU

When a kind stranger offers you his home because your gambling addict of a father can’t pay rent, you’re left in charge of a shrine - with a catch. Once you arrive at your new home, you learn a crucial fact that he conveniently left out. You’re the new god in charge, and his familiar, who now belongs to you, does not like you. What’s a new god to do, especially when she finds herself slowly falling for the fox spirit?

wc — 10k

tags — enemies to lovers, shoujo manga heroine type reader, Japanese mythology/yokai, age gap (1000 year old fox and high school girl), slowburn, cameo from Sukuna, Toji, and Nanami, cameo from original Kamisama Hajimemashita cast

part two — “The God Finds A Husband” (coming soon)

shoujo series masterlist

If your stomach growls any louder, you’ll scare off the squirrels fighting over the end of a baguette loaf by the park bench you’re sitting on. 

You’re currently in the middle of what others might describe as very hard times. To be honest, your very hard times have been going on for a while now - they just culminated at this specific moment. Regardless, these days are only temporary. You’ve promised yourself that one day, you’ll be able to smile from the bottom of your heart. 

It’s just that it was easier said than done when you weren’t homeless. Your father has never been the most reliable of men. You had to take over the household finances by the time you were eight, so you’ve always been accustomed to his lack of responsibility, but today really solidified his status in your mind as an absolutely useless, no good man. It’s unfathomable cruelty to have left his only daughter with no money, no relatives, and no home. 

You don’t want to call it cruel. For all of his faults, you still love your father. And it’s because you love him that you know this wasn’t a cruel act. Cruelty is intentional. It’s malicious. It comes from a desire to hurt. Your father has never wanted to hurt you. It’s just a byproduct of his gambling addiction. You’re collateral damage in his quest for the jackpot that would solve all his problems. 

You double over in agony at the renewed complaints from your stomach. At least you’ve gone from scaring mere squirrels to scaring passersby. That’s an upgrade, right? 

One woman clutches her purse closer as she walks past you as briskly as possible. You get it, you look bad. 

But there’s no use being resentful. Your father has been barely one step above a deadbeat all your life. At the very least, you’re used to fending for yourself. Your stomach growls again, but you’re determined to ignore it. You need a plan of action. One step after another, you’ll make it out of these troublesome times. 

Before you can start to plot, a loud cry for help catches your attention. It sounds like someone else is in even more dire straits than you are, which is saying a lot. 

The squirrels have long since scattered, run off not by the scary noises coming from your famished stomach, but a pack of dogs. Somehow, a man has climbed several feet into the tree next to the trash can, and now perched precariously in its branches. Below him, curious dogs tilt their heads and give cautious barks. 

“Aw, hello there, cuties,” you coo, rubbing behind their ears. They yip at you enthusiastically. One sets to chasing his own tail around the tree. They seem friendly enough, but you suppose one can’t help their phobias. A little regretfully, you chase them off. 

“Go on now,” you tell the last one, leading him away. He whines, but does as you say. What a good boy. 

“Thank you,” says the stranger stranded in the tree. He slides down the trunk, face slowly regaining color. “I owe you my life.” 

“It was nothing!” You smile, but he won’t let you brush off your good deed. 

“You’re a good kid,” he nods approvingly. “Gotta reward that. Is there anything you want?” 

A home. 

Not just the house you shared with your father, but somewhere warm to return to. A person who waits to see you safely inside the threshold. 

But you know a stranger can’t give you that, so you shake your head and smile. “Really, it was nothing. You don’t owe me anything.” 

As if he had heard your inner monologue, the stranger raises an eyebrow. “A home, hm? I might be able to help with that.” 

Before you can react, he leans in and kisses your forehead. Where his lips touched your skin feels faintly warm and tingly, almost like the sensation of your leg going numb, before you recoil from him in shock. 

He presses a map into your hand and tells you, “Go to this address. Tell them Yaga sent you, and you’ll be welcomed with open arms.” 

With that, he runs off. 

What a strange man. 

Well, you’ve had a strange life, taking care of your hopeless father and all. Perhaps these things really did happen. It wasn’t so impossible for strangers to appear out of nowhere and reward you for good deeds. Maybe all the fairytales your father had read to you back when he hadn’t been so terrible were true. 

Or maybe that was the wishful thinking of an optimistically delusional girl who needed somewhere to stay desperately.

The address is located on the outskirts of town. Pushing deeper into foliage and closer to forest than civilization, you find the location you had been sent to. 

It’s a shrine. 

A run-down shrine, of all places. 

Are you on a comedy show? Should you start checking for cameras? 

Against your will, you feel your eyes grow hot. That was a cruel trick to play. He had gotten your hopes up for nothing. 

It’s not just your eyes. Your entire body starts to feel warm. The world around you erupts into blue flame. Heat licks at your shins as you scramble towards safety, closer to the center of the circle that has formed around you. 

When the flames suddenly leap, as if they’ll consume the entire sky, you scream and drop to your knees, covering your head like it’s a bomb threat. Two childish voices ring in your head, as clear and crisp as bells. 

Welcome home, Yaga-sama. 

It’s a shrine. There’s only one logical conclusion. 

This is a haunting. 

There’s only one safe path out of the ring of fire, and it’s towards the building you’ve now concluded is the site of paranormal activity. Between being actively burned alive or facing spirits though, you know which one you’ll choose. 

Your frantic fingers fumble over the latch on the shrine’s red doors as the fire inches closer and closer until you can feel its heat on your back. Finally, you throw open the doors and all but launch yourself inside. The heat recedes, but the voices do not. 

“Back already, Yaga?” A male voice drawls. “I thought your pilgrimage would’ve taken longer. After leaving me to maintain the shrine by myself for sixty years -“

You shriek as an enormous, clawed hand comes down towards your face. Your eyes squeeze shut, waiting for the end. 

“I’m not Yaga,” you wail, hoping it will save you. 

“You have a lot of nerve?” The voice finishes, more uncertainly than before. When you deem it safe to open your eyes once more, what stands before is a young man dressed in all white. White hair and blue eyes make for a staring constraint, but his coloring isn’t what’s strange about him. 

It’s his clawed hands and the equally white fox tail behind him. 

“Megumi, Tsumiki,” he says authoritatively. “This isn’t Yaga.” 

A shining ball of fire comes forward, speaking in the little girl’s voice you heard earlier. “That can’t be right! Look, she has the mark of the god on her forehead.” 

You touch your forehead, remembering the warm tingly sensation you had felt when that man kissed you. Feeling slightly delirious, you start to laugh, only to grow alarmed when you find you can’t stop. You’re growing out of breath from your near hysterical laughing, tears streaming out of the corners of your eyes. 

“Oh, great,” says the fox spirit. “She’s crazy.” 

“She’s the one with the mark,” the other ball of fire, Megumi, says. “That means she’s the god whether you like it or not, Gojo.” 

Tsumiki darts over to you, but halfway through her journey, she goes from fire to a little child just under 2 feet tall. She’s wearing a mask and plain blue yukata. 

“We have to celebrate!” She claps her hands together in excitement. “Our god has finally returned!”

Gojo looks dismissively down on you. Your laughing fit is finally starting to die down, but he doesn’t seem impressed regardless. “What god? I won’t accept a little human girl as my master. She couldn’t handle the strength of a familiar like me.”  

His condescension only makes you giggle harder. You can’t help it. Something about the fluffy fox ears protruding out of his head makes it hard to take him seriously. 

“What strength?” You laugh in his face. “This shrine is so dilapidated, I doubt you’re anything special.” 

Gojo looks away. “If she stays, I’m leaving. I won’t serve this kind of pathetic god.”

He disappears in a cloud of white smoke before Tsumiki can finish saying, “Don’t be like that!”

The will-o-wisp children introduce themselves to you as shrine spirits who look after the building. It takes a while, but by the time they kindly show you to the room where you’ll be staying, you can distinguish Tsumiki from Megumi by the differences in the masks they never take off. 

Your room is simple and threadbare. The walls are paneled bamboo and the only furnishing is an old futon. Still, you’re grateful. It’s leagues better than sleeping in the woods, which is what you started this day fearing you would have to resort to. You’ve never been the type to complain, and you won’t start now, no matter how strange your life has gotten. 

Fox spirits and will-o-wisp children don’t exist. They’re the stuff of myths. Maybe you’re just seeing things because you’re tired, you muse as you drift off to sleep. You’ll feel better in the morning after a nice, long rest. The events of today will feel so far away, and you’ll be able to start over. 

Or maybe you’re dead already, and you’re wandering in the Netherworld. Perhaps the reason you can see spirits is because you’re currently residing in their land. Your entire body seizes up as you jolt yourself back to wakefulness. 

“Kamisama,” Tsumiki has crept back into your room. “Are you alright?” 

You tell her to call you by her name. Calling you god just doesn’t feel right. 

Gently, she nestles down by your pillow and puts her cold little hands on your forehead. Rather than shocking to your senses, it feels pleasant. When you were a little girl and got sick, your father used to let you stay home from school. He’d pack a towel with ice cubes and place it on your overheated forehead, staying up with you all night just to chat. It’s a good memory. 

“It’ll be alright,” Tsumiki tells you in her gentle voice. “You’ll see.” 

For spirits that supposedly take care of the shrine, you have a suspicion that Tsumiki and Megumi are pushing their work onto you when they brief you on your chores the next morning. It turns out godhood is a lot less summoning storms and a lot more doing yard work. 

Tsumiki insists that keeping the shrine pure is important for keeping evil spirits away. For some reason, that means cleaning. When you ask about calling lightning or summoning lions, Megumi laughs at you. 

“That’s Getou-sama’s job,” he says. “Your specialty is marriage. Yaga was very good at tying peoples’ fates together. You will be, too.”

He has more faith than you do in that regard. When it comes to chores, however, you’re more certain of your abilities. Busy work keeps the absurdity of your situation from sinking in, and you’re good at running the household from years of dealing with your father. You’re grateful for something to do. If you think about the past day too hard, you might break down into shocked laughter and never get back up. 

Besides, even if you don’t feel particularly ready to be a god, Tsumiki and Megumi are letting you stay in the shrine. You have to earn your keep. Soon, you settle into the process of cleaning, letting the methodical, rhythmic nature of your movements erase any doubts in your mind. You think of nothing but the cooling sensation of the water when you dip your rag into the bucket and the clean, woody scent of the shrine as you scrub the wood. 

“Ooh,” Tsumiki says approvingly when she appears. “It looks better already! Can you do the lawn next?” 

Plucking weeds is notably less soothing than cleaning. With no gloves, you’re careful to avoid hurting yourself as you tug on spiky vines and knotted twigs, but it’s no use. Eventually, you lose focus and a sharp sting graces your finger. Blood drips down your hand. You hiss in pain. 

A hand with white claws instead of nails grabs your wrist. You yelp in shock as Gojo brings your finger to his mouth and laps at the blood. It stains his lips slightly red. He worries at the cut with his tongue, making your wound ache. You try to pull back, but he holds on. 

To your amazement, the cut closes before your eyes. You’re just about to thank him when he ruins the moment. 

“You really are useless,” he says. “You can’t even pluck grass?”

You yank your hand out of his grip as hard as you can, sending yourself tumbling back against the grass. You hate how it must make yourself seem even more human in his eyes, a weak, fragile thing. 

“Give up,” he says, and it’s almost gentle, the way his claws graze your chin as he holds your face in one hand. “You’re not suited to be a god.” 

You turn away, unwilling to let him see any more of your vulnerability. “You don’t know anything about me.” 

“Suit yourself,” he says with a noise of annoyance. “Brats who run away from home aren’t my problem.” 

“I didn’t run away!” You snap, whirling on him. “My dad was the one who ran! I don’t have anywhere else to go!” 

But he’s gone.

At least Megumi and Tsumiki are nice to you. Megumi takes the bucket of weeds you deposit at the front door and whisks it somewhere out of your sight, while Tsumiki prepares a nice, hot bath for you. Exhausted, you collapse onto the bamboo floor spread eagle. 

God, a voice murmurs in your head.

Not again. You don’t want any more spirits to deal with. When you raise your head, instead of another yokai, there’s an old woman standing in front of the shrine. Her head is bowed and her hands are clasped in prayer. 

Please bless my daughter’s marriage so that she will enjoy a long and fruitful life with her partner. 

Her voice is coming from some place inside your head. It resonates like a bell, ringing crisp and clear. You stretch out your hands wonderingly. You don’t look any different. 

“You see?” Tsumiki says approvingly. “You’re a god.”’ 

But you don’t feel like one. You feel just like a normal person. 

“A god needs a familiar.” You can’t see Megumi’s face behind his mask as he speaks, but you can imagine the solemn little boy he must be. “You need to bind Gojo to you.”

“How do I do that?” 

“You have to kiss him.” 

You wait for them to tell you they’re joking. 

“What? I can’t kiss him! Is there-” 

Megumi cuts in. “It’s just the traditional way to seal the contract. Don’t think too much of it.” 

The fact that neither of them are bothered makes you feel like the ridiculous one for being off put by this, but you’re sure you’re not. Still, if you’re a god now, you have to put all of your mortal sensibilities aside. It’s like another culture, you tell yourself. Like how Europeans kiss each other on the cheek to say hello. Even if you can’t convince yourself, Megumi and Tsumiki are insistent. 

You were so fired up just a second ago, but now your head is filled with doubts. If such a simple matter can sway you, are you really meant to be a god after all? Maybe Gojo is right. Maybe you should just leave. 

“Please,” Tsumiki says. She looks distraught. “Don’t abandon us. Please don’t leave.” 

Megumi doesn’t say anything, but his silence is enough. 

“Okay,” you say, feeling defeated. “I’ll give it a shot.” 

You’ve always been good at chores. If taming Gojo is just another part of your new job, it sounds like it's time to get serious. 

“Take me to him.” 

Megumi and Tsumiki balk. 

“Right now?”

“Why not? The sooner I get it over with, the better, right?”

“He’s...indisposed at the moment,” Tsumiki says carefully. 

“Indisposed? Is he sick?” 

“Not quite,” Megumi says. He’s very expressive for a spirit. You can practically imagine him grimacing. 

“Then it’s fine!” 

You would soon come to regret your words. 

Megumi and Tsumiki lead you out of the shrine. They show you where to find the path that can lead you to the land of spirits and demons. Your entire body rebels at the feeling of being in this other world, but at the same time, you feel at home here. The god and the girl that coexist inside of you are mutually repelled by and attracted to this place. 

Even though you know Megumi and Tsumiki aren’t really children, or at least children in the way mortals think of them, you’re still concerned about letting them traipse around this dangerous place. However, they seem more used to this world than you are. That energy is better devoted to fending for yourself. 

They lead you under bridges where the running water smells like flowers and women’s voices hiss in the babble of the current. Tree leaves rustle with hands that disappear into darkness. You follow them through dark alleyways lined with red paper blessings, and doorsteps encircled with salt. Eyes follow you, leaving your skin crawling. 

You’re so focused on keeping your head down and staying out of danger that you almost don’t notice when they stop. You nearly run Megumi over. 

“He’s inside here,” Tsumiki says. 

Is it just you, or does she seem nervous? 

The lanterns inside this establishment are turned down to a dimness that barely illuminates the corridors. Sweet smelling smoke writhes around your feet from some unknown source as you head deeper and deeper into the maze of hallways, following the pair of shrine spirits. You pass women wearing fox masks, dressed in luxurious kimonos. Their hair towers over their head in elaborate updos, held in place with beautiful pins inlaid with chartreuse and gold. 

Megumi stops before a folding screen door. Like all things within this building, it’s beautiful. The silk screen is painted with images of flowers and more gruesome scenes as well, but somehow, it’s still breath-taking. A little like Gojo, in that regard. 

You hear the voices of women behind the screen, flattering Gojo. The light of a single candle illuminates the dim room, imprinting his silhouette against it, as well as that of the two women with him. They’re draped over him, hands roaming his body as they purr their compliments. Your face burns with embarrassment. 

“What are you doing?” Megumi demands of Gojo. “How can you parade around the red-light district like this? You’re the familiar of a god, not some common demon! If Yaga knew, it’d break his poor heart.” 

Behind the screen, Gojo merely brushes him off. “Yaga’s been replaced by some little human worm. Why should I care what he thinks now?”

“What about the shrine? Don’t you care about that, at least?” Tsumiki's voice is thick with reproach. 

“Now that you mention it, I don’t think I do,” he says. “Ha! You know what? Maybe I should thank that girl. Now that I’m free, I can do whatever I want.” 

“Gojo-“ 

“I’ll can indulge in every little vice Yaga never allowed me to touch before. Who would want to be a familiar when I can have all of this?” 

“Gojo, our god is here.” 

“What?” 

He leaps up and pushes the screen aside, coming face to face with you. He looks startled to see you, though you don’t see why he should care, since he so desires to lead a life of sin. 

You look upon him with disgust. You might want a familiar, but you’re not so desperate you’d stoop as low as this. Gojo cares so little for anyone but himself. If you’re going to be a god, you’re going to do it right. You’ll pick a good familiar, one who will genuinely love the shrine as much as it deserves. 

You turn and leave as he, half-clothed, frantically starts pulling on the outer layers of his kimono. 

“Wait,” he calls after you. “Tsumiki! Megumi! Why would you bring her here?”

“She wanted to see you,” Megumi retorts. 

“This isn’t the place for a human,” he says. “She’s going to get eaten!” 

The faster Gojo follows you, the faster you run from him. By the time you’re out of what you’ve come to realize is a brothel, you’re sprinting. Your legs carry you right into someone else as your face slams against a broad, muscled chest. 

“Oh,” says a voice above your head. “How pretty.” 

A hand caresses your face. This spirit has tattoo marks across his face and body. More interestingly, he has multiple arms. 

You’re frozen in place by fear as he brings his mouth closer and closer to your face. He’s close enough to kiss, but this is a spirit, which means he’s more likely to eat you. 

“Be good for me now,” he purrs in your ear. “Fear makes flesh all the sweeter.” 

Three of his six arms are consumed by fire. He pushes you away from him in favor of batting out the flame. 

Gojo pulls you towards him, hiding you in the folds of his billowing kimono. You press your face against his shoulder, swallowing back the tears of fear from nearly being eaten. Somehow, he feels safe, even though he’s been nothing but antagonistic towards you. He feels almost protective as he shields your body with his, securing you under one arm. 

“Scram,” he tells the other demon. “She’s mine, Sukuna.” 

Sukuna rolls his pairs of eyes. “You weren’t with her when I caught her. She’s fair game.” 

Fox fire flickers in Gojo’s hand. His white talons seem to elongate before your eyes. 

“If you want to fight over her, then by all means,” he says with a dangerous smile. “But we both know I’d win.” 

“Maybe later then,” Sukuna says, lazily as if Gojo isn’t threatening him. “Once I’ve eaten my fill.” 

He stalks off into the night in search of more prey. 

“This is why I told you to wait,” Gojo says, running his hand over his face. “You’re practically bait in this world. Come on, I’ll take you home.” 

You nod, not trusting your voice, but he catches on anyways. 

“Don’t cry,” he says, his face twisted in a grimace. “I won’t know what to do if you cry. Look, this is just your life now, okay? You’ll have to get used to it.” 

On impulse, you press your face into his shoulder again, still sniffling. You want to be comforted, even though you know he won’t give it to you. 

“Ugh,” he says, true to form. “Quit that.” 

By the time you’ve calmed down, Gojo has already escorted you back to the shrine. 

“Don’t come back,” he tells you. 

Of course, you can’t listen to him. On your second night in the land of the dead and monsters, not only do you have to hide from beasts who would devour you the moment they found out what you were, you also have to hide from Gojo. You’re wearing a disguise, courtesy of Tsumiki and Megumi. 

In your defense, it’s not like you want to be here. You need a familiar, and it’s clearly not going to be Gojo. 

According to Tsumiki, Gojo’s the strongest, but there are other familiars who would be willing to serve you. They’re all in the Netherworld, however, and you have to find them before you can contract them. 

You pull the curtain of the hat shielding your face a little closer around you as you peer at the faces surrounding you, trying to gauge who looks friendly. None of them do. You’ve been wandering around for hours, but not a single spirit has stood out to you. 

In the end, you don’t find him. He finds you. 

“A human god?” A hand grasps your wrist loosely. “That’s rare. Don’t you know it’s dangerous to be here?” 

The man in front of you looks normal by any standards - but you know better than to trust your gut in the netherworld. Still, he’s the closest thing to a human you’ve seen in a while. Surrounded by a maelstrom of monsters, he feels like the eye of the storm. There’s a quiet and a calm surrounding him, even as you walk among noderabo with withered, leathery skin and scaly yajo. 

It’s not like he’s in his own little pocket of the world, you realize. He is. Everyone is purposefully giving him a wide berth. 

“Who are you?”  

“I asked first,” he says. 

“You know who I am! You just said so - I’m the human god.” 

His eyes rake over you. “So you are. But what are you doing here, girl?” 

You throw his words back in his face obstinately. “You first.”

“I’m Toji.” That doesn’t tell you anything, but he’s clearly unwilling to divulge more. “Your turn.”

“I’m looking for a familiar.” 

“What about your familiar? I heard that Gojo-sama isn’t keen on sharing.” 

Somehow, the way he says Gojo-sama sounds derisive, even with the respectful honorific. 

“He doesn’t want to be my familiar.” 

The rejection stings coming out of your own mouth. 

“Sounds like him. Haughty bastard, he couldn’t stand to serve a human girl, could he?” 

“Yeah! He’s an asshole,” you say, feeling validated. 

When Toji laughs, the scar over his lip tugs one side of his mouth down. You kind of like it. And he must be strong, just looking at him. He’s well muscled and covered in scars. Of course, there’s the little matter of the reverence everyone around you is offering him. Tsumiki and Megumi had told you to just go out and find one. Could it be that easy?

“Are you interested?” 

He gives you a look of barely concealed amusement. “You’re funny, girl. I don’t think Gojo would like that very much, though.” 

“I don’t care what Gojo thinks.” 

“Oh, here he comes now. Don’t go running too far - you’ll worry him,” he says, slow and easy. His confidence is absurd - it reminds you of Gojo, actually. He must be strong. “If you’re really serious about wanting me as a familiar, why don’t you meet me here again in three days?”

“What are you doing?” Gojo snarls at you. His teeth match the rest of his fox physique. With wonder, you realize that his pearly canines are pointed beyond what’s normal. “I told you not to come back!” 

“But- He-” You turn around to point Toji out, but he’s gone. 

“Who?” Gojo says. 

“He was right there!” 

“You’re so annoying,” Gojo bites out. “I don’t care what happens to you, but if you die, Megumi and Tsumiki will cry, so stop wandering off on your own. You’re lucky you didn’t get devoured on the spot.” 

He’s starting to get really irritating. You shove his hands off. 

“You know it’s actually your fault I’m here, right? If you didn’t reject me, I wouldn’t have to scour the Netherworld for a familiar.” 

Gojo scoffs. “My fault? Maybe you should take a look at yourself. If you were less weak, I wouldn’t have a problem serving you!” 

“That’s- You’re impossible!” You splutter. “I can’t help being weak! I was born this way! Not everyone is so lucky to be born a kitsune, oh-so-great-Gojo-sama.” 

“Enough,” he sighs. Taking you by your wrist, he forcibly drags you through the streets back in the direction you came. 

“Ow! You’re hurting me!” 

“Gojo!” Megumi’s reproving voice breaks the argument up before it can begin again. 

He lets go of you almost guiltily, if you thought he could feel guilt. 

“I’ll take her home,” Megumi says. 

Gojo’s tail lashes behind him angrily, but Megumi doesn’t spare him a second glance as he ushers you away. 

“Thank you,” you tell him in relief. “What are you doing here?” 

“You were taking a long time,” he says. “Tsumiki and I were getting worried. Did you find anyone?” 

You think of Toji. “No,” you say. “No one.” 

The next day, while Megumi and Tsumiki dress you for your trip through the Netherworld again, Megumi presses three slips of white paper into your hands. 

“We should’ve taught you this sooner,” he says. “One of the powers of a god is to transform objects. Whatever you write on this charm will become true - within the scope of your power. Be safe.”  

Armed with your paper slips, you feel like a real god. Tsumiki pushes you out the door with a prayer for good luck, though you’re not sure you can grant prayers to yourself for yourself.

Outside the door, something whines by your feet.

“Gojo?” 

Or is that a regular white fox? 

It snaps its teeth at you. 

Definitely Gojo.

“I don’t need an escort,” you tell him, making shooing motions at him with your hands. “Go away!” 

He rolls over and yips at you, his tail wagging. 

“I can’t understand you like this!” 

“I said,” a cloud of smoke reveals him, mostly humanoid once again, except for his ears and tail. “I don’t want to do this either. It’s for Megumi and Tsumiki.” 

Toji doesn’t seem to like him, so you don’t want to risk bringing him with you. Despite your best attempts to shake him, Gojo follows you as you retrace your steps back into the spirit world. You’re just starting to despair when you spot a bigger reason to be upset. 

“Hello, delicious,” Sukuna says. “Ready for round two?” 

Why does he look even more terrifying? Did he get bigger? 

“Leave her alone,” Gojo says, almost bored. “It’s pathetic. You can only bully things weaker than you, huh?” 

“I’m not afraid to fight you,” Sukuna tells him. 

You’re panicking. They both look serious. You don’t want to be caught between these two forces of nature. 

“You should be,” Gojo says, and steps in front of you. Over his shoulder, he tells you, “Run. You’re in my way.” 

This is the chance you were waiting for. 

Toji’s dressed differently when you find him again. Last night, he was wearing a casual black kimono. Tonight, he’s dressed in a tight fitting black shirt and loose white pants. 

“You look nice,” you tell him, feeling anxious. Your mind keeps going back to Gojo. You’re sure he can hold his own, but you’re still worried for him. As you are, however, you’re of no help to him. The only way you’d be able to rescue him if he actually was in danger is by making a contract with a powerful familiar. 

“It’s for work,” he says. “Follow me.” 

“We can’t do it here?” 

“Do you want to kiss me in front of everyone?” He shrugs and reaches for you. “I mean, I’m down if you are, but I figured-” 

“No,” you squeak and dart away. “Privacy is good!” 

He laughs. “You’re as funny as ever, huh? C’mere.” 

Toji leads you off the beaten path and further into the woods. The only thing that keeps you from feeling more nervous is the moon shining overhead, illuminating your path. It feels almost like a friend is with you.

“Here is good,” Toji says, stopping at a clearing. 

“It’s so pretty,” you breathe out, dazzled. This deep into the woods, fireflies are lighting your way. Beneath your feet, a springy bed of flowers and moss covers the floor. 

“What can I say? I’m a romantic.” 

“Yeah, right,” you laugh at him, but you draw closer. You think you could trust him. You think you could be partners with him. 

Then Toji grabs you by the shoulders and dangles you off the edge of the clearing, over a steep drop you hadn’t noticed. The sharp cut off had been hidden by flowers, danger painted over with beauty. 

“Sorry, kid,” Toji says. “No hard feelings, right?” 

“Why?” You whisper. Gojo had been right. 

“There’s a bounty on your head,” he says. “Getou has offered to grant the wish of anyone who kills you.”

His eyes turn wistful. “I have a kid. Haven’t seen him in years. You understand, right? It’s not personal.” 

The fall is brutal. The wind whips tears into your eyes, if you weren’t already crying from the fear of falling to your death. You have to do something, anything. Above your head, something white flutters. 

A dove? 

Then another. 

It’s one of the paper ofuda Megumi had given you before you left, caught in the updraft of you rushing down to earth. You snatch it out of the air. You can’t reach the pen in your pocket. With increasing desperation, you bite down on your finger hard enough to draw blood and trace the characters for a tree branch onto it. Holding it aloft, you pray. 

Between your hands, wood solidifies. You’re clinging to a scrap of a twig sprouting from the rocky cliffside. Megumi’s words echo in your head - only within the scope of your power. 

So this is it, huh?

That’s all there is of your godly strength. 

“Looks like you’re in trouble,” Gojo says. He has no problem balancing on the sheer cliff. His appearance is impeccable, completely unscathed from his fight with Sukuna. He perches like a bird, as comfortable as if he were standing on solid ground. “Do you need help?”

Thank god. He’s here to save you! You nod, turning teary eyes on him. You were wrong about him. Gojo really is a good guy, deep down. 

“If you say, ‘Please save me, Gojo-sama, I was stupid.’ I’ll help you. Throw in some crying and begging, too.” 

Your eyes dry up instantly. He’s a total bastard. You clutch onto the branch tighter. There’s no way you’ll give him the satisfaction of groveling for help. 

Your resolve weakens when you hear the first snap. 

“Time’s ticking,” Gojo calls in a sing-song voice. “What will it be?” 

The harder you hold on, the more your flimsy branch breaks. 

“Come on,” Gojo says. “It’s not that hard. It’s just seven little words. Isn’t that worth your life?”

“Go fuck yourself,” you tell him, and the branch finally snaps. 

Falling for the second time is just as bad as the first time. The icy wind snatches at you like claws, tearing at your clothes. 

To your surprise, Gojo leaps after you. He makes free-fall look elegant - surely a far cry from whatever you’re doing. 

“Just say it,” he yells, within arm’s reach. He’s so close he could snag you by the shirt and haul you to safety, but you know he won’t. Not without getting what he wants. “Would you rather die than just apologize?” 

You have an answer prepared. 

His eyes widen in shock when you press your palms to his cheek, pull him closer, and kiss him. 

You barely have time to register the taste of him, sake and something sweet, before the reality of falling to your death rushes in again. 

“Gojo, save me!” 

As if his body is piloted by someone else, Gojo catches you. For him, it’s a short leap back up to the top of the clearing, where Toji has disappeared. 

You climb down from his hold once you’re certain you’re safe. You never thought you’d miss the feeling of solid ground beneath your feet this much, but at the moment, you’re willing to kiss the earth. 

Gojo seems much worse off. He’s frozen in shock, muttering the same refrain to himself under his breath. “Me? Bound to her? Impossible.” 

“Let’s go home,” you tell him. He doesn’t seem to get it until you tug him towards the path, and then he leads the way wordlessly. . 

You wake to Megumi and Tsumiki weeping over you. 

“I’m alright!”

They freeze, then burst into fresh tears. 

“We thought you would never wake up! Your first time using ofuda must have been too much for you,” Megumi gets out through his sobs. 

You feel sore all over. You can barely recall the events of the previous night, only that you kissed- 

“Finally up?” 

Gojo’s tapping his foot as he waits for you to get up. He looks furious. There’s an unmistakeable tick in his jaw that spells trouble for you. 

It’s too early to deal with him. You duck back under the covers. 

“Oh no you don’t,” he growls out as he seizes your wrist and bodily hauls you out of your warm cocoon of blankets. “You wanted to be a god, you’re going to be a god. It’s time for some training.” 

You shiver pathetically in the cold morning air. If you had known helping a stranger would lead to be harassed by a fox spirit, you would’ve never done it in the first place. 

“Try harder,” Gojo says at your sixth failed attempt to turn water into wine. 

“It smells alcoholic,” Megumi offers loyally. 

“I am trying!” You insist. 

“Harder,” Gojo snarls. 

The seventh attempt doesn’t change. Gojo throws up his arms and stalks out of the shrine, declaring the need to cool his head. Tsumiki frantically trails him, not trusting him to not attempt to run away again. 

Megumi tries to assure you that you’re doing well, but honestly, you need to leave too. The shrine feels too stuffy. A change of scenery will do you good. Sitting alone in the woods just behind the shrine, you try to focus. Slowly, stacks of ofuda disappear from your hands as you paste them to trees, willing them to blossom. Wilt. Do anything, anything at all. 

You’re out cold when Gojo finds you. 

“Divine power takes time,” he says as he prepares dinner. “Use too many talismans at once and you’ll pass out.” 

You drink a spoonful of soup morosely. “How do I get stronger?” 

“You’ll get stronger if you grant prayers.” 

Tsumiki perks up. “One just came in!” 

“I already looked at it,” Gojo says dismissively. “Not that one.” 

“Everyone’s wishes deserve to be looked at,” you argue. 

Gojo scoffs, “Not this one.” 

“Don’t be rude! A god can’t pick and choose.” 

He tosses the prayer at you. 

Morimoto Rika’s request touches your heart. She’s the spirit of a nearby lake - not just any spirit, as Megumi helpfully clarifies, but another owner of a shrine. A human boy visits her waters nightly. By the light of the moonlight, she fell in love with him, but she can’t meet him because they live in two separate worlds. 

And to think that you would’ve never known to help her if Gojo had continued keeping this from you. 

“This sounds like the perfect job for me,” you argue. 

“Don’t be ridiculous. Yokai can’t fall in love with humans.” 

You narrow your eyes at him. “Aren’t you bound to do as I say? Take me to her.” 

Against his will, Gojo summons what’s called a ‘night fog coach’. Only operable at night, as the name suggests, it’s a tall black carriage truly made for a god. You’re just wondering how Gojo expects you to climb aboard when he effortlessly lifts you by the waist. 

“You’re the one who wanted to go meet her,” he sneers. “Chop-chop.” 

Your supplicant looks like a fish if it were a girl. She has pale green skin and large, black eyes, with overly large teeth for her mouth. Black hair frames a heart shaped face. She’s cute, in her own monstrous way. And she’s desperately in love with a human boy. 

Gojo helps you transform her into a human body and make her over into a normal teenage girl. For a prayer granted, it feels like nothing more than dressing your friend up for a date. 

You’re even as nosy as you would be in that situation. It’s the first prayer you’ve ever granted. You know you shouldn’t, but you and Gojo watch the burgeoning romance from a distance. Of course, he’s completely disapproving, but you have high hopes for them - until Rika pulls out a ring. 

Aren’t they moving a little too fast? 

It only gets worse when Rika confesses that she’s been stalking him - sort of. Keeping tabs on him for his safety by following him around town is a little too close to the other, for your liking. Your head drops into your hands. 

But Yuta takes it surprisingly well. A little too well, in fact. It only seems to infatuate him even more. You knew there were certain types of men out there who loved crazy, but you had never seen it in real life - until now. 

Could this even be counted as a success? 

You’re happy for Rika and Yuta, as happy as you can be for their twisted little union, but you’re just waiting for Gojo to bite your head off for bringing a (real) monster and a human together as soon as you get back home. At least they’re happy, you think ruefully. Worse things could happen. Your first union as a marriage god didn’t fail. In fact, of all people, Yuta seemed the most likely in the world to accept Rika as she was, human or not. 

To your surprise, returning to the shrine, Gojo begrudgingly says, “You did well.” 

Any warm feelings you have for him the next day are replaced when he barges into your room and demands you strip. 

“You have guests,” he says. “Messengers from Toji-sama, the god of the wind.” 

Your eyes grow wide. You hadn’t known Toji was a god. Come to think of it, did Gojo even know the reason why you had been falling from that cliff? You weren’t sure if he had come in time to see who had pushed you. 

“What are you worried about? I’ll be at your side the whole time.” 

You’ll tell him later. Right now, you have a serious matter to prepare for. 

You tried not to discriminate on the basis of his master, but it’s not that at all. Toji’s familiar, Naoya, is simply annoying on his own terms. 

“So you’re the new god of this ramshackle little shrine,” he sniffs. “God, it’s disgusting. How poor are you?” 

“You must be the thirteenth familiar Toji’s owned. He goes through you like toys, doesn’t he? Of course you wouldn’t know that he used to live in worse conditions before. Deplorable.” Gojo laughs in his face. 

Naoya grits his teeth. “I’m surprised your little human dared to show her face. I thought she’d be terrified after what Toji did to her. They’re such weak little things.” 

Gojo looks at the other demon with a calm that worries you. As human as he is, there are moments when you can catch the monster lurking within. He’s like the sea, deceptively calm until you remember the threat of an unseen riptide. 

“If you insult my master again,” he says carefully, enunciating every word like he’s stabbing at them with a knife, “I will take your head and deliver it to your master as a present.” 

“Don’t tell me you’re happy to be serving a mortal girl,” Naoya laughs. “Not someone like you, Satoru. How the mighty have fallen.” 

Gojo looks at him for a long moment, then he ignores him completely and walks to your side. The most painful part of Naoya’s digs at you is knowing he’s right. Gojo doesn’t like this. How could he? He went from being the strongest to being commanded by some powerless girl. Still, Gojo gazes at you with his inscrutable eyes. You can’t read him at all. 

Slowly, he sinks to his knees next to you. 

With a gentleness you can hardly bear, he lays his head in your lap, as gentle and docile as a puppy. His neck is bared as if for an executioner’s axe, the delicate pulse of his heart open to you. He closes his eyes. His breath is shallow. He stays there, and says no more. 

“Oh, Satoru,” Naoya says in delight. “You really have become a tamed thing.” 

With an uncertainty you’re trying to hide, you lift your hands to Gojo’s head. His hair is sinfully soft. You’re almost scared he’ll try to take your hands off for it, but when you start to gently pet his hair, he almost purrs. His eyes close, half-lidded in pleasure. 

“I serve who I want to serve,” Gojo says. His tail lashes behind him. “Who are you to tell me my master is unworthy?” 

Naoya shrugs, clearly disbelieving. “Sure, Satoru. Keep telling yourself that. I’m just here to deliver a gift.” 

He tosses you a package wrapped carefully in beautiful, ornate wrapping paper. You’re sure it’s not Toji’s doing. He’s not the type. 

As soon as he leaves, Gojo pushes himself away from you. It leaves you a little sorrowful, the speed with which he tries to get away. He only did it for your sake, you know. He wanted to protect your honor in front of Naoya because you’re his master. But it must have disgusted him, to get on his knees for a human, if he recoiled so fast. 

“What did he mean, what Toji did to you?” Gojo asks over dinner. 

You know instantly that you’ll only draw his ire if you try to play dumb. 

“Toji pushed me off that cliff the day you found me.” 

Gojo’s eyes darken. The next time Naoya returns, he promises you, he’d set his tail on fire. No one besmirches his master’s honor like that. 

It’s about honor, of course. You’d be a fool to think otherwise. 

Alone in your chambers, you unwrap the package Naoya gave you. It’s an incense burner, beautiful and silver. As apology presents go, it’s a decent one. You set it aside for use at a later time. 

Naoya’s visit only makes Gojo’s training worse, but these days, you’ve grown used to him and his harsh words. The more that he yells at you for being weak, the more you can brush it off as Gojo just being Gojo. That only irritates him more, of course. 

But nothing pisses him off as much as you claiming that you’re returning to school. Gojo thinks that you have no need for school as a god. There’s nothing the humans can teach you that he can’t. 

In your eyes, Gojo is a kitsune. That means he’ll never understand a teenage girl’s heart. School isn’t about learning, it’s about the experience! You’ll never be in high school again - there are so many things you still haven’t experienced, like school trips. You only have one youth - you have to seize it in the moment! 

Gojo isn’t convinced. 

Like an overbearing parent, he nags you all day and night until finally, you strike a deal. He’ll let you go to school, but only as long as you cover up the god-mark on your head. Gojo is never one to make things easy for you. The hat he bestows you with is an ugly grandma print with faux fox ears. You’ll be the laughingstock of the school!

“It’s dangerous,” he says. “Who knows what wild beasts will be lurking about?” 

“You’re the wild beast,” you say. “I can’t wear that!” 

“I guess you can’t go to school then,” he sighs. “What a pity.” 

It’s all for show, of course. You know what he’s really like. There’s no use in arguing - either you agree to his compromise or you stay here, stuck in the temple for the rest of your life. You’ll miss out on all the joys of youth, never growing old in your cloistered shrine. The thought is unbearable. 

You snatch the hat from him in indignation. Putting it on before you leave the next day makes you cringe, but as long as you avoid mirrors, you can almost forget that it’s there - if not for your classmates staring at you. You can feel their judging eyes everywhere you go, and the whispers. 

You can’t even say you don’t care - you do care. You only have one high school life, and Gojo is ruining it. During lunch, you escape into the bathroom to mope and avoid all of your classmates. 

“Are you getting bullied?” Gojo’s voice is too bright and cheery for your dark mood right now. You can’t promise to remain calm if he stays here. 

“This is the girl’s bathroom, Gojo.” 

“Don’t be like that. I’m just worried about my master,” he says. “Well? How is it? Do you want to go home now?” 

He’s lying. You know he’s not worried about you at all, but you should be used to it. You don’t know why it stings as much as it does. 

You’re hurt even though you know this is just how Gojo is. Of course he’d be happy to see you miserable - he hadn’t even wanted you for a god in the first place. He’s bound to you by obligation, and nothing more. You had known from the start that he didn’t care about you, so why does it hurt that he won’t comfort you? It’s just like those nights in the demon world that seem so long ago now. He hasn’t changed at all. 

Gojo isn’t as shocked by your outburst as he is by the tears slowly welling up in your eyes. He stands stunned as you rush out of him and back into the hallway. 

Tsumiki appears next to him out of thin air, completely unimpressed. 

“You did a terrible job on that one, Gojo.” 

As if in a daze, he lifts his hand, where the crystal of one teardrop shines. He’d tried to reach for you at the last moment, but you were already gone. “I made her cry...” 

Megumi appears next to Tsumiki, his face red. “What’s taking so long? Hurry up and leave! We’re in the girl’s bathroom!” 

“Gojo was bullying our master,” Tsumiki announces. 

“I wasn’t bullying her!” 

“He made her cry.” 

Gojo winces. “Okay, yeah. I did do that.”

Megumi kicks him in the leg, which amounts to almost nothing. “Take responsibility, then!” 

When you return home, Gojo is waiting by the shrine door with an almost offensively polite smile on his face. “Let me take your coat, master.” 

Him being kind gives you the creeps. You can’t help but feel like he’s planning something, especially when he shows you the lavish dinner he prepared for you with all of your favorites. 

“What’s with the look?” He says, annoyed at your accusing eyes peering at him over your bowl. “I do something nice for you and this is how you treat me?” 

“This is really just for me? No ulterior motives?” 

“None,” he promises. 

The smile that breaks over your face is like the sun through rain clouds - sudden, dramatic, and almost painfully bright after a period of gray skies. 

“Thanks, Gojo!” 

The look in his eyes is unreadable as he reaches to spoon more food onto your plate. 

You don’t have anyone else in this world. Besides the shrine spirits, Gojo might be the only person in the world who will take care of you. For some reason, the thought doesn’t sting as much as it did this morning. 

The second day of school starts with pouring rain, as if it’s a direct reaction to your foul mood earlier. Gojo pulls you back when you try to leave. 

“It’s a bad omen,” he says. “Stay home with me today. I’ll worry about you if you go.” 

Normally, such sweet words might bring a blush to your face, but you can read between the lines. 

Stay home with me today so I can keep you out of trouble, you brat. 

I’ll worry about you if you go because you’re weaker than a worm. 

“Stop trying to keep me from going to school! I thought we got over this yesterday,” you huff. “I’m going to be late for the bus!” 

You leave Gojo with a handful of air as you dart under his outstretched arm and out the door. 

In school, all your classmates are listless. 

You’ve never been so unhappy to not be the subject of attention. What is wrong with everyone? Even the teacher doesn’t reprimand anyone for sleeping in class, half-asleep herself. You’re the only one who doesn’t seem to be caught in this spell of drowsiness, which insinuates paranormal origins. 

As you’re sweeping the classroom after class, one of your classmates lets out a disgruntled noise. 

“It’s a snake,” she says, not at all with the intonation of someone who’s just discovered a snake. Ami’s the type to go apoplectic at the sight of a fly, much less an actual snake, so you don’t pay much mind until you hear Kurama go, “Huh, she wasn’t kidding.” 

There’s a little yellow snake in the classroom. In their stupor, none of your classmates seem to care all that much about it. They just continue going about their chores. You feel bad for it. It’s such a small, fragile little creature. In their state, they might accidentally end up crushing it. 

With gentle murmurs of encouragement, you coax it into your hand. It’s surprisingly docile and twines itself readily around your wrist before you set it outside the window to be set free. 

Gojo doesn’t praise you for your act of heroism on the behalf of his fellow yokai, as you remind him. You saved his compatriots! Where’s the gratitude? 

He calls you a stupid little girl. “I don’t care about them, I care about you!” 

Your face warms with embarrassment against your will even though you know he doesn’t mean it like that. Time and time again, Gojo has stressed that he will never see yokai and humans as even remotely on the same playing field, much less capable of being romantic partners. 

“You’re my master,” he says. There’s your call back to reality. “Look at this mark on your wrist.” 

It appears like a normal bruise to you, though you’re not sure how it could’ve happened. Your new snake friend was very gentle when he was coiled around your wrist. He must have been someone’s escaped pet. You hope he found his way back home. 

Gojo’s mad. He’s enunciating every word. 

“This is exactly why I have to keep such a close eye on you. That’s no ordinary bruise. That is an engagement mark. Care to explain to me how I left you alone for one second and you got yourself engaged to a divine beast?” 

Your face pales. “Excuse me?” 

“That snake is going to come and claim you as his bride.” 

“As a bride?” Your head spins and you have to sit down. You’re too young to get married. You look up at Gojo, teary-eyed. You don’t want this. 

“Stop making that face,” he snaps, pushing a hand over your face to hide it. “As if I would let that happen. The master of the Yaga shrine, my master, could never be wed to a mere snake.” 

If Gojo says he won’t let it happen, you can put your faith in him. You breathe a little easier. As mean as he can be, Megumi and Tsumiki weren’t lying when they called him the best familiar. He’s the strongest and most capable person or rather, yokai, that you know. There’s not a single task you set for him that he hasn’t been able to complete. 

It’s still raining when you go outside to practice your talisman making. 

You find the weather quite pleasant, even though it’s a little damp. The chill in the air cuts through the muggy feeling of summer, and the raindrops cool your cheeks. When you turn your face up to the sky, you can taste ozone in the little drops that pelt your face. 

“You’re very beautiful, kamisama,” says a voice. 

There's a man waiting just outside the red gates. A supplicant? In this weather? You better get him inside in a hurry. You dash over to him. 

“What are you doing? Come inside, you’ll get wet!” 

Just as you reach him, he lifts his face. He looks like a statue, with high cheekbones, and solemn eyes. His hair is the same pale yellow as the snake you saw earlier that day-

“Gojo!” 

But it’s too late. 

The snake has a hold on your wrist, right above the engagement mark. He takes you away. 

One moment, you’re standing in your own backyard, the next, you’re surrounded by almost-familiar bamboo walls. It looks like your shrine but for little distinguishing touches. That makes you uncomfortable. 

“This is Haibara shrine,” the snake says. “I’m Nanami, the familiar of Haibara-sama. I’ve taken you away to marry you.” 

There’s a curtain over the center of the room. Haibara presumably rests behind it, but something strikes you as off about the whole scenario. That’s not what’s foremost on your mind, however. 

“I don’t want to marry you! You kidnapped me!” 

He tilts his head at you. “I couldn’t have kidnapped you. We’re engaged, you see?” He traces the mark on your wrist with one slim finger. “We’re going to be very happy together.” 

“You’re being creepy,” you push him away. 

At your rejection, something dark crosses over his features - not danger, but pain. He has some nerve feeling upset when you’re the one who should be upset here! 

“That’s alright,” he says, trying to stroke your hair. You won’t let him touch you. “I know it can take some getting used to. Here, let me show you to your room.” 

Nanami has clearly put a lot of thought into decorating for you. It’s beautifully furnished, with rich silk sheets and the fragrant smell of plum blossoms permeating the air. Here, there’s not a single thing you could want but- 

Gojo. 

You miss Gojo and you miss your shrine. 

When Nanami leaves you in your room, it feels like a tomb in the silence. You bury your face in your expensive, hateful sheets and try to resist the urge to sob. You want Gojo to come get you. You want to go home. 

Hours pass, but Gojo doesn’t come. 

Nothing but the sound of your breathing changes, passing from frantic to deeper, slower, steadier. As your head clears, you notice the window. It’s a beautifully ornate design, a red knot of luck. The center is just big enough for a girl to squeeze through, if you try hard. 

Resolve grips you. 

You’re not going to wait for Gojo to rescue you. You’re going to get out of here yourself, find him, and scold him for not coming to get you earlier. Aren’t you his most beloved master, as he so professes? You’re going to make him kneel for at least three hours practicing his apologies! 

Filled with renewed conviction, you hoist yourself onto the window sill and begin the tedious task of shimmying yourself out. Just when you’re nearly there, the sharp edge of the metal scrapes your shin, leaving a long, thin cut. 

The smell of salt replaces the plums immediately. 

“God?” Comes Nanami’s voice. “I smell blood. Are you alright?” 

“I’m fine!” You panic. If he discovers your escape attempt now, he might try to put you in a more secure room, and then you’ll really never see Gojo again. 

The adjacent wall caves in. 

Gojo stands in the rubble, seething, each hand wreathed in blue flame. He doesn’t even notice you, his attention wholly focused on Nanami. “You drew her blood? Are you prepared to face the consequences of hurting my master, snake?” 

You grab his arm just before he attacks. “He didn’t! I hurt myself on the window- oof!” 

Gojo’s so much bigger than you are. When he folds you into his arms, his entire body surrounds you. His chin tucks itself over your head, his large arms wrap around your body. You’ve never felt more secure than you are here, now. “I thought you’d be crying.”

His voice is hoarse. 

You’ve never heard that before. 

“You came,” you whimper, burying your face into his shoulder.  

Nanami’s face is crestfallen. “Are you going to leave me?” 

You grab Gojo’s arm and duck into the other room, where Haibara’s curtain is. 

“Don’t!” Nanami cries. 

When you pull it back, there’s nothing but an old, dusty kimono. 

You were right. 

This place is godless. 

“You’re no familiar,” Gojo snarls, turning on Nanami. “Don’t even think to call yourself that. The difference between you and me is as clear as day, you vile beast. You’ll pay for your insolence with the loss of your shrine.” 

Nanami’s misery is written all over his face. You’ve realized what’s wrong with this shrine. It’s too quiet, as if no one has prayed here for generations. Haibara has been dead for a long, long time.

Nanami must have been lonely. 

“Don’t,” you tell Gojo.

He stares at you, incredulous. “Are you out of your mind?” 

You tug yourself out of Gojo’s arms. Nanami’s crouched on the ground, trying to shield Haibara’s old kimono from Gojo’s foxfire. You kneel to his level. 

“I’m sorry you’ve been lonely for all this time, Nanami. I can’t stay with you, but if you come to my shrine, we can play again.” 

Nanami weeps and reaches for your hand. The mark of the snake dissolves. 

Gojo doesn’t talk to you on the way back to the shrine.

“Don’t be mad,” you say, tugging on the sleeves of his kimono. He gives you a deadpan stare. “Come on! I only did it because-” 

You can’t finish your sentence. 

Of course, that piques Gojo’s interest. He can never resist bullying you. 

“Because? Go on,” he goads you. 

You say it so quietly he can’t hear you, even with his fox ears. He spins around, grabs you by the waist, and hoists you up so you’re face to face. You yelp and scramble to grab onto his shoulders for balance. 

“Louder,” he demands. “I can’t hear you.” 

“I was thinking about what would happen if I died and you were all alone again. I couldn’t leave him alone because I was thinking of you,” you tell him. Thinking of Gojo watching after an empty shrine all alone like Mizuki makes your heart ache for reasons you can’t explain. 

He stiffens. “What a strange thing to worry about. I wouldn’t care.” 

“Ugh,” you smack him in the shoulder. You shouldn't have tried to be kind to him. 

He doesn’t put you down, shifting you into an easier hold. “You’re hurt,” he admonishes when you try to squirm. 

Just before you enter the shrine gates, he has a confession of his own to make. “I’m sorry,” he says. “You got hurt because I wasn’t protecting you.” 

You rub his ears, an indulgence you’re not sure he would’ve allowed if he wasn’t in such a mood. “It’s not your fault!” 

“I’ve never had a human master,” he says. “I have to be careful not to break you. You’re so easily hurt.” 

“You don’t have to say it like that,” you say, and then the shrine spirits are there to welcome you home. 

You hadn’t realized you thought of the shrine as home until today. 

Even though Nanami’s mood isn’t affecting the weather anymore, it’s still raining. Gojo tells you not to mind the weather, even though you’re certain that it’s not from natural causes, which means it is your job. Ever since you came back from Haibara’s shrine, Gojo has been extra protective of you. 

You hadn’t thought Gojo had needed to be protected too, not until the thunder god came. 

The god of storms and lightning is called Getou Suguru. He carries a mallet in one hand that can transform whoever it touches into their younger forms, and he used to be Gojo’s best and only friend. He’s also the one who called a bounty on your head.

[the-hinky-panda]

The Medic Series: Part III

Title: The Medic Series

Rating: Explicit

Pairing: Johnny Coco Cruz x OFC (Morgan "Stitches" Fox)

Summary: Morgan Fox is a nurse who is looking for a fresh start. She leaves La Jolla the night before her wedding for a fresh start in Santo Padre.

Author's Note: This series takes place in the same universe as @bullet-prooflove's Community Series.

Taglist: @darqchilddaydreamz @kmc1989

Coco is in love. 

At least that’s what he thinks it is once he realizes the blonde woman in bloody scrubs isn’t an angel. But she looks beautiful enough to be one. She and Letty help him back into the clinic and his fuzzy mind is able to put together that it was the John who got the jump on him with…something. The nurse, he’s struggling with remembering her name, cleans most of the blood away and starts assessing the cut. He has to make a concerted effort to not lean into her touch, bury his face against her lightly perfumed neck. She is just so…he can’t settle on a word.

“Felt like I got hit with a fuckin’ 2x4.” 

She hums. “Based on the skin split, I would say it was a baseball bat.” 

“What do you think bats are made out of?” 

Her ice blue eyes drop down to his face in surprise. But when his mouth twists into a grin, so does hers, crinkles appearing in the corner of those beautiful eyes. 

Fuck. He’s a complete goner. And he still can’t remember her name. 

“Alright,” she says, pulling a fresh pair of gloves on, “looks like everyone is getting stitches this evening.” 

“Stitches!” 

She nods. “Yup, that’s a nasty gash on your head. You and your daughter are going to have matching wounds for a little bit.” 

“No,” he starts to shake his head but then realizes that will mess her up. “That’s your name, right? Stitches?” 

“My nickname, yes,” she laughs quietly. “Apparently they really like the way I do them. I’m guessing there was another nurse who didn’t do them so well.” 

“The one you replaced was shit.” Coco closes eyes. He’s so close to her he can smell her own scent underneath the perfume, see the smoothness of her skin. His head already hurts too much to have perfection a couple inches from his lips. “The club doesn’t even come here to get patched up.” 

“Where do they go?” 

He feels the first pinch of the needle and it helps ground him. “No where.” 

“They all look like fucking Frankensteins,” Letty pipes up. 

“We do not,” Coco counters. But that did remind him. “Speaking of the club, they’re on their way.” 

Letty shifts on her feet. “Did you call the cops?” 

Coco opens one of his eyes to see who Letty addressed the question to and sees her eyes on Stitches’ face. 

Stitches worries her bottom lip. “I didn’t call them.” 

Coco releases a sigh of relief. Less red tape. “Good. We’ll take care of it.” 

“We’re going to have to take care of Celia too. I saw her drive off when we came out and found you behind the dumpster.” 

Coco grits his teeth as he feels the stitches tighten. “Probably gave the fucker the fucking baseball bat.” 

“She sounds like a lovely woman.” Stitches pulls her gloves off and tosses everything into the trash. “Will the club take care of her too?” 

“No,” Coco says. “I’ll take care of her.” 

Letty clears her throat as Stitches gathers fresh stitching supplies to finish her original job. There are looks passed between the two of them and Coco knows there’s some conversation that was had and he either can’t remember or wasn’t privy to in the first place. 

“What, mija?” 

Letty winces as her stitches start. “Morgan was telling me about a friend of hers. They might be able to help out too.” 

“Who the fuck is Morgan?” 

Both women give him a slightly alarmed look and Letty points to the nurse. “You didn’t think her actual name was ‘Stitches?’” 

Stitches winks at him. “Go easy on him, Letty. He’s got a head injury.” 

“We’ve all got fucking head injuries,” Letty mutters. 

Coco watches from the chair as Stitches tends to Letty and tries to come up with a plan that would convince an angel to give a poor devil a shot. 

***

“Shit!” 

Morgan is leaning on the rust stained porcelain sink, staring into a cracked mirror as she tries to lay the butterfly stitches properly along her temple. But by the time she blots the still oozing blood from the cut and properly positions the stitches, the blood has risen up enough that it prevents them from sticking. She’s gone through three of them now. 

“Need some help, Munequa?” 

She turns to see Coco standing in the open door to the bathroom. He must have finished filling in the club on the details of his situation. “Sure. As long as I don’t end up looking like Frankenstein.” 

He gives her a small smile. “No promises.” 

Morgan holds her breath as he blots the blood away with a much more gentle hand than she anticipates. She can see the small tattoo on the corner of his earth brown eyes, and one along his hairline that’s covered by his long hair. He smells of tobacco and cedarwood, and she fights the urge to tell him to stop smoking. The world needs more people like him, protectors, guardians. A father willing to fight for his daughter with such tenacity, it’s not uncommon but after all she’s seen in this world, it’s not common enough. 

“There,” he smoothes the butterfly stitches across her forehead with his thumbs, but his hands linger on the sides of her face. She can feel the calluses on his palms as they slide over her cheeks. 

“Thanks.” It’s the stupidest thing to say but it’s the only thing that came to mind given his close proximity. Instead of stepping away, he leans in closer.Her fingers curl into the soft flannel of his shirt when she realizes he’s going to kiss her and she hopes to God she remembers how to properly do this. But as soon as his lips brush against hers, someone shouts from the hallway. 

“Coco!” 

Both of you step back from each other, him knocking into the door and her banging her hip against the sink. They’re both still catching their breath when one of the MC members comes around the corner. He’s tall with slicked back hair and all it takes is one look between the two of them before he shakes his head with a chuckle. 

“Coco, come on, dawg. Creep’s got the dude in the back of the van.” He laughs again. “Let’s deal with this motherfucker first then you can come back and play doctor.” 

“Shut the fuck up, man.” Coco groans. “Shit, Letty. I gotta get her home.” 

Morgan perks up at that. “Oh, let me get you a business card. I was telling Letty that I have a friend back in La Jolla who handles sex trafficking and prostitution cases pro bono. He’s making up for all the time he spent as an ambulance chaser I suppose. But with what Letty was telling me, he could put together a pretty rock solid case against your mother for selling Letty to this rat bastard.” She hands him the card. “I mean, if you wanted to go the legal route.” 

Coco takes the card from her and tucks it in his shirt pocket. “Thanks, Stitch. For everything.” 

“Sure.” Morgan walks with them out to the reception area where there’s five other men wearing Mayan kuttes. Coco motions to the one of them, slightly taller than her but built solidly. 

“This is Bishop,” Coco introduces. “He’s our President.” 

Morgan shakes his offered hand. “Morgan Fox.” 

“Thanks for the help, Morgan. Appreciate it.” 

“Any time.” She holds his eyes for a moment. “I mean that.” 

“Careful what you promise,” he responds but with a good natured smile. “Alright, let's take care of this problem before the meds wear off.” 

Letty steps up next to Morgan. “I can help Morgan clean up the office and then she can drop me by the salvage yard. If that’s okay?” 

Morgan notices the looks between the men and realizes this is quite a big ask. She starts to suggest just taking Letty to her home when Coco speaks up. 

“That would work, Bish. I gotta talk to her about some help with Celia. She says she’s got a friend who handles stuff like this, on the up and up.” 

“Jail time?” Bishop asks. 

Morgan nods. “I’ve seen pimps go away for fifteen years on shaky evidence. This guy is good.” 

Bishop nods. “That’s fine then. We’ll let Chucky know you’re coming.” 

Morgan thanks them for the allowance to come onto their turf as she opens the front door for them. As they’re walking out to their bikes, she notices the driver of a dented up black van. He’s part of the club as members are going up to him and interacting with jokes and fist bumps. Coco climbs into the passenger seat of the van with him. 

“Who’s the van driver?” 

Letty looks out at the parking and squints. “Looks like Creeper. Why? You know him or something?” 

Morgan shakes her head as she closes and locks the door to the clinic. “Yeah, or something.” 

[thetiniestfangirl]

i’m sleepless and delirious so i thought fuck it. i’m finally gonna share my aftg oc i’ve been sitting on for nearly three years now with y’all. why now? because i’m really proud of her.

warning, this runs the risk of portraying some characters as ooc so i’d love to hear what parts stood out to you as such so i can amend it. second warning, this is batshit. but that’s why we love aftg, right?

anyhoo. our story begins back in the days where wymack was hooking up with kayleigh. now we know man’s was a slut way back when, so what was to stop him from unintentionally siring another baby with a toxic french women?

this introduces us to darcy, wymack’s daughter and kevin’s half sister that neither know exists. she’s raised by her alcoholic mother, who carries a disdain for both her child and exy. this leads darcy to start playing it as a way to escape her mother’s house and it soon becomes her favourite thing in the world.

this is where her backstory takes a bit of inspiration from fezco’s on euphoria. darcy’s mother drinks herself to death and the little girl is taken in by her mother’s sister, a drug dealer. darcy starts off as a mule in her aunt’s ring but slowly rises in the ranks; she’s as skilled in her science and maths as well as she is with a shotgun. she aiming to succeed her aunt’s role when she steps down but when celine (her aunt) sees how good a striker she is, she applies darcy for the fox scholarship at palmetto.

the foxes are not at all what she’s expecting. they’re a shit team and going nowhere fast. not about to throw away the fresh start she’s been handed, darcy throws herself into curating a new image for herself. college athletics is all about branding, right? and the girl knows a thing or two about marketing. she becomes an easy fan favourite overnight, adored for her charm in interviews, her skill and sass on the court and her #relatabilty on social media. she’s a performer and a good one at that.

but the girl isn’t perfect. she’s smiling at cameras and sneering back at her teammates. she’s angry, violently so. it’s the kind of anger that bubbles under the skin until it explodes. though she completely renounces her dealing, she still hangs on to her pistols (she’s liscensed and registered). just in case.

while her exy personality gains her the ire of riko, her real one catches the eye of andrew minyard and his monsters. after a series of torment and trials (leading to a physical altercation that leaves the lot of them bloodied and bruised as well as the columbia house trashed), darcy is inducted into the monsters. while andrew has no reason to trust her past, he knows that good dealers never sample their goods. he also knows that darcy’s reputation means more to her than anything at palmetto. this is what leads him to appoint darcy as somewhat of aaron’s keeper of sobriety in exchange for his protection of her. btw this all occurs the year before neil arrives.

okay. i’m sleepy so that’s enough chaos for now. lemme know if you wanna hear more or if you have any questions. this lore goes fucking deep.

[mrsarnasdelicious]

Alright, Yous asked for this - PART THREE

Threesome with Finan and Osferth Shameless smut.

Arnas Fedaravicius Smut - Groovey Kind of Love CW: RPF. More sexy time with mr sexy.

Sex in Public - Arnas Fedaravicius CW: RPF Pointless smut

You're Mine - Redo The more canon compliant version.

Reunion Sex - Osferth He's missed you, you know.

Yet Another Sihtric Smut - Sex Worker Sihtric Modern verse, escort!Sihtric doing reader pro bono.

Helaemond Smut I am Heleamond trash

The Green Dragon Meaningless Aemond smut

How It Came To Be The first time Harwin and Nyra involve Laenor

A bed for three Harwin x Nyra x Laenor

Laenor Velaryon - Ducks and Geese Nyra and Laenor being poly with reader, vague plot, much smut.

Prince Viridian - Edging You Just me being nuts for Gijs Blom

Seth x Darren smut Seth Clearwater and his dhampire boyfriend.

Chris Evans' Weak Pullout Game BREEDINGKINKBREEDINGKINKBREEDINGKINK

Anton Mogart Request Request has been requested, smutty shit

In The Middle of Nowhere Henry Cavill smut

True Art Anton Mogart Smut

Bondage - The Darkling I do this for my friend Alina. Smutty nonsense. ~Added since making this list~

Run, Little Prey Sweeney, Loki and Shadow all want a good round with reader and they'll have to work for it.

The Other Thorki American Gods Loki x Thor

Red Hair; Red Hand Peaky Blinders long fic, slight fix it, first POV. Very Alfie at first, then very Tommy.

Sihtric fucking you on your period For a fellow fox.

Scare you into it Master Chief x Rich Man's Daughter. Might be long fic.

Hurts so good Master Chief x Medic smut

Part of your research Master Chief x Biologist. Probably a long fic.

Shot Through the heart [Mob!AU] Shameless Mob au smut

Master Chief NSFW Alphabet Dirty dirty headcanons

Just some Michael Gavey BS, bc I have some, too Mikey and reader are on a project together, but he'd rather fukc her. Involves mommy kink and Mikey being a virgin.

[askthechronoverse]

Last Chapter •||• Next Chapter

Kit wanted to run home the whole day at school, but she knew her father would be disappointed if she skipped again. The gross feeling she had that her father was not going to be home when she got home had to be set aside. She almost could sense that Bellamy had an inkling of her feelings as well, considering how many times the chimera continued to glance over to her with reassuring winks and smiles with every shared class they had. They helped her keep her emotions down and allow her to outwardly appear sunny and cheerful.

The bell to herald the beginning of the lunch period had barely sounded before a bored, completely checked out sounding voice sounded over the tinny loudspeaker:

"Catherine Brickowski and Bellamy Fox, please report to the main office."

Bellamy couldn't register that Kit had flown out the open classroom door until she was already halfway down the hallway. The chimera followed their friend, knowing that she was probably thinking of the worst case. When they caught up with Kit, it was clear that she was having issues keeping a monsoon of emotions at bay. When she finally stopped, Bellamy slammed into her. This pushed her into her father's arms.

"Thank you, Mrs. Punchberry. I'll take them from here. Kids, let's go. I'll explain as we head to the truck." RJ's voice felt frantic, but somehow managed to be subdued. Kit wasn't sure if he was trying to hide how he was feeling from her or from the secretary. If it was from the secretary, she didn't pick up on it and chose instead to return her focus back to her puzzle book.

"Dad?" As RJ hurried the two teenagers toward his truck, Kit noticed that there were suitcases in the bed. Did her father already pack for them? Despite what he had said in the school, RJ didn't speak again until everyone was in the truck and safely in motion.

"Kit. My raptors were attacked last night. I think whoever trashed the office did this." His voice was unstable as he turned towards the space port. "They took my flux capacitor and… I don't know what the extent of the damage they did to my crew is right now."

"Where are we going?" Kit watched the spaceport get closer and closer, seeing a launch in process as well as a few planes coming and going.

"I'm taking you to New Bricksburg. Whoever is doing this is attacking everything I love. I can't let that include you. Your father is already on his way to the embassy down there." RJ parked the truck and practically jumped out, taking no time at all to grab the suitcases in the back. "Let's make tracks. The faster we get out of here, the faster I know you're safe."

Kit took her retreating father's hand as he flashed three tickets to the playing card woman at the gate. She noted that two tickets were blue and one was green. She wasn't sure what that could mean, so she made a note in her head to ask her father about that when he was less frantic.

It felt like a moment of calm came when they finally approached the ships. People in flashy and colorful space suits hustled around the large and sleek monochrome ship which was fitted with large wings and jet boosters you could get lost in. Kit wanted to stop at this moment and take the ship and her surroundings in. This was something that her father had said he was going to do for as long as she was able to remember. He told her that they were going to go to Syspocalypstar together. She just wished that there wasn't so much uncertainty hanging over their heads.

It didn't take too much longer for them to be sitting in their seats, waiting for the flight to begin. Bellamy's arms were folded as they sat across from father and daughter.

"Why am I here, Mr. B?" Their tone was blunt.

"You keep saying that you're going to be her bodyguard. That's what you're going to do. You're going to protect her if I can't." He looked out the window for a brief moment, then at the tickets he held in his hand. "No. When I can't." He looked away again as a crane flight attendant began checking seats for valid tickets.

"Oh! Green ticket, huh? Are you moving?" Kit turned to the sound of the fluttery voice of the crane flight attendant, who somehow snuck up on the three travelers.

"No. I just don't expect to come back right now." RJ's voice was muffled as he sank a little in the chair.

"That's too bad but I'm sure we'll see you again real soon." The crane slid off to the next set of seats.

"One way ticket," was all RJ said in response. Before Kit could ask more, the crane's voice could be heard from a speaker.

"Welcome aboard Futuron's jewel of space, the Solar Butterfly! My name is Carrie and I will be your ever attentive attendant for the duration of this flight to Syspocalypstar. Please remain seated during takeoff and keep in mind that, in the event of an emergency, we are unable to provide full spacesuits at this time. You will need to rely on the oxygen mask and oxygen tanks that are found under your seat. This flight will not be providing any meals. I hope you enjoy your flight with us." RJ sank even lower as she walked to her seat at the front of the ship.

"Wait. Do they not sing the airplane safety song on intergalactic flights?" Bellamy scratched their head as the ship took off and rocketed off at an unknowable speed through space.

"Futuron is run by minifigures, kid. We ain't known for whimsy." He glanced over to Kit, who bounced in her seat. He kept his eyes for a moment at Carrie, who was whispering something to someone that looked like an authority figure who was seated next to her. She showed the slender figure a holographic photo of him. He swallowed hard before putting his attention back to his daughter. "Hey, Kitten. Ya wanna see somethin' cool?" She nodded with zeal. "Sit in the window seat across from me." Kit hopped to the seat next to Bellamy. He kept his eyes on the flight attendant as she picked up a communication device that looked like a radio microphone. She talked for a few moments to someone, with the occasional look back to him. His stomach was in knots by the time he could hear the attendant's voice fully again over the speaker.

"Attention guests. We are about to go through the Stairgate. Please fasten your seatbelts and stay in your seats." The attendant's voice broke through the idle chatter of the passengers around them.

"That's the portal between the Old Systar System and the United Planets of Syspocalypstar, right?" Kit looked out the window at what she could only describe as something vaguely doorlike. Well, it sometimes looked like that, if she squinted.

"Yep. The Stairgate. I flew a ship made out of a yellow house through that thing… at least twice. In different timelines." RJ leaned back in his chair now, unable to keep sitting low in the seat because of the seatbelt. "It ain't as bumpy a ride as it was back then. Most ships are built to survive the trip now."

"Is the Rexcelsior built for that, too?" Kit asked, eager. Before he answered, RJ put his fingers to his lips to signal to the girl to keep her voice down.

"Don't know. I never tried it. She's a pretty old ship, so I don't wanna move her to find out." The ship began to rock a little as it entered the Stairgate. "Alright, kids. Look outside."

The two teenagers looked out the window and were rewarded with a psychedelic display of color and light. It was almost as if reality itself was warping and bending to the will of an unknowable and overly imaginative mind. Kit could swear that some parts of the ship looked like they were also warping at the same time, constantly evolving but at the same time remaining stagnant on the inside. Once the space around them turned to a stagnant dark blue, the flight attendant spoke again.

"Welcome to the United Planets of Syspocalypstar. We should be arriving at the lunar spaceport in just a few moments. You are free to take off your seatbelts until entry into the atmosphere."

"That was pretty cool, right?" RJ flashed a nervous but somehow still enigmatic smile. Bellamy nodded slowly while Kit's reaction was more energetic. RJ looked out the window at the slowly approaching planet and his face became more solemn. The grin on his daughter's face disappeared when she saw this, replaced with perplexed worry. She watched him pull out his phone and type something. He spoke, which made Kit jump. "When we get to the spaceport, have a taxi take you to this address." He handed Bellamy his phone. It was open to a note taking app, where an address was written:

20 14th Street, New Bricksburg

"Ya ain't coming with us, Mr. B?" Bellamy tried to hand the phone back, but RJ shook his head.

"Keep the phone. Ya may need it for something." RJ's attention turned back to the window. "Fasten your seatbelts if you didn't keep them fastened. I think we're about to reach our destination." There was something mournful to his voice, more so than there had been the entire flight over. The flight attendant confirmed this, thanking them all for their choice to travel with them. RJ muttered something under his breath, which Kit only caught the words "no other choice".

The ship's landing was a bit rocky, more so than even the experienced pilot of the trio seemed to expect. Before they got up, RJ handed Bellamy the two similarly colored tickets.

"These will take you back home when things are safe. I'm sure Richie will let Emmet know when that is." He got up and took a breath to ground himself. He took his daughter's hand and, with Bellamy behind them, began to leave the spaceship.

They only got as far as the receiving gate. Two men in silver and yellow spacesuits and yellow helmets that hid their facial features stepped out of the shadows with five similarly clad soldiers minus the helmets behind them. One of the helmeted men spoke. The crystal clear voice that came from the helmet authoritative enough to Kit to make her freeze chilled RJ to his core.

"Rex Joseph Brickowski, you are under arrest for war crimes against the Syspocalypstarian crown as well as several counts of larceny, among several other crimes. Will you go quietly?" That voice made his back throb. Of course Unitron would tap Bad Cop to join their ranks. Kit opened her mouth to protest, but Bellamy put a finger on her beak. "Or do we do things the hard way?"

"As long as you let my daughter and her friend go to someplace safe, I won't have a reason to fight." It amazed Kit how close to her uncle RJ sounded just now.

"Bad Cop, search them. Make sure Rex isn't using them to smuggle something to help him escape." The second helmeted man spoke with disdain and disgust behind a voice that could be perceived as one of true authority. His features were obscured by his helmet, but Kit could imagine he had a self-satisfied smirk. His hands were behind his back, which was perfectly straight.

"Touch my daughter and I will tear you apart." RJ growled, his rage instinctive.

“You put yourself in this situation, Dangervest. I would say you should have thought of that before, but I don't think you ever expected to get caught.” He glanced over to Bad Cop. “Hurry it up. We have a strict time schedule to uphold.”

“Yes, Chief." Bad Cop pulled out a handheld metal detector wand and scanned it over both teenagers, as well as RJ. Both Bellamy and Kit were confused, while RJ looked like he was going to rip the old cop limb from limb for not listening to his threat. Kit shouted as Bad Cop reached for her bag, but a sad nod from RJ was enough for her to back off. Bad Cop started to search through the bag and yelled. He pulled his hand out of the bag, revealing that it was caught in a mousetrap. He took the trap off his hand with the help of one of the infantrymen and threw it as far as he could. He shoved the bag in Kit's arms and shook his head. "They’re clean, Chief." His stern face switched to a scribbled on one, which flashed RJ an apologetic frown before returning to its original setting.

"Surprising." The chief sniffed as he pulled RJ's arms behind his back and cuffed him. "I guess we can let the rugrats go." He shook his head as Bellamy pulled Kit away. "You must not be thinking right to come here with your daughter, Dangervest. I thought Unikitty was going to keep you safe. You basically did my job for me. Would have taken me months to get you out of that candy covered kingdom you found yourself in."

"Don't know whatcha know about chess, but sometimes ya need to make a sacrifice to put more valuable pieces in a safer position.” RJ spoke softer now. “Let's just get this over with. Hope you bring the Business brothers in, too. Last I checked, one of them still owns us tacos." He looked once more to his daughter's retreating back. "Love you, Kitten. Please be safe."

[cartoonfanaticmonsterrobotalien]

Solar Opposites: The Wrath of Ophelia Trailer

The trailer starts with a view of Planet Shlorp. Then, it views Opehlia snarling as she tries to seize Baby Terry, who is crying. But then, a Shlorpian guard grabs her away and slashed her as she vows vengeance.

Ophelia: I’LL BE BACK! I’LL BE BACK!

The guards shoots as she runs off and blocks the door.

Ophelia: *echoed voiceover* One day, that sproutling will be mine!

We then cut to Earth

Hulu Originals Presents

Human Terry was taking out the trash until, hears a tranquilizer gun loaded.

Human Terry: What the?

A Emeralddon guard shoots him with a dart as he falls down. Then, it cuts to the 20th Century Fox logo. Korvo is looking for Terry.

Korvo: *calling out* TERRY! TERRY! WHERE ARE YOU?!

Human Yumyulack, Human Jesse, Human Pupa and Sonya: TERRY! WHERE ARE YOU?! TERRY, WHERE ARE YOU?!

Human Korvo notices a note

Human Korvo: What the fuck?!

The scene cuts to a church.

Ms. Smithers: You see, my daughter got heartbroken because her best friend she loved died and then she taken away by green monsters!

The scene cuts to Terry looking horrified

Terry: Oh fuck fuck fuck! What’s happening?!

The scene then cuts to a video recording of Cherry getting taken by the Emeraldnites. And then Terry seeing her unconscious. The screen cuts to black as a heartbeat is heard. Suddenly, a spear came across Terry’s left arm as it makes a cut that slices a sleeve sort as Terry grabs Cheery.

Cherry Smithers: *screams* Who are you?! What the fuck am I doing here?!

Terry: It’s okay. You can trust me.

Cheery: What?

Terry: Look, let’s just start over before running for our lives again. *hold out his hand* Hi, I’m Terry.

Cheery: I’m Cheery.

Another spear came by as Terry and Cheery screamed and runs off. The scene then cuts to Korvo and his family worrying to Terry.

Phoebe MacCarthy: Where are you Terry?

AISHA: Oh shit! Terry is on Emeralddon!

Korvo: What?!

The scene cuts to Terry wearing a hood while a voiceover by AISHA is heard.

AISHA: I think Ophelia wants his lifesource!

Korvo gasps. Then it cuts to Korvo, who is black and his eyes glowing as he tears apart his bottle filled with pills as he screams in fury. Then it cuts to the humans panicking. It shows Frankie fighting back until an Emeraldon knight kicks her. “Enough” from Disturbed plays in the background as it shows “From the Creators of Rick & Morty” and “High on Life”.

It then cuts to the view of ship and then shows Korvo.

Korvo: AISHA, send us the coordinates to Emeralddon! We have to save Terry!

It then shows Korvo with black skin and glowing eyes.

Korvo: *tearfully* I CAN’T LOSE MY SWEETIE GUYS!

Scene cuts to Frankie, Cooke, Randall, Darcy and Jamie and Kevin and his family.

AISHA: Uh, Korvo? What’s happening to you?

Randall: Don’t worry, we’ll go with you!

Darcy, Jamie and Kevin: Yeah! Totally! He’s right man, we should-

Then, Janice enters the room, much to everyone’s confusion.

Janice: Can I come?

Korvo: Janice?

Randall: *blushing lovingly* Uuuuh…

We then cut to Korvo with a black bigger muscular body, glowing eyes, horns, and wings landing

Korvo: *to Ophelia* Let him go!

Ophelia: The fuck!

Then it shows Terry running off while wearing a hooded robe as he and Cheery panicked. Then, it shows Terry accidentally knocking out a food vendor.

Terry: Sorry!

Cheery groans in annoyance as she facepalms. Then it cuts to Terry putting a blanket on Cheery who smiles while a voiceover form Terry is heard.

Terry: *voiceover* Among the Shlorpians, I always feel like I’m pushing people away.

It shows a flashback of Terry nurturing baby Jesse while feeding her nutrients from her baby bottle. It then shows Korvo and Terry making out.

Cheery Smithers: *voiceover* That is not true Mr. Opposites. You take great care of people. You have a family who loves you and they might looking for you. That what makes you extraordinary.

Terry smiles weakly. Then, it cuts Terry fighting with Ophelia while defending an unconscious Cheery in his arms. Then; it shows clips of Terry screaming at nighttime in his bed, the family playing football during the 4th of July, the humans screaming while the spaceship is launch. Then, it shows Cooke freaking out while his face turns green.

Principal Cooke: Holy fuck! I can’t handle space! *gags* Yeah, I’m gonna barf!

Korvo: Oh please don’t.

Principal Cooke barfs

Korvo: Uh…

Cue the title

“Solar Opposites: The Wrath of Ophelia”

Then it cuts to Korvo snarling.

Jamie: Is he okay man?

Kevin: I don’t know.

Korvo: Give him back. Give…him…

Korvo suddenly grows bigger and muscular while his skin turns black.

Korvo: BACK! *roars*

Sonya: Whoa.

The trailer ends with the logo, a Hulu Original.

[autumnalfallingleaves]

📓

I've really been hooked on the idea recently of a Hilda/Star Wars crossover/fusion during the Clone Wars where Hilda is a Force-sensitive Mandalorian, Frida's a padawan, and David and Louise are civilians (all living on Coruscant) and they all get up to shenanigans not unlike canon Hilda that somehow eventually lead up to the discovery and ousting of Palpatine. I haven't figured that out yet but that's A Thing That Happens. One thing I've been thinking about a lot as of recent is how Hilda's family works; Phinium and Lydia are still around-- Lydia's a former Jedi who left the order to be with Phinium and is Mando now, and they run a restaurant in Little Keldabe (that happens to be clone-friendly). Johanna is a freelance artist working in the district with her daughter, Hilda, and Astrid is an armorer in the same district. Phin is still a fairy, so Jo and Hilda retain their fairy magic, like in canon (weaker on Hilda's part, but still there). This is especially relevant because it means Phin, Astrid, and Jo don't need jetpacks. Lydia and Hilda still need them, though, even though Hilda can float but not fly.

I've also been thinking about the Jedi part of this; Frida is Tildy's newest padawan and Kaisa is an archivist. I think it'd be really, really funny is Tildy inserts herself as the Coruscant Guard's unofficial Jedi (though I do love me a good "the Guard's trash Jedi Quinlan" fic). The Guards' dynamic with Tildy and Frida would be fun as fuck. I have a funny mental image of Frida and Fox becoming friends and hissing at Tildy when she tries to take their caf away.

I do not have the time or spoons to write this right now but I'd love to at some point because it's funny as hell.

Put "📓" or some other version of a book emoji into my inbox and I'll explain the plot of a fanfiction that I haven't written but daydream about.

[apexart-journal]

Day 24 in NYC

Earth Matter Friday Workday was something I had to attend this morning. I arrived at ferry around 8:30 am. The sun was shining, but it was still windy and very cold. I took a boat to Governors Island, a small island with many beautiful but abandoned buildings. It felt like being in a The Walking Dead TV Series. The group I was with was quite diverse, including:

- A passionate mother who was enthusiastic about everything and answered every question eagerly.

- Two daughters (probably forced by their mother) who frowned the whole time.

- A young businessman who kept talking about how busy he was.

- The person accompanying the young businessman, who seemed confused and uninterested.

- Two girls who talked to each other non-stop, like a radio on.

- The Japanese girl, beautiful, has been studying languages here for six months, but it seems like she's not very dedicated to learning.

- Me.

We were welcomed by a lovely host in NGO style, explaining everything calmly. After the introductions, the host assigned me and the Japanese girl to work together, which was confusing. We were assigned to lift heavy plastic sheets together, and she was incredibly strong. Then, we pulled out a large cloth to cover the soil, and coincidentally, I was near the enthusiastic mother, so we helped each other. The host walked over as I had to lift another one, and the mother went to call her daughters to replace me. Good job, mom. I'm lazy.

Next, we had to split into two groups. One group went to feed the chickens, and the other group did something related to soil. Everyone wanted to feed the chickens, but only two radio girls went to work on the soil, so ok I joined them. The host gave us another pair of thick rubber gloves and another type of apron. I could smell trouble ahead.

It was separating garbage before mixing it with wood chips to turn into soil in a year. Two radios and I were to take garbage bags from the bin, open them, and separate plastic waste, recyclable waste, and usable waste. Oh my god. Humans being clean like me standing by, took some effort to muster the courage to open the bag sent over. The first bag came from a restaurant. Barely holding up, it mostly contained paper napkins and forks that needed to be recycled. Some had already been separated. Luckily me.

Next set came from high school. The host said it was quite challenging because the kids didn't separate their trash 😭. Just the smell of the bags on the table was enough to make me shock. I had to take a step back, gather myself, and take a sip of tea to brace myself. Then, I went back, breathing through my mouth, slowly and steadily, like I was meditation. But it wasn't a human body, like in Buddhism way, it was what humans consumed and left behind for us to smell and pick up. I endured, picking up and sorting, to maintain balance for future waste management.

Thinking back to the first few days when I arrived, most restaurants here served with plastic plates and utensils. I wondered how much waste they generated. Normally, I try to reduce waste in my daily life, bringing my own water bottle and bags, so it was shocking to see. When I realized it all ended up here.

The two radio girls were taking forever. Right now, I don't even want to know about private vs. public school, how much the tuition fees are, or where they came from. Have they ever seen an impoverished school? I just want this ordeal to end quickly. Hurry up and sort it out, done! Finally! Wash hands!

Towards the end, we gathered together with the group to feed the chickens and talked about worm farming. I, still shocked by my first experience of sorting trash in my life, was disgusted. Then, this young businessman tried to steer every conversation back to himself all the time. Eventually, he boasted about being the owner of a vegan restaurant in New Jersey. Congratulations, hahaha you made it. He said he's so busy, he has to read reports. Then he asked a mother did she watches Fox News? She said yes, "I'm a big fan." I almost died laughing (in my head). Damn, these people are like the humans in The Walking Dead. I can almost predict which character will be eaten by zombies in the end. LOL!

Shabbat evening, it's a Jewish ritual prayer during the beginning of the autumn season. I walked in feeling a bit confused as the place was filled with Jewish people (yes, sure!). Newcomers who are not Jewish are called visitors.The place is incredibly beautiful, clean, and smells sooooo good. I'm so happy, feeling really lucky to have an old lady sitting next to me, I think she’s around 70 years old, but still so beautiful. She wore vibrant colors, a turquoise sweater, a green checkered scarf, diamond earrings, and had a soft pink makeup. She was so kind. When she found out it was my first time, she kept an eye on me to make sure I followed along with the prayer book correctly, even though I struggled to read the language she was singing. Oh, that sweet grandma!

The singer had an amazing voice, and the sound system was great. We sang songs, listened to sermons, and the highlight was when they showed a painting from 1840 and told the story of the boy in the painting, spanning four generations. The boy's family in the painting ended up living among us here. It was such a joyous occasion, singing and celebrating, absorbing all the positive energy and warmth in our hearts.

[scribbleboxfox]

So, without being to spoilery for The Long Road Home, how much would you like to say on your lovely blue gal Fox?

Weeeeeeell... I do have some facts I can give you about her currently. 

Gonna put em all under the cut because I feel like this might get long.

For starters, here’s what she looked like back when she was still an Okami OC:

Because I’m big on designing weapons and figuring out their mechanics bc I’m a HUGE robotics nerd, I decided to implement that into Fox’s design.The shield obvs isn’t going to look the same, and it’s going to fit reasonably within the boundaries of a typical Halo weapon. 

She also has a way to get any information on ANYONE. I can’t tell you how yet though, because that’s kind of a huge spoiler.

She was a figure skater in high school and was really really good, but she stopped when she went to college. A lot of the movements that she did back then are implemented into her fighting style, however, so it’s actually pretty fun to watch her throw down. Just as long as you aren’t on the receiving end. 

She hates guns. She’ll use them if she has to, but she won’t enjoy it. 

She also hates golf, but she kept her father’s old golf club set (likely for sentimental purposes.)

She earned a doctorate’s in biomechanical engineering and also has a massive amount of medical training that she got from working in the field during the Great War.

Speaking of the Great War, she was a corpsman in a troop sent to aid New Mombasa, but they were forced to retreat when the Covenant began glassing the city. She’s also one of only four survivors. One of the other survivors, James Ludwell, later joined her on the mission to Nalome. 

She has been known to shoot cockroaches bc she’s so scared of them that she doesn’t want to get anywhere near them. 

She’s pansexual.

She loves dad jokes and bad puns but also has a pretty dark, sarcastic sense of humor. She tends to make lots of jokes about death or dying, mostly as a coping method, since she’s been through so much SHIT.

She’s half Japanese and half Irish. Her father was a big name businessman and her mom was a chef. They quite literally ran into each other while her mom was visiting family in city (she was jogging, he was on his phone and not paying attention, it was love at first sight.) She offered to cook him dinner to make up for it, and he was just curious enough to oblige. 

Fox is a manipulative little SHIT. Though she tries not to be around people she considers her friends. Her enemies on the other hand...well.....

She’s also a very good liar, but again, she tries not to do this too often, mostly because she considers it a waste of memory.

She was a camp counselor during the summer while she was in college, and as a result, knows a lot of really helpful survival skills. Unfortunately, being able to build a raft out of sticks won’t get one off of a moon in space. 

She will eat just about anything you put in front of her. 

She loves to sing and dance and often does so when she’s working on something. 

Despite being a biomechanical engineer, she also has a lot of knowledge about just building things in general, and fair amount of the smaller tech on Nalome was either built or altered by her. 

CORA and her used to be buddies.

She loves giving people nicknames and using terms of endearment. So far the only two that she’s used are “Stripes” for Wash and “Sunshine” for Locus. There will be more to come, however.

She has a slight Boston accent, having grown up there. 

She talks really fast, but somehow manages to only rarely fumble her speech. I don’t know how she does it.

She has ADHD and fidgets a LOT. She also likes to rock and sometimes, when she’s really happy, will do little flappy hand movements. 

She’s only 5′2″, but that won’t stop her from fucking your shit up. 

She has a tendency to blame herself for bad things that happen to other people, which is an easy thing to exploit, if you’re an asshole.

She’s a firm believer in the saying “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.” 

She tells people she doesn’t get attached to others easily but that is a LIE.

She loves most animals.

She was a sorority sister.

Her alcohol tolerance is RIDICULOUS.

She’s fully aware of what Locus has done and what he’s capable of but also doesn’t care because a) he’s useful and b) she could beat the shit out of him.

Could crush a watermelon between her thighs tbh.

Could also probably bench me.

Doesn’t like yelling at people, and will only do so if she has no other way of getting her point across. 

Doesn’t startle easily, but if you do manage to catch her off guard, you should probably run.

She’s a notorious sweater stealer. If you’re bigger than her and you’ve got a sweater she likes, she’s gonna take it. Don’t worry though, you’ll get it back. Eventually.

Is salty as fuck.

Drives way too fast.

Once ate 14 hot dogs in a row. 

Likes to make references to old movies.

Doesn’t like crying in front of people. 

Talks almost entirely with one-liners during a fight. It’s terrible and she knows it. Which is why she does it. 

Has no problems calling people out when they do terrible/stupid shit.

Wants to fuck up Hargrove’s life.

Wow ok I wrote more than I was expecting to. Welp. It’s a lot, but I somehow managed to not spoil too much. Yay me!

Anyways this is what I have on her so far that I can share with you!

[wandaromanova]

Fun Guns

Pairing: Natasha Romanoff x Fem!Reader

Warnings: cussing, mention of sex, mentions of needles, blood

A/N: hello! i’m obviously not in the medical field, so everything described, i got from google haha. hope y’all enjoy! happy reading <3

anon requested: nat got shot in the arm during the mission so doc!r (her gf and has a strict and serious personality) has do the operation but the thing is nat keeps flirting and flexing her muscles even she's bleeding

Summary: Y/N helps her girlfriend, Natasha Romanoff, with an injury.

Word Count: 1.1K

| masterlist | request rules/guidelines | wips |

please do not repost or try and take ownership of my work. reblogs, likes, and comments are always welcome. <3

You looked up from the paper in your hand at the sound of commotion.

You got up from your stool and made your way over to the door. However, before you could make it there, it swung open and your girlfriend, Natasha, walked in with Steve and Tony trailing behind her.

Your eyes widened at the sight of the redhead clutching her left arm, blood pouring from beneath it.

“Hi, baby. I got shot in the arm and I need you to patch me up.” Natasha spoke so casually that you didn’t even register what she said at first. When you did, you stared at her like she had grown two heads.

You gave Steve a look and he nodded, grabbing Natasha’s other arm and walking her over to the medical table. You went over to a counter and placed on some gloves.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

Natasha was laid out on the table and you nodded to the two men in the room.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“I can handle it from here. Did you guys need any help too?” Tony and Steve shook their heads.

“No, nothing some Tylenol can’t help.” Steve joked and you let out a small chuckle at that.

You watched as the two Avengers exited the room, leaving you alone with your girlfriend.

“I need to take your shirt off.” Natasha raised her eyebrows suggestively at you. You rolled your eyes at her and carefully helped her out of the material.

“I mean I don’t think having sex while I’m bleeding is a good idea, but I’m not against it.”

You softly grasped her arm and examined the injury, ignoring her flirting. The bullet wasn’t deep and there was no exit wound.

All you had to do was take the bullet out and close up the hole in her arm. Thankfully, it wasn’t anything serious.

You turned around and walked over to some shelves and drawers, retrieving the proper tools you’d need to extract the bullet and stitch up her arm.

You dragged your stool beside the bed and Natasha sent you a flirtatious smile.

“Doc, I think I’m hurt somewhere else, too.” Natasha grabbed your hand and placed it onto her abdomen, flexing her muscles.

You sent her a serious look and tore your hand out of her grip. You couldn’t believe she was flirting with you while she was literally bleeding.

“This is serious, Natasha. You’re lucky the bullet is in your arm and not somewhere fatal.”

You scolded your girlfriend, taking a needle and inserting it into her skin. It was an anesthetic that would numb the area, so Natasha wouldn’t feel a thing.

She was going to need it if you were going to shove some tweezers into her arm then stitch her skin back together.

“I’m fine, honey. You know I’ll always make it back to my favorite milf.”

You rolled your eyes at the title. Yeah, you had a five-year-old daughter. You were slightly older than Natasha.

She was 37 and you were 41. It was only a four-year gap, but Natasha never failed to tease you for the age difference.

You quickly went to work after a few minutes, just to be sure that the lidocaine had run its course.

You feared that the bullet would be hard to find, but luckily, it wasn’t. You had found it fairly easily and took it out, placing it onto a bedpan beside you.

Natasha was completely unfazed by the entire thing. This wasn’t her first time getting a bullet extracted. She was just completely entranced by you.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

She was basically gawking at you as you worked.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

Natasha admired the way your eyebrows would scrunch up in concentration, your tongue poking through your teeth as you tried to keep your hand steady.

Also, she absolutely loved how good you were at what you did. You were the best doctor in New York, which is why you were hired to work for the Avengers.

They definitely needed the best they could get considering the massive battles they always find themselves in.

Natasha had pursued you for quite a while, but you never exactly gave in. You were a professional and you knew that having a romantic relationship with a patient wasn’t right.

But she was Natasha fucking Romanoff; no one could resist her. So, eventually, after months of the redhead’s persistency, you had agreed to a date with the redhead and the rest was history.

“You almost done, doc?” Natasha asked as you placed the last few stitches into her arm. You snipped off the excess suture.

“I just finished. You know the drill, don’t move your arm around too much. You need to come back in a week or so to get them removed.”

You gave Natasha instructions as you cleaned up after yourself. However, the redhead extended her arm slowly, grabbing your wrist in her hand.

“Thank you, milfy.” You let out a small laugh at her words and Natasha smiled at the sound.

“You’re welcome, foxy.” You uttered the nickname that Natasha absolutely hated.

One day in the earlier stages of your relationship, you had referred to Natasha as a fox, her red hair reminding you of the animal.

The Russian absolutely hated it and practically fought you every time you’d call her by that name.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“You’re suddenly not my favorite milf anymore.” Natasha mumbled, letting go of your wrist, allowing you to throw away the remaining trash.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“Oh yeah? And who is your favorite milf now?” You teasingly asked, going to sit by her side once more.

“Wanda.” You let out a full-hearted laugh at her response. You shook your head frantically.

“Well, I don’t blame you. She’s my favorite milf too.” Natasha sent you a glare. You sharply raised your eyebrow at her.

“Don’t give me that look! You mentioned Wanda first!” Natasha pouted and you leaned forward, giving her a quick peck.

When you moved back, a wide smile was now spread across the assassin’s face.

“Seriously though, you need to be more careful. I know you have me to help you out, but that doesn’t mean you need to get hurt all the time.”

You frowned and Natasha stared into your eyes softly, her green irises shining with love.

“I promise I’ll be more careful, but you gotta admit that it’s fun being able to see these guns. Come on, admit it, it’s fun.”

Natasha flexed her good arm, showing off her toned muscles. She also clenched her stomach, accentuating her abs.

You let out a dramatic sigh, placing your hand on top of her stomach.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“It’s fun to see those guns.”

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“See! I knew it. I knew you liked them.”

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

───────── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ──────────

join my taglist!

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[leafie-draws]

I got dragged along to a family reunion today and man..  seeing my abusers homing in on me once they heard about my work on TTRPGs truly is an experience.  it’s been 10+ years since anyone’s seen me and they kept trying to compliment me and exchange phone numbers and be all friendly towards me like lol lmao like I feel bad because even though they might’ve changed I still refuse to give them anymore chances because it’s literally been the same outcome everytime and I’m tired of getting burned. especially by my mom. I’m glad she’s super into gardening now and I’m happy for her! but I can’t even stand talking to her or even looking at her. I can’t forgive the things she did, all the harm and trauma and sickness she caused. in another life I would’ve loved talking about plants together and helping her with her garden, but it’s all been burned to ashes now.  I know they’re only pretending to care because I’m working on games and stuff now, they don’t want a daughter they just want a trophy they can brag about so people will give them the best mom award. they never cared about my art before, not once. they always said my art was weird or ugly, and that nobody would ever like it and that I would be a “failure” as an artist and that I should just give up. they used to rip up my sketchbooks and trash my art supplies. my mom (who worked for the school system at the time) used to print screenshots of my deviantart and show them to my teachers telling them what a weird freak I was.  even if I showed them my art or told them the games I worked on, it wouldn’t have mattered. they would’ve said “oh is that all?” or “this is it?” like I should be doing something more with my life. if I’m not as miserable as they are I must be doing something wrong!  idk my relatives are all retired now so they probably just watch FOX news and argue on facebook so I’m probably not missing out on much lol I’m in a better place now and I’m happy and that’s all that matters!

[amandaklwrites]

Most Anticipated Book Releases in 2022

I thought I would start a new post by making a list of all the books I'm really, really excited for that come out next year, in 2022. Now, of course, some of these could change-- like how dates get pushed out to another year, and I am sure I will find more that are coming out as time goes on. I just wanted to make a post as of now, at the end of 2021, that shows some of the books I'm really excited for. I'm going to list them month by month, but of course those could also change, because I know dates get moved on all the time in publishing. That being said, here are my anticipated releases!

January:

1. The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman

I have been excited for this book for a long time. It sounds so exciting and fun!

2. Where the Drowned Girls Go by Seanan McGuire

I like this series. It's weird and fun.

3. Echoes and Empires by Morgan Rhodes

This book sounds different and magical. Of course I have to try it.

4. Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan

I can't wait for this magical book! It sounds beautiful.

5. Anatomy by Dana Schwartz

This one sounds disturbing and weird. But I am all here for it.

February:

1. This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi

This one sounds like a wild adventure with so much magic, and I am so excited.

2. Circus of Wonders by Elizabeth Macneal

You can sell me anything with circuses. Easily.

3. The Iron Sword by Julie Kagawa

This series is a part of my youth and has so much nostalgia, but I have to know how it goes.

4. A Lullaby for Witches by Hester Fox

Hester writes some good, spooky historical fiction, and this one has to do with witches, so of course I'm down.

5. A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross

I love Rebecca's books and this one sounds fantastic.

6. A House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas

I'm Maas trash. Let's get that straight.

7. Only a Monster by Vanessa Len

Dark and weird and monsters? Count me in.

8. Tripping Arcadia by Kit Mayquist

This book sounds like a great dark academia vibe to me.

9. The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh

Magic and folktales. My jam.

March:

1. Gallant by V. E. Schwab

One of my all-time favorite authors. I love everything she writes. And this one sounds so damn good.

2. Edgewood by Kristen Ciccarelli

Sounds like a magical trip.

3. A Thousand Steps into the Night by Traci Chee

This sounds magical and folktale-ish, and I'm in.

4. Blood Scion by Deborah Falaye

This sounds bloody and intense, and I am intrigued.

5. The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James

Another favorite author of me. I have read every single one of her books and love them all. She writes creepy like no one else.

6. A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin

Another magical one.

7. Wild and Wicked Things by Francesca May

I'm a sucker for historical fiction with magical elements.

8. A Forgery of Roses by Jessica S. Olsen

A fan of her debut

April:

1. Misrule by Heather Walter

Loved the first one (dark, sapphic Sleeping Beauty retelling!) and can't wait to see what happens next.

2. This Rebel Heart by Katherine Locke

This sounds so fun.

3. Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor

Sounds mystifying and interesting.

4. Omens Bite by P. C. Cast

I didn't absolutely love the first one, but I want to know what happens.

5. An Arrow to the Moon by Emily X. R. Pan

Sounds so beautiful and magical.

6. Ebonwilde by Crystal Smith

This series is really good and I can't wait to finally read the last book.

7. Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher

Sounds weird and like something I would like.

May:

1. Bravely by Maggie Stiefvater

A book about more Merida!

2. Not Good for Maidens by Tori Bovalino

I loved, loved her debut. I can't wait for this weird, trippy book.

3. Book of Night by Holly Black

I will always read Holly's books.

4. Forging Silver into Stars by Brigid Kemmerer

I liked her beauty and the beast retelling series, so I want to read this one in that world.

5. The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas

Probably my top book on this list. It sounds so dark and atmospheric and haunting.

6. The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah

Magic! I'm into anything with magic!

7. Hide by Kiersten White

Kiersten is a great writer and this book sounds twisted.

8. Together We Burn by Isabel Ibañez

This book sounds fantastic.

June:

1. Wild is the Witch by Rachel Griffin

I loved her debut and can't wait to read more of her books with witches.

2. Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid

This book sounds messed up, in all the best ways.

3. Rise of the Snake Goddess by Jenny Elder Moke

I really liked the first one and it's a fun adventure for me, who wanted to become an archaeologist.

4. A Mirror Mended by Alix E. Harrow

The first one was an interesting retelling. I want to see what she does next.

5. This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede

Sounds weird and I'm interested.

July:

1. The Darkening by Sunya Mara

Sounds DARK and I'm all for it.

2. Long Live the Pumpkin King by Shea Ernshaw

Jack and Sally!!!

3. Wake the Bones by Elizabeth Kilcoyne

Sounds... weird. I need it.

4. The Book of other by Mary McMyne

Fairytale retellings! I love!!!

August:

1. Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young

One of my favorite authors. So excited to read her adult book.

2. Don't Go To Sleep by Bryce Moore

Sounds really freaky, and I'm intrigued.

3. The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones

I loved her first book and can't wait for another book by her.

4. Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

I really liked her other books and this one just sounds good.

September:

None so far?

October:

1. The River of Silver by S. A. Chakraborty

Short stories in the Daevaband series! Yay!

2. One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

This sounds really freaky and I'm down for it.

November:

1. A Wilderness of Stars by Shea Ernshaw

I love her books.

December:

Also none so far...

So those are my top anticipated reads (as of now)! If I find out about more, I'll edit this post and add them.

Are there any on this list you are excited about? Or any you want to recommend to me?

Happy reading!

[thememestho]

＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚ 911 fox sentence meme

enjoy this overly extra sentence meme series. episode 2.11 (part 20 of ?)

Who says I want him back? I don't. I want me back.

Where is everyone? It's too quiet.

Hey, you can still make your escape.

You have no earthly idea what is about to happen to you, do you?

You still here? I thought you'd drop the kids and run. 

Well, they wouldn't jump out of the car while it was still rolling.

Remember, no matter what happens, they leave on Saturday.

Boy, that's a good-looking spread.

He living here already?

It's a pleasure to finally meet you.

Will your husband be joining us?

You are on fire with that sassy new haircut.

This is just the next chapter in ______'s fresh start.

Oh, is that what this is about? I'm thriving, and you can't handle it.

Your trash talk sucks.

Why is it that every girl you date wants to either flee the state or the country?

What’s your excuse?

Except, ooh, you want to date him.

I mean, we like the same things, we laugh at the same jokes. Even better, she laughs at all mine, and I'm not even that funny.

You don't think she's seeing anybody else, do you?

Come on, man, no hook-ups? No foreplay, nothing?

Right now we're all awkward hugs and funny glances.

Well, that's the thing about me. I'm bad with hints. I even suck at Pictionary.

You know you've been singing the same sad song about this woman ever since we started coming here?

I want the real college experience. Tailgates and football games. New scenery.

You want parties. University of Miami is a party school.

I don't want parties, I want a fresh start. A new beginning. That's why people go away to college, to leave behind the lame-ass they were in high school.

Honey, who called you a lame-ass?

Don't let her die. Please.

He's not missing anything!

I don't understand why your mother would reorganize the entire kitchen while we're at work. 

Oh, she said it was impossible for her to find anything in this kitchen.

So she retaliated by making it impossible for us to find anything?

Ooh, the dress is lovely.

That boy has you wrapped around his finger.

No, not in a minute. Now. Please. 

Who are you to give orders? 

They are not your children, and you are not their father.

If she wants to stay in this house tonight, she does.

I'm sorry I said that in front of the children.

You shouldn't have said it at all.

It is none of your business.

I am tired of you deciding what's my business, _____.

You didn't tell me you were seeing this man, much less that he proposed.

I would have wanted to help. 

You never want to help. You just want to tell me where I screwed up.

Sometimes I think it's a miracle those kids are alive...

Okay that’s enough.

Sir, with all due respect, I have to say that your daughter is an amazing woman and a damn good mother, and she does not deserve to be spoken to that way in her own home.

You called 911?

This is a little embarrassing, but my son here, he got himself into some trouble, and now he's grounded, and apparently that constitutes a life-and-death situation when you're 13 years old.

I can't tell you how sorry I am that we wasted your time.

Are you sure that everyone’s okay?

Although I know somebody whose grounding just got a little bit longer.

Sorry to have bothered you.

And you think there was more to it than that?

Well, why don't you request a welfare check?

And stop questioning your instincts.

Oh, you got to be kidding me.

Can't believe they really sent someone out for this.

I'd like to speak with him if I could.

I want you to know you're not in any trouble. I'm just here to make sure that you're okay.

Because if you're not... If you need help... All you have to do is say so.

I'm okay. I was just mad.

Please, you just have to tell my dad that everything's okay.

Our parents' approval is something that we all crave. We just can't let it stop us from doing the right thing.

If you in trouble, you can always call for help, or if you need some help trying to figure out the right thing to do, you can call me directly.

Stay here, don't touch anything.

Well, your gut's good enough for me, but, um, there's no reason for you to be sitting out here staring at the man's garbage.

Me and my guys can handle this.

I'm sure you'd rather be home with the family.

My mother's in town. She said she's leaving, but she can't seem to find a flight out.

Anything in particular you think we should be looking for?

Just let me know what you find.

I figured I should stay out of it, but then...

She named her daughter after a Greek god.

So child-rearing was less about raising a daughter and more like training a warrior.

Well, what am I supposed to do, just forget it? Just forget all the mean things she said to her?

Divorce papers? This feels so sudden.

Yeah, I know it's a risk. But the only way I'm ever gonna feel free of him is to be free of him.

Okay. If you're sure, then, uh, I'm here for you, whatever you need.

Actually, I'm kind of busy.

She asked me out on a date.

Wow. I guess I was wrong about her.

Uh, sorry again. So, drinks are on me next time I see you.

I'm sure we'll be seeing each other real soon.

And probably what's not got you so excited to call me down here.

That could be, but I think something else is going on here, just not sure what.

I should have said something when you came to see me. I was just so scared.

I know, baby.

But I really am trying to do the right thing.

I knew it was a lie.

We left while he was asleep.

Oh, no. He found us!

Very disappointed in you, ______.

This right here is your stop.

Don't worry. You're safe now. I got you.

The mother had a panic attack when she saw them. She thought they were there to make a death notification.

He's not my dad, is he?

Does she have curly hair?

He said it wasn't real.

They may remember me, but I don't remember them. Not really.

They're your family. They love you either way.

We saw you on TV. On the news.

Are they gonna be okay?

He's been through enough.

Okay, looks like we're ready to eat.

I never knew why you wanted this job. Maybe I get it a little more today.

I know you think I don't understand your life. But you never understood mine, either.

I met a man, fell in love, made a home and raised a beautiful daughter who ran away from us the first chance she got and hasn't stopped running since.

Or will I live long enough to discover you've completely turned away from me?

I needed to find a place with space big enough where I could build a life that was important to me. I want you to be a part of that. But only if you can accept all of it.

I love you, baby, but you're making a terrible mistake. And I worry that the next time your life falls apart, you won't be able to put it back together.

_____ , we can't find him.

It's like a nightmare. Except I never wake up.

[hufflautia]

The Boyfriend

Dedicated to the anon who came up w this idea and to @eatacrackerandstop <3. There's a small Shadow and Bone reference; if you find it, you get a high five✨

Summary: Slytherin and Hufflepuff meet their daughter’s boyfriend for the first time, and Slytherin has a few concerns.

~

Hufflepuff closes the door behind her daughter, who stepped out to privately wish her boyfriend goodbye on the front stoop, and turns to Slytherin.

“He seems like a sweet kid,” she smiles. Slytherin follows her into the kitchen with a disgruntled expression. He leans against the countertop as she begins washing the dishes.

“What’s taking her so long,” he eyes the door. “It only takes a couple of seconds to say goodbye to someone.”

“They spent the entire night with us. They probably just want a little alone time,” Hufflepuff replies. She glances at him when he sighs and crosses his arms. “Do I sense a little disdain for our daughter’s boyfriend?”

Slytherin scowls.

“I don’t like him,” he states plainly. “He gives me...bad boy vibes.” His scowl deepens when she laughs incredulously.

“Bad boy vibes?”

“Yes,” he says indignantly. “Bad boy vibes! Did you see his smirk when she laughed at his joke?"

"You smirk a lot,” she points out, to which he grudgingly admits. “Besides, is it bad that he can make her laugh?"

"'Course not," he huffs. "But did you see how he put his arms around her?”

"I'm pretty sure that's called a hug, honey."

Slytherin steps between her and the sink. She shoots him a look as water drips on the floor.

“Please get out of my way, Slytherin. You’re acting like a child.”

He takes her hands into his own, not caring that they’re wet. “Honey, you’re not listening to me.”

“I am! I just don’t agree with you.” She continues before Slytherin can object. “You’re worrying over nothing. Our daughter is old enough to make her own decisions on who she hangs out with and what she does with her time."

“She’s only in her seventh year—”

“Slytherin," she says sternly. “Our baby is grown now, believe it or not. I trust her judgment. You should too.”

His brows furrow, and he doesn’t respond right away.

"It's not that I don't trust her," he finally says. "I just don't want her to get hurt."

Hufflepuff softens in this rare moment of vulnerability—his grumpiness and frustration often mask his fears.

"We can't control what happens," she says gently. "We can't control who does what or who hurts who. But what we can control is what we do and how we act." Slytherin remains silent as he considers her words. "I think the best thing we can do is support our daughter. And if things don't end well in their relationship, she will know who to come to: the people who have always been there for her."

Her words sink in, and Slytherin nods.

"You're right."

"'Course I'm right."

He smiles somberly. "I’ve only ever wanted to protect her."

"You will," she assures, pulling him into an embrace. "But you will do so at a healthy and reasonable distance. No threatening the boy."

Slytherin snorts and says, "I'm not that type of dad." He rests his chin on top of her head. "But if he breaks her heart, I keep no promises."

"Good," she murmurs into his shirt. “I'll be right behind you.”

Their moment of peace is interrupted by the sound of the front door opening and closing. They see their daughter, Giselle, standing by the doorway with a flushed grin.

"Hey kiddo," Slytherin smiles.

She makes a face. “I'm 18, Dad. I'm not a kid anymore."

"Alright." Hufflepuff notices a familiar gleam in his eye and tries not to smile as he continues. "Do you prefer muffin? Sweet pea? Or perhaps cupcake—"

Giselle covers her ears. "Dad!" she groans. "Eat a cracker and stop."

He holds his hands up in defeat as he chuckles. "Okay, okay."

"So," Hufflepuff says once things settle down. "What did Dorian think? Did he like us? What about the food? Was my cooking okay?" A look of horror washes over her face. "Oh shoot, should we have given him some leftovers to take back to his family? He probably didn't get too far, I'll go get the food from the fridge and—"

"Honey," Slytherin laughs, resting his hand on the small of her back before she can scurry off in search of tin foil and plastic containers. "It's fine."

"Yeah," Giselle assures. "The food was great, and he loved meeting you guys."

"And we loved meeting him,” Hufflepuff says warmly. “Tell Dorian he's welcome to come back at any time."

"Okay," she grins. "Can we start our movie night now?"

Slytherin nods. "I believe it's Mom's turn to choose the movie."

"I know exactly what we should watch tonight," Hufflepuff beams. They pile onto the couch, and when she puts the disc into the DVD player, everyone but Hufflepuff's face falls when they see the title.

"Aw, not this movie," Giselle complains. "We watched the trailer last week, and you said it yourself that it looked like trash."

"Wha—I didn't say trash!"

"I think you did," Slytherin interjects. He stifles a laugh when she shoots him a look.

Hufflepuff purses her lips. "Ravenclaw and I watched it at the movie theaters a few days ago, and it was a cinematic masterpiece!"

He arches an eyebrow. "So you're gonna watch it again?"

"Yes! Because it’s that good. And I want you guys to watch it with me. The movie has adventure and plot twists and romance—I mean, what hurts more than a broken heart?"

"A severed head," Giselle replies, to which Slytherin snorts a laugh.

Hufflepuff scoffs and shakes her head, but a smile tugs at her lips. “You’ll see what I’m talking about after we watch it, but I need to use the bathroom first. I’ll bring back some popcorn.”

“Can you also get some Sprite?” Giselle calls after her.

“Okay.” Hufflepuff lingers by the doorway. “Do you want anything, sweetie pie?” she says to Slytherin.

“No thanks, snuggle bunny.” He snickers when Giselle visibly cringes. He and Hufflepuff liked to call each other outrageously sweet pet names in front of their daughter for the sole purpose of grossing her out.

“Yes,” Giselle says in a deadpan voice. “This is the exact spot I want to be in right now.”

Hufflepuff laughs and winks at Slytherin before leaving. He watches her walk away before whispering to Giselle, “How likely is it that she’ll accidentally trap herself in the bathroom and we get to pick another movie?”

“Extremely likely,” she replies. “If we put a rubber item underneath the door to act as a door stopper, she won’t be able to open it from the inside…” Slytherin is looking at her weirdly, and she swallows her words. “...I mean, I don’t know.”

Slytherin smiles but doesn’t say anything. Giselle may have inherited her mother’s looks, but she has her father’s mischief.

While they wait for Hufflepuff, Slytherin speaks. “Can I ask you something personal?”

“Sure,” she says cautiously.

“Do you love him?”

Her eyebrows rise—she didn’t expect this question. She takes a moment to think.

"Not yet.”

He nods. "But you're happy?"

"I am," she smiles.

His eyes crinkle. If she was happy…well, that was good enough for him.

“I’m glad, kiddo.”

This time, Giselle doesn’t roll her eyes at the term of endearment. Instead, she takes his hand and squeezes it three times. Slytherin, who taught her the gesture, squeezes her hand four times in response.

“Who’s ready to start the movie?” Hufflepuff walks in with popcorn and sprite, unaware of the father-daughter moment she just missed.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Slytherin sighs, scooting over to make space for her. She plops down beside him and settles the bowl between them.

“Oh,” she perks up. “Before I forget. Accio tissue boxes!”

Slytherin looks bewildered as tissue boxes come flying their way. “Do we really need tissues?”

“Absolutely,” she scatters the boxes over their laps. Slytherin raises an eyebrow and glances over at Giselle, who also looks perplexed.

“My teen angst bullshit is about to have a body count,” she whispers as the movie begins playing.

A/N: This fic is somewhat connected to Different Love Languages, another one of my fics. Is the slytherpuff couple in that fic the same couple in this one? That's up to you, dear reader😌

I lowkey hate the title, but I couldn't come up w a better one. Also, this fic was longer than I planned. I originally decided to write something like this:

“Why don’t you like him?”

“Because I used to be a bad boy, which is exactly why I don’t trust him.”

Basic dialogue, plain and simple. But the darling anon who told me their idea deserves a full-length story <3

Let me know what you thought of this one-shot. Feedback makes me happy <3 If you prefer to stay anonymous, the anon option for asks is available! Be safe and well, everyone.

Tag lists are open✨ Let me know via ask/messages/comments if you want to be added or removed.

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[hauntedbythefanficsofmypast]

Roma Marinette pt. 1

Marinette's parents joined a traveling circus a year before Marinette was born. They make all the food that's sold as well as food for their fellow travelers.

Marinette is born in the circus. She is one of three kids. Only one year younger than Dick Grayson, Dickie as she grows up calling him, and five years younger than Johnny Grayson. Dick's nickname for Marinette is Marigold. Marinette takes to the Graysons she and Dick adore each other and all the Graysons love little Mari. With Tom and Sabine's permission they start training her along with Dick. Both kids fast learners with what seems like an ability to completely defy gravity and break its rules.

Dick and Marinette are stuck at the hip learning everything their circus family can teach them. Marinette is the one that decides that they should learn knife throwing and fire spinning. While Dick decides they are going to work out with the strong men and learn how to handle the animals. 

While they are still too young to join in on the trapeze they are allowed in the show. Together they wow crowds doing cartwheels, flips, and complicated floor routines together. Once they are 6 they are allowed to fly with the rest of them. Their shows garner more and more attention, everyone wanting to see the two youngest aerialists in the world.

Everything is perfect in their lives, until they go to Gotham for a show. Dick parents begin acting weirdly, hugging Dick more and more, while looking at him in a resigned manner. This causes both to worry a bit but they don't let it show. When Dick sees people messing with the trapeze both of them brush it off. Before the show they meet the young Drake family and take a picture together. Marinette and Dick are on one knee together with Tim sitting on their bent knees.

When the lines snap Marinette and Dick stand on the boards opposite of each other watching in horror as the lines snap. In minutes both are on the ground near the bodies, Dick crying silently holding his mother's bracelet while Marinette holds him tightly crying herself.

Bruce walks up and talks to the two and is slightly surprised to find that Marinette wasn't their daughter. Marinette smiles weakly telling them she was pretty damn close. Bruce comforts Dick before going to talk with the Commissioner and a Social Worker.

Before the end of the night Dick is packing up his stuff and getting ready to leave with the social worker. Bruce never leaves their sides. Marinette stops Dick from leaving and hands him her stuffed tiger named Sikhaya. Dick hugs it tightly before pulling out his elephant Zitka and giving it to her.

Marinette pulls him into a tight hug sniffling into his shoulder.

Mari- Don't you dare forget me Richard Grayson. We'll find each other again someday Dickie. So until then don't you dare forget me.

Dick- I could never forget you Bluejay. 

Two months later Marinette and her parents leave the circus and settle down in Paris. It breaks their hearts but after the Grayson's tragedy Tom and Sabine find it the best option.

Dick and Marinette don't see each other for a very long time, but they never forget the other.

Zitka is well loved and taken care of. The stuffed animal has a special place on Marinette's bed even when she is an adult. While Dick takes to putting Sikhaya on a shelf when his brothers come into the mix, not wanting it to be destroyed if they become destructive.

Dick grows up as Bruce's son becoming Robin when he turns nine. At thirteen he joins a team of young superheroes, at fifthteen he leaves behind Robin giving the mantle to his new brother Jason. He also begins dating Barbara. They break up a year later when Dick realizes he is continually comparing Barbara to Marinette. When he becomes seventeen he mourns the loss of his brother and nearly kills the Joker, only stopped by Batman. He takes a year break, taking counseling sessions with a reformed Harley Quinn. During his break he meets Tim Drake once again, he doesn't remember him however. He begins training Tim to find solace in acting as a brother again, he also digs up evidence on why the Drakes are terrible parents. Dick encourages Tim to become Robin, his first night out as Robin is Nightwing's return. When he turns 18 he goes to the police academy, and once he graduates he becomes part time and goes to college for business. He is 20 when Red Hood begins targeting the entire family. Jason was not prepared for how vicious Dick got when he shot Tim. Batman once again stops Dick in his anger, telling him once again that neither of his brothers would want him to kill. Jason uses this time to escape from the family and drops into hiding. He hacks into the Batcave and watches the caves videos and reading reports of what's happened since his death. When Jason finally comes back he is ashamed and is surprised when Dick simply hugs him crying. Things are tense between Bruce and Jason, but a few counseling sessions with Harley and their relationship is slowly rebuilding. Shortly after Damian comes into their lives. Dick is quick to knock Damian down when he attacks Tim. He tells Damian that he doesn't care who his mother is, or that he is Bruce's blood son. He slowly brings Damian into the family. While the boy is still distant and mean to the family they all notice he doesn't mean his insults anymore. When Dick is twenty-two he graduates college with a degree in business. He begins working at Wayne Enterprises as well, he mainly works from home and behind the scenes with Mr. Fox. No one outside the company knows he also works there, the entirety of Gotham believes he is just Officer Grayson.

Marinette grows up in Paris with absent parents. They love her but now that they have their own business they only have time for dinner with Marinette. While she is upset she joins gymnastics and aerial arts classes, quickly rising to the position of top student. She also begins going to regular school during her first day. She is so nervous she keeps tripping. The entire class soon begins to view her as clumsy, something that sticks. Even though Marinette only trips afterwards when someone does it on purpose, they choose to ignore the fact she catches herself quickly. While everyone believes she is just clumsy Marinette no one realizes that she is Paris's national champion in Gymnastics. Marinette is so good that they want her on Paris's Olympic team once she turns 16. When she turns ten she realizes she can sell her designs online. She pulls out all her notebooks pulling out her favorite designs and begins to make them all. Once done she creates a website under the name Marigold. On each outfit she hand stitches Mari in gold thread, for a signature marking. Marinette slowly makes friends outside her classmates, while they are nice they all stand by when Chloe attempts to bully Marinette and she doesn't like that. Especially when she sticks up for a few of them, she remains civil and polite to them although in her eyes she is clearly distant. When she is thirteen she becomes friends with Alya, the two girls slowly growing closer. She also develops a crush on Adrien that Alya blows way out of proportion wanting to help her new bestie. While Marinette likes Alya, Dick still holds the spot of best friend in her heart. Marinette also becomes Ladybug, she struggles at first but her years of training in flying helps her greatly and her aim has not deteriorated since leaving the circus. Marinette begins making less clothes and takes up karate classes as well four days go to gymnastics, two go to aerial arts and one to karate. Her three main instructors make the connection to her being Ladybug after a year, when Ladybug uses an aerial move that only she has ever used in front of them. 

Aerial Arts- Madeline Saint Cloud

Gymnastics- Tasha Buchanan 

Karate- Abraham Lebanon

Instead of confronting her the three get together and come up with a way to help Marinette. They start by deciding that Chat Noir either needs to get serious or get lost. One month later they all have solid examples of. why Marinette needs to bench him if he doesn't. It's at that time they confront her. Marinette attempts to lie saying that she isn't but stops when Madeline speaks up.

Madeline- My dear bird, you've never liked lying. You've rarely done it, and because of that you are truly terrible at lying

Marinette is dejected and apologizes to Tikki, but the Kwami just smiles telling Marinette that it wasn't the first time a Ladybug's mentor had found out.

Tikki- It's just never been three before!!

Marinette listens to her instructors carefully before telling them that she agrees. She tells them her partner looks through life with rose colored glasses. That while she does find him kind and silly she doesn't have a crush on him. That she doesn't find him as kind, caring, or as funny as Dick. She pauses after saying this, surprised that she hadn't said Adrien. Her instructors watch her as she closes in on herself taking a moment to sort through her thoughts. Once she is done a stray tear falls from her left eye.

Marinette- After all this time my thoughts still drift back to him…Chaton will never measure up to the person I truly love. His insistence and pushing do nothing more than cause stress on our partnership. I will look into having him either replaced or given one last chance.

That night she lays in bed hugging Zitka close to her chest as she stares out her open trap door at the stars. A few minutes go by and Marinette gets out of bed gently setting Zitka down. She walks over pulling the pictures of Adrien down, as well as his schedule tossing them all in the trash. Once done she climbs out onto her rooftop garden Tikki following her and sitting on Marinette's knee once the girl sits down.

Marinette- Adrien...Adrien Im sorry. I took your act of kindness and compared it to the kindness I use to have daily. Instead of seeing you, I saw Dickie. I thought I loved you, but I loved the kindness you showed me, that reminded me so much of him. I don't love you like that Adrien, instead of wanting to be your girlfriend. I just want to be your friend, so from this day on I will try harder to be that.

Two days later Ladybug tells Chat Noir to meet her on the Eiffel Tower that night after patrol. She tells him that she isn't in love with him and that she never will be. She knows she is coming off harsh and she tells him that, then explains that she needs to because after a year he is still acting like this. Chat is clearly saddened, this causes Ladybug to sigh and hug him.

Ladybug- I know it hurts, but you need to come to terms with this Chaton. You are my partner and you're like a brother to me. My heart is already taken, Chaton I have loved him since I was a child. Even if I was to date another right now I would just continue to compare them to my Robin.

Chat agrees to take things more seriously telling her that he still loves her, but he understands. He promises her that he will not let his feelings get in the way anymore. As the months pass the two become closer and closer. When Lila arrives Adrien already knows that she is lying and takes to avoiding her. When he spots Marinette getting put down by Alya and Nino for telling them Lila was lying he is quick to stand up for her. This causes a split among their classmates they don't want to be mean to Adrien, but he is always with Marinette. Lila is constantly telling the class that Marinette is bullying her and they want to do something but Adrien gets in their way. While Adrien and Marinette get closer they both realize one day that their partner in suits and civies is the same person. After them the two are rarely separate from each other. Gabriel finds Marinette very respectable despite Marinette being Roma, which would caused him to turn up his nose at first. He allows Adrien to spend more time with her, giving him permission to attend her gymnastics competitions. She is fifthteen when she becomes the new Guardian. By the time both are sixteen they have been outcast by their class and forced to the back. However they did not allow this to way down on them. Adrien had gained permission to model for Marinette along with their friends Luka and Kagami, and Jagged and Clara, two of Marinette's most famous clientele. Marigold was a very well known designer however no one knew what she looked like. Marinette never stepped out in public so the media didn't know the designer was a high school student. Marinette was also old enough to try for a spot on the Olympic team. She is sent an email the day of her birthday and Tasha laughs at the subtle begging in the email. Marinette is quick to agree and the four friends go out for dinner to celebrate. Only for it to be ruined when Lila shows up with Alya, Rose, and Alix claiming that they stole the table she reserved. Adrien was going to snap until Marinette placed a hand on his arm. She wiped her mouth standing up gracefully. She smiled politely at the four telling them not to worry the table was open now. The four walk away together not acknowledging Lila's glare. Marinette is seventeen when she participates in the Tokyo Olympics Adrien going with both her and Tasha. She uses Kaalki to get her and Adrien back to Paris for Akuma attacks. She loves her entire time in the Olympic Village. Marinette takes the gold for all four events. She is crying as she stands with her teammates four medals around her neck. Returning to Paris had been wonderful, she was greeted by the President and the Mayor and many fans. Adrien teased her relentlessly over the amount of fans she had. Once they returned to school the entire class demanded to know why Marinette never told them. Marinette simply sighs telling them she never kept it a secret. That she'd told them plenty of time she couldn't do something because of training. The class is really upset and they try to get Bustier on their side and the teacher just sighs softly wishing she never agreed with the Principal to teach Lila Rossi. Bustier knew she wasn't the best teacher but that girl destroyed her reputation by turning her class into the worst in the school. They are eighteen when they begin attending college Marinette for fashion and Adrien business. Marinette is nineteen when she and Adrien take down Hawkmoth only to discover Gabriel Agreste underneath. They hand him over to the cops before heading to the Eiffel tower together. Once there Adrien and Marinette de-transform and Adrien breaks down, Marinette pulls him into a tight hug tear of her own falling. Two months later Adrien sold off his father's company and the mansion. Moving into a cosy apartment with Marinette. Adrien takes the last name Dupain-Cheng and the announce it together on their way to the next Olympics when Marinette is twenty-one. She once again takes home all four gold medals, keeping her title for another four years. They graduate college together at twenty-two, and decide its time for the world to meet Marigold. Marinette reveals herself to the world as Marigold, and everyone in the fashion industry is talking about the young women who built her fashion empire before she was even 18. Adrien takes a job in her company head of PR. When they fully introduce themselves they become known as Marinette and Adrien D.C. The world is talking about the D.C. siblings, most of the conversations being around Adrien no longer going by Agreste. Together they travel the world, nothing changing in their lives until they visit Gotham, and Marigold receives an invitation to the Wayne Charity Event.

Marinette's first stop in Gotham is the place where the Graysons fell. Adrien goes with her hugging her gently as she softly cries. The next day she visits their graves alone, saying hello to the cold stone and asking if they remember her. She leaves flowers on the graves and a letter to each of them, including one to Dick. 

Marinette- Thank you for all you taught me and encouraged me to learn. I never thought I'd use my flying to save peoples lives when I returned to Paris.  Please continue watching over me and Dickie. I'm going to find him, I promise.

She leaves the graves feeling a lighter happy to have visited them once again

When the Charity Event arrived Marinette and Adrien D.C. couldn't wait to leave their mark on Gotham high society. Unknown to both of them that Dick Grayson had become Richard Grayson-Wayne.

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