#how can they make this place so dangerous and scary and not expect me to wonder how any human survives alone

[amphitriteswife]

Hii! Can you please write part 3 for “what would you do if i like someone else” for Hudson, taesoo ma, vasco and jerry?

‘What would you do if i liked someone else?’

Part 3

Hudson turned his attention to you. The question caught him a little off guard. A moment ago he was helping Eli with his store, putting some more storage boxes in the attic since the sales were going super well. And now he’s here, staring at you who just threw a very seriously question at him. It wasn’t even funny if that’s what you were trying to be. You really aren’t. ‘What exactly did I do to have this question thrown at me?’ Your shrug only made him groan. Seriously? He sighed, rubbing his eyes before placing his hands on your hips. His eyes were still as determined and stoic as ever. ‘Come on! Answer my question. I’m curious.’ Another sigh escaped Hudson’s lips. Your insistence to this hypothetical question made him smirk a bit although he soon regained his composure. ‘Is that a smile that i see?’ ‘No.’ ‘Come onnnnnnn’ Hudson sighed for the 3rd time this time and takes a breath. He didn’t need a moment to think about it, he already made up his mind to your question. ‘I would ask Master Taesoo for advice.’ ‘That’s the most Hudson answer ever.’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Booooo!!!!! Be original!’

The only thing you got from him was a glance before he went back to cutting up his snake. How does he even deal with you? You always ask stupid question. And all of them would never even happen to begin with. They’re pointless. Has he ever told you that?…probably. At least that’s what he thinks. Your attempt at the jokes didn’t even reach him at all, he seemed unimpressed even. His hand grabbed the knife in his hand and little tighter. He doesn’t care….yes. Yes he doesn’t. He wouldn’t care if you liked someone else. He wouldn’t. HAK. The blade cut the dead snake’s head off perfectly, it even got stuck in the wood piece he was cutting the snake on. You could hear some faint yet heavy breaths before he turned to you. His eyes looking into yours while he got on your level, crouching down slightly. ‘Do not ask me such trivial questions.’ His voice was monotone, but the slightly dangerous edge was still present. His gaze remained on you, and yours on his. He knows that look of yours. An even more annoying one than if you asks stupid questions. You’re challenging him. ‘Please.’ The words make him scoff at you. Was he not being clear enough? ‘Hypothetically speaking?’ Your pleading only made him sigh in exhaustion. He stood up straight again, taking one final look at you before turning away again. His back facing you while the sound of him chopping up the snake filled your ears. After a few chops there was a slight pause. ‘They would end up like this snake.’ The answers was simple. Yet also kind of disturbing. But that’s the kind of man Taesoo Ma is.

‘Y/Nnnnnnnnnnnnn!’ Despite the fact that Vasco looked very intimidating and scary, he was a kind soul at heart. Having a great sense of justice and often helping those in need or just out of kindness for others. He was a sweetheart with a menacing look. Isn’t that just convenient? Vasco was currently training with Burn knuckles. That was until he spotted you, his girlfriend. Jayce always found it hilarious how Vasco turned into a love sick puppy every time you showed up, his demeanor would change and he’d drop everything just to see you. Vasco sat with you further from the place Burn knuckled was training at, he knew that you preferred to talk to him one on one. He hasn’t forgotten. Although the whole point is to talk in private, the members of Burn knuckles was just a few meters behind the two of you. Eaves dropping. ‘What would you do if i liked someone else Vasco?’ The question made his smile drop slightly, he hadn’t thought about that before. Never. But now that you asked him and he has to think about it, he seems to have an a answer pretty fast. Faster than you expected. Vasco had never been good with girls. So it doesn’t surprise him that you might like someone else. It seems logical to him, yeah. Yeah, it does. ‘As long as they treat you well, and they love you. Then i think i would be happy for you Y/N’ the answer made you hug him. It was a genuine answer. And it sounds like such a Vasco thing to say too. ‘If i ever leave you for someone else you can let Jayce hit me.’ ‘Jayce doesn’t hit girls.’

Jerry was practicing his flute when you came into Big deal’s hideout. The sound of the flute died down when his eyed landed on you, the reason for his practice was half because of Jake’s encouragement and the other half for you. He had been trying to make a song with his flute for you. You’re his forst ever girlfriend and he wants to make it special for you!…that was until you asked him that question. It made him humming for a moment, his eyes closing and the flute tapping his chin. ‘If it’s Jake then I accept it.’ That made you raise an eyebrow. You knew he was very loyal to Jake, often even putting him above himself and going to the ends of the world for him. Where Jake was, Jerry followed. It was a mutual friendship between the two and in honesty very cute that the term of friendship is appreciated so much. But you didn’t like Jake that way. You saw him like everyone else in Big Deal, Like a bigger brother. ‘I don’t like Jake like that. He’s not my type. And he’s like my brother. But what if it was someone else! Answer!’ You told Jerry your eyes beaming with interested and curiosity, Jerry blinked at your interest and closed his eyes again, thinking. ‘I would beat them up. With Jake’s permission’ The moment he said that a few voices excitedly agreed with him, turning your attention away from Jerry there was Big Deal. Only missing Jake. But that didn’t take away that they would all participate in the beating of the hypothetical other person.

[amoritasart]

​Philip looked so young in the picture where he follows Caleb. I headcanon he was around Luz’s age when he arrived, so I wanna know how he navigated the Boiling Isles sooo bad. Like… Luz struggled a bit, but ultimately she had Eda guiding her, offering her a home and feeding her. Meanwhile…

Thinking of teen Philip being scared when it’s raining in the Isles alone and having no one to reassure or comfort him. Thinking of him using concealment stones to hide the burnt scars he got from the boiling rain, because the last thing he needs is sympathy from the witches that took his entire world from him. Thinking of him initially losing a lot of weight as he struggled to find things he could actually eat.

[unclewaynemunson]

Pt1 | Pt2 | this one is the last part!

After Steve has dropped Nancy off at her house – and Nancy has talked some courage into him – he drives to the uglier part of town, over Cornwallis and then into Forest Hills. He can only hope Eddie is home. If not, he'll try Jeff's house, and then Freak's or Gareth's. He had to promise Nancy he'll keep searching even if it has him ending up at Reefer Rick's boathouse again.

Luckily, no such search actions seem necessary when he gets to the trailer park: as soon as Steve opens his car door, he can hear loud music emerging from inside the Munsons' trailer. Even though it isn't exactly Eddie's usual taste, something tells Steve that Wayne definitely isn't the one who put this one on.

Should have known better than to cheat a friend And waste a chance that I've been given So I'm never gonna dance again The way I danced with you

He knocks on the door, but is not surprised when no one inside seems to hear him, so he pushes it open to let himself in instead.

He finds Eddie sprawled out on the floor in front of the old boombox. His eyes are closed, but even from Steve's place in the doorway he can see how swollen and red the skin underneath them is. His hair is spread out around his head on the floor like a dark halo, and his fingers are restlessly tapping on his own arm to the melody of the saxophone solo.

Steve finds himself frozen in the doorway, captivated by simply watching Eddie lying there in his own bubble while the music slowly fades out. Despite the sadness radiating off him, there's something weirdly beautiful about it, and Steve can't look away, can't move, can't make a sound.

Then, Eddie suddenly sits up; his index finger is already stretched out towards the rewind button when Steve clears his throat to make his presence known. Eddie whips his head towards him with a startled sound.

'Jesus Christ, what the hell?!' he yells out. 'How long have you been standing there? No, you know what, don't answer that, just get the hell out!'

'Eddie, I-'

'I don't wanna hear any of it, man! I thought – no, I'm not talking to you. Fuck you.' Steve knows it's supposed to sound angry, but Eddie's voice starts wobbling dangerously towards the end of his sentence.

'Eddie, please just hear me out,' Steve says, stepping further into the trailer. The end of Careless whisper has left a deafening silence in its wake. He half expects Eddie to cover his ears and start singing loudly, but he's only met with a teary-eyed death stare and crossed arms.

'I'm not seeing any girl, Dustin got it all wrong,' he starts to explain. 'I wanted to tell him who I was really seeing, but I couldn't - not without your permission - so I told him I was seeing someone. Meaning you. I haven't been seeing anyone ever since that first time we kissed. I didn't need to. I've only been thinking about you.' He pauses. It's scary, to let himself be vulnerable like this while Eddie is still looking at him like he despises him. But he takes a deep breath and pushes himself to say it all.

'I don't want to see anyone, boy or girl, ever again, as long as I can have you, Eddie. I promise. I've been falling for months, but I didn't wanna scare you off with any labels you might not want for us – but you're it for me, Eddie, one hundred percent. I never meant to hurt you like this. It's all a big misunderstanding; there's no one else for me.'

Eddie is still sitting on the floor, looking up at Steve with wide, teary eyes. Something in his face has slowly shifted while Steve was talking; the harsh lines around his mouth have turned softer and the betrayal in his eyes has made way for something Steve can only hope to be good.

'You wanted to tell Dustin about us?' is all Eddie says, his voice croaky.

Steve takes another step towards Eddie, then crouches down to the ground until he's sitting right next to him on the worn carpet.

'I mean, I know I don't wanna hide what I'm feeling for you. Especially not when people are thinking I'm going out with some girl when all I want is to be with you.' He reaches out to grab Eddie's hands in his own. 'So yeah, I think I wanna tell Dustin. And everyone else, basically. That is, if we're on the same page about what we are.'

Eddie frees one of his hands from Steve's grip to wipe it over his eyes. His palm is wet when his hand finds Steve's again.

'What about boyfriends?' he says, a hesitant smile creeping onto his face.

Steve squeezes his hands, unable to stop a matching smile of his own appearing. To hear that word falling from Eddie's mouth... He had expected it to feel good, of course, but he had never anticipated it to feel like this: like the whole world suddenly makes sense again.

'Yeah, I can do boyfriends,' he answers, his voice breathy with the multitude of emotions bubbling up inside of him. 'That sounds – sounds good. Great. Perfect.'

Eddie surges forward to catch him in a kiss that's a bit wetter than Steve is used to. Steve happily kisses him back, though, and he can barely suppress a shiver when one of Eddie's hands makes its way upwards over Steve's back and into the hair in his neck. There's a softness to his touch that easily drives Steve crazy with relief.

When they pull back, both of them are smiling dumbly and breathing heavily.

'I'm sorry I had so little trust in you,' Eddie tells him.

'That's okay, I understand,' Steve is quick to answer. 'As long as you leave listening to George Michael to me again from now on.'

Eddie makes a face, causing a big frown to appear between his eyebrows, along with all kinds of wrinkles around his nose.

'God, I can't believe you witnessed that and still wanted to be my boyfriend,' he says, adding an exaggerated shudder for extra dramatics.

Steve clenches his arms tighter around Eddie. 'You won't scare me off that easily,' he murmurs. 'It was kind of adorable.'

'It was pathetic.'

'Yeah, a little bit. But in an adorable way.'

Eddie rolls his eyes. 'You're an idiot, Steve Harrington,' he says. 'But... In an adorable way.'

Taglist: @withacapitalp @ultimatedreamer104 @irregular-child @jcmadgirl @estrellami-1 @myguiltyartpleasure @hallucinatedjosten @jaybren @thew1ldblueyonder @melodymeddler @alycatavatar @zoeweee @lolawonsstuff @fairy-princette @saramelaniemoon @phirex22 @krazyperson @xxsky-shockxx @candlecatsblog @goodolefashionedloverboi @jojobeaner @pinkdaisies1998 @giverobinagfbrigade @therealscarletpumpernickel @darkwithcoferie @duraffinity @lyriclight @almondflavoredbookworm @kingelyx @vampire-eddie-brain-rot @m-owo-n @altermagic @sirsnacksalot @littlebookworm86 @platinum-sunset @chaosgremlinmunson @morganski-19 @cam-cat-writer @slime-hoe @bat-outta-hel @justsearchingformystory @notfromtwitter @ashwinmeird @marklee-blackmore @warlordess @breealtair @pansexualhousecat @louwilsonscreamingpapa @inikokoru (more tags in the replies bc tumblr is being a dick again)

[httpsghostie]

Under one Roof pt 1

pt 2

OK finally IT'S HERE

smh I'm down bad for roommate ghost I am sobbing

my hand is literally burning I wrote this aT COLLEGE

and YES my love language is food pls dont come for me

Summary: you never knew you needed a military roommate until you've got one.

Word Count: 1k (sorry it's short

Warnings: roommate!ghost x female!reader, slightly suggestive (if you squint), mentions of trauma, fluff/comfort, no use of y/n

masterlist

Ghost was an old friend of a friend of yours, and he happened to be needing a place to stay for a while, that ended up being a few more months, and now it's currently been a year since he moved in. He doesn't plan on leaving, you know it, you know that despite the independent man that he is, he likes having someone to come home to.

He was cold at first, so cold. And for many nights you cursed yourself for letting that rock of a heart get into your sweet home. He wouldn't talk much when he was there, you'd almost forget he was around if it wasn't for random coughs or sneezes.

That man smoked like a chimney in the first days he's spent around, he was anxious and that wasn't very cute, he was always smelling like cigarettes, but thankfully he didn't smoke inside.

He appreciated your effort on cooking for the two of you, but you couldn't help it. How could he survive when he wasn't eating properly? Yes, frozen pizza is cool… until it's the third day in a row that you're eating frozen and instant food and you can barely stand.

He also had a fucked up sleeping schedule that you just went along with it, you once got scared when you walked in the kitchen and found him just laying on the wall, eyes closed and snoring slightly. That day you scolded him to go back to his room and made him lay down on the bed.

"You're gonna lay down on this bed and you're gonna have some nice hours of sleep, alright? I'm gonna leave the door open, if I see you awake I'm punching you." You sounded like a mother, almost, and he was so tired he couldn't fight back.

And the days went by, he'd go away, he'd come back as tired as he left. But at least he was slowly opening up to be a really cool guy. You two started to bond, and the more he talked, the more you wanted to spend time with him.

Oh and don't even get started on dad jokes, he's cracking them up whenever he's helping with house chores, or when you two are eating peacefully.

He became a friend, a very good friend, one that wouldn't mind you venting out to, plus he was a good listener. He'd just sit there listening to whatever haze your brain was going through, and slowly he learned that he shouldn't be giving you reasonable ways to solve your problems, he should just tell you it would be ok.

And you found yourself slowly falling for him. Of course destiny had to put you together. Only if it wasn't for the way he handled things around the house.

"Oh, the living room lamp broke? Let me fix it."

"Those boxes are heavy, hand them to me."

"Go find a movie for us to watch, I'll do the dishes. Find a good one, though."

"Goddamnit, I told you not to be climbing on that fucking balcony, you're not a cat, you're gonna hurt yourself one day." Said as he picked you up when you were trying to reach the top of the cabinet. "Just ask me, I can reach it without putting myself in danger."

Or maybe if it wasn't for the fact that he'd purposefully get out of the shower with that pretty little towel wrapped around his body, that made you clench your fists. The way he was still a bit wet, a few drops running down his abs. He was surprisingly cool with his scars around you, maybe because you didn't make a big deal out of it.

That's because it wasn't. You expected that when Gaz, your friend, told you that the friend he was sending to you was his 'work buddy'. And he phrased it exactly like that. 

"Don't mind him, he's big and scary, but he'll be a good roommate, I promise, he's my work buddy." You chuckled when you read the text.

And yet Ghost didn't mind the stare of admiration coming from your burning gaze across the living room, when you thought the most ungodly things a brain has seen.

He started to become more and more warm, he found safe with you, like you could actually be his home. One night, he found a deep conection with you when you were casually drinking together, sat by the coffee table, playing video games. 

She should know the truth about me.

He thought. And that was the night he dropped his heavy armor. He told you the bare surface of his past, even though most of it had been blocked from his memory, like a dark spot he couldn't remember, and would die without trying to take a peak at it.

You cried, and he couldn't understand why you were crying until you said it wasn't his fault.

"It's not your fault, you didn't deserve any of this." You sobbed, hugging him close.

He broke down. Like he needed someone to reassure him that he wasn't the villain from his past. He realized what you meant to him, and he swore to God he would try his best to come home to you when he had to work.

Some days were strange after that, like he regretted telling you about his story. He had that feeling in his gut that you weren't looking at him the same way, like you were pity. He didn't want your pity, he hated that look on your face.

But that changed.

He had come home one day, texting you while he was at the airport waiting for a ride. You ran to get groceries and make him a good meal, but the only thing that came to your mind was the old recipe of lasagna you kept from your grannie.

That old lady, always saving your life.

[obsessive-valentine]

Errmmm what about yandre beffy military men 🥹🥹🥹

Yandere!Ex-Military-Man x GN!Reader

Probably not what you were asking for but it inspired me to write this, hope you like this bear with a soft heart and a whole lot of feelings. Dry random Headcanons let me know if you want more of him. TW unspecified age gap and mention of murder

He retired from the military after serving for 10 years, wanting to go back to working odd jobs and having peace and quiet. He didn’t have much waiting for him when he got home but his community sure did respect him and he missed his home. That’s as until you came along. He wasn’t expecting to find love at all, especially now he’s late 30’s and on top of that his time serving aged his face.

Often you both get odd looks and maybe offensive questions about the age gap, but he doesn’t get offended usually bluntly correcting them and carrying on with his day not giving it a second thought.

He’d messed around with a few women but they never went far, it never felt right. But with you he wants to take it slow, make sure you know he loves you as a equal not as some phase to get his rocks off. Maybe he’ll marry you one day.

Scary dog privileges any time anywhere, he’s most always looming behind you scaring off anyone he wants.

Convinces you to spend most nights at his house, he doesn’t expect sex or anything, he just likes being able to provide for you and be around you. Which is a bit hard in the beginning of the relationship when you live else where.

At some point it becomes more logical to live with him officially instead of paying rent to a place you rarely go. Especially when the heating or air-con keeps suspiciously breaking, so you have to go to his house to cuddle up or use his pool to cool down.

He’s pretty domestic for a man who could bench press a bear, loves cooking dinner for you and sometimes visits your work to drop off food if he’s passing by (actually books out time from work to deliver you food)

Could and would kill for you. He’s learned a lot during his serving years and is could be very dangerous with just his hands.

Very affectionate, be prepared for lots of PDA. Also possessive, always has a arm slung around you or holding your hand just so people get the message and don’t try ask your number or gawk at you right infront of him.

Can seem a bit stand-off-ish and reserved when around others but when you show up there’s a noticeable relaxing effect on him. He also doesn’t get angry in-front of you, he’s learned how to keep his anger to himself and blow it off at the gym. Pretty controlled with his emotions for a man who feels a lot.

You help him sleep peacefully, some nights he gets up a few times from unpleasant memories and possible PTSD, but not so much with you around.

Maybe sometimes unintentionally man-handles you... lovingly though! He can’t help but snatch you up or pull you onto his chest when his feelings get to big. Would stop at the slightest sign of discomfort.

[zosan-secondchances]

The Pirate King of the North: Part 5

Main Themes: Villain Sanji, Alternate Universe, Zosan Ship

Warning: Long post ahead with One Piece spoilers. Contains strong language and explicit content.

Part 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14

Bepo

Captain! Captain!

Bepo, Penguin and Shachi tail Law as he stomps through the deck of the ship in a rush.

Bepo

CAPTAIN!!! Is the Pirate King seriously sailing with us?!

Penguin

I don’t think it’s a good idea. Did you see the townsquare? Have you not heard the stories?!

Law

Yes, yes and no. So everyone, stay out of his way. If there’s trouble, don’t deal with it by yourselves. Tell me or the swordsman.

Shachi

But which–

Law

The other, swordsman. Bepo, call everyone in for a briefing in five.

At that, Law vanishes inside the ship, leaving the trio to stand by idly at the doorway.

The three Heart Pirates hear a couple of thuds on the wooden deck. Nervously, they turn in unison to see who it was.

Zoro and Sanji stood by the edge, having just boarded the submarine. The swordsman had his arms crossed, looking at the distant water with his calm demeanor while the blonde waves at the trio with a cheerful smile across his face as a greeting.

The Heart Pirates’ cheeks flush pink. They give Sanji a shy wave in return. The Pirate King's smile clearly has infected them.

Shachi

He doesn't look that bad….

Penguin

Y–yeah…I don't know what the captain was talking about. He's not scary at all.

—

Bepo, Penguin and Shachi are in tears having just learned a small list of Sanji's most recent crimes from Law. The entire Heart Pirates crew sat on the round table in the ship’s galley with their two guests to discuss the mission ahead, but the doctor felt that introductions were in order first.

In truth, Law just wants his people to be extremely cautious of the most dangerous cargo that they’ve ever had on board. He wants to emphasize how serious the situation is so he nabbed Sanji’s file from the Marine base to share its contents to the entire crew.

Sanji sipped his tea calmly, quietly enjoying the conversation about himself, basking in all the attention and reactions that the Heart Pirates are giving him. He soaks it in, feeling smug about having his achievements read out to everyone. 

Zoro sat next to him, finally able to enjoy a bottle of sake for himself. None of the information being relayed by Law is news to him, having been involved in more than half of Sanji’s escapades on the receiving end. He’d been trying to kill the man for more than a couple of decades after all.

Law

Did…did you guys already forget that he just slaughtered all those Marines?

Zoro

You're one to talk, Traffy. You did the same thing when he said he'd help you.

Law

Shut up….

Sanji turns his head towards the doctor. 

Sanji

Did you really? That's a bit funny.

Bepo

But…but Captain, shouldn't he be detained then?

Sanji gives the polar bear an icy glare.

Bepo’s full body of fur stands on end. Penguin, Shachi and himself hug each other tighter, yelling out cries for help.

Law

There's no point. Detaining him is how we lose our ship. The Marines tried to cuff him and now their entrails are all over the place as a consequence. Just keep an eye on him and do what I told you earlier. Report anything suspicious, is that clear?

Heart Pirates

Yes, Captain!

With that, Law proceeds to brief everyone in the room about the plan to follow Corazon’s trail to Skypiea, and that the Pirate King will be assisting them during their journey and the next until they find Corazon or whoever’s behind the letters. The doctor announces that they will have to stop by Sabaody Archipelago first which is the closest place where they can get a decent portable bubble ship, unless they find an alternative way to safely transport people up in the sky that could withstand the terrifying knock up streams that lead up to it. He makes a point to thank Zoro for his insight as to what’s to be expected given that he’d been to the sky island already.

Zoro

Our former navigator should have a decent map drawn of the country already. At least the places where we've been to anyway, which was most of it. If you think that will help, I'll need a long-distant transponder snail to ask her for a copy. And potentially half a million Beri. She doesn't give away stuff for free, even to her own nakama.

Law

What the hell? I don't have that kind of money. Can’t you get a discount if you’re nakama?

Zoro

N–no…if I use that as an excuse she’ll probably just charge me more. Hey Curls, aren’t you king or something? You’d have the dough and some.

Sanji

Do you see large amounts of gold on me? I don’t carry that much treasure around, stupid. Unless you want me to be traced, I’d rather not withdraw Beri from a bank.

Law

We’ll have to do some fundraising in Sabaody then. Penguin, please show Zoro-ya our communications room after this briefing.

Penguin

Yes, Captain.

Law proceeds to lay out the plan, covering the less exciting details like the estimated duration of the voyage, food stock and potential jobs that they can do on the side for Beri. It will inevitably cost them more time than the doctor had anticipated, but they may not have any choice in the matter. He prays that they miraculously run into any one of Sanji’s contacts who just so happen to be carrying his gold around.

Sanji leans slightly towards Zoro and softly speaks so only he can hear him.

Sanji

Your navigator sounds like a smart lady, by the way. And the price is reasonable, given its rarity and how difficult it is to get to the island. The more I learn about your old crew, the more I wish I got to meet them.

Zoro gives a light-hearted chuckle then speaks just as quietly.

Zoro

Well, if you weren't such a murderous bastard, you might have actually gotten along with them.

Sanji

You think so? Do you think that I can meet them one day?

Zoro

Over my dead body.

After the briefing, the Heart Pirates return to their respective duties except for Penguin who waits for Zoro and Sanji at the door as ordered to take them to the communications room so the swordsman can contact his navigator friend.

On their way out, Sanji makes very brief eye contact with a large man that they call Jean Bart, who slightly nods his way, almost to a bow, before walking off in the opposite direction. Zoro makes a mental note of their interaction.

—

The trip to Sabaody Archipelago is going as smoothly as they had hoped, having only done a couple of stops here and there to stock up and stretch their legs. Zoro and Sanji quickly realise that it is absolutely necessary to go on long walks and exercise whenever they can given how often they get stuck indoors so the sub can dive deep in the water to avoid unwanted attention. Then there’s the matter of their sleeping arrangements.

The Polar Tang’s bunk rooms aren’t anything special. They’re small and cramped where the mattresses are contained in boxes similar to that of the Thousand Sunny Go except that it’s welded firmly against the wall instead of being suspended by ropes. Zoro and Sanji shared a room so the swordsman could keep an eye on him. He also insisted that he gets to keep the bottom bunk in case he finds a reason to skewer the curly brows above him for any reason.

Much to Zoro’s surprise, Sanji keeps to himself while in their shared room, only ever tearing his eyes away from the book that he’s reading to ask if he feels like doing an activity together, or to tell him where he wants to go so the swordsman can follow along. He’d even wake him up to make sure he knows where he’s going if he wants to wander around. Aside from that, Zoro notices that Sanji had taken a lot of liking to just quietly watch the view from their round window, especially when they go underwater.

The crew were extremely tense during the first three days of having Sanji on board but by the fifth day, they had invited him over for a game night on one of their few and precious days off. Zoro assumed that the Pirate King had somehow captured their hearts while he’s not looking.

None of the Heart Pirates had any real money in their name so Sanji proposed that they bargain with chores, volunteering to even take a few from each one to make himself useful in the ship while they’re travelling and to even the odds of the play.

Zoro sat at the furthest table in the mess hall, quietly enjoying a tankard of beer to himself while watching their game unfold into a messy havoc of drunken fun. He watches big smiles across everyone’s faces as the Pirate King tosses in another straight flush–his sixth in a row. The victim this time is the poor Clione who apparently has to fold clothes for two weeks.

After seeing the man melt into despair, Sanji opens the palms of his hands, revealing four extra cards that had been hiding in his sleeves. Everyone laughed at Clione, then at Sanji for confessing that he had been swapping cards around to his advantage. This means that the blonde has to take the laundry chore from Clione, and with a longer duration of four weeks for cheating. They joke about keeping the king as a chore boy, even after the mission is finished.

Sanji and the Heart Pirates were like that through the rest of night. It was as though the blonde’s just an ordinary human being who’s trying to have a good time with his friends. Zoro couldn’t help but smile to himself after seeing a particularly hearty grin from Sanji's face. He wonders what about the man that makes his smile so contagious.

Again, to Zoro’s surprise, the Pirate King stays true to his word and begins to spend most of his mornings folding laundry in their shared room. The Heart Pirates have taken to knocking on their door less formally, or just flat out shouting from the other side to ask if their clothes are ready for collection. Penguin had occasionally shown up just after showering, fully naked and exposed, desperately begging for a pair of his underpants because he'd forgotten to take one and a towel earlier. Sanji fusses over him like a mother hen, nagging him to be more organised next time, but proceeds to help the man anyway.

By the seventh day since setting sail, Zoro finds himself helping Sanji do laundry. They fall into a comfortable silence, which he didn’t realise was possible at all. Though sometimes they share a small banter, throw harmless snide comments, or offer to fetch each other stuff from the kitchen. There was no mention of their old life and how for two decades they had tried to relentlessly kill each other. Both are content enough to just focus on the now. It was peaceful and Zoro isn't about to question why and how this was the case.

During the afternoons, Sanji either visits the galley to catch up with whoever Heart Pirates are on break, or wanders to the library to borrow or read more books. The Polar Tang’s library is more of a shared study space but nevertheless, it’s the coziest part of the ship, given how almost every corner of the sub smells metallic or sterilisation chemicals. Most of the time, Zoro and Sanji are the only ones there given how busy everyone else is, except for Bepo who occassionally uses the nearby drafting table to chart their maps. As long as he keeps himself clean and his bottles checked, Zoro is allowed to drink in the room, away from delicate books, while Sanji delves into a variety of different topics like navigation, geography, Devil Fruits, marine life and a particularly cheap looking cooking-for-dummies book.

One lazy day, there was a knock on one of the bookshelves. Zoro and Sanji lift their heads to find Law and Bepo standing by.

Law

Zoro-ya, a word?

Zoro nods then gets up from the couch to approach the man. He notices that Bepo walks up to sit in his place happily. Him and the Pirate King share a book about deep sea fishes together. The swordsman assumes that the mink had been assigned to keep an eye on the blonde while he’s momentarily away.

Law leads him to his office, where he takes a seat then beckons the swordsman to sit at the other side of his desk. Zoro follows.

Law

I don’t think this changes anything with our mission, but I noticed something odd with the mad king’s file that you might find…interesting.

Law places the thick folder that he had stolen from the Marine base on the table–Sanji’s criminal record. Zoro takes it in his hand then flicks through the papers. He’d seen them all already. He’s a slaver who raids his competitors to steal their “stock” instead of acquiring them himself. He specialises in trading, particularly dangerous criminals–pirates and bandits alike–to sell them to bigger, badder, wealthier criminals to do their dirty work. Most of his clients and partners are corrupt politicians or individuals with private armies like Doflamingo who are in constant demand for troops. On top of that, Sanji has an endless list of serious offenses: arson, murder, stealing, a few kidnappings, warfare–the whole lot.

There’s also a simplified version of Zoro’s reports from when he actively sought out the Pirate King–it lists out where their fights had taken place, any surrounding casualties, and the conclusion of their encounter. The swordsman doesn’t particularly remember them to detail at the top of his head, but scanning through the papers relives old headache-inducing memories of their game of cat and mouse. So far they’ve been pretty even with who’s won and who didn’t.

Zoro makes a point to not kill his enemies. So every time he wins their fight, he hands Sanji over to the Marines to lock him out for life. And every time they try to transport him, he breaks out of his chains and leaves evidence of his carnage just like how he did on the island where they picked him up. Some time in the past, he’d somehow survived and killed his way out of Enies Lobby by himself before they could drag him inside the gates, making him the third person to ever break out of initial confinement after Nico Robin and Franky when his old Straw Hat crew went in to rescue them.

Zoro throws the folder back on the table. He shrugs his shoulders.

Zoro

Tell me something I don’t know.

Law leans over, then re-opens the folder, navigating to the part where the Marines have compiled copies of slave buyers’ proof of purchases and ownership records. He taps on the detailed breakdown list.

Law

He only sells other criminals.

Zoro

So? He’s still a slaver.

Law

They’re not worth a lot because they’re trouble.

Zoro

But they're plentiful. Plus he’s sold ones with Devil Fruit abilities.

Law

Which still isn’t as much as a fishman, a mermaid or a child by a long shot. They’re worth hundreds of thousands, depending who you talk to.

Zoro

So what’s your point?

Law pulls a small stack of papers from under the pile–a worryingly long list of individuals that were owned by other rival slavers. It’s a rundown of the people that they have on their inventory, referring to them as a sequence of numbers instead of their actual names. It has details of their age, race and gender.

Law

He’s acquired them, but not sold them. They just vanish when he gets a hold of them.

Zoro can feel his temper rising.

Zoro

You think he set them free? What, that he’s one of those doing-the-bad-thing-for-a-good-reason kind of person?

Law

I’m just saying…

Zoro

We don’t know what he does with them. For all we know, he saves the “best” ones for himself. Or he’s killed them.

Law

I suppose…. 

Zoro leans back on his seat, crossing his arms.

Zoro

He got to you too, didn’t he? Now you’re in love with him just like the rest of your crew and we’re barely at our first stop. He must have put the idea in your head somehow that he’s somewhat a decent man.

Law

I’m not saying he is, but I–

Zoro

He’s not. You don’t know him as well as I do. He’s probably just playing nice so he can make friends with you lot then control you somehow.

Law sighs in defeat, then takes a moment to find the right words.

Law

Zoro-ya, there’s usually more a person than meets the eye. You can’t ignore the fact that the World Government likes to hide things and embellish on some to make themselves look like gods. They’ve burnt down libraries and destroyed valuable parts of our history to make that happen. If I were you, I wouldn’t trust everything that the Celestial Dragons says.

And I think, deep inside, you know what I’m talking about. I’ve seen the way you look at him.

Zoro gives Law a deathly glare, as if warning him to choose his next words carefully.

Law stands.

Law

You might want to consider your stance with him by the time we find Corazon.

But just…at least think about what I said about the Celestial Dragons, alright? I really don’t have to care about you. But as the first mate of the Straw Hat pirates, you need to consider what’s best for your crew. He may not do things the conventional way, but I think the Pirate King of the North might be one of the best allies Luffy could have right now. Especially because you wouldn't want him fighting for the other side when the time comes.

Zoro’s brows shoot up.

Zoro

Luffy? What about Luffy needing allies?

Law

Has he not spoken to you?

Zoro

No…I threw all my transponder snails away, remember?

Law sighs.

Law

Luffy plans to take on Kaido.

—

The Polar Tang finally arrives at Sabaody Archipelago. As soon as they dock the submarine in the safest and quietest grove they could find, The Heart Pirates, Zoro and Sanji practically pass out on the green grass on the giant mangroves.

Sanji

Well, fuck my ass and call me Susan. That sun is immaculate and this grass is so soft.

Shachi

I haven't heard of that one before.

Bepo 

Hey! Do you guys hear that?

Everyone listens intently. Bepo's ears twitch as he looks around, changing the angle of his head so he could determine the direction it's coming from.

Bepo

It sounds like a concert!! Or…a game show? Maybe a festival? Do you think we can check it out? I hope Uta is playing!

Penguin

I’d kill to see Soul King live.

Law finally catches up to them. He stands in the middle of the field where everyone sun bathed.

Law

You have a day. By tomorrow I want everyone focused on looking around for jobs and sourcing out a bubble ship that can fit at least ten people. I'll keep watch this round.

Everyone rejoiced at the news. They begin to stand to make most of the day.

Law

Except for you, Pirate King. You have to stay behind. Everyone knows your face, and they have giant snails here that can transmit videos.

Sanji

Hmm….

Zoro

Why did you have to tell him what to do? Now he's going to do the opposite.

Law rolls his eyes then begins to walk away.

Law

It's your job to keep an eye on him. Good luck. Call me on your den-den mushi if you need me. Don't throw it away this time.

Zoro audibly groans. He rolls onto his elbows then pushes himself up.

Zoro

Hey Curls, I’ve been meaning to ask, do you… want… to–?

Zoro looks up and finds that he's by himself in the field. He frantically searches around and sees Sanji and the rest of the Heart Pirates already running as fast as they can towards the city where the distant sounds of loud music blared loudly. Some split into groups and some wander off on their own. 

Zoro

Son of a–WAIT!!!

—

In Sabao Dome, Sanji and a few of the Heart Pirates managed to sneak into the stadium, finding themselves right in the thick of a massive crowd close to the main stage. They’re all feeling young, giddy and especially adventurous after having consumed their fifth drink too quickly. Sanji was able to acquire himself a long hood to cover himself so he could continue his day out without any interruptions from the local Marines.

Sanji

Bepo, hold my beer.

Penguin

YES!!

Shachi 

Do it, do it, do it!

Bepo

I don't know about this…Captain's going to kill us.

Bepo takes Sanji's cup regardless.

—

It took Zoro about two hours to track down the runaway Heart Pirates that had Sanji in tow. He held onto his own hood, trying his best to hide his identity while fighting through the crowd in the stadium as he approached them.

During his struggle, he learns from people’s discussions that the show is an annual event that is currently being recorded and broadcasted live. It's an open auction where any member of the public has a chance to bid and win a date with an eligible bachelor or bachelorette. All their proceeds would go towards charity so it’s always for a good cause. This year, they plan to expand the local school, improve facilities of the public hospital and if they’re lucky, rebuild some of the more run down areas in groves that have abandoned neighbourhoods.

The show presents the last stretch of eligible bachelorettes. The made up women walk through the runway to present themselves and the crowd roars in reaction. Paddles of different colours and numbers flash up in the air as the bidding begins for the first participant. An auctioneer in a fine tuxedo introduces them and begins taking bids, one bachelorette at a time.

By the time they're almost done with the last woman, Zoro finally joins the rest of the crew. They all yelp out in surprise.

Zoro

Oi!!!

Shachi

Ah, shit!

Zoro

Why the hell did you run from me?! And with him!!

Don't you DARE run now!

Bepo stops in his tracks, then turns to bow down apologetically to Zoro.

Bepo

…I'm so sorry…

Penguin and Shachi

SO WEAK!!!

Zoro

So?! Where the hell is he?

Penguin

Uh…

Shachi

He err…

Bepo

Well…

Zoro looked furiously at the other Heart Pirates. They shudder under his eye and hide behind the large polar bear.

The auctioneer slams the hammer several times against the lectern, congratulating a noble located on the second floor for winning the last date available for the show. Suddenly, he starts moving back through the curtains, looking like he was called urgently by someone from backstage.

Bepo

I really hope that means he's changed his mind.

Shachi

But…I kinda really wanted to see him.

Penguin

Me too.

Zoro

What are you on about?

The auctioneer returns to the stage with a wide smile on his face. He declares that he brings exciting news and tells everyone to not leave the stadium no matter what.

The lights go dim, and with a well built anticipation, he reveals the last minute surprise for the people of Sabao Dome, and for everyone watching live.

A spotlight focuses in the middle of the stage.

At the far end of the runway, in the darkness, everyone could see a mysterious figure step out of the curtains. The silhouette moved with grace and confidence, trailing behind a waterfall skirt that complemented the shape’s fluid movements. It walks towards the spotlight, then slows down as it nears the center stage. One agonisingly suspenseful step at a time, long slender legs appear under the light, revealing a lean figure in a long sparkling dress and matching coloured high heels. The figure takes another step, and everyone can see the person’s flat chest that links up to defined shoulder blades and slim but muscular arms. The swordsman can’t help but start to recognise the individual by the visible scars on their skin. The figure puts a hand on a hip, and with the other, flicks one side of their skirt before taking one final step to reveal their identity.

Zoro thinks that he’ll die right there and then–from the sight and from the whole idea of it. His jaw drops involuntarily, and the same goes to the rest of the Heart Pirates standing behind him. 

Sanji opens his eyes behind gold-glittered lids. He runs his tongue across the top of his reddened lips, and slowly trails a splayed hand from his thigh, teasing the crowd with a sight of his skin near his center through slit of his dress, drags his hand to follow his curve up to his chest, then finally he lifts his hair to reveal his long inviting neck to the crowd. He leans slightly on the side where his hand is on his hip, and gives the broadcasting transmission snail a seductive kiss in the air and one of his classic winks. The video footage feeds through all available screens in the area and beyond.

To Zoro’s horror and excitement, the auctioneer announces.

Auctioneer

We proudly present…our final bachelor…THE PIRATE KING OF THE NORTH!!!

The crowd goes nuts. The screaming is so deafening that the swordsman hears ringing behind his ears. Poor Bepo had to push his sensitive ears down to put up with the uproar. They get stuck watching the events unfold in front of them, unable to move like sardines in a can. They feel the crowd push in further from outside as people try to squeeze themselves closer to the stage as the bidding war begins.

Zoro and the Heart Pirates had to risk losing their voices just to hear each other.

Zoro

THE MONEY’S NOT EVEN FOR US! DOES HE KNOW THIS?!

Penguin

HE DOES!! HE SAID HE’LL FISH OUT THE WEALTHIEST PERSON IN SABAODY, GO ON A DATE, THEN STEAL FROM THEM WHEN THEY BRING HIM HOME!

Shachi

BUT NO DATES UNTIL HE SEES THEM PAY THE CHARITY FIRST! THAT WAS THE PLAN!

Bepo

WHAT DID YOU SAY, ZORO?! DO YOU KNOW THAT THAT’S THE KING?! HOW DOES HE WALK LIKE THAT WITH THOSE HEELS, RIGHT?!

Zoro lets out a pained groan and attempts to fight the crowd to get to Sanji quickly. It’s too dangerous for him to use haki, or to simply jump up in the air as he’s afraid of knocking people out given how grossly clustered the dome had become. He barely makes any progress at all. He’d never seen this many people freak out over one man. And of course it had to be him.

Penguin

HEY SHACHI! LOOK I’M BIDDING BUT I DON’T HAVE ANY MONEY! HAH!

Penguin awkwardly waves his coloured paddle up above his head.

Shachi

FOR CHORE BOY? HAH!

Bepo

Captain is going to kill us for real…. I’m sure this time.

The auctioneer starts taking bids, starting at a ridiculously high price of 100,000 Beri. This immediately cuts off half of the public but it doesn’t stop the wealthier citizens raising their paddles, all desperate to have but a few moments of their time with the Pirate King.

Zoro thought he’d hated the man before. Now he wants to personally strangle him in front of everyone. He continues to struggle through the crowd, effectively separating himself from the Heart Pirates.

Penguin

Swordsman! It’s not a good idea to split the party with a crowd this big!!

Zoro ignores the man and trudges on. He needs to drag Sanji’s ass out of there now.

The auctioneer continues to take bids.

300,000…

850,000…

1,100,000…

4,500,000…

The crowd goes quiet. It was an eerie feeling of having gone from extreme loudness down to nothing. Another spotlight shone on the crowd, focusing on a pompous-looking woman who is fanning herself with the bidding paddle, looking mighty proud that no one can top her high bid.

Suddenly, there was a sound of heavy doors opening, followed by a booming voice that filled the air.

Voice

ONE. BILLION. BERRI.

Everyone’s gaze collectively turns towards the source of sound. The spotlight travelled from the pompous woman towards the farthest back area of the stadium.

The crowd parts for a man in a white boiler suit and resin bubble over his head. He approaches the stage slowly–not on his feet, but by using a larger man underneath him as a mount. He gives the slave an agonising snap of his whip to make him go forward, pulling the chain that’s secured around his neck painfully.

Zoro

Shit. Shit. Shit. Fuck. Shit.

Zoro tries to squeeze through faster, but the crowd refuses to budge completely with most of them trying to bow down to the new arrival.

A Celestial Dragon is approaching, and Sanji can’t help but smile.

----------

This Sanji likes to look and feel fantastic.

Also, Bepo is love.

[mspopstar]

how is the mirror gang doing like shadow kirby and thqe mirror kirbs

Content Warning: Blood

"Funny thing about that! I can't say since I haven't seen 'em in a while... I expected them to go...y'know... "Poof!" Once we left that mirror but they didn't! It was a little awkward... Y'know, me expectin' them to die...

So, next thing I know they all go left and right and which way. They don't even answer their phones most of the time! Rude! Last time I checked...

Keeby's on Cavius bein' something called a prize fighter? Knuckle Joe's somethin' like a manager to Keeby so at least he has a friend! He told me he gets to fight all day and he's fed really well so he's been staying there for a while. I don't know what it is about that guy or where he gets it from but it's like he has nothing but fighting and food on his head!

Do the words Popstar Night Cinema ring any bells? When Susie an' King Dedede made a bunch of movies based off of me and his experiences? Well, besides King Dedede almost all of the actors were Waddle Dees covered in green or various paints. I was asked to star in it, but I didn't want to cause it seemed like too much trouble and I can't read the scripts. So, Kusa played as me! He practically begged for the role! Since then, those movies did crazy good on planets far out from Pop Star so Susie's been meer-cheyn-dising the movies and making all sorts of things and works with Kusa for doing advertisements and modelin' and stuff. When Kusa's not doing that... he's busying himself with taking as he called it a 'much needed vacation that someone like him deserves'. I think he's at Dedede Resort now? I dunno... outside of being in the limelight he's suuuuuper lazy, even more than King Dedede so I can barely get a hold of him most of the time!

Kaabi likes to explore a lot! He's real cool, always sendin' me photos in his letters of all the places he goes and friends he makes. Though I worry, it's always some place super duper dangerous and scary! He's real quiet though, doesn't write much other than a a small caption. From the times we've talked he's real sweet, a total sweet heart! The only thing I dislike is that he can't keep still! I'll talk to him and then all of a sudden he's wandering off in another direction in the middle of a conversation! Talk about rude!"

-Kirby!

[layraket]

THERE WAS AN UPDATE SLEEPING? WHATS THAT??

first of all we start with this beautiful shot

god thats some cool architecture i have no words clapping

Wind is so ready to kick that lizard's ass i love him

this confirms the fact that theyre in the same place but in a different era (also i swear im convinced that this place takes place at least no far from Hyrule's era, the statue behind Legend and the corridors inside are almost the same as in Zelda1 and 2)

that was the worst joke i have heard today good job rulie lots of kudos /lh

the boys entering a place where they could find the most dangerous shit in all Hyrule, and then there's my girl who is having the best lunch ever

when i first read this i almost spit all my water on my phone cuz. Wars my man these people are like. crazy with dungeon crawl. you can't say that and expect a normal reaction.

their expressions are gold no notes

TIME'S SIDE EYE LMAO

Sky looking concerned, and Wars with the most "i dont know what is everyones problem but alright" face i love him

In a war there's no time to explore or search for things that can be useful, or even search for clues, less with the fact that youre leading an army. There was no puzzle, no mistery to solve or objects that needed to be obtained, just plain fight and confrontation, not leaving space for investigation or even a good rest in town

They have a point, without exploring they wouldn't have the arsenal that they carry; powerful items that can kill a whole army of monsters, a gift left by the hero before them to help, shinies. All that is really useful when you want to save the whole kingdom

lets not forget all the weapons that you can get on HW, there are some that are like, crazy powerful, and the materials get from the enemies are also really helpful

guys i think youre the only crazy people who love to enter a random place full of monsters and maybe a demon lord or smth

OK THIS IS THE PANNEL WHERE I WANTED TO TALK A LITTLE ABT

This reminds me of this short comic where Wild was almost grabbed by a wallmaster, do this takes place some time before this scene?? or just from another time?? I find possible the first option cuz Wild looks more wary the whole update, like if he already found out what will happends if he puts his guard down

Also the fact that the closest thing that he had as a dungeon were the Divine Beast and the shrines, which both of them lacked a lot of things that were usually in the clasic zelda's dungeons, like keys, mini bosses, special object and pots.

Hyrule my guy you dont. have to scare him like that. i hate these things too but calm down.

fucking gremlin /pos

taking this as an opportunity to talk about how Legend's behaviour has been seen changed in the past updates, he's more relaxed and playful, taking a moment to just have fun and prank the rest of the chain

this reminds me

here is left clear that he's still young, maybe not even on his twenties, and now after that stressfull time with Twi being on the verge of death it makes sense that he feels the need of just, goof around to cope after all that

Yes he's the most experienced, yes is maybe the most powerful of them, but he's still a young boy who was dragged to all this, he deserves to have some fun

happy guy :)

and then we have Time, he looks like Not Having A Good Time™

Messy hair Warriors <3

also i know we all put Sky as one of the adults, but cmon he's a little shit as much as the rest, thats why he finds funny Legend's joke

Wild my man you good? like im genuinely asking at this point, it is weird seeing him so serious

god thats such a cool design of a skulltula, its so scary 10/10

Wild has never seen in his life a spider of this size, so it makes sense him just, straight up getting surprised by that thing

OUGHH I FELT THAT

Sky being right-handed looks like a problem in this closed space, soon or later it would make some troubles

Legend no offence but did you see the little accident they had right there. like. that really hurts if you ask me.

Okay Time is really at his limit here, the past days has been hell for him with the stress of almost loosing the one that he might see as his son, and seeing all the boys just playing around is not helping. Theyre all heroes, they should take this danger seriously if they want to stop all danger.

He wants to protect the ones that he cares for, even if he has to snap for it.

Here he might be planning to team up with Twi and Wind? The youngest seems to have gained his attention as his second successor. He will make anything it takes to not let all of them get hurt, and with everything he means it

Just wait when he learns that Legend is also his successor, automatically adopted

NOW MY FAV PARTS WITHOUT COMMENTARY!!!

SOMEHOW I GOT THE IMAGE LIMIT???? I DIDNT THOUGHT THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE ON WEB

anyways have confused warriors as the last one pls aprecciate him

tumblr pls let me eat the art i beg you

art credits as always towards @linkeduniverse! always feeling blessed with all this fantastic work!

[mcflymemes]

DRAGON AGE: THE VEILGUARD PROMPTS PT 2 *  assorted dialogue from the second hour of the video game

that suit of armor is moving.

where'd you come from?

i've only been gone three days!

the situation's changed - for the worse, unfortunately.

i've had a couple of days, and i'm still trying to wrap my head around it.

it does sort of explain a few things though.

there's something kind of exciting about it. and dangerous. really dangerous.

hope that means you've got an idea.

a few dozen demons shouldn't be a problem.

do you know what this place was?

it's probably something important.

well, isn't this a sight?

the artifact we're looking for must be inside.

think we can make that jump?

i plan to find out.

we're getting closer.

it's a lot trickier than that.

i've never seen this before.

it's almost like it's... breathing.

wasn't expecting to fight an ogre today.

just one of those days.

what does that crystal do?

i have questions.

it's kind of my thing. fixing magical stuff.

let me know when you're ready to head to the camp.

some of our most experienced fighters are still missing.

whatever's going on out there, it's scary.

sounds like things have gotten a lot worse since we left.

it's only a matter of time until our luck runs out.

if we could predict where they'd strike next, we might get ahead of them.

i don't know what you're going to find there. likely nothing good.

you sure you're up for this?

i've never seen fog this thick.

something happened here.

stay sharp.

it's so quiet.

where is everybody?

everything's just abandoned.

keep them inside.

everyone has to stay.

we need to search for survivors.

ever seen anything like it?

we're going to help you! we'll get you down!

i know you.

they made me do it.

i was tricked! manipulated!

i never meant for that! i swear! you must believe me!

what if the dragon comes back?

let's get him out of there.

we don't kill people. not like this.

try harder next time.

don't let me regret saving you.

what a pleasure to see you again.

so who are you exactly?

this dark turn of events shall only become worse.

what can you tell us about... all this?

how do we stop them?

how do we stand up against that?

none of us can do this alone, but we can stop them together.

these are the times in which legends are born... or slain.

i should've taken the shot.

we all did what we thought was best in the moment.

look where it got us.

we're still standing. the fight's not over.

i like that about you. you don't stop fighting. you push for answers and action.

we need someone who can put the pieces of the puzzle together.

we're fighting the unknown.

everyone has a part to play.

i think i can manage that.

i can feel lingering magic. powerful magic.

i can hear it.

i don't know how to control it!

you said something "took you over?"

i'm sorry. i wish i had answers.

talking has helped.

i guess we don't have any real answers.

we're friends, so i'm going to be honest.

it feels wrong.

i trust you have all this handled.

at least people are free because of what i did.

it must have been worse than i had thought.

so... you're going to be insufferable about it.

see, this is the reason nobody likes you.

[southwestchili]

ੈ✩‧₊˚ You can service me..in a different way.. ੈ

Tartaglia x Maid! Reader

Synopsis: Your a maid who works at one of the hotels of Liyue, your job is usually pretty boring but there’s rumors of a strong, handsome and dangerous Fatui Harbinger staying in the nicest suite of the hotel.

(lowercase intended 🤬)

Tags: modernish au! this is gonna be 𝓕𝓡𝓔𝓐𝓚𝓨. afab reader, dub-con i think?, impact play, praise, degrading, semi-public(?), pussy eating, fingering, breeding, claiming, lowkey blackmailing,squirting, you call him sir, childe is a degenerate 😒, reader is lowkey a bimbo, one misogynist, picture taking with out permission, prostitution if you wanna call it that i guess?

ੈ✩‧₊˚ ੈ✩‧₊˚ ੈ✩‧₊˚ ੈ✩‧₊˚ ੈ✩‧₊˚ ੈ✩‧₊˚ ੈ✩

You were just a simple little maid with a simple life cleaning up after people paying high amounts of money to stay in Liyue’s number one hotel. Who knew rich people were so dirty? You have to put with these snobs bullshit everyday without blowing a fuse. You just smile and do what your asked no matter how frustrating it is, and it is. Always dealing with gross old men commenting on your cliche maid outfit, and how fitting it is they put a woman like you for the job of cleaning up after them. the only joy you get out of this job is hearing about the vast range of people who check into the hotel. it can go from a dilf on vacation who all your other hotel staff friends are thirsting over to those gross ‘creepy serial killer’ vibe people. However today there was talk about a person who rented out the most expensive suite, the staff has suspected this mystery man is a harbinger for the fatui. You scoff at the thought of a crazed murderer staying at your place of work. You didn’t want to believe this guy was actually that dangerous and capable of doing such heinous crimes but you kept an open mind. Two days passed of the mystery man checking in had gone by and rumors were spreading faster and faster. People have been saying he smells like blood and are scared to service his room. In the break room the maids are gossiping about how attractive he is but are too afraid to clean his room. your ears perked up at their conversation, it was still early in the morning so you had been sipping on some tea and browsing a newspaper sitting on the sofa in the room. Three maids were shamelessly talking about this poor man when you had enough and butt in saying, “y’know if you guys want me too i can go up to his floor and just clean his room if you guys don’t want to? i don’t mind at all.” you say nonchalantly. they share a look before they nod giving you a slightly concerned look. ‘What’s the big deal? why are they making such a fuss about this guy..? they are saying how hot he is one second and then the next how scary he is..’ you think mentally rolling your eyes. a few minutes pass and your done with your coffee and you go to grab a cleaning cart and make your way to the elevator. As you climb up the floors anxiety starts to set in. ‘why am i getting nervous he’s just a normal guy…everyone is just freaking out…calm down y/n…’ you think while slightly chewing on your bottom lip subconsciously.

you finally reach the top floor of the hotel and the elevator doors open, you push your cart to the end of the hallway. you realize there’s only 1 occupied room on this floor so that must be his. you reach the door of the man’s room and you notice their isn’t a card on the door saying no to cleaning service so you unlock the door with your key. you gingerly push the door open and see a tall, muscular ginger staring at you. “oh-! sorry-! i didn’t know anyone was in here-! so sorry..” you stammer as your cheeks flush. you didn’t expect the man everyone was talking about to be so…hot? you go to leave but the man speaks up. “you don’t have to leave you know..you can clean or whatever i just am doing work..so i really don’t mind.” he says a slight smile tugging at his lips. you could have sworn he looks you up and down. “uh..okay? as long as you don’t mind..i’ll be quick.” you say pulling your cart into the room. you begin cleaning and the man begins to fill out papers. you start sweeping the floor and emptying trash cans. you’ve only cleaned a room with a guest present once before so this was a pretty awkward situation. you bent down slightly to grab a bit of trash off of the floor unintentionally giving the man a full view of your white lacey panties. the man looks over at you and blushes slightly. Unknowingly you continue cleaning. you start to make the bed when you look over at the man who’s physique looks so good from the back. unfortunately your staring at him for a little too long and he notices and turns around to look at you. “you know…it’s rude to stare dear..” he says with a faux pout. “oh-! n-no i wasn’t trying to- i was just spacing out-!” you say with a stutter trying to justify your actions. the man gets up from the desk and walks over to you and tilts your chin up with his hand to make you look up at him. you look up at through your eyelashes and a blush dusts your cheeks. “i see you bending over for me dear, your not very slick…how about you remove those pretty panties of yours for me? hmm?” he says with a smirk. “wh-what-? i can’t do that-!” you say taken aback by his words and charisma. you consider it, but just show him a shocked expression. “hmm..no fun..how about this? what if i give you an extra ‘tip’..if you do this for me, how does that sound?” he says winking. your mouth falls open slightly and you glance down to his crotch to reveal a tent in his trousers. “oh what a dirty mind you have…i wasn’t talking about that kind of tip..but if you want that i can have that arranged.” he says pulling out a leather wallet and pulling out a large sum of mora. “sir…i can’t take your money..i will admit you are very handsome but this goes against our policy..” you say bitting on your bottom lip nervously. “i won’t tell if you won’t girlie…” he says with that same devilish smirk. “fine…but i could get into serious trouble for this-!” you say before grabbing the mora from him and skidding your panties off your hips and balling them up in your hands. the man holds his hand out gesturing you to give them to him so you comply. you’ve never been with a guy with this much dominance and overall confidence. “you can continue cleaning…i’ll just be here watching…” he says look at you admiring your curves. you go over to the bed to finish making it, you feel the cold wind from the ac graze your bare pussy and you whine a little at the feeling of being so exposed. you can’t help but feel your core tighten around nothing as you think about what this guy will do to you in the awaiting moments.

you finish making the bed and you notice the man get up from the chair he’s sitting in. he walks over towards you and grabs your hips from behind and bends over to whisper in your ear. “y’know girlie…your really starting to turn me on…and i can see you getting wetter by the second..how about i do you a favor and make your cute little pussy feel good? would you like that?” he says, his hot breath tickling your ear. “y-yes sir-” you say before he roughly flips you on your back and spreads your thighs apart lifting your dress a bit to reveal your glistening cunt on display. he dips one of his long fingers into your hole earning a whimper from you. he leans his head into your cunt to lick a long stripe on your pussy, he adds a second finger into your hole and gives your clit a kiss. he wraps his lips around your little bud and sucks on it lapping his tongue on it. your thighs are wrapping around his head and your tugging at his gorgeous ginger hair. your squirming and moaning out for him. he lifts his head up removing his lips from your clit to deliver a harsh smack to your thigh. “stop squirming so much.” he says glaring at you. you stop moving around and pout. he gives his attention back to your pussy. he curls his fingers inside you hitting that spot inside of you that makes you scream. you haven’t had that spot hit before, this guy is an expert. you start babbling nonsense, your head feels foggy and you scream feeling your release approaching. “s-sir-! i’m gonna-! agh fuck~!” you moan out. “there you go baby…cum on my fingers…” he coos with that signature smirk. your vision goes white as your release hits you like a truck, you squirt for the first time and drool runs down your chin. you have a death grip on the sheets of the used to be made bed. you pant as your vision restores. you chest heaves as you look at the ginger between your legs. “ahh..i’m sorry-! didn’t mean to do that…” you pant. “it’s all good girlie…you taste delicious by the way..such a good girl.” he says sitting up. “now i think it’s your turn to service me huh?” he unbuttons his shirt, and takes off his belt and sliding his trousers down. you remove your dress following his lead. your sitting up on the bed admiring his physique. “ tsk tsk..girlie you know it’s rude to stare…how about we do something about your naughty behavior..yeah?” he says before flipping you over on the bed so your on your stomach and face is buried into the pillows. you feel him unclip your bra and pull it off you before he pulls his boxers down. “are you ready girlie?” you feel his tip brush your folds. “y-yes…s-sir..” you mutter. you feel his large cock enter you and you gasp. you didn’t know he was this big. he pushes the rest of his length into your hole. he waits a second before beginning to move letting you get adjusted to his length. a few seconds pass before he slowly starts thrusting. he grabs your hips to steady himself.

“oh my- god- sweetie your so tight..!” he groans. “if i didn’t know any better i would think your a virgin…fuck-! but- hah~ then again your still so slutty~ so..you can’t be one~..” he groans as he thrusts faster into you. you can’t help but moan at his harsh words. “i can feel you clenching your cunt on my cock~ slut~!” he teases. he continues to fuck you hard. his cock hitting your g-spot making you scream. “ah..fuck girlie i’m gonna-” he says before cumming deep inside you. “s-sir-! i’m gonna c-cum-” you scream. “call me tartaglia slut.” he says rubbing your clit. you heart sinks at the name. the rumors were true. your being fucked by a fatui harbinger. “what’s the matter? finally figure out who i am? hm?” he says pinching your clit. “tar-tartaglia~! oh my fuck-!” you squeeze your eyes tight before cumming around his cock. your a cock drunk babbling mess, drool dripping down your chin. staining the pillows, your hair is messy and your too fucked out to care you just got railed by a murderer. “cmon let’s get you cleaned up..and by the way..i took pictures of you so if you dare tell anyone about my identity i will leak this to your boss.” his casual tone sent shivers down your spine. but you knew this wasn’t going to be your last time seeing him.

“by the way i’m keeping your panties.”

ੈ✩‧₊˚ ੈ✩‧₊˚ ੈ✩‧₊˚ ੈ✩‧₊˚ ੈ✩‧₊˚ ੈ✩‧₊˚ ੈ✩

this lowkey kinda sucks but i wanted to post smth hope you liked it 💋💋💋

[acupofinkedblood]

Medkit x nurse reader

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝

• As much as Medkit hates his job, he still gotta make a living somehow. You can’t really expect something more or less from a man who literally bathe in a bucket anyway. Overall, work is work, and even though when he hates it, he still has to be responsible for whatever thrown in his face. The workload was undeniably a lots for him to bare alone, so he did appreciate assistance, which in this case - you

• You, who decides to become a nurse in his clinic because barely anyone is there to compete for that spot with you. If you don’t have a license, who is he to judge? You gotta work for your bills somehow as well. But you still take things professional, that is what matters the most. Just don’t screw up an operation or anything

• Working with Medkit wasn’t that bright of the star really. The man was quiet. He kept most of everything to himself. Your usual conversation with him doesn’t last for approximately 5 minutes, and most of it was about work. But don’t worry, it wasn’t hellish

• It starts as a simple “Good morning” and “The patient requires some words with you.” It will take you a while to get this man to lower his guard around you. The friendship that blooms between the two of you is slow, since he isn’t the type to do small talks occasionally. You just have to give him time to learn how to appreciate your assistance, or your presence in general

• And it will be a very long time before he takes it easy around you

• When he finally warms up to you — or at least, trusts you enough — you will find yourself hear the doctor’s comments about pretty random stuff. One moment he is greeting you a good start at work then right away he starts telling you how dumb some patients can be sometimes. It can be pretty out of pocket, but hey, at least you know he has quite the vocabularies in his mind

• Let’s be honest here, even when it is your passion to lend a hand to other demons, being a medical helper in a place like Inpherno can really give you certain headaches. How many times have you patch up a demon who blew himself up accidentally? How many times you stare at some certain idiot that skates his way right into the wall? Honestly, you start to understand why Medkit has that resting bitch face all the time while he was at work now. And when you complain to him, he just gives you a knowing ‘About damn time you get me’ look

• Don’t be surprised when you two became the tired duo of the clinic. You two complain to each other a lots about work-related stuff. Even when you are still less insufferable than him, that tiredness of his gets to your look a bit

• And your relationship with him just grow gradually from that

• When Medkit realizes his feeling for you, he freaks out

• Commitment is scary to Medkit, especially when he literally has a target on his skull and the Cult’s eye following him in the dark. He will go through denial first, his mind will be a mess. And it doesn’t help the fact you two are literally colleagues - there is no way he can avoid you without making it awkward. He doesn’t want to put you in danger. Yet at the same time he still finds himself yearn for your company

• He tries to figure what to do, even throwing his dignity away to ask Sword about what should he do. When you see him confess, keep in mind that this man has literally stay up every nights and mentally rehearsing his line over again. And one time when you find him having a smoke break after a tired shift, the nicotine messes up with his exhaustion, and those words just slip off his tongue without him realizing at first. He can feel his heart drop, anxiously waiting for a rejection—

• But then you chuckle

• When you confess that you feel the same, he almost freezes on spot immediately before you have to call for his attention. The good thing about it is that he can finally stop being such a wimp about fearing rejection now

• As for the lovey-dobey stuff, he isn’t that fond of physical touch at first. Be patient with him, this man is a walking load of trauma already. The first approach he will engage in with is mostly act of service. When he finds himself having enough confidence to be vulnerable around you, be ready for gentle lingering touches

• If you smoke, then you two have cigarette breaks with each other occasionally as well. It is good for stress relieving, at least for Medkit

• He cares for you, but won’t admit it aloud though. One time when he is tired and passed out, you put a blanket over him before taking care of everything else. The next time when it is your turn to collapse while writing a patient’s report, you wake up with a blanket over your shoulders. He says it’s returning a favor

• Now for the fun random stuff

• You remember his coffee order by heart. One time you accidentally drink his cup instead of yours, you almost spit it out because goddamn it’s literally as dark as a black hole. And the thing that terrifies you most is the fact he is immune to the strong caffeine by now. He is dead serious when saying that stuff can’t even keep him awake at night. You make a mental note to stay away from this guy’s coffee. Just the scent alone keeps you awake at night

• If you match his sassiness, then congrats, you are in for a ride. It’s never dull in his clinic when Medkit is being sassy. Getting used to that new side of his has its benefits. You understand what each other is thinking about just with a glance, which usually be used when you two side-eyeing a patient, like a ‘This guy can’t be serious’ kind of glance

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝

Note: Don’t mind me I’m just a bored lad

[mikaela-the-slut-expert]

The First Glance

Hua Cheng x M!Reader x Xie Lian

Honestly I'm just having a go at this and I'm technically writing about my OC. If people notice it that's good. if they don't well😔. So don't hate on me 🖤✨

Mentions of the reader having a veil and white hair, facial scars.

No one has requested any stories from me I wrote this for my own pleasure. So if you want something that isn't for an OC and is for a reader then come tell me and I'll write you something 😋

I keep editing the story cuz I keep forgetting details 😭✊ bear with me plz.

Míngqín means song bird it's Y/n's nickname

Previous part: Tea Shop

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You've been by Xie Lian's side for a long time. You've been his guard for as long as you can remember, and a god under him for even longer. A very long time actually, so you'd like to think you know him well enough to predict his movements. Apparently not.

You're at Puqi shrine, cleaning the place up and fixing dinner for you and Xie Lian. You chose to stay while Xie Lian went and to go investigate a ghost groom who was kidnapping brides. It's since then turned dark and when Xie Lian turns up, there's another man with him. You weren't expecting Xie Lian to bring someone home with him, nor were you expecting the strange man to stay the night.

The strange man's name is actually San Lang, but you still think he's strange anyways. After scolding Xie Lian for bringing someone home without any warning you serve dinner at the makeshift table you came up with. You give San Lang yours, you don't really need to eat. You're a heaven official and being with Xie Lian has you used to it anyhow.

"Thank you for making dinner Míngqín, I wouldn't have minded making it myself", Xie Lian says. You cringe at the thought though. You wave a hand, "not necessary I've got it". You sit down and observe as they both eat. Xie Lian and San Lang chat about something but you aren't paying attention. You're staring at San Lang, it's strange how fast the man has clung himself to Xie Lian. You've never seen him before and yet he so easily acts as if he's known Xie Lian forever.

You look away, thoughts straying to the bed laying on the floor. If it can even be called that it's more like a mat. Are all three of you going to sleep on it? Your thoughts are quickly interrupted when you notice San Lang staring at you. He can't possibly see your face not with the veil you've hidden it behind, but the way he's staring at you makes it feel like he's trying to. It doesn't feel like anything bad or alarming, just unnerving. People don't look at you. They usually stray their eyes away, but San Lang does not.

You leave the table, and lie on the mat. Xie Lian and San Lang will eventually lay down too. You take the middle spot. It makes the most sense, you don't want Xie Lian to be in danger. He's always been kind and you don't want that to back fire on him. You figure it's most safe if you stay between San Lang and Xie Lian.

You are already 'asleep', you aren't of course but you're breathing and heartbeat all sound as if you are. You technically don't need sleep but it's still nice to rest sometimes. You can hear San Lang talk about the missing painting on the wall. There's not yet a painting of the God of Scraps, but Xie Lian ushers San Lang to go to sleep instead.

Xie Lian lies to your right, you can tell. After all you've been sleeping next to each other for years. San Lang lies to your left, leaving you stuck in the middle. It's uncomfortable. You aren't worried about your veil slipping off, it's yours to manipulate and you've long since mastered being able to make the veil comfortable on your face. It's the closeness that bothers you.

You haven't really been in anyone's company other than Xie Lian's. No one else tends to like you, not the officials and not ghosts. That's fine you don't like them either but this sudden presence is new and you've never liked touch in the first place. Touch is scary. It always has been since the fall of XianLe. It makes you want to puke. Xie Lian is the only exception to this, seeing as you've been around him your whole life.

It's not that repulsive actually. For whatever reason San Lang's closeness doesn't seem to make you want to hurl. His breath down the back of your neck however makes you nervous. If you weren't a ghost your heart would be beating fast. You can feel him staring holes into you but you play sleep anyways.

"You're not truly asleep are you?" You internally huff as San Lang asks. You didn't think you were bad at it. You ignore him and continue hoping he'll believe your lie. It's not until a shuffle on your right, and a harsh grip on your robes make you realize San Lang isn't talking to you.

"It's not like I was fake sleeping San Lang" you can feel Xie Lian sit up a bit. "You aren't asleep either" Xie Lian exclaims. You can't see of course your eyes are closed even behind the veil you're worried they'd see your eyes open.

"I was too busy staring at your assistant" his voice takes on a teasing tone. 'Assistant' is what Xie Lian had told San Lang you are. Xie Lian is supposed to be a priest for himself and your alias is to be Xie Lian's assistant. Of course it's not who you truly are. You're truly the God of Song and Xie Lian is truly the God of Scraps. San Lang wouldn't know that though.

Your stomach drops when you feel San Lang's hand start to tinker with your veil. You're about to give it all up to move away but a big clap happens right over your face. You suppose it's time to give it up for the night. You open your eyes, and look up at the clasped hands above you. Xie Lian's holding San Lang's, most likely trying to move his hand away.

"Ah I'm sorry we woke you Míngqín, San Lang just needed a blanket he was cold..." Xie Lian smiles down at you. You nod, "It's okay. Let's go back to sleep then." San Lang only laughs to himself and lies back down. You and Xie Lian lay back down too. The night eventually calms again.

**********************************************************

When morning comes, you realize you fell asleep and when you get out of bed you see that Xie Lian and San Lang have already gotten out of bed. You get up as well and you change your veil. The veil is often changed, you don't like keeping the same design everyday. Some veils cover your whole face, and some veils leave your eyes unhidden. Today you choose a veil that only covers your nose and mouth.

You're ready to go outside until something in the corner of your eye stops you. A painting of Xie Lian back when he was Prince in XianLe..? Did San Lang really paint that? Now it's obvious San Lang isn't a mortal. No one would be able to paint it so accurately from 800 years ago.

You admire it for a minute and then go outside. San Lang and Xie Lian are standing by a cut wood pile. They both turn their heads toward you.

"Good morning Míngqín", "morning y/n". You nod back, noticing San Lang's hair is loose.

"Your hair will surely get caught if you don't put your hair up, San Lang" you haven't really spoken to San Lang the whole time since he's been here but you don't hate him. He did somehow make that painting after all. "Let me fix your hair San Lang" Xie Lian offers. He leads San Lang back inside to a bucket of water.

You know Xie Lian is checking if San Lang is a ghost, but San Lang looks like he is enjoying himself, "Are you just going to play with my hair gege?" Xie Lian is quick to get flustered and he puts San Lang's hair into a very messy braid. It looks messier than before.

You don't pay attention to the fact San Lang has started calling Xie Lian 'gege'. You snicker quietly at Xie Lian's flustered face, as he waves his hands telling San Lang he's all done with his hair. Xie Lian is not very good at doing hair, but San Lang looks happy with it. You don't bother offering to fix it.

"A-Lian it's your turn, come sit". You pat the stool. Xie Lian cooperates and you start combing through his hair. You've always brushed out Xie Lian's hair. He doesn't know how to get the knots out. Xie Lian used to just leave the knots there until you forced him to sit down one day so you could brush it out.

When you're finished brushing his hair you tie it up in his usual half bun-half down hairstyle. You step away from him and notice San Lang staring at you. It seems he's very good at staring.

"You should let gege do your hair as well y/n" you grunt and shake your head. No way you were letting Xie Lian put knots in your hair. You love him very much but you also love your hair.

"No it's alright" you wave a hand but San Lang insists. "I can fix your hair then. Gege did my hair, and you did Gege's. I'll do yours" he smiles. It sounds like generosity, but you've found whatever San Lang says sounds like teasing. You almost shake your head no, but San Lang looks like he really wants to indulge.

"I... Suppose" you hesitate. To fix your hair you would have to take off your veil and only Xie Lian has seen your face and even he hasn't seen it in so long. San Lang is very gentle when he removes your veil, as if he's touching something that will shatter. You cover your mouth with your sleeve. To hide the scars, you don't want them to be seen.

Your thoughts are interrupted by San Lang's fingers running through your hair. He combs it out gently. "Your hair is very beautiful y/n, has gege ever told you?" This flusters you, if you actually had the ability to blush then blood would have colored your cheeks. You have strange hair, it's long but it's white. It's always been like that but after ascending the officials were not your biggest fans. Especially since you stayed with Xie Lian. So they often make remarks about your appearance not that it bothers you.

"Thank you" you notice Xie Lian looking at you. You're eyes are the only thing that can be seen but he's still soaking up what you've hidden for the past hundreds of years before you hide it behind a veil again.

"How come this one hides his face?" San Lang asks as he does something with your hair. You don't know how to answer that so you redirect, "Does San Lang want to see it that bad?" He only laughs at this, and he moves into your field of vision. "I'm all finished. Gege take a look at y/n's hair is it nice?" You want to see what it looks like. You look into the bucket of water.

San Lang put your hair into a braid. He's tied your hair with a red ribbon, it must be San Lang's but you'll keep it. He gave it to you so it's only fair. You run your hands over the braid. Your hair hasn't been styled in a long time, there was never a reason to put it up after all. Your hair is usually left loose.

"it's very pretty San Lang. Míngqín why don't you keep the veil off?" Xie Lian cocks his head to the side. "Yes, there's no reason to hide your face." You furrow your brows, you could keep it off. You're just scared to have your scars out in the open. "... I'll think about it."

You hesitate, but you remove your hand from covering your mouth. To you, your face has been ruined. Your mouth has been slashed from a sword from a very long time ago. Scars line over your lips. You wished that they were pretty scars, with neat lines. They are not though. It's not so bad to show your face to San Lang and Xie Lian.

They stare at you, Xie Lian's look you can understand. You don't understand San Lang's look, he looks as if he's trying to soak up the details of your face too. As if your face is something he hasn't seen in such a long time. You've never met San Lang though...

Now that everyone's hair is fixed, San Lang is an exception to that - y/n giggles every time he sees it - , now they can start their morning. It's a good start to the day and Y/n thinks that San Lang has fit himself quite well into their routine.

Even though San Lang is a new addition to your group he makes it very easy to like him. Especially with how much he clings to Xie Lian's side, but San Lang also seems to be clinging to you too.

__________________________________________________

Criticism or comments plzzzz, I want to know if anyone enjoyed it or if there are ways I can make it better. I also want to know if people want to continue seeing the story! Also don't forget you can request me for stuff! 🖤✨

Maple Robes and Lace Veils

[reverseexorcist]

♡ 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐬 ♡

You couldn't not give me Carmilla fucking Carmine and expect me not to go feral over her-

➲ 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚 Carmine + !F!Reader

➲ Romantic ☒, Platonic ☐

➲ 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 Count; 1,479 Words

➲ Warnings/notes; Female reader, these are kind've all over the place, Carmilla might be a tad OOC since this is my first time writing her

➲ There are so many different ways this relationship could possibly start. The mind boggles trying to think of all of them. Just think of all the potential shenanigans that could occur and have fun with that

➲ But lemme just say before anything - This woman is fiercely protective over you. Not in the cutesy, clingy kind've obsessive way, but the silently scary scary-dog privilege kind've partner. The epitome of 'excuse me sir, they asked for no pickles', and, because I love this trope, you are the only person (besides her daughters) that she will ever fully be soft for.

➲ Insert 🥺 right here

➲ Just, get you a woman who looks at you the way Carmilla looks at her wife. That's all I can say

➲ The soft moments in the morning when you can just lay in bed and watch her get ready. Pulling her hair up into her signature, gravity defying buns(?) and delicately slip on and twine her angelic steel shoes. The minutes of her fingers expertly working away in a comfortable silence as you just lay under the comfort of your warm blankets? Those are the moments right there 👌

➲ Probably not one for physical affection, at least not in public. Definitely not in public. Her reputation alone would probably put you in danger, which is, y'know, not good, so no hand-holding in public

➲ (Honestly, one part of her probably prefers not to be seen with you in public for that exact reason. The other part wants to keep you in her line of sight at all times because at least then she can personally keep you safe)

➲ All of that being said, can't deny she'd probably give top tier hugs. Proper bear hugs because this woman is tall and strong and would undeniably make you feel safe whenever you're in her arms. Depending on how tall or short you are, she could also probably pick you up if you really wanted 👉👈

➲ (She could 100% pick you up, and probably with one hand as well)

➲ Gives the most tender of little kisses. Small pecks on the cheeks and forehead whenever she's tired from work, her larger fingers gently grazing the sides of your head as her fluffy hair tickles your face

➲ And the adorable little pet names she whispers to you! Maybe you're just passing by each other in an almost empty street or just relaxing at home together, but she'll always try and take the chance to whisper something like 'mi Vida', 'mi Corazón' or 'mi Reina' just loud enough for the two of you to hear

➲ Let's be real, this woman is really goddamn tall, so you're probably shorter than her and she absolutely loves it and would absolutely tell this to your face just to fluster you. What she loves even more is the way you'd have to reach up on your tippy toes with her leaning down to meet you halfway just to have you playfully kiss her on the tip of her nose or her chin

➲ Maybe, very rarely, if she's feeling extra sentimental, she'd love it if you sat on her lap while she works in her home office, just so she can have your comfort and warmth nearby. More often than not this scenario would end up with you falling asleep in her lap and her carrying you back to bed with the smallest of smiles on her face

➲ If she could really help it, she'd prefer to keep you as far away from her work as possible. As much as she would love to have you in the office, maybe helping her with paperwork or something similar so she could have you at within her reach at all times of the day, arms dealing is a dangerous job. At least her daughter's have each other's backs' when they're out doing business, but you'd probably have to make it on your own or with one of her other employees and that's a big no no in her eyes

➲ Also, speaking of her daughters, your relationship with them would vary wildly depending on when you met them

➲ If you started dating Carmilla when Clara and Odette were rather young, they'd probably cling on to you like a second mother figure. In some cases, they might've even preferred you over Carmilla for the sole fact that their toddler puppy eyes work on you better than their biological mother

➲ Your dynamic would probably just be the three of you racing to see who could give Carmilla a hug first after she gets home from work

➲ (Though, this only works if Carmilla is hell-born seeing as sinner's can't have children)

➲ If you started dating Carmilla when they were older though, there might be a bit of a tense air when you first meet. Carmilla's protectiveness isn't just one way - Her daughters absolutely adore her, and although they definitely couldn't protect her physically, they'd do their damn best to protect her emotionally

➲ They'd warm up to you after some time though, seeing you do truly love their mother with your whole heart. You'd never be a parent to them, barely even a step-parent, but they'd respect you and care for you like family nonetheless because you make their mother happy

➲ Either way, her heart melts seeing the three of you getting alone, and she 100% has a family picture she keeps on her desk for her eyes only

➲ Sometimes she just waits until you fall asleep so she can cradle your head in her heads oh so carefully. She just sort've stares at you, her eyes glowing in the dark with her wild mane of hair spilling out behind her, and she just traces all the intricate details of your face with her eyes

➲ And then she just sort've hugs you closer to her, tugging the blankets a little tighter around the two of you as she presses the littlest of kisses to your forehead before relaxing into the pillows

➲ But just imagine Carmilla with a wife who died so much later after her. Just this tall, scary and proper woman that strikes fear into the hearts of millions with her little gremlin wife who keep talking about shit like reddit that the other sinners just don't understand (not even Carmilla herself, but she finds your antics somewhat entertaining, at least when she doesn't have to act as your self preservation instincts and keep you safe)

➲ Extermination is your least favourite day for multiple reasons

➲ The first being, well, the exorcists descending form heaven to brutally murder sinners left and right, but also because Carmilla changes around this time

➲ It's understandable, especially with what happened in one of the previous exterminations when she and her daughters got caught, but it still scares you to see you usually cool, calm and loving wife turn into a robot who's only goal is to get you and her daughters to a safehouse to wait out the terror outside

➲ Doesn't mean you're not grateful, though. You can look past all of that because you know she's just doing it to keep you safe, and in the end you'd rather be safe and living with your family rather than dead on the end of an exorcist's spear

➲ You probably also have a good relationship with the other overlords, despite never having gone to a meeting

➲ (It's because of this you've never met Velvette or the other Vee's, and if Carmilla has a say, you never will)

➲ Rosie, being the social butterfly she is, loves to talk gossip with you every chance she gets. Zestial likes to join in on your little sessions, not saying anything but bringing tea for everyone to drink and enjoy. Clara also likes to join in sometimes, but her sister would much rather sit with her mother and just watch the chaos unfold in front of them

➲ Almost certainly has caught you trying on her shoes when she's not looking. A part of her is annoyed because she'd rather not have you involved in anything to do with her work, but the innocent look you give her makes her rethink her annoyance in the moment

➲ She'd later found out Clara helped you because you also wanted to try and walk around on pointe like the rest of the family. No idea why you skipped straight to trying the angelic weapon shoes, but Carmilla does offer to help you later

➲ Overall, great wife and I'd give her a 9/10. One point deducted probably because she'd be a tad too overprotective, but everything else about her is great; From her bear hugs to those little moments the two of you share

Rules + Info,

Masterlist,

[riniworld]

fell into the darkness

yandere!mafia boss oc × hostage! reader

warning|| violence, mention of blood, guns, smoking, and a dead body.

reference|| you.

a/n|| it was supposed to be longer, but I'll split it to two parts.

!! there is no mention of obsession or yandere here, this is only an introduction !!

your life wasn't perfect, you knew that very well, losing your parents when you were young and getting thrown over and over to a different relative searching for acceptance in them,but no one wanted a 'burden' in their family, until you settled with one who doesn't have a family, getting to take care of yourself at such a young age,you accepted your life long ago, but to get to THAT is something to really get concerned about...

because being wanted by a mafia is not normal, and very questionable.

now, sitting on a cold floor, your hands tied behind your back, as you try to get a word from what the men who stands a few feet away from you is saying,some of them were giving you a weird look, like you are a small thing compared to them, and that makes you feel disgusted.

and, in seconds,the room fell silent as a man,in a black suit like all the others,enter, he has a scary aura, but doesn't seem like their boss based on how their body are still relaxed.

he walked to you, his footsteps echoing in the empty room, as he get closer and closer your heart start to beat faster, you try to maintain the uncaring facade, but god you were panicing and it was obvious in your eyes.

he stand in front of you, tall and intimidating, not even bothering to lower his head to look at you, only lowering his eyes, you have alot of questions but you don't know if you're in a good place to utter a word, not that you can speak anyway.

"you must wonder why you're here." his voice was scary,you can describe it as heavy even, it's just remind you how much you're in trouble "you have a debt, since a particular coward ran away, he left the responsibility on you, we couldn't risk you running away as well, so we had to take action quickly."

"a what?"

"a debt"

"i have no knowledge in that and i do not want to, i never took a debt from anyone, you must have taken the wrong person." surprisingly you said all that without your voice breaking.

he hum lowly, it was almost inaudible if you werent really anxious that you were aware of every sound in the room, he reached for something from inside his coat, you tensed up alarmed, but he only take out a file,open it and turn it in your direction.

"do you recognize this man?" it was a question, but he sounded really sure that you recognize the one in the file.

and oh you do, it's the relative you were living with!, you know he's a drunkard and unresponsible, but to get involved with a mafia? how stupid can someone be?

"everything's clear now?" he folds the file back.

you have been caught in a big problem and there is no way out "so what you want from me? its not like I'll get the money out of nowhere when I'm here."

"you won't, we're not dumb enough to expect a kid to pay it, you're more of..a hostage here"

you scoff "do you really think that old man will care if i was a 'hostage'?"

"I'm not losing anything in trying"

you frown when he say that, seems like there's no way you can escape or reasonate with them, and there is no confirming that they won't kill you if no one asked about you.

you noticed quite a few things in the days you've been here, one there is alot of debris here that might help with escaping, second the people guarding the room are acting unserious in guarding that means either they're underestimating you, or that there is more danger up ahead.

either way you brave yourself and by your leg you slowly brought a sharp metal object near, it took quite the time but it was worth it when you managed to cut the rope off of your hands.

you waited until the sun disappeared since this seems the time they get the most tired, now it was dark,only the shade of the moon's light is lightning the place, as you see the guards start to yawn and some of them can't even keep their eyes open, you very carefully and slowly started to move toward a dark corner which you spoted an iron stick in it and plus it would be hard to spot you there,you almost got caught a few times but they were too...dump? to notice that you were moving.

not until you were in the corner had they realized you were 'missing', but you were pretty spotable if they were in an awake state, as they start to panic and gathered together, you pick up the stick and ran toward them quickly hitting the first then swing it at the second, the third managed to take his gun out but you quickly hit it, making it fall down then before he can realize what happened you hit him on his head.

no time to take a breath you quickly ran to the door, luckly it wasn't locked, preparing to whatever was ahead you tighten your fist on the stick and walked cautiously,looking right and left, your heart beating fast and you're sweating,the debris on the ground break whenever you step on them,making you jump everytime,it was mentally exhusting.

though you don't think the walk for the exit was more than a ten minutes, it felt like a ten hours, as you made it out without trouble and safely, you take a deep breath, looking at the sky, like you've been trapped for years, but there's no time to rest, you start running away in the woods, trying to get as far as you can before someone come, you don't know where you're going nor where this path lead, but it's better than falling into the darkness of that place.

the medium sized office,was dimly lit by the sunshine, despite it being a really sunny day,the cigarette's smell filling the room, making it soffcating, despite it's kind of small size, the office felt like a maze, a creepy maze of fear and authority.

a man, wearing a formal suit,was standing by the window, wich was covered by curtains from the outside, his reflection was very clear in the clean window, his eyes were practically dead, no emotion, only a dark shade that was staring....staring at what? his reflection or at the souls of the two terrified men behind him.

they were literally shaking, their gaze was glued to the floor no one dare to make a sound, the one who did was now lying down with his blood leaking, like a silent warning.

"that's a shame." his voice held a heavy authority tone to it, it was dark,deep, terrifying, the men behind him held their breath in fear, that was his first words since he received the news about the hostage escaping, he drop the cigarette to the ground and smashing it with his foot.

how long was it? week? month? oh...it was only day and a night, but it feels like forever, you're tired, cold, hungry, and desperate.

you didn't think there was worse than living with that old man, but here you are, running from a big organization, even the police are looking for you, why are the police looking for you?! who do you trust anymore?!

as you walked through a corridor to avoid being seen by the THOUSAND of men scattered around the place, you don't think it's a debt case anymore, it's more of a challenge, a punishment.

you stopped as you stumbled upon a bar, what does door to a bar doing in the shade of corridors? but you're not complaining, that mean it's empty, and no one will find you there,you can rest for a few minutes.

when you enter, the smell of alcohol hit you, you look around inside, there is a decent number of people here, weird, since it's really hidden, but you're still not complaining.

you sit at a table in the corner,and put your head down on it,letting out a sigh, that's the most comfortable rest you had taken until now.

a moment later and a waiter approaches you, his footsteps making you jump in warning, god you were paranoid.

"good evening,would you like to have something?" his tone was polite, something you didn't hear in a while.

"i-uh no, I'm not carrying any money on me sorry, i just want to rest here for a few moments." you gave an apologic smile.

"then I'm sorry you can't sit here without ordering something, our policy doesn't allow that." his voice turn more stern.

"please i won't make any trouble, just for a few minutes I'm really tired." you were desperate.

"that's nothing i can decide in, please get out if you won't order anything."

"but-"

"what's happening?" a thick voice yell from afar, an old man approach you "What is all this fuss about? i can hear it from there."

"boss, this customer didn't order anything and refuse to leave." the waiter explained.

"sir i swear i won't do anything, i just want to sit, rest my legs for a few seconds."

the old man, who you think is the owner, look at you for a second before his expression change to one of a stun, then he smiled suddenly "oh of course you can sit here, tut tut you should know how to treat a customer!" the owner Scold the waiter then take him away quickly.

that was suspicious but you get to sit so everything's good, or that what you think.

half an hour has passed, your body is well rested but your mind was a mess scattered around the place, filled with thoughts about your fate from now on, will you have to leave the country? take a new identity?, they seem like they won't stop anytime soon, ha you want to laugh, you don't know what's funny that you managed to piss off an entire organization or that your life haa been destroyed in a matter of a day, you suddenly feel like drinking, but you don't have any money, how much worse can this get?

..a loud thud pulled you out of your thoughts, you turned around wandering what caused this noise, only to see five men wearing the same suit as the ones who took you, the same mafia.

you turn to the opposite direction, ducking your head down, how are you gonna get out of this?

"mind having a guest?" you were too consumed by your thoughts that you didn't notice someone has approached you, with a shudder you lift your head up, a tall man was standing in front of you and the four had already circled you, you start panicing internally, but you're sure it's abvious on your face as well.

"hm..you don't seem a big fan of my company." he was being sassy, but his unmoving face was scary, that you don't know what to make from him anymore.

you stand up slowly, backing away step by step, "you don't want to run." the man says, and that was enough to stops you in your tracks, then you became aware of your surroundings, the four men were ready to pull their gun out at any given moment, and the one in front of you is eerily calm.

but you weren't going to give up to your cruel fate, as a last chance attempt, you pick up an ashry that was on the table, then you turn around, wanting to make this a hit and run, but suddenly, everything seemed to come to a stop, the ashry fall from your hand, there's a sharp pain in your shoulder, it was intense but at the same time it wasn't feelable, then everything faded away when you feel yourself fall down.

the throbbing pain in your shoulder was the first thing you felt when you regained consciousness, you groaned as you open your eyes,you woke up in a room,normal room, and it was too bright that you had a few minuted to adjust to it.

everything was foreign, you felt out of place..

you try to sit up, but the pain in your shoulder prevented you so, and then the memories of the bar all came back to you, the encounter with the mafia there, and your try to escape.

you lift your head up, looking around slowly, then with a loud breath you put it back in disappointment, seems like they caught you, you don't have the strength to even panic right now, giving up to your fate will be much easier.

when your head cleared you realized that you were lying down on a bed, it's softeness was something you didn't feel in a long time,but you don't think it's time to fee relieved yet, since you don't know when things could turn to the worst.

you don't know how much time passed until someone came to the room,you still can't sit up straight so you just kept lying down, looking at the door intensely, but then to your surprise a nurse has come in following by a man behind her, why are they even taking the time to take care of you? when it's clear by now that no one will ask about you again.

when the nurse saw you awak she let out an `oh` in surprise, she walked to you, settled her kit on the table next to your head, which you only see it now.

"I'm surprised, with this wound to wake up in a span of two days is really impressive, you have such a strong body." she said, her voice was silky, comforting.

you only nod in her direction, not feeling like talking right now, then you move your attention to the man standing by the door,he seem to be one of them but he didn't do any move or sound yet so you didn't give a mind to him as you again shift your attention back to the nurse who was getting her tools ready.

she changed your bandages and gave you some instructions to keep the wound closed, it was quick and in minutes you were alone again.

you let out a sigh, thinking about all the things that happened in these past few days,who knew you'll be unlucky enough to get in this mess, but again you were unlucky all your life, it shouldn't be a surprise,you felt like crying, but nothing came out, only silence and a bunch of memories.

Your chain of memories was interrupted when the door opened again, this time there stood the man who found you in the bar and behind him the one who was in the destroyed place that you were held hostage in.

you didn't have the strength to panic or anything, but you were afraid, and so much, especially from the one in the front, he seem to have something really creepy about him,something makes you don't want to look at him directly, he came to your side on the bed, and the other stayed by the door.

"i thought I'd visit you personally since my men were too dense to let you escape." like the first time you met him, his voice held no emotion at all, it's like he's just a monster without human basic things.

you gathered your strength to speak, nothing you'll say matter anymore to you "it's clear now that no one will ask or care about where am i, you won't gain anything from keeping me here." you spoke in a low voice, it wasn't your intention, but his aura makes you respect him uncontrollably.

he sat down on a chair, which again you only see now, then he lit up a cigarette and start smoking without saying anything in return, instead the man by the door speak.

"boss have thought of another use to you, you see, managing to escape from our men, and hiding for a day without being spotted has really impressed him,and so we searched for information on you, and your skill with computer plus sneaking will be of use to us." his tone was professional, not like the one before where he was speaking arrogantly.

`he's the boss then? ` you think, then you look at him, when he look back at you, you avert your gaze quickly, he was scary and it's not a joke.

"what do i make out of this?" you shift your attention back to the one by the door, your voice still uncontrollably low.

"you'll join us." he says, matter of a fact.

your eyes widen in surprise, and you stayed silent for five to ten minutes, debating how did it even come to here? you? with a mafia? but then hey...isn't it better than getting killed?

"that's too generous from the boss, you don't need that much time to accept." the one by the door speaks, his tone was impatient and a bit irritated.

"veto." the boss said in a scolding tone.

"sorry." he was quick to apologize, he seem to respect the boss alot, and it appear that his name is `veto`.

"I'll do it." you say without wavering, your voice gets a little bit higher.

maybe giving up to your fate isn't that bad.

[threepandas]

Bad End: Games Played

As children, we learn to play the Quite Game.

It's rather simple. You scrunch down real small, ball yourself real tight, and find the bestest most hard to reach hiding spot you can! Then? Oh THEN, children, we all get really, REALLY quite. Until mummy or daddy find you. And no matter what, no matter WHO, you Do Not Move, until THEY come and find you.

Not for treats. Not for hugs. Not for threats or scary noises.

No. Matter. What.

To the others, it was a game. But to me? Born just a bit... different? I looked my parents in the eyes, saw the fear that lived there. That hunted them and haunted their dreams. I watched the way they acted. Guarding me. Never letting me wander. Keeping me between them as they slept. Holding me, shielding me. Both whispering their lessons, their love, each moment they could.

And I knew it was no game.

I was an obedient child. Perhaps that is why I lived, where others did not.

Or perhaps? It was my vague, half remembered, knowledge of this world. To be more exact, the chronological series of Otome games, set in this world. Endless streams of political and social clusterfucks, that cast the map into conflict after conflict, all for the selfish romances of a few. Pseudo-historical straight to pseudo-modern magical realism.

Clans of mages. Elves, werewolves, the whole shebang. All trapped in an endless cycle of conflict. Sometimes silent, sometimes open. Always, soaked in blood.

But hey... at least the Protagonist is happy! Right?

We should be furious. We should HATE them.

Our Clan? Did shadow magic. Unfortunately. Because unsurprisingly, Otome troupes ran true, and we? Have a complete Edgy Little Fuckboi as our Clan Heir. Worse still, I RECOGNIZE that Edgy Little Fuckboi! The fucking chuunibyou is a romance target!

I'm sorry, I was under the impression the Clan Heir's job was to KEEP US ALL ALIVE! Not get your DICK WET! But, my bad! My fucking MISTAKE! How COULD I have BEEN so foolish! You go on, then! Just piss RIGHT off, and leave the rest of us to suffer, while you chase SOMEONE ELSE'S GIRLFRIEND!

Fuckwit!

Ha ha.... oh god. We're all gonna die. Aren't we?

We should trust Alphard. No one else understands us.

Everyone? Absolutely fucking EVERYONE? Waves it off. 'Just a phase' and 'he's young, he'll get it out of his system'. As though the problems doesn't run deeper. As though the Clan Head isn't an old man, barely holding us together. As though he isn't planning to hand it all over to a chuunibyou who refuses to sit still and LEARN ANYTHING. Who picks fights he expects US to win for him. Expects US to die for him.

So he can look 'cool'.

Alphard is basicly running this place. But does the Clan Head care? No. Because Alphard is a 'half-breed'. Because ALPHARD has the audacity to be, what? Fire Mage?! Oh dear god! Not ANOTHER GROUP OF HUMANS!? Gasp! Shock! Someone call the fantasy church! Fuckers.

Ooooh but their TEMPER! Everyone knows how UNSTABLE they are!

We should show them 'Unstable'. Make them regret what they've done.

'Bout to see up close and in person MY 'temper' and 'unstable' fuckin BOOT, old man!

No, I don't care if that made sense! Shut up! Fuck you! I get to be upset, okay!? This is nepotism and it's dangerous! And... and NO ONE LISTENS TO ME! It's like they're merrily marching towards a cliff and calling ME paranoid for pointing it out! Telling me to calm down. To stop exaggerating. It's a CLIFF!

The only one who listens? Is Alphard.

Alphard is our friend. Alphard listens to us. We should Trust Alphard.

Storming towards his office, shadows writhing in my wake, I seriously wonder. Would I have gone completely apeshit by now with out him? Left the clan? I don't know how he can bear it. The weight of their stubbornness. Their wilful blindness, which IS going to get people hurt. Killed. Probably already fuckin has.

How many more clansmen do we have to LOSE?

They'd tucked him away in some side wing, like some dirty little family secret. I'd always hated it. Big whoop! He gets two powers instead of one! Jealous ass little shits. It was fear and politics. I KNEW it was! He refused to say so, but I KNEW. And no amount of pained smiles and changing the subject would make me drop it!

It wasn't RIGHT.

God, the more time went on? The angrier I felt about it. The more it burned me. Ate me up inside. It's like my temper just...? Gah! Fuck this and fuck THEM! We don't need them! We should leave! Just the two of us. Go and never com-!

.....wait a second... that's not... right....

My head pounds with the worst sort of migraine. Shadows hissing like angry cats, as they crawled viciously around my head. Chasing whisps of something they can't seem to catch. I stopped between hallways. In one of our Clan's many, MANY shady areas. Leaning more into the darkness... helped. Made my head hurt less.

God, I've got to talk to talk to Alphard about this. It's starting to really worry me. The anger, the snarling flare ups, the dark moods. Not to mention the obsessive thoughts. It wasn't like me. Might be a curse? Maybe. Could be fire magic or related, so he would know. And if not? Well, nothing beats Fire for burning curses away.

....actually, Light, might. But we are A PROUDLY BIASED household here, thank you. So like? Not gonna SAY Shadow magic is BEST magic... BUT it absolutely, totally IS. And Alphard? OBVIOUSLY the greatest Fire Mage alive! No I will not be taking questions, thank you and goodnight.

We should see Alphard, we miss him.

Yeah... yeah I do really miss him, dont I? Where is he?

My head throbs viciously. Ow. It's been getting worse. My control too. My shadows fighting me at every turn. Which? Scares me more. Because YEAH, others? Have been big on the 'beat them into submission' tract of Shadow Mastery. But ME? No, no. I know for a FACT. You can not rule through fear. Not for long.

Bribery and alliances work wonders. Friendships and love. My shadows get FED. They get CUDDLES. I take my shadows for enrichment walkies and give them interesting puzzle boxes to play with. They fuckin LOVE me. Would meat thresher through CITIES if I asked.

So to suddenly Stop Listening?

It means they think I'm... I'm not myself. They are making the executive decision to act on my behalf, to protect me, even if they have to do so FROM me. And... and I don't know what's causing it. Don't know what's wrong or how to fix it. I'm getting scared.

Because something is very wrong.

Everything is fine.

Another wave of vicious hissing, of throbbing pain in my head. This time though... THIS time? I think I felt that. The discordant thoughts. The contradiction. That isn't me. There's something in me head that DEFINITELY isn't me! No there isn't. No WONDER my Shadows are so pissed! Fuck!

I stick to the darker hallways. It helps with concentration, the pain. Whatever is in my head? Is like sticky, burning, spiderwebs. Like trying to grab at thin lines of super heated metal, covered in tar. How... how LONG has it all BEEN there?

You should leave it. You don't know what you're doing. You could get hurt.

Oh fuuuuck YOU. Get out of my HEAD! Where is Alphard?

I stumble down the final hallway to his so called 'office'. It was a guest room once. As a kid, I helped him convert it. Back when the old fuck refused to step down, despite his son and heir, the next clan head, being DEAD. And? AND!? That Heir's fuckin chuunibyou kid being a tiny, insufferable, brat.

We get it! You're hurting! EVERYBODY'S hurting! Your fuckwit parents got HALF THE WARRIORS KILLED! We STILL haven't recovered from that. And Edgy pants goes on and ON about the 'glory of his ancestors' as though? He's not talking about his PARENTS. One generation fucking BACK!

That family ORPHANED me. But do you see ME starting shit? No!

Yet? God forbid the Old Bastard do what's RIGHT for the Clan! No, no! Between a literal infant, a FUCKING ZYGOTE, and a fully grown adult? Better pick the baby! Who CARES that Alphard was the better choice!? Chuunibyou brat is BLOOD! And we CAN'T have the 'half-breed' nephew in charge!

Better connections? More accomplishments? Fully trained and, once again, AN ADULT? All irrelevant. He's too fucking well liked! Too TRUSTED! Too much a THREAT to your precious little legacy and hold on power. So hey, fuck the rest of the Clan! Right? Why would WE need competent leadership!? You can just shove all the work you can no longer DO, on to Alphard.

Force him to rule in all but name. All but honor and title. Spit in his face then tell him to thank you.

Bastard!

He isn't there, in his over crowded office. Piles of paperwork. Empty tea cups, long cold. Mismatched pillows I'd stolen from around the compound, to make it feel less depressing. His classy art pieces mixing with my cheap, shitty ones. The souvenirs I'd brought back, again and again, because I do not forget my friends.

My head hurts so bad. How long has it been building?

Another wave of pain, as my Shadows hissing and growl in outrage, writhing like electric snakes around me. Safe and stronger, here in the unlit office of a friend. They want 'it' out. Hunt and hunt, but can not catch hold. How strong must the caster be? Older then me, probably. Far more experienced. I've been pretty diligent.

They'll stand no chance, though, against Alphard.

He's the best curse breaker I know. Honestly? He's the best at a lot of things. It's been great to learn from him. And he's? Gonna lose his SHIT. He already worries when I go out without him. But to find out somebody slipped a curse on me? Ooooh, shit. I'd almost laugh, if my head didn't feel like it was in a VICE.

Man's gonna feed them their KNEES.

As a PASTE.

.......I wonder, now that I think about it? Looking around the crowded office space? If Alphard has any pain meds? He SHOULD. There's no way in hell, he deals with chronic stupid all day without headaches. He should? Definitely have something for this. Probably. Might not actually FIX it, since it's magic based, but it can't HURT.

Decided, I get up. Slowly. Spread my shadows out. They love doing simple, achievable, tasks. Like 'find the box!' Or 'open this puzzle!', usually for treat rewards. (Cup time, usually. Or bits of my food. But honestly? They LOVE cup time. They like to hide under it and push it around the floor. Each group of them have favorite cups.)

Nothing but paper, cups, snacks, a couple piles of pillows, and a coat I had forgotten. Huh. Maybe his desk? Would make the most sense I suppose. It'd be on hand. Head and neck, one big regret, I stiffly shambled over. Organized chaos. More nonsense and damages caused by chuunibyou and his sycophants, in the name of luuuuuv~. God damn it.

At least no one died... this time.

I tear my eyes away from the top page. The one next to it? Shouting reports. Elves: pissed, werewolves: pissed, everybody: pissed. Guess who's fault? Oh fantastic! So THAT'S why he's not in his office. Probably trying to keep us all from dying. Another report after that. Protagonist-chan.... wow that's unflattering. Word it a little harsher, why don't you?

My eyes absent-mindedly keep scanning, as I look for a med box. Some sort of pill bottle. Something that might hold headache medication. Nothing on top of the desk. Drawer? Should be top right one, right? Since he's right handed? Easiest to reach. Let's see... pens, pens, spellwork paper, brushes, mints, bottle! AaaHAH! I hold it up to what little light there is and squint.

Wow. That's pretty strong. And not just for headaches.

.....should I have a talk with Alphard? Probably. Maybe? Definitely keep an eye on this. Don't wanna be jumping to conclusions, here. Still! Helpful. Down the hatch!

I pop back one of his pills, stealing one of his fancy tea in a can. He may complain, but we both know he won't stop me. Nor does he even mean it when he does. I'm like this sorta needy, demanding, housecat. I wander in, eat his food, tell him to pay attention to me, then wander off. Should have known better then to feed me, that first time~! He got stuck with me ever since.

Briefly a burning wire escape my grip. We should-Stop THAT! I beat it back down. Violently. It's taking a lot more concentration, more pain, then I'd like to admit, to fight it. Damn near wack a mole in my brain. There's no-CEASE! Desist! You are NOT welcome! Get! GET!

The pain meds are definitely helping. A LOT.

In fact...? Huh. Looking around? Without the pain to distract me? Those... aren't my shitty art works. Not the meme-y ones I bought, that I thought he'd like, nor the pieces I made in various art classes. They're just...? Random cheap art.

What the fuck?

Was Alphard ROBBED? Also? Where are HIS pieces? That one with the lady and the clearing? The couple dancing near the lake? That little statue? It's all random snobby fake art. Like someone wanted to give the IMPRESSION that nothing had changed, but had cleared out everything personal...

Alarmed. I looked down at the can I grabbed. It was the kind he offered to guests. Kept for me. Because... because he couldn't STAND it. Too sweet. Tearing the mini fridge back open? Nothing but cheap tea cans and teas he hated remained.

I slammed it closed. Urgently reached for the tea cubbies. Fancy LOOKING teas. The kind Alphard always makes fun of. Quality is in the tea, not the pretty pictures on the box, he says. His tea is GONE. Worse? MY drinks are gone! Why are MY drink-? The coat!

My hand snaps out. The coat flung into it by my shadows. The instant it touchs my palm, I know it is wrong. Too rough and too new. Some modified mimicry that my shadows could tell apart from the original. It's not their fault. They don't have senses like mine. I stare at it, feeling a building sense of panic, before look back up at the room around me.

Is... is ANYTHING where it should be?

Gaze snapping from place to place, shaking as the panic starts to swallow me whole, I realize... No. Not a single thing. It's all staged. Made to LOOK like nothing's wrong. When... when everything IS. Oh god. Where is Alphard? What the FUCK have they DONE to him?!

I drop the coat. The drink. Adrenaline slamming into me like a truck. Slamming the door open, I flood the hallway beyond with writhing, furious night. I AM Shadow and it IS Me. We run. Hunting, hurting, FURIOUS. If they have hurt our friend? If they DARE have-!

A howling whistle splits the night, closer, Closer, BANG. The compound rocks with the force of the explosion. The wards hiss to life like great titans of black sand. Ink dark, they nerely block out all light. Casting eerie spell light over the buildings below, as lights flip on. More whistling. Booms.

We are under attack.

For an instant, I am torn in two. Half of me? Demands I find my friend. They other half? Knows that I must protect the Clan. We stand together or we DIE together. Loyalty wins out. My parents, Alphard, the people I care about, they would never forgive me, if I abandoned my post now.

I turn from my hunt. Race towards the ward stones out front. I'll have to help the others reinforce them. Lend the Clan my strength. As long as they can't get in? We should be-

The wards SHUT OFF.

Even as I run, fast as I can, I watch with horrified eyes... as they slide back away. No. No no NO! They should do that! That CAN'T DO THAT! That's IMPOSSIBLE! Those are SEIGE Wards! Built over generations! Hundreds of mages poured power into them! Went over them with pin prick combs! They don't 'malfunction'!

Oh god. Please, God, NO!

Did someone SHUT THEM DOWN?!

Ahead, the sounds of violence and chaos draw near. Above, I can finally see what's raining down on us. It's war magic. FIRE war magic. Thrown from air ships, who's spotlights bathe the compound in a terrible, all consuming light. All the better, to prevent our Shadows from reaching even a single one of them.

Someone told. They didn't know about that limitation to our powers before. Our front gate! Open! Traitor, traitor, TRAITOR! WHO!?

Across the chaos, the bloodshed and death, familiar color catches my eye. Explosions and spotlights light him from above. The airships blades, kicking up leaves and dust. That familiar, familiar color. From his Father.... the fire mage.

Alphard stands so calmly, one hand still resting on the command stone for the wards. As chaos reigns around him. The pleased little smile on his face, the one he wears, when all his plans come together, ever so nicely. No. Please. No.

His eyes are so cold. So flat.

He feels nothing as they die. Doesn't even glance, at the kinsmen desperately calling his name. Dying at his feet. He... he doesn't look away. Just raises one hand, one finger, and...

"Shhhhhh~ Be. Good." He says, utterly silent in his betrayal.

My world shatters.

I run.

Slamming my palm against the evacuation alarm, sirens begin to blare. It's over. It's all... all fucking over. How could he? H-How COULD-? Grief wants to choke me, blind me, but I don't have the TIME. I have to get out. Survive. I.. I can cry later. Mourn for the friend I THOUGHT I had, later. I trusted him. FUCK, I TRUSTED him!

I skid around the corner, heading towards the closest exit. Gotta grab my bug out b-!

Shadows in the darkened hallway surge, up and over, like a heavy hand slamming down. I barely drag myself out of the way. Lose my footing as I do. Go crashing to the floor. Scrambling, I turn as my shadows hiss, only to be met with deeper rumbling thunder. Shit. No!

I try to get up. Fling my self up into a run. Only to meet a shadow formed backhand. Smashed, thrown. Finding myself slammed back, onto the floor, wheezing. The air knocked out of me. Lightly, dark shapes takes form. Alphard stepping through blank and barren wall, using the Shadows under his control as a medium.

Not a hair out of place.

Just the two of us.

Alone.

"Why the rush, mischief?" He teased lightly, as though my world was not collapsing, all around us. As though my best friend had not betrayed me, betrayed US, to our doom. Up and down the hall, sirens blared. "You look upset."

I snarled. Grief and betrayal twisting into something ugly in my chest. Hand whipping out, I aimed for his fucking throat.

"Ah~, you're mad. Is this because I didn't consult with you first? Mischief, there was so much to do! You know you hate all those boring political meetings. Alliance work and archival research. Sweetie, there were stake outs! You hate those."

Effortlessly, he leaned out of the way of my attacks, looking amused and unbothered as he continued to speak. I RAGED. Screamed. Taking chunks of the wall behind me, to use as projectiles. Anything. Anything, anything, ANYTHING! Just HURT, damn you! TRAITOR! How COULD YOU!?

In the distance... the haunting, damning, final cries of my kin, as the died.

I Trusted You!

"I know~" he laughed, as though nothing had changed. As though this were a fucking GAME! "It was so easy, too."

His voice became two toned in a way that could only be magic. One that was heard, one that was felt. One that... that I had...! Realization did not crash. It seeped, like the cold and fatal poison it was. His betrayal was not NEW... was it? Not SUDDEN.

I... I had been betrayed long, long ago.

No you weren't. Alphard loves you~

How long had he been in my head? He was my magical instructor. I had hated the Clan's main teachers. Right? DID I? Could I even know? H..How much? For HOW LONG?! I was a CHILD! Had no defenses against the manipulations of my mind! Would you really stoop so LOW?! Was ANYTHING real!? ANY part of out friendship-!?

I choked, on the sob I refused to let him have. He... he didn't have the RIGHT.

"Oh, Mischief." He said, sounding mournful as he strolled easily through the ruins I had created around us. "Don't cry. Shhh, shhhh. It's okay, dear. You're upset. This is upsetting, I understand that. But we will preserver, overcome, and together? We will get through this."

We? There was no 'WE'. N-Not anymore. Not after THIS.

"Oh but that's where you're wrong, Mischief." He breathes out, like the confession of the truely insane, his voice soft. Yet, somehow? Bonechilling in how loud it seemed.

"I get you."

"That's the first thing I demanded, after all! No more idiots. No more dead weight. No insults, fools, or brats I can't break! Ha ha! Just me and my Mischief! Free at last! And all it cost me? Was my chains. Best of all? All the idiot Fire brat wanted for it all? Was his 'competition' out of the way! Ha ha ha! Gods bless, usefull fools!"

He stood before me now. Head thrown back, hand over his eyes in disbelief, as he laughed and laughed. Unhinged with his euphoria. With the machinations, that had lead to his victory. And... and I could not recognize him. This... this monster wearing the face of my best friend. I felt numb. Cold and far away. I... I just... I wanted to go away... please, God. Far, far away.

Stop it. Please, Alphard... Stop it...

P-please...

My shadows curled around me. Battered, torn, but ever loyal. They would not leave me. Not even now. Not even to save themselves. Weakly hissing. Thrashing, trying, in their own small ways, to appear bigger and stronger threats then they were. In... in the vain hope that... that the thing that was hurting us? Might believe them.

Might leave me alone.

I had never felt so unsafe, surrounded by the shadows sworn to my once friend. How many times? How many times? Had I fed and played with these very Magics? Snuck them charcoal? Interesting toys to burn? Creatures of fire and shadow. Massive and rumbling, the very Shadows that once played with my own... now tore them apart.

It burned. Hurt. Who...? WHO was this man? This monster? That wore my best friends face? I couldn't... I can't... please! God, please! Don't make me do this anymore...

My mind, somewhere between delirious and screaming, for some god forsaken reason? Reminded me of the Quite Game. I... I wondered, terrified and full of grief, if the children would know to run. Not to wait, for parents that... that would not be coming. Not this time. Not ever again. All because of this man.

The smoke on the breeze terrified me. Everything terrified me. How? How could I possibly hold so much fear? How could there possibly be MORE? Just as I think I can not feel it anymore deeply. Once again, Alphard teaches me I am wrong. This... this is not how he, is... is supposed to be... how WE are...!

"Oh sweetheart, mischief, darling..." He again attempted to sooth, hand slipping away from his face as he rolled his head down to peer at me. Kneeling with almost boneless fluidity. "None of that. No more tears. Alphy's here, okay? I know change is scary. And you're upset and confused. But Alphy loves you just like always, and nothings gonna happen to you, alright?"

"Remember how you wanted to travel before? See those festivals? Go abroad? We get to do that now! Alphy can take CARE of you, now. Properly. Get you all the things you deserve. It'll be great, Mischief. No more stress or tears. Cuddles for days. You'll love it, I promise."

From beneath his feet, spreading like a terrible rot, black fire spread. It didn't touch me. Couldn't, as it seemed to reach, with greedy hands, down the halls. Consuming the only home I'd ever known in this life. Consuming everyone it touched, if the distant sounds of panic, were any indication. He was killing them all. Friend, foe, what difference was there?

Everything burned.

Numb, I could only sit there, before the stranger I thought I'd known.

"Our love story's been a long time coming, sweetness. My perfect, beautiful, Mischief~♡. Once we're free? We'll never look back. Have the happily ever after we deserve. Let the rest of the burn."

"I'm so glad I found you, Mischief. So glad I made you mine. It's going to be beautiful, darling. I promise. You'll thank me."

"Now come here, to Alphy. We're gonna play a game~♡"

[ash5monster01]

hello! i was wondering if you could write a neil perry imagine? like he finds the reader at a pond in the woods and he's very curious about her so they start talking or something? idk haha anything works, thank you!

In The Woods

Pairing: Neil Perry x FemReader

Warnings: fluff, minor language, mentions of bullying, minor sexual implication, two lost souls, immediate attraction

Summary: When Neil stumbles upon you in the woods he’s shocked to find that you’re one of the most interesting people he’s ever met.

word count: 1.3k

Masterlist

It’s not often Neil finds himself wandering away from campus, a fear of getting caught stopping him. Yet today is one of those days when he needs a break from everyone. A break from his Dad, his teachers, even his friends. Having been forced into an all boys school at a young age he never found himself with any alone time. So despite the looming danger of demerits, he sneaks away from campus and past the tree-line anyway.

He’s aimlessly walking, not even considering the danger of getting lost when he freezes in place. Not only had he found a clearing that withheld one of the most beautiful ponds he had ever seen, but beside the water line lay a girl in a Henley Hall uniform. Hair fanning around her like a halo, eyes closed, and the softest hum falling from her perfect lips.

Of all the scary things he could’ve come face to face with in the woods, he never expected a girl to be one of them. Unsure what to do he takes a step forward, but much to his luck a stick snaps underneath his weight. The sound alerts her so fast she’s up in an instant, eyes casting over him that make him feel frozen in place. He wonders had it been a beautiful deer, would it have run off already.

“Who are you?” you ask with an accusing tone but the sound of your voice is so angelic he’s positive the apprehension never reaches his ears.

“I-I’m, I was just on a walk, I hadn’t meant to intrude” but your accusing eyes soften when you spot the grey sweater on his form, the Welton symbol etched delicately over his heart.

“Sorry, you just scared me is all. A lot can happen to a girl alone in the woods” you tell him and he nervously chuckles, daring a few steps closer as he comes near you.

“Then why are you out here?” he curiously asks, wondering how he could go so quickly from wanting to be alone to needing to know everything about you.

“Bad day at school, needed some fresh air. It’s sort of comforting when you close your eyes and listen to the trees” Neil can’t help the way his eyebrows furrow, confused as to what you could possibly mean. Trees didn’t make noise.

“I’m not quite sure what you mean” he finally says and you giggle, the sound so light he swears he’d get swept up in it if he wasn’t careful.

“Come here” and your request does not go ignored, he walks over in the slowest speed he can without acting eager before sitting beside you in the grass. “Now lay back and close your eyes”

Neil does as told, following you in perfect movement as you both lay side by side. You’re perfectly silent while Neil takes in the sounds around him. Every few seconds he hears the soft croak of a frog, ripples on the pond, and mostly the wind rustling the leaves on the trees. It sounds like a symphony, music he’s sure no man could ever recreate. For the first time all day he feels his annoyance subside and his heart calm.

“Wow” he breathes, eyes still shut as you turn your head and dare a glance at the cute boy. Of all the spontaneous trips you had made into the woods that separated your two schools, had you ever expected to actually find a boy within it.

“Beautiful right?” you inquire, smiling at him as his own brown eyes open and meet yours. Suddenly becoming aware of the air between you both, you share a nervous laugh, both feeling the connection between you both.

“I’m Neil by the way” he says and you smile, your own name leaving your lips in an introduction. Slowly you watch as his hand lifts from his side, held up between you both. “It’s nice to meet you”

“You to Neil” you agree as your own hand folds into his, a spark igniting in you as Neil focuses on how you said his name like it was your own. Like somehow he now belonged to you.

“I had a bad day today too. I came out here hoping to be alone” Neil admits and you give a pressed smile, releasing your hand and turning your gaze back up to the sky above you.

“I can leave if you still feel that way” you tell him and he shakes his head, eyes widening as he realizes what it had sounded like.

“No, no, I just meant that you had made it better. That maybe I didn’t need to be alone after all” your tension eases as he says this, smiling his direction as your face turns pink. A random boy making you blush had not been on the list for this afternoon.

“Teachers?” you ask and he shakes his head, a shadow casting over his features at the reminder.

“Father actually. He found out I got a C in Science. Said I wasn’t focused enough, that maybe I should consider summer school to get ahead” he admits, eyes cast brightly over the clouds. You nod beside him, knowing exactly what it was like having the pressures from school and family on your shoulders.

“I’m sorry, if it makes you feel better though, the most popular girl in school spread a terrible rumor about me. I heard people whispering all day” you tell him and his features immediately soften towards you, knowing exactly what it was like to feel so down from what others thought.

“Was it bad?” Neil asks and you sigh, hands folding together over your stomach as you look up at the sky. Thanking gravity for keeping the tears at bay.

“Yeah. Something about how I had relations with a teacher to get good grades. Yet I figure she’s just jealous that I passed the English test and she didn’t” you tell him and what you don’t expect is his hand to fall on top of your own.

“I’m sorry you had to go through that” and you swear it’s the most earnest thing anyone has ever said to you.

“Thank you, I’m sorry you have to go to summer school” your words illicit a laugh Neil cannot help, smiling widely at you beside him. He swears he has never seen anyone more beautiful.

“It’s not so bad, especially now that I know about here so I can escape” he tells you and you smile, images of you meeting him here for the rest of the school year playing on loop. A hopeful gleam in your eye.

“I’m happy to share my hiding place with you anytime Neil” you tell him and he grins, thankful it wasn’t just him who wanted more of this moment.

“What’re you gonna do when you get back to school?” he asks and you shrug, hand mindlessly lacing with his own and moving between you both.

“Try my best not to pull her hair, ignore it probably. Nothing else I can really do” you say and Neil tries to hide how his heart hammers in his chest, speeding up with every brush of your fingers against his.

“Or you could tell them something else just as bad” he suggests but even you can tell he’s not the kind of boy who favors revenge. It makes you laugh anyway, what he had probably intended to do all along.

“Would you maybe want to hangout here again Neil, say 4 o’clock tomorrow?” you ask daringly, not wanting to lose your nerve and he smiles wide, hand squeezing your own.

“I’ll be here” he says and somehow that comforts you enough to dare go back to school and face all the mean words about you. For you had come out here in search of peace and instead had found a friend.

“Good, I’ll be counting on it”