#his wife and his family worried sick about him and don't want him to die

[borgialucrezia]

peaky blinders — 4x03 'blackbird' created by steven knight

[thesilmarillionblog]

ANOTHER LIFE

Summary: You find out that you're pregnant with Soldier Boy’s child, but knowing what Butcher’s wife has been through and that you won’t make it like her, he doesn’t want you to keep it. You try to convince him that you’ll be okay, but you need to face what’s to come.

Pairing: Soldier Boy / Pregnant!Reader

Warnings: +18 (MINORS DNI), angst, hurtful, language, pregnancy, threat, pregnant sex, blood, mention of abortion, mention of death, angst with a happy ending

Word Count: 5807

A/N: English is not my first language.

With a bashful smile on your lips, you looked at Ben, whose eyes were locked on the positive result, while you joyfully looked at the pregnancy test with your hands stopped on your tummy. Since you were already married and had been living together for a while, you were confident that this news would strengthen your bond even more.

He merely stated, “We are not keeping it,” glaring at you and clenching his jaw when he saw your hands halt on your tummy. “I'll find a doctor for the abortion.”

You stood up, gently inquired, “Why?” and put your hand on his arms to stop him before he could leave the room.

You didn't understand why he was acting this way at all, because you knew he had always wanted to start a family. Right now, you ought to be enjoying the news.

Your touch tightened his muscles, and he took a deep breath. In an attempt to ease him up, you stroked his cheek, but it felt as though he was building barriers between you, just as on the day of your first meeting.

“We already know Butcher's wife's fate, don't we? You wouldn't survive such a thing.”

You smiled at him a little, realizing that he wasn't against the baby; rather, he was only worried about you. He was upset by your ease with the issue, though, as he could see that you didn't give a damn about what he said.

“Becca did not pass away during childbirth.” You attempted to comfort him. “For me, it won't be any different with good doctors.”

You glanced at him, hoping that, for the moment at least, he wouldn't be obstinate about this and would instead trust you.

"Are you even aware of what you're saying?" He questioned you in a disapproving tone, pushed your hands away from his face, and spoke out. "Just because she made it through doesn't imply you will too. What will happen, do you know? You'll be torn apart, limb by limb, by this nasty beast. You will fucking die and suffer.”

You said to him, “Ben,” in an attempt to soothe him. You gave him a hug, despite the way he shoved your hands away. “Together, we've overcome many obstacles and established a family of our own. Despite what we've been told, there was no possibility that I would become pregnant.” You squeezed his hands and remarked, “This baby is a gift.”

“A gift? It is a fucking punishment and a fucking pain on my ass already,” he grunted and hugged you back tightly.

“Stop calling the baby 'it',” you snapped out of nowhere. “Why are you being like this?”

“It is just an annoying fetus, a virus, not a baby,” he said harshly, looking at your stomach with irritation as if you were sick. “You’re going to get an abortion.”

You pushed him away from you, tears welling up in your eyes, and he withdrew his hands. You had doubts about whether he would ever reconsider.

“I won’t, Ben,” you said firmly. “I won’t just fucking murder my child. You cannot force me to do such a thing."

“You won’t murder it, but it fucking will murder you,” he yelled at you suddenly.

You took a step back, your lips parted in shock at the expression on his face. He hadn't yelled at you in such a furious manner in a very long time. You put your hands on your tummy as if he would hurt you.

His attitude toward you and the baby was crushing your heart, so you sat down on the bed. How could you even kill your own child by going under the knife because Ben believed you wouldn't survive? You were aware that childbirth always carries some risk, even in cases where the kid turned out to be normal and not a supe. Any woman who aspired to motherhood was ready to take a risk.

You said, “Why do you think I'm weaker than Becca—that she survived but I can't?” You were unsure of which was worse—his hatred for your unborn baby or his perception of your weakness.

Seeing your wet eyes, he softened his tone and said, “It's not that I think you are weak or something. It, fuck, I mean the baby, will most highly have the exact power I have; the baby will do anything to get rid of from your womb when your water breaks,” he continued, sitting by your side and taking your hand in his. “Just like I do when I'm really furious or stressed, the baby will explode if it becomes even slightly stressed or when it senses your distress. The reason Butcher's wife survived is that the baby didn't explode to escape her womb; instead, it just wanted to be out. It will be worse for you.”

You listened to him with terror, not having a single idea how and when he did learn the details about Becca’s childbirth. You were overwhelmed trying to imagine the scenario he created. That must be the reason he was acting so strangely and coldly in the last two weeks.

“How do you know such things?” You whispered, not knowing how to react.

“I already knew that you were pregnant before the stupid test. It was clear from your scent and all,” he said, looking at your locked hands. “And I searched for details about Butcher’s wife’s childbirth. We should be glad that we have an example in front of us.”

“I can’t do this, Ben. I want to keep the baby,” you sobbed, feeling pressured. “I can’t go under the knife.”

“Why are you so fucking selfish?” he asked. “Did you even fucking listen to me?”

“We don’t even know it for sure. What you’ve said is just a theory,” you said, hoping he would change his mind or at least listen to you a bit.

“It’s a fucking possibility, a high one, and it’s enough for us to get rid of this monster as soon as possible.”

“I won’t do it, Ben. I can’t have an abortion based on what you think is going to happen in the future,” you answered with a firm voice.

Even though he was able to control his abilities and the power hidden in his chest, he felt as though he was losing control of himself and his temper after witnessing your selfishness and obsession with a tiny fetus. Ben stood up and moved away from you.

He sternly remarked, “If anything happens to you, if you die in childbirth, I will kill the baby, I fucking swear.”

“Have you gone insane?” You sobbed as you realized how serious he was, and your eyes widened in terror. “How are you even able to say something like that?”

“I don't give a fuck.” He was very serious as he snapped, “I won't even blink.”

Whispering softly, “But then I’d die for nothing,” you looked at him with pleading eyes. He was not giving you a chance, but he was not giving a chance to your unborn baby either.

“Huh,” he said, biting his lip, giving you an insidious smile. “That’s something we can both agree on, sweetheart.”

After a few months, Ben spent most of his time at Vought, or God knows where, rather than respecting your decision, accepting the situation, or having a conversation about it. Despite all your efforts to talk to him, he hardly spent any time with you in the house. After two months, he no longer argued with you. He scared the shit out of you when he nearly blew up the house during your argument. Though it was selfish of you, you made the decision, knowing that he was very concerned about you and that it was hurting him to consider the uncertain future that lay ahead of you. If only he knew how much the distance in his eyes hurt you.

Your belly started to show up, and it was already too late for an abortion, which was something you didn’t even consider once. It was almost the fifth stage of your pregnancy, after all. Ben had stopped fighting with you, and you went to the hospital all alone, even though Annie and Kimiko offered to come with you.

You waited for Ben to come home the day you learned that you were pregnant with a boy. You thought that would make Ben’s heart at least a bit soften and make him a bit more eased or even glad when you shared the news as he lay beside the bed. However, he didn’t even say a single word. He just closed his eyes and let you stay on his warm chest. You were too close yet too distant.

“At least, could you say something?” You whispered to him, and he just took a deep breath and wrapped his powerful arms around your body. You begged him again, “Please,” but he kept his eyes closed and put a bit distance between your belly and his, trying not feel the growing life inside you. He considered your baby like an enemy, a monster.

Even though you were eager to enjoy your pregnancy together and fix things with him, he was acting as though you were waiting for your execution day. You knew that he was still angry with you, and he was right about it considering your uncertain future in front of you, but there was no need to live like strangers while you were married. His support and tenderness would mean a lot, at least to ease your distress.

Your unbalanced hormones weren't helping at all, as it had been a while since he touched you, and he had avoided doing so since your belly had begun to swell.

“I’m tired. Sleep,” he said firmly.

“Could you please at least come with me to the hospital for a regular check once a month? You don’t have to be inside of the room.”

“I don’t want it.”

He probably didn’t have an idea about how much the way he talked so sharply and coldly broke your heart, but you didn’t give up.

“Why not?” you asked softly, lifting your head to look at him, trying to talk about it.

“It’s just that I don’t want it,” he said with an irritated voice, cutting it short. “Are you going to force me to do something I don’t want to do again?”

You approached him and again pressed your cheek against his muscled chest, whispering, “No. But I'm so lonely.”

It was impossible to get through to him because of his stubbornness, even though you needed him to show you his love and care—at least to touch your belly and comfort you.

“How come you would feel that way?” He asked in a mocking tone, “You have your baby boy, right?”

“Can you believe that I don't even experience nausea? The doctor says it's nothing out of the ordinary, but he's not making this pregnancy physically more difficult for me or anything. He's going to be a docile boy.”

You occasionally told him about your baby, even though he didn't want to discuss anything except your personal health.

After a moment of silence, “Good for you,” he simply said. “He will be ready to blow your womb up with kindness when the time comes.”

In an attempt to soothe him and set the tone for this conversation, you added, “Ben, I won't die in childbirth, I promise you. Let's try not to make things more difficult for one another than they already are. It won't be easy, but everything will work out in the end. We must confront our future together as a married couple.”

“I told you to get rid of it, but you made every choice by yourself already, selfishly, and now you want me to act like everything's okay when it's fucking not,” he said angrily.

“Ben,” you puffed, and faintly gently stroked his muscular chest, saying, “You're not even listening, and I'm tired of arguing.” Actions speak louder than words, after all.

His eyes narrowed, and he followed your hand as it slid down his strong chest. Feeling the firmness of his body through his sweatpants, you glanced at him expectantly. All you could do was stare with anxiety as you worried that he would stop you again. But he was, you could say, enjoying himself there.

You moved quickly to go on top of him, and as you dropped the nightgown's hanger, exposing your breasts to his view but not your swollen stomach, you waited anxiously for his response. Although he didn't enjoy being the bottom or letting you ride him, he wasn't going to stop you at that moment. Your skin trembled from the cold, even if the room and his body were warm.

He was watching you with an undreadable face, not even touching you, but you knew he desired you. His shaft under you was proof.

“I’ve missed you a lot,” you said as you started to move on top of him, rubbing your pussy against his hardness.

“I can see that,” he said with a rough voice, and he urged your hips to go faster while his eyes were fixed on your breasts. “Do your best, and I might consider fucking you deep and good.”

As your hormones were kicking you hard in the last few days already, you were lost in pleasure and felt yourself getting wetter each second, and your nipples got hard while you were grinding on his hardness with swift movements.

When you sensed that your climax was approaching, you let out a loud moan. It didn't take you long to lose yourself in pleasure because he didn't touch you soon enough. But just as your lips parted with pleasure, he pushed you away from him and got on top of you. You groaned in protest as you lifted your hips to create friction again, but he stopped you turned you so that you were facing the sheets.

With a quick motion, he tore off your panties, and you could feel him taking out his hardness from his sweatpants. Your stomach wasn't flat, so you tried to move a little to find a more comfortable position, but his powerful hands and massive body prevented you from moving even an inch.

You felt he was stroking himself into your wetness from behind, and he groaned, “Stay still; don't move.” With a forceful motion, he spread your legs, and under his strong hands, your pussy throbbed with eagerness.

You pressed your face against the sheets and moaned desperately. You tried to move your hips a bit, urging him to take you already. You didn’t need him to prepare you at all because your body was already craving his presence.

“Ben, please,” you begged him, trying to face him, but he pushed your head and chest a bit hard against the sheets.

“If you want me to fuck you properly, you’ll do as I say,” he said as he pressed the tip of his cock against your entrance and pushed it inside with a rough move.

When he swiftly pushed his shaft inside of yours, you both moaned loudly. Your moan was half in pain because of his roughness and the way he pressed you against the sheets, even though you were wet enough to withstand his hardness.

He placed his bisceps on both sides of your head as he began to rapidly fuck you. He groaned as he fucked you and you felt your pussy already clenching around his cock. You arched your ass up feeling his hot panting on your neck.

You tried to concentrate on the pleasure; you kept your eyes closed, trying not to ruin the moment as he was finally taking you. Even if it hurt to feel your swollen belly pushed hard to the sheets by his heavy waist as he fucked you harder every second, you didn't stop him, tried to endure the pain.

However, as he was moving on top of you, he slammed his massive body into your back even harder, lost in pleasure, and his harsh motions and weight caused you to groan in pain. You shut your eyes, and your hands frantically grasped his wrist. You tried to comfort yourself by holding your belly with your other hand.

He instantly stopped, swearing as he allowed you to take a moment after sensing your discomfort and hearing your agonized gasp. You could feel the pleasure and pain in your legs shivering a little.

“Fuck. Are you alright?” he asked in an anxious tone as he became still within you.

You quickly nodded to him in response, saying, “I am; don't stop. Just try not to press your weight, please,” you said, keeping one hand still on your stomach as you shifted under him a little to allow to catch your breath.

Ben cursed and gazed at your hand, still on your swollen belly, as he came to his senses. As he moved on top of you to a more comfortable and safe position, he apologized in a quiet voice and gave you a firm kiss on the forehead. Your heart warmed with his tenderness for you and you smiled. Maybe you should force him to hurt you a little bit sometimes to make him show his tenderness.

One of his hands stopped on your stomach after he waited a little longer on top of you to give you a moment. Now you were waiting for him on your hands and knees. That was the first moment he touched your belly. Feeling his large, warm hand, you gasped and laid your hand on his as he began to pound into you again, more gently but still rough.

When he shifted a bit and hit your sensitive spot with a rough move, you moaned loadly and your walls clenched tightly around his cock as you orgasmed as soon as he groaned on top of you, saying, “Don’t come yet.”

Your walls continued to clenching around his cock, and he immediately began to spill inside of you as he kept cursing. He filled your pussy with his thick white ropes, and he said, “You can't even fucking listen to me just once, right? I might start to think that you're doing it on purpose to make me crazy, sweetheart.”

He pulled out his cock very carefully when it softened inside you. You felt incredibly satisfied, and bliss came over you because it had been a long time since he took you like this.

He turned you back and gave you a firm kiss on the lips. You couldn’t stop smiling between his warm kisses. You felt your body and hormones finally ease.

“Rather than keep fighting, we should have been doing this, you know,” you murmured, and you put your hands around his back. “These hormones are making me crazy.”

He chuckled softly, gave you another kiss on the forehead, and looked at your swollen belly with an unreadable face.

“I don’t even know how to fucking kill myself if anything happens to you,” he said, looking into your eyes with a pained expression. “I can’t live without you.”

You felt your heart broken under his sincere confession. You knew he was extremely concerned about you, and that was the first time he was this honest with you. Shifting under him and taking his hand, putting it on your belly, you kissed him as you said, “Why do you still have trust issues? I’m more strong than you think. I promise you, Ben. This baby will change everything in a good way. You’ll be the best daddy. You’ll see it.”

You gave him a playful smile as he moved his hand vaguely on your belly.

“Yeah,” he sighed and raised his eyebrows, looking to your body. “Best daddy to threaten an unborn baby with death and murder. What a start, right?”

You chuckled and gave him a quick kiss before you shifted under him and leaned your back to his chest.

“Well,” you said, taking his hand and putting it on your low belly. “It is a start at least.”

You closed your eyes when a sudden tiredness came over your body, and you held his hand tighter.

He pulled you to his body like you would vanish at any moment and murmered, “I’m sorry for everything I have done to you.”

“I am not,” you said with a smile on your face. “Stop overthinking, Ben.”

Ben hardly left the house, and you two began to spend the entire time together. You were worried by Vought's extreme interest in your pregnancy, and you and Ben took steps to ensure that the media was kept informed about what was going on. It was frightening and distressing to think that Vought and other devils looked after your child. That was one of the reasons you needed to endure childbirth and be strong.

You were taken to a special Vought hospital, which was a bit far away from the capital, when you reached the last stage of your pregnancy. His energetic and unpatient kicks started to hurt a lot, but you didn’t tell Ben not to stress him out any further. The energy in his chest was getting out of control lately, and there were times he nearly blew up. So, it was suggested that he not come to the hospital until you delivered the baby. You needed him to be with you so badly, but it was better for him not to see your pain.

Thankfully, Kimiko and Annie were there for you and took care of you. You didn’t want to be alone with those doctors at all. They were Vought’s doctors, after all. The boys made sure Ben didn’t blow up, and they watched over him all the time. Annie told you that Ben wanted to come nearer to the hospital at least, but you knew it wasn’t a good idea, but he kept calling you every hour, checking on you if you were doing okay though it was you that reassured him everything would be alright soon and as though he was the one to deliver a supe baby.

When your water broke in the middle of the night, there was no pain like it. Annie and Kimiko did their best to help the doctors while you were being prepared. You screamed at her not to call Ben.

As you saw the doctors prepare to cut open your stomach, Kimiko held your hands firmly above your head. Ben's theory about the baby blowing up inside of you crossed your mind as you tried to remain composed and control your breathing. You also tried to keep your mind off the pain, but before the doctors could do anything, you felt powerful kicks on your lower abdomen that tore you open and made it clear he was done with patience and wanted to be out as soon as possible. You weren't even slightly helped by anesthesia. Even though you clamped your jaw and closed your eyes so you could ignore the blood all over the bed, you couldn't help but scream.

You heard Annie gasping in shock and saying, “Oh, god. I can’t watch this.”

The knives in the doctor’s hand were everywhere in your stomach while they all tried to calm you down, but your pained screams filled the whole hospital. You felt you were losing your consciousness, even if you did your best to keep your eyes open. All you thought about was Ben at that moment and the whole thing you'd been through together. You didn’t want to prove him right about you being weak. You wished he was there with you so badly that you cried even harder.

“Take him out!” you screamed at the doctors while you were crying, and you fisted your hand till you bled your palms while Kimiko watched everything in terror in her eyes.

You watched in amazement while you saw the baby finally coming out of your stomach, which was ripped open, but you couldn’t stop smiling despite all the pain. His little chest was glowing a bit, but he wasn’t crying. You overcame the worst, you told yourself.

The room was filled with blood, and so was your baby. You wanted to reach for him, but you couldn’t manage to find the energy. You heard Annie, and the doctors were saying stuff, though you didn’t understand what it was about at all. Losing your consciousness, your eyes shut. You needed a long rest.

While doctors did their best to keep you alive for hours, it was already morning. Annie finally found the courage to call Butcher and tell him about your condition. She didn’t know how Ben would respond through the phone and wasn’t even sure if he listened to her completely, so she thought it would be better if Butcher talked to Ben.

“Congratulations, Soldier Daddy Boy,” said Butcher with an anxious voice to Ben as he entered the room. “Annie just told me Y/N delivered the baby last night.”

Butcher gave Hughie an exchange of looks while Ben’s chest started to glow as he shut his eyes.

“How is she?” Ben growled, waiting to hear the worst.

“Hey, calm down,” Billy said, putting a hand on his shoulder. The smoke was already rising from his chest, ready to blow up the whole building. “She’s not dead.”

“I’ll fucking kill you all if you are lying.” Ben pushed Butcher, with a harsh move, to the nearest wall as he tried to calm himself down. He didn’t know how long it would take him to wake up if he blew up right there. All he needed was to see if you were really okay.

Hughie gave Ben an awkward look and murmured, "Congratulations for..." but before he could say anything more, Ben pushed him against the wall next to Butcher and said, “Fuck you.”

Ben looked at the doctors, who were attempting to explain that it would take two or three months for you to fully recover, with a homicidal glare when he realized that you were dead asleep on the bed. But it wouldn’t take long you to get your consciousness back. He wouldn't even consider twice about killing those fuckers in an instant if you didn't need them.

They all told him that you were pretty strong, but it didn’t mean anything to him right there while you were half dead on the bed. His supe ears focused on your weak heartbeat behind the glass. He struggled for hours to stay calm and not explode, but it was getting impossible.

“Hey,” Annie said with an anxious voice while she gave a look to your motionless body on the bed and the look on Ben’s face as he stood without doing anything, lost in thoughts. “Would you like to see your baby? He is pretty cute.”

“Fuck off,” Ben simply said.

Hughie and Butcher approached Annie, and Hughie said, “May I see the baby? I already bought a toy,” with a shy smile on his face.

Annie gave him a warm smile and a nod and led him to the room at the end of the corridor.

At the end of the three weeks, Ben finally relieved himself a bit, seeing that your condition was getting better and your heartbeat wasn’t weak anymore. He refused to see the baby until he was sure you were finally recovering. Butcher and the others didn’t leave Ben alone, since his nerves were pretty sensitive. In addition, he knew Hughie and Kimiko were spending their whole time with the baby in his special room. Though he didn’t see the baby once, he kept asking doctors about his health and everything else. He knew he was doing alright; he was a supe baby after all.

Annie had already left the hospital a few days before. The current state of Vought worsened by Ben's sudden disappearance. The public and media weren't informed. Butcher, Hughie, and Kimiko stayed with him and with you to make sure Ben didn't lose his temper.

Ben sighed and went to visit his son when his supe hearing focused on his small mumbles. Even though it was becoming late, it didn't appear like he was sleeping. He knew you didn't suffer for hours only to see you ignore your own son, since it wasn't his fault for being a supe baby after all.

Ben saw his son watching the spinning toy reach up to his crib when he came into the room. Based on the silly lullaby that came out of it, it was most likely Hughie's present.

The moment his son began to make little noises, Ben's heart warmed. When their gazes connected, he smiled, as though he recognized his dad. He stretched for his arms, his little chest glowing. It's likely that his son sensed the familiar scent of his father.

“Hey there,” Ben murmered, his eyes fixed on his son’s chest, which kept glowing and lightening the dark room. He took him from his cradle carefully. “You’re not going to blow your daddy up, right?”

However, his chest started to return to normal as soon as Ben took him in his arms and gave a kiss to his little forehead.

“You know,” he said with a playful tone as he touched his son’s cheeks. “You are lucky your daddy’s the strongest supe in the world, but you are even more lucky your mommy is pretty strong too.”

Ben chuckled when he saw his son begin to play with the small eagle symbol on his suit and quickly rip it off. “It seems like you're a strong little man. I wonder how I'm going to sew it now.”

Ben took one of the toys from his son’s cradle, and he kept kissing his little forehead while he left the room. “Do you want to see your mom?”

Butcher and Hughie were eating sandwiches in the middle of the corridor, and Butcher smirked when he saw Ben approaching with his son on his chest and a toy in his other hand.

"Well, well, well,” he said, giving Ben a side smile. “Big bad daddy finally remembered he has a son.”

“Call me daddy again when I’m deep in your throat,” Ben murmered as he looked at your sleeping form behind the glass.

“Are you kissing your son with that mouth?” Butcher said while was drinking coke.

Ben simply said, “Fuck you,” as he led his footsteps to your room.

He didn't feel comfortable or at peace at all when he spent weeks keeping watch over your tired body in bed. But at least you were alive and would be well soon enough. Your heart was starting to beat stronger already. Last week, you even opened your eyes twice, but you fell back asleep right away.

Ben's small son's head turned as if he sensed his mother's presence before he moved his body from his chest to yours. Perhaps it was like his dad's scent that drew him in, or his supe senses in general.

He reached his little arms to your body on the bed immediately as he mumled excitedly, but Ben kept him in place.

“Hey,” said Ben, trying to distract him with the toy. “Let your mommy rest, little eagle.”

While Ben tried to calm his son down, his son's small chest started to glow while he still tried to reach his small hands to your body. He was trying to get rid of Ben’s hold. It made Ben a bit nervous for the first time in his life. So that was how people felt about his blowing-up issue when he was about to lose his temper.

“You really want to challenge me?” Ben asked. He chuckled and got closer to your body, letting his hands touch your cheeks. But he held his hands carefully, remembering that his son was a supe who didn’t have any control over his strength. “So be it.”

Feeling soft hands on your face, your eyes started to open again. You didn’t know what day it was or if you were alive or dead. You frowned at your eyes, feeling tired as hell. Your stomach also hurts a lot.

“Ben?” You murmered with a small voice, trying to stay awake and not fall asleep again.

All you heard was him arguing, but you didn’t understand what was going on at all. Then you heard him saying “fuck” and pushing a button beside your bed. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”

Your eyes met with the most beautiful face you’ve seen in your entire life, and you gathered your whole strength to touch your son’s face as he kept mumbling while his hand was touching your cheek as though he were trying to talk to you. He was worth everything you've been through.

“I am okay, just tired,” you murmered as your eyes watered. “He’s so beautiful. I can’t believe he’s mine.”

“Actually, ours. He is and is also pretty strong. He ripped off my fucking suit,” Ben chuckled as he stilled your son with his big hands, sitting on your bed carefully. “I have missed you so fucking much.”

“I’ve missed you too,” you said giving him a smile. “I told you I would survive, right?”

“Yeah,” he said proudly, squeezing hand hand softly. “I’m so fucking glad you were right about everything.”

“Stop swearing, Ben. The first word he’s gonna say will be ‘fuck’ because of you,” you giggled. “Are you kissing our son with that mouth?”

He chuckled and said “I’ll do worse things with that mouth,” as leaned and gave you a firm kiss.

PART 2

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A/N: My idea was to kill the reader from the very beginning, but she convinced me not to do it. I always thought fanfiction and the characters had power over the writers, not vice versa. I guess fanfictions write themselves; maybe we, as writers, create nothing at all. Comments and reblogs are very appreciated! Check my masterlist for other Soldier Boy / Reader stories.

[bella-goths-wife]

Hi :3, i am new in here and i'm a bit lose, ¿Why does Vox sees their pet like a substitute daughter 🥲?

Sorry if the question it's a bit dumb, but i genuinely don't understand that 🥲

Anyways, i hope you have a great and lovely day (*ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈)ꕤ (and sorry if i said something wrong, english it's not my first language)

No it’s okay, I’d love to explain it :D

Why does Vox see pet as a daughter

Warnings: mentions of miscarriage and pregnancy, obsessive behaviour, forced affection, forced paternal behaviour, just overall a complicated and sick dynamic, abuse mentions

This is just my story’s backstory for Vox since i can’t find a canon backstory

So we all know that vox is from the 1950s

And we know that most men from the 1950s had it built into them that it was their duty to continue the family name and legacy by marrying a nice girl and having a few kids

And I believe Vox would be a very big believer in legacy and having an heir to pass down his legacy to, since he was probably a big celebrity and quite wealthy

But during his time of being alive, he never had any children

He had an arranged marriage that was set up by his father, in which he married a woman he had never or would never love

But Vox wanted one thing from this marriage, one simple thing that he craved so heavily

A child

At first he was convinced he wanted a boy, someone who he could mold into being someone worthy of carrying on his last name

But then he realised something, having a son would only challenge Vox as the man of the house

What if his son became more than Vox or overpassed him?

Most fathers would be proud of their son achieved great things but the thought only made Vox seethe in jealousy that one day his legacy would be surpassed by something he created

But a daughter, she would be his to protect without the worry that she would ever overpass him

He wanted something he could own and protect, something to be part of his legacy but always staying below him

A daughter is what Vox wanted more than anything, a daughter that was strong enough to be given his last name but weak enough to need his protection

Of course he’d want a son or two to continue his last name, but a daughter is the only child he’d ever love

Sadly, he and his wife were unable to have children with his wife only being able to conceive and lose pregnancies

The furthest pregnancy that they got to was when his wife was six months pregnant before losing the baby

During the six months Vox fantasised about his child, his perfect girl who he would love more than anything

So when his wife lost the baby, he felt a part of himself lock away forever

The softer part of himself was pushed away to die

He threw himself into his work to distract himself from the loss of his child

He also threw himself into many criminal situations and made very bad decisions which would later land him a place in hell

Vox had already given up on the thought of having children during the living and finding out that sinners couldn’t conceive only pushed him further into the belief that having a daughter wasn’t in the cards for him

And then he met you

Granted when he met you he just assumed you were another scrawny sewer rat who had to steal and cheat just to afford some food

But you quickly changed his mind once you started working for him

Seeing your abilities progress and grow stronger was a magnificent sight for Vox, it was an achievement that he had coined for himself as your mentor

Combining your abilities was also an amazing feeling, to know that there was someone in hell who could only enhance his power made him feel like he could rule the underworld

You unlocked parts of him that he had long forgotten, a more forgiving and softer side

You were strong enough to protect yourself but also weak enough to need his protection

You were smart enough to keep up with Voxs conversations but also naive enough to manipulate to his wishes

You had a strong ability but not strong enough to survive outside of his providing, at least in his mind

You were young enough for him to be able to see as a child at 18, but also old enough for him to be able to exploit you and profit off of you

You were the perfect heir in his mind, the daughter he had always craved

So Vox would find himself being fatherly towards you and showing you fatherly affection, even if he ignored the way you tensed up at his touch

But parts of Vox hated this and denied his attachment to you

He wanted to smack himself for being weak and bending to his own obsessive cravings, but instead he smacks you instead to rid himself of feelings that could soften the sharp image he had created of himself

He craves your presence but despises the thought of you

But because he suppressed his fatherly feelings for you, they manifested into an abusive and obsessive addiction

He obsesses over every minuscule part of you and exposes it because he wants to know you but doesn’t want to get close enough for you to become a weakness to himself

Vox abuses you because he fears you most of all, he fears that the mere thought of you dating sends him into a blind rage or the thought of you getting hurt sends him into a deep panic

He wants to hold you close but parts of him want to smother you in his arms to make it so he doesn’t care for anyone anymore

So vox will always see you as a daughter in his mind no matter how much he tries to deny and suppress it

The only thing his denial does is make his feelings manifest into an abusive and obsessive relationship with you

He sees you as his daughter that he has always craved, and you see him as your abuser who will always be watching you

@hazbinhotelxreader @idontreallyexistyet @perkypeony @sparkleyfishies @buttercupfangirl @repostingmyfavs @lilyalone @the-faceless-bride @fandomaddict505 @corvid007 @rerarlo

[littlelightfish]

We alredy know what's Chilchuck's worst nightmare. What if I told you that it was canon?

His daughters have alredy been eaten. His wife was eaten too. His family are all dead. His worst nightmare has come truth. And he for sure feels like it's partially his fault, because it's the Winged Lion doing, yes, but who helped Laios get here? Chilchuck. And who's daughters and wife are now dead because of it? Chilchuck's. The suggestion of recreating them tells us that they've alredy been eaten. The way he says it makes it feel like it's too late. They're dead. Because of him. Of his actions. Of his job. The irony of it all is actually quite cruel. He makes a union so he can prevent bad things to happen to his race, to his family, and then, and he works at the union. And now, because of his job, he got them all killed.

He doesn't even know how his daughters are until way later, I don't even know if in the manga they send letters to him during the feast, because I know they don't go to said feast. So Chilchuck doesn't know if his girls are alright until, again, way later. We know they don't die because, well, there's this comic of them going to meet Laios, the new king. But if not for that, who could tell us they didn't die on the monster appearances? I can imagine that after the feast Chil went stright to check on them. Because he loves his daughters, and he cares for his wife. He sucks at communicating it, yes, but he does.

He doesn't want to risk his family's safety. But he, unknowingly, unwillingly, indirectly, did. He got them eaten by those demons because he helped his friends achieve his goal. Because he cared about Falin and wanted her to be human again. Because he cared about Laios and didn'twanted to see him loose his sister. Because he cared about Marcille, Senshi and Itsuzumi. He cares so much about everyone and wants to help everyone (in his own way), that he doesn't think that the result would, inevitably so, be the worst outcome for him. The one in wich work and private life get mixed together. His job as a member of Laios's party ended dragging his family in, despite his best efforts. His job ended up, not only endangering the whole word with demons, but his family. His four precious girls. It ended up almost killing them (probably it killed them for some time because getting eaten by those demons works wierd).

Worst part? He didn't have the time to be mourn over what he 100% sure thought was the complete loss of his family. He was in a hurry to survive himself, so he pushed those sad feelings and tried his best to help who he had left. Later on he finds out that the demons spitted out people. And he seems shocked with some kind of surprised relief.

He looks how everyone that got eaten was alive. And he can't quite either believe it nor understand it. He is really confused. So they didn't die? Are my daughters ok? Is my wife ok? Did everybody survived? Are they alive? He dares to hope that they're all ok and pulls into a box his feelings again, saving it up for when he has the time to be overwhelmed about this all. He has a feast, trying not to worry, but worried sick. Then he goes home and checks on them.

Give this poor man a break and a beer...

[astra-galaxie]

You know what? Screw it.

Can I ask for 🫂 💔 🦾 🖕 😬 🎭 on Jones? I won't bother any longer! (Genuinely trembling as I ask it fjdjdj)

Getting requests is never a bother!😊 And don’t worry, I don’t mind digging into my library of headcanons to find some more for Jones!

🫂 A friendship headcanon

Jones was one of the groomsmen at Alex and Cathy’s wedding. He was honoured to be a part of the couple’s special day and ensured he had extra tissues in his pockets for the groom and himself. The day couldn’t have been more perfect, and Jones was so proud as he watched Alex and Cathy say their vows and become husband and wife. And yes, the extra tissues came in handy during the ceremony!

💔 An angsty headcanon

Jones planned Nathan’s funeral. Nathan didn’t have any family in Grimsborough nor anyone close enough to plan it. Jones knew what his friend wanted to have for a funeral from a conversation the two had shared following Chief King’s death. As hard as it was to bury one of his best friends, Jones was the only one who knew what Nathan wanted, so he took charge and arranged the funeral following Nathan’s wishes. It was heartbreaking to see his friend in a casket and to give the eulogy at the funeral, but Jones knows that when Nathan was put into his final resting place, he was at peace.

🦾 A disability headcanon

After losing his eye, Jones had to learn how to live life with only half of his vision. At the recommendation of his physiotherapist, he joined a support group, and learning from others who live with vision impairment helped him adapt to his new vision. Jones has also amassed an extensive collection of eye patches and has one for every occasion. But he typically just wears a plain black eye patch since black goes with everything.

🖕 A headcanon relating to anger

Jones started taking online anger management classes to help control his outbursts. Chief King was nearly on his last nerve when dealing with him during “Into The Vipers’ Nest” and told him to do something about his attitude or suffer the consequences. Thankfully, the classes and relaxation exercises helped Jones control his anger. You still shouldn't piss him off, but at least now, when he gets angry, it's for good reason.

😬 A headcanon about the worst thing they’ve done

When Jones overdosed on sedatives, he talked to a dream version of Zoe while he was unconscious. Jones begged Zoe to take him with her, that he didn't want to live without her by his side. But Zoe told Jones it wasn’t his time to go and that he needed to keep living for his family, friends and most importantly, himself. Jones cried and said he didn’t know how to live without her. Zoe smiled at him and told him he would learn but needed to fight to wake up first. When Jones awoke and realized it had all been a dream, he wanted to die even more until he read Zoe’s letters and realized that no matter what, he still had her in his heart, and she would never truly be gone from his life.

🎭 A headcanon about what they lie about

While Jones can be a dramatic complainer, he often downplays when hurt or sick. He doesn't want to worry his friends and family, especially after almost dying when he got poisoned during the dog pageant. He remembers how worried everyone was (and for good reason) and hated causing them so much stress. So when he isn't feeling good or has earned himself a new injury, he’ll always insist he’s fine, and they don't need to worry about him even if he’s in a lot of pain.

And that concludes round 2 of Jones’s headcanons! Thank you for the request!

[dayeongi]

Four years and a day ago, my sister picked me up so we could go to the hospital for news about my father.

I didn't know he was interned. I didn't even know he was that sick. Last thing I heard from his own mouth was that he was recovering from an ear infection and was feeling better.

I'd moved out a few months ago after he tried to beat me up in March because I didnt shower exactly at the time he asked, and after a lifetime of neglect and 18 years of other types of abuse from him and my stepmother. I had tentatively invited him for lunch the Sunday that had just passed.

Yet, I went. And I waited outside for news. At 8 pm the doctor came out to tell us he was refusing intubation but was hanging on.

At midnight, we went back home to sleep.

Next morning, we headed to the hospital at 6 to wait outside again for news. And we waited. The doctor came out. He said we needed to bring them supplies. I hated my father, but I raced down the concrete stairs of the hospital to pick up the supplies from my aunt. She held them out the window of her car, and I snatched them like a purse thief.

By 8:27 am that morning, July 11, 2020,.my father had died.

I had experienced death before. An uncle, family friend, my paternal grandparents, one after another, my own mother. I was familiar with decay, sadness, awkwardness, sunny funerals, the silence of the cemetery around you as the sky collapses on itself, and the world that keeps on moving. Turning, even if you can't stay still.

But somehow it never occurred to me that my father would die that soon, or so young, still in his mid sixties.

I had prepared for every eventuality. How to explain to him I don't want my future children to be much in touch. How I don't want his wife to know them at all. Thinking of moving far away, where he cannot hurt me.

My sister had to repeat this information twice. That he had died, I mean.

She had to confirm that I understood. She cried, and held me, and said "now its just us two, alone." I held her. What was there to accept? He had died. Whether I accepted it or not. I didn't cry much, just a few tears, so she wouldn't get too worried.

They didn't let us see his body, even from afar. The military wanted us a block away. People who lived in front of the hospital opened their homes to us so we could look through the window. They held my sister and I, even though for all they knew, we were dangerous.

It wasn't until his wake, where only us immediate family were allowed to attend, that I finally realized; something is wrong.

My father wouldn't have wanted a funeral like this. He was a devout catholic, for better or for worse (usually for worse). He didn't want to be cremated. He would have wanted a mariachi band, and have a procession with us walkimg after the hearse. He would have wanted the songs that were sung for my grandparents' funerals to be sung for him.

I cried a lot then. Almost to the point of not breathing. To the point of throwing up. To the point where words stopped making sense anymore. I didn't want to get off the car. Then, the opportunity for him to repent, the opportunity for me to have a father would be truly gone forever.

At the time, I didn't know I still relished that hope. I thought it had died, lile a fire put out in a panic, slap after slap. But it smoldered even without my knowledge.

It went out in a blaze of grief, when I held the wooden box that was his urn and I realized, I was holding everything my father had ever been, and everything he could have been, and everything he'd never be, because he'd never be ever again.

There are songs I can't sing now.

[lackaroses]

Great! Because I finally have my oc figured out. I'm the anon that had the selling their soul oc. I actually have multiple Ocs now. The first one, her fake name is Sadie Churchill, but her real name is Lucille Grace. I don't have a picture, yet, but I can describe her. She's a sweet calico with longer 1920's hairstyle ponytail thing. She has a mother and a sister. She's from Mississippi and belonged to a secret coven. At 16 year old, there was this guy her Mother met. He had feeling for her, but her mother didn't reciprocate. So, when this guy found out about the coven, he used that against her. Saying that he'd rat out the coven, if her mother didn't marry him. Her mother and sister didn't like that and they killed him on wedding rehearsal night. Lucille didn't agree with this, because she was a bit too much of a good person. However, she loves her family above else so, she helped them hide the body. A year later, the police found the body and were snooping too close too home. So, the coven had to split for awhile. At least until the trail went cold and they found another place to be. Yes, that even means Lucille's family had to split away from each other.

They were all given fake names and places to stay, her's was Sadie Churchill and she was supposed to stay with a friend of the family, but something happened. So, she had to stay with a friend of that friend in Alabama. His name is Roscoe Clyde, who was looking for a nanny for his children to help out while his wife recovered from an accident. So, "Sadie Churchill the Nanny" it was. This however wasn't a good thing. You see, Sadie caught the eye of Roscoe and was overly creepy about it (Yes, this guy is everything horrible in the book.). It didn't help that his wife noticed and gave her the cold shoulder. Not to mention, dude was secretly part of a gang. Despite that though, she made it work and two years later, she meets her love interest, Floyd Everett. The two would meet in a cabin in secret, ever since. She found he was also the leader a gang, specifically, the rival gang to Roscoe's. She didn't care though, she was in love with him. Things were going great with the secret life, until she was 20 when she got pregnant. She was able to have her (Richie Everett) in secret sucessfully, but Roscoe's wife, Ethel grew suspicious. One day, she followed Sadie and saw the truth. Now, since Ethel is jealous of Sadie for trying to steal Roscoe away (Even though she wants nothing to do with him, really.) She tell Roscoe, Roscoe is pissed off. Not because she may be a spy for the rival gang (Although he disguises it that way.), but because he couldn't have Sadie.

So, he rounds up his gang, some were crooked law enforcement, and stormed into the cabin while Sadie and Floyd were just chillin. Floyd was hanged and Richie was murdered right in front of Sadie. Roscoe shot her, but because of his sick feelings for her, he left her to die. Thinking it was a mercy. As she was dying, she met the Wraith of the Moors. He saw what happened and feeling a sort of kinship with her, wanted to help her. Not because she was hurt, no, because she, like him, was angry. They formed a pact, he's give her all the power she needs to kill the people that did this to her and in return, she'd help him with his goal. Her power? To kill people through song, make herself be heard. She is succesful, but a few stranglers that fled, including Roscoe, got away. She ends up in Missouri at 22 because that's were Roscoe ended up, according to the Wraith.

I have no idea how she ends up at Lackadaisy or Marigold, nor if she ends up with anyone,yet, sorry! The Wraith does have an identity, but this is already really long. Sorry that it was!

🌹That sounds really neat!, yeah don’t be afraid to share OC stuff with me. I love hearing people being passionate about stuff, if you ever get some sort of drawing of her, then you could request a moodboard or a stimboard if you want🥀

🌹Also don’t worry about how long it is, I don’t mind🥀

[casspurrjoybell-17]

Heart’s Choice - Chapter 10

*Warning Adult Content*

- John -   

‘I'm in trouble.’

That's what I think as I watch Carlos Martinez disappear up the stairs. 

I was already way too turned on by the sight of him in his underwear and it seems like he gets more attractive every time I look at him. 

He's everything I like in a man and maybe more.

He's got a masculine beauty, a mix of strength and vulnerability, that calls to me in dangerous ways. 

I want to protect and take care of him and at the same time, I want to make him beg, make him cry and then kiss away his tears.

I blink and take a breath, clearing the image from my brain and refocus on Mrs. Peters. 

The sour look on her face makes me wonder what telling thing she just saw on mine and I clear my throat.

"How long had Kyle lived with you?" I ask.

"Since he was thirteen, when his parents died."

"Your brother and his wife."

"That's right."

"How did they die?"

Mrs. Peters shrugs. 

"It was their wedding anniversary. They left Kyle with me while they went out for a night of debauchery at a hotel. Only they never came back. Bloody inconsiderate of them, I thought. I thought they'd gone on a bender, you see. Gotten drunk and were simply sick and hungover. I wasn't worried. My brother and his wife weren't the most responsible people, you know."

"When did you report them missing?"

"As soon as I could, the following day."

"But they were never found."

"Vanished without a trace. Seven years later, they were declared legally dead."

"You think they're still alive?"

She shakes her head. 

"No. They weren't in any trouble, that I know of and they loved their son. They wouldn't have abandoned Kyle, especially not with me."

"Why's that?"

She lifts her bony shoulders in a shrug and wraps her shawl around herself more tightly. 

"It was no secret Richard and I didn't want children."

"Richard, that's your husband?"

"Was my husband, yes."

"How did he die, if I may ask?"

"Richard died of a heart attack only a few weeks after Kyle came to stay with us. Well, falling down the stairs and breaking his neck is what killed him but the heart attack was to blame. It was lucky I had Kyle, then. I don't know how I'd have managed without him. Don't know how I'll manage, now that he's gone, too."

She sniffs and wipes her eyes.

I make a note to look into the case of Kyle's parents. 

Four deaths, one murder for certain, two likely and a fourth possible, all surrounding one person, raises suspicion. 

On the other hand, some families just get more than their fair share of bad luck and no frail old woman murdered Kyle.

 Whoever strung him up under that bridge had to have been insanely strong.

Still, a good investigator leaves no stone unturned.

"Do you smoke, Mrs. Peters?" I ask, having detected a telltale scent in the air.

"I do," she nods. "My only vice."

"Any particular brand?"

"Marlboro Lights. Richard got me started on them. Why?"

I hesitate, then choose my words with care. 

"Some cigarettes were found with Kyle. Did he smoke?"

"Oh, no. I wouldn't let him. He bought them for me, though. I'd asked him to pick me up a pack. That was why he had them, I imagine."

Internally, I swear.

If that's the case, that's one lead down the drain. 

The killer might not smoke at all and only used the cigarettes because they were convenient.

"Thank you, Mrs. Peters. You've been very helpful." I look towards the stairs but Carlos has yet to reappear. "I'll just collect my partner and we'll be out of your hair."

Upstairs, I find a small landing and a narrow, dark hall, at the end of which a door stands open. 

Inside, Carlos sits at the foot of a narrow bed, hands resting on his knees and his eyes closed.

I knock on the open door and he looks up, fixing me with a limpid stare, his brown eyes bright and clear.

"Anything?"

He shakes his head. 

"Not a whiff of ghost here."

"Not much at all, by the look of it. Was your room this clean when you were twenty-two?"

He laughs, the expression lighting his face. 

"I'm about to turn twenty-seven and my room's never been this clean."

I glance at him. 

I saw his age when I booked him at the station but it was just a number on a form to me, then. 

Now, I can't help noticing the smoothness of his toffee-hued skin, the shine of his long brown hair, the five o' clock shadow darkening the clean line of his jaw or the way his hands look both strong and delicate as he twists them in his lap.

I bite the inside of my bottom lip hard enough to draw blood but the pain only feeds the fire. 

I need to get a handle on this fast.

I agreed to work with Martinez to catch a monster but if I'm not careful, he'll unleash a monster of a different kind.

Turning my attention to the room, I rest my hands on my hips and sigh.

It looks like a spread from a catalog. 

Nothing out of place, from the bed covers you could bounce a quarter on to the matching throw pillows. 

There's a small desk, completely clean, with a gooseneck lamp and a little organizer for pens and pencils and things.

It's the most organized pen holder I've ever seen.

"Was Kyle... uh. I don't know the correct term but did he have OCD or something?"

Carlos looks up at me, fixing me with that beautiful, brown-eyed stare again. 

"No. OCD isn't like how it's depicted on TV, anyway. But no, Kyle was..." he looks around the room and blinks, as if just remembering where he is.

"Kyle was a slob, frankly speaking. If I didn't know better, I'd say he'd never set foot in this room."

"Or the room's been wiped clean."

"You think Mrs. Peters climbed those stairs and changed the sheets herself? She can barely catch her breath sitting down."

"Maybe she had help."

I open my mouth and shut it again as my own words echo in my head.

‘Maybe she had help.’

Everything had pointed to one killer, one person who lured the victim to his doom, strung him up and tortured him to death. 

But what if it was more than one? 

What if there had been two?

"John? Are you okay?"

I blink, shake my head and release my breath with a sigh. 

"Yeah. I'm fine. What do you say we get out of here now? Get something to eat."

"Sure thing. Whatever you say, boss."

He lowers his head submissively and I hear something in his voice that makes me look at him, really look at him, for the first time and God but I want to fuck him right now.

The need for approval, for validation and love, speaks to me loud and clear and calls to a part of me I don't usually acknowledge during daylight hours.

This is dangerous. 

More dangerous than he could possibly imagine.

If I'm not careful, this beautiful man could find himself in as bad a place as Kyle.

On the other hand, he's clearly accustomed to the stranger side of things. 

If I play my cards right...

I rub the back of my neck and sigh.

After Becky, I should know better

"Right. So, what do you say we visit Rexi's burgers? Dinner and recon in one go."

His eyes widen and his stomach literally growls.

I could smack myself. 

Sometimes I forget that not everyone eats like me.

Extending a hand, I help Carlos to his feet.

"Burgers it is. On me."

He blinks his big brown eyes at me and in that moment, I know it's already too late.

I'm fucked.

Or more precisely, we both are and in more ways than one.

[randomly-a-fan]

Devastating News for MJ

Some summers back, MJ's parents like to come over for the week at their own cottage that Jason has prepared for his in-laws. MJ was hoping that she can show her parents their wedding photos, and of course, leave out the dark moment that they've put themselves into.

Only, something went off from MJ's perspective. Summer is nearly ending, and her parents never came. "I guess they have different plans this summer." MJ thought to herself. Jason rubbed his wife's back for comfort, as they were both staring out the window, watching the sun set.

The next day, The Voorhees received a long-distance phone call from Canada. "It must be my parents." MJ said to her husband. "Hello..." MJ answered gratefully. Jason smiled before he goes over to the kitchen to make breakfast, until he heard MJ gasped; "What?" MJ was speechless. Jason wondered what was wrong, but he couldn't ask just yet, he had to wait until she's done on the phone.

When MJ finally hung up the phone, MJ stands still as a statue in shock. Jason thought this would be a good time to approach his wife, to find out what was wrong. "Jay..." MJ sighed before she nodded her head towards the bedroom; as a signal to come in and close the door. If she wanted to talk to him in the bedroom with the door closed, it's a sign of bad news. Both MJ and Jason sat on the bed as she was holding a tissue in her hand feeling anxious. "Jason... My mother... She's very sick... She's in an early-stage of cancer." MJ explained as tears run down her face. Cancer? isn't that what Malon's best friend had? or what the old lady's mother had, back when her and his mother were friends? Jason was never familiar with cancer; there are different types, and different types usually ends with death, or go bald from chemotherapy.

Jason snapped himself out after seeing MJ in a depressed phase where she starts crying or is about to get anxiety. "Even though it's only an early-stage, and my mom is getting surgery to have it treated, I'm still in shock; neither my mom's, or my dad's side of the family ever had cancer... But my mom now has it... It really scares me..." MJ admits. Jason took out a notepad to write down a question for her to read. "Were you worried that you might end up with cancer?" Jason asked. "No, baby... I don't worry about myself, it's the fact that my mom might not live long as I hoped is what I'm worried about... She's my mom, and I don't know how I could possibly live up to myself without my mom live in peace and die in peace, and not by a disease... Do you know what I mean?" MJ asked, as her tears are starting to fall.

The answer MJ got for an answer was a nod and a sigh, he knew that exact feeling about losing someone you love; like his mother for instance, because of his death as a child, his mother seeks vengeance for those who are responsible, and then she got killed by one of the remaining survivors, he sometime thinks that the death of his mother was his fault, but that's another story for another time possibly. Right now, all he can do is comfort his wife by hugging her tight and stop the flowing tears.

MJ and Jason did not want to tell Malon what has happened to her grandmother, since Malon was sensitive to the cancer subject. Besides, Lizzie's form of cancer is not entirely serious; the doctors caught it early and are doing everything they can to make her better. Though, it's still hard for MJ to get over the facts. "Why is mom so quiet all of a sudden, is it because her parents are unable to come this summer?" Malon asked. MJ got up to walk outside. "Mom wait, I'm sorry!" Malon called out while trying to follow, but her dad stopped her gently. "You think I should give mommy space?" Malon asked her dad. Jason nodded while rubbing his daughter's head.

MJ was still sitting out on her porch swing to clear her mind, she knew that her mom is going to be alright; she kept telling herself that, but her anxiety is preventing her to believe that. "Why can't I accept the fact that my mom is going to be okay?" MJ asked herself. "Mommy?" MJ snapped herself out after hearing her daughter's voice. "Oh... Hi sweetheart... You wish to sit with mommy?" MJ asked with a smile, while she scooched over for her daughter to sit.

Malon gladly sat next to her mom, even though her dad said that she should give her mom space, however, her dad was on his perimeter check at the moment, so it gave her the best time to comfort her mom. "Mom, I'm sorry for upsetting you; I don't honestly know what I said to upset you, but I believe it may have something to do with me mentioning my grandparents." Malon assumes. MJ sighed from her daughter's suspicion. "Malon... The reason why your grandma and grandpa weren't able to come this summer, is because my mom is very sick and needed to get surgery." MJ explained. "Is that why you're so upset? I know grandma will be alright; I know grandma, she's got spunk; she can handle anything." Malon said with confidence. MJ chuckled to Malon's enthusiasm, it's one of the things she loved about her daughter, is that she stays positive as best she could. "Well... I guess because, she's my mom, and I love her to the moon and back; she raised me good. I just couldn't help but worry about her. If it were me that needed surgery because of a serious condition, you wouldn't help but worry about me too, since you love me to the moon and back as well." MJ explained.

Jason was on his way back when he saw Malon and MJ chatting with each other, and then hugged each other. Jason was relieved, he thought that Malon was going to make her mom talk about her grandmother. But it turns out that Malon still doesn't know, though, she already knew that her grandma was sick and needed surgery, she just didn't know that she had cancer.

---

It's been a couple of weeks since she have found out the news about MJ's mom, and she's getting a lot better with dealing with her anxiety without taking any pills. Since Jason held MJ captive years ago, she needed to take her daily meds, but since she can't take new descriptions when they're empty, Jason needed to be her description.

When the phone rang, Malon answered the phone. "Hello? Grandma! How are you?" Malon said with excitement. MJ and Jason heard Malon talking to her grandma, so they got up and stand next to Malon. It's been about a few minutes before MJ can have a chance to chat with her mom, until Malon gave the phone to her mom. "Hi mom... I missed you so much..." MJ said with tears in her eyes. "How are you feeling now?" MJ asked. Lizzie was telling her baby girl that she's doing a lot better, that she just needed to get some rest. Which she did.

Lizzie then explained to MJ about their plans, to make up their absents this summer. "I can understand that you and your family were disappointed that we couldn't make it this summer, so your father and I thought that we come over for the week this November for Thanksgiving, would you like that?" MJ's mom asked.

"I love that idea; it'll be our first Thanksgiving together as a family. I'm glad you're doing well, thanks for calling." MJ responded.

After their long conversation, MJ turned to her family and told them what her mom just told her. "My parents are coming this Thanksgiving in November, so we'll get to see them in a few months." MJ explained. Malon jumped around with excitement. "I can't wait to see Grandma and Grandpa, now I can't wait until Thanksgiving." Malon admits.

Jason and MJ laughed to Malon's exclamation, that they all thought that they should go out for a walk to the lake before Autumn comes and that it gets too cold out on the lake. Jason was looking forward to when the day comes when his parents-in-laws come for a visit, he just hoped that this Thanksgiving will be a good one.

[treehouse-void]

This is a long one and a doozy. There is death, war, simple fairy rules not being followed, reincarnation, among other things. Please read at your own caution.

It was a downpour as the carriage drove over the muddy path. The trees travelling down the sides of it did their best to keep it dry, but the branches were unable to fully cover the path. Oswald Fieldse looked down at his sick wife, Sofia, who at this point was collapsed on his lap while softly breathing. He knew there wasn't much time left, so he had his personal carriage driver, Oscar, pull over.

Oswald opened the door and carried is lover of 10 years to a nearby clearing. He knew she wasn't like other women in town and loved to roam the forest near their small castle he had inherited from his father that had been in his family for generations. As he laid her down, she looked up at him and spoke.

"My love," Sofia spoke softly, snapping her easily distracted husband out of his thoughts.

"Yes, my dear?" He asks, kissing her hand to keep himself from crying. Even though it's been 5 years since his father's death and the last time he was told "men don't cry", and he's in the privacy of his lover, he still can not bring himself to cry.

"Thank you for being here with me," she answers even softer. They both could start feeling her soul go, and neither of them wanted to part. "Although, I don't think you meant for me to rest in a fairy ring." She smiles a bit at that last bit as Oswald looks embarrassed.

"Two lovers, being torn by death," a disembodied voice echos around them. Oscar, starting to get worried given how long they're taking and faintly hearing the voice's echo, hops off the seat and investigates.

Oscar hides behind a tree and watches as a fairy appears before them. Tall, beautiful, elegant, the only way to truly describe what they saw is to call it the perfect woman. But to call it a woman would likely be extremely rude.

"Please," Oswald begged. "Save my wife. I can't bear to live a life without her in it." He hugs her close as he tries to keep her safe from the fairy. The fairy thinks about it before answering.

"I can let you both live together," the fairy tells them. "But when you are on your deathbeds, like you are now, I will require the name you went by in that life."

"What do you mean we both are currently on our deathbeds?" He asks in response, confused as to how he's dying to. The fairy merely giggles at that.

"To be with her still, without death separating the both of you," they respond as it turns to face Oscar, making the driver's skin turn white. "Therefore, the three of you must die now."

"Who else is to die?" Oswald asks, under the assumption that only Sofia and himself are involved. The fairy merely gestures at Oscar and warns that they won't remember past lives, but they will all manage to find each other. Oswald sighs and agrees to it.

"I hope you all live long and prosperous lives," the fairy says as the three of them take their final breaths before leaving, but not before releasing the horse and letting it roam free.

---

It's been centuries since the deal was made. From Japanese to Russian to Mexican, the three of them have visited practically every country thanks to the deal. Oswald and Sofia, currently going by Benjamin and Elizabeth respectively, are now American in the 1930s. The Great War ended and everyone and their worst enemy's pet hopes that this was the last. Benjamin looks up to see what the local theater is playing that day.

"Honey," Elizabeth calmly reminded him. "We need to watch our money this week. We barely have enough to feed ourselves, let alone our child."

"You're right darling," he says with a sigh. "Even if we only buy half the usual food we normally get, we only have enough for one of us to go."

The arrive home and their son Oliver, who went by Oscar at the time when the deal was made, happily greeted them. At only 5, he knew to wait for his father to take his shoes and coat off before asking about the day, lest he forget to do so and start walking around the house in them much to his mother's dismay.

"How was work, Father?" He asks once he sees the shoes are off. He doesn't get much of a response outside of how rude his boss is and how they're probably going to dock his pay again. To Oliver, this response isn't anything new. In fact, he would've been more surprised if his father's work gave him a raise and gave him his boss' position.

"What about you Mother?" He asks, knowing that she technically had two jobs since she was often seen at protests while managing to keep the house representable to the public. He secretly wanted to be like her one day.

"Oh not much," she responded, choosing her words wisely so as to not ruin that sparkle in his eyes. "Just trying to get the government to pay everyone a living wage." His mother smile at him as his eyes widen with excitement.

"Is it working?" He asks, jumping a bit at the thought of his father getting a bigger paycheck. He could barely think of what he would get with that much money. His face drooped a bit though when she said it hasn't yet, but brightened back up when she said she's trying very hard. She then offered to have him help shop which he happily accepted, and afterwards gave him enough money to see what was playing that day. They both knew he should go home as soon as the credits roll.

Years pass and another war starts, much to everyone's dismay. Benjamin is drafted to go overseas and Elizabeth applies to help build aircrafts. Oliver, now a teenager, begs his father to let him go one last time.

"War is a terrible thing son," Benjamin responds solemly, the three of them knowing how this conversation goes. Oliver begs to go instead of him, his father tells him about the dangers of war, Oliver doesn't care if he gets hurt but does care about if his dad does, and it escalates to where Elizabeth has to intervene and stop it from getting physical. As they all guessed, that's exactly what happened.

"My son," his mother says as she looks at her nearly grown son, tears in her eyes. "You know it's a parent's job to protect their child. So please, let us protect you." Oliver tears up as well at this and hugs his parents one last time.

"Please," he asks of them. "Come home safe." The forever lovers look to each other, their ages in this life nearly showing, before promising. The two promising knew that there wasn't much of a chance for it to be true, but they made their son promise back that he would take care of the house until they did. He let's go of his parents one last time and they leave the house for the final time, leaving to go to their new jobs.

Once again they end up on their deathbeds: Benjamin with a bullet wound, Elizabeth caught in machinery, and Oliver with depression preventing him from doing basic needs. The fairy visits each of them and takes their names, even bringing a smile to their faces one final time as they move to the next life.

---

They lived again in the 70s and experienced what happened in Germany after the war. Going by Sven and Marlene now, they were lucky enough to have been born in West Berlin. However, they were killed for helping a man named Andre, previously Oliver, escape East Berlin. Once again, the fairy collected their names and they moved on.

---

This next one was the first time since they made the deal the three of them were born in separate places. That's not to say the forever lovers and their driver weren't in different countries, but rather they can't just simply walk over to each other's houses that easily. Born in the 90s and once again American, Oswald was named Blake, Sofia is now Clara, and Oscar was born with the name Ryan.

They met in a forum about a fandom they were all in and eventually found a site for group chats and moved there. Blake used the username GenericUser, Clara had PrettyPrettyLittleLady, and Ryan chose IAmSped as IAmSpeed was already taken. They talked on the site for years before finally meeting in person.

This meeting changed their lives. Blake and Clara had love at first sight and Ryan realizes that he's going to be the third wheel in the friendship. They had to wait until adulthood to meet as they all lived at different corners of the country, and even then it wasn't necessarily at the actual corners but rather just far enough to only talk online. They decided to meet up at a local mall nearby their college of choice. They went to a game store to spend some money on new games, walking out with $50 less and 10 new games.

"So what company does your work for again?" Clara asks for clarification, her thick Southern accent shining through each word.

"VP of marketing for some major company," Blake responds in his stereotypical New York accent nonchalantly, like he was telling them that the sky is blue.

"You act like everyone can afford a job like that," Ryan retorts with a northern Midwestern accent, sounding almost Canadian. Blake just scoffs in response.

"Well if your family learned to save money-" Blake was cut off as Ryan stops him, telling him to never speak of his family like that again. Blake just threw up his hands in defense and said sorry.

"Can you two please not fight?" Clara asked in a "bless your heart" tone. The two immediately stop and just glare at each other instead.

The years pass. They graduate, Blake and Clara eventually get married, and by eventually I mean it took way longer than it should've to do the wedding let alone the proposal, and even Ryan finds happiness in his own life. They all had a happily ever after until the pandemic struck. The first to catch it was Clara, being an essential worker and all, followed by Blake as the two of them lived together.

They talked through the group chat for the first time in what felt like a lifetime and found out Ryan was actually the first of the three of them to get it as his boss is an anti-mask person and forces their workers to not only work in person but refuses to let anyone wear masks while working.

The fairy visited them and the friend group once again help up their end of the deal. After seeing them live lives for hundreds of decades, the fairy has grown an odd fondness for the trio of humans. As a result, it doesn't have the heart to tell them that this will be the last life they share for a while. Instead, the fairy does their usual thing and takes the souls to limbo where they'll sleep dreamlessly until they are born again.

Two lovers have reincarnated throughout history, destined to find each other and fall in love all over again. There’s also this third guy that reincarnates alongside them… we don’t really know what he does.

[despair-to-future-arcs]

I mean, the house is abandoned so really who cares?

Well maybe, still I don't feel right about breaking and entering into someone's house...it feels wrong to me...

*CLICK!*

Oh, is it open now...?

Yep, we can get in now!

Wow, good job now time to see what we can discover...

*As then the group walk in, they came into an apartment that was dusty and left alone for years*

Wow, this place is cover in dust, it looks like it hasn't been clean in years; we better look around.

Then we all better start looking around and see what we can learn...

*Harumi looks around the room, as he heads to his bedroom...*

There a lot of fishing gear here, I guess he must be a fishermen of sorts...

Oh like grandpa was? I never try fishing before but it must of been fun...

I mean yeah, I did remember he use to bring a lot of fish and your grandma often acted like a serial killer when cutting them up; I think she mostly did it to freak me out but I always found it funny.

*As then Harumi walk over and spots a journal* Looks like he's written somethings down...

*Harumi open it and saw a page*

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

Date: Febuary 23rd, 1992

'I rush over to the hospital as fast as my legs could carry me, I was at the docks getting a haul in but then my son-in-law inform me Kiyono was giving birth. I had to drop everything; I was inform that there might be complications so I ran over.

When I came when family was allow, there he was; Tetsuhiko...my grandson and even Kiyono is alive - I couldn't believe it, she made it through, I'm so proud of her and I have a grandson - he really does take after me, I even got to hold Tetsuhiko as well.

Maybe I can teach him fishing one day, I'm sure he'll like it...'

Date: March 1st, 1992

'Doctors were still worry about my daughter and Tetsuhiko's health so they stay for a week, I let Yoshihiko, my son-in-law stay with me for a few days to get his nerves settle - poor guy was so damn worried about the whole thing.

He didn't want to lose his wife, I was inform that due to past health concerns; Kiyono was likely going to die from child birth which almost seem certain, I still wonder what happen, it was some type of miracle...

However when I was inform that Kiyono and Tetsuhiko were going home, it seems Yoshihiko had just won the lottery; it was such good luck and honestly I was happy for him - it'll be a nice surprise for Kiyono to hear, they always had trouble with money.'

Date: March 2nd, 1992

'Kiyono and Tetsuhiko came home, She decided to rest as I heard mother's tend to deal with some baby blues or something, not really sure of the term but instead to my shock, Kiyono was fine - in fact she was better then ever.

The Doctor's inform her that she was cure of any previous sicknesses and seem completely fertile which was almost too good to be true...

Tetsuhiko... you really brought luck to our home, huh?'

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

Mom...is...is this his journal?

Looks like it, seems he wrote down quite a bit from the sounds of it, it's almost depressing...

It seems Yasuyuki wanted to do a lot with him but never got to, poor guy...I feel sorry for him...

Indeed and given how his daughter and son-in-law turn out, I feel... bad for him...

[enderpearlgirl1005]

Purple Ninja

Chapter 1 Fresh Start

On a dark night in the deep depths of an old forest, a man was running as if the world was about to end. The man wore a purple and black ninja suit and had a bullet wound on his shoulder and a stab wound on the back of his thigh. He also had a gash on his left eye, which had blurred his vision and filled half of it with nothing but red and black.

His injuries were beyond painful as every nerve in his body told him to stop running. The man did want to stop, unfortunately he couldn't as the ones responsible for the wounds were still pursuing him. The mysterious ninja man looked to his back, and even with the night having plunged the forest into darkness, and his damaged eye he was still able to see them.

A group of different people were closing in on him quickly, much to his horror. One had a gun in their hand which was the same one that had shot him, another had a knife with some partially dried blood on it. The same knife used to stab him not too long ago, the person was also holding their right arm as it was broken.

The poor man turned his head away from the crazy psychos that had harmed him and continued on running. He'd hope to find some way to get to safety, however fate seemed to be working against him and he knew that this is where his light would finally go out. He soon came across a cliff that led down to a fast flowing river. For a moment he thought about Jumping down there to live, unfortunately due to his injuries he would surely drown. So the man concluded that this is where he would die, so he decided to throw something down into the river to protect it.

Quickly the man pulled off a black ring with a purple gem off his finger and the suit disappeared. Leaving the man in his casual clothes he had put on this morning before he was attacked. He then threw the ring down into the river and it made a small splash as it made contact with the water.

After throwing the ring into the river the man pulled out a photo from his shirt pocket and took one final look at it. The photo was of him, his wife, and their fifteen year old daughter. That day was his daughter's birthday and he wanted to surprise her at her favorite restaurant. However he knew that he wouldn't make it to the party now, the man stared at the photo for some time, only regretting that he couldn't see his young daughter blow out her birthday candles on her special day.

"Hehe, oh Natalie, I'm sorry I couldn't see you turn sixteen, but I don't regret protecting you and your mother. I love you both so much, and I hope the ring will one day find you and you'll be just as great as I was, if not better." The man weakly crooked out with the little amount of strength he had left. He then instantly felt the cold blade of a knife on his neck, he knew that meant his time was finally up.

"You know, you would've lived if you had just given us the ring, but you had to have thrown it into the river. Now it's lost and your powerless, so neither of us win this night." The man holding the knife growled at the dying man.

"Hehe, no I won as I did my duty and protected both my family and the ring. Judas will never have it and he will remain in the dark world forever." The dying man declared.

"Well just see about that. Wont we? Your sacrifice will mean nothing once we set our lord free from his prison." The other man declared as he drove the blade into the dying man's throat.

The other man fell to the grass that was stained in his blood, finally dead, and only regretting not seeing his daughter one last time in real life. His hand clutching onto the photo even as his body slowly grew cold as his light went out.

Meanwhile in a small house in the countryside, a mother and her daughter were in the living room. The two had just gotten back from the birthday party at the daughters favorite restaurant. However they were both worried sick about the father as he never showed up at the party, despite promising he would after work.

"Mom, where could dad be? He wasn't at work, and he didn't show up to the party, so he has to be out there." The daughter, Natalie, explained worried about her father.

"I don't know honey, but I'm sure he'll-" The mother was interrupted when two knocks were heard on the old front door.

The mother looked at her daughter and told her to stay where she was while she looked to see who was at the door. Natalie nodded and watched as her mother cautiously got up and slowly made her way to the door. It wasn't common to get guests late at night so her mother was being careful to not make too much noise in case whoever it was had bad intentions.

Once the mother was up to the door she looked through the peephole and saw that standing right outside the door on the patio were two police officers. When she saw them she got a sinking feeling in the deep pits of her stomach. She prayed that it had to do with her husband as she didn't want something bad happening to her love on her precious child's birthday. The mother gently opened the door and she saw the officers standing in front of her with serious looks on their faces.

"Hello man, are you Violet Lana?" The first officer asked.

"Yes, what brings you to my house? I do hope it doesn't involve my daughter as she was with me all day." Violet jokingly said, trying to lighten up the two serious officers.

"No ma'am, I'm afraid this has to do with your husband." The officer replied not phased in the slightest on Violet's attempt.

When Violet heard that they were here regarding her husband the dread she felt before had grown even more.

"Ma'am, we're sorry to have to tell you this but your husband was found near Quaker Cliff, dead. He had severe injuries and his throat was slit. We suspect that it was murder and not a suicide as we fail to see a reason he'd want to give up his own life. There was no written note in the location so we believe that someone had killed him." The other officer explained.

When Violate heard that she felt her whole world shatter in an instant.Her heart had broken like glass and she collapsed to her knees on the ground. She didn't want to believe that her beloved was gone, having been murdered by someone out there. However based on how serious the officers were being she felt like it was all too real and he really was gone.

While Violate was distraught over the news it was nowhere near how Natalie was feeling right now. Natalie had curled up on the couch and tried her best not to cry out too loud. However tears flowed from her eyes like a waterfall and she couldn't believe what she was hearing now. Her loving father a man who was so kind, caring and loving to both her and everyone was murdered. She wondered who had killed her father and why? Questions that she'd felt like she would never get the answers to and that killed her.

After some time of questioning the police left the property after requesting Violate heads up to the station in the morning for more details and legal matters. Once they were gone Violate went up to Natalie to see how she was doing.

She looked and saw that Natalie had cried herself to sleep as her eyes were all puffy and the cushion under her head was soaking wet from her tears. Violate sighed and decided to talk to Natalie in the morning when everything had settled down. So she grabbed the warm fluffy blanket that was resting on the back of the couch and draped it over Natalie. As soon as she made sure Natalie was comfortable she went to her room to go to bed and try to sleep off the shock and stress.

Several weeks passed after that incident and the police were unable to track down the killer. Natalie and Violate were both very depressed about that and continued to live in the same house as they did when they were a complete family.

So Violate decided that the two of them needed a fresh start and consoled her brother in the matter. Thankfully he allowed them to move in with him and his daughter as they had plenty of room. So Violate signed up for a transfer to an office in the city and was accepted. Now here they are, Violate and Natalie heading to the city, planning on starting a new life with a fresh start.

Natalie was excited to see her cousin Martha again as it's been five years since they last saw one another in person. Unfortunately she was pretty depressed to be saying goodbye to her friends back home, even if she and her mother needed this.

"Hey Natalie, are you excited to see Martha again?" Violate asked her daughter.

"Yeah, but I wish that the circumstances of us moving were different." Natalie explained.

"Me too, but hey you and Martha will be going to the same school and I'm sure she'll help you to fit in and make new friends." Violate explained.

Natalie smiled a bit at that as she knew her cousin always knew how to be awesome and epic. She's always admired Martha's headstrong attitude, and how she always got back up no matter how hard life pushed her down. Natalie remembered how Martha had stayed strong and positive even after she had lost her right leg in a car accident a few years back.

"Hey I wonder if Martha got that prosthetic leg she needs. After all she didn't like being in a wheelchair and she does want to become a female ninja." Natalie explained as she thought about her cousin.

"From the conversation I had on the phone with my brother he said that with the help of their neighbors and friends they were able to raise the money for her prosthetic. So I'm sure she has it and is training as hard as she can to make her dream come true." Violate explained.

"Really? That's great! I can't wait to see her in action with her new leg!" Natalie exclaimed, now even more excited to see her cousin again.

They soon arrived at the apartment building and waiting outside the bakery that was on the bottom floor was Martha and her father. Natalie looked outside the car window and saw her cousin jumping up and down excitedly and just as full with energy as she remembered. She also saw Martha's prosthetic leg and thought it looked cool, as it showed how much of a fighter she was. Natalie opened her car door and stepped out excited to see her older cousin.

When she saw Martha she was able to get a better look at what she had on. Martha was wearing her ripped jean shorts, a black crop top, a yellow sleeveless overcoat, and clip-on earrings in the shape of ninja stairs. Finally to complete her look she had on her favorite ninja themed shoes.

"Hey! Ya! Cous! Come on and bring it in!" Martha exclaimed, with her arms reached out, excited and full of energy.

Natalie smiled hearing the amount of energy Martha had, she loved how ecstatic and energetic Martha was. Even with her disability she never let that stop her from being herself. Natalie walked up to Martha and gave her a big hug, Martha returned it with a big squeeze so hard Natalie thought she was about to crack a rib.

"Ohh! It's so great to see you again! And even better that you'll be living here with us! Ahh! I'm so excited to help you decorate your room!" Martha exclaimed as she hugged her cousin and twirled around like a tornado.

"AHH! YEAH ME TO! BUT MARTHA! COULD YOU PLEASE PUT ME DOWN!" Natalie requested in a hurry as she started feeling sick.

"Oop! Sorry, I couldn't help it, I'm just so excited! Man, we're gonna watch all our favorite movies, play games all night! Oh and if you're interested! Even joined the Ninja Fan club at my school!" Martha exclaimed, bursting with energy and her eyes sparkling.

"Fan club?" Natalie asked, confused when she heard that.

"I'll explain it later, but for now let's go tour the building and I'll be showing you where you'll be staying." Martha said as she put Natalie down, before immediately grabbing her wrist and practically dragged her into the apartment building.

Despite the slight discomfort in her wrist from her cousin's strong grip, Natalie didn't bother to complain as she was enjoying the moment. After a while of the tour Martha brought Natalie up to the apartment where she lived with her dad. The two girls entered the room and the place was just how Natalie remembered it being. A room that was too big for just two people, it used to have three, but after Martha's parents divorced her mother moved out to go to Canada. Thankfully now the room was gonna have the amount of people it's meant to have, which is four.

"Wanna see the room you got?" Martha asked.

"Sure I'm up for it." Natalie said.

Martha smiled and went to the room where Natalie would be staying. The room was in the hallway that was past the kitchen, and about three doors down in the hallway. The room was big enough for her to stay in and even have a sleepover with about three friends if she so desires. There was also a single window across from the door that showed a good view of the city.

"Wow this is a nice room. I like it, and I can't wait to see what it'll look like once all my stuff is in it!" Natalie exclaimed excitedly about her new room.

"Yeah me too! I'm glad I was able to convince dad to give you this room, and more glad that you won't have a view of Mr. Parker in his swimming pool." Martha explained.

"Who's that? And why would that be bothersome to me?" Natalie asked, confused by her cousin's words.

"He's another attendant in the apartment across the street, the room he has also comes with a pool that has a big window, and unfortunately for most of the fold living here who has a view of it, they see him swimming in it. It wouldn't be a problem if he didn't like to always go swimming naked." Martha explained as she cringed at the thought.

"Ugh! Based on your words and the face your making, I'm gonna guess he's not that attractive when he's not wearing anything." Natalie said as she shuttered at the thought as well.

"Yup he's not one of those hot ripped guys you see on TV. If he was, I'd totally let you have a window where you can see him, but unfortunately, he's an old man who has so much hair on his body, you think he's half wolf." Martha explained as she shuttered again.

Natalie giggled a little at what Martha was saying, she always knew her cousin said the funniest things ever and she loved it. This did help her feel a little better, but she was still sad about the reason why her and her mom had moved here. She was happy to be living with her cousin and uncle, but disappointed that her dad couldn't live with them as well.

Martha looked at Natalie and saw that her cousin's smile was starting to melt away like ice cream on a hot summer day. At first she wanted to try and cheer her up, but the thought then came to mind about just letting Natalie feel and process her emotions.

This led to a bit of a bump for Martha as she didn't know what she had to do at that moment. However she didn't need to think long as she felt her phone vibrate in her back shorts pocket. She swiftly took it out and saw that she had received a message from her dad.

So she opened it up and read what the text had to say "Hey Martha the moving truck just arrived so you girls better come down here and help bring everything up to the apartment. After all, we don't want our family to sleep on the couch the first day they move here. And tomorrow I'd like for you to give Natalie a tour of your school while her mother discusses some things with the principal to allow Natalie to transfer."

As soon as she finished reading the text she responded with "Alright dad, you messaged me just in time, Natalie was getting sad and I wasn't sure if I should comfort her or let her feel her emotions. Aside from that I'll tell her about the moving truck, Love you!"

After sending the response Martha looked to Natalie and tapped her lightly to get her attention. "Hey cous moving trucks here, let's head out and unpack your stuff so we can get your new room sorted out." Martha explained.

"Alright you go on ahead, I just need a moment." Natalie said, sounding pretty depressed now.

Martha frowned at this and just turned around and walked out of the apartment. Natalie meanwhile went up to the window and opened it up enough for her to rest her arms on it. She looked out to the city as the wind blew into her face and made her long black hair flow beautifully.

As she sat there she thought about how she could at least make things better here, even if her father wasn't with them anymore. Natalie knew that her dad wouldn't want her to just mope around, he would want her to live and be as happy as she could be. All he ever wanted was for her to be happy, so she decided she'd do what she could to be happy.

"Alright Natalie! A new life in a new home and a new school! You've got this! I'm gonna live my life and be happy, just as my dad would've wanted me to be. Oh and I really hope to find a cute boy here! I've been wanting to find a cute boyfriend for sometime now. And if he's all dark and mysterious then that will make it even better! EEE!" Natalie squealed as she thought about a cute dreamy boy to hopefully be her boyfriend.

After cheering herself up she raced down to help her family out with unpacking as she wanted her new room to be decorated ASAP. As raced down to the first floor, Natalie had no idea what was waiting for her in this city, and how her life would change forever.

[obutsuwrites]

devotion (douma x f!reader)

summary: His pet watched as the metal was heated. Douma held the poker like it was precious; watching in delight. Black steel turning dangerously red was quite the show. Certainly, his excitement was sweetened by… her. Even now, Douma was sure she regarded him with disinterest. She would learn this was to her benefit.

"Are you excited, little one?" Douma mused.

She simply nodded, words unable to form. Her savior finally saw her bare. Heat bloomed across her face. She wanted his hands to roam her body and learn every curve. Waiting for his touch left an ache in her chest. Her breathing came out in spurts. The room felt too hot -- too humid. 

warnings: blood and injury, mild gore, vaginal fingering, cults, public humiliation, branding, yandere elements, dismemberment, loss of fingers, smut, etc. etc.

word count: 3.3k

shoutout to @calslaundry for the beta read

a/n: hello friends, apologies for the lack of content! i haven't written in a while + this my first kny fic 😭

twitter | masterlist

She came to him in a miserable state -- her delicate body broken. Blood, like ribbons, flowed from her stomach. The wound was deep and hideous. Yet, the woman before him wore a serene expression, as if unaware of her current state. The sight brought amusement to Douma. His thin lips pulled into the phantom of a grin. Rainbow eyes dilated and focused on her pitiful form. 

Behind her bounded a man; his skin filthy and caked in dried crimson. He looked disheveled, as if the listless woman struggled. Sweat kept his hair slick across his forehead. In his hand, his shaky little human hand, was a butcher knife.  

"Stay out of this! She's…" The man trails off, waiting for the words to materialize, "My wife." The word sounds slimy, uncomfortable, coming from him. To punctuate his love, a calloused hand gripped the woman. 

No sound came from her. Perhaps, she was his wife. Douma continued to observe the dramatic affair; fingers laced together. His expression was nothing less than curious. A carnal morbidity he wanted to see through. 

Suddenly, the woman collapsed. Her skin lacked the rosy pigment so beloved by mortals. The man stumbled and instinctively cradled her wound. Disgust formed onto his features -- the man seemingly unaware of her state. 

Douma felt blood drumming in his ears. This tiny, injured woman came to him near death, but didn't utter a single grievance. She had remained stoic despite her hideous wound. "Leave her." 

Without a second thought, the man abandoned his would-be wife. His rapid footfalls echoed down the hall as Douma examined his pet. He noted how elegant her kimono was -- its silk now reddened and ruined. Douma believed the blood complimented her, and brought out her softness. Softness Douma wanted to destroy. 

✼ •• ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ •• ✼

Her eyes adjusted to the darkness slowly. The room was unlike her little hovel. Innate gold and rubies were encrusted within every aspect; nothing less of excess. A room fit for a god. Perhaps this was her afterlife. Delicate fingers prodded her stomach -- the flesh swollen and blemished. Her fingertips brushed against the barb of wire. Lifting the simple Yukata, the woman noticed how intricate the stitching was. Black wire woven into itself to mimic the intricate shape of a flower. 

"You're awake, my dear friend!" The voice was cheerful and deep. The sound not unlike the rumble in a summer storm. 

Silence marked their conversation. 

Floorboards creaked; a sign her mysterious caretaker was advancing. "Is my dear friend deaf?" This time, the man's voice held annoyance. A blatant disregard for his kind words left a rotten taste in the demon's mouth. 

"I apologize for the trouble I caused you," she confessed, head level with the floor. The newly stitched woman was bowing before him. Had she hoped to mimic his congregation? 

Unlike his devotees, her body didn't shake. No, her insignificant form stayed rigid. The slender curve of her back was straight, eyes still regarding the floor. Truthfully, Douma found himself savoring the view of this mortal. She seemed so obedient -- so unafraid of him. 

The damned sentence stumbled last Douma's lips, "Stay with us; with me." Suddenly, the woman sensed a large hand atop her head, "You need to heal, my friend." 

Tears began to foam at her eyes -- this man's kindness was unfamiliar. This rainbow eyed stranger not only stitched up her broken body, but offered sanctuary. 

"Thank you." Douma noted the monotonousness of her voice. Here this pitiful woman was, her briny tears reeking, and yet she remained stoic. The scent was pleasant; as if crushed roses and salt had been mixed. Douma had noticed her blood carried a similar scent. 

✼ •• ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ •• ✼

The days that followed were… familiar. Her days fell into structure. First, worship in the morning. Then, chores and her first meal followed by more chores. Finally, as dusk settled, her makeshift family gathered within the main hall for a special dinner. However, the dinner wasn't any fundamentally different. The menu still consisted of rich meats and exotic fruits, but their meal was special because of him. 

At the end of their long, gold flecked table sat the rainbow eyed Douma. His face carried his typical jubilant expression. A soft smile graced his face -- leaving his eyes bright and lively. He watched his flock with interest, his eyes all too often falling upon his wounded pet. 'Pet' seemed to fit this woman far more than any word; she was compliant. The woman finished every task created for her. Her devotion to him -- only him -- brought a budding flush to his cheeks. 

It was true the women of his cult would die for him. Their single-minded loyalty was stereotypical, expected. They chose to bleed for him, but once faced with their own mortality, his devotees lost steam. And yet this harpy had bled at his feet -- asked for his forgiveness. 

Douma watched as the woman carefully gripped her chopsticks. Her hands were slender, and as soft as blooming flowers. In another world, Douma would have described her as delicate, but all the demon could feel was disdain. There was something so innocent about her fingers. Douma's eyes continued to flick between her face and hands. Such soft things devoid of callouses -- devoid of humanity. 

His mind didn't typically race like this. Images of this woman seemed to plague him during dinner. She was a sickness that he couldn't shake. Her body had infiltrated him -- illustrating fantasies of him breaking her fingers and laughing as he ate them. Would she finally scream, finally allow herself emotion? Or would she succumb to him? 

Douma's thin lips curled into a grin. 

✼ •• ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ •• ✼

"I don't want to ruin the elaborate textiles, sir." It was a habit to call him sir as her eyes bore into the floor. The woman acted like she was… unworthy to even glance at the demon. She seemed to make herself scarce when Douma was around. But now, she was forced ⁸to meet his face. Forced to tailor his clothing, despite the woman having no seamstress experience.

Douma didn't mind if his clothes were ruined. He merely wanted to observe his pet create with her hands. 

A large hand rested atop her head, "Do not worry, my dear friend! I picked you for this. Do you not trust my judgement?" His question was more of a test than anything. He wanted to see more of her sickened devotion to him. 

"I trust you," the woman replied, her hands buried in rich fabric. His clothes made her hands itch. Yet, she hid any discomfort. This was a task bestowed upon her -- it was the least she could do. This man had saved her life. 

In the corner of his view, Douma saw it, the phantom of a smile. His emotionless pet still held humanity. However, the happiness stopped at her lips. Nothing seemed to reach her eyes. 

"That expression suits you," his breath tickled her ear, "little one." The sensation of him -- his warmth was enough to quicken her pulse. A blush rose to her cheeks. 

Before she could thank him, Douma vanished. She wanted to glance into his chromatic eyes. They held a light she hadn't noticed before. Something so spectacular and light. 

✼ •• ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ •• ✼

Darkness naturally crept into Douma's eyes. The demon couldn't pinpoint a moment of emotion. It was as if he was born void of humanity. Perhaps that was his reason for being so disgustingly soft upon this woman. 

She was in a tangled mess before him; eyes perpetually to the floor. The more he saw her like this -- the more Douma longed for her gaze. He was the only one worthy of her. 

"This little runt broke the vase, my lord." Beside his little pet stood a woman; one of his most devoted. Yet, her very voice annoyed him. 

Douma shifted in his throne, "What of it?" His face was contorted into happiness, but there was a callousness to him. A viper waiting in the grass. 

The woman's expression hardened.

"Shouldn't she be punished, my lord?" Her question wasn't more than a whisper. This was common for his most loyal of followers; cowardly mortals that were afraid of him. 

Douma leaned forward, his rainbow eyes lacking any compassion, "Are you telling me what to do?" 

"N-no! I'd never, my lord! Please -- please forgive me, Lord Douma!" Her pleas flowed like a river; excuse upon excuse. Douma used to take pleasure in a maiden's distress. Now, he simply felt bored -- empty. 

Certainly punishing his pet and maiming her would bring relief. Mortals were for his enjoyment, after all. 

"Stand up," Douma commanded. 

His voice sounded of the gods; nectar too sweet for human ears. His wounded pet felt heat rise to her cheeks. Gently, she assumed a knelt position, hands folded in her lap. They looked so delicate, so perfect for him. Saliva pooled in his mouth. His fantasy of her seemed unending. 

"Sit," the demon motioned to his feet. "You are to stay until I find a suitable punishment, my dear friend." Without hesitation, his pet assumed her position. Her hands were now clear in Douma's view, tiny things clasped together. 

As if satisfied, his devotee blended back into the crowd. 

Even his presence was warmth; she could feel his radiance. Lord Douma was the opposite of her husband -- his chromatic eyes held nothing but comfort. He had opened his home to her, and allowed her to join his congregation. He was the sun; bright and nourishing. 

His pet felt as if her heart would burst. Being this close to him -- to Lord Douma was almost overwhelming. He practically dwarfed her; his frame tall and muscular. Lord Douma's presence was suffocating above her. Lewd flashes of her savior played on loop. Silver hair slicked back, his bare chest on display, muscles flexing. 

Quickly, she looked away from the demon with a silent curse on her lips. 

✼ •• ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ •• ✼

Several days pass. Douma's pet had yet to leave his side. Her punishment was decided the second day she sat at his feet, but Douma found her presence… human. Slowly, she brought forth an emotion; serenity. Her very breathing seemed to lull him. In another life, she would have made a man very happy. 

The demon's eyes shifted to his maiden. Her face was stoic as ever. She looked… Miserable? The thought made Douma's blood burn; sitting between his feet was a privilege. No other woman of the cult had been so close to him before. 

Douma's thick brows knitted together in annoyance, "We should prepare for your punishment, shouldn't we?" Plastered on his face was the smile she yearned for. 

"Yes, my lord." 

Douma clapped his hands. Suddenly, his harem of women began to spill into the room. They looked to him like god; eyes wide and wanting. He cherished his cult for their devotion, something that would benefit him today. 

He tilted his head and pointed, "Strip her." Douma's instruction was materialized before him. Her body laid in the brood of his women. Bruises marked her body like bee stings; his most devoted had such vicious means. Her exquisite yukata was ruined. Shreds hung to her trembling form. 

She made him sick. 

"Hold her down, my dear friends~!" Douma's feigned happiness crinkled at his eyes. To any nonbeliever, he looked human, yet his followers knew better. They knew behind the facade was a monster; a man bent on misery. "Bring me the brand." 

His pet watched as the metal was heated. Douma held the poker like it was precious; watching in delight. Black steel turning dangerously red was quite the show. Certainly, his excitement was sweetened by… her. Even now, Douma was sure she regarded him with disinterest. She would learn this was to her benefit. 

"Are you excited, little one?" Douma mused. 

She simply nodded, words unable to form. Her savior finally saw her bare. Heat bloomed across her face. She wanted his hands to roam her body and learn every curve. Waiting for his touch left an ache in her chest. Her breathing came out in spurts. The room felt too hot -- too humid. 

The demon sauntered over to his pet, the brand now smoking. "Stay still," he murmured. It was her shred of justice before Douma plunged the brand between her breasts. First there was silence. Then came a cry unlike any before. Loud. Anguished. Heart wrenching. It was the sound of his pet bearing her soul. Something so private, meant only for him. 

He pressed the metal further into her flesh. Burnt skin reached his nostrils; her scent wasn't unlike roasted boar. Rich, gamey. His mind painted her nude and covered in sake. Underneath his regalia, Douma felt blood rush to his cock. Douma looked at her, waiting for another cry. Yet, she regained composure. Her skin was balmy and she trembled. 

Finally, her eyes met his. Douma sees the hint of relief -- as if she wanted this. "L-lord Douma," she slurred. His gaze shifted to her lips; anticipating her speech. Nothing left her except a heave. A soft little noise before she passed out, limp and vulnerable. Somehow, Douma felt sorry for her. 

✼ •• ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ •• ✼

The woman woke with a jolt; air burning her lungs. Gasping, she took inventory of the dimly lit room. The space was more of the caricature of a room. It was a bedroom, but looked almost unlived in. Everything was too perfect. The realization came as she touched her chest. This was Lord Douma's private quarters. A place reserved for his most devoted. 

...and here she was, laying in his bed. 

Her chest was tender. The skin was charred and bandaged. She wondered if Lord Douma himself had treated her. The fantasy brought a flush to her cheeks. She fingered the wound; gentle to trace its shape. Between her breasts was a delicate lotus; her body marked forever. 

"I can hear you, my dearest friend," his voice sounded like rainfall after a drought. "Come. Bring me more sake." 

Beside the futon was a gourd. The object was heavy; enough for two hands if not more. Truthfully, his pet struggled to lift it. The liquid inside sloshed around like the sea. It carried a sweet smell. Fruity. Radiant. The scent reminded the woman of Lord Douma. 

Soft humming filtered into the room, the source not far. Practically dragging the sake, his pet ventured towards the sound. Towards him. 

With the push of a door came humidity and steam. The atmosphere was sticky and too warm. Lord Douma had created a swamp instead of a bath. 

His booming tone shook the room, "Come closer, little one." The phrase sent goosebumps up her spine. 

She continued to drag the gourd across slick tile. His pet didn't want to make a fool of herself. However, with each step came unequal footing. She wobbled, trying to keep her grace and sake intact. One particularly heavy footfall was miscalculated. She fell onto the porous ground with a sharp bang; the gourd in pieces at her feet. 

"Clumsy, aren't we, little one?" His tone is lousy with arousal. The sentence vibrated from his chest. 

"I'm sor--"

Douma only uttered a simple phrase, "Join me, my pet." 

Her legs moved without authority. Douma had complete agency over her; bewitching his prey. It was the kindness she deserved, after all. She was his most devoted -- his most prized slab of meat. Partially, Douma believed she was plagued with bad luck. First the damned woman is stabbed, then she falls desperately into his lap. She was a fawn -- clumsy and aching for attention. 

Muscles were the first thing she noticed, followed shortly by ashen hair. Somehow, his chromatic eyes still shined within the haze. He had to be a deity -- someone special. 

Quickly, she averted her eyes. This sight wasn't meant for a mortal like her. Crimson hung to her cheeks like warpaint, the woman more blush than skin. His pet removed her yukata without ceremony. The elaborate fabric crumpled at her feet. Douma felt air pitch in his chest and blood rush to his cock. 

"Sit in my lap." 

His lover looked at him; her eyes curious and wanting and wide, pupils dilated. She shuffled into the bath, like a babe taking its first steps. Gingerly, she sat beside him. A hiss escaped her lips as the hot water meets her burn. Mortals -- as Douma knew -- were devoted to a fault. 

A cold arm encompassed her waist. Douma pulled the mortal closer, her smell mixing with the bath. Saliva dotted at the corners of his mouth. His polite aurora seemed to drop -- the predator now before her. "It's okay, little one," his breath tickled her neck, "you can relax. You're safe." 

Safe. He was safe. Her body untensed in his grip. The woman leaned into him, her bare back pressed into his chest. Her rapid heartbeat echoed into Douma; his body rang with her life force. It hurt to hold her like this. His instincts demanded he tear her apart, her blood diluting the water. Yet, he resisted. Instead, he took inventory of her hands. They were tender -- fragile. His broad hands engulfed hers as he rubbed circles into her palms. 

Douma -- with grace -- lifted her fore and middle finger into his mouth. His fawn exhaled a gasp. The sudden movement caused her to wobble atop his knee. A hand rubbed her stomach, as if to provide comfort. Slobber leaked down her hand. Lord Douma's saliva. She wanted to bring the spit covered hand to her chest -- to feel a part of him. Douma sucked at her fingers. His tongue rolled over her knuckles and savored her. 

"Lord Douma --"

Her words hung in muggy air. Only one sound penetrated through the room; a sob. The woman's blood mixed with unholy drool. In Douma's mouth were two delicate fingers -- her fingers. The sudden pang subsided, yet her heart continued to race. She was stuck; fear had collapsed in her veins. Her weak, mortal body shook. The sensation was uncontrollable. 

"Stay still, my pet," Douma mused, his voice obstructed by gore. He refused to relent; his tone still cheery. Her body demanded she move, but her mind screamed for him. Torn between heart and brain, she quaked in his lap. Her hand fell limp into the bath water. Red blossomed beside her. 

Douma's hands trailed down her body, as if to memorize her shape. His cockhead ached for stimulation -- for her. Without the air of a lord, Douma shifted his pet, her cunt now exposed to the heat. Carefully, he removed her disembodied fingers from his mouth. "Let me take care of you." His words were little more than a command -- no -- a threat. 

Harshly, the demon shoved a finger into her cunt; the very finger he bit off. Disgust and lust bubbled together in her stomach. Naive eyes looked down as Douma pumped into her. A bloodied chin rested on his pet's shoulder. His humming vibrated into her bones. Thunderous. Awful. 

Heat bloomed between her thighs. Lewd sounds of her core bounced off the walls. She bit her lip, stubborn and refusing to give into the demon. 

Rainbow eyes drifted to her face, "Are you not satisfied, little one?" His tone faltered before a second finger jams into her soaking cunt. The woman's mouth betrayed her. Out came a wanton moan. Loud and squealing. Douma's face contorted into a grin, his breath beating upon her. "What's that? You want me to go faster~?" His pace burst into an almost hellish speed. The fingers hit her walls, scissoring her entrance. Douma acted as if he knew her very body. Roughly, he tweaked her nipple. Another cry pierced the air; his reward for her devotion. 

"Come for me," Douma commanded, heavy humming now vibrating her jaw. "Show me your devotion." His voice wasn't more than a whisper, yet she felt the warmth between her thighs explode. The bundle in her stomach dissipated into bliss; eyes closed and breathing even. 

Douma rubbed her cheek. This was perhaps his only action of humanity -- of charity. As his most devoted, she was worthy.  

[stuckstucktrolls]

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy { Sentence Starters }

"I want to talk to you about loyalty, ___."

"He saved your life, I heard. And yet, when the time came...when it came time between picking sides, you didn't hesitate."

"He's a fanatic. And the fanatic is always concealing a doubt."

"I don't know about you, ___, but I'm feeling seriously under-fucked."

"It's the oldest question of all. Who can spy on the spies?"

"As I said, you may fuck me, but you still have to call me 'Sir' in the morning."

"I don't want you hanging around here anymore. Keep away from me from now on."

"We are not so very different, you and I. We've both spent our lives looking for the weaknesses in one another."

"Don't you think it's time to recognize there is as little worth on your side as there is on mine?"

"___ said you were very good, the one we had to worry about. But you do have a blind spot."

"They're going to kill me."

"You got clearance for that?"

"I'm someone who's made his mark."

"I need you to do something for me..."

"A man should know when to leave the party."

"I want a wife/husband and family, I don't want to end up like you."

"Don't come back if it's awful. I'd rather remember you just as you are."

"After today, you have to assume they're watching you."

"If there's anything you need tidied up...now's the time."

"I was telling him more about me than...I should have walked out, of course, but for some reason, it seemed important to save this one."

"I had to pick a side, ___."

"I should have left you where I found you."

"He went back to die, rather than give in."

"I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to send you into the lion's den. If you have the slightest reservation..."

"Is feeling sick to your stomach a slight reservation?"

"If you're caught, you can't mention me. I'm sorry, but you're alone."

[smolstarthief]

An old AU/Fic idea!

So, this ask from @wild-selenite-caffine actually reminded me that I haven't posted this yet so here it is: An old post-P5S idea!

tw: stalking, harassment, major character injury, death threats

Also, MAJOR P5S SPOILERS!

The concept is this: What if the secretary that supposedly killed themselves had a relative/family member that basically held a grudge against Zenkichi for participating in the coverup (for the murder of his wife). Basically, blaming him for the hell their family went through.

So, they end up stalking him whenever he's in Tokyo; gathering info, just following him around. Nothing huge at first since they don't exactly know who he is. Then they learn after Konoe and Owada get arrested which made the news. Perhaps there was a press conference that they secretly attended and Kaburagi answers some questions before crediting Zenkichi Hasegawa for his aid in the case. Bingo! That's what they needed! Zenkichi actually notices a figure with a hoodie obscuring their face among the crowd but decides not to stress about them for now, thinking that he was just seeing things. That was when the notes and letters start. Basically threats against him and sometimes just words like, "MURDERER" on them along with, "I HOPE THE PHANTOM THIEVES STEAL YOUR HEART OR WORSE!" "I HOPE YOU DIE LIKE YOUR WIFE DID!" He was bothered, but willing to ignore them at first but the last one? Good god did that rattle him severely. He still tries to keep a level head but the notes become more frequent and even somehow ended up at his own house! In Kyoto! And Akane? She starts to become aware too, especially with how stressed her dad seems lately. That and she snooped a bit out of concern and finds the notes he kept as potential evidence (in his own secret hideout maybe?):

"Dad? Is someone bothering you at all?"

"What do you mean?"

*She shows him what she found*

"Akane... Where did-"

"I'm sorry, I know I should've done that but... I just, I felt like something was wrong and... I don't want things to go back to when mom died..."

"Akane... They're all just petty threats and I'm just saving them for evidence. Probably for a restraining order at best..."

"Then why does it not reassure me in the slightest?"

Turns out, Akane had every right to be concerned. They step up their game a bit. Now there's dangerous packages added to the mix, one of which gets Zen hurt by a bundle of razors at work. Thankfully it was not a serious injury and he dismissed it as a nasty prank from a co-worker. But now it catches Kaburagi's attention as she expresses concern too. He still tries to keep calm though but gives her permission to investigate and maybe some protection if needed. He finally loses it though when Akane nearly gets hurt by a bundle of rusty nails left on his front door and then gets a message from an unknown number saying to check the PhanSite. He does (after being filled in on its purpose by the others and Akane) and pales to see a request made towards HIM. He feels sick as he reads the message attached to it saying that he needs to pay for ruining their life and taking away a loved one.

"What...?! Who in the-?!"

He gets in touch with everyone via video chat and that's when he fully breaks down from all the stress that's been building up.

"Please... Help us! I don't want to end up nearly losing the only family I have left again!"

Futaba gets in touch with Mishima who proceeds to delete the request after she pleads that Zenkichi is genuinely a good person despite everything. This pisses the stalker off and feeling that the PTs "failed" them decides to take "justice" into their own hands. They plan accordingly, keeping an eye on his activities and routine while he, Kaburagi, and the PTs try to figure it all out with Akane growing more worried. Especially when someone has been watching her streams and leaving disturbing comments. Especially about her dad. One day, Zenkichi had to work late and gets a call from Akane, who immediately tells him to come straight home right after work. He notices how anxious she sounds and tries to reassure her again. She just responds that he comes home and that she also wants to talk to him. He's concerned now but agrees and they end the conversation there. It's late and dark out by the time he leaves and while walking to the train station, he hears a noise and starts to ready himself. He hears the noise get louder before turning around and pinning the assailant to the ground, knife sliding away. He questions them, having concluded that this was the person that threatened him and, by extension, his family only to be knocked off of them and a struggle starts as he tries to keep them away from the knife. But sadly, they fought dirty and was able to free themselves. Zenkichi chases them only to feel pain as he looks down to see a knife in his gut. They twist it, causing him to cry out in pain before pulling it out, causing him to fall to the ground. They look down at him, clearly enjoying the high they got from the action and stomps on him. He cries out again and they kneel to his level, almost giggling madly as they express their desire to continue to the torture to make him "suffer like they did." There was more beating and Zen was reminded of his interrogation back in P5S and freezes up, not fighting back. He snaps out of it when they grab him by his hair but before they could do anything worse...

"FREEZE! DROP YOUR WEAPON AND PUT YOUR HANDS UP NOW!!"

They pale and turn to see an angry Kaburagi pointing her gun at them. They panic and run off, dropping the knife in the process. Kaburagi could have chased them, but she had another priority right now. She tries to keep him alive as she calls for help and even tells him to stay awake for Akane's sake. He does survive the encounter but now there's a pissed off group of teens and daughter now...

Also, there would be Phantom Thief!Akane as the whole incident would act as a lead up/catalyst to her awakening to a Persona. Maruki would be involved too (having started dating Zen by then).

[theredsuzuran]

Muzan x reader ~ Lily

This is a song fanfiction on the song Lily by Alan Walker, k-391 and Emelie hollow. This story is inspired by the Japanese legend of yamato no orochi. I might do a second part as well. It's my first ever fanfiction so please excuse my mistakes.

Warning : mention of slight gore and blood

Enjoy

Lily was a little girl

Every decade on the night of full moon the first born female child of (L/n) clan are sent as bride to a powerful demon named Akai lurking on the mountain of Akakura which was believed to be inhabited by oni from ancient times. Your great grandfather and his then pregnant wife was attacked by that demon although on their constant begging and vows of servicing to the demon he spared their lives but on one condition that was they needed to send him one girl from their household every decade on this very full moon night. Your sisters and aunts, who you never get to see were presented to that oni. You being the oldest daughter of your family was nominated as the bride this year.

Afraid of the big wide world

When you first get to know about this, you were absolutely terrified and angry of the idea to be separated from your parents and siblings in order to serve your duty as a bride to that potentially harmful demon who you knew would devour you as you never saw any of your elder sisters or aunts come back therefore it was nothing but a human sacrifice in your judgment and being a child it horrified you, often causing nightmares of the said demon. From a very tender age you were brainwashed that the outside world was a dangerous place and it consists of unknown creatures lurking around the earth's surface with the sole purpose of causing grave harm to people. Being a child you were easily convinced but as you grew older your curiosity got the best of you as well as the urge for understanding the outside world became a necessity.

She grew up within her castle walls

Now and then she tried to run

And then on the night with the setting sun

She went in the woods away

So afraid, all alone.

As a child most of the time you were confined inside the four walls of your room, you were not allowed to go out unless required. There were servants who tended you day and night. It was necessary because the child for the sacrifice should be flawless in every aspect and most importantly healthy or else great catastrophe would fell upon your family. Sometimes you wish you were a sick person. That doesn't mean you didn't try to run away from home. Every now and then you tried escaping from your residence and one time during sunset you were successful in escaping, that was for the first time you went out from your house, you ran miles and miles away, bare foot. For the first time in life you were so far away from home you never imagined this day might come. The softness of the green grass beneath your feet, the fresh air lingering in the atmosphere made your heart giddy. As you stopped running for a while you encountered the sight of a city in which there were lots of people gathering around the street, both men, women and children of your age wearing lavish clothing and accessories, you have zero social interaction skills, servents being an exception even your parents also were not available all the time, on top of that you were timid and young, this overwhelming crowd of unknown people startled you which was honestly frightening but you were determined. Therefore you brush off your worries in order to explore the city, you were happened to be in the middle of a festival, which you seem to know since your servants who served under (L/n) family often talk about such festivals obviously they are not allowed to discuss such things infront of you but somehow you managed to eavesdrop and acquire information. Festivals are truly majestic, it was way better than the stories you have heard from the maids at your residence. It was colourful, lively, cheerful, loud nothing like the world you are used to see. There were various stalls consisting of items like jewelry, cloths that are being displayed on the street, on both sides of the road. The the smell of hot dishes like yakisoba, Takoyaki and ikayaki from different stalls hitting your nostrils making your mouth watery. As you were wandering around aimlessly, admiring the lighting and beauty of the festival, you bumped into a bunch of drunk men, you quickly turned away to apologize but a man with rough demeanor pulled your arm and started throwing curses at your way which definitely made you uncomfortable as you looked around to ask for help but none of them responded or came to your aid.

"look where you walking, brat!"

"I am sorry, please forgive me" you were not accustomed to such rude behavior as your maids and servants and even your family members were gentle towards you which was likely because you came from a very wealthy family. Which was quite visible by those men by the way you dressed, expensive (f/c) kimono wrapped around your figure made with the finest silk in the country and the gold hair pin tucked in your smooth (h/c) hair.

They warned her, don't go there

There's creatures who are hiding in the dark.

"What's with the hurry miss, join us for a bit?" With that said from the other guy, your eyes widened, you tried your best not to cry, they warned me your mind started to race with the worst case scenario as you started to remind your parents word about the outside world but you came back to your senses as they yanked you down the alley. Your heartbeat increasing rapidly, sweat covering your (s/c) countenance, your mind was going blank but you snapped out from your thoughts as you noticed the man's arm closed to your face without wasting any time you bit the man harshly causing him to drop your hand, taking advantage of that situation you ran towards the opposite direction earning screams and curses from behind. You didn't try looking back but you knew they were chasing you from behind. You stumble across the way as never in your life you ran so fast and somehow manage to get into the wood. Being exhausted and breathless you collapsed onto the ground. The sound of footsteps growing lounder as they were approaching you, tears stared to form up in your face am I going to die?

"Found you kitten" one of the drunkards chasing you commented, grabbing a handful of your (h/l)(h/c) hair roughly, lifting you up from the ground, then he took out a knife from his pocket and brought that near your neck in order to create a minor cut which begun bleeding instantly. You screamed in pain but no words came out from your mouth, you felt completely defeated and tired. There was no hope. You felt as if you were going to die but you didn't want to. Yet.

Then something came creeping

It told her, don't you worry just-

Suddenly rustling of leaves and bushes were heard from afar which caught you and the rest suprised.

"Who's there?" The man holding you shouted but complete silence was observed. This pissed off the man even more and he shouted angrily this time with more intensity.

"Come out or I will kill this girl in this instance" no sooner did the words left the man's mouth than he saw you were out of his sight and standing before him was a slender pale man in his late twenties having remarkable dark curly hair and plum red eyes contrasting his features sharply. He was holding you firmly but gently in his arm.

"How did you-"

You saw his eyes glowing under the moonlight pointing directly towards those men, his glare was deadly and menacing which could make anyone fall on their knees. One of the men began to charge towards you but his attempt went futile because the man holding you kicked the man with such immense strength that he went flying over the air and died a painful death crashing loudly against the ground snapping his neck in the process. The other man in feat of pure rage tried to punch that mysterious man but his head exploded due to the pressure of that raven hair blocking his attack. The other man who watched all of that fainted. It was a gruesome scene for you to witness but you tried your best not to cry because the man infront of you just saved your life.

"Thank you mister for saving my life, I thought I was going to die if it were not you I'd be dead, I appreciate your help" your voice still shaking, you lowered your head and then look up for the first time his red orbs met your (e/c) ones. The moonlight reflected through the branches of the trees made you see his face clearly, you have not interacted with men before except your father, siblings and uncles so being closed with a man this handsome made you a little nervous. You could feel your blood rush through your cheeks. Seeing you nervous made him chuckle slightly, he gently put you down on the ground from his arm.

Follow everywhere I go

"A young girl like you should not be roaming around in the woods late at night, there are a lot of people and creatures having full intent to hurt fragile beings like yourself" he spoke to you with his calm, monotonous voice.

"Yes you are right mister and I apologize for causing you trouble but I really needed to come out" you replied with a soft hum. Which made that man curious.

"Is that so? What's your name child?"

"My name is (y/n)(l/n), and yours?"

"Muzan kibutsuji"

A perfect chance for him to devour this girl which was driving him crazy because of the aroma she was emitting, he can take full advantage of this situation, there was no way in hell this girl could protect herself as minutes ago she was cowering with fear and misery, how pathetic he thought.

"I was meaning to say this for a long time now kibutsuji san you have the most beautiful pair of eyes, it's very unique, I am glad to meet you" the sudden compliment coming from you widened his eyes. He have been living for a thousand years now both humans and his underlings alike are scared of him even his demons admire and respect him out of fear. All of them knew how ruthless, manipulative, egoistic and deceitful this man is but this girl shows her genuine gratitude towards him even though she is vulnerable and exposed. What a clueless human he thought letting her guard down to none other but the dangerous Muzan kibutsuji. There was pure innocence in her voice and glowing admiration in her eyes, gleaming with positive energy which evoked strong emotions in all his seven hearts that were stoned ever since he abandoned his humanity.

"Its dangerous for you to go back alone let me escort you home" the demon replied which you gladly accepted. For now.

Muzan held your hand tightly as the two of you began to walk out from the forest and enter the town again, talking on the way, learning about each other.

"How old are you (y/n) chan?"

"I am 13 years old, kibutsuji san"

"Muzan will be fine, (y/n)"

"Sure Muzan!" You smiled enthusiastically, you enjoyed his company as you were not allowed to have friends it made your heart flutter with an unexpected feeling of warmth. You wanted to clinge on it. Never in your life you felt so secure and content.

Top over the mountains or valley low

"Say (y/n), why did you ran away from home?" Muzan asked

"I don't want to get sacrificed to the oni" you replied with sudden drop to your voice. Muzan stopped walking and looked down at you with concern written over his face, he didn't know why he was acting this way but there was this sudden urge to keep you safe, the thought of seeing you suffer made him somewhat sick to his stomach.

"What oni?" He asked this time holding your shoulders gently, he could say you were scare to talk about this but somehow you felt at ease around him which you never felt towards anyone, you started to trust him even though you just met him.

"There has been an old tradition in my family for generations, every decade on the night of full moon the first born female child of our family is sacrificed to the oni living on the mountain of akakura for last 50 years, I am next in line that's why I was running away, I am not ready to die" you replied almost sobbing

Give you everything you've been dreaming of

Just let me in

"Once I attain the age 18, I will too be send to the oni as his bride" tears came rolling down your cheek, the demon lord can sense your terror which you were trying to hide. What a pitiful creature, I shall be your savior he thought to himself.

"You are a brave girl, I admire your inner strength (y/n)" he cupped your face with his arms, caressing your features softly brushing away the tear drop forming in your eyes.

"I don't know for how long" you replied smiling a bit. appreciating his effort to soothe your anxiety.

Everything you want in gold, I'll be the magic story you've been told

Everything was good until you heard your name coming across the other end of the street, it was two of your servants and your uncle approaching both you and Muzan. The look in your face suddenly changed to that of a drastic one, the slight flush which covered your countenance few seconds ago was gone and was replaced with a pale look similar to that of muzan's. It was evident to the demon from your expressions that it was rather unpleasant for you even though they seem to know you and by judging the looks of your uncle, he figured you two are related.

"Where have you gone milady?" One of your maid came rushing towards you, but you hid behind muzan's back averting your gaze from the maiden and your uncle. As you could feel an intense glare coming from him. Thanks to your uncle you are in great trouble now.

"My name is (u/n)(L/n), this girl's uncle, I apologize on behalf of my niece for causing you trouble" the (h/c) hair man said to muzan.

"I am Tsukihiko kibutsuji, Do not worry about that and (y/n) didn't create any disturbance" it would be a bit suspicious to you that why muzan lied to your uncle about his real name if he didn't mention he was a demon earlier when you two were conversing and he needs to hide his identity in order to survive.

"Thank you so much for your help, (L/n) family will owe you for this" he bowed to muzan showing his gratitude towards him while glancing at you with the corner of his eyes.

"You here young lady, I hope you won't run away like this you could have just asked our servants or me if you really wanted to go out that badly, you have made your mother worried sick" the man cooed directing towards you.

𝚕𝚒es you thought You'd never let me go out, you are only behaving nicely because of muzan.

"(Y/n)" the soothing voice hit your ears and you looked up to see muzan "you must go back home, as your uncle stated they must be really worried, right?"

You felt really defeated but you decided to let go of him, he already saved you from a great disaster. It would be selfish of you to ask for more but you really hoped he'd help. Before you headed back you asked turning your head back at his direction.

And you'll be safe under my control

"We will still be friends right?" Muzan was taken aback friends? He thought a genuine smile appearing on his face. He nodded at you which made you sigh with relief and then you waved goodbye to him in the hope of seeing him again someday, your first friend.

"Yes (y/n), we will meet again"

Just let me in, ooh.