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hitoshiyoshi · 5 months ago

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save me, cupid ! | midoriya izuku

synopsis ↬ having a cupid quirk is proven to be a curse

warnings ↬ angst(?) but not too bad, honestly i don't know what to label this exactly lol, the reader acts like a yandere, unrequited love, love-starved reader, just an idea of what it would be like to have a cupid quirk, mentions of red string, mentions of violence, my apologies if it sounds bad, it's just an idea, obsessive reader

pairings ↬ crush!midoriya izuku x gn!yandere!reader

word count ↬ 4.7k

Since you first discovered your quirk at the tender age of four years old, you've always hated it. It had no purpose; no ability to defend or protect yourself, much less others. You might as well have been born quirkless. Whenever you told anyone about it, you always heard the same words. They would either reaffirm how pointless your quirk was or talk about how powerful it was, but never good enough for you to become a hero. Of course, you didn’t mind their ignorant comments. Until you noticed the behavior of your friends change upon telling them, always leading to the same outcome.

You have a type of mind-control quirk, called ‘Cupid’. Your quirk allows you to see whether two people are soulmates; when you concentrate long enough, a red string appears on the ring finger of your target connecting them to their soulmate. You can also make two people fall in love by locking eyes with your target, repeating their name, the name of another target, and a simple phrase: “loves you”. The same is true with the reverse phrase, “loves you not”.

After numerous attempts on yourself, you concluded that your quirk could not work on you. Despite this, you still explored the idea. Ever so often, you would come up with ideas but each failed.

You weren’t immune to crushes. When you tried to make them love you, your quirk would never activate on them. It was hard for you to understand why at first.

At first, it began when you noticed thin red strings attached to the fingers of some classmates in school. Some connected students that were in the same class while others stretched far outside the building, until they were out of view. When asking your friends about the strings, they seemed confused and looked around but couldn’t see the strings attaching them together. Only you could see the red string. It was like this for a couple years, a thin rope connecting two people.

There was no red string on your ring finger. Concentrating on your hands and trying to find one only brought you head splitting migraines.

You could vaguely remember when you learned about the other powers of your quirk. School ended early that day and one of your best friends insisted on going to the nearby park before heading home. As you sat close to a field of buttercup flowers, they picked one of the stems. Your friend professed their deep affections for another classmate. You two were young and it was nothing but puppy love. Plucking the yellow petals from the growing bud, they repeated the name of their crush followed by "...loves me," and then another petal, "...loves me not".

Staring at their ring finger, you noticed the string trail off in the distance. A sudden, innocent, thought came to your mind. Tapping your friend on the shoulder and giggling, you tore off one of the petals before locking eyes. They seemed to lose focus as they watched your actions and peered down at the flower in curiosity. You called their name, making eye-contact again, and repeated the name of their crush, "...loves you".

It was only meant to be a harmless joke, but as you watched your friend's eyes go into a cloudy gaze, you panicked. Shaking their shoulders and calling them again, they seem to regain consciousness. Your friend's eyes quickly darted across their surroundings until they finally noticed your presence. Except, they began to act abnormal.

Rambling about their crush in a feverish manner; how they wanted to touch, feel, kiss, and caress them. Eyes glowing pink with lovestruck passion and a deep red blush warmed their cheeks. You tried to speak to them and ask them what was wrong. Until they scowled at you, slapping your hands away when you tried to reach out to them. Screaming nonsense about how you weren't their beloved, only their true love could touch them!

Soon, they ran off — searching desperately for their sweetheart.

The next day, you saw your two best friends holding hands and whispering sweet nothings without a care in the world. You tried to speak to them, but you were always ignored. When lunchtime came, you tried sitting next to them, only for them to immediately stand and move to another table. Eventually, they refused to acknowledge you. You had no use for them, only a burden and a distraction from their beloved. They left you alone...

Alone.

It took you some time to realize — you thought the world was being cruel when you noticed other classmates begin to avoid you as well — it was more than matchmaking. It was based on attraction. The stronger the target's love was for their partner, the higher the chance of success. The disgusted stares of your classmates became a repetitive occurrence; you only used your quirk once yet they became naturally repulsed by you.

Your friend's love deflected a force onto you that repelled everyone away, an unfortunate weakness and downside of your quirk. Soon, you were abandoned. The small acquaintances you had, dropped like flies.

As your new friend Ochaco approaches you in the lobby after school, you wonder how you managed to defy the negative effect of your quirk usage. Everyone in your previous school either hated you or had some type of unjustifiable prejudice against you; if people already disliked you, might as well have fun with your quirk, right? Creating short relationships with nearly all of your ex-classmates, it was pure enjoyment.

Receiving the acceptance letter from U.A. was a pure miracle. You didn't bother trying to get into the hero course, letting the words of your peers control you. Instead, you opted for the General Studies course once deciding that the business and support courses were not the most ideal option for you. You managed to befriend a boy named Shinsou Hitoshi who didn't seem too bothered by your quirk.

Although some of your classmates blatantly ignored you, he was unaffected. You didn't find a threat in his mind-control quirk; you found solace in the similarity of your quirks. He accompanied you to your classes and was a shoulder to lean on when you were feeling down.

Ochaco waves at you and urges you to come closer, a pleasant smile spreads across her lips. In the distance you see her friend, Midoriya Izuku speaking to a tall, blue-haired boy with glasses. Izuku... You can't remember where you first heard his name or noticed him, but your unnatural infatuation with him had grown surplus since then. Was it at the Sports Festival? Or perhaps when you noticed him walking in the halls one day and felt your heart-pounding in your chest as you stared. Izuku felt your eyes on him and peered back at you with a soft gaze, blushing and smiling before continuing his walk.

Maybe it was his gentle nature towards you that made you feel at peace. Although Shinsou was nice to you, there was something about Izuku. You already knew it had to be a crush; the feeling was so familiar to you. Perhaps it wasn't the healthiest infatuation, though. Every time he was in your vicinity, you could feel your heart threaten to rip out of your rib cage and leap into his arms. He was one of the few that didn't seem too bothered by your quirk or see you as a nuisance.

There was a need, no, a desperation for him to be with you. Always having a watchful eye on him, you studied nearly all of his movements. Feeling someone's gaze on him, Izuku would glance around and search for your eyes. Only for you to quickly shift away, but he wasn't an idiot. He caught your glance a few times and once thought about approaching you, but he never did.

It was impossible to have him reciprocate your feelings, you were positive. He didn't know you despite recognizing your face and eyes. Of course, you knew so many things about him; sneakily following him home after classes, overhearing him and All Might talk about their association — how cute! You were the first to know about his secret, a good lover should know these things, right? It was truly amazing how after all these months, he hadn't noticed you.

Thank goodness his mother wasn't home when you broke into their apartment and went through his bedroom. The All Might memorabilia was nauseating, but if he loved it then you should too! A little shrine of his possessions and unmentionables started to build quickly in the corner of your room. How devoted you are... it's only fair that he should be the same. You desperately wanted him to act as such, but he never did.

Using your quirk was not an option. Even if it was, his attraction to you wasn't strong enough... yet.

There was also another problem: the girl approaching you right now, Ochaco. It was clear as day that she shared the same affections as you. Anyone could notice the two students shyly flirting and blushing around each other. How his face would light up whenever she entered the room or how her cheeks would turn a dark shade of pink around him. You were familiar with their actions because you witnessed them on others in the past. A sharp sting of jealousy arose as you watched them.

You seethed with envy around her, befriending her was a fine way to keep her in your proximity at all times. She was another one who didn't mind your quirk. So, you decided to wait until the perfect moment came.

Only God knows how many times you needed to stop yourself from intertwining your fingers into her brunette hair and bashing her head into the concrete — she'd become so unsightly. Blood staining the ground with purple and black bruises spreading across her swollen face. But if you did that, the teachers would surely have you expelled. Perhaps, her parents would press charges on you. Then, you could never see Izuku again. And the poor look on his face from watching would surely traumatize him... there wasn't any possibility you would dare.

You watched their interactions through gritted teeth every time they spoke to each other. You've had this quirk since the day you were born. The expressions of true love and light touches your victims would share with their beloved was all the same. Their love had blossomed like a field of tulips once spring comes.

"Hey, (Y/N)! Are you alright?" Ochaco asks as she stands in front of you. She waves her hand in your face after a few seconds to gain your attention.

"Oh... H- Hey, Ochaco... Sorry, I wasn't paying attention." Giving her your best smile as reassurance but she doesn't seem to believe you.

"You weren't...? But you were staring right at me?" Fuck. She turns her head and looks behind her, searching around. His shy green eyes meet her gaze before quickly looking away. "Were you looking behind me...? Is it Deku?" You want to leave the conversation, but you know how persistent she would become.

"No," Her head quickly snaps back towards you, intrigued but calm. "Don't worry about it. I guess I'm just tired."

"Ah, okay..." She peers down at the ground as her rosy cheeks begin to deepen their color. "Well... I actually wanted to ask you a favor."

"What is it?"

"I know you don't like using your quirk often..." You've told her your quirk numerous times and always mentioned your reluctance to use it. You realize now that was a mistake. Not want to repeat your years at your previous school all over again. "...and it's OK if you don't want to do it. I won't force you." She's still staring down, too embarrassed to continue but she still attempts.

"It's fine, don't worry."

"Could you... Could you use your quirk to make Deku like me back? I really like him but... I'm not sure if he feels the same way about me... I'm kinda scared, you know?"

You pause at the girl standing in front of you, still hiding her face as her eyes cast towards the ground. Make him like her back...? Why would you ever do that? As if it wasn't obvious to nearly everyone in their class and, even some random students, that they had feelings for each other. Why would she need you to do something she could do herself? She's lucky her eyes are fixed towards the ground or else she would've noticed your clenched fist landing somewhere painful.

Truthfully, she didn't know how envious you were of her position. You weren't even sure of the extremes you would endure just to have him notice you. Alas, perhaps now is not the time. You knew it would end in the same outcome as all your other attempts.

"Just confess to him. I'm sure he'll accept it." You never wanted to use your quirk to find the string on Ochaco's fingers, you were too afraid. You began to walk away from her after unsuccessfully hiding your scorned voice, but she tightly held onto the sleeve of your gray blazer.

"W- Wait!" Refusing to turn around, you let her finish. "Can't you at least tell me if we're soulmates?"

"I won't." The girl seems to sulk at your rejection, her grip on your blazer loosens before she pulls away.

"Well, I guess it's wrong to want to know. I'm sorry for pressuring you..." As you begin to forgive her, she interrupts you. "I hope this isn't too personal for you, but is it true that you like him too?"

"Where did you hear that?" You snap your head and see her nervously scratching her neck, glaring up at you.

"I always see you staring at him! Don't you think it's kinda weird?"

"What do you mean?"

"He has no idea who you are and the way you look at him can be kinda creepy sometimes…” Ochaco straightens her back, stiffening her posture in an uncomfortable way while smiling at you tauntingly. Her brows furrowed as she peers around the room.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Ochaco.”

“But it’s true!” She twirls her brown hair between her fingertips, thinking once again before asking. “Is that why you won’t tell me if we’re soulmates?”

The thought of you two having the same crush makes Ochaco sick to her stomach. She doesn't know the reason why. It was an uneasy feeling that remained throughout your entire interaction.

“I’ve told you countless times before, I don’t use my quirk as much as I did in the past…” Ochaco holds her head down in defeat again, on the brink of giving up. “But since you keep pushing me, fine. Give me your hand. Let me check for the string first.”

She beams up at you, eagerly passing her ring finger to you. Filled with a new found excitement — Oh, she can’t wait! Ochaco’s eyes lit up with the same expression as every other person who has asked you. Each hand you’ve held has prayed for the same outcome. The warm, yet sweaty palms feel common. Occasionally twitching their fingers with anticipation.

You gaze at her ring finger, ignoring the distractions around you. Your eyes squint until you can see the familiar red string appearing on her skin. It’s looped perfectly where a wedding ring will be in the future. The string trails down her arm, falling to the floor and continuing behind her. It cuts through a group of students loitering around nearby and past chairs scattered through the room.

Your heart pounds in your chest, beating heavy like a drum with each second that is drawn out. It ends with a girl throwing away her trash. You want to breathe out a sigh of relief, but she walks towards one of her friends. And of course, there he was. Completely oblivious to the scene happening a few feet away from him.

Ochaco, moving restlessly on her feet, turns behind once more.

“It’s Izuku, isn’t it? It’s him, right?” She grins, ear to ear. It’s unknown if she’s ecstatic about being soulmates or if she can no longer worry about other competition — including you.

"Of course, it's him."

"So, can you use your quirk on him?" She hops around excitedly on the tips of her toes. Her face is as red as a cherry, but she's more confident than before. "For me? Please?"

"I don't even need to do that, Ochaco. Everyone in your class knows that he has feelings for you. You don't need me."

"Are you jealous? Is that why? Come on, (Y/N). There's nothing about you that he would want, anyways." She stares up at the ceiling, tapping her finger against her chin. "Use your quirk to find someone else, it shouldn't be hard."

But… But it’s just not fair, you tell yourself. In all honesty, you should’ve known. There were too many signs that you chose to ignore. This was the reason you hesitated for so long. As Cupid, you already knew. Now you were destined to have the same fate once again. Should you tell her? Even now, you aren’t sure why you agreed. Should your spirit to find clarity and let go?

Maybe you will stop caring about Izuku. Forget about the burning passion that flourishes through your body with every glance you give to him.

But you don’t want to do that right now.

“Uraraka Ochaco,” Surely, you still have a chance. Your eyes are locked on each other. “Midoriya Izuku, loves you not. Forget him.”

Her breath stops, her eyes become dilated and watery. You’ve never seen someone react in that way before. She stares at you with a vacant expression while you examine her face. Ochaco’s mouth is slightly agape, like she’s frozen in place. You feel her pulse start to slow down gently. Grasping her shoulder, you shake the girl out of her trance — you can’t have her passing out in front of everyone!

“Wha… What happened?” Ochaco returns to normal — well mostly.

“You were asking about Izuku, don’t you remember?”

Her cheeks turn a dark rosy color and for a second, you wonder if you’ve finally lost your quirk. Until she responds:

“Izuku… Izuku…” She glances around the room, trying to search for an answer in her mind. It sounds familiar, that name. “I don’t know who that is,” She tries to sound confident, but you can tell that she doubts herself.

“He’s your classmate.” Did she respond to your ‘forget him’ command? Has your quirk evolved since you last tried to use it? All that time you’ve spent with Shinsou must have rubbed off. She seems lost for a moment; She blushes, yet a frown is worn on her face.

“Oh, a classmate. Then why can’t I..?” Her head is empty with every attempt at trying to remember him. In the few chances that she can, his existence and the thought of him makes her sour. Barely knowing his face, yet she cannot stop the disgust that emerges.

“Ochaco? Isn’t there somewhere you should be right now?”

“Right! Gosh… My head feels like it’s spinning.” You release her hand, she gathers her belongings and tidies up. “I’ve got to go home and help my parents with some stuff. I’ll catch up with you tomorrow!”

Ochaco runs off to the exit, hopping away like a rabbit fleeing from a predator. It was for the best; you try to tell yourself. But the guilt of it all eats away at your soul. You wait for a few minutes before you step outside into the warm air, you aren’t sure of the feelings erupting inside. You should’ve been relieved; no need to worry about Ochaco or any other person in the way. If you needed to, you knew how to handle it.

By now, Izuku and his classmates have left the building. Ochaco stands by the entrance of the school. You see two of her friends nearby, chatting away and completely oblivious to the spell you’ve cast on her. The separate groups don’t seem to notice each other yet; they stand on opposite ends with their backs turned.

The time was perfect, you clutched the envelope in your pocket tightly.

Your legs move on their own at first, running to the fluffy haired boy. He smiled at his friends, unaware of your heavy steps to him. You bump into a few students who gave you annoyed glances. There’s no time to apologize to them, you move with a mission.

He doesn’t notice you behind him at first. Izuku was only alerted from the expressions of his friends surrounding him and the softest tap on his shoulder.

“Izuku?” You say quietly while he turns his body to face you.

“Yeah, what’s up?” The others around him paused their conversation.

“Oh, I just wanna have a chat with you… I hope you’re not busy.” You replied while pointing to his friends behind him. “By the way, I’m (Y/N)…”

“Ah, I’ve seen you around the school before.” Izuku waves goodbye to his friends and pulls you aside to talk.

"Really...?” He knows who you are! You reach into your pocket and pull out the letter. It’s pink and decorated with colorful hearts on the outside. Your hands tremble with the paper; shyly and with your head focused on the ground, you slip the letter in his hands.

“What’s this?” Izuku asks and peers up at you, your fingertips graze his hand ever so slightly — the tingling against his skin draws him closer.

“Midoriya Izuku,” With the command of your voice, his mind becomes a fog. The same unaware expression as Ochaco was written over his face. “Uraraka Ochaco loves you not.”

“I… I…” Unlike Ochaco, Izuku tries to fight the spell as he did at the sports festival against Shinsou — except your quirk was far stronger than his. His eyes become vacant; things were working nicely in your favor. You just needed to make sure.

“Izuku?”

“What...? Oh,” Izuku regains consciousness and focuses his eyes on the pink envelope in his hand. Outstretching some of your fingers, you gesture for him to open it.

"It's for you. I wrote it..."

He sloppily tears the letter open - all that effort you put into folding it, you cringe a bit as you watch. Izuku's eyes scan your writing, widening with every word. His cheeks tint into a light pink color, a soft grin adorns his lips:

"Izuku, from the day I saw you at the Sports Festival, I truly experienced a love that I've never known before,"

But of course, it's short-lived.

Clinching onto the paper tightly, he begins to tremble.

"And that love is one that I want to be kept near to me, have you ever felt this before?"

. . .

"My dearest, Izuku. My nights have been endless with thoughts of you. I can hear it, your footsteps in the night. I feel as if I'm going insane,"

. . .

"It's shameful of me to admit. How pretty and soft your skin looks; I've fantasized about this — dragging my sharpest knife across your every vein and marking you,"

. . .

"I want to rip your heart out of your chest with my own hands and keep it to myself, blood and all. I'll give you mine in return. I will surrender myself to you,"

. . .

"I wonder what it feels like to be inside you, inside your mind. I want to touch you, I want to feel you,"

. . .

"My dearest, Izuku. Will you let me do that? Will you give yourself to me?"

Izuku's mouth opens and closes like a fish out of water; he becomes completely at a loss for exactly what to say. At first, you thought it must've been side effects from your quirk, until...

"Well? I put a lot of thought into it. I know we haven't spoken before, and I might not be your type, but..."

"I appreciate the- the letter..." He fumbles out, unwilling to face you. His eyes travel from the paper to the orange-magenta sky. Anywhere besides you. "But I'm in the hero course, you know. It's ve- very tiring. I can't manage a relationship n- now. I'm sorry..."

Yet, deep down, Izuku can't help but pity you. He would've at least considered if you hadn't written about wanting to stab him.

"I see," Your words are barely audible, even with the close space between you two. "So, that's your excuse. Well, don't worry," The only thing you could do was smile, trying to balance out the tears welling up in your eyes.

"Excuse...?" What a funny word to use. The vacancy in his heart is profound; a force is stopping him. He knows, you must've done something to him.

"Never mind."

Izuku passes the letter back to you and takes a few steps back. Slowly and with a step at a time. He waits for the perfect opening and retreats to the safety of his friends. They all cheer him on, seeing him chat up someone for the first time — unaware of the contents of your 'love letter'.

A stream of tears falls from your eyes, traveling from your damp cheeks to the paper in your hands. It ruins your perfectly crafted letter that you spent months preparing. What a waste. Izuku can hear your sniffles as his friends quiet down. He was such a good-natured boy, that was what you loved him for. Deep down, he wanted to calm you, but he refuses to move from his spot.

It's not fair.

Cupid. It's a useless quirk that you will forever hate. The love you truly want will never come to you — it's your karma, anyways. Well, it wouldn't be too big of a deal. All the hearts you've meddled with will find new loves eventually. Once they learn to overcome the emptiness where their soulmates should be, they wouldn't need to worry.

Why can't these feelings just disappear?

You had a plan. Should you try it? One last chance to see if you quirk could work on yourself. How often do quirks work on their users? It was a rarity, and you were willing to take that risk.

Opening your phone, you place your earbuds in your ears.

"(Y/N) (L/N), Midoriya Izuku loves you not." A recording of your voice plays. Only an experiment to see if it would actually work on you. The thought came to you after a period of frustration.

Eagerly, you waited for your mind to become foggy. No thoughts and a blank expression; the curse of all your victims before you took them out of a trance. The phrase replays multiple times in your ears, and you march off the campus back home. Although you tried, deep down in your heart, you refused to let go. You clasped your eyes shut and prayed, by some miracle that it stops.

"Midoriya Izuku loves you not." "Midoriya Izuku loves you not." "Midoriya Izuku loves you not." It continued, soon sounding like a chant with the way your voice rings.

With the last echo of the sentence in your ears, the pain in your heart travels straight to your head. Crying out in distress, a wave of pressure flooded to every inch above your neck. You stopped in your tracks, nearly ripping out locks of hair trying to suppress it. With every movement, your head ached and throbbed to the rhythm of your pulse.

And like a true hero, he ran to you at the first yelp that left your lips.

"(Y/N)! Are you OK?" A fluffy, green-haired boy asked. He placed his hand on your shoulder, trying to lift your head up to get a better look at you.

What a good-natured boy he was. You'd be fawning over his actions on a normal evening. But unfortunately for him, you weren't in the mood.

"Get the fuck off me." Your body reacted before anything else. With a strong shove, he let go of his hold on you. The paper you were holding slipped out of your hands, and the boy with the familiar face stared at you in disbelief.

The farther you walk away from him, the more the pain of your headaches soothes. Who was that?

You try to remember along your journey to the train station, but after a while, you lose interest.

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ohsohoney · 4 months ago

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When it comes to love you're just as blinded.

Part Three

Eminem x Musician

Summary: It starts with a drunk embarrassing video, it spirals into something a whole lot more.

Note: Ah this took ages to write but I actually really loved it- finally they meet!! Hopefully I got a few things about Detroit right too but I don't live there so lemme know if not! Also I appreciate all the love the last two parts have gotten, means a lot!

Warnings: Some heavier topics surrounding a rough childhood and abuse of substances.

Set in 2014, just after the release of LP 2 || Em’s daughters are renamed here because it felt weird not to and also have different ages– doesn’t affect the story much but just a warning! Rosie's nickname is also Z:)

Masterlist

It was far too early to be up. Especially after the night I’d just had, tossing and turning until I’d eventually passed out from sheer exhaustion. Something I hadn’t quite anticipated after my call with Em, but sleep had seemed near enough impossible once I’d hung up. No real reason as to why, simply that my mind had gone from a dull sluggish buzz to over-fucking-load in a mere matter of seconds.

Thankfully I had a flight to catch which meant that, even though I looked like my mum after another week long bender, I would be able to catch a little sleep before landing in Detroit.

Detroit. That was the singular thought my tired mind kept pausing on. Stupidly, it felt just like yesterday that Marshall had first bridged that gap between us and phoned me, only it had been weeks since then, during which the most unexpected friendship had blossomed. He’d called again that next day and the timezones separating us had been made all that more obvious, him having not long dropped his daughter off at school whilst I’d been returning from lunch. He never really had given me the real reason as to why he’d gone and gotten in touch again so quickly, only that he’d wanted to double check that I was still down to fly out and work on a song or two.

It hadn’t phased me. Neither had the next few calls that had followed, nor the texts that I’d found myself composing to him at odd hours of the day.

We’d spoken about music at first: “Who inspires you?” He’d asked me which had led into a ramble. Something I only ever tended to do with those who knew me best, never having really mastered the whole art of social interaction yet, even after the fame. But he’d let me go on, before I’d eventually spun the question back around on him and listened quietly to a passionate speech about the handful of artists that had transported him out of the tiny room he’d grown up in and into something other.

I mentioned my sister after that. Em had heard her shouting at the tele one evening whilst she’d played some game that always seemed to bring out her most profane language and laughed, asking after the roaring gremlin in the background. I’d told him bits and pieces, added to the story in odd quips and mentions over the passing weeks, enough that most wouldn’t quite catch on to what I’d been avoiding, but Lottie had been around more often than not and the man had quickly worked out that she lived with me. He’d never outright asked me the reason as to why, though I liked to think that he was simply waiting for me to tell him, because this thing that we had, it was all about building trust. And Marshall? He was almost as unforgiving with who he gave that out to as I was.

Soon enough our calls and Facetimes had become a featured part of my day, one I actually looked forward to. But even saying that, I was still shit scared of meeting him properly.

As much as it might humour him for me to admit it, I was a big fan of his. Had been since I’d first heard Guilty Conscience when it had hit the UK charts. I’d been swallowed whole by the rest of his LP, had even nicked a cd copy of it off a stall down at the market, alongside Aquemini, because I’d liked it so much. In truth, one of my earliest memories even featured the man. It was of my uncle bagging tickets to Em’s first real show down in Notting Hill, his girlfriend at the time’s brother having managed to somehow score a couple on a whim. It had been all they’d talked about for weeks on end.

I’d been around long enough now though– having dived headfirst into the industry before dipping a toe in first– that I knew just how meeting your icons wasn’t all it was chalked up to be. Still, this felt different to us just bumping into one another at some show or a party. And, who was I kidding– it was entirely different. Impossibly so. I’d said it to him then and I’d reiterate it again, he had been the last person I had ever expected to call.

“Passengers boarding the 09:53 flight to Detroit, Michigan please head to Gate B7.”

I sucked in a deep breath at the overhead announcement, figuring that it really was now or never. Two weeks in a big old house working on music with Eminem, I supposed stranger things had to have happened. So instead of lingering on the inane concept, I popped an anti-sickness tablet and dragged my carry-on over towards the gate.

…

Truth be told, I much would have preferred not having slept on that flight. God, I was still embarrassed, but even so I couldn’t help the muted giggle that bypassed my lips whilst I waited for my luggage to drift on by.

I was just thankful that I’d had the foresight to wear a hat and sunnies the entire time. Mostly out of habit, yes, but also so that I could keep this whole Detroit trip hush hush, because Marshall really had gone above and beyond to bring me out here and so I didn’t want to reward him with a swarm of unwanted questions. Not that anyone would even add up the notion of me being here and allude that it was down to him. That was probably the most unlikely headline somebody could conjure up.

But back to the whole Flight from Hell. Well, I had the tendency to sometimes be dramatic so not Hell per se, it had just been humiliating. Being shaken awake only to realise you'd been drooling the entire time and the rest of the passengers had already disembarked was more than a tad bit mortifying, especially when the air steward’s eyes had widened a fraction when I’d tried to sort myself out and wake up.

I wasn’t entirely sure if he’d recognised me, or if it had just been down to the fact that Marshall had put me in First Class— a matter which I had complained about, justifiably— and that I had one of those faces he couldn’t put a name to. But either way, I hoped he wouldn’t expand too much on it.

I caught sight of my suitcase just as it pushed its way through the heavy black flaps on the end of the conveyor belt and so I slid past a man in a bright green Packers jersey to grab at it. And even I had to wince at the sight of the offending article. In all places, really? I wanted to ask. Wrong fucking move there, mate.

By the time I finally did make it out of the crowd that had amassed, it had been near enough an hour since I’d landed and so I had a few messages waiting patiently for me.

Messages The Martian Blacked out GMC parked out front Tap twice on the back window

Then…

Flight ok?

My mouth quirked upwards on its own accord at the quick relay but I was quick to shoot something back.

Messages Might have passed tf out Woke up and it was just me and the steward there:))) Also tap twice?? Do I look like James Bond to you?

Although I had to Google what the fuck a GMC looked like, I did eventually work my way out of the terminal to spot the sleek SUV sat a way down in the drop off zone. ‘Course he’d have his driver park there, I thought pointlessly to myself as I manoeuvred past a handful of tired faces with a polite smile. Though to him it was probably easier to deal with whatever fine he got plastered with than it would be for me to attempt to find the thing in pickup parking. Not that it would be all that hard, it was huge.

Anyway, by the time I managed to hone in closer on the vehicle I felt my nose scrunch up in slight embarrassment at the thought of having to knock twice, as though I really was some sort of spy or, more than likely, a dodgy dealer. But just as I approached, prepped to knock and give the driver my name, I heard the far side door open and a pair of shoes hit the rough tarmac.

Jumping back a tad, my head swivelled left to better view the figure who was then rounding the car. My eyes widened at the sight I was met with.

His smirk at my evident shock was ascued by a heavy hood and the brim of a dark cap, but it was there. Stayed there actually, all whilst he easily manoeuvred my luggage from out of my hands and into the boot of his car, whilst I simply stood there stock-still. Eventually, he came to stand before me about an arms length away. I blinked and my gaze skittered over the rest of our surroundings before they finally returned to his tilted head and piercing eyes. His back was turned towards the airport, away from the trio which had since grouped around their suitcases to wait and a handful of people that exited the terminal one or two at a time.

“What, I don’t get no hug?”

The mirthful lilt of his deep voice surprised me and my mouth worked over a plethora of words that couldn’t quite take stage before I was laughing softly into the shoulder of his jacket, his arms coming up to wrap around me.

It felt oddly surreal to finally meet him, even if I had been so caught off guard by his sudden presence.

In fact, I jolted back at the very thought and thumped his arm, my eyes narrowed even whilst my smile never appeared to falter. “Why are you here?”

His tongue darted out to wet his lower lip, arm moving to cradle the offended limb in sly mocking, before he huffed out a low laugh. “No, hello? No, wow, Marshall, I can’t believe you’re really here!”

My mouth gaped at the teasing tone he took on, much like something I’d heard on one of his songs, and then I was laughing too, shaking my head at his antics. “That’s how we’re playing this?” I quirked a brow, but eventually mimicked, “Wow, Marshall. Gee golly, I just can’t believe that you’re really here!”

Marshall dipped his chin in supposed approval, gentle eyes roaming over my face in a way similar to what I must have done when he’d first arrived. I wondered briefly what he saw but hastily brushed the thought aside. “The American accent still sucks, by the way.” He acknowledged just as he stepped forward to open the passenger side door, surprising me yet again as he slipped by me, “So if you’re goin’ into acting, take note.”

My glare was mocking at best, lacking any real heat as he waited for me to climb inside, it was only once I’d glanced back at him with a thankful smile that he moved to shut the door. I took in a sharp lungful of air at the quiet that then engulfed the car and watched him move around the front of the hood. He was achingly familiar and yet not at the same time. And it was such a strange thought to latch onto that I took the initiative to just take things as they came over the next few weeks, which turned out to work in my favour when he joined me in the car and the engine revved.

“I can’t believe you’re actually here.” I found myself saying as he slowly peeled his way out of the drop off bay. “Thought you said you’d have someone come get me.”

Em simply shook his head whilst I observed how his hands slid around the wheel with an effortless ease. “I said there’d be a car.”

My eyes widened to accentuate my point. “Exactly! There’d be a car! So I just figured a cab or something.”

His eyes flickered over towards me just as we came to a stop at the busy intersection outside the airport, then pulled away to look left and right again. “Well, you should stop figuring then.”

I couldn’t stop the eye roll I gifted him, even as I laughed heartily to myself and took in the comfort of privacy the car offered, as opposed to the flight I’d just been stuck on. It was then, whilst we merged onto the highway and followed into the flow of traffic, that I got the chance to really look at him.

I was still attempting to get over my evident shock, having expected to meet him much later on, once I’d been dropped off at the house or maybe even a while after that. But it was nice to know that he’d driven all the way here to merely pick me up when he could have just as easily sent someone to do it for him.

Marshall looked about the same as he had when we’d first phoned in truth, only it was easier now to see all of the minute details he offered the world, those tiny imperfections.

The slight dip in his chin was much more prominent now what with the way his lips had since pursed in concentration. The skin there was smooth, as though not much time had passed since it had last been seen to by a razor, and it wrinkled only around his eyes when they narrowed into focus. His nose was pointed, whilst simultaneously being both strong and soft. He had eyelashes that I could only envy, dark and long, and freckles light enough to dot both sides of his face.

He must have felt my gaze on him though because he soon chanced a glance back at me with a single raised brow. My eyes slid away from his profile and instead I opted to gesture my chin out towards the tinted windows that encased us. “These legal?” I had wondered, but mostly asked just to steer his mind away from me having been caught staring.

With a short snort, his brow dropped and the beginnings of a smile twitched at the corners of his mouth. “What d’you think?”

I chuckled in retort, having expected that, and then looked away again, out towards the grassy verge that separated the long stretch of road from small grey buildings that littered both sides in the distance. It was my first time in Detroit and I wanted to make the most of it, remember every part.

It was quiet for a while after that, Em having switched on the radio at some point after asking after my flight, the two of us more than content to just let the silence linger around the hum of something so familiar, music.

He pointed things out to me here and there on the journey, nothing of real importance but dropping comments that would either make me hum or laugh loudly. He was a funny fucker even when he didn’t seem to be trying, I figured that was what I liked best about him.

We drove through Downtown Detroit at one point and I listened intently when he spoke about Ford Field, the home of his favoured Lions, and again when we stopped at a traffic light and he gestured over towards where the Fox Theatre sat. Even during the daylight it drew the eye.

Once we’d rolled away from the inner city and its skyscrapers though I felt myself relax further, pleased by the vast amount of green that I started to see. Most of the time I’d spent in The States often left me confined to the major cities, to their bustling crowds and hectic commutes, mostly because I didn’t have much of a choice in the matter, what with venues and tours, interviews and recording sessions. So this would probably be the first time I’d get to see a slice of the country’s suburbs and it wasn’t all too different from what you’d typically see back home. Not exact sure, but similar in a lot of circumstances.

It took me a while to realise that Em had been nodding his head along to the radio, following the beat in an exact tempo. The sight had me hiding my grin behind my sleeve but the move captured his attention and he must have seen the growing joy my glazed eyes gave away to when he peered over at me because his forehead furrowed. “What?”

Instantly I shook my head, “Nothing.”

His eyes darted out towards the road, shifting gears before the back of his hand shot out to tap the side of my knee. “What?” He prodded again and I was startled by the easy nature of his touch, remembering then that it was possible now that we weren’t stuck between screens.

I snorted softly, dropping my arm seeing as he’d already caught on to the grin. “Just strange, is all. Being here.”

I watched closely as he gave a slow blink and waited, propping my arm up against the window whilst slumping a little in my seat.

“Good weird, or bad?”

The answer had to have been obvious and yet, I still answered him, “The good kind.”

“Good.” He hummed and my grin softened at his own small smile. It remained there for most of the drive.

I didn’t know what I had expected to see once we finally did pull up to the house, but it didn’t fail to live up to its owner's accomplishments. It was beautiful, big yes, but beautiful too. Terracotta in colour and with a long gravel driveway. He had trees and flowers around the fenced gate to further keep out any prying eyes, but they were vivid and lush. Pretty to admire.

Marshall turned towards me once we’d slowed to a stop and I smiled, unbuckling my seatbelt before he huffed a chuckle, turning off the engine and moving to do the same. The door shut behind me once I’d jumped out and I let myself breathe in the change of air. Having been cooped up in the Big Apple for the last few days it was refreshing to be able to actually enjoy it and not just think about all of the heavy city fumes.

I was quick to snap out of it though when I heard the slight beep that sounded from the back of the car when the boot reopened. “Hey, I can get that.”

Marshall's eyes cut over towards my approaching figure. “So can I.” He tugged the heavy suitcase out with one hand, “See?”

“Mature, Mathers.” I retorted, leaning past him to at least grab my carry on, but he was there too, our hands clutched the handle at the same time, his encasing mine. “I can get it.” I repeated, turning slightly in my stance to lift my brows up at him.

He was close, thigh pressing into the ledge of the boot whilst his other hand still held onto the door stationed above our heads. “You’re my guest.”

His tone was gruff, low enough for only me to have heard, even though there wasn’t anyone else mulling about. My eyes shifted, flickering back and forth between his own. “Then let your guest get their way.”

He blew out an amused breath, the weight of it fanned my face and had a few loose strands of hair fluttering. “You’re so fuckin’ stubborn.”

I shifted and his knee knocked against mine. “Here’s the pot calling the kettle black.” I quipped with a growing smile.

There was the slightest shake of his head, his mouth twitched, and then he was leaning in closer. I held my breath. Waiting. For God knows what, when—

He snatched the bag out from under my hand.

“Marshall!” It was almost indignant the yell I made, shocked by the sly move he’d played and the fact that he’d already jumped back to make his way towards the front door before I could even properly react. I heard his bright laughter echo back to mock me.

“Too slow.” Marshall called in turn, shrugging as he shot a smug look over his shoulder. “Lock her up for me?”

The tap he then gave his right trouser pocket evidently had me frowning and so I looked down on impulse, only to spot a set of keys dangling from the belt loop on my jeans. Baffled, my head snapped upwards, just in time to see him laugh and wheel my suitcase inside.

I took a deep breath, then let it go.

“Such a prick.” I muttered to myself, though not unkindly, as I jumped up to grab the boot door and slam it shut, using the fob to then lock the monster truck up.

By the time I made it up the rest of the drive and through the front door I was a little less peeved about the whole thing, which was mostly down to me having been a little humoured by his methods of undermining.

“You treat all your supposed guests like this?” I blew out.

Marshall only greeted my entry with a snort. “Uhuh, that initiation we talked about? Starts here.”

Rolling my eyes, I stepped further into the entryway to observe, making the effort not to gape at the sheer size of it. Because in truth, he could’ve easily fit a half a dozen Harleys in the space between the door and the stairs.

“Where do we start the sacrifice then? Can’t imagine anyone would be all too happy about staining these pretty floors.” My toe skimmed a stark white tile as I said it, peering over at him through my lashes whilst I thought back to an earlier conversation we’d had and the fact that he’d actually remembered.

“Basement, baby!”

He used the term in ridicule, to accentuate the gaiety in the back and forth we’d just begun. His hands shot out wide in a gesticulative fashion and so I used the moment to grab at the handle of my suitcase he’d left by the door, thankful that the thing had wheels. I grinned at the small victory.

“You were saying?” I dragged out around a pleased smile.

Marshall shook his head at me, like he actually couldn’t believe I’d attempted to one up him— and managed it. Though he thankfully left it alone. Still, that was probably only due to the fact that he then said, “Want a tour?”

And who was I to deny?

“If you don’t want me getting lost, then yes please.”

He scoffed, but wore the ghost of a smile as he pushed further into the house, leading me this way and that until we finally wandered up another set of stairs onto the second floor.

“Bedrooms are there.” Marshall pointed out to me, hands stretched towards both the halls that lined either side of the staircase. “Mine’s just down here, Z’s too.” He explained further, gesturing towards the two doors on the far right side, Rosie’s bore a bright sign with her name and I was humoured to see that the usual silver handle had been switched out in favour of a neon pink.

He caught my slight smile at the sight of the door and nudged me with his shoulder.

“Quit it.”

I snorted softly, pursing my lips to dampen the grin I wore. “I didn’t say anything! But I do love it.” Honestly it was too cute seeing him all mushy like that, and the fact that he’d gone out of his way to make something like a door handle special for his daughter was endearing.

Marshall grunted out a hum, then took a deliberate step over toward a room a little closer, the door had been left slightly ajar. He pushed it open to reveal a room that could have resembled a hotel room had it not been for the much warmer sense of comfort it offered. I reckoned it was down to the little souvenirs and decorative pieces that had been jotted around the place, like the snowglobe of Big Ben and a little British flag, as well as the articles of clothing which had been laid out on the bed.

My attention caught on those first and I glanced back at Em, who was now leaning against the doorframe, to ask a silent question. The man shrugged the shoulder that wasn’t pressed to the wood and suddenly looked a tad bit sheepish, “Rosie’s idea. Wanted to give you something, like, so you’d feel welcome or some shit.”

I let my fingers brush over the pyjama’s the little girl must have picked out. They were soft and dotted with tiny woodland creatures, bunnies and berries. My heart ached at the lovely gesture, never really having had anyone do something like this for me, let alone someone so small and sweet who had gone out of their way to make me feel welcomed of all things.

“You lucked out with her.” I murmured and was granted a doting smile when I peered back up at the girl’s father.

“She’s aight.” Marshall reasoned, pushing out a small breath as he took a step further into the bedroom. “Room okay then?”

Smiling, almost a little stupidly, I chuckled in disbelief and took another peer around the room. “It’s perfect, thank you again for this.”

He rolled his eyes at me and made a gah sound, “Say thanks again and I’ll take you to the nearest motel.”

My eyes widened just as my jaw dropped, “A motel, really? Wow, and here I thought we were truly bonding.”

“You know what they say, don’t assume.”

Narrowing my stare into something a bit more intense I waited for him to crack, but he must have been half-alien or something because the man held his own much longer than I did. “You’re such a dick.” I eventually chuckled, shaking my head.

“Get used to it,” He retorted and stepped away to wheel my suitcase further into the room, placing my bag down on the end of the plush bedspread. “You tired? Figured we could grab something to eat once Z’s home if you’re down.”

It was something I was used to, the whole jumping back and forth between serious and teasing, but I still found it sweet how he would tend to ask after me, simply to make sure that everything was still good.

I hummed in reply and took one last look at the pyjamas I'd been gifted. “I’m good, slept on the flight–”

“And drooled all over them First Class seats.” He butted in, earning himself a short glare which only proved to make him grin.

I should have known to have kept that shit to myself, fucker would probably lord it over my head forever.

“Uhuh, hilarious.” I deadpanned before continuing on like he hadn’t interrupted, “What’re you thinking of getting?”

The question went unanswered because it was then that the front door sounded, creaking open on its heavy hinges before it rattled closed. I jumped at the unexpected noise whilst Em simply glanced back over his shoulder, “That’ll be her.” He commented, confusing me for a second when he raised his hand and started a countdown on his fingers, “3, 2, 1–”

“Dad!”

I snorted at the precise timing, Marshall already moving towards the door at the call of his name and so I went to follow. It was just as we made it back out onto the hallway’s landing that he paused, “I can keep her occupied for a while if you wanna settle in, take a nap or something.”

It was an offer and a half from any parent to attempt to keep their kid at bay, I mean I’d done it a fair few times with an excitable Lottie over the years, but I waved it off, smiling when the girl’s voice called out again. “Dad?”

Marshall leaned in closer, hand clutching the bannister, and lowered his voice whilst his face got all serious, “Get out whilst you still can.”

Huffing out a mirthful breath, I couldn’t quite hide my smile. “I’m good, I'm actually excited to meet her.”

He paused and observed me for a moment, as though he was trying to see the truth behind that sentiment, which made me unsure. But I hoped he did find the sincerity in my words because it hadn’t been a lie, I was nervous to meet his daughter sure, wanted her to like me and not feel as though I was suddenly imposing on her life, but I had genuinely enjoyed her witty remarks and scathing comments when we had spoken the night before. She reminded me of a little of a younger Lotts.

Em eventually nodded at me, cheek dimpling ever so in a possible attempt to dampen his reaction, but before I could question it, the man was jogging down the stairs. “Up here, you monster. And what I tell you ‘bout yellin’?”

A familiar face poked its way out of the hall at the bottom of the staircase and the smile that dawned on it was beaming when she spotted her dad. “How are you gonna hear me if I don’t yell?” She replied, squealing when the man swept her up off feet and into a hug, peppering a line of kisses into her hair, “Dad!”

Marshall snorted at the reaction he’d garnered but eventually lowered the girl back down onto her feet, whilst I just stood at the bottom of the stairs watching them with a fond smile. “What?” He said in a put upon voice and ran a hand over the girl’s head, bulging his eyes out wide when Rosie pulled a face. “How was school, kiddo?”

Rosie pushed up onto the balls of her feet before she rocked back, “Good, I ran out to the car quick to get home ‘fore she gets here.”

The smirk the man took on was almost evil and he laughed when he cocked his head out to gesture behind the girl. “Just about managed it.”

A curtain of honey coloured hair swept over her shoulders when the girl twirled around on her heel, eyes widening in sudden surprise to find me standing there. “El!” She called out, a grin breaking across her features before she hurried over to engulf me in a hug too.

Even as surprised as I was by the gesture, I chuckled and lowered myself down to squeeze her back, smiling at Em from over the top of her head. “Hey,” I murmured gently, staying crouched even as we pulled apart, “Thanks for the pjs, they’re probably the best gift I’ve gotten in ages.”

That statement appeared to thrill the girl, who’s eyes twinkled under the soft lights, “I got a matching pair, guessed we could wear them tonight and watch a movie so you’d feel more at home.”

My heart burst at the thought, I was sure of it.

But then Marshall went to speak and I already knew what he’d been prepared to say, so instead of letting him ruin Rosie’s sweet plans, I was quick to jump in, “I’d love that.”

The smile she gave me was award worthy and she turned back to face her dad with that settled. “See, if you had gotten the same ones like I said, you could’ve joined!”

I snorted at the expression that then crossed Em’s face, his head jolting back a tad.

“You really didn’t get some to match?” I egged the girl on, mouth dropping open in a feigned amount of shock.

We were both met with a disbelieving shake of his head as the man blew out a heavy breath and turned away. “I’ll watch what I want and wear what I want, it’s my house.” He threw back at us as he headed further into the house, murmuring under his breath, “Women.”

Rosie and I shared a conspiratorial grin before we made to follow after him.

“It’s rude to just dump your friend, Dad.” Rosie commented once we’d wandered into the kitchen to find Em grabbing a couple of bottles out of the fridge, the girl slid onto a stool at the end of the island whilst I bit my cheek to keep from outright laughing.

Her words were met by an unimpressed stare that didn’t appear to phase her as she continued to swing her legs back and forth. The man let the fridge door slip close as he made his way over to join his daughter, handing her a bottle before sliding the other across the counter to me. “You got homework?”

Rosie’s eyes flickered from her dad to me, then back again, “Maybe, but it’s Math.”

“Well, we ain’t goin’ nowhere til it’s done.” Marshall told her with a small shrug, even though I’d seen his eyes widen at the thought of having to deal with numbers and sums. “Get changed and we can start on it, okay?”

The girl emitted a soft sigh but ultimately moved to jump down from off the stool, “You any good at Math, El?”

Biting down on my smirk, I ignored Em’s murmured warning of the girl’s name and answered, “Not bad, I might be a little help.”

“Anything’s better than my Dad’s attempts.”

“Yo, I try.” Marshall was all too quick to quip back in retort, his arms now crossed over his chest as he stared his daughter down with a slight frown.

Rosie’s smile was precious, but her eyes told another story. I knew then that she understood exactly how to keep her dad wrapped around her finger. She was a little menace and I already loved it. “I know, Daddy, my teacher said that my English homework was the best she’d read in a while.”

Em actually seemed to take pride in that and so I guessed he’d had a hand in that homework too. His daughter also appeared to take note of the fact that he was pleased because she hurried off then, calling out over her shoulder once more, “Be back in a sec!”

“Yellin’!” Marshall yelled, defeating the whole purpose of his previous argument, before he sighed and gestured me over towards the seat Rosie had just vacated. “See what I have to put up with?”

Scoffing, I moved to take up the stool whilst he picked up a few stray notes lying on the counter and placed a glass that had been left behind at some point into the sink. “You ain’t seen nothing yet. Wait til she’s thirteen and debating the point of riding a dirtbike to and from school with you.”

Em barked out a real laugh at that as he turned his back on the sink to shoot me a look that said ‘Really?’

I heaved a put upon sigh, fingers toying with the water bottle I’d been gifted.

“That’s not even the worst of it.” I told him as my mouth worked over a smile, “Before I left she asked if she and a few friends could stay at the house alone whilst I was away, because, and I repeat, ‘If there’s six of us then that basically equates to one whole adult’. I’m still genuinely scared that she went through with it even after I said no, keep checking the security cameras to make sure there isn't a herd of teenagers working their way inside.”

He wore an amused smirk but I noticed there were more than a few questions hiding behind his stare. They’d been there for a while now.

“You can ask.” I eventually said, appreciating the atmosphere his home offered, from the warm walls and the pictures that decorated the place, to the odd bits of mess that made the too large house look lived in.

Em worked his tongue into the curve of his cheek and watched me for a moment, before he eventually settled his forearms against the counter and leaned into it. “Kinda figured you took care of her, even before you mentioned that she was your sister.”

My gaze flickered down to the water droplets that clung to my fingertips, the bottle sweating from the change in temperature. “Yeah. I mean, I’m a lot older than her, so we sort of lived through different shit but I went through a lot as a kid, with like my mum and all the issues she had. When I found out that she was pregnant again it was through this woman who used to work with her at the local greengrocers when I was little. I just remembered thinking that I didn’t want that baby going through the same thing I did.”

My mind flashed back to the memory. Thinking of Annie’s wrinkled face and the relentless rain that had only just begun to let up. She had congratulated me.

“I was sixteen, had long since packed my shit up and left, but I’d never had the money to get too far. So I’d still spot her out and about.” I licked at the corner of my mouth, unwilling to meet his eye. “I went to see her after I’d heard, mostly out of anger. Her new boyfriend had moved in and I remember just being thankful for the fact that my brother had a friend that didn’t mind putting him up. She said she wasn’t using, just fags and the like, a cider here and there. Was surprised to see me, though she expected a big song and dance about the new baby.”

I picked at the water bottle’s label.

“When Lotts was actually born, her dad was locked up proper– facing sixteen years for armed robbery. Mum had her in a ward two months early and ended up leaving her there to go visit him. She was a preemie, tiny, too tiny, you know?” I murmured and could still picture her that small. “Mum she came back that same night mostly for a bed to sleep in, but had already found herself a fix. The nurses must have noticed that something was up, they’d asked to run blood tests and shit, but mum wouldn't have it. Would come and go during visiting hours whilst Lotts was in the NICU. I stayed, only leaving when I had a shift to work, and even then I’d come running straight back.”

Marshall just stood there listening and in truth I was thankful that he hadn’t thought to interrupt me to offer words of comfort or probe deeper. Although his eyes were serious when I finally managed to look over at him, listening intently.

I rubbed my lips together before getting on with it, “I moved back in with her when Lottie was finally able to come home. Ended up taking care of the kid when I was still just a kid myself, only so that she didn’t get tossed into care or fucking overdose on whatever shit mum and whoever else left lying around. It was just the two of us for a while, before my brother, Danny, came back. He’d gotten caught up in something with these older lads on the estate and was still at school, so I worked nights down at this pub under the table to keep up with rent and he’d watch over her for a few hours. It was there that I started performing just for extra cash, like on mic nights and stuff.”

Em squinted and for the first time he opened his mouth to contribute something, “That’s where you got found, right?”

I was sure I hadn’t mentioned that in any of our conversations and so I could only guess that he’d done a little bit of digging on me, the thought made me want to laugh but instead I simply smiled. “Yeah, some scout just happened to be passing through.”

He hummed, taking that in.

“But by the time anything really came about, my brother had long since gone off to join the army and Lottie was seven.” I mentioned, eyes jumping back and forth between him and the bottle I still clung to, “I’d always taken care of her, but then I was suddenly needed elsewhere to make these dreams come true, to make money, to give her a better future.”

I knew that he could relate to that, to the utter struggle and fear I’d faced, terrified it would all fall through and I’d be left with nothing again.

“I didn’t really have a choice about leaving her though so she stayed with a neighbour at first, then her dad’s aunt who was nice enough to pop round sometimes, she was an older frail woman. I managed to actually land something eventually and started work on an album, but even after that the weight of anxiety had settled and I was working so hard just to keep all of these producers' attention.”

I swallowed thickly at the next flashback that had hastily followed.

“Shit went down while I was over here in The States.”

I felt sick each time I thought about it, hardly even dared even attempt to bring it up even to those few that knew. Lotts didn’t really remember any of it though, didn’t recall the hospital scare or my frantic need to make sure that she was okay for weeks after it had happened.

“I flew back that night and managed to sort of work things out. Threw a fucking toaster at my mum’s head I was so angry–” I snorted stupidly, “It missed. But after that I couldn’t trust her. She’d lost any sort of love I’d held for her. That was about five years ago now though, so she’s a bit different. Trying, she says. But Lotts stays with me until the very second I can’t help it.”

Blowing out a shaky breath, I willed my gaze to meet his and was taken back by the intensity of his stare.

“Sounds like a piece of work.” Marshall eventually commented and it honest to God made me laugh, allowing me to fill that hollow in my heart for a second and be grateful for the ease of it, because I really wasn’t too sure if I’d been about ready to cry at his kitchen table. “But I get it.” He added, “I think it’s great what you did for her, too. She probably won’t realise that til later but you should hear it.”

I glanced away, eyes suddenly stinging and tried to smile. “Yeah, well.” I tittered, wiping the corner of my eye discreetly, “She’s staying with her now and it’s got me on edge.”

Marshall moved around the kitchen island to place a careful hand on my shoulder, squeezing slightly before he ended up dragging me into a one armed hug. “You’re tough. Which means she’s gotta be too. I’m sure she’s just doing what kids do and messin’ around with her friends. Remember that’s all I did growing up, anything was better than bein’ in that house.”

A small snort escaped me as we parted, though he stayed near. “Because that’s so reassuring.”

He clucked his tongue and grinned, knocking shoulders with me, “I was a good kid, didn’t do nothin’ bad.”

“Uhuh,” I felt the need to drag out, “The image of an angel, Marshall Mathers.”

“Too fuckin’ right.”

“Dollar!”

It seemed we both jumped at the sudden reappearance of Rosie, who came sweeping into the room with a finger pointed at her father and an armful of school supplies. The skin between my brows pinched in confusion before the man beside me answered her, giving me the explanation I needed.

“For what?”

“You swore.” The girl shot back at him and climbed onto the stool beside me to settle her notebook down as well as a few pages of paper and pens.

Marshall ended huffing, unable to deny that he had and moved towards the cupboard by the large, sliding glass door.

“Maybe don’t eavesdrop on conversations. Reckon you owe a dollar for that, girlie.” He’d since grabbed a plastic tub and I was honestly surprised by the sparse amount of notes that were hidden inside it. Em must have spotted my surprise though and equated it to what it meant because he spoke again, “It gets emptied every couple a’ weeks and that monster over there gets to choose what we spend it on.”

Rosie perked up at the mention. “Last time I got him to take me fishing.”

“Fishing?” I wondered, blinking at the revelation. I looked back at Marshall and laughed, “I’m sorry but I can’t imagine you in that scenario.”

“Ha ha.” The man said impassively, widening my grin whilst he tugged two dollars out from his back pocket and shovelled them into the jar before he returned it to its rightful place.

“He only caught one.” Rosie piped up, already having written the date in that backwards way the American’s preferred, “It was real cute.”

I raised a brow and shot it Em’s way. “Cute?”

Rosie’s smile was big and bright, “Yeah! He said we had to let it go though ‘cause it was so small.”

Marshall rolled his eyes and then pointed between the pair of us. “You two keep this whole thing up imma go out to eat by myself. Bunch’a bullies, I swear.”

Rosie and I broke into a fit of giggles at that which only made the man’s expression flatten that much more, he waited for us to get over it before he looked between us and the notebook which had been laid out. “Enjoy Math, I’m gonna go grab a burger.”

“No!” I laughed brightly, spinning on my stool when he started to walk back around the island, “We want food too.”

“Yeah, we’ll start a riot, we're that hungry.” Rosie told him and I couldn’t muffle the rest of my giggles. Marshall merely rolled his eyes for the umpteenth time.

“Math, then we can talk food.” He declared, tickling his daughter’s side as he slid in beside her to get a better look at the worksheet she had. His eyes widened. “They got you using letters now too?”

Rosie’s laughter filled the kitchen and I got a first row ticket to watch her and her dad’s light ribbing as we started in on the first question. The sight of it made my heart swell in truth, it was just so easy to see how much love they held for one another.

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zweetpea · 1 year ago

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Please don’t leave me alone!

(happy birthday my sweet angel)

Summary:

Fyodor my Baby 😭. This whole thing is very Tangled inspired. Tangled is art though so it’s all good 😌. Content warning: Self deprecating thoughts, Fyodor nearly dies. Some spicy implications at the end.

“Fyodor! I made you some tea!” You cheered from the doorway of his office. “Fyo… Fyodor… Fedya~” you whispered that last one seductively into his ear.

“Is my wife being needy?” He turns around and pulls you into his lap.

“No! I’m just going to miss you. Do you have to go on this stupid work trip and leave me alone?” You pouted.

“It’s for the greater good. You want the world to be free of sin don’t you?”

(A/N: greater good? I am your wife! I’m the greatest good you are ever gonna get!)

“I do. I know that by doing this peace will be brought to the world and we’ll be one step closer to bringing about a paradise for all mankind to cherish. Just please be careful love.”

“I will be, little mouse.” He smiled as he kissed your cheek.

The day he left he gave you a long passionate kiss on the lips.

“I love you Fyodor. I always will.”

“I love you too, little mouse. I will be back in a week’s time.”

That “one week” turned into two months. During which you cried yourself to sleep every night worrying to death about if he’d be okay. Some night you’d wake up in a cold sweat, have nightmares about him leaving you, him dying, him having an affair, him dying, him laughing to his friends about how stupid and pathetic and selfish you were, him dying! You had that one a lot. Various different ways popped into your head. Drowning, stabbing, beating, being shot, mauling, heart attack, an ability killing him.

On one fateful night though, you heard rustling coming from your basement. You went into the kitchen, grabbed a frying pan and crept into the basement. You heard a voice coming from your husband’s office down their.

“Where’s the first ad? No no no! Don’t you go dying on me!”

You slowly slinked in, the lights off and the room only slightly illuminated by the many screens and monitors that adorned your husband’s desk. You tiptoed to the assailant and smacked him on the back of the head with your frying pan. You quickly ran to the light switch and flipped it on to see who had dared to enter your house.

“Fyodor? And a… clown? Wait… FYODOR! Your home! Oh no you’re bleeding!” You ran over to him, and chanted the incantation to unlock your special ability.

“Moonlight bright and pure, lend me powers divine. Give us second chance, let us have more time. Just a minute more, a second too would be fine. Please don’t leave me alone, give me back what’s mine. You once were mine.”

“Did you miss me that much?” He smirked.

You buried your head in his chest crying, “I hate you.”

“No you don’t.” You could hear the smile in his voice.

“You’re right. You always are.”

“So since you have a new arm, can I keep the old one?” The other man said.

You both turned to him. “I’m sorry, who are you?” You ask.

“Little mouse, this is my work colleague, Nikolai.”

“So this is your wife. She’s very pretty. He talks about you so often, whenever he’s not talking about his plans he rambles about you. Honestly though, his descriptions of you don’t do you justice.”

“Nikolai, get out of my house.”

“What about the arm?”

“If it gets you to leave me alone with my wife then you can keep it.”

“Alrighty then. I’ll see you around.” Nikolai disappeared into his cape.

Fyodor stood up and pulled you with him. “Love be careful. You nearly died.”

He shushed your concerns with a kiss, it was passionate and you couldn’t help kissing back. “Come on. For two months I’ve failed to fulfill you. I plan to make up for it tonight.”

“Fedya!” You blush.

He chuckled. “I love you, mouse.”

“I love you, too.”

#bsd fyodor #fyodor dostoevsky #fyodor dostoyevsky bsd #bungou stray dogs fyodor #fyodor x reader #fyodor bsd #fyodor dostoyevsky x reader #fyodor angst #fyodor dostoyevski #fyodor Dostoyevsky angst #fyodor fluff #Fyodor Dostoyevsky fluff #fyodor x y/n #fyodor x you #fyodor Dostoyevsky x y/n #Fyodor Dostoyevsky x you

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dwritesit · 1 year ago

Text

this was supposed to be just a ramble about t4t phantom dew scissoring but it turned into a whole. thing.

unedited, i just wrote this on my breaks at work today lol

tags?: trans ghouls, cunt/pussy/clit/dick/tit used to describe their anatomy, scissoring, puppy as a petname, looots of petnames for tommy

word count: 3244

read under the cut!

...

dew coming back from a trip, an errand that ifrit used to take care of and is now dews responsibility. he's tired, pent up from having to go alone, and he misses his mates so much that it drags at him - but its late when he arrives at the abbey so he knows he's going to have to wait until morning for any sort of pack cuddles or... more than that.

he heads right for his room, fumbling to balance all of his belongings while he pushes the door open, and he's met with the most delectable sight.

he nearly drops his bags when the scent hits him like a punch to the nose. lavender and mint, electric on his taste buds as his tongue darts out to lick his lips. the scent burrows into dews gut, quickly burning into heated desire as sweet whimpers tickle his ears.

"what's this, puppy?" dew will ask, slowly setting his things down.

phantom whines at the name, his hips still thrusting against the pillow like an invisible force is moving them. the quintessence ghoul’s cheeks are blotchy, hes been crying, wailing as he gets close to the edge but can never reach the finish line. he didnt register dew at first, so lost in his heat, in the sensation of dews pillow against his little dick, but as soon as he realizes dew is there, the fire ghouls name is flying off his tongue like a reverence.

dew takes in the sight before him. phantom, bare as the day he was summoned, his lilac and white patched skin glinting with sweat. his plush lips were swollen, they looked bitten, chewed with worry as the poor ghoul tried desperately to catch his release and was met only with more need. dark hair, streaked with white at the front was a mess, poking out in all different directions. what really caught dew was phantoms eyes. how his furrowed brow scrunches and precious tears continue to tumble down his soft cheeks as the fire ghoul stares at him.

"please," phantom says shakily. his hips slow, and dews breath catches in his chest as he admires the large, dark patch on his off-white pillowcase. it wont come out, he already knows, its going to smell of the quint ghoul's desire for him until theyre long gone from the earth. dew doesnt care. he plans to shove his face in the pillow after the night is over and breathe it in while he touches himself.

it burns through him, lust, need, want, desperation. like he's pulling phantom's emotions off his shoulders and adding them to his own. it makes him feel lighter, and he wants to pounce and ravage and take the sweet ghoul apart, to make him cry. equally, it fills him with warmth. with passion, love, makes him feel gooey inside to find one of his mates waiting for him like this - that phantom had missed dew just as he had missed him.

so he moves slowly. though his quickly stiffening clit spasms in his boxers. he takes his time, keeping eye contact with phantom, who is beginning to look more curious than distraught, as dew sits down on a bench across from the bed to untie his boots.

phantom stills himself, watching the fire ghoul, waiting for instructions and dew knows it. the room is quiet, and dew also knows how the other ghoul tends to squirm against the lack of rules. hed be desperate to know what sort of game dew is about to play - maybe he will be patient and wait for dew to tell him what is going to happen, or-

"im sorry," it's almost a whisper, voice coarse probably from crying. it makes dew wonder why none of the other ghouls had gotten to the room first, they must have heard the shouts of pleasure throughout the entire hallway lined with their separate bedrooms.

dew clicks his tongue as he slides one boot off and then moves to the other, taking his eyes away from phantom to focus on his task. there was a wet patch spreading through his own underwear, making his fingers shake against the strings. he cant wait to take phantom apart.

"sorry for what, baby boy?"

phantom whines, "your pillow, dewy. i ruined your pillow."

the other boot comes off and hits the floor with a loud thud. dews tail flicks at the nickname he only allows this puppy to use.

"that's okay, you didn't do anything wrong. its just a pillow," dew says as he stands. he shucks off his jacket and tosses it over a chair, but leaves the rest of his clothes on as he approaches the bed. he watches phantoms eyes flick up and down his body, a silent question as to whether or not dew planned to stay clothed. dew doesn't answer it.

"why didn't you ask one of the others to help you? you're in heat." he says instead, and phantoms eyes well up again in response, "did you miss me?"

phantom nods fervently, catching his lower lip on one of his fangs in an attempt to not cry.

"just-just wanted you. needed- need you. it hurts"

dew understands this; many of the ghouls' heats often craved for a specific partner in the beginning, sometimes craving the mate they hadn't been with in a while, or in dew's case, it was always rain who he was bonded with. the heat doesn't settle until it gets what it wants.

dew reaches out to stroke phantom's cheek, and the quintessence ghoul leans into his hand heavily, a crackling purr kicking in instantly as he nuzzles dews skin. dew's own purr spurs to life, filling the silence with their rumbles. he feels good. being needed, being missed. and phantom's openness, some might call naïve, but to dew it was beautiful. the quint ghoul unburdened by shame, wearing all of his emotions on his pretty features, not yet instilled with the insecurities and fears many of the other ghouls gathered during their time on earth. a part of dew aches, remembering how he had once been just as vulnerable, splaying his heart out for all of his lovers - he's grateful for their patience with him now. he's grateful for this ghoul in front of him who doesn't even know yet that one might judge the display of emotions.

"need me to take care of you, sweet bug?" dew asks, bringing his other hand up to cup phantom's face. phantom nods in the hold, his body squirming under dew's watchful eyes. the fire ghoul considers what the next step is, should be. phantom often enjoyed when dew was mean, the back of a hand against his cheek, but tonight felt heavier than that. thick with more than just lust, softer around the edges.

"are you going to be good for me?" dew asks, taking step back, a shiver running down his spine as phantom chases his touch. the way he needs him makes possessiveness spark inside dews chest.

"always," phantom promises. dew takes another step back, just so he can see all of phantom before him. still poised on his knees, cunt pressed to the pillow. dew can tell he's itching for more friction, lilac tail hitting the mattress in quick succession.

"always good for me," dew says, "show me then."

"show you?" phantom tilts his head to the side cutely.

"show me how you were before i got home, tell me what you were thinking about."

phantom swallows visibly, nodding as he mentally prepares, "no teasing right?"

"i wont tease you tonight, sweet bug. just want to see how beautiful you are when you're so desperate for me."

phantom flushes at the words and nods again, more eagerly, "i was..." he grinds down on the pillow softly, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment at the sensation, "i was thinking about you... missed you so much."

"did you miss my cock, baby?" dew gently palms himself through his pants, they were almost soaked through already.

phantom shook his head, "n-no, i mean - yes! always... but i wanted-want just you."

dew stares as phantom rolls his hips down harder. his little patch of hair above his slit is glistening with his slick, the puffiness of his lips are mesmerizing as they drag across the fabric. dews desire to grab and devour is almost as strong as his want to take his time with the other ghoul.

"i was thinking about that-that time when i felt- shit, felt you against me," phantoms words trail off into a moan. dew steps forward, unable to stop himself from lifting phantom's chin so he can swallow the sounds off of his tongue. he kisses him greedily; slow and deep, savoring his sharp, electric flavor, phantom continuing to let out sweet little noises into dew's mouth as he ruts against the pillow. when he lets go, phantom keens loudly.

"can we please?"

"please what, baby boy?" dew knows what.

"dewy, i need to feel you. i need it. it hurts, please."

dew kisses him again, filthier this time, until there's spit dribbling down his chin. he moans into it, which spurs the other ghoul on further, "you need to feel my pussy on yours?"

phantom cries out, hips stuttering at the words, more weak than even dewdrop is to dirty talk. dew knows it, revels in it.

"please, please!" phantom begs.

"want me to ride your sweet little cunt like last time?" dew emphasizes the words by reaching down between them to slide his fingers between phantom's folds. the quintessence ghoul ruts up into his hand, covering it in slick, moans growing louder. the whole abbey must know what they're up to by now. dew grins, thinking about how the other ghouls would be begging for every detail in the morning, probably jerking themselves to all of phantom's desperate noises.

"you have to let the pillow go and help me undress if you want it. can you do that for me, puppy?"

phantom nods quickly, but his body is reluctant as he slowly takes the pillow out from between his thighs. dew lets him take his time, shaky fingers pulling at his shirt buttons and struggling with his zipper. he knows phantom wants to earn it, wants to be good for him, so he lets him. praising him as he goes, drinking in the sight of his blushed cheeks, his wagging tail.

the room is thick with both of their scents by the time dews clothes are fully removed and tossed to some corner. they both breathe it in, phantom's sharp heated scent; the lavender and mint - and dew's beach campfire, salt and smoke. he likes the way they intertwine with each other, so different that they never fully homogenize, but its exciting the way he can taste both of them on the air.

phantom is staring at dew, between his thighs where the fire ghoul is now on display. he's waiting for permission.

"want to touch?" dew asks.

phantom licks his lips, "want to taste."

so dew lets him. he kneels onto the bed before settling back against the headboard. his thighs part, skin already shiny, his cunt aching. phantom wastes no time before diving in, licking up between dews folds, sucking his clit, lapping at his slick. a cacophony of moans and cries leave dew's tongue, forcing down embarrassment because he wants to bare himself open for phantom, wants him to know how good he makes him feel. phantom swallows it down, becomes more eager he louder dew gets.

a barrage of praises fall off dew's own tongue, and he grasps at phantoms hair, shoving him deeper, "that's it, baby, you're so good at this. making me feel so good, fuck."

he lets phantom up for a moment, and the quintessence ghoul is grinning, face covered in dew from his nose to his chin. his dark tongue swipes around his mouth, wiggling his ass in the air. then hes dropping back in again, his tongue poking at dew's hole before sinking inside and fucking in and out. dew shouts with pleasure, phantoms nose pressed against his clit as he licks inside him.

dew's gut tightens. he gently tugs on phantom's horn to bring him up, he doesn't want to finish like this. phantom looks drunk when he rises for the second time; pupils completely blown out, covering his bright gold irises almost completely, and he's whining while one of his hands slithers between his own legs.

dew replaces that hand with his own, teasing phantoms hard nub, its raw and sensitive, and he brings their mouths back together. the taste of himself fills his senses, electric campfire as he sucks his slick off of phantom's tongue. dew nips at his lips, adding sweet metallic to the spice, and phantom gives into all of it. gives all of himself to dew as he grinds into dews hand.

"you're so lovely," dew says against his lips.

"i love you," phantom cries in response.

dew cant help but smile into their kiss, fangs clicking together, "i love you too, sweetness."

"need you now, need to cum." phantom's breathing is erratic, his clit twitching in dews hand.

dew nods. he tries not to show it, wanting to remain calm and steady for his mate, but he needs it just as bad. he craved touch the whole weekend he was away.

"lay back for me, sweetheart. there you go,"

phantom lays back on the bed, head propped up with a pillow, one leg raising at the knee instinctively knowing what is coming. dew smiles at the beautiful vision before him.

"look how wet you are," he says, eyeing the way phantoms thighs have slick dripping down them, and now down towards his ass. the whole bed will need to be stripped but its worth everything, "almost as soaked as rainy when he's in heat."

"rainy," phantom breathes out.

dew grins, "yeah? want rainy to come help out in the morning?"

phantom nods, biting his lip. dew spreads his legs farther apart, raising himself up on his own legs to settle vertically across phantom's. he lifts one of phantom's legs higher, positioning himself so his own cunt is directly above his own. he's dripping down, aching to press against phantom's, to feel his little clit against his own.

"you know," he starts as he slowly lowers himself, wanting to drag out the heat of it all, "they're probably listening right now."

phantom nearly sobs as dew finally sits down, their cunts sliding together with how wet they both are. dew has to grit his teeth in order to not cry with him. he grinds down slowly, watching phantoms head fall backwards against the pillow, eyes rolling with the movement.

"they'll all be jealous, jerking off into their hands right now listening to your pretty sounds, puppy," dew continues, rolling his hips in a rhythm that phantom doesn't have enough brain left for to keep up with. the quintessence ghoul's hips only stutter and rut, and dew can't blame him. the sensation against all his aching parts is intense, he can feel his own heat being kicked at, pleasure zipping through every nerve in his body. the sounds made it worse, slick noises filling the air as he ground down on him. he tries to emphasize his movements over phantoms clit, wanting to stimulate him as much as he can.

"good puppy," dew says through his teeth, fingers digging dimples into phantom's thigh as he speeds up his pace, condensation beginning to bead on his brow and shoulders, "maybe we should let them watch next time, would you like that?"

phantom can't respond, too lost in it, falling into bliss as delicate feminine moans are ripped from his throat. dew wants to keep him there, keep his mate feeling this good forever. he knows how stressed the ghoul gets, how exhausted. phantom's love language was physical touch, a way for him to relax and cool down, and dew wants to give it all to him, make him feel loved. praise him for asking for what he needs.

dew's riding phantom in earnest, sweet words tumbling out unapologetically. phantom is crying his name, begging for more, asking if he's allowed to cum over and over.

"you need to cum baby?" dew asks, grinding harder, able to keep his own desperation out of his shaky voice. that familiar knot is growing in his gut, he needs this just as badly. to let go with his mate.

"need it so bad, want to cum with you."

"want to cum with you too, puppy."

phantom arcs off the bed, one hand digging into dews thigh, the other tweaking his own nipple - if dew could reach at this angle, he'd be sucking on them, running his forked tongue over the buds till phantom was crying from sensitivity.

"can you play with your other tit for me sweetheart? i cant reach, but i love how sensitive you get," dew says and phantom obeys quickly. hand leaving dews thigh and whimpers leaving his lips as he fondles himself. "good boy, so good for me."

"can i please cum?" phantom is crying, tears streaking down his cheeks, making his eyes sparkle.

"cum for me," dew begs, "cum with me."

he moves his hips back in forth, faster and faster, watching phantom's face as it contorts in concentration, chasing the finish line. phantoms body goes rigid for a moment, then he arcs up again, mouth agape with a cut-off cry as he finally gets his release. it gushes out, soaking between them further and that's all dew needs before he's coming with him, vision going white, legs shaking with the effort to keep riding phantom through it. he feels it between them, their releases combined, making the most sinful, wet sounds as dew slowly comes to a stop.

chest heaving, dew tries to catch his breath.

"dewy..." phantom's voice is mushy, and when dew looks at him, he sees the ghoul barely able to keep his eyes open.

"you wanna sleep?" he asks as he raises himself up, shivering as their combined fluids seep down his legs. phantom nods, already beginning to curl into a ball, his tail pulled up towards his mouth, "sleep, i'll clean you up, okay?"

"okay... i love you," phantom says sleepily around his tail. dew smiles, leaning over and pressing a lingering kiss to the sweet ghoul's forehead. he quickly goes to the bathroom to clean himself off, maybe he takes a little bit longer than intended because he can's resist sucking phantom's slick off his fingers, but eventually returns with a warm, wet washcloth. he keeps it warm with his magic as he wipes between phantom's thighs. he cleans it once, then returns to wipe the salt from the other ghoul's skin. he only has to move phantom once, just to put a fresh blanket down - he can strip everything tomorrow - and then settles down beside him.

he feels... good still. the ache is dulled. it's the best homecoming he's had in a while.

#phantom dew #dewdrop ghoul #nameless ghouls #dwritesit #phantom ghoul #phandew #ghoul fics #ghoul fanfiction #t4t ghouls #sorry its filthy

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succcession · 9 months ago

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Maybe you could do a Connor Roy Smut Headcanon??💗 Really been living your work

Currently rewatching and I forgot how much of a genuinely sweetheart he is!

Sweet Connor who is always buying you insanely expensive gifts imported from all over the world but hidden in each item would be a page long handwritten love letter explaining every detail of why he chose it for you.

Despite claiming to be an old fashion type of guy, I think he would loveeee sexting! Send him a random picture of your ass, and you would get a 2 min long voice message back from him describing how hard you make him and how lucky he feels.

His lap is actually the comfiest place to sit.

Wants you to sit in his lap while he sucks and teases your nipples and you play with his hair.

Innocently sitting on his hips right below his lil squishy tummy as you two chat about your day. But would quickly becoming your grinding on him as he squeezes your hips pulling your tighter to him

I believe with my whole heart he is amazing at foreplay. He spent year fucking girls just for his own pleasure, now he really likes to take his time. Covering your face and neck with kisses before he was even trying to get your shirt off.

This would occasionally lead to him almost ruining the moment. You would be begging him to put it in already, and he would dramatically respond something like “I have to take my time…i don't know how much i have left”

Really Really likes lingerie! Especially if it's super feminine, anything with lots of lace, flowers, and pink

Always coming home to some lacy set placed on the bed with a little card :,)

Please give this man some praise. Tell him how good he feels inside of you, how nobody can fuck you like him, and as basic as it is, pleaseee tell him he's the best you've ever had. He won’t be able to stop blushing and will hide his face in your neck but you can tell how much he loves it as he starts pounding you harder.

Gentle loving sex 70% of the time

Intense passionate pounding the rest

I think he would probably want you on top a lot. Of course he has no problem being on top but loves watching you ride him as you use his cock to make yourself cum, his large hands squeezing your ass helping to guide you up and down

Also loves doggystyle!

Wouldn't get rough with you too often but when he did, he was usually taking you from behind one hand pulling your hair as the other wraps around your neck. Not squeezing just using it as leverage to fuck into you harder

Shutting him up from conspiracy theory rambling by unzipping his pants and pulling his dick out

Would get a vasectomy just to cum in you as much as he wants

I don’t think he would be a big fan of degradation, calling you his little slut would make him feel “like your pimp” he would state

Aftercare would sometimes be you holding him in your arms reassuring him how much you love him and how happy he makes you as you lightly scratch you back with your nails. He just gets so worried that he doesn’t truly please you so your soothing voice reminding him would almost make him cry T_T ugh he's so cute

#succession season 4 #succession #succession smut #succession headcanons #connor roy #succession connor #connor roy smut #connor roy x reader

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good-lord-not-books · 4 months ago

Text

Extremely self indulgent rambling about Dabi. MDNI.

Also this is focusing on a Dabi who isn’t charismatic…like at all. Personally not my vibe, but below Dabi is headcanon stuff.

Dabi doesn’t get flirting. He doesn’t flirt. He doesn’t get being flirted with. If you flirt with him he will not pick it up. It will go over his head and he’ll watch it with disinterest until the conversation moves on or he just leaves. Even if you’re blunt with him his response is “ok.” He will NOT entertain you. It’s not because he’s playing “hard to get.” He just doesn’t really get it - and how anyone would find him attractive, let alone worthy of compliments. He’s aware he looks the way he does. He’s used to people shying away from him; seen people cringe if they bump into him.

That’s another thing - playful touches, bumps, taps. No. He doesn’t feel anything anymore. Hasn’t felt anything for years. If you touch him, he wouldn’t tell you to fuck off so much as glare at you or look at you like you’re crazy. He’s not going to be an asshole but he’s not going to be nice about it either. Just don’t fucking touch him.

Ok. He lied. He has feeling in some parts. He wasn’t done growing when the initial grafts were placed on. The skin of other people somehow helped his own grow back. In some capacity at least. It would feel but he felt either pain or an annoying itch. He’d feel it peel away when he’d be careless - especially during the late night hours obsessing over perfecting the move Endeavor debut the day before. He wouldn’t stop until he felt like he got the move right. No, not just right - better. And by then he couldn’t really feel anything at all. He’d go to sleep feeling, in his mind, true warmth of practice well done. The embers seething within were just the heat of the passion.

It was the mornings after that he’d find himself waking up in tears because of the pain. He’d look at the damage done and the fresh skin that tried to grow back would be flaying itself off of him. The smell didn’t even register anymore. He tried cutting off the curled excess on those first few times he went overboard. He even used superglue to try and keep it back down. But then it would just become stuck while he kept growing, or he’d heat up so much again that it would just melt off. His skin was just…

He’s lingered on this for long enough. Staples worked best. They’d keep the skin down. Things getting caught in his staples was much less bothersome then the pain on flayed skin - so that’s why he tolerates it.

So no. A “coy” brush of a hand against his arm doesn’t do shit. Touch his hands and he’d flick you off - he’d even tell you it hurt (it didn’t. Ok, it did, but not that bad) - anything to make sure you didn’t touch him again. (You know that feeling you get when you lose the feeling in your limb and then the blood comes rushing back in? That’s how his hands always felt. Static).

And yes. He still had feeling down there. It isn’t painful so much as annoying. Made him feel sick to his stomach. He dealt with it quickly when he got the chance to be actually alone. There are times he had hired help to see if the feeling would stay away for longer. That didn’t work. It felt better in the moment, yes. Felt better than anything in the world because it was the only place he really feels good anymore. He could even sing it praises. But he didn’t like being looked at. Anytime he reasoned they’ve probably dealt with worse he couldn’t help but think but what if I am “the worst.” There are a lot of freaks in this society - some definitely way uglier than what he would have looked like. But he was different and he knew that.

He stopped hiring help when he realized he couldn’t be done as quickly as he wanted to be. Having to tell the girls to not look at him, don’t touch him, don’t do this or that…it took longer than the job itself. Even more so with turning down the constant “are you sures?” and promises of “I can show you a good time, handsome.”

He’s been told he’s handsome. It was a lie people gave to try and get something from him, like an extra tip, he’s sure. Besides - he was his dad’s son. Read any comments about Endeavor and in between the (probably) bot accounts fawning over him (a married fucking man, mind you), the real opinions would come out.

“He looks like a constipated ape when he’s fighting”

“Does he even smile???”

“Imagine being a man That Big and still being a weak ugly fuck lol”

So he looked like that and he had the scars on top of it. Hard to believe a “hey handsome” all that considered.

#bnha dabi #dabi #mha dabi #dabi headcanons #touya todoroki #touya headcanons #i just think hes neat #holds him in my hand like a potato

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demontonic · 1 year ago

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Obi wan with a bf who infodumps a lot?

OKAY IM GONNA DO THIS FIRST CUZ ITS GONNA BE LIKE REALLY SHORT

you would be the first guy hes with

hes pretty shy at first but youre just so excited about someone finally showing interests when you go on a ramble

the first time you did it he was simply looking at the stars and suddenly he was sitting down in the grass next to you listening to you talk about supernovas and black holes

you thought he was genuinely interested in what you had to say and that you were telling him things hed never knew

it simply was not that he hadnt known everything he needed to know about the stars, but you talked so passionately about the topic he was so entranced

he made it a point to be at the spot the next night hopeing you were there

to his disappointment you werent, the next morning however he saw you working in a small restaurant

he took anakin with him and had lunch there, you quickly noticed him and started taking his order

he was shocked to see someone so smart and full of knowledge working as a waiter, it was almost too mundane for you in his eyes

he questioned you as his, what you assumed to be, brother watched the interaction

“I thought you were a librarian, or an astrologist- even a pilot with all your vast knowledge”

“Oh- no no I just like to read a lot of books, I’ve always worked here it’s actually my families restaurant so I didn’t have a choice- not that I don’t like working here or anything it’s just expected I mean even my cousins work here and it’s always been family owned! My great grandmother opened this restaurant a long time ago so- um im sorry what can I get you?”

Anakin teased Obi wan for days after that, especially once he found out you two were meant to hang out with each other soon

It wasn’t a date or anything… right?

He took you into the jedi archives, you’d traveled and seen many beautiful libraries but nothing compared to the jedi archives

He’d spent about 10 minutes explaining the different areas and topics, especially the areas with knowledge only open for jedis

after that he wondered the aisles with you until both of you were holding at least six books

you’d sat in a far corner together quietly speaking on the different books you had collected

obi wan would never tell you but he’d read most of these books, yet he sat nodding along to you explaining like it was a grand secret

once you two started dating he hadnt even told anakin about you, he was too scared to lose you

at first you didnt want to if you had to remain a secret, but you were already too in love to stop now

you hadn’t meant to tell anakin as you knew obi wan was scared he’d tell but when anakin started talking about obi wan in battle you couldn’t help yourself

“Obi Wan is extraordinary truly it amazes me to hear of his adventures, makes me wonder if im worth it”

“so you two are together”

Id imagine in this instance anakin would then come out about padme and you guys would all live happily ever after

#obi wan x reader #obi wan star wars #obi wan kenobi #obi wan fanfiction #obi wan and anakin #obi wan x you #obi wan x y/n #obi wan x male reader

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shxtodxroki · 2 years ago

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𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸𝚏 𝙸 𝚃𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝚈𝚘𝚞... 𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸𝚝 𝚆𝚊𝚜 𝚈𝚘𝚞?

Summary: Denki has what he thinks is a foolproof plan to confess to you, until Bakugo accidentally spills the beans and messes up the whole plan. But maybe it isn’t that bad, maybe Denki can still find a way to give you a not-so-perfect confession even with this minor setback.

Warnings: Swearing, mentions of food, a tiny bit of angst but not really

Pairing: Denki Kaminari x Gender Neutral! Reader

Word Count: 2k

- You glared playfully at Shoto from where he sat directly next to you as he swiped a small bite from your lunch, giggling after a moment as he grinned thankfully at you and shoved the bite into his mouth

- You had long known of the boy’s habit of taking bites from others’ lunches, as he enjoyed sharing food, and had given him permission to take from your lunch whenever he wanted ages ago, but it was still fun to tease him every once in a while

- The loud noise of chatter throughout your long cafeteria table was just as loud that day as it always was, as the majority of class 1-A all being seated at one extended lunch table was bound to cause noise. You weren’t exactly known for being a quiet bunch, and you had gotten used to the chaos that surrounded you every lunch hour long ago

- As you swiped a drink from Shoto’s water bottle in return for the bite he had taken from your food, you allowed your thoughts to drift, Izuku’s rambling about his newest upgrade to his suit fading to the back of your mind as you allowed yourself to get lost in thought

- Your peace didn’t last long, however, as another of your typical lunch companions immediately began chatting with you the moment he took a seat next to you

- Typically Denki took the seat across from you, but you didn’t really notice his change of seating as you pulled yourself out of your thoughts and directed your attention towards what he was saying

- “Y/n, you should see how much better I’ve gotten at the guitar!” Denki exclaimed, eyes sparkling in excitement as he spoke. “Jirou’s been giving me lessons since the school festival, and now I’m able to play a bunch of songs!”

- “That's awesome Denki! I’m shocked at how much work you put into this, I didn’t think you were particularly passionate about music.” You congratulated your friend, eyebrows furrowing slightly in confusion as he swung an arm around your shoulder

- You could feel your face beginning to heat up at the affectionate gesture, your small crush on your friend attempting to surface, but you reminded yourself that Denki was generally very affectionate and flirty as you forced yourself to relax and ignore the fluttering in your stomach at the physical affection in order to listen to him

- “I didn’t either, I guess I just didn’t realize how fun the guitar could be.” He responded without thinking. “You should stop by my dorm after classes today, there’s this song I learned that I wanna show you!” he added, lightly using his arm to hug you closer to him for a second as he grinned at you

- Once again your brain grew flustered at the thought that you were going to be alone with him, heart fluttering at the thought, but you forced yourself to remain as neutral as possible as you nodded at him in nervous excitement

- “Sounds good, we can just walk to your dorm together after our last class.” You suggested, Denki immediately agreeing with a “Sounds like a plan!” A light blush dusted his cheeks once he realized how quickly he had responded, though, allowing his arm to fall from your shoulder as he suddenly turned his attention to his food and began eating

- “Kaminari, good to see you’re still alive man!” Kirishima chuckled as he sat down across from the boy in question. “I really don’t know how you managed to make it past Bakugo and live to tell the tale.”

- You turned your attention to the red-haired boy at his statement, glancing questioningly at Denki before turning to ask Kirishima what he was talking about. “Oh god, what did he do to piss off Bakugo this time?”

- This wasn’t a particularly uncommon occurrence between Denki and Katsuki, but you still found yourself curious as to what antics they had gotten up to this time

- Despite his slight embarrassment at the incident being discussed in front of everyone, however, Denki took this conversation as yet another opportunity to get closer to you, locking eyes with yours as he caught your attention to tell his story

- “I was just up early this morning, had some stuff I needed to take care of while he was making breakfast.” Denki told you, deflecting the details while still keeping your attention on him. “He likes being the first one up in the mornings, says it’s his ‘alone time’, but I needed some help from him and he was not happy about it.”

- As if on cue, the ashy blonde man in question came storming into the cafeteria with a near-murderous look in his eyes, making it over to Denki before he even had time to turn around and notice Bakugo stalking towards him

- “Hey asshole, don’t think I’m done with you just because you ran away before I could finish with you earlier!” He boomed, Denki’s face going pale as he laughed nervously. He glanced at you, half in embarrassment and half in a plea for help, before returning his gaze to Bakugo in hopes of not making the man any more angry by ignoring him

- "Why don’t you cut him some slack dude, just this once?”Kirishima tried to mediate, always the one to have to calm his explosive best friend down. “I know you like having the mornings to yourself, but is it really that big of a deal that Denki was there too for one day?”

- “It is when he makes a gigantic fucking mess all over the kitchen! That idiot doesn’t know how to bake to save his life, he kept asking me for help and trying to guilt me by saying shit like, ‘My confession will totally fail if you don’t help me out dude!’” Bakugo mocked Denki’s voice as he spoke, but by the end of his small rant nobody was focused on him or his anger anymore

- Everyone was staring with wide eyes at the now incrdibly flushed Denki, who was looking at the floor as if he wanted it to swallow him whole in that moment

- “...Ah shit, I didn’t realize they were here.” Katsuki grumbled out after a moment, the closest to an apology for exposing him in front of everyone that Denki knew he would ever get from his friend as a guilty, embarrassed flush spread on Katsuki's cheeks

- Nobody spoke for a moment, as none of you knew what to say to break the awkwardness and tension that had settled over your entire table at Bakugo’s words

- You had frozen in your seat beside the blonde boy who was now the center of everyone’s attention immediately upon hearing the word “confession” fall from Bakugo’s mouth, your heart breaking slightly as you realized that clearly Denki liked someone a lot, and had plans to confess to them today

- You really had thought that the two of you were getting closer, that you were making progress in your relationship with him. He had invited you to his dorm later to watch him play the guitar, he wanted to spend time with you! You had hoped that maybe, just maybe, that meant he was starting to like you too

- But based on what Bakugo had said, clearly he already had someone in his heart, and you doubted that someone was you

- The two of you weren’t very close up until recently. You had always been friendly with one another, as was almost everyone in your class, but Denki had only started approaching you more and chatting with you recently, causing you to quickly develop a crush on him when he was most likely just trying to be nice and friendly with his fellow classmate

- So, as you took a moment to accept the fact that you most likely weren't going to hear your name fall from his lips at your next question, you opened your mouth to speak as you hoped to seem like a supportive friend, to still hang on to the friendship you had started to build with the boy even though your feelings weren’t reciprocated

- “Who were you gonna confess to?” You asked gently, trying to hide any hint of sadness in your voice as each of your classmates’ gazes immediately shifted over to you. “Even if it won’t be a surprise, I’m sure they’d still be glad to know. You can still do a sweet confession even without surprising someone, especially if you went through the time to bake them something.”

- “Well, uh…” Denki started, having a hard time meeting your eyes and scratching the back of his neck as he spoke. “What if I told you… that it was you?”

- You were once again left without any words upon hearing Denki’s confession, heat flooding your face entirely as your jaw dropped open and you stared at him in awe

- “I know we didn’t really start talking until recently, but I’ve liked you since our first day at UA. You just made me really nervous, usually I’m pretty good at talking to girls but I felt like I would just make a fool out of myself if I went up to you, so it took me a while to work up the courage to talk to you.”

- You couldn’t believe that Denki had had his eye on you since the very first time you had met, heartbeat picking up in your chest as you relished in the fact that you made him nervous

- “I got up early to bake you these cookies and everything, I figured we could share them in my dorm later.” He admitted, Bakugo shifting guiltily where he stood behind Denki. “That’s why I asked you to come over, I had it all planned out but I guess it wasn’t meant to happen that way."

- "So I’ll just ask you now. Will you go out with me?” He spoke one last time before gulping anxiously, letting the weight of his confession hang in the air amongst your classmates as he awaited your response.

- From the look in Denki’s eyes you could tell that he was expecting you to reject him, to let him down easy as the whole class was watching and that you two would most likely never talk again, the awkwardness between you too unbearable to suffer through

- But when a shy smile made its way on your face, fidgeting with your fingers as you met his gaze, he felt hope swell in his chest

- “I’d love to!” You finally exclaimed after realizing that this was actually happening, wrapping your arms around the boy and burying your face in his shoulder as he tentatively wrapped his arms around you in return, still not quite believing that you had actually said yes

- “I can’t believe you’d wake up early just for me, I know you hate cooking and waking up early. I’m honored that you’d go through all of that for me.” You grinned, pulling back to show Denki you were sincere with your thanks and your response to his confession

- “I know, I know. It was a pretty great plan if I do say so myself.” Denki gloated, confidence returning now that you had accepted his confession. “But you’re a pretty amazing person, Y/n, of course I had to pull out all the stops for someone like you.”

- You only grew shyer at the boy’s compliments, hiding your face in your hands for a moment as the bell signaling the end of lunch rang aloud throughout the cafeteria. You could see the way all of your friends were grinning at the two of you, happy that you had finally gotten together, and felt your heart swell with happiness at the moment you were in

- “Come on, babe.” Denki said, playing up the pet name as he reached his hand out to help you out of your seat and link your fingers together. “I’ll walk you to class.”

- “Denki, we’re going to the same class.” You giggled, silently nodding your head at Bakugo to show your thanks to him for his hand in this whole situation, even if he had never planned on getting involved. He looked away immediately at the gesture, but the barely there smirk across his face gave away that deep down, he was happy for the two of you despite his previous anger at your new boyfriend

- “So?” Denki simply replied, swinging your linked arms back and forth between the two of you as he walked with a lovestruck grin plastered across his face. “By the way, you’re still coming to my dorm after class right? I had this romantic song I was gonna play, and I still wanna show it to you! And I can’t eat all those cookies alone!”

- “Of course, Sparky. This can be our first date!” You replied, the pet name falling from your lips with ease as the two of you made your way to your next class together, hand-in-hand and smiling like lovesick fools

Request - @cosmicgeohoe said: Hello! Could I get a possibly one shot with Denki having a crush on reader and he wants to spend time with them? My specific idea is he gets really clingy, and he just accidentally blurts out that he likes them- I thought this would be a cool idea, do with it, what you please!

A/N: This was the last piece of writing I started working on before I took my hiatus last year, so I’m happy to finally have this completed! It was a really cute fluffy request, and I hope you guys enjoy it because I think it came out really cute and sweet! My requests are open right now, and I now have a request list linked in my navigation for you guys to see all the requests I’ve received as of now (that I try to update at least once a day so it stays up-to-date!) so if you have any requests, feel free to send them my way :)

Taglist: @pasteldaze @yeagerfushiguro @papijean @trashy-bowtie @thekaylahub @palenightmarepersona @eunoiasa @applepie-macaroon @ghostofscarley @swiftbyul

If you’d like to be added to any of my taglists, you can fill out this form here! Thank you for your support <3

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losfacedevil · 1 year ago

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How Do I Say Goodbye // (Skater!Sam)

a/n~ Alright guys.... this one, oooh does this one make ya girl nervous, like super nervous. I've never built a world quite like this one before and this is only the beginning of something SO much bigger than I ever thought he would be. Buckle up, babes, you're in for a wild ride. (Thank you to my ever so lovely Kait for bringing my skater boy to life!) WC: 4.7k

Lenny’s Records

~*~ Your Daily Dose Of Vinyl Therapy~*~

Lenny’s Records cropped up in the early 90’s, taking over a long abandoned and in need of much love store front. It slowly became the place to be, with old man Lenny putting in some of the hardest work to make his store front enticing and inviting. Carrying anything from eight-track tapes to the latest full length records and LPs, Lenny’s carried it all.

The store first caught Sam’s attention in the mid-2000’s, the twelve year olds interests peaked by the records his family often spun; music being the foundation of their daily life. Pressing his nose to the glass of the big picture window he would take in the countless racks of records, some catching his wide eyes as ones he would love to have in the family collection.

Stepping foot in the store for the first time as a freshly turned fourteen year old with birthday money burning a hole in his pocket. He walked the aisles in awe, thousands of records at the tips of his fingers with no real idea of what he was looking for. He sifted through the racks carefully, spending hours just looking. The track lists all catching his eye, record covers of all sorts telling stories without even hearing the music on either side.

Old man Lenny took notice, the tall scrawny boy sat up against the wall, a stack of records sat to his right as he sifted through his finds looking for the perfect one. he quickly settled on a 12 inch pressing of The Basement Tapes by Bob Dylan and the Band. A smile spread across the mans face as Sam put every record he wasn’t purchasing back where they belonged.

Sam’s eyes were alight with wonder as he approached the register, his eyes never leaving the track list set across the back of the record as he placed it on the counter. Lenny picked up the record, looking it over before finding Sam’s gaze.

“Nice choice, kid. You into all the folk rock sounding stuff?” Lenny asked, watching as Sam’s eyes lit up once more. Sam nodded quickly as he dug his money out of his pants pocket.

“We listen to a bunch of different music at home. My parents record collection is huge but I wanted to start my own so they gave me money for my birthday to get my first record.” Sam rambled, music being a passion of the Kiszka family household. Lenny chuckled, placing the record down on the counter and slid it back Sam’s way.

“Your first record huh? This one’s on the house. Happy birthday, son.”

~*~*~

Sam’s relationship with Lenny grew from that day forward. Many long afternoons spend in the record shop keeping the older gentleman company as months quickly turned into years. A quiet spot at the side of the shop set up for Sam to hang out at when he had homework to catch up on. Most of his essays consisting of old man Lenny’s ramblings which never made any sense to Sam but set him up to nail his papers every single time.

Lenny was one of Sam’s biggest supporter, next to his parents. He’d make sure the youngster had everything he needed, from slipping him a twenty dollar bill for the school store to surprising him with a backpack full of supplies the week before he started his senior year of high school. He would often joke with Sam’s parents about wanting his cut of child support, the boy spending more time with Lenny than his own parents but the older man wouldn’t have it any other way.

Sam never thought twice about heading to the record shop. His home away from home even on the worst of days. Lenny knew all about Sam’s ups and down, his strengths and weaknesses. How much he enjoyed space and all things NASA but really struggled where writing essays and forming coherent sentences were involved.

The first time Sammy suffered with a broken heart he turned to Lenny. His brothers having just snickered because ‘you’re just a teenager, Samuel.’ The older gentleman talking him through the narrow roads of the heart break in the best way he could.

It didn’t take long for Sam to begin helping out around the shop, forgetting about the homework he should’ve been doing. Math equations and history questions thrown to the wayside as a truck with new stock rolled in.

“Got it in an auction, there were too many good titles to pass up.” Lenny would shrug, nodding to a crate full of new records for Sam to sift through. “Aht! Not until you finish that calculus homework, son. What would your mother take me for if I put you to work before your school work was done?” He’d chuckle and shake his head as Sam poured and slumped back down in his cushioned kitchen chair.

Sam never knew why old man Lenny was so nice to him. Giving him odd jobs around the shop to earn some pocket cash. Teaching him the ins and outs of the different instruments he had hung behind the register - his own personal collection sat beautifully next to his beloved first sale dollars.

If he knew one thing though, he knew Lenny was someone special, someone you don’t come across very often in your life. From confiding in him about things his brothers did, showing off what he had taught himself on the bass and right down to having his first beer with him.

Sam had laughed that boisterous, just him, laugh as Lenny gave him a standing ovation at his high school graduation. With his valedictorian speech behind him he looked out at the crowd to see all three of his parents stood tall, hands clapping high above their heads as tears streamed down their cheeks.

~*~*~

Harvard Business School.

Somehow, some way, Sam had secured his spot in the one school he merely dreamed of attending. The letter came late one October afternoon, bringing his parents into the shop right before closing time. Lenny beamed from ear to ear as Karen shook the letter in the air, the fingers on her other hand crossed as she handed the letter to Sam. With shaky hands he held it to the light, trying to stealthy see the words on the page inside. His father, Kelly, clapped a reassuring hand down onto Sam’s shoulder with softly spoken words of encouragement.

He slowly broke the seal on the letter, eyes searching for Lenny for that third leg of support. Lenny beamed at Sam with his middle and index fingers crossed on both hands and a soft nod in the youngsters direction. Sam’s eyes slipped shut as he pulled the letter out, letting the envelope flutter to the floor.

Sam slowly unfolded the letter and pulled a deep breath in through his nose, eyes darting between the three adults stood before him. He shook the paper, causing his mother to jump and his father to squeeze against his shoulder once more, both of them over his game of stalling. He made eye contact with Karen, a reassuring smile spread across her face as he slowly lifted the letter and broke their stare. His eyes danced across the page, widening slightly as his jaw slackened and the muscles in his hands forgot how to work together to form a grip.

The paper fluttered to the floor and landed at Karen’s feet. With her head cocked to the side and a concerned look about her features she bent at the waist and gingerly picked the paper up off the floor. Her hands shook just as Sam’s had as she turned her focus to the letter and her eyes danced quickly across the page.

“He got in. Kelly, HE GOT IN!” Sam’s jaw sat slackened as his father wrapped his arms around him, a wild whoop of congratulations spilling from his parents as they took him in their arms.

His shifted his gaze to where Lenny stood behind the counter, hand held over his mouth as tears welled in his eyes. The look of a proud parent splayed across his face all the same as he watched the family have their celebratory moment.

“I… I did it.” Sam’s voice was but a whisper as he spoke his future into existence; earning himself the widest smile he had ever seen on old man Lenny’s face.

“That’s my boy. I told you you had a bright one on your hands.” Lenny cooed, nodding his head in the Kiszka’s direction. Karen laughed, making her way over to where the older gentleman stood.

“We can’t take all the credit, he’s been pestering you for years. You’ve helped keep him on track too!”

Sam’s going away party was one for the books. From the embarrassing photos his mother strung up on the ends of streamers to the piñata that Josh claimed he just ‘had to have’ full of his favorite nips, he could feel just how loved he truly was.

He found himself lost in thought, swirling the drink he held in his hand as he watched his brothers fight over whose turn it was to whack the piñata. Soft giggles emitting from his chest as his mom made her way over to him and wrapped her arm around his shoulders. She pressed a soft kiss to his temple, running her hand over the length of his arm and he rested his head against her shoulder.

“Lenny’s in the house if you want to go say hi. He’s not feeling too great so I don’t think he’s staying long.” Karen cooed, trying to hide the look of concern in her eyes. Sam perked up, holding his cup out to his mom as he turned on his heel and headed towards the house.

“We’re gonna have to tell him, you know. Len’s not gonna break that boys heart.” Kelly cooed, sidling up behind Karen. She nodded her head sadly, watching through the kitchen window as Sam embraced the older man, throwing his head back in a fit of laughter as Lenny slammed a six pack down on the counter top.

“Not today, we can’t break his spirit. He won’t want to leave if he knows Lenny might not be here when he gets back.” Karen’s eyes welled with tears as she thought of the news Lenny delivered upon entering the house. Stage two lung cancer - there was only so much that could be done.

“He’ll hate us more if he comes home to find Lenny’s no longer with us and no one told him.” A sigh slipped past Karen’s lips as what her husband said sunk in.

~*~*~

Four years.

Sam had been out of state for four years, with the occasional trip back home to see his parents. He had learned the hard way that college was no joke, having almost failed out of his first year because he wasn’t sure just how to juggle the work load.

“I don’t know how much more I have in me, Lenny. Graduations in two months I’m almost there but, it’s tough out here. But I’m gonna come home this weekend to see you and mom and dad.” Sam sighed, pacing the length of his dorm room. Lenny chuckled on the other end, taking a deep breath as oxygen pumped it way through the cannula.

“Don’t say that, you’re the brightest star I know. We’ll be watching you cross that stage in no time.” Lenny fought the cough that bubbled in his chest - not wanting Sam to know he was sick.

“I know but this is hard, I’ve fought so much and if this last essay takes me out I’m done I won’t be graduating and there’s no way I’m retaking this class. I’ll just be drop out Kiszka.” Lenny chuckled at Sam’s outburst, causing the cough he was fighting to sneak out, the wheezing in his chest too much for him.

“If we have any say you won’t be drop out Kiszka. I may be old but I can still give you a what for, Samuel. But this old man has to jet, it’s past my bedtime.” Sam glanced at the watch that adored his wrist.

“Yeah I guess is it late for an old geezer like you, huh? I’ll see you think weekend though, okay? I love you Leonard.” Sam chuckled, the soft I love you sent down the line raising goosebumps on his skin as the line went dead. That was the last time Sam would ever speak to old man Lenny.

The weekend came and gone, the essay he was stressing over keeping him holed up in his dorm room rather than catching his already booked plane back home. A quick call to his mom late Friday afternoon breaking the news to her and telling her to let Lenny know he’d make sure to see him soon.

Karen hung up with Sam and turned to her husband, tears welling in her eyes as her heart shattered in her chest. She couldn’t bring herself to tell Sam that Lenny had passed during the week, a sudden cardiac arrest taking the elderly man in his sleep. Kelly shook his head, slowly making his way over to where his wife stood and wrapped his arms around her.

“He’s gonna wonder why Lenny isn’t at his graduation. We have to tell him before then.” Karen shook her head, a sob escaping her chest as she melted into her husbands embrace.

“He’ll want to come home. It’s almost finals week, he can’t forfeit his education now.” A sigh slipped past Kelly’s lips and he pressed a soft kiss to his wife’s head.

“He’s gonna hate us.”

~*~*~

Sam shook with nerves as he sat with his graduating college class in the buildings cafeteria. His eyes roamed the seats behind his class of twenty-five, looking eagerly for the three adults he knew would be watching with tearful eyes. But he heart sank in his chest as his eyes landed on his parents and eldest brothers, old man Lenny nowhere in sight. Sam plastered a smile on his face as he waved to his parents and brother, not wanting them to know he was upset.

He walked the stage quickly, shaking the hand of the person handing out the diplomas and held the certificate high in the air, a theatrical bow taken before making his way off of the stage. He wasted no time in making his way over to his family, pulling his mother into a bone crushing hug.

“Congratulations baby.” Karen cooed, wrapping her arms around Sam’s mid section as her boy now towered over her. He reached out to fist bump Josh and Jake, never letting go of his mom.

“I made the Dean’s List too! I tried to call Lenny earlier cause I thought he’d be with you so I could just tell you all but, he didn’t answer.” Sam shrugged, pulling back to open the diploma he held in his hand.

“He’s not feeling too hot, but he sends his love.” Jake was quick on his feet, clapping a hand down on Sam’s shoulder. The younger boy nodded, awe etched on his face as he started down at his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration certificate.

“Hopefully he’s back on his feet by the time I get home. I can’t wait to show him this. I did it guys. We did it.” Sam was beaming as the realization that his hard work had fully paid off set in.

Karen met Jake’s gaze, a sigh of relief slipping past her lips at the boys quick thinking. She knew she had to tell Sam soon, but the thought of breaking his heart hurt her more than letting it be for the time being.

~*~*~

Jake knew he was going to have to be the one to break the news to Sam.

His parents flat out refused, even with him now fully finished with his schooling. They wanted him to enjoy the rest of his time out of state, knowing his heart would be shattered the moment the words slipped past their lips.

Jake spoke to his mom late one night, telling her he was going to be the one to help Sam move out, saving his parents the long trip he knew they despised. Karen had shaken her head vehemently, protesting that she and her husband had to be the ones to pick Sam up, to shelter him just a little more before he found out the news on his own.

“That’s fucked up, you can’t just let him skate down to Lenny’s thinking he’s gonna find the old man only to be met with his obituary taped up on the window or them cleaning it out to rent the space. Do you know how traumatizing and damaging that would be?! I had to LIE TO HIM at his graduation, you don’t think he’s gonna be mad at me too?! I’ll pick him up, I’ll talk to him and I’ll be the one to take him to Lenny’s to pay his respects. I don’t understand what’s WRONG WITH YOU AND DAD!”

Jake’s voice rose higher than it ever had, reverberating off of the walls as the pent up anger released itself all on his poor unsuspecting mother. She hung her head, tears welling in her eyes as her heart shattered, not only because her son had just screamed at her, but because her youngest was about to walk right into the biggest heartbreak of his young life. Karen nodded as she kept her eyes trained on her feet, not wanting to make eye contact with the fuming man that stood before her. His chest heaved as he stalked away from his mother, the wild shaking of his head solidifying the way he felt about the situation at hand.

The soft sound of knuckles against his door shook him from his thoughts, causing the boy to spin where he stood. His older brother stood in the doorway, shoulder leaned up against the door jamb as he took in Jakes disheveled appearance. A sigh slipped past Josh’s lips as he made his way into his brothers bedroom, reaching his arms out to embrace Jake. Jakes reserve broke as he wrapped his arms around Josh, pulling a deep breath in through his nose.

“They’re not going to tell him. They’re literally going to let him find out himself. We can’t let that happen.” Jakes voice shook as he buried his face in the crook of Josh’s neck, just the thought of Sam’s heart shattering too much for him.

The death of a loved one was a hard subject to approach. Especially when the death of a loved one wasn’t something Sam had ever fully experienced. They had been fortunate enough to coast through life never losing anyone close enough to them to feel the impact. The loss of Lenny was going to cut deep, the pain and heartbreak it would cause Sam not something Jake was fully ready to endure.

He ran through different ways to word it as he boarded his flight, knowing there was only a matter of hours left before he was face to face with his baby brother. Timing would be everything when breaking the news to Sam, and Jake had no idea when the right time would be.

~*~*~

Jake expected the confusion that played across Sam’s face as he opened the door to his nearly empty dorm room to find his brother standing there. Jake plastered a fake smile on his lips as he opened his arms and embraced his brother.

“Where’s mom?” Sam was curious, pushing the door open just enough for Jake to sneak through as he turned on his heel to finish packing his luggage.

“Work stuff came up, she asked me to come instead, are you almost ready?” Jake clapped, rubbing his hands together as he glanced around the empty dorm room. Sam nodded, pointing at one last tote bag sat in the corner of his room.

“Be careful with that one, it’s a bunch of new records I got on adventures out here. I think Len’s gonna be impressed with some of the titles I got my hands on. Old bastards been looking for a few Blue Oyster Cult pressings I finally managed to find for a decent price.”

A silent sigh slipped past Jake’s nose as he felt his heart break more for his baby brother. He still hadn’t found the words to lessen the pain of the news he had taken upon himself to deliver. Hot tears began to prickle the backs of his eyes as he turned away, knowing that his expression would betray him.

“How is Len? Last time I talked to mom she told me he wasn’t feeling too well. Something about a chest infection? I don’t remember.”

Jake took a deep breath, slowly blowing it out before turning to face Sam. He remained with his back turned to Jake, quickly stuffing the last of his beloved band t-shirts into the last suitcase. The older boy took a step forward, closing the distance between them and placed a gentle hand against Sam’s shoulder.

“I… I’m so sorry, Sammy.” The younger boy tensed at the sound of his name. The nickname only slipping past his brothers lips once before. Sam turned to face Jake, eyes wide with concern as he took in the expression on his brothers face.

“Lenny’s okay, right?” Sam steeled himself, bracing his heart for the impact of what Jake was about to say. A sigh slipped past Jakes lips as he shook his head solemnly and reached up to place his other hand on Sam’s shoulder.

“I’m sorry, Sammy, so so fucking sorry. Lenny… Lenny passed away.” Jakes breath caught in his throat as he watched his little brother process the information he was just given. Sam opened his mouth to speak, his eyes darting everywhere but Jakes face as his heart shattered.

“No, you’re lying. I JUST talked to him before graduation. When?” Sam couldn’t form full thoughts, his mind reeling.

“The weekend you were supposed to come visit. He died overnight in his sleep that Wednesday. Lenny had lung cancer Sam, not an infection. Mom didn’t know how to tell you and you know the old bastard Lenny himself wasn’t going to tell you. He didn’t want to interfere with your schooling, he wanted you to get your degree Sammy, he was so fucking proud of you. You hear me? He was so fucking proud. He wanted nothing more than to be at your graduation with mom and dad.”

Hot tears spilled down Jakes cheeks as Sam collapsed against him. Loud sobs emitted from the younger boys chest as he fully understood the words that slipped past Jakes lips. His best friend, his right hand man gone. Jake wrapped his arms around Sam, rocking the boy from side to side. Sam’s grip on Jake tightened as his knees began to give way, his body fully overwhelmed with the sensations running through it.

“Cmon buddy, sit, please. Before you take us both out.” Jake nudged him in the direction of the twin size bed, letting go of his brother just enough for him to bend at the knees and sit on the edge of the bed.

“I don’t understand.” Sam reached up, running his hands down his face as fresh tears welled up in his eyes.

“He was sick, Sammy. He was sick for so long and he refused to tell you. He wouldn’t even let on there was anything wrong. No one wanted to hurt you, we knew getting into Harvard was everything to you and old man Lenny wouldn’t let us tell you. He thought you’d drop out and come home if you knew. He… he thought he’d be okay but an undiagnosed complication happened and took him from us. I’m sorry this is the way you’re finding out.”

Sam sighed, his upset quickly turning to anger as the weight of what he was just told sunk in. Curling his hand into a fist he brought it up and slammed it down against his thigh, needing to feel anything other than the sorrow that ate at his heart.

“You all lied to me. You told me he was okay. When he wouldn’t answer the phone I’d call mom and she’d tell me he as fine just under the weather. YOU LIED AT MY GRADUATION! Right to my fucking face. You fucking lied to me.”

~*~*~

Sam was mad at the world, at Lenny for leaving him, and most of all at his family for not telling him. Though he understood the intentions behind it he couldn’t wrap his mind around the fact that they had hid this from him. He slammed his way into their childhood home, storming up the stairs to his room as Jake emptied the car of his belongings.

The ride from the airport had been silent, not a single from uttered from either boy as Josh tried his hardest to smooth over the rough edges. Sam had sat in the back seat, without even so much of an utterance of ‘shot gun’; AirPods shoved into both ears as he focused his attention out the window. Josh had known right away that the conversation hadn’t gone well, somber looks gracing both of his younger brothers expressions.

He reached back towards Sam, placing a reassuring hand against his knee and gave it a gentle squeeze. Sam eyed Josh carefully, knowing full well he was just as guilty of not telling him what was going on. Josh bit his bottom lip, nodding his head as he retracted his hand and turned to face Jake.

“He’s pissed at all of us, isn’t he?” Josh mumbled, catching sight of Sam’s side profile in the rear view mirror. Jake nodded solemnly, bringing his hand to his face and began to nibble on the skin around his nails.

“He’s mad we all lied to him and that he wasn’t told Lenny was sick. He wants nothing to do with mom and dad either. I’m gonna have you swing by Lenny’s really quick just so he can see the obituary. I’ll bring him back later once he’s gotten some rest.”

Josh nodded gently, quickly throwing the car into drive and took off away from the airport.

He wanted nothing to do with his older brother trying to get him out of the car. Pulling up in front of Lenny’s was the last thing Sam had wanted to do. He didn’t think he had the strength to walk up to that door knowing it was locked and not a single soul would be beyond the door.

A picture of Lenny had been posted up on the inside of the picture window. Signed poster boards and prayer candles sat against the side of the building, a way many were paying their respects. A sigh slipped past Sam’s lips as he saw the memorial sight, slowly pulling himself out of the car and made his way over to the window.

“The fuck, you weren’t supposed to leave me, old man.” Sam chuckled, his eyes landing on the now faded newspaper clipping taped up next to Lenny’s photo. The obituary was short and sweet with a brief overview of the mans life, how he had become ill and that he was survived by two sons and an adopted son. Tears welled in Sam’s eyes as they skimmed over his own name.

“What’s gonna happen now, Leonard? You’ve abandoned your shop - our shop. Who’s gonna take care of her?!” Sam joked, his voice barely above a whisper as he started up at the elderly man. Reaching up he pressed his fingers to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to the skin before lifting his hand and pressing it against the glass.

He nodded once more before turning on his heel and came face to face with Jake. His older brother held his arm out, snaking it around Sam’s shoulders as he pulled the younger boy into his embrace. A shaky breath slipped past Sam’s lips as he composed himself, reaching up to press his fingers against his eyes, trying to squeeze out any left over tears - he couldn’t let Josh see him cry.

“We’ll come back when Mike’s around. He knows you want to go in at least once more before they fully gut the place. Let’s get home.” Sam nodded, pulling back from his brothers embrace and slid back into the backseat of the car.

TAGLIST: @gretasmokerising @ascendingtostardust @sammysprincess @sammykiszkamyass @belovedsamuel @puzzle-gvf @sunfl0wer-power @vanfleeter @twistedmelodies @miguelnation @gracev0609 @runwayblues @sparrowofthedawnsworld

#sam kiszka #sam kiszka fic #sam kiszka fluff #sam kiszka angst #sam kiszka fanfiction #sam kiszka x oc

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blaithnne · 7 months ago

Note

So I was just curious as I’ve noticed you’ve made reference to your 60s au (which I absolutely adore btw) so I just wanted to ask if the 60s au is just a drawing and reference on tumble kind of thing or if it’s a work in progress so in other words are you writing fic involving those versions of the characters? —and if your not you totally should your ideas and writing is fab and I’d love to hear more about them :)

First of all TYSM ANON!!

Second of all basically yeah the AU is just art stuffs! It’s something I’ve had floating around in my brain for a long time, and I decided to just combine it with a general ducktales rewrite type of thing and start posting my designs bc it’s fun !! I love character design so creating a lineup of characters is a great time :)

Unfortunately no there is no overarching fic, or really any extended story stuff out there. I’m just drawing stuff as it comes to me! Maybe one day I’ll scribble out some one shots, but I don’t want to start any new writing stuffs until Plenism is complete (for my ducktales followers, Plenism is my long running Hilda fanfic! It’s currently on hiatus but it’s a project of mine I’m very passionate about lolz). At some point though, maybe after I’ve got some more designs out there, I’d like to sit and write out some of my ideas as bullet points or something, and there’s some wee doodle comics I’d love to whip out sometime!

I have a LOT of lore ideas for this lil universe but, I don’t want to put pressure on myself if that makes sense? In the past I’ve quickly burnt myself out on projects like these and I don’t want to do that here, so I’m just doing whatever peaks my fancy in the moment! The only “rule” I’ve got going currently is that I want to get my character designs out in era appropriate order, so I wanna finish my main 60s designs before moving onto 90s era or present day ones, just so it’s not too confusing for you guys. But hey I might end up breaking that rule, I’ve already got a couple present day designs complete and I don’t wanna hold onto them forever, so I’ll just see how it goes!

In conclusion I am THRILLED people are enjoying my little AU, but I’m just drawing whatever I feel like and not putting pressure on myself to do something big like a fic or a proper consecutive comic, lest I burn myself out. With that in mind, if you guys have any questions about the AU send em in and I’ll see if I can answer them! Either with lil doodles or with rambly explanations lolz

#ty for the ask!!#anon #ask #ducktales human au #ducktales #ducktales 2017 #au #my au #ducktales au #textpost #blethering

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alieinthemorning · 2 years ago

Text

A Day of Valberries [Diluc Ragnivindr]

Content: Fluff, Kissing, Spoilers for Diluc's Birthday Letter (2022), Suggestive

Pronouns: None

Reblog: Let me know that you enjoy my work and want to see more, so don’t forget to like and reblog (and comment in the tags. I love seeing people’s rambles in the tags)!

Original Work: Valberry Kisses | Diluc Ragivindr

Spring was one of your favorite seasons for two reasons.

First, Valberries, your absolute favorite fruit, were finally in season

And two, it was your beloved’s season of birth.

So, being the ever so wonderful partner that you were, you decided to bake him a cake (with the help of Adelinde to avoid similar mishaps from prior special events).

Surprisingly enough, you hadn’t seen the birthday at all today, but he wouldn’t be the ever elusive wine tycoon if you had.

Oh well.

There was a cooled cake that needed to be frosted before you.

Nothing too exciting, a simple white frosting with a simple scallop border.

Just as you placed the cake in the fridge, the kitchen door opened.

As you turned kiss was pressed to your temple and a murmur of:

“I’m home.”

You guided his lips toward your own, a more loving greeting.

He pulled away, he turned quickly, but you still caught a glimpse of his flushed cheeks.

You followed him to your bedroom, helping him remove the worries of today for the calm of tonight.

After a long bath and a bit of cuddles, dinner was read and served by Adelinde.

Perfection as always,

And then came the dessert.

Your valberry cake was sliced and served alongside

sparkling valberry juice.

“It looks like we both had the same idea.” You said after a moment.

He chuckled. “Valeberries are your favorite after all.”

You huffed with a pout, “But today is your special day.”

“A day in which I can choose how to spend it.”

“And you chose to gather valberries for me.”

“I chose to prepare something special for my beloved.” He clarified. “The cake is delicious by the way.”

You sighed dramatically as you stood from your seat. “Well now I have to give you something extra special.”

You slipped into Diluc’s lap, hands finding purchase in his crimson locks.

His hands found themselves on your hips, already rubbing small circles with his thumbs. “And what might that be?”

“Mayhaps a kiss or two?”

You leaned down, lips connecting in a soft yet passionate kiss.

He tasted heavily of the valberries but still had the familiar hint of small lamp grass.

He pulled back just enough to ask, “How about four and more?”

Who were you to deny your significant other on their special day?

You would give him everything he asked for

and more.

Initial Note: Happy birthday to the man who took a whole ass year to come home! I literally just got Diluc on March 8th, 2022. tbh I kinda forgot about his birthday until I seen it trending on Twitter so-. Here ya go lmao!

....

I'm cheating and posting this on his birthday in 2023 lol

Also I got Wolf's Gravestone, so i guess I gotta build him, huh?

By the way, I've gone through and edited a lot of my works on AO3, so go give those a look.

Ko-Fi | Commission | Masterlist

#alie ficlets #diluc x reader #genshin x reader #diluc birthday 2023 #genshin impact reader insert

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rapha-reads · 3 months ago

Note

Happy Fanfic Writer's Appreciation Day! I saw this ask game going around and pick whatever you want to answer! ✨❤

— How long have you been writing fanfiction?

— Do you have a favorite word? (One that you love. Doesn’t necessarily have to be one you use all the time.

— Share a favorite run-on sentence that you’ve written.

— Share a bit of a scene that you’ve written that still gives you FEELS.

— Best editing tip?

— What is your favorite kind of character interaction to write?

— Do you have a hyper-specific genre?

— Any personal or frequently used tags?

— Share a joke or funny moment that you’ve written that still makes you laugh.

— What drives you to write?

— Share something about your writing that you have wished someone would ask you about. Or alternatively, something that you are just really proud of.

— Where do you draw inspiration?

— What is your immediate reaction when you receive a new comment on a fic?

— What is your biggest challenge in writing?

— 1-2 sentence preview from your current WIP??

— What story or scene are you most proud of?

— Please link your profile so we can admire your works!

Hiii!!! Thank you so much, I really appreciate it. I write so sporadically and irregularly that every time someone remembers I do write sometimes, it makes me feel so good.

Let's see those questions!

- How long have you been writing fanfiction?

Hard to say to be honest. The first novel I wrote when I was 9 was based on Egyptian mythology, does that count? And then when I was 12 I started planning a rewriting of Romeo and Juliet as a novel that would cover their childhood years before the play starts, to answer a question I've always wondered about it: if they (Romeo, Juliet, Tybalt, Mercutio, Benvolio, even Rosaline and Valentine) are all the heirs and main children of the major noble families of Verona, how come they didn't know each other or barely did before the Capulet ball? Sounds like a plot hole that could be taken advantage of... So, to answer, I guess it's been 15-16 years? But I've only started sharing online things I've written in recent years.

- Do you have a favorite word?

Ethereal. I don't know why, I barely even use it. But I love it.

- Share a favorite run on sentence that you've written.

"Once, long ago, in another life, in another time, when there were still rays of sun shining upon the valley, when the mud river was a soft stream of clear water, when the trees were green and tall, the creature had a name, it had a heart, light in its eyes and people who cared about it."

(From The Creature)

- Share a bit of a scene that you've written that still gives you feels.

His temper abating as quickly as it had risen, Mercutio continued quietly :

“They don’t see you. And when they do, they mistreat you. How can you let them talk to you like that, as if you weren’t their nephew and their only male heir?”

“Juliet is the heir,” Tybalt interrupted, “I’m just the orphan, the son of the dead brother, a reminder of what this stupid war took from them.”

“No, you’re not!” Mercutio cried, grabbing his doublet. “No, you’re not just something”, he went on with passion and fire, eyes ablaze. “You’re so much more than what they want you to be! Your strength and resilience are unparalleled! You are hope against all odds, a shield for those in need, the brightest light in all this wretched city, my only solace, my other half. Mine, you hear? Mine! And if they can’t see you, if they can’t respect you, I’ll make them!”

He looked as if he wanted to say more, but Tybalt suddenly pulled him into his arms and silenced him with a fierce kiss. Rosaline closed her eyes, allowing them their privacy, tears sliding down her cheeks. She was not a romantic at heart, not like Juliet and her steadfast belief in true love, or silly Romeo and his forlorn sighs. Yet Mercutio’s impassioned tirade had stirred something inside her.

(From Ignorance Is Bliss, one of the best thing I've written in my humble opinion. Let me ramble about Tybalt and Mercutio pleaaaaase.)

- What is your favorite kind of character interaction to write?

Declarations of love. Not just romantic love (I am the definition of an aromantic romantic), but familial and platonic love too. Just characters (people) reminding the ones they care about that they do love them, truly and unconditionally. It's Tybalt and Mercutio against the whole of Verona, it's Bruce telling Jason that he's his son and he's his father and nothing will change that, it's Gwaine having Merlin's back not matter what... And even better when the words (the words are important) come right after an emotionally intense, angsty moment. Angst with Fluff is my jam.

- Share a joke or funny moment that you've written that still makes you laugh.

Humor is not my forte but there's this scene in Small Matters in Big Cities, the second part of my Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge fic that always makes me chuckle.

Raj immediately jumped into action.

“If you follow me, the car is this way! Please, let me get the bags”, he added, reaching towards the cart that Simran was still holding.

“Nope”, Simran cheerfully replied, lightly slapping his hand away. “I push the cart, you lead the way.”

“Simi, come ooooon”, Raj pleaded.

“Unless you want me to drive…?” Simran said with a threatening smile that reminded Chutki of their play-fights of old.

Raj jumped three feet back and raised his hand in surrender, shivering.

“Oh God, please don’t! Cart is yours, just please stay away from the wheel.”

[...]

“Nevermind that”, Chutki impatiently interrupted, “why can’t Simran drive?”

Raj burst out laughing at that, head thrown back, and Simran sighed and glared at him.

“It’s not that funny”, she muttered.

“Yeah it is”, Raj replied cheerfully. “Simran is forbidden from driving in London proper because she gets angry.”

“I don’t!”

“Yes you do, my love, and you become truly terrifying when you have road rage.”

“Not true”, she pouted sullenly.

[...]

“I would never dare tell Simran what she can or can’t do”, Raj intercepted, very seriously. “She’s her own person and she doesn’t need anyone’s permission. If she wants to drive through the city, she can. But after the fifth or sixth time I went for a drive with her and was hanging on to the door for dear life while she yelled at every other driver and broke every single traffic rule, I begged her on my knees to let me drive in London and she could drive in the countryside, and because she’s nice to me like that, she agreed”, he ended with his mischievous smile back on.

“That is not how it happened!” Simran protested.

“It is!”

“Is not!”

“Is!”

- Where do you draw inspiration?

In regards to fanfiction only, when a story really impacts me, there's two reactions: either I want it to never finish, and thus I want to write post-canon fics ; or I'm left unsatisfied by what exists, and I write canon divergence or missing scenes. That's the first inspiration. The second comes from the characters. A character that I can really relate to, or understand despite not identifying with them, will make me want to "try on their voice". And the third inspiration comes from music. Music is an important part of my life, and pretty much just like so many other writers, sometimes I'm listening to a song and I go thinking "hey, that could make a nice story". And sometimes inspiration comes from things I wish someone would tell me, or things I wish would happen to me, but that's rarer.

- What is your immediate reaction when you receive a new comment on a fic?

"Aaaaaaaah, someone read my work!!! Aaaaaah, someone read and liked it enougj to tell me!!! Aaaaaaaaaah, this is the nicest thing ever!!!! Aaaaah, I need to write more!!!"

- What is your biggest challenge in writing?

Writing.

Like, actually sitting down and writing.

Or to be more precise, to gather enough motivation and energy to convey all the thoughts in my mind into words. Like I said at the beginning, I write irregularly, only when the inspiration hits and meets with the motivation. Sometimes I have one, sometimes the other, but it's rare that I have both at the same time. Makes it super hard to finish things.

- 1-2 sentence preview from your current WIP?

I have several current WIPs... There's the two that I have already started to post on AO3 (the Merlin one and the DDLJ one), then there's another Merlin one still in a notebook in French, the Torchwood one started yeaaaars ago in French too... But the one I want to share with you today is a Romeo and Juliet one that I've been talking about for quite some time:

The front door slammed closed, a muttered curse following behind, jerking Mercurio out the trance this new play had put him into. Frowning, he put down the pen he had been unconsciously chewing on and glanced toward the entrance hall, just in time to see Tybalt storming in, an aura of deep frustration surrounding him.

"If it's an emergency, I'm not available. If it's not an emergency, I'm also not available", deadpanned Mercutio, immediately belaying his words by getting up from the couch and moving towards his boyfriend.

"Shut up", said boyfriend grumbled darkly, "this is all your fault anyway."

"I admit that I do a lot of things, but you're going to have to narrow it down." Considering, he added "Don't move, you're going to drop water everywhere, I'll get you a towel".

- What story or scene are you most proud of?

Ignorance is Bliss! Chronologically, Tybalt/Mercutio is my very first ship, before I even knew what shipping was. IIB is a tiny view of how I see them, their relationship and the behind-the-scenes of Verona. I have a lot, a loooot of opinions, thoughts, ideas and headcanons about this play, a lot of stories I want to write, a lot of essays I want to research. IIB is one of the few stories I've managed to write and finish and feel good about.

- Link to my profile:

AO3: Raphale

You can also check out my old blog here, I sometimes post articles and essays, both in English and in French.

#fanfic writer's appreciation day #fanfic writer #replies #nooowestayandgetcaught #rapha talks #rapha writes #my writing #aaaaaaaah this was the nicest ask to receive in my inbox you've made my whole week!#sometimes i feel like i'm not a writer because i barely write and even more barely post anything #but that's the impostor syndrome talking so thank you for helping me beat it back

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lionessinarms · 7 months ago

Text

The Month In Between chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

Two weeks has past and Firetown's repairs are moving quickly. Wade and Ember have been working really hard at their jobs but haven't been seeing each other as much as they would like. They try to at least grab lunch or dinner together when then can but Ember's new welding job leaves her very exhausted. Bernie has even caught her falling asleep rebuilding some shelves at the Shop. There's been no time for dates.

Wade has been going above and beyond on his inspector job. He is only responsible for pointing out the violations that need to be fixed. He instead takes time in his reporting. Giving the knowledge he's been learning from his mom, he writes individualize action plans to get the building up to code, and on budget. It's extra long hours on his laptop at night but to him it's well worth it. Wade hates giving building owners the bad news and not being able to offer a solution. Which is why he takes in the extra work to help better the community he feels connected to. Gale takes notice of this and has him in her office.

"So Ripple what did you want to meet with me about?" Gale asks.

"Well, I wanted to request a transfer for next quarter to the city Ember's internship is at. That is if I'm doing a good enough job." Wade says without confidence.

Gale then tells Wade, "Kid, I'll be real with you for a second. I only hired you as a favor to your mother and you were this close to be fired. Finding that leak was your last chance."

Wade looks nervous and gulps.

Gale continues, "But then all of a sudden it's like you found your spark. I never seen any inspector be so thorough and have these amazing actions plans for the city repairs. You're on fire kid! You really got a passion for this."

Wade questioning himself says, "Well it's easy when you connect with the people you are trying to help? I just want to help them through it other wise I feel like all I do is give bad news all day."

Gale says, "Well it's working. Your the reason the repairs are going fast in Firetown. Keep up that attention to detail. In the mean time I'll look for your replacement and you are going to train them to be exactly as you are now. I'd hate to loose ya but I get that that Fireball of yours is cute." Gale does a wink.

Wade with a smile gets up and shakes Gale hand. "Thank you Ms. Cumulus. I won't let you down!"

Wade gets back to work in Firetown but then heads to an outdoor mall on his lunch break. He had to white lie to Ember about having the work through lunch but this secret isn't harmful. Wade stands outside a jewelry store. He takes a confident deep breath as he steps in. Wade looks over at a Water couple around his age being helped by a salesman. They are picking out matching wedding rings and they look very happy together. A Water salesman steps up to help Wade.

Salesman, "Hello sir is there anything I can help you find?"

Wade gets excited and rambles, "Yeah hi, I'm shopping around for an engagement ring but my relationship is still new but amazing. I really just need a better idea for what to budget for the next few months before we move in together."

Salesman, "Great. You came to the right place. Let me show you some styles and do you happen to know her ring size?"

"Actually no." Wade holds his hand to look at it.

"No problem I got a chart you could look at." The Salesman holds up sizing chart.

Wade points over the a very small size but then again Embers digits are very thin. "She's around this size."

"Oh, that's pretty small for Water." Says the Salesman.

Wade was taken back by surprise. He never really thought about how strangers view his relationship with an Element not of his own because frankly he doesn't care. Now it's time to test if he is in the right place.

Wade then goes, "Oh yeah I forgot to mention she's Firish can you should me your selection of fireproof rings please?" Then Wade gives the salesman a look of I dare you to say something Elementalist.

The Salesman looks surprised for a second then gets back to his job, "Of course they are right over here, My mistake I should of ask you first."

Wade is relieved and laughs it off, "Haha, not a problem."

After some time, Wade steps out of the jewelry store. He looks up and does a dreamy sigh but then a young woman's voice breaks his good mood.

"Wade Ripple? Is that you?" Asks a very attractive Water girl his age.

Wade has a look of horror on his face but quickly changes it to not be suspicious. He then fake smiles and says, "River. Hi, crazy seeing you again." Wade doesn't have a mean bone in his body as awkward as this, is he's a nice guy.

River runs up and hugs Wade. Wade clearly not wanting to hug back gives her a small pat on the back.

"Wow it's been what almost a decade? You've really grown up." River then notices his name tag and flirtatiously goes, "And a city inspector now?"

Wade takes a few steps back as soon as River lets go of him. Wade looks like he's partially melting, his hair slopped down, he's sweating, and runs his hand on the back of his neck. "Yeah.."

Lucky for Wade. The Salesman interrupts, holding a piece of paper. "Sir you forgot to grab the estimate for your engagement ring."

Wade turns to the Salesman completely forgetting River is there. "Oh thank you." Wade looks down at the paper and smiles. It's like his watery waves on his head have come back to life and he stands proud.

River is staring at him in shock then goes coyly, "Wow Wade sounds serious. Does she know about me?"

Wade doesn't make eye contact with her as he folds up the paper and puts it in his bag. "Actually yeah she knows and it's very serious." He makes eye contact with River when he says serious.

River chuckles at Wade, "Well it's good to see you again Wade. Tell your mom I said hi." And with that she structs away.

Wade immediately turns the opposite direction and says to himself, "Pfft, yeah my Mom never liked you." When he is far enough away he pulls out the estimate. Wade takes a breathe in, does a dreamy sigh out feeling confident. "I got a lot of saving up to do."

Nearing the end of day at the job site, a worker in a suit passes out paychecks in envelops and hands Ember hers. Ember almost forgets she is getting pay for this work, "Oh thank you." She opens it and is shocked by the amount.

Next scene is Vinny with the check in his face and just laughs at Ember's surprise. "Ha, yep that is what an apprentice welder makes plus you've been making killer OT on the weekends."

Ember pulls the check down and stares at it for a second, "Dang!" She then paces and rambles, "This? This is so much! I mean my glass internship coming up is paid too but this welding job isn't just taking care of my travel costs." Then is dawns on her. "It will cover all my living expenses while I'm there."

Vinny goes with his arms held up, "Well what an amazing opportunity you have and the experience you're gaining from welding is going to help you prefect your glass making. Especially if it tempered."

Ember gets a bit honest with her boss, "Well it's exhausting work though not gonna lie."

Vinny isn't insulted by it and puts his hands down. "I know that waterfall hasn't been easy. I'm lucky I've been tolerating it as well as I have. I have a team working on converting some fire proof suits to water proof. Water guy actually came up with the idea."

"That's great and about time." Ember then takes a moment and ask Vinny, "Hey can I ask you something personal?"

"Sure kid." Vinny genuinely not fazed and is actually expected what she is about to ask him.

Ember is a bit nervous and she holds her arms to her sides close. Worried her question might be insulting but she goes for it anyway. Rambles a bit too. "Well it's about your parents, I'm in a mixed Element relationship and me and my parents had no idea that that was even possible." Ember nervously flared up a bit with her hands up, "Not that we're prejudice towards other Elements being together we just simply didn't know. Wade and I just kind of happened." Ember smiles at thinking of Wade.

Vinny give a warm smile and laughs, "Yeah you and Wade remind me a lot of my folks. My mother is Firish and dad is rock hard stubborn. I guess that's why the fell hard for each other."

Ember laughs but let's Vinny continue.

Vinny gets a little serious, "I learned very quickly we were not like most families but we all stuck together. Me and my five other siblings."

"Five wow." Ember thinking that's a lot of kids.

Vinny laughs then continues, "Ha ha yeah but we all love and support each other. That has been the biggest lesson growing up as a mixed Element is how to love yourself and each other. Love is alway worth it."

Ember smiles and goes, "Yeah I know. Thank you for telling me."

Back at the shop now. Ember is helping her father finish stocking shelves for the reopening tomorrow. Flarrietta, Flarry, Cinder, and Clod are working too. As they are working Ember has just told Bernie about her first pay check.

"Whoa! That's a lot of money! Maybe I should of become a welder?"

Flarrietta chimes in, "Are you kidding Bernie? You were made to create this shop."

Flarry says, "It's the gem to our Firetown."

Ember agrees, "Yeah Àshfá."

Cinder goes up to her husband, "You really got a strong heart for this and I wouldn't of had it any other way. Besides doing any repair work always brought out your temper. You hate it and you know it."

Bernie puts his arm around his wife, "Ahh you're right. Serving the community did bring me such happiness. Speaking of happy how are things with you and Wade Ember?"

Ember leans back on a self and has a dreamy look on her face. "Oh Àshfá, he's wonderful stopping by the job site when he can for us to have lunch together. But we haven't gone on a real date in a while because we are both so busy with work."

Flarrietta chimes in again, in support of Ember. "I keep hearing stories about how he has been going door to door in Firetown teaching everyone how to keep water out. Even helping create plains for the repairs of each building. He's the nicest Water guy ever, very polite, and respectful too."

Clod adds, "He gives me water when I'm thirsty since the pipes here don't have water in them anymore."

Ember smiles warmly as her father goes, "Okay okay, I'm warming up to the water guy."

Ember sincerely tells her father, "Thank you Àshfá. You have no idea what that means to me."

Bernie's expression gets a little serious as they walk over to the back, "Hmm, I just wish you guys happiness but I know there will be judgements from others. I wish I knew more on how to protect you from that."

Ember tells her father, "Well, I started talking to Vinny about that, he's one of six kids."

Bernie surprise, "Six?"

Ember laughs then looks at the clock. "Oh, I better get going to Element City."

"Oh?"

Ember forgot to tell her parents, "Yeah Wade invited me over to watch a big Windbreakers game."

Bernie confused, "Wind what? Game?"

"Glad the Wetro is up and running again but the motorbike would of been a shorter commute." Ember turns and gives her dad a hug. "I'll be back home later on tonight."

Author's Note: WADE IS GETTING A RING!!!! XD

#pixar elemental #elemental #ember lumen #wade ripple #pixar #wade x ember

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