#him growing up feeling like there's something Wrong with him and all he wants is to be Good

[chaotic-mystery]

Hotline to Heaven | Joel Miller x reader

✧ Summary: An inquisitive man gets more than what he's used to when he pushes the wrong number on a phone sex hotline.

✧ Content Warnings: MDNI ! 18+ only. dom!reader, sub!joel, pre outbreak, empty house means he's up to no good, porn connoisseur, phone sex, dirty talk ( i mean duh) mutual masturbation, swearing, orgasm denial, safeword mentioned but not used, talking him through it this time, a little aftercare, slight mention of one of my favorite movies bc I know Joel would've liked it too.

✧ Authors Note: This is my submission for @wannab-urs DMAMC 2025 that you can find the masterlist here. A goal of mine this year is to step out of my writing bubble when it comes to challenges and write things I normally wouldn't on my own. If you read my work, you know this is a roles reversed situation for me and I'm nervous to share it but also excited! Thank you, Gin, for letting me be a part of this, I love you <3 As always big ups to my twin for beta reading for me, love you, Ali.

red line divider | cover and matching dividers made by (Ali) & I |

✧ WC: 2.4K | masterlist | requests | update blog | ✧

Being a single dad was not an easy job, but Joel made it work somehow. With lots and lots of pancakes and promised sleepovers at friends houses if Sarah kept her grades up. 

Another Friday night at home alone while Sarah was in the next town over, probably hopped up on soda and candy, Joel digs out his laptop from the bag on the floor and sets it up on the cherrywood coffee table. The house was quiet for the most part, the low humming of the dryer down the hallway in the laundry room. 

Booting up the old computer, Joel tilts his head back on the sofa and makes sure his brown curtains are closed along with the white blinds he just put up a few weeks ago. Joel's finger moves against the worn trackpad, opening up the DVD rom to pop in the movie he rented from blockbuster on his drive home from dropping off Sarah. 

Joel reads the cover while it loads to open. His favorite actress being the main character got him all excited and may have been the only reason he rented it to begin with. It definitely wasn’t because she was playing a vampire in a latex bodysuit.

About halfway through the movie and many scenes later of this character being an absolute badass, Joel could feel the growing tension in his jeans. Wanting to take care of the problem to finish the movie he'd grown invested in, he pauses it and opens up a web browser and goes to his tried and true adult website. The amount of pop up ads always annoyed him, he just wanted to find something to watch and keep it moving. 

Until tonight. 

A banner flashes right above the search bar filled with his previous endeavors, the colors immediately catching his eyes. 

“What the hell is this?” He mutters to himself as he watches the words change. 

A number pops up with tiny images of girls in the corner of the banner. Feeling adventurous, he digs out his phone from his pocket and dials the number before it changes to a new ad. 

He’s met with an automated message, overly seductive and giving him the rundown of what he’s getting himself into. His finger hovers over the pound button to confirm he was consenting to this, that he was willing to continue. The line beeps a few times before a new message starts to play. 

”Press one if you want to meet me, the girl next door.” 

The voice changes to a new girl, “press two if you want to fix my leaky pipes.” 

Another different voice, “press three if you want to punish me for not turning in my college essay.”

”Press four to meet me and my best friend, Layla.”

”Hit five if you wanna romp in the hay with me, yeehaw!”

Joel snickers at the generic attempt at a southern accent. 

“Call me into your office by pressing six!”

Joel could hardly contain himself at all the options he was given, and he had three more he’d yet to hear. 

“Select seven to meet me, Vixen the d-“ 

Before the voice finished speaking, his finger pushed a button and he wasn’t sure which one he chose. Frankly, he was excited for any of them.

Your line was ringing and it wasn’t too often it did, no one usually got past Katie and Layla. 

Picking up the phone, you smile when you hear the southern drawl in his words. 

“Have you been a bad boy today?” You almost whisper into the phone before he responds. 

“Y-yes, I have, darlin.” His tone was a little confused, unsure of what he just answered.

You grin and sit up straighter. 

“Well, good thing I’m in the mood to punish you.”

Joel’s eyes widen and he doesn’t know what to say. This wasn’t the number he meant to push. He wasn’t really the type of man to want to be told what to do.

From anyone. 

“Darlin’ can you tell me which button I pushed by chance?”

He was trying to be as polite as he could and you were going to have some fun with this. 

“You pushed seven and here I am; Vixen the Dom.” Smirking at the quiet line, you wonder for a split second if he hung up.

“I-I’m sorry…dom? I don’t know if this is really something I’m into. I mean, that’s great if you’re someone who can but that doesn’t sound like me.”

“I get it. You can’t let go of that control, scared to see a new side to yourself. I understand. If you want to hang up and redial I understand.”

Joel hesitates hanging up and he glides his tongue over his bottom lip.

“What exactly…would I be getting myself into with you, Vixen?”

What a curious man. 

“You’d give me control, no backtalk, no resisting, you submit to me. There’s a safeword we can use at any point if it gets to be too much for you. At that point I’d stop and we can calm down, just talk. I never get mad at someone using a safe word.”

“A-and what’s the safe word?” The temptation in his voice shows you he’s interested. 

“Hopscotch.” 

His chuckle rings through your ear and makes your face warm, giggling at his reaction. 

“So, you’ve stayed here this long and I can tell you’re curious. Are you going to let me take control of you, I didn’t get your name” You state, trying to guess before he answers.

“Joel. Names Joel. It’s a pleasure to spend the night with you tonight, Vixen.” 

The respect he was giving already showed you how natural it came to him, he was this way in his day to day life. 

“You’re going to be my good boy tonight, Joel?” 

“Y-yes” he hesitantly responds. 

“Yes, ma’am. Repeat it.” Goosebumps raise on your arms and the excitement shakes your core

“Yes ma’am.”

“I’m going to tell you what to think, what to say, I’m going to do everything I want to you until you’re begging me to let you come.” You bite your lip and smirk, your body excited for this phone call. 

“I want you to close your eyes and I want you to grab your bulge and rub it, slowly for me,” You say sternly but seductively, propping your legs up so your knees are bent, freehand resting on your abdomen.

You can hear his belt jingle and some shuffling from the other end of the phone, causing you to smirk. He doesn’t get it, it’s new for him. It was painfully obvious but you decided to take it slow for his first time. 

“I didn’t say to undo your belt and ditch your pants, did I? I said rub your bulge, just rub it.”

“Y-yes ma’am.” His breath was shaky from anticipation and nerves, it was cute. He has no idea what he’s getting himself into with you.

“Tell me how good it feels, baby. Tell me what you want,” you tease, your fingers dancing above your panty line. 

“I wish you were here right now. Tell me to lay on my back while you get on top and ride my face until I'm begging for air. I want you to use me until you come all over my face and make me clean you up before you ride my big dick. Use me, Ms. Vixen, p-please.” Joel’s whimpers make you feel that boiling heat in your stomach before you feel your panties get wet, for a half second he takes your breath away.

“Ms.Vixen? Hm, you’re learning quickly I see. Reach in your pants and take your cock out for me, get it nice and wet. I want to hear how needy you are for me.”

You hear his belt unbuckle followed by the soft sound of him spitting into his hand, married with a groan of pleasure. 

“Now, you want to be my good boy tonight, right?” You ask and dip your hand inside your panties, softly teasing yourself. This was so unlike you, normally you didn’t want to touch yourself during a call. He was different. 

”You aren’t going to come until I tell you, alright? Think you can handle that, baby?” 

“I can handle that, yes ma’am.”

Hearing the wet sounds from him jerking his cock off makes you grin and a moan almost slips out but you catch yourself and give a small giggle. 

”It’s cute the way you fuck your hand and pretend its my pussy, big grown man just aching to be put in his place. I want to watch your face when I slip your cock inside me, baby. I’ll keep a fistful of your hair so you keep your eyes on me, let me watch you go to another planet when you realize how deep you are.”

Joel moans loudly and he can’t catch his breath as he imagines how good it would feel inside you and to be used by you. 

“Y-yes please, Vixen. Ride my cock and make yourself feel good, I can be whatever you want me to be.”

You circle your clit faster as your legs tremble, your moans swirling together to sound like a beautiful harmony. 

“I can ride you and wrap my hand around your throat while I put my panties in your mouth to keep you quiet, wouldn’t want anyone to hear those pretty whimpers, now would we?”

“Can-can you tell me what your panties look like, darlin’? Please.” Joel stutters out and moans just thinking about it.

Biting your lip, you hold the handset closer to your mouth as you continue fingering your soaked cunt with your other hand.

“They’re lace, black of course. With a little red bow right in front of the waistband. Sick little pervert you are. Makes my pussy so wet thinking about you trying to moan my name but I can’t understand you with them in your mouth. Even when you’re begging for more, begging to come I can’t hear you.”

Joel groans louder and all you can see in your head as your eyes are squeezed shut is how handsome he sounds Just the pretty whimpers he makes has you thinking how good looking he must be, how his dick is so slippery in his fist from all the precum and spit. 

“I bet you’d lose your mind if I pinned your hands down and really took all control from you, wouldn’t you baby? You’d squirm and try to touch me but you can’t, not while I’m playing with you like a toy. You’re my toy, do you hear me? Mine. Say you’re mine while you jerk off.” Your breaths get shorter as you moan softly, finally letting him hear how turned on you are. 

“I’m just your playtoy, Ms.Vixen. Onl-ly yours. I p-promise. Fuck it feels so good, shit.” 

The silk sheets under your skin slide under you as you squirm, giving into him a little more with each beg he cries out. This feels like heaven and you can’t get enough of him. Part of you wanted to stop touching yourself to keep him on the phone longer, partially because you didn’t know if he’d ever call again. 

“Let go of your pretty cock. Don’t touch it and listen to me.” You demand calmly and smirk when you hear him groan in annoyance.

“Is that an attitude I hear?” you ask condescendingly. 

“No ma’am, no ma’am.” he quickly retorts. Good boy. 

“I’ve got two fingers inside me right now but they just don’t compare to your cock I bet. You’d probably keep me up all night and let me turn you every which way but loose, hm? Think you could keep up with me, sweetheart? How about I cuff your hands to the bed and suck your cock until you can’t take it anymore and beg to paint my face with your cum.”

You can hear a slew of profanities and Joel groans almost in pain and he whines, “God dammit that’s so hot. Please let me jerk off, baby. It’s killing me not to touch myself while I think about stuffing you full of my dick. Your perfect body on mine, what a pleasure that would be. Please, may I touch myself?”

Clamping your legs closed so you don’t come yourself, you tell him to continue and soon once more your moans mix together. 

“I-I need to come, Ms.Vixen. Please let me be a goodboy and come, p-please-oh fuckkk-”

“You want to come for me, baby boy? I’m going to have to think about whether you deserve it or not, sweetheart.” 

“Let me show you how good you make me feel, I need you so bad. C’mon baby-oh shittt- please?”

Your breath hitches in your throat and you have this aching urge to hear him come and whimper in your ear. Hearing men be so whiny when they come was music to your ears. 

“Go on then, show me the pretty sounds you make when you come, baby. Jerk that fuckin’ cock off while you think about me. Think about coming on my tits, these pretty fucking titties that would look even better with your cock between them. C’mon honey, come for me, right now. Be my favorite toy.”

That was all he needed to hear before he was groaning loudly into the phone, enough to make you cover your mouth and come with him. Couldn’t let him know how down bad he already had you. 

Your ears were ringing slightly but you could still hear the shuffling from his end, probably cleaning himself up and the mess he made. 

“You alright over there, big guy?” You ask, trying to calm your breathing. 

“It was a lot, let’s just say I made a mess” he chuckles and sighs tiredly.

“How was that for your first time being a sub? I tried to take it slow for you.” 

“That was uh, that was the best time I’ve had in a while. You really know what you’re doing, huh? I’d love to call you again, maybe your direct line next time?” 

You shake your head and chuckle at him. Silly boy. 

“I had a fun time tonight, Joel. Maybe if you call me again I’ll think about giving you my phone number.”

“Fair enough. Thank you, Vixen. It was a pleasure. Good night.”

“Good night, my good boy.” 

The line goes silent and Joel puts his cellphone down on the couch cushion beside him, taking a deep breath as he circles back over everything he just did. Closing out of the tab and continuing his movie, he enjoyed it but Joel couldn’t stop thinking about you the rest of the night. 

Even when he was in his bed trying to sleep, you consumed his brain and he needed more. 

A lot more, but of course, only if you let him. 

[liketolaugh-writes]

Running a brief analysis of the Drakes vs (my conception of) the Fentons. It's fun.

Danny- My Parents Were Not Neglectful

Tim- I need you to understand that parents aren't supposed to poison their kids

It's not that Tim pities Danny, exactly? But I feel like Danny's incessant denial would bother him. He's like, I'm not here to tell you how to feel about all this, but Your Parents Absolutely Were Neglectful. Which is a tough thing to hear from Mr. My Parents Left Me Home Alone For Six Months.

Emotionally, the Fentons' pre-portal neglect probably had a lot fewer lasting effects on Danny, but there's a lot to be said for growing up in a house that was unsafe from the beginning.

Tim- Your House Had Traps In It

Danny- no it was just kind of messy

Tim- you tripped on wires and died

Danny- I Told You Not To Talk About That

As far as Tim is concerned, his parents loved him (wanted him to have the best of everything, wanted him to be happy and safe, wanted wanted wanted) but not enough to be physically or emotionally present - his dad didn't seem to know how even when he was trying. And Danny's parents loved him enough to be physically and emotionally present, but they sure as hell didn't seem to care if he was safe.

Danny- they were very protective of me!

Tim- they left unlabeled acid on the kitchen counter

Danny- I knew not to touch anything in a beaker

Tim- from experience?

Danny-

Danny- maybe

All of the post-portal shenanigans are a much messier issue that Tim isn't going to touch with a ten foot pole, but this is something he feels qualified to talk about. It's a very emotional conversation though. They're in very different places when it comes to accepting what their parents did wrong.

[cybrasigilism]

Could I request a nsfw fic of soft dom thanos x reader reassuring them because they feel shy during intimacy? (I’m such a sucker for soft doms☹️) btw I love love your work ur one of my favorite writers :3

aww i’m so honoured! thank you so much for the love 😘

Judge Judy (Thanos/Player 230 X Reader)

warning: smut (omg someone sound the alarm bells) | not proofread | lowercase intended | ooc thanos? (writing him a lot softer than i think he would be) | protection not specified (don’t rely on the pullout method pulease) | praise | soft dom!thanos | reader has female genitalia | PiV

character: thanos/choi su-bong (player 230)

A/N: it lowkey felt strange to write thanos super soft n’ sweet? i can get behind a gentler version of him, don’t get me wrong! and thank you so much again for your kind words :) hoping i did your request justice! (+ the title of the fic is taken from a Tyler, the Creator song title, please check it out Judge Judy is really good)

MDNI! 18+ content under the cut, reader’s discretion is advised

─────⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆♱⋆ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺ ─────

you were beyond ashamed of yourself.

here was your boyfriend, putting down his all for you, and you still couldn’t escape your mousey state, still hiding away as much as possible in that shell of yours. even as he had his hand between your thighs, working absolute magic, you couldn’t muster up a moan. you were absolutely horrified of making any noise. sure there was the occasional gasp for air and slight moan but you held back as much as possible; gripping the sheets, biting your lip, anything to stop that voice of yours coming out. you almost slipped up when he started kissing your neck, leaving hickeys anywhere he spent a particularly long time on.

it got to a point where enough was enough for thanos.

he was desperate to hear you, he wanted so badly to draw moans and whines from your lips, but you were positively petrified. before he moved forward to the actual sex part of the ordeal, he pulled away, now looming over you as you laid there, wide eyed and just so quiet.

“what’s the matter, baby?” he asked, looking you up and down. you exhaled sharply, looking away in shame. “i’m sorry, i’m just..nervous, that’s all.” he cocked his head to the side, eyebrows crinkling upwards in a look of concern. “nervous? for what? we’ve done this before..” he had every right to be confused, you knew that. if you could get naked in front of him, why was your voice where you drew the line? “was it something i did?” he wondered, and you felt your heart break into a million pieces.

“no! god no, i just..” you started, feeling your shoulders tense as you found yourself scavenging for words that should have come all too easily to you. “i don’t want to be obnoxious..?” the look of concern on thanos’s face slowly let a smile creep through and he chuckled a bit, you felt your cheeks grow hot with embarrassment. “don’t laugh!” you cry out, covering your face. “i’m sorry! i’m sorry, i just wasn’t expecting that, that’s all.” he explained, calming down. he grabbed your hands, moving them down from your face, able to make eye contact once more.

“be obnoxious all you like,” he started, his gaze had become softer than you’d seen it before, “you don’t understand how badly i need to hear you.” you gulped, grasping his hands in return. “i don’t…i don’t think i know how…” you felt your eyes shift again, you didn’t know how? he took your chin to redirect your line of sight once again. “if that’s all it is, i can help you.” he assured, you felt the tension in your shoulders ease. “just follow my lead, okay sweetheart?” you nodded, leaning forward to initiate a kiss, to which thanos happily accepted.

this time, you weren’t gonna hold back. you were terrified, sure. but you were not gonna hold back.

⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆♱⋆ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺

and hold back you did not. fuck, you didn’t even know you were capable of such sounds. from the moment he thrusted into you, you were more vocal than either of you knew possible. thanos was certainly not disappointed, he had gotten more vocal in response too. you know he had told you to follow his lead, but now it seemed you had taken the role of leader.

“there ya’ go, that’s my girl.” he praised as he bottomed out once again in your tight cunt, maintaining a steady pace as he pumped in and out of you. you couldn’t imagine forming words at this point, he consumed all your thoughts, ridding you of the ability to form intelligible dialogue. “god, you have such pretty moans, fuck.”

his relentless praise caused you to clench around his cock, which made him make sluttier sounds than you, which was currently saying a lot. with your newfound voice, an endless cycle of pure ecstasy laid ahead, and it was better than any drug in that cross that thanos wore.

─────⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆♱⋆ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺ ─────

apologies that this one is shorter than the others, but i felt it was best short and sweet! thanks for reading and for the recommendation! as always, any advice/constructive criticism on how to improve my writing is appreciated and requested!

have a good rest of your day/night lovelies!💋

Tags: @gongyoosgf @kvstjwonnie @pink-apples001 @fiicalapsiholoaga

[imfoive]

Crystal Bird - Chapter 11

Crown Prince! Chan x Princess (fem.) Genre: Royal au! Angst, Romance, Historical, hidden identity, slow-burn Warnings: mentions of poison, subtle gender discrimination, death, war, assassination, somewhat proofread WC: 7.8k A/N: happy new year everyone! This story is about to progress aLOT, so buckle up and stay prepared for this ride 😚 Feedback, Reblogs, Likes are greatly appreciated! Happy reading! ── MASTERLIST

Synopsis: The Crown Prince is saved by the Princess of a rival kingdom, and he swears his second life to his savior. A forbidden friendship no one knew of, grows deeper with every secret meeting. As the two are kept apart, memories of their sunset playdates by the serene river, begin blossoming into something beautiful. Cheeks blushed, stomach butterflies fluttered at the thought of each other. Years of yearning and imagining had only made them crave a sweeter reunion. And finally meeting at a Royal banquet, he could only stare at the now grown Princess, taken by her beauty, while she only watches as he gives his heart to the wrong princess.

Missed a chapter? - Prologue / Chapter 1 / Chapter 2 / Chapter 3 / Chapter 4 / Chapter 5 / Chapter 6 / Chapter 7 / Chapter 8 / Chapter 9 / Chapter 10

CHAPTER 11 ───────────────────

The people of Elysium had long been taught that the Nightshade Realm was their enemy. A kingdom that would press down on its people. A kingdom that would attack them, the enemy. Murder, ravage, take everything they have.

It was the fear that kept them settled. Their ruler would protect them. Their king would provide them with the best life. 

So then why were they feeling pressed down? Why were they feeling unprotected, unprovided of the best life? 

The Kings of Elysium had always preached what their first ruler had fought for. Yet as the crown got passed down, those core values seemed to have gotten twisted. Tangled around greed, power. Those values had diminished somewhere along the way. 

And now, it seems that with this new disease. The Fading Ill, that had taken the poor, the lower class into its nasty grasp, the people became unsettled. 

But the king, either too busy catering to the nobles or ignorant of their suffering, seemed to not notice the anger, the turmoil, that seemed to churn within the people. 

On the brink of boiling over.

And suddenly after Ian’s wedding, during the viewing parade, where the citizens of the kingdom were supposed to come together. Joyous, wishing the new princess consort and the crown prince a happy life, there was tension. The anger the people felt, the complaints that went unheard, all shouted together. A facade of a nation harmonious, shattering with their voices. A sight that both shocked and intrigued the foreign princes. Especially the Nightshade Prince, who suddenly understood why Elysium was making foolish plans for war.

The Nightshade healing methods and ideologies. 

The rare medical herbs that littered the expanse of the vast kingdom shrouded in darkness and mystery. And it seemed that Elysium wanted it.

Apparently in search of a cure for a disease that seemed to render its people restless.

────────────────────────

Two days prior after the enemy princess had trampled on his hopes. On his desires for the two of them to accept the painful pull they had felt for each other, the disheartened Nightshade Crown Prince had trudged back defeated into his chambers at Ruby Hall.

It took one glimpse of his face, that Han instantly understood. This man had lost. Holding back his anger, his frustrations simmering beneath his cold facade. The kind of expression Han had seen plenty of times up in the White Mountains.

The Second Princess seemed to be afraid. Clear from the distress Chris caught in her glances, the ones she tried to mask, with her hurtful words, and expressions laced with disgust. A part of him understood, well, tried to understand. Unlike him, the heir to his father’s crown, the future King of Nightshade, Princess Y/N had always lived with herself guarded. One wrong move, one wrong action of hers, could have left her at the lowest rungs within the palace. Lower than she already was.

He wanted to understand. But he could only recall the image of her calling him a predator. Something filthy that wasn’t worthy of touching her, let alone loving her. He wanted to understand, but a bitterness tugged at his heart. The anger that simmered within, the frustrations that churned below.

The Nightshade Prince had always been one to hold grudges.

He would give her exactly what she wanted.

No more lingering glances, no more pained gazes.

He would no longer be tugged by her pull, the flame that seemed to have him drawn. The flame that threatened to consume him in its fiery blaze.

Y/N was well aware, painfully aware that Chris had decided to hate her. Determined to hate her. As he said so himself, relenting to her wishes, barely sparing her a glance. Yet she couldn’t even wonder why, couldn’t even allow it all to prick her heart because it was all her fault. The coldness in his demeanor, the stoic, guarded stance that the Warrior Prince had kept up with every other person he encountered within the palace, had returned.

Even the way he engaged with Sienna was reserved. A smile no longer curling at the corner of his lips, his gaze no longer gentle.

The smiles and gazes had been reserved for his childhood friend. One who no longer existed.

The wedding hall had been shining, glimmering, with all sorts of crystals and gems. Flowers, and colors that made you stare with fascination. The vibrant red and gold carpet in the center of the hall that led to the altar had stood out amidst the pure white of everything else around the grand room, captivating the gathered audience.

Crown Prince Ian wore his finest attire, his hair styled neatly, a slight flush in his cheeks either from the emotions that coursed through him, perhaps shy, or from the alcohol he had downed before the ceremony. Y/N didn’t really care, her eyes raking over to the audience. The nobles, the guests, the foreign delegates that sat across on the other side of the room. 

Y/N’s gaze met Hyunjin’s, the dark-haired prince who grinned at her with pleasant smiles. She had easily returned it, but as her eyes continued to wander, in search of the face of the man she supposedly hated. The man that she wanted to hate but couldn’t get herself to, her eyes broke away at the sound of the grand doors opening with an echoing creak. 

The future princess consort walked in gracefully. The pure white of her dress, the embroidered flowers seemed to have captivated the crowd, who almost gasped at how beautiful she looked, how poised and perfect she seemed to be. 

How lucky she was to wed into the royal family. The future Queen of Elysium.

Yet, Y/N’s gaze lingered on her expression. On her downcast eyes that seemed to stay settled on her bouquet. The slight smile that didn’t seem as bright as ones she had seen the Duke’s daughter wear whenever she sat with Sienna at tea.

The First Princess’ words from that day at the garden surged back from her memories. The ones about princesses marrying for better alliances. For the greater good of their nation. She guessed it was the same for noble children. Especially the daughters of the higher ranked nobles. Such as the Duke's eldest daughter.

And although the lower princess had never been close to Prince Ian’s fiancee, a pang of hurt had crossed her heart for her. Aware that this young lady didn’t love Ian. That she had no choice to love at all.

Y/N’s eyes settled across the hall. At Chris who’s gaze seemed to meet hers. It was a fleeting moment. Their eyes locked for a few seconds, gleaming with similar emotions, 

Perhaps he imagined his own wedding. Marrying for the greater good of his nation.

The future Queen of Nightshade should be perfect, should be a figure looked up to. Someone who matched well with him. Someone who could aid him with her familial ties, her even sharper intellect.

Someone who wasn’t a lowly, illegitimate princess of an enemy nation.

Prince Christopher’s jaw had tightened, his expression unchanged as he tore his gaze away. Turning back to face the bride and groom who stood at the altar. The King of Elysium between the two, officiating. 

The Second Princess’ intuition seemed to be correct, as watching these two marry all he could think about was marrying Y/N. Think about taking her away from here. From the terrible circumstances, from the conflictions that seemed to tie her back, the fears that she shouldn’t have to bear.

He imagined her at the altar. 

With another. 

Someone who was decided to be her husband by the crown, one she had no choice but to marry.

He tasted bitter. His fist balling at his lap. His eyes met Hyunjin who briefly glanced back at him.

And all Chris tasted was bitter.  He'd probably kill that man if he were called to witness such a scene. Take her away even if by force. Like the true beast she claimed he was.

The thought of it all made him shudder. 

The Warrior Prince inhaled, in an attempt to soothe the anger that threatened to surface on his expression. Soothe the manic thoughts that fogged his mind. Pressing his eyes shut for a moment, Chris’ fingers reach for the crystal bird.

Except he didn’t grasp it. His hand faltering, hovering over the fabric of his blazer. 

He suddenly remembered Sienna. The oblivious First Princess who had no recollection of him, their friendship or this bird. 

His savior, but not his princess.

His eyes flitted over to Y/N. The woman that his heart was drawn to. No matter how much she pushed him away.

A princess, but not his.

The wedding ceremony had ended rather quickly. With so many other ceremonies that followed, according to Elysium traditions, it seemed that the tying-of-the-knot wasn’t the main spectacle to witness. Or at least that was what the foreign delegates had grasped.

After Ian and the Duke’s daughter were wed, yet another royal dinner seemed to follow, the evening sky lighting up with fireworks for the whole nation to stare up at and celebrate with. There had been dancers who performed, musicians who serenaded the couple. Then as the night drew on, everyone else joined the ballroom floor.

The Duke was the happiest man present it seemed, being tied to the royal family through marriage now, to the future king and queen seemed to be the greatest thing that had happened to him. He had downed yet another glass of wine, his words slurring as the night wore on. Although everyone seemingly loosened up well into the celebrations, forgetting all the political talk, and easing into every bit of it.

Except Prince Christopher, who seemed to be taking in the revelry in an entirely different light. 

He had instructed Han to scope out Ruby Hall and the Warrior quarters while everyone celebrated. Although the younger guard was reluctant to do so, urging for Minho to be tasked with that instead. Ultimately, with a promise that his prince would not ingest anything suspicious, Han had seceded. Although it was mostly because Minho wasn’t even on palace grounds to overtake his tasks.

The Warrior Prince had his eyes peeled the entire day. From the ceremony this morning, to the customs that followed, and now at this royal dinner, Chris had enough conflictions that darted through his mind, scrutinizing each and every passing thought for something that could have meant more. 

Take Lord Miller, the older man who had approached the table of the foreign princes sometime into the evening, his eyes settling over Prince Christopher’s untouched drink, his plate that lay bare and pristine, clearly uneaten from. The old man had chuckled, the alcohol in his system making him sound a little freer than usual, though his whole demeanor seemed loose, as if it was his daughter that had gotten married into the royal family. He had even dared to pat at Prince Christopher’s shoulder, an action that would have had Han draw his sword if he were here. But Chris only stared at his fingers, his cold gaze piercing that drunken haze that fogged Lord Miller, enough for him to clear his throat and retreat his hand rather quickly.

   “Does the food not suit you, Prince Christoper.” He cleared his throat instead, hoping he hadn’t truly offended the stoic Nightshade heir.

Chris’ eyes flicked over to his plate, to his untouched chalice, before they returned to settle on the man that appeared to have been tipsy of sorts. 

The Warrior Prince had been cautious to not drink and eat all evening just in case. Especially knowing that Lord Miller had been in and out of the Elysium King’s study the past late nights. 

As his departure neared he had been even more guarded. The rest of his delegation ensured to do the same, he wondered when this man had noticed, when he was the one that had been observing all evening.

   “You have a sharp eye, Lord Miller.” Chris curled his lips into a subtle smile instead, glancing over at his untouched cutlery for a speck of a second.

   “I filled myself up with bread unfortunately.” He lied with a shake of his head, uncaring if the excuse came out unbelievable.

And even if he didn’t take his word for it, Lord Miller didn’t question the Nightshade Prince’s words.

   “You journey back tomorrow don’t you?” Lord Miller had changed the subject.

Chris nodded, glancing toward the center table where the new bride and groom sat.

   “Yes, after the viewing parade. It has been an eventful trip these past weeks. I’ve learned a lot.” Chris’ faux smile continued to linger on his unreadable expression.

The tension between the two men was palpable, yet no one around them seemed to say anything even if they had noticed.

There was a slight commotion at the center table that broke their pointed gazes away from one another.

   “—Ah, it seems Duke Wenning has had much too much to drink. That man must be on cloud nine today.” Lord Miller had chuckled, finally bidding Chris farewell.

The older man had made his quick exit, the Nightshade Prince watched as he walked toward Duke Wenning, the Princess Consort’s father, who seemed to have fallen out of his chair from his drunken stupor.

Chris wanted to leave this hall. He wanted to find Han, Minho, and question if they had uncovered anything else, secret meetings, devious plans, things that would most likely occur amidst the celebration. Minho should have scavenged the Grand Forest for any messages from his midnight warriors, perhaps he was back on palace grounds. Maybe he could slip away. Come up with some other lame excuse about feeling spent. 

But he couldn't, it seemed. Not when his eyes kept flitting across the hall. Over to Y/N, the quiet Princess who had arranged much of tonight's dinner, now blending into its shadows. Keeping him rooted here with her magnetic pull. The one he swore he would forget all about. 

His legs refused to move, heart insisting he sit right here where at the correct angle he would see her behind the obstruction of the column between them.

He had convinced himself, attempted to convince himself, to control his wandering eyes. To remain cold and unbothered. Refusing to meet her gaze. Give her exactly what she wanted from him.

Which was nothing. 

Yet like the lunatic he was, he watched when she wasn’t. Stealing glances all throughout the day, taking in his fill of her before he had to leave. If he was even able to leave safely at all.

He could sense Lady Katherine’s gaze on him, his eyes darting away from her daughter before they settled on the older woman who he had only exchanged greetings with during his entire stay. Maybe her motherly intuitons had sparked, seeing as she glanced between her daughter and the Warrior Prince who had coincidentally been stealing glances of her every time she caught him.

But her expression seemed rather composed. 

He had heard much about the commotions Lady Katherine was known for. Seen what she was capable of in the healing bruises that had been discovered on Y/N that night of the first banquet. 

Lady Katherine wasn’t much of an observer. Unlike her daughter who’s ears perked up at things that deserved not a second listen giving her status, her mother was one who was cautious. Someone who found suspicion in the tiniest bit of change. Which was slightly humorous since her daughter’s importance had seemingly changed over night all those months ago. A grand change that she was willing to overlook. Perhaps she had truly been desperate. Restless. For that golden life she had been promised, chasing ever since she was a young maiden.

Lady Katherine might not have been the greatest mother there was. Her morals were anything but pure, another stark difference between her daughter and her. 

But Katherine knew that look that seemed to gimmer in the Nightshade heir’s eyes. 

It seemed that Prince Christopher wore his heart on his sleeve. 

Rather surprising for someone so brusque and frigid.

She should have been furious. Should have reacted in the typical fashion that she would usually, perhaps grip at her daughter’s wrist and lead her out the hall. Discipline her for seducing such a beastly enemy prince. 

But then she remembered what she had overheard last night. 

Or rather, what was said in her presence. Because The King didn’t deem her worthy, important enough, uncaring of whatever he spoke in front of her.

She was not threatening. Simply his foolish mistress who warmed his bed.

Lord Miller had visited the King’s private study last night, outside the ruler’s bedchamber where Katherine was, fiddling with her hair. Their conversation was not hushed, rather casual for whatever was so dire for his advisor to seek him out this late into the night.

   “The poisons are ready.” Lord Miller’s words had carried through, making Katherine blink at the strands of hair in her grasp, unsure if she heard correctly.

She wondered which fool had angered the king and his court enough to get poisoned. 

   “What about the Eastern Sea Prince, has he agreed to join us?” The King’s question had broken his mistress away from her thoughts.

   “He had declined. Politely so.” Lord Miller had chuckled, as if it was the wrong decision, laughing at Prince Hyunjin seemingly.

The King fell silent for a moment, his hand rubbing at his jaw as he pondered.

   “I thought he would be tempted by my offer. Perhaps it’s because he isn’t in line for succession, his values are lacking.” The Elysium ruler’s eyes narrowed into a frown, as if he had recalled something.

   “Much like Prince Ian. Except that fool is in line for succession.” He almost grunted, his fingers gripping around his glass of liquor, downing it.

He grew angered by the day. Especially after the whole arrow incident with the second princess. Ian clearly hadn’t learned from the incident last year. The one where he had killed a servant playing these childish games of his. He had been sent away while the king had dealt with it.

   “He’ll beg for your mercy soon, your majesty. We’re almost there, once we get rid of the Nightshade Prince, everything will fall into place.”

   “I hope you're right. That fool can’t wait to get rid of the Nightshade Prince…But I suppose, that’s better for us, we can easily pin it on him.” The laughter that echoed was sinister almost, making Katherine flinch.

Her eyes shot to the door, just outside which the two men sat. Their devious schemes bare for her to hear. 

   “My king, about my daughter…” Lord Miller spoke up after the laughter had subsided, clearly hesitant.

The Elysium Ruler waved his hand in the air, as if trying to comfort him.

   “Yes, don’t worry. She will be the new consort.” 

A response that made Lord Miller grin widely, almost giddily reaching out to refill the King’s empty glass.

Katherine had gasped sharply to herself, staring at the intricate patterns on the grand door. Confused, shocked. She was unsure what kind of plans these men had drawn, but clearly it was a grand secret that had been in the making for the past year.

Suddenly the drawn out celebrations made sense. The guise of keeping the foreign enemy on their land falling into place as she connected the dots. She didn’t know much about Nightshade or how they will fare without their crown prince, but it seemed Elysium was prepared for the aftermath of it all.

Handing over Ian for assassinating the Nightshade heir.

The Queen will be furious once she learns of this.

A sudden thought darted through Katherine’s mind, her eyes flicking back to the door with more unease.

Then what of her daughter? 

The princess who was on the forefront of preparing all the celebrations. The one responsible for overseeing the foreign envoys. What was her role in all this?

The mother stared, her heart beating fast.

Now however, amidst the music and the dancing, the loud cheers and laughter of the nobles that celebrated the newly weds, another thought flashed through the mother’s mind.

Perhaps he could protect her.

This Warrior Prince. This beastly prince that seemed to exude a shuddering aura, his sharp gaze piercing into hers before she looked away.

Yet the eyes he looked at her daughter with were filled with longing.

A look she had once been very familiar with.

But would that longing gaze be enough to protect her daughter?

Lady Katherine turned to her maid, leaning in to whisper a command.

   “Procure me a dagger.” 

Her personal maid blinked at her, confusion evident in her slightly shocked gaze.

   “Be discreet.” The mistress muttered, turning away.

The maid hesitated for a moment more before nodding, slowly making her way out of the hall.

The sound of Duke Wenning trashing after his fall had stolen back the King’s Mistress’ attention, her eyes following along as the Princess Consort’s father was slowly led out in the midst of the celebration to settle. He had truly gotten carried away in his elation.

That poor bastard. 

────────────────────────

The night was supposed to be a joyous one. Celebrating the marriage of the crown prince, the first of the royal children to wed. The occasion had called for endless revelry. Yet the tensions simmering beneath, threatened to surface.

The Queen of Elysium had retired earlier than usual, her smile graceful, but the anger within her flickered in her eyes, betrayed by a twitch of her brow. She scanned the room, her gaze finally landing on the King. At the ruler who had just backstabbed her.

Or rather.

The man who had betrayed her long ago, and she had only just discovered.

She shouldn’t have been surprised, the fickle King, that husband of hers, was never one that she thought of as loyal. She had known that long before their marriage. But she had believed, foolishly, that he at least respected her position as Queen of this kingdom.

But perhaps that too was a naive hope. Especially when the man had invited his mistress onto the palace grounds. A figure whose presence had undermined her authority for the past twenty-odd years.

She wasn’t just angry. She was furious. She stormed into her parlor, the doors rattling violently against the walls as she flung them open. Her maids, trailing behind her, flinched at her force.

Then came the vase.

The delicate vessel shattered into a thousand pieces as she hurled it at the wall, a scream of rage escaping her lips. Her eyes burned with frustration, her fury unleashing.

She had just uncovered the hidden web of deceit her King had spun right under her nose.

While she was busy keeping an eye on the pawns that could be used in their schemes, the King had sacrificed his Queen.

Sacrificed his crown prince.

Lord Wenning had been intoxicated, escorted to a quieter lounge to regain his composure. Yet, as he sat alone, still giddy with the thought that he could soon have the future king in his pocket, if his daughter could hold him firmly enough, the doors creaked open. Lord Miller stepped inside.

Equally giddy, equally intoxicated by this point of the night perhaps. Yet, elated for different reasons.

The secrets spilled easily. Though vaguely. Lord Miller’s grin was menacing as he leaned in, whispered words that drew out this reaction from the princess consort’s father. Knowing the Duke would likely forget much of this conversation by morning. Yet, the Duke stared back, stunned, absorbing each word.

The secrets had been heard easily. 

With the walls of the palace having ears of their own, and the Queen of Elysium having her spies lingering in most parts of the court, the schemes swiftly reach her. And yet, amidst the festivities of her son’s wedding, all she could do was smile. The mask of benevolence and grace that she had perfected over the years, donned on her face.

And now here she was, in the solitude of her parlor. Breaking things. Shattering objects as if doing so could rid her of the bitter truth she couldn’t fully grasp. She had been swindled. Betrayed by the man to who she had whispered the very idea to in the first place.

She had suggested it. The plan to use the growing sickness to stir unrest among the people of the kingdom. Riling them up enough to justify their attack to a nation that had the cure.

With the Nightshade Prince out of the picture, the enemy kingdom would be thrown into chaos, leaving an opening for Elysium's army to strike.

It was a well sought out scheme. Slightly foolish, she was aware. Knowing well about the history of Nightshade known for their defensive tactics. And if all went awry, the one to take the blame would always be the ruler of the nation. 

Nightshade would want the Elysium King’s head on a stake. 

It seemed the Queen wasn’t loyal herself either. Perhaps what truly upset her was that the King had struck first, making her taste bitter at the mere thought of being back-stabbed.

The Queen of Elysium sank into a chair, her breath steadying as she fought to regain control over the storm of emotions that had clouded her mind. Her thoughts raced, sifting through the endless, fragmented pieces of information she had kept to herself. Bits of gossip, fleeting conversations, reports form her spies, whispers in the dark. She picked through them, trying to discern which might aid her in creating a new, more cunning scheme.

She must do something, anything, before her son takes the fall. That useless son of hers.

Prince Ian, the crown prince she had once hoped would be her puppet. A king in name, but truly a figurehead, with the Queen Dowager advising from behind the scenes. 

Her gaze hardened, and her mind sharpened as a recollection flickered in her memory. Something that had been relayed to her just the night prior.

From a certain guard from the West Wing Palace that had come to her parlor, reporting on the Second Prince’s suspicious activities.

Of her purchasing poison.

The Queen of Elysium was the most powerful woman of the Kingdom.

She was beautiful, she was gracious. She was forgiving.

She was an actress. She was clever. Conniving.

The Elysium Queen was the most powerful woman yet found herself falling behind a mistress.

It’s true that royal marriages rarely involve love, though the young maiden who wed the then-crown prince of Elysium never sought it in the first place. She believed that once married, she could hold her husband’s reins, keep him in check. 

But, of course, that didn’t work.

After she gave birth to a son, she became expendable. Her husband, now king, slowly turned away, no longer visiting her unless needed. Instead, he was consumed by a certain young lady. 

Supposedly beautiful, supposedly radiating. The kind of woman men fawn over, their eyes captured at her every glimpse.

Like the eyes of the King, who was just a man after all.

It grated on the young queen's nerves.

Watching her husband who she didn’t have any real interest in, prepare carriages laden with gifts for some humble noble girl.

And once the queen had gotten a good look at Lady Katherine, she understood.

That the two were made of the same cloth. The two were after power, attaching themselves to the most powerful man of the nation.

Yet the Queen was humored. Because how dare a pretty girl eye her place. How dare a pretty poor girl think she could challenge the queen of the nation, a well-brought up lady of high-society, picked by the former king himself.

The Queen despised the competition, the thorns in her side. But there was little she could do when word spread that the King had fathered an illegitimate child. 

The lower nobles caused a ruckus and the Crown had no choice but to accept her as his mistress.

Fortunately, the child was a girl.

When the Queen saw the look of panic in Katherine’s eyes upon hearing the news, she found herself amused. The mistress’s desperate hope to give birth to a prince who could rival her son’s place vanished in an instant.

Instead, Katherine began to fear the Queen.

The Queen didn’t hold any particular animosity toward the bastard child. She was pretty, lively, much like her mother. And when standing next to her own daughter, the girl seemed rather dull. 

But there was one thing about the Second Princess that intrigued the Queen, something she didn’t realize until it was too late. 

The child was an actress.

That girl was clever, conniving.

And when the Queen glimpsed her younger self in Y/N, she knew she would have to keep a close watch on that illegitimate princess.

It was a good thing she did so too, seeing as she now had a perfect solution to this mess that became a thorn at her side.

   “Bring the Mistress to me.” She ordered

────────────────────────

Princess Y/N warily glanced between her maid and her knight, the suddenly stoic guard who was leading her, rather than protecting her from behind as he always did.

But she could only guess that he had finally grown tired of pretending to guard her, especially now, in the Queen’s palace. The silent corridors felt eerily empty to the Second Princess and her young chambermaid. With the palace bustling with celebrations, there wasn’t a soul in sight. And even if attendants lingered nearby, they stayed out of sight.

Queen Mother had summoned her, a call that shouldn’t have been shocking, seeing as Princess Y/N had been in and out of this palace over the course of preparations. Yet fear gnawed at her, a fear she forced down, hoping no one would notice it. Not Anna, the young girl who was already terrified on her own. Not her knight, who looked at her with much more disdain than he had last. 

Not the Queen Mother who had eyes everywhere, making Y/N worry if she had discovered the Nightshade Prince sneaking around the palace, slipping into her bedchamber.

But, what she was greeted with was the sight of a different Nightshade.

The tube of the shriveled plant. The poison she regretted ever learning about. The same poison she had foolishly smuggled into the court.

Her eyes widened instantly, her gaze darting to the Queen, who stood almost nonchalant by the roaring fireplace, its flames casting vibrant hues across her face.

Princess Y/N’s knight bowed as he completed his task, turning to exit. The heavy doors thudded shut behind him.

The silence that stretched between the three remaining women in the parlor was suffocating. Anna, her head lowered, trembled. The sight of which pained her princess.

   “I thought you to be much sharper than this, Princess Y/N.” The Queen’s voice cut through the heavy silence.

Finally turning, she acknowledged the bowed stances of the lower-princess and her maid, waving her hand to get them to rise.

Y/N’s eyes instantly darted back to the poison at the center table. The one you could grind, mix or ingest as it is.

The woman of highest authority picked up the tube, inspecting the small thing that was apparently quite deadly.

   “I know you had no ill intent. You’re much too good-natured for that. It seems your curiosity has landed you in some trouble yet again.” She shook her head, feigned disappointment crossing her face.

She glanced over at Anna, the young maid who’s loyalty seemed harder to break than she had presumed. Such a young thing, yet had more morality than some of those older, experienced servants that bowed down to bribes.

Like that knight that stood outside. Loyalty not a concept he seemed to grasp.

   “Do you know its uses?” The Queen’s gaze returned to the poison, her fingers tapping the glass tube lightly.

Y/N’s heart hammered in her chest, her fingers trembling slightly. But she was not worried for herself. No, it was Anna she feared for. The young maid had no idea about the Nightshade poison Y/N had in her possession.

   “It’s used to kill.” Y/N replied, her voice steadier than she felt, hoping her tone would mask the nervousness beneath.

The obvious answer made the Queen let out a soft, amused laugh, her eyes glinting with a mixture of amusement and something else. 

   “Yes, as most poisons are. But I imagined you might be aware of its medicinal uses as well.”

Y/N inhaled sharply, wondering exactly how much the most powerful woman of the kingdom knew. How much she pretended to not know. How much she ignored it until it was useful to her.

The Queen seemed to sense the turmoil in Y/N’s thoughts, as if reading her like an open book. She flashed a knowing smile, as though seeing her younger self reflected in the princess. It was an unfortunate thing, that she was the daughter of a mistress.

   “The Nightshade realm knows its uses. From the leaves to the seeds. Every part of it is used for medicine rather than poison. Or so I read about a long time ago.” She couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh.

   “Ironic for a Kingdom named after such a thing.”

Y/N was at a loss for words. Unsure of what to say next. Whether her words could be used against her, although it truly was her fault that she was in such a situation. No one but hers.

The curious Second Elysium Princess knows how to sneak away. Known to act impulsively before considering any consequences until she stood in the middle of the aftermath. Her eyes glanced over to the terrified young maid.

The Second Elysium Princess, always putting others in danger.

“Forgive me, your Majesty. There was no ill intention behind my possession of this vial. I was simply curious. It—” She gripped at her dress, inhaling as she made a decision. “It was smuggled in by me, and me alone. No one else besides me knew about it.”

Princess Y/N could feel Anna’s shocked gaze boring into her, the chambermaid who had truly known nothing about it indeed, yet couldn’t understand why her princess would confess such a thing.

Would protect a lowly maid like herself.

The Queen blinked at Y/N’s words, her expression momentarily unreadable before she burst into hearty laughter, a sound that echoed off the walls of the silent parlor.

   “Oh, Princess Y/N.” Queen Mother began, her laughter subsiding into a soft chuckle.

   “This is one thing I dislike about you. Never considering the fact that you have no power to protect anyone, yet always jumping forward to do so.” Queen Mother’s laughter settled.

   “Although perhaps it is one thing about you that makes you nothing like that mother of yours.”

The Queen’s voice grew quieter, more contemplative, as her amusement slowly faded. A brief flicker of silence settled between them, thickening the tension in the room. Then, she spoke, her words chilling.

   “I’m going to pin this poison on your mother.” 

Y/N’s eyes widened in shock, her breath catching in her throat. She looked up at the Queen, who met her gaze with an unreadable gleam in her eyes. Tears welled in Y/N’s eyes, and her lips trembled at the gravity of the proclamation. In an instant, Katherine’s daughter crumpled to her knees, her head bowing low in desperate submission.

   “Y-your Majesty, please!” She pleaded, her voice shaking. 

   “I’m the one who deserves the punishment. My mother—she knew nothing about it.” The words spilled from her lips, frantic, desperate.

Beside her, Anna also sank to her knees, her head lowering to the ground, following Lady Katherine’s daughter.

The daughter who had grown distant from her overbearing mother. The illegitimate child who had always accepted her mother’s fury, the scornful words, the strikes that left bruises. And yet, despite it all, the princess still loved her mother dearly.

The most powerful woman in the kingdom stared down at the scene. A slight twitch in her brow gave way to her irritation. Or rather her amusement, seeing as though both mother-daughter seemed to be more alike than she had thought.

   “The Mistress had begged for something similar. Earlier when I presented this shrub to her.”

Once again, Y/N’s stunned gaze shot up to meet the Queen’s slight scowl, the older woman crossing her arms over her chest.

   “She agreed to take the blame. And that is quite final. Unless you intend on poisoning someone instead.”

Y/N was lost, her tears sliding down her cheeks as she attempted to wrap her head around whatever she had heard. Whatever had transpired between her mother and the queen. Before she had arrived.

Perhaps it had all been her fault. Her mother was going to kill someone because of her. For her.

Suddenly she gasped sharply, her mind spinning. Her eyes darted back to the Queen, a desperate question escaping her trembling lips.

   “W-will she poison the Nightshade p-prince?” Her words had left shakily, her fear evident in her tear-stricken expression.

The sight of which made the Queen raise a curious brow.

   “Oh my…” The amusement was evident in her tone, fingers covering her lips as she caught the glint in the princess’ eyes, something that echoed an affection she hadn't expected at all.

   “It seems you are your mother’s daughter after all.” The Queen mused, a smile tugging at her lips she laughed softly, shaking her head in disbelief.

   “And here I thought he was enthralled by Sienna.” She muttered to herself, her gaze far off as if lost in thought. 

But the amusement faded as quick as it came. With a sharp tone, she called for the princess’ guard, standing outside the door.

The doors cracked open, but Y/N didn’t have an answer to the question that still hung in the air, her fear gripping her chest tightly.

   “Do you believe Elysium has a sliver of a chance against Nightshade?” 

The Queen Mother’s words had made the guard, the maid and the lowly princess stiffen, a confession to attacking the enemy nation made so casually.

Yet she only awaited. Waiting for the ever-curious, ever-knowledgeable second princess to voice her opinion.

Y/N inhaled. A bitterness coursing through her, an anger simmering beneath her teary eyes. Her voice was steady, despite the tremor in her chest.

   “Elysium will fall.”

Words that settled like a heavy stone. Words that had her guard shouted out in anger, as if she had cursed them all with her prediction.

   “How damning!” Yet even before he could truly get riled up, the Queen settled him. 

Her expression was calm, as if it were an answer she expected. An answer she knew herself. A likely outcome for a greedy kingdom. For a King, who she wanted nothing but to fall.

   “Enough. I appreciate your honest answer.” Her final words to Y/N were curt, facing her guard, and a few more knights who seemed to be standing out in the hall now.

   “Confine the second princess to her chambers.” The Queen glanced at a terrified Anna.

   “Send her maid away.”

────────────────────────

The Nightshade Prince wasn’t sure how he ended up walking beside Prince Hyunjin, the Sylvancrest Prince’s taller figure falling into his steps, as they made their way through the hall. Hyunjin’s ever-present grin was on display, the same warm smile that Chris had grown used to seeing on his face.

Except for the day of their chess game, which Hyunjin pretended to forget all about.

   “Are you excited to return back home?” Hyunjin’s question broke him away from his thoughts.

Chris inhaled, slipping his hands into his pockets as he gave a curt reply. “Yes.”

But the words didn’t quite match the unease in his eyes. Unable to quite convince himself, much less Hyunjin.

   “Are you returning as well or do you plan to stay a few days. Perhaps… secure that Queen you had been rambling about.” The Warrior Prince’s jaw had tightened, a slight furrow in his brow.

A sight that amused Hyunjin plenty, making the Sylvancret Prince widen his smile even moreso.

   “I don’t think I ever mentioned securing anyone, forget a Queen.” He chuckled, glancing around the chatter and clamor of the hall. 

   “She has already settled on a King.” His tone had softened, muttered between them.

Words dripping with a knowing edge, his expression nothing but warm.

A confession, a sight that should have settled his inner jealousy. Should have made Chris fall into wonder. Should have made him curious, questioning why this pretty prince knew so much. Yet he could only feel bitter.

   “It is you, Prince Christopher. The King her heart has settled on.” Hyunjin’s voice dropped to a murmur, the shift in tone clearly signaling his slight confusion. 

It was clear that he expected something more from the Warrior Prince in response, perhaps a shift in his demeanor, but Chris’ reaction was nothing like what Hyunjin had anticipated.

Prince Christopher’s gaze flickered downward, the weight of the words sinking into him. He glanced back up, meeting Hyunjin’s eyes, whose gaze flickered with worry maybe?

Instead he curled his lips into a soft, bittersweet smile.

   “I know.”

His eyes swept across the hall, searching for the second princess, but she was no longer in the spot where he had last seen her. Chris' heart clenched at the empty space, a hollow ache settling within him that he couldn't hide. The kind of pain Prince Hyunjin easily noticed.

But it seemed that more than just the princess was missing tonight. Something felt amiss, like in the deep shadows of the Grand Forest.

Minho's eyes swept across the unfamiliar expanse of greenery, his mind suddenly uneasy. A sense of urgency gripped him as he scanned for signs of the hoard of guards. The brigade of Elysium knights that had been assembled in secret at the border. Elysium's army, raised in secrecy, was nowhere to be found. In their place, only the usual knights remained, stationed at the wall that divided the two kingdoms.

It was as if the sighting of the large number of armored knights had been nothing but a hallucination. Something Prince Felix had imagined, something the Midnight Leader had conjured up. 

The Midnight Leader who now stood amidst the dark foliage of the Grand Forest at a loss for words. He had been tasked to find out if Nightshade had gotten his message that he had left a few days prior, in search for any response that could bridge the King’s court and the special envoy here on enemy territory. Yet, what he didn’t expect was to easily slither around in the shadows. Where once he was wary, about the large number of Elysium guards scattered around the dark greenery of the forest, climbing the tall, towering trees, concealing at every rustle and snap, now he was greeted by an unsettling silence.

An eerie stillness that made him feel uneasy.

It seemed that his midnight team had gotten his message, the carving now clawed out of the bark. His senses seemed to be heightened, head darting around for clues. For footprints, subtle signs of where such a large force of knights could have diverged. 

Perhaps they were still in the forest. With the Nightshade warriors unfamiliar with enemy territory, unfamiliar with the dense expanse of the Grand Forest on the Elysium side, the knights could have easily covered their tracks. 

It seemed his Prince had been right about the enemy nation’s “hidden weapon” indeed. Perhaps an ambush was exactly what they planned. A thought that made the Midnight Warrior clench his jaw in anger.

Minho could hear the loud roar of the river in the distance. A river that didn’t run through his kingdom, a sound that didn’t belong to Nightshade. Yet he suddenly recalled a certain story he had heard about this river. His prince’s bittersweet memories spilled out amongst the warriors he trained with back in the White Mountains. 

About a certain princess who had become his friend. One he couldn’t wait to meet.

An enemy princess. Minho had long figured that much out.

Princess Y/N, who he had followed that night amidst the pouring rain. Her staggering figure as she gripped at her shoulder, the faint sobs escaping her lips in the dark corridors of the West Wing Palace, all seem to come back to him at this moment of ponder.

It should have been a hassle. Rendering some personal knight unconscious, just to allow the enemy princess to slip back into her chambers without being seen. It should have been a task he could have stepped away from, but the pain in his prince’s expression, illuminated by the bolts of lightning that night, had made him act. 

And surely, he would do it again. A thought he didn’t particularly hate.

King Bhang had once said that every king has his own loyal people. And it was in this instance that the future king’s power shone. With the loyalty of his midnight warrior, who should have been loyal to Nightshade and not just his master, Prince Christopher was effortlessly gathering those who would stand by him. Already beginning to forge his own people, his own authority.

But as Minho wandered through the dark forest he seemed to worry about something more pressing. 

The missing army that would surely ambush them. A foolish move that seemed easy enough to figure out. 

But he couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to it.

This joyous night of the Crown Prince and Princess Consort’s wedding celebrations, the last night the foreign princes were to be in the Kingdom of Elysium, it seemed to be such a bittersweet moment. For new friends like Prince Hyunjin and Princess Y/N, who promised to keep in touch through letters. For another pair of friends who had a promise once upon a time.

Prince Christopher and the ghost of his childhood friend, lost friends with one sided memories. A farewell, never to be said, yet never to be undone.

Bittersweet goodbyes seemed to echo beneath all the revelry.

For yearning lovers. The Second Princess of Elysium, the less-than royal princess, who cried for her mother. Who cried for the enemy prince she had swore would return safely, locked in her chambers.

And for the yearning lover on the other side, the Nightshade Prince, the future ruler, who’s eyes searched around for the glimpse of the enemy princess that refused to admit her feelings.

Glancing over his shoulder, the Nightshade heir felt the burning gaze of the sly Elysium King on him, watching him closely.

What a joyous night it seemed to be, indeed.

A night ending with the loud boom of fireworks. 

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ to be continued.

── ask to be tagged! - @stayceebs97, @palindrome969, @tsunderelino, @solandiszale, @fixation-dump, @ellelabelle, @gaslasyttune, @qwonyoung23, @minh0scat, @candyquokka, @sellomaybe, @kat-unzel, @aeri-skzver, @hefflez8 , @lenfilms, @staytinyluv, @ovulatingrn, @gujter, @moledroangel, @spectraly, @lemonn015, @vxllxnsworld, @yoongiismylove2018, @luminouskalopsia, @farhas-stuff, @staysweird, @0325ale, @yareyareoujosama, @143hyunes, @jellybeanxscoups, @xgridx, @channieismylove, @impoeticbeauty, @clamabuntetnonprinceps, @dusk-mp3 (please ask to be tagged if you’re genuinely interested!)

[wisteriagoesvroom]

a couple of people have asked for a carlos POV of in theory and actually. thinking about it. it's pretty funny. imagine being carlos, carlos who gets everything in his life he's ever wanted carlos, carlos who feels he has nothing further to prove to anyone carlos (this is a lie btw), carlos who gets saddled with OSCAR, who barely tolerates him, as an executive assistant.

oscar who shows few emotions. doesn't give a f about seniority. thinks carlos is incredibly arrogant (he's not wrong here but, like recognises like.) oscar who knows carlos can't even do his own expenses without having an emotional support espresso or spending half an hour whining to oscar even though he did it himself years before oscar even joined, etc etc.

and carlos has to. endure it. while oscar blatantly ignores his charm offensive and his attempts at being jovial and his bad bilingual puns and carlos, because everyone usually loves carlos, and he-- he just. he cannot for the life of him figure out why he's also so compelled by this australian dude. doesn't know what to do with himself. just keeps interactions to a transactional minimum and puts up a front like he is soooo curt and uncaring about everything but. the warmth seeps through anyway, a vine that's destined to grow despite his attempts not to let it.

so what, if carlos lies awake in bed with racing thoughts too late at night thinking of revenues and EBITDA and platinum tiers and air miles. so what, if this sometimes bleeds into thoughts regarding his work-life balance or lack thereof, and therefore, oscar's stupid little hair swoop, his frown. his insane excel sheet formulas that even carlos, MBA graduate, takes a second to understand. oscar and his indifference and his scary efficiency and the way he talks a bit too fast when he's tipsy and his ice cold hands.

(at the christmas party with yuki. carlos pretends not to listen but hears every word. why would oscar tell yuki all that, and not him, when he’s tried to ask about oscar's interests before? anyway.)

and then. the christmas gifts happen and carlos thinks he's crossed a line. was the terrarium too far, he wonders. normally people love it when carlos is thoughtful like that. his exes even said so. but no! oscar takes the terrarium, the one carlos made a specific detour for on an airline that he couldn't even get miles on!

and oscar just. stares, and stares at the terrarium. then he gives carlos this...look. and it gets embarrassingly intimate and carlos "really does have to go take his call" even though the client did say it is fine to switch to email because, christmas. yeah. and then he's thinking about it the whole way back to madrid too.

then oscar QUITS on CHRISTMAS DAY (rude) for no explainable reason and carlos is like oh my god is it really ME. how can anybody not like ME ? reddit, AITA???

so carlos mulls on it. carlos wants to atone. just maybe. set things straight. let oscar know that. actually. all feelings aside, he was really an excellent EA and carlos wishes him the best with everything. he maybe sends a text to thank him with those very words. but christmas eve comes and goes, and so does christmas day, and there's no reply at all from oscar. what the hell, carlos thinks. no i can't have him leave and there's so much in my email that i – i didn't even say. he just. needs to let oscar know that he appreciated it.

(he doesn't know what "it" is per se. just that. he feels strongly. so he needs to do something about that.)

soooooo then carlos, who values for family more than anything in the world, spends christmas day just only half paying attention to things going on and thinking jesus, what did i do. and his sisters are like, hermano, please just. get it together and sort this out if you care so much. we'll be fine with mamá and papá and piñón okay there's roast ham for days. and his ma is like: "if you are visiting someone at least pack some dessert. where are your manners". and carlos is like "what". and his mum is like: "did i not teach you anything at all. are you or are you not a sainz". so carlos just takes his tiramisu and his sister's teasing and. he goes. might even try to pull a favour from a client to use a private jet and get there in time.

he flies back to the city in a fit of possible stupidity to try and clarify... his feelings for oscar his professional record and integrity.

and then. oscar is. actually HAPPY he is there.

(carlos knows he's happy, not because oscar's face changes. but because oscar puts his actual plant shears down in order to talk to him. which in oscar-world is a very big deal really. before, oscar always used to look like he wanted to stab carlos with a pen when carlos spoke to him. and if carlos were truly honest with himself, and hindsight being 50/50, well– he'd say that actually, the times oscar looked like he wanted to stab him were actually some of the moments he felt most alive.)

and the rest is... well.

you know how it ends.

[horsechestnut]

I think my ideal Steph, Cass, and Tim dynamic would be that they're all best friends, but they can not all hang out together. Like, if you ask any one of them who their best friend is they genuinely will not be able to pick between the other two, but all three of them together triggers each of their insecurities in the worst way and always leads to a fight.

Like, Steph and Cass are so affectionate with each other, and constantly flirting and Tim assumes their teasing, but what if they're not, and oh god is he third wheeling on a date between his ex-girlfriend and his sister? They don't actually want him here, they invited him to be nice and he was to oblivious to realize it wasn't genuine. He should leave. But before he can come up with a believable excuse they've changed topics and... hang on, did Steph just say her dad threw a book at her once? Because so much of Steph and Cass's relationship is built on an understanding that they won't make a big deal when they mention something messed up about their past that they just say stuff like that, but Tim does not have that same understanding. So Tim hears that and instead of rolling with it, it's "Steph you can't just say that like it's not a big deal... why is Cass laughing? You can't laugh at that it's fucked up! I don't care that it was a long time ago!" And now Cass is confused and Steph is angry and Tim feels like shit for probably ruining what they wanted to be a date and frustrated that he's being treated like he's overreacting despite being the only one with a normal reaction to child abuse. Mostly he's terrified that he screwed this whole thing up somehow and neither of them is going to want to hang out with him again.

Meanwhile Steph and Tim are so intrinsically linked to each other. They've shared things they will never share with anyone else, they were each others first love. And Cass understands that, she does, but it's hard sometimes seeing how easy they are with each other. The way Steph knows Tim's upset without having to read his body langue the way Cass does or Tim can predict exactly how late Steph will be to any given situation. More than that though, what truly makes her want to hide away from them, is the history they both had but didn't share. The sly comments about Tim looking like a character Cass has never heard of or jokes that make no sense but send Steph into laughing fits. The kind that when she asks are brushed off with "it was an old meme" or "just a show from when we were kids". The reminders that she isn't normal, she can never really be like them. If she doesn't ask most of the time it doesn't occur to them to explain, it seems so obvious to them. They start doing a synchronized dance from some movie that came out when they were in middle school and Cass slips away into the shadows. Later she gets a string of concerned text that slowly turn angry when she doesn't answer. Cass never tells them what was wrong.

And it's hard for Steph to look at Cass and Tim and not feel jealous, because more than just being friends, they're siblings. They are full members of the club, Bruce's children, let into the fold in a way she never can be. She doesn't even want to be anymore if she's being honest, but it still stings. They'll casually mention family dinner or reference inside jokes from the last Wayne charity whatever and Steph will feel the growing desire in her chest that she can not, under any circumstances, let anyone see. The desire that has caused her so much pain, she will not give it control over her again. And Cass calls Tim Robin sometimes, and he calls Cass Batgirl in return, and Steph has to bite back the urge to scream at them that she was Robin too! She is also a Batgirl! But it doesn't matter because she wasn't Cass's Robin or Tim's Batgirl, and it drives her insane that they're romanticizing that time, because don't they remember how much of an asshole Bruce was back then? And now Tim is mad at her for bring up the past as if they're not the ones who started it, and Cass is assuring her that Bruce has changed, and maybe he has, but it's to fucking late! He already ruined any chance of Steph every feeling fully comfortable with her place in their lives. So she storms off, fuming, leaving a baffled Tim and Cass to go enjoy their stupid family dinner.

So yeah, they are best friends. They all love each other more than they know how to say, and trust each other more than anyone else in the world. But they can never all hang out together. That only ever ends in disaster.

[lolitastories]

This Is Mine

Rafe Cameron

Part 1. Part 2. Part 3.

“Do you think she looks like me?” I look up from our lunch towards Rafe holding our daughter beside his face and smiling.

“No, thankfully.” I bluntly say as I try to hold back a laugh. “She looks like her real dad.” I shrug as I take a piece of chicken and stuff it in my mouth. I almost choked seeing the infamous Rafe Cameron stare, he didn’t like what I had just said.

“I know you are lying but if that were true, I wouldn’t care.” He pulls our girl closer and gives her a big kiss on her lovable chubby cheeks. “I am here; she is mine.” How could I make fun of that? As I look at them in awe the air around us changes. He stood up and placed her on the highchair. Making sure she was secure he pulled his chair around and closer to mine. My posture straightened and I could no longer remember how to breathe properly. I tried to ignore his antics of staring at me until I turned and gave him some attention but as soon as I felt his hands on mine, I was met with his blue eyes. “I know we have a deal set between us about what this was but,” I wish my eyes could translate why my heart was beating so fast, so maybe the next words that came out of his mouth would allow me to say what I felt. “We need to talk about it again.” His calm demeanor was something not many people saw, maybe this was the time to talk about it again.

“Okay.” His eyes widened in surprise. His head turns like a little puppy wondering if he heard correctly. “But not here,”

“Right.” He nods. “I will get the car.” I couldn’t ignore how excitedly he jumped out his chair and rushed towards the parking lot. When I looked back, I saw our daughter's head turned towards the direction her father had just gone in.

“Why does he get both things huh?” I ask her in a sweet voice. Her head turns towards my voice and a growing smile appears. “You look like your daddy, and you are obviously obsessed with him,” She giggled like she knew what I was talking about. “Who can blame you?’ I let out a sigh in defeat.

“Here you go ma’am. Have a nice day.” The waitress smiles as she hands me Rafe's card. He must have paid on his way out.

“Thank you, you too.” I put the card in my purse and grabbed our daughter. As we walked towards the parking lot I couldn’t help but admire Rafe. When I left home one thing, I was worried about was doing this by myself. Don’t get me wrong I could handle things from a hammer to a chainsaw, but it didn’t mean I wanted to. I had men in my family who were always there but here? If Rafe hadn’t showed up I would have lost all my will power. Tell me if it's bad but I enjoy watching men do things for me and especially Rafe. Like when he comes around the house he notices little things and gets to fixing it. How just him backing up the truck to pick me and our daughter up so we don’t walk down the long parking lot was admirable. How good he looks in his truck, how good it was to call him my baby’s father.

“Ready?” He smiles from the driver's seat as he places the car in park. He opens the door and gets out rushing towards us. Our baby giggling at his antics and stretching to get a hold of him.

“I will never be able to compete with you huh?” I joke seeing those two so in love with each other. Rafe chuckles. We both move to the back seat and make sure she is secure in her car seat.

“You don’t have to, you know.” He finds my face of confusion as he turns around and shuts the door of our daughter.

“I know.” I say with an uneasy smile. I walked over and checked that she was doing okay through the opened window. I smile seeing her happy with her Paci. When I go to turn around, I feel two hands land on my hip. They carefully circle around my waist, his chest pressed up against my back as he pulls us closer. His chin rests on my right shoulder and my head immediately falls back against his.

“She loves her mommy,” He whispers. I could feel his warm breath hoovering the crook of my neck. “I love her mommy.” I opened my mouth to speak but the only thing that came out was a shaking breath. He starts placing kisses on my shoulder and moves up until he is just below my ear. “We would go crazy without mommy,” Shit. I bit my lip holding back a groan. His hand slowly moves upward. Putting some pressure as it slides over my stomach and my chest. My chest falls heavily when in a split second he gently squeezes my neck and then moves up to grip my chin. He places one last kiss below my ear before he kisses along my jaw, his hand turning my head towards him. My eyes are shut, and I feel his warm breath along my lips as he hoovers above them. “I am going crazy without her kisses,” My hands involuntarily grip his forearm but not to push it away. No, I need to make sure he was here; to release all this feeling he was making me feel.

“Rafe,” My throat felt dry. His hand laid flatly on the middle of my lower stomach. The simple push of his palm had me lightheaded.

“Ready to go home?”

“Uh-huh” I nod dumbly. His one hand on my stomach grips my hip and the other moves to rest on my cheek. He places a quick kiss on my cheek and simply removes himself from me. What the hell just happened? Sure, Rafe has tried to make advances, but it had never landed this far, I had never allowed him to go this far. I turned towards him lost when I opened my eyes.

“Come on,” He smiles. That idiot knew what he had done. He grabs my hand, and I don’t argue as he pulls me around the truck and towards the passenger door. “She needs to nap.” He opens the door and thankfully he helps me in because my legs couldn’t function correctly. Once he places my seatbelt on, he closes the door and rushes to the driver side. My hands stay entwined on my lap and my eyes on the window for the entire car ride.  I had told him what I wanted before our daughter arrived. He could see her and spend time whenever he felt like it. She would live with me but when he chose, she could stay with him. He always chooses to sleep on the couch then put her through discomfort having to adjust to a different setting. When it came to us, I told him we were only friends. He agreed knowing it was too much for us to take in. He started working and expanding his father's company while our daughter wasn’t here yet. I finished college and bought a house, of course with a little help from Rafe.  We were so busy preparing for her that we barely saw each other, other than the ultrasounds and other important baby things. When she was born, we became comfortable with being together, it wasn’t that hard to fall into the rhythm again. But now since our baby is 9 months old it has given us more time together. When she is preoccupied with her toys or taking a nap, she leaves us with having to talk to each other. It felt good having him around. It almost felt like before, when we were dating. “Are you expecting company?” I started to shake my head but freeze when I saw a familiar truck in the driveway.

“Rafe?” I whisper. He hums in response. “No questions asked,” I begin. “Can we go to your house?” I look at him with pleading eyes. Thankfully he only nodded and continued driving down the road. I let out a sigh and turned in my seat to face him. “Seems like my family is in town.” I watched as his jaw tensed and his fingers gripped the steering wheel.

“You said-”

“I know what I said.” I interrupted him. “They aren’t bad people Rafe they are-they have changed.” I let out. I slouch back down on the seat. “They love me, we just didn’t show it.”

“To you” He bluntly said. “You told me how they excluded you. How they belittle you and how you feel unseen and judged by them, how is that love?” His voice was rising with each word.

“You don’t understand Rafe.”

“¿Really?! I don’t understand what an unloving family is?” My lips fall silent. “I know you care too much for them to see their faults, but you can’t go back to the person you once were when you arrived on the island.”

“Am not Rafe.” I grab his hand in mine and give it a gentle squeeze. “Back then I held too much back, and it caused years of built-up feelings but you have helped me, she has helped me.” I look back and see her small feet playfully hit the seat. “I don’t need their validation, but I can’t keep her away from meeting her family.” Rafe lets out a frustrated sigh coming to terms with my words.

“I don’t want-”

“They won’t.” I know he was scared of what they might say and what their words will cause in me. I don’t mention it much, but we had a fight, it was the first and only. I mentioned my father's words against him and Rafe took it like those words were the reason I chose to stay away from him and primarily not want to be with him. I explained it wasn’t the case, and we let it go, at least I did. “I know what I have and what I want. They don’t decide in my life anymore and when it comes to our daughter, we won’t allow even a simple word to cause her harm”

“I respect your choice, and I will be right there with you.” He whispers. I looked around seeing how we made it to his house. It was a two story, white, near the water, glass everywhere, just like I remember. We stayed silent until our little monster started fussing. “Let's get her to bed” I slightly chuckle and nod my head. I took my time going into his house. I watched as he got her out of his truck and walked up stairs to put her to nap. I finished eyeing everything in the living room before my feet were dragging me up the stairs. When I turned the corner, I saw Rafe leaning against the doorway and just looking into the room. “Sorry, she is-I, I just love looking at her sleep.” I nod honestly not caring much for his words. It made my heart melt, but my body and mind were being filled by other things. I grab on to his hand and pull him away from the door. “She must have been very tired because she fell right to sleep.” His words were thrown straight out the window. He continued talking while he followed as I was leading him towards his bedroom.  “I love that she has your eyes-” His mouth rapidly closed when I pushed him towards the bed and made him sit on the end of his bed.

“Thank you for being patient with me.” I whisper as I walk to stand in between his legs. His head slowly moves up to look at me. “I have done something thinking in private.” I innocently say. I move my hands up to unbutton my blouse.  “And I think we have spent enough time apart and I can’t bear it any longer,” Rafe grabs onto my hips and I straddle him.

“I’ve been thinking the same damn thing.” He didn’t waste any time pulling down the string strap of my tank top down and griping the flesh of my breast. “You know how hard it has been to be near you and not have you the past 16 months?” I groan as he pulls forward and takes a mouth full of my breast.

“I wouldn’t have blamed you- oh fuck” I groan. My hips moving is rhythm, grinding down on him. “If you choose-” I let another groan but this time it was of frustration.

“Did you?” As he said that he gripped the front of my top and pulled it down with force. I shake my head rapidly. “Good. Because you feel the same thing I feel.” His big hands grip the side of my face pulling me closer. “We only and will ever just need each other.” It was like following a light. “Right?” He grins slowly nodding and I was in a trance as I began to nod too. He smashes his lips on mine and eager I take a fist pull of his shirt. Our mouths danced together and spoke about how much they have missed each other.

“Rafe” I moaned. I continued to grind my hips against him, I could feel him growing bigger. His tongue slipped in, and he began to explore.

“Tell me you missed me?” He said pulling apart but only to flip us around, so he was now on top of me. His finger urgently removed the hair that had fallen on my face.

“I’ve missed you so much Rafe.” I take my time to touch his face. My fingers outlining his lips, “I’ve missed your lips,” I move up his eyes. “How I missed seeing your eyes so close,” My finger slowly moved down his face and down his chest. “I missed how you feel when you hold me,” A small groan escapes his lips when my hand slips past his waistline and into his boxers. “When you’re in me?” I tease.

“Baby we got less than 20 minutes before she wakes up,” Rafe closes his eyes. He lets his head fall in the crook of my neck.

“Lost your talent of making me cum in less than 5 minutes?” His head rises and I give him a challenging look.

“That's not something you can just unlearn,” I bit my lip holding back a smile. “I just want this to be special,” Too much talking. I wrap my fingers around his cock and slowly with pressure start stroking him.

“Rafe we will have other occasions to take our time but right now I need you to fuck me, okay?” I see him nod eagerly. He moves to take my hand away and he sits up.

  “I will not agree to 5 minutes,” he said in a stern voice as he took his pants off. “I will use those 20 minutes wisely.” He moves on to remove my pants and my panties along with them. I watch him move his hand down and begin stroking his cock. I wanted nothing more than to wrap my mouth around him. Feel as his length and width stretched my mouth. Circle my tongue around his red leaking tip and suck everything he had in him.

“Baby,” I whine. I spread my legs and lifted my hips a little, unable to control myself. I needed him “Please?” Having him look down on me as I shamefully scoot slowly closer to him, begging for him, it almost causes tears to fill my eyes.

“Fuck, my love, let me enjoy this view a little longer.” I throw my head back feeling his hand move to feel my clit. I moan loving how his long finger glides through it.

“Rafe?!” I let out a cry for the loss of his fingers. I look up and see a grin on his face as he uses my juices to lube his cock some more. “Please fuck me or I swear to god I wi-”

“You will what?!” I stay quiet feeling him slowly lower his whole body over me. One hand holding him up, so he doesn’t crush me as the other one is moving his tip along my clit. “You won’t do nothing, I will remind you how cock drunk I made you that you couldn’t even remember how to breathe,” I was going to let a certain F work slip out until I felt my walls split open. His cock slowly and dreadfully moved it until he could no longer. “Feel that?” I flinched when he pressed his palm on my lower stomach. I let out a moan as he begins to slip out, my walls tightening around him. “Feels so fucking good,” He groans as falls into a steady rhythm. Slowly moving faster and faster.

“Rafe!” I moaned but his hand quickly moved to quiet me. One hand on my mouth while the other pushes my hip down to meet his.

“Shhh.” He whispers in my ear before moving down towards my chest and circling my nipple. He bites it and pulls it with his teeth creating and even more immense pleasure over my body. He lets go but continues his attack on the other. His thrust hitting my pelvis made my eyes roll to the back of my head. My groans and moans silence by his hand. “Fuck,” He grunts. “So desperate to have my cock in you that you allowed me to go in raw-” Shit his words alone could make me cum. “Didn’t even think of the possibility of having another baby be created right here? right now? huh” My eyes widened at the realization. “It's too late for that now. I’m too addicted to this pussy and how well it is tightening around me to put on a fucking condom” I grip him hand and try to push it down. He moves upwards to be on my eyes level, and he continues to fuck into me with ease. He shakes his head ignoring my plea to remove his hand. “Don’t you want another piece of me and you?” He taunts lovingly. “We are doing great with the first one. Why not add another to our family?” He sees my eyes contemplating it. His hip starts making long but harsher strides. I could feel our juices spilling out of me. “What do you say?” My mouth was dry. His tip was hitting just the perfect spot making my mind become a haze.

“I-” I was unable to let out a word. I felt the coil in my stomach tighten. My legs lock arm his waist pulling him closer.

“Tell me you want to make me a daddy again.” I threw my head back knowing it was a decision to be made in the right mind but as I nod, they only thing my mind had in it was how good he was fucking me right now. “Tell me” He grips my chin making me face him.

“I want to have your baby, please” He smiles in victory. Pulls us closer to meet his lips, not letting go as we moan into each other's mouths. My nails digging into his back as mine arches to take everything he was willing to give. We cum as we held each other close.

“Fuck-me,” He groans falling to his side and taking me with him. My head falls into his chest as we both try to regain our breaths.

“Again?” I whisper with a laugh.

“Honey you just have to say the word,” I look up, finding him already staring down at me.

“Our daughter will be up soon so no” I push him away playfully and move to stand but of course Rafe wouldn’t allow that.

“Let her tell us when she is awake,” I fall back into his arms. One of his hands removed tracing my face. “Can give us time to really talk about this.” I groaned a bit but understood it needed to be done. I met his eyes, and I began to talk.

“I am really grateful you were so patient with me. I know it wasn’t easy, but I needed this time.” He nods as he continues to listen. “My feelings for you never changed but I needed to do what was right for her. I needed to know you were in it for the long run and eventually when I saw that I was worried bringing us back would ruin that.” We ran so well as co-parents. “But seeing my family today and you taking it so calmly I understood that no matter what happens between us we are always going to do what's best for her.”

“And her” I furrowed my brows in confusion until he slid his hand over my stomach.

“Stop,” I laughed, pushing his hand off. As our laughs quiet I look towards him again. “So, if you will still take me, I want to continue, us” I couldn’t tell you how my breath was stuck in the middle of my throat until a smile started to appear on his face.

“Of course, I would want nothing more than to have you. You and our daughter are all I need.” He grabs my face and pulls us closer but doesn’t connect our lips just yet. “And our other future daughter” I roll my eyes, letting him have that one.  His kiss is sweet and slow. Two souls who were separated for too long. I enjoyed the warmth of his lips until we heard something hit the floor.

“What the hell?!” Rafe moved faster than me as he put on his boxer and rushed out the door. I followed him when I threw on his shirt, only to find him picking up a broom. “Must have slipped down the wall.” He shrugs, placing the broom against the wall again, men. I shake my head and turn to check where our daughter was sleeping.

“She's awake?” I felt Rafe's presence behind me as he looked over my head.

“Yep.” He simply said as he walked right by me. I walk closer to see her with her Paci and her looking up at the projected animal in the ceiling.

“She always cries when she wakes up” We both lean and see how peaceful she was in her crib.

“She knew daddy desperately needed time with mommy” he said in a baby voice which made me hit his arm. He laughs walking towards the bathroom. I hear the water running and when he comes back, he picks her up. “Want something to eat?” I nod.

“Pick out something while I take a shower.” I wave goodbye to my girl but of course she is too busy staring at her father.

“Take out? Same as usual?” He says as we both walk out the room.

“Same as always.” He smiles rushing downstairs. He was my always now. When I enter his room, I grab a new shirt and one of his boxers. As I turn on the water I hear my phone ping,

“Grandmother couldn’t keep it shut and had to brag she met her great granddaughter.” Fuck. As I go to respond another text comes through. “We will be there at 10” Double fuck.

[nottivagos]

Hello! Welcome to Notti's "Not So Innocent" Notebook, where I write some filth to make your Monday a little better <3 || 18+ mdni pls and ty

Model Photographer!Carlos Sainz that can’t help but do a dirty photoshoot for his own dirty pleasures.

Imagine he’s been your personal— or at least go-to— photographer since you joined your modelling agency all those years ago. He was kind, maybe a little too kind, from your first ever interaction with him and he welcomingly taught you everything you needed to know. And ever since then you’d formed a close bond with him.

From the first ever shoot he had with you he was fixated on your body. The way different designer outfits and lavish accessories just clung to your figure in amazing, even eye-opening ways, made his mouth water. Tight fabrics clinging to your soft curves ever so snugly in all the right ways, he had a right to be swoon. Your body had become so obsessive and addictive to him that he had to start taking his personal work camera home just so he could jerk off the growing stiffness that tortured him all day whenever he had a photo session with you!

But today? Well, Carlos wanted to try something different. ‘A bit of excitement’, was the way he sold it to you. A naked photoshoot? But, wouldn’t that make you a pornstar? You definitely weren’t a pornstar, maybe Carlos had the wrong person! At first, yes you were sceptical, but the calming thickness of his accent and smoothness of his reassurances put your uneased mind at rest. After all, Carlos did have more experience than you. Of course he knew what he was doing!

”Just a few photos, nena,” the Spaniard mumbled in that beautiful accent as he looked at your unsure face. ”I only want to spice things up a little. Give you some more.. creative freedom, hm? When have I ever failed you in ideas?” He wasn’t wrong. Carlos’s ideas usually got you the front page in many magazines.

So you reluctantly complied. You felt safe in his hands, and honestly, you even thought it may be nice to show off some skin for once in a while. You hardly ever did it with your ‘normal gigs’, so this fun one might be the chance of something new. Despite his job description, Carlos had even gone out of his way to choose and pick out some cleavage for you! You couldn’t let him down after he went through all of that stress for you.

You quickly slid into the lacy bra and silky thong, which exquisitely complimented your slim frame perfectly, highlighting all the right areas of your bare body, giddy and full of anticipation for this exciting session with Carlos.

Carlos’s breathing hitched the moment you walked back onto set after changing into your clothes. The way your hips gracefully swayed slightly, ass jiggling with each step, black lace thigh-high tights covering your smooth, shaved legs— Carlos couldn’t help but feel a growing imprint in his pants, rubbing uncomfortably as his length kept contained in his tightening boxers. ”Where do you want me first, Carlos?” you asked with your new-found confidence, standing proudly in your revealing lingerie, biting your bottom lip ever so slightly as you ogled at the saucy set design as if it was straight out of a porno.

Trying to keep composed, Carlos cleared his throat, adjusting himself as his clothes became stifling, his body burning with desire.

”Let’s try the... desk first, cariño.” The Spaniard suggested in a croaky voice, dangerously low enough for you to hear, moving his camera to be placed directly in front of the miniature office-like set. ”Here looks good,” he motioned you over with a finger.

Gliding across to where Carlos had set up base, his eyes lingered and hawked over your form for a little too long than he should have, noticing how your nipples had hardened as a gush of cold air hit your body from the air conditioning unit above. God, he yearned to just take you there, groping and pulling at your breasts until they were hardened and sore peaks, the sweet moans escaping your plump lips as he brushed his calloused fingers over your sensitive skin.

”Ass up.” he commanded darkly, his voice thicker and more tar-like now. A smirk formed on his sly lips as you followed his every word, treating them as the modelling gospel. ”Good girl, that’s perfect,” he purred out a praise.

A cheeky giggle escaped your lips as your boobs dangled onto the polished wood, elbows perking up your torso so you had a well-kept posture. Your rear lifted gracefully into the air as your back arched ever so perfectly, the angle allowing some stray, long locks of your hair to trail down your bare back.

”Is this okay?” You asked with a slight nervousness in your tone, tilting your head to look at Carlos for a moment. He looked composed at your brief glance, nodding sharply, but when your head turned back to look at the wall, he was teetering on the brink of losing control, the desire of pounding his throbbing cock into your slick, tight pussy driving him crazy. 

Surely a few shots wouldn’t hurt, right?

HELLO! Thanks for reading this if you do, I really appreciate it:) If you have any dirty ideas feel free to message me in my inbox, I'd love to hear your filth! - notti<3

[fumifooms]

I have a question about Falin vs. Hien, like if Falin had actually accepted Shuro 's proposal and moved to the Eastern lands, what would the relationship between Falin and Hien be like, does Hien only like the idea of Shuro, similar to how Shuro loves the idea of Falin instead of Falin herself?

Hien’s very professional & capable and her job’s everything to her, so I think she’d treat Falin like she treats her other bosses, with respect and fulfilling their demands as efficiently and cleanly as she can. After all, Falin would then be becoming the head of the household’s wife, the lady of the house. And as we saw with Hien becoming very detached and professional with Toshiro, she doesn’t have a hard time putting feelings and interpersonal issues or dynamics aside when it’s best. There’s also something to say about how there’s no personal-life work-life separation for her, she lives with her employers under their watch and her job is a status, not a contract. And unlike the others, Hien was born and raised there, not just bought and brought young, that’s all she knows. The other retainers, the ninja girls, are under her watch, they’re roommates, they’re peers but they’re also not— by being their manager and leader there’s another line drawn in the sand between her and the others. There are no relationships outside of work because there is no life outside of work. Toshiro was her childhood friend but he’s also always been her boss’ son, so she pushed him to be more worthy of his title like how she was, don’t cry etc etc, she’s always treated him a bit with that "remember our positions" attitude, so it’s no wonder that growing up their relationship just sort of naturally and wordlessly shifted into just that. Capability and good behavior is required from her, it’s her default and the way she was brought up.

Now, as for her feelings about it… Well, when she talks about it during canon she does seem to be bothered for one reason or another, or just struggling to conceive the idea- not unlike how she struggled with the realization that her and Toshiro weren’t happening.

One notable thing is that the relationship she’s imagining isn’t really- desirable? Explicitly it’s because of Toshiro’s father and Maizuru’s affair that Hien thought that she’d become Toshiro’s mistress, as his closest servant, and they don’t exactly paint a happy or honorable picture. It’s not desirable, it’s expected. That’s how Hien expresses it too, that’s what she expected, not necessarily wanted. But now that the expected didn’t happen she wonders if that’s because something’s wrong with her- if it’s because she didn’t fulfill her role properly. And that bothers her, the way it’d get to someone for who being good at what you’re assigned at is your whole life and purpose, the way that’s what you base your self-worth on. It’s unsettling, the way a clock that was supposed to hit the hour on time but didn’t is, the way an unspoken law of the universe being suddenly broken without consequence is. Honestly I do relate a bit to the specific situation of Hien, because I had a guy childhood friend growing up and I thought just by that token something might happen. Nothing happened and I was never in love, but it still felt like a very real possibility at one point just because, because of what people say and what shows show— either way, I think it’s fitting to say that Toshiro was an idea to Hien, the idea of family heir, boss and also childhood friend potential lover, without necessarily attaching feelings to any of those ideas inherently, mostly a sense of duty and that those "ideas", those roles assigned to people are very important.

So yes I think it’s mainly a self-worth issue if anything, and I think it’s something she’s mostly moved past, especially with being able to talk about it and reaffirm her confidence despite it and being praised by Beni, etc etc. Although like I mentioned in my Hien analysis, I don’t really think she’s self-aware in general. I think it just healed itself vaguely the way things you don’t think about slowly get digested and processed over time. So yes I don’t think Hien ever really loved the idea of Toshiro, in fact she sometimes calls him unfit for leadership and criticizes him, but I think it became a confidence and like, ‘my 5 years life plan just changed drastically because this didn’t happen’ thing. But yes maybe Falin popping up and being so unfit to be a Nakamoto heiress would clash with Hien’s need for rules, the very freedom Shuro likes about her being the thing that makes her a black sheep there— the type that the Nakamoto house stifles, where freedom and whimsy goes to die and be ripped out of you etiquette lesson after etiquette lesson- "Obey the rules and your curfew or a ghost demon will chase you with a knife" after "You still have so little feats to your name, are you really the great warrior Toshitsugu’s son?" I would love to see Hien’s suppressed resentment or sense of entitlement bubble up in ways not even herself fully understands, and like most things like that, she vents and hashes it out with Benichidori :3c Idk I wanted to give more alternate ideas and brainstorm but this is pretty much it to me I think. I could definitely see Hien being passive agressive and very critical with Falin, microanalyzing and voicing every little thing to "fix", if allowed.

Tbh I have beef with that interpretation of Falin-Shuro. Half because not even Laios and Marcille listen to Falin well, and because people underplay how much time they’ve spent together and the genuine significance of her to him. Toshiro only fell for her after a good while of working beside her, when she did something that reached to his feelings, and as shown by the little Laios-Shuro compilation in their fight chapter he did spend time with her, tried to take her on dates. Let’s not forget she had to save Toshiro from his nightmare the same way Laios did with Marcille, that’s already a lot of material to feel a connection with someone, showing that much vulnerability.

I’m not saying he knows her superrr well, but he did show genuine and consistent want and drive to get to know her better, did show genuine interest in her and who she is. Hell, "the way she thinks" is one of the reasons he lists for why he loves her! When she turns his proposal down, he accepts it with a smile saying "you can’t tie down a dragon", after all- that freedom is what he likes about her. He admires it and is happy for her leaving to travel around and finding herself, and really what a beautiful selfless caring love. The selfless love in letting go.

It’s not that the idea that Shuro loves his idea of Falin has no merit, Falin is pretty much pushed into an ideal by everyone close to her, but in their case it’s something I hear all the time and often pushed to extremes based on vibes. And honestly there’s an argument to be made for the reverse as well, where he’s the one who perhaps sees her the most, who doesn’t treat her as a little kid or a little sister to protect and talk over because you know what’s good for them better than they do, fighting over who gets to decide her future. Toshiro gives Falin a choice with his proposal, she turns it down, and that’s okay. That’s a whole other thing to get into but what matters here for this is that in early canon he was the only one present who loved her who was also willing to let her go for her sake, the man who rushed into the dungeon neglecting his health with inadequately prepared equipment, with his team he BEGGED TO HELP HIM, ASKING SOMETHING FOR HIMSELF FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS LIFE—

Who now instead of clinging to her and his attachment to her, who instead of scolding her and shutting her down for her decision to sacrifice herself, accepts it and wants her body and soul to rest, to be at peace instead of transformed and controlled against her will by magic— He is able to show the love in letting go, the care and strength in it. And that’s something Laios did have to learn, with its climax in how he killed Falin after the rabbit curry. Something Marcille had to learn, being ready to accept her death in the final chapter.

If you look at it any closer than "wow he fell in love like at once instead of slowly?" everything is stacked in the favor of his love being true and caring tbh. Even if she’s idealized, doesn’t make his love any less genuine than Marcille’s and Laios’ who do too. No shade intended and I don’t meant to read in any more in your words than what you intended, I just hope this illustrates well the differences between Hien->Toshiro and Toshiro->Falin imo! Either way it IS a very interesting parallel to draw. -Eyes suddenly shot open as I lay in the dark in my bed, haunted- The love in letting go, wait, like Hien letting go of her notions of what her and Toshiro should be… The self-love in that too, too, especially in her case. There’s something here…

[nemisuki]

Love the Chef

Crush AU | A short oneshot of the blonde trying to assassinate her through his cooking skills. And it somehow leading to a massive realization - thank god for noodles, laughs and sparks of love?

᧔o᧓ || katsuki bakugo x f!reader, she/her pronouns, no manga spoilers, pure fluff, open ending, aged up to third years, realization moment, reader down bad fr, bkg a softie, silly moments, short oneshot, kdrama coded, mainly reader POV, 850 word count 

“Agh- how could you eat stuff like this?!”

She flinches as the spicy noodles hit the surface of her tongue. The seasoned aroma entering her lungs and creeping its way up.

Causing her eyes to water the more she chews yet this is only her third spoonful.

Y/N wanted to prove him wrong for once.

That she could handle the spice.

But her taste buds went against her wishes.

Immediately understanding she overestimated her own limits - she quickly taps out and pushes the bowl of noodles across the table.

Not wanting to be near that monstrosity he cooked up in the kitchen. He must be psychotic to eat such things, that dish could kill!

“Okay okay you win!” she says, practically sweating as her body begins reacting to the poison known as Bakugos noodles.

Who the hell could eat such spice and not react?!

Accepting her loss, she grabs the glass of milk that the blonde poured out for her earlier.

As if he knew she would lose.

Chugging the cold liquid with urgency, letting it sit in her mouth as a makeshift antidote for the stinging pain on her tongue.

If things couldn’t get worse, it somehow does, as she feels her nose grow runny.

The combination of the spice and her tears - leads to this tragedy of a look on her.

A disappointed pout on her face as she holds the glass that’s now half full.

She doesn’t dare look in his direction.

Not wanting to see the look of triumph on his face, that smug grin that annoys her to bits.

That is until she hears laughter.

A sound so unfamiliar that she peeks in his direction.

She can see the way he holds his stomach - his eyes squinting with delight.

Multiple chuckles exiting his mouth, finding the whole situation amusing.

In an instant, warmth completely overtakes her body.

And she doesn’t know if it’s from the spicy noodles or the sight of him.

She has never seen him laugh this hard till now and is frozen in place, not daring to look away from this bizarre turn of events.

“Hah! I told you idiot, as if you can beat me in a challenge of spice!”

He covers his mouth with his hand, stifling the laughs threatening to escape.

“Y-You look so stupid!” he looks away to not wheeze at the sight of her. The way simple noodles could have her on the verge of a breakdown was peak comedy to him.

She is unable to respond, her mind completely forgetting about the aches of pain on her tongue.

Her eyes fixated on the new sight before her - his enjoyment being the source of her fast heartbeat and heated face.

It was just the two of them in the dining hall of the UA dorms but that's all ruined as she hears the sound of the elevator doors open. Footsteps exiting as whoever it is, begins approaching the lobby.

Without much thinking, she grabs a plastic plate and shields the side profile of his face. Her body moving on pure instinct as if protecting something worth value.

She hides him from passersby who are too engrossed in their private conversations to notice the duo at the table.

And she feels an odd sense of relief.

“What the hell are you doing?” he mumbles, his brows furrowing with confusion, peeking over the plate to see their classmates leaving the building.

Spotting nothing out of the ordinary, he looks back at her with a calculating look. Expecting her to explain the odd reaction that came out of nowhere.

Wait what-

Realization dawns upon her and she can feel the rapid increase of suspense and her jitters.

Why did she do that?

Now embarrassed, she quickly lowers the plate, averting her gaze, “ah I just….”

Thoughts swirl around her mind for a moment but the conclusion remains the same.

She’s glad no one else saw his smile. For some reason, wanting to keep the sight to herself, to relish in this new experience.

Her eyes begin widening as she connects the dots.

Oh.

“Oi you good nerd?” he tilts his head, both eyeing her down and completely oblivious to her inner turmoil.

Her eyes land back on his face, the smile no longer present as he's back to his usual self.

At that moment... Y/N could only wish he’d start smiling again.

"I-I need to blow my nose!"

She practically jumps out of her seat, running to the kitchen, hands pressed against her face.

Heat radiating off her face so intensely that she wondered if she had caught a fever.

The only sensible answer to this whole thing was so simple but nonetheless sudden.

Feeling like a love struck fool, she leaves him ultimately dumbfounded.

Yet in his mind - he's already planning what to cook for her next, secretly enjoying the banter between them.

Assuming the reason for her unexplainable actions is simply from the food he prepared.

He stares at her from afar, the sight of her splashing cold water on her face, has him involuntarily forming a smile at her ridiculous actions.

"What an idiot."

✦ ⎯⎯⋆ ˚｡⋆ ୨ masterlist || taglist || intro || socials ୧⋆ ˚｡⋆⎯⎯ ✦

a/n ||| this small fic is inspired by a scene from the anime 'Sounds of Life' which I highly recommend. It's so underrated and I get sad everytime bc theres no S3! for u guys I included the exact scene below if ur curious (from s2 ep 2) and I love them so much omg. tags ||| @leleyro ໒꒰ྀི ´๑  ̫๑`  ꒱ྀིა

[realest-nilou-kinnie]

every single time i'm reading anything about him, fan fiction or not, and someone describes him as lazy, i can't help but blurt out loud to myself, "he's not lazy" and sort of roll my eyes. It's in his character bio in the game for crying out loud: he doesn't see the point in trying anymore because every time he has ever tried in his life, he has been shot down and shown that nothing he does will ever matter.

self-indulgent elaboration under the cut

also, i would argue that it's about as clear as can be that he is "rude" on purpose to push people away...because he knows he was born in a silver spoon in his mouth and thinks he doesn't deserve people being nice to him. of COURSE he is snarky and snappy when he gets the chance, he WANTS people to stay away from him. He does NOT, however, want them to talk behind his back, i dont think. We know it hurts him. He doesn't want them to whisper that he's dangerous and he could probably kill everyone within a 50 foot radius with his UM at a moment's notice. Which is true. I think he's afraid of that possibility (and I believe in the novel it's described as being a volatile spell that other second princes have been effectively cursed with, and that he could accidentally kill people around him. That's why he grew up overhearing the palace servants whispering about the spell as if it was already a known UM.)

I know we don't know how he got his scar yet, other than it being something he clearly doesn't want to remember, but I can't help but wonder how he first "got" his UM. It isn't one he developed like Azul did, for example. He was born with that being the UM he would one day manifest. I definitely have ideas about how he got his scar and how it could relate to the advent of a Unique Magic like his, but I DO NOT think he killed or seriously hurt someone. I think the King's Roar spell has been popping up in previous generations of the Sunset Savanah royal family in second-born sons, and the people know it can lay waste to everything around the user. Even the things the user didn't touch or mean to affect start to turn to sand, like the air. Idk i just think his magic hasn't killed someone but I think he and everyone around him knows it could. From past experience, if you will. So maybe he showed signs of it being his UM and people FREAKED out as if he killed someone. That can be really damaging for a kid.

With this in mind, how could it be any clearer that he is trying to push people away? Now, allow me to be a blatant Leona Kisser on main (joke intended, that's my sideblog @leona-kingscholar-kisser LOL), but....HE'S NOT EVEN DOING THAT GOOD OF A JOB OF PUSHING PEOPLE AWAY. BECAUSE HE ISN'T A NATURAL AT IT!!!!! 😭😭😭😭 I'm not saying he craves connection, yet, because i haven't seen his part in book 7, but he definitely is not just meanspirited. He doesn't enjoy pushing people away, he feels that he has no choice in order to not hurt others. Isn't that the most selfless thing of all?

Knowing how he was treated as a child during his formative years, I'd say every glimpse of kindness and generosity and selflessness and passion for life he shows is indicative of someone who is all of those things even more so than it would be for someone who had no adverse childhood experiences. To me, the fact that he is all these things even in the face of the agony he must feel looking in the mirror every day means he is an even better person than someone who only does the right thing to earn praise and be celebrated. Character is doing the right thing even when no one is watching and all that.

I literally could write 50 paragraphs about him with MLA citations, but here is what i mainly wished to impress upon the part of twstblr whom i think are a wee bit confused about his characterization:

examples of Leona not being a massive sack of shit:

he pretends not to notice when Ruggie steals jewelry from him just about daily, but he doesn't outright give it to him because that would be too philanthropic for his image. He lets Ruggie think he's getting away with it. He doesn't want a "thank you" because he thinks he doesn't deserve it

he lets Ruggie bring his own laundry to be washed together with Leona's, while giving him his credit card to buy the nicest detergent and anything else he might want to buy at the Mystery Shop

the reason he doesn't wear his uniform jacket isn't because he just wants to break the dress code or make a statement, it's probably because he gave it to Ruggie. Hence why Ruggie's jacket is massive on him.

he skips his classes because he already knows everything they're teaching. he always shows up for tests, meaning he does keep track of when they are.

- personal note: he had all the NRC-level material drilled into him from a younger age than most as a prince. That level of focus on academics takes away time in your youth that you feel like your peers are spending having fun and having social lives. If i were him, going to classes where everyone around him got to learn something for the first time that he had been forced to memorize years ago would be really hard. It might be a reminder of how he had to grow up too soon. I personally relate a lot to being faced with the reality that every other student in your class didn't have the same amount of academic pressure put on them that you did and wanting to just curl up and cry at your desk. Being in classes where you already know everything or where other kids clearly have a lot less pressure on them can make you feel even more alone and hopeless and unloved than you already felt. it makes you grieve all the weeks and years of feeling like a workhorse instead of a child that you'll never get back. So i guess in that way I'm biased towards him and I completely support him skipping class :'3

he only got held back because of missed attendance. here are two important notes about that, in my opinion:

- firstly, he obviously doesn't want to go home. he also feels unenthusiastic about the 4th year internships even though he's going to take one in his home country and hopes to make some positive changes using his ideas. Still, he knows it will not come with the recognition and appreciation from his family he wants. Even if his ideas for oil mining fracking 🤮 bring great economic growth and can feed the children starving like Ruggie was, I doubt his older brother would see Leona for what he is or praise him as things stand now. hopefully that will come later in the story

- secondly, he wants to be held back and stay at NRC another year so his dorm can win the Spelldrive tournament against Diasomnia. He literally says that's the reason he is so desperate to for HIS TEAM (not him) to win that he puts himself in the position to be the bad guy and make the hard decisions he thinks he has to in Book 2! With the actual Spelldrive team, it's slightly different because Malleus isn't involved. It's interesting. In his Spelldrive Uniform home screen dialogues, he says winning is more important than doing your best... because he thinks his team wouldn't be happy with coming in second even knowing they did their best. I think he is blinded by self-hatred. I don't think what he seems to think is actually true. I think Epel and Jack and Ace and all the Savanaclaw members who bawled their eyes out when they thought he was turned into a Tsum are just happy to receive guidance from him. That makes him different from Azul or Kalim or Idia as housewardens, for example. They literally cry lollll. He knows all his Spelldrive players and they literally never shut the fuck up about how good of a coach he is and how attentive he is to their strengths and weaknesses. He doesn't even try to change them! He doesn't insult or belittle Epel when he wants to train to aim better, he literally just compliments how he is a great player in other ways and tells him not to change a thing. For no reason, bitch. He's such a fucking softie.

he buys us a drink in one of his chats, saying he "knows how to reward good service 😒". oh come on bro you're not fooling anyone, you probably weren't even thirsty anyway

he only went to Playful Land to keep an eye on the underclassmen because he's always like that. smfh

finally, if you pay close attention, he's really only rude to people who disrespect him first. OR to people who try to drag him into annoying shenanigans he doesn't want to be involved with. if someone did all that to me during a depressive episode i'd bite their head off, too -- which is every day because i have major clinical treatment-resistant depression and i feel like i know how he feels. i get where he's coming from :( and then they all STILL call him lazy. that is so fucking mean and hurtful. he is doing what he can. he's just sick. he is enough.

okay that's all i can think of right now i just really wanted to elaborate because AHHHHHHH. AAUUGHHHHH. EEEEEUEUUUUUUUUUUAUAG HE IS NOT LAZY AND HES NOT A DICK HE JUST HATES HIMSELF AND NONE OF IT IS HIS FAULT

and while i'm on the subject, Leona is actually NOT lazy or arrogant or selfish at all but some of yall are not ready for that conversation lol

[scoobydoodean]

omg i never considered jack attaching himself to dean because he was trying to grieve his mom and cas just like dean was.

I think it might be one of the things going on in 13.01-13.04, though it's not just that. It's also that Dean is honest, while Sam hides ulterior motives for why he was being nice. Jack's dislike of lies is a throughline all the way to "Moriah" where he makes it impossible for people to lie to each other. And I'd wager Dean specifically lying to Jack about the mal'ak box wounds Soulless Jack the most, because the truth is something he depends on Dean to give him the most, in situations where Cas or Sam might handle him with kid gloves he doesn't want. I also think Jack and Dean just have innately a similar sense of right and wrong and both care in a way that makes Jack gravitate toward Dean.

But yeah. Dean serves as a model for feeling your feelings, whereas we don't see Sam's numb exterior crack until 13.04 when he shouts at Dean over Mary. Not only that—Jack specifically overhears Sam minimize the significance of Cas's death in 13.03, which Dean fiercely rebuffs. Jack makes it very clear in 13.01 that he considers Cas to be his father, and Sam has become so emotionally detached that he convinces himself Cas death doesn't even matter. Dean fucking cares about Jack's dad, and trying to grow close to Dean is also probably a way Jack thinks he can feel closer to Cas! Dean's emotional outburst at Sam's dismissive language in 13.03—among other things—makes it clear that it's okay to miss Cas, and in that very moment, Jack calls out for his father and wakes him up.

[rekino2114]

Makima’s (and really anyone else you could see this ask working for) reaction to her finding her Male S/o sad after he was told by someone (I dunno who, you could decide) that she doesn’t truly love him, and that she’s just using him for her own gain, and that when she’s done with him, she’ll just discard him, and him believing what they told him.

Makima comforting you

Makima loved you. She knew that for sure. After all, you were the person who made her feel love and emotions. You changed her completely from an emotionless and cruel devil to.....a person, her love was the least she could give you to repay you for that.

She would gladly tell you how much she loved you every time you wanted, and she already did so very often, while cuddling, watching movies, and just when you were alone in her office. The words "I love you" just spilled naturally from her mouth whenever you were close to her because it was the pure unfiltered truth. She loved you with all of her newfound heart.

And you thought the same, you thought she loved you just like you loved her, even after telling you her true identity you still loved her, you knew you changed her, you saw her cry and smile for you, just like she said you changed her and made her a person. You loved her and you believed her.

But even you can't fully control your emotions, and so even if you didn't know it, a seed of doubt had already started to grow in your heart. Was she just using you? Manipulating you like everyone else? Maybe she was even using her powers without you realizing it. You didn't think those questions often, just when she was what makima was truly capable of, usually against someone who hurt you. In those moments, you remembered that she was still a devil, someone who could and would kill without hesitation. Sure, she basically only did it for you now. But you couldn't help but wonder if that was just her lying to you so you would stay loyal.

But you still loved her and all of the moments spent with her, those moments when you could feel the pure love coming from her words and touch, far outweighed those thoughts, so you decided to believe her and to continue loving her as you always did.

That was until a conversation you had with kishibe. You didn't know him that well, but you knew he was an incredibly strong devil hunter and that he knew of makima's identity. You two didn't talk much (mostly because makima didn't like him too much), but you had occasional conversations when she had to talk with him and brought you with her.

During one of these conversations, makima had gone away to take care of something, and you stayed with kishibe while he got drunk and started talking to you. It was more like a one-way conversation since you stayed silent because of the awkwardness but you still heard everything.

He called her a devil, a monster, and said that she was just using you for whatever plan she had now. Just like every other person in her life, he said you were nothing more than a dog for her, maybe one cuter than others, but still just someone she'll kill once she's done playing with.

You knew that it wasn't true, it couldn't have been, makima loved you, and you wanted to say that, but inside of you, the doubt grew larger. You knew that no matter how much you didn't want it to be true, there was still a possibility it was. And the mere thought destroyed you

"Is everything alright, darling?"

You looked up to see makima looking at you. Her eyes made you stutter a bit, but you still answered

"Y-yes don't worry"

She stared at you again and paused the movie you were watching

"Are you sure? You don't seem ok"

She got closer and grabbed your hand, making you flinch, which made her even more worried

"You never flinch when I touch you.....please tell me love, what's wrong?"

You avoided her gaze as a bit of sweat feel on your cheek. You were scared, and makima could see that

"Please y/n, you're my boyfriend, I love you, please tell me what's wrong"

Your silence and growing worry made her eyes widen and her grip on your hand tighten

"Was it someone? Do you need me to.....take care of someone?"

That last sentence pushed you over your limits, and you looked down and started crying, taking your hand off of makima's and putting it over your face

"Y-y/n!"

The control devil quickly went near you to hug you, but you pulled back and continued crying

"W-what's wrong y/n? Why are you crying? I-i-"

Looking at you crying and denying her help filled makima with despair. She hated this sight, but most of all, she hated how you kept pushing her hugs and attempts to help away.

".......y/n.....please....tell me"

Her voice wavered....something you had rarely seen before. You moved your hands out of the way of your face and saw her staring at you again but this time you noticed something that not even makima herself noticed. Her yellow eyes were tearing up

"...................makima?"

She immediately perked up at hearing you speak

"Yes, darling?"

"Do you.....love me"

"Of course I do, you're the most important person in my life"

".......Really?"

"....where is this coming from?"

"I......I've just been thinking"

"About what?"

"You I guess"

"Hm?"

"You told me you used to manipulate people to get what you wanted right?"

"Yes but that was before-"

"How do I know you're not doing the same with me?"

"........."

"I know you love me, you have to. I refuse to believe that you don't......but I'm scared of being controlled and blinded by my love for you........please be honest......do you love me?"

Makima wiped her tears a bit and sighed heavily

"To be brief....yes....but it's a lot more than that"

She looked at the ceiling and continued talking

"I don't think I started living as a person until I met you. You gave me a soul a heart and made me feel love, the love I feel for you is far greater than anything I could describe, it's a need, to continue living I need to love you and I want to love you, you're a wonderful and amazing man, you made a devil like me feel emotions so you have to be. I hate my previous self, and for me to never become that again, I need to love you. Y/n you made me a human, and I will always be grateful for that, I will repay you with my eternal love. I will never ever abandon you or let anyone hurt you. Because I love you, that is the truth"

When makima looked back down and opened her eyes, you immediately hugged her, she was a bit surprised but wrapped her own arms around you and pulled you closer to her chest

"I knew it.....I knew it was true, I love you too makima, so so much"

".......thank you"

"No....thank you....you cried...that made me understand you could feel emotions...and love...thank you for clearing up this doubts inside me"

"........I cried?.......I didn't realize it"

"Oh?"

"Sorry I must have been distracted by you.....but I think I know why I cried"

"Why?"

"Because you cried.....and pushed me away... I hated that.....being unable to comfort you...and not being with you it's horrible.......I can't live without you"

".....sorry"

"No it's alright You had doubts and that's understandable, especially because it's me... it's alright if you doubt me again but know I will always love you no matter what"

"Don't worry, I'm 100% sure you love me now after that, I....want to be with you forever too"

"...that will happen y/n I'm sure of it"

You two got closer to each other and kissed, makima smiled at you and pulled back before kissing you again multiple times

"Thank you, my love, I'm glad for your existence and your love"

[orions-choker]

Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence, Serial Killers, Murder, Obsessions, Yandere tendencies, more to be added.

Chapter Nine

The silver earring glinted out of place in her jewelry box, amongst all her strikingly gold pieces. She shouldn’t have taken it, she knew that much but she couldn’t help it. It sat there like an unnerving prize for her dedication in snooping about where Kirk had specifically told her not to. But why? If it was a random girl he had fleeting slept with she could stomach that. There was something incredibly disconcerting however about its place tucked away with his knife, hidden from view like a secret.

“You good baby?” Kirk’s voice called from behind her. Quickly she snapped the wooden case closed and turned to meet him where he leant against the doorframe of her bedroom. It had been a week since she had found it. She had spent nearly every day since then with him, she hadn’t gotten a single call since she had devoted her time to Kirk under the pretense of his protection. It was just one of many glaring concerns that she had been willfully ignoring.

Her parents were unfortunately out of town this weekend, on a business trip. They had begged Y/N to come along with them, and for good reason. What parent in their right mind would leave their daughter alone during times like these. However there was something about the look in Kirk’s eyes when she told him that made her insist to her parents she would be fine alone, plus someone needed to look after the dog…right?

Which is how she ended up with Kirk staying here. He had gotten comfortable a little too quickly for her liking. Moving through her house like he had been there plenty of times before. He hadn’t… Her mother would never willingly let him come in here. Something was wrong, and she couldn’t place her finger on it, nor did she really feel like she wanted to. It was easier to ignore the unsettling behavior and focus on how sweet he was, how warm he made her feel.

She smiled at him and leaned back against her dresser as he approached her. He looked a little out of place in her soft feminine room. “Yeah I’m okay, just zoned out.” She lied easily to him. Why ruin a good thing right? She closed her eyes as he leaned in to kiss her. Her fingers gripped the edge of her dresser. Kissing him had become like second nature to her now, as easy as breathing. He took from her whenever he felt like now.

His hands slipped down across the curve of her waist before settling in the dip of her hips, tugging them forward to press flush against his. He let out a sweet needy moan that had her eagerly twitching against him. Y/N slipped her hands up to cup the back of his neck and pull him in deeper. “Please,” He spoke against her with a growing desperation she had begun to get familiar with. It scared her to a degree. “I want you so fucking bad.” He tightened his fingers against her.

Y/N had been avoiding this for a while now, maybe too long, since the night she went down on him in the back of his car…the night the last victim had been found. The images came rushing back to her, the alley, the smell of blood, the brutal way in which her body had been found. Quickly she broke away from him with wide eyes, her chest heaving as a panicked fear gripped her tightly. It settled against her skin, making her break out in sweat that cooled instantly against the air in her room.

“Woah, woah hey.” Kirk’s voice softened, going all sticky and sweet the way she liked. There were fingers cupping her face, forcing her to look up into his eyes. Nothing felt quite real, like he was pulling her from cold water and forcing air back into her lungs. “Y/N? What's going on, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to freak you out!” His voice was laced with apologetic undertones that she didn’t know if she really believed was genuine.

Blood, Dismemberment, pure gore. The brutal descriptors of each murder that had taken place. The venomous threats from the phone calls for her, the familiarity in which the man on the phone had addressed her with, his taunting calls that this was all her fault. Her brain thrummed painfully against the confines of her skull. She gripped at her hair in a desperate attempt to distract herself from the painful pounding. Her fault, her fault.

Finally she was snapped from her trance by gentle shaking of her shoulders. Kirk’s panicked eyes finally came into focus in front of her. “Breathe, please.” He pleaded. Oh, she was on the verge of a full blown panic attack. Slowly she nodded and inhaled one large shaky breath, holding it for a moment before releasing it and falling forward to rest her head against his shoulder. “There you go,” He mumbled, his heavy hand coming to rest on the small of her back and rubbing a gentle pattern against the fabric of her shirt.

She took another moment to fill her lungs until she no longer needed to remind herself how to breathe. “Sorry,” She whispered, her voice sounded distant to her own ears. She pulled away from his embrace, moving past him to sit herself on the edge of her bed. She watched his lips pull into a frown before quickly shaking it off and moving to sit beside her. “I just- I’m still…” She swallowed hard and looked towards her bedroom window. That ever present feeling of being watched in her room had dissipated with Kirk around…was it the feeling of being protected or…

“You’re still not ready to have sex with me?” The man's words cut through her thoughts, striking at her. They sounded more bitter, accusatory. It caught her off guard greatly. Her eyes widening as her face scrunched up into a mixture of disbelief and disgust. He took notice and quickly tried to cover his tracks. “Sorry I didn’t mea-”

Cutting him off Y/N shook her head. “This has nothing to do with me wanting to, or not wanting to fuck you Kirk” She said in exasperation. Her hands went limp in her lap as she scrutinized him under her gaze. “God can you…can you think without your dick for one second?” She snapped at him, she had never snapped at him. She had never needed to. Lately however, no, since the beginning actually, his actions had been consistently driven with a lustful undertone. It flattered her at first, but every single action he made towards her now seemed to be with the intent to consume her. “I was thinking about being fucking murdered, y’know the very real threat I'm still dealing with!”

Kirk furrowed his brows, his eyes going…blank. Like all the shine and life had been sapped from them. His hands twitched, furling and unfurling his fingers repeatedly in what looked like a motion intended to soothe his nerves. She shivered, for all the comfort he offered her, he induced fear within her tenfold. It felt silly when there was nothing outwardly intimidating about him, he wasn’t strikingly tall, or muscular, he didn’t look scary. But the way his face went void of all emotion in the drop of hat, the inherent way he reacted with violence before correcting himself.

The push and pull between her desire to keep him near and run far away from him had left her in a constant limbo state of anxiety. Her eyes flicked across him waiting for him to speak once more. She opened her mouth to apologize, she didn’t feel she was in the wrong for her observation but she would much rather keep the peace. “Sorry I… I’ve been a little pent up, I shouldn’t make you feel like it’s your fault.” He finally broke the stifling silence. “I do…I do care, you know, about all of this. You’ve just been so good at putting on a brave face I kind of forgot.”

Had she been playing it off that well? She didn’t think so in the slightest. The nightmares, the dissociation, the very fact she was staying with him all week out of fear? Was that really putting on a brave face? Still it was a better explanation than none, an apology to settle the tension. She would take it. With a sigh she nodded and offered him a small smile. “Yeah, sorry.” She whispered. “Didn’t mean to yell at you like that.” One ingenuine apology for another.

In a way that was so tender it nearly made her forget her anger, Kirk cupped her cheek and leaned down to push his lips against her forehead. Y/N melted against him, resting the weight of her head in his hands. “It’s okay you can yell at me whenever you want, I can take it.” He cracked a crooked grin and his eyes sparkled with warmth. Flip of a switch, two sides, she needed to not get lost in it. Slowly he pulled his hands away and her head dropped with a whine of protest.

She grasped at him, curling her fingers into his hair and slipping her lips along the underside of his jaw. “It’s not that I don’t want to, y’know, sleep with you.” her breath ghosted across his skin. “I just can’t seem to let my guard down.” She admitted softly. Every time she tried she was struck with debilitating fear. Her whole body tensing up and shutting down. Her brain was running into overdrive in fight or flight mode.

Kirk nodded with a sympathetic smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “It’s okay you don’t have to explain yourself to me.” He cupped the back of her head keeping her pressed into his neck, a soft breath escaping him as her lips latched onto his skin once more. “been waiting a while, I can wait longer.” He hummed and tilted his head back further.

Been waiting a while? It had only been a few weeks, maybe a month since she had come home for the summer, since they had started talking. Sure maybe that was a while for most impatient men looking to get their dick wet. But his voice was filled with the longing and melancholy of someone who had been yearning for a long time, too long. “What do you mean waiting for a while?” She asked gently as she pulled away from the bruise she had been painting onto his tanned skin.

He looked down at her, his eyes nearly boring into hers as if searching for something, recognition? When he seemed satisfied in his findings he shrugged. “I thought it was pretty obvious I had a pretty big crush on you before you left for college.” He shrugged against his admittance. “I was pretty disappointed I never got up the courage to ask you out before you left me.”

Left me, left me. The voice on the phone, ‘waiting for you since you left, you left me’. Her smile faltered for a brief moment as she looked up at Kirk. Digging into her skin were the cold grimy hands of primal fear. Tracing across her body like the scattering of spider legs. She was being pulled down, the floor beneath her given way to an empty grave. Gone was any uncertainty about the way she felt towards him. She knew how she felt, terror.

Quickly she brightened her smile once more, beaming up at him in an awe and admiration fit only for a god and he preened under it. “Really?” She asked sweetly. “I'm sorry I really never knew, I guess I'm a little oblivious,” She laughed and hoped that she had kept the nervous edge out of it. He didn’t seem to notice. “You should have asked me out,” She nodded and swallowed hard. “Probably would have saved us both a lot of trouble.”

Kirk shrugged and wrapped his arms around her. “Oh well, we're making up for it now.” He sighed none the wiser. He tugged her against his chest and laid back against her bed, their legs dangling over the edge of it. She shivered with the irrational fear of a monster gripping her ankle and dragging her down below. But really it wasn't all that irrational was it, not when that monster was cuddled up against her in a falsely protective embrace.

She was lying with death himself.

[ddollfface]

Just a Little Bit of Affection

Cuddling Headcanons for Baki Men

Warning; I would say that there's none here! Overall, it's just fluffy! Although reader is fem, or was written with a girl in mind, so keep that in mind, sorry :/

Kiyosumi Katou

Don’t let this man fool you because he will act all macho and snarky when you’re around other people, but the moment you guys are alone, it’s like a whole new man appeared. I like to think that he’s a little touch starved, liking to have the touch of his lover when he sleeps. Being a fighter doesn’t leave much room for weakness, or soft things like cuddling, he takes this to the extreme and will act like a little brat whenever in public. 

He puts up this facade of this big strong man, which he is, who doesn’t need someone by his side, all he needs is his two fists and a strong opponent. Once you’ve gotten through those thick walls, the trust issues, and the strong ego, you’re met with a man who’s really sweet. I think that he really is a good person, but he’s just misunderstood; aren’t we all? 

Now, that we’re past that, what is he like when he’s comfortable with you? Well, well, I’m glad you asked because this boy’s got a tight grip. Even though you’re in a special place in his heart, he still has a certain, borderline toxic, view of masculinity, and he’s avidly against being the little spoon. He’s the man! He should be the one holding onto you! And that he will. He’ll wrap his strong arms around your figure, likely pressing your face into his chest or keeping you from looking at his face, can’t have you seeing his flushed cheeks, can we? Overall, he’s not much of a cuddler, preferring to move around, but he’ll dabble in a cuddle or two when he’s got a beer and some game playing in the background. Katou will drap his arm over the back of the couch, letting you rest your head on his chest, while his other hand cradles a beer bottle. It’s comfortable, and it’s silent. It’s like his self-care kinda, chilling with his hot girlfriend while watching his favorite sport/game/show/etc.

Hanma Jack

Another man who doesn’t cuddle too much, especially at the beginning of your relationship. He’s not a big fan of just sitting around, instead, he wants to be working, improving, just something, anything really (that sounds like ADHD if you ask me lol). He’s not necessarily opposed to it or anything, it’s just he gets restless, but nonetheless, I think he’d like to please you. If you really want him to cuddle, then he’ll oblige for you. He’ll huff and puff, grumbling under his breath as he lies on his back, the only way he can really cuddle. You’ll be lying on his chest, running your fingers across his pec mindlessly as you just soak in his presence. 

Although I don’t think that Jack talks much, especially around other people, he does enjoy ranting to you. You’re his special someone, his lover, and likely the first and only person he’ll ever have a real relationship with. Don’t get me wrong, he’s fine with that, but that just makes you all the more special to him. He sees you like his other half in a sense, and that’s why he’s far more comfortable just speaking freely to you. And that is why he’ll rant to you about some recent fight he had, or how this one bugger wouldn’t stop staring at him, or even any future plans he has to get strong, better, to defeat his father. 

He trusts you with his heart, so it’s easy to spill this information as he cards his fingers through your hair, calming himself as your hearts follow a matching beat. It feels a little euphoric to Jack, and that’s why he thinks that sometimes, just sometimes, he can get behind an occasional cuddle. He’ll admit… They’re beginning to grow on him.

Hanma Baki

Oh boy, this guy is a cuddler for sure. I follow the narrative that Baki has mommy issues. I mean, how can he not?? Just look at him, mommy issues are just oozing out of him! Anyway, I’m continuing this narrative. 

He for sure wants to lay on top of you, his ear pressed to your chest, just wanting to listen to every thump of your heart. In an odd way, it’s calming, and it eases his own mind. He really can’t help it! Baki finds comfort in your warm presence, in the way your fingers brush through his messy hair, or how you softly scratch the back of his neck with your nails. Everything about it is like Heaven to him, and so, whenever he’s back from a fight, he’ll just flop on top of you.

Don’t be fooled by his baby face and cheeky grin, he’s a troublemaker, and will in fact not get off of you until he is pleased. Being clingy, he doesn’t want to part with you once he gets comfortable, and this cuddling session will only end on his terms. What do you mean you have homework to do? Ew, why would you want to do homework rather than cuddle with your cute boyfriend? Do you not love him or something? How can you be sooooo cruel!

Yeah… He can be a little dramatic, but that’s the appeal, I suppose. Although he prefers to be the little spoon, that doesn’t mean that he can’t enjoy being the big spoon. If he so happens to feel like holding you, or if you’re in need of some comfort, he’ll wrap his arms around your waist, pulling you into his lap. With your legs wrapped around his waist, he’ll coo at you, teasingly pressing kisses to your temple as he questions what’s got you so upset… Tell him a name, and he’ll handle it! Don’t worry, babe, you’ve got the best boyfriend in the world! And he’ll handle everything, just give him the word. 

Hanayama Kaoru

Likes having you sit on his lap while he does paperwork. Being an oyabun for the yakuza means lots and lots of paperwork, Karou doesn’t mind it, but you sure do; is it crazy that you want to spend time with your lover? No, it’s not, so the only real solution is to spend time while he’s doing paperwork. 

You’ll lay your head on his shoulder, arms wrapped around his neck, while one of his large hands rubs soothing circles on your lower back. It’s peaceful. The only sound is the scrapping of his pencil and the sounds of your breathing. I think that quality time would be one of Kaoru's love languages, but being that he doesn’t have much time, cuddling like this is a good alternative. It makes him feel normal, not something he strives for, but nice nonetheless. 

Kaoru, like Jack, isn’t much of a talker, not even to you. He’s never been a man of many words, preferring to use his actions to show his thoughts, whether it be his fists or presents left on your bed. Either way, you’ll get the message. The way he’s gentle with you, holding you with the uttermost care he can, acting as if you’re porcelain. In a way, you kinda are, especially in his hands, hands meant for violence and bloodshed. 

Although he’d like to spoon you to sleep, this man sleeps like a brick and prefers to sleep on his back. I also don’t think you’d want him to spoon you… The moment he falls asleep, you’re never getting him off you until he’s awake again. This man is heavy, so if you have to go to the restroom or just get up to go to work, then you’re going to have to just wait until he’s awake lol. That doesn’t mean he minds you cuddling up to him. He’ll let you hug his side, lay on top of him, or attempt to spoon him. He doesn’t care too much as it doesn’t disrupt his sleep, so do as you wish. 

Matsumoto Kozue

Oh my Lord, she’s such a sweetheart! I love Kozue, even though she can be a little dense sometimes. I think she’d be a little shy to ask for cuddles and such, but embarrassment wouldn’t stop her from asking. I also think that she’d prefer to be the little spoon, wanting to be pressed against your chest as you two talk about your day. 

She’d go on and on about her classmates, what they said, any drama, or the cute bakery she saw on the way home from school… Maybe you guys should go there sometime? Kozue would like to face you when cuddling, liking the eye contact that comes with it. Her hand cupped your face as you lean your cheek against her palm, smiling at each other like two teenagers in love. Mindlessly, she’d braid your hair or brush it, all depending on your hair type ofc. I think she’d DIE if you were to start messing with her hair, loving how it feels like a massage as your nails rub her scalp. It’s a nice way to relax after school.

Although she loves to get dolled up and go out on the town, roaming from bakery to bakery and the park, she also doesn’t mind just cozying up at home. I think Kozue would enjoy a small movie marathon, watching different reality shows and romcoms! Your shoulders pressed against each other as you lean against one another, maybe her face in the crook of your neck, just enjoying each other’s warmth. It’s her favorite way to fall asleep, sometimes it feels like she’s in a dream...

Kaiou Retsu

Sigh, he’s such a virgin, and he acts like one. Good God, this guy cannot be romantic with you without feeling his face grow warm, and his cheeks catch on fire. He can be romantic, but that’s only after he’s practiced his script in the mirror around… a hundred times? Possibly more depending on the situation. He really can’t help it, you make Retsu’s heart swell, and his head go fuzzy like you’re Smokin’ Joe for God’s sake!

Nonetheless, Retsu is a natural caretaker. He enjoys making you feel at home, giving you a space where you can be yourself. It’s his love style, after all. While he’s not a natural cuddler himself, as he’s far too tense to be one, he’ll try his best if it means that you’re happy. Retsu’s goal in life is to be a partner you can be proud of, someone you would come to when in need. 

That’s how he got here: your head in his lap while you both watch some older action movie that involves martial arts. These are the only movies Retsu will ever watch because he likes to critique them… He finds it pleasant, to feel your chest rise and fall as you smush your cheek against his hardened thigh. Although a little embarrassing, he ignores the clench of his heart in favor of the texture of your hair.

This is a little side thing, but if you have some form of curly hair, that you need to detangle or have some long, strenuous routine, then Retsu is more than happy to do it for you! All you have to do is sit between his legs while he applies whatever butter oils, creams, leave-ins, etc., you use. He enjoys doing these things for you, and it’s even more rewarding when you praise him for the good job he did. If you have 4A, 4B, or 4C type hair, where you usually wear protective styles like braid, twists, etc., then he’ll also learn how to braid your hair, just to take the responsibility off of you. 

Although it’ll take him a while to get the hang of it, he’ll try for you. Retsu understands the pain hair can be (have you seen his luscious locks???). Though something that he’d surprisingly enjoy would be you brushing out his own hair, doing whatever type of braids you know for fun. He’d never ask directly, and he’d be farrr too embarrassed to do so, but he’d never refuse if you offered (hint, hint).

Orochi Katsumi

Oh boy, we have another cuddle bug here, and he has twice the confidence and half the self-awareness as Baki. In just day-to-day life, Katsumi is touchy, always wanting to have a hand on you and be by your side, no matter what. Although he’s pretty busy, he does try to make it up when he is around. But unlike Hanayama, you are likely, or may, work with him at the dojo, seeing as it’s not a dangerous line of work like Hanayama’s. 

Of course, this gives you guys wayyy more time to see each other, but even then it’s not enough for Katsumi. That means the moment you close the door and settle back into your shared home, he’s all over you, making up all the time he could’ve been lovin’ you up! He’ll run his hands down your sides, pressing his nose to your collar as you sway side-to-side. Katsumi doesn’t want to let you go, but he relents as he swings you over his shoulder, letting out a mischievous cackle when you squeal. 

There is where he’ll set you down on your shared bed with a bright grin, his eyes crinkling as you swat his shoulder, making a snide remark. Maybe you guys will watch a movie, or you might just gossip about one of Katsumi’s students, or even play some board/video games if you’re into that! Really, he just wants to spend quality time with you and have you snuggled into his side. 

Though I do think that Katsumi gets restless a lot, but he doesn’t want the loving to end, so he’ll just adjust your positioning. Sometimes you’ll be lying on his chest, resting your cheek against his peck as you rambled about your current interests or your friend’s drama with her own boyfriend, to which Katsumi gives the funniest remarks. 

This is a side thing, but if you’re anything like me, then you like to talk a lot. And I think that Katsumi would be a really good listener, in the sense that he’s not like Hanayama, who just nods his head or hums, instead, he’s giving you feedback, engaging with what you say. Things like “she said what?!” or “I would’ve punched him then and there!” Small things like that, that really add to the conversation and make it a lot funner (don’t come at me, I know it’s not a real word). And I think that during ya’ll’s quality time, a lot of this back and forth would be happening.

Overall, Katsumi is a real sweetheart who just wants to be around you, even if it’s just lying in silence. However, that silence doesn’t last long because he’s a natural yapper.

Biscuit Olivia

Big boys who like to lay on top of you >>>> Even though he's far bigger than you, Olivia still enjoys cuddling with his head pressed into your chest, and arms wrapped around your waist. And we’ve got another guy who’s very busy, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t give you attention! 

For the sake of conversation, we’ll just say that Maria (my love) doesn’t exist, even though I’m interested in writing about that relationship dynamic. Whatever, for most of the day, Olivia is out hunting down criminals, roaming around the prison, or doing whatever Mr. Unchained does during the day, but when he returns to his special place, he doesn’t waste any time getting to you. There’s a set routine the two of you have gotten. 

Olivia, exactly at 18:30 PM, will knock on your shared, bedroom door, bouquet of your favorite flowers in hand and dressed in a suit. Of course, knowing your routine, you’ll be dressed in whatever you deem fancy, and greet Olivia by leaning on the door and a pleased smile. He’ll lean down, and you’ll kiss his cheek, standing on your tippy-toes, and he’ll put his arm out. Getting the hint, you’ll intertwine yours with his, taking the flowers in the other. Olivia will take you for dinner, sometimes it’s in the prison, and other times it’s somewhere else. You guys will chat for hours, usually ending at 22:00-ish. 

This is where the actual cuddling comes in lol, he’ll swoop you off your feet, carry you back to your shared room, and lie you on the bed, both of you still dressed up. His arms will wrap around you, pressing his face to your chest as he mumbles on about how much he loves you, being classic Olivia. Your hands will massage his shoulders, giggling when he lets out pleased grumbles. Sometimes, it leads to sex, other times you both just slip into slumber, and you follow that pattern more days than not.

Pickle

Cuddling is a foreign concept to Pickle, seeing as during his time, there was no one to cuddle. Back then, he was either hunting or lazing around, maybe causing meaningless trouble. There wasn’t much to do, so he had to entertain himself. But now that you are here, Pickle never gets bored! Thoughts of you fill his head constantly, he just finds you to be so entertaining!

You look so different than him, than the creatures of his time, well, your world looks so different. And Pickle is naturally curious, so he takes any chance he can to observe your body, trying to figure out how you’re so soft. You’re so small compared to him, and he finds it to be oddly funny.

He finds it horribly frustrating that he cannot say what he’s thinking, unable to verbalize it in a way that you’d understand, so he has to be creative with how he communicates. A lot of the time, it comes in the form of physical affection. I’ve touched on this topic before in this post (you should check it out, wink wink). He likes to be close to you because it means security for your safety. He still has the survival instincts that so many of us have lost, due to the advancements of society. Pickle is constantly on alert, so he likes to have you as close as physically possible.

Whatever the arrangement is, Pickle will curl around you, liking to have his nose pressed against your neck. Every once and a while, he’ll nip at your skin, an odd attempt to claim you. Though that’s only if he gets bored enough lol. Pickle will have you in a death hug of sorts, making it so you cannot get away from him and run off. Whatever it is, let’s just say that you’ll be stuck there for a while… At least, until Pickle gets bored.

Jun Guevaru

Baby, this man will serenade himself into your sheets, wooing your pants right off! Now, for Jun, I think that cuddles will lead to sex more times than not, but that doesn't mean all the time. If you're not in the mood, then he's perfectly fine rubbing your back as you guys lay together in bed. And because he's dramatic, he'll coo soft, romantic words into your ear the whole time.

Telling you that you're the love of his life, how you're so beautiful, and that he's oh-so lucky to have a lady such as yourself as his lover. He's very much a romantic at heart. Jun loves just lazing around with you, seeing as he doesn't have many days to do so. I mean, running a country is hard work! He can't be sitting in bed all day, no matter how much he wants to.

Similar to Hanayama, he likes to have you on his lap as close to him as physically possible. This means that you’re dragged to meetings (does he have those???), but if I’m being honest, I have no idea what Jun would be doing in his day-to-day lol. I imagine that it’s a lot of sailing and talking to people, likely stealing shit from the government/s. Although Jun doesn’t want you near any danger, so a lot of the times, you’re in his cabin or in the cafeteria (if ships have those).

Anyway, I’m getting off-track, the point is that he’s not necessarily around you, so those small moments where it’s just you and him (lunchtime, in the early morning, and at night), he’ll make the most of it. During lunch, he’ll pull you into his lap and tease you, begging you to feed him whatever food you’ve made. One hand on your waist, while the other is on your thigh, rubbing down to your knee as he looks at you with the most love and admiration you’ve ever seen a man have. 

Of course, you’ll relent and hand feeds him the dish, feeling a little flushed and embarrassed at how he’ll moan at the taste, praising your talent (no matter how bad of a cook you are). At night/in the morning, he’ll pull you close, feeling you up a bit before he has to get ready for the day. I do think that Jun loves getting ready with you in the mornings. Whatever routine you have, no matter how long or short, he wants to be a part of it. It feels oh-so domestic, and it makes his heart all warm and fluffy. Well, being around you in general makes him feel that way, but nonetheless. He enjoys the lazy mornings when he has to roll out of bed, you following after. Sometimes he’ll dance with you, in the kitchen, singing some shanty you’ve grown used to. 

Although it’s a little different that you’re life before, and Jun can be a little much sometimes, you can’t help but smile as Jun pulls you into a dip, kissing the corner of your lips with a cheeky grin. 

[tipsynight0]

For the life we never knew

Parings- Jeff the killer x female reader

Word count - 975

TRIGGER WARNING - Miscarriage, blood, grief, child loss, trauma.

Summary - a quiet night takes a devastating turn.

Authors note - As you can probably tell, I’m not your typical Creepypasta fanfiction writer. My stories lean more toward real-life experiences—raw, messy, and unfiltered. Writing has always been more for me than anything else, a way to process what I can’t always say out loud. Maybe it’s a coping mechanism, maybe it’s just a need to put pain into words.

I know I haven’t updated in a while, and for that, I’m sorry. Life has a way of pulling us under when we least expect it. But for those of you still here, reading and supporting, thank you. It means more than I can express.

I guess I’ve always found comfort in heartbreak—in taking a story and twisting it until it feels real enough to leave a mark. So, as you read this, don’t be afraid to cry, to feel. That’s what it’s meant for. And maybe, when you’re done, we’ll both feel just a little less alone.

Hopefully, I’ll have more for you soon. Until then, take care of yourselves—and try not to cry too much.

Becoming a dad was never on the radar for Jeff. Not for someone like him—a serial killer with bloodstained hands and years of unresolved trauma. Jeff wasn’t the kind of man who would teach his kid how to throw a ball or give them advice on their first crush. Hell, he barely had any idea how to take care of himself. But when Y/N came to him that day, clutching the pregnancy test in trembling hands, terror written all over her face—not the kind of fear he was used to, the kind he relished in—it was different. This fear was raw, uncertain, vulnerable. And for the first time, Jeff felt it too.

The conversation that followed wasn’t pretty. There was shouting, tears, accusations, and a silence so heavy it crushed them both. But somewhere in that mess of emotions, there was a spark—something small and fragile. A seed of hope Jeff never thought he’d feel.

As the days turned into weeks, that seed began to grow. The thought of a child, their child, burrowed its way into Jeff’s cold, damaged heart. He found himself imagining things he never thought possible: a tiny hand gripping his finger, a toothless smile, a giggle that echoed in the halls of the mansion. He didn’t just start to accept it; he started to want it.

The house was alive with a strange excitement. Even the others couldn’t help but marvel at the idea of another child joining them—another innocent soul like Sally. Jack stole prenatal vitamins and a doppler, and Jeff had spent hours with Y/N listening to the faint sound of their baby’s heartbeat. He painted the nursery himself, his hands steady in a way they’d never been before. For once, the chaos of their lives didn’t seem so suffocating.

And then came the night that shattered it all.

Jeff barely stirred when Y/N slipped out of bed. She’d been getting up a lot lately, her small trips to the bathroom almost routine. He was half-asleep when he heard her call out, her voice trembling with something he couldn’t quite place.

“Jeff... come here... something’s wrong.”

The fear in her voice jolted him awake. He stumbled out of bed, heart pounding as he rushed to the bathroom. The sight that met him stopped him cold.

Y/N was sitting on the floor, her hands trembling and slick with blood. It was everywhere—on her thighs, pooling on the tiles, staining her nightshirt. Jeff’s breath hitched, his stomach turning in a way he hadn’t felt since the first time he took a life. Blood was supposed to excite him, but this... this made him want to vomit.

“I’ll... I’ll be back,” he stammered, his voice cracking in a way that felt foreign and wrong. “I’ll get Jack. Don’t move, Y/N. Don’t move.”

He didn’t wait for her reply, didn’t dare look back. He sprinted down the stairs, nearly tripping in his panic. He found Jack in the kitchen, dragging him by the arm before the other man could even ask what was happening. His words tumbled out, frantic and disjointed, but Jack didn’t need an explanation when he saw the scene for himself.

Jack knelt beside Y/N, his usually steady hands trembling ever so slightly as he placed a hand on her shoulder. “Stand up,” he said softly. “I need to see.”

Y/N obeyed, her body shaking as she clung to Jack for support. Jeff stayed rooted to the doorway, his nails digging into the wood as if it could somehow anchor him to reality.

Jack’s expression was grim as he straightened, his voice heavy when he finally spoke. “I’m sorry, Y/N.”

The words hit Jeff like a physical blow. Y/N let out a strangled sob, her knees buckling as Jack caught her and eased her to the floor. Jeff moved without thinking, dropping to his knees beside her and grabbing her hand.

“No,” Jeff muttered, shaking his head. “No, no, no. This—this isn’t happening. Fix it, Jack. Do something.”

Jack looked at him, his hollow eyes filled with something that almost resembled pity. “There’s nothing I can do, Jeff. It’s already happening.”

Y/N’s grip on Jeff’s hand tightened, her face pale and glistening with tears. “Jeff... it’s my fault,” she whispered, her voice breaking.

“Don’t,” he said sharply, his voice cracking. “Don’t you dare say that. This isn’t your fault.”

She sobbed harder, her free hand clutching her stomach as another wave of pain wracked her body. Jeff could only watch, helpless and furious, as the person he cared about most suffered in a way he couldn’t stop.

Time seemed to crawl, every second dragging like a knife through Jeff’s chest. He wasn’t supposed to care like this. He wasn’t supposed to feel this kind of pain. But as Y/N finally passed the tiny, lifeless form of what could have been their child, Jeff felt something inside him shatter.

He stared at the tiny, fragile thing Jack gently took away, his chest heaving as he fought to keep the scream building inside him at bay. Y/N was limp against him now, her strength spent, her sobs quieted into hollow, hitching breaths.

Jeff pressed his forehead to hers, his hand still gripping hers tightly as though letting go would mean losing her too. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “I’m so sorry.”

In that moment, he hated himself more than he ever thought possible. He wasn’t supposed to care, wasn’t supposed to feel this. But as he held Y/N and felt the life drain from the future they’d dared to hope for, Jeff realized that maybe, just maybe, he’d wanted to be a dad after all.

And now, he never would be.