#he look gorg but don't tell him i said that

[ningtual]

sunwoo ig update (241011)

[m0chisenpai]

Could you consider doing a fwb reader who refuses to be with them because she thinks that they are so toxic (but they are pinning over her HARD because i like my men obsessive over me)

(also i said "they" because i didnt knew who to pick 😭 but this just screams lestat or armand)

The hunt

˚｡⋆ lestat de lioncourt x black!fem!reader x armand

in which neither lestat nor armand can keep their eyes off box one

You joined the theatre after watching your maker burn to a crisp. Truth be told you would have done him in yourself had they not stepped in. He was ancient and delirious, you were a pretty face plucked from the slums.Wrong place at the wrong time led you to several years of torture shackled to his side. You posed as his distant relative, some nights you were his niece, other's his heiress bastard.

And in return you lived a comfortable life of luxuries. It was bearable, you no longer had to scrape for food or warmth nor shelter. Yet none of that mattered did it?

Though you had to bear his unwarranted advances, his unwanted pet names, it all made your skin crawl. Sharing his bed was a rare occassion, but you made sure he was drunk on blood to manage those nights better. Anything to satiate his loneliness and perserve the little dignity you had left.

Tonight he said he needed to attend to his affairs, leaving you to explore the city. A rare treat that you savored in all of its glory. You made unnecessary purchases on his account. New gowns, shoes and fans, head pieces for the upcoming season and gatherings to come. You drained the dressmaker, a fop, and made arrangements with a singer of the opera for the next night.

When you arrived to your Paris manor to find it in shambles and the man burning amidst it all, all you could do was sigh and use his flames to light the cigarette while you watched him turned to ash. Perhaps you were dizzy from the two you consumed, but you felt like you were on a cloud. As though you were outside of your body watching him crymble to dust.

You hardly flinched when the carriage boy screamed for help, at least you asume it was for help he was speaking in french.

What were you to do now? His accounts were already settled in my name, but I liked this home. Now I'll have to replace my belongings, find new lodging, how burdensome.

"Your maker is no more fledgling," his presence startles you but you stand your ground against the elder now standing at your side. Honeyed eyes watching you concealed behind false glasses but he is amused by how you stand your ground. How you don't flinch as his children gorge themselves ont he carriage boy whose wails are quickly silenced.

"I can see," you tap the ashes into the flames. "I was not made aware more of us were in this world. He always as though we alone held the Gift." Arman's eyes train upon you, reading and looking through every memory. And he finds you are in fact right. Dragged into the manors chambers you are locked and groomed there until you cracked.

"Your maker like many wanted you in the dark, fledgling," his eyes soften as you nod. There is emptiness in your eyes, like you are here yet your mind is far away. "He violated the ancients laws, disrespected my coven and reaped the consequences of his choices. He was given multiple chances to make himself known and atone for his actions."

"Coven?" Now he has your attention. You step up to him careful if you were next on this vendetta. "He never told me about laws or covens. Just said to tell him if I saw any more of us in the shadows, he moved around a lot between his homes. I smelled them, but I was too bored to tell the pig."

He should have known. You shed not a single tear for your maker when his children descended upon the maddened vampire. All you could think of was no longer having to deal with him anymore. No longer were you forced to share his coffin, feel his disgusting hands. Armand felt your disgust, it churned his stomach of the images of your Maker.

He saw himself in your eyes. You and him were one in the same. Two broken souls forced into this life, yet you adapted well just as he. A hunger to learn more is clear in your thoughts. He holds his hand to you, "come. Join us. And I can guarantee you will not suffer the same fate."

You stare at his hand, discarding the cigarette next to you. "Will I truly?"

"Yes, come." There was a softness to his voice. You brought a nurturing side out to him he never knew was there. As he guided you back to the theatre, not once did his hand leave yours. You would spend the first night in his coffin, just in case he did try and kill you.

Armand presents you in front of the coven the following night. You found them off putting, but you would grow used to their presence. All eccentric and coy. From across the world and living many lifetimes. You would adapt just as you did when you were once human.

"Lestat De Lioncourt, one of our actors and founding members," you bow your head to him but he takes your hand in his pressing a kiss to your hand.

"Will this beauty be joining us on stage Armand?"

"No, she will observe with me for the time being until she finds her place and completes her intiation."

The blonde groans looking upon you with a twinkle in those blue eyes, "Ah maitre, it is sin to hide such a beautiful face." He flashes you a cheeky smile which you quickly brush aside, merely offering him a nonchalant tilt of your head. "You would do good to perform on the stage sweet one. The crowds will be in compete awe."

"And I hope you put that charm to use on stage Mr.Lioncourt" you retort stepping back beside Armand. "And you'd do well to keep your hands to yourself, surely your master taught you that?"

"You have a bite in you fledgling, don't lose it."

French boys. You can only shake your head turning on your heel.

They were all the same. Flowery words, thoughts of lust and poetry. Philosophy. But this blonde beauty, this one was different. No thoughts of heaven or hell, evil and good. No his thoughts intrigued you. A hedonistic vampire, he was different from the prudish man you grew beneath.

Perhaps this French boy would appease your appetites.

The first year you find yourself being a production assistant of some sort to Armand. You have your own quarters in the theatre. Filled with your gowns, jewels, your riches. You offer him input in changes, or adjusting scenery in his scripts when need be. Always sitting in box one of the performances, eyes watching yet your hand moves quickly at anything that is the slightest bit off.

He won't admit it out loud but he felt you were the fledgling he was meant to make. Not your old maker.

His affections grew into something else. Was it romantic? No, vampires felt more than just human emotion. This was supernatural. Primal. As he sat in the box, he watched your gaze upon Lestat. You sat up straighter eyes wide with pride and excitement. One of the rare moments where your hand was still.

He wanted you to look at him like that.

"He's off script again," Armand clicks his tongue, he looks over to you. He's expectant that you will agree as you did any other night.

"Yes, but don't you think it sounds better this way. Less boring if you ask me. Let the sweet French boy have this night."

"It would had he done it during rehearsals." His eyes watch as your fiddle with the cuffs of your gown. He takes your hand into his own, now he has your eyes which look up at him.

"Yes?"

"Nothing, I just wanted your eyes for a moment fledgling."

"Are you growing soft Armand?" You smirk up at him, sitting up and tilting your head as to suggest you were to kiss him which he anticipates.

"The next act is starting, maitre," you whisper situating yourself to watch the performance. His eyes open, looking now to the stage, where Lestat bows smirking up at the box as you stand to join the applause.

You pace back and forth in front of Lestat who reads from his script. The coven look as dead as their hearts, the poor diva couldn’t get his line. He had been slacking lately as death, and he needed to improve for the upcoming performance.

You wouldn’t admit it, but he played death well. He was as vicious as death. But you needed death to have romance to it. Death was as beautiful as he was fearsome. We all must face it, it steals, it seduces, but int he end Death never leaves epty handed. Hence, why you believe Lestat plays death well.

"Come now Lestat as though you are in love!" Armand exclaims. He reads the line again but it sounds more...harsh than loving. You can see it upon the woman who steps in as your victim for the night. Her lip is turned up similar to your own. Poor thing, you shake your head now standing to your feet to approach the stage.

"Lestat surely you bedded enough women to know how to speak sweet love. Speak as though you wish to lure her, to drink her lust and her blood." You look up at him, he looks down upon you and in one big swoop pulls you to the stage by your free arm.

"My bounty is as boundless as the sea," he whispers it tenderly, his hand cups your cheek the other still holding the script in hand though his eyes are trained upon yours.

"My love as deep; the more I give to thee. The more I have, for both are infinite." He is closer now, head tilted as though he were to lay a passionate kiss upon your lips. "How was that, sweet one?"

"Better, now do it with your bride of death tonight." You whisper using your hands to push away from your chest. Walking past him into the wings hoping that he did not see the moment of vulnerability in your eyes.

Armand can't help but watch as you write at your desk, beside the new set of perfumes and fans he recently gifted you. Though you affectionately treasure the fountain pen he had your initials engraved upon. He watches your lips move slowly with the words on the pages. Your French has improved with his assistance. But you slip up, speaking in poor dialect as he calls it.

Poor dialect does not suit beautiful lips he tells you over and over. Therefore he takes it upon himself to spend the few moments before the sun rises reading with you.

He feels a presence all too familiar behind him and fights the snarl on his lips and he doesn't need to turn his head to know who now stands behind him.

"Shouldn't you be practicing your lines, puce."

"My apologies maitre," Lestat speaks in false humility bowing his head. "I wished to practice them with-"

"Unnecessary. I will be speaking with her regarding the performances and coven matters. Check with one of the children, surely another can play your bride well enough.”

“Ahh yes,” Lestat hums with that boyish grin. Taking a bold step to stand beside Armand, who continues to watch your hand move with quickness across one of his scripts.

They don’t know, but you listen. You hear their thoughts and voices from outside of your door. Desires to have you as their own. You know it. Felt it the moment both men entered your lives.

But no longer will you be held captive by another man’s desires. No, the fates of their hearts shall be in the palm of your hand this time. You have tasted freedom and felt what control has felt for once. Who were you to let it slip from your fingers now? You give them your eyes looking at them both now.

You smile, Lestat happily returns it. Armand merely bows his head to enter. He clearly has told Lestat something because he is gone in an instant.

For now, you’ll indulge them. Let them think they are winning. It’s fun when your food is unaware. That is what Armand tells you during one of your hunts. It makes the blood sweeter, and the hunt more invigorating.

Thus begins the hunt.

[weirdsht]

cale with an s/o that's mothers so hard (coos at the averaging 9 year olds, bakes/cooks for the knights, plays and trains with the wolf children) – absolutely soft for kids, loves cuddling the children and cooking for them^^

Biased Concern - Cale/Reader

notes: I combined 2 asks because the premise was similar

tags: fluff, no gender specified for reader, novel spoilers (war)

English isn’t my first language so there will be grammatical errors

Pls don't repost my work anywhere without my permission

Constructive criticisms and any kind of interaction are more than welcome

Requests are open and welcome

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another anon said: omg!! regarding the small preview you posted,, like there's the part in the novel where on and hong are in the eastern part with Ron and Beacorx while Cale has 3 days to live and smth smth + Raon going through his first growth phase (I don't really remember) so his s/o is in despair bc of the situation and they're like– ONE OF MY BABIES IS SICK AND ONE IS DYING AND THE OTHER 2 I DONT EVEN KNIW WHAT THEYRE DOING WAHHH 😔😔 that's all bye ✊️

Things are hectic. War is ongoing. Everyone is on their toes. Commander Cale Henituse is nowhere to be seen. Roan Kingdom’s Crown Prince Alberu Crossman is in a state of shock.

In short, things are chaotic.

However, it doesn’t look like that on the outside as most don’t have an idea what’s going on. Only very trusted people know just how everything is on the verge of being in shambles.

“I’m sure you were shocked your highness. Please forgive him. He has this terrible habit of throwing fast ones at random times.”

That was the first thing you said to Alberu as you entered his tent. The golden-haired man was already busy as it was. Now he has to cover and fill up Cale’s missing presence.

“I think I’m getting used to it now.”

You let out a short laugh at his response. Alberu said it with a nonchalant tone however his face conveys just how much of a headache Cale brings him. But it wouldn’t be Cale if he didn’t bring a headache.

“At least eat while you work your highness.”

Pushing the cart closer to where the crown prince is, you presented the foods cooked for today. On the plate, there’s a medium rare steak paired with some vegetables like asparagus, mashed potatoes, and others. It’s a simple meal, but it has all the nutrients and protein one would need. 

“Did you help cook this? You were fighting earlier you should’ve just rested.”

“It's not a bother at all Your Highness. Seeing everyone energetic is enough to make me energized as well.”

You smiled at Alberu as he started eating. Humming in approval at your cooking.

“When are you going to visit Cale?”

Alberu stopped eating for a second to ask you a second. You stayed silent at his question, deeply pondering about it.

On one hand, you wanted to visit him and check how the children and he is doing. On the other hand, you are still needed in the Gorge of Death. Especially since the others are gone. Your complicated thoughts did not go unnoticed by the quarter elf. He can easily tell just how worried you are for your significant other but also thinking of your responsibilities.

“Just go.”

“But Your Highness as Cale’s Deputy Commander–”

“Are you going against the word of the crown?”

That made you shut up. However, you were still hesitant. Cale’s absence already puts so much on Alberu’s plate. His responsibilities will overflow if you go away too.

“It’ll be fine. Just make sure to come back quickly. While you’re at it tell that punk to get well fast too.”

Alberu waved his hands. Telling you to go now, leaving no room for argument.

“I… Thank you, your highness.”

Soon enough you are inside Hope and Adventure Loving Inn. Specifically, you were inside Beacrox’s kitchen making sweet treats for everyone.

Just outside the kitchen the staff, the previous mountain bandits, are whispering among themselves. They’ve never seen anyone freely enter the chef’s territory so this is a shock for everyone.

“Thanks for letting me bake Beacrox! Take this portion and share it among yourself and the other staff.”

You smiled at the tall man with him only responding with a bow of gratitude. As you go out of the kitchen you see everyone acting a bit weird. It was so obvious they were trying to look busy while eavesdropping. One of them was even feather-dusting another employee’s face.

“You’re here nya!”

“We missed you nya!”

On and Hong greeted you respectively as Ron guided you upstairs. Indeed, you haven’t seen them since the opening of the inn. You said you were going to visit but things got delayed because of everything that happened.

“I missed you too. Now go share this among yourselves. Make sure to leave some for your youngest brother.”

You hugged the two for a bit before asking Ron to show you where Cale was. As he showed you the way you reluctantly let the two children go. Promising to play with them more later.

“I must warn you. The sight inside is unsightly.”

The servant warned you before opening the door. Sure enough, it was. The first thing that caught your attention was the foul stench of blood.

Speaking of blood, Cale was super bloody. He keeps vomiting blood like a water pipe with a leak.

“Oh my…”

You unconsciously said. The two heads lying on the bed turn to you. With Raon’s expression brightening up.

“You visited!”

“Well, I did promise to visit your siblings.”

Smiling, you welcomed the toddler into a warm embrace. Behind you, Ron excused himself to give the three of you privacy.

Cough!

A certain redhead deliberately coughed out blood louder than before. Clearly unsatisfied at you saying that you came to visit the children.

“Of course, I came to visit you too.”

You laughed, walking towards the bed to give your significant other a kiss on the forehead. The bed dips as you sit down on it, with Raon still in your arms.

“I take it that you successfully got the water ancient power? All this blood must be from your plate fixing itself then.”

One of your hands was stroking Cale’s hand while the other one fed Raon the singular cookie you had brought with you inside the room.

Cale’s eyes looked at you. Probably examining if you were hurt somewhere while being away from him. He then frowned as he saw you feeding the chubby dragon. Your gaze travels to where he seems to be looking and the jealousy makes you laugh.

“Yes, I made it. Yes, there’s still some left. Yes, I already prepared some greasy food to cook so you eat later after you’re well. No, I will not stop feeding Raon. Don’t be greedy, you already have most of my attention.”

The commander’s frown etched deeper in his face as you said the last part. His gaze seems to be asking you if you’re really concerned about his well-being.

“Of course I am.”

You chuckled.

“I wouldn’t left the Gorge of Death if I wasn’t silly.”

Pushing his hair back a little, you gave his forehead another kiss. Reassuring him that you didn’t just go for the children.

Later on, when Cale was feeling much better he asked you if you only got together with him so that the kids would favour you.

“Silly man, I don’t need to be with you for the kids to love me.”

“That’s right nya!”

“Certainly nya.”

“I’ll like my human’s human even if you aren’t together!”

The defeated Cale could only click his tongue in annoyance.

[gentrychild]

An anon who was rereading Anyone asked me what would have happened if Izuku didn't like eggs and how you tell a supervillain you don't like what he made and that you want something. I have bravely tried to answer said ask but Tumblr laughed at my pain, so here is it, on a new post.

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

When confronted with the super villain Izuku had accidentally broken out of the most secured prison in the country, a man who had basically walked out of said prison as soon as he hadn’t been restrained anymore, Izuku did the only thing any rational person would do.

He ran like hell. No shoes, no plan, nothing except Full Cowl roaring in his veins and he fled.

At least, he tried to.

Strong tendrils stopped him dead, then hands picked him up by his shoulders and suddenly, his feet weren't touching the ground and he was forcibly brought to the kitchen table.

''No, no, no,'' All for One said with the tone one would employ with a disobedient pet or a very young child. ''Your breakfast is going to get cold and we have so much to talk about. Sit. Enjoy the eggs. If you don't like them, I can make something else.''

And he dropped him on his chair, before putting the plate in front of him. Then, he sat at the other end of the table, facing Izuku, his own plate in front of him and he started to eat. Slowly, his manners perfect, while Izuku was dying of sheer stress over there.

Then, he looked at Izuku. Then at Izuku's plate.

''You're not eating?''

Izuku looked at the man who had literally reduced people to paste last night and then at his plate of eggs and bacon, then back at the lunatic who was probably going to skin him alive soon enough. He needed to do something, to get the time to find a way out of this mess.

Now, any reasonable human being would have eaten a bit of eggs and bacon – well, eaten the bacon in Izuku’s case – but he had just woken up, was in a pre-caffeinated state and truly, Izuku had never claimed to have the slightest working relationship with sanity.

“I don’t like eggs,” he blurted out.

The supervillain, the very same man who had literally gone through a prison riot of fellow villains like he was running through wet paper, was startled so badly by those four words that he dropped his fork.

“What do you mean, you don’t like eggs???” he asked like this was a ludicrous notion, like everyone’s favorite breakfast should be eggs and bacon.

“Never liked them,” Izuku lied, by pure spirit of contradiction, far more developed than for most people, for it had been left with quite the amount of room after the disappearance of all his survival instinct.

And it was indeed a lie because, once upon a time, it had been his favorite comfort food, but when he had been a kid, during one of those weeks where his mom was gone and the neighbor supposed to watch over him was busy forgetting his existence, he had gorged himself on it at every meal until he had gotten so sick of it that he had been unable to eat them ever again.

All for One watched him with something that went beyond annoyance, it was the patented look of someone who knew one was messing with him and the words “You’re a goddamn liar” were probably fighting to be left out but he had no proof that Izuku was bullshitting him and if even if he somehow had a lie-detecting-quirk, Izuku would keep denying it because he probably wasn’t making it out alive anyway so why deprive himself of the chance of annoying his would-be-killer?

And actually, why wait?

“I prefer waffles,” Izuku informed him because, after all, All for One had offered him to make him something else.

All for One stared at him without saying anything, probably thinking about all the ways he could have killed Izuku back when they were in Tartarus. Meanwhile, Izuku gave the illusion to be staring back at him when he was actually thinking about the fact the window made a faster exit but All for One would have the time to catch him before he landed seven floors lower while the door offered him more options.

All for One eventually abandoned his plate and started to rummage through the cupboards, going straight to the place where Izuku and his mom usually put the baking ingredients. Either everyone organized their kitchen the same way, or All for One had broken in so many homes that he was just a pro at using any kitchen he found himself into.

“Do you have flour?” the lunatic called out. “I can’t find it.”

Izuku had already flowed out of his chair and was making his way to the door by walking backwards, trying to radiate nonchalance and not the need to RUN AWAY WITHOUT LOOKING BACK.

“Try the highest shelves,” Izuku helpfully suggested, his hand on the doorknob.

It was where his mom put the heaviest pots and pans they usually didn’t use, since everyone in this household needed to climb a chair to access it. With a little luck, they would all fall on All for One.

Izuku left the apartment, not even bothering to fully close the door behind him, and he ran. He was in his pajamas, had found his sneakers by the door and they were still in his hands as he booked it out of his neighborhood as fast as Full Cowl could carry him and he didn’t stop until his building wasn’t in sight anymore. Then, he stopped on a bench, the couple flirting on it deciding they could do that somewhere else when they saw him approaching, and he put his sneakers on, took a deep breath, and decided to run some more, still in the opposite direction of where Todoroki was living, and then, he would figure out a plan.

Unfortunately, liquid shadows chose this moment to appear right in front of him, revealing All for One, who was holding a bag from Waffle Palace in one of his hands.

“I didn’t find any flour or sugar so I just ordered in.”

Some people would have screamed or been startled but Izuku had already ripped the bench from the ground and thrown it at All for One. The villain batted it away with his empty hand but it didn’t matter because Izuku was already half way through the park, or at least until black tendrils grabbed him and yanked him back.

 “Your waffles are going to get cold,” All for One sternly informed him before grabbing him by the back of his shirt and he warped again, this time with Izuku under his arm.

[aurumacadicus]

I just had a funny idea omg:

"Hey, so, do you have like. Any mutant powers or anything?" Steve asked carefully.

Sam did not turn from the water fountain. "No."

Bucky looked like it took all of his self control not to vibrate into orbit. "So this little friend that's been following us around the park--"

"It's a bird," Sam barked, finally turning around to glare at him. "We're being stalked by a pigeon, Barnes. This isn't funny. It could be controlled by a villain."

"You are being stalked by a pigeon," Bucky corrected gleefully.

"Stop fighting," Steve sighed, watching as the pigeon desperately flapped its wings at the spout to fill a dog bowl. He stepped on the button, and the pigeon greedily flapped under the stream of water. "I don't think it's being controlled by a villain. A villain would make it forget it was thirsty."

Sam and Bucky considered this, watching as the bird gulped a beakful of water one time out of five, as if it was not used to having a beak. "Well now I feel bad," Sam said. It has been following him since he left the VA last night.

Bucky groaned. "This means we have to ask Tony for help, doesn't it?"

Steve shot him a glare. "Why is that bad?"

"He's gonna hyper focus and make a means of communication for Lucky, Alpine, and Liho, I just know it," Bucky sighed miserably.

Sam took off his shirt and knelt down, carefully wrapping it around the panting, soaked pigeon. "Come on, buddy," he said as Steve and Bucky began bickering behind him. "Let's get you some help." Maybe, if he asked Tony without the bickering soldiers, Tony would be more concerned about their new pigeon friend.

--

Remarkably, Tony already had a nice bird setup. "Jarvis used to keep quail," he'd explained with a shrug as he showed them through the old Stark mansion.

The pigeon seemed to appreciate the heaters and bowls of bird seed, although it never seemed to quite get a knack for the water bowls.

Tony let Sam help when it came to putting the communication device together, which he appreciated, because the more he watched the pigeon, the less like a bird it seemed. Or at least, the less like a New York street pigeon, anyway. It didn't gorge itself while it had the chance, and it mostly hobbled around on the ground instead of trying to fly up to one of the perches. That could have been because it was still recovering from exhaustion, but Sam doubted it.

"Et voilá," Tony said as they finished it. "If it's a bird, it'll tell us about fries."

Sam raised an eyebrow at him even as he followed Tony to the bird pen. "You know what birds talk about?"

"I have had enough bags of fries stolen to know," Tony told him primly as he turned the communicator on. "Speak, pigeon."

"Sam my brother accidentally turned me into a bird after we left your office yesterday," the pigeon wailed. "He got scared and ran away and I couldn't keep up with him or open the door to go back into your office I AM A PIGEON WITH PTSD NOW SAM!!!!!"

"Oh my God Jessica," Sam gasped, and Tony clapped a hand over his mouth and turned away, shoulders shaking with the effort not to laugh. "We'll figure this out FUCKING STOP LAUGHING TONY."

"It is kind of funny," Jessica said reluctantly.

"It fucking isn't you're a BIRD, JESSICA!" Sam bellowed.

"Yeah, but it's also the first time I slept through the night without waking up screaming, so," Jessica continued.

"Animal therapy," Tony choked, and then screamed when Sam chased him out of the enclosure.

[fillthattank]

Sweet but assertive short-king endurance athlete cooks massive cheat meal for huge, less-assertive would-be strongman competitor, then encourages him and gives him belly rubs until he's completely maxed out.

Tom and Kyle were roommates and best friends. Both bonded over their love of sports, though their athletic profiles could not be more different. Kyle was an endurance athlete, the kind of man who ran marathons as a hobby and who went on epic cross country trails across mountains, finishing at record speed. Standing at 5'5 and weighing in at only 120 lbs, but somehow filling every room he stepped in.

Tom was, well, the opposite. Not very agile, not very good with teammates (or other people in general actually), but very good at lifting heavy things. Built like a bull, 6'4, 300 lbs, with a belly as impressive as his arms. Not the esthetics of a bodybuilder, but a very effective strongman.

Tom stepped back into their appartement, after a hard day training. He'd taken off his shirt - the two were almost always shirtless at home-, sweat glistening over his padded muscles and big belly. Immediately, Tom noticed the smell of food. Their dining table had been laid like for a feast, completely covered with all sorts of meals. Kyle was in the kitchen on the other side of the stand, shirtless too, looking dwarfed by the huge amount of food he'd cooked. All three of their large stew pots were bubbling on the stove,

"Are we having people over?" Tom asked.

"No, just us," Kyle said.

"I thought you'd be hungry after your workout."

Tom looked at the mountain of food Kyle had cooked. Then down at his belly, which stuck out by about two inches from under his pecs and over the elastic of his shorts. He was indeed hungry...

...so hungry he dove right in. Kyle smiled as he watched Tom shovel food into his mouth. As if a switch had been turned on inside the strongman.

"I don't think I need to ask about today's workout," Kyle joked.

Tom let out a huffled sound, his mouth filled with food. He swallowed, and said, "Yeah, today I..."

"No need to tell me, I can tell," Kyle said, walking up to him and shoving a forkfull in his mouth. "Keep eating, you need lots of fuel after training lie that."

Kyle put a hand on one of Tom's pecs, feeling the huge muscle under a thin layer of blubber.

"Dude you're so pumped," Kyle said. Tom nodded, already back to gorging himself.

Before going back to the cooker, Kyle gave his bulky friend a small belly rub. Tom was gorging himself so fast he could literally feel all the food fill his giant belly like a sac.

Kyle barely had to do anything while he prepared the next round of food. Tom could sometimes be insecure about his size, but his belly was there for a reason. Tom needed huge amounts of food to fuel his body and remain competitive in his sport, just like his big belly needed large quantities to feel full. And Kyle knew that deep down, his friend loved those binges.

Kyle had topped up Tom's plate five times when the strongman's pace slowed down.

"You don't like it?" Kyle said.

"No! No, not at all! It's really good."

Kyle smiled, as Tom's pace picked up.

"Good. I wanted to make the best cheat meal possible for you, it would be a shame if you didn't like it!"

Kyle topped up Tom's plate two more times before his bigger friend stalled once again. The strongman sat back, his huge heavy stomach taking up much of the space between him and the table.

"Are you alright?"

"It's heavy, man," he said, slowly rubbing his big belly.

"That's your speciality, isn't it? Heavy things."

Tom chuckled. "Yeah, you're right."

He awkwardly leaned forward, to grab another spoonful. It was a struggle to swallow, Kyle could tell.

"Ooooh that's a lot," Tom said.

Kyle grabbed a chair, and sat down next to him. He put a hand on top of his belly, on the big flat shelf that had formed under his pecs. Feeling the enormous stomach under the layer of fat and unflexed muscle. Tom was very bloated, yes, but he wasn't maxed out yet.

Keeping a hand on Tom's belly, Kyle grabbed the spoon, and started feeding him.

*

"Just how much did I eat?" Tom asked.

Kyle thought for a moment. He hadn't really been focused on numbers so far, just on making as much as possible.

"I'd say... maybe about 3 and a half gallons of stew?

"Holy shit," Tom said. With surprisingly little intonation, most of his energy having gone to his overloaded belly.

Kyle nodded. He'd made an insane amount, even for a big guy with a big belly like Tom. Maybe too much.

"And there's still one pot left," Kyle said, turning to the stove.

There was a brief silence.

"Dude I've had too much. There's no way I can manage more."

Kyle got up. Carried the last stew pot over to them. There had to be a good gallon of stew in there. A gallon and a half maybe. Too much for your average guy to eat in one sitting, even on an empty belly.

"Your belly's bigger than the pot," Kyle said, putting the pot next to Kyle's huge musclegut.

"Bro. It is," Tom said.

The big stew pot looked small, compared to the giant belly.

"That means there's room," Kyle said.

Tom knew the logic was wonky, but was too dazed to argue. When Kyle started feeding him, he ate.

Making even the tiniest mouthful fit in that overloaded belly took a herculean effort, brute force and strength. But that's what Tom was all about. He was on autopilot now, doing what he was best at.

Kyle kept a hand on Tom's belly all along, both impressed, scared at what he was doing, and too engrossed to stop. Tom's belly felt like a sack of cement. The layer of fat, the muscles, they had all been stretched out and made rock hard by the tremendous pressure from all that food. A sack of cement, but one that was somehow swelling.

Tom's belly was so big the individual gulps didn't make any difference, but Kyle could feel it. The gigantic mass of food inside him having to shift as more was forced in, his enormous stomach taking up ever so much more space. The pressure inside him was absurdly high. There was a very real risk of seriously hurting his friend, but it felt right to Kyle, for some reason. And he could tell it felt right to Tom as well.

When there was only a bit of the stew left, Kyle hoisted up the pot. He didn't have to ask, Tom opened his mouth, and let him pour what was left down.

Kyle put the empty pot down. He had literally never seen a belly so big as Tom's was right now. Tom's belly looked too big for his body, which was insane since Tom had the biggest body Kyle knew. Hell, he wasn't that much bigger than Tom's belly at this point!

Tom couldn't get up. He'd have to spend the night on the couch, and probably most of the next day too. His belly felt like a boulder. He was used to lifting heavy things, including big rocks, but this one was inside him. It was him. He could feel his whole body trying to process this absurd volume of food. Often after large meals he would feel his abs, which hidden as they were still had mighty strength, work to help support his pressurised stomach. This time, they were completely stretched out. His belly would probably have burst, he thought to himself, had they been less solid. As for his actual stomach, it was so overloaded the pain from it being so stretched out and the pain from it taking up so much space it was crushing every other organ inside his body had blended together. Like the pain after a big workout.

"You did it," Kyle said. "You managed it all."

"I did. With your help."

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm going to need help digesting all this..." Tom said. Soundind absolutely exhausted.

Kyle suddenly felt a bit nervous. He knew Tom's belly very well, but not when it was this big. And he'd have to be good with his belly rubs, with Tom in this state.

"I trust you," Tom said, with a tired smile.

[bunny-jpeg]

blood drunk - astarion ancunin

pairing: astarion ancunin x fem!reader rating: 18+ summary: The rain hit against the window as you laid in bed. The blankets were up to your chest as you slept. It had been a hard few days of traveling for your party and you all needed some much needed rest. But you had become accustomed to sleeping lightly by your travels through the wilderness. tags: pwp, blood, smut, biting, sane and consensual, astarion loves the reader, gentle sex, cowgirl. 3.1k

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The rain hit against the window as you laid in bed. The blankets were up to your chest as you slept. It had been a hard few days of traveling for your party and you all needed some much needed rest. But you had become accustomed to sleeping lightly by your travels through the wilderness.

You never knew when someone would try to hurt you.

It was hard to sleep regardless. It wasn't the bed or the pillows, it wasn't what you ate or a sore throat. Your bed felt like it was missing someone. Your beloved Astarion.

It was raining, and while that would put you to sleep, it was hard to do so when you knew he was out there. He couldn't solely rely on you for blood. He had to hunt in the wilds that surrounded the town. But you wanted him beside you, you wanted to be curled up in his arms for any chance at a proper sleep.

Thunder rumbled outside and you woke up. Your eyes felt heavy as did your body, but you were wide awake. You yawned and sat up, the room was bathed in darkness. You got up to light a candle so you didn't have to sit in darkness.

You rubbed your eyes free of sleep and got back into bed. It felt so empty without him. Even when you two were out traveling, he'd often put his bedroll beside yours, or simply let you lay on him. The thought of being close to him brought you comfort as you laid there.

  ”Shit.“ You mumbled to yourself.

You thought about going to your bag and finding a book to read until you nodded off. But there were other plans that were awaiting you. Before you got out of bed, the door to the room opened. On the other side was your lover.

He looked disheveled. Almost drunk as he staggered into the room and closed the door behind him with his foot. He dropped face first into the bed, almost missing it. You went over to examine your lover. You cupped his face and saw the smear of blood across his lips.

  ”Astarion.“

  ”Yes, my love.“ He replied, ”I missed you.“

  ”You're soaking wet.“ You chuckled softly. You let go of him, which made him whine and you got to the foot of the bed to help him up, ”Let's get you out of these.“

  ”Are you sure you don't want me naked?“ He said cheekily.

You sighed then smiled, ”I don't think it would take much convincing to do that. I just don't want you having wet clothes in bed.“ As you undressed him, you asked, ”Are you full now?“

He smiled, teeth stained red, ”I could always go for dessert.“

You kissed his forehead, feeling the dampness of it, ”Someone got a little too excited with a bear, I see.“

He licked his lips slowly, ”How could you tell?“

You pulled the shirt off of him and kissed him again, ”I can always tell, honey. You get that look in your eye.“ After all this time traveling you could tell when Astarion gorged himself on a delectable creature. You had come to learn there was very little like bear blood.

He tried to close the gap between you two but tripped and fell into your arms. You always ended up on the ground, but managed to keep yourself steady. You chuckled and kissed him as you held him. He apologized and you told him it was okay.

He had seen you drunk off wine before, this was no different to that.

Once he was stripped down, you tried not to gaze at his impressive cock, you brought him to bed and tucked him in. He whined and you went in for a kiss on the lips. He practically melted into the kiss, it was quite endearing.

  ”Where are you going?“ He asked as you pulled away.

  ”To hang up your clothes for the morning.“

  ”Don't leave, my love.“ He responded, his voice quiet.

You kissed him on the lips again, the taste of bear blood lingered, ”I'm not going far, I just need to have these hung up so they don't grow mold.“

He almost whimpered at the mere idea of being too far away from you. Underneath all of the sarcasm, Astarion cared deeply for you. He loved you after all. He was only sweet when he was around you.

You pulled away and brushed your fingers through his white hair, ”I'll be gone no more than a few minutes.“

He sighed and kept his eyes closed. You pulled away further and went to hang up his clothes around the room you shared. You made sure that everything was laid out across various surfaces in the room so it would be dry by morning.

As you hung the shirt over the curtain rod by the window. You brought it to your nose and inhaled. Your heart fluttered as you felt his warmth. He was a complicated man, sometimes you thought the least interesting thing about him was the fact he was a vampire.

  ”Please, my love.“ You heard him say. You placed the shirt over the curtain rod and turned towards him. He looked at you with those red eyes, a monster's eyes, ”Come back to bed.“

You smiled, ”Impatient aren't we?“

  ”For you, always. I miss you when I go out to feed.“ He sat up and rubbed the left side of his head, ”Eating a bear is nothing like devouring you.“

You chuckled lightly as you went back over to the bed. You laid beside him and cupped his face, he looked down at you. You smiled, ”It's good to know that I don't taste like a bear.“

  ”Eating them is a necessity, having you is a treat. I think of it as the most expensive meal money could buy. And I have it all to myself.“ He leaned up and kissed you,  ”Being able to drink your blood is a luxury I am forever grateful to have.“

  ”I love you, Astarion.“ You said.

  ”I love you too.“ He kissed you softly. Your legs tangled together in bed. He felt content with you by his side, like the missing piece was back. He only thought highly of you, as if you placed the stars in the sky for him. While it may have been a rocky start in the beginning, the love you both found was endearing.

You pulled away from the kiss after a moment but he came closer to have another one. His hand on your shoulder as he deepened it. Your heart leaped from the feeling of his lips against yours. He smiled into the kiss and then cupped your face with both hands.

  ”Astarion.“

  ”Shh.“ He said, ”Let me.“

  ”I thought you were blood-drunk. I wouldn't want to-“

  ”Don't worry, being back in your arms has sobered me up. But it has caused another problem.“ He rubbed up against you, you felt his bare cock against your inner thigh. He smiled before he pulled you in for another kiss.

You moaned into it as the two of you passionately made out under the covers. His hands roamed your body and you began to feel heat all over. You moaned once more as he grabbed your ass. You eventually felt him roll on top of you.

In the low light of the room, you two were so close together. You smiled up at him and gazed into those beautiful eyes. Like the finest rubies. You reached out and cupped his face gently.

  ”I love you.“

  ”I love you too.“

  ”Take me, take all of me.“ You said quietly.

His lips came closer to you and he replied, ”Of course. For you, anything.“ Then kissed you once more as he began to unbutton the front of your sleeping shirt. He felt your breasts through the fabric before he got it off you and on the floor. His kiss trailed down to your chest and you moaned softly. He breathed deeply against your chest. He looked up at you and asked, ”May I?“

You nodded, ”Yes, of course.“ You felt heat rise in your cheeks as he sank his fangs into your left breast. You whimpered as blood filled your lover's mouth. You dug your fingers into his soft white hair and shakily exhaled.

The blood was warm in his mouth. It sent a relief through him like nothing else. Having your blood was a luxury, and he was forever thankful for that. The knowledge that only he could have your blood. To savor it on his tongue as he happily lapped at the wounds.

You were divine, perfect in his eyes.

He let out a soft groan and then licked at the puncture wounds on your breast to clear up the last bit of blood. He gave the mark a kiss before he licked his lips. He gazed up at you with another look in his eye. Not of bloodlust, but something entirely different.

The rain continued to batter against the glass. You laid there by your lover as he gazed at you with want in his eyes. He was aroused by the action of having your blood. His mouth was smeared with the liquid.

  “My love.” He said, almost breathless.

  “Do you want me, Astarion?”

He smiled gently, “I want you every day for the rest of our time on this planet. I would do anything for you. I'd rip my own heart out at the chance of being close to you, my love. My darling, my whole world.”

Your heart skipped at his words. You knew he meant them. He was conniving, but with time you saw through the facade. You knew the man underneath the sarcasm and lockpicking skills. You saw a man who yearned for your love.

He watched you as you got out from under him. You gestured for him to lie on his back. He carefully did as you told him to do, he was bare on top of the soft blankets.

  “Do you want this, Astarion?”

He smiled, "Yes, I want this, my love. There is no need to ask over and over again.“ He reached for you and touched your hand, ”I trust you.“

  ”I know, I just-“

  ”I trust you, now come on before we both get too tired.“ He smirked, he took your hand and pulled you closer to him. He kissed your body briefly before you got yourself onto his lap. He studied you as you rubbed your pussy up against his thigh.

You smiled down at him, you pushed the hair out of your eyes.  You shakily exhaled, ”Are you sure?“

He smiled and put his hands on your hips, "I am certain. I only have eyes for you, my love. I wish to spend the rest of eternity being intimate with you. You're all of could ever want.“

You blushed, you covered your face with your hand and he chuckled.

  ”You are simply amazing.“ He said quietly.

  ”I love you, Astarion.“

  ”I love you too.“

With his help you positioned yourself over his cock, then slowly sank down. You could feel your heart in your throat as you moved down. You soon braced yourself onto his chest as you got all the way for the base.

You could feel his cock in your gut. It made you feel even warmer, with sweat at the base of your skull. The wound on your chest was no longer bleeding, with a bit of blood stuck against your skin. You knew the bruise would be bright in the morning.

  ”That's it.” He said, “Perfect.”

  “Fuck, Astarion.” You whimpered as you moved your hips. You felt hi cock nudge against the deepest parts of you. It was a feeling that left a hot feeling down your back.

The rain continued to fall accompanied by lightning. Under the soft candlelight you moved against him. You felt pleasure bloom in your gut and your body becomes sweaty. The feeling was intoxicating even with a dull throb at your breast.

  “I love you.” He said softly, “Since the moment I met you. I knew I had to have you. Sex with you came easy, but loving you was a beast I never thought I could control.”

  “I love you too.” You replied, “You've made all the challenges worth bearing. I feel at home with you, you are my world.” Then let out a soft moan as you felt him slowly roll his hips, further pushing his cock inside of you.

His hands roamed your body as you moved. He groaned and clenched his jaw as he felt the pleasure in his body. Being intimate with you was a feeling that he could never get over. There was  a high to it that he couldn't deny himself. He was devoted to you through it all. He loved every inch of skin, every hair, every wrinkle, every laugh line, he'll love you until the sun explodes.

He had to, he WANTED to. For a long time he was given no choice on what he wanted. But he knew, to his very core, that he wanted you. He needed you. You were the piece of him that was missing. The apple of his eye, the cherry on top of his cake. He almost became a sappy love sick dog when he was with you.

But it was all true.

His hands rested on your hips once more and he began to match your pace. Two bodies moved on the bed as it creaked under them. You almost felt sorry for the guest in the room below. They probably would have never guessed a creature of the night would get so intimate with their 'blood bag'.

You chuckled to yourself which caused his attention.

  “What are you laughing at?”

  “Nothing, just thinking of you calling me your blood bag.” You smiled down at him and for a moment let your hands roam his body. You felt excitement course through you under all the heat of your skin. It was like a current had run through you.

He gripped your hips and for a moment leaned up to kiss your collarbone, “Maybe as a joke, but you are so much more than that. If I wanted a blood bag we would've parted ways by now.“

You held onto him, ”I know, Astarion. And I love you.” You tilted your head down to kiss him on the top of your head as you rocked back and forth.

Your heavy breathing and soft noises filled the cool room. Despite the dampness your bodies felt hot and alive. You let out a high-pitched moan and he shuddered. You sounded like a dream.

The two of you continued to make love. Your breasts jiggled with every movement as did your hips. You could feel the burn in your chest as you gasped for breath. You eventually held onto the bed under him for further support as you began to pick up the pace.

Bodies hot, tied together in eternity. He adored you and you did the same. A hot passion between you two since the moment you met. The gods had bound the monster and the human together. And you were content with that notion. Many may see a vampire as a monster, but you saw a lover. A lover who required blood, but you were generous.

You'd happily let him have his fill of your blood. And maybe one day, you'll become like him. And forever spend your moments on this earth as an immortal creature. Maybe a decade or two in bed with your lover was what you needed.

But at that moment what you needed was a climax. You worked his cock, the slick sounds of sex filled the room as you moved together. Your heart was hammering in your chest as you panted heavily.  You clung to the sheets under your lover's back as you let out a quiet moan.

Astarion gazed at you, his lover. He reached out and cupped your face while you thrust your hips. The emotions that welled up inside of him from the sight of you moving against him. This was what he wanted, this was the life he chose to have.

It was sappy but it was sweet.

And you deserved sweetness.

He held onto you tighter as he thrusted up into you. You leaned down to kiss him passionately on the lips in an effort to silence your ever growing noises. The bed continued to squeak with the headboarding hitting against the wall. You were certain there was a chip in the wall by now.

You moaned against the kiss, you felt the sweat on your bare back. As you kissed him, he played with your breasts. You moved your head down to the side of his neck and left your own impressive mark on his flesh.

It was only fair after all.

You felt pleasure reach its peak. It forced you to move faster to chase after the high. You moaned against his lips before you moved away for air. Everything felt like a live wire as you thrusted. Your pussy was sore despite how slick it was, Astarion's cock was sometimes too much for you.

  “Shit.” He gasped.

  “Astarion.” You whimpered. You gazed into his eyes and held onto him once more. You were so close you could taste it on the tip of your tongue. You raked your nails down his chest before you went back in for one last searing kiss.

And then you hit your peak, you whined against his mouth as you felt the rush through your body. And just like that, the energy in your body was gone. Your head was spinning, as you dropped down on top of him.  You felt him continue to thrust into you, he held onto you tightly as he kept going.

  “Fuck.”

All you could do was moan in response. You felt your heart flutter as he pushed his cock so deep inside of you. It was an euphoric feeling. A rush that you could never feel with someone else. You held onto him as he held onto you.

With a hiss he finished inside of you and his body tensed up. Then he relaxed against the bed with a groan. His hands went laxed on your hips as he sank into the bed. You both laid there, sweaty messes under the candlelight that was close to burning out.

He felt your heartbeat against his chest, where his should've been. He kissed the top of your head and held you close to him. He put you beside him on the bed and threw the blanket over you. He got under as well and reached out to hold your hand.

  ”I love you.“

  ”I love you too.“ You whispered.

And as the candle went out and bathed the room in darkness, Astarion smiled.

[fizzy-soda-cans-ohyea]

My og comment from reddit in a general a hellverse sub about Bee getting the ick from watching Mammon chow down (can u tell I was walking on eggshells to not piss off defensive fans lol) and my expanded thoughts

Now for my unfiltered opinion. Ahem. Yeah it's actually very VERY stupid to have the sin of Gluttony, even a "nice party girl" and alternative take on it, to look disturbed by Greed (seriously, it's almost funny how similar gluttony is to greed in description) messily gorging on food. Like okay. They don't like each other, even hate each other. Sure. But for a haha funny reaction to Mammon going wild for lunch, you can keep Ozzie looked sickened, fine, but just have Bee glaring at him in a "this is not the time asshole" kind of way or SOMETHING damn idk.

Also. So many fans not knowing the full def of Gluttony. I felt like I was going insane with barely a few people in comment sections filled with thousands only getting it. It's not just being a foodie that maybe snacks too much, or drinking a few too many beers, or taking drugs at a party or whatever else people said lol. It's messy, it's over excess to the point of harm. It's sloppy, messy, kinda gross. Whether it's food, drink, or anything you overindulge in, it's not pretty. It's also...GREEDY. Let me not go on a tangent about how I think it would be more interesting for Bee and Mammon to frenemies instead-

And yeah. I made a post...about a year ago? About my slight discomfort and how unsure I was with how Mammon, and the few other plus size characters across both shows, were portrayed despite liking him. And wow did his portrayal this episode actually kinda made me a bit mad. Just made him the butt of the joke and gave him the obnoxious/annoying unlovable fat bully trope. Thanks for that I guess. Whatever I still love him lol.At least he was rocking the cool skeleton suit.

Also Ozzie. Don't tag team with Bee to clap back at Mammon like this is some teen's attempt at YA where the two friend characters always have a comeback for the pathetic bully character. Please. This is embarrassing. Don't let my GOAT be washed </3

[sugar-petals]

I screamed when I saw Tim on your feed yes we love a pretty guitar man

finally a fellow Tim Henson enthusiast!! 🎉

guess we have a type (= overqualified youtube twink w/ a futuristic fashion sense aka the best young guitarist out there 🗣).

risky post incoming cuz he's HOT & i love hands

[for those who don't know who this pretty boy is: tim's yt | tim's ig | tim's twt | about his band polyphia]

i agree he's gorgeous: jealousy magnet, mr henson has it all!!

- the delicious ink 😍 (neck tattoo: the sign of a masochist)

- 0% gravity hair (those fluffy waves! looking so soft tim, geez 🤒)

- the sexy 8 string guitar, cause he can, how does he do that??

- the alt beauty (tim radiates haughty expensive power bottom who talks back to get punished ngl, he's prog rock's #1 it boy)

-the sweater game, all day, every day (unmatched)

-the best technique. ice cold (easily most proficient hands in the music biz as of lately 😏 people either 1. hate him to the death or 2. need him carnally for this lmao, love me a polarizing guitar prodigy)

-A WHOLE FEMBOY BODY (even his ass is huge as of recently!! and the waist keeps getting smaller helpp)

I'm going feral over his body linee don't @ me!! how smokin' could anyone be??

-the actual live skills, not just yt editing (needless to say! any straight or bi man should be able to move his fingers like that hhh there I said it 😂 tim keeps the standards as high as he is lmao)

-the studio (oh the things that should be happening on that chair! ...anyways: it's so modern but not boring, i like it)

-the stylish guitars with the floral fretboards (guitar fuckers assemble!!! finally nylon strings are back thanks to him 💕)

-even more gorge guitars YES model it for us legend!!

-plus he's got an all-round good taste in everything. quality is key! composition and character is always a matter of taste. but timmy never dropped a bad video, bad promo, bad album covers, bad vlogs, bad cinematography, bad advert, bad ig post, bad anything. he's always the sassiest gnc slayer short king golden boy in the room doing the most 👑

...and seriously tho tim being texan youth i respect him defying the status quo!! that's real rock'n'roll☝️ he dressed for women and tops on the internet just to serve and confound some boomers along the way! prince would be proud 😎

homophobes leaving him anti-androgynous/misogynist/bodyshaming comments just can't cope with the sexiness, which he never compromised🤘 i truly pronounce tim bi ppls' favorite. since apparently nobody except the guitar community wants him we now own this man 🔥

-BONUS: last but not least look at this silver ibanez. look at it! tim is a design and aesthetics icon i rest my case... that many people still don't know about him is beyond me. he deserves all the clout!

i mean even personally... he's the kinda guy where you don't know if you came for the looks/fit or the skills and you stay for both! his playing style never disappoints. i always look forward to him dropping new material. tell me what your fave tim piece to listen to is ❤️

[oldwritingm]

Creepypasta/MH - Doing Halloween Stuff With Them :)

(Characters: Tim/Masky, Eyeless Jack, Jeff the Killer, Nina the Killer, Jane the Killer, Ticci Toby)

Tim/Masky

Hear me out... corn maze

I believe that Tim enjoys a good puzzle every now and again

He loves trying to figure things out (specifically when there's nothing at risk)

Getting to show off his navigational skills is also a major plus

He just likes to impress you, even if it comes off as annoying sometimes

"See? What'd I tell you? The exit's right there."

Though he does like the satisfaction of completing the maze, what he really treasures is that time you spend together figuring it out

Once you finally find the exit, you'll celebrate with hot cocoa :D

Eyeless Jack

This man LOVES carving pumpkins

He goes all out; definitely one of those people who makes the crazy intricate designs that look like they take hours

He'll love it if you help him!

If you have a steady hand, he'll let you do the details

If you don't, he'll task you with gutting the pumpkin/handing him tools

You guys collaborate on multiple pumpkins throughout the month, setting them in random locations for everyone to see

If there's a design you want to do, just show it to him, there's no question he'll be down

If it's too simplistic, he'll try to add more details

"Ooh, Jack, look at this one. Can we try to re-create it?"

"Of course! Though I do have some ideas on how it can be improved..."

Jeff the Killer

Another pumpkin carving enjoyer

But for a different reason... a very different reason

He loves the goriness of gutting the pumpkins

He couldn't care less about making actual designs, he just wants to get messy stabbing the pumpkin and gouging out its insides

That being said, he'll 100% gut your pumpkin if you ask him (he'll probably end up doing it even if you don't ask)

It's honestly a little disturbing watching him work

He just gets this look in his eye...

"You, uh... you doing okay there, Jeff?"

"Hm? Yup! Never better!! Say, can you grab the big knife from the kitchen for me?"

Nina the Killer

You best bet she's the costume queen

Spends the whole year planning matching horror-themed costumes

She'll settle for no less than creativity and perfection

High-quality props and articles only!! She'll even make them herself if she has to!

You can expect to spend at least an hour in front of the mirror while she does your makeup/adjusts your clothes

She's an SFX makeup legend, loves incorporating as much gore into your costume as possible

Don't ask why it's so realistic (it's not like she knows how the wound would look if it was real or anything)

"Wow, Nina... It's almost like I can feel it! It's so real!"

"No, no. If you were feeling it, you would be screaming pretty loud right now."

You can also expect to attend multiple parties where you show off your costumes

You guys dominate costume competitions

Jane the Killer

Horror movies!!

Specifically, making fun of them

You both pick apart the plot, the characters, the dialogue, the special effects, everything

No horror film is safe from your scrutiny

If you're the type to get scared during horror movies, her snide comments will help distract you

"Ooh, I can't look!"

"Oh, come on. Look—I bet they used corn syrup for that fake blood. It's way too thick."

When the movie ends, you're both feeling more amused than scared

She doesn't like to see horror films in theaters because she doesn't get to make commentary, plus she doesn't want to "waste" money on a "stupid tryhard-horror flick"

She'd much rather dig up some old indie DVD/VCR and have a home movie night with you

Ticci Toby

Halloween sweets are his bread and butter

Candy apples, fun-sized candy bars, candy corn, pumpkin bread...

He would perish if you made anything homemade for him

Spends the whole month gorging on sweets almost as fast as he can get his hands on them

He will not share with anyone but you

And even you only get a small portion of his goodies

Robs at least one child on Halloween night, mostly for the candy but also because he likes scaring little kids

"Where did you get all that candy?"

"Got it from a little birdy. By that I mean a kid in Falcon cosplay."

"Toby! ... save me the (favorite candy)."

Thank you for reading! Have a good day/night my spooky pookies <33

(divider by saradika)

[satoruxx]

NORTHERN LIGHTS.

✧ PAIRING: kaeya alberich x fem!reader | 4.5k words

✧ SUMMARY: smut, p -> v, praise, fingering, lots of pining, angst, angsty bc it’s kaeya tbh lol, kaeya lore but it’s vague, also military themes bc sometimes we forget kaeya is a captain and i love the knights of favonius, he’s highkey got commitment issues but i think he’s valid, man is whipped tho, he's just an overthinker and traumatized, also can you tell i’m a med student?

✧ RHEYA'S NOTE: first i have to apologize bc this is SO late??? i got this request back for my 200 event, asking for kaeya with the song northern lights by kennie (which is such a good song). at first i was gonna make it a short little drabble, but the more i wrote, the more i wanted to make it a full fic, which is what ended up happening. kaeya's character has so much depth and i wanted to explore it hehe. northern lights is such a fitting song for him so i just had to go all in. but i'm so sorry that i got to your request so late, hopefully you still enjoy it lovely! (even tho it’s not the main focus in this fic, this is technically my first real smut fic so take it with a grain of salt; i don't think i write it that well LMAO)

it was rare to truly know your own weaknesses, but kaeya knew his a little too well. behind his carefree, unbothered exterior he cared a little too much. he cares a little too much when klee tugs on his fur cape and whines about a scolding she’s gotten from jean, and he ends up indulging her with whatever she’d like. he cares a little too much when rosaria spills just a tad more than usual during her drunken ramblings. he cares a little too much when he sees the discomfort in the face of certain fiery bartender as they speak, and he consistently lies awake and remembers days when that discomfort between them didn’t exist.

it’s a curse, he thinks, because he always ends up feeling too attached to people he knows he shouldn’t be attached to.

even now, his weakness is acting up as he barks orders to his soldiers. they scramble around him as they enter the city, carrying their wounded brethren to safety up at the cathedral. kaeya knows he shouldn’t blame himself but as their captain he feels like he should’ve seen this coming. new recruits wouldn’t be able to handle the hordes of monsters at daduapa gorge—he miscalculated.

“take them to the sisters at the cathedral. sister barbara and the others should be able to heal them,” kaeya commands, clasping one of the men’s shoulders and helping him up to the church. he’s ignoring the now dull throbbing in his side as blood stains his clothes—his soldiers were most important right now. like he said, he cared a little too much.

the nurses had set up a medical station at the cathedral, and in between all the commotion, kaeya’s finally able to hand over the groaning soldier to a nurse, who immediately gets to work.

he then takes a few steps back to assess the damage, grateful that all of his soldiers are getting the attention they needed. he’d hate himself if there were any losses today.

he doesn’t even realize that he’s now leaning against the wall, panting shallowly as blood continues to pour from his abdomen. oh well, he’d wait his turn—only after his soldiers were taken care of.

kaeya shuts his eyes, letting his body rest for a minute.

“you’re wounded.”

his eyes shoot open to see you standing in front of him. he assumes you’re not one of the nuns because your clothes are entirely different. you’re young, appearing to be around his age as you eye his torso critically.

“it appears so,” he answers.

“did someone take a look at you yet?”

“i’d prefer all my soldiers be taken care of first.”

your eyes flash with recognition. “so you’re captain kaeya?”

“indeed i am.” he lets his eyes roam over your concerned features.

you give him a small smile before continuing with a sigh. “i can safely tell you that all the wounded are being treated. i’m still an apprentice so i’m only here to deal with the non fatal injuries. like yours, captain.” you crouch down in front of him, fingers reaching towards his clothing with a silent question of permission. he lets his hand slacken as he gives you a nod and you attempt to peel back as many layers as you can to asses the damage before you’re motioning him towards a tent.

a few minutes later and kaeya is letting you strip his torso bare until you have a full view of his injury. your fingers brush over the wounded skin gently, and he wonders if you even touched him at all. “it’s long, but not too deep. a few stitches and you should be alright. if you’re okay with it, i’ll get started,” you tell him.

kaeya wants to tell you that he’s no stranger to the pain of injuries, but he finds something oddly refreshing about your comforting attitude, so he just says yes and lets you begin to work.

you thread through the skin with a delicate hand and despite the sting he honestly can’t even focus on it, choosing instead to analyze your features.

he realizes that you’re awfully pretty.

kaeya makes small talk with you as you work, partly to stay awake through the pain and mostly because he can’t stop his curiosity. he finds out your name, your hobbies, your goals. you may not have the most exciting life but kaeya thinks there’s something so alluring about you it makes him a little dizzy. he's not sure what it is, but he thinks about it the whole time you tend to his wound. realization hits when you finally finish, looking up at him with a smile, and kaeya realizes that your eyes hold the stars in them.

it’s hard to explain but when kaeya watches you work, nose scrunching in the dim lighting of the tent, he thinks you remind him of home.

(kaeya has chased the stars for as long as he can remember. he remembers shouting with diluc in the grass behind the winery, the two of them reaching for celestia because the stars up there were so undeniably pretty.

"we're never gonna get them!" diluc would laugh, trying hard to balance kaeya on his little shoulders. "they're too far…"

and kaeya only grins down at him toothily, raising his fists to the sky. "no way! i'll catch them one day!"

and yet his whole childhood went by without being able to capture the stars. as he grew older he started to learn that it was impossible to steal what the sky so selfishly held on to.

but even as an adult, kaeya knows to appreciate the stars when he gets the privilege to see them in the sky.

especially after he finally seems to find them in the dim glow of a medical tent.)

he hates to admit how often his eyes seek you out after that one encounter. sometimes he’ll see you at the cat's tail, giggling with your friends as you slam tcg cards down on the table triumphantly. other times he’ll catch a glimpse of you at good hunter, chewing on a quick meal as you browse through a book. almost every time he gets caught staring you only smile and offer him a little wave that sends his brain into a frenzy.

(maybe in another life kaeya would allow himself the luxury. he’d let himself go through the motions for you. let himself stress every time you threw a glance his way. work up the courage to ask you out on saturday afternoon. finally get the chance to press his lips to yours. trace your skin with nimble fingers and have the privilege to call you his.

in another life maybe.

but for now he’ll just keep you his own little secret—a guilty pleasure he’ll indulge in because it’s hard to rid an addiction, especially if you don’t have the will to rid it in the first place.)

kaeya’s messed up this summer. he knows it in his soul that he’s made the wrong decision as he watches you babble about something as you lean against his bare chest, still basking in your own afterglow.

he knows that he should have resisted the temptation. as soon as he and the troops got back and he saw you sitting in a secluded corner at angel’s share he knew that his feelings for you hadn’t dissolved.

they say absence makes the heart grow fonder and kaeya only now knows this to be true because just the sight of you sends his mind into a frenzy. you could probably feel his gaze on you because you look up from the book you’re reading and make straight eye contact with him. for a second, he wants to turn away but then you smile at kaeya like you’ve never once forgotten him, and he’s putty. before he knows it, he’s buying you a drink and walking over to your little corner to make himself comfortable.

it’s a slow descent for him because in his head he knows he shouldn’t get too attached. he’ll leave again soon with the troops, and who knows maybe he’ll leave them behind one day too. his future has always looked so clouded to him, and he knows you belong in the sun. he’d like to leave you there in the light—avoid dragging you into his darkness.

so he tries to keep it simple, occasionally meeting you for a drink or catching up around the city. but then you’re showing him your favorite place to study near starfell lake and he’s showing you his favorite stars while laying on his back on starsnatch cliff. and he knows he can’t avoid it.

soon enough he’s giving into everything he said he wouldn’t, finally finding out what you taste like. finally knowing how his name sounds when it falls from your lips.

it's more addicting than he could've predicted, the feeling of your breath against his skin as you pant out his name. kaeya can't even bring himself to pull away from you to stop and think for a second. if he did then maybe he could slap some sense into himself and draw some distance because archons above he was digging himself deeper into this hole. but he can't, not when you're gripping his shoulders as he presses you against the wall of his bedroom, whining into his lips for all that he can give you.

and kaeya is nothing if not generous.

so he indulges both you and himself—the perfect mix of selfless and selfish as he guides you to his bed, nimble fingers loosening the ties of your clothing until you're bare in front of him. he can see the bashfulness settling into your cheeks and he almost feels like goading for just a minute, but he decides he'll be nice.

you've always deserved a nice guy anyway.

he tries to push that thought away, instead distracting himself with the heat of your body, his fingers dancing along your skin eagerly. maybe, just this one night, he can let it be about you two. he can afford to forget about all the old promises he's made—all the responsibilities and duties he devoted himself to a lifetime ago.

kaeya ignores the flush of heat crawling up his neck as he hovers over you, caging your body underneath his as you squirm in anticipation. he understands—the tightness in his pants is enough for him to feel the same. but he's not worried about that, not when his fingers part your thighs eagerly, brushing over heated skin and finding slick wetness there as he dips into your cunt. he hears the sharp intake of breath, the quiet restrained moan, and he preens. kaeya revels in the sounds he pulls from your lips as his fingers curl against your slick heat, your head lolling back against his pillows.

there's a possessive streak of something that cuts through him then—something that tells him how he aches to be the only one who gets to hear those sounds.

it makes him slightly sick.

kaeya realizes then—he's been quite stupid when it comes to you. he's kept the maelstrom of feelings brewing in his soul trapped under all his bravado, arrogant and cowardly all at once. he needs to tell you, needs to be honest because this isn't something he can trick his way out of.

but all he wants to do is run. run so far away from you because he doesn't want you to to get caught up in his own ruin. you're far too good for him, too sweet and carefree to be tainted by his sin-laden hands. he needs to run.

but he does none of that, not when he's guiding his fingers to the apex of your thighs and exploring territory he knows he shouldn't claim. because then you look at him with an expression so blissful—so thankful, relieved that he's giving you a part of himself he never wanted to—and he can't even be angry about it.

kaeya presses his lips to the swell of your chest, feeling the rapid thumping of your heart under your skin, and he shuts his eyes as he breathes out your name. you answer with a resounding mewl, catching his eyes even through the dark strands of his hair.

he then chooses to focus on pumping his fingers in and out of your cunt because archons do you look heavenly when your eyes roll back like that.

but it scares him, the way you leave him open and exposed and aching even when he doesn't want to be.

in his head you're perfect, all bright and glowing under him as you chant his name like he's some kind of savior. but kaeya isn't a savior—if anything he's destruction in human form, sent by the heavens to wreak havoc on those around him. he'd destroyed enough already—he doesn't think he can do it to you too.

but archons the way you're looking at him now, from under fluttering lashes and dewy eyes that shine even brighter when they're trained on him—begging, pleading, and oh so trusting of him and every thing he wants to give you. he can't even help himself.

"i know, sweet girl," he sighs, voice strained as you buck your hips just perfect—a temptress, sent to lead him to his doom. and yet he can't stop his fingers from pushing back your hair from your sweaty skin, knowing that he should be careful because he doesn't want to destroy something as fragile as this.

"kaeya please," your breath comes out in short desperate pants, nails digging into the fabric of his shirt and sliding it off his shoulders haphazardly.

"i know," he repeats, reaching down to heft your thigh over his waist as he slots his hips against your own, biting back a groan at the sensitive brush against his cock—throbbing, aching, needy.

"ah fuck," he's almost shy at the way his voice shakes as he lines his cock up, the heat and slickness of your cunt a teasing caress against his sensitive head. he drops his forehead against your shoulder, breathing heavily even before he's inside you because something about this makes him so incredibly nervous. a single desperate whine and the soft squeeze of your fingers into his biceps and he's stilling—breath catching, heart pounding.

for a moment, he doesn't even feel like himself. he's not anything, no one.

and then he slides in and kaeya knows that there will never be anything better—another experience that would feel this right in his life.

he pulls out a little, gaze lingering at the sweat beading at your forehead, and something in his chest stutters. "okay?" he traces your face for any hint of hesitation—of the nervousness that he feels in his gut, but all he finds is a stormy mix of desire and devotion.

"uh huh," reassurance, stability—everything he isn't. his brows pinch, eyes shutting because he doesn't want you to know.

he's pulled out of the whirlwind that is his thoughts when he feels your fingers on his cheek, brushing over his skin gently. his eyes snap open, and even through the haze he can feel himself relaxing under your touch, because the way you're looking at him is so undeniably loving and it makes his stomach flip.

"you okay?" you whisper, looking up at him carefully, and kaeya feels as though you've put him between the halves of a microscope slide to analyze him.

"i'm fine," he breathes out, not a lie but not the whole truth either. "don't worry."

his words do little to quell you, but one roll of his hips has your eyes fluttering, a choked moan escaping your throat, and the sound makes his pride sing.

there's an image then—hazy and yet so obvious as his brain registers it. the implications behind it makes his stomach churn.

quiet smiles, hazy kisses, soft goodbyes—and then the inevitable distance as he crosses over the border separating your world from his. a lone figure standing in the streets of mondstadt, always waiting for him to come back. always disappointed.

you buck your hips upward, blissfully unaware of the torrent of conflicting emotions in his head. kaeya's brain short-circuits, and then he's pushing back, a steady rhythm against your gummy walls that takes the breath out of your lungs. you savor every thrust, punctuated by the sharp grunts he lets out against your throat.

your fingers rake over his back, desperate and needy and focused on one thing only—kaeya, kaeya, kaeya.

"that's it sweetheart," he doesn't have any more control—not on his mind, his body, his mouth. they've all escaped his grasp, too spurred on by you and everything you're willing to offer him.

"'s okay…ah fuck…it's okay," kaeya groans into the column of your throat, not sure whether he's telling you or himself. the clench of your walls sends him spiraling, hips picking up the pace as he pistons his cock in and out—trying to find out just how far he can go.

then he hits one spot, and his vigilant gaze catches the way your jaw slackens, eyes glazing over even as they roll back and a shaky moan escapes your throat—surprised, unexpecting. his ego jumps.

an experimental roll of his hips against the same spot and you make a sound so unhinged that he finds himself already addicted to it. and to tease is in his nature.

"yeah? right there?" he drawls, masking his anxiousness with his bravado once again.

"right there," you whimper, nodding meekly as you grip his shoulders. he huffs out a soft laugh, pressing a gentle kiss to your eyelids like he's trying to kiss away the tears that have gathered there. you preen under his ministrations—it feels a little too domestic.

he understands. it scares him, but he understands. he wonders what the point of worrying is—wonders why he's letting his paranoid brain taint this moment that he'd been waiting for. the only solution left is to ignore it. because you're here, writhing underneath him in the throes of pleasure, vulnerable and trusting and just for him. he should give you what you deserve after all.

so kaeya pushes every other thought out of his head, only focused on you and making you feel good because that's what someone like you deserves—everything you desire laid at your feet.

he presses a chaste kiss to your mouth, paired with a languid roll of his hips as he quietly groans. "okay…." his voice comes out an octave lower, pushed down by the barely concealed need for you. "okay sweet girl. i've got you."

another searing kiss as he breathes through his nose, picking up the pace again as he slams his cock into the spot that makes you see stars. your moans get louder even as they remain muffled against his lips, and kaeya can't help but dig his fingers into the meat of your thigh, leaving behind finger shaped dents in the plushy skin.

a claim—possessive, desperate, selfish.

your kisses become sloppier as kaeya leads you closer to the edge, walls clenching around the length of him, tighter with every thrust he delivers. the chants of his name have become almost reverent, and kaeya thinks his name couldn't possibly sound more beautiful than in that moment. he wonders if he could be blessed to hear it for the remainder of his life, and the thought sends pure unadulterated need through him.

his hips stutter, red hot fire coursing through his chilled veins—building, climbing, overwhelming as every sense goes fuzzy with heat. his grunts become more irregular, in time with the reckless thrusts of his cock as your cunt tightens around him greedily.

his cock twitches as you suck him in eagerly, feeling every ridge and vein as he grunts and groans and tightens his hold on you—unyielding, unrelenting, selfish.

your eyes stay locked on his even as your orgasm rips through you, and kaeya sees celestia in them—brighter than ever before. your muscles spasm, clenching almost painfully as you tremble and writhe underneath him, and he follows you to the doorstep of nirvana with a throaty groan. his hips stutter, twitching and throbbing as he pants out a broken chorus of your name and every praise that doesn't do you justice.

then he drops his forehead against yours, watching your eyelids flutter—celestial stars dim. a soft brush of your lips against his.

your muscles go lax, every guard dropped just for him—trust he realizes, trust he doesn't deserve. he doesn't know how to tell you that.

because even after everything—when you're curled up against his chest, skin warm and dewy against his own, he does not think about how he adores the feeling of your hair brushing against his arm, nor does he focus on the soft tickle of your breathing washing over him. instead he thinks about how he's ruined it all, how he's dragged you into him, and how he needs to let you go before he destroys you completely.

at the end of the summer, kaeya tells you he can’t.

“what are you talking about?” you ask him, a light chuckle escaping your lips as you barely focus on his words. your nose is buried in some medical text, and kaeya thinks that the universe is punishing him now by making him repeat himself.

“us. we shouldn’t have…” he sighs, shoulders dropping. “i mean, we should stop…seeing each other.”

he can practically feel the way his words pull your attention and when he looks up he sees the way your grip on the book has slackened. there’s panic settling in your eyes, mixed with a bit of confusion. a conflicted emotion runs across your face and kaeya’s fingers itch to touch you. “w-why?”

it’s a simple question and he should have no problem answering it, but he struggles to get the words out, his throat constricting uncomfortably. “it was fine in the summer, when i was back here with the troops. but now i’ll have to leave and-“

“so what?” you question, turning in your seat to face him completely. his eyes drop to the shirt you’re wearing, his shirt, and he feels his heart squeezing.

“so-“ he gulps, head spinning as he tries to explain himself. he doesn’t even have a proper answer—he just knows that this is his only option. because there’s no way in hell he deserves this kind of comfort, this kind of happiness. “so i cant-“

“can’t what, kaeya?” you stress, voice going slightly higher and he only then sees the real fear in your expression.

he pauses, mulling over his words and the bitter taste they’re leaving in his mouth. he can feel the sting of your pleading stare, and he swallows hard. “can’t stay,” he finally answers, and he’s shocked at how miserable he sounds.

you look at him like he’s insane, and honestly he feels like he might be. you’re confused and rightfully so, because there are so many remnants of him left in your space, so clearly evident the impact he’s left on you.

“can’t or won’t?”

kaeya’s eyes snap up to yours, because the tremor in your voice sends a jolt of fear down to his stomach, churning and roiling until it makes him sick.

he regrets looking, because he can feel himself breaking then and there.

you’re looking at him with these shining eyes and he swears that he’s glimpses them again—the brightest stars he’s ever had the privilege of seeing. for a second he thinks the light of those stars might disappear because that’s what always happens. but they remain, glowing against the backdrop of your irises and he’s captivated all over again.

his plans to leave you in tears fly out the window then and there.

he’s reaching for your cheeks in less than a second, holding them delicately as he lets his thumbs brush over your teary lashes. there’s a reasonable bit of confusion in your face at his sudden change, but when he leans down to kiss you, you don’t protest, melting into him even though he’s so undeniably cold. kaeya doesn’t even realize he’s saying he loves you, choosing to murmur it against your lips because it’s not meant for anyone else to hear—just the two of you.

he remains there, in the quiet darkness of your room for the rest of the night, because he doesn’t want to leave your side even after he told himself he would.

and yes, he dreads tomorrow. he dreads tomorrow because he knows that he will have to choose between the comfortable home he’s found in you or the dark abyss that has swallowed his past.

he’s scared that the more he allows himself to fall into you, and the more he finds that your eyes are the ones that hold the stars of celestia, then the easier his choice will become.

he’s been chasing the stars for so long after all. now that he finally has them, why in teyvat would he let them go?

[theebubblegumbitch]

i have been thirsting, extremely dehydrated beyond repair for the past three days now bc of Chad Meeks Martin. i beg of you, i need more content, he’s just.. so pretty.

hi hi so if it’s not too much to ask, perhaps could i request a fic where the reader is more so friends with Tara and Mindy since she’s a bit more shy and they invite reader over for the movie night and that’s when she meets Chad?? and he’s being his usual beautiful and charming self and she’s just overwhelmed and flustered

xtra brownie points if they give off bratz doll gf x himbo jock bf pls 🥺🫶🏽💞 i love your fics, your writing is inspiring tbh ahsjwjd

Girl's Night Interruptions~

Chad Meeks Martin x fem!reader

Request: ahhhhh you’re a GENIUS bunny!! I love this idea!! also i’m so happy to hear that my writing inspires you! ngl that almost made me cry- anyway I hope you love it gorg <333

Synopsis: At first you were reluctant, but when your two closest (and only) friends Tara and Mindy convince you to come to a movie night, you realize sometimes meeting new people is a good thing…

Warnings: none really since this is basically just fluff, use of profanity, Chad being an absolute himbo, reader being a flustered mess!

Series: Pt.1 , Pt.2

You weren't really sure why you agreed to this. You had told Mindy and Tara time and time again that you didn't really like the idea of parties, or gatherings, or anything of the such. It's not that you were super anti-social, you just- had problems starting conversation is all. Which is why the only friends you had made all of freshman year were Mindy and Tara, who were really good at easing you out of your tiny little comfort zone. Today that came in the form of convincing you to join them for a movie night. They promised it would be super chill and fun, the perfect girl's night to end the year off! So of course, you accepted.

You were now all about halfway through the first movie on the list, Legally Blonde, which was one of your favorites. All three of you quickly ran out of popcorn to share, prompting Mindy to get up to refill the bowl. "I'll be right back guys, pause it please!" Mindy had called out on her way to the kitchen. You were now left with just Tara, who quickly filled the silence by asking you questions. "Soooo how's your college love life been going so far? Had any steamy hookups?" She asked with a laugh as she nudged your arm. You felt your face get warm quick. "Cmon Tara, you know I don't like talking about that stuff." You said casually, not really mad at her for asking. "I know, I know, I was just curious." Just as Tara said that you heard Mindy walking back into the living room, and it sounded like she was talking to someone. "NO Chad, I already told you it's a girl's night. That means you can't join." Mindy had now taken her place sitting next to Tara again, leaving who you assumed was Chad standing in front of the couch.

Did Mindy have a brother? You didn't remember her ever mentioning him. "Cmon please, you know I'm not gonna bother y'all I just wanna watch the movie!" He was looking directly at Mindy as he gestured to the still paused TV, his request being promptly ignored. "You want to watch Legally Blonde? Really Chad?" Tara was questioning him, not fully believing his motive for joining the three of you. "Yes okay? It's one of my favorites I have like half of it memorized." Mindy scoffed at that, but from the look on her and Chad's faces you could tell it was probably true. "It's still a no Chad." He didn't seem to like that answer, continuing to practically plead Mindy to join in. "Ya know what fuck this, I'm watching it." And just like that he plopped down on the couch, right next to you. It was a fairly small couch and even just the three of you had barely any wiggle room, but with the addition of Chad you were definitely squeezed together. Chad didn't seem to mind though, quickly settling in and draping his arm over the back of the couch. Mindy, feeling defeated, grabbed the remote with a sigh as she accepted the crashing of girl's night.

"Fine, I guess you're staying..." She rolled her eyes at him, and he only grinned back. "Thanks, sis!" It was only now that he realized he was sitting next to a completely random girl as he raised his eyebrows at you. "OH I'm sorry, have we met before?" He asked, hoping the answer was no so he didn't have to be embarrassed. "Oh right, no you haven't. Chad this is our friend Y/N; Y/N, this is my idiot brother Chad!" Mindy quickly answered Chad's question, being sure to emphasize the word idiot. "Well thank you Mindy for that, charming- introduction, but I was asking Y/N, not you." He gestured to you as he said your name, now making direct eye contact with you. He was probably waiting for you to say something, considering you had been silent thus far. "O-oh yea I'm Y/N and uh Mindy never mentioned she had a brother." You stuttered out, hoping you didn't offend him in the process.

"Oh she didn't huh? Well now you know!" He said as he shot Mindy a glare and then you a grin. "Anyway it's lovely to meet you, and don't listen to Mindy about me being dumb okay? What I lack in brains, I make up for with Hobbs and Shaw here." Chad flexed each of his arms as he said that, and you now realized how attractive he was. Your felt your face get warm again, now hyper aware of how close the two of you were sitting. "Ah yes classic Chad, flex your muscles within the first five minutes of meeting a girl." Tara had said snarkily, perhaps hoping to annoy him into leaving the three of you be. "Hey they're my greatest accomplishment okay! Plus I'm sure she doesn't mind, do you?" Oh you definitely didn't mind. "N-No it's fine I don't mind." You were sure your voice sounded shaky as hell as you spoke. The longer this gorgeous man was next to you, the more flustered you got. So much for a peaceful girl's night...

Some time had passed as the four of you watched the movie in what was mostly silence, besides the occasional comment Chad had made on Elle Woods being a "girlboss" and Mindy having something snide to say in return. Their dynamic made you glad you were an only child. You had now reached the scene where Elle Woods figured out that it was actually the daughter who had killed her dad. You loved this scene, and you had the monologue memorized since you were a little girl. You quickly went to match Elle word for word. You didn't even notice that Chad had gotten excited about the scene too. "...at the risk of deactivating the amonium thyglocilate!" You had both said, or rather yelled it, at the TV in perfect unison. You saw Mindy and Tara's heads snap to the both of you in shock. "I guess he really does like the movie..." Tara said as she grabbed another handful of popcorn. "I told you it's one of my favorites!" Chad said before turning his eyes back to the screen. The shared moment between you two made you feel more at ease, so you went to agree with him.

"Yea it's mine too." You were still pretty soft spoken, but at least you had found some more confidence. You had also found hunger. "Hey Tara, can you pass me the popcorn." She swiftly handed it to you and you set in your lap, going to grab a handful. Just as your hand reached the inside of the bowl, you felt Chad's hand bump against yours as he also went to grab popcorn. It was brief, but his hands were so pretty and soft that you felt like you would remember those two seconds for the rest of your life. You were basically gawking down at the popcorn bowl now, hand still in it. "Oh, sorry." Chad said, muffled through his mouthful of popcorn. God he was so cute."Oh it's fine, don't worry about it." You said as quickly as possible, avoiding looking directly at him. He only shrugged as his attention went back to the movie. It was only silent for maybe ten minutes before Chad spoke again.

"Okay it is literally so hot in here. Is the AC broken or something?" Chad asked as he looked towards Mindy. "Yea it stopped working like two days ago, I have to call and have it fixed." Mindy replied, still not taking her eyes off of the movie. "Well it's like unbearable, I don't know how y'all are wearing jeans." He gestured towards you and Tara as he said that. You didn't realize it was hot, you probably thought it was just him. But to be fair you were wearing your favorite bell bottoms and your thin pink tank-top with a black star in the middle. So it wasn't a very warm outfit to begin with. While you were busy reflecting on your clothing choices Chad had found time to stand up in front of the couch. And now he was taking his shirt off...

You thought you were going to pass out. "Cmon seriously Chad! Do you have to find every excuse to take your shirt off?" Mindy yelled out at him. "What I'm hot okay! Leave me be." He sure was hot. Way too hot... You almost wished it was just you and him so- "Hey! You okay there? You were kinda staring off." Chad said as he waved his hands in front of your face. Oh shit. You were staring, and everyone had definitely noticed now... "Oh my god Y/N! Were you staring at Chad's abs?" Tara asked in an almost squeely voice. You wanted the ground to swallow you, mainly because she was right. "What no! I was staring at the movie!"

You rushed to defend yourself, hoping it was believable enough of an excuse. Chad wasn't buying it though. "It's okay if you were I totally get it, I would stare at me too." You were definitely blushing now. Mindy once again rolled her eyes at Chad's comment, causing them to exchange another death glare, which gave you time to change the topic. "Anyway, we should probably keep watching the movie." Chad jumped a little as you said that, realizing he was missing it and going to sit back down next to you. You now realized what Chad meant by it being hot. You only hoped you weren't sweating from the intense shared proximity.

The rest of the movie went well, although there was one moment where Chad went to adjust next to you, spreading his legs open just a little wider so that he was touching yours. You swore you almost passed out. Finally the credits rolled and Chad stood up to start clapping, it was kinda cute. "Wooooo great movie! Gets better every time!" Chad yelled as he turned to face the three of you. "Yea whatever Chad, you done bothering us now?" Mindy asked as she also stood up with now once again empty popcorn bowl in hand. "Yes in fact I am, I will leave you ladies to the rest of your girl's night." Chad said as he grabbed his shirt off of the coffee table. He went to walk back to his room before stopping to lock eyes with you. "And hopefully I'll see you again later Y/N." He said with a wink that hopefully Mindy and Tara didn't catch.

Oh yeah. You would definitely be seeing him again.

A/N: ahhhhhhh I love this one so much! i hope i did the prompt justice even though i struggled with the Bratz vibes thing. also i feel like i could totally turn this into a series if y'all wanted, just say the word! Happy reading my gorgeous babes!

-With love, Miss Grace<33

[sporadicthingcollection]

Last Thoughts (Tech x F!Reader)

Summary: A man's last thoughts are of love.

Pairing: Tech x F!Reader

Rating: None.

Word Count: 739.

Warnings: Spoilers for TBB s2 finale. Character death, description of injuries.

Notes: Thought I'd break your hearts a little. Recommended listening is "Maggot Brain" by Funkadelic.

---

He was hoping the fall would kill him -- a quick, painless splat, to put it crudely. Or, if that didn’t work, the several tons of durasteel would crush his skull and it would be over just as fast.

But sheer dumb luck kicked in just a moment too late to actually save his life. The fall did not kill him. The tram did not crush him. So here he lies at the bottom of a gorge, waiting for death.

He can’t move his legs -- based on the angles, they’re shattered irreparably -- but he feels no pain, meaning his spinal column is partly severed.

He’ll either bleed out internally or his lungs will stop working. Or he’ll succumb to the elements. He’s heard hypothermia isn’t a terrible way to go, all things considered. Hallucinations and paradoxical undressing.

It’s only a matter of waiting.

Hunter and Echo will be fine. They’re well-adjusted soldiers, conditioned from birth to accept death whenever it may come. They will mourn, but it will pass.

It’s Wrecker he’s worried about. Soft-hearted Wrecker. This certainly won’t help his fear of heights.

And Omega. She’s a child. Children shouldn’t have to watch their loved ones die. He doesn’t regret his decision, but he wishes she hadn’t had to watch. You’ve said as much in the past--

His blood chills and his heart jumps into his throat.

You.

Ah, you.

How could he forget about you?

Intelligent, persistent, prescient, patient you?

First love. First kiss. First time.

Never again will he see the sparkle in your eyes as he explains something to you. Never again will he hear your laugh as he says something he didn’t realize would be amusing. Never again will he feel your soft lips against his own as you, in your words, “shut him up.”

He wants to slap himself. This was supposed to be quick, so he didn’t bother with a proper farewell. A brief message while you were asleep, telling you he’d see you in later.

It is now later, and he lies at the bottom of a gorge, waiting for death.

Idiot.

His arm is leaden, but he manages to lay it atop his wristcom. Moving his fingers stings, but he’s able to access his files with little trouble. Recordings, visual, cultural... there it is.

Peninsular Pantoran Wedding Song, dated two months ago.

He opens it. You appear, your hair up in a bonnet and clad in your lounging clothes. You look stunning.

"--you sure it's recording?" you're asking. "The light's not on."

"I am certain." He doesn't mind the sound of his own voice. He's heard it enough over the years.

You inhale, then pause. "Tech, I feel silly."

"Why? This is a document of your culture's traditional choral practices. It is an underrepresented--"

You frown. "My mom is the chantress. Why don't you get her to sing it?"

Here’s his favorite part. He still pats himself on the back for this response. “In addition to her not being here right now, I do not find your mother half as attractive as you.”

And the reason it’s his favorite part? Because your cheeks darken as your gaze turns upwards, and your lips curl into a bashful smile. Little dimples appear -- probably his favorite feature of yours.

And, with a deep breath, you begin to sing in your native tongue. Melodic and rhythmic, punctuated by pops and clicks you make with your tongue.

He doesn’t know the words. And, for the first and only time in his life, he is content to not know. He doesn’t need to know what it means. He just needs to see your beautiful lips move, your lovely eyes sparkle, your weight shifting from foot to foot as you suppress the urge to dance.

He plays the recording again. His fingers hurt.

Void nips at the edges of his mind. His thoughts loosen and crumble to pieces. His vision swirls, twisting and turning like Omega’s Serennan kaleidoscope.

He plays the recording again. Breathing is hard.

He sees you in wedding attire, veiled in a rainbow of beads, your face painted to highlight your eyes, your hair woven with gold threads. 

He plays the recording again. He can’t focus his eyes.

Tears appear. Rips in his vision and in time. Visions of what was and what will never be. Peace. War. Strife. Satisfaction. Love. Hate. Rage. Redemption.

He plays the recording again.

He slips slowly into a long, dreamless sleep.

---

⬅⬅⬅ | "Filled With Things to Say" Masterpost | To the Mastahpost | Tip Jar | ➡➡➡

[pjofancalledbelle]

Naked in Manhattan~ Piper Mclean x Reader

AN-Frist post. Before you judge I am dyslexic and British and goofy. So this wlw because Piper doesn't get enough love and theres only like two fanfics. SEND REQUESTS FOR ANY CHARTERS. Also im only on MOA so i dont know how Piper acted with her gf but I'll try. Sorry if it's too OC tell me and I'll try fix it. Also the girl is Percy's sister.

Warnings-kissing and cursing but pg13

(Reader) had invited Piper around to her apartment in Manhattan and they were snuggled under a blanket watching a musical version of a 2000's classic, MEAN GIRLS! "Isn't Regina Gorge like so hot." Piper whispered as she looked at (Reader) out of the corner of her eye. "Yeah totally, I mean she's a bitch, but Reneé Rap soooo hot it's unfunny." (Reader) agreed with a slight blush as she reached her hand into the bowl full of popcorn at the same time as Piper and gave her a nervous smile as their hands brushed. She swore she felt electric shock go through her body like when she jumped up behind Jason and he got nervous. Piper giggled a little as she looked at (Reader) with her kaleidoscope eyes that could make anyone captivated.

"So...you think Rennee Rap is hot? Does that mean you like girls?" Piper asked as she shoved popcorn into her mouth and chewed it. The movie was still playing in the background but neither of the girls was paying attention to it because they were too busy studying each other's faces in the dim light. "I...um don't know. I mean I've never kissed a girl so like maybe?" (Reader) said unsurely as she anxiously fiddled with the blanket and distracted herself by taking a sip of her coke,

Piper smiled a little at the answer and inched closer leaning in. "Well, I've never kissed a girl either so, like, not to make it awkward or anything but we could kiss." She said trying to come off more confident then she felt. What if she had just messed it all up? What if (Reader) got grossed out by the idea? No. Piper had to remind herself her mum was the goddess of love she had this in the bag.

(Reader) was pretty sure she was as red as a tomato now as she looked at Piper and licked her lip glossed lips as her eyes darted down to Piper's lips and she found herself nodding. "Yeah, I'd like that." She said breathily as she also leaned in.

Piper pressed their lips together gently with their lip glosses making the kiss sticky but ten times better. Sure, Piper had kissed Jason and that was good but this. Wow, this was just everything. Piper cupped (Reader)'s cheeks and pulled her in closer the with fireworks going off and she slipped her tongue in just as a door opened and light and giggling from the hallway spilled into the room.

"HOLLY SHIT! STOP KISSING MY SISTER!" Percy yelled as he stood in the doorway with Annabeth standing next to him staring at the pair in shock.

AN- Hoped you enjoyed this short piece. I don't know anything about kissing so that's why I didn't really expanded on that. REQUEST ARE OPEN for any poj character. feel free to give feedback. :)

[vickyvicarious]

"But," said he, "I could be at liberty to direct myself. Is it not so?"

"Of course," I replied; and "such is often done by men of business, who do not like the whole of their affairs to be known by any one person."

[...]

"Do you wish me to stay so long?" I asked, for my heart grew cold at the thought.

"I desire it much; nay, I will take no refusal. When your master, employer, what you will, engaged that someone should come on his behalf, it was understood that my needs only were to be consulted. I have not stinted. Is it not so?"

What could I do but bow acceptance? It was Mr. Hawkins's interest, not mine, and I had to think of him, not myself; and besides, while Count Dracula was speaking, there was that in his eyes and in his bearing which made me remember that I was a prisoner, and that if I wished it I could have no choice. The Count saw his victory in my bow, and his mastery in the trouble of my face, for he began at once to use them, but in his own smooth, resistless way:—

"I pray you, my good young friend, that you will not discourse of things other than business in your letters. It will doubtless please your friends to know that you are well, and that you look forward to getting home to them. Is it not so?" As he spoke he handed me three sheets of note-paper and three envelopes. They were all of the thinnest foreign post, and looking at them, then at him, and noticing his quiet smile, with the sharp, canine teeth lying over the red underlip, I understood as well as if he had spoken that I should be careful what I wrote, for he would be able to read it.

Dracula, 12 May

"Now I know well that you medical men speak in camera, and that a man must not expect to know what they consult about in private. But this is no common matter, and, whatever it is, I have done my part. Is not that so?"

"That's so," I said, and he went on:—

"I take it that both you and Van Helsing had done already what I did to-day. Is not that so?"

"That's so."

"And I guess Art was in it too. When I saw him four days ago down at his own place he looked queer. I have not seen anything pulled down so quick since I was on the Pampas and had a mare that I was fond of go to grass all in a night. One of those big bats that they call vampires had got at her in the night, and what with his gorge and the vein left open, there wasn't enough blood in her to let her stand up, and I had to put a bullet through her as she lay. Jack, if you may tell me without betraying confidence, Arthur was the first, is not that so?" As he spoke the poor fellow looked terribly anxious. He was in a torture of suspense regarding the woman he loved, and his utter ignorance of the terrible mystery which seemed to surround her intensified his pain. His very heart was bleeding, and it took all the manhood of him—and there was a royal lot of it, too—to keep him from breaking down. I paused before answering, for I felt that I must not betray anything which the Professor wished kept secret; but already he knew so much, and guessed so much, that there could be no reason for not answering, so I answered in the same phrase: "That's so."

Quincey, 18 September

I don't remember who it was that first pointed out the way Dracula uses language in this passage to entrap Jonathan, but I thank them from bringing it to my attention because it let me notice Quincey doing something very similar today. They both use this confirming question "Is it/that not so?" three times in one conversation to get their way. But they do it for vastly different purposes, with Dracula using his words to entrap and restrain Jonathan more and more, until he eventually is forced to conceal the truth. Meanwhile, Quincey uses his words to draw Jack out and convince him to be more open, until eventually he is convinced to share his burden.

The first time, they precede it with a statement of what is generally accepted to be true, and link it to their own actions, in doing so refuting an objection that would normally be raised. People can hire multiple lawyers if they wish and it's legal for Dracula to have done so. The question of whether this is true derails any objection about it being unnecessary, because Dracula's not asking that. He's asking if this is the situation. Of course. Doctors usually speak in confidence about their patients, but this is an unusual situation where Quincey happened to overhear their conversation, as well as already donated his own blood. The question of whether this is true derails any objection that he shouldn't be privy to this information, because he's not asking that. He's asking if this is the situation. That's so.

The second time, they both are pushing further, and once again citing earlier experiences in order to avoid refusal. Dracula expresses his desire for Jonathan to stay, and references their contract, stating that he was told Jonathan would serve him however he wanted. Here Jonathan could say that what Dracula's asking has nothing to do their work which is already completed, but both the phrasing (which threatens that Jonathan refusing will reflect badly on Mr. Hawkins) and the next line move the conversation along before any such refusal can be given. Dracula has upheld his end of the agreement. What can Jonathan do but accept? Quincey extrapolates from his own experiences and references the conversation he overhead to seek more information. This no longer directly involves him and could be seen as confidential, but the way he phrases his inference (based on evidence meaning he pretty much already knows) and then seeks confirmation moves things along to make it harder to deny him. That's so.

The final time is the biggest ask. Dracula puts on his smoothest voice as he tells Jonathan he wants him to write his letters but only speak of business. In fact, he tells Jonathan exactly what to write about. He phrases it as though this is what the recipients would most like to hear, that he's doing well and looks forward to being home. And once again, that's true but writing it would be a lie. Because Jonathan isn't doing well and doesn't know when he'll be coming home. And yet Jonathan can tell from the way Dracula phrases it that he must tell this lie anyway, because his letters will be read and he will suffer if he writes differently. So we've moved on finally from Dracula doing what he wants on legal matters, to keeping Jonathan under his control as long as he wants, to making Jonathan act against his own wishes by hiding the truth of his situation.

Quincey's final one is his biggest ask as well. With this one, he moves past his own direct experience into speculation about an event he wasn't present for; but he makes it a point to bring up his own experiences once again which lead him to think what he does, both that Arthur gave blood since he seemed weak, and that Lucy is suffering from something causing her extreme blood loss like the vampire bat that killed his horse. Just like Dracula, Quincey expresses emotion on his face/with his voice here, but it's genuine and not a deliberate act in the same way. He also, like Dracula, brings up other loved ones and makes Jack consider the feelings of others, whereas previous statements/responses were more fact-based. Except the loved one whose feelings Jack is considering is Quincey himself. We see that Jack decides to speak because there's no point in him hiding information anymore, since Quincey has already established how much he's figured out. So we've moved on from Quincey only speaking of his own experiences, to those he's witnessed being discussed, to things he's speculated about, and he has managed to learn the entire truth by convincing Jack to speak to him.

It's just kind of a cool contrast that I never noticed before.

[hel-phoenyx]

Oli belongs to @thal-ent and the other characters (mentioned) belong to @corneille-but-not-the-author, @azeler and @soupedepates

---

She- He- They ? I don't know. Aren't here since long. Kaizarz brought them back a few days ago, according to Meili ; he didn't tell me how they met, or what they were doing before. It feels weird.

Not weird in a bad way, it's just, I was used to our circle in the palace being just Domi, Meili, Kaizarz and me. New arrivals make me uneasy. It was weird enough when I met Domi and Meili, even though it was only months after Kaizarz befriended me.

Now... Well, we're in the court while Kaizarz is training with (and properly obliterating) Meili. Domhildr is not there, I wonder where she is, but Kaizarz didn't seem worried. I kinda miss her. It's weird being next to the new addition to our little group.

I didn't even catch their name and now it feels weird to ask. Yes, it is the first time we met, but wouldn't have it been better if I asked her directly, except of standing there awkwardly ?

Kaizarz said my embarassment was funny, in a cute way. Of course, that comment boosted the embarassment so much I didn't say anything else. Damn him to the Abyss.

So here I am in a very uncomfortable silence next to our new hersir. If I remember correctly.

They're younger than me, probably the same age as Kaizarz. A rukkorn, blue-skinned with grey hair and pointy ears, eerily beautiful, looking at them playing. They're smiling, waiting for something, probably, I don't know what.

Soon the silence becomes unbearable, and I quickly find a subject to break it. Even though it's just small talk, at least it's something.

"Looks like Meili's fight is almost finished. You're next ?"

They shrug.

"No, I'll pass. You can go. i'm curious how much time you'll hold your grounds against him."

Not a lot, I fear, this is Kaizarz we're talking about. Even in a magic duel he would use me to wipe the floor. Yet, i guess I can hold my grounds long enough for it to be honourable.

At least that's what they're saying when I talk about the training, thinking I can't see the sneers and the contemptfull eyes.

Don't know what to add, but luckily the conversation seems to be started, since they're the next one to talk.

"I didn't quite catch your name. Tyr, was it ?"

"Tyrfing. It's my friends who call me Tyr, usually."

Well, other friends before them. I don't know how Kaizarz picked up the nickname, but I didn't have the heart to tell him to stop and now it's weirdly comforting.

They turn their head towards me, smile.

"Well, I hope I will be part of your friends soon enough, then. I'm Oli, pleased to meet you."

Heh.

Somehow, I hope so too.

***

"Tyr, I know you're in there, Kaizarz snitched. Can you open the door ?"

I shiver when I hear that voice. Of all the voices that haunt me, those of the dead meddling with those of the living, Oli's is the last one I expected to hear.

Every day I hear screams and cries and "This lineahge is rotten to the core". More often than not the cries are interrupted by banging on my door and the voice, full of prayers, of my best friend, my victim. They want me out in so many different ways. Out of my house, out of my shell, out of this world.

Back to the Abyss where I belong.

After all, only the worst of what humanity could offer would have done that to friends they cherished.

I cling to life like a cockroach even though I have only one hand left to keep my grip. I could have taken my own life so easily, with only a cut of Dainsleif already gorged of blood, or just by letting my body reach its limits. Yet every time I let go I remember those words.

"Don't die, you hear me ? That's an order !"

"Stay with me !"

"Stop... Stop dying ! Stop ! Stop ! Stop !"

And I obey, for I can't ruin every of his efforts to bring me on the shore.

I can't do much more.

A new knock. A new plea.

"Come on, Tyr, I need to know if you're feeling okay. Please, just let me see you're okay."

I'm not. I can't.

The nickname stings so bad when you say it.

Yet I can't stop you. Because it would prove to you I'm alive.

You're better with me dead.

All of you are better with me dead.

I can't die only because you haven't realised it yet.

Let me die.

Let me die.

Let me die.

"Tyr, open that door. I'm your friend, am I ?"

I hope

I shouldn't.

I want

You're better of without me.

I miss

I can't hurt you.

I can't.

I can't.

I can't.

Go away. Forget about me. Forget I was ever your friend. Forget i even existed. I can't let you

I can't let you meet their fate.

****

The crowning was not so long ago, and already everything has changed. The capital's ambience, the mood, the faces, everything looks so busy, so much more hopeful. He carries everywhere that hope a̶n̸d̴ ̵I̶ ̸t̵r̵i̴e̵d̵ ̴t̵o̸ ̴e̸x̵t̶i̶n̴g̷u̸i̵s̶h̷ ̸i̶t̵.̸

He caught me right as I was about to come back to my isolation. Asked me to come live in the castle once again. This time it sounded much more assertive. This time he sounded much more like a king.

It's probably why I said yes to add a room in the castle to the places I can return to someday.

I didn't expect a welcoming committee the first time I stayed the night.

Domhildr lectured me for so long about not giving any hint I'm still alive. I couldn't say anything. This is the price I pay for hoping I can be part of their life, again, even though I shouldn't. But she finally let me go after a heavy scolding, and behind her was Oli.

Looking at me with unreadable eyes.

I just sigh.

"If you're here for a second scolding... Spare me, please."

My voice is hoarse, the voice of the idiot that haven't talked in a long time. The Norn- Skuld- I don't know. Was after all the only one that heard my voice. Because she knew beforehand, and afterwards didn't judge me, didn't spare me, just talked to me as I was still worthy of living.

The rune she gave me is still heavy in my pocket. It's been two years since she asked me to give it to Kaizarz.

Yet Kaizarz is not here. Oli is. And they're still looking at me.

"I don't intend to scold you."

"Then why are you here ?"

Something shifts in their expression. Before I can see it. That sad, crooked smile full of a pain they aren't the kind to show to anyone.

"I just... I missed you."

You shouldn't.

I still think you'd be better off without me.

So tell me

Tell me why

Why do I feel happy hearing those words ?

****

"Boat journey, huh."

"Yeah. Couldn't believe my ears when Kaizarz said that."

We're on the roof, talking like nothing else matters. I have to admit, I am not as surprised as they are about the journey. Skuld warned me, after all. I am more amazed I'm counted among the crew.

A crew so little I wouldn't see myself in there. Oli, Domhildr, Meili, that Kaizarz brought back from his exile ; Kaizarz himself, Skuld, and the new addition to the roster, probably the one he told me he promised to marry.

And me.

So little people, and all people he trusts. Why would I of all people be among them ? What are you trying to tell me, Kaizarz ?

Why me ?

I carry everywhere the memories of my failures, and your pain. The coat that feels so comforting to me, his previous owner looked at you with hatred. The collar, I had since we were kids, a reminder they're still important to me, despite everything. That they're still my friends despite what they- we did to you.

So why-

Oli puts a hand on my shoulder.

"You're good ?"

"A lot to think about is all."

"You can talk to me, if you want."

My teeth clench. I can taste blood.

"I'd rather not."

"Suit yourself. Offer still stands, just in case."

They wink at me, and I smile a little.

I don't deserve you.

I don't deserve either of them.

"Noted. I suppose."

"Well, it's better than nothing. Shall we get down ? I don't want to ear another of your sister's rants about how bad of an example you're setting for your nephew."

The thoughts makes my smile much wider.

"She's gonna miss it, I'm sure. Not being able to scream at me."

"But that's going to be so much more enjoyable for both of us~"

They take my hand before guiding me towards the window we used for climbing. Their smile still shining on their lips.

I don't deserve that smile.

Yet

I'm so happy it's still there when you look at me.

****

Will that smile be still there when you put two and two together ?

I can't hide anymore. Brynja's presence is an end to the shell I put between us and my mistakes. I can't hide. I can't run. I can't deny.

She ran, and I couldn't stop her. She said she didn't recognize him as her King. Fenrir told me the same a long time ago.

Kaizarz probably ended up telling them. I won't blame him for that. He needs reassurance much more than I do.

Yet you promised me you would always be my friend.

Would it be selfish to hope in a promise when I know I don't deserve it the slightest ?