#he's just so fucking lost in the sauce that the moment he connects all the dots on yuusaku he connects the bullet with his brain Tumblr posts

[veikkoalen]

i hate one particular post on ogata that i won't quote

[swimsauce]

Twitter is busted rn so I'm gonna just write down my earthspark s3 thoughts here. Mostly ranting who gives a shit

Uugghhh this part was better overall I think. The last 3 eps are pretty good. It's still very noticeable that the script quality has decreased, the dialogue and pacing are pretty bad. But there where fun concepts, however executed to varying degrees of success. I'll just list it off

-prowl was a fun addition but wasted potential. His arc of being an older autobot stuck in his ways is good, he must learn to warm up to the terrans and live with the fact the old Civil War is over. His development is too fast and slow. He should've learned his lesson earlier and not at the end when he has a fucking wack ass convo with bee and op about how he's stepping out of line. It should've been called out sooner and his episode with robbie and thrash would've been a more appropriate place for him to learn to "trust the students" instead of being right in front of starscream. Feels like they wanted a little bit of his tfa arc without properly humbling him and giving him good character interactions (like his connection with tfa bee and sari to ground him). Thrash was right there to be his little bond mate like how jawbreaker is to grimlock or twitch is to megs, etc. His arc shouldve been tigther. Idk his gay moment with megatron was cool tho

-the chaos terrains are revived and on neutral territory. Whatever. I hope they get development instead of just being le evil robot cuz "they where born evil" is such a stupid angle.

-the decepticons going to cybertron could be neat if the story continues. But god damn what a shattered arc they had. Starscream being comically evil is still very clearly not the arc that was planned and it shows in its poor execution. Breakdown just shafting bee for the cons when in s1 he was clearly a more neutral con like tarantulas was is such wasted potential. All nuance in the splinter decepticons has been nullified, it's literally only megs who is "on the good side". It's not that I think all the cons would adjust to peace time or that they should all be so friendly but it's so annoying how it feels their arc/theme of moving on has been completely dropped.

-the quints are evil again, ok sure. If u don't got the civil war plot it's usually the quitessons as the enemy which is fine normally. But then being a splinter species much like the terrans and having a connection with robbie and mo is so neat, but it's completely disregarded because the quints just kill all other quintus prime offspring. Such wasted potential. Maybe have a good group and bad group, or some sort of nuance to the quints finding more of their kin? Idk there was that one grunt that kept getting beat up, lost an arm and head piece, I though he could've stuck around, maybe he could've aligned with the maltos after being rejected for failure, or become a secondary bad guy. Idk just anything more than literally repeating the 86 execution scene but missing all the sauce that made it good. The twist of thr gf being a quint is fine idk. Just poorly executed again

-God damn the dialogue and script is bad. Even good concepts get butchered or clearly aren't as well executed as they should've. I already mentioned the 86 reference, but the recreation misses the og point. It repeated shots used in the movie but without their purpose. In the movie hot rod and kup spin the water to purposely trip up the quints. In this the quints spin the water to push robbie/mo down further to the bottom so they can reach the bot corpses and grab a weapon? Fucking masterful gambit. . It lacks good set up and reason as to why it was done. In the movie it was to show the cunningness of hot rod and kup, the two of them being ACTIVE in their escape. In the show it's just a reference and a poorly thought out device to get them weapons. It makes robbie and mo PASSIVE in their own escape.

The whole ep with prowl and robbie/thrash could've been so fun, but prowl is so dull. He's supposed to be sharp and quick to see details, but the writting is so poor he misses shit and acts to late. When they're trying to find the quint shapeshiter and he suspects robbies gf, it would've been cool if he acted faster, maybe restraining the quint before robbie/mo catch on, maybe causing a rift in the new team, then have him proven right when robbie sees the blood. The way he just points out the blood and doesn't even move when it's entirely clear she should be questioned is such poor pacing forcthe scene. A supposedly quick witted character wouldnt just stand around when its perfectly clear someone should act. (reminds me of the dodgy writting of him in idw where it feels like the writters wanna imply hes smart without actually writting him well enough to showcase thaf fact. Lots of telling not enough showing)

There are other scenes like this where if it just went through like one or two more rewrites it would've been a solid scene, but they get held back by stupid details that just derail good character beats. It fucking sucks to see

-fair maestro sucks bring back mandroid or a similiar character. Him modifying himself with robot parts to be more like a transformer, trying to be techno organic much like how robbie/mo are techno organic . Idk he was a good foil. Maestro could be reworked to be a human who seeks out transformers for more nefarious science shit byt instead he just does stupid shit with them. Not even like fun tfa shit just lame shit. No where near as threatening as even tfp or tfas human villians.

-terrarronus slays I love her power armor power up. She's neat

Tldr the ending of the season was an improvement over s2, but man it still sucks to see how far it's falling. And I can still see so many good ideas in the show! Bringing old g1 characters like prowl is fun. Quints are cool dudes, and relevant to the quintos prime angle. The hate plague or some sort of infection episode is always a neat idea. Terratronus is awesome, I loved her use in the climax. But god damn it's so sloppy in execution. It cleaned up some of its sloppy ideas from s2, like the chaos terrans, but the thread there is still hanging. What about other autobots like prowl, it seems there are more of them around, where are they? Tarantulas is still out there, are there other neutrals or "good" decepticons still on earth, and what's their deal? Starscreams deal is so underutilized, i hope he gets at least some closure or arc that isnt shit. The chaos terrans just being evil and bratty for the sake of it is so shallow, do something more interesting with them. Maybe if the cons come back from cybertron we could get something interesting from them. Who knows. I know it's not the staffs fault, the writers room complelty changed and the animation house is different. But if we do get another season, they better clean up the plot more, they have a long way to go to fix up what they busted from s1. It sucks to see wasted potential like this

Idk I want it to be good but man 😞 fuck hasbro

[corazondebeskar-reads]

on today's episode of ~tmi with toni~:

I was NOT a good girl 😭

I always share the good stories, but I think I'd do an injustice to my goal of healthy d/s rep if I didn't talk about the bad.

warnings for subdrop, safewords, and punishments (and a happy ending) below the cut, friendly reminder that this is also my kink journal and pls feel free to ignore this if you're only here for fandom or are going to be weird about it

I'm inherently not a brat. I was, once upon a time, but it ended up being one of those concepts better suited for fantasy than reality.

(We figured that out the first time he used a painless punishment, and it became very clear that a) I had been enjoying punishments too much, and b) I did not have the heart to handle disappointing him.)

this is all to say that I couldn't remember the last time I was willfully disobedient. that was, until two days ago.

one of the worst parts is that I got away with it in the moment because it simply did not connect for him. why would he ever think I was being intentionally bad? it's been years. maybe a fucking decade.

it started out normally; I was walking by, and he grabbed me and bent me over the bed. I was 1000% on board until I realized he wanted anal, and (this IS tmi with toni, pls remember) we were maybe too rough last time, so I was still raw and not looking to bleed.

I called yellow, and (I really want to emphasize this) he stopped immediately, stepping back and taking his hands off me while checking in verbally. I explained—not because I needed to justify the safeword but because I wanted him to know I was still down to fuck in a different venue.

He double-checked, because he's a soft dom and a worrier, and then he fucked my pussy. After a while, he slapped my ass and told me to get up on the bed on my back.

but reader, I did not want to. he was hitting it soooo good from behind. But instead of just... saying that or asking nicely, I decided just to fuck back into him until he got lost in the sauce and continued.

After a while, he told me again to get on the bed on my back. I really, really did not want to. That was probably the position I wanted least, so I climbed up and laid on my side in another position.

He still didn't realize it was intentional and just manhandled me where he wanted. Later, he told me he thought I was just cockdrunk. I was, but unfortunately, I was also being selfish and disrespectful.

He didn't notice, but I couldn't deny it to myself any longer, and got myself so upset in secret that I couldn't come when he told me to. (This is not something I get punished for. I usually can come on command, but if I can't, I can't.)

I confessed when we were done, but tripped and fell into a bad subdrop. Hence why I didn't get punished until today.

He held me and wrapped me in a warm blanket until I stopped shaking. When I was okay enough for him to get up, he got me juice and ran a hot bath. And did it again the next morning when I woke up shaky and achy from the comedown.

He didn't want to punish me, not after dropping like that. But he knows me and knows I needed it, so today, when I was able to take it, he caned me.

I know, I know—I'm a masochist, and we've already established that pain punishments don't usually work. but look. I do NOT like the cane. That cane and I are arch nemeses. It's evil and mean and I wish it a very good trip to hell.

Which is exactly why I volunteered it when we negotiated punishments. (and why if you've read my kink-adjacent works, it shows up as a villain lol)

TLDR; my dom is amazing, but now it hurts to sit. 😭

[alyosiuscreightonward]

-F-

Gerta was sitting in her outrageously expensive designer chair listening to Derrick tell her about the irrigation system.

“ Well, Miss Santino, ma’am. From what I understand is that there are some trees and plants over there that are really overgrown. They’ve been growing out of control and the roots broke into the pipes and now the water is just backing up and creating a stagnant pool over by the property line,” he said quietly and barely making eye contact with her.

She sighed heavily. Sadly, it’s true and it’s a fucking cliché; if ain’t one thing, it’s another. Almost as horrible as starting a sentence with “It was a dark and stormy night.” Gerta paused for a moment before responding to Derrick. A memory popped up. Years ago her mother would take her and her sister to the really wild ice cream parlor. The most popular and expensive item on the menu, which she later learned was for potheads with the mad raging munchies, “The Kitchen Sink Sundae.”

Pints of ice cream, lots of fresh fruit and sauces, sprinkles and even something flambéd all served in a styrofoam container that looked like a kitchen sink. If you were that high, you’d probably have your picture taken and placed on the wall celebrating the fact you were that high. Bottom line: keep piling it on with apparently no sight in end.

“That sucks, Derrick. I’ll get Tarik out there in a day or so to figure this shit out. When you have a chance, can you please put it on paper and let me know. Then I’ll text Gallegos and let him know and thank you, Derrick,” with one hand she reached for the mouse and with the other she picked up her mobile.

“Y’all need anything else,” Derrick asked her.

“I don’t think so,” Gerta replied.

Derrick slowly turned to take his leave and Gerta glanced up and watched him walk across the room and exit the lodge. “God Damn. Cassavas. Ripe and in need of a good squeeze just to make sure they’re ripe,” she thought to herself. That ass. Not one seam from his underwear. “Commando,” she pondered as she diverted her attention to her mobile as scrolled with her thumb to find Tarik’s name in her contacts. The door opened and closed with such ease she didn’t notice. Again, Derrick’s backside.

Her forefinger tapped on Tarik’s name and with a few more tap taps, that first, piercing ring.

“Howdy, Gerta. Where you at,” Tarik asked as she heard the ambient traffic sounds disappear.

“Hey, Tarik I’m good,” she replied. “By some chance you wouldn’t be heading out this way? Apparently the irrigation system over here at the property line needs to be repaired.” Gerta went on to explain to Tarik why she needed him to come out to the barn.

“I get it. Text me some pictures and I’ll get the supplies,” Tarik said. “I’ll be there in the morning and I’ll get started. I’ll see you in the morning.” They said, “Ciao for now,” and hung up their phones. The sound of crickets chirping and the phone buzzing startled her as she saw Melouk’s name appearing on the screen.

Once she accepted the call, she was not ready for Melouk diatribe and pleading.

“Ugh!! The King and Queen are telling me to meet them in New Jersey. Apparently my brother has lost his fucking mind, again. New Jersey? Seriously, what the fuck?? The closest I’d ever come to being there was a connecting flight at JFK. It’s heinous enough to have to go through LaGuardia, but Jersey??!! When can you meet at Shoal Creek? Darling, please. London. Paris. Boston. I can’t. New Jersey. The very idea,” he moaned. “I don’t do the ‘Bridge and Tunnel Set,’ Gerta. Help,” he added.

“What about your brothers and sisters? Why don’t they just step in and leave you out of it,” Gerta inquired.

“Scheherazade, her five little fuckers have chicken pox. Five little shits all sick at the same time. Shoot me now. Elvairiz and Mahmoud are both in Vegas right now for their respective need to geek out over the newest tech. Nouri, is in D.C. testifying and of course, Waleed said he couldn’t be bothered me or Reza. AND since Reza is the baby of the bunch AND I’m the only one who has no life apparently, I’ve got to do something,” Melouk’s voice was beginning to crack and I was expecting him to have a fit of hysterical laryngitis.

“Gerta, I’m sorry but Waleed is beeping through on the other line. Let me get back to you later,” now with a pronounced irritation in his voice. I hung up.

“Wally Gator, what’s good,” Melouk asked his brother.

“Melly Mell, where you at,” Waleed replied.

“Dude, why on earth are they trying to rope me in,” Melouk questioned. “I don’t understand why. We barely talk or text. I mean once or twice a year and they still have to let me know that they’re not going to give me one fucking Dinar. Like that’s my opening salvo,” he said with such exasperation.

“Apparently we are all just so busy with our lives and we just can’t stop what we’re doing to help them out with Reza except for you. I mean what do you do other than ride horses,” Waleed stated with a questioning tone of voice.

The next few minutes was spent on making cheap shots at their siblings. Scheherazade apparently was making every effort to keep the ancestral name alive, but it had to be her maiden name and the husband’s name deliberately hyphenated. Elvairiz and Mahmoud, the twins, twining over gadgets and new tech in Lost Wages. Their pros and cons reviews on various websites were legendary. She’d tell how too much it was and why you couldn’t live without it. He’d say it wasn’t worth it but he was done. Nouri never to be not fighting for human rights and constantly making digs in the general direction of Amal Clooney just because she could. Reza is the baby of the bunch and he didn’t know what he wanted. He could be the wunderkind for the burgeoning entrepreneur yet if he imagined he was being slighted, Reza would go downhill from there. He’s a great guy and he’d share the spotlight, but if you didn’t mention him in a paragraph about how he helped the next thing you knew was Reza was a homeless junkie. Waleed and Melouk’s parents, The King and Queen, would swoop in and get Reza back on his feet. They’d done this more times than a carousel could go up and down.

“I’m in Atlanta for the next few months, Mel. I’ve found another near empty strip mall to revitalize,” Waleed told him. “Though without a word from you, I’d never have known about this place.”

“I know, right? I mean just steps away from Swinging Richards and then pulling in that that exotic dancer store was a brilliant idea,” Melouk replied.

“Miss Earline and Korneesha are really just two people who knew what Atlanta needed. Strippers and Drag Queens are keeping them and me flush with the ready,” Waleed confidently said.

“I’m flush also and I’ve got a great consortium here in Austin and it’s growing,” Melouk told his brother.

“We need to talk about this bullshit with Reza, then we need to figure out exactly why mom and dad came looking for you to help with his fucking crisis,” Waleed said steering Melouk back to the reason for the phone call.

“Yeah, I know that,” the resignation in his voice was obvious.

The two men went on to discuss how their parents had lauded their children’s achievements and in the same breath maligned them for not being mobbed by the paparazzi. They wanted their children to be fawned over and they kept a close eye on each of them, under a microscope was more like it. The King and Queen had a strict policy not to talk about or get involved with Melouk.

Boston and Northeastern University were both good for Melouk, but when Aziz spilled the beans on him and Amalfitano, they immediately took steps to stop financial support and told him flatly he would now live in exile and they’d be in touch. That was when the twins were barely 18 months old when they found out Reza was incubating. The brothers rarely talked about the 1980’s. They begrudgingly went on with their lives and careers.

“Wally Gator, when they called you, did they say where they were,” inquired Melouk.

“Yeah they said that they were in Ljubljana,” Waleed told him.

“That’s so random,” he said.

“Melly Mel, you’re telling me? This time of year it’s the Balkan’s. Dubrovnik and the toni cognoscenti,” they both burst out laughing and tears were flowing down their faces. Howling with laughter.

[momolady]

The Sky Pirates Part Three

So sorry for the long wait for the finale of this story! i never realized I hadn't posted it in two years! Anyways, enjoy!

Part One - Part Two

Female Main Character x Male Monster

The winds have been odd, buffeting about in a state of confusion. First one way, then the next, then curving around as if trying to see all sides. It feels very much like me, ever since I left Alecto and joined Cyrus aboard his ship the Apollo. I have felt lost and confused, but Cyrus remains my beacon, and when I begin to feel this way, I turn to him.

We have traveled to Reptilia, to the capital city of Kob Sinn. Cyrus was an orphan taken in by my mothers when he was young, but he remembers Kob Sinn. Now, Cyrus feels called to return to his homeland, and despite the confusion of the wind, it is as though it guided us here from the start.

Kob Sinn is as colorful as the Rakshasa Capital, but where the streets there are the color of golden sand, the streets here are a gray-green. Kob Sinn has mines in the ocean, where they excavate a stone that collects the heat from the sun and releases it when it is cold.

Cyrus seems content here, as if the call of the wild has left him. He’s always said his favorite place to be was on the boards of the Apollo, and yet, in Kob Sinn, there is a calm to him that I rarely get to see.

“What are you eating now?” he laughs behind me.

I have found myself in another noodle shack, and am eating thick barley noodles in an even thicker sauce. “It smelled so good here.”

Cyrus grins, showing off his golden teeth. “This is your third bowl today, and we still haven’t gotten all our supplies in order.”

I look up at him guiltily. “I never got to eat anything with my mothers. They always said the food on land was never so good, but it is so good!”

Cyrus chuckles, leaning over my shoulder and stealing a bite from my bowl. Then he grimaces a bit. “How are you eating things so spicy?”

“I like how it makes my nose run,” I laugh.

Cyrus kisses my cheek. “Hurry up and finish eating. We’ve still got to go to the lumber yard and cut a deal with the orchard. You’re my haggler. I need you.”

I give him a nod. “I’m almost done. Just wait for me at the candle shop.”

I quickly finish my food and a cup of tea, leaving the noodle stand satisfied. I’ve been eating a lot more lately. Then again, we are traveling a lot to make new connections and business partnerships, and I am able to try foods beyond what was allowed by my mothers.

As I walk towards the candle shop to meet with Cyrus, I see a man standing by himself, wearing an ornamental white-and-red coat. He has golden scales, but I swear his face looks exactly like Cyrus’.

I started to enter the candle shop when the golden-scaled lizardman grabs my shoulder. I grimace up at him and rip his hand away. “Excuse me,” I snarl at him.

He clicks his tongue. “Be careful, young lady. I wouldn’t go in there just yet if I were you.”

I continue to scowl at him. “I said ‘excuse me’ once, and I won’t say it again.”

He smirks devilishly, looking even more like Cyrus. “Were I not already married, I’d be head over heels for you. But I am merely warning you. I would hate for such a lovely thing to get hurt.”

I take a step towards him, reaching for the blade concealed in my belt. “What’s going on?”

He tilts his head. “Wait a second,” he whispers. “You’re a Fury.”

I’m ready to strike when someone comes flying through the window of the candle shop. Cyrus leaps out after them, bearing down on them and striking them in the jaw.

I grab my blade, but the golden lizardfolk catches my wrist. We struggle for a moment, and my dagger goes skidding across the stones. I try to hit him, but he catches my fist. I spread my wings, and the look that crosses his face is priceless. I flap them, taking off into the air, and the propulsion of it knocks him on his ass. I land on top of him, but someone knocks me aside.

“Bray, what the fuck are you doing?” a woman shouts.

“I told you to stay back on the ship!” Bray roars at her.

“Because you’re being stupid again?” The woman stands over him, glaring down at him. Her long black hair catches the sunlight, shining like onyx.

Cyrus drops the man he threw before Bray and this woman. “Someone better explain to me what the fuck is happening, or I will kill you.”

The woman steps forward. “Go ahead, kill him.” She sweeps her hand towards Bray as he rises. “No skin off my back.”

“Oh, and how are you going to explain that to the crew?” Bray demands. “Not to mention my son.”

“Oh, he’s your son now?” the woman scoffs. “This morning he was my son when his diaper was full.”

Bray jabs his finger at her. “I changed him five times yesterday!”

I whistle loudly, causing them to end their bickering and turn towards us. “What the fuck is going on?”

Bray smirks. “So the Fury is your protector, eh?” He stands tall, placing his hand on the woman’s shoulder. “Lucky you. No wonder you took to the sky.”

Cyrus frowns. “I don’t have time to be dealing with such nonsense. Who are you and why are you trying to attack me?”

Bray chuckles. “I’ve been looking for you for a long time. You took to the skies through, so I had no clue where you would end up. It was lucky we ended up in the same port together.”

The woman elbows him in the side. “Get to the point. This is Bray, former pirate lord, and I’m Ayako.” She points at Cyrus. “You two are brothers.” She then looks back at Bray. “See? Easy.”

Bray scoffs before he gives up and sighs. “Yes, my wonderful wife is correct.”

Cyrus shakes his head slowly. “No, that can’t be right. You must have me mistaken with someone else.”

“Considering you’re with a Fury, I highly doubt it,” Bray grumbles. He crosses his arms over his chest. “Seeing as Furies kidnapped you when you were little.”

I gasp softly. “My moms.” I turn to Cyrus. “But… you said you were an orphan.”

Cyrus looks conflicted and angry. “I… thought I was. Your mothers, they told me-” He looks back to Bray. “How do you know for a fact that I am your brother? What proof do you have?”

Bray motions towards Cyrus’s head. “The pattern of scales on your head - it’s the same as our mother’s, same as mine. Your tail is crooked at the tip because I stepped on it as a toddler.” He stands stiff. “I’m fairly certain it is you.”

“But why would I be kidnapped?” Cyrus scoffs. “There’s no reason the Furies would take me like that.”

“They hated our parents, our parents hated them. Simple logic, really. They took you to spite them.” Bray has a slight smirk on his lips. “Our parents were pirates on the seas and ran afoul of the Furies ages ago. They’d been battling over territory for ages, and finally the Furies snapped. They took you to prove a point.” He shrugs. “To be honest, I thought you were dead.”

Cyrus stands still, almost in shock. I place my hand in his and squeeze. “Say something,” I whisper.

“I can’t,” he whispers back.

I glare at Bray. “Then why the hell did you attack him? Why not just go up and talk to him?”

Bray raises his left hand. “We’re both left-handed. I just wanted to make sure.”

Ayako grunts and throws her head back. “I pray to the gods our son is smarter than you.”

“When we get home, my love, I’m going to plant another baby in you,” he says with a grin. “I liked you better pregnant. You were at least docile.”

“You can’t handle me docile,” she grins.

Bray shivers and leans closer to her. “I’m getting hard, my love. Stop this foreplay in front of family.”

I take Cyrus’s dagger from his boot. “I’m going to stab them.”

Cyrus stops me, then steps closer to Bray and stares him down. “Am I younger or older?” he asks.

Bray turns from Ayako and glares back at Cyrus. “You’re the baby, which is why it was so easy for the Furies to grab you. You had those fat little toddler legs.”

“Is my real name Cyrus?” he asks.

“Mother named you Chakrii after her father. I can see the Furies took that from you as well.” Bray’s eyes soften. “Does any of this ring a bell?”

“I’m trying to remember,” Cyrus shakes his head. “But it’s like water hitting a dam. Nothing is reaching me.”

Bray huffs, then takes something from an inside pocket of his jacket - a small stuffed doll with a warming stone in its belly. “This was yours.”

Cyrus takes the doll into his hand. It is the size of one of his fingers. The warming stone glistens, rubbed smooth by time. “Taddy,” Cyrus mutters. “I… how do I…”

“Furies have a way about them.” Bray glances over at me. “A way of twisting things.” He turns back to Cyrus. “I wouldn’t be surprised that they did that to you. Then again, being so young, it probably didn’t take much for you to forget.”

“This can’t be possible,” Cyrus breathes. He squeezes the doll in his hand. “I thought I was-”

My stomach gurgles, and I suddenly feel violently ill. “Uh-oh.” I turn quickly before the spicy noodles come back on me.

“Theai!” Cyrus rushes to my side, rubbing my back as I heave into the gutter.

Bray hums. “So, you and the Fury?” He tilts his head. “How did you manage that?”

I cough, and Cyrus wipes my mouth. “She’s my partner,” he growls. “My everything, so you don’t need to say a word on it.”

Ayako comes towards me, handing me a bowl of water. “Have you been feeling ill?” she asks.

I take the sieve from her hands. “I’ve been getting nauseous lately, but it’s just because we’ve been on land for so long. I’m using to being higher.” I take long gulps of water, feeling better as it cools me.

“Hmm,” Ayako stands back up. “We have a doctor specifically for our female crew members,” she says. “You should come visit them while the boys talk.”

“We have a doctor too,” I grunt as I stand back up.

“And I am sure they are wonderful,” Ayako replies. “But I insist you see ours.”

Cyrus takes me from her. “Why should we trust you?”

“We’re family,” Bray says with a smirk. “Besides, there is no reason for me to attack you. I don’t need to kidnap you for any reason, nor do I need anything you have. On my honor.”

Cyrus grimaces at him. “I don’t know you well enough to trust your honor, or your word,” he snarls at him.

“Then trust mine,” Ayako says. “Perhaps you’ll have the common sense for that.”

Cyrus sighs. “Fine, but only if Theai agrees.”

“It might be for the best,” I huff. “I’m starting to feel hot.”

Cyrus holds me tighter. “Why didn’t you tell me you were feeling sick?” he fusses.

“I didn’t want you to worry. And like I said, I thought it was land sickness. I didn’t know.” I pout up at him. “Maybe I’m just off-balance or something.”

Cyrus huffs. “You have been eating a lot of spicy foods lately. Maybe you’ve just upset something.” He huffs, then nods. “Fine. I’ll talk with Bray, and you see their doctor.”

We follow Ayako and Bray to their ship. Once on board, Ayako takes me belowdecks, where we meet with their special doctor.

While we wait for the doctor, I sit alone with Ayako in the small quarters. She’s very lovely. I can see how a face like hers would charm Bray.

“So, uhm-” I start unsurely. “How did you and Bray meet?”

Ayako smirks and lets out a laugh. “We’re were marooned together. His pirate ship attacked my father’s personal ship during a storm. Bray and I washed up on an island together.”

“Oh,” I gasp. “So, uhm… is he nice?”

Ayako starts to cackle. She hugs her ribs and looks at me with a grin. “Yeah,” she clears her throat. “Sometimes.”

I fidget uncomfortably. “Do you like him?”

“I love him,” Ayako sighs dreamily. “I know how we come off, bickering all the time.” She turns and smirks at me. “But I like that about him.”

“Huh,” I glance aside. “A little weird.”

“A lot, actually,” she chuckles.

The doctor comes in, and she asks me quite a few questions before performing some tests. She takes a blood sample, then has me and Ayako leave.

“Is everything okay?” I ask.

Ayako nods. “No worries, this is her process for things. When I was pregnant she did the exact same things to make sure.”

I feel the wind knocked from my lungs. “What do you mean?”

“Well,” she murmurs. “It’s kind of obvious you’re pregnant, right?”

I open my mouth to talk when there is a loud crash on deck. Ayako and I scurry out to see Bray and Cyrus half-naked, clearly in the middle of a fight. Bray is picking himself up from the crate he collapsed onto, and Cyrus is readying himself for another strike.

Sitting in the corner is a baby playing on a blanket.

“Oh, no you haven’t!” Ayako screams. She shoves Bray back to the deck and picks up the baby. “You monstrous idiot!”

“He was fine!” Bray scoffs. “I made sure of that, and I was watching him the whole time. I swear, Ayako.”

“Oh, please,” Ayako growls. “You just wanted to show off! You weren’t watching him at all. How the hell could you with your head in your ass?”

Bray rolls his head and starts to turn back towards Cyrus. “Well, you’re here now, so let me finish this. I’m winning.”

“Oh, sure!” Cyrus laughs loudly. “I just had you on your ass.”

“Had the womenfolk not shown up I would have had you on yours!” Bray roars at him.

“Both of you need your asses worn out,” Ayako grumbles. Then she turns to me. “You care to see this at all?”

I look at her, then silently move towards Cyrus. “Is this really the way you intend to talk?” I ask him. “Have you two even discussed anything?”

“I need to work this out,” Cyrus huffs. “Let me deal with this, knock him around, and then we can talk.” He then gets a look in his eyes. “Are you okay? What did the doctor say was wrong?”

I think back to what Ayako said and screw my mouth into a tight line. “Not sure,” I grumble. “She had to do a test to make sure of something, so I don’t have an answer yet.”

“It’ll be okay.” Cyrus kisses my forehead. “Just some land sickness, like you said.” He smiles at me. “Go sit down somewhere cool. I’ll be done here really fast.”

I huff. “You sure?”

Cyrus winks at me. “I’ll win it for you.”

“Didn’t ask, but okay.” I follow Ayako, who takes me to the quarters she shares with Bray. She sets Hinata down on the floor, taking out toys to play with him.

Hinata has the same sunny gold scales as his father. His tail is a small stub, and his belly is still fleshy and velvety. He crawls around, stumbling when he tries to walk.

“You okay?” Ayako asks.

“A little shocked,” I sigh. “Today has been… a lot.”

Ayako smiles. “I bet.” She pats the floor beside her. As I sit down Hinata crawls up into my lap. “I’m sorry,” she then sighs. “I know all of this is so sudden, and Bray doesn’t know how to make a great entrance.”

Hinata is making small sounds as he plays with the buttons on my coat. His big eyes look up at me and he breaks into a toothless grin.

I smile back at him and rub the top of his head. “I’ve known Cyrus almost all my life. The story has always been he joined the crew when he was little, along with the other orphans.” I pick up Hinata, who giggles happily. “He was okay not knowing. As long as he had the crew around him, it was family enough.”

Hinata reaches out, pulling my hair and then grabbing at my face.

“Be nice.” Ayako takes him and sets him back on the blanket.

“Is Bray it?” I look at her, searching her face for an answer. “Or does he have even more family out there?”

Ayako nods. “His parents are still alive.” She waves her hand to the window. “After Demir started rising to power, they decided to hide on their island. They didn’t want to deal with Demir’s machinations.”

“Did they give up looking for Cyrus?” I whisper.

Ayako shakes her head. “Much like Bray, they tried to keep track of where the Furies were, but since they kept to the sky, there was no way of knowing. But they never stopped hoping that Chakrii - I mean, Cyrus - was still alive.”

I glance down at Hinata, who is chewing on a doll similar to the one Bray gave to Cyrus. It’s soft and floppy, with one of the Lizardfolk warming stones in the center. Hinata is chewing on the warming stone. Perhaps he’s teething. He drools all over it and makes gurgling sounds.

“Someone is hungry.” Ayako picks up Hinata and cradles him. She pulls down her blouse and her breast falls right into Hinata’s mouth. His tiny hands start kneading at her, burbling dreamily as he nurses.

I watch him for a moment, then look at Ayako’s tranquil expression. “Does that hurt?” I feel dumb asking, but I honestly have no clue.

“Sometimes,” Ayako answers.” She huffs. “Always. I get chapped and achy. If I don’t feed him it hurts more.” She smiles down at Hinata. “He’s a chip off his father’s block, that’s for sure, but I wouldn’t change a damn thing. I know he’ll grow up one day and all this will be behind me. But for now, I can handle it.”

Hinata is starting to doze off. Sometimes his eyes close, and then he’ll pop back awake to hungrily guzzle before he drifts off to sleep again. Once he’s out for good, Ayako takes him to his crib and tucks him in. She adjusts her top, placing her breast back inside.

“They say motherhood comes naturally,” she scoffs. “But I had a massive learning curve. It took me what felt like forever to get that motherly feeling. The first few weeks, I thought for sure I had been handed someone else’s baby.” She sits back down beside me. “I literally felt nothing.”

I look into her dark eyes. “What changed?”

“Surprisingly, it was my dumbass husband.” She rolls her eyes. “I woke up one night to see him tending to Hinata. He was singing, giggling, rocking him as he paced the room. Something about seeing him throw my baby up into the air and then catching him awoke that love in me.”

I can’t help but gawk. “He threw the newborn?”

“He still thinks it’s funny,” Ayako scoffs.

I whistle and lean back onto the wall. “Yikes.”

“And Hinata eats it up! He loves being in the air.” She bangs the back of her head against the wall and chuckles. “I shouldn’t complain. If you are pregnant, your kid will probably have wings.”

The idea hadn’t occurred to me. “Oh no,” I groan. “I was flying before I was walking. My mothers had to keep netting over my bed!”

Ayako sputters as she tries to keep herself from cackling. “I really shouldn’t complain.” She starts laughing out loud, but quickly quiets herself down. “So sorry,” she giggles.

I close my eyes. “I’m still sticking with the idea that I’m land-sick.”

There’s a knock on the door, and Ayako swings it open and warns the person on the other side to be quiet. “You done now?” she hisses at Bray.

“Is Hinata asleep?” Bray looks over her shoulder towards the crib. “Aww, does that mean I missed feeding time?”

Ayako rolls her eyes. “So, did you get it all out of your system? Did you roughhouse enough, or did you just come to look at my tit?”

“I always want that,” Bray says with a smirk. “But I also came to fetch you and Theai. So yes, for now the rough housing is over.” He glances back towards me. “So if you want to come and join us, you can.”

“I’ll stay with Hinata,” Ayako says. “You can go ahead. I’ll join later.” She steps aside as I join Bray in the hall.

“Is Cyrus okay?” I look him over, noticing he’s a bit worse for wear.

Bray cracks his shoulder. “He put the hurt on me alright, but I think I gave it back to him just as good.”

“Doesn’t answer my question, but sure.” I follow Bray, who leads me back towards the deck.

Outside I see Cyrus sitting down, drinking from a heavy metal goblet. He grins as I approach, and I see one of his eyes is swollen shut.

“Oh come on,” I huff. “Did you two really need to go to these lengths?” I check his eye, making sure there is no bleeding or any sort of dangerous injury.

“Easy there, love, easy,” Cyrus grabs my wrist. “I had fun! Quit worrying.”

“Fun?” I glower. “This was fun to you?”

“I roughhouse all the time, quit acting.” He kisses me, then sits me down in his lap. “Bray and I have been talking, but I wanted you here. You’re family too, so I want you to hear everything.” He runs his big hand up and down my back.

Bray chuckles, plopping down on a seat and stretching his arm out. “I was just telling your boy there about how I met Ayako.”

I shrug. “You were robbing her dad’s ship, got caught in a storm, and fucked on an island. Yeah, she told me everything.”

“I was telling the romantic version!” Bray growls. “How I protected her and saved her life. How despite our differences, we came together, and fucked like the world was going to end!” He laughs, then sighs. “She’s my angel.”

“We grew up together,” Cyrus replies. “Her mothers were the captains of two airships, and they gave me one of their small ships when I was old enough to run it. I had always been in love with Theai. She was so beautiful, so smart, that I wanted to become someone worthy of serving her one day.” He looks me in the eye and smiles. “Then one day, I thought I lost her. Her mothers put her in an arranged marriage, so I stole her away for myself.”

I smirk back at him and tuck my chin down shyly.

“Just like our dad,” Bray chuckles. “He stole our mom too, you know?” He sighs dreamily and leans back. “Our mother was royal, ya know?”

Cyrus and I both give him a disbelieving look. “You’re full of shit,” Cyrus laughs.

“Hardly,” Bray smirks. “You see, our mother was the first wife of King Niran. She was a Kobold princess who was given in an arranged marriage.” He points at his head. “Which explains the pattern on our heads,” he laughs.

“Well,” Bray continues. “Our father was Niran;s littlest brother, who had also been living a double life. He was supposed to be traveling and going to all these schools and shit, but instead he used his wealth to buy a ship and build a new life for himself. But he was home for the wedding between Niran and Ma, you see. For the two of them, it was love at first sight.” He claps his hand over his chest.

“They met in secret constantly. Stealing kisses, hiding away where they could just be with one another. Then, one day, Niran caught them red-handed.” He clutches his fist into a tight ball. “He was angry! His own brother betraying him in such a way! They fought horribly, but Ma stepped in and declared her love to Dad. So Niran gave them an option - disappear from his sight forever, or die as lovers.”

Cryus is clutching my hand tight as he listens to this story.

“So they ran away to become pirates that very night, and I was born not too long after,” Bray laughs triumphantly. “Oh, and you too, I guess.”

Cyrus sighs. “So we aren’t royal. We’re just disowned.”

“It doesn’t really matter, in my opinion,” Bray huffs with a shrug. “What matters is that we can be a family again.”

“They’re still alive?” Cyrus whispers.

Bray throws his hands up. “Of course they are. Why wouldn’t they be?” he laughs. “They’ve retired because of that annoying centaur.”

“Can we see them?” Cyrus gasps.

Bray nods. “Well, duh. I was hoping. They have no clue I’ve found you, so it would be a surprise.”

Cyrus turns to me and grasps my hand tight. “This is okay, right? I know we had plans, but we can do this, can’t we?”

I smile at him, touching his face and nodding. There are tears in his good eye, and the expression on his face melts my heart utterly and completely. “Of course we can. How could I say no?”

Cyrus clutches me tight in both arms. “Thank you! This means too much to me.”

“Oh, hey, Doc,” Bray says as the doctor comes towards us. “What have you got for me?”

“From the looks of it, I should have brought an ice pack,” she scoffs. “But I simply have news for Theai here.”

Every hair on my body stands on end, and even my wings bristle. “Sure. What is it?”

Cyrus eyes me, sensing my hesitation.

“The tests I performed came back negative,” she says softly.

My stomach drops with disappointment. “Oh. That’s good,  suppose,” I fidget in Cyrus’s lap. “Thank you.”

“You may just have an extreme case of land sickness like you said, coupled with all the extra food you’ve been eating. I would simply stick to some fresher foods and lay off anything spicy for a bit.”

“What was the test?” Cyrus asks.

“Pregnancy,” I grumble. “Ayako thought I might be pregnant.”

“Why the hell isn’t she?” Cyrus snaps at the doctor.

“The doctor arches her brows at him. “You might want to ask your dick that, because it certainly isn’t any of my business.”

Cyrus snorts, trying to hold back his laughter as the doctor walks away.

We make plans to follow Bray to his parent’s island. From there, we finished getting supplies and packed up the airship. We’re far too busy to discuss anything, but one evening after take-off, I find Cyrus sitting in our chambers, looking at the doll that was his as a baby.

“What are you thinking?” I sit down beside him and kiss his bare shoulder.

“When the doc told you that you weren’t pregnant, what did you feel?” Cyrus asks. “Were you relieved? Happy?”

I press more kisses down his arm. “I was disappointed.”

“You were?” Cyrus turns to face me and cups my cheeks in his palms. “No lying now, okay? We’ve always said we would let things happen on the wind, but I have so wanted a baby.”

I kiss his thumb as it strokes across my lips. “You met Hinata, right?” I murmur. “You saw how cute he was, how sweet.”

Cyrus presses his thumb into my mouth, then pushes it against my tongue. “Yeah. But I’m much better-looking than Bray, you know? And while Ayako is lovely, you’re so much cuter. I bet our baby would be twice as adorable and sweet as Hinata.”

I suck on his thumb, then look up at him and sigh as he removes his finger. “I think you’re right.”

Cyrus grins, pushing me down onto our bed. “So, I have your permission then?” I can feel his bulge through his pants as he grinds against my leg.

“Permission for what?” I giggle.

Cyrus snarls as he kicks away his pants. His cock springs out and lays against my thigh. His sharp teeth drag across the skin of my neck until he breathes into my ear. “I’m going to fuck you until you’re pregnant.”

I giggle shakily. “You think you got it in you?”

Cyrus opens my legs and runs his hands up them. “What a stupid question.” He looks down at my slit and rubs his fingers against it. “Look at you, already getting wet.”

I bite my bottom lip, squirming as his fingers push between my labia. He breathes, stroking himself with one hand while fingering me with the other.

“That’s my girl,” he breathes. A low rumble comes from his throat. “Yes. Like that. I love how you squeeze so desperately around my fingers.” He pulls them out, then lays them on his tongue, licking them clean.

I open up my shirt for him, exposing all of my skin. Cyrus smirks and leans down, his tongue darting over my breasts. As he moans it travels across my skin, making me let out a soft cry. I drag my hand down his back, feeling his scales and ridges until I touch the base of his tail.

Cyrus chuckles, lifting his head from my breast. “I’ll have to share these soon.” He smirks up at me. “But I don’t mind at all.” He kisses me, and his hands push against the back of my thighs.

His cock slides against me, growing slick from my own nectar. He grinds against me, poking, pressing, sliding. I snarl in frustration, simply wanting him inside me.

“Oh my,” Cyrus chuckles. He presses his thumb back on my tongue. “So scary. You aren’t getting impatient, are you?”

I bite his thumb as a warning.

Cyrus sucks in a sharp breath through his teeth. “Easy now.” His tip has pushed into my mound. “I wasn’t going to keep you waiting much longer.” A buck of his hips, and he’s inside me.

I whine against his thumb, arching my back in hopes of making him go deeper.

Cyrus watches me, his dark eyes fixed on my expression as he pulls out and eases back in. I bite his thumb again and give him the most pitiful look at I can.

“Don’t worry,” he breathes. “I’m just enjoying looking at you.” He thrusts his hips, going deeper inside me. “You’re squeezing me so tight, you must really want me to come for you.” He starts driving into me, breathing deep with each plunge.

I suck his thumb, moaning against it and crying out when he hits that sweet spot. My toes curl and clench, and my thighs begin to tremble.

“You’re begging me, aren’t you?” Cyrus pants. “I can feel it.” He drives deeper, grinding himself all the way inside. “You’ll get every drop of me. I promise.”

I kiss him as his tongue moves away from my mouth. He uses both hands to anchor himself, making sure his cock doesn’t leave me. He remains deep, thrusting there until I feel the air start to crackle. I lose my breath for a moment as I sink deeper into the bed. My wings stretch along the blankets, and my legs trap Cyrus where he is.

Cyrus snarls and bucks, and his jaw goes slack. He lets out a deep, guttural sound that’s primal and weak at the same time. Inside, his cock is throbbing, releasing, spilling his seed. For a moment he is still, breathing hard until he pulls back. He places a pillow against my lower back and he cups his hand around my mound.

“Not a single drp is to be wasted,” he growls.

“Okay,” I moan, exhausted and still shivering from my afterglow.

I’m not sure how many times we make love while traveling to Cyrus’ parents’ island, but I’m sure it’s more than enough to have a baby. We just have to be patient, for we do have a new family that is coming into our lives. We shouldn’t feel this greedy. We just want something that is our own - although we are excited to meet Cyrus’ parents.

The baby will happen sooner rather than later, though. We won’t have to wait long at all.

[whatanoof]

hello there mesh'la, i'm a major cal kestis simp and i absolutely adore your work! i don't know if you normally do requests but if you do, i had an idea! can you do one where cal and his girlfriend spend the night making love very loudly, and then the morning after the crew of the mantis teases them about it - and they point out that the both of them are covered in hickeys? xd

Pairing: Cal Kestis x Reader

Word Count: ~1.1k

Warnings: references to sex, swearing, rather cruel banter until you consider that they're family and it's all good natured teasing?

A/N: Anon this would totally happen, I'm not going to lie to you. Cal would get so lost in the sauce that he wouldn't think too hard about holding back in any way. The found family dynamics are high in this one guys, not gonna lie, but the prompt is so freaking funny in concept that I couldn't resist? Also, I've totally moved into just finding Cameron Monaghan gifs that really fit the vibes, because Cal Kestis gifs tend to be super serious

Greez snaps awake, scared and disoriented. What had woken him? There’s a rhythmic squeaking coming from the wall, and heavy breathing echoing around the tinny walls of the Mantis.

“Fuck, please!” Someone groans, long and drawn out and breathless and loud.

Oh. He rolls his eyes, grabs his pillow, and smushes it as tightly as he can around his head. It does the job decently well, he supposes as he drifts back to a fitful sleep.

---

Merrin was already awake when the noises began to filter through the walls of her quarters. Dathomirian Nightsister texts are scattered haphazardly through her quarters, half of them skimmed through tonight and another two floating before her.

“You feel so good, baby.” A strangled moan follows the words, someone keening rather high, enough to rival that of a shrieking bird that she had heard back home. “Fuck, can I move?”

It takes a few seconds for the words to pull her attention from the texts, but when she notices, all she does is huff a heavy sigh. Green magic spins around her before expanding to press to the inside of her room.

She listens carefully for a few moments, but no sound gets past the magic barrier. She curls up under the covers and continues to read. At least someone is having fun tonight.

---

Cere is on night shift in the cockpit. No physical sound reaches her, but her connection to the Force twinges. She lowers the noise of the comm chatter and magnifies the Force sensation, identifying increased pleasure and thought projection coming from the aft quarters of the Mantis. Not again.

She sighs and pushes the Force as far as possible from her mind. Turning up the comm chatter again, she continues to monitor the surroundings.

A high pitched groan pierces through the stillness, echoing from inside the air system and managing to be heard by Cere even through her headphones. Her temper flares, but she inhales sharply and calms herself. There’s nothing to be done about it tonight. There will absolutely be words in the morning.

---

“Good morning!” Cal all but skips into the kitchen towards the caf machine. “How close are we to Bogano?”

He is greeted with less than an equal amount of cheer. Greez sends a highly unimpressed look his way over a cup of caf. “Someone’s in a good mood.”

Merrin snorts, “I bet I could tell you why.”

Cal blinks at them, looking like a swampling caught in headlights. “What?”

Cere appears behind him and claps a hand on his shoulder, “I believe that they’re referring to last night’s activities. Very loud activities.”

Cal says nothing, but the expression on his face can only be interpreted as, ‘oh shit.’

You really couldn’t have timed it better if you tried, because you chose that exact moment to appear from the back hallway, blinking sleepily with mussed hair and a truly impressive array of blue and purple dotting along the skin exposed by the neckline of your pajama shirt. All eyes land on you the second your foot hits the threshold, and you freeze at the sudden attention.

“What’s wrong?”

Merrin breaks the tension, “You got a little something there.” She gestures to her own neck, and your hand flies to yours to mimic hers, trying to peer down and see what she is pointing at.

“And there. And there.” Greez pipes up, and you rub your skin a little more frantically. “And there. Oh, you missed the one there.”

Cere shoots them a look. “Behave, you two.”

Cal moves to your side, leaning to whisper in your ear, “Sorry, I should’ve warned you this morning when I got up, but you were still asleep and I didn’t want to wake you.”

“Warned me about what?” You’re going to blame your sleep-addled brain because you are not getting anyone’s meaning at all.

“I--uh--I marked you up a lot last night.”

Your jaw drops when you finally understand. “Cal Kestis!” You hiss furiously, glaring at him while you try in vain to pull the collar of your shirt up to hide your skin better.

“Leave it. Everyone’s already seen it anyway.” Merrin calls from her corner of the table, an amused grin spreading across her features.

“Everyone heard it too last night.” Greez chortles, hands slapping his side in mirth. “You are a loud one,” he said, referring to you.

Now it’s the second time you’re confused this morning. “What are you talking about?”

“You were moaning very loudly last night. Impressively high-pitched too, maybe you should consider joining a choir.” The Latero laughs at his own joke rather explosively, but your brow only creases further.

“I wasn’t making noises last night. Cal gagged me.”

A shocked silence spreads over the group as everyone turns their attention from you to the redheaded Jedi trying to edge back to the hallway leading to the quarters. He stops when he notices that he’s been caught, raising his hands in the air with a guilty smile on his face, “Sorry about that?”

Greez cackles, hands slamming onto the table and nearly upsetting his cup of caf. “That was you?!”

Merrin’s laughing too, “I thought those sounds weren’t within the range of a normal human male. Congratulations on your excelling vocal chords.”

Cere’s chuckling too, “Maybe she shouldn’t be the one wearing the gag.”

Cal’s flushed bright red, and he turns and sits at the table with a defeated air. “Okay, eveyrone just get it out right now and we can move on.”

“Oh no, we are never going to move on. You sounded like that Shyyyo bird on Kashyyyk, pretty boy!”

You sit beside Cal with a modest smile, squeezing his hand. “I suppose we deserve it for ruining their sleep.”

“You’re damn right you do!”

“And now that you know, it better not happen again,” Cere interjects with a stern gaze on the both of you, causing you to shrink under the severity. “We have to get sleep if we’re to keep running missions of such a dangerous nature.” You both nod sheepishly. “But--” You look up at her slightly amused tone, “Cal you really should consider joining a nature group. I’m sure you could imitate most of the bird calls in the higher range. It’s truly a lost talent.”

Cal groans as he thunks his forehead down on the table, and you pat his hand reassuringly. If Cere has jumped on the train of ridiculing, then the subject truly will not get dropped for sometime. It may be time to consider getting Cal a gag as well if you’re going to continue.

Cal Kestis Taglist:@marvelassassin221b, @my-awakened-ghost, @katethecrazy, @gabile18

[thecarnivorousmuffinmeta]

I know you’ve talked about how all the Cullen pairings are eventually going to implode - glad someone said it - but I was wondering if you wanted to talk a little bit about what you think Meyer INTENDED with the pairings - tropes and whatnot? And what you think would have to change in her narrative to make what was intended what we actually saw on the page? Or — what do you think each cullens’ Perfect Spouse would actually look like?

Anon is referring to this post.

And well, you've certainly given me quite the challenge.

Some Musing Ramblings Before We Begin

Sort of like asking me to make Dramione work, I'm not sure I'm the person to ask this. Anyone who reads my work knows that... well, that's a lie, every story I secretly write is a love story. But it's not Twilight in any way shape or form.

Twilight simply isn't a story I would set out to write. This isn't a good thing or a bad thing, it just is, which means that asking me to make Twilight work the way Meyer intended is probably not your best bet.

But I'll try regardless, it's what we're here for.

Bella/Edward

Meyer intended Bella Swan and Edward Cullen to be the best and brightest of all the pairings in Twilight. They have the love and devotion of Carlisle and Esme, the physicality and sexual attraction of Rosalie and Emmett, and are such a grand love that even depressed Marcus takes note. This is the love story that drives the entire series.

Edward is an improvement upon Carlisle, a Carlisle with even better control, and the most beautiful man you ever did see. He's also a gentleman, a man of his time and from an era where chivalry was alive and men courted women. Bella is one of those disturbingly altruistic people who makes you feel bad about yourself just by being in the same room. She's incredibly selfless, kind, and also quite brave.

Together, despite their ups and downs and the many obstacles in their way, they're disgustingly perfect.

However, that's not what we get. On Edward's end he's... Edward about loving Bella. On Bella's end, she has no idea who Edward even is but she does know he's beautiful and special.

And to get what Meyer actually wanted... Christ, Anon, I'll try.

So, the first problem, if Edward was truly a good person then Twilight would never happen.

Edward would have his first day of Biology, miraculously maintain control, and flee to Alaska as he does in canon. However, he would not return. Edward in canon returns due to his budding obsession as well as his wounded pride, in fleeing Forks he feels he has lost to Bella. When Carlisle later points out that a girl's life is on the line, that Edward is foolishly endangering this girl solely for his ego, Edward refuses to acknowledge this.

A good man would never have returned from Alaska, the Cullens would have moved in short order, and Bella may or may not have died in a parking lot or in Port Angeles.

That said, what if Bella is not, in fact, Edward's singer? Then there's not this constant debate of him eating her or his creepy, budding, obsession with his personal brand of heroin.

Well, the trouble with that is that Edward would then never notice her. Even were Edward not a colossal dismissive dick, required per this ask, Bella is one mortal out of many and someone he shouldn't grow close to. Associating with her just exposes her to unnecessary danger from him and his family. Edward is a guest in our world, nothing more, and a kind Edward might chit chat with her in Biology but even if he had a growing crush he'd keep his distance.

As he tried and failed to do in canon, actually.

Basically, change Edward alone, and it's not enough. The Edward Meyer wanted would never get together with Bella. At least, not without a lot of AU-sauce.

But let's look at Bella for a moment. Bella's character also has to be entirely stripped down. The Bella of the books is extremely depressed and her infatuation with Edward is fueled in part because of this. Edward's obsession with her gives her worth.

Obviously, in this new and improved edition of Twilight, Bella can't use either Edward or Jacob for validation. She has to be able to stand on her own two legs. If she does use either for validation, then the relationship must come to an end, as she and her significant other realize just what it is Bella's doing.

The trouble is, what does this not-depressed Bella have to fall in love with? Yes, Edward's beautiful, and that certainly goes a long way, but in canon he's a dick. Bella even thinks to herself that he's a complete dick (even when he's trying to be charming). Luckily for Edward she later decides that this is cryptic and therefore appealing.

Well, in AU land, Edward might be so damn charming that Bella likes him anyway but we come back to Edward keeping her at a polite distance.

So, what we need is a terrifying villain. Let's call him Angelus (though per Twilight this would probably be James). Angelus is a vampire that will force Edward's hand. For whatever reason, he decides to torment and ruin Bella's life, ending the hunt in either eating her or turning her into his bride. Angelus' existence forces Bella to be in the know and for Edward to have to take extreme action.

The pair become closer, grow through undoubtedly horrific trauma, and through said trauma Bella understands not only the pros of being a vampire but the terrifying cons.

Basically, it'd be this story. Just replace the name "Carlisle" with Edward and "Edward" with James.

Alice/Jasper

Alice and Jasper are supposed to have this ineffable, mystic, connection where they're together because... Alice saw them together. And in a way, that's true, but it's supposed to be a thing of beauty, soulmates if there ever were any, and instead it's this dumpster fire with nothing holding them together.

This one's easier in a way, well, sort of. Alice would have to be a completely different character and we'd have to see a lot more of Jasper.

Alice has a bad habit of treating those around her, even those she loves, as chess pieces. She'll put them in significant danger, court their misery, so long as it gets her the future she wants.

And she's extremely controlling.

Right away in the opening of Midnight Sun we see this and how it affects her and Jasper's relationship. The novel opens with Alice hovering, scanning the future for Japser fucking up, while Jasper just sits there in misery. Due to her obsession on making sure Jasper doesn't eat students, she actually misses Edward's plan to massacre Biology and his many plans to eat Bella Swan.

Even if she wasn't, this isn't good for anyone to live with. Jasper has very little concept of free will, whatever happens to him, whatever he'll do, Alice tells him and the worst possible option is always on the table.

For Jasper/Alice to work either Alice's gift needs to go (and that's... sort of all Alice is) or she has to tell no one any vision ever unless under extreme circumstances.

Which would be devastating for Alice. Rather than this mostly well-adjusted, perky, girl, Alice would be crippled by her gift. The weight of the world, everyone's free will, rests on her shoulders and she has to constantly avoid temptation to simply pick everyone's future for them.

Without the attitude Alice has in canon, I think she'd go mad with such a gift, or else be consumed by the responsibility of it.

Then we get to the mess that is Jasper. Jasper's complicated, and I don't want to get into it here, but his love story would have to be... too large to be put to the side like that. The redemption he'd need is not one that can be shoved into a few paragraphs told to Bella, it's frankly the kind of story that would drive an ordinary story.

So we'd have to see a lot of Jasper and Nouveau Alice. Which, of course, detracts from Bella/Edward which is the main point of the story.

Honestly, I take it back, there's no salvaging this relationship. They would have to be completely different people to the point where they're entirely different characters wearing nametags 'Alice' and 'Jasper'. Alice couldn't have her gift, which informs her entire character, and we'd have to see way too much of Jasper who is ultimately a tertiary character.

Carlisle/Esme

Thoughts on Carlisle/Esme.

Carlisle and Esme is a very 'spiritual' relationship per Meyer. They're... mom-bot and dad-bot. Alright, fine, they're the perfect parents with this deep love for each other and a very parental bond with Edward especially. It's the relationship Edward admires the most in his paired off family.

I don't even know how to fix this one.

Again, they'd have to be such different people. The trouble with Esme and Carlisle is that they share no values and are plagued by massive miscommunication. The Carlisle who is perfect for Esme... No, wait, this Carlisle is perfect for her, but that's because she's in Esme Land.

The Carlisle that would be perfect for a grounded Esme is not the one that exists. She'd want someone who would always put the family first, who would treasure her above all other things, that's not Carlisle.

Carlisle, similarly, would want someone that truly shares his ideals. That's not Esme.

So, we're back to nametag land, because one or both have to completely change for this to work. (Not to mention that Esme's probably not supposed to be Esme).

So, I've got nothing for this.

Rosalie/Emmett

I actually think these two are what Meyer intended. They love each other but are mostly held together by attraction. They're a very physical couple and good for the most part but inherently lesser than Bella/Edward.

Sure, I'd argue that they're the most put together couple in the house, but I think they're meant to have flaws. They work well together, but every other relationship in the Cullens has to be a step up or at least have something more to it.

Something Edward and Bella can be better than.

Conclusion

Dear god. Did I only manage to somewhat address Bella/Edward? Was that it? This was worse than I thought.

[hangovercurse]

Blind Date

After being single for three months, your friends decide to set you and Colson up on a blind date.

Request: Hey!! Could you do one about the reader and Colson meeting by a blind date? Let your creativity go wild ❤️

Colson x Reader

Warnings: Cursing

A/N: This is a little bit different from how I normally write, so let’s see how this goes.

Word Count: 1916

It’s funny how the universe makes things happen. While some people are having their first kiss, others are taking their last breath. Every moment in time is so intricately woven together, it sometimes seems ironic how things happen.

Like tonight, on two sides of California, two very different people were having the same conversation.

“I’m not sure about this.”

“What if she thinks my tattoos are too much?”

“What if he thinks I’m too weird?”

“What if she hates music?”

“What if he hates art?”

“I don’t know if I’m ready for this.”

“I don’t think I can do this.”

Your best friend stared at you from your bed as you paced around the room. “Y/N, you’re going to be fine. You said it yourself, you need to get back out there. Baze says he’s a good guy, and I trust Baze.”

Baze was in a similar situation, laying on the couch as Colson paced around the house. “Colson, dude. It’s gonna be good, she’s gonna like you.”

“I don’t know why I’m so nervous. It’s not like I’ve never been on a first fuckin date before. I used to do this shit every night.” He sighed, sitting down.

You let out a frustrated groan, “I know. I just feel like after everything in the past few years I feel like I’ve forgotten how to do first dates.”

“You’re gonna be great, just be yourself. And remember, it’s a blind date, so if you guys don’t hit it off or something goes horribly wrong, you never have to see him again.” She smiled as you threw her a playful glare.

“Colson, I love you man, but you have to do this. I don’t think you’ve even looked at a woman who isn’t Ashleigh in like three months.”

The light-haired man sent his friend a glare, “I’m sorry that I was recovering from the worst heartbreak of my life.”

You finally sat down, pulling on your shoes. “Maybe it’s too soon. Maybe I’m not as ready as I thought I was.”

Your friend sighed, sitting up and placing her arms around your shoulders, “It’s been three months since you and T broke up. You grieved, and now you need to move on. You deserve this.”

“Dude, you said you were over her. You are over her. Now you get to find someone else and try to be happy. You deserve this.”

“Maybe don’t bring up your disastrous ex, Y/N.”

“But please, for the love of god, bro, don’t bring up Megan.”

 You entered the small, classy restaurant, your hands shaking slightly. The entire place was dimly lit, with candles scattered around any surface available. You walked to the hostess stand, “Baker for two.” You told her, a small smile gracing your features.

She nodded, leading you through the floor. “He got here not 30 seconds before you did.” She laughed and you blushed a little bit.

You were grateful he wasn’t late, but you were also grateful he wasn’t extremely early , or else you would have felt awful for making him wait.

You were finally brought to a small table in the back of the restaurant to find one of the prettiest men you have ever laid your eyes on. When his eyes met yours, he stood up immediately, a smile on his face. “Y/N?” He asked.

“Colson.” You responded. He pulled your chair out for you, and you felt heat rushing to your cheeks at the kind gesture. None of the guys you had ever dated pulled your chair out for you, especially not your most recent ex.

“Baze told me you were pretty but this is…” He trailed off, seeming a bit lost for words. “You are absolutely gorgeous.”

He was good at this, good at making you nervous, making you blush like a teenager. “Thank you.” You whispered, “I think you are one of the prettiest people I have ever met.” You returned his compliment with one of your own.

The redness in his cheeks made you smile, a bit of pride rising in your chest. “Baze truthfully didn’t tell me much about you.” He started, “so, what do you do?” He was kicking himself for the lame question, but his mind was half occupied with the color of your eyes and he couldn’t form a coherent thought.

“I’m an artist.” You probably didn’t realize it, but Colson could see the slightest bit of a light in your eyes as you spoke about your passion. “I do graphic designing for websites, making logos and designs and such. That’s my day job, at least. I do some painting and sketching on the side, though. Eventually I’d like to be able to make that my whole job, but it is a hard industry.”

Colson nodded in understanding, his eyes holding the same weight as yours when you spoke of your flailing dreams. You wondered how he knew exactly what you were talking about.

Seemingly reading your mind, he answered. “I get that so much. I’m a musician, so I’ve been there. Luckily, I did make it my full-time job, but I remember before I made it, all the stress and struggles. It gets better.”

You smiled, “easy for you to say, aren’t you like, a big Rockstar?”

He chuckled, looking down, “yeah, sort of. But I wasn’t, you know? Like before all this I was dirt poor and the picture of a starving artist. I mean I’m still not like, winning Grammys or shit now, but I’m not there anymore either.”

You nodded, studying him. “I was lucky, I had support through art school and got a job as soon as I graduated. I’ve never had to struggle in that sense. I don’t think I’d be happy staying where I’m at for the rest of my life, but I am definitely in a stable place right now.”

He seemed so interested in what you were saying. Soon the conversation moved into the type of music he made, and then to your art styles. You flowed together easily, never becoming awkward or uncomfortable. As the night went on, your nerves fell away, as did his.

You were talking about your favorite movies when your food arrived, but even then, your conversation continued. At one point, he paused mid-second. “You’ve got something, “ he pointed to his face. “Fuck it, this is gonna be so cheesy.” He grabbed his napkin and wiped the bit of sauce you had on your cheek off.

You blushed in embarrassment, “thanks.” He was right, the moment was very cheesy. His hand pulled away slowly, lingering near your skin a bit longer than necessary. You didn’t mind though.

As much as you hated to admit it, especially since you had only known him for one night, you could be really into him. And that scared the fuck out of you.

Colson was, too, scared shitless. Why the fuck was his heart fluttering every time you giggled. He’d just met you. But already he could tell you were something special.

 He paid for dinner, like a gentleman, even though you protested. “It’s our first date, I am paying.”

You liked the way that he said, “first date,” implying there may be more. “Well, I guess I’ll just have to pay next time.” You said, smugly.

His eyebrow raised in question, a small smirk on his face. “We’ll see about that. I might just give them my card ahead of time.”

“Then I’ll just have to get there before you.”

You two laughed at your small competition as he led you to the parking lot, his hand in yours. “Did you drive?” He asked and you shook your head no.

“I called an uber. Speaking of…” You reached for your phone before he stopped you.

“Let me drive you home. If that’s okay?”

You let him lead you to his car, hand still tightly in his. He pulled the door open for you, guiding you in. Everything with him seemed like a new experience, his gentleman gestures catching you off guard.

“You should play me some of your music.” You told him when he got in. He smiled at that, pulling his phone out and opening his library.

“I don’t know if you’ll like the type of music I make.” He blushed, scrolling through to find a song he thought you might like.

You rolled your eyes, “well I like you so I think, by proxy, I’ll like your music.”

He bit his lip to hide the way his face lit up at your subtle confession. “Just don’t say that I didn’t warn you.”

You heard a somewhat familiar rhythm, something you had probably heard on the radio. “Wait, this is you? I swear I’ve heard this before.”

He smiled, glancing over at you before turning his attention back to the road. “Yeah, me and my friend Matt dropped this right before my last album release.”

You let the music play, listening to his voice as he sang. “You know, this somehow sounds exactly like you and nothing like you at the same time. Like if you hadn’t told me I don’t think I would’ve known this was you. But I do know so I can hear it.”

He chuckled but didn’t say anything, occasionally looking at you as you nodded your head to the music. A few more of his songs played from Tickets to My Downfall and you seemed to enjoy it. “You’re really good.” You commented. Your voice was truthful, you weren’t trying to flatter him, you were just saying what you thought. Your words were genuine.

He didn’t know why but hearing that from you meant so much more to him than he expected it to. He finally parked in front of your house, getting out and opening your door for you. Like a true gentleman, he walked you to your door, pausing before you unlocked it.

You turned to face him, looking up into his bright eyes. “I had a really good time tonight.” He said softly. “Probably the best night I’ve had in a while, honestly.”

You smiled widely, “I did too, Colson.” You grabbed his hands in yours, swinging them slightly. “I’m really glad we did this.”

He nodded, leaning closer to you, “would you, maybe, wanna do this again?” He asked, his voice falling closer to a whisper.

“I was hoping I had made that obvious when I said I’d pay next time.” You giggled, leaning up closer to him.

He rolled his eyes playfully, “just wanna make sure you didn’t change your mind.”

“Trust me, I didn’t.” You whispered, before leaning up and connecting your lips with his.

The kiss was short and sweet, but it seemed like everything you had ever wanted. When your lips left his, you both stayed very close to each other, hands still clasped. His face was still only inches from yours, eyes studying your every feature.

Eventually he let out a small sigh and leaned back up. “Well, uh, goodnight, Y/N.” He smiled sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck as he took steps backwards towards his car. You smiled at him, waving a small goodbye before turning to unlock your door.

Your hand touched the handle before you turned around, finding Colson in the same situation at his car door, still looking at you. “Do you maybe wanna… come in?” You asked, biting your lip. His face lit up, a smirk highlighting his features.

“I would love that.”

[bakuroo-writings]

Self Ship September Day Two: Holding hands with Miya Osamu x fem!reader, heart divders made by @doinmybesthere, thank you for beta reading @bakugous-trauma​

Warnings: timeskip spoilers, some vulgar language, Osamu calls you doll. MINORS UNDER 18 AND AGELESS BLOGS DO NOT INTERACT. YOU WILL BE BLOCKED.

Word count: 698 words

“Don’t be a pussy,” Osamu heard his brother’s voice taunting him in his head once again, knowing the reason for today’s shopping trip is directly connected to the ring box in his pants pocket, in hopes that he will never have to let go of your hand.

“Doll, could ya grab me some chives?”

“I could if you’d free my hand, ‘Samu,” you reply as he holds your hand tightly.

He looks down at your joined hands, slightly smiling whilst a blush kisses at his cheeks, kissing your hand before dropping it.

“Sorry, doll, yer hand was made for mine; I forget I’m holding it sometimes.”

Shaking your head and smirking as you grab the chives, you think back to when you had just started dating and he first held your hand.

FLASHBACK

“Don’t be a pussy,” Osamu heard his brother’s voice taunting him in his head. For fucks’ sake, it’s not even that hard to do. But you just started dating him; what if it would make you uncomfortable? He doesn’t want to mess this up.

While he’s dealing with his internal struggle, you have your own, trying to figure out what’s on his mind. It shouldn’t be this awkward anymore. Sure, you’re still a new couple but you’ve made it past lots of obstacles: the mess of a first date because you were both nervous when he showed up late with destroyed flowers, making you miss your reservation, the disastrous and unexpected meeting of his brother when you walked into Miya Onigiri to see Osamu covered in sauce, strangling Atsumu, with their mutual friend, Suna, watching with amusement, phone camera in hand, and more.

“So what could he possibly be worrying about now?” You thought as you nervously gnawed on your bottom before moving your hand up to pick at your lips, too.

Osamu stopped and turned to you, quickly grabbing your hand, moving it away from your mouth.

Finger running over your lip to disrupt your nervous habit, he spoke up, “What’s got ya so worried, doll?”

“I’m wondering what’s going on your brain since we haven’t been awkward with each other like this since our first date,” You reply, sliding your hand in between his, feeling his grip tighten.

A blush forming on his cheeks, he gives you a sheepish look. “Well, ah, it’s silly. Ya might laugh, since we’re grown adults and all. But I was thinkin’ about if you’d be uncomfortable if I held yer hand.”

A soft chuckle does, indeed, escape your lips but he continues on, “You’re so important to me, doll, that I don’t want to fuck this up. So I get a little lost in my head, almost like I’m back in high school.”

You pinch his cheek then give it a quick peck before the words come out, “Samu, nothing you could do would make me uncomfortable. Besides, we’re holding hands right now.”

It’s at that moment that he looks down at your joined hands before his head snaps up at you in shock, causing you to chuckle again and utter out a “cutie” at how flustered he was. You use your joined hands to pull him further along down the path.

PRESENT TIME

Focusing back on the task at hand, you ask, “Hey, babe, remember when we first held hands? You were so nervous!”

You turn to look at him when you get no answer to see him simultaneously glaring and pouting at you for bringing up the memory. Placing the chives in the cart and kissing his cheek to placate his faux annoyance, yet you can’t bear to leave out the cheek pinch and the cheeky “cutie.”

He grumbles out a “shuddup. Like you weren’t nervous, too,” under his breath, making you pout.

Unable to resist the doe eyes you’re now giving him, he lets out a soft chuckle and grabs your hand firmly in his, steering the grocery cart with one hand.

And, just like when you held hands for the first time, you’re pulling him further down the path. Heading towards the checkout, he thinks about how your hand fits perfectly in his, proving that you were made for him and him alone.

General taglist: @chibishae34

© 2021 all works are the property of bakuroo-writings. Do not repost or re-upload to other sites such as wattpad, ao3, or tiktok. Do not do audio readings.

[wordynerdygurl]

The Guy

Author’s Note:  Hello my lovelies!  I have to say, I love writing requests and taking part in Challenges.  It helps me sharpen my skills!  But, with the insane way the world is right now, I offered to participate in one... then lost the details.  So, with my sincere appreciation for @lancsnerd​ ,who kindly sent me a reminder about my missing “assignment”, I present the following! Summary/ Prompt:  A quote of “He’s the guy” and my boy, Loki Pairing:  Female Reader x Loki Warnings:  Swearing, Implied Smut, Fluff, Soft Loki

“Are you gonna tell me what I want to know?  Or… do we have to do this the hard way?”  Gravel filled and low, the Winter Soldier had you pinned against the rough brick wall, his metal arm holding your wrists together.

“Ooph!  Bucky!  Get off!”  “Make me, princess!”  

Kicking your legs free, you swung around Bucky, locking him in a bear hug from behind.  Squeezing him with your thighs, your forearms wrapped around his strong neck, “Tap out, Buck!” Wheezing, staggering back, Bucky tried spinning you around but even his metal arm was unable to grab you, “Never!” Applying more pressure to his windpipe, you grunted, “Give me the win!” “No way”, you felt his hard hand grip your thigh, breaking your hold.  Suddenly you were untethered, above your feet was the ceiling of the gym, and then there was no breath in your lungs.  Bucky had managed to flip you over and slam you down onto the waiting mat with reverberating force.  Gasping loudly, you curved up to meet Bucky’s waiting hand, “You alright, doll?”

Shaking your head, sitting up, “That was a dirty trick, Barnes.  I had you and you know it.” “Yea… but you still haven’t answered my question, so I couldn’t let you win.”  Pulling you to your feet easily, Bucky threw his arms around you, his warm hug an easy way to make sure there would be no lasting damage from your sparring session. “Why do you want to know so bad?”  Lowering yourself to the workout bench, forearms resting on your knees, you kept a close watch on your sparring partner. Tossing you a towel, Bucky grabbed both of your water bottles, sitting down on the mat in front of you.  Wiping the sweat away from your forehead, slugging down the cool water, you kicked at the super soldier sitting criss cross applesauce.  Leaning back, resting his weight on his arms stretched behind him, “Because...  I worry about you.  I want to make sure you’re safe… and I want to believe this guy is good enough for you.” Considering his words, you snapped your bottle shut, nodding, “I get it, Bucky.  I really do.  I’m just… not ready to talk about it.” Sensing your hesitation, Bucky patted your knee, “Just know that I’m here when you are ready.  And if he fucks up, I’ll kill him.” Laughing, you stood up with a groan, “Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind!” At dinner that night, Steve knocked into your shoulder, “Hey kiddo.”

“Hey Stevie!  How are you?” “It’s spaghetti night, what more does a guy need?”  It was an easy exchange, making you chuckle as he loaded a plate high with pasta and sauce before settling himself into the chair next to you. Unfolding a napkin to lay over his trousers, “Bucky told me you’ve met someone?” Flicking your eyes to the Winter Soldier, who all of the sudden was very interested in something Tony was saying, you munched on your garlic bread.  Swallowing thickly and patting your mouth clean, you turned to Steve, “Oh, he did huh?” “Yes… but he says you won’t give up this guy’s name?”  Concern was present on your friend’s face.  While you appreciated Steve's sentiment, it wasn't necessary, not entirely.  You knew what you were doing and you didn't want to be talked out of it, even by your well intentioned friends.

"I don't know why everyone cares so much.  He's a guy… I'm a girl… it's traditional and boring."

Swirling a fork through his saucy plate, lifting those dutiful blue eyes to yours, "So why the secrecy?"

Chewing, thoughtful, you considered Steve's question.  It was valid.  You were quick to acknowledge that, answering, "Um… because we're still in that love bubble.  Ya know?"

Chiming in, Bucky curious now, "Love bubble?  I don't know what that is… what does that mean?  Love bubble?"

"It's that time in a new relationship when… um… it's like…" words failing, you desperately tried to give structure to your argument.

Interrupted by Loki, sulking at the end of the long table, "She doesn't want to share her paramore.  Greedily, she wants to keep the pair in a love bubble.  Separate and safe from any interference.  Unpopped, if you will."

"Is that true? You don't want us to bug you?"  Bucky's eyes widened at the thought.

Shrugging, you dug around for another meatball, "Kinda… Look, it's not that I don't love you, Buck.  Or that I don't trust you, Steve.  It's just… all of you can be a lot to deal with.  And-" looking at the faces of each of your Avenger friends, "-my… guy… I really, really like him.  I don't want to scare him away."

Admitting it out loud, that was taking a lot of your courage but you were being completely honest.  This guy, he was just about perfect and you didn't want to blow that by bringing him around your overprotective people so soon.  Natasha, the group's mama bear, smiled.  "Seems reasonable to me.  Give her some time, fellas… if he's half as great as she says, we'll like him well enough."

Steve, smiling a little in your direction, "I don't know who he is… but it seems like he makes you happy!"

Bucky, over protective, kept hounding you, "When will I get to meet him?"

"Soon, Buck.  I promise." 

"I wonder who it is… this man you care about so much that you're protecting him from us, your dearest friends!"  It was Loki, musing from afar that made the observation, his sharp eyes on you.

"I told you-" It was Tony’s turn to interrupt, loudly calling, “FRIDAY?”

“Yes, Mr. Stark?” “Start a pool.  Five dollar buy in, guesses on who this guy is… whoever has the winning answer gets the kitty!” “Tony!  Not cool!  And, not necessary!  You guys don’t really need to do this!”  But your protests went unheard as chatter erupted and a round of bills were flung on the table. Steve, murmuring to Bucky across the table, “What was that guy at the coffee shop?  Cameron?  Carson?” Snapping his fingers, Bucky answered, “Carlton!”

“He’s my guess, Tony.”  “Shit, Steve.  That’s not fair… but, ok.  Ok, my guess is Matt.  That guy from the pizza place who kept bringing extra chicken fingers for you!  You’d never admit to a date with him!”  Bucky, smug and pleased, sat back content with his detective work.

“Natasha?  Thoughts?”  Tony was typing away, his interface with FRIDAY recording all the back and forth, compiling the list of possible boyfriend candidates. Tapping her lip, Nat watched you, “Hmm… Is it Warren?  The kid from China Star who rode the Kawasaki and always wanted to take you for a ride?”

Clint leaned over you, grabbing a breadstick as he threw down a ten, “I want to put Charles, from the IT department on the list… and Juan, the recycling rep.  Both of those guys follow you around like puppies and I could see you taking pity on at least one of them!” “Nope.  No way!  She went out with Charles once already.  He was the guy who ate her french fries at dinner.  Big No-No!”  “Rhodes, how do you remember that shit?  Fine, not Charles then.  What about Frankie?  The dude from the diner?”  Clint asked the assembled team, looking for someone to back him up.

Mortified, hiding behind your hands, you grimaced.  The list, it kept growing, and you could feel icy eyes of judgement lighting you up from across the room.  You knew you’d have to answer questions later.

Jane, having joined Thor at the table, was getting caught up on your situation.  Conspiring with her Norse God of a boyfriend, she chuckled, slapping a bill on the table with the announcement, “Our money is on Loki.”

Silence overtook the room.  Everybody stared at the small, brunette scientist, evaluating if her suggestion was real or a joke.  A guffaw broke out of you and quickly gathered steam, propelling you directly into a hiccup filled giggle fit.  In a flash everyone joined in, the idea of you and Loki being together was at once so hilarious and unbelievable. It was also diverting enough that the talk of your love life died completely.  Grateful and satisfied, you finished dinner without any other questions, even offering to do the dishes.  While you were scraping remnants into the compost bucket, you felt the room’s temperature drop, noticing that Loki had slid into the room, "Love bubble is it?"

Dropping the plates into the sink, plunging your hands into the soapy water, his strong ones glide over your shoulders, "Yes.  I'm really enjoying our little bubble of love."

“Me too.”  Pressing a small kiss to the curve of your neck, Loki pulled your body close, hugging you tightly from behind.  As Loki was nearly a foot taller than you, it was nothing to tip your head up, his welcome mouth finding yours for a soft kiss.  Curving your back, your bottom rubbed against his pelvis, his desire already rising. “Although, they had a lot of suggestions, my innocent little kitten.  Should I be worried?” Shaking your head, “No.  None of those… meatballs compare with you, Loki.” “Good.  That makes me glad… and I’m pleased to know how coveted you are, my pet.”  Roving hands took the liberty of sliding under the hem of your shirt, fingertips just grazing over your bra covered breasts.

Sighing into Loki’s loving touch, “Not that you were much help!"

"What can I say?  I like seeing you squirm"  his lethal voice purred, warm against your ear.

Pirouetting in his arms, your damp hand brushing back a strand of dark curls, "Jane almost gave us away.” A small smile, almost sad, pulled down Loki’s lips, “Is the idea of you loving me so hilarious?”

“Not to me.”

His head dipped, lowering those pink lips to your own, almost colliding… when laughter, drawing near, broke your moment of connection. Effectively ending your private chat, Thor stomped confidently into the room unaware of the way Loki jumped back as if scalded, or the way your hands trembled at the possibility of discovery.  “Brother!  I need to speak with you!” Flicking his desire filled eyes to yours, Loki smirked, “Of course… to what do I owe the honor?” “I have asked Jane to be my bride!” “Brother!  It’s about time Jane made an honest man out of you!”  Loki, more than a little surprised but genuinely pleased for his sibling, hugged Thor close.  “YAY!  That’s so exciting!  Have you guys picked a date yet?”  Wiping your hands dry, leaning against the sink, you were happy to hear all of Thor's big news. Shaking his blonde head excitedly, “We shall be wed in three months time… and I was hoping that Loki would play for our special day?” 

Loki, blushing a deep rosy pink, “Thor… It’s been years.” 

“So?  What of that, God of Mischief?  You always find a way”, wagging a finger at his dark hued brother, Thor’s teasing grin was sweet. Piling on excuses, trying to gently defer his brother’s marital request, Loki added, “I don’t think I have a suitable instrument.”

That was enough for your mouth to hang open, “Wait… you want Loki to perform?  Like play music?  At your wedding?”  “Of course!  He’s the best chamber musician in Asgard.  Possibly the entire Nine Realms.”  Pride filled Thor’s words at Loki’s accomplishments, something you found impossibly charming, even if you couldn’t quite believe what he said was true.  

“Thor, really… I don't think-" Clapping a broad hand onto his younger brother's shoulder, Thor’s tone changed, “Music from home, Loki. It would mean so much, especially since… Mother and Father-”  

Loki held up a hand, stopping Thor from going further into emotional sincerity, unable to bear the rawness in his brother’s words.  Closing his eyes, agreeing, “Fine.  Ok, I’ll… I’ll do it!’  Loki could sense your watchful eyes on him, curious and questioning, as he gave into his older brother.    

With his easy smile spreading, Thor’s joy pushed the cloud of sadness away, “Our special day will be filled with music!  And flowers!  Jane has a whole… Pinterest board?  I don’t know what that is but she’s filled it with ideas-” spinning around to grab you off your feet, Thor continued, “And you’ll be invited too!  All of the team must come, not just my wayward brother!” Getting swept up in Thor’s passionate excitement, you laughed, offering up more congratulations and promises of attending.  As your toes touched the floor, Thor pulled Loki away, “Jane says you will take Darcy as a date for the ceremony.” Tilting his head, Loki shrugged shyly, speaking loud enough for you to hear, “Uh… actually, I already have a date.” Gripping Loki in a rib smashing hug, Thor squeezed his little brother tightly, “That is marvelous news!  Jane will be so pleased!  So, who’s the lucky girl?” Smiling, you watched them go, happy to see the pair so connected.  You didn’t need to hear Loki’s answer.  You knew who he’d be taking to Thor’s wedding.

That night, as you were toweling dry your cropped hair, a pop of green light signaled the arrival of your secret boyfriend.  He was positively electric, grabbing you by the terry robe covered hips, and kissing you swiftly.  Loki's hands rubbed over the soft fabric on your back until they cradled your smiling face, "Hmm… you smell so clean that it makes me think dirty thoughts."

Giggling, you rose up on your toes, curling your hands into his tangle of dark hair.  You bent his waiting mouth to your own, savoring the sensation of shared breath, as your tongue flicked over Loki's lips, “Dirtier than that?” Nodding, his heated look hungry, “Oh yes.” "How dirty are we talking?", you teased, resting your cheek against Loki's chest.  His rich laugh, rumbling through his core, joined your own.  Pressing his forehead to yours, Loki sighed sweetly, "I missed you…"

"I just saw you at dinner!"

"But it's been too long.  I… I need more."

Turning to hang up your towel, over your shoulder, "More what, my prince?"

"More of you."  Having gained on you while your back was turned, Loki was behind you now, wrapping his long arms around your waist.

Squealing, delighted, "LOKI!  Someone will hear!"

Dropping you quickly on the mattress, Loki shimmied up beside you, toying with the open collar on your robe, "So?"

"So… they'll find you here."

Thoughtfully, Loki’s proud look captured your own, "Maybe I don't care.  Not anymore… Maybe I don't want to keep you and me… us, a secret."

Swallowing hard, your gaze trapped by Loki's earnest expression, "Really?  You're ready to pop the love bubble?"

His fingertips brushed over the thin skin between your breasts, "Yes?  I… I think so.  Are you?"

Biting on your bottom lip, scrutinizing his handsome face, "Loki, I…"

Freezing, his hand stalled, and Loki sat back on his heels.  Looking out your window, shoulders slumping in resignation, "You don't want to tell anyone.  You are ashamed to be with me."

Swiftly sitting up, cupping his face with your hands, crooning, "No, no, no, no, no, no!"

Shrugging away from your touch, "You don't care for me, not like you claim to, if you won't declare your feelings for all to hear."

"Loki!  That's not it at all."  

Letting you tug him closer, Loki's tear filled eyes still refused to meet your own, "Loki… I… I love you.  And… I just don't want to share you.  Not yet, anyway.  That is-" putting your arms around his neck until you were nose to nose with the red-rimmed eyes of an emotional Odinson, "-my only reason for keeping our romance quiet."

Whispering, Loki was too shocked to shake you off, "You… love me?"  His voice wavered, as if the idea of being loved by you had never been a real possibility, as if something impossible was occurring right here and now.

On your knees, sighing, you started pressing tiny kisses along those sharp as knives cheekbones, "Yes.  I am crazy in love with you, Loki Odinson."

Loki had held you tightly before; in the night when terrific dreams haunted his sleep, in the night when he claimed your body for his own.  But this embrace, after telling the dark Prince the truth in your heart, had no equal.  

Still taller than you, even though you were both kneeling, Loki's right arm wove around your waist forcing your hips flush with his own.  His left supported your back, his hand cradling the nape of your neck, helping him kiss you soundly.  It was conquering.  

You were his.  Body and soul.  What's more?  He was yours.

Coming up for air, panting from the work of loving you, "My dove, my dearest one… I love you too."

Shucking your robe was easy and Loki savored the lavender soap scented skin he exposed.  If a spot of you wasn’t kissed, it was licked. If not licked, nipped.  If not nipped, it was caressed.  And Loki was very thorough. When you mewled, weak from forced pleasure, “Loki… please.  Make love to me.” he was eager to comply. “Look at me, darling girl.”  Puffing out your pleasure filled breath, skin dewy with perspiration, you met Loki’s eyes with your own.  Resting his hand over your heart, he lifted your own, letting you feel the pattern of his pulse.  “It beats for you and for you alone.” In the afterglow, laying in Loki’s arms, you stifled another giggle.  Groggy from exertion, Loki opened one eye, “What’s so funny?” “You never told me you play a musical instrument.” “You never asked.”

“Are you any good?”

“You’ll find out when you accompany me to Thor’s wedding.” --- With his heavy cello, Loki took a seat on the edge of the dance floor, taking just a moment to get settled.  A beautifully strange combination of concentration and relaxation mingled over the features you loved so dearly.  Fiddling with strings, taking a moment to tune the instrument, you admired his long, talented fingers as they took their place on the frets. The din of conversation was silenced when the first low note of Loki’s song echoed through the ballroom.  Everyone paused, entranced at the melody weaving its way through the throng of well wishers.  Many were surprised, but not you, not entirely. You knew how long Loki had been preparing for this moment.  It wasn’t all about making Thor’s day special, although, that was surely part of it.  No, he planned to seduce every single person with sound.  Giving all of the attendees a taste of what being loved by Loki was like, he hoped The Avengers would see that he was worthy of you in all ways. Mesmerized, the bow danced over the strings, each note perfectly played.  It wasn’t hard to picture those shapely digits dancing over your skin in the dark of night.  Sending a shiver up your back, you sipped at your champagne, unwilling to take your eyes off of Loki. “I didn’t know he was so talented.”  Bucky, stiff in his tuxedo, sidled up to you with Steve in tow. “Me either.  Look at those fingers fly!” “Guys… hush.”  Shooting a silencing glare their way, you let the music transport you, swaying just a bit at the soothing sound. Too soon, in your opinion, the last lingering note of Loki’s song filled the hall.  Rising swiftly, Loki bowed at the applause, then turned to the happy couple.  Thor hugged his brother close, while Loki kissed Jane’s hand with a gentlemanly air.  Conversations started again, quiet at first, then gaining strength as Loki strode across the room.  Snagging a glass of champagne from a passing tray, his eyes trained on you, Loki accepted accolades as he moved ever closer.  Another server took his empty glass as Loki finally made his way to you.

Scooping you up, Loki spun you slowly in a circle, your gown snapping behind you in an emerald wave of chiffon and lace.  “Loki!  Come on, put me down!” “As my lady commands”, when your mouth passed close enough to his own, Loki kissed you as if you had never kissed before.  You pushed your hands through his dark locks, a hand on each side of his face, “You were amazing, babe.  Just amazing!”

“You really think so?” “Absolutely!”  His arm settled on your waist, keeping you tight to his side, as you were handed another glass of bubbly.

Bucky, leaning against Steve, wore a look of wide eyed shock, “Um.  Loki… what the fuck are you doing?"

"Agent Barnes, do I really need to explain?"

Mouth dropping open, Bucky gaped, "He’s the guy?  Really?  You’re telling me Loki is the guy?” “She’s not telling us, Buck… she’s showing us.”

“But Stevie…?  Loki?  You?  You’re the guy who makes her happy?  The one who she’s been covering for?” Pressing a chaste kiss to your forehead, just a touch guilty, “I am.  And, I’m madly in love with her.” “I’m happy Bucky.  Stevie… really.  Loki is… he’s my everything.  I love him, too.”  

As your secret was outed, the group formed a circle around you and Loki.  Questions were shouted, congratulations extolled, Loki was clapped on the back more than once.  Natasha gave you a wink and the "ok", which was really all the approval you needed. 

“So, who won the pool then?”, Clint couldn’t help asking. “Me… and Thor”, the bride stepped right up to Tony with her hand out ready to take the prize money. “No fair!  He’s your brother in law now.  He probably told you!”  Rhodey chimed in, unsatisfied with the final results. Defending her methods, Jane spun in her wedding dress, “No way!  I used my powers of scientific deduction.  I knew she was head over heels for Loki the night we announced our engagement.” Wondering, you looked at Jane, “You did?  How?  I mean, I didn't tell anyone.  We didn't tell anyone ” “You didn't have to!  You two wouldn’t look at each other.  Dead give away.”  Counting her cash, Jane smiled at you. “That may be true, but I promise you this, Odinson… break her heart and I’ll kill you.”  Bucky shook Loki’s hand good naturedly, if a little too long, stopping only when Steve pulled him away. Gazing down at you, adoration evident in his face, Loki husked, “Not to worry, Agent Barnes.  She has my heart you see... and I plan to be her guy as long as she’ll have me.”

Tagging my Minxes:  @lancsnerd​ @vodka-and-some-sass​ @just-random-obsessions​ @brokenthelovely​ @lots-of-loki​ @thefallenbibliophilequote​ @sammy-jo1977​ @queenofmischief​ @iamverity​ @iluvsumbucky​ @unadulteratedwizardlove​ @wolfsmom1​ @procrastinatinglikeabitch​ @mizfit2​ @shxdowofdarkness​ @nonsensicalobsessions​ @ahintofkiwistrawberry​ @jessiejunebug​ @rorybutnotgilmore​ @crystalizedcaramel​ @lokislittlecorner​ @scrumptious-finicky-illusion​ @capcapcapsicle​ @jamielea81​ @caffiend-queen​ @thenatalie @otakumultimuse-hiddlewhore​ @is-it-madness​ @jenjen8675309​ @alexakeyloveloki​ @poetic-fiasco​ 

[viastro]

made their way home | kim mingyu

ミ★ synopsis: in which you haven’t seen each other in three years and reunite at jeonghan’s birthday party.

ミ★ genre: post breakup!au, angst, fluff, humor

ミ★ warnings: none!

ミ★ word count: 1,794

ミ★ pairings: mingyu x female reader

ミ★ notes: hi guys! i wrote this while listening to kidult so i’m in absolute tears !! i also can’t stop screaming at this gif !!! i’m going crAZY 

“Nope. I’m not going.” 

“Yn, please! It’s my 26th birthday and you’re not going to come?” 

“Yes. That’s exactly what I was planning to do.” You chuckle at the sound of Jeonghan slamming his head on the table on the other end of the phone. Sitting up on your couch, you glance out the window, the skyline of the city shining brightly back at you. “You know exactly why I won’t be going Hannie.” 

“I’ll keep you guys separated the whole time.”

“You’re going to be too drunk to do that.” Jeonghan scoffs, causing you to giggle and mumble out that you’re kidding. “Please? The group hasn’t been together in years and this is the first time all of our schedules line up.”

You stay silent, watching a person in the building across from you start dancing as they cook pasta. Looking down, you pout when you think of the fact that Jeonghan’s right. You haven’t been with the whole group in a long time, about three years now.

“Hannie…”

“Please? For me?” You let out a sigh, throwing your head back onto the couch and staring at your white ceiling. 

“Fine. I’ll go, only because I wanna see booseoksoon get drunk and start doing girl group covers again.” Jeonghan lets out a laugh on the other end at the memory. Once his laughter dies down, he lets out a soft smile, “Thank you yn.”

You feel yourself get choked up, coughing into your elbow and saying, “Yeah, of course Hannie. I’ll see you on Saturday.”

After the two of you say your goodbyes, you end the call, placing your phone beside you. You let out a small sigh, already feeling anxious at the thought of seeing him again after three years. The two of you have successfully avoided each other after the break up, but it slowly broke apart the friend group as well. 

It’s not like we had a bad break up, it was mutual. So why am I so anxious? Why does my heart feel like it’s about to break again?

“It’s the least I could do, the group deserves it.” You mutter, staring at the white ceiling until the sun fully sets and the stars take over the sky. 

“Seungkwan!” You squeal, wrapping your arms around your old friend. He lets out a laugh into your hair, mentioning how it’s been too damn long. He invites you inside, and you feel giddy at the sound of the group laughing loudly. Slipping off your shoes, you and Seungkwan walk into the living room to see the whole gang laughing at Soonyoung’s story. Your eyes scan the room, and you’re surprised to not see him among them.

“Guess who’s here?” The eleven guys turn around at the sound of Seungkwan’s voice, letting out a loud scream once they realize that it’s you. The girl they haven’t seen in so fucking long!

“YN!” Seokmin screams, jumping over the couch and tackling you in a hug. The rest of the guys follow suit, and you laugh at the impact. Your heart is overwhelmed with happiness at being with your best friends after so long, but there’s still a looming anxiousness at the thought that he should be arriving soon. 

“Happy birthday, Hannie.” You greet, giving Jeonghan a big hug and handing him his gift. He wiggles his eyebrows at you, muttering how he didn’t expect you to buy him something. 

“I have to buy you a gift, what kind of friend would I be if I showed up to your own birthday party without a present?” Sitting down on the couch beside Joshua, Jeonghan gives you a smile before walking over to the kitchen counter and placing the gift there. 

“I’m back with soju and meat!” You freeze at the voice, and the guys beside you also seem to tense up slightly. Joshua pats your knee, getting up and walking over to help with the groceries. Minghao steps over and sits down beside you, giving you a smile in hopes to calm you down. 

He chuckles at the quietness in the room, walking over he says, “Why are you guys so quiet? Wait I know. You guys were talking shit right-” The voice pauses when he lays eyes on you, and you slowly look up and lock eyes with him. 

Mingyu stares at you, feeling an overwhelming amount of emotions flow through him. The main one somehow, still being pain. Your eyes shine at him, something that once used to make him smile but now makes his heart pang. He lowers his gaze once something reflects in the light, and he squeezes his hand into a fist once he sees you wearing the necklace with the half heart charm. You seem to notice, and your hand reaches up to cover it. His jaw tightens, and he walks out of the living room and into the kitchen. 

You let out a small breath, listening to your heart hammer in your chest. Jihoon and Seokmin follow after Mingyu, while Minghao gives your hand a reassuring squeeze. Seungkwan stares helplessly as you space out, and Soonyoung decides to take control of the situation.

“Have I told you guys about the time I almost got hit by a firetruck?”

“I beg your pardon?”

“What the fuck?”

“The time you almost got hit by what?”

“You WHAT?!”

“Okay great I haven’t. So basically...”

“Can you pass the sauce?” Seungkwan asks, and Jun hands it to him. You giggle at something Seungcheol whispers to you, and Mingyu glances at you when he hears it. He watches as you tuck your stray hair behind your ear, placing another piece of pork belly in your mouth along with some rice. 

Jeonghan stares at his friends from the end of the table, a small smile on his face after having been separated from the group for so long. His eyes catch Mingyu staring at you, and he watches the way he clenches his jaw when you laugh with Chan. Jeonghan stands up from his seat and walks over to Mingyu, placing a hand on his shoulder, effectively startling him. “Hannie, you scared me.” 

“How long are you planning to stare at yn until you go up to talk to her?” Mingyu lets out a sigh, wrapping his pork belly in lettuce and pacing it into his mouth instead of responding. Jeonghan chuckles, patting Mingyu’s head. “I know you miss her, and I know you saw that she still wears the necklace you got her. Try and talk to yn by the end of the night, birthday boy’s orders.” And with that, Jeonghan walks back over to his seat while Mingyu lets out a whine.

“That’s not fair!” 

“It’s absolutely, 100% fair.” Jeonghan responds, turning to talk to Joshua, ending the conversation with Mingyu. You immediately look down once Mingyu turns and glances at you, choosing to look busy with the food. 

i guess i will.

You take in a deep breath of the cold night air, rubbing your arms a bit once the goosebumps appear. You stare at the city, still in awe at the beauty of it during the night. You’ve been outside on Jeonghan’s balcony for a few minutes, needing a break from the loudness of the guys. A blanket gets draped over your shoulders suddenly, and you turn around preparing to thank Jeonghan or Seokmin, only to pause when you lock eyes with Mingyu. 

“T-thank you.” You mutter and he nods. He walks up to the railing and leans against it, staring at the skyline of the city. The two of you stand in silence, taking in the view as you hear the faint laughter from inside. 

“How have you been?” You finally ask, turning to glance at Mingyu. He shrugs, “I’ve been alright. I started culinary school a month ago.” 

Letting out a small smile, you turn to the man you still love once loved. “That’s great Mingyu. I’m really happy for you.” 

“Thank you. How about you? Are you still an intern for dazed magazine?” You shake your head, and he turns to glance at you.

“I actually work there now. Got promoted to be one of the editors.” He lets out a chuckle, shaking his head and you cock your head to the side at his reaction. “What?”

“I always knew you’d get that job ya know? When you’re passionate about something, it really shows. You work hard for what you want, and I’m glad they were able to see that.” Your smile falters slightly, and you turn your head to look back at the city. The two of you fall into silence once again, watching the cars down below. 

“You’re still in love with me, aren’t you?” You ask, not looking at Mingyu’s reaction. Out of the corner of your eye, you see him let out a sigh and nod his head slightly.

“Yeah, I am.” Mingyu turns so that he’s facing you, and he watches you bite your bottom lip harshly. 

“You still love me?” Mingyu asks softly, and you don’t move for a moment. 

You thought you were over him, or at least tried to convince yourself of that. In the three years of the two of you being broken up, you dated. You went to bars, opened up online dating accounts, went on blind dates, but there was always that lingering feeling in the back of your heart that you chose to ignore. However, seeing Mingyu after three years of avoiding him made that lingering feeling unescapable. 

“Yeah, yeah I do.” You finally answer, and he bites the inside of his cheek to stop the small smile from coming onto his face. He turns back so that he’s facing the railing again, and silence falls upon the two of you once again.

Mingyu reaches out and intertwines your fingers with his, and a shaky breath leaves your lips. You glance down at your connected hands, feeling like you’re finally home after so long of just wandering lost. Your eyes drift up to find him wearing the other half of the heart of your necklace, and a tear finally escapes your eye. Turning back towards the view, you rest your head on his arm, and Mingyu bites his lip to stop his own tears from falling.

The two of you stay like that for a while, comforting each other in silence after a long time of being apart. 

Meanwhile, Jeonghan and the eleven other guys smile excitedly at the sight of you and Mingyu staring at the night sky together. Knowing that everything’s going to be okay between the two of you once he intertwines his hand with yours

“Finally, they made their way home.” Jeonghan mutters softly once he sees you rest your head onto Mingyu’s arm. 

they made their way home.

[jimlingss]

Sugar and Coffee [1]

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2

➜ Words: 3.8k

➜ Genres: 99.5% Fluff, 0.5% Angst, Pâtisserie school!AU

➜ Summary: It isn't hard to be a pâtisserie chef, but it's not a piece of cake either. It seems like for you in particular, life keeps throwing in one wrench after another. It always finds ways to make your sweets bitter. The cherry on top is Jeon Jungkook — a rival with a sensitive sweet tooth who always finds ways to complain about you.

cr.

Baking is an art form. It takes more than just having ingredients and following a recipe. It’s the flavour, texture, taste, and the presentation. It’s knowing why when things go wrong and how to fix it. It’s knowing the right kinds of ingredients to pick, how much of each should be combined, what techniques and methods to use. Baking is therapy. Baking is scientific. It is art.   The ingredients are as follows: 

Fresh strawberries

Sponge cake

Sugar

Heavy cream

Vanilla extract

You slice the freshly washed strawberries into halves as the stand mixer whips the two cups of heavy cream and quarter cup of sugar into medium peaks. Once you’ve got your components prepared, you slice the cooled sponge cake into two layers and set the bottom layer on a cake board on the turning cake table. You spread the whipped cream evenly with an offset spatula and layer the strawberries with cream on top.    Afterwards, you place the other sponge cake on top and repeat the process.   You finish the shortcake with strawberries on top for decorative purposes and pipe flowers with a twelve inch piping bag.   “Very well done! Everyone give a round of applause for Y/N’s shortcake demonstration.”   The teacher claps and the students around the counter follow suit. “Now it’s time for the real test.”   She begins slicing the cake into pieces, but you’re not nervous whatsoever. You know you did a great job and your strawberry shortcake is worthy of salivating over. And as expected, while your classmates take careful bites and allow the flavour to linger on their tongue, there’s nothing but praise.   “Wow, the sponge cake is so soft and moist.”   “The cream is so smooth.”   “It’s so fluffy.”   “It’s melting in my mouth.”   Even the teacher is nodding as she eats. But of course—   “Isn’t it too sweet?”   Jeon Jungkook has his brows deeply furrowed with a soured expression like he bit into a fucking lemon. His fork is cleaned but he puts the utensil down with a noisy clank, not wanting another bite.    A muscle in your cheek twitches.   “Didn’t you say that last time?”   “Yeah.” He shrugs. “But you didn’t follow my advice. Obviously.”   “Maybe you just have sensitive teeth, Jonhson.”   “I don’t,” Jungkook deadpans, not appreciating how you pretend that you don’t know his name.   “I don’t see anyone else complaining.”   “Because they’re too nice to. If you can’t take criticism, then there’s nothing I can do, Y/N.”   There are eyes flickering around. This happens often enough that no one’s particularly surprised, but there’s still bated breath held amongst your classmates.    You open your mouth to retort. But the teacher eats with a thoughtful look, and then nods. “You’re right, Jungkook. You could lessen the sugar just a tad, Y/N. The strawberries are quite sweet this time around. Just goes to show that ingredients might always change, everyone!”   “Okay.” You force a smile. “I’ll make a note of it.”   “Alright class, now that we saw the demonstration, off you go! Watch that whipping cream! It shouldn’t be soft or hard peaks!”   Everyone turns to leave, but your glare connects with Jeon’s until he turns around all the way.    No matter what you make — Jeon Jungkook always complains that it’s too sweet.    He’s a fucking ass.   “What was up with that?” There are audible murmurs behind you. “I thought they were going to fight.”   “In the kitchen? No. Maybe outside — but you know how it is.”   “They still hate each other over the September incident?”   “Well Jeon almost got Y/N expelled….”   You turn around and once they realize they’ve been caught gossiping, they look away with big eyes and they quicken their hands. “So, uh, pass me the cream!”   “Y-Yeah.”   The teacher brings your attention back as she finishes marking the rubric. “Thanks for doing that demonstration for the whole class, Y/N. Job well done as usual. Just lessen the sweetness and you’re good to go.”   You’re given ninety five percent. Full marks lost because of that asshat.    You hope he can feel your glare on his backside.   Eventually class ends and with your station all cleaned, hands washed, and apron put aside, you leave.    Outside of the room, is the most handsome man on the planet waiting for you. The person who you love wholeheartedly. The person you’re most excited to see. Your person.   He’s dressed in a white turtleneck sweater that you got him last year for his birthday, black jeans, and that baby blue trench that’s always soft to the touch. His dark hair is brushed and he’s leaning against the wall casually. But the glimmer in his sheepish eyes betrays the nonchalant exterior he tries to put on.   And the corner of his plump lip pulls into a tender smile.   “Hey—oof!”   Laughter bubbles out of Seokjin’s mouth and his arms wrap around your frame after you quite literally leaped onto him. You barely manage to pull away from the man, having the strongest urge to stick to him forever.   “I missed you.”   You pout and he grins. “Missed you too, sweetheart.”   You lean in to kiss your boyfriend silly. He holds you by your waist and you greet his plump, soft lips that makes you melt in a chaste peck. After a moment, you break away and he wraps an arm around your shoulder. “Should we go?”   “Yeah.” Your steps sync together. “You won’t believe what happened to me today.”   “What happened? Tell me.”   The pair of you walk down the corridor together as the rest of the class continues to spill out. There are girls who caught sight of the heartwarming interaction and they hold their books to their chest as they sigh wistfully.    “God, I’m so jealous. I want to be in love too. When am I going to get a boyfriend?”   “At this rate, never.”   “Hey! Rude!”   “I’m kidding!” She giggles. “You just won’t get someone like Seokjin.”   “Let’s be real, no one is gonna get someone like Seokjin — he’s just...perfect.”   “They’re such a good couple, aren’t they? They’re gonna have such pretty…” Their voices fade, but Jungkook exits and hears their commentary. He turns to steal a glance at your backside down the hall.   Jungkook scoffs audibly.   “What?” Taehyung catches up to his best friend and swings an arm over his shoulder. The same-height brunette follows his line of sight and hums. “Jealous you’re not in a relationship?”   “As if. It’s just pathetic, is all.” Jungkook looks away and they make their own way to the dining hall.   “You really handed it to Y/N today.” Taehyung grins mischievously. “Like damn. I didn’t think her cake was half-bad. But you’re not scared it’s gonna come bite you in the ass, Kook? Y/N’s gonna hammer you down when it’s your turn for demonstration.”   “So what? Like she knows what she’s even doing.”   “Are you sure about that? She seems pretty decent at what she does to me.”   “Decent isn’t good enough,” he says blankly. “She thinks she’s the shit but she came here to follow her boyfriend.”   Taehyung whistles. “You still mad over September?”   “She just irks me. Always has.”   “Right, didn’t you guys go to high school together? You, Jin and her…”   “We never talked. Whatever, it’s not worth talking about and wasting our time. Hey, what’s on the menu for lunch?”   “You tell me. Jimin never texts us what’s new today. Dude just eats and then goes.”   “What class does he even have right now?”   “Bakery safety and sanitation.”   Jungkook grins, remembering just how nightmarish that class was. “Rip.”   The two of them turn the corner, moving the opposite way from you and Seokjin, and the hallway empties out. 

Anxiousness boils at the pit of your stomach. Today’s the day you’ve been waiting for ever since you found out your application was accepted into the institution and you were successfully enrolled. Whatever results appear, it might dictate where you’re headed in the near and far future. The experience that you gain in these two years will pave the path to your career after all.   “It’s today?” Moonbyul puts down her spoon. “Isn’t the paid internship in May? It’s only November.”   “The posting went up for us in November too,” Hani pipes up past a mouthful of eggs. “Remember?”   “Did it? It was so long ago, I forgot.”   “It was only last year.” Sandeul rolls his eyes. “You haven’t gotten that old.”   “I sure feel like it.”   “Well if anything, you sure look like it.”   “Umm, excuse me?”   “Okay, okay, guys,” Your boyfriend interrupts with a laugh. “You’re freaking out Y/N even more.”   They mutter apologies, but you smile. In an attempt to calm yourself down, you ask, “Where did you guys end up going?” After all, they’re a year ahead of you and they’ve been through the entire process. Any advice is helpful advice at this point.   “Sandeul and I got hired by a hotel,” Hani says, “The Marriott. It was a pretty sweet gig, kind of tough though. Out of the entire class, I think five of us went there in total, so we were pretty lucky that we knew each other. It was long hours, but I learned a lot.”   Sandeul scoffs. “Can’t say I did.”   “When do you ever learn?” Moonbyul bites back.   “My internship was at a private club,” Ken recalls, interjecting as the two of them argue again. “But all I baked was bread all day. It was awful.”   “Oh god.” You look to Seokjin. “What if I have to bake bread all day? I hate yeast.”   Jin laughs and he lifts his thumb to affectionately swipe at the corner of your mouth, getting the spaghetti sauce off your skin where you missed. “You’ll be fine. Promise. You’ll probably get hired at a catering company like I did. Or maybe a pastry shop.”   “God, I hope so.”   “Which did you apply to?” Hani asks, playing with her noodles.   “Just a bunch of them. Restaurants, catering companies, shops. I applied to I think ten.”   “Oh, you should be fine then.”   “But I heard sometimes they put you in ones you didn’t apply for.”   “That rarely happens. Don’t worry about it.” She bats the air with her hand, easing your worries a little more.   Your boyfriend smiles warmly. “See? Told you so.”   You nod and check the time. It’s five minutes to noon. And with that realization, you get up. “We should go.”   “Don’t they email you?” Sandeul asks, pulling himself away from his argument with Moonbyul and ignoring whatever half-hearted and playful insult she throws his way.   “Yeah, but the physical posting gets put up faster.” You’re jittery, hopping on both feet and Jin chuckles before he gets up too, taking your food tray and his to dump into the trash.   They wish you all the luck you need and you’re off with Seokjin by your side.   You’re excited and afraid, not exactly sure what to expect. You just hope you get your internship by the same catering company as the one Seokjin had. They liked him enough that they’ve ensured him a position after he graduates. If they hire you too and you do well enough, they’ll hire you back and you’ll get to work with him. It would be absolutely perfect.   You can already imagine it. A small apartment in the city. Working together. Coming home together. There’s not a better plan out there.   The hallway is crowded with lots of people pushing past to look at the posting. There are loud conversations, eager claps and cheers, to disappointed sighs and whines.    “Wait here, okay?” You turn to Jin, not wanting him to be stepped on or pushed by the crowd.    “I’ll be right here.” He squeezes your hand before letting go.    And you push past the horde of students. “Excuse me, excuse me. Sorry…”   “Aw man, I have my internship at a grocery store?! This sucks.” — “The hell is Dog World.” — “Oh my god, oh my god! I got into the East Wood Country Club! Fuck yes!”   Finally, you stumble out of the crowd to the very front. The list is grouped together by locations and you search your name on the paper posting. After an antagonizing minute, you find it. “Kim’s…..Wedding Cake Company….”   Blood drains from your face. It runs cold.   Jeon Jungkook is coming with you.   //   You stomp your foot and cross your arms. You’ve been pouting for the past hour. But you can’t help the distress — not when you were still unable to comprehend it. It was the worst news on Earth. You thought your eyes were wrong, that maybe the posting or printer made a mistake, but the email wasn’t any different either.   “I can’t believe I have to go with that jerk! It’s all ruined!”   “I know, baby.” Seokjin pouts with you, sympathizing with your situation. He pulls you in to plant a kiss at the top of your head. “But you’ll be okay. Promise.”   The way he says it calms your nerves, but that doesn’t mean you still aren’t frustrated to no end.   There was only one paid internship to be done. One that was supposed to pave your way, help with the rest of your career, teach you things that couldn’t be learned through lectures and classroom work. But your one shot is destroyed. In shambles. What should be a fantastic experience is going to be a dreadful one.   Why did things never go right for you?   “I just….I just really wanted to be hired at your company.” You look up at him, eyes stinging and glossy with tears that threaten to shed.    Your plans are ruined.   “It’s okay. You can always apply after graduation.”    “I know.” You sigh. “But of all people, why him?”   A few hours later, the pair of you catch up with your friends at the dining center for dinner, and they quickly notice the way you’re not necessarily jumping for joy, but rather grieving. “Not...good news, I presume?”   Moonbyul gasps. “Did you not get hired anywhere-OW!” She rubs the spot where Sandeul smacked the back of her head for being tactless.   “It’s not that,” you reassure them with a small smile. “My internship is at Kim’s Wedding Cake Company.”   Ken’s eyes are enlarged. “Oh shit.”   “Wedding cakes?!” Hani sharply inhales. “That’s brutal.”   “No, it’s not that either. I don’t mind. It’s just…” You steal a glimpse at your boyfriend. For one, you wanted to go where he went and secondly— “I’m with Jeon Jungkook.”   “Who?” Ken asks, brows furrowing.   “You know, the black haired kid,” Moonbyul says in an attempt to jog his memory.   But the man’s impassive expression doesn’t waver or alter. “You literally described at least a quarter of the population.”   “The one that looks like a rabbit, you idiot.” Hani makes grand gestures. “The deer-looking fellow. You know, the cute one.”   “Right!” He snaps his fingers, as if that was enough to remember him by.   You shake your head. “He’s not cute. He’s an ass. Steer clear territory.”   “Can’t you steer clear from him?” Sandeul asks before he slurps up his carbonara and then chews in his cheek. “There’s like what— four or five kids coming with you? You can probably avoid him if you wanted to.”   “No.” It dawns on you just how bad the circumstances are. “Apparently only two of us are going there. At least I didn’t see anyone else assigned to that place. It’s only going to be just him and I.”   “Yikes.”   “Not helping, Hani.” Seokjin gives her a look that makes her sheepish and mumble an apology. “It’s not going to be that bad.” He reaches for your hand underneath the table, a private place without the prying eyes of his friends. “It’s only for three months and it’s during summer. It won’t happen for quite some time.”   “Yeah.” You squeeze your hand tenderly with his.    It’s wondrous how effective Seokjin’s reassurance is. You feel like there’s no reason for you to be afraid, for you to dread the inevitability. He makes you feel like you could take on anything.   All plans have their obstacles. Maybe this is just yours. Things always have a way of working out after all. You’ll get your experience, do your internship without talking to him, and then apply where Jin will be working after. You just have a feeling — call it your intuition — that it’ll work out.   //   But you’re still somewhat unsettled. You wonder if there’s a way you could switch. At least it wouldn’t hurt to take your chances and ask, then you knew you tried and did all you could. So with a hopeful heart, you approach the office area and open the door. The secretary is gone from her desk, maybe gone to take a bathroom or coffee break, so you take a seat in the waiting area.   One second passes before you overhear a familiar voice that you’ve grown to detest.   “—don’t see how I’m qualified at all! I haven’t even learned about wedding cakes yet!” The frustration is tangible. “It’s a course for next year!”   “Then you’ll get a head start from your classmates, Jungkook.”   There’s an audible sigh and his voice becomes calmer. “Miss. Kang, please. I just don’t understand how I could be put in something I didn’t even apply for.”   “What do you want to do, Jungkook?”   “Pardon?”   “What is it that you want to do after you’ve gotten your diploma?”   “I want to be a chocolatier.” There’s a pause. “A Master Chocolatier. I want to compete in The World Chocolate Masters. That’s why I applied for Oliver’s and Tokyo Confectionery. Spending my time and my internship at a place that does chocolate is important to me. Not wedding cakes.”   “Well, you’re lucky then. I personally know the couple that runs Kim’s Wedding Cake Company. They’re good friends of mine and the man who runs the place with his wife is actually a chocolatier. He studied in Paris and has been in the industry for more than ten years. I feel like you could learn a lot from him, Jungkook. Remember, it’s not the place you go to, but the mentor that you have. Think it over. Give it a few days. If you still have concerns, we can talk about it.”   Jungkook huffs in exasperation and grabs his bag. He mutters a reluctant ‘thank you’ before leaving the office. He doesn’t take one look back but on his way out, he catches you staring straight at him in the waiting area. His steps slow but then he scoffs, looks away and walks out.   When you get a chance to talk to the lady organizing internships, it’s brief — she apologizes and tells you there’ll be no changes made. There’s no arguing, you know that much. Not when Jungkook quite literally tried every desperate plea in the book.   You end up leaving and at the same exact time, Jungkook exits the men’s locker area, changed back into his regular attire. The two of you nearly bump heads, running into each other.   “Are you following me?” he flat out asks when your eyes meet.   You raise a brow, freezing in the middle of the hallway. “Excuse me?”   “Are you following me,” he repeats with a sharp tongue, obviously still peeved over his previous interaction with Miss. Kang. But you don’t know why he’s putting it on you and making such outlandish accusations. There was absolutely no limit to his cockiness.   “Get your head out of your ass, Johnson. I don’t have the time or day to follow you around.”   “Then what are you doing here?”   “I don’t think I need to tell you where I am or what I do.”   “Whatever.” Jungkook rolls his eyes and brushes past you.   But you turn onto your heel and shout after him—   “Do you really think you’ll make it?”   “What?” He shifts around to glare. His thick brows are knitted, mouth downturned.   “Do you really think you’ll make it as a chocolatier?” You meet his eye and a smirk pulls on your features. A rush of air leaves your nose in a snort. “You? Really? You want to compete in The World Chocolate Masters? That’s cute.”   “At least I have actual ambitions and goals and I’m not here for the sake of my boyfriend.”   “Excuse me? What are you trying to say?”   “Don’t play dumb and act like you didn’t follow your little boyfriend here.”   “You don't know anything about me, Jeon.”   “I don’t? I know that you’re not passionate about baking, that’s for sure. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have fucking stolen—”   “Fuck you,” you spit. “I didn’t.”   “Yeah right.” Jungkook scoffs. “Get real, Y/N.”   He gets the last word. Jeon Jungkook turns around, walking away with his bag slung over his shoulder. You shout insults after him but he ignores it, making you look like the fool.   Tears sting your eyes and your teeth grit. He’s an asshole through and through. You don’t know why you even bother wasting your breath.    If Seokjin was the most patient, kindest person and the person that you love the most — then Jeon was the complete opposite. You will forever detest his very being.   //   Your hand is squeezed and you’re brought out of your thoughts.   “Babe? What’s wrong?”   You look to your boyfriend. That’s right — you love him and this man loves you. There’s nothing else that could ever matter more than this. “Nothing. I just had...a really long day today.”   Seokjin stops walking and spreads open his arms wide. He gestures to you. “Come here.”   A smile pulls into your features and you jump into him. Jin laughs, stumbling back as you cuddle into his chest. His arms wrap securely around your frame, shielding you from the cold, from the darkness of the night.   You feel safe.   “I love you.”   He hums and kisses the top of your head. You’re beginning to feel better already.

[murphslass]

You’re The One That I Want

Chapter 1

Summary: after leaving Y/N that one night in tears, Eddie thinks maybe a more subtle approach would help.

Warnings: flirting, swearing, smoking, alcohol, kissing, romance, slow burn, eventual smut

It had been a week since the incident happened between Y/N and Eddie. What the fuck was wrong with him? He knew fully that he was a monster, but damn. His heart must be stone cold doing that to her. Eddie kept thinking about what he had done to his neighbor. This was difficult because he had some feelings in his body and thinking maybe he was going soft. Whatever. It doesn’t matter. All he has to do is swallow his pride and apologize while trying to exchange nice words was the hard part. Eddie was rude and selfish but he knew deep down this is what needed to be done. He took a deep breath and entered the apartment building. He made a fast B-Line to Y/N’s apartment. With a soft knock of his strong hand, he waited for Y/N to answer.

“Hello? Oh Eddie, is there something wrong?”

He eyed her as she answered the door. She wore casual clothes that hugged her curves and a dirty apron. She must be cooking.

“Could I come in?”

“Sure.”

She smiled as she opened the door wider for him. Eddie stepped in and could smell the food she was cooking in the air. She was beautiful, innocent, and could cook? She had to be his soon.

“I wanted to talk about what the fuck I did.”

“Oh...”

She looked down at her feet and blushed. That odd and yet weirdly exciting encounter. She intended to initiate the conversation but always failed because of her shy nature. Y/N could see Eddie struggling with his words. It was like it was first time apologizing.

“Fuck I just, look I’m not good at this apology bullshit.”

She looked up from the ground and slowly approached him.

“Hey, it’s okay. Even if you can’t say it, I know that you feel it and mean whatever it is you want to tell me.”

She approached him and went to hold his large hand in her own. She gave a grin up at him. Eddie felt nothing but confusion in his mind. Why the fuck was this girl so nice? Why wasn’t she afraid of him? And why does her touch make him feel so good? Giving his hand a squeeze before returning to the kitchen and cooking her food, Eddie stilled in his steps. As much as he would like to grab her and fuck her on the counter, he knew it was wrong. His fists clenched trying to control himself.

“I’m nearly done cooking, do you want to stay and eat?”

“Uh yeah. You need help with anything?”

“Oh no, it’s okay. You’re my guest so please just sit at the table.”

Eddie was still severely confused on how she was so nice to him. It was starting to make him angry. But he took a deep breath before he lost his cool and saw Y/N walking over to him with a plate of hot food. He was going to say something but saw the delicious meal placed in front of him.

“Would you like anything to drink?”

“Sure, ya got any beer?”

She nodded and brought over silverware and a cold bottle of beer.

“Enjoy!”

She said with the same genuine smile before eating. Eddie didn’t really care since given a free meal. And it was absolutely tasty, she knew how to make a good plate of spaghetti. He was hooked for sure. Eddie quickly finished his food and saw Y/N laughing.

“What’s so fucking funny?”

“Sorry, it’s just you’ve got sauce all over your mouth and mustache.”

She giggled and offered a napkin. Eddie took it with a frown and wiped his face. Wait a minute. Was Eddie really sitting here having dinner with an angel and enjoying being civil? He’s never done this with anyone, now his anger was getting to him. Eddie stood up and towered over her.

“Okay. What the hell is wrong with you?”

“I’m sorry?”

“Why aren’t you fucking scared of me?”

She sat confused and slowly stood from her seat and stared him in his eyes.

“Because I feel a connection with us. I don’t know what it is. But I feel like we need to be close.”

She said while letting out a sigh. Eddie stayed quiet and opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out. His body was tense as Y/N reached to touch his arm. His jaw clenched as he felt anger through his body. The first time a girl was actually nice and he was getting mad?

“Did I do something wrong?”

“Fuck no, that’s just all me. I gotta go before I do something bad.”

Before Y/N could say goodbye, Eddie rushed to exit again. His anger issues we’re probably going to kill him. He had steam to blow off. His costume was fit around his body as he scanned the streets for criminals. He’d rather be with Y/N but his emotions were out of control. A night of beating up random men doing shitty crimes and muggings, he had gotten stabbed. Great. His muscles all sore, bloody, and bruised. All Eddie wanted was to be home. Walking in the cold of the night hours and approaching his building felt like sweet relief. He sighed and reached for his key. Oh shit. It’s gone, he might of forgotten or just dropped it. He growled and punched the nearest wall.

“Fuck me.”

He sighed and began to buzz random people to let him enter but no one answered. This was just fantastic. Eddie almost gave up until he heard footsteps on the sidewalk.

“Oh my goodness! Eddie! Are you okay?”

His savior had arrived to his rescue. Y/N rushed to check over his various scars.

“Eddie this looks bad. Quick let’s go to my place, I need to clean you up.”

She said as she entered the building and led Eddie by his hand. At that moment he felt no pain or soreness, all he was worried about was Y/N. However she moved fast and ran hot water in her tub. Eddie stood confused on what she was even doing. Like why was she out so late?

“Okay Eddie, I ran you a hot bath to help soothe the muscles now please take off your clothes.”

“And here I thought you were shy.”

Y/N blushed and realized what she said. Even if Eddie’s body was feeling all sore and shit, he couldn’t pass up a way to flirt.

“Not in that way! I mean just get in the tub and I’ll help clean up your scars.”

He shook his and laughed as he stripped off his armor. Y/N left him to undress as she got fresh towels and her first aid kit. Eddie hesitated entering the tub as the water was warm but he desperately needed it since his body was covered in dirt and sweat. He sighed and dipped his body into the water. As soon as the water hit, he felt his muscles relax and a groan escaped his lips. His body felt so at ease and he felt relaxed. Eddie almost considered falling asleep but didn’t once Y/N came back into the room.

“You feeling any better?”

“Fuck yeah...”

He sighed as his arms rested to his sides and his eyes fell shut.

“Here, can I help you?”

She asked as she reached for soap and a wash cloth. He nodded and moaned as her hands clean his upper body. From his broad shoulders, to his chest, and even getting his back. Her hands worked magic as she cleaned him throughly. Then he bit his lip as her hands drifted to his stomach. His breath hitched as he cursed himself for getting hard. His lips releasing a light moan when her arm brushes over the tip. She looks and sees his very noticeable problem. Her cheeks flush red and her hand leaving the water.

“Uh it’s rather normal for that to happen. Most men who get cleaned tend to get excited.”

“It’s not that. A fucking sexy woman who I like is touching my body. That’s why I popped a fucking boner.”

He sighed as his hand ran over his face. He saw her frown and shook his head to his own outburst.

“I get it. It’s okay. Here just rinse off and put on a towel. We need to clean those wounds.”

She ran her fingers through his hair and left the bathroom. He quickly went to dry off and slipped a towel around his waist. Why was she so fucking nice? He saw her in the kitchen pouring water into a glass and approached her cautiously. Without much thought he hugged her body against his bare skin.

“Uh Eddie?”

“Please be mine.”

TAGLIST:

@ffakc

@negans-attagirl

@jonasdean02

@macsgurl

@littlebadgirly

[kyber-kisses]

Through A Mothers Eyes (Part 3)

Dean Winchester x Reader

Wanna start from the beginning? Here is the masterlist!

Warnings: crack, cursing, idiots to lovers trope (that good shit)

Summary: When Mary meets Deans closest and best friend, she cant help but see the chemistry between them. . .but she might be the only one as well.

A/n: Its back! It took me awhile to motivate myself to write the next chapter, but I did it! I hope you enjoy and feedback is greatly appreciated! (gif made by rainbow-motors)

If Mary thought living in a bunker with her two sons and you was chaotic. . . She was definitely not prepared at all for what game night meant. Not. One. Bit.

It was like a fucking war zone.

Halfway through Jenga she almost expected you and Dean to slap on some war paint, she had never seen such competitive people before in her life.

And then you brought out Uno.

“Fuckin demolish him Cas!” You yelled, hands planted firmly on the table as you watched the angel and hunter slap down colored cards furiously. You, Sam, and Mary had all lost already, resulting in you being Cas’s new hype man.

“Y/N, you’re supposed to be on my side!”

“There are no sides in Uno, Dean!”

“Then why the hell are you cheering on Cas?!” Dean slapped down another card. The two were almost running out of cards to play that it hit the point where Sam had to start shuffling the played cards so they could continue. “As your best friend let me just say; I find that insulting.”

“False. Cas is actually my best friend.” You responded bluntly, raising your hand to connect it with the angels in a loud high five.

Dean paused to narrow his eyes in your direction. “. . . Anyways, as your best friend- I’m telling you, you can’t pick sides.”

“Oh and where pray tell did you get that idea from?”

“The best friend rule book.”

You laughed. “Oh yeah, let’s whip that one out and crack it open, I’d love to read it!” You paused, turning to his mother with a soft smile. “I’m so sorry you have to witness this. He’s just a pain in my ass.”

Resting her chin in her hand, Mary returned the smile, still mildly amused at what was playing out in front of her. “I can tell. But I’m pretty sure he’s a pain in everyone’s butt.”

Deans mouth popped open in shock as his lips momentarily failed at trying to form words. “Now you’re taking her side too?!”

“I mean-“ you paused, flicking your hair over your shoulder. “I am fucking amazing. Plus, your mom just knows who the cooler person is out of the two of us-“

“Oh you little-“ dean growled, rolling up his sleeves after slapping his cards down on the table.

“Is this really necessary?” Cas muttered, eyes still on his cards and clearly trying to plan his next move.

“Oh you fuckin know it.”

“Maybe your mom should just adopt me. I could replace you! I am way more fun!” You laughed, backing up as Dean slowly rose from his seat. “Plus, you’re moms way more cool than you.” You joked, eyes lighting up when you looked at Dean and saw him moving towards you. You maneuvered around the table, the two of you moving back and forth as you tried to dodge Dean, trying to keep the table between you.

“You’re such an asshole!”

“You know it baby.” Shooting him a wink you ducked behind Sam's large frame, using him as a shield.

“Oh no- don’t go bringing me into this.” Sam tried, shaking his head as you gripped his shoulders.

“Just hold him off for me will ya?”

“And what do I get in return?”

“. . . the next time its your turn for a supply run, ill do it.”

A pause. “Deal.”

“Sam!”

The younger Winchester shrugged as he held out his arms, stopping Dean from reaching you. “What? Y/Ns more negotiable that you are.”

You let out a cackle before standing on your top toes to press a firm kiss to Sams cheek. “Thanks Samantha!”

You took off down the hallway before Dean could even attempt to move Sam. The younger Winchester continuing to block his brother as he tried to move past him. After a moment Dean gave up, falling back into his seat. “Alright, fine. I admit defeat. . .you can put your arms down..”

“If I do are you gonna go kill her?”

“. . . Maybe.”

“Dean!” Mary hissed, shaking her head at her sons antics.

“What? She’s a pain in the ass!”

Mary only shook her head again. That was until Cas spoke up again. “Am I supposed to say Uno?”

*. *. *. *. *. *.

The rest of the night became much calmer after that, you and Dean were back to your usual shenanigans and held up in the Dean cave watching some old western, Sam had headed off to bed because apparently you and Dean “drain his energy” Or whatever. Cas was for some reason still up cataloging some of the bunkers lore. As for mother Winchester, she found herself seated at the kitchen table, reading a book you had lent her a little over a week ago.

Mary almost didn’t see you walk in at first, with most of the lights still off it was like darkened hallway spit you out. Hands in the pockets of your sweatpants you quietly trudged into the room, pausing at the sight of Mary.

“You liking the book?”

Mary looked up, a small smile gracing her lips at the sight of you. “Yes I am, thank you for lending it to me.”

“No problem. Honestly it was just sitting on my desk collecting dust. I read it and never picked it up again” You admitted with a shrug. Walking past her, you filled your empty glass at the sink before moving back and lowering yourself into the seat across from her. “I’m sorry about earlier. Deans and Is energy can be a little overwhelming at times.”

“You don’t need to apologize. If anything I should be thanking you.” She closed her book, folding her arms over the surface of the table.

“What for?”

Mary let out a sigh. “Even if I haven’t been back for very long, it’s easy to see the effect you have on Dean. He’s happier when you're around, you get him to laugh more than anyone else here.”

“I think you're just seeing his slow decent into insanity.” You chuckled, looking down at your folded hands. “I’m told I have that effect on people.”

“Oh I don’t think that’s true.”

You opened your mouth to answer but stopped when you looked past Mary, eyebrow instantly raising. “What?”

Mary turned in her seat, her eyes finding her oldest son standing in the darkened doorway, your blue blanket wrapped around him. Dean narrowed his eyes at you. “You left me.”

“. . . I’m sorry?”

He stepped down into the kitchen, eyes still glazed over with a slight sleepiness. “It was rude.”

“You were asleep! I didn’t want to wake you up!” You threw your hands in the air, unable to believe the man sinking down into the vacant seat next to you. He yawned, his head falling against your shoulder as he closed his eyes.

“But by your didn’t have to leave me by myself. I woke up and you were gone.”

You rolled your eyes, hand coming up to pat the side of his head. “You poor baby, whatever shall you do now?”

“Mmm haven’t gotten that far yet.”

“Did you really just come in here to fall asleep on me again? Just go to bed Dean.”

“Don’t wanna.” He sighed, wrapping your blanket tighter around him.

“I swear you like a five year old.”

“I am not.”

“You totally are.” You paused. “But seriously Dean, go to bed. I ain’t dragging you down the hallway to your room when you fall asleep on me again.” You gave him another pat before standing up put your now empty glass in the sink, having practically chugged it moments before.

Groaning once more, Dean slowly blinked his eyes open and turned his attention to his mother. “What are you still doing up? I thought you went to bed.”

“Couldn’t sleep, thought I’d stay up and read instead. Y/N lent me a book to read.”

Turning his head to look between you and his mom he shook it in disbelief. “God, I live with a bunch of nerds.”

“Dean you can’t say anything about that. You're like the biggest nerd out of all of us.”

“. . . Shut up. Plus, you're no better. If anything I'm this way because of you.”

“Sure, Jan. You keep telling yourself that.”

Dean paused when he looked back over to his mom, seeing a soft smile on her features. “What?”

“Just the two of you-“

“What about the two of us?” He questioned, sliding the blanket off of his shoulders as he stood up before folding it and handing it back to its rightful owner.

“I just- I think you two would make a cute couple.”

There was a pause as the two of you looked at each other.

“Me? . . .And her?” Dean threw a thumb over his shoulder in your direction.

“Me and Dean?”

Another pause. And then a light laugh was bubbling up from both of your throats- before quickly turning into full bellied laughter. Dean had his hands planted on his knees and your head was thrown back as you grabbed at you gut. The two of you quickly dissolving into fits of hysteria. It went on for a good minute before starting to fizzle out.

Ahaha! Whew-“ Dean chuckled, wiping the tears from his eyes as he stood up properly again. “That- that was good.”

“Oh god-“ you bent over, hands still on your sides. “My gut hurts- I haven’t laughed like that in awhile.” You panted.

“Yeah, thank you for that mom.” Dean patted his mother’s shoulder as he passed. “That just made my entire day.”

Once you had mostly regained your composure, you took a deep breath. “Okay, well as much fun as that was- I’m gonna go to bed. Goodnight Mary, Dean.” Giving gone last nod you stepped into the hallway along with Dean, the two of you connecting your palms in a loud high five before walking off in separate directions.

Meanwhile Mary sat silently at the table, the only thing running through her mind being what the fuck just happened?

SPN Taglist (Still open!)

@familybusinesswritingbro​@a–1–1–3 @awesome-badass-cafeteria-sauce @music-is-all-i-need @agusdoti​ @callmekda​ @jordangdelacruz​ @orphiceseum​ @andthatsmyworld​ @marvelfangirllll​ @fandomnerdespressourself​ @gladiosamicitias​ @castielsangelsx​ @lxstgxrl-ck​ @tis-i-the-wayward-idgit @amendoise @phoenixuprisingsstuff​ @ericalynne007 @kaitlaitlaitl  @totallyluciferr​ @supernaturalenchanted​ @dolanfivsosxox@supernatural-ocs @emptycanvasposts​ @akshi8278 @defenderrosetyler​ @heyyy-hey-babyyy​ @supernaturalenchanted@emptycanvasposts @vicmc624 @all-will-be-well-love@busy-bee-angel-misska @starsandmidnightblue​ @lilulo-12fanfiction @beanie-beebo​ @xoxoaudreymarie​ @greenarrowhead​ @mrsjenniferwinchester​  @mysticalfuncollectorus​ @brebolin​ @biahblue​ @noahandthegiraffe​ @hhiggs​​ @mila-dans​

[needs-to-stop-looking-at-yigas]

Saw you were taking a break from this blog so no rush! Just a thought I keep having, since jealous possessive Sooga is amazing. Suppose the boys had Link and Mipha over for dinner and Link is all goo-goo-eyed over Kohga because his cooking is so good? And Kohga of course just keeps making Sooga jealous by feeding Link until Sooga is just "will you two excuse us a moment" while he drags Kohga to the kitchen for the roughest, most possessive quickie of his life XD

Oh this is SUCH a good idea. We love a jealous Sooga here, folks!

“Linkie! Mipha! There’s the little couple!”

Kohga welcomed Kohga with a hug, and graced Link with a nod. Mipha chuckled, ever the bubbly babe as she was.

“Kohga! We’re SO glad you invited us for dinner! I wasn’t feeling like cooking tonight, actually, and Link...always makes too much.”

She gave him a side eye (best she could anyway, looked as scary as a kitten), and he rubbed the back of his head, a bit bashful. Kohga shook his head.

“Oh It’s my pleasure! I’ve been testing out some new recipes lately, I wanted you guys to be the first to try it. Not to mention It’s been SO long since you came to visit! Everyone misses seeing your little fishy face!”

He pinched at her cheek, making her blush something fierce. Ugh, precious little pearl, this girl. He motioned for them to come on in, just in time to catch Sooga setting up the table. He nodded at them, just as he was placing the glasses.

“Lady Mipha. Link.”

That was the best one could do in terms of greeting, at least when it came to a busy Sooga. Kohga had done all the cooking, it’d make sense that Sooga could pick up the slack. Kohga sat down, and Sooga was about to place his glass of wine next to him, when Link sat down right next to him. It was most likely just the fresh bread and butter being on that side of the table, but it didn’t halt Sooga’s jealousy. He huffed. No sense in being rude to a guest, even though the boy lacked manners. He was forced to put his glass next to Mipha’s seat, which he didn’t like. Nothing against Mipha personally, he just...didn’t like small, sweet women. Reminded him of too many things he wished he could forget. Kohga chuckled as he had Sooga pour him a glass of wine.

“Mipha! Are you feeding this boy? He’s already almost done with the damn basket!”

Link had helped himself to all the bread there, essentially licking the butter right off the cloth. Link was a good, brave boy, but his eating habits were just as bad as his gluttony. Not that Kohga minded. Mipha tried to excuse him, but he waved her off.

“Oh don’t say sorry, we love a boy with an appetite! I’ll feed him enough to get him right through winter! Sooga, soup first, please! And uh, another round of bread. Make that two.”

Sooga obeyed, bringing over bowls of soup, and fresh baskets of bread. Sooga insisted he wasn’t hungry, so he more or less came in and out, occasionally sipping his own wine. It was fine with Kohga, given what they had planned for after dinner. Link dug into his pumpkin soup, and he was clearly in love with it, given how he slurped at his bowl. Mipha chuckled, dainty as she ate her own portion. Kohga saw how hungry Link was, and felt almost pity for him. Boy wasn’t just hungry for food, he was hungry for GOOD food.

“Here, give this a shot, it’ll put a dent in your gut.”

Kohga made his own portion of creamy heart soup, and if he must say, it’s the best soup one could ever eat. He scooped a spoonful, before shoving it into Link’s mouth. Link sat there for a moment, before his face nearly exploded. Surprise surprise, Link loved HIS cooking. He more or less abandoned his empty bowl, in favor of facing Kohga, clearly eager for more. Link was full of courage, not table manners. Kohga chuckled, continuing to sit there and feed Link like a misbehaving mutt. Sooga came in with the next course, only to stop for a moment. Kohga was sitting here, spoon feeding Link soup, all while Mipha just sat there, chuckling. How inappropriate of her, not keeping a leash on her man. He cleared his throat as he walked in, setting more food down onto the table.

“Master Kohga, you are reinforcing improper behavior.”

“Oh hush Sooga, the poor thing is so thin! I can’t help it! Look at how he likes my food!”

Link was finished with his bowl of veggie curry in a hot second (as well as Mipha’s leftover portion of soup), and was currently looking at Kohga, clearly eager for more. Kohga chuckled as Link was more or less in his lap at this point, eagerly awaiting more food. To which, Kohga was more than happy to indulge. Mipha somehow didn’t look embarrassed, and Sooga couldn’t understand just why.

“I apologize for his appetite, I swear he had something to eat before we came over. If it’s so much of a trouble, I can-”

“Oh it’s fine, it’s fine! You guys are my guests! Let me feed you!”

Kohga had no hesitation to send Sooga back into the kitchen, continuing to feed Link from his own bowl of poultry curry. Sooga grumbled as he nearly slammed the plates into the sink. Link was always a thorn in his side, and Kohga’s obvious attraction to him only made him want to kick his ass more.

“Stupid. Pest. Nuisance.”

“Sooga! Go get the honeyed fruit, will you? It should still be warm!”

Sooga took it out of the fridge. He stared at the fruits in front of him. Kohga sat there, cooking and peeling these fruits with the freshest of honey, made his own ice cream on the side, and even gathered the honey all by himself. Link didn’t deserve something made with so much love and effort. He contemplated eating the whole plate in petty vengeance, but that would be going against Kohga’s orders. He sighed, and added the cooked fruit onto the plate, with a scoop of ice cream, topped off with even more of that thick, sweet honey sauce. He brought it to the table, and Link’s eyes shone in excitement. Of course he wanted this.

“Here you go, Master Kohga.”

Kohga nodded in thanks, then he picked a wildberry. It was sticky, given how the honey sauce dripped down his hand. Then he gave it to Link. Link accepted it, but the juiciness of the berry made the purple juices run down Kohga’s hand, alongside the honey sauce. Sooga was about to offer him a napkin, when Link had the gall. The NERVE, to hold Kohga’s hand, trail his tongue alongside his wrist, and shove his thumb right into his mouth. He kept it there for a moment, clearly licking up all he could, before he slowly pulled away, drool connecting his hand to Link’s mouth. It took EVERYTHING in Sooga not to slap him across his stupid, slutty face. Instead, he put his hand on Kohga’s chair, nearly cracking the wood.

“Master Kohga. There’s a problem in the kitchen. Please, come with me.”

“Sooga, you can totally handle it, can’t you?”

Master Kohga was LIKING this. Liking the notion of Link’s mouth cleaning him free of that sticky, sweet sauce. Sooga cleared his throat loudly.

“I cannot. Please, Master Kohga. Come. Into. The. Kitchen.”

“Finnnne. Mipha, Link, you guys keep eating, I’ll be right back.”

Kohga pushed himself out of the chair, following Sooga into the kitchen. Sooga slammed the door shut, leaning down to glare at Kohga.

“Don’t think I don’t see what you are up to, Master Kohga.”

“What? Little ol’ me? I’m just having dinner, Sooga!”

Kohga grinned, ducking past Sooga in order to get himself a fresh banana. Once he started eating it, he sat up on the counter. Sooga took the chance to pin Kohga between himself and the countertop.

“You don’t think I don’t see that? The way you’re letting him lick over you like some street dog. You don’t feed ME like that, why is HE so special?”

“First of all, you barely eat. Second of all, I’m feeding my guests. Unfortunately, it doesn’t really matter, does it? If little Linky gets hungry for some meat, why wouldn’t I put it right into his mouth?”

“He does NOT deserve to touch you.”

“I love how you’re SO mad, and SO jealous of me. It’s cute, because you can’t do jack shit, big boy. You can sit there and stew like soup, and you can’t do shit. My big, strong boy, gonna let his man get RAILED by a blonde twunk. Funny, honestly.”

Sooga watched as Kohga polished off his banana, giving him such a cocky, almost stuck up look. Sooga shortened whatever distance they had between them, putting his face RIGHT in front of Kohga’s.

“You really think I can’t do anything? You find me so inept?”

“Sooga, I know you are. Link can kick your ass, and rail mine in less than a few minutes. And you’d just sit there, and watch. Let’s face it, you don’t stand a chance.”

Kohga went so far as to flick the peel at him, teeth shining through his cocky grin. Sooga thought about keeping his cool. Then he thought about the way Link licked at his hand. And he lost. His. Mind. With a growl akin to a wild wolf, he put his hand over his mouth, and SLAMMED him backwards into the counter.

“You are MY Master. No one else’s. If I have to FUCKING show you, I absolutely will.”

Sooga held no hesitation, no mercy as he tore off his clothes, and shoved his cock right into his ass. Sooga was horny as HELL when he was viciously jealous, and Kohga’s ass was just where that anger wanted to go. He kept his hand over his mouth, despite the fact that Kohga grabbed at his hands, trying (rather weakly) to pry them off. It pissed Sooga off, seeing how much Kohga was enjoying his angry, violent thrusts.

“You use your hands, your WORDS to bewitch men. It is a talent that should only be for me. Only I should be for you. Not any other blademaster, not any PEASANT like him. I give you everything. Protection, my love, my COCK,”

He shoved himself extra hard into him, and he heard Kohga cry against his palm. He LIKED this. Of course he did, it was HIM, not Link, not any other man. HIM, and HIM alone.

“Everything you could want. From ME. I won’t let him touch you. Every time you even THINK of pulling THAT shit again, I want you to remember how I’m FUCKING you in this kitchen, with them right in the other room. You don’t do that stupid hand shit with him, you do it with ME.”

Sooga would NOT calm down. He removed his hand from his mouth, and shoved in two of his fingers right into his open, drooling, horny mouth. And Kohga loved it. Kohga was groaning and drooling over them, it only made him angrier. To think, Link wanted to touch this. Link wanted to have what was rightfully his. Moron. Idiot. Thinking he can touch HIS Master Kohga. His cock could NEVER slam into him like this, his cock could NEVER make Kohga as hard as he was right now. One might think Sooga was being too much, abusive even, but they both knew better. Kohga LOVED angry, greedy Sooga. He hated how he didn’t want to share, didn’t want a chance of anyone taking him away.

“No other man can stuff you so full of cum like I can. You want me to prove it? You want me to fucking SHOW you what I can do?!”

Sooga used his free hand to SMACK against Kohga’s ass, digging his nails into his ass, just shy of making Kogha bleed underneath his fingernails. Then he came, dick nestled deep into his ass, and held Kohga down so he could take it all. He stayed put, pinning Kohga down against the counter, making him take every last drop of cum. And when he finished cumming, he ever so slowly peeled his hand away, watching as his fingers dripped with his drool. Kohga’s lips were open, panting, and his whole frame was damn near shaking. Sooga was about to speak, when Kohga sat up, wrapping his arms around his neck and pressing their lips together. It was a wanting, firm kiss, and it damn near made Sooga swoon. He parted after a moment, a smirk at his lips.

“You, are one jealous, jealous boy, Sooga~. I like that about you. You should get jealous a lot more.”

Sooga looked down at the mess he had made. Both of their cum’s littered the floor, and Sooga couldn’t believe just how much he contributed to the mess. Sooga sighed.

“Don’t fool my love making for joy. I will NOT have you touch him. Do you understand me?”

Kohga could swoon. Jealous Sooga had such a deep, sexy voice, it made his legs turn to jelly.

“I’ll behave, I’ll behave~...”

He poked at his chin, leaning up to kiss his nose.

“Especially if daddy is gonna keep being SO mean to me.”

“Sweet words only get you so far, Master.”

He knelt down to graze his teeth against Kohga’s neck, and his weak little giggle only made Sooga FAR more angry towards Link.

“Kohga, Sooga! Is everything alright there?”

“Just fine, Mipha! Be out in a sec!”

Kohga took a hold of his hand, kissing the wet fingers oh so tenderly.

“Teach me another lesson, really quick. MAKE me behave.”

“With Pleasure, Master Kohga. Whatever rids that pest from your mind.”

[enby-hawke]

Rating: Mature

Archive Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence                     

Category:F/M

TW: Graphic depictions of violence, exploration of race and class dynamics, eventual smut

So here it is after 3 years of talking about it and then trying to turn it into a comic, I’m kicking it out because it doesn’t pay rent and I have other stories to tell. Here it is. Hope you enjoy. 

----

“I still do not understand what taste is,” the spirit somehow huffed. Malcolm knew it was a mistake to respond at all. The red specter hovered on the edge of Malcolm’s bed, it’s angry red glow a contrast to the murky green that the Fade was hazed in. It had somehow got in again, into the sanctum where he allowed his mind to rest as he guarded the dreamers of Kirkwall. Malcolm could have made his sanctum look like anything, but he didn’t bother giving himself the illusion he was anywhere else but his Circle cell. The thin sandpaper sheets did nothing to soften the metal bed underneath him. The cell had barely enough room for his dresser and desk that he used to do his studies, which he spent more time doodling on than learning. Even here he could still smell the faint aroma of the toilet that was next to his bed. Still, as unpleasant as his sanctum was, he needed a strong sensation to anchor his body, especially if he was going to battle a demon tonight.

Malcolm took in a stale breath, held it for 4 seconds, and gently let it go. It was important that no matter what happened, he remained calm.

The shimmering of the phantom became more urgent, more vibrant. Malcolm continued to ignore it, even turning his head and body away to make a point, but it didn’t seem to stop the creature from trying to dart into view, insistent on having his question answered. After the third turn of his head, the demon reached and gave one of Malcolm’s pointy ears a firm yank, screaming, “Can you hear me?”

On instinct, Malcolm swiped at the demon with a crackling fist, but the demon darted away. The sparks in Malcolm’s hand arced wildly as he leveled it at his target. “Fuck off, demon. I told you, one question.”

The wraith started to warp along with the Fade as anger emanated from Malcolm’s body. Claws started sprouting from it’s fingers and through it’s translucent skin, he could see it’s teeth starting to jut out at odd angles, but the demon made no move to fight him. “Were you listening? I am not a demon. I’m a scholar. And you are the first somniari I have come across in ages.”

The demon kept it’s distance but became more animated, gesturing with it’s gangly arms. “The last somniari only survived long enough to tell me about eating, but though I’ve tried it, the phenomenon remains perplexing.” Malcolm jumped as the demon inched closer. “Sometimes eating brings joy. Sometimes eating brings sorrow. Sometimes eating brings no emotion at all.” Quivering in curiosity, the demon then sprung forward so close to Malcolm could easily punch it. “Why somniari?”

The sparks in Malcolm’s hands died down as his eyes glazed over, caught in a memory. He saw his mother, with dark freckled brown skin, and beautiful curly hair that cascaded down her back, but her face was blurred as he failed to recall the details. Still, he remembered the smell of the plate of piping hot pancet that she placed in front of him, how the steam coming off of the unending noodles made his mouth water. She brushed his mop of curls from his eyes and kissed his forehead with a warm smile. “Happy birthday, Malcolm.”

The creature sniffed at his head as if he was about to take a huge bite. “Oh, what is that? That smells delicious!”

Malcolm swatted at the spirit as if it was an annoying fly. “Stay out of my head!”

But the spirit had already plucked the memory out of his head and dashed away a safe distance from the room. It wiggled in delight of it’s prize, and in it’s hands it materialized into a bowl of pancet. Malcolm felt a sick twist of envy as the spirit grabbed a handful of long fried noodles and shoved it into it’s mouthless face, slurping it down with wet smacking noises. “This,” sluuuurp, “memory tastes both,“ sluuuurp, “happy and sad, though the sadness is fresher.”

Malcolm, quaking in anger, rose to his feet, summoning threatening flames so high, they licked the ceiling. “Were you not warned of who I am?”

The spirit continued to eat in bliss, Malcolm’s threat no more than an annoyance. “The wisps call you,” sluurp, “Spirit Slayer.”

Malcolm raised a thick eyebrow, wondering why this spirit had no sense of self preservation. Or was this demon stronger than he thought? “So why do you risk pestering me?”

At this, the demon lowered the bowl, a mess of sauce dripping down it’s face. “Because only you can answer.”

The demon looked sadly at it’s last noodle and picked it up between it’s claws. “I, too, have lost much, somniari. I had a name once. I’ve given up trying to find it.”

“I’ve asked every stone, every wisp, but so much was lost after The Sundering. What I am, is what I have left.” The demon turned to Malcolm and though it had no eyes, he could feel it looking through him with earnest that he could feel thrumming in his heart. “So if this quest is my end, so be it.” Then it ate the noodle, looking oddly like a worm being sucked through a hole.

The flames died in Malcolm’s hands, his anger deflating with plumes of smoke. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt me to spare a moment.”

The words had barely left Malcolm’s mouth before his pocket started to buzz with a generic ringtone, that vibrated the air of the Fade like a tinging glass. The spirit cocked his head, confused as Malcolm dug through his pajama pockets and fished it out. “Sorry, demon, duty calls.”

“Scholar,” the spirit corrected, but Malcolm shushed him as he put it to his ear.

A terrified voice began sobbing through the speaker. “Help! Somebody help!”

Malcolm didn’t recognize the voice, so they weren’t one of the Circle mages being plagued for a meal. An apostate perhaps?

“Hello? It’s going to be alright,” Malcolm began like he always did. He raised his free hand to feel the cords of the Fade that were weaving together, trying to connect to the dreamer who rang his phone. The air around his hands shimmered like sparkling dust, faint harp-like threads connecting from the tips of his fingers.

“Hello?” the voice answered back, full of confusion. “Who is this?”

“That doesn’t matter. Can you tell me where you are?” He stepped off his bed and towards his bedroom door.

“Where I am?” the voice repeated, slick with tears. “I’m…I don’t know.”

He could feel that she was panicked, confused, disoriented, and that there was a dark aura surrounding her, stronger than he had felt in awhile. Malcolm had been sure that he had cleansed this area of the Fade of demons, but this just meant that more would come in to feed on the remnants. Malcolm closed his eyes, reaching through the phone to try to peek at her dream. “Yes, you do,” his soothing voice taking a commanding tone. “Just open your eyes and describe what you see.”

He heard her gasping for air as she struggled to breathe but eventually she sputtered out. “I’m in my bedroom. It’s filling up with water, fast. You have to hurry.”

He put his hand on the door. Through the darkness of his eyelids he began to see light, and the running rush of water filled his ears. “Describe your room to me.”

“What would it matter!?”

“It matters if I’m going to find you.”

A beat of silence registered on the phone, before she continued. “Well, it’s a room…with a closet and a bed.”

“Helpful,” Malcolm snorted before he could stop himself. Still, a misty silhouette of a closet, which was more like it’s own room, and a grand bed with a flowing cloth canopy started to form. There was a body tucked within it, nestled on a throne of pillows.

“Well I’m in a state of panic right now! Can you blame me? My clothes are getting ruined. It’ll cost a fortune to redo these carpets, not to mention-”

Malcolm sighed, trying to press on as she chattered. It never did any good to argue, but this monologue wasn’t helping. “What color are your blankets?”

“Cream…embroidered with gold thread.” The vision in his mind began to fill in with color.

“And the pattern of the embroidery?”

“Really?”

“Messere,” Malcolm gritted his teeth. “It’s important you stay calm. The more you panic the faster the water will flood.” It wasn’t a lie, but he also needed her to hurry.

She relented with a sigh, and said, “a gold-leaf rose spread.”

It took a little more coaxing, but eventually Malcolm got her to describe her wallpapers, floral and pink, and her carpet, which she insisted before the flood was a beautiful white color. She also described a bookcase, her lute, and a vanity mirror where she would get ready for the day each morning, a family heirloom, made from wood of the grove of the Emerald Graves, with brass knob handles and the symbol of her family’s crest that was carved into the wood, that showed either two ravens perched in angular stone columns, or a dragon head, depending on how you looked at it. Soon he could see the room, and could finally solidify the flimsy connection.

He pressed his forehead against the bedroom door, eyes still closed, the hard metal cold and unforgiving. “Now I need you to walk up to your door and let me in.”

“Are you crazy?” she shouted so loud that Malcolm had to take his ear away from the receiver. “It’s going to let all the water in!”

“No,” Malcolm said calmly. “Because I will be on the other side.”

“You know that makes no sense.”

“You’re talking to a strange voice in your head, your room is flooded, and from my estimate about the cost of that vanity mirror alone, you live somewhere in Hightown. Does any of this make sense?”

This time she whined, which sounded more cute than annoying. “But I’m going to get wet.”

Malcolm burst out in laughter. He had run into a lot of dreamers, but while most were suggestive, she seemed to easily resist the strings connecting them. He could see deep into the pit of her heart that she was as stubborn as he was, which was saying something. It was intriguing really, but before his curiosity could run away with it, his sensible self reminded him that she was in danger. And with how long it took for him to find the location of her dream, the demon had now sensed him coming.

“Look, the door is locked, and only you can open it.”

“Can’t you just break the lock open?”

“Sure,” Malcolm said, “but that door represents the connection of your body to your slumbering mind. If I break it open, it would hurt…a lot.”

Silence filled the air except for the splash of rising water and the slurping noise of Scholar licking the last remnants of sauce from their bowl.

“You promise you’ll be on the other side?”

“Promise.”

She heaved a huge sigh and after a few moments, he could hear the sloshing of water as she started to wade her way through her bedroom, but Malcolm could not only hear it from the speaker, but the other side of the door as well. Malcolm shoved his phone back into his pocket and placed his hand on the doorknob that would normally be electronically locked, but right now, it was just another illusion of the Fade. As the lock clicked open, Malcolm turned the doorknob, blissfully unaware of how his life would change until he met the girl’s black doe eyes.

Read more on A03