#hoped it wouldn't get as bad as is but it is and still is

[megalony]

Fright Night

This is my Halloween Evan Buckley imagine, which I have written as part of the Call Me Dad series.

It's been a while since I wrote this series, but I want this to stand as the next part in the series rather than a spin-off.

I hope you will all like it, please let me know what you think.

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Evan Buckley Masterlist

Call Me Dad masterlist

Summary: Evan isn't too happy that he has to work Halloween and can't take the kids out. But his day goes from bad to worse when the team are called to an incident, and his family are involved.

(Season 8 spoilers)

Enjoy.

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"Are you working it this year?" The apprehension in (Y/n)'s voice was paramount and when she looked over her shoulder at her husband, she watched his expression change.

Evan's lips rolled together and the deep breath he took told (Y/n) he didn't really want to give her the answer to that question.

She nodded to his wordless response and turned to get something from the fridge. She had a feeling Evan would be working, he usually was. Holidays and bank holidays were busy nights for the emergency services and that meant not many people could have the shift off. First come, first serve and even then, not everyone got lucky. Sometimes no one was allowed off, it just depended on the situation at the time.

"Baby, I'm sorry-"

"It doesn't matter, I was only asking." (Y/n) shrugged and shook her head while her back was still to him. It was easier to brush things off and try to carry on if she didn't have to look at Evan's saddened expression. The sympathy in his eyes always broke her down and made her relent.

(Y/n) knew it wasn't Evan's fault. He worked Christmas last year because they had been short-staffed and so Eddie could be home with Chris. He worked New Year because that was always a date he put his name down for as they didn't really celebrate it. And he had even had to work (Y/n)'s birthday this year because he couldn't find anyone to swap the shift with him.

She didn't mind. As long as he could try and get the kid's birthdays off, (Y/n) would take everything in her stride. She had begged him to try and ask for Christmas off this year and ask early because it wasn't fair on the kids if he had to work again and they wouldn't see him all day.

But this was the same. This was Halloween, when the kids loved to dress up and go out and Evan always dressed up with them. They all loved this holiday but now it meant Evan wouldn't be able to help the kids get dressed or see them go out trick or treating.

"Baby please…"

When Evan's hand found her arm, (Y/n) shut the fridge and turned round so she was facing him. She let him nudge her back until her hips were pressed into the counter and he was blocking her in with no escape.

Both his hands found her hips and his head tilted to one side, showing off all the sorrow and sympathy hidden within those blue eyes. He leaned closer until their temples were touching and (Y/n) folded her arms over her chest, resting them on her bump.

"I asked, but Hen's already got it off to be with Mara and we're gonna be busy." Evan knew it wasn't an excuse and he wasn't trying to put any blame on anyone else.

He was a little upset that Hen got to have the day off. He understood it was Mara's first Halloween with them, but it wasn't like she was the only one with kids. Eddie had Chris, and he was having to work. Evan had three kids and now he was having to work too.

He just hoped Hen hadn't already asked for Christmas this year with the same reasoning that it would be Mara's first Christmas with them. Evan wasn't missing out on another Christmas with his kids, especially not when (Y/n) would be eight months pregnant by Christmas. He wasn't working and leaving her to do everything and look after the kids on her own.

"Evan, I get it. I just- Maddie's working too, I've gotta take the kids by myself. But I'll make it work."

Maddie was involved with the kids, they were closer to her than to their grandparents and whenever she was off she would take them out. And on holidays like this she would try and help look after them. But Maddie was working Halloween at dispatch this year.

It meant (Y/n) was going to be trailing the streets with all three kids while also supposed to be taking things easy after the placental abruption. And she wouldn't complain. She wasn't going to tell the kids they couldn't go out because that wasn't fair, she had simply hoped Evan might be off to come with them this year.

"I know, I know and I'm sorry baby, really I am."

When Evan pressed his lips to the side of her temple, (Y/n) could feel her resolve fading away. Her arms uncrossed and her hands moved to grip his shoulders while she tilted her head forward into his chest.

"I wanted to be home with you, you're not meant to be doing too much." His lips stayed meshed against her temple while his hands squeezed her hips and moved round to cup her stomach.

Evan felt bad. He felt like he was always leaving (Y/n) to do everything on her own and he didn't want to do that. He didn't want to be working and be away from the kids during the celebrations like this and miss seeing them dressing up and going out. And he didn't want to be away from (Y/n) when she hadn't been well and might need him.

"We're doing a scare maze at the station this year, I'll bring the kids down to see it and they can get some sweets and pictures. Then at least I can tell them they can't go out for long trick or treating."

The team were excited to be able to dress up the station and do some scary events for the community. Evan could bring the kids down before the public came to see, that way they could look around and Josie and Cole wouldn't get too frightened. And they could get some sweets and look around, and they wouldn't be too annoyed if Evan told them they were only allowed to go out for an hour trick or treating. So it wasn't too much for (Y/n).

"Thank you."

"Oh, and who do we have here?" Bobby folded his arms over his chest and stepped away from the scare maze the team had constructed in just a few hours. He moved the cape that was hanging over his arms so it flapped behind his shoulders and smiled as he watched Evan walk into the station.

He had helped set the maze up earlier and then went to get the kids so he could bring them down for a while.

"You must be the Devil," He crouched down so he was in front of Josie, admiring the costume she had on which looked very cute.

She had a red top on, a sparkly black tutu, black and red striped tights and a tail attached to her tutu. And in her hand she had a small plastic red pitch fork. Her hair was tied up in a pony tail and she had some red horns stuck onto the headband she was wearing. The outfit looked very sweet yet cunning at the same time and the cheeky frin on her face made it all match perfectly.

Josie nodded enthusiastically before she looked Bobby up and down. "Dracula?" She murmured to which he nodded and let her rush over to wrap her arms around his neck and hug him.

"And who's this?"

"He's a ghost." Josie stayed tucked into Bobby's arm but she turned to face her little brother who was glued into Evan's side.

Cole had white face paint on with black circles painted around his eyes and he had an old white sheet draped over his white pyjamas with a circle cut out in the middle so his face could pop through. It was plain and simple but when he flapped his arms at his sides beneath the sheet, he looked the part.

The team had gotten to know Evan's kids, especially Chimney and Eddie since the kids now called Chimney their uncle and they thought of Eddie and Chris as family too. They all knew Cole barely spoke and he would cling to his parents for security and safety.

The four year old stayed quiet but he managed a bright smile when Evan held his hand and let him lean into his leg.

Bobby pushed up to his feet but let Josie take his hand and stick to his side and he grinned at Evan while he looked for the eldest Buckley child.

James was a few paces behind, taking in the surroundings and how different the station looked. It was like they had walked into an escape room rather than a fire house. He loved it. He tilted his head back to look up at the decorations hanging from the beams above them.

But when his foot caught on the table beside him, he stumbled and felt his dad quickly reaching out to grab his upper arm.

"Glasses on." Evan muttered with half a smile pulling at his lips as James stood at his side with a huff and his eyes cast on the floor.

"What kind of mummy wears glasses?"

"The kind who can't see without them." Evan retorted with a knowing look. James had decided he wanted to be a mummy this year, but Evan knew it was because his ribs were still broken and he was feeling down about it.

He had bandages bound around his chest to bind his ribs and help keep them in place and feel a bit better. So James decided he may as well go with the theme and be an Egyptian mummy. (Y/n) had helped him fray and dye some old bandage rolls from the station and cover them with dust and little bits of sand to make the outfit work.

"Do you wanna be the first ones to test out the maze?" Bobby pointed behind him to the start of the maze which had three main sections, and then at the end there would be a bowl of sweets for them to dip into.

"Can we?" James looked from Bobby up to his dad who smiled and nudged him forwards.

"Go ahead, but don't take all the sweets at the end please."

Evan watched James take Josie's hand and let her drag him towards the beginning of the maze and he couldn't help the small chuckle that left his lips. It was going to be Josie dragging James around the maze, and if the eldest didn't put his glasses on, he wouldn't really be scared because he wouldn't know what he was looking at.

"He won't see without his glasses, so he won't be frightened." He muttered softly as he looked over at Bobby. He watched his captain curiously as Bobby looked him up and down and took in his appearance.

"Didn't you have a 'stache?"

Evan's face broke out into a grin when he watched Bobby point to his upper lip. Evan had dressed as a cowboy, simple jeans and plaid shirt and a cowboy hat to finish the look. But Bobby distinctly remembered Evan had on a fake, bushy moustache earlier before he went to get the kids.

"Someone ripped it off." His eyes darted down to Cole who was none the wiser, stood drifting in his own little world for the time being.

Evan had indeed worn the fake moustache earlier, and James had found it highly amusing, as did Josie. But as soon as he picked Cole up and gave him a kiss, the four year old tore it from his face and chucked it on the floor. He didn't like it. He wasn't used to seeing his dad with any sort of facial hair and it had disgruntled him.

"Do you want to take a look with me?" Evan wasn't so sure Cole would want to go in, he was scared easily. But if he knew no one else but his siblings were in there and he went in with his dad, he might like to look around. He was very sensory and always loved looking at decorations for Halloween and Christmas.

Cole nodded but instead of walking towards the entrance, he twisted to look up at Evan and held his arms out expectingly.

He didn't like walking, he always wanted to be carried no matter where they were or where they were going. Evan suspected it was a sensory and comfort thing, his boy felt safe when he was being carried around.

Leaning down, Evan scooped Cole up into his arms and settled his little ghost on his hip. He kissed his temple and walked ahead to the maze where Bobby moved the curtain so they could walk inside. The beginning was fairly simple. Black and purple drapes everywhere and some glow in the dark footprints on the floor along with a few traces of fake blood splattered about.

When they walked into the next room, there was a table set up with fake equipment like needles, scalpels, scissors and a fake, broken bone saw. Everything was layered in fake blood and illuminescent paint to make it glow in the dim lighting.

And stood there in the corner was Hen with a wig that was sparking off in all directions, a lab coat lathered in paint and blood and a needle in her hand. Her make up was great, curtesy of Karen who had done Eddie's make up too.

"Are you my next patient?" The tone of Hen's voice was softer than it had been when James and Josie walked in. She knew she could play a game and scare them, but she didn't want to frighten Cole.

"No!"

Cole twisted his head so his chin was perched on Evan's shoulder and he was looking over his dad's back, facing away from Hen. His legs started to swing into Evan's chest and he fidgeted in his arms, binding both arms around his dad's neck to cling to him tighter. He wasn't impressed.

"Okay, next one." Evan soothed and rubbed his hand up and down Cole's back as he walked into the next room.

Evan felt his youngest start to quake in his arms when he heard the music and saw how dark this room was. Maybe Cole wasn't the best to show round here, Evan thought he might be alright because no one else was looking round here to egg him on or frighten him even more.

The four year old twisted his head to look around, but he jerked in Evan's hold when Eddie popped out from behind a back drop.

Before Eddie had chance to growl or make a noise, a low whine left Cole's lips and he began to cry. His face tucked into Evan's neck and he stuffed his hand into his mouth, morphing the sound of his cries while Eddie quickly tore the wig from his head.

"It's only me, buddy."

"And I think we're done with the maze. It's okay, let's grab some sweets." Evan cupped the side of Cole's head and kissed his temple while he pushed through the curtain on his right to exit the maze. He didn't want to take Cole into the last two rooms and have Chimney frighten him to his core. Getting out now was the best idea for him.

He weaved around the back of the tents that made up the maze until he found James and Josie running out of the last room, laughing and panting.

Evan tried to let go of Coles face so he could reach into the large dish holding all of the sweets ranging from chocolates to gooey string. But Cole gripped his wrist and held his hand in place against his face. Clearly the comfort was making him feel better.

"All over," Evan murmured against his temple and bounced him on his hip before he looked over at his other two kids who were rummaging around for their favourite sweets. "Was it good?"

"The best."

"Can we go round again in a bit?"

"Sure-"

"No!" Cole's head shook against Evan's neck until he felt his dad chuckling and quietly shushing him.

"Not you, you're staying with me buddy, I need someone to guard the sweets."

If the kids wanted to stay for a while and go through the maze again when some of the public came in, that was fine. Evan was supposed to be stationed here at the sweet table at the end of the maze so Cole could stay with him until it was time to go home.

"Just remember you're staying here with me for a while which means you only go out with mum for a little while tomorrow, because I'm working. Mum's gotta be careful."

Evan was glad Bobby had said the kids could stay for as long as they liked. The Captain knew they were all well behaved and would most likely help out too which was always a bonus. The station wasn't taking any calls today so the community could come in and out as much as they liked so the kids could play and have some lunch here. And it meant Evan got to be with the kids for a little bit of Halloween, even if the festivities were technically tomorrow.

He was getting to see them dressed up today so he didn't miss out while he was working tomorrow. And it meant the kids got to have some fun and (Y/n) didn't get stressed or do too much with them tomorrow. Now she was having twins and hadn't been well, she had to take it easy.

***

Evan rolled his neck from side to side, clicking it into place as he jumped down from the truck and moved to stand beside Bobby.

This didn't look good.

They hadn't been told what scene they were arriving to, dispatch only said that someone had been on the phone and then got into a traffic accident. This looked more than a little accident; it looked horrific.

Crowds were already trying to gather round and see what was going on, but nobody dared to get too close.

There were tyre tracks on the road, great black streaks on the concrete leading up to a beaten up silver Ford. It had veered off the road, plowed straight over someone's lawn, smashed up their front steps and was now imbedded into the wall of their house, resting on their porch. The frame of the porch was starting to creak already and Evan gave it five minutes before it started to sway and the house foundations began to give in.

"Can you tell us what happened?" Bobby's hand moved out towards the two teenage girls shakily hurrying over to them. Both girls looked relatively fine if they had been involved in this accident, no cuts bruises or broken bones. They were just shaken up.

"He- he drove after us, he hit o-our car and skidded. He hit a boy." One of the girls pointed towards the porch as Bobby's lips faltered.

There was a victim up there other than the driver?

"Okay, Eddie, Buck start working on a structure to keep that porch from collapsing. Chim, Hen we need to check these victims."

Evan nodded and took a step to the side, there was a lot of wood from the picket fence and the destroyed front porch that they could use to keep the structure from collapsing. They would have to prop it up so they could winch the car out and get to whoever was trapped.

"Why don't…" Whatever Evan was about to say faded on the tip of his tongue when he looked ahead of him.

He recognised one of those voices mixed into the growing crowd around them. He knew that high-pitch cry.

"Daddy!" A loud wail followed Cole's voice and his arms flung out in front of him as he bolted from the pavement across the vacant road towards his dad/ He spotted him straight away. Cole could always spot his dad in a crowd and right now, he needed him more than anything else.

"Cole?" An icicle of dread pierced into Evan's heart and he moved away from the truck, opening his arms to scoop up his son as soon as he was close enough. He picked him up and cradled him into his chest, cupping the side of Cole's face so he could check him over.

Evan's eyes were wide and frantic as he noticed Cole's minimal face paint was smudged. Tear tracks were smeared down his cheeks leaving runny black trails from the make up around his eyes that was fading from all the tears. And his little boy was shaking in his shoes like he had been electrified.

"Daddy's here!" Josie's croaky voice caught Evan's ear and he shifted Cole into his left arm so he could hold his hand out when his daughter hurried over to him.

What were they doing here? Had they witnessed the crash? Where was (Y/n) and James?

"Where's your mum?" The urgency in Evan's voice was unlike anything the kids had ever heard. But Evan tripped over his feet when Josie tugged on his hand and pointed to the porch.

"No… no, no no!"

Words tumbled past Evan's lips, but he could barely hear them. He didn't hear himself telling Josie and Cole to sit and stay exactly where they were. He couldn't feel Cole's nails scratching into the back of his neck or his wails as he screeched for Evan to keep hold of him, but he couldn't.

Once Evan noticed Bobby moving towards the kids, presumably to keep them calm and still, Evan stumbled up the steps.

This couldn't be happening. No. Why? Why now, when Evan was on shift, when he hadn't been here with them? Why his family? Why not somebody else?

His boots pounded against the broken steps that squeaked as if they were going to give way beneath his weight. But when he got onto the porch, he found Chimney stood in front of him. His hands found Evan's chest and he gave him a little nudge, silently telling him to take a step back but the motion only infuriated Evan.

He leaned around Chimney, feeling his heart impale itself on his ribs when he looked at the bonnet of the car.

There was the rest of his family.

James was the boy who'd been hit. Wedged between the car bonnet and the wall of the house, right next to the front door. And beside him, leaning heavily on the car to be as close as possible, was (Y/n).

"Buck-" Chimney closed his eyes and ground his jaw when he was violently pushed aside. He regained his balance just before he toppled onto Bobby who was trying to keep the kids away from the scene, not wanting them to be traumatised any longer.

"Baby- baby, i-it's me! I'm here, what happened?" Breathless gasps left Evan's lips as he blundered over to be behind (Y/n).

His hands found her arms and he leaned over her back, feeling the quiet scream she let out. She had been zoned out, focusing on James and Evan had accidentally frightened her. But when (Y/n) looked over her shoulder, tears streamed down her face and she reached her free hand up to grip his hand that was on her upper arm.

"Evan," The way she said his name had his heart breaking all over again and he felt tears welling up in his eyes when (Y/n) briefly pressed her forehead down into his arm. "He p- he pushed Cole out the way. I couldn't-"

(Y/n) snapped her eyes closed and rolled her lips together when Evan kissed the top of her head.

She hadn't been able to do anything.

They had been walking on the path, about to get ready to call it a night when it happened. Two cars, like they were playing chicken. One hit the back of another and veered onto the path. (Y/n) couldn't move before James had shoved Cole across the path so he was out the way of the oncoming car. All (Y/n) could do was scream.

The boys had been in front of her. James had been walking with Cole attached to his side while Josie walked slower so she could be beside (Y/n). Just a few more paces and it would of been (Y/n) and Josie who got hit instead of James.

"Dad?" The hope in James's voice made Evan choke and he carefully nudged (Y/n) a few paces to the side so he could take her place. The action caused her to let go of James's hand and (Y/n) felt herself beginning to tremble when she let him go.

She pressed up behind Evan to stay as close as possible while he leaned his hips on the bonnet and reached out for his boy.

James looked like he was a rubber toy that was being stretched. The bonnet was pressing deeply into his abdomen and lower chest and the tyre was crushed into his leg. For a moment, Evan seemed to look at him funny as if something was out of place, but then he realised what it was. He wasn't wearing his glasses; either they had fallen off or (Y/n) had taken them off him to try and help him.

Tears were streaming down his face and his arms were both laid on the bonnet around the picket fence that was crushed between him and the car. He had his head leant on his arm, but as soon as he realised his dad was here, his head perked up. He had been screaming for Evan since someone said they called the emergency services.

He wanted his dad.

"I'm here! I've got you buddy." When James latched both hands around Evan's bicep, Evan leaned over him and cradled the back of his neck. He pressed a dozen kisses to the top of his head and took a few seconds to try and even out his breathing.

He had to stay in control. He had to figure out what to do and get their son out of this situation.

His fingers curled at the back of James's head, fisting around his curly hair that matched Evan's. He could feel how badly his boy was shaking and it was as if the pain was radiating through into Evan and all he wanted to do was make it stop. He wanted to find a way to rewind time and slot himself into this scene so he could stop it from happening.

"Hurts." The little whimper James let out made Evan croak. He finally reeled back just enough so that he can look down at his boy without tearing himself away from James. Allowing his boy to keep a tight grip on his bicep.

"It's alright, I'll get you something for that. Where's the morphine?" Evan looked over his shoulder with furrowed brows and a stern expression not to be messed with. He had to have some help here.

He could see Bobby was giving out orders while still staying close by Josie and Cole, for safety. Eddie was working with a few others to make something to keep the structure sturdy so they could move the car. And Chimney was weaving around to the other side of the car so he could try and help.

When Evan looked around, he watched Hen hurry up to him with a medic bag in her hand which made him relieved. There would be some morphine in that bag; something that until a few weeks ago James had never had to have until he broke his ribs. Evan didn't want to think what was going to be wrong with his son after this.

"Buck, why don't you let me-"

"He's not your kid!"

The seething tone in Evan's voice made Hen roll her lips into a thin line and she nodded. She didn't think it was the best idea that Evan be the one to help right now. This was his son. He was getting emotional and that wasn't the best thing to happen in this situation; but none of them were going to be able to tear him away from his boy.

"Dad d-don't go." James scratched his short nails into his dad's arm and gave a sharp tug on his arm. He had been crying out for his dad since the accident occurred, he didn't want Evan to step away from him now.

"I'm not leaving you, not for a second. Okay? I'm right here with you, baby." He kissed James's temple before he held his hand out and took the packaged needle Hen passed into his hand.

He scratched the needle into the back of James's hand and squeezed until all the morphine was in his system. They all knew it would take a few minutes to work, but once it did, the discomfort would fade away.

Evan took a look around before he shuffled over and carefully sat down on the car bonnet. He had to be close and standing at an angle like this wasn't exactly helping. He leaned in close so he could see how much the car was pushing down on James and whereabouts. And from the look of his leg, James had a new broken bone to deal with.

"Is Cole o-okay? I- I tried to get him out- out the way." James sniffed and tilted his head back to look up at his dad.

He wanted to straighten up, but standing straight hurt his chest and he felt better if he just slumped forward like this. And now that his dad was sat on the bonnet, James flopped his chin on his dad's leg and gripped his leg to try and distract himself.

"He's fine, and I'm so proud of you." He kissed the back of James's head as more tears flushed his face.

Things wouldn't have worked out the same if Cole had been hit too. He was four, he was small and he wasn't as strong. If the car hit him it would of killed him. James had saved him.

Looking over his shoulder, Evan waved towards Hen and Bobby who were hanging back to try and help get the structure sorted.

"How long? I need this car off him now!"

"We're on it, Buck. Keep him calm for a few more minutes." Bobby didn't dare say they needed up to ten minutes to do this. He couldn't say that and watch Evan's face fall and he couldn't let James hear that and have him panicking too.

When (Y/n) heard James mutter a broken "Where's mum?" she tried to move back to his side but a pair of hands held her arms and pulled her back. Her head whipped over her shoulder and she writhed around when she realised it was Eddie holding onto her.

He shook his head and tried to pull her back into him. (Y/n) wouldn't be able to do very much, none of them could do a lot until the car was moved. And Eddie knew (Y/n) panicking was only going to make her state worse. She needed to calm down and stay put for now.

"She's here, look uncle Chim's gonna help us too."

"Alright kid, let's get this on you." Leaning over the bonnet, Chimney carefully placed two stickers beneath James's shirt against his chest to monitor his heartbeat. "Let's straighten you up so I can take a look."

James gripped Evan's arms while his dad held his elbows and helped him lean back so he was standing up properly rather than being slumped over. He tilted his head back, trying to hold back the tears but it wasn't happening. He squeezed Evan's arms tight and tried to take deep breaths while Chimney pressed on his chest and tried to feel his abdomen for any tender spots or internal bleeding.

"I'm scared." There was no shame in James's voice; he wasn't embarrassed to say he was frightened because he was. He was in agony, he was trapped. He felt like he was being flattened and at any moment he was sure his insides were going to burst and pop.

His voice made (Y/n) tremble and her hands moved to cover her mouth so she wouldn't burst into tears. Her eyes were constantly moving to the left to check on the kids and she could see them both huddled together on the steps with Hen stood beside them so Bobby could help drill the wood for the structure. They were shell-shocked, but they were okay for now.

All she wanted to do was go up there and hold James. She wanted to wrap her arms around him like she had tried to do earlier and get that car away from him so they could move him. He needed to go to hospital.

Sobs wracked past her lips and she tried again to move away from Eddie but he wasn't letting go. He couldn't let her distress herself any more than this.

"You don't need to be scared, you've got all of us here to look after you. The best team, hm?"

James nodded and tried to keep his eyes open, but he could feel his head turning dizzy and the agony burning throughout his chest was making it hard to focus.

"Dad?"

"What, baby?"

Evan didn't receive a proper answer, but he watched silently as James tugged on his arms and moved his hands towards his chest.

"Is it your ribs, do they hurt?" Evan wouldn't be surprised if James had fractured or damaged his already broken ribs that were on the verge of healing now three weeks after the accident.

But both he and Chimney froze when James's head flopped forward and he started to cough. His forehead bashed into Evan's thigh and he began to wheeze through coughs like he had suddenly inhaled smoke that was irritating his lungs.

"James?"

"Hey, baby sit up for me, please?" Desperation drowned Evan's voice as he and Chimney tried to reel James up again but he wasn't having it. He didn't have the energy and he felt better laying forward like this.

But when Evan rolled James's upper half onto his side so he could look at him, everything within him started to burn in flames and a horrible trembling set in Evan's body.

James was coughing up blood.

His eyes were rolling about in his head like marbles, unable to focus on anything and his chest was convulsing as large splurts of blood dribbled down his chin and splattered onto Evan's lap.

"Hen we need suction." Chimney pressed one knee onto the bonnet so he could lean over now that James's back was twisted towards him. He tilted James's head forwards and tried to listen to his breathing, but his lungs sounded like they were drowning. He was going to suffocate in his own blood if they didn't remove it quick enough.

"(Y/n)- (Y/n) no- Cap we need that car on a winch now!" Eddie braced himself and tilted his head back, holding (Y/n) with his arms beneath hers and his hands on her shoulders to hold her back. She was dithering between trying to lean forward and pushing down like she was going to collapse. The only sure thing was Eddie stood behind her, holding her up.

A horrible, broken scream left (Y/n)'s lips and when she tried to wrangle out of Eddie's grip again, she ended up going down on her knees when her legs buckled. Her head flopped forward, allowing the tears to cascade down her face as she gasped for breath like she was drowning too.

She wanted to hold his hand. She wanted to stand with him and try to help. She needed to be closer, but they weren't letting her.

One hand reached up to grip Eddie's hand that was on her shoulder and she squeezed tight, glad he didn't say anything and simply held her tighter for support. But her other hand moved down to the side of her stomach when it felt like her muscles were tightening and twinging.

"Alright, here we go buddy." Chimney switched on the machine when Hen handed it over and carefully wiggled the plastic tube into James's mouth and down his throat.

The amount of blood filling the suction tube was unnerving, but the coughing, gasping noises James made was worse. And the sight of his chest convulsing against Evan's knees was making tears pour down his dad's face.

"He's losing a lot of blood, Cap we need a transfusion."

"It would take more than ten minutes to get a blood bag down here." They didn't carry blood bags on them, that was too dangerous and it wasn't their department's job. Getting a donation from the hospital was going to take too long, even if they had the blue lights on to get here faster.

A strangled sound passed (Y/n)'s lips as she twisted to look up at Eddie. She tried to ignore the tightening in her stomach while she pulled on his hand.

"What, are you okay?"

"He's- I'm A-negative too. Can't you d-do something?" (Y/n) waved her wrist in front of Eddie to try and make her point because she couldn't find the words she needed.

Evan was a different blood group to (Y/n), but she knew she was the same as James. Her and Evan went to the hospital every other month to give blood donations. She was the same type as James, couldn't they take her blood and somehow get it into James here? Did they have the equipment for that?

A light seemed to go off in Eddie's mind and he nodded and pushed up from his knees, carefully helping (Y/n) up with him as he finally guided her over towards her boy rather than holding her at bay.

"Eddie no-" Evan tried to motion his hand towards his wife, signalling that he didn't want her this close. (Y/n) had already gone into shock and was panicking, Evan couldn't have her getting any worse witnessing this.

"She's his blood type, we can get a fusion going or he's gonna drown in his blood and lose it at the same time."

If they let James continue like this, he was going to bleed out into his lungs and it would be a debate whether the blood loss would kill him or if he would suffocate first. He needed a transfusion to get blood to the rest of his body, not just in his lungs.

Evan looked sceptical, he didn't look like he would agree but they didn't have a choice and (Y/n) was already leaning over his lap and rolling up her sleeve. She wouldn't give him a choice. She was doing this whether Evan was happy about it or not.

"You know that's risky." Hen fumbled in her medic bag to find what they needed, but her voice gave away how uncertain she was about this. It wasn't something they practised or did every day.

"He needs me." (Y/n) moved her hand towards Eddie because she knew that even if Evan, Hen and Chimney were uncertain, Eddie was willing. It was risky but they couldn't let James deteriorate or get any worse.

"Fuck it." Chimney grabbed the needles from Hen and handed one over to Eddie before he held James's hand.

It was hard to lean over James and get the needle into his elbow from this angle but he managed it and held the tube out ready for Eddie to use.

(Y/n) leaned her hip against Evan and laid her head on his shoulder but her eyes wouldn't divert away from their boy. He was still shaking and choking and his eyes had rolled to the back of his head. He had passed out and they could all hear his heartbeat lowering with every second that ticked by.

The small scratch in the back of her hand was nothing compared to the ache in her heart and the twisting, stretching feeling in her abdomen where the twins were kicking up a fuss.

Evan pressed his lips to the top of (Y/n)'s head while he started to run his fingers through James's hair, something that always soothed and calmed down their boy since he was a baby. He watched intently as Eddie connected the tubes to a large syringe and slowly started to fill the syringe with (Y/n)'s blood.

"Ready?"

"Yep."

Eddie carefully pushed down on the syringe until it was halfway down and the blood started to travel through the next tube and into James's elbow.

(Y/n) could feel herself going lightheaded and she leaned into Evan a little more to keep herself steady. But the sound of the heart rate monitor picking up made her sigh and press her lips into Evan's shoulder.

It was working.

"Alright Buck get off the car, we're gonna move it now!" Bobby's voice was the ray of light they needed.

Chimney handed the suction back to Hen now that James's lungs were mostly clear for the time being. And Eddie carefully reeled (Y/n) back a few feet with him, making sure she wasn't too far away so the needle didn't come out her hand. While Chimney held James's shoulders, Evan held his head up and they both kept him in place while Bobby and Hen got the wooden beams in place on the porch so it wouldn't collapse on them.

The structure shuddered and groaned once the car slowly started to be pulled away.

A horrible scream tore past James's lips and his head flopped forward against Evan's hand as a dribble of blood spat past his lips. His knees wavered, but not for long. Evan crouched in front of him and caught him expertly while everyone moved around them.

The fencing and broken beams were moved out the way so Evan could pick up his boy and carry him down to the gurney at the bottom of the stairs. With (Y/n) and Eddie close behind.

"He should have enough now." Eddie's voice was careful and delicate as he removed the needle from (Y/n)'s hand and put a plaster in its place.

"You both go with him, we'll take the kids with us and meet you there." Bobby waved his hand towards the ambulance. It would be better for both parents to travel with James and the rest of them would follow on behind in the truck and they would take Cole and Josie with them.

(Y/n) looked to the side but Cole was already in Chimney's arms, sobbing into his chest while Chimney tried to calm him down. And Josie was attached to his leg, unsure what was happening or where they were going now. But both kids knew he was their uncle and they should wait with him if they couldn't follow with their parents.

She tried to nod and push ahead, following after Evan who was steering the gurney with Hen. But her legs were shaking like they were about to give way on her and she felt like she was about to faint.

The feeling of Eddie's hand on her back was comforting as he helped guide her towards the ambulance. But (Y/n) didn't have the strength to get inside. Her hand clung to the ambulance door and she hunched forward, closing her eyes when another twinge broke out in her abdomen.

"Baby, what's the matter?" Once the stretcher was locked in place, Evan moved to the end of the ambulance, both hands pressed into either door as he leaned forward. Trying to decipher why his wife had stooped over rather than attempted to get inside with him.

"I- I think…" She couldn't find the words, but another pain hit her with such a powerful force that she had no choice but to bend her knees and brace her hand on the floor of the ambulance.

A cry burst past her lips and Evan jerked back when she curled her other hand into a fist and rammed it into the door so powerfully that the whole ambulance shook.

They all heard her mutter "Contraction." in a feeble whimper and Evan's jaw ground tight as he looked at Eddie.

This was exactly what he and (Y/n) and been trying to avoid. She was on light duties at home and Evan had been tempted to tell her to go on bed rest to make sure nothing happened to her and the twins. The stress of tonight and trauma of seeing James get hurt was pushing her into labour.

"We'll get you to a doctor too then."

Leaning down, Evan held onto (Y/n)'s elbows and pulled her up while Eddie stayed behind her to make sure she got up and didn't trip. Evan eased her down into one of the seats and sat next to her, but he didn't like the look in her eyes. She creased forward so her bump was pressed into her thighs and her hands reached out to take James's hand.

Evan leaned over and looped his left arm around (Y/n)'s waist, easing her into him until her head was meshed into his chest and his lips attached to the top of her head. While his other hand held onto James's shoulder like their son was their lifeline.

He knew. Evan just knew that (Y/n) was going to ignore the contractions as much as she could. She wasn't going to listen to her body and he had a feeling he was going to have a fight on his hands to get her to sit with a doctor.

(Y/n) didn't want this to happen. She didn't need this right now. James needed her and Evan, they couldn't leave him or stop worrying about him to focus on (Y/n)'s feeble body that was overreacting and trying to hurt their other two babies.

All their attention had to go to James. He needed them.

[just-jordie-things]

happy halloween, loverboy - okkotsu yuuta

word count: 7.3k warnings: heavy making out, alcohol (everyone's of age) summary: you leave your halloween costume a surprise to yuuta. and he's very surprised. other notes: unestablished relationship, lots of flirting/teasing, down bad yuuta

happy halloween everyone! 🎃

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“I don’t care what time you show up.  All that really matters is you show up in costume- you guys do have costumes… right?” Nobara’s eyes shift away from where she was dutifully filing her nails to send a sharp look across her friends.

Halloween was a very important holiday.  But it would lose all of it’s whimsy if even one of them showed up without a costume.  She couldn’t bear to be seen with a loser that thought they were better than dressing up for the hell of it.

“Of course!” You’re the first to speak, over enthusiastic with a grin that displays just how excited you really are.  

It had been quite some time since you’d celebrated the holiday- you think maybe you dressed up once or twice as a child, but soon after being whisked away by Jujutsu Higher Ups you’d forgotten the fun of the festivities.  So when Nobara found a bar that was encouraging it’s patrons to dress up for the 31st, the plan was set and you were agreeing in a heartbeat.

You’d chosen your costume fast, rushing to the store with Maki and Nobara to find something fun- it was your only requirement, you had to be excited by whatever you chose.  And when your eyes landed on what you deemed to be the cutest package, you skipped right over to your friends with it, grinning like a fool as you held it on display for them.  The girls gave you their approval instantly, barely looking at the details of your costume before matching your grin and nodding their heads.  You’d assumed they were just as eager as you were for the whole ordeal.

“You got a costume already?” Yuuta spoke up from where he sat next to you.  There was an air of indifference about him, the way he was tilted back in his chair with his arms crossed over the white jacket he always wore.  But something in the way he asked, and the way he turned to you with a slight pout told a different story.

“I might’ve gone at the beginning of the month…” You admitted, a guilty smile on your face when his frown deepened.  Had he wanted to go costume shopping together? You weren’t sure why exactly he was pouting.  You and Yuuta were close- really close- but he hadn’t voiced an interest in shopping for the occasion until now.

“I already went too, I’m going to be a pirate!” Yuji announced from the other end of the table, sparking a few others to pitch in what they were planning on dressing up as.  But none of them stole Yuuta’s attention, he remained focused on you.

“What are you going to be?” He asked, leaning into the table with his elbow now so that he could prop his head on his hand.

“Not telling,” Your guilty smile turned cheshire as he raised an eyebrow.  “It’s a surprise!” You added, just so he knew he wouldn't be able to coax the information out of you.  Although if he really tried, you’d probably give in.  Yuuta huffs, accepting defeat.

“Fine.  I s’pose I’ll surprise you, too” He decides he’ll have to do some last minute shopping on his own.  He could only hope there was still a good selection, and he wouldn’t wind up with something embarrassing.

“Really?” You lean forward as you beam, delighted by the idea.  Yuuta nods his head in agreement, and it’s decided.  You’ll both show up at the bar in undisclosed costumes to surprise each other with.  It’s a simple thing, but you can’t deny your curiosity for what sort of thing Yuuta would pick.

And Yuuta’s nerves start to eat him alive as his mind wanders to all the things you could’ve possibly chosen… it only gets worse when Maki catches his eye with a tell-tale smirk.  That truly peaked his interest.

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The bar is full of zombies, fairies, devils, and miscellaneous characters each trying to get a buzz and have a good time.  It’s entertaining enough just to look around at the creative costumes every person who entered wore.

Yuuta had arrived fairly early in the night, he and Inumaki agreeing to meet up around nine to find a decent enough table for all of their friends.  And, of course, they got a head start on drinking.

Inumaki was a very convincing vampire, complete with fangs and a little bit of fake blood- even going so far as to cut his bangs into a neat v shape.  He’d certainly committed to the bit.  Yuuta couldn’t help but wonder if he’d come to regret the impulsive haircut come tomorrow, but he’d wait to put money on it until the rest of his friends were here.  Or at least, until you were here.

He couldn’t deny he was antsy to see you.  It was no secret that he spent most of his time waiting for you to walk into the room- or seeking you out if he had to- but tonight there was an electricity in the air as he awaited your arrival.  Yuuta had been racking his mind for days, wondering what sort of costume you’d show up in.  That character you’re always gushing about? Or one of those simple animal costumes? Something with fishnets? His leg was bouncing underneath the stool he was seated at.

No one had given him any hints- least of all you- but Maki and Nobara couldn’t contain their giggles and secret looks anytime the subject of your costume came up.  It only dialed up his curiosity- and he couldn’t be sure if that was a good or bad thing.

Yuuta’s own costume he felt was a bit lackluster, but he’d put as much effort into it as he could have.  A white doctor’s coat- you had said white suited him- with blood splattered over it meticulously by his own hand, with blue scrubs underneath with the same red dye all over it.  To him it was obvious that the halloween store was too picked over for him to get his first or second costume pick, but this would have to do.  It was sort of cool, he supposed, but he didn’t care much.  He only hoped you would feel differently when you saw him, that you wouldn’t be disappointed after he’d said he’d surprise you.

Their other friends began to filter in one by one, each with a costume that seemed fitting enough to them.  Nobara and Maki were first, clearly having pregamed during their getting ready process.  Nobara was in a striking red dress with a long wig of red hair, and Maki at her side in a form fitting red jumpsuit with a little cottontail pinned to the back and bunny ears on a headband in her hair.  Jessica and Roger Rabbit, that was unexpected, but no one could be shocked.  Nobara was clearly very proud of her wig styling abilities, as she tossed it over her shoulder constantly as they sat and ordered drinks.

Next came Megumi, who got a frown from Nobara when he approached the group in a blue cargo jumpsuit.

“What are you supposed to be?” She asked, her finger tapping the rim of her margarita with an irritated tap tap tap of her nail.  “A mechanic?” Her disgust is evident in the snarl on her glossy red lips.

Megumi fishes into the pocket to pull out a crumpled rubber mask- clearly Mike Meyers- but once his costume is revealed he stuffs the mask back into his pocket.  Nobara opens her mouth to protest that by not wearing the mask, he’s barely in a costume, but Maki is quick to whisk her away for another drink from the bar.

Yuji is never far behind Megumi, and he shows up with you in tow.  Megumi raises his hand to the pink haired boy at the door, letting him know where their table was, and everyone turns to catch a glimpse of his costume.

He looks great, in raggedy black pants and a half buttoned striped shirt.  He even got an eye patch and a bog captain’s hat.  He’d wanted to get the peg leg and the bird to pin to his shoulder- but Megumi had talked him out of spending a stupid amount of money for one night of dress up.

Yuuta can’t say he really noticed Yuji’s perfectly put together pirate costume, because right behind Yuji came you.

He choked on his drink, coughing loudly and spitting some of it back into the glass.  Inumaki tries to pat his back to get the last of the burning rum out of his throat, but it’s no use.  With Yuuta’s eyes still trained on the girl beside the pirate, he continues to cough up a lung.

It dawns on him now that he’s rarely seen you outside of your uniform.  Even then, you were a jeans and hoodie kind of girl.  So watching you stride through the bar dressed to the nines as a french maid had him in a chokehold.  He couldn’t help but stare, not blinking once as his eyes tracked every movement you made.  The frill of your shirt skirt bounced softly against your upper thighs, and in perfect time with the gentle bounce of your tits in the perfectly tight top of the dress.

Yuuta had to cover his mouth with his hand- the coughs had subsided but the gape in his jaw couldn’t be helped and he needed to hide it somehow before you noticed him and caught the shameless way he watched you.

The table is silent, all eyes on you- except Megumi who’s made room for Yuji to sit next to him where he instantly complains that a parrot would’ve suited his costume better- and when you aren’t the one being stared at, Yuuta is.  Toge’s already giggling to himself, knowing this night was about to get way more exciting.

“Happy halloween!” Your smile is too sweet, too angelic for the costume you’re wearing.  Yuuta’s still covering half his face, the slow drag of his eyes over your long, fishnet covered legs not going unnoticed.  With all the ruckus of the partygoers, your table seems particularly silent.  “What’s wrong?” You pout, worriedly glancing over your friends for an explanation as to why they seem so bored compared to everyone else.

Your eyes land on Yuuta, who’s straining to maintain eye contact with you, but with his large hand covering his mouth, he’s unable to answer your question.  Fuck, when is his voice going to come back? 

Maki and Nobara get back at the table then, and they bring the energy back with them.

Nobara’s drunk squealing when she sees you, fleeing Maki’s side to oggle you up close, her hands wandering over your figure but never quite touching.  Some words are making it out of her mouth, you think you hear ‘damn’ and ‘sexy’ a few times, but for the most part she’s just bouncing and making high pitched noises of approval.

“Holy shit, (y/n/n),” Maki is standing still, eyeing you just as slowly as Yuuta had.  “I knew it was sexy but I didn’t know it was that sexy” She mutters in surprise.  

You glance down at yourself, your hands smoothing over the little white apron on the front of your skirt as you start to second guess the costume.

“Is it too much?” You ask, but just as a frown is starting to form, you’re being directed away from the table.

“Let’s go get a drink” 

Yuuta is on his feet, at your side, and practically pulling you towards the bar with an arm around your waist in an instant.  You think you even feel a tingle of his cursed energy, but just as soon as you feel it, it’s gone.

“Yeah, alright,” You smile at him, finally taking a moment to notice his costume.  Wow, he looks good in white even when it’s covered in blood.  “I like your costume,” You tell him, looking him up and down one more time once you’ve reached the bar.  “You’re like a… evil hot doctor” 

The laugh that Yuuta lets out is strained, as he has to push past the lump in his throat first, but it seems to make your smile last a minute longer as he nods back at you, finally removing his arm from around your waist.

“I wasn’t really going for evil, or hot,” He admits, and you shrug a shoulder too casually in disagreement.  “This is sort of all they had left” 

“Well, it works,” You say, again, too casual in the way your eyes move up and down over his figure.  Shouldn’t he be the one looking at you like that? “Have I ever told you that you look good in white?” You ask him in a tone that seems serious, like you really want him to know this.  Yuuta chuckles, and he has to pretend to be interested in the handles of liquor on the wall behind the bar when he responds.

“You might’ve mentioned it,” He mumbles, before turning his gaze back to you.  It’s hard to look away from you too long.  His eyes land on the frilly white piece of laze you’ve attached to the top of your hair, a cute little maid’s headpiece, and something he can focus on without feeling like a dog.  “Looks good on you too” He compliments, reaching out to brush his fingers over the lace.  He’s just as quick to retract them though, his mind wandering too far as he connects the dots between you and lace.

Your giggle brings his attention back to you, and he’s surprised to see a blush blooming across your cheeks.

“Thank you, Yuuta,” You hum sweetly.  Too sweet.  You can’t look at him like that, don’t you know he’s going to drop dead any second? He rubs his nose, discreetly trying to check for any blood.  “So you like my costume then?” 

His hand is covering his mouth again as he gives you a once over, as if he hadn’t gotten the full image when you’d arrived.  Of course he had, the little black dress with white accents and a frilly skirt that sat perfectly around the curve of your ass, the fishnets that wrapped up your legs so perfectly, the pair of black heels that still didn’t have you reaching his height but god you even made shoes sexy.  

And then you had the audacity to give him a little twirl, to showcase your costume, just for him- although Yuuta’s not naive enough to believe he’s the only one with eyes on you right now, he knows you’re doing it just for him.  His heart hammers in his chest.

There’s a pretty white bow tied around your waist, laying neatly at the dip in your back where your skirt fans out.  The urge to reach out to it, to tug on the end of the ribbon and bring you closer, has him latching his hands around the edge of the bartop.  It was a strange feeling, not being able to trust your own hands, but Yuuta refused to perv on you.

(Any more than he already allowed himself to anyway).

A dry spell spreads from his lips, through his mouth and down his throat- there’s not a single appropriate thing he can say to you right now.  So a nod of his head and a wobbly smile will have to do.  You seem amused by this, smiling up at him in a way that makes your pretty eyes crinkle.  Even your makeup has a grip on him- flawless, every part of you.

“A good surprise then?” 

“Great surprise” His voice betrays him, coming out in a low rasp you’re just barely able to hear over the music and chatter at the bar, but again, you only brighten up at him.

“Well, I’m glad you think so” 

Was he still in fantasy land or was that… cheeky? 

The bartender, a perfect depiction of Beetlejuice, finally gets to the pair of you, and you’re quick to order two shots and two rum and cokes.  Yuuta can’t argue, but he’ll always be amused by your ability to throw back alcohol only to order the easiest thing on the menu.

“Should we bring a round of shots back to the table?” Yuuta asks, thanking the bartender once the drinks are poured before they’re off to take the next order.  You hum in thought as you pick up the tiny glass and turn towards him.

“Maybe later,” You shrug.  “I just want to hang out with you for a bit” 

The dryness in his throat is back.  This shot is going to burn.

“Just me?” He asks, wondering if you’d pregamed as hard as Nobara and forgot who you were with.  You nod.  “You sure?” 

You nod again, this time followed by a string of laughter.

“Yes, Yuuta, I’m sure,” You tease, before lifting your shot towards him, beckoning him to take his.  “Now are we toasting to halloween or what?” 

Yuuta hopes you don’t notice the shake in his hands as he grabs his glass.  Suddenly, he’s fifteen again, and seeing you enter Gojo’s classroom for the first time with your cute braided pigtails and a pretty smile.  The air is sucked out of his lungs, and his eyes are trained to follow you, and only you.

“Happy halloween” He touches the rim of the small glass to yours, making a small spill as some liquor drips over the edge of the glass.  The grin that stretches across your lips is beautiful and unhinged, and he knows this won’t be the only shot you take tonight.

“Happy halloween” You repeat in your sugary voice.

And just like that you both tilt your heads back and let the liquor burn down your throats.  Yuuta still feels like a teenager, fighting the urge to couch as he gulps it down his dry throat.  He slams the shooter back on the bar top and is quick to reach for his drink, taking large swigs.

Chasing rum with more rum wasn’t his greatest idea, but he wouldn’t come to realize that until a little later.

“So,” When his voice sounds normal again, he turns back towards you.  You look back at him with your full attention.  “Did you pick this yourself?” He asks, gesturing vaguely to your outfit.

“I did,” You answer, a slow smile stretching across your lips.  “Thought it was pretty” You add, giving yourself a once over.

You couldn’t deny the confidence boost this particular costume gave you.  It sure beat out the sheet you cut holes into when you were a kid and thought you were the perfect spooky ghost.

“Mhm, mhm” Yuuta hums a few times as he nods his head, and you hardly notice your toes twisting your foot back and forth at the ground, your heel lifted just enough to swing back and forth in a slow motion.

“You think so too?” You ask.

“Huh- what?” 

“You also think it’s pretty?” You clarify, trying not to appear too amused by the nervous look on his face, or the flush creeping up his neck that was starting to reach his cheeks.  You weren’t totally blind, it was clear that Yuuta was having some sort of reaction to your costume, but you’d like to have some fun with him before making him outright admit it.

“Yes,” His answer tumbles out of his mouth too quickly, his eyes widening just a bit before he tries to give you a more normal answer.  “Yeah, I mean- yeah, it’s pretty, you’re pretty, you look pretty in it”

He flatters you too much, especially with his habit of nervous stammering, it has you giggling and beaming like he’s paid you the most romantic compliment.  You know he has, he just lets his nerves get on top of him and then his vocabulary is depleted.  

“Why thank you, loverboy,” You swirl your straw in your glass a few times before you bring it to your lips to take a sip.  

Your teasing is going to be the death of him, it truly is a cruel torture.  Not to mention loverboy spoken by your voice, curled in one ear, muddled up his brain, and flew out the other.  You’d never called him that before- you never called him anything before! Maybe a slurred ‘Yuu’ in passing after a rough mission, late at night and when you were more asleep than you were awake.  But before that, there was only ever Okkotsu, and Yuuta.  

Never loverboy.

His face was effectively pink now.  He took a few more gulps of his drink.

“I was hoping you’d think so” You finish your thought after a few more sips.  Not an ounce of your amusement in Yuuta’s pink cheeks is contained.

“You were?” He asks, far too quickly.

“Mhm” You smile and nod, seemingly distracted when you catch sight of Panda entering the bar.  He seems proud of his clown costume- a rainbow afro, polka dot tie, and ridiculously large shoes- you have to agree, it’s impressive.  Although the other patrons of the bar were more impressed by his ‘panda suit’ than the silly clown accessories.

Yuuta barely glanced at his bear friend squeezing through the crowd of drunks before he was looking right back at you again.

Was this all purposeful? A carefully calculated plan of torment? 

You turn back to him with a pretty smile, your lipstick still perfectly intact even after all this drinking.  Before he could stop it, all he could think about was ruining it for himself.

Were you evil? 

His adam's apple noticeably bobs as he takes a dry swallow.  Your smile only brightens.

“And uh- why’s that?” It’s hard to control his stutter, so his words come out a bit choppy and awkward.  With a large sip of his drink, he hopes you’ll brush it off as an after effect of the alcohol and nothing more.

“I dunno,” You shrug a shoulder and Yuuta wonders if you’re feigning indifference or if this is all part of the torture.  “Guess I care more about your opinion than the others” 

His glass is almost empty.  If he didn’t order another one soon he’d have nothing to keep his attention- respectfully- on.

But your confession is delayed to his ears, and it’s obvious in the way that his eyes soften on you a few moments later, his empty glass forgotten on the counter.

“Y-you do?” The stutter is back, but it’s hard to cringe when she looks at him so sweetly, as if just standing there with him was all the more company you wanted for the night.  Was it?

You place your empty glass beside his, catching eyes with the bartender long enough to swirl your finger over them both, sending the message that a second round would be required soon.  When you look back at Yuuta, you find that he’s managed to keep his eyes at your level this whole time.  You have to laugh, even if it makes his neck flush pink.

“I do,” You answer his question a bit too late, as if you’ve almost forgotten to respond at all.  To be fair, his gaze is piercing and it’s hard to think about anything else at all.  Carefully, you take a step closer to him, which is already a few steps closer than you’ve ever been to him before.  Like this, anyways, purposefully, when there’s plenty of space for you to situate yourself at the bar, you’re choosing to invade his own space.  When his eyes remain locked on yours, you tilt your head a bit, curiously.  Your voice drops to a whisper, but you’re close enough now that he can hear you just fine even in the loud environment, “Even when you’re feeding me a bunch of respectful bullshit,” You add.

Yuuta allows his eyes to lower just a little bit, just enough to watch the movement of your lips as you speak.  He doesn’t dare let them stray any further, too afraid that if he caught sight of how close you were standing now that he wouldn’t be able to stop himself from pulling you in the rest of the way until your frilly little thing you called a costume was ruffled and ruined up against how own-

His throat bobs again, and he’s trying desperately to think of something to say, but all words are getting blocked up and make less and less sense the more he tries to say something.

Your eyes sweep his features, lashes fluttering softly as you take in the color in his cheeks, the part of his lips, the hooded gaze he greets you with that makes your insides shiver and melt all at once.  You’re not sure he has any idea, you’re not sure there’s much thought behind those eyes at all.  

Something tells you Yuuta’s put all of his energy towards keeping eye contact with you.

“Yuuta,” 

You call his name softly when it’s been a few beats too long of basking in the tension.  While you love the tension, you’re going to need him to say something, do something, before you combust.  Glazed over blue eyes flicker back to life when he drags them away from your red painted lips and back to your own gaze.  He’s blushing, probably since he’d been caught staring for so long, but there’s no sign of embarrassment when his eyes refocus on yours.

Beetlejuice replaces your empty glasses for refreshed ones, knocking twice on the counter to get your attention before walking away.  They clearly weren’t sure either one of you would notice the fresh drinks waiting for you since you were so busy eating each other up with your eyes, but they don’t linger too long, off to take another order at the other end of the bar just as quickly as they had gotten yours.

“I feel like you’re holding something back,” You say, reaching for your drink while only tearing your attention away from him for a split second.  That split second was long enough for you to miss him, although he’s standing so close to you that you could feel the heat radiating off of him.  Straw between your lips, being held in place by your teeth crushing it hard to maintain your air of indifference, you bat your eyelashes at him tauntingly.  “And I’d really like to know what it is” 

“No, you don’t” He finally speaks, the words coming to him in perfect time.  It catches your interest, your eyes lighting up with amusement.

“Now I really do!” You say, a girlish giggle overtaking you before you could help it.  It forces a smile on his lips, although it’s more nervous than anything else.

“No, you just want to get a rise out of me” He argues, gritting his teeth to maintain some semblance of composure.  He’s not doing a very good job, but the attempt is there.

“So you’re saying I am getting a rise out of you, loverboy?” You ask, and you look all too excited by the idea.  If Yuuta wasn’t sure before, he is now- you’re evil.

He takes his drink, forcing himself to look away from you as long as he could stand.  He can’t deny he misses the sight of you as soon as it’s gone, and he cheats a little by keeping an eye on you in his peripheral vision.  If Inumaki were around, he’d tell him he’s whipped.  Cooked.  Done for.  He wouldn’t be wrong, either.

You’re getting comfortable with the little nickname, with a cheeky smile as you press in closer to him again, invading his view when he’s trying to remind himself of the value in your friendship, of how much he respects you, and not about things like how plush your chest feels when you lean up against his arm.

He takes a few long gulps of his drink, half the glass depleted by the time he releases the straw.

You decide to give him a little break, leaning off him in exchange for wrapping your hand around his forearm, tugging just enough to pull his attention away from the bar.

“Will you walk with me over to the touchtunes box? I left my phone with Yuji, and he and Megumi disappeared ages ago” 

When did you even have time to notice that? Yuuta wonders as he finally gives the table of your friends a glance.  He almost could have forgotten they were here.  Sure enough, Yuji and Megumi were nowhere to be found.  Typical.

“Yeah, let’s go,” He agrees, nodding for you to lead the way.  You hold your drink close as you plot out the best path through the crowd, and Yuuta follows close behind.

His hand reaches for your waist, but he hesitates before placing it there, so he lets it hover, just enough that if he needed to in a moment’s notice, he could grab hold of you.  But trailing behind you is enough for now.

Besides, from behind, you won’t notice the deadly look on his face when he catches anyone else looking at you.  It doesn’t matter where their eyes are directed, you’re not there for any of them.

His fingers twitch, barely tapping you on the hip as you slither through the crowd.  It’s enough to gain your attention, your head tilting to glance at him from over your shoulder.  His eyes are elsewhere, still scanning the people you’re passing by.  You smile, amused by his antics, before you wrap your free hand around his wrist.  Yuuta’s looking at you again as you both pull him closer, and place his hand properly at the dip in your waist.  Then you’re facing forward again as you reach the modern jukebox.

It appears there’s a long queue already going- figures, with this crowd, everyone has already added their favorite songs to the playlist- but you figure you’ll be here a while anyways, so no harm in adding your own.

“How many times do we really need the Monster Mash in one night, hm?” You mumble to yourself as you scroll through the long list of songs already on the queue.  “Spice it up a little, people” 

Yuuta’s not sure if you’re talking to him or yourself, too focused on the soft silk of your dress under his palm.  He has yet to work up the strength to pull his hand away from you, and if anything, his grip has only tightened since you’d led it there.  He hovers behind you like an apparition that’s been chained to your soul.  Tall, dark, and looming, with no intent of moving.

Not that you mind, tapping away at the screen to find the song of your choice to add to the mix.  If anything, you seem more delighted with yourself than before, singing along to the Monster Mash despite your complaints, and sipping on your drink.

“Any recommendations?” You ask after you’ve selected a few songs for yourself, and one that you know Nobara would love to hear.

“Hm?” Yuuta hums in question when he realizes you’d been talking to him, and he’d been too deep in his thoughts to catch it.

“Songs, loverboy, any songs you want added?” You tease him for spacing out, casting him a grin he can only describe as wicked.

“Oh,” He pouts at your teasing, and then shakes his head.  “No, pick whatever you want” 

“Okay,” Your eyelashes flutter at him and his hand tenses against your hip.  But you’re already focused on the touchtunes screen again, finishing up your work.

When you’re done, though, you return your attention to him completely.  You spin around, your frilly little skirt bouncing with your movement, brushing against his legs with how close you stand.  You make sure to keep a gentle hold on his arm, that way he won’t try to put any distance between you now that you’re face to face.

“Now what to do while we wait for the decent music to come on?” You ask, your tone suggesting you had a few ideas, but you’ve been waiting for Yuuta to open up and let loose all night, so you hope he’ll read your mind and pick out something he likes for himself.

He takes a swallow, eyes flickering between the small smirk curling at the corner of your lips and your impatient gaze.  Your friends were sure to notice your absence eventually, but then again Yuji and Megumi seemed to be missing as well and no one had come searching for you both yet.  So maybe you had a little more time to yourselves.

So with a surge of confidence, Yuuta leans a little closer towards you, until his lips are close enough to your ear that he doesn’t have to speak much louder than a murmur for you to hear him.

“Why’d you really want to hang out with me all night?” 

He leans back to get a good look at you after he asks his question, basking in the heat rising to your cheeks.  Your smile almost looks bashful now, and his eyes linger on your lips a bit too long as he waits for your answer.

“Like you said…” You speak slowly, “I thought it’d be fun to get a rise out of you,” You admit, trying to maintain the confidence that you’d come into the night with.  It gets a little harder as Yuuta’s the one initiating entering your personal space.  His fingers had started to draw lazy circles against the silky fabric you wore, and it proved to be enough stimulation to make your mind a little foggy.  “Which… I was right” 

“Well I’m glad you’ve had your fun” He sounds a little bitter that you’ve had so much fun all on your own and at his expense, but you’re quick to lift his spirits, and curiosity.

“I’d like to have s’more,” You say, peeking up at him from under your long eyelashes with enough hope and excitement behind your eyes that Yuuta’s stomach flips, and his hand stills at your waist again.  

He’s silent for a beat too long, and you tilt your head at him as you gauge his reaction.  His words are stuck in his throat again, and his face is turning that shade of pink you think is so cute- you can’t stand it any longer.

“Yuuta, if you don’t make a move I think I might have to start begging” You whisper, a breathless laugh following your words as a nervous chill spreads down your spine, covering you in goosebumps.

A similar shock courses through Yuuta’s system, and it’s like his body finally comes to life.  Both of your drinks are on a table and his hands are wrapping around your waist so fast and this time you’re sure that’s his cursed energy prickling in the air like static electricity.  You barely have time to catch your breath before he’s backed you into the touchtunes box and pinned you there.

“C’mere then” His lips brush yours as one of his hands slide around your jaw to guide your lips to his.  You’re able to suck in a breath at the last second before his lips envelop yours, but it reduces you to a weak little gasp that he swallows instantly.

Your last shred of dignity thrown out the window, you melt under Yuuta’s kiss and give in completely.  Turns out with enough pushing and shoving, you could get him to break, and what a well played game it was.  His mouth is dominating over yours so perfectly, controlling the kiss to his every whim and desire, leaving you no choice but to follow his lead and submit.  

With all of your inhibitions lowered, and no thought left on your mind that didn’t revolve around Yuuta, your every move was delayed yet frantic.  It takes a few minutes of lip locking before you realize your hands are dreadfully empty, and the next thing you know they’re all over him.  Grabbing his arms, the front of the jacket he wore, then his shoulders- and your touch was far from gentle.  You gripped onto him like your life depended on it, as if you would fall down if it weren’t for him grounding you.  Even though you were pinned against the jukebox with no wiggle room for escape thanks to Yuuta’s larger frame. 

He tilts your head back further, teeth grazing your swollen lips before diving back in and deepening your kiss.  There’s so much he wants to tell you now that this line has been crossed between you, but he doesn’t want to waste even a second of this moment, so his lips cover yours again and soon enough he gives into the need to explore your mouth with his tongue.

Your knees are growing weak, so you let all of your weight rest between his hold on you and against the machine.  You’re hardly on the planet earth right now, and it shows in the way you make sweet noises against his mouth and the way your hands tug him closer by the front of his shirt, pulling as if there was any possible way he could crowd you even more than he was.  If you had any control over your own legs, you’d climb up his torso like a tree just to get closer, but you don’t, so you settle for pulling and tugging on him.

Amongst the little whimpers and whines between kisses, you finally let out a strangled noise that sounds close enough to his name that Yuuta finally breaks away.  He’s not far, his nose still pressed against yours, his lips still close enough that he can feel every pant, but he can no longer push down the desire to get a good look at you, at what he’s reduced you to.

Your lipstick is ruined, smudged all around your lips and staining your skin, and he probably looks the same.  It takes you a second to open your eyes, and gather your bearings, but you don’t fare much better than him.  Your grip on his shirt remains firm, letting him know that you won’t be letting him break for long.  And you haven’t even caught your breath.

“You make the prettiest maid, baby,” He murmurs, his thoughts catching up to him when your eyes finally flutter open, heavy and tired but still light up with a look that has him wanting to devour you again.  Baby rings in your ears the way he says it, low and murmured, his voice a little raspy, you’d like to hear it a dozen more times.  Yuuta must be able to tell by the way your cheeks flush and your lips twitch.  “You’ve been messing with me all night, don’t get all bashful on me now” He chuckles, grinning from ear to ear as he watches you try to hide it, too.

Knowing you wouldn’t be able to hide the butterflies currently destroying you from the inside out, you decide on the next best thing, wrapping your hand around the nape of his neck and pulling him back in for another kiss.  You’re both just as lost in it as the other, with Yuuta’s hands roaming up and down your sides, tickling your ribs and setting fires with every new inch of your body he touched.

When his reach lowers, trailing down the skirt of your dress and grazing over your upper thigh, you don’t think twice about lifting your leg, and he doesn’t think twice about pushing in closer with a new grip on your leg keeping you snug against him.  You finally get a noise out of him, the faintest groan against your mouth as his teeth graze your lip again, this time giving into impulse and biting down on the plump swollen flesh.  Simultaneously, his fingers dig into the plush of your thigh and you hardly remember where you are when you start to tug on his hair in an attempt to elicit more noise out of him.

You’re floating away, focused on nothing other than the way he feels against you.  Any shred of awareness- social or physical- is lost or destroyed.  You couldn’t care about much other than the feeling of his hand creeping up your leg and skimming under your skirt, or how his tongue feels like velvet when it rolls against yours.

“Oh my god, sluts!” 

You come crashing down when you’re so rudely interrupted, Yuuta’s lips tearing away from yours, and at the same time, you both catch your friends, catching you, with a mix of emotion on their faces.

Maki was the one that barked at you both, pulling you out of your trance and reminding you of where you were.  She’s rolling her eyes, while beside her, Nobara is giggling behind her hands and bouncing on her feet.

As you and Yuuta both scan your friends’ reactions, you slowly pry apart.  His hand sliding back out from under your skirt and finding a more respectful spot on your waist, steadying you as you lower your leg from his hip and set a wobbly heeled foot back on the floor.

“Were you guys watchinggg?” You drawl, a tipsy giggle tumbling out of your lips as you cover your pink cheeks with your hand.

“No!” 

“Bonito flakes!” 

“We just wanted to check out the queue on touchtunes, but you two were too busy fucking on it-!” 

“Maki!” Nobara squeals through her laughter as she scolds her girlfriend.

“We were not!” Yuuta finds his voice to defend himself, but with a face as red as his, he loses all credibility.

“Were too!” Maki argues.

“Your hand was up my skirt” You mumble up at him, and he shoots you a perplexed look.

“Who’s side are you on?” He mutters, and you bat your eyelashes a few times to regain his affections.

“The side that gets us out of here faster?” You suggest.

“Gross!” Maki shouts, grabbing Nobara by the hand.  “We’re not looking for the other two, I’ve watched enough smut for tonight!” She’s still shouting her distaste while Nobara waltzes beside her.

Inumaki mutters a few rice ball ingredients before he heads to the bar.  You have a feeling he’s ordering himself a shot of the strongest thing they have to offer.

Panda just grins, straightens his clown tie, and follows after his vampire-dressed friend.

Leaving you and Yuuta alone again.

You smile prettily up at him, your hands resting against his chest, one finger tracing a splotch of fake blood.

“That was kind of exciting” You admit, your eyes focused on the movement of your finger while Yuuta was gazing down at you.

“Which part? Making out or getting caught?” He asks, his brows already furrowed as he was afraid of your answer being the latter.

“Both?” You muse, glancing up at him and smiling devilishly at the worry in his features.  “You wanna go get caught somewhere else?” 

“You’re serious?” 

He’s dancing the line of concern and amusement, but it only takes a little tug from you to drag him towards the hallway where the bathrooms were and he’s following your lead.  Was it a good idea? He didn’t know.  He didn’t care.  Following behind you he could watch the perfect way your frilly little skirt bounced and any rational thought flew far from his mind.

“You’re gonna keep this costume, right?” He asks when you drag him into a stall and lock the door behind him.  This time, you’re the one backing him up against the wall as your hands dive back into his hair.

“I would if you asked nicely,” You murmur against his lips, stealing one sweet kiss before tilting your head back again.  “Might take a little convincing, though” 

Yuuta sighs helplessly, chasing after your lips and pulling you in closer.  He had the perfect argument in mind.  As well as a few other ideas of what to dress you up in.

[polarisbibliotheque]

Devil May Halloween - Ghost Riders In The Sky (Dante)

Devil May Halloween 2024 - Ghost Riders In The Sky (Dante's Halloween Special)

Pairing: Dante x Reader Summary: Oh, Halloween. Last year, you were almost forcefully married to a demon, so Dante's keeping his eyes on you. Well, this time, he will be the one needing help - and only a demon at the crossroads will be able to give you the powers to help your red devil. Rider, you should've known better to change your ways so you wouldn't ride with the ghost riders. Word Count: 25k words, it's a book, BEWARE. Author's Notes: Big big BIG credit to our beloved @furyeclipse who literally helped me write this year! We did this one as a sort of a collab and Fury wrote everything Ovid - so don't forget to sing her praises too!! We got you guys 55 pages of pure DMC crew Halloween shenanigans this time! I was on a big cowboy mood and I LOVE Johnny Cash's song, Ghost Riders In The Sky, with all my heart as well as... YES, THE GHOST RIDER MOVIE WITH NIC CAGE. NOT SORRY, I ADORED IT AS A TEEN. Hahahahaha those were the inspirations - oh, and of course Scooby-Doo inspiration with Nico and Kyrie on this one. Fury helped me getting the ideas going and I just finished writing it yesterday, if I'm not wrong. I do hope you guys enjoy it! I also hope Vergil's will follow soon, but I can't guarantee anything. Do apologize - but I hope Dante's can suffice for now. Happy Halloween, my dear critters, hunters and cheeky devils! ;)

“We’re stickin’ together this year, babe.”

You were almost laughing, but you didn’t want Dante to feel bad for wanting to keep an eye on you – your laughs would be of how endearing you thought he was being rather than anything else, but it would be too much to explain.

His protectiveness actually had a point, and you had to give him that.

“Ok, big guy.” Even so, you couldn’t refrain your voice of sounding a little dismissive. It wasn’t like you didn’t carry around a huge sword and a couple of guns to hunt demons by yourself as well – his worries had a point but, quite frankly, you could always put one hell of a fight if something even tried to touch you.

“Ei, I mean it!” You were walking side by side, but he pointed at you for emphasis. It was impressive how Dante could carry so much worry in his voice and still act absolutely nonchalant about everything – you thought it had something to do with the way his hips swayed during his laidback walks; even during a job, like you were at the moment. “Do I have to remind ya what happened every single last Halloween we had together?”

“I know, I know.” You sighed, but you had to agree with him. From a cursed top hat to being kidnapped to a demonic wedding, you had been through it all. Each year, you thought something new couldn’t happen, until Halloween arrived and, lo and behold, you were both in some new, crazy adventure. “To think it all started with that frigging top hat. How do you think Cheshire demon is doing? Any word from it?”

“Well, Patty allows it out of the hat from time to time. It seems to like her and protect her, who would’ve known?” Dante shrugged, letting out a long sigh himself. Patty practically stole the hat from the shop one day, and there wasn’t much Dante could do to have it back – the girl had a will of steel and, if he thought it was really dangerous, he would’ve never allowed it to touch her hands. In his eyes, everything was under control and Patty seemed… Happy. He would never steal happiness from her. “That spook is kinda her pet now. They’re ‘best friends forever’, who am I to get in the way?”

You let out a giggle. Dante looked like a father whose kid just brought a stray from the streets and looked at him with puppy eyes, asking to be able to keep it.

Only Patty’s stray was a skinny, creepy Cheshire cat looking demon, with a mischievous grin… But a good heart.

It looked worse than it acted, in all honesty. You were team Patty on this one.

“What…?” Dante side eyed you, noticing your endeared giggle and pleased expression.

“Well. You’re one hell of a dad, big guy. That’s all.” You answered in a sing-song tune, incredibly satisfied to be having that conversation mid-Halloween job with your half-demon life partner. “Best dad material I could’ve ever wished for. Really.”

And there it was, your life-long ability of making Dante speechless. It was something Vergil would almost always applaud if he was around, but you rarely left Dante speechless over thoughtful feelings in front of other people – those moments were mostly reserved to yourselves.

He immediately tucked his hands in the pockets of his pants – and you could almost say he was blushing. Dante turned pensive in the blink of an eye, and you couldn’t help but smile.

A father. He never really saw himself becoming one or even being one – and his expectations would be to be terrible at it, like his old man before him. Not that Sparda was a horrible dad when he was around, but he wasn’t. When Dante, Vergil and Eva needed the most, Sparda was nowhere to be seen. He never really knew what happened to him – just disappeared from the world and left them with the curse of his blood and stain of his name.

You knew very much what you were doing when you said he was great father material. You wanted Dante to feel proud of that – eventually, because he would have very much conflicting feelings about being seen as a dad… Mostly because, like everything else in his personal life, his immediate reaction would be to think he would absolutely suck at it.

Dante wasn’t the best at receiving heartfelt, sincere compliments. You were well-aware of that.

That’s why you had a personal mission to make him understand how amazing he was in your eyes – one compliment at a time.

“Well. At least I didn’t inherit that from my ol’ man.” He finally said out loud, looking back at you and flashing a half-smile on his lips. “Creepy-ass demons aside, you’re stayin’ under my radar today, hot stuff. With someone like yourself around, I’m gonna have to worry about demons tryna marry you every Halloween now.”

“Oh, please…” You rolled your eyes with his answer, making Dante immediately laugh in response. He was teasing, of course, but there was a sting of truth to his words. “That was… Awful. I hope it never happens again. If I have to wear one of those horrid wedding gowns again, I swear… I’m gonna start throwing punches.”

“Sucker punchin’ demons down the aisle, what an entrance!” Dante had to laugh alongside you – the previous Halloween had been one hell of a ride to say the least. “But hey, I’ll always be around to tear those horrible clothes off you, babe.”

“Oh, and that you do quite well, you devil…” You had to giggle in return as Dante had the cockiest grin slapped on his lips. Oh, how you loved bantering with your red devil.

Alas, it was Halloween, and all that sweet talking with your beloved red devil would have to wait. You two had finally arrived back at the hotel you were staying with the whole crew – courtesy of the inhabitants of the very western looking little town that called your services for that night.

Something had been brewing for quite a while: you and Dante had noticed it, but you weren’t able to actually identify what in the hell was going on. Ever since the disco incident with the hellish imps in Redgrave, it didn’t slip past your fingers that random summoning of demons was increasing around smaller cities – the hellish imps were probably a group that detached from the original summoning point and decided to wreak mischief right at the Devil May Cry’s backyard.

One city, though, seemed to be the most affected. Silverstone was quite small compared to Redgrave, but very much a tourist town. It thrived on its western look and it took pride in being known as a place that could take its visitors back in time to years of salons, gold rushes, wanted posters and duels at noon. Recently, though, the tourists were a little bit scared and decided to avoid the place, and with reason: demons were becoming increasingly common around the area.

There wasn’t much to do against it, for the demons seemed to come from the desert, at night, with a thirst for blood and human flesh – leaving only destruction in its wake. The political leaders of the city were taking too long to figure out what to do, so the tradespeople of Silverstone decided to come together and take matters into their own hands.

With a little council formed – mostly with owners of hotels, cafés, restaurants, shops, and every other kind of business that could benefit from tourists – you had quite the interesting proposition at the Devil May Cry for that year’s Halloween night.

*

“C’mon in! Door’s open!”

It was a chilly autumn evening at the Devil May Cry – nothing really eventful happening, so you took the opportunity to kick Dante off his chair and help you organize the shop a little bit. He didn’t complain – after all, things were a lot better after you came into his life; organizing the shop was one of those things.

You didn’t expect a knock on the heavy doors of the Devil May Cry, though. Since Dante was near the kitchen and your hands were busy putting your swords away on their rightful place at the wall right behind the desk, telling the random customer to come in was the best way to welcome them.

“Didn’t know it was time for a ‘Fall cleanin’ at this place! Looks like you can work miracles, after all.” That raspy voice and the smell of cigar was unmistakable. You giggled as you turned around to greet him.

“Well, you know how I roll, Morrison. If I can’t work miracles, I don’t even show up.” You rested your hands on your waist, having a cocky smile on your lips – which made Morrison laugh in return.

“I sure do hope you people can work miracles alright, pal.” What you did not expect to see, was Morrison’s client: a man well into his sixties, huge white mustache curled up at the ends, wearing light jeans, snake leather boots, checkered button up shirt to his neck and a white, quite imposing, cowboy hat – which he took off to greet you respectfully, revealing his combed back white hair.

“Well, if you call closin’ the Gates of Hell a miracle, we’ve been known to work those from time to time, Colonel Sanders.” As soon as Dante finished his sentence, you closed your eyes, controlling yourself not to giggle. You never wanted to seem rude to customers, but you had to admit, having a cowboy in the shop was a first. A cowboy other than Dante, that is. “Halloween is approachin’ and we’ve been havin’ more spooks than the usual around. Is that what this is ‘bout?”

The Colonel Sanders cowboy gazed at Morrison as if asking if the man had briefed Dante in advance. As the red devil sat on his huge chair, you rested on the edge of the desk, crossing your arms and allowing a proud smile to spread across your lips – Dante always played the goofy, reckless rockstar card, but he was far from being naïve and, how his twin liked to call him, foolish. When it came to his job, he was quick to notice patterns and underlying intentions of demons – and, since your hellish imp disco job, he had been keeping an eye on the increase of devils in and around Redgrave.

Oh, yes. You were more than proud to call him your lover.

“Told ya. He might not look like much, but he’s good.” Morrison answered the man’s look, making you giggle a bit. You could feel Dante glaring at you – the ‘he might not look like much’ would come up later, in a teasing and friendly banter between you both. “You guessed it, Dante. There’s a lot goin’ on, but I’ll let Mr. Carson here do the explainin’.”

“I take it you’re not from the city, Mr.” Dante pointed at the man’s hat, as Morrison moved to his favorite spot on the shop’s couch and the man approached the desk.

“Ye, not from around, indeed. Call me Buck.” The man took his time to shake Dante’s hand and yours – with a strong grip, but not as rough as you expected. You had to admit, you were a lot more familiar with rougher hands – like Dante’s. “I’m from Silverstone, you people probably heard of it.”

“Hmmm. Up north, smaller city. Got the name because of the silver mines around; one of the biggest cities back in the day, right?” You had to pull the mental map you had in your head to find Silverstone – it was a touristic city you had always wanted to visit but never really got the chance, hence why you knew so much about it. Also, it was good knowing maps by heart when you had to count on Nico driving you somewhere: you had been lost a couple of times with Nero, Dante and Vergil and it was chaotic, to say the least.

“Yes, pal, and we take pride in that!” Buck’s mustache smiled to hear you knew about his small town – something he didn’t really expect from people in big cities. Dante also looked at you, with his eyebrows raised, as you only looked back at him with a matter-of-fact expression in your eyes. He called you a know-it-all sometimes, but he actually loved that about you.

Vergil was a whole different kind of know-it-all – as per his words, the asshole kind.

“We been havin’ problems in Silverstone lately… Demon problems.” Buck’s dark brown eyes now turned serious, drawing yours and Dante’s attention. “It started with some small, flyin’ things. Annoyin’ little folk who liked to upset the cattle and do all kinds of mischief devilry around the city; they were drivin’ the tradespeople mad. But nothin’ a good ol’ rifle couldn’t solve. Some men and women took ‘em as target practice.”

“Hellish imps. You’re talking about hellish imps.” And even though you had a smile on your lips, you couldn’t look more annoyed. Dante couldn’t hold back a laugh.

“They’re easy to kill, but annoyin’ as hell.” He shook his head, remembering finding you in the disco, hopelessly chained to a chair, while the imps from Hell messed around with your stuff while Stayin’ Alive blasted through the amps. It was a sight to see – a funny, but rather cute one. “We also had some problems with ‘em recently.”

“Well, if we had only those… Hellish imps, you said… ‘Round the town, folks would take care of ‘em, no need for help. After a month, I think, it got worse.” Buck’s face turned somber and his shoulders seemed to recoil to himself – even if he was a naturally imposing kind of guy, it looked like he got a little smaller… Fearful, even. “Folks from farms started reportin’ dead cattle – not your usual disease or random poisonin’ from eatin’ bad food, no, poor cattle were bein’ torn to shreds; all blood drained. Some of us decided to take a look…” Buck shook his head, letting out a heavy sigh. “Overnight, farms turned into fields worse than slaughterhouses. I never seen anythin’ like it. And it was random too: some cattle dead, some alive.”

“Hmmm. Demons do have a thirst for blood, but only lesser ones wouldn’t risk going after armed humans.” You pondered, your memory going back to all the things you read in the Codex Daemonica. It was the best knowledge reference you knew… After Dante and Vergil. “You might’ve grown a reputation of being too tough for them not to attack you right away.”

“We tried to keep our lil’ town as protected as we could, pal.” Buck now had a thankful smile on his mustache, proud to hear someone like you appreciated their efforts and courage. “That didn’t keep those things at bay, though. We tried all superstition and priests to keep those things away. Some of us even tried shootin’ some in the dark, but they kept comin’ back. Farmers would be terrorized inside their houses at night, keepin’ their families safe and prayin’ they wouldn’t wake up to their cattle mutilated.” The man’s thick, white eyebrows met in the middle of his forehead, eyes turning somber once again. “We were fightin’, pal. Keepin’ things together as we could. ‘Til that thunderstorm; rumblin’ in the skies like the devil’s herd themselves, crossin’ our path to bring our doom.”

You felt a chill dripping down your spine, rearranging yourself at the edge of Dante’s desk as if you were trying to make your sitting spot more comfortable. You weren’t one to fear any sort of devilish stories – quite the contraire, you and Dante heard those with enthusiasm and even let out some good laughs while at it – but you had to give it to that cowboy. He knew how to tell an ominous story, and that was a rare find.

He would be a certified success at camps, telling ghost stories by a bonfire at night.

“Thunderstorm, huh? That’s no small demon.” Dante suddenly turned serious – and when that happened, play time was over.

“Nothin’ small indeed. The cattle mutilation got worse, if you can imagine. Their blood, their parts… Gone. Some folk in the city tried to see what was goin’ on, and they did see somethin’: dark figures, watchin’ us from over the hills. Always when the night was approachin’, when the horror would begin. The ones who tried to fight back… Well…” Buck sighed, taking a little embroidered handkerchief from his pockets and drying some of the sweat that started to appear between his bushy white brows. “We lost our first townspeople. Good folk. Fair, hardworkin’ people. Good with a rifle too.”

“I know it’s a rather insensitive question, but it’s important, Mr. Carson…” You immediately apologized before you could even ask what you had in mind – after all, you could see the sorrow in the man’s eyes. Sorrowful cowboys had your heart softened like ice cream melting on summer, and you had Dante to blame over that. “But were there bodies? If so, did they have anything missing…?”

“Hmmm, yeah, they had some parts missin’… Mostly hair, nails… One of them, those things they… Well, they…” Buck sighed once more, putting the handkerchief away. You and Dante were used to that sort of horror – having contact with someone who didn’t work in the business like you did was definitely grounding as to what was considered horrible or not. “They took tongues and teeth too. A grim sight, pal, a grim sight… They all had their throats slit, clean cut, pale with their eyes frozen in fear. Forever starin’ at the thing that took their life.”

“Wait, you said clean cut…? As in a blade cut?” Dante had both his arms on his table now, leaning forward with interest as his eyebrows betrayed the confusion that information caused him. “Not an animal’s claw?”

“Nah, friend, that was definitely a blade. I know my animals, and I’m a pretty decent tracker along with some folks who like to hunt together sometimes. We know what’s a cut from a knife and a cut from a beast. Even those beasts you two been huntin’.” Buck shook his head affirmatively with so much conviction you couldn’t doubt his words. “Every single throat was slashed with a blade, maybe a huntin’ knife. The rest that was taken… Well, I dunno. I don’t wanna think a human could’ve done somethin’ so monstrous to someone else. That’s gotta be those demons of yours… After all, they come back every night.”

“And they kill humans every night as well? How many so far?” You maybe had something in your mind, but things were actually quite foggy. Some things didn’t add up – and, judging by Dante’s expression, he was on the same page as you.

“Not every night, no. We’ve been keepin’ ourselves safe. We’ve been sleepin’ together at big places: hotels, churches, markets. Barricade the doors, guards with rifles takin’ turns so everyone has a chance to rest, town watch to keep an eye on the dark figures on the hills… But sometimes, that’s not enough, friend. Sometimes, one of us gets lost and the body turns up the next day.” Buck lowered his head, shaking it right after. “It took us some time to find out how to fight back. We never knew there were… Professionals in dealin’ with those things. We thought we were abandoned to our own doom and nothin’ could save us, until a random couple from Redgrave said a man named Dante might be able to help our lil’ town. Gave us a number, and Morrison picked up.”

“Well, it’s a good thing you found us, then.” You smiled back, trying to lift up the mood a little bit – something that was quite impossible, but you pitied the man. You just wanted to see cowboys smiling; again, something you would always blame Dante for.

“I hope so, friend.” His mustache curled up on a small smile and you already had some more joy in your heart. Dante almost laughed upon seeing you so happy from trying to cheer up a client – you would always do the best you could, and you would always let your heart open to empathy. Something so human, and so lovely to his eyes. “Folks in town weren’t so sure ‘bout me comin’ all the way down to Redgrave to check this ‘devil hunter’, but it’s the last chance we got. We decided to risk it.”

“Your gamble paid off, pal. You got me interested – and, if you’re payin’, you got me hired.” Dante sighed back in his classic nonchalant way, already getting up from his chair, offering his hand to close the deal.

“That won’t be a problem. A job well-done is a job well-paid – you get rid of those horrors in Silverstone, the whole town will be more than willin’ to compensate you, pal.” Buck put his hat back on, shaking Dante’s hand. “I’ll be goin’ back to town tomorrow first time in the mornin’ –”

“Ya don’t have to worry. We can keep up.”

The biggest smile in the room was Morrison’s: he always got a commission whenever he found a job for you and Dante, so the promise of the whole town being monetarily thankful to you both was a great prospect for him as well. As Morrison and Buck Carson left the shop, and you all said your goodbyes, Dante went around the desk, slightly leaning on it by your side while keeping his arms crossed and eyes on the door – just like you.

“Demons don’t usually use blades.” You finally said what you both thought was so weird about all that story.

“And when they do, they’re not the chaotic bunch of the imps. They’re much worse.” Dante agreed with you, his voice now serious and pensive.

“What do you think? Hell Generals? Higher rank demons?” You furrowed your brows a bit, looking up to his reflective face. “Angelos…?”

“Might be… Might be all of them, might be just one.” Dante sighed, slouching a bit on his desk while blankly staring at the heavy wooden doors of the Devil May Cry. “We’ll only figure it out when we get to Silverstone.”

“Hmmm. I guess you’re right.” After your own sigh, you did your best to reach out to his face and place a rather long kiss on his rough jaw – making Dante look back at you quite confused, breaking his blank stare and having life back into those sky-blue eyes. “You’re very handsome when you’re brooding, cowboy, did you know that?”

“Oh, you like it when I’m serious, sheriff?” And even if he kept his straight expression, you could hear the fun teasing and loving notes in Dante’s voice. “Maybe I’ve to play the ‘stoic cowboy’ more often to ya.”

“Eh, I love you anyway, red devil. You don’t have to play any roles for me.” You shrugged, giggling as Dante’s hands already pulled you closer to him, sneaking around your waist. “Blame it on that handsome face of yours.”

“Ya think I’m handsome, then…?” And now he had a bit of his goofy smile on his lips, hell bent on teasing you for the rest of the night. You knew exactly what you were getting yourself into – and, considering every single Halloween prior to this one, that kind of break would be very welcome. You could feel it in your bones. “My sheriff has a thing for handsome devils, huh?”

“For one handsome devil. I’m pretty committed, you know…?” You finally allowed him to playfully kiss your lips, both of you smiling between pecks. “I’m not one to think everyone is handsome. I have standards.”

“Oh, and this cowboy here is your kind of standard, yeah?”

“You bet you are, Dante.” With the certainty of your voice and the way you pulled his head to a deeper kiss, something ignited in Dante’s chest. You knew exactly how to get him going – and he would never complain about that.

“Ok, sheriff. You got what you wished for!” Breaking the kiss, Dante immediately lifted you in his arms, carrying you bridal style throughout the shop and up the stairs. “Undivided attention from your handsome devil tonight, no refunds!”

“See? You surpass every standard I may have, babe!” You giggled, leaving a few kisses on his neck.

That was something you both learned after a few couple life-threatening, serious jobs: always seize the moment you had before the storm; enjoy every kiss and every touch you could with each other prior to one of those dangerous gigs – it could very well be the last chance you would have.

*

“Well, well, rise and shine! Got enough of your beauty sleep?” Of course, Dante had to tease his nephew – or it wouldn’t be Dante.

“Yeah, maybe you should try it too. Be lookin’ too much like an old man, soon they’ll be mistakin’ you for Santa.” Nero’s answer was as sharp as his sword, perfect for a punk like him. You had to wheeze, receiving a side-eye from your red devil.

“What?” You shrugged back, while Kyrie stopped by the porch of the grand Wild West looking hotel you were all staying – property of Buck Carson – worriedly observing the hills in the distance against the orange sky. “You kinda asked for it. Santa.”

“Great.” Dante’s smile was poisoned with annoyance. “Lil’ angel is comin’ along too?”

“Nah, I don’t think it’s a good idea…” Nero started mumbling, and you could see it in his face: it was a topic of discussion between them both. Kyrie was brave and wanted to save people, while Nero was overprotective and wanted to save her at all costs. After the almost marriage, he became a little worse. “There’s plenty of people to help here in town…”

“The demons might have kidnapped and hurt people already, wherever they are.” Kyrie’s hazelnut eyes focused back on Nero – determined, but still kind. “If so, those people need help. You can kill the demons, but I can help the people.” She turned her eyes to you, like an accomplice. “It’s what we have been doing for a while now.”

“Yeah, it backfired last year. With both of ya.” Nero added, having you looking back at him with surprise, resting your hands on your hips. That was bold of him, to talk to you like that. He was your honorary nephew, after all.

You finally felt the pang of a parent being antagonized by their child and you were ready to give him your very first scolding – what a Halloween already.

“Eh, have to agree with the kid on that one.” But Dante got in the way first, and now your surprised gaze turned to your red devil – who immediately picked it up and was quite used to some scolding. “Ei, I’m just sayin’, babe! Last year, you both got yourselves in a pickle, this close to marryin’ a demon in a ceremony that would be a real pain in the ass to nullify if it had happened.” And Dante wouldn’t argue if he wasn’t worried himself: if it was just him, Vergil or Nero being headstrong about something stupid, he would let it go – but it was about you. And your safety was a subject he would never let go. “Cut us some slack here, will ya? We’re just tryna keep ya safe.”

You and Kyrie never looked so conflicted in your entire lifetimes up until that point. There you were, standing on the porch side by side, hands on your waists, ready to rebuke them like the most annoyed family member of the year – but how could you when your partners were only being that annoying because you were so important to them, the only thing they cared about was keeping you both safe?

You wanted to argue and kiss Dante, all at the same time – and Kyrie perfectly understood your conflict, because she wanted to do precisely the same with Nero.

“Well, you don’t want me to stay here in town, do you?” You finally asked the million dollar question. If you couldn’t disarm them with the old ‘you’re-worrying-too-much’ scolding, you had to appeal to logic. “I’m a devil hunter. I go on jobs by myself. I’m as important as Nero or you, big guy, on this one. Kyrie has been training with Nero for a year now to be able to protect herself on the field whenever she needs to come along to help people, and she’s been helping me a lot last couple of jobs. Even killed some demons herself.” With those words, Kyrie’s hazelnut eyes found yours with pride in them. You remembered telling her how Credo would be proud, and how emotional she got. Since then, she was becoming even fiercer, but still keeping her sweet kindness, only resorting to violence if she had no other option at hand. “If you think we can’t handle ourselves, then all that talk about humans being even stronger than demons is bullshit, and you only say that to feel better about yourselves. Your actions must match your words if you really believe in something, you know.”

Nero and Dante just stared back at you like two wet dogs who did something terribly wrong and now we're being lectured by their owner and asking for forgiveness. Not even in their wildest dreams they could’ve thought such calm words could make them feel so small and embarrassed for their actions. They were completely speechless, trying to find an argument back and trying to keep their pose – but failing miserably.

“Damn, did you go to Vergil’s school of winnin’ an argument…?” Dante shook his head, having his hands on his waist now – and a slight smile on his lips. “You know I do believe in that. You two get in trouble, I’m killin’ the bastard who touched you. That’s it for me.”

“Eh, that’s it for me too…” Nero scratched the back of his head, not being able to counter your logic. “But I’m stayin’ close to you, Kyrie!”

“Heeeeeey there, you suckers! Your magical ride arrived for the night!” Nico appeared just at the right moment, tires singing on the pavement as she parked the van. “Gotta say, the mechanic in town is pretty good! Not like me, of course, but we tuned up a few things that needed some fixin’ and the van is workin’ fine!”

That was enough to get Nero bantering with Nico and Dante on his way to the van, ready to get to work. You and Kyrie followed along together, with her entangling her arm on yours as you went down the stairs of the hotel’s entrance porch.

“That was good! Point for us!” She whispered to you while giggling, making you mirror her actions.

“Hey, I learned with the best.” You pointed back at Kyrie, a satisfied smile appearing on her lips. “Nothing like treating the Spardas like the kids at the orphanage.”

“Oh, a little bit of gentle authority goes a long way with Nero. Dante’s like that too, right?”

“You have no idea. Best thing I’ve ever learned from you.”

“Ei! Can you both stop gossipin’ and get on the van already…?” Nero tried to look annoyed and maintain the punk attitude but you both could see how that was cracking and his whole body looked a lot gentler than his words sounded.

“Eh, kid, we just lost all credibility. Time to accept that.” Dante gave his nephew a pat on the back as he hopped on the van, already used to that kind of situation. Nero just blushed as you both giggled together and he helped Kyrie up while you followed your red devil in.

Plopping right by his side, Dante was calmly reading one of the many magazines about gunsmithing. You scooted near him, landing a quick kiss on his jaw – his eyes finally looking back at you, a half-smile hidden on his lips.

“You know I love you, right?”

“Hell yeah I do, hot stuff.” And he landed a quick peck on your forehead. “I love you too.”

Dante’s attention got back to his magazine as Nico kickstarted the van and you took one of your guns of its case to check if everything was in order before the job. Nero sat by Kyrie’s side like a guard dog while she talked about something completely unrelated to hunting with the gunsmith virtuosa at the wheel.

With the sun almost hiding behind the hills, tainting everything in blood-orange, you all failed to notice the dark figures following your every footsteps and the tires of the van as you plunged in the night to find the demons terrorizing the little town of Silverstone.

*

You had to be fair to Nico: driving in the middle of a dark desert wasn’t an easy task. You were engulfed by a sea of darkness and the only light on the highway was that of the van. Granted, there was nothing for Nico to crash the vehicle on, but she wasn’t leaving the road either.

“What you’re seein’ today, is the new town. A few miles away, there’s the old town of Silverstone – the original, if you will.”

As soon as the sun shone in the sky that morning, you called Kyrie and briefed them of the job – which, of course, they were eager to be part of. Buck led you all to the city: riding ahead with Morrison in his truck, followed by the Devil May Cry van… And Dante riding the Cavaliere with you safely holding your red devil’s waist, as you always enjoyed the motorcycle rides.

He introduced you to all the members of the small council of townspeople who decided to take those hellish matters in their own hands and end the horrors – and soon, you were having a meeting to understand where the damn demons were coming from.

“It all started as a silver mine, closer to the hills. Folks started to settle around, built a church and soon, Silverstone was born.” An old woman, Frances Campbell, explained with a map opened on a big table at the hotel’s party room – the common areas now filled with mattresses tossed around and families refusing to dare set a foot outside; be it day or night. “The town was hit with a wave of prosperity, and even more people tried their luck in Silverstone. Soon, there were too many people for such a small little town – and that’s when the town you’re in was born.”

“Why change the location of the town, ma’am?” Kyrie had her attentive eyes analyzing the map and, as always, made the most insightful questions. “Was there something wrong with the initial town?”

“Nothin’ at all, my dear. At least at the beginning.” Frances added, fixing the thin glasses that were starting to slide down the bridge of her nose. “The original town was closer to the mines, but not the water. Silverstone now is a lot closer to the main river in the region.”

“Well, whenever there’s a peak of prosperity, there’s a peak of greed too; at least in my experience.” Dante crossed his arms, also studying the map.

You did love when he got all professional. That’s how you ended up showering him with kisses the previous night.

“And that you are right, Mr. Devil Hunter.” The woman pointed at Dante as a teacher does when a student makes a smart remark – you remembered Buck mentioning she was a retired professor, and you could see she still had that in her. “And with greed, comes crime. People started tryin’ to take advantage of each other, steal, cheat, murder… Everythin’ you hear in ol’ Wild West stories.”

“The type of thing that attracts demons. Maybe that’s why they decided to appear now…?” You furrowed your brows and looked at Dante, but he too had a not so sure expression. “It was long ago, though, as you are saying, ma’am. It’s a long shot, but I’m trying to understand here why demons attacking Silverstone of all places all of a sudden.”

“Well, rumors started goin’ around the town back then, of a man who made a deal with the devil.” And that made all of you even more attentive, as a pack of dogs who hear a favorite word. “He was the richest of Silverstone, built a huge mansion in the old town… Died a horrible death: he got caught in the middle of a stampede. People never found his horse, nor the cattle and the drovers, but they found his body teared in pieces across the desert.”

“How did they know it was a stampede, then…?” And you would never tell him as not to hurt his pride, but Nero looked like a child hearing a spooky story by a bonfire.

“There were roof marks everywhere. Some parts of the sand seemed burned, as if the roofs were made of hot steel.” The lady’s voice was ominous and you did think she and Buck would make one hell of a couple. Maybe that could be your side quest for that Halloween, if there was something close to a spark between them. They would be an absolute banger at the spooky orphanage parties. “The townspeople said the devil had come to collect his part of the bargain for all the money the man got of his contract. Soon, the man’s wife died in an accident at home, and strange, usually deadly, happenin’s started occurring at the mansion. Everyone left and the building was considered haunted. The town started havin’ more and more issues involving death and horrible accidents, and soon everyone believed the man had cursed them from beyond the grave. That’s when the townspeople decided it was time to build a better version of Silverstone.”

“Nothin’ like an old, power-hungry bastard to bring down a whole city…” Nero mumbled more to himself than to anyone else while reading the map – but everyone could feel who he was really talking about. Wherever Vergil was at his Halloween job at the moment, you were certain he was feeling a sting from being stabbed by his own son in the distance. “Gotta a name for this as-Gentleman…?”

You couldn’t hold back a wheeze when Kyrie elbowed Nero so he wouldn’t curse so much in front of Frances, and tried to correct himself.

“Beau Blackwell. My grandma knew him, snob fellow. She never liked him too much, and kept cursin’ his troubled soul ‘til the day she went to the grave herself.”

“The Campbell ladies were never the kind to mess with, that’s for certain.” Buck finally arrived back, having both his hands hanging at the edge of his belt, his moustache smiling to Frances. “Grandma Campbell was a tough one.”

“That she was. Ol’ Blackwell didn’t even try to get in her way.” She had a proud smile back in her thin lips, a spark igniting in her smart eyes as soon as Buck Carson arrived.

Oh, you knew that spark. Your side quest for Halloween was on.

“And what did your grandma think of this Blackwell guy, ma’am? He had a deal?” For Dante, that was the most important information at the moment. A contract could indicate a whole number of things, but there was a good chance the old town had at least one good demon summoning place – at worst, a door to the underworld itself.

“She sure thought he did. As far as she said, Blackwell was a useless wimp who couldn’t find a slab of silver if it was paradin’ naked right in front of his nose.” So far, Nico was serious and didn’t get much into the demon talk – probably studying the map and all the routes in and out of the old town, as she always did. But the whole naked silver slab thing made you and her have to hold a wheeze – Nico failing and trying to mask it with a cough. “He also got to marry the sheriff’s daughter, the most beautiful and smart woman around back then – and the one all men fought to get. For some reason, the woman fell head over heels for a spineless shrimp like Beau.”

“Doesn’t look like she was that smart after all.” Buck shrugged. “I always thought that was the Campbell’s title.”

Oh, yes. Buck was genuinely head over heels for his Frances – and judging by the way she glared him back, with a smart smile on her lips, it was corresponded.

“We kinda got the title after she chose that ass.” With Frances’ answer, Nero couldn’t help but beam a proud smile: if she was cursing, he could curse as well. “The fact is, Blackwell was suddenly hit with a wave of luck that was very much out of character. And then, found death in the most mysterious and grim circumstances.”

“Yeah. That has the foul smell of a demon contract right there…” Dante was pensive again, now looking at the map. “Is the ol’ Blackwell mansion easy to find?”

“Pretty easy, Mr. Devil Hunter. It’s the biggest one in the ol’ town, bigger even than the church. Damn Blackwell was a show-off with all that money of his.”

“Well, it sounds more and more like a contract to me.” Dante sighed, looking back at Frances and Buck. “If they’re watchin’ Silverstone from the hills and there’s that much history in the ol’ town, I think it’s safe to say that’s where the demons are comin’ from. Either way, we’re checkin’ it tonight.”

“Tonight?” Buck’s eyebrows met in the middle of his forehead, Frances copying his worried expression. “Don’t you prefer to go durin’ the day, when those creatures aren’t out?”

“Eh, I can’t put on much of a show if there aren’t any demons to kill, can I?” Dante shrugged and you had to smile. Buck had a point, but you knew the best time to check would be at night: if they were attacking when the sun was gone, that’s when you would find them. Prior to that, you risked finding anything at all. “Besides, I got the cavalry with me. We’ll be fine and you’ll be out of demons in no time.”

With the van riding in pitch-black darkness, though, you couldn’t make out any shapes in the distance: you would only see the creatures on the hills if you had the moon behind it – but it seemed like even the moon herself was hidden that night.

It was eerily quiet as well. You had checked your guns and your sword, making sure everything was in pristine condition. Now that you had nothing else to do, you were watching outside and paying attention to your surroundings – and there weren’t many noises. There were just a few sounds here and there that you couldn’t quite isolate and figure out what it was. But it felt, familiar in an off putting kind of way.

“Ei, sheriff. Everything ok there?” Dante’s voice took you out of your thoughts, and you turned your attention to him. “Your eyebrow will soon look like just one, the way you’re frownin’ there, hot stuff. What’s wrong?”

“Hmmm… I dunno…” You murmured back, trying to relax your eyebrows a little bit. That made Dante smile. “I have a… Feeling.”

“A feelin’, huh? What kind of feelin’, pretty eyes?” And even if he had that easygoing tone sprinkled in his voice and attitude, Dante did take on a more serious demeanor. “Good one? Bad one…?”

“A… Weird one. I can’t quite tell if it’s good or bad…” You had your worried expression back on, trying to understand what the hell was that thing stirring in your heart. Your feelings were notorious between you and Dante: he said it was your spidey-sense tingling, even if you didn’t have any heritage like his. “I just know something is wrong. I’m not feeling like things are completely… Ok.”

“Have they ever been ok in this family, y/n?” Nero had to put his two cents in the conversation, immediately making you a little less worried – and giggling with his question. “But hey, if you’re feelin’ somethin’s wrong, we should have our guard up.”

“Well put, kid. Y/n’s spidey-sense is no joke.”

“It’s not a spidey-sense, c’mon…” You rolled your eyes, already smiling with your red devil and honorary nephew.

But the moment couldn’t last for too long: soon, the van jumped in the air, as if it had aggressively ran over something.

“Hey, Nico! What the fuckin’ hell was that?!” Nero held Kyrie’s waist so she wouldn’t fly around the van – and only after you checked on them, you realized Dante had the very same reaction, but holding you close to him.

If you flew around, you would fly around together. You jump, I jump, as Jack Dawson would say.

“I’ve no idea!!”

“Don’t’cha know how to drive anymore?!” And now Nero stumbled over to the driver’s seat, as Nico stopped the van with a screech. He almost stamped on the front window like a sticker. “What the fuck is goin’ on?!”

“Why don’t you do the drivin’, if you’re so good yourself, huh?!” Nico fixed her glasses on her face, hands trembling and flailing everywhere. “I dunno what happened! It wasn’t an animal, nothin’ like that!! It was too fast and I didn’t see it! One minute, the road was clear, the other, I hit somethin’ and went over it!!”

“Oh, maybe it was a coyote or a wolf trying to cross the road…!” Kyrie’s heart was almost coming out of her throat, but you could all hear the tone of worry in her voice.

“It can very well be, those animals are common around here.” You had your own hand over your heart, feeling it beating like a samba school in peak Carnaval. “They aren’t used to cars, specially this time of the night.”

“C’mon, kid. Let’s check it out.” Dante got up from the seat, leaving Rebellion behind and carrying only Ebony and Ivory in his hands. “If it’s an animal, we can’t leave the pooch agonizing out there. If it isn’t…”

“They’ll regret gettin’ in the way.” Nero answered with a smile and already reloading Blue Rose, leaving Red Queen behind with Kyrie. “You better stay in the van.”

“Was that for me as well? ‘Cause you know, I got my own set of cool guns, too.” You looked back at Dante, waving your dual guns around – and winning a quick laugh from him.

“Hey, if it’s nothin’, it’s just trouble for you, pretty eyes. If it is somethin’, well, thank you’re more than welcome to join the party.” With those words, he winked back at you and left the van with Nero.

You remained close to the van’s door, telling Kyrie to seat beside Nico on the driver’s seat. None of you could really see what was going on: the only thing in front of you was the dark road and endless miles of pitch-black desert. For Kyrie and Nico, it was no different; although they had the headlights to light up a few meters ahead.

You could hear their steps as they quietly approached whatever it was that Nico ran over. Awfully quiet for the both of them. That feeling you had before only tightened in your chest, reverberating even more, almost making you forget how to breathe. Those seconds dragged like feet drenched in quicksand, trying to move but unable to get anywhere.

Until you heard a gunshot.

Before you could even ask what was going on, a dead demon flew over the van and landed on the hood with a loud noise, staring at all of you with its dead eyes and blood splattering everywhere – which made Nico and Kyrie immediately start screaming, almost hugging each other.

You jumped out of the van, finding Nero and Dante surrounded by demons – low tier demons, though, nothing you three couldn’t handle together. Wielding your dual guns, you started to shoot as fast as Dante had taught you.

Not as fast as he did, though. That was his demonic blood at work.

“Where did they come from?” You ran up to him, standing with your back to your red devil’s back – that way, you both could cover a larger area.

“No idea, babe. We were checkin’ out the dead one. Don’t move!” With those words, Dante used the dead demon as leverage to jump right above you and pull off his classic spinning move with Ebony and Ivory. With you in the middle, right below him, it was impossible to hit you.

You had to be fair: you would always be impressed when he did that and managed to keep you safe while slaughtering all the demons around you in one single move.

When you were least expecting, though, a blade flew by your side – superficially slashing your upper right cheek, but enough to make a constant flow of blood trail down your face.

Dark figures were approaching – like the ones the townsfolk described. You, Nero and Dante were already expecting higher rank demons; the ones who were really behind all that mess.

Until you all heard a motorcycle noise.

“What the…?!” Before Nero could finish cursing, though, you all turned around only to find a set of motorcycles running right into your direction. If Nero hadn’t grabbed you and dodged right away, you would certainly end up with a nasty injury.

You counted quickly. There were around sixteen of those dark figures, including the ones on foot and the ones on the motorcycles. One of them held an amulet that glowed with a blood red light in the dark, creating dark seals on the floor – the ones that summoned more of the lesser demons from the underworld.

That was where they were coming from.

“Nico, hit the gas! Get the hell out of here!” Nero immediately screamed, assessing the situation the same way as you did: it was a very bad situation.

“But…!”

“Now’s not the time to argue, Goldstein!” Dante’s voice was almost a roar – and Nico rarely heard him calling her like that. It was enough to make the gunsmith virtuosa get the van running. “Y/n…!”

“Ah, hell no, big guy! I’m not leaving without you!” You roared back, already shooting one of the demons that tried to attack Dante. The van’s tires screeched on the road as Nico turned it around abruptly to go back the way you came from – back to the new town of Silverstone. In a safer place, they could figure out what to do. “You jump, I jump! No refunds!”

Dante’s heart didn’t know if it wanted to jump out of his chest from desperation of having you in such a situation or from elation of you loving him so much as to put yourself in danger.

It was probably because of both.

“Kid! Y/n! Back to back, the three of us! C’mon!” He didn’t even had to say it again: soon, you had Dante’s and Nero’s backs to yours, the three devil hunters making it rain bullets over the demons. The motorcycles tried to approach, but you would always threaten them with killer shots.

With Dante’s sharp eyes in the dark, he eventually hit one of the motorcycles in such a way it crashed a few meters away from you. With the right shot, he could make it explode – and it was a strategy to use. He just wanted some more of those goofs to approach, so he could take a lot of them at the same time.

One of the motorcycles, though, decided to be brave – or suicidal, depending on your point of view – and try to run through the three of you, almost running you over. This time, though, your reflexes were quick enough to dodge in time, but that made you three separate.

“Alright… You clowns are startin’ to piss me off…” With that rumbling comment from Dante, he held out his hand, summoning Devil Sword Dante in a blaze of fire.

You could hear Nero groaning – he definitely missed Red Queen at the moment and ever since Dante managed to summon his two main swords, Nero always complained he couldn’t be that cool while fighting.

Understandable. You were missing your very own sword – you could only wish you could make it come over to you that easily.

At this point, you were pretty sure you would win. As Dante slaughtered the demons – and whatever figure who tried to come any closer – the odds were certainly in your favor. You helped with some shots here and there, aiding his kills and getting the job done.

Until you felt your fingers tingling. Furrowing your brows, you looked down only to see your hands trembling. Your vision became blurry, as the world suddenly tilted under your feet. The gash in your cheek burned with the wrath of the fires of hell.

“What the…” You mumbled, opening and closing your eyes a few times. You could barely hear Nero calling your name: it seemed like he was stuck inside a tin can. “Nero… Dante…?”

“Ei, babe, what’s…” Dante lowered his sword and, before he could finish asking, the dark figure with the amulet finally stepped near enough for you to see it was nothing but a human – which he confirmed when he lowered the hood of the dark robe he, and the other humans, were wearing. “You better start talkin’ before I decide to cut off that ugly head of yours. What’s goin’ on?!”

“It’s a pleasure to make your acquittance, son of Sparda.” The man allowed a calm smile to grace his lips framed by a well-maintained goatee as you felt a sting of fire coursing through your whole body. You tried to keep it in, but you couldn’t hold back a groan. “I am kindly inviting you and your… Relative…” The man gestured to Nero, still completely ignoring you and the ever so worsening pains. “To join us in the old town for a talk. We have much to discuss.”

“What the fuck did you do to y/n?”

The man looked into Dante’s blue eyes – now with some sparks of red, teeth already growing into fangs – knowing quite well all their intentions would be fumbled if Dante and Nero decided to trigger right then and there.

And that was why you were an insurance.

“It’s a simple poison, found in the underworld. If the cure isn’t administered soon enough, though, your… Pet, I take it… Will perish.” The man treated you with disdain, making Dante already try to walk towards him to have his sword on the man’s throat. The human, though, lifted his hand, showing a glowing purple vial. “No human antidote can counter it, only the demonic one. This is the only sample in miles. They have only a few minutes, if I am not wrong, and the death… Oh, it is exquisitely agonizing.”

Dante’s jaw was locked. You could barely see through your blurring vision, fighting every fiber of your being to remain on your two feet – but your red devil was tense and ready to fight… Ready to kill. If he let his demon out, there wouldn’t be a soul left to tell the story of that night.

“What do you want?” His voice had a slight tinge of distortion – as you could almost sense, Dante was a word away from triggering.

“You and your kin to put down your weapons and follow us. We have prepared a very important celebration tonight and you are the guests of honor – especially you, Tony Redgrave.” You choked upon hearing that name: very few people knew that alias and, judging by Nero’s confused reaction, even fewer than you thought. “Do this, and we shall save your… Pet.”

“Call y/n ‘pet’ again, I’ll cut your tongue off, smartass.” Dante scoffed, apparently not affected by hearing his old name from the lips of a shady character in such a desolated place. “Don’t usually trust strangers in the middle of a crossroads.”

“As proof of my good faith, son of Sparda…” With those words, the man handed the vial to one of the other hooded figures – another human like him, wearing a dark robe to their feet, keeping their head down under the hood – who approached you slowly. Dante had his eyes trained on them, watching their every move. “I’m taking the first step. Lower your weapons, and my assistant shall heal your… Human.”

You couldn’t keep yourself standing anymore. With your stomach burning, you feel to your knees, barely able to see Dante in amidst the darkness and your blurry vision. Closing your eyes, your head was in such pain you thought soon blood would run down your face instead of tears. Your heart pounded on your chest quicker than when you rode the Cavaliere with your red devil and, as much as you didn’t like to admit, you came to the conclusion that was like dying felt like.

“Alright. Do your thing then.” Dante lowered his hand and his sword was gone in a small set of flames, Ebony and Ivory being abandoned on the floor.

“What…?! Dante…!” Nero was ready to fight back, to get that vial and cure you himself, but he saw the plea in his uncle’s eyes. You were outnumbered and you were dying from a poison none of you had the cure – only them. If they wanted, they could break that vial in a million pieces and leave you to die a horrifying death. “C’mon, we can…” But even Nero didn’t know what more they could do.

“Hey, Nero. Please.” Dante’s voice had no edge of playfulness or the typical easygoing tone. He was serious, defeated even. He would allow himself to be enslaved if that meant saving you – and all he was asking was for Nero to put down his weapons.

And so he did, with Blue Rose hitting the floor right after.

As soon as the assistant inserted the purple antidote into your bloodstream, others quickly approached Nero and Dante, locking heavy silver bracelets around their wrists – immediately cutting out their demonic powers. It was a first for Nero, who stumbled around and seemed like a dizzy, drunk young man. Dante, on the other hand, knew exactly how that felt like, having gone through something similar during his time at the Temen-ni-gru. Ancient demonic wisdom, infused in those bracelets to suppress demonic power and subdue powerful demons to a weaker one’s will… Or to enslave them for eternity, as it happened to Vergil once.

“Come. The night has only just begun.”

You felt your head burning as you watched them viciously knocking down Dante and Nero – something you thought you would never see in your entire lifetime. Falling to the floor of the road, you tried to get up, barely having any strength in your arms. You would drag yourself to them if you had to, but you wouldn’t give up… At least, not until your body gave out.

“What about their… Human… Master?” The assistant checked, standing right beside you but not moving a single finger to help you up.

“Leave them. A weak thing like that deserves to die like roadkill.” The man dismissed with a quick wave of his hand, ordering the others to carry the Spardas back to the old town.

Warm tears trickled down your eyes. You tried to get up, but your body was slowly giving out – the burning sensation, though, was fading away. Indeed, the antidote was working, but your body took the toll of it.

You weren’t weak. You were not. All those years, Dante kept fighting by your side, singing your praises as one of the most powerful humans he had ever met. You defeated the worst of Hell, you faced nonstop hordes alongside your red devil. A stuck-up snob like that unknown guy had no right to call you weak. You were not weak. You were not…

Your hands started giving out as you slowly tried to claw your way to their direction – but they were already long gone and the only soul left in the middle of that desolated highway was you.

But you were human. More powerful than any demon, as Dante would say. Why couldn’t you get up, then…?

Your arms gave out and you hit your face on the warm road, eyes closing in the middle of nowhere. The last thing you heart before fainting, was a blade cutting the asphalt right next to your hand – ready for you when you opened your eyes again.

*

“What are we going to do?!”

“I don’t know!”

“We can’t just leave!”

“I know!”

“What are we going to DO?!”

“I don’t KNOW!”

That was the main conversation back and forth between Kyrie and Nico as the gunsmith virtuosa drove the highway as if the devil’s herd itself was chasing them viciously, their hot breath on their necks, ready to take their souls.

Kyrie was standing right by the driver’s seat, holding for dear life on the very thing, as Nico gripped the wheel like she never did before in her life. They both screamed while the van was practically trotting on the road, bumping on every single stone on the way since Nico couldn’t care less to dodge at that point.

It was actually very impressive she never came to swallow her cigarette.

“What do you think will happen to them?!” Kyrie immediately gripped the necklace Nero gifted her in Fortuna – she saw it as a good luck charm, and would wear it anywhere. It made her feel closer to him and, whenever she was in trouble or uncertain, touching it would make her feel safe.

But never in her life it was the other way around: this time, she was worried Nero wouldn’t be safe. And that was so new.

“I dunno! I-I-I mean... Dante will…! He will, right?!” Nico stuttered back, barely able to think. If she could, she would light five or six cigarettes in a row. “I mean he… He called me Goldstein, for Hell’s sakes! He never does that! I’m as scared as you!”

“I know! They never did that!” Kyrie was about to cry – and she didn’t even know which emotion was making her feel like overflowing. “What about y/n? All of their swords are here, they took only their handguns!”

“What?!” Nico quickly glanced back only to see the three swords calmly lounging in the van. “Oh, fuck! I mean… Well, Dante… He has that big ass flamin’ sword inside ‘im, right? He can summon at any moment…! Right?!”

“I hope he can! I’m used to Nero, I don’t know how Dante’s sword works!” Kyrie rolled her eyes in pure despair, going back in the van to check on everyone’s swords. Red Queen now looked so quiet, so… Dead. It didn’t sit well with her, not like that. It had to be with Nero. He needed his sword. “Y/n knows how Dante works!”

“Oh, be damned! We’re on a hell of a fucked-up situation here, Kyrie!”

“You don’t have to tell me that twice…” Kyrie sighed, plopping down on the couch and cradling her head with both of her hands. After a few seconds of pure desperation, the woman turned her hazelnut eyes back to the Red Queen. The sword seemed like it was ready to rev-up, burning to be back in the hands of her master – like it was as annoyed as Kyrie to be away from Nero, sensing, like her, that he needed his weapon.

In the distance, Kyrie saw Rebellion trembling, as if it had the very same problem. Differently from Red Queen, though, it didn’t seem like a figment of Kyrie’s imagination: even if the van was kicking and prancing around, she could clearly see Rebellion was vibrating, as if it was ready to take flight. She remembered Nero telling her Dante could summon his sword like that: a simple call and she would fly over to his hands, no matter where he was.

“We need to go back.” The resolution settled in Kyrie’s heart as she stood up, holding the charm on the necklace she loved so much.

“What?! Have you lost your mind too?!” Nico didn’t know if she looked back to Kyrie or if she kept an eye on the road. “Those creepy dudes will kebab us in half a second if we step in that ol’ town!”

“They need their weapons, Nico! Right now, we’re the only ones that can help them get back to their owners!” Kyrie walked back to the virtuosa – again holding on for dear life on the driver’s seat. “If we don’t do that, their chance of getting away is very low! They’re depending on us to do the right thing, Nico!” She took a deep breath, closing her eyes. “Nero needs me. He saved me so many times, I will not fail him now.”

Nico remained silent for a while, frowning while chewing on the tip of her cigarette – the trotting of the van making her go up and down on the driver’s seat, almost hitting her head on the roof sometimes.

Kyrie was right. She knew the little angel was right. Nero hadn’t saved just Kyrie throughout the years, he had saved Nico too: she was just a crazy gunsmith with a very dubious driving style and a van to get the devil hunter around, but he was the one who would always get the job done. And when trouble came a little too close to them, Nero always made sure it would never even touch Nico. She could drive fearlessly through a horde of demons because she knew Nero would slay them all. That was something her heart always took for granted.

Now it was time to pay it back. It was time for her to risk her skin to get Nero out of trouble.

And damn well she would.

“Alright, little angel! We need a plan to save those three asses!” The resolution that resided in Kyrie now bled to Nico, making the angelic woman beam a satisfied and proud smile. “I’d say we go in guns blazin’, but we don’t have any guns – and those swords are useless for us.”

“I say we take a stealthy route. Calm down, breathe, think. Go back and give them their swords to let them do their job.” Kyrie’s voice now was a lot steadier, finally feeling a little surer of herself.

In the middle of nowhere, Nico slowed down until she stopped the van. The two women finally looked at each other.

“This gon’ be madness, you know that, right?” The virtuosa made sure Kyrie understood the seriousness of the situation they got themselves into.

“Yeah. But we’ve never really got scared of a little madness, have we?”

With an accomplice look, they giggled at each other, the tension finally seeming to dissipate a little. Leaving the driver’s seat, Nico stood up to check on the swords and think of a plan with Kyrie.

“What do ya think? They got kidnapped by that… What the hell was that, anyway?!”

“It sure looked a lot like the Order of the Sword…” Kyrie sighed, having memories of her younger days in Fortuna – making Nico remember as well. “I’d call it a cult. And I don’t know… Maybe they did get away, but…”

Nico waited for her to continue, but the words got lost in her tongue. Holding her amulet once more, Kyrie sighed before speaking.

“I don’t feel right. Something is wrong. Something’s wrong with Nero.”

“Eh… You and y/n with your weird ‘bein’-the-lover-of-a-demon’ bond thing…” Nico raised one eyebrow, pretending to have shivers. “It’s spooky sometimes. But well, if you’re sayin’ somethin’ ain’t right, I believe ya.”

Before the two women could keep going, though, Rebellion started vibrating more violently, stealing their attention. They frowned, looking at the sword as she threw a tantrum – seemingly looking like it would gain life at any moment.

“Uuuuuh… What’s goin’ on…?”

“I don’t know! You’re the gunsmith; you should know about demon swords better than me!” And even if Kyrie scolded Nico, she couldn’t take her eyes from Rebellion – after all, neither of the ladies knew what the sword was about to do.

“You’re the one datin’ a demon!”

“Nero’s weapons work a lot differently than Dante’s!”

With a loud clang, the eyes on the horned skull near the handle of Rebellion lit up in red, the sword perking up in resolve. Kyrie let out a loud screech as Nico jumped back, ready to have to tame the thing – after all, they had never seen that happening before.

In a blink, Rebellion went flying out of one of the van’s windows, crashing it like a million of stars, disappearing into the night.

Nico and Kyrie slowly looked at each other – their hearts beating furiously inside their chests.

“What the hell just happened…?”

“I think… I think that’s how Dante summons his sword…” Kyrie tried to explain in a whisper, still barely able to breathe.

“Doesn’t his sword come out of flames he summons from within’ himself, though…?” Nico couldn’t understand a single thing going on. She thought she knew how everything worked – but that Halloween was proving to be quite an adventure already.

“I don’t know…” Kyrie closed her eyes, keeping one hand over her heart. “Red Queen is very different…”

And, as if to agree with her, the sword herself revved up just a little, a few flames igniting for a couple of seconds. The two women stared at it, a little alarmed.

“And you? Not gonna say anythin’ for yourself too?” Nico pointed at your sword, not knowing what to expect.

With a little shake and a tingling sound, it seemed like your sword was telling off the gunsmith virtuosa.

Exchanging looks, the two women assessed the work they had in their hands.

Returning your sassy swords would be one hell of a ride.

*

It felt like the worst hangover of your life.

You slowly opened your eyes as pain reverberated through all the limbs on your body. Your head was pounding, every breath felt like your lungs were about to burst and your stomach apparently wouldn’t even be able to keep water down, if you had any.

As you came to your senses, you sat in the middle of the road, assessing your situation.

It was bad.

Really bad.

You were abandoned literally in the middle of nowhere. No one in sight: no town, no car, no soul, nothing. You could barely hold yourself together, let alone walk miles and miles in any direction to get anywhere. If you went to the old town to help Dante and Nero you would be more of a hinderance than anything else. If you went to the new town to get help and maybe meet Nico and Kyrie, you would probably arrive in the morning and, by then, the damage would be done already.

To say you were feeling useless was an understatement.

Looking around, though, you finally realized what was that slashing sound you heard before blacking out: Rebellion had carved the road, having come to your aid, as Dante said it would do if it felt you were in trouble – like it did to him. All you had to do was call; apparently, you did it unconsciously, seeking his help even when your mind was fading and all hope was gone.

You couldn’t help but smile – a bittersweet smile, but a smile nonetheless.

“Well, thank you for coming, old friend…” Your started talking, using all your strength to get yourself on your feet again. It took you more than you expected. “But I guess I’m not in my best shape at the moment… I’ve no idea what to do.”

With those words, you gripped the handle of the legendary sword and pulled it off the ground. At least you could still wield it, even if you were tired and defeated.

“We’re in the middle of a lost crossroads, in this godforsaken piece of desert, no way back and no way forward – also no prospects of helping Dante and Nero. Let’s face it, Rebellion. We need a miracle.” You sighed, looking at the horned skull that embellished Dante’s first sword. With that, you summoned all the strength left in your body to rest it on your shoulders as your lover would always do – taking a deep breath and beginning your way to the old town. “Standing here will serve us nothing, though. I guess we gotta make it happen.”

“One should know they can always reach out for a miracle in the crossroads, little one.”

You turned around, startled, ready to put Rebellion to use – but the only thing you found in that empty road was… Yourself.

Yourself, but not really. Something was off. That same gut feeling you had before, started to form at the base of your stomach now. It was like staring at yourself in the mirror, but the eyes… Something was wrong with the eyes – as if they were not quite yourself. Looking down, the figure who slowly approached wearing your form had two sets of shadows – while you, yourself, had only one.

“Some would call that kind of miracle a curse.” You rebuked carefully, still studying that creature’s intentions. You had heard Dante and Vergil talking of doppelgangers, but that didn’t act like one: it was too sentient, too intelligent to be one.

“Not all of them were in your shoes.” The figure smiled – it was your smile, but with a different edge that made you feel slightly uncomfortable.

Either way, the creature – whatever it was – had reason on their side. Your situation was pretty hopeless and you still had a long way to go… You had much to do. Dante and Nero needed you. Whatever those cult like people wanted, it wasn’t good. The man knew Dante’s previous alias, and that was never a good omen.

For the first time, it was your red devil who needed the saving – and you weren’t nearly in no way, shape or form to do so.

You needed whatever help anyone could offer. You needed a miracle – or a curse.

“Now if you’re thinking I’m like those foolish cultists messing with powers they think they can control, you’re wrong. Besides, I could have killed you at any point while you were unconscious at the crossroads, even without Sparda’s beloved Rebellion by your side. I’m simply a bystander that’s looking to be entertained and eager to make mischief on this moonless night.” The figure paused and chuckled. “Not even Hecate could interfere – like she could, anyways.”

“Who are you…?” You asked carefully, wary of the utter convenience and situation at hand.

“My name has been lost for the ages, but it’s not of great importance. You, however, are much more interesting; after all, you are Dante Sparda, The Legendary Demon Hunter’s beloved and prized human. Untouched by demonic blood and yet able to wield one of the most powerful blades known to demonic kind. Consider yourself lucky to have such a powerhouse of a weapon by your side. However, I’m guessing that you’re in need of something with much more firepower to get your nephew and lover back.”

“How do you–“

“Sparda may have had many enemies, but there were a few of us demons that stayed loyal to him even after he left The Underworld.” With those words, the creature mimicking your appearance bowed a bit before turning a soften gaze to the sword in your hands. “It’s lovely to see you again, Rebellion, and I’m quite fond of your new powers as well; it’s a nice touch.”

“Wait a minute, you knew Sparda and served under him?” With your question, the figure wearing your likeness nodded. “Then why can’t you stop the cult that took Dante and Nero?”

“Simple, I’m not the one they’re trying to summon. However, though, they do have something of mine that I would like back.”

“And what would that be…?” When dealing with demons, all wariness couldn’t be enough.

“Dear ol’ Beau Blackwell’s skull, of course!!” Your mirror cackled before coughing politely. “You see, one of my subordinates double crossed me and took the damn fool before he was ready, and soiled the deal I had with him. So, when I came to collect, the body was there, but the head was missing along with his soul. Come a few decades later, I find what I’m looking for, but it’s out of my reach. See, us demons expend huge amounts of resources to stay in your world. It’s not as nice as the Underworld, but it’s decent at times.”

“Huh. So, the town folks were right about him taking a deal with a devil.” You murmured to yourself, one hand resting on your waist.

“Such a smart human, after all. Besides, when you meet the devil on the crossroads, on a pitch black night, talking to your mimic with two shadows… Such a bad omen indeed for most – but to others, a risky chance to turn things around, for a high price. If you know how to make a proper deal without losing it all in the end.”

Your eyes turned to the mirror of yourself – standing calmly in front of you, a peaceful smile on your face. Their eyes were not your own, those were demonic eyes. You were dealing with a demon in the crossroads – and that could turn into something really bad. Even if they were fond of Sparda, the very nature of trickster demons such as the one copying you was uncertain.

They could very well give you what you needed to succeed – but they could ask for an unfathomable price. Usually, the highest prices were always asked when people found themselves in desperate situations such as yours.

But your body was hurting. Your feet were barely able to hold you standing. Your hands were trembling, and you were pretty sure you could only wield Rebellion because the sword herself was aiding you – as Dante would if he was there. You were not in a position to deny any aid, you knew that – and the demon right in front of you knew it as well.

“Knowing how to make a deal is of little help when someone needs a deal.” You answered carefully, still watching the calmly smiling creature. “It usually exploits the one with less power.”

“However, I think you’ll like what I’ve got to offer – and you’ve got nothing to lose, after all.” Hearing that answer, you instinctively grabbed Rebellion tighter, making your clone let out a distorted laughter in amusement. “Oh, relax. I don’t want your soul or to cross blades with you; I’d rather not have Dante put me into the ground like he did with Mundus. I simply want a favor done and, in exchange, you get a way out.”

“What’s the catch?”

“You’ve been trained so well.” The creature’s compliment came without malice. “I simply want that idiot’s skull back and, in turn, you save those two Spardas and prevent a demon from coming into this reality empowered with human sacrifices.”

“And how do I know you’ll make good on your word…?” You had one of your eyebrows raised, the deal sounding too good to be true.

Your mimic whistled loudly and a demonic horse with six legs came out of the right path’s fog. Four blazing red eyes looked over curiously, as the black strong body had strange demonic symbols on its shoulders. There was a saddle, reins and a chest plate adorned with a black feather inside a book with a claw clutching them both: the demon’s symbol, embellished on the surface. Its main was wispy like ashes from a fire, but the fire was coming from inside the creature itself.

What really caught your attention, was the sounds of snarls and soft growls, as multiple demonic coyote-dog-like creatures kept their distance – but stood at the edge of the fog, as if waiting orders.

“My horse, Slade, shall take you to the cultists so you can put the skull in his saddle bag here. Then sound the horn to signal the pack it’s time to feed. Afterwards, the pack of hounds will devour those cultists, since they are made of the souls of those they’ve slaughtered, itching for revenge. All you have to do is prove you are not terrified and step up to save the boys from a cruel fate.”

Oh, you knew what that was. You knew what you would have to become. Meeting a demon like that, in the middle of the desert, offering you their horse and pack of vengeful hell-hounds as power for you to control? You could almost hear the faint song, whistling ghostly in the distance…

Then cowboy change your ways today or with us you will ride, tryin’ to catch the devil’s herd… Across the endless skies.

With your skeptic look, your mimic smiled in amusement.

“Are you brave enough to take the reins or do you want to wander home without your lover and nephew?”

You closed your eyes, taking a deep breath. You were out of options. Going back meant leaving them behind and failing to save them – you couldn’t do that to Nero, to Dante. Many times Dante tapped into the worst of himself, the darkest places of his soul, to summon a power he despised to save you and have you back home – safe and sound into his arms. Many times he became a demon fiercer and more powerful than those he was fighting against, even if he loathed it.

You could do that for him too. At least once in your lifetime – maybe for the only and last time.

Sensing your resolve, Rebellion settled herself on your back as you walked forward to the demonic horse and held its reins – knowing it was time to aid you, as she had aided Dante a thousand times before. Your mirrored image watched you with a pleased smile.

“Now, take the left path; it’ll take you straight to the abandoned church where the cultists are. Get going, rider, you’ve got until dawn.” The doppelganger reminded you before plopping a black cowboy hat on your head, only for you to look up in surprise when the figure was gone.

You closed your eyes for a second as your whole body seemed to be engulfed in flames – the pain lasted for only a little while, though. When it washed off, it was as if you had never been hurt in the first place: you could breath properly again, your limbs weren’t hurting and all your strength – and more – was back into your body. Taking another step, though, you heard a ringing that wasn’t there before.

Looking down, you realized your clothes had changed: an all-black cowboy attire, covered your body, fitting it perfectly; with a heavy black coat down to your ankles keeping you warm in the chilly desert night. The cowboy boots had spurs that ringed like little silver bells every time you took a step – and, as you did it again, you realized you left a trail of fire behind, melting the asphalt with your footsteps.

That wasn’t the work of the demon who used your appearance to strike a deal with you – as you looked back into the four curious blazing eyes of the demonic horse standing in front of you, you realized it was its way of saying it also chose you to be its rider. At least for a while.

“Demons are always dramatic, aren’t they…” You shook your head, sighing as you made your way back to the horse who kindly awaited you – now looking like a rider who deserved their service.

As you looked around the crossroads, you could see the pack of hounds remained, waiting for your orders. The horse lowered itself down to let you onto its back and the pack of demons perked up in excitement. As you got into the saddle and adjusted yourself, the horse got up and the demonic pack howled to each other – as if signaling it was time to move out.

You adjusted your new hat as you nudged the horse forward onto the left path. The soft sounds of claws were in the distance as the pack followed you both.

“C’mon, Slade. It’s time to burn some asphalt.” Hitting the open road, you cracked the reins and the horse took off into a gate and then galloped once he had hit top speed – the trail of burning fire in your wake, as you did yourself with your footsteps.

In the distance behind you, the faint noise of a stampede was close by, but as you looked over your shoulder, you could only see the pack of demonic coyote creatures following at a distance.

Yipping, yowling and snarling hungrily as they followed in excitement. You looked forward, holding Slade’s rein tightly and feeling the weight of the Rebellion on your back. Those cultists, whoever they were, better be ready to fight – you were coming for them.

Yippie-yi-o, yippie-yi-yay… Ghost riders in the sky.

*

If Dante had to guess, he’d say the cultists would lock them up in the desecrated church of that derelict town, as that kind of people would usually do. To his shock, though, he woke up on an old rotten bed that, if he moved too much, would definitely fall apart with his weight. Even so, it was able to cradle the half-demon with ease, and it didn’t turn into dust as Dante sat on it’s edge, massaging his head on the spot those damn cultists hit him.

“Took some time to wake up, old man.” Nero mumbled from across the room - making Dante look at his own kin on the same situation he was. At least, Nero’s bed was made of brass.

“Eh, those cultists weren’t jokin’ ‘round. Hit my head pretty hard; gimme a break, will ya?” Dante shrugged, shaking his head and looking down to his feet.

Nero furrowed his brows. In all his life, he never thought he would see his uncle so... Defeated. After all, it was Dante they were talking about, not some random human on the street. He couldn’t shake off that feeling that it was all so... Easy.

“Ei, kid. I know what’cha thinkin’. And you’re damn right, I didn’t fight as much as I should’ve...” Dante sighed, raising his head back up again. In the dark, Nero could see his blue eyes, and they had a tinge of melancholy even with the slight smile Dante carried on his lips. “But out of everyone in the crew, I think you’re the one who can understand me the best. Imagine if it was your lil’ angel on that situation. What would you do...?”

Nero scoffed, not wanting to look into his uncle’s eyes. Bringing up Kyrie was a sure way into Nero’s heart - and bleeding heart even. He would die for her, he would kill the whole world for her, he would destroy gods and demon kings if he had to - but he would never let any harm come to Kyrie. And if the only way to save her was to put down his weapons and let himself be taken - by enemies or even death - Nero would do it without thinking and without doubt.

Yes. Out of all the crew, he could understand Dante’s action the best. It was too easy to take them, because those damn people knew quite well the very best way to enslave a Sparda was to tear their heart apart.

“Eh... Guess there wasn’t really a good way out of it, huh...?” Nero massaged his own head, shaking it right after. “But we gotta do somethin’ now. I mean, we can’t sit around and just... I don’t know, what the hell do those creeps want with us anyway...?”

Weirdly enough, Dante smiled until it turned into a good laugh. Nero furrowed his brows, staring at his uncle thinking he had finally lost his mind - the kid wouldn’t complain too much, he could perfectly understand where Dante was coming from.

“What a situation, huh? To think one year ago, it was y/n and Kyrie in the same shoes as us!” Dante shook his head, slapping his leg with a hearty laugh upon realizing it. “There’s somethin’ of poetic in this, kid!”

“Huh. There kinda is...” With that, Nero couldn’t stop himself from laughing as well. He wondered if that weird tugging in his heart was what Kyrie felt when she was locked up in that church with you last Halloween, getting ready to forcefully marry a demon. “I just hope they won’t dress us up in those ugly ass wedding clothes.”

“Oh, no, no, no. If they try, I’m tearing them apart!” Dante answered letting a louder laugh out of his chest. Nero couldn’t help but smile alongside him: it was good to see his heart coming back.

“Well, not to spoil your party, but I don’t think we can do much with those things lockin’ us up.” Nero raised both of his hands, showing off the silver shackles supressing their demonic powers. “Never felt anythin’ like this before, it’s nasty.”

“Yeah, those things are no joke...” Dante glanced down at his own wrists, slightly sighing. “But I’ve been through it before. Just gotta relearn how to fight like a human, that’s all.”

“You say that as if it was easy.”

“It kinda is, kid.” Dante shrugged, looking around the room, trying to come up with some plan to get them out of there. “It took quite a while to have my demonic powers awaken, so I remember how it feels like. I fought as a human for a long time, as long as you did. Well... As human as we get.” He winked at Nero, getting up from the bed and pacing around the room - the wooden floor creaking as his weight shifted the old boards; but never looking like it would give out. “You just gotta fight without the good ol’ demonic leverages.”

“What do ya mean it took you as long as I did?” Nero had his eyebrows furrowed, head pending to the side. They never really talked about Dante’s and Vergil’s lives before Nero met them - even if everything they had lived shaped so much of what happened to him. Either way, it wasn’t an easy subject, and both twins didn’t enjoy much reminiscing about the past: Nero had to piece up their story like a huge puzzle he was only given jigsaw pieces every now and then. “I thought you guys always knew about your heritage. I mean, it wasn’t like me who didn’t know why the hell I was different from everyone else and had a weird demonic arm.”

“You haven’t had it easy, huh, kid...?” Dante wheezed, shaking his head as he still looked around the room, trying to pick up anything on the cult or on a way out. “I knew my heritage, yes, but not what it could do. Your dad found it out as a kid, when those demons almost killed him the night our home burned to ashes. But me...? Well, it took some time. I survived, remember? I started workin’ and opened up the shop, and your dad tracked me down. Instead of bein’ happy I was alive, guess what he wanted...?”

“Power...” Nero mumbled, looking down at his newly acquired human arm - something that was still so weird to him. If he had to be honest to himself, he still kind of missed it as a demonic thing or the prosthetic one Nico built him. It was very strange having to adapt being so... Mundane.

“Bullseye.” Dante winked at him, with a humorless laugh at the end. “It was his first attempt at opening the Gates of Hell, that dumbass. Still, he kicked my ass and impaled me with Rebellion.” With those words, Nero’s eyes shot back at Dante, a little shocked with that story. “At the time, I thought he wanted to kill me, but now... I have my doubts. Your dad’s a weird guy, you know? He won’t tell you he likes you, but he will stab you with your own sword right in the chest to awake your dormant demonic power so you can accept the legacy your dad of the year left you when you were born.”

Again, Nero furrowed his brows. Perhaps it wasn’t that strange he had such a hard time around his feelings - and it was actually a very good thing he had Kyrie around to help him let them out in a healthy way. He got to learn something Dante and Vergil never had the chance to learn: the only thing both of them knew was harshness. Could Nero really ask anything more from them...?

“I was around the age you were back when we met in Fortuna, I think... So you see, I spent quite a while fighting as humanly as possible, with no leverage whatsoever.” Dante pointed at himself, finally stopping in the middle of the room. “I think Verge would have more of a problem in this situation than both of us.”

“Well... If that’s the case...” Nero spoke slowly, still processing everything Dante had told him. With time, he learned not to make much of a fuss when Dante or Vergil shared something about their history and their life with him: it made them feel like it was ok to be vulnerable if it wasn’t treated as a big thing, so Nero would keep it that way. “Then I should have more of an easy time than you.”

“That’s the spirit, kid!” Dante now rested his hands on his waist, sighing while looking around the room. “Now. We have no idea what those Eyes Wide Shut wannabes want downstairs. Windows and doors are sealed with demonic stuff to keep us in, so we’re gonna have to force our way out somehow.”

“Ok. I say we try one of the windows and sneak out. We can try to take ‘em out quietly and figure out what they want with us in the way.” Nero finally got to his feet winning a grin from Dante - who was more than ready to agree with his nephew.

“That will not be necessary, Sparda’s kin.” Both of them were interrupted by the leader of the cultists - still wearing the dark robe, but now permanently without his hood. His eyes were cold, smart and arrogant; the beard well trimmed and intricate. He carried himself with an attitude that certainly screamed he thought he was much better than any other human in town. “I didn’t bring you here to have you in the dark regarding our festivities - you are our guests of honor, after all.”

“Yeah, yeah, King Charles, cut the crap.” Nero rolled his eyes, tired of the way the man behaved. If there was something that pissed him off, that would be entitled people, completely full of themselves. “What the hell’s goin’ on here?”

“Even if you have a share of Sparda’s precious blood, boy, you are not the main guest. Know your place.” The man was clearly respecting Nero more than he respected you because of his heritage - or else, he wouldn’t even be addressing Dante’s kin.

“And you should know yours, fancy pants. Haven’t your mother ever taught you to respect people?” Dante had his hands on his hips again, but his eyes burnt like the fire he carried inside him. “Remember you have to keep us with these things so we won’t kick your ass. Give us enough of a reason, we’ll do it anyway. With or without demonic power.” He showed off the shackles to the man, noticing the human winced ever so slightly - trying to appear Dante’s words had no effect at all. “Who the hell are you? And you better answer this time ‘round.”

“You can call me by my family’s name, Blackwell. I’m Beau Blackwell’s great-grandson - and it is an honor to meet Sparda’s kin.” The man bowed his head in a sign of respect - something Dante didn’t do back and that made Nero smile. “I take it the townspeople of Silverstone did their job of telling you my family’s history.”

“If you’re talkin’ ‘bout the contract, hell yeah they did.” Dante’s eyes were now sharp, taking a guess where they were at the moment. If he could bet, he would say that was the old Blackwell mansion at the abandoned old town. “Guess stupidity runs in the family.”

“Damn, you beat me to it...!” Nero mumbled, making Dante smile proudly. At least they shared the same sense of humor - and taunts.

“I will admit my kin did play with powers much too great for his understanding and that was his downfall. He was too arrogant to realize he was biting much more than he could chew.” As Blackwell spoke, Dante and Nero just exchanged looks, having the same thing in their mind: the irony that he was criticizing the same thing they thought about him. “I, in the other hand, am more careful. I have studied the arcane and occult arts; learned how to wield them, tame them. There’s much more to ask of demonic creatures than petty, mundane things like money... There’s power. That’s what my kin failed to notice.”

“Oh, now there’s a word I never like bein’ thrown around...” Dante shook his head while mumbling to his nephew- and Nero couldn’t refrain to notice it was because of Vergil’s obsession with it for so long.

But, in all honestly, after everything he went through in Fortuna, humans seeking demonic power was never a good thing in Nero’s book either.

“Come. I will take you around the old Blackwell Mansion and you can be aware of what you will be taking part in.”

But, even with the man’s gesture and inviting demeanor, neither Dante or Nero moved a single step.

“Yeah, you see, we make a point on not taking part in things against our will.” Nero crossed his arms, making sure he wouldn’t leave without Dante. If his uncle stayed, he would stay.

Blackwell immediately frowned - not the calmest cult leader they had ever seen. Something about it reminded Nero of Sanctus.

“I am not asking you and you will be part of it - whether you make it a point or not.” The man raised his head high, as if to overcompensate for the fact he was smaller than the two devil hunters inside the room. “I have tried to be cordial and I will remain as such. I planned this night for a very long time, and neither of you will fumble it. The ritual will go on. The sacrifices will be made. The blood will be spilled. The demon king will rise. You can either take part peacefully or by force - but trust me, if you choose the second option, it will be painful.”

Dante wasn’t afraid of pain - and neither was Nero. Those words weren’t alarming per se: after all, it was to be expected of a cult that they would be made of sacrifices and blood offerings somehow, but they didn’t know if they were the only victims chosen for it.

What alarmed them the most, though, was the demon king part. There were a few of them, yes, but Dante couldn’t stop his blood from running cold as soon as he heard that.

After all, Mundus was a king. Could it be that godforsaken spiteful creature found a way to come back, so many years after Dante put it to rest? That it wasn’t for all eternity as he thought he had managed to do so...?

If Mundus decided to rear up its ugly head again, Dante wanted to be at the seat of honor to watch him rise just to tear him back into pieces and make him taste death once more.

As if noticing the sudden shift in his uncle’s heart, Nero looked back at Dante, waiting for an answer - but seeing the murderous glint in those ever easygoing eyes.

“Show us around, then. I guess gettin’ to know the stage of such a hideous play wouldn’t hurt.”

Blackwell had a peaceful smile back to his lips, finally allowing them to leave the room - but Nero could sense something was different; it seemed as if Dante could tear a demon king with his bare hands in the blink of an eye, but he was just waiting for it to rise.

*

“How can... Y/n... Ugh... Carry this thing ‘round... So easily...?!”

Nico mumbled while carrying your sword, heavily strapped on the gunsmith virtuosa’s back like a backpack. She always thought it should weight very little - after all, you always pulled the most incredible acrobatics while fighting - and you were human, just like her.

But the woman couldn’t deny: after walking around with that thing weighing on her shoulders, she started feeling a pain she wasn’t used to. Demonic metal was more efficient and lighter than any human and earthly metal, but still... It felt like she was carrying at least two guitars strapped on her back.

“Y/n is a trained hunter, they’re all used to it.” And even with that comment, Kyrie’s voice didn’t seem to struggle as much as Nico’s. She had dragged Red Queen around countless times to bring it to Nero, so dragging it once again through the desert wasn’t much news to her.

Neither to Red Queen. The sword always knew that when it was in Kyrie’s hands, she would soon find her proper wielder’s hands again to wreak havoc.

“Tell me ‘bout it... We’re all a bunch of weirdos, that’s what we... Ugh... Are!”

Kyrie had to giggle with Nico’s complaints. Yes, you were a bunch of weirdos, but that’s what made you all a family, wasn’t it? And family was always there for each other.

After they decided to take your weapons back to you, Nico drove all the way to the old town - and as soon as the ghostly, abandoned wreckage of a city appeared in their view, the gunsmith found a hidden place to park the van. Behind a few tall rocks, the Devil May Cry on wheels would be safe until that night was over - at least, they hoped it would.

Taking the swords in their hands, the two women started making their way to the old town - away from the main road, so they would have a better chance sneaking in unnoticed - and formulated the best plan they could at the moment.

“Ok. We’re almost there. So, we’re going in, and we’ll find a place to hide...” Kyrie started going over said plan, to make sure she and Nico were on the same page. Too much had already gone wrong that Halloween, they didn’t need even more problems.

“We’ll listen around to those assholes and figure out where they’re keepin’ the damsels in distress.” Nico’s answer was almost immediate, making Kyrie giggle. It was a first, imagining Nero as the damsel in distress and her saving him. “We’ll head over where they are...”

“Give them back their swords, and let them do what they do best.” Kyrie finished with a rather peaceful smile, given the situation. “Here. Let’s sneak in through here...!”

Going around the buildings, Nico and Kyrie entered what would be a dark alley between two wooden, rotten buildings in town. Going in from the back, they kept themselves low, walking side by side until they were the closest they could be of the main street. They could hear the cultists talking and patrolling the street, so they maintained utmost silence to get through them completely unnoticed.

The main street ended in a big plaza, with a large, decrepit mansion being the last building on it - and the only one with a semblance of light: not electrical, but a set of candles lit it from the inside, almost like a jack-o-lantern. The cultists roamed around the main street, but the larger number was definitely inside the mansion; after all, Kyrie and Nico could hear them chanting something they couldn’t understand.

“What do you think...?” Nico whispered to Kyrie, barely being able to hear her own self.

“They’re either in prison or... In there.” The woman answered in the same tone, pointing at the mansion at the end of the road. Nico sighed.

“I was hopin’ you wouldn’t say that... How are we gonna find ‘em in there...?!”

“I don’t know, but we have to think of a plan.”

The certainty in Kyrie’s voice was a little more reassuring - after all, they had a whole city swarming with cultists to cross and a mansion to infiltrate; all while carrying your weapons. They thought it wouldn’t be easy, but they didn’t expect that level of difficulty.

*

“Ok, I’m sayin’ it... We got a huge fuckin’ problem this time, Dante.”

Nero and Dante found themselves in a big party room, entirely lit with candles and decorated with sigils drawn with fresh blood - on the walls and on the floor. The biggest sigil, forming a closed circle, was in the middle of the room, glistening on the wooden floor. Cultists guarded the two entries and every window - big windows, that still had glasses on them.

The two devil hunters were seated on the middle of the circle, with their backs to each other, arms tied together so they wouldn’t escape.

“Beau Blackwell played with a demon he could not tame and he thought he could understand it.” Blackwell explained as they moved into the party room, revealing the ritual setting - everything one would expect on a ritual to summon a demon. “I, on the other hand, intend to do something much smarter. And that, involves... You.”

With a gesture from his hands, some of the cultists overpowered the devil hunters, guiding them to the center of the circle. Nero tried to fight, but immediately stopped as soon as he saw Dante followed the cultists calmly, almost sitting on his chair as if he was indeed a guest of honor. With his eyebrows furrowed, Nero did the same. After all, Dante must’ve known what he was doing, right?

Right...?

“Well, you’d usually need human blood to summon a demon, smart ass.” Dante’s comment was calm and cheerful, even, while he allowed the cultists to tie his hands behind his back and intertwine the ties with Nero’s.

“Oh, that will be arranged. There are many in my flock who are willing to serve such a higher purpose.” Blackwell smiled kindly, opening his arms to show around the room. “But a man with your knowledge must have noticed, this is not a common demon summoning ritual. It’s for a higher rank, a king - and one with that status would only come with a more special blood being spilled.”

“Eh. That’s why you need us, then...” Nero murmured, shaking his head. “And then what, smart ass? Gonna strike a deal of your own, too?”

“Oh, no. To summon him, I need you. To bind him, I need Dante.” Blackwell opened a wicked smile, making the room fall into complete silence as the two devil hunters didn’t say a word. “My ancestor made the mistake of gambling with a demon. I shall not make the same mistake - I will bind the demon and make it answer to my very own command. I will have all its power to myself, and there will be no one to stop my will. But to do so, I need powerful blood to do the binding - and there is no blood more powerful than Sparda’s blood.”

“Well, I’ll like to see you try that, Blackwell!” Dante started laughing, leaning back on his chair. “Stupidity really does run in the family, eh?”

“Apparently, it does.” Blackwell made a small gesture towards Dante and Nero, calling the cultists back to their places guarding the room. “The festivities will begin at 3 a.m. It’s just a small wait, but you will have the time to catch up... And say your goodbyes.”

Those were the last words Blackwell told them before leaving the room. Since then, the devil hunters had remained in silence, thinking about everything that had happened so far - and how to get out of that situation.

“Well, kid... After livin’ as much as I have, you’ll be able to say...”

“You’ve had worse, yeah, yeah, I know...” Nero laughed, shaking his head while staring at his beaten up boots. “But I mean. I’m gonna be sacrificed with a random crazy cultist to raise a demon king from Hell. You’re gonna be sacrificed to bind the demon king. Things aren’t lookin’ too good, man.”

“I just wanted to know which demon king they’re tryin’ to bring up this time.” Dante sighed, leaning back on the chair again. “But I guess there’ll be no old acquaintances today. That’s already a good thing, kid.”

“You... You were afraid that Mundus dude would be back...?” Nero’s question was almost as quiet as a whisper, barely audible for anyone who didn’t have a demonic hearing like theirs.

“Hmmm...” Dante’s answer took some time to come, even after he hummed in return. Nero rarely saw his uncle being that quiet and somber. “The world doesn’t need him rearin’ up that ugly head of his again.”

“Well... You killed him a long time ago, didn’t ya...?” This time, Dante only answered Nero with a shake of his head and a quiet hum. “I don’t think we’ve to worry ‘bout him, then, you’re pretty good at your job.”

“Huh. Thanks, kid...” Dante had a slight smile on his lips, but his words had an uncharacteristic bitterness to them. “But some demons have trouble stayin’ dead. Someone has to make sure that doesn’t happen to Mundus.”

Silence fell between them once again in the room. Nero kept looking at his boots, but his thoughts ran at a thousand miles per hour. He knew it was because of Mundus that his family was as broken as it was, that he never had a chance to have something normal. He knew it was because of that demon that Dante and Vergil had broken childhoods and carried a trauma that shaped their whole lives. But he never really understood the burden Dante decided to carry on his shoulders of ridding the world of such a horrifying demon - of making sure Mundus would never do to anyone else what he did to his family, to him.

It was a good path. A right path, some would say. But probably the most difficult one to follow: it was certainly the loneliest.

“Well, you got me with ya this time. That should account for somethin’, right?” Nero nudged Dante with his shoulder, hearing a slight laugh from his uncle.

“That does, kid. It certainly does.” With that answer, Dante sighed again, stretching his back and legs for a while. “Now, remember what I told ya? Fightin’ like a human?”

“Yeah...?”

“Good. ‘Cause that’s what we’ll be doin’ when that clock hits 3 a.m. You better get those legs stretched and ready to do some damage.”

“Fuckin’ finally. I’m tired of waitin’ here!”

They didn’t really know what they would do to get themselves out of that one - but, at least, they were together. They would figure something out.

*

“Ok... So. We have to find a way in.” Kyrie murmured over to Nico, as both women found themselves ducking behind a set of dead bushes near the mansion.

They managed to get there undetected, counting at least fifteen cultists on their way to the house. Keeping themselves on the outskirts of the plaza, they circled around in the shadows and got into the main garden through a broken piece of the iron gate.

To their relief, there weren’t many cultists around the mansion: they were either inside or outside on the town.

“Yeah. Way in. The main door isn’t an option... Right?” Nico tried a little smile to Kyrie, who just shook her head in negative. “Yeah, I thought so.”

“Hmmm... I don’t see another entrance... Maybe there’s one in the back?” The woman tried looking above the bushes without being spotted but, as if on cue, a loud, ominous bell sounded from inside the house.

The two women immediately ducked even further, almost hugging each other from being startled. The bell sounded three times and they saw one of the cultists - now without wearing the cape’s hood - appearing on the balcony of the second floor.

“My children, it is time! Join us in sacrifice and festivity!” The man had his arms opened and his voice could be heard through the whole dead town.

Kyrie and Nico scooted even further in the shadows as the cultists on the main street left their duties to get inside the mansion. They watched the wicked procession of chanting voices through the dark street, entering one by one inside the house that seemed soon would fall apart.

“That’ll give me nightmares for years!” Nico whispered to Kyrie, shaking from a quick shiver that went down from the top of her skull to the base of her spine. “Damn cults.”

“Damn cults...” Kyrie whispered back, thinking how the Order of the Sword in Fortuna wasn’t that different.

As the heavy wooden doors of the mansion closed, the two women found themselves completely alone in that godforsaken ghost town in the middle of nowhere - being the only ones with some hope to save the devil hunters that night.

“What are we gonna do?” Nico had a tinge of desperation on her voice. “That creep said sacrifices, I heard it fine! You think they’re sacrificin’ the crew?”

“Well, if that is the plan, we can’t let that happen!” Kyrie had resolve in her hazelnut eyes, looking at the house over the dead bushes. “We have to try entering through the back. If there isn’t an entry through the back...”

“We are doomed!”

“No. We try something else. C’mon, Nico, they’re counting on us!”

“I-I-I know, but I don’t count on myself...!”

Before they could continue their discussion, they heard a thunderous noise in the distance - as if coming from the skies. Furrowing their brows, they searched everywhere, but there was nothing; not even a semblance of storm over their heads.

“You’re hearin’ that, right...? Right...?”

“Yeah...”

As soon as Kyrie answered, a vicious galloping came in with the wind. As they stared back on the main street, the figure of a fiery horse running with all might with a black rider on its saddle appeared like lightning, approaching at an inhuman speed.

“You’re... Seein’ that...”

“Yes. Yes.” Kyrie shook her head enthusiastically - probably with the same enthusiasm she wanted to ran away.

Before the two women could think of running, though, the horse reached the plaza - and they could finally see the face of the rider as the horse ran around the perimeter of the place; the rider cracking a fiery whip to draw the attention of the cult.

“Is that... Y/n?! But... We... They... Those assholes didn’t take everyone?!” Nico stumbled over her words, as both of them watched you in awe... And horror.

“Apparently not!” Kyrie’s heart danced inside her chest as the man who previously summoned everyone to the ‘festivities’ ran to the porch once again, having a few members of the cult join him - the others took glimpses of the plaza from inside the mansion, through the half broken windows.

You circled the plaza one last time, heading right to the iron gate - now open, which you saw almost as an invitation. You could feel the unease in the air, as Slade slowed its steps and entered the garden, coming to a stop without even your command.

Looking up, you finally saw Blackwell’s face for the second time that night. Now, he had his eyebrows up in shock, recognizing your face under the cowboy hat. In such a short time frame, you could say you had one hell of a makeover.

“Either you let me in willingly, or I’ll force myself in.” You stated loud and clear, having your hand ready on the hunting horn on the saddle horn. “You’ve got one chance to cooperate.”

“Bold words coming from just a pitiful human.” Blackwell’s response was almost spat on your face, with a small laugh that made his cultists giggle alongside him. “It’ll take more than just a few... Party tricks... To stop the ritual.”

“Oh, I got much more than some party tricks, smart ass.” You laughed as an answer, taking the horn out of its place on the saddle. “You’re not the only one striking deals with the devil on these parts. I think you will all enjoy meeting the souls you sent to the afterlife.”

You blew the horn loudly, allowing a ghostly sound to take over the air, as the demonic horse rose up on its back legs neighing loudly in a distorted tone with the demon pack howling in response - the mix of sounds making it seem like a cube of ice was running slowly down your spine.

When the horse landed, the pack took form from the darkness, making Kyrie and Nico scoot away trying not to get in those creature’s path. Blackwell’s eyes grew in terror, even if the man tried to remain arrogant and not show any kind of emotion - the pack raced forward hungrily with gnashing and snarling sounds as they opened their mouths with sharp fangs, ready to tear through the cultists flesh like butter.

“It’s the hard way for you all, then.” You pointed to the house, raising your voice once more. “Take what they owe from you!”

With that command and an intense howling, the pack destroyed the front door - and you could hear the symphony of roars and screams as some of the cultists tried to run away and others tried to fight.

“No! No! I will not be defeated by the likes of you!” Blackwell screamed from the porch, taking one of his followers and slicing their throat without a second thought, leaving the body on the ground as soon as he collected the blood. “Fight those creatures or sacrifice yourselves to their will! The ritual will go on and the main room is to be protected at all costs! That’s an order!”

The remaining cultists obeyed without questioning, willing to give their lives for that bizarre cult ran by Blackwell. You shook your head, watching as they entered in a rush, and still hearing the mayhem going on inside.

“Are you girls alright?” You finally broke the badass pose to look to your side, checking in on Kyrie and Nico. Both women were hugging each other, ready to scream and run, but now they just stared at you in awe.

“Damn, y/n, what the hell?! You almost killed me! My heart cannot take somethin’ like... Like.. A flamin’ demon horse?! How?!” Nico let go of Kyrie to wave her hands around in despair as they approached you - you, in the other hand, smiled back while caressing Slade’s head.

The horse was quite sweet for a demonic horse, if you had to say something.

“What happened? You were all fine when we left, I mean, you were all together...!” Kyrie tried to explain and you could see where she was coming from. “What’s with the deal you mentioned...?”

“Look, it’s quite a long story. But I had to borrow some powers - and help...” You pointed to the house as some growling and yelling was still happening, making Nico visibly shiver as you did so. “To save our damsels in distress for the day. Also have another kind of help.” And this time, you pointed to Rebellion strapped on your back.

“Oh, so that’s where she went!” And Nico could say she was relieved to see the sword with you. They would have a lot of explaining to do if they had lost Dante’s sword.

“We’re here to bring your weapons too...!” Kyrie took Red Queen out of hiding, since they had put the swords down for a moment while discussing their next steps. “We were just trying to figure out a way to...”

Before she could finish speaking, though, a loud noise came from inside the house and the windows started glowing with a flash of red for a while before going back to normal. The floor rumbled for a couple of seconds underneath your feet right after, and then everything went silent - even inside the house.

“The pack did their job, it’s time for me to do mine.” You took the reins back into your hands. “C’mon, Slade! Time to teach those assholes a lesson!”

“Let’s go...!”

“Let’s go where? Are you insane? We’re pretty ok here, outside, waitin’, while the hunters do their thing in there...!”

“Nico.” Kyrie rested both of her hands on the woman’s shoulders as you led Slade up the front porch stairs of the mansion and inside the house - taking everything in your path and leaving fiery steps behind. “They need their weapons. They need us. No time to back up now. Let’s go!”

“Everyone here’s insane...!” Nico rolled her eyes and, if it wasn’t such a dangerous moment, she would be lighting up another cigarette.

You rode through the dead cultists, ripped apart by the pack you summoned earlier - now gone, probably to finally have their rest. Following the chanting noise, you found a set of heavy wooden doors, locked from the other side and being well guarded. With your fiery whip, you took care of the guards in a blink; and with Slade’s hooves, the door was soon broken into pieces on the ground, with you riding inside the room and interrupting the ritual.

“Sorry the late, love. I got a little... Caught up.” You winked as soon as you found Dante’s sky-blue eyes fixated on you in pure amazement. He watched as you rode inside the room, whipping away any cultists who tried to get in your way. Your objective was to save Dante and Nero, and you had nothing but their safety in your mind.

“That flamin’ horse is pretty cool! Where did you get somethin’ like that?” And to say Nero was excited about it was an understatement: he looked like a child who just saw the coolest thing on earth and wanted that to himself as well - enough even to ignore the gash he had on his hand, dripping blood on the wooden floor.

Not a huge blood offering as they were expecting - but Blackwell didn’t want to waste too much of Nero’s precious blood on the summoning. After all, if Dante wasn’t enough for the binding ritual, he would use Nero as well.

“From a demon, no doubt.” Dante answered instead as you finally left the saddle and your feet hit the floor of the house - leaving fiery steps as you approached him. “Hope you didn’t do anythin’ too rash, babe.”

As you reached Dante, you could see the worry in his sky-blue eyes. He knew that kind of power, for a human like you, came only with a deal - and, usually, it never ended well for the human. Either way, what choice did you have that night, really? Not many, and you would do whatever you had to in order to save your lover. Dante knew that - and he would never want to be the reason of your downfall.

That’s why the first thing you did was to place your lips on his, on a slightly longer kiss. You hoped that would reassure him; that it would make Dante know you would make that decision over and over again if it meant he and Nero would be alright that night. You could think about your deal and your soul later, as long as they were safe.

Also, being Dante, he could easily take the increase in your body temperature after the deal.

“I did what I had to.” You answered as soon as you left his lips, smiling fondly even if you could see how melancholic his eyes looked. “Now, let’s get you both out of here. We have a cult to dismantle.”

“We’re experts on that!” Nero was already bubbling inside to fight, almost as if something told him Red Queen was nearby.

“It doesn’t matter what you all do!” Blackwell reappeared from a door on the second floor, holding a black box with silver carvings. “The gates have already been opened! The king will rise and with a few more spells, the binding will be done! Give up!”

“Why do all power hungry asshats always speak like that, huh...?” You shook your head, going back to freeing Dante and Nero: turns out, untying them was quite easy; the problem was the power suppressing shackles around their wrists.

“Eh, you know, babe... If they can’t sound like cheesy villains, then what’s the fun in that?” Dante shrugged, making you giggle in response. As you untied his feet, he finally got up, being followed by Nero as soon as you freed him.

Before any of you could do anything else, the floor rumbled once more and the red sigils in blood started glowing with a light you only saw in very well succeeded rituals. Indeed, the gate was opening, and the demon they summoned was about to come to earth - unless you did something about it.

“Hey, cowboy, can you take care of the cultists and their smart ass leader?”

“Sure thing, ghost rider. But dont’cha think you’re gonna have all the fun by yourself.” With that answer, Dante kissed you quickly before heading over to Blackwell. “C’mon kid. We got work to do!”

“About time!” Nero ran after Dante, even if he himself wasn’t sure what you would do with the ever trembling floor.

“Slade!” As soon as you called, the horse galloped over to you, having you back on its saddle in no time. You circled around the room, watching as the seal between dimensions opened and a metallic looking demon started poking its ugly head through it. Holding Rebellion’s grip tightly, you took it from the holster on your back, as you watched the creature who stepped into your dimension - black eyes oh so interested to finally be out of the demon world. “It’s time to work, Rebellion.”

“Ah... The Human world, at last...” The demon was almost as tall as the mansion itself, wearing a black metallic armor that you couldn’t tell if it was its clothing or its actual skin. It had a humanoid head, but the lips didn’t move as it spoke - almost as if it was wearing a mask made of marble; crowned with a thousand dark metallic spikes. Its black eyes, though, seemed to harbor infinite void; while its clawed hands dripped a viscous black liquid, pooling around its feet. The demon king looked around with no expression on its masked face, but soon those empty eyes found you: a rider on a fiery horse, carrying one of the legendary swords made with the fire of Hell itself. A human rider, wielding such power. “And already a hunter as a warm welcome.”

“To send you back home where you belong to.” You answered, raising your head with pride. “Can’t let you stay here for too long, your putrid highness.”

“A hunter with such power in their hands. This shall be interesting...” The demon king hummed, summoning two blades on each of his hands; forming from the dark liquid that dripped down from his claws. “Very well, hunter. I shall indulge you.”

You had no more words to say, for now it was time to fight. Charging in, you led Slade right in the direction of the demon king, circling around the creature to try to land a hit with Rebellion. In spite of his size, though, the demon was fast and you had to dodge a heavy attack from one of his swords - that buried on the floor, cracking the rotten wooden panels. You seized this opportunity to land a hit on his arm with the Rebellion - soon realizing the skin of the creature was, indeed, made of metal.

It would need a lot more strategy and power to land a blow that had an actual impact on that kind of demon - in all your life as a devil hunter, you had never seen nor fought against anything like it.

Meanwhile, Blackwell pointed his followers to take on Dante and Nero - who were running up stairs to deal with the man who was already setting up the second part of the ritual in a makeshift altar across the room.

The hunters just exchanged looks and a knowing smile before sucker punching their way up - even throwing some of the cultists down the stairs. If they had to fight like humans, they would... And they were actually very good at it.

“What the...!” Kyrie and Nico said in unison as soon as both reached the doors you brought down when you barged in the room - finding that mess of a scene: Dante and Nero running up stairs and you fighting a demonic king with Rebellion in hand. In a matter of fact, their shock came mostly from seeing a demon king for the first time in their lives. Other than Vergil, actually.

“Don’t t-t-tell me you wanna... Go i-i-in there.” Nico’s stuttering suddenly got worse, wincing as soon as one of the kings swords tried to bring you down - and you expertly held it back with Rebellion, keeping your balance on your horse.

It was actually quite impressive to watch.

“I... Don’t. We can... Wait.” Kyrie’s answer was almost a whisper, with both of them agreeing to hide behind something until the opportune moment to give the swords back to their respective owners.

“Blackwell! Time to end this party!” Dante announced as soon as he got to the top of the stairs, making the man jump in place.

There was a skull in the middle of the altar, sided by candles and behind a brass bowl - where he would probably collect Dante’s blood. Blackwell had already cut his hand and offered his own blood, chanting incantations written in an old book he had opened on the corner of the altar.

“It’s too late now, Dante. You should accept...”

“Man, you talk too much...!” Nero finally lost his patience. Before Dante could say anything, his nephew ran with all his might, drop kicking Blackwell on the floor. Dante couldn’t refrain from shaking his head.

“You never change, do ya, kid...?” He had his hands on his hips, watching as Nero kept Blackwell immobile.

The cracking sound of your whip drew everyone’s attention to the fight at hand. Looking down, Dante found you with the fiery whip on your hand, keeping the demon king at bay. Your foe immediately raised one of its huge swords to take you down in a swift sweep, but with a flick of your wrist, you wrapped the blade with the whip, cracking it with the sound of a thousand raging bonfires. Dante couldn’t help but raise his brows and watch you with amazement and admiration.

Indeed, you were a human to tame his demonic heart. There you were, mounting a demon horse, Rebellion on one hand and a whip made of the fires of Hell itself on the other, holding down the sword of nothing but a demon king in place. You didn’t back down nor felt fear - instead, you wrapped the whip even tighter around your own arm, making it shorter and forcing the demon king’s sword down. You knew it wouldn’t burn you, for you were the one wielding it. Keeping your gaze on those eyes made of oblivion, you commanded the whip to burn hotter and hotter... Until the very blade in the demonic king’s hand started to melt, pouring on the floor like molten mercury.

“Fuckin’ hell, y/n...!” Dante let out as soon as surprise hit his heart, watching it all while keeping his hands rested on the balustrade of the second floor. His mind couldn’t even think of that clown Blackwell behind him when he had you being such an incredible hunter downstairs, taming a demon king like he never saw any other devil hunter doing.

He was the only one he knew who ever conquered a king in his book - and there you were, proving the world why you were the owner of his heart.

“Rare are the fights worth fighting...” The demonic king’s voice echoed through the house, as the creature gained back his posture upon realizing one of his weapons were gone. “I can see why Rebellion stands with you. What is your name, hunter?”

“Y/n. Rebellion stands with me because I gained her owner’s trust.” Your answer came with your head held high, while you untangled your whip from your arm. As expected, there was no harm done to you nor your clothing.

“I reckon you gained more than his trust. It will be an honor bringing you down, y/n.”

“I wouldn’t be that concerned with y/n if I were you, ugly face.” Dante finally entered the conversation. He did like the fact that you owned the respect of a demon king, but he did not like it that the creature was now even more interested in killing you. His phrase, though, made both of you turn your attention to him on the second floor. “I mean, I know, my sheriff is givin’ ya a run for your money and, sooner rather than later, you’ll be back down in Hell in no time.” He had a smart smile on his lips, sprinkled with pride, which made you smile in return. It was good to see how much faith Dante had in you. “But we’re all forgettin’ the big elephant in the room: the smart ass who summoned you and has all the intentions on binding you to serve ‘im.”

“Huh. Son of Sparda. I did feel your stench when I arrived - I just concluded it was tied to the sword.” The demonic king raised his head up to Dante, now pointing his sword towards him. “But your words ring truth. You were not the ones who summoned me - and now you tell me a mortal thought itself to be powerful enough to try to bind me into servitude...?”

Oh, you could all feel the anger running on the king’s bloodstream - if he even had one.

“Oh, yes. Not even a honorable human like y/n, huh?” Dante winked back at you, making you giggle. You weren’t really scared of the demon king behind you - your lover had done one hell of a good job of drawing his attention from you and the fight at hand. “More of a...”

“Coward little shit hidden upstairs so you wouldn’t find ‘im!” Nero dragged Blackwell by the collar of his robe as the man stumbled to stand by Dante’s side - clearly trying to run. “And tryna complete the bindin’ ritual, will you look at that!”

“A cowardly move indeed, petty creature...” The demonic king’s voice echoed through the floor, trembling the boards underneath you all. “Weaklings like you should learn your place and which souls are bound to eternal servitude.”

With that phrase, the portal between dimensions opened once more, making you guide Slade away from it so you wouldn’t fall into the demonic world. The king pointed at Blackwell, making some of the black, viscous liquid dripping from its claws go up the man’s arms and neck, slowly reaching his eyes. Blackwell screamed in horror and pain as the liquid filled his eye sockets, turning into infinite voids completely out of a soul as soon as it was done. Nero let go of the man’s arm, watching him go down the stairs like a mindless puppet, walking obediently to the edge of the opened gate, staring into the demonic world as if he had no choice.

“You shall regret your hubris, petty creature.” With those words from the king, Blackwell willingly threw himself into the abyss, forever lost in servitude to the demonic king he thought he would be able to control.

It was the perfect moment. You couldn’t allow a demon king to stay, and he knew that very well. With a quick movement and a loud crack, your whip tangled itself around the demon king’s metallic arm. The expressionless face turned to you, staring into your eyes with that gaze devoided of soul. You held the look, once again wrapping the whip around your arm tightly, cracking Slade’s reins so the horse would walk backwards - helping you pull the demonic king with you.

You had every intention of pulling him down the opened gate, locking it right after he was gone.

It was a matter of strength and will. You kept pulling, and the demonic king kept anchoring his feet on the floor of the house. Dante and Nero watched it all from the second floor with their mouths slightly opened and hearts pounding viciously in their chests. Nico and Kyrie had their eyebrows furrowed, barely believing what their eyes were seeing. The hardwood floor started to crack underneath the king’s feet, but your eyes wouldn’t leave that soulless gaze. You wrapped the whip once again around your arm, making it even shorter, yanking the creature towards you - making him try to anchor himself down even harder.

Using the same command in your heart before, the fires on the whip got hotter and hotter, burning even brighter and making everyone in the room start to sweat - except for you and the king. The creature stumbled a little when you noticed the whip started to melt into its metallic arm - slowly, but surely, melting it... Destroying it.

If the demonic king wasn’t going back to his rightful place, he was going down. The way you stared into his black eyes made him know that.

“Y/n. I shall remember your name.” The demonic king’s voice reverberated through the room again, as he slowly glided towards the opened gate.

“You better. Next time you try to come up, you should know I’ll be here to take you back down.” Your answer was certain, causing a low laugh to echo through the room in return.

“It will be an honor. Hunter.”

Those were the last words you would hear from the demonic king. He finally let go and you yanked the fiery whip, dragging the creature down the same abyss Blackwell had thrown himself into. With the whip free, you had it back on its place on the saddle in a flourish, watching the gate slowly close up - too slowly, in a matter of fact: some demons had noticed it was open and saw an opportunity to come out and cause mayhem.

“Ei, y/n!” You heard Dante calling, as he ran downstairs alongside Nero. “Use the Rebellion! It’ll speed things up!”

Doing as he said, you killed a few demons who tried to come out - and, as you stroke one of them down where it belonged, you noticed the portal closed faster and faster, until there was only the tip of the Rebellion left buried on the very ordinary hardwood floor.

No demons. No gates. No kings. The mansion fell in silence - and the town had its ghostly quietness back to it. With the last stand from Rebellion, it was over.

Dante finally met you in the middle of the party room, watching you with a proud smile on his lips. He had defeated Mundus once, yes, but you had just put a demonic king back where it belonged without any help from him. That was quite a feat you could brag about as much as you wanted now - even if he knew you wouldn’t do it. He knew you paid the price for the power to do so, but he would be lying if he said it wasn’t worth it.

“Guess you saved my ass this time, ghost rider.”

“I believe ‘thanks’ are in order, cowboy.” You answered casually, approaching with Slade walking lazily towards your red devil.

“Oh, you deserve more than thanks tonight, sweetheart.” And the looks in Dante’s eyes made you immediately giggle - while Nero rolled his eyes.

“Ah, stop that you too. There are children in the room...” He shook his head while both you and your lover stared at him with eyebrows raised, ready to question him. Nero just casually looked back at you. “It’s me. I’m children.”

“Ya know... I’m quittin’ this job.”

You three finally looked back at the door only to find Nico and Kyrie walking towards you - safe to say, Nero immediately smiled and ran to meet his love halfway.

“The materials are good, but damn...!” Nico rolled her eyes, completely ignoring Nero holding Kyrie tightly in his arms, kissing the top of her head while she giggled. “You’re all crazy...! Crazy!”

“What can I say? It runs in the family.” Dante shrugged, making Nero laugh from their now inside joke. He turned to you as soon as your feet hit the floor by his side. “You too, babe. You’re family as well.”

“Good to know you think I’m crazy too.” With your answer, he laughed a little bit out loud before having his lips covered by yours - now burning like fire.

“Phew - gonna take a while to get used to that, babe. Is it permanent...?” You could see the care in Dante’s eyes as he pushed some of your hair away from your face - your cowboy hat still immaculate on top of your head. It was clear he didn’t want any kind of thing that transformed you to something more than human to be permanent, but he would accept it anyway: after all, it was you; and everything you did that day was to save him. Dante never really had that.

“Not really. I just have to keep my part of the bargain and it’s gone.” You played with his hair for a while, making Dante have a goofy smile on his lips - only for you. “Which is a shame, really. I liked having you around, Slade.”

The horse approached you, bumping your shoulder with its fiery nose - making you caress its demonic head. All in all, it was a good mount and you grew strangely fond to it.

“And what’s your part of the bargain, babe?”

“Beau Blackwell’s skull. I’ve to find it and give it back to the demon who first made the contract with him.”

“Ya know, the other Blackwell had a skull on the altar upstairs. It’s probably the one ya need, y/n.” Nero considered, still having Kyrie in his arms. There was no force on earth that would make him let her go before sunrise.

“Huh. The demon who made the deal with Beau made a deal with you too, then...?” Dante decided to follow you upstairs as you started making your way towards it.

“Yeah, pretty convenient, I know...” You sighed in return, now used to the fiery steps you left behind you. “But hey, I needed a way to get ourselves out of this one. Demon at the crossroads was my only way out.”

“Yeah, and what a way out. You make one hell of a sexy ghost rider, babe.” Dante teased and, as soon as you got to the top of the stairs, you turned around to let him see you in all your ghost rider glory.

“Right? I’m gonna miss it, I feel quite the badass!” You laughed in return as he whistled upon watching you.

“You’re always a badass, sheriff, you don’t need all that.” There was that unapologetic sincerity in his eyes as Dante spoke, making you know he actually meant it. In all your life hunting by his side, you never felt like you were missing something for being completely human.

“Thank you, cowboy.” You winked back at him, locating the skull inside the black box with silver sigils. Taking it in your hands, now you just had to keep it in the proper place on Slade’s saddle and let it take it back to the creature who gave you those powers for that night. “Though the fiery whip was pretty cool, huh?”

“That it was.” Dante laughed alongside you, stopping for a while before going back downstairs. “Thanks for the rescue, y/n.”

“No worries, Dante. I’ll always be here for you.” You smiled back at him, using your free hand to gently caress his face. “For better or for worse.”

“Usually for worse.” He completed with a slightly bitter laugh, making you shake your head.

“That depends on your point of view, love. To me, it’s always better.”

You left another quick fiery kiss on his lips before heading back downstairs - and, as you concluded your business with Slade and Nico kept arguing with Nero, who kept glued like a koala on Kyrie, Dante couldn’t stop himself from smiling upon thinking about your words.

You were always the better on his life.

*

“To whom it may concern,

Business in Silverstone is back on its tracks. Folks are regaining confidence and tourists are back in town. Things have been flourishing like never before: with the rumors of the latest ‘demonic rituals’, occultists and supernatural enthusiasts are flocking around to visit the old town. Some young folk in the city have even made a ‘Supernatural Silverstone Horror Tour’, or some stupid young people thing like that.

It’s been a hit, though. Not only the young ones, but some old people are coming to take the tour. The old town has never seen so much interest before - and the old Blackwell mansion is now a haunted spot, or something. Haunted house? Dunno. These people like making things up. Not complaining! The hotel is packed every weekend, and there’s plenty of money going around to help us rebuild from the chaos those pesky demons set around on Halloween.

Things are going steady and good around Silverstone - and we all have you people at the Devil May Cry to be thankful to. Whenever you want to visit, accommodation, food and whatever else you need is on the town. You all will always be welcome here.

Oh, the young ones said if you ever want to take the horror tour or whatever, they’ll be more than happy to have you around. It would be an honor, they said. Maybe you could come and show those kids what a proper scare is like, huh?

Well, that’s it for now. I thought you would like to know how things are going - and that you have made friends here in Silverstone. Once again, in the name of the whole town, thank you.

Buck Carson.

Ps: Frances and I have been seeing each other for a while and she agreed to moving in with me in the Hotel. Thank you for your help, y/n.”

“They’re moving in together! Mission accomplished!” You had Buck’s letter in your hand, having just read it out loud, and now you were in the middle of a very weird - and happy - celebration dance in the middle of the Devil May Cry; Dante watched you with his arms crossed, legs on the table and a huge smile on his lips, as always.

“You’ve been playin’ quite the long game to complete that mission, babe!” He laughed alongside you, watching your bare feet happily dancing over the shop’s floor - no fiery footsteps to follow you anymore; your deal was done. “Who would’ve known? You’re a Cupid too!”

“Oh, I’m a good shot, cowboy.” You pointed at him with finger guns, as if you were aiming for his heart. “I could make a wreck with a Cupid’s bow!”

“Oh, there would be no one left standin’! Ouch!” He took his hands over his heart, pretending he was shot as soon as you hit him with your finger guns. “You already took my heart with ya, sheriff!”

“And you took mine with you, cowboy.” You walked over to his desk, leaving the letter on a safe spot and sitting by the edge as you and the ladies always did whenever you were talking at the Devil May Cry. “Who knows, maybe if I make a deal again next year, I’ll get the powers of Cupid for a little while.”

“Ha! Now that I’d like to see!” Dante let out a good laugh, watching intently as you settled in front of him. “But we did get some nice things out of this one this year...”

“Yeah, the whole town is thankful to us, we could go there someday as a vacation.” You considered while Dante agreed, shaking his head. “That’s nice, for a change.”

“Yeah, a first one for me too...” He took his legs off the table, having his feet on the ground again, leaning closer to you. “And you got yourself your first devil weapon, pretty eyes.”

“Oh, my fire whip. I’m so glad.” You closed your eyes, having a huge smile spreading across your lips. Dante quickly glanced over his shoulder, seeing the whip was still sitting peacefully alongside his own devil weapons on a wall display, precisely where you both left them. “All demon kings better beware.”

“I can bet you’re already a legend in Hell, hot stuff. You’re earning your name.” He nodded towards you in a gesture of respect. You could barely think of yourself becoming a legend and making a name for yourself in Hell - but you had to admit it would be more than nice to be known for your abilities.

“But you know, I really like being known as the human who has earned your love.” You looked back at your red devil intently, leaning down on the desk towards him. “That is more important to me than any kind of power I could’ve earned.”

“And that is somethin’ you’ll always have, y/n.” With those words, Dante quickly pulled you into his lap, you both making his chair shift heavily on the floor and make quite the noise - while your laughs ringed with it. “’Cause you know, there’s a reason why Rebellion followed you.”

“Hmmm... I thought it was because I called you somehow before fainting.” You furrowed your brows, pending your head to the side while watching his kind eyes.

“You can call it too, babe, but that’s not what happened that night.” As Dante started talking, he took one of your hands in his, drawing random patterns in it as he spoke. “You see, my swords answer to my soul. And my soul, was worried about you that night. As soon as Rebellion sensed you were in danger...”

“It found me. But how...?”

“’Cause I’d find you anywhere, babe. No matter the place, no matter the circumstance.” His answer was certain; his sky-blue eyes going back to meet yours. “I’d find you anywhere.”

“I’ll always find you too, Dante...” With that, you took his silvery hair away from his eyes, in order to place a gentle, slow kiss on his lips. There was no job to do, no world to save, no gates to close - you could take your time and savor each other. “And save you from whatever demonic kings that decide to step in the way as well.”

“Oh, I’ll always count on that, sheriff!” Dante held you tight against him, placing another long kiss on your lips, making you giggle as he did so. “And I think you said some ‘thanks’ are in order...!”

“But you already... Dante!” Before you could finish speaking, he lifted you up on his arms, leaving his desk to take you upstairs.

“Job’s done and we’re in due for some lovin’. No refunds!” As he spoke, you couldn’t stop yourself from laughing at Dante’s antics.

After all, by now, you knew every Halloween would have a new adventure in store for you - and you also knew that after every storm, some celebration was to be had.

And celebrating with your red devil would never be enough; after all, loving with all the might of their human heart also ran in the family.

[cuubism]

Nanowrimo

As per usual I'm torturing myself trying to write 50k words in November (though probably not through the official Nano website, RIP. Oh well there's still my best friend Microsoft Excel)

I've had a running list of projects I want to finish by the end of the year, so here's hoping some of these will be churned through in November 🤞

They include:

Michelangelo's Hands: a post-2022 meeting canon (slight) divergence about artist burnout and trauma and having your craft turn against you. And learning how to rest. (Normal Dreamling material)

Good Horses: a teen/high school AU where Dream is a sheltered--though more like caged--rich kid and Hob is the feral wild kid who helps him embrace his own self-determination and freedom. ....With a little twist.

Covetous: after Hob rescues him from the fishbowl, Dream offers him sex as a boon (though really more like intentionally misunderstands Hob's words to make himself the reward. Hob did not even ask for a reward btw). The rituals, they are intricate, etc. Exploration of greed, risk, wanting, and intimacy.

Order of Operations [The Complex Math Elopement Chapter]: Math AU Dream and Hob get spontaneously engaged and have a nice fun sexy time. That's literally it XD.

In Waking Dreams [Final Chapter]: I NEED to finish this one we're nearing the 2 year anniversary of starting it XD. Basically just the wrap up of the story, questions answered, new understandings, new intimacies, you wouldn't think it would take me this long, and yet.

Deja vu, Deja connu [Chapter 4]: the "Dream was Hob's prior lovers in disguise" fic. Ch. 4 is the conclusion of the Eleanor arc. It's an emotionally intense chapter and hard to write but I have so much planned for this fic and I need to just get back to it 😔

the better to see you with, my dear [Spy AU] [Chapter 4]: another fic that exists so much in my head and not on paper! But the chapters are short so it really should be achievable. Ack.

[Undisclosed original short story]: this is actually due Nov 15, I am behind, Help.

There are other projects as always but these are hopefully my priorities for the year 😓 though I've historically been bad at prioritizing. Watch me just write a bunch of new things and not finish any of these :| Always happens!

Join me in November suffering if you want 🫡

[casewonnie]

For books and all - Park Sunghoon

Pairing: Park Sunghoon x fem!reader

Summary: the day arrives where one of your favorite book series gets another part of the series and you can't wait to go and get a copy. little did you know it wouldn't be as easy as you think

Genre: dislike to friends, fluff, attempt at humor, chaotic?, talk of books, i dont know how to promote this it came to me in a vision

Warnings: none really, nothing explicit just mild swearing, oh and nonsensical insults, i am cringe but i am free, sunghoon is weird, y/n is weird, both of them have mild anger issues, sunoo is sassy, he also gets dragged and tickled, all of enha are here of course <3 i put the hunger games as the chosen book but you can imagine whatever

Word count: 5.2k

a/n: Hello! First of all, my writing debut wow. Second, thank you for being here and choosing to read my au. I decided to get back into writing, and this is my first ever fic that I finish and actually leaves the vault. I didn't know how to do the text messages so I just left them. If it sucks I apologise it was not beta-read, english is not my first language and I haven't written in a while but I really hope it's not too bad. I also didn't proof read the whole thing. I'm kind of scared to post this.

Sunghoon being chosen for this random prompt was purely based on the fact that I would love to fight him (affectionately, positively)

Any constructive criticism or praise is greatly appreciated. I love interactions.

ENOUGH WITH THE YAP LET'S BEGIN

>The day before the incident<

“Do you know who I love the most?” Niki, the youngest of Sunghoon’s friend group barged in his room all smiles and bright energy. 

“How’d you get in, the apartment was locked.” Sunghoon lived with the rest of his friend group who were currently out and about with him enjoying the peace and quiet, well, up until a minute ago... As the youngest, Niki was still living with his family but he stayed over and hung out with them more times than he can count. This wasn’t a complaint, they all loved him like their own little brother, what concerned him is that he was fairly certain Niki didn’t have a spare key to the apartment and the door was definitely locked, so he had no idea how he got in. 

“You! I love you the most! Also, don’t worry about it I have my ways.” Niki dismissed him like he asked a banal question. 

“That is terrifying?” he replied. 

“Anyways, my dear Hoonie, do you know how much I appreciate and look up to you as an older brother?” oh no. Niki was a sweet and thoughtful kid, wrapped in like a... dark, emo-looking exterior that wasn’t fooling anyone, but when he was this sweet, it usually meant he wanted something... “Okay now I’m really scared. You’re not gonna make me like, do something illegal... are you?” 

Niki let out a laugh. “Don't be ridiculous... I just need a favor.” he assured him. “So... you know the hunger games, right?” 

“You mean one of the most famous book series and movie franchise? Yeah, I’m familiar.” Sunghoon deadpanned. 

“The newest book comes out tomorrow, and I need you to go to the store and get me a copy. I have the money and everything I just can’t go because I have a class in the morning. I asked the others but Heeseung and Jake apparently had some math project to finish and Jungwon said he was supposed to go to a... dora the explorer convention...”  

Sunghoon scrunched his face in confusion, not even wanting to comment on that last one, and then he realized something. “Wait, wait, wait a second... I wasn’t the first person you asked, not even second, but fourth!? What’s up with that?” 

“Oh, well umm, I just didn’t think you’d be up for it that’s all.” Niki didn’t think it would be a big deal to Sunghoon but seems like he was wrong. 

“Of course I’m up for it! I’m wayy up... I’m flying with the birds! I’ve basically turned into a satellite.” Sunghoon tried not to sound offended by his friends’ statement but it may not sound as convincing as he thought. “Whatever!”  

Niki hadn’t said a word, he just kind of stood there with his hand on his mouth, slightly frozen as if his friend would turn him into a shish kebab if he moved. 

Sunghoon got up from where he was laying on his bed to stand in front of Niki, he put his hands on the others’ shoulders and looked him in the eyes, Niki tilting his head backwards now, wondering what he got himself into. “Don’t you worry about a damn thing! I’ll make sure I get you that book. Even if it’s the last thing I do.” he finished the last sentence by shaking the other man back and forth. “I’ll go get it right now!” 

Sunghoon let go and sprinted out of the room as fast as he could, Niki snapped out of the weird trance and realized what was happening. “Sunghoon where are you going?! The book comes out tomorrow!” he ran after him out of the apartment and into the hallway but couldn’t see his friend. “I haven’t even shown you how the book looks like!” he tried but just ended up yelling into an empty hallway. 

“Man, what the hell...” he whispered to himself lightly rubbing the back of his head, huffed and put his hands on his hips awkwardly. “He’s so odd.” he said and went back inside.

>Day of the incident<

This was it. Today was the big day. You have been anticipating this for almost a year and in just a few hours you will get your hands on what would be your most prized possession, because later today comes out the second prequel to one of your favorite book series. You haven’t been able to stop thinking about it ever since the news came out, and you even decided to re-read all the previous books and rewatch all the movies. You made a whole event out of it and watched the movies together with your friends Sunoo and Jay, who were big fans as well, maybe not on the same level as you... you had the tendency to get a little too obsessed with certain things... but hey, at least they were supportive. Anyways, the whole thing made you even more excited for the release, which is why you were currently sweating out of your eyeballs trying to think of anything else that will calm you down. 

“Oh god I really need to relax.” you said to yourself out loud, even though you were currently alone in your room because to your disdain, both your roommates had their respective uni classes that morning. Wondering if you should text the group chat anyway, not wanting to bother them, you made yourself some food, got a glass of water and sat down to eat before you started getting ready and decided to message your friends. 

>text messages<

Y/N: GUYS... IM REALLY NERVOUS PLS HELP ME 

Y/N: ignore this if you’re in class 

Jay: Is this about the book that comes out later 

Jay: Also we have like an hour break rn 

Sunoo: oh my god get a LIFE 

Y/N: WHAT THE FUCK SUNOO 

Y/N: and yes my dearest and only friend jay... it is 

Jay: It’s going to be fine don’t worry about it! You’ll get a copy 

Sunoo: this is what having only two friends does to you 

Y/N: STOPPP WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU 

Y/N: yk what i see how it is 

Jay: Hey come on now you two 

Jay: Let’s all love each other <3 

Y/N: Sunoo you’ve just lost all your privileges and are now demoted to “some guy i live with”. from now on you may refer me to Miss Awesome-Sauce or M’lady 

Sunoo: NEVER say awesome sauce again 

Jay: You should’ve gone with pumpkin spice 

Y/N: what? 

Sunoo: and also what privileges lmaoooo 

Sunoo: if its your weekly concerts then im not really at a loss am i 

Y/N: im revoking your... “can i borrow the book” privilege :) 

Y/N: *mic drop* 

Jay: GASP 

Jay: oh no she didn’t 

Sunoo: .... 

Sunoo: Listen... 

Sunoo: My dear, lovely Y/N, my best friend, light of my life, the moon to my sun 

Sunoo: the palm to my tree 

Sunoo: the swimming to my pool 

Jay: I have never heard anyone say those... 

Sunoo: the lip to my stick 

Jay: HELLO???”@#@$% 

Y/N: I feel uncomfortable... 

Sunoo: I have made a grave mistake and from now on I’ll think about my words and how they can affect people. I will take time off of social media to deeply reflect on myself. 

Sunoo: *sends a selfie* 

Sunoo: Me self-reflecting 

Jay: NOT THE LEE MINHO REF 

Y/N: omg who is this DIVA  

Y/N: okay you’re forgiven but only because you’re cute 

Sunoo: I know <3  

>end of text messages<

You turned off your phone now that you’ve calmed down a bit due to you and your friends’ goofy antics. You looked at the clock and realized you had just over 3 hours to properly get ready, catch the bus to go to your nearest bookstore and be there at least 30 minutes before they stock up on the books.  You haven’t done math this much since graduating high school. The next question was what to wear.... I mean it was kind of a special occasion, right? If you could say that. Man, maybe Sunoo was right, you did need to make more friends... Whatever! Now was not the time for that. 

You got ready and got to the bus station 10 minutes early just in case. The ride there was calm with no incidents with you listening to your playlist with songs you loved lately. It was just before 10:30am when you arrived but when you got to the bookstore it was surprisingly... empty. Too empty. Something was wrong.  

Never in your life have you seen the bookstore so free of life before, with a just a couple of customers roaming around. You looked around for the table with new releases and just as you saw it you noticed that, that too... was free of books... umm... okay so they might just have not taken them out yet, that must be it. You asked the bookseller at the cash register and she kindly informed you that the book was in fact, ahem... sold out. 

Your jaw dropped. “There’s no way, you must have some copies left.” you had to make sure you understood right and that this wasn’t a case of miscommunication. “I’m so sorry, we had to open an hour early today and everyone just got here after that. It sold out in like 20 minutes.” the cashier spoke with a little smile, her eyebrows scrunched as if she was looking at a hurt puppy. 

“Can you please check your stock again? Or if I can make an early order if you receive a new batch soon?” you tried the only thing you can think of. Luckily the lady was nice and let you leave your phone number, marked down your order and told you she’ll give you a call if they have a copy left or get new ones. 

“Thank you so much!” oh dear, that wasn’t your plan in the slightest. It’s alright though! You weren’t going to lose hope but you still wanted to search the store just in case there was another copy on the loose, maybe it was hidden somewhere, misplaced, mixed up with the others, in another genre section, you get it. 

Looking thoroughly on the shelves where it could be sorted by genre was to no avail, so the only option left was to roam around and quite possibly stumble upon it, I mean if it’s meant to be it will find you. Something about not chasing but attracting it instead. Yeah, that could work, delusion was the best motivator in this case.  

You got to the “thriller” section just as you noticed a book on one of the shelves, well you saw the spine to be exact, with a similar color scheme to the one you were searching for and gasped. Okay Y/N, calm down, maybe it’s not that one, don’t get your hopes up too high now, was your initial thought, but as you got closer to it, the book became all the more familiar. Could this really be it? Huh, maybe you weren’t surrounded by misfortunes and the universe granted you a lucky break. It took everything in you not to scream out loud or jump around in excitement but instead you walked normally to the shelf, the second you grabbed the lower half of the book to pull it, another hand landed on the top half of it. Oh you must be joking right now...  

You turned to the stranger who was trying to get between you and the most important thing in your life right now, a fictional world... still important nonetheless. It surprised you to see that the person next to you was probably the most handsome man you’ve ever laid your eyes upon. He looked like he was your age and was fairly taller than you, with jet black hair, dressed in casual clothes and a face that could launch fifty spaceships into the orbit. Okay you didn’t really know how to explain it but the point still stands. He had a few moles on his face, the prettiest eyes and eyebrows that seemed like they were drawn by a single stroke of an artists’ brush, which made him even more gorgeous. If that was possible. 

“Hi there.” he spoke after a few seconds. 

“Hello.” you replied confidently not wanting to back down even a bit because realistically, you knew what was about to go down. “Looks like we reached for the same book.” you added. 

“Yeah, seems so.” he answered cockily both of your hands tightly holding the book, you could tell he was a stubborn one and it pissed you off, this was not going to be easy... 

“Are you sure you aren’t lost? The self-help section is over by the entrance.” you tried to rile him up and pointed in the direction behind him but he didn’t even blink. Instead, he just turned fully in your direction, hand still firmly on the book. 

“Nope. This is the book I was looking for.” you were expecting a snarky comeback that never came and instead he got closer, towering over you just enough for you to feel a teeny-tiny bit intimated. “This is the only copy left and I’m not leaving this store without it darling.” his voice was sweet and tender but his words weren’t. You narrowed your eyes at him. 

“Your bogus charm won’t work on me.” as if you’d let a man deceive you with such cheap tricks. You sighed. “Alright, how about this. We both put the book on that table over there...” you pointed to the small seating area behind you, near the windows “...and then we have a calm, rational talk on who should have it, okay? What’s your name?” 

The guy studied you for a bit, unsure on whether he should trust you or not. After a moment he released a long breath and let go of the book, you pulled it out of its place on the shelf, got over to the table and placed it down. “It’s Sunghoon by the way.” he said quietly. 

“What?”  

“My name. It’s Sunghoon.” he repeated. 

“Oh.” pretty name, you thought. “I’m Y/N.” it was only fair to let him know yours too. 

“So... how will we decide this?” he continued the conversation. You thought about it but nothing really came to mind. “Umm… maybe we could list of our reasons and whoever has a better reason wins?” 

Sunghoon opened his mouth in an attempt to speak but you interrupted him instead. “I’ll start first,” you said without letting him have a word in, you did him dirty but this was not the time to play nice. Your life depended on it, or more like... a couple of hours of enjoyment. 

“My reason is that I really like the series and want to read it.” you continued. 

“Right. Well, I promised a dear friend of mine that I’ll get it for him because he couldn’t come.” damn him, that was an infinitely better reason, why did he have to be so selfless. 

“How do I know you’re not lying? I mean at least I gave an honest reason.” you didn’t know why you just said that but in all honestly it was the only way you could’ve stalled this until, well... whatever you planned to do, but you had to think of something first. 

“Are you kidding me?” you could tell he was getting more annoyed by the minute and you decided to push it further. God why were you like this. 

“I mean… I just want to make sure we’re both being a hundred percent transparent with each other. Is there even a “friend” you’re helping?” oh yeah he definitely bought that. 

“Oh, I see what you’re doing. Your reason sucked compared to mine so now you’re just trying to slither your way through an excuse. Well it’s not going to work, so you can stop with the air quotes.” Sunghoon was getting really tired of your shit and he sure as hell wasn’t gonna go down without a fight. 

“Slither my way through? What does that even mean?! And my reason doesn’t suck. It's just as valid as yours but I'm making sure the copy is not going to waste and that your “friend" actually appreciates the story.” maybe it would’ve been a better idea to be more... civil, but something about him made you want to keep pushing his buttons and he was no better either so you didn’t really feel guilty. 

“Hey! My best friend Niki, who is very much real, has been a fan of this series since the first book came out, so this copy is basically his birth right and there’s no way I’ll let some sea urchin have it!” Sunghoon was, let’s say a bit surprised at his own tone, he wasn’t the type of person to just have beef with random strangers over silly things, but I guess he was just feeling protective over Niki and wanted to win this for him. 

“A... a sea urchin?! How dare you, you... potato peeler...” way to call someone names. 

Sunghoon gasped as he clutched his chest.  

“I’ve been a fan for a whole YEAR, your friends’ love for it has been on stand-by, okay? Mine is fresh in my memory and if I don’t read that book immediately, I’m going to explode.” You emphasized with your hands.  

“Well gosh darn that’s just awful, what will the world do without a life ruining angry kitten like you.” he crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes. 

“Oh real funny Mr. Probably wears coats all the time.” in your defense he did seem like a coat guy. 

“Wow you got me... I’m so embarrassed, you carrot muffin.” yeah let’s go with that, he thought. 

“What did you just call me?!”   

“You heard me!” 

“Screw you, pencil biter!”  you were starting to get sick of this pointless “battle” so it was the best you could come up with. 

“Bet you like plain pasta, don’t you?” he put his hands on his hips. 

Sunghoon scoffed but then noticed the way your face sank at the last “insult”. There’s no way you actually got offended from that, is there? Maybe it was a touchy subject for you... dang it, how could he have been so stupid. What was going on with him today, this whole thing was so stupid, he didn't actually want to offend you... aaand great now he felt bad... 

“Hey look, I’m sorry, I didn’t actually mean what I said, it’s just the first thing that popped into my mind. It wasn’t my intention to hurt you.” you were standing very still while awkwardly fiddling with your hands looking anywhere but at him and frankly, he didn’t know what else to do.  

“It’s not like I always eat it plain, you know.” you spoke softly and sighed. “My friends make fun of me for it so it’s a bit of a touchy subject but...it’s just so good! If you make it right, cook it for long enough and then... leave a bit of the uhh... left-over pasta flavored water. It’s amazing.” you were scrambling for words which at this point made it 10 times weirder than it was. 

Sunghoon nodded while listening intently. “I know, I know. Forget your friends, you eat pasta however you want to! Don’t let anyone tell you it’s wrong, okay? If you want to eat it plain then do that, who cares...” you still had your head down and after some internal debating and awkward back and forth hand movement, Sunghoon reached his hand and pat your head a few times with a soft “There, there. It’ll be okay.” 

You feel like your eyes bulged out of the pop sockets from the shock of feeling his hand on your head. Was he... comforting you? Never mind the weird air around you both and the weight of his gaze on you, it was... warm and tender. 

In Sunghoon’s case however, he didn’t know what he was saying nor why he just patted you head but at this point he would’ve done anything to stop you from sulking and bring back that insane fiery energy of yours from before and... wait a minute. Why was he thinking all this and why did he even care? Oh god he was going mad... he hadn’t thought any of this trough.  

At that moment, you slowly raised your head and looked at him with a small smile on your face, thanked him and... okay he was definitely going insane because he just found you so cute, he felt like a butterfly gave birth to a million small butterflies in his stomach...or was it the gut? Either way, this was not good, he needed to get his head out of the clouds and remember what his objective was.  

“Okay! Enough with the dilly-dallying!” you exclaimed, stopping his train of thought but the complete 180 change from arguing to whatever the other thing was to arguing again was going to give him a migraine.  

“We need to settle this once and for all. And I’m afraid there’s only one way to do it...”  

Sunghoon nodded. “A sword fight!” he declared. 

You stopped for a second to scowl at him. “What? No. Where would we find swords, although I would love that, it always seemed really fun on tv. I was thinking more of like rock, paper, scissors?” 

“Okay, yeah, that’s way more doable.” he straightened his posture and squeezed his hand into a fist “Let’s settle this once and for all.” 

“Ready? Rock, paper, scissors, sho-” 

“Excuse me?...” Before you were able to throw the hand signs, a lady came up to you. “May I ask if you need any help, is there a specific book you’re looking for? Maybe I can help you look for it?” she had a nametag on her shirt and you could make out a small ‘Louise’ so you figured she was one of the store sellers. 

Sunghoon spoke first “Oh no ma’am. Thank you very much for offering, but we were just about to decide who gets to have this book...” He turned to show the book where they last left it on the table next to them, only to realize it wasn’t there. Both of their jaws dropped in disbelief. 

“It’s... gone.” You looked up right at the register as another girl about their age was checking out, the same book she had in her hands just a few minutes ago... The girl turned away from the counter, now with the book in a tiny bag heading towards the exit. As she opened the door, she turned back to them and gave them a snarky smile and wriggled her fingers in a wave and exited the store. 

“Oh, that little...” You were about to head in her direction but Sunghoon grabbed your shoulders and stopped you from doing something stupid. 

“Alright~ Let’s calm down a bit. She already bought it, there’s nothing you can do. We should’ve paid more attention to our surroundings. It’s over let’s just leave it.” 

“You’re right. How are you more clear-headed than me? It’s odd.” 

“I have my strong points.” he flashed a grin in your direction and you froze for a second. Wow his smile was so... gorgeous. How can someone be this good looking... it wasn’t fair to anyone. You turned to the woman before she witnessed any more stupid shenanigans, thanked her and exited the store with Sunghoon following behind. 

“Hey, can we both agree that this entire morning and everything that happened in there was genuinely insane and definitely not something we should be fighting over?” you said once you were both out on the sidewalk. The sun was peeking out through some clouds so it was still quite cold, the streets were busy with cars and people going on about their day. 

“Yeah, I mean, it does seem quite silly now, doesn’t it?” he laughed, leaving a big goofy grin on his face. “I guess this means we’re friends now?” he added, looking at you with anticipation. Well that was new, you weren’t expecting that, especially not from him but hey, what the hell. 

“I guess so.” you nodded, smiling back at him and extended your hand for a handshake which he gladly accepted and shook it with his own. 

It got quiet and after a few seconds you asked “So... what do we do now?” 

“Umm...” he answered which gave you the impression that he probably didn’t know either “If you want, we can go hangout at my apartment, it’s close by, maybe we can have some of that plain pasta. And don’t worry I have roommates and you can invite your friends over. Niki will be there because, one, I want you to know that he’s real” you rolled your eyes “and two, since he’s a big fan of the series you’ll probably get along well.”  

NEVER go to a complete strangers house or invite one over, stay safe please <3 

“Okay. Yeah sure, why not. I’ll call my friends we can go together once they get here.” you knew their class had already ended so you texted Sunoo and Jay to come to a nearby cafe since you made plans with Sunghoon to wait for them there and chat in the meantime until you headed to the original hang-out location. 

When the four of you got there you got greeted by 3 of Sunghoon friends which you found out were Jungwon, Jake and Niki who, to your surprise ended up being very real and for the next 5 minutes you didn’t hear the end of it from Sunghoon, meaning you were bombarded with a bunch of attacks like “See? I told you he exists.” or “I can’t believe you’d think I’d lie about having friends, how low do you think of me?” to which your answers were either intense eye rolls or random outbursts of “Okay! I get it! Stop bothering me!” 

Once you filled everyone in on your...disagreement and everything from the moment you and Sunghoon met that led to you becoming friends of some sort, which to be fair, was very silly everyone fell into a comfortable small talk, slowly getting to know each other. 

Sunghoon was right about you getting along with the youngest, about whom you found out later on, that Niki was just a combination of his last and first name and his actual name was Riki. Your main topics of conversations being, of course, the hunger games but also the pain of not managing to get your hands on a copy of the newest book. Call that a tragic inconvenience bonding. 

Jay and Sunoo seemed to be getting along well with the others considering that for the past 15 minutes Jungwon explained, in great detail, all about his time at the dora the explorer convention and then dragged off Sunoo into the kitchen to show him his favorite episodes of the show. Jay bonded with Sunghoon and Jake over all three of them being born in the same year, called it fate that they met and something about soulmatism or whatever... they ended up putting their birth times into an astrology calculator to see if they, in Jake’s words, “match each other's freak”. 

As Niki stood up from the couch and into the kitchen with Sunoo and Jungwon, the space next to Y/N was free for just a few seconds before Sunghoon decided to take it up. 

“So...I think everything is going well. Heesung said he’d be back soon, said he was on some side quest. Are you having fun?” he asked expectantly. 

“Yeah, your friends are really cool, I really like them. And I’m glad the guys are getting along.” a high-pitched scream came from the kitchen the moment you said that, both your heads turning in the direction of the scream just in time to see Sunoo getting dragged by both Niki and Jungwon, followed by a bunch of cackles. You could see them trying to tickle Sunoo which forced him to get on the floor in an armadillo position, a surprised expression landing on your face. 

“Will he be okay or should I intervene?” Sunghoon asked, voice drowned in concern.  

“Oh don’t worry about Sunoo, he may not look like it but he can fend for himself if he wants to.” you said dismissively and Sunghoon mumbled an “alright then”, still a bit worried because he knew how his friends could be, but listened to you anyway. 

“You know, I’m kind of glad all the books were sold out, otherwise we might’ve never met. I got to be honest, you’re completely insane but it’s been a while since I’ve gotten into an argument with a stranger over a banal reason. It was honestly refreshing.” Sunghoon’s rambling was honestly so cute you didn’t even mind he called you crazy, and by the way he said it so excitedly and joyfully, you were sure he meant that as a compliment, and you didn’t mind it. 

“Aww, thanks. I think you’re pretty insane too, if it’s under any consolation.” the two of you fell into a bit of small talk, giggling and laughing over something the other one has said, getting along quite well, that is until Heeseung showed up. 

“Guys! I’m back and you’ll never believe what I found.” the guy you guessed was Heeseung, based on the single blurry picture Jungwon showed you, burst into the apartment without a care that, what was once his home, was now a chaos playground full of adult children running around and screaming. “Look what I got at a discount in a random mini market.” both you and Sunghoon stared in disbelief, eyes bulged out and jaws down to the floor as Heeseung pulled out a brand-new copy of the hunger games book you spent the whole morning fighting over. “Oh no.” mumbled Sunoo once he noticed what was happening. 

“It’s mine!” Sunghoon and you burst out simultaneously, turning to look at each other to once again continue your squabble from before your friends arc. The others now going over to Heeseung to see what the fuss was all about before collectively groaning in understanding.  

“Do you think Sunghoon remembers he went to get the book for Niki and not himself?” asked Jake, crossing his arms. 

“I didn’t know it was gonna cause this much drama or I would’ve just stayed silent.” Heeseung put the book back in his bag, now clearly worried about the damage he accidentally caused. 

“Knowing Y/N, she will stop at nothing to win this, since she basically let him off the hook earlier.” Jay joined in. 

“Umm,” Niki began a bit unsure of himself. “Does anyone wanna leave them at it and go get coffee or something?” 

“Sure.” Sunoo said without a second thought.  

“Oh! I know this cafe nearby that just opened up it’s really cute and has a bunch of delicious looking pastries, if you guys are up for it.” suggested Jake, already on his way to put on his shoes and went out on his own. 

“Well I guess we’re going either way. Let’s go everyone, we’ll text them when we get there. I wonder how long it takes them to notice they’ve been abandoned.” Jungwon giggled sneakily pushing the others out the door and closed it, the faint sound of muffled voices still audible from the hallway slowly disappearing as the boys went on with their mission, leaving the two angry penguins to fend for themselves. 

-the end- hope you enjoyed :)

[1ris5starlight]

Oh god.... i-is this really the only option?

(0:12) *pissed* OH COME ON!!! SERIOUSLY?!

(1:08) Oh. OHH..... are you talking about that...?

(3:29) *angry* You're making this VERY difficult, you big ape robot.

(3:37) *more pissed* OH YOU SON OF A-!!!

(4:20) I know Sun, I get why you're uncomfortable. You're with this freak giant robot.

(4:30) CAN'T YOU JUST SHUT UP FOR ONCE?!

(4:43) MOON!!!! OH GOD, WHAT DID HE DO TO YOU?!

(5:47) !!!!...... Oh no. OH NO. THIS IS A F*CKING TRAP. F*CKKKKKKK!!!!! NONONONONO NONO HE'S GONNA GET SUN THIS WAY!!

(6:00) *scared* MOON!!!?!!! HEY, STOP!!

(6:14) Ruin...What do you want?

(6:55) Trust? TRUST?!

(7:35) ....oh, so it's a pay-back-situation from what I hear huh?

(7:48) YES, RUN MOON, RUN!! ......thanks Ruin..

(7:56) AHHRRHSAEHJFHSF, THEY'RE HERE, IT'S A TRAP!!! RUN AWAY!!!!

(8:38) the dragon....

(9:02) $un.....SH*TTTTTTTTT!!! THIS IS NOT GOING TO END WELL...

(9:32) Oh god....the big fight is going to start...

(9:56) Sun? Why do you keep looking at the dragon like?! It was the same when you got here with Moon!!

(10:17) *horrified* oh my god....

(10:29) SUN AND SOLAR GO!!

(12:21) NOW, GO GO GO GO GO!!

(End) NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! YOU CAN'T LEAVE US WITH THIS?!?! WHAT HAPPENED AFTER?! DID THEY MAKE IT?! DID THEY SAVE MOON?! YOU CAN'T JUST END IT HERE!!!!! I NEED ANSWERS!!!!

*literally trembling* .....I'm so f*cking agitated and scared for what comes after this...

I hope Goliath take down the dragon or the other way around or that they kill each other. That wouldn't be a problem anymore this way.

....

I still have a terrible feeling about Sun spacing out when he looks at the dragon...

I feel like this will end bad...

[kangaracha]

love trending

---

pairing changbin x reader

genre romance, meet cute, love at first sight, humor, fluff

summary somehow, someway, seo changbin finds and likes a TikTok of yours, and you think that single like is the end of your fleeting encounter. but fate has other plans...

a/n hi, hello, hope everyone is doing well! so how many times do we think i can sneak post on roo's tumblr before she removes my access. lol anyway. this is her birthday present that i totally didn't write in literally two nights on a whim. and misled her about the plot (but not really). i hope everyone enjoys, and happy birthday roo :)

---

---

You'll be honest - most of the time you hate your job. 

It's not about the people, or the place, but mainly because you would much rather spend your time doing anything else. Singing, drawing. The puzzle books your aunt got you last year that you never found the time to glance in. Dancing, above all else. Moving to the music, dropping on beat, and matching that rhythm perfectly...the views on TikTok didn't really matter to you at the end of the day, because at least you were able to do something that you loved. 

Performing on your own time, doing your own thing. It was freeing, and exciting, and made your chest swell up in pride when you looked in the mirror and were happy with what looked back at you. You weren't someone held down by the push and go of life, when you danced, or after. 

You were exactly who you wanted to be.

"You know I think your break was up like, five minutes ago," Seulji whispers as she slides into the booth next to you, shoulder bumping with yours. "Do you think anyone noticed?" 

"Aren't you supposed to be serving customers?" you say without looking up from your phone, flicking to the next social media post. Your lips curve in a smile when one of your favorite groups pops up, starting a live. You click into it, and send a few hearts as soon as you're able to. Your chest fills - something small to help get you through the day. It was nice having silly little things like this to look forward to from a music group you enjoyed listening to. 

"Only when they ask," Seulji quips, sliding closer, tone playful. She's been your co-worker for ages, and you got along better than most, sarcasm your second language. The customers always left gleaming reviews about the two of you, so the manager was lenient. You really couldn't complain. 

Until Seulji glances at your phone screen and the teasing begins. 

"Your boyfriend's doing a live again?" she questions with a knowing curve to her lips. 

You blush, stomach twisting with an emotion you don't know how to name. Sure, you were a little too interested at times, but what was wrong with that? You weren't over the top, or crazy, or...anything you wouldn't want to admit. You were just up to date on their next shows, the newest album, the cutest member of the group...

"Stop that," you chide quietly, pulling your phone closer. "And this isn't even the right one." 

At the end of the day, Seulji was just playing around, and you knew that. She had even gone the extra mile to try and learn some of their names, though she was still confusing one or two. But still - 

"Oh right, sorry. Wrong arms," she groans, though she's still smiling wide. "Is this one...Hyunjin?"

You're happily shocked. Had she finally dived into the video folder you'd left sitting open for her a few weeks ago? You knew it was a slippery slope; it was easy to sink in once you were hooked. Maybe she finally took the bait. "Yes, actually," you say, turning to give her a look, "how did you know?" 

Seulji shrugs, busy fiddling away on her own phone. 

She's probably texting her boyfriend. It was all she ever did these days, and the thought didn't make you all that jealous. Or maybe it did? You weren't sure. All you knew was that they got together one Friday evening through a cupcake prom ask, and it was all Seulji did since. It was maybe the one thing she did that left a bad taste in your mouth, but what did you know? Maybe you would act the same if you ever got a boyfriend of your own, though the ten cats and barn idea was still something you were starting to prefer after every failed attempt at a date. 

The bell above the front door rings a few times then, and you lift your head once you notice that the chatter around your hidden corner booth has grown. The line for coffee and pastries has grown enough that the two left behind the counter have grown frantic, rushing around each other. The manager is busy dealing with a very not nice-looking customer at the end, going over their receipt line by line. 

You exhale and drag yourself out of the booth, throwing your phone in your pocket and fixing your apron as you go, strapping your hat around your messy bun. "Wish me luck," you tell Seulji, who gives a wave of her hand and a few words of encouragement in response before turning back to her phone.  

The sudden crowd is easy to manage once you get back into the swing of things, and the noise of the small cafe has died down considerably as you turn back around to help the next customer in line, who was hiding behind the rest of the line in a baseball cap and a dark sweatshirt and baggy pants. A face mask covers the bottom half of his face as he greets you, eyes crinkling with his hello.  

And something about his eyes, the tone of his voice, the rough edge - you swear you've heard it before. 

For a long moment, you just look at him, lost in thought. Why did he seem familiar? You don't think you've met him before, because you were usually good with faces, but this was throwing you off. It was a nice day out too, why would someone be so keen to be hidden when -

"I might sound absolutely crazy but do I know you, somehow?" The words are flying out of your mouth before you can stop them, and you are mortified, but then to your surprise, he simply laughs and ducks his head, fingers fumbling around the crumpled money he holds in his hands. 

When he lifts his head again, he's looking right at you, searching for something. After a minute that feels as though it lasts for eternity, it seems he finds whatever it was he was looking for, and leans in, one arm against the counter. He lifts a hand up to tug his mask down, and you're meant with the softest smile you've ever seen, and a face you would never forget. 

Your heart jumps, and you wonder if you gasp out loud by accident. 

"Oh my god," you whisper, barely able to contain yourself. But there's still a good amount of people in the shop, and he obviously left the house in the best disguise he could muster, so the last thing you want to do is be the cause of him being recognized by anyone else, especially if he seemed to trust you enough to reveal who he was in the first place. "What are you doing here?"

You're so dumb, you think a second after the words have left you, and you're preparing yourself for him to say it right back to you, but he simply chuckles and gives a small wave of his hand. "I'm hungry," he replies easily, grinning, an echo of a long-lost moment you swear you've watched on a few too many times. "Where else would I go?" 

You're absolutely freaking out. 

You can't believe this is happening right now, let alone to you. Oh gosh, what if someone sees? What if you say something too loud? You want to say his name but then you're too afraid you'll draw too much attention, and what with phones and cameras everywhere these days, but oh good god it's Seo Changbin in front of you and you have never felt more like a fangirl until this very moment. 

"I'm - oh my," you stumble and stutter for a moment, and your face is burning hot, and your stomach is fluttering and your chest is tight, and all too suddenly you don't understand what is happening as your next breath falters in your throat -

And then a warm hand is gently gripping at your wrist. 

"Hey," he says. Kind. Far too kind. "Take a deep breath for me." He pauses, and gives a tiny squeeze to your skin. "Can you do that for me?" 

You nod, and then blink, once, twice. Your eyes lock with his, tracing his every feature. The concerned turn to the corner of his lips, the look in his eyes. The unruly curls that have fought their way from under his cap. The warmth of his palm pressed against your arm. 

An idol is standing in front of you, and you've gone and made yourself out to be a complete fool. You're definitely someone special alright.

Eventually, you're able to push some air through your lungs. Your chest shudders with one breath, and then another, and another, until you're able to properly breathe again, and you exhale, shaking your head as soon as you're able to. 

"I'm so sorry," you mumble, feeling ashamed. You're wasting his time, and there's customers still waiting, and you can feel your manager looking over at you like you've done something wrong. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean - I don't know what came over me." 

Changbin's hand slips from your wrist. You miss the contact more than you'd like to admit. 

"Please don't apologize," he rebukes, leaning back. He doesn't bother to put his mask back. "Are you feeling better?" 

"Yes," you're quick to say, moving back over to the register. "Thank you. Sorry again." He looks happier now, eyes locked on you. His hand lingers on the counter, money nearly forgotten. If you had no restraint, you'd reach down and hold his hand. Something tells you to just say what you want to say. You decide to listen to it. "Thank you for the music that you guys make. You're amazing, and you probably don't remember but you - you liked a dance of mine a few weeks ago. I just wanted to say that it meant a lot to me. Sorry for the cringey caption."

Changbin shifts, and then...is he...blushing? You must be going crazy, or seeing things. 

"I remember, actually. You were amazing." 

He moves again, and you glance down, trying to avoid his gaze. You feel like some giddy schoolgirl, and you needed to reel it in. A few minutes longer and your manager would be over asking what was wrong. Be thankful and move on, right? He said he was hungry, maybe he'd like a coffee too. You could do that at the very least. Maybe he'd - 

"Can I..." he stops and sighs, holding his phone out now, looking over to the left. His cheeks are dark enough for you to not be imagining anything. "Can I have your number?" 

You look over at him, and then down at his phone. 

You take it. 

And then you put in your number, and pretend you don't see the smile he tucks into his shoulder.

---

---

Logically, you know this is the worst way to go about this. You know you'll come to regret this in the morning, mortified and blushing. And yet, as he pushes you back against the wall, and kisses you like no one else ever has, you find that you can't really bring yourself to care about what you might think of yourself in the morning. 

This isn't just some random guy kissing you - this is Seo Changbin. The Changbin. The one who sought you out of millions, billions even, of users and took it upon himself to like your TikTok. And not just any TikTok, but the one of you dancing silly and stupid, a cheesy caption dazzled with hearts and arrows around his name below it. 

God, the embarrassment. 

(God, the thought of him seeing you out of trillions - )

"Y/N," he breathes, hot breath fanning across an exposed collarbone, shivers racing down your spine. You hadn't even noticed him pulling away, so lost in...in all of this, speechless and dumb and flushed, and then he presses a kiss to the cusp of your shoulder, and you positively melt. 

You want to say something, anything, but it's hard to talk when all you can focus on is the feel of his lips, and the warmth of his chest pressing against yours, and the curve of his arms your fingers can barely wrap around - 

He bites down, and your cheeks burn at the sound that escapes you, pleasant shock coursing through your body. You feel his smirk pressing against your skin, before he makes sure to take care of you, and then he's back to kissing your lips, and you wondered how you even made it through the concert. 

He's gentle. Kind. It almost annoys you how careful he's being, pushing close to the limit, and then backing away before he breaks it. He's a tease like this, and you're not sure if he's doing this on purpose or waiting for you to make the first move, so you decide to make things clear. He's kind, but you know there must be something else hiding beneath, ready to take control and leave you gasping for breath. 

"I won't break," you whisper, pulling away just enough that your lips brush his in the intermittent. "Just so you know." He breathes heavily against you for a long moment, one of your fingers trailing along his arm before coming to a stop on his chest, resting your palm flat against it, right where his heart is. 

You swear you feel it skip a beat, and wonder how your own doesn't stop beating.

The next moment is a blur of movement as Changbin wraps his arms around your middle and lifts you up, kissing you madly as he carries you towards the couch that sits on the other side of the room, your heart racing. He holds you above it for a long moment, and then tosses you down, enough that your back bounces against the springs, but he's climbing on top of you before you can worry that you'll tumble to the ground, thick arms boxing you in. 

You look up at him as he stares down at you, getting lost easily in his eyes so close to your own. He's beautiful really, up close like this, flawless honey skin and an easy smile. Saying he's handsome doesn't do him justice when he's close like this, and you find yourself at a loss for words again. 

How could anyone not like him? 

"I like you," he says, leaning in close. "A lot more than I should." 

A feeling you can't put a name to erupts in your stomach, leaving room for nothing else. You don't know how it's possible for somebody to be this charming, on and off the screen, and you don't know how someone like this decides on you when he could have anyone else in the world. 

You don't know how that makes you feel, really, when he looks at you like you are the very world itself. 

"I - I like you too," you whisper, though you nearly stumble your way through, his eyes crinkling at the corners as laughs, the sound encompassing the room. "A lot." 

He closes the distance, his lips brushing against your own. "I noticed," he teases, and you wonder if your cheeks can get any more red. "Is this okay?" 

You nearly laugh out loud at the question, though it warms your heart that he even asked in the first place. How would this ever not be okay? Your past self would be screaming, and your future self probably still is. "Yes," you say, eyes flickering between his own and his lips, "A million times yes." 

He kisses you rough then, pushing closer, arms closing you in. 

You kiss back and tell yourself that you won't regret one single thing.

[plantvariant]

Okay now that it's been some time to process the finale I can finally give my thoughts on it!!

I'm so incredibly happy with what they gave us, and the reveal at the end that The Road was made up by Agatha and Nicky, and turned into a con after all those years. It really WAS Agatha All Along! The finale was such a nice set up for Visionquest (which I assume is the next in the trilogy based on things Jac has said).

Agatha kissing Rio and it being the KISS OF DEATH? It was so fitting and so good for the both of them. The acceptance and forgiveness, and then of course our wonderful purple witch becoming a ghost anyway so she wouldn't have to see Rio anymore. As much as I wanted them to work it out, it made sense to me because Agatha's grief ran soooo deep, she couldn't see the valid offer of more time that Rio gave her with Nicky. When he was taken, without a goodbye, she only saw that grief and betrayal (in her eyes). I think the kiss and what it represented was a good wrap up for their relationship.

A theory:

-Before Agatha got the Darkhold, she still met up with Rio to give her the bodies of all those witches she killed. It reminded me of Alice's trial when Agatha referred to "work and play".

-They were definitely still hooking up during that time, but probably wild hate sex for Agatha because she didn't want it to be more, and then Rio hoping it was more.

-Rio never stopped trying to make up for what happened with Nicky, but eventually took on the bad guy role because Agatha wouldn't relent in her grief.

Now for Wiccan! He's such an emotional teenager 😭 And like I get it, but him almost banishing Agatha was, as she put in episode 7 so staunchly, dramatic lmao. But I am so happy they're officially teaming up now. I can't WAIT to see their dynamic in future projects. I love ghost mom.

[ethereal-writes]

Carving Pumpkins With The Demon Brothers (Ft. GN!MC)

Warning: questionable actions/slight gore if you squint on Lucifer's part, knives

A/N: Happy Halloween everybody! Sorry I'm posting this rather late (depending on where you are), but I figured some nice headcanons to wrap up the holiday wouldn't be too bad. This post is instead of the very dark Halloween fics I had mentioned earlier, because once I started working on them I found myself getting unnerved and didn't want to do my comfort characters like that. I guess I stick to writing fluff for a reason lol. Still though, enjoy the headcanons, please let me know if I missed any warnings, and happy Halloween!

–Ethereal :D

Lucifer:

Manages to keep his area the neatest through the whole ordeal

You guys had spread newspaper on the floor to keep the floor from getting dirty, somehow his doesn't have a single seed on it.

He saves all the pulp and seeds to cook with later.

He also succeeds in cleaning his pumpkin out the best.

He doesn't seem like the crafty type, but somehow every cut he makes is perfect.

He ends up somehow carving the most terrifying thing you've ever seen.

Those guts coming out of its mouth are...a bit too realistic.

You decide not to ask.

Mammon:

Makes the most mess out of everyone.

His newspaper is absolutely covered with pulp and seeds, and so is the floor.

Despite your instructions to save the insides to cook with later, most of his end up in the trash.

He doesn't seem like the crafty type, and he's not.

He doesn't trace out his design whatsoever ahead of time, he just goes in and hopes for the best.

He decides to go with a classic jack-o-lantern.

His ends up being a little bit wonky, with a lot of uneven cuts and very unsymettrical.

But overall, not too bad.

Leviathan:

He also makes a mess, though not anywhere near as bad as Mammon.

Doesn't do the best job of cleaning out his pumpkin, but that's only because he's super duper excited to get to the carving part.

He's the most crafty of the brothers, and has had to use knives before while working on details for his cosplays.

So he's actually very good at getting it to cooperate with him.

Prior to you guys actually sitting down to carve them, he already drew out a bunch of different designs, picked one, and practiced with an exacto knife and some foam ahead of time.

The most prepared, honestly.

He ends up carving a perfect recreation of Ruri-Chan in a witch outfit.

Satan:

Also made very little mess.

Only ends up with a few seeds and bits of pulp on the ground and saves the rest for you.

Unsurprisingly, he ends up carving a cat.

He starts by cutting out the body and head, meaning a large cat-sized hole in the pumpkin.

You assume that means his won't have a face, but he continues carving whiskers, eyes and a nose out of the piece he'd carved out.

Then he enchants the carved pieces to float in place.

His cat turned out a bit wonky, but honestly you're so distracted by him casually using magic for this sort of thing you hardly notice.

Asmodeus:

He was super excited to do this, and managed to cut out the "lid" just fine.

Then he saw you and his brothers begin to scoop out the pulp, and he just...flat out refused.

That part was far too icky for him.

You and Satan had to help him scoop out the pulp and completely replace all his newspaper before he'd even consider participating again.

But once you do, he's all in.

He tries to make one of those very aesthetic ones you see all the time on Devilgram.

He does very well considering how many times he's practiced (which is zero) but he's a little disappointed with how it came out.

Beelzebub:

Is also very excited for this, because once you guys save the pulp and seeds, you guys can make snacks with them later. As a result, he's very careful with scooping it out.

But he's happy to do this activity first.

Good news is, he's super strong! He manages to cut through it without any issues.

Unfortunately he uses so much strength that his cuts become a bit too forceful, and he accidentally smashes the first pumpkin.

On attempt two, he's much more careful.

Still though, he's not the most crafty person. He probably just does something very basic.

Cuts are slightly wonky, but overall turns out pretty well.

Belphegor:

He also hardly made a mess while carving his pumpkin.

Mainly because he didn't do it.

He had cut out the top part, and was about to start on the face when you pointed out he hadn't cleaned out the inside of his pumpkin yet.

He honestly didn't see the point of cleaning out the inside, people were looking at the outside anyways, weren't they?

But Beel immediately offered to clean it out as to not let any of the food go to waste.

So he figured...why not let Beel do all the hard parts?

All he really did was cut out the top part and draw his design. Beel carved it for him.

As a result, his and Beel's look almost identical.

[sarathrwizard]

7 Day Camp Stay. Day: 7

It's the last full day at camp! We made it! (There's still one more day after this though.)

We had a great time! And I think we did everything, right? ... WE STILL NEED TO DO S'MORES!!!!!

I ate a s'more, so Donnie shall eat a s'more now!

Hope you enjoy Day 7! (Under the cut.)

7 Day Camp Stay

Day: 7

Donnie tossed and turned all night. The cold air constantly blowing on his face made it hard to sleep. He woke up at 6:30 A.M. he turned from one side to the other, but nothing felt comfortable. After trying for an hour, he decided to get up.

He exited the tent and... Okay, the walk to the restrooms was just tedious now. Sure it was the distance of two blocks, but walking that back and forth, back and forth for 6 days was kind of annoying. Was this camping week a test for his physical strength or his mental? Anyways, he made it to the restrooms.

After Donnie was done, he walked back to the camp for what felt like the 50th time. He crawled back into his tent. Oh, how he wanted to sleep more! But his back was too sore to even lay back down on. Donnie grabbed his box of crackers and ate a handful. That counted as breakfast, right?

Leo was already starting to stir. Probably from Donnie munching on crackers. It's hard to eat those things quietly. The temperature felt cold, but it was supposed to be warm later that day. So Donnie stayed bundled up till the sun had enough time to warm the earth.

"Hey, hey Tello!"

Donnie blinked his eyes to find himself sitting at the picnic table. There was a bit of confusion at first, but Donnie vaguely remembers walking over to the picnic table.

"You falling asleep there?"

Leo asked. Washing the dishes beside him. Donnie slowly raised his head off the picnic table.

"Bad sleep last night?"

"Yup, you got it."

Donnie said with as much enthusiasm he could muster up. He smacked his forhead back down on the table. It was almost lunchtime already. Mikey looked in the cooler for the sandwich fixings.

"There's the mustard! I've been looking everywhere for it!"

Mikey flipped the bottle in his hand, then went to make the sandwiches. Mikey passed the food out to the others. Donnie lifted his head and looked at the plate to inspect it. It was a turkey sandwich. They have literally had turkey sandwiches for lunch for the past week. Donnie couldn't wait to have some real food...

pizza.

He ate the sandwich anyway. When Raph got done with the dishes and finished his food, he rushed over to his tent like he had forgotten something. Raph came back out with a big box.

"Who wants to play 'Giant Sorry'?"

Raph said as he held it up high. Mikey was the first to bounce.

"Oh, Oh, I do!"

"I'll play!"

"Sure."

Raph opened the box and shook out the large vinal game board, laying it down like a blanket. He took the giant pieces out and set them up in their places. Leo took the blue pegs. Mikey, the yellow. Raph, the red. And Donnie was stuck with green. He was disappointed that there was no purple.

The game was going well... Till crazy stuff started to happen, and all of Raph pegs were sent back to the beginning. Donnie felt kind of bad about it.

Donnie must have blinked because Mikey was two hops away from winning. But there was no stopping him. He got the number 2 he was looking for. Mikey crossed the finish line and was winner and still champ!

"Welp! Good game!"

Leo said as he flopped backwards and raised up a thumb. Mikey grinned and wiggled in his spot. Donnie was close to winning too. But there can only be one, I guess.

Donnie looked over at Raphs pegs and saw that they barely left the start. Donnie felt sorry for him. But Raph didn't seam to mind as he rubbed Mikeys head with a smile.

"First one to the shower house gets to shower first!"

Raph said as he pushed off of Mikey and sprinted off to the shower house.

"Hey! No fair!"

Mikey yelled out, chasing ofter him.

"Luckily, I already took my shower."

Leo said as he flipped his mask tails. Donnie wouldn't have none, we was practically sleep walking the whole morning. Donnie shrugged his shoulders and walked back to his tent. He grabbed his Atomic Las action figure and exited the tent. He took a stroll over to the lake.

Upon arriving, he saw the sun reflecting on the lake. He watched as the water rippled. He knelt down, setting his action figure on a large rock. Suddenly, an idea popped into his head. He posed his action figure into a cool pose, standing with legs spread out and her blaster held high. Donnie got down on his elbows, took out his phone and swiped open the camera. He took a few pictures and checked to see which one was best.

Donnie looked up, seeing how perfect the sun was framed with the tree line. The clouds swirled around in gentle strokes. He gazed upon the sky as the colors faded from blue to a gentle pink. An artist's masterpiece. Donnie snapped a picture of the beautiful sunset, capturing it in a timeless photo.

Donnie couldn't believe this was the last day of their camping week. How time seamed to have flown by. Sure at first it was rough, and he didn't really want to be there. But now, Donnie wished he had just a few more days. Donnie soaked in this moment, this feeling of calm, and peace of mind. For as tomorrow, they would pack for home.

The sun had set as Donnie made his way back to the campsite. Mikey and Raph had long finished their showers, and Mikey was already back to cooking dinner. The last supper they'd have here.

... okay. It's not that dramatic, cause in all honesty, Donnie couldn't wait to have some food from 'Run of the Mill Pizza' again! He'd been craving pizza for the past few days! But it was just one more day, one more day.

The fire illuminated the campsite in a brilliant orange. As Donnie approach the others, he could smell the food cooking already!

"Ahh! Donnie, you're back! Food's ready!"

Mikey said as he held out a plate to Donnie. Donnie took the dish and looked over what he was about to eat. It was like a vegetable stir fry with noodles.

Now, pizza would always be first place. But Chinese food came a close second. Donnie happily ate his dinner. He kind of wished he could have more, but he wanted to make sure Raph wouldn't be hungry. His bro, who is the biggest, needs lots of food to function.

But the night didn't actually end right after supper, for Mikey had been saving this the whole week. He dug out a small paper bag and simply asked,

"Who wants s'mores?"

Like that was a question that needed to be answered. OF COURSE IT WAS YES!! Raph, Leo, and Donnie himself, huddled around Mikey for these alleged ingredients. Mikey handed them each two large marshmallows and a fork. Donnie put the two together.

He leaned closer and stuck the marshmallow over the fire. He slowly and carefully let the marshmallow melt. He looked over at the others as they cooked theirs. Mikey was already done.

"Uhh, Donnie? Donnie, your marshmallow! It's-"

Donnie looked back down to see his marshmallow had turned into a small ball of fire. Panicking, he quickly drew it out of the fire and blew hard till the fire went out. Turning it to see all sides. Half of it was a very dark brown color, but it looked okay.

"Hope you like crispy marshmallows."

Leo smirked, but honestly felt a little sorry. Donnie rolled his eyes. He grabbed the gram crackers and chocolate. Carfully he placed the marshmallow on the cracker and chocolate and slid the marshmallow off. He gently grabbed the s'more and lifted it up to eye level. Right in front of him was a camping classic!

Donnie was normally one that would swallow something in one bite. But with something like this, he wanted to saver the flavor. He took one bit, and instantly was drawn back to the very first time he had one. He kicked his feet and did a little happy dance.

Donnie wanted this moment to last longer.  Why did it have to be the last day? Donnie looked down at his hands, feeling the sticky marshmallow on his fingers. Cleaning his hands was probably a good idea. He got up and headed over to the restrooms.

When he arrived, he paused for a moment. He looked at the handle, then looked at his hands. He fiddled with the handle, trying to turn it without getting it all messy as well. He eventually got it and shuffled inside. He washed his hands and looked in the mirror. He saw the bruise on his nose he received a few days ago. Then he looked down at his hip. The scratches were healed up, but the bruise was still bright and hurt to touch.

Hopefully, the bruises would heal quickly. Donnie exited the restrooms and got back to the camp. The others were getting ready for bed. Donnie said goodnight before he headed into his tent. He crawled inside and got into his sleeping bag for one last time. It was the last day, and it was already over. Donnie let out a quiet sigh and closed his eyes.

___________

MMMHMMMHMMMMM who doesn't like s'mores? ☺️

That day was the least reckless day I had. And to think it was the last one too!

Welp, I hope you enjoyed day 7! Just one more to go and the trip will be complete!

Lord bless you! ❤️

Last x Next

[that-cartoony-villain]

after that agatha finale i have many thoughts about rio as death and all the symbolism behind her actions so beware of spoilers for the whole series also in no particular order its gonna be stuff i remember so I'll be jumping around

I'm going to start with the last agathario scene that we gays were hoping The Kiss™️ which is kinda obvious about a kiss from death which is very common in literature and it symbolizes dying so that part was very direct, idk if this means they never kissed before or not but in that moment agatha had a clear goal of getting rio's power for herself and they both knew it would kill her as she said in the first ep... this does imply that she probably tried to do this before but rio stopped her when they were in love all those centuries ago

which kinda goes into a theory that maybe their first entanglement (whatever that implies) created nicky, cause agatha says she didn't do a spell or incantation to create him, he was made from scratch, and rio being The green witch™️ deals not only with death and decay but the cycle of life and death, creation and destruction, so it makes sense that he is their child, created from their love, which is why it hurt them both when she had to take him away, he was also something that challenged the balance of the universe, like billy, and rio allowed agatha to keep him with a timetable that nobody knew

and that takes me into the witches death that agatha killed to keep her son alive, she knew that giving bodies to death would allow rio to turn a blind eye to her child, and it makes for great symbolism with the sentence "death follows wherever they go" because it wasn't that agatha wanted to kill people, she had to so nicholas could survive, because death *was* following her wherever she went, they fell in love and rio had to make the tough decision of leaving her so she wouldn't take away agatha's most prized possession, their kid, and once she did have to do it she still kept following agatha because now she was actually killing witches just to have power and stay alive, she was grieving and murder became her go to (not a good thing) but death kept following wherever she went

and that is possibly why rio never got over her, she was always pursuing agatha and she didn't have time to let go, so at the end when agatha makes the deal to give up billy in exchange of rio letting go of her it had both the meaning of allowing her to be immortal and to forget about agatha, she was tired of having death follow her and they both knew the only way that could happen was for rio to give up her feelings and stop wanting to be with her

another thing is the whole tarot symbolism of death, as a major arcana in most decks death means the closing of a cycle, it isn't a bad card even though people see death as a bad thing, but the whole lilia ep was about showing how her cycle was about to finish (not necessarily meaning her death btw) and through all of the road each of them had their cycles closed, alice managed to get rid of her curse, jen got her power back, lilia finally understood her timeline and organized her thoughts to save her coven, billy found more power and possibly where his twin could be, agatha got the power she wanted for a bit and rio finally put agatha on the ground

also i could talk about how lilia might still be alive but that's a different rant that will come some other time

anyway i just really loved all the death symbolism throughout the whole show and how well they portrayed everything, aubrey did an amazing job as rio and i do hope they use her again in the mcu since we've had so many deaths and there will be more and how she deals with some of the things that don't necessarily follow the natural order of things (just please don't make it comic death cause rio is a lesbian she would never fall in love with thanos)

[changbinsboobs]

What's something that annoys Changbin in each member

Changed the name/theme of the reading cuz it didn't go according to plan.

Ok so...🥲 first of all i asked a pretty general question about what tee he has to spill and of course he had to involve his love life😂 it was all over the place and i wanted to narrow it down a bit and asked what the anon requested, like tea about the members. Guess what - he's like "they're good guys i have nothing bad to say about them, very hard working and diligent" ... now thats a bit hard for me to believe cuz almost any time i read foe changbin he has to rant about something and i end up writing 10 paragraphs for his turn thats sometimes not even on topic. Now that i specifically ask him he has nothing to give me💀 im pretty sure if i ask about something specific there'll definitely be lots of stuff gushing out once again, but i feel like too general questions don't work so good on him like for example they work with chan. With chan is such a pleasure asking open ended, broad questions like that cuz he really does spill all the tea😂.

So yeah for Changbin if any of you have any specific ideas what i could ask about please comment that and i might do a pt. 2 some time but for now im just gonna go about each member or stuff i come up with and see what comes out.

For Chan it seems like it annoys him when he's too blind to his obvious surroundings, by his own ambitions and "greed" for success and creation. Maybe sometimes Chan really wants to do something with their music or concept that no one else agrees with, or at least changbin thinks so, or it seems to changbin the the obvious and logical, evidence-based even way is this, but Chans so blinded by his vision that he can't see the obvious and i think because of that there might've been some tension in the production process and this is definitely something that annoys changbin consistently.

For Lee Know its just lack of understanding and relating i feel like. Its just that on certain things they are WAY too different, so mich so that Changbins shocked how Lee Know can be like that and gets a bit icked out. I wouldn't say its the same type of annoyance like with Chans case but still something that baffles and annoys him a bit, how Focused and inwards focused lee know is. How self sufficient and unbothered he is.

For Hyunjin it was REALLY weird cuz i got the 8oW with the energy to it of "ugh there's so many i can't even count them" but then when i asked for clarification really weird stuff came out about how well they get along and how much he admires him for his art and stuff? Hääääääää (as we like to say in germany😂) Im getting the feeling that he loves being philosophical, analyzing stuff, ranting about stuff, but when its about people close to him he hesitates. I don't feel like pushing any further but i just find some cards and the energy with them in his whole reading really weird, getting that for the first time with him actually.

Moving on, for Han he's annoyed at his greediness. Not just talking about wanting but also clinging to his. I don't think Han like sharing and this really pisses changbin off😂 he likes feeling special and i think he often hopes there to be an exception for him and when there isn't he's like "how can he be so petty" or something like that😂 also i think that he gets a bit annoyed at his cockiness too, i think bin thinks that hans indeed really talented but the way he speaks about himself of boasts sometimes rubs changbin the wrong way - i think its more in regards to some friendly competition they have i think they've mentioned that a few times too. Like he feels probably a bit offended or disrespected about how Hans so sure he'll win or be better cuz he feels underestimated by that.

For Felix it annoys him how he falls into dark places so easily and how youngish he sometimes feels. Idk how to explain it but despite them having just 1 year difference Felix still feels like a teenager to him oftentimes. I think this is something that annoys him, just because. I think Changbins someone to get annoyed at small insignificant things and the way people live their lives if he doesn't agree with that. Like - he won't intervene or nag, but he'll wonder to himself on the inside and have a feeling of annoyance towards certain behaviors of people he doesn't agree with.

For Seungmin he doesn't like his sharp tongue & jokes sometimes or maybe if he's someone to give backhanded compliments or something of that sort. Like im seeing sharpness and meaniness hidden behind kindness but its not a mask with a purpose of masking - the smile is part of the insult type of way idk how to explain it. But changbin feels its unnecessary to be this "mean" and thinks if u want to insult someone insult him in a bad way, at least the he can respond properly. Or if you want to make a compliment make it warm you'r heart not sting. He doesn't like the confusion that comes with that mix of contradicting energies.

For I.N i think he gets annoyed with his frustration in love? Like the way i.n proceeds in romantic stuff and does his things and processes break up or rejection and stuff like that i think that annoys changbin and he thinks he lets himself be too vulnerable and weka and open with it all?

[lilmayu]

TEASING — xiao x gn!reader

cw // gn!reader ˏ fluff ˏ slight nsfw ˏ reader was abt to get it but author was too lazy to do smut

author's note : first post heheˏ and also very new with the things here... i hope this is good enough and actually enjoyableˏ it's been in my drafts for a long time too o(╥﹏╥) ˏ this was done just purely out of nowhere and then just continued out of nowhere too so this is not proofread— expect grammatical errors and misspells because my english is not “english-ing”

“It's you...”, a familiar voice said from behind you and a smile immediately crept up to your face as you turned to see the one and only, adeptus, your adeptus. You made your way towards him, arms reached out before wrapping them around his neck. A giggle escaped your lips as you see how Xiao just simply melts into your arms. Oh how cute, your yaksha is.

You fought the urge to coo right then and there as your yaksha is a bit shy so he might grumpily let go out of embarrassment as the both of you were still technically in public, it was night time and there's less people roaming around in the Wangshu inn but that wouldn't rid the possibility of being seen. You could feel the soft sigh he let out as he buried his face onto the crook of your neck. “How was your day?”, you asked as you stroked his hair gently, earning a small huff from Xiao.

“Mundane.” he simply replied.

You sighed, “Is that all? Mundane? Why?”

Xiao lifted his head slightly before huffing and burying it at your neck yet again, “You weren't there...” he replied. Your lips curved upwards, a slow, involuntary smile that bloomed across your face, reaching your eyes and crinkling the corners. A warm fuzzy feeling spreads through her chest, like a sunbeam breaking through clouds. You sighed softly and hugged him tighter, “Oh how cute and sweet, my yaksha, really is!”

Xiao visibly tensed as you said those words, and you laughed as he moved away from your arms with a huff— turning his back and hiding his blushing face from you and crossing his arms in front of his chest. “Ahaha, my bad, love. It's just that what you said was really sweet!” you said with a grin on your face, wrapping your arms around his waist before pressing a gentle kiss on his shoulder.

You could feel the way his body slightly trembled and the way the tip of his ears turned into a shade of red, and you couldn't help but chuckle before pressing another kiss on his shoulder. “You are teasing me.” he said, turning his head slightly. “Am I?” you replied, a little smirk on your face.

You didn't even have the time to react before your lips met with his, you could merely gasp and stumble backwards into the railings as Xiao pinned you there, both his hands at your side. You were only left breathless after he pulled away, a blush spreading across your face from the sudden action.

“Who said I won't bite back?” he merely whispered into your ear before carrying you into his room, ignoring the stares he got from the staff and some customers.

[yeagerbitchh]

I'm obsessed with the idea of Bruce sneaking in sweet little moments on Dick's childhood. I haven't gotten around to reading any canon material so idk if this happens at all, but I love to headcanon it anyways.

I love to imagine Bruce, in all his batman glory, seeing a little Dick Grayson terrified after a particularly bad case. It was a double murder of a little kid's parents, and they both knew how that felt. Robin was trying to hide it, of course he was, but once it was over and they were back in the mansion his voice wavered the tiniest bit, just enough for Bruce to catch on. He was the world's greatest detective but still, he took too long to understand what his Robin was feeling. Yes, Dick was great at hiding his emotions and putting on a facade, way too good for any 10 year old, but he should have known better, he should have realised that it was too much for him, too soon. It was the guilt and the compassion, and a bit of his dad senses kicking in, but he told Dick that he was tired, way too tired that day, to go over the mission or their mistakes, and they should call it a day, or perhaps he could read Dick a bedtime story first. Dick laughed, of course, said he was too grown up for it, and if he was the one too tired, then maybe Dick should be reading him a story instead, to which Bruce just replied 'I would love that'. Dick was taken by surprise, but did it anyways, and as Bruce layed down, he held the covers up 'so you can be more comfortable' he said, and after Bruce was drifting and Dick was reluctant to get up, he just held him there and said 'thank you chum'

Or maybe Bruce suggesting they could watch the grinch because Robin said they had to have based that movie on Batman after he refused to skip patrol to watch christmas movies on christmas eve. In truth, he had overheard Dick talking to Alfred about how he used to love christmas in the circus and how everyone would gather around and drink hot cocoa (Bruce didn't have that many people to gather around, but he hoped some quality time with him and Alfred would be enough)

Or maybe the time Dick had come home from Wally's house and his dad had just gotten him this super cool games for his birthday and Bruce said he could buy any game he wanted any time but Dick just said there was no need, and Bruce realised he never really gotten any presents for Dick, and Dick had never asked for anything, so he took time to make him something. It was silly, looking back, because he had never actually made anything except for macaroni pictures in kindergarten, and he had felt a bit embarassed handing Dick the small Batman and Robin plushes - he had a lot of help from Alfred and still, they were only recognizable because of the screaming primary colors on Robin's suit - but Dick took it with a smile that warmed Bruce's heart and wouldn't let go for months.

Yes, Bruce is cold and distant and hard to communicate with, but the late night sneaking into the kitchen without Alfred knowing, or skipping a couple hours of patrol to hear his kid's stories, learning how to speak romani so he could understand Dick better and missing a few days at work to take Dick (and Wally, Dick insisted) on a trip somewhere with the excuse that it was 'good for Robin training to know more places and cultures', those spoke the words he lacked and showed how he loved his son.

[be-it-so]

Okay, I lied, I'm not done with vengeance saga.

For some reason I'm still so angry and sad because of it, that I need to criticize it more or I won't be able to sleep.

I'm again so fucking disappointed, the whole saga felt like some kind of joke. I mean, the song I was worried the most about - "not sorry for loving you - turned out to be the most normal one. Like, yeah, Calypso is still very selfish and manipulative, Odysseus just want to be as far from her as possible and etc, I don't like that we are clearly expected to sympathise with her, but you know, in the context of this saga I'll go with it.

Dangerous felt a little overdone. I love Hermes, "wouldn't you like" was my favorite song for a long time, and maybe compared to it "Dangerous" is trying so much to go with the same vibe, but feels so deliberate about this.

I don't have much to say about "Charybdis" because there is nothing really to talk about, visuals were great, but everything felt so rushed, and also so meaningless, like they just needed to show at least one obstacle for Odysseus before Poseidon and nothing more.

And, yeah...

"Get in the water" and "600 strikes".

If you haven't guessed it yet, I'm very disappointed.

First of all, it is a lot weaker musically that I've expected. Okay, maybe there are good. Maybe I just am not able to hear this, because through these two songs I just stared at the screen with the confused and disappointed look, so I wasn't able to enjoy music or acting on its own.

Second, I was so interested in "get in the water", i liked the snippet we had so much before. It was so cool, emotional, and dark. I was so invested in finding out how Odysseus could escape this, what he might have said to change Poseidon's mind, maybe expected there to be some gesture towards the Odyssey, where Odysseus would tell Poseidon that he will go on this quest with the oar and so on. Also, i hoped to finally see "snake tongued" Odysseus in action because, like, that's what he is the most known about, for his mastery in words.

But this?

This was so bad. It also feels so fucking disrespectful to Poseidon, like, don't get me wrong, i like the change in power balance, I love when a character who wasn't able to do anything at some point now is beating the shit out of his former abuser and etc, BUT THIS IS NOT WORKING WITH THE GODS AND MORTALS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY. AND THIS IS NOT WORKING WITH POSEIDON AND ODYSSEUS, THE STORY OF THE ODYSSEY IS NOT ABOUT HOW TO BECOME STRONG ENOUGH TO BEAT THE GOD. IT IS SO FAR OFF!

Like, yeah, the original is neither about "learning that you need to be ruthless to be able to return home if that's what you want so much", but there is difference in the level of what level of getting things wrong is normal and can be called "creative liberties" and what level is just bad. If you wanted so much for Odysseus to show how ruthless he became, well, we've already seen "different beast" to show us his cruelty, don't you think that maybe if they showed us how epic-Odysseus is able to put aside all the men Poseidon has killed and all of the pain he himself have gone through because of Poseidon and just talk with him, bargaining about his own life or something like this it would have also shown his ruthless side in a new way and be so much more believable? Even if he pulled out "there are other ways" move I think I would belive it more than that he is able to defeat Poseidon, the god of SEA, STORMS and EARTHQUAKES, PHISICALLY, in the SEA, with the STORM and fucking power of friendship (no, I will not stop calling it like this).

You know, I have a lot more to say about this, but I guess i'll stop with this. I guess I feel so bad about it because I really liked epic, yeah, I had problems with it, but I considered it nice adaptation even if it's kind of far from the source material, it felt very good and respectful to the original Odyssey, but now it became this. So yeah, I'm really disappointed.

And also, even if epic Odysseus was somehow able to defeat a god, what the fuck will stop epic Poseidon from returning after couple of months recovery and just wipe whole Ithaca off the face of the earth after such offense and shame? Like literally what? Or little epic Poseidon is now so afraid of big bad epic Odysseus that wouldn't bare even think about his name again?

[098-lxxon]

Fun facts about my Mouthwashing AU‼️

Acting like my AU is liked and well-known is one of my hobbies, lol.

Content warning : Self-taught English / SA mentioned / Cannibalism / Alcoholism hinted / OC insert / Y/N mentioned / Curly's death / Jimmy's death. / Swansea's death / Anya's death / Daisuke lost it / Insanity / Mental illness symptoms / Emetophobia

✼ •• ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ •• ✼

Act 1 :

- Fallacia called Daisuke Daisuki when they first met. Daisuke was either screaming or making fun of her for that.

- Fallacia always messes with Swansea, wherever he is, she'll make the wires sparked, activating the foam, slightly shake the walls, etc so it'll scare him. Like a niece messing with her uncle.

- Daisuke and Swansea's relationship crashed like the titanic. Swansea felt guilty, Daisuke thought Swansea was mad at him. They didn't speak to each other until after Daisuke killed Jimmy in Act 2.

- Fallacia's favorite person on the ship is clearly Anya. But Anya felt indifferent about her, later hating her gut. Daisuke saw her as a friend at first, but later on, he saw her as she is, just an AI. Swansea saw her as an annoying entity who never stopped bothering him.

- When it comes to games that have sabotaging mechanics, Fallacia makes sure to bomb all of her sabotage cards on Daisuke and steal his buff cards, so she'll be able to save Anya and get praise, Daisuke did the same, and Anya has always been the winner ever since, until she got busy organizing things.

- Fallacia always includes Curly in everything possible. Game night, ghost stories night, etc. She sang his favorite song (According to Daisuke) whenever Anya's late on giving him medicine to distracted him from the pain.

- Anya has to do the airplane thing to get Daisuke and SWANSEA to eat. They eat so she wouldn't look like a dumbass for nothing.

- At first, Daisuke scraped the foam and pretended to want to eat it to lighten up the mood. But at the end of Act 2, he started munching on it one day, making his gums and tongue bleed. Anya acts like she didn't notice it, hoping Fallacia would stop him for her. Doctors found he had serious health problems when they reached earth.

Act 2 :

- Fallacia kept winning in games because she's a computer. She always bluffs and gives pro tips to Daisuke just to give him gamer rage, not knowing it'll lead the unstable Daisuke to do something extreme.

- Fallacia knew immediately why Curly was dead. But she didn't tell anyone or did anything. (Parallel to Curly's action with Anya's situation.)

- Anya started saying things like "I can fix this." Or "I'm trying to save us here." like Jimmy. Swansea keeps having flashbacks.

- Anya always tells Daisuke that Curly's death is not his fault, not knowing what happened in the medical room when she was gone. Daisuke has never felt more guilty then.

- In Daisuke and Jimmy's fighting scene, I almost have Jimmy revealed being the one SAing Anya to Daisuke, giving Daisuke more motivation to kill Jimmy. But I changed it, because Jimmy wouldn't even think about it. (And also, it will kinda, somehow, and somewhat justify his action. He'll still be somewhat saner because at least he didn't kill an innocent person.)

- While Swansea and Daisuke were arguing about what he did, Anya was slicing Jimmy and serving his flesh to Daisuke. She crossed her arms as she orders him to eat it. Kind of like a punishment. He threw up immediately after one bite. Anya felt bad and couldn't bring herself to speak to him for two days after.

- They tied Daisuke up like this.

(It didn't choke him. But he can't stretch his arms long enough to hurt anyone.)

- After the incident, Fallacia decided to let him win in the game they played later on. But Daisuke cried so hard when he realized she was pitying him. They never played together again.

- Fallacia disengaged herself whenever their insanity started acting up so she wouldn't learn these behavior from them.

Act 3 (& interview) :

- Daisuke once said "I wanted to live." out of the blue when he's alone with Swansea. And Swansea knows exactly what he meant.

- Their relationship never recovers properly. They just interact whenever Daisuke hallucinates and run to him for help. And Swansea content to axe air like a crazy old man every time if it's meant Daisuke will feel safe.

- When Kate first met the crew, she was convinced they were abusing Daisuke. But when she looked around and saw what was left of Curly and Jimmy in the freezer, she understood that they were all suffering, doing what it takes to survive.

- Kate untied him immediately when they let the ship go. He ended up trying to munch down most of the things on her ship but won't eat any food more than 3 bites.

- So Anya does her airplane thing again. Daisuke, wanting to save her face, he has to eat it. He will never forget the cringe he felt whenever it happens.

- Swansea insisted on carrying most of the remaining mouthwash into her ship to drink. He later died from them as the last things he saw was Anya's smiled, Daisuke crying with his family, and a sunset when they reached earth.

- Daisuke kept calling out for Anya when he was hallucinating Curly and Jimmy in court. She couldn't do anything about it. And the reporters didn't let her near him either. She died without being able to comfort him.

- Daisuke always finds everyone in the crew in every crowd.

- He saw someones looking like Anya and Swansea in the audience when Y/N was interviewing him. He relapsed immediately.

- Fallacia, being left with Tulpar, she breaks codes and rewriting them, creating AI for the crew to play with her. But once the ship is running out of its last ounce of power, she disengaged forever, singing the song she used to sing for Curly as her forever goodbye.

Thank you for reading!