#i can’t handle it you guys how am I supposed to be normal after this

[piles-of-peaches]

I love the outfit designs on this episode it was so gorgeous I’m completely obsessed

[cloudybarnes]

new beginnings

Pairing: theodore nott x reader

Summary: after theo very unexpectantly breaks up with you, you try your best to pick yourself back up and move on. theo, on the other hand, seems to be having a harder time of that.

Word Count: 2.2k+

Masterlist

part two :)

✰  ✰  ✰

“(Y/N), you’ve got to get out of bed at some point.” Hermione said. She was sitting on the side of your bed while you laid fully wrapped under the covers. Hermione gently tugged the blanket down from your chin, but you whined a little in protest. 

“‘Mione, I seriously can’t do this yet.”

Theo, your boyfriend of over a year had broken up with you only a few short days ago. You’d been in bed ever since, heartbroken over what could have been. 

“(Y/N), I know you’re upset, but you have to get up. I can’t let you live the rest of your life in bed! Don’t you know how badly your bum would hurt from laying all of your life?” Hermione joked. 

A small smile grew on your lips. “Yeah, that would be pretty tragic. I have too nice of a butt to let that happen.”

Hermione laughed. “There she is! I’ve missed your little jokes. Ron and Harry have become quite boring without you around. I think they’re worried about you.” 

You groaned. “Nooo. I hate when people worry about me. It’s just so awkward when I have to be like ‘I’m fine’, ‘no really, I’m fine’.”

Hermione shrugged. “Well, are you?”

You sighed, pulling the covers down from your chin. You looked up at her, a forlorn look on your face. “Definitely not, but I suppose you’re right. I don’t want to be stuck in here for the rest of my life. I just, I just don’t think I can handle seeing him right now.”

Hermione looked at you sadly. “I know. I hate seeing you so upset like this. God, what I would do to put a hex on that boy. He’s quite deserving of it, I would say. Maybe a rat’s tail, or a snake tongue.”

You giggled and sat up in bed. “Or how about we make him bald, or worse, blonde.” 

Hermione laughed at that. “Oh, Godric, then we’d have another Draco running around. I don’t think I could handle that.”

“Me either,” you laughed. Slowly, your smile dropped. “I just hate him. Well, no, I don’t hate him. And I hate that! I hate that even after breaking my heart I still love him and long for him.”

Hermione sighed, “I’m sorry, (Y/N/N), I wish I could say something or do something to make this better, I just really don’t know what.”

You shrugged, “yeah, it is what it is. It’s not your fault he’s an ass.”

She chuckled. “So, what do you say? You wanna try to get down to the great hall before dinner starts? I’m sure the guys would like to see you again.” 

You thought it over for a minute. You really had missed your friends. Other than Hermione, you’d ostracized yourself from everyone just to avoid Theo. 

But were you really ready to see him again? You didn’t think you would ever be ready to see him again. 

“You know what,” you stated, “I am gonna go to dinner tonight. And I’m gonna ignore him and see my friends who I’ve missed and ignore the hell out of him because he’s an ass and why should I be the one who has to stay in bed all day?”

“Woohoo!” Hermione cheered. “You’re amazing, let’s get you showered and dressed. I hate to say it, but if you’re gonna get back into the world, you need to wash your hair.” 

You chuckled as you picked up a piece of hair to inspect it. “Yeah, okay. Shower first, look really pretty, eat dinner, come back. Piece of cake.” 

You pushed the covers off of you as Hermione stood from the bed. 

She said, “I’m gonna grab your clothes, so just get in the shower. We shouldn’t be too late to dinner that way.”

You nodded and headed to the bathroom. You were gonna go in there, socialize with your friends, reassure them you were fine, and everything would go back to normal. You hoped. 

✰  ✰  ✰

“(Y/N)!” Ginny shouted as you and Hermione made it to the Gryffindor table. She stood up from her seat and pulled you right into a hug. 

Releasing the breath you didn’t know you were holding, you smiled and held her even tighter in the hug. Ginny was an amazing friend to you. She had tried her best to see you, but you didn’t let anyone in. Only Hermione since she shared the room with you. 

Pulling away, Ginny dragged you to sit down next to her. Hermione followed suit and sat on the other side of you. “Oh, we’ve missed you so much, (Y/N/N). We’ve all been so worried about you, haven’t we?”

Harry and Ron sat across from you. They both nodded their heads, agreeing with Ginny. 

“Yeah, what an ass,” Ron scoffed. “Honestly, someone needs to knock that bloke down from his high horse. He doesn’t know what he’s missing, (Y/N/N).”

“Yeah,” Harry replied as he pushed some mashed potatoes in his mouth. “Theodore is a walking red flag. I for one am not sorry for him. He lost a good girl and he’s gonna regret what he’s done.”

You smiled at them. “Yeah, I am pretty awesome. Thanks guys.”

They chuckled and continued eating. Merlin knows those two could eat an entire quidditch field full of food. 

“Ahem,” a throat cleared from behind you. 

Turning around, you saw Enzo standing there sheepishly. 

“Uh,” he stuttered, “hey, (Y/N).” 

“Oh,” you said. “Uh, hi Enzo. Do you need something?” You couldn’t hide the crack in your voice. Damn it.

Enzo was probably your favorite of Theo's friends. He was always the one you had most in common with, and therefore connected with pretty easily. You’d never hung out one on one, so you couldn’t really say he was your friend. 

“I-no I don’t need something, per say. I just wanted to talk to you. Alone, if, uh, that’s alright.” 

You looked back at your friends, unsure if you should talk with him or not. They all seemed to be the same amount of weary as you were, but you were intrigued. 

“I don’t really want to talk to Theo, if that’s what this is.”

Enzo shook his head. “No! Ahem, no. I wanted to talk to you. To, uh, apologize kind of? I don’t know. It’s fine if you don’t wanna talk to me, this was silly, I’m sorry-“

“It’s fine, Enzo,” you cut off his rambling. “I’ll speak with you.” You looked back at your friends as you stood up from the table. “I’ll be right back.”

They nodded their heads as you let Enzo lead you away from the table and out the door. 

Once you two stood out in the hallway, Enzo kind of just shuffled his feet around, almost as if he was shying away from talking to you. 

“Am I supposed to say something first?” You questioned, crossing your arms over your chest. 

“No, sorry,” he said as he rubbed the back of his neck. “I just feel a little awkward. I know what happened between you and Theo, but I guess I just hoped that didn’t mean we couldn’t be friends anymore.”

Your eyes softened a little at his confession. Enzo’s cheeks blushed a little as you stared at him. 

You sighed. You and Enzo really had been good friends, and you weren’t exactly keen on losing his friendship. 

“I mean,” he continued, “you’re the only one who doesn’t make fun of my poetry, you’re the one I go to when I want to talk about books or get recommendations from, and I just would hate to lose our friendship just because I’m friends with Theo as well.”

Your heart melted. “Enzo, of course I still want to be friends with you. I will admit, I was a little nervous you wouldn’t want to talk to me anymore after Theo broke up with me. I really enjoy being your friend.”

Enzo smiled in relief. “Oh good. I thought this would be more awkward and a little bit more sad than how it’s actually going.”

You giggled. “Thank god. I don’t know what I would have done if I just had a real breakup as well as a friendship breakup.”

Enzo smiled awkwardly. “Yeah, I am really sorry about that. I don’t know why he would ever break up with you in the first place. You’re so kind, and I thought you brought the best out in him.”

You forced an awkward smile. You really did not want to be talking about Theo right now, especially not about how you made him a better person. 

Before you could reply, a voice yelled out from behind you. 

“Oi!”

Turning around, you could see Theo storming up towards you and Enzo. 

“What the fuck, mate?” Theo huffed as he got in between you and Enzo. 

“Woah!” You shouted, backing up as Theo got up into Enzo’s face.  “Theo, what are you doing?”

He ignored you and kept talking to Enzo. “Are you hitting on my girlfriend? Right after all the shit we just went through?”

“What?” Enzo squeaked. “I’m not hitting on her, I was just talking to her.”

You were pissed. Your fists balled up at your sides as you stomped up to Theo. You grabbed onto his shoulder and yanked him away from Enzo. Theo didn’t see it coming, so he stumbled and fell back a couple of steps. 

“Get the hell away from him,” you growled. “And what the fuck is wrong with you, Theodore?” 

You got between Theo and Enzo, pushing your finger into your ex-boyfriend’s chest accusingly. 

“First,” you said, “you break up with me, break my heart, and then you have the fucking nerve to come up here all righteous and accuse Enzo of whatever the fuck you said, all while calling me your girlfriend when you’re the asshole who broke up with me!”

You glared at Theo, watching as his anger turned soft. “I am not your girlfriend anymore, Theodore Nott. You’re the one who made that happen, so you have no fucking right to come up in my conversations acting like I owe you anything.” 

“(Y/N),” he softly said. “I… I’m sorry. You’re right, I shouldn’t have come out here all crazy. I just, I hate seeing you with anyone else, even if it’s one of my friends.” 

He turned to talk to Enzo, “I’m sorry, mate. Will you give us a few minutes?” 

Enzo nodded his head and gave you an awkward smile before heading back into the dining hall. 

You huffed, settling down a little as you stared at Theo. 

He looked tired. His eyes had circles underneath them, and his cheeks didn’t have their usual flush to them. He was as gorgeous as ever, but he looked drained. 

“You don’t look so good,” you pointed out, trying to sound nonchalant. 

Theo frowned and softly said, “neither do you.”

Your lips pulled tight in a frown. Theo didn’t need to know how much he had affected you with the breakup. 

You sighed, “what are you doing, Theo?”

He shrugged and put his hands in his pockets awkwardly. “I, uh, I’m not really sure. I just didn’t like seeing you with Enzo.”

“Why? You broke up with me.”

Theo huffed, “I don’t know. I just don’t like seeing you with anyone else. It still feels like I’m supposed to be there. Like I’m supposed to be the one with you. I miss you.”

You shook your head as hurt started to creep back into your heart. “Don’t say things like that to me, Theo. Not after what you did. I loved you, and you broke up with me out of nowhere for no good reason, either.”

“I’m sorry,” he tried to reach for you, but you shrugged off his hand. “I don’t know why I did what I did. I just know that I regret it like crazy. I want to be with you, (Y/N). I’ve always wanted to be with you, I was stupid to let you go. Can you forgive me?”

Your lips pulled tight. “Theo, I can’t just get back with you like this.” You said. “I don’t trust you anymore. You broke my heart, and broke my trust. You gave me no reason for the breakup, so who’s to say it won’t happen right after we get back together?”

He shook his head. “Dolcezza, no. I won’t do that to you, not again. What can I do to prove this to you?”

You shrugged. “I don’t know. I can’t get back with you. Not like this, and not so soon. You really hurt me, Theo.”

“Well, what if we try being friends at least?” He suggested. 

“You wanna be my friend?”

“No,” he said immediately. “But I’ll settle for being your friend for as long as it takes to win you back.” 

Your heart warmed at what he had said. Maybe you could try being friends with him. He did really hurt you, but you’d be lying if you said you didn’t miss him. 

“Okay,” you decided, “I’ll give you a chance to be my friend. Don’t hurt me again, Theodore, or I’ll get Ginny on you.”

He chuckled. “Don’t worry, darling, I’m gonna do whatever it takes to get my baby back. I can promise you that.” 

[dreamwritesimagines]

Sunshine [7] - Heat Wave

AN: My loves, thank you so so much for your wonderful support and lovely comments and HCs! ❤️ You’re amazing! ❤️

I hope you like this as well, and please don’t forget to tell me what you think, thank you! 🥰

Pairing: Logan Howlett x Female!Reader

Summary: There are many ways how a first date can end.

Word Count: 4400

CW: Explicit language, mentions of sex, drinking, adult themes MDNI

Series Masterlist

A rational and emotionally mature person would know that drunk calls were normal, and the aftermath was inevitable. Drinking too much sometimes led to that, everyone knew, and a rational and emotionally mature person was supposed to just handle it with dignity.

Too bad you weren’t that person.

“So you’re avoiding the hot lumberjack?”

“Can we stop calling him that?”

You repressed a laugh and filled Nik’s cup with coffee.

“Well, I wouldn’t say I’m avoiding him,” you said. “It’s just…you know, I’m sure Logan is a very busy individual so if anything, I’m doing him a favor by not distracting him. For all we know, he could be on a mission right now. Do you really want him to die because he’s answering my call? I couldn’t live with that on my conscience.”

“Sunshine—”

“He could be saving the world,” you pointed out. “Do you want the world to end because he is answering my call? Do you want me to be the person who causes the extinction of the whole humankind? I mean honestly what am I, a tech CEO?”

“You’re so avoiding him.”

You heaved a sigh, then leaned against the counter.

“I texted him the next morning.”

“But you didn’t call him?”

“I can’t call him,” you whined. “I’ve made a fool of myself.”

“I’m sure that’s not true,” Nik said and you tilted your head at Jamie who was eating his breakfast.

“How are you being so quiet about this? I thought you’d be thrilled that I’m avoiding him.”

“I am but I can’t comment on this whole thing, I have a conflict of interest.”

“Conflict of interest?”

“Yeah I hate the guy’s guts,” he stated before nodding at you. “Keep avoiding him, you’re better off without him.”

Nik gasped. “Jamie!”

“Babe, that guy is a walking red flag.”

“Even if it were true, he also looks like he belongs on the cover page of those vintage romance books my grandma has in her library.”

“Fabio?!”

“I don’t know his name Jamie, but in Logan’s case I’ll allow a little red.” Nik stated. “It’s been years since she got laid.”

Your jaw dropped. “No it hasn’t!”

“I’m half scared she’ll join a convent,” Nik said, motioning in your direction and making you roll your eyes.

“Guys.”

“She’s not just going to get laid, she’s already talking about moving to the mountains with that asshole.”

“It’s not a mountain, it’s a cabin in the woods!” you argued and Jamie shrugged his shoulders.

“Whatever it is.”

“I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want to hear from me after that night,” you said. “I mean I totally made a move on him and…”

“And he turned you down because you were drunk!” Nik said with a smile and Jamie made a face.

“That’s like the bare minimum, don’t get impressed by that.”

“And when he maimed three guys for her?”

“The least he could do, considering what they threatened her with. Should’ve killed them if you ask me.”

A shiver ran down your spine but you made yourself busy with the tablecloth, wiping at the counter while Nik raised his brows.

“Driving her home so that she wouldn’t walk in the rain? Fixing her car? Going all the way from school to her neighborhood because he was worried about her being drunk and outside?”

“What are we, keeping a list now?”

“Darling I know you’re very adamant about hating this guy but you do have to admit the things he’s been doing for her are the opposite of a red flag,” Nik said, patting his hand as if trying to console him and Jamie heaved a sigh.

“I hate this.”

“So you think I should call him?” you asked Nik and he nodded.

“You should.”

“I disagree.”

“Well aware of that Jamie.”

“I hate him.”

“Figured that one as well, strange as it sounds,” Nik said before turning to you. “Call him.”

You nibbled on your lip, then motioned at Stacey and held up your phone, making her nod before you made your way out of the diner. Taking a deep breath, you found his name on the screen and touched it before taking the phone to your ear.

It rang only once.

“Hey princess.”

“Logan, hi!” you said, your heart pacing in your chest. “Um, are you busy?”

“Not at all,” he said. “Took you a while to sober up huh?”

You could feel your lips curling into a smile at his teasing remark.

“I may or may not have been avoiding you,” you admitted, biting at your nails. “I’m sorry.”

“Not a problem,” he said with a small chuckle. “Why were you avoiding me?”

You shrugged your shoulders as if he could see you.

“I don’t know,” you mumbled. “Reasons.”

He hummed and you shifted your weight before you leaned back to the wall of the diner.

“Thank you by the way,” you said. “For…that whole night. And I’m sorry for—for making a move on you, that’s very unlike me and I��”

“Are you free tonight?”

Your head shot up, your eyes widening at his question and you felt your breath catching in your throat before you swallowed.

“Me?” you felt the need to ask and he paused for a moment as if he didn’t know how to answer that.

“…Yes?”

“As in tonight tonight?”

“Yeah.”

“Uh—sure!” you said, your voice going high pitched for a moment. “I’d love that!”

“Great, I can pick you up from the diner—”

“No!” you cut him off as you looked down at your uniform, frowning slightly. “I need to drop by my place first.”

“That’s fine,” he said. “I can pick you up from there then. Does 8 work for you?”

“Yeah!” you said breathlessly as you nodded your head so fast that you got dizzy for a second, blinking fast. “It totally works for me.”

“Great,” he said. “See you tonight then.”

“See you,” you said and hung up, then let out a squeal and pressed the phone to your chest, jumping up and down in your spot. You took a deep breath, then fixed your hair and made your way back into the diner to rush to the counter again.

“He asked me out!” you whispered to Nik, grabbing his arm. “Just now, he asked me out!”

Jamie let out a whine and buried his face into his palms while Nik grinned at you, patting Jamie on the back in a reassuring manner.

“See? Told you.”

“We’re meeting tonight! At 8!” you said and paused for a moment. “Oh my God what do I wear?”

“A Regency gown.”

“Jamie I love you but not now,” Nik told him before he turned to you. “We’ll videocall okay? You, me and Julie.”

“Okay.”

“And after you and Logan become a couple, we can have a double date.”

That was enough to make Jamie lift his head from his hands. “Absolutely fucking not.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll convince him,” Nik told you and you let out a giggle, your insides all warm with excitement.

“Nik,” you said. “I really really like him.”

Nik let out an “aw!” and reached out to squeeze your hand.

“That’s good!” he said. “I mean granted we will grill him about his intentions with you but it’s a great start.”

Jamie opened his mouth to disagree but Nik elbowed him, shooting him a glare. You suppressed your laugh as Jamie heaved a sigh, then turned to you.

“Just…” he said. “Be careful. Please?”

“Always am,” you promised him with a grin. “The pie is on me by the way. For emotional support.”

                                            *

It wasn’t that you hadn’t been on dates.

Nik was quite the matchmaker, so was Julie. In fact, for the last year, they had been acting like their sole purpose in life was to find you a boyfriend so if anything, you had been on too many dates.

Not that—

Not that you assumed this was a date.

Even if you were wearing matching lingerie underneath your dress.

You were basically buzzing with anticipation as you stared at your reflection in the mirror, fixing your hair before smoothing down your dress. Your wardrobe looked like it had exploded and for a moment the possibility of bringing Logan back to your apartment crossed your mind, making your heart skip a happy beat. You gathered up all your clothes into your arms to push them into the wardrobe, then put your hands on your hips, tilting your head to the side.

“Good enough,” you mumbled and walked to your vanity to check on your makeup, then went to the living room to approach the small fish tank. You grabbed the fish food next to it, then sprinkled it into the tank carefully before dragging your finger over the glass, following their movements.

Theo was going to be so happy when he saw them.

Your head whipped around when you heard the doorbell ring, your heart beating in your ears and to make it worse you knew very well that he could hear it but you refused to dwell on it, so you made your way to the door to open it.

Fuck, you were beginning to think you were never going to get used to just how hot he was.

“Hi!”

“Hi princess,” he said, his deep voice making your stomach do a happy flip as he looked you up and down. “You look beautiful.”

Oh dear God, you were not going to survive tonight.

“Thanks, so do you,” you said with a smile before you turned around to get your jacket and purse. “So um, where are we going?”

Where you were going turned out to be a cozy bar with soft music playing in the background. It was somehow so Logan, there was no chaos, no deafening noise or blinding lights.

Just pure comfort; the kind that made you almost lightheaded, warming your insides.

“So why exactly were you avoiding me?” Logan asked as the waiter put his whiskey and your cocktail on the table and you took a shaky breath, forcing yourself to focus on the question rather than how handsome he looked under the dim light of the bar as you crossed your arms on the table.

“I mean…” you trailed off, scrunching up your face for a moment. “I was embarrassed.”

“Why?”

“Uh I don’t know if you remember that night,” you tried to joke your way through discomfort. “But it wasn’t what one would call dignified.”

He shot you a lighthearted glare and you shrugged your shoulders.

“I turn into a very impulsive person when I’m drunk,” you admitted and his lips quirked into a smile.

“Yeah I don’t know that many people who buy fish when they’re drunk.”

“Oh you don’t know the half of it,” you said with a laugh. “I have a worse drunk story actually.”

“Yeah?”

“Oh yeah, on my senior year in high school, me and my friends got drunk and in our town there was this guy who was a dog breeder,” you said. “And we knew he was terrible to them, we wrote petitions and everything for the town council to do something but there was no use. So one night, we knew he was out of town so we broke into his house and stole all the dogs.”

He raised his brows, smiling slightly. “Seriously?”

“Yeah! And we kept all of them at my friend’s house and one by one we got them adopted. The guy knew we did it, but there was no chip or anything so he couldn’t do anything.”

“Wow,” he said, a chuckle vibrating in his chest. “So you turn into a vigilante when you’re drunk, got it.”

“I do,” you said, raising your cocktail in a mock of toast before taking a sip while he leaned back. “I love animals. I was actually studying to be a—” you paused for a moment. “Well, studying is a big word for it considering I dropped out without even completing my freshman year, but I was studying to be a vet before Theo.”

He tilted his head. “Really?”

“Mm hm.”

“Classmate?” he asked and you licked your lips, an icy spark replacing the happy warmth inside of you.

“Uh,” you said, trying to sound nonchalant. “T.A actually.”

Logan pulled his brows together and you took a sip of your cocktail.

“Trust me, I know how fucked up it sounds now,” you said with a small laugh. “But back then I didn’t and it worked out very well for him.”

“That guy really sounds like he needs to get his ass beat.”

“Oh Jamie actually beat him up once,” you pointed out. “In what became known as The Legendary Bar Fight. We celebrate it once a year with drinks.”

“You could give me his address.”

“Absolutely not, and I don’t even know where he is to be honest,” you said. “Anyway, why are we talking about him? Also why am I the one doing all the talking yet again?”

“I like listening to you talk.”

You could feel your cheeks growing warmer and a smile curled your lips.

“Until I give you a headache.”

“Never gonna happen.”

 Your smile widened as you looked down at your cocktail, shifting your weight.

“Well, either way,” you mumbled. “It’s your turn now.”

“Oh, my turn?”

“I barely know anything about you,” you admitted. “Other than the fact that you have been saving me a lot since we met.”

He shrugged his shoulders. “What do you want to know?”

“Whatever you’re willing to tell me,” you said. “What did you want to be when you grew up?”

“Alive.”

Your brows pinched together as you took a deep breath.

“Limited options, got it,” you said. “Were your family also mutants?”

“My brother,” he said. “Victor. We don’t…talk anymore.”

Something in his tone was distant, so you decided not to push it.

“Do you like working for Professor X?” you asked, steering the conversation to safer waters and that seemed to pull him out of his thoughts as he nodded his head.

“Yeah,” he said. “Charles is the best man I’ve ever met. Don’t tell him I said that though.”

“Cross my heart,” you said with a giggle, proud of yourself for finding a better subject. “How did you meet him?”

“He found me back when I was a cage fighter.”

You blinked a couple of times. “Sorry, a cage fighter?”

“Yeah I was uh…” he paused for a moment. “Wandering.”

“How does one become a cage fighter?”

“Wrong crowd,” he joked, making you let out a laugh.

“I’d bet. And now you are part time teacher, part time…going on missions.”

“Mm hm.”

“And you have a costume,” you mused as he shook his head slightly. “Any chance I’ll get to see you in it?”

“If you ask nicely.”

A fire spread over your cheeks at the teasing tone in his voice and you scrunched up your nose at him.

“I’m always nice,” you pointed out nonchalantly. “Or has it escaped your attention?”

“Trust me, it hasn’t.”

His lips twitched when a smile warmed your face and that soft light started gleaming in his eyes.

“Okay,” you said, sitting up straight. “Another question.”

“Shoot.”

“You really didn’t get a handkerchief?”

He scoffed a laugh. “You remember that?”

“Unfortunately.”

“As I said, I had other priorities in mind.”

You narrowed your eyes a little. “I could see you in period clothing, now that I imagine it...”

“Please stop imagining me like that.”

“Like those long jackets, long boots—oh my God,” you gasped, making him raise his brows. “Logan!”

“I’m not gonna like what you’re about to say, am I?”

“A top hat!”

Logan nodded to himself. “Yep, called it.”

“No seriously,” you insisted. “On Halloween—”

“Absolutely not.”

You let out a small laugh.

“Nik throws these amazing Halloween parties and the theme was ‘write your own story’ a couple years back,” you said. “So I got this huge dress, like…17th century huge, with a corset and everything, and no one really thinks about it but it is quite hard to unlace a corset—" you tilted your head when you saw his smirk. ”Hey!”

Logan held up his hands, gesturing surrender.

“I didn’t say anything.”

“Let me guess, you’re painfully familiar with how to unlace a corset?”

“Still not saying anything.”

You hummed, trying to adapt a serious expression.

“Anyway, Casanova,” you said. “So my story was, there’s this girl, who was betrothed to the love of his life, and then he gets lost at the sea and everyone is convinced that his ship sank, but the plot twist, he wasn’t dead so he comes back but he’s a vampire, and he turns her into a vampire as well –obviously with consent— and they live happily ever after.”

“Quite the love story.”

“Thank you,” you said happily. “So no handkerchief?”

“No handkerchief.”

You hummed, then heaved a sigh.

“Very well then,” you said and grabbed your purse to take out a pen, then pulled the napkin on the table to yourself to write your initials on it. You pulled back to look at it better, then held it out for him.

“There you go, Mr. I had other priorities.” you said with a grin. “A make do handkerchief.”  

The fond look on his face was enough to make your heart skip a happy beat as he stared at you, then took it from you and folded it before he pulled out his wallet, making your eyes widen.

“Oh I was just—you don’t have to actually keep it, it’s a silly joke,” you stammered and he shot you a glance of disbelief as if he was surprised that you thought he wouldn’t.

“I’ll keep it,” he said while placing it into his wallet in such a careful manner that one simple observer would think it was something incredibly precious for him rather than just a bar napkin. You blinked a couple of times, gawking at him.

“Really?”

“Really.”

You were painfully aware of the heart eyes you were giving him so you forced yourself to drag your gaze from him to your cocktail and took a huge sip, your heart still beating in your ears.

“Okay then,” you said, taking a deep breath. “I hope you’re ready for more questions, because I have like a million of them.”

                                            *

You had insisted walking after leaving the bar. It wasn’t that far away from your apartment, the weather was so nice, and you had hoped it would make him see you were completely sober, just in case it had escaped his attention how you had only drunk one cocktail in like two hours.

You had plans for tonight and it included him and your bed, God damn it.

“So you actually were a lumberjack?”

“I was cutting down trees and turning them into logs.”

“That’s what a lumberjack does,” you insisted as you walked beside him. “Julie has superpowers, I swear…”

“Hm?”

“Nothing,” you said quickly. “And you had a real cabin in the woods?”

“Something like that.”

“Are they still hiring?” you asked him, making him let out a laugh. “Seriously, I want a cabin in the woods.”

“For your Hi-Horse?”

Your heart skipped a beat as you stared up at him. “You remember that?”

“Of course,” he said as if he wasn’t melting your heart with that simple fact and you licked your lips.

“Did you have a horse?”

“Nope.”

“You had a cabin in the woods and you didn’t have a horse and two dogs and a cat?” you asked, pretending to be scandalized. “That’s just being short sighted, Logan.”

“Not all of us want to have a zoo, sweetheart.”

“It’s not a zoo!” you said with a gasp, making him grin.

“A farm then.”

“It’s not a farm,” you argued. “Farms have sheep.”

“Oh you don’t want sheep?”

“Of course I do but that’s beside the point,” you said. “It’s not a farm—”

“What are the sheep’s names?”

“Shearlock and Wooly Wonka,” you muttered, coaxing a chuckle out of him.

“Very creative.”

“Thank you,” you said. “I think it’s against the law to not have animals if you have a cabin in the woods.”

“It’s not.”

“Well it should be,” you said without hesitation and he bit back a smile as you stopped in front of your house.

Anticipation was swirling in your stomach, filling you with excitement and making your heartbeat faster. You knew he could hear it but for the first time, you didn’t mind it.

Desire was too strong to let you feel anything else.

“Um, so before I say what I’m about to say,” you said after a beat, turning to look at him better as you leaned back on the wall of the building. “I would like to point out that I’m completely one hundred percent sober.”

He tilted his head to the left, a mischievous light playing in his hazel eyes.

“Like, in case it has escaped your notice I only had one drink and it was a cocktail and it was a pretty light cocktail so like, half juice really,” you said. “And I’m not even buzzed, and even if I were buzzed, we walked here so fresh air would’ve helped. Which, it has no reason to help because to repeat I’m not even buzzed. I will blow on anything—that sounded wrong,” you corrected yourself, pulling your brows together. “Um, a breathalyzer I mean, if I blew into a breathalyzer it would come out a zero because I’m so sober, and—and—I don’t know if you paid attention to it, but I walked all the way here in a straight line, which should be the proof and if you didn’t, I can walk in a straight line right now to—”

You didn’t get to finish your sentence when he pulled you into a kiss.

You could swear the rest of the world stopped existing the moment his lips touched yours. His arm sneaked around your waist while he cradled the back of your head with his other hand, making your breath catch in your throat. Desire turned into fire in your veins, reaching your chest before it sent the warmth all over your body, making you dizzy. You gripped his shirt tighter in your fists, standing on your tiptoes, a soft whine escaping from your lips as soon as he pulled back, resting his forehead against yours.

“Fuck…” he whispered and you blinked up at him, nearly drunk in the haze.

“No I—I wanted you to do it,” you tried to find the right words through the fog of desire and he licked his lips, looking down at you before he shook his head slightly.

“You shouldn’t,” he rasped out and you pulled your brows together.

“I shouldn’t want you to do it?” you asked him, still trying to catch your breath and he nodded.

“I’m not…” he trailed off against your lips. “I’m no good for you.”

Your frown deepened before you let out a breath, and slowly reached out to cup his cheek. His eyes closed for a moment as if your mere touch was anchoring him to the moment, pulling him out of his own mind before he opened his eyes again to look at you. A tentative smile curled your lips and you thought for a moment before clearing your throat.

“Here’s what’s gonna happen,” you said, your voice soft. “I’ll be the one to decide whether you’re good for me or not. Alright?”

His eyes searched yours before he let out a breath, then nodded his head.

“Alright,” he said, his voice a murmur before he dipped his head down to kiss you again. A squeal escaped from you as he picked you up, making you wrap your legs around his waist and walked into the building. You had no idea how he didn’t lose his balance or hit anywhere on his way but you couldn’t bring yourself to care when he was kissing you like this, and you only noticed you had in fact reached your door when he pressed you against it.

“Inside, inside!” you giggled as you fished your keys out of your purse, and he held you with one arm, making your eyes widen while he took the keys from you and opened the door, then walked in and kicked the door shut behind him.

Oh God.

Oh God this was happening.

Now you understood what all those romance novels were talking about. You couldn’t pull yourself away from his kiss even if you wanted to, the fire had taken over your whole body until every single thought disappeared; the only thing that existed was him, and how good his lips made you feel. You wrapped your arms around his neck as you both fell on your bed, his weight taking your breath away for a moment before you unbuttoned his flannel and pushed it down his arms. He tossed it somewhere in the room and got rid of his white shirt underneath, making you let out a breath at his muscular body.

Jesus Christ.

Your fingertips grazed over his broad shoulders before slipping down to his hard chest and he helped you up to unzip your dress, his lips finding yours as if he couldn’t stand not kissing you even for a moment. He pulled back only to pull the dress off of you, but he froze as soon as his eyes fell on you.

“Fuck, you’re perfect,” the whisper left his lips like a prayer and you felt your heart skip a beat despite the ever-consuming fire.

“Not really,” you teased him. “I just planned it.”

He raised a brow, a mischievous glint appearing in his eyes and he slid down to the foot of the bed, then grabbed your ankle to pull you down, making you let out a small scream before you giggled, propping yourself up on your elbows to see him better.

“What are you doing?”

He gave you a wolfish grin, sending a pleasant shiver down your spine as he knelt down at the foot of the bed, his fingers drawing lazy circles on your inner thighs.

“Well, princess,” he muttered, your heart leaping up to your throat when you realized what he was about to do. “You’re not the only one who planned things.”

8 - Scorching

[ridiculousn3sswrites]

Lie to Me

*Dick Grayson (Nightwing) x Reader

*Summary: Reader can't ignore her boyfriend's weird behavior anymore. What she can do is delude herself into thinking everything is okay and still believe his lies.

*Warnings: Swearing, drinking, inferred cheating (no actual cheating), light angst. I think that's it, but let me know if I missed anything.

*A/N: So I listened to Lie to Me by Ne-Yo a lot while writing this. A bit of a life update here: I'm about to start my last year of law school! It's crazy to think I started writing fanfics when I was just about to start high school and now here I am. Anyways, hope you guys like this one!

Tip Jar

**********

There was something weird going on with your boyfriend. Sure, there had been his odd little quirks when you’d visited him before - like rushing to pick up only one bundle of clothes on the floor when you came in - but things really seemed to ramp up when you moved in with him. There were times when the two of you would be relaxing before bed, when he’d get a phone call and then be rushing out the door with a half-baked excuse. There would be times when you’d wake up to him leaving in the middle of the night, or coming back right before your alarm was supposed to go off for work. Maybe it was weird, but he was a cop, right? Maybe there were just emergencies he was needed for, maybe there were things he couldn’t talk about with you.

Maybe you were a fool.

You couldn’t exactly pin when the insecurity started really hitting you, but maybe it was the fact that you lived with him that made it really noticeable. When you brought it up to your friends, you got those knowing little pitying looks that you knew what they meant, but they didn’t want to say it out loud. The most you would get out of your friends was ‘talk to him’, but how could you talk to him when you were convinced you were making a big deal out of nothing?

The two of you were cuddled on the couch, watching a movie to round out a long awaited date night. You were enjoying the proximity, work really taking you through the wringer for the past week and you just needed this. About halfway through the movie, you could feel the vibrations from Dick’s phone ringing. He took a glance at the screen before sending it to voicemail. You looked up at him, but he just shook his head. “It’s not important.”

But apparently it was, because whoever it was called him three more times before he finally got up to answer the phone. That took you back a bit, because he normally was fine taking work calls in front of you. When he had been gone for a few minutes, you paused the movie and got up to go check on him. The door to your bedroom was cracked open, and you could hear Dick’s whispers to the person on the other side of the call. “Listen, I can’t go. I promised her I’d spend the night with her.”

You didn’t want to interrupt, so you just sat there, waiting for him. You felt a little weird listening in, but there was something in you telling you to stay. 

“Babs, you know I normally would, but-” Dick’s sentence was cut off, but after a few seconds he spoke again. “Alright, fine, I’ll be there. I’ll just make something up again.”

You could hear Dick’s groan of frustration, and that snapped you out of it before you could spiral. You made your way back to your spot on the couch, eyes unfocused on the movie in front of you. Dick’s footsteps were your cue to look up, trying to hide any signs of your heartache. “So what was that?”

“I’m sorry, baby, they just made an arrest for a case I’m on,” Dick apologized, leaning down to kiss the top of your head. It just broke you even more knowing how easily the lies spilled from his lips, not even needing time to think about it.

“They can’t handle it?” You slipped up, unable to hide your attitude for the second. You grimaced, realizing you should have waited until he was gone and you had room to process everything on your own. Instead, Dick was now moving in front of you, kneeling so he could be face-level with you. The concern was so quickly painted on his face that you couldn’t help but feel that little tug in you. You were the reason he was worried. You needed to fix it.

“I’m really sorry, I tried to get out of it but they really need me to come in.” You looked away from his intense gaze, trying to will away the tears that were threatening to build up. “Baby, c’mon, what’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing. You should go before you get in trouble,” you told him in a small voice.

“Please look at me?” Dick practically pleaded, placing his hand on your knee. You forced yourself to meet his blue eyes, trying to soothe his worry. The sooner he was out of the apartment, the sooner you could let yourself fall apart.

“Sorry, it’s just been a while since we’ve been able to hang out and I was looking forward to it,” you told him, placing your hand over his. “I know your job’s important, you should get going.”

“I’ll be back as soon as I can, okay? I love you.”

“I love you too.” As soon as Dick was satisfied that you were okay, he went about grabbing his things for work. When the front door closed behind him, you let out a deep sigh. You knew who Barbara was, and you’d already gone through your fit of insecurity about her when you and Dick first got together. You knew her and Dick had been an item for a while before the two of you had met, and things ended when he moved to Blüdhaven.

Dick had been so good at soothing your worries, always letting you know if she was going to be at the same events as him (she normally was) or what they were chatting about since they were still friends. You weren’t personally friends with her, but when you finally met her, she had really eased all your worries. She just seemed like such a good person, and she immediately put you at ease. But now you couldn’t help but think it was all for show. 

It wasn’t unusual for Barbara to randomly call Dick, but why was she so insistent that he go to her right now? What did Dick mean by make something up again? Was every work emergency a lie? Your heart felt heavy in your chest, but you couldn’t find it in you to move or find something to distract yourself with. You laid on your side, the movie still playing on the television in front of you, but you didn’t care about it anymore. Eventually the movie ended, but you didn’t care enough to change it to something else. The recommended titles screen played trailers for movies you didn’t care about, but you didn’t need the apartment to be completely silent, so you didn’t bother to turn it off. 

You didn’t remember falling asleep, but you woke up the next morning with Dick’s arm around your waist, his deep breaths fanning over the back of your neck. He must have carried you back to the bed whenever he got back, and you felt the warmth creeping into your cheeks at his thoughtfulness. If you woke him up, you’d have to ask questions about what time he got in last night. Technically, all you had right now were suspicions. You could ignore them, turn a blind eye to his nights gone and enjoy when he was here, or you could confront him, and risk blowing up everything you’d come to love. If he continued lying to you, you could pretend you didn’t know. You felt his arm tighten around you, and you made your decision. You closed your eyes, trying to will yourself back to sleep. You would enjoy this while you had it, ignore what you knew. 

**********

It was nice to pretend nothing was wrong. Dick was still the nearly perfect boyfriend he had always been - bringing you little surprises after a rough day at work, showing you plenty of affection, never afraid to shower you with words of affirmation - and now you chose not to question the not-so-perfect parts. There was still the little ache when Dick would suddenly announce he was needed at work, but you just gave him a soft smile and a kiss on his way out the door, telling him to get home safely.

Things had gone like that for a couple months before a true challenge to your delusion appeared. Dick came home from work, letting you know that the two of you were invited to Bruce’s for (yet another) Wayne Foundation event. You had to admit that you were excited, it had been a while since you had seen everyone, and Dick’s brothers were just chaotic enough to keep you entertained for the whole night. Your excitement dipped a little when Dick told you Barbara would also be there. It was easy to pretend they didn’t have anything going on when she lived in a different city, but with the two of them in the same room, seeing the two of them together, you didn’t know just how long you’d be able to hold onto your delusion.

The first night you were there was nice. It was just you and the various Wayne children (though some of them weren’t necessarily children anymore), everyone joking around and just enjoying being in the same house. When you went to call it a night, tired from traveling and the general chaos of the Wayne household, Dick followed you up. 

“I forgot how wild you all are,” you joked, changing into your pajamas, which was just one of Dick’s shirts and a pair of shorts.

“Yeah, you know how it gets when all of us are together,” Dick laughed. “I’m glad you’re having fun, you’ve been kind of off for a while.”

That made you pause. You thought you’d been doing a good job at hiding what you knew, but maybe that was just more of your own delusions. “What?”

“Yeah, you’ve just been a bit off, but I figured you’d tell me when you’re ready,” Dick explained, taking you in his arms. “I’m here for you, you know. I’m not gonna make you tell me what’s wrong, but I’ll be here when you’re ready to talk about it.”

Your breath hitched at his reassurances, and you were sure that any other time it would have made you melt and just tell him what’s on your mind. But you couldn’t exactly share what was wrong when he was at the center of it. Without him confirming it, it didn’t have to be true, and you could pretend just a little longer. You stayed quiet, needing that peace for now.

Later that night, when Dick moved you out of his arms when he was sure you were asleep, you woke up the slightest bit. You didn’t say anything, and you didn’t say anything when you felt him leave the bed, or when you heard the door close behind him. It wasn’t until he’d been gone for a good while that you accepted he wasn’t going to come back until the early hours of the morning. When the tears built up, you didn’t stop them from falling, soaking the pillowcase beside you. 

You didn’t question where he’d gone when you woke up the next morning to him climbing back into bed. You didn’t move when he wrapped his arm around your waist, pulling you closer to him. But of course he noticed you were awake, and of course he couldn’t just stay quiet like you had. “Baby, it’s early. C’mon, let’s go back to sleep.”

Going through the motions was easy, but the others noticed something was off about you. You could tell it in the way they treated you like you were one wrong move from breaking, and they weren’t technically wrong. The only ones not handling you with caution were Damian and Jason, but they normally weren’t ones to handle you with too much care anyways. Luckily, there wasn’t much time to linger around the heavy weight in your heart with the time for the gala quickly approaching.

“Alright, what gives?” Jason asked, holding out a champagne glass to you. You jumped a little, startled out of your thoughts as you looked at Dick and Barbara across the room, laughing with each other.

“What?”

“You’re acting weird, what’s going on.” Jason didn’t give you any room to try to weasel your way out of the conversation, pinning you to the spot with his stare. Even though the two of you were decent enough friends, this whole issue was concerning his brother, so you’d rather not bring it up to him. Or anyone for that matter.

“It’s nothing, really-”

“Bullshit and we both know it. Now spill.” Damn Jason.

“I think I need to-”

“I think you need to tell me what’s going on. Spill.” Bastard.

“Okay, fine! Damn, you’re stubborn.”

“You’re one to talk.”

“Alright. So, uh, what can you tell me about Dick and Barbara?” You immediately took a sip of the champagne, trying to hide your face.

“What?”

“You heard me.” “Yeah, but I thought you and Dick already talked about all that.”

“Humor me.”

“They dated in high school, but she works with us so we’re all pretty close to her,” Jason explained.

“Like she works at Wayne Enterprises?”

“Wait, he hasn’t told you?”

“Hasn’t told me what, Jason? Listen, I overheard him on a call with her a bit ago and then he made an excuse to go meet her. Can you just tell me if you know anything or not?”

“Listen, Dick’s a fucking idiot for going this long without telling you, but he’s not cheating on you if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“Then what isn’t he telling me?”

“He’s your boyfriend, why don’t you just ask him?”

“He’s your brother, why don’t you just tell me if you know?” Jason laughed, taking a drink.

“Trust me, if I tell you, you won’t believe me. Just ask him before you drive yourself insane.” And just as quickly as he appeared, the man made his way back into the crowd, leaving you with your half drunk champagne and more questions than answers. But one thing was for certain, you couldn’t put this off for much longer, and if that meant breaking your illusion of a happy, perfect relationship, then so be it.

There was a certain lightness to knowing that, by the end of the night, you would have your answers. The facade you’d been putting on would finally fade away, and maybe you’d be able to breathe a little easier. When Dick returned to your side later that night, asking for a dance, he held you like you were precious, but not like you were broken. You would miss this.

The time wasn’t right until the last of the absurdly rich people were ushered into their cars, and you and the rest of the Wayne clan were returning to your rooms upstairs. Dick helped you out of your dress, pressing a kiss to the skin that was revealed to him, and it was all so tender that it made you want to cry. He passed you one of his t shirts to sleep in, and once you were dressed and sitting on the edge of the bed, you took a deep breath.

“Hey, so uh, I think I’m ready to talk about what’s been going on,” you told him as he was about to turn off the light. Immediately he crossed the room, kneeling to look up at you.

“Okay, take all the time you need.”

“So, a while ago when we were watching a movie, you got up to take a call, and I kind of overheard it,” you started, trailing off. Dick squeezed your knee, encouraging you to continue. “I know you haven’t been leaving for work emergencies. If something’s wrong here, then could you at least tell me instead of running to Barbara in the middle of the night?”

You chanced a glance at your boyfriend’s face, and there was nothing there but confusion. Dick was a smart guy, but damn was he stupid.

“Could you please just tell me what’s going on?” you asked, pulling his hand from your knee and into your own. You could feel the tears building again, but ignored it for now. “I just can’t take anymore lies.”

“I should’ve told you sooner, but I didn’t know how you’d take it,” Dick started, pressing a kiss to your hand. “Please don’t cry, baby. I’m not cheating on you, not with Barbara, not with anyone.”

“Then why do you keep sneaking out? You’re gone all night, and it’s not work-”

“Get up, put on some pants. I wanna show you something.” The sudden decisiveness was jarring, especially with how Dick had been kneeling at your feet mere moments before.

“Like, real pants?” Dick just stared at you, and you had to blame it on the emotional whiplash you were currently going through. Not wanting to keep him waiting any longer, you opted to grab a pair of sweats from the top of your bag. 

As soon as your slippers were on, Dick took your hand and led you through the halls of the manor. The place seemed so much lonelier when Bruce wasn’t hosting something, your footsteps echoing through the halls. You didn’t know the house well enough to know where exactly Dick was taking you, but eventually he stopped in the main hall.

“Alright, so what do you want to show me?” You asked, still trying to process what exactly was going on here. Surely the explanation couldn’t be so complicated as to have you running around the Wayne Manor.

“Wait just a second, I promise.” Dick turned to the grandfather clock, opening the glass door on its body and messing with something. Before you could ask what he was doing, he closed the door again and held up a finger for you to wait. A panel behind the grandfather clock opened, revealing a sleek elevator with blue lights accenting it. Before you could question it further, Dick pulled you into the elevator and pressed the button to start the descent.

“Rich people are so fucking weird, I swear,” you mumbled as the elevator just kept going down. “Dick, where are you taking me?”

“You’ll see in just a second.”

“That’s what you keep saying!” As if the world wanted to prove you to be an ass, the doors opened to reveal what you could describe as nothing other than a cave. Well, if a cave had very high-tech capabilities and various platforms showing off expensive equipment. “What the actual fuck?”

“So, uh, I wanted to tell you, but I also didn’t because it’s kind of weird and a little unbelievable,” Dick explained, once again taking you by the hand. Of course you recognized what this was, it was a little hard not to recognize something like the Batmobile. Your mind immediately scrambled for answers, but you couldn’t really rationalize all this the way you wanted to. It wasn’t until Dick stopped in front of the display cases of different suits that it fully sunk in.

“No fucking way.”

“Yeah. First things first, not Batman. But I think you can put together the fact that we live in Blüdhaven and-”

“You’re Nightwing.”

“Yeah. Listen, I’m really sorry I lied to you for so long, but I honestly thought I was keeping you safe and-”

“You’re an idiot,” you cut him off, not really meaning it. Well, you still kind of meant it. “I should’ve known there was no way you got that beat up from being a detective.”

Dick laughed, relief flooding his features. “Yeah, I’m not that bad at my day job.”

“So, that call with Barbara…”

“I was really trying to take the night off, but then Barbara got some information about a meeting happening that night and I had to go. I promise, she’s our informant and kind of runs a lot of things around here,” Dick explained. “It kind of works that I did the big reveal here. Showing you that locked trunk I have in the closet just doesn’t hit the same as coming here.”

“Yeah, I bet it doesn’t,” you agreed, laughing. You really didn’t know how to process the flood of emotions running through you, try as hard as you might. Of course you were a little miffed about the fact that Dick had been lying to you for years, but you also understood this wasn’t exactly the kind of thing you could really be open about. You were still emotionally drained from all the turmoil you’d gone through lately, but mostly you were relieved. Your boyfriend hadn’t found someone else. You weren’t going to be left as an afterthought. Things were going to be (kind of) the same.

Except for the fact that now you knew your boyfriend wore spandex on a near nightly basis.

“I completely understand if you need some time to process all this, but if you still want me, I promise I’ll never hide something like this from you again.” Dick turned to face you fully, taking your hand in his and holding it to his chest. “I’ll do whatever I need to make it up to you, please, I love you.”

“Dick, the last thing I ever want to do is break up with you. That’s why it took me so long to say something in the first place. I was willing to look past it all if it meant that you stayed, and if that makes me stupid, then yeah, I’m stupid.” You were glad when Dick interrupted you by pulling you into him, pressing his lips to yours.

Just as you were taking the time to enjoy the kiss, you heard a wolf whistle coming from somewhere else in the cave. “It’s about damn time you told her, but could you not do that right in front of the suits?”

Fucking Jason. 

[nomie-11]

Chapter 8 - So What?

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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“So what?” Rhiannon asked, as Violet, Genevieve, and her sat in a circle on Genevieve’s bunk. “Xaden’s training you now. Wasn’t he already before?”

“No he wasn’t!” She exclaimed. “And this is different from our morning talks on the roof. He normally just gave me vague advice or changed my whole world view. Now he’s sparring with me, or at least he’s supposed to be. He says we start tomorrow.”

Violet cast a sparing glance at Rhiannon, before turning back to Genevieve. 

“So what did you do in his room at 3 am the other night?” She teased, her eyebrows wiggling. “Anything fun?”

“We just kissed,” she grumbled, “and it was definitely a mistake.”

“Oh, come on, don’t say that!” Violet said, slapping her softly on the arm. “Tell us what really happened, you’re not telling us anything.”

“Fine, fine,” Genevieve groaned, leaning back, rubbing her shoulder. “He kissed me, and he totally was in the heat of the moment, grabbing my hair, pulling me close, the whole nine yards. And then when I pulled away, I felt like I needed to kiss him again, so I did. Gods,” she paused, looking down. “He smelled like leather conditioner and mint and Churum,” 

Violet nodded her head intently, and Rhiannon looked at her with so much intensity that there was almost a flame of curiosity under her eyes. 

“And then we talked some more, and he was doubting stuff and getting into his own head, and he gave me my dead sister’s old dagger. I don’t even know why or how he got it, but I didn’t ask, I just pulled down his shirt and kissed him again before leaving. I don’t even know why I left!” She exclaimed, throwing her hands down onto the bed. 

Rhiannon and Violet just sat there, silent, eyes wide. 

“So you kissed him,” Violet started. 

“Twice.” Rhiannon finished. 

“And he kissed me first!” Genevieve emphasized. “And I wish he would have just pinned me down onto the bed and fucked me instead of messing with my head. But yes, I kissed him twice and he kissed me once.”

Genevieve swallowed hard, leaning her head back onto the wall. There was a heavy silence after Genevieve’s admission. The weight of her words hung in the air, and for a moment, none of them seemed to know what to say. Violet was the first to break the silence, her voice soft yet laced with amusement. 

“I mean… you realize that’s not just some casual kiss, right?” She glanced at Rhiannon, who nodded eagerly, still wide-eyed. “Xaden Riorson doesn’t just kiss people for now reason.” 

Genevieve grumbled, tugging at the hem of her shirt, feeling the weight of the conversation settle over her. “I know that,” she muttered, her gaze locked onto a crack in the stone wall across from her. “But it’s like… I don’t know how to handle him. One minute he’s this wall of steel, completely untouchable, and the next… he’s pulling me close like I’m the only thing grounding him.” 

“Yeah, I assume that’s kinda his thing,” Violet mused, her expression softening as she looked at Genevieve. “He looks like the kind of guy who pushed people away because he’s afraid of what happens when they get too close. But the fact that he’s kissed you? Given you something as personal as a dagger that belonged to her sister? That’s… that’s not nothing, Genevieve.” 

Rhiannon, still processing everything, finally spoke, her voice steady but laced with curiosity. “Okay, but let’s not overlook something here. You’re talking like this kiss was some huge mistake, but it sounds like Xaden is just as caught up in you as you are in him. I mean, come one, Genevieve, if he gave you Quinn’s dagger—your dead sister’s dagger—that’s more than just attraction. He’s giving you pieces of himself. You can’t pretend like that doesn’t mean something.”

Genevieve felt her chest tighten at Rhiannon’s words. She knew they were right, and that was what terrified her. Xaden wasn’t the kind of man to give pieces of himself lightly, and she was far from the kind of person to trust anyone. Especially not with something as personal as her heart. 

“I don’t want it to mean anything,” she muttered, her voice low. “I can’t afford for it to mean anything.” 

Violet leaned forward, her eyes sharp as she studied Genevieve. “But it already does. You can’t ignore it. Whatever it is between you two, it’s not just going to disappear because you want it to. He’s pulling you into his world, and you’re letting him.” 

Genevieve let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through her hair before roughly yanking it out and slamming her hand down. That was a Xaden mannerism, not a her mannerism. They aren’t close enough for her to be picking up his mannerisms.  

She could feel the weight of their words sinking in, but she wasn’t ready to accept it. She’d spent too long hardening herself, building walls to survive. Letting Xaden in—even letting Rhiannon and Violet it—was dangerous. It made her vulnerable and vulnerability was something she couldn’t afford. Not here. Not now. 

Rhiannon broke the silence again, softer this time. “What are you so afraid of, Genevieve?”

The question hit her harder than she expected, and for a moment, she didn’t know how to respond. What was she afraid of? Losing control? Losing herself? Or maybe it was the idea that Xaden, someone who had seen some of the same horrors she had, could tear down the defenses she had so carefully constructed. 

“I’m afraid of what happens when he decides that I’m not worth his time anymore,” Genevieve whispered, her voice barely audible. “I’m afraid of letting him in, and then watching him leave, like everyone else. I can’t handle that again.”

The room went quiet again, but this time it was comfortable. Violet and Rhiannon seemed to understand without needing to say anything. They knew what it felt like to guard your heart, to be terrified of the loss that always seemed inevitable. 

Finally, Violet spoke, her voice gentle but firm. “You can’t control what happens, Genevieve. You can’t control him, and you can’t control how he feels. But if you keep shutting him out, you’re not just protecting yourself. You’re keeping yourself from something that could be real. Maybe even good.”

Genevieve closed her eyes, her mind swirling with thoughts she didn’t want to face. It was easier when it was just survival. When everything was black and white, and when the only thing that mattered was staying alive. She hated this. This was different, it was messy and it was complicated and she wanted to stand on the edge of the roof and take a swan dive off of it instead of unpacking why it scared her so much. 

“I don’t know if I can do it,” she admitted, her voice cracking. “I don’t even want to let him in. I can’t let him in.” 

“Genevieve,” Rhiannon said, her gaze softening. “We’ve all been through a lot here, and we’ve all got our own baggage. And yet, you know all about my relationship with Tara. It’s not about flinging your gates open and hoping for the best. You’ve been through too much for that, we get it. But maybe you let the door open a crack, just enough to see what’s on the other side, and let Xaden in from the storm.” 

Genevieve stared at Rhiannon, blinking blankly as the weight of her words settled like a stone in her chest. Letting Xaden in, even a little, felt like risking everything. She didn’t want to be vulnerable, not when it had cost her a year and 42 days of her life. But Rhiannon’s metaphor of a storm, of Xaden being caught outside while she sat sheltered and safe—it struck a chord deep inside her. Maybe there was truth in what she was saying. 

But she couldn’t flip a switch. Genevieve wasn’t the kind of person to ‘crack open a door’ and let someone in. The walls weren’t built to keep people out—they were there to keep her safe. She didn’t want someone to see the scars that were laid deep into the stones that were cemented around her heart. The scars, the hurt, the parts of her that were still bleeding, still raw. 

“I don’t think I can do it,” she repeated, her voice stronger. “I don’t even know how to let someone in anymore.” 

Violet leaned back, resting on her elbows. “You let us in, didn’t you? We’re having this conversation with you right now because you let us past whatever you hold onto. And you hate me, so you definitely can. It’s not like there’s a manual for this kind of thing, so maybe you just talk to him the way you talked to us. Figure it out in the long run.”

Genevieve scoffed, shaking her head. “I’ve been figuring things out as I go my whole life, and look where it’s gotten me, I’m still… this.” She gestured vaguely to herself, as if it explained everything. “I’m still this broken mess of a person who’s spent more time running from her past than attempting to live in the present. And, Violet, I don’t hate you, I hate your mom, there’s a difference. And I’m not even sure anymore that my idea of revenge being focused on you is the right answer. Everything in my head is like all jumbled up and shifted.” 

Violet raised an eyebrow at Genevieve’s last admission, her lips quirking up into a half-smile. “Aw! That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me! And that’s a start! revenge doesn’t have to be as clear cut as you thought.”

Rhiannon, sitting cross-legged, leaned in, her voice thoughtful. “Yeah, and maybe it’s not about being a ‘broken mess’ either. You survived things most people couldn’t imagine, Genevieve. You’re allowed to be a little jumbled up.” She paused, her gaze shifting as she studied Genevieve. “But you shouldn’t punish yourself for it.”

Genevieve groaned, running her hands down her face, feeling the exhaustion in her bones. “I don’t even know where to start.”

Rhiannon shrugged, her posture relaxing as she looked at Genevieve and then at Violet with an easy kind of warmth. “Maybe you don’t need to. You’ve already kissed the guy, for gods’ sake. Just… see where it goes. Stop overthinking it.”

Violet laughed, nudging Genevieve playfully. “Yeah, stop trying to plan everything five moves ahead. This isn’t a battlefield, it’s love. Sometimes you just have to throw yourself into the chaos and see what happens.” 

Genevieve shook her head, though there was a small, begrudging smile tugging at her lips. “I can’t believe you two are giving me relationship advice. Like I’m supposed to just, what, go to him tomorrow during our training and say, ‘Hey, I know we’re sparring, but could we also talk about our feelings?’” She rolled her eyes, though the sarcasm didn’t fully cover the nervous energy bubbling beneath the surface. 

Rhiannon grinned. “Exactly. Maybe mid-punch, throw in a ‘How about that kiss?’” She mimed a jab, her fist lightly hitting Violet’s arm. 

Violet dodged the playful punch with a laugh, shaking her head. “No, no, it has to be more subtle. Maybe when you’re pinning him to the ground, you can ask, ‘So, you ever think about what we’re doing here? You know, other than me kicking your ass.’”

Genevieve let out a snort of laughter despite herself, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. “Gods, you two are impossible.” 

But their lightheartedness, as ridiculous as it was, managed to be a rope that she was able to climb out of the heavy spiral of thoughts that had been dragging her down. Now, she had allies, people who knew her more than she liked to admit. And even if things with Xaden were complicated and messy, maybe it didn’t have to be a war. 

“Well,” Genevieve said with a sigh, standing up and stretching her arms above her head. “I’ll figure it out. Somehow. Maybe I’ll just focus on beating him in a spar tomorrow and leave the emotional stuff for later. Or never. I’m good with never.”

“Good luck with that,” Violet said with a knowing smirk. “You can try, but I have a feeling Xaden won’t let you avoid it forever.”

Rhiannon nodded, still grinning. “Yeah, especially if he’s giving you daggers and pulling you into heated kisses. I’d say he’s already in deeper than you want to admit.” 

Genevieve made a face, but she didn’t deny it. She couldn’t. Her mind was already swirling with thoughts of tomorrow—of seeing him again, of the sparring that would inevitably lead to something more, something unspoken between them. 

“Thanks, I guess.” Genevieve muttered, her voice soft, almost reluctant. “For the advice, or whatever that was.”

Rhiannon winked at her. “Anytime. We’ve got your back, Genevieve. Even when you’re being stubborn.” 

Violet added with a mischievous grin, “Yeah, and when you’re ready to admit that you love me and that I’m your best friend, you let me know.”

Genevieve smirked. “Don’t hold your breath, Sorrengail.”

With that, she shoved both of them off of her bed, a mix of strange dread and anticipation settling in her chest. Tomorrow would bring its own challenges—both on the sparring mat and in her tangled mess of emotions she was trying so hard to push aside. 

But for now, she allowed herself a small, fleeting sense of peace. Whatever happened next, she wasn’t facing it alone. She had Violet, and she had Rhiannon, and, whether she liked it or not, she had Xaden, too.

——————————

It was too early to be pulling training clothes on, too cold to be wearing anything but her warm leathers, but there she was, trudging down the cold and empty hallways of Basgiath to the training room before the sun had even risen over the horizon. It was day 1 of training with Xaden, and she wasn’t sure if she was completely ready. 

Soft mage lights from the training gym cast a warm glow down the hallway, as the deep and familiar voice of Xaden and two others drifted out of the open door and down to her. 

“So what?” The unfamiliar voice said, and Genevieve paused. “You’re training that Genevieve girl now. Weren’t you already training her before?” Her breath caught in her throat. She just had this exact conversation. She willed her feet to move forward, to interrupt the conversation before she heard something that would hurt her, but instead she pressed herself up against the walls and listened. Xaden and his friends were talking about her. 

“It’s not so what,” He snapped, and Genevieve braced herself to hear that he regretted it. “I kissed her for gods’ sake. I totally scared her off and all she wanted was a training partner not a… boyfriend.” 

The last word seemed to be choked out of his throat, as if it was physically painful for him to see himself in a situation so domestic. 

“It sounds like she kissed you back, though,” The other unfamiliar voice responded, his tone a little younger, a little more playful. “Maybe you should just wait to see what she says.”

“This is Genevieve we’re talking about,” Xaden groaned. “She’s never going to say anything unless I force it out of her or another of her friends die.”

“Listen man, neither Bodhi nor I know anything about this girl,” 

So one of their names is Bodhi. That’s a second year. I know that name. 

“You clearly seem to know her well, so just talk. Gods, love is always so complicated and brooding with you. Just let yourself have a crush on her, it’s not that deep.” Genevieve’s interest peaked. If love was always complicated with him, who else was in this equation? Her feet moved once more, taking her closer and closer to the training gym. 

“You are no help, she’s never going to-” Xaden paused as Genevieve entered the gym, his face of surprise instantly morphing into that mask he was always wearing. 

“Good morning,” She said, tossing her water bottle down onto one of the benches. “What’re you talking about?” She questioned, clearly catching him in the middle of a sentence about her. 

“Nothing, Gen,” He said, waving her off. “Let’s get started. This is Garrick Tavis and Bodhi Durran, they’ll be training with us.” 

A nickname???

“Gen?” She quickly questioned, before she could stop herself. 

Xaden’s mask crumbled for a second, panic flashing on his face as he spared a glance at Garrick, pleading for help. Garrick chuckled softly, his gaze flicking between Xaden and Genevieve with a knowing smirk. “Well, looks like the cat’s out of the bag,” he teased, leaning casually against the wall as if this was all great entertainment for him. “Xaden here’s got a soft spot, who would’ve thought?”

Bodhi, the youngest of the trio, snorted. “More like a death wish. She looks like she’s going to kill him by the end of this.”

Geneviev raised a brow, looking pointedly at Xaden, whose usual cool demeanor was unraveling faster than she’d ever seen. The mask of indifference he so often wore had fractured, leaving a man scrambling to regain control, but failing spectacularly. She could see it in the tightness of his jaw, the way his hands clenched and unclenched at his sides as If beating between brushing off the comment or addressing it head-on. 

“Gen,” she repeated, more slowly this time, as if tasting the unfamiliar nickname on her tongue. “That’s new.” 

Xaden finally met her gaze, the weight of it landing hard, though there was something vulnerable there—an opening, a slip of the armor never let anyone close enough to see. “If you don’t like it, I can stop.”

Her eyes narrowed as she searched his face, the lingering awkwardness in the room thickening the air between them. Was this the same man who had kissed her, or was this the wingleader? The way his lips hovered over hers in her memory now seemed at odds with the uncertainty radiating from him in this moment. It was almost endearing—almost.

“I didn’t say I didn’t like it.” The words slipped out before she could stop them, and she instantly regretted how soft her voice sounded, how much of her own vulnerability she had let show. She was here to train, to fight, not to get caught up in Xaden’s emotional turmoil. 

Garrick straightened, looking between them with an amused tilt of his head. “Well, this is going to be interesting. I’ll give you two a minute,” he said, grabbing Bodhi by the shoulder and steering him toward the door. “C’mon, Bodhi. Let’s go pretend like we didn’t just witness the most awkward conversation of the century.”

Bodhi resisted for a second, wanting to watch the scene unfold, but eventually let Garrick drag him away. They left, leaving Genevieve and Xaden standing in the dim glow of the gym, the tension crackling between them like a box of sparks waiting to be opened. 

Xaden cleared his throat, stepping forward, his familiar stoicism slipping back into place with each step. “We should focus on training. That’s why you’re here, right?” He sidestepped the previous conversation with an ease that might have fooled someone else, but not her. Not now.

Genevieve folded her arms, her stance firm. “You kissed me, Xaden. And Violet told me I can’t pretend it didn’t happen.”

His dark eyes narrowed slightly, the tension in his posture rippling through his broad, muscled shoulders. “And you kissed me back.”

Silence. She opened her mouth to argue, but the truth hung between them, undeniable. She had kissed him back, and in that moment, it had been more than just a reaction—it had been something she didn't expect to feel. Desire. Affection. The very things she had told herself she didn’t need. 

Xaden took a step closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper, though the weight of it made her breath catch. “But I need you to understand, I’m not good at this. I can’t just… let people in. Not when I have so much at stake. I can’t risk… you.”

His words struck a chord deep within her. She knew that feeling all too well—the burden of always being on guard, of not letting anyone close for fear of losing them or herself in the process. But a part of her, the part of her that had kissed him back, didn’t want to hear it.

”And yet here we are,” she replied quietly, her heart pounding in her chest. “You kissed me, you made the choice, you let me in, whether you meant to or not.” 

He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair, the frustration evident in the way his fingers tensed as they caught a knot in his hair. “That’s the problem, Genevieve. I don’t know how to stop.”

The rawness in his voice was like a dagger to her chest, cutting through the defenses she had built so carefully. She didn’t know what to say—what could she say? She wasn’t here for this, wasn’t here to get landed in whatever this was between them. She was here to get stronger, to train, to survive. But as she looked into his eyes, she saw the same struggle mirrored there—the same push and pull between duty and desire, between survival and the dangerous allure of something more. 

“Then maybe we stop pretending we can,” she whispered, the words barely audible, but the impact between them was demeaning. 

Xaden froze, his gaze locking onto hers, as if searching for any trace of hesitation. When he found none, he moved closer, the heat of his presence overwhelming as he reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as he rested his other hand on the small of her back. His fingers lingered for a moment longer than necessary, the simple touch sending a wave of warmth through her. 

“Garrick and Bodhi are just behind that door, Xaden,” she whispered, her breath catching in her throat. “They’ve been listening the whole time.”

“I know,” he whispered back, his voice so low it reverberated through her thoughts. “But I’ll regret it if I don’t do this right now. If I don’t… let you in.”

The air between them seemed to shift, thickening with a tension that hadn’t been there a moment before. The room felt too small, the silence too heavy, and as his hand lingered on her back, Genevieve couldn’t suppress the shiver that ran down her spine. Her heart pounded in her chest, the steady rhythm echoing in her ears as Xaden’s hand traced the line of her jaw, his fingers grazing her skin with a tenderness she hadn't expected. The shift from tension to something deeper was palpable, every nerve in her body humming with anticipation. 

“You’re sure this is what you want?” His voice was low, barely more than a whisper, as if the question pained him. His gaze bored into hers, intense and unyielding, giving her one last out, one last chance to retreat behind the walls she had spent so long constructing. But the gates were locked from the inside and she was beyond the walls with the door shut behind her.

“I don’t know what I want anymore,” she admitted, her voice cracking ever so slightly. It was the truth as much as she hated it. Being here, standing so close to him, the carefully drawn lines she had etched into her mind–the lines of survival, vengeance, and isolation–blurred into something she couldn’t quite understand. She couldn’t figure out how she had gone from thinking about Xaden as an obstacle to… this. 

“But I know what I feel right now,” she whispered, her voice steadying as the words hung between them. 

Xaden didn’t need to hear any more. In one swift movement, his lips were on hers, capturing her breath in a kiss that was anything but careful. It was raw, intense, and demanding. There was no hesitation now, no pretense of holding back. His hands were on her waist, pulling her closer as if he couldn’t bear the distance between them any longer. Every inch of space vanished, their bodies pressed together as the kiss deepened, fueled by the emotions they had both been too afraid to admit. 

Genevieve’s hand slipped up his chest, feeling the hard lines of his muscles beneath the fabric of his shirt. His skin was warm, the heat radiating off of him was consuming her. The desire to have him next to her, close to her, overtook every logical thought in her mind. Her fingers tangled in his hair, tugging slightly as she kissed him harder, her body molding to his as if they were met to fit together. 

Xaden responded in kind, his grip tightening around her waist, his hands trailing down to her hips with a possessiveness that sent a surge of heat through her. His lips left hers only for a moment, traveling down her jawline to the sensitive skin of her neck, where he pressed a searing kiss that made her knees weaken. She gasped, the sound barely escaping her lips as her body arched into him, her fingers clutching the back of his neck as she fought to keep control of herself. 

But there was no control in this–no restraint. The emotions swirling between them, the unspoken desires, the pain, and the longing–it all came pouring out in every touch, every kiss, as if the dam they had both built had given way to the flood. Xaden’s mouth returned to hers, more urgent this time, his hands gripping her hips with a ferocity that mirrored the intensity in his kiss. He backed her up against the nearest wall, the cool stone pressing against her back as he held her there, pinned beneath his weight. 

Her breath came in ragged gasps as he kissed her again, deeper, more demanding, and she found herself kissing him back with just as much fervor. It was overwhelming, this feeling of being consumed by him, by the weight of his desire, but she didn’t want it to stop. She needed it–needed him–in a way that both terrified and excited her. 

Xaden pulled back slightly, just enough to look into her eyes. His breathing was heavy, his dark eyes smoldering with a fire that mirrored her own. His thumb brushed over her cheek, his touch gentle in contrast to the heat between them. 

“Tell me to stop,” he murmured, his voice hoarse, though it was clear that stopping was the last thing he wanted to do. “Say the word and I back off and we train the way you wanted.”

Genevieve swallowed hard, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she fought to catch her breath. But the words never came. She just pulled him back down to her, her lips crashing into his with a fervor that left no room for doubt. This was what she wanted–what they both wanted, consequences be damned. 

For a minute, she was just 20 and he was just 23, and they were just normal students in a normal school, kissing each other. They weren’t soldiers, weren’t leaders, weren’t scarred by loss and burdened by the weight of survival. At that moment, it was just them. Just two young adults, raw and unguarded, stripped down to nothing but their desire for each other. 

And his response was immediate, his hands gripped her even tighter as he deepened the kiss, his body pressing into hers with a need that sent a thrill coursing through her. Her mind swirled, thoughts of training, vengeance, and survival slipping away as the only thing that mattered in that moment was him–his lips, his touch, the way he made her feel like she was on fire from the inside out.

The door to the training room creaked, a soft noise that barely registered in the haze of their kiss. But it was enough to remind her of where they are, of who they are. She broke the kiss, her head resting on the chest as they both struggled to catch their breath. 

“They’ll be back soon,” she whispered, her voice rough with desire. 

“I don’t care,” he replied, his voice low and full of promise as he lifted her head to his once more. His lips found hers again, in a softer, lingering kiss. 

And she didn’t care either.  For now, there was only this–only him.

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

Hey guys~ I'm a few days early with this chapter because I have been on a roll with writing, but I'm so unsure if anyone is actually reading this I got no traction on the last chapter.

I'll probably be back on Sunday with another chapter, but I don't know, if I get no traction on this chapter as well I may wait a little bit.

Thanks for reading! If you liked this chapter, please leave a comment or like the chapter and let me know you're here and reading this. I'm so unsure if anyone is actually here ;-;

[astrowaffle]

Wow you guys really seemed to like the steampunk AU, that post got way more attention than I was expecting, so here's some more information and stuff:

-The world is still like a videogame that they got trapped in but now it’s a steampunk adventure-y type game with circus elements 

-The adventures are probably a bit different

-They’re probably more like, fantasy adventure video game style things with like puzzles and fighting? Idk I'm not a big gamer I've never actually played any steampunk video games. What are those like?

-Instead of circus tent, there is a big wagon thingy that I'll draw eventually

-there's still not much of a story and I'm not sure If there'll ever be

-I'd also kinda want to make some mini comics for this au but I suck at coming up with ideas :/

Pomni:  

-She likes to craft things

-friends with Gangle and Ragatha

-still very anxious but less anxious then normal Pomni?

-has a very logical mind and is good at puzzling things together but also doesn’t do well under pressure and typically panics in stressful moments where these skills might be useful

-She can play the flute because flutes are good, they are the best instrument. (I am totally not biased just because I play the flute in marching band)

-My headcanon for regular Pomni is that she’s less anxious than she initially is in the pilot after getting used to things, like, beyond the anxiety, her actual personality is very cheery and friendly, also very logical, because idk it just fits her somehow? So yea, that headcanon also applies to this au 

-but of course she is still an absolute nervous wreck because yes

-How else is she supposed to react in this situation

-also look at those fingerless gloves I want those

-the gears in her eyes turn when she is thinking

Gangle:

-Also likes crafting things

-friends with Pomni, Zooble, and Kinger

-she often borrows  sewing needles from Ragatha to sew her comedy mask back together when it’s torn, and also constantly tries to craft new ones

-She really likes her boots

-I don’t blame her those are some nice boots

-Ok wait a minute what if that little wing bow thingy on her head is actually a pen/quill that she can use to write stuff?

-ooooooh yes I like that

Caine: 

-✨monocle✨

-He can control the time of day with the clock that’s on his hat

-It’s a lot harder for him to heal injuries in this world, he can’t just instantly fix anything anymore it requires a bit more effort

-I’m doing this because I like when injury and pain and suffering

Bubble: um- idk it’s just bubble but now they’re a robot I guess

Kinger:

-ok but what if he had a collection of mechanical insects? Omg designing mechanical insects would be so fun-

-The clock that he wears is broken but he doesn’t notice. And Time is irrelevant anyways

-damn those gloves are fancy

-they probably feel really silky

-and his robe is also very silky because mmm good texture

Zooble:

-They are a robot now

-also a mechanic/inventor because nobody else is and somebody had to learn how to make new robot parts

-their right arm can go s t r e t c h

-bonds with Gangle over their hatred of Jax

-they’re also kinda protective over her

-I lowkey ship them (this ship is so underrated)

-No but seriously why do see zero art of this ship

- Zoob’s in denial about their feelings and still pretends not to care because they’ve had such a “I don’t give a shit about anything” attitude that suddenly developing feelings for someone has caught them off guard cause they suddenly are giving a shit about something and they don’t know how to handle it, But if Jax does anything to Gangle they will rush in to protect her in a heartbeat and just try to play it off as it just being because they don’t like Jax BUT WE ALL KNOW THE TRUTH ZOOBLE JUST CONFESS ALREADY-

-ok that got way too rambly let's just move on now

Jax:

-MY FAVORITE

-he likes shiny things

-He will collect those shiny things

-He also very fast because look at those LANKY RABBIT LEGS

-I mean technically that’s already cannon, did you see how fast he ran away after seeing abstracted kaufmo? He just z o o m e d outta there

-those keys on the chain are only a small portion of his collection

-his room is definitely full of weird steampunk knick knacks because yes

-He uses them to prank people

-the centipedes he has to scare/annoy Ragatha are mechanical

-I’m so excited to design mechanical centipedes I love bugs so much guys you have no idea I finally have an excuse to draw insects and maybe people will actually care because it’s fandom related now

-He does not like getting wet. At all. (this is also just a general headcanon for him but especially in this au)

-floofy

Ragatha:

-the seams of her fabric are prone to tearing so she always carries a needle and thread to sew herself back together. she's good at sewing

-My main headcannon for normal Ragatha is that her button eye is a parallel to an eye injury she had in real life before joining the circus, but in this AU she probably acquired the injury in this universe.

-she’s good at using tools and weapons but not in like, a mechanic sorta way like Zooble but in a defense sorta way

-like, she’s very kind and caring but also sorta tough and even though her body is good at falling apart, she knows how to use strategy to fight and um wait what would they even be fighting-

-idk I haven’t thought about that yet

-Gloinks?????

-do those exist in this au???

-wait it’s my au why am I asking this

-overall she is very, “tries to help everyone else and seems very tough on the outside but is prone to falling apart both physically and mentally but just gets good at quickly patching it up and ignoring it until it become too much for her to bear”

-pls help her she needs therapy

-they all need therapy

-I’m pretty sure we’ve all established that at this point

-but I’m just making sure you know that it’s still a consistent factor in this au

[igotanidea]

Hello : Matt Murdock x reader

Request: soulmate au. Reader meets Matt, he likes her a lot but doesn't know she is his soulmate, because he can't see the words on his hand. So maybe he meets her in a park and asks her on a date/she is his new colleague/ she is their new client/ a friend of Karen who came to visit (if you would like to write it just choose the one you like or maybe smth completely different). And then Foggy sees Matt happy and asks why, so Matty retells them their convo and Foggy is like: dude, you have her words.

Lawyer work came with stress, overtime, complicated cases and constant exhaustion. Daredevil work came with violence, sleepless hours, worries and physical pain. So yes, Matt Murdock hasn’t been himself for the last couple days. Acting all moody and grumpy, brushing off Karen and Foggy like they weren’t his best friends. To some extent, Foggy could understand him, since Nelson was very well aware of his alter ego. Karen however, didn’t, so after a while of babying him, she got angry and said a few words about his attitude.

“I don’t know what happened to you, but I’m tired of this!” she spat after he harshly told her to let go and leave him alone “you have no right to act this way towards me! I’ve been trying to help you since it seems like you can’t take care of yourself! But you know what, have it your way.” She rubbed her forehead in exhaustion “just remember that at this point me and Foggy are the only people in your life who cares about you. And you just keep pushing us both away!”

“I….” he started but she did not let him finish

“Don’t. I don’t want to hear it, anymore!”

“Guys, not that I’m complaining, which I obviously am, but you are scaring off the clientele.” Foggy, who was the only sane one at the office at the moment decided it was time to step in and bring his friends back to reality. They were still at work after all, and personal conflicts has no place in the space.

“What clientele Foggy?” Karen scoffed “in case you didn’t notice we are not exactly jammed. Maybe it’s because Matt is dead set on ruining the atmosphere here.”

“I’m not the one who’s yelling.” He pointed out “And also, I’m keeping my private business private”

“No you don’t” Foggy shrugged once again getting attention of both of them “Anyway, since you are quiet for a second, let me tell you we’ve got a girl waiting in the hall, probably in need of some legal help, so how about we got down to business?”

“Fine” Matt fixed his tie “let’s let her in. Karen?” he pointed towards the door

“I’m the legal assistant here, not the usher.”

“Oh, for God’s sake….” Foggy sighed and moved to invite the client in. “Welcome to the Nelson and Murdock, miss…..” he smiled a bit forcefully trying his best to cover up for ­not-so-good first impression. Nevertheless it did not impress the girl who just looked at him with a smirk and a bit squinted eyes “um… sorry about that” he grunted “we are not normally like this.”

“I’ve seen worse” she shrugged casually walking in “I work as a reporter in daily news, so fights and quarrels are daily bread for me.”

“But it’s not what you expect from your future lawyers, is it?”

“Lawyers?” the girl looked at him surprised, but quickly caught up on the situation and started laughing meeting with Foggy’s confused gaze “I’m sorry. I’m not here for legal help, I can handle myself and up till now, all my coworkers are safe and sound. If it were to change however…… Sorry, not the point. I’m here for Karen.”

“Karen?”

“Yes. Yes, we were supposed to grab a quick coffee and talk about some lead she has on a case….. she forgot didn’t she?”

“Well, miss…”

“Please, cut the miss. I’m Y/N.” she held out her hand and the man shook it firmly but gently.

“Well, I’m Foggy. Franklin, but no one calls me that. As for Karen, you might as well ask her yourself. Hey, Karen. Your friend is here!”

“What frie…..?” Karen emerged from the other room “Y/N!” she smiled happily and hugged the girl “Why are you….? My god, I’m sorry. I completely forgot we were supposed to meet. Let me just grab my coat and….”

“Hey, it’s fine Paige. Seems to me like you got something going on. I’d hate to interrupt. Feel free to take a rain check.“

“No, no. I need to get out of here. Is it ok if I take the rest of the day off, Foggy?”

“Fine with me. I got some ground work to do after all, so I’m out myself. It was nice meeting you, Y/N.”

“Likewise, Mr. Nelson” the girl nodded.

“Just wait here Y/N. I’ll get my stuff and we’ll go.” Karen assured the girl and left for her purse, Foggy coming after.

“Why did you never mention a friend like this?” he hissed

“You are already in love?” Karen let out a laugh “What about Marci?”

“Come on! I’m just saying she looks nice. And fierce. And intelligent.”

“She is. But your point being?”

“Why are you always looking for the hidden agenda?!”  

*** Meanwhile, Y/N was left by herself, forced to wait for her friend. For a couple of minutes she was kicking her heel’s but quickly got bored. With prolonged wait and with lack of anything better to do, she reached toward her backpack, grabbing the notebook and pen, sitting on the floor and starting scribbling. She couldn’t care less about the floor being a bit dusty and the wall she was leaning on being cold. The only thing that mattered was the idea that appeared in her mind, muffling all the surroundings.

“What are you doing?” well, she could not muffle the deep male voice knocking her off stride. She hated when people did that. She was deep in her own thoughts, fighting with the pace of her racing mind, always too fast for her pen to keep up the pace, and unfortunately more often than not, losing and being left with the bitter taste of her ideas running away without a trace. It was damn hard to capture them and this guy just ruined all her efforts. She sighed in defeat. “Not that I can actually see, but I hear your pen scrawling on the paper. I am quite observant.”

“ Writing is what I do.” She explained “for a  living and generally. Ask anyone who knows me, pen is my sword. Pencil, in worst cases.  Can’t even tell you how many times I found myself on the bus with one of those salient from behind my ear.”

“Seems like you are just passionate about your work.”

“It’s much more than just a work” she tried to lift herself of the floor, but her legs gave up making Matt walk the distance and help her. “thanks” she grabbed his hand and stood up fixing her shirt “you must be Mr. Murdock, the second half of the firm.”

“I am. And you are?”

“I’m Y/N. Karen’s friend.”

“She never mentioned you.”

“Why should she?”

“Because if she did, I would love to meet you.”

“And why is that?” she tiled her head observing him carefully “no offence, but you know nothing about me, and you can’t really see me, so the part about beauty does not apply. Besides, I’m completely average looking to say the least and we only exchange a couple of words, so why Mr Lawyer?”

Matt smiled hearing her talk. She was observant and not afraid to say her mind. He already liked that.

“Touche, Ms. Y/N. But you know, I can tell a lot more about you than you think.”

“How so?”

“I felt your blood pumping in your veins when you were writing in that little notebook of yours. I noticed your little smile and your dilated pupils. Just like now.”

“Well, I;m terrified of everything you are saying, so….”

“You’re not. You’re more …. Puzzled, intrigued. Not scared. That’s not what you do.“

“Fine. You got me. Guess that’s a lawyer thing, right? How about I tell you something about yourself in return?”

“ I’m listening.” He smirked

“ I work with the news. Lately, I’ve been covering the crime section, so naturally I have to be up to date with all the dirty secrets of the city. Including some vigilantes. And I know one of our own self-appointed-protector got injured in a fight. So now, tell me, Mr Murdock, does your back and your left side hurt a lot?” she whispered and her words just left him completely speechless.

“I’m ready, Y/N . Can we go now?” Karen called from behind, a bit taken aback with the view in front of her eyes. Her friends were standing opposite to each other, Y/N smiling triumphantly (an expression Karen saw hundreds times by now), Matt impressed and shocked (something pretty new to see).

“Yes. Yes we can go” Y/N turned on her heels and both girls left the office.

“What was that about?” Karen asked when they were out of Matt’s earshot (not really, but Karen did not know about his superpower).

“Nothing. Absolutely nothing.” Y/N retorted pulling on her sleeve, covering the words of her alleged soulmate she had on the crook .”Nothing at all.”

***

“Why are you so happy all of a sudden?”

“Did you see the girl who came here?”

“Ok. Funny choice of words, Matt, but yes, I saw her. And what about that?”

“I think I like her.”

“Oh my god! Not again! You can’t let one girl slip past you, right?” Foggy groaned in frustration at his best friend attitude.

“It’s different this time. It’s more about what she said….”

“What exactly did she say? What were her first words?”

“I don’t …..”

“Don’t bullshit me, Matt. You remember dozens of things. Most of them completely useless. So. What. Were. Her. Words?”

“Writing is what I do.” Matt smiled and his whole face became soft at the memory.

“Dude!” foggy gasped

“What?”

“You have her words!”

“What?”

“You dumbass! You have her words! She’s your soulmate!”

“But I….”

“Of course you did not know! How could you! You are blind after all! But seriously man! She’s the one! Go after her!”

***

A few hours later Y/N was heading home, but her stroll was interrupted when no one else but Matt Murdock came from the perpendicular street.

“Are you following me, Mr Murdock?” she smirked, not amused at all, even if she did not about his other part.

“Writing is what I do?” he said softly, and at that moment she knew.

“What are you doing here?” she mimicked his gentle tone.

“Hello Y/N.” he took a step closer taking her hand

“Hello Matt.” the girl answered letting him

They found each other.

@pinksirensong @somest1

[amournoir]

𝐝𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐲 𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐣𝐚𝐡

pairing(s): elijah x reader

count: 8.2k

warning(s): smut. vulgar language? 

author’s note: psa, this is my first smut-ish piece, don’t judge too harshly, please? i honestly hope it’s ok or at least decent. also, thanks so much for all the recent reblogs & hello to all the new followers! anywho, lmk what you think of this & happy reading! ♡ 

In over a thousand years, he never thought this would happen to him. Not only had he met the woman of his dreams but he had wed her as well. How could he not? He’d be an absolute fool to let her go. 

You and Elijah had been married for five years now and on top of that, you were now parents. No one doubted that the impeccably dressed noble original would be a wonderful father one day. 

Throughout your pregnancy, you still looked absolutely stunning. Everything you complained and picked on, only made your husband love you even more. You would always be perfect in his eyes. 

As your due date rolled closer, your mood shifted as expected. You were more impatient, easily irritated, and let’s not get started on the unending hunger urges. Even with all this, you still remained beautiful to him and he handled all of it with ease. The one thing that Elijah was not prepared for was your other hunger. Horny was too weak of a word to describe it. 

He experienced firsthand that you matched his energy during sex. Normally you’d tire and it would end after three or four rounds but not this time. Oh no. You could easily go all night with him and you did. It was only when your pregnancy was further along that you wouldn’t be up at all hours of the night out of fear of hurting your child. 

This made sense to the logical mind but not to you. If anything, you were even more insatiable in your later months. It was Elijah that had to stop on behalf of both of you otherwise he’d have caved each time. 

The weeks leading up to the birth became so unbearable, Freya had to give you daily doses of her witchy concoctions. The doses became hourly when the child was mere hours away. 

You gave birth with Freya and Rebekah helping you. Elijah was in the room as well, he wanted to cut the cord. For some reason, known only to him, it made him feel like he was truly a father now. In minutes he’d hold his son. 

Days after giving birth, you spent it recovering so Elijah took over everything else. He was ready for it, he had prepared since he found out you were pregnant and during it all. You guys were finally parents and both of you loved every single exhausting moment of it. 

You could always see your husband as a father but the image of him changing diapers and doing bath time was not what you pictured. Seeing it now so clearly made you love it even more. If you could magically birth more children, you would, just so that you could see this side of him. 

Your hunger had gone away and a very large part of you actually missed it. You only wished you could feel that way when you weren’t with child. Oh the amount of fun you two would have. The things you’d do and furniture you’d wreck. Just the thought turned you on. 

The newest and tiniest Mikaelson favored his father wholly. It was as though you weren’t the one that carried and birthed him. 

Days turned into weeks then months. Your son had grown and gone through each stage of childhood. From crawling to standing to walking. 

Little gates had started popping up all over the compound and all doors now had plastic circle covers. His siblings, brothers especially, had tripped over the gates more than once. Niklaus had often complained over his inability to open his bedroom door. 

“How the bloody hell am I supposed to get in now Elijah?!” Niklaus one day yelled. 

“I always knew you were a child brother but I had thought you could outsmart one. How is it that a thousand year old hybrid can’t manage a door?” Elijah said, doing his best to hide his smirk. 

“Yes Nik, it’s meant to keep children out. Not too surprised it works on you.” Kol chided, grinning from ear to ear. 

Rebekah heard her brothers from the end of the hallway so she walked over to see. She smiled to herself, watching her brother struggle with the door handle. Feeling pity, or petty, she strode over to him, expertly twisting the knob and opening the door. 

“There there, it’s alright, one day you’ll be a big boy and can do it all by yourself.” Rebekah spoke to her brother in the way one speaks to a child. 

“Hmph.” Niklaus huffed as he walked inside and slammed the door behind him. 

Months had passed and now your son was 10 months old. The family had just celebrated that a couple of days ago. You insisted on celebrating every month that your child grew and everyone was more than happy to indulge you. 

One day, you had a bit of a scare. The month before you had missed your period and now this month, it was late. You knew what it could mean but was silently hoping it didn’t. Digging through the bathroom cabinets, you found the stick. Without any thought at all, you tested and waited. To your dismay or relief, it wasn’t what you thought it’d be. 

Elijah had noticed that days prior you seemed different. You seemed worried but you didn’t mention it to him and he knew not to ask. At least not yet. Maybe what you needed was time and when you were ready, you’d speak to him. With that in mind, he didn’t question you but kept a close eye instead. 

“Eli? Are you busy?” You walked into his study that evening. 

“Never for you.” Elijah smiled. 

You didn’t know how to begin. Do I just blurt it out loud? You thought to yourself. 

He noticed your nervousness and instantly he was on his feet. Crossing the room to where you stood, he held your hand and remained quiet. Did something happen? Is she alright? He thought to himself. Whatever it was, they would deal with it, he was sure of it. 

“I’m not pregnant.” You blurted before your mind had time to stop your lips from moving. 

His brows knitted. He didn’t know you were pregnant or thinking of it. “Alright. Where is this coming from?” 

“I missed last month and I’m late this month so I thought to test it.” The words kept leaving your mouth faster than you preferred them to. 

“Are you okay with the result?” He was trying to gauge your thoughts. He didn’t want to say something to offend you. 

“Yeah. I think so.” You answered, not looking too sure of yourself. 

“It would be alright if you were. I’d love nothing more than for our family to grow.” Elijah reassured you, softly running his hands up and down your arms.  

“I’d love to have more kids but not yet, our son is still too young and we’ve just recently gotten the hang of parenthood.” You tried explaining to him. 

You were glad to hear that he wouldn’t be upset if you would have been pregnant so soon. You had been worried for nothing, of course he would understand. You wrapped your arms around your husband, resting your head on his shoulder. He returned the affection, rubbing your back in small circles. 

It had been time. You had spontaneously decided that today you would tackle the mess in your closet. You were going to put away your old clothes, including your maternity wear. 

Hours into it, you couldn’t help but feel nostalgic. You had spent so much time upstairs that your husband came to check up on you. You took your time folding each article of clothing as memories from the past flashed through your mind. 

Elijah now stood by the bedroom door, watching you put the clothes away. You had given up on sitting on the floor and was now on the bed with boxes of clothing next to the foot of it. You lifted one dress, a pale blue with white anchors on it and ruffles on the sleeves and bottom of the dress. He gifted you this when you first started to show, in your second trimester, around the fourth month. 

He couldn’t help but miss how you looked. You were round and full. You still hadn’t noticed him yet but you felt a presence around you, upon looking up you saw him. He was leaning on the wooden door frame — arms crossed over his chest, making his biceps bulge in the white dress shirt — as he smiled at you. You returned the gesture then lifted the dress up that was in your hands. 

“Is it alright if I said I miss this?” You asked him, furrowing your brows. 

“What would that be exactly?” He strolled in, strategically crossing through the maze of boxes on the floor. He made his way to where you were seated and stood in front of you. His fingers gently traced the dress, stopping at certain spots.

“Pregnancy. I miss how it felt.” You sucked in your lips, turning them to one side. 

“Darling I’m more than willing to change that. I must admit, I rather enjoyed how full you looked.” He emphasized on the word ‘full’. 

It didn’t escape you the tonality behind his voice. You knew damn well where this was going and had absolutely no intention of stopping it. 

“Oh really? What else did you enjoy?” Suddenly you let the dress slip from your fingers, letting it drop on the edge of the bed, already forgetting it. Your attention was now on him. 

“I would love to tell you but it seems we have a young gentleman in our midst.” Elijah tilted his head towards the other room where your toddler was standing at the door. 

Your son had woken up from his nap and now stood watching you both with a blanket in hand and thumb in his mouth. You blushed and quickly cleared your throat. My goodness, I was about to say something filthy in front of my child. You thought to yourself as Elijah walked over to his son. 

When he was close enough, he lowered himself down to his level and opened his arms. The little boy lazily waddled to his father as his small chubby feet padded on the carpeted wooden floors. Elijah, patient as ever, waited for his son to reach him and watched with a wide smile. 

“Daddy.” Alexander grinned widely, sleep still evident on his handsome face. 

“Well if it isn’t my little prince.” Elijah hugged his son tightly — one hand wrapped around his back and the other cradled Alex’s head closely to his own — and pressed a kiss on his cheek. He stood up with him, lowering his hand from Alex’s back in order to carry him comfortably in his arm. The little boy’s blanket was hanging on the side. 

Over his father’s shoulders, little Alex noticed you behind and instinctively extended his thumb sucking hand towards you. You smiled and obliged your son, getting off the bed as you made your way to them. You placed a gentle kiss on the back of his hand, making faces at him that made him giggle. 

That sound was what made Elijah feel alive. The laughter from his wife and son was easily his most treasured thing. Elijah shifted Alex so that he was holding him on his left side, leaving his other open. You walked from behind him and snuggled into the empty space to his right whilst your left arm wrapped around his waist. He was comfortably sandwiched between you and baby Alex. 

“Hi sweetheart. Did you have a good nap?” You asked, wiping the sleep crusts from Alex’s eyes. 

He nodded. He was old enough to understand words but hadn’t begun responding. Although he was able to say a few words here and there. His uncles and aunts had started fighting over what words he should learn from the moment he uttered his parents’ names. 

Kol thought he should know his name next since it was easiest. Freya figured she was the oldest and hence had to know hers. 

Rebekah pointed out that she easily would be the best caretaker so she should spend more time with Alex so he can learn hers. Niklaus argued that he was the best and favorite so why not his name. 

The siblings started to argue anew. Who knew that the big bad Mikaelson family would fight over a toddler? 

“Will he sleep at night? He took a nap awfully late.” Elijah asked you. 

“Klaus would’ve argued against waking him.” You smiled at the thought. 

Earlier that day, they had been watching Alex’s favorite show and Niklaus didn’t have the heart to wake his nephew so he let him sleep. He figured he’d sleep better in his bed. 

“I do like that they get along.” Elijah smiled at the thought. He loved how involved his siblings were. They would drop everything for Alex, even if they weren’t asked to. 

“Well why wouldn’t they? Our boy is absolutely lovely.” You leaned forward and stepped on your tiptoes to kiss your son’s forehead. “Besides, Nik is much gentler and sweeter than he’d like to admit.” 

It was true. Alexander Beau Mikaelson had stolen everyone’s heart. Handsome like his father — as his namesake — and kind-hearted like his mother. Playful like Uncle Kol, sweet as Auntie Bex, artistic as Uncle Nik, and determined like his Auntie Rey. 

Judging from the orange and yellow hues, the sun had begun to set. Normally it would be time for Alex’s bedtime routine to begin but he had just woken up. Instead you figured you might as well get started on his meal as Elijah gave him a bath. 

He was still far too young to eat any full meals but often you’d mash his food for him. You would put it on a plate and let him pick it up himself. Most times he finished all of it, other times he picked around. His favorite meal were fruits, all sorts. 

Alex hadn’t been exposed to sugary treats yet but one morning Niklaus snuck a beignet away to give to his nephew. From that day onwards, the little boy was obsessed. It became the only thing he wanted every single moment but you restricted that to one a day. 

“Oh come on! Let the boy have some. How can he possibly live in New Orleans but hasn’t tasted beignets?!” Niklaus exclaimed when he was caught by Elijah. 

“Niklaus, you bought a dozen of them.” Elijah pointed out. 

“Well honestly he ate the majority of it.” Niklaus smirked. As if his older brother would believe his toddler ate anything more than 2.

“Of course he did. Next you’ll tell me he bribed the pastry store and threatened to receive ‘free beignets for life or else’?” Elijah quoted the words of one of the staff. 

“I don’t know what you mean.” Was all Niklaus said as he walked away with a knowing smile. 

You detach yourself from Elijah’s side and head into the bedroom Alex had come from. There you searched through one of the many drawers for nighttime clothes. It was autumn and it was getting chilly outside. 

You needed something warm for him to wear but all his clothes were getting smaller. It saddened you that he was getting older. Soon he’d need a brand new wardrobe which meant he wouldn’t be a child anymore. If there was a way to freeze this moment, you would. 

You absentmindedly sifted through drawer after drawer, nothing appealed to you. From the corner of your eye, you noticed a baby blue footie pajama with white clouds and tiny bears sitting on them. The clothing also had a hood with bear-like ears, your heart practically squeezed at the sight. 

Lifting the outfit, you were finally content with, you started placing all of the things on the bed. The footie pajama, a little beanie, socks, diapers, lotion, and a tan binky with a white marbled clip. You thought it was a bit excessive to have an extra hat and socks even though the pajama had it but he was a tiny tot. Children often had a different temperature than adults, if it was cold to you, it’d be freezing to him.  

Once you were happy with your findings, you arranged them for Elijah– smiling at your work. You then left the room and headed to the kitchen. Dinner had already been made hours ago, all that was needed was to plate his food. The cupboard next to the cooker was filled with utensils and dinnerware only for him. It was there where you found a plate, cup and a spoon. 

Before plating the meal, you located his high chair and pulled it to the side of the dining table. You returned to the kitchen and scooped one spoonful of rice, a ladleful of the chicken stew, and a handful of strawberries that you cut into slices and removed the stems prior to putting all of it on his sectioned plate. 

By the time you had put his plate on the high chair — making sure it was suctioned on the surface along with the cup — you could hear the footsteps. Right on time you see Elijah walking in with a very cozy looking baby in his arms. You reach for your own plates on the island counter and return with them, putting one in front of your husband and the other in front of your seat. 

“It smells absolutely divine in here.” He comments as he buckles his son in his seat before taking his own. 

You were back in the kitchen looking for Alex’s sippy cup. Once you found it, you filled it with the juice then headed back to the dining room. Taking a seat and placing his cup on his chair, you turned to your husband, “I made his favorite. I wanted to make something else but I knew it’d be a fight to get him to eat it.” 

Elijah reached for the wine in the clear bowl filled with ice and expertly opened it, pouring a glass for the both of you. His siblings were all busy for the evening, each one had plans with their significant others as well. Tonight was only for you, Elijah, and Alex. 

As he handed you your glass, his hand lingered on top of yours, giving you a gentle squeeze. “Thank you darling.” 

You smiled at the small gesture and soon all three of you began eating. Baby Alex ate his fruits more than his main meal which found a home on the floor, his chin, and the high chair tray. He had eaten some of it but it was obvious he had no desire to finish the rest. You knew immediately how this would end, either you took the tray away or it’d turn into a food fight soon. 

Elijah decided to clear the table whilst you cleaned up your son. This is what parenthood was all about, teamwork. Everything you two did was in tandem. It was exhausting and quickly got repetitive but just one look at that little boy made it all worth it. Seeing him fed, cleaned, happy, safe, and so on is what motivated you both. 

Tonight felt different to you, you didn’t know why but it just was. Your husband had finished cleaning the kitchen and dining room in record time, per usual, and so had you. Alex was now in the living room with you — sat between your legs — playing with his toys. Each time you thought he was distracted and tried to change the channel, he’d instantly look up and whine at the lack of cartoons. You, as the caring and loving mother that you were, obliged and returned it back to the animations. 

“Sweetheart you’re playing with your toys, can’t I use the tv?” You asked as you looked down at him.  

“Toons?” Was all he asked in return. He knew what you were asking him but he had a question of his own. 

“I put it for you already.” You pointed up at the screen. “See?” 

He turned around and faced you fully, leaning his head on your stomach. He gestured with his fingers ‘thank you’ in sign language. You had been teaching him that since he couldn’t speak in full sentences yet. 

You tapped your chin once with your hand then extended it out in front of you as a way of saying ‘you’re welcome’. Baby Alex had been a fast learner and although you fully enjoyed his willingness to learn, you preferred it if he would talk instead. You and Elijah had started weaning him off slowly by speaking to him like a person and including him in things which gave him opportunities to speak or even ask. 

Elijah walked in the room and smiled at the sight of both of you. Alex was still seated between your legs, his head laid on your abdomen as he watched his toons. Your husband made himself comfortable on the floor next to you. He gently pulled you closer and wrapped his arms around your shoulders, kissing your forehead softly. His fingers found their way to your dark brown tresses and combed through leisurely. 

You have no idea how long you had been sitting down there but by the slowly rising chest of your son and his soft breaths, you knew he had fallen asleep. Elijah looked at you silently and shook his head. In mere seconds, Alex was in his father’s arms and they were now standing. 

“Goodnight my sweet boy.” You too were also on your feet, placing a kiss on his cheek as you whispered, “I love you.”

Elijah carefully walked in front of you as he made his way up the stairs and navigated through the house to Alex’s room. You had followed behind but made a right turn and entered your shared bedroom. With a sigh, you strolled to your closet in search of nightwear. Soon enough you were in the massive bathroom with your clothes and fresh towel in hand. 

You didn’t hear your husband enter the bedroom or call for you, the running water of the shower drowned him out. It wasn’t until you were about to undress that you saw him at the bathroom door, watching you. 

“Please, go on. I’d hate to stop you.” He said in a very innocent way but the look in his eye was anything but. 

“You’re watching?” 

“My dear it’s nothing I haven’t already seen.” He answered right as you slowly began unbuttoning your shirt until your black lace bra was visible. 

You had no problem with him watching you but you weren’t used to him doing nothing. He’d normally talk or tease you, at times he’d join in the stripping but this made you feel shy all of a sudden. He stood at the door completely silent as he unashamedly undressed you with his eyes. If he wanted a show, that’s exactly what he’d get. Something about that look in his eyes gave you newfound confidence. 

You decided to maintain eye contact as you undid the button on your jeans then tugged the zipper down. It was completely unnecessary but you were going to draw this out as long as possible. Shifting from one hip to the next, the pair of pants slowly lowered and once they reached your knees, you thought of kicking them off but that didn’t seem sexy. So instead you opted to bend down — showing off that beautiful arch of your back — and pulled each pant leg out one at a time. 

You raised yourself up slowly and peeked over at your husband. His eyes were glued to your movements, they followed you around hungrily but quietly. To be sure that you had his full attention, your fingers lightly grazed over your underwear and instantly his eyes flickered there. Good. You had him where you wanted him. Reaching back, your fingers knew their job and unclasped your bra with no issue. You didn’t bother to make this attractive, instead you just let the piece of lingerie drop on the white tilted bathroom floor. Your fingers were just as quick to remove the underwear before your husband could because you knew it’d end up torn instead. 

So there you stood before him, fully naked. Your body was not that of a model’s, not even close, but you loved it either way. Your boobs were large enough to fit perfectly in his palms which he enjoyed far too much. They were not perky, no gravity made sure they hung but that’s quite alright, it didn’t bother you. On the other hand, you were fully blessed with your hourglass figure, medium sized hips but a huge ass — huge enough for both his hands. You had some fat on your sides and light stretch marks on your lower abdomen and thighs. You were absolutely glorious in his eyes, he’d never dare change a thing about your body. 

He still hadn’t said a word or even made a move so you did the one thing you knew would arouse him. You cupped one breast in your hands and flicked the nipple, gently massaged it in circles then repeated the action. From the corner of your eye you saw the way his jaw twitched and throat rose and dropped as he swallowed. There was a bench behind you, you were aware of this and decided to go even further. You sat down, spread your legs apart and placed your left palm down for support. Using your right hand, you lifted that same breast to your lips but just before you could get any closer, he was instantly in front of you. 

Of course he’d never allow you to actually touch yourself in his presence, not unless he gave you the permission to. His hand quickly replaced yours and you put your hand on the bench, looking up at him expectantly. He weighed the flesh in his palm by moving his hand up and down, gazing down at it. He looked over at you for confirmation and you nodded. Wasting no time, his lips wrapped themselves around the nipple and right on cue, you let out a soft sigh. He licked around the nipple, sucking slowly at first — hollowing his cheeks as he took in as much of your breast in his mouth as he could — then sped up. His other hand must’ve felt lonely because he reached for the other boob and massaged it. 

His eyes were closed as he kept on sucking. His massaging had turned into pinching now which was equal parts painful and erotic. This was his happy place. He was utterly content being here between your boobs and would be forever. He pulled away with a pop then bit down on the bud which earned him a surprised moan from you. Thank goodness you were seated otherwise your feet would’ve abandoned you by now. 

It wasn’t until he looked up that you took note of his face. This man was beyond ready to devour you whole. Your clit twitched just at the thought of it and he sensed that. His eyes dropped down to your lap, between your legs, and stayed fixated there. You wanted to let him have you but you also wanted to be the one in control. So you took one of his hands in your own and placed it right on your pussy — the immediate contact alone made you sigh in pleasure. He didn’t do a thing, he wanted to see what you’d do next.  

Slowly you moved his hand up and down, palming yourself as you used him. You inched closer to the edge of the bench and gradually picked up the pace. He was intensely watching you get yourself off as your arousal filled the bathroom. You slowed down and lifted his hand off of you though you quickly plunged his middle finger inside your cunt. The intrusion made you moan and gasp out loud. In and out, in and out you controlled the action. 

“How often have you thought of this?” Elijah’s voice suddenly broke through the silence. 

“What?” It’s not that you didn’t hear him, you just weren’t paying attention. 

“How often have you imagined fingering yourself with my hands?” 

Fuck it was hot when he said it out loud. “Often.” You replied but judging from his look, you knew that wasn’t the answer he wanted. 

“Okay fine, a lot. I imagine it a lot.” 

This made him smirk. You could probably see the gears in his mind shifting. “Be a good dutiful wife and ride them.” 

“Ride?” 

“No time for shyness my dear. Ride all four fingers.” 

Shit. That wasn’t what you expected he’d say but you’d be a terrible liar if you denied how much it turned you on. You had ridden him before but never his fingers. You preferred his face, so did he honestly. 

“Ride. Now.” 

This sounded less like a request or suggestion and more like a demand which made it hotter. What the fuck is wrong with me? Why am I still thinking about this? You thought to yourself. 

From the look in your eye, he knew you had agreed and so he purposely pulled his middle finger out slowly out of you. You stood up and stepped away, he sat on the bench and patted his thigh. Using his right hand, he placed it on his leg with his fingers facing up then waited for you. It looked as if you were going to impale yourself on all four digits. 

Right before you could lower yourself, he pulled his hand away and put it in front of your lips. “Open up.” 

You did as told and his fingers intruded your mouth. You knew what was expected of you so you tried to suck them all without choking. Once his fingers were drenched in your saliva, he removed them and smiled. They were back on his lap and he was waiting again for you. 

As you lowered yourself, you kept reminding yourself to breathe. You kept repeating that in your mind until his fingers slowly stretched you out. Completely unprepared, your body jumped upon contact but he was right there to hold you firmly but gently. You knew you had to move but he felt so full. His fingers were slippery and wet — not to mention thick and long — which made for a delicious combination. 

You moved up slowly until they were almost out and then lowered your body back down and once again they filled you. This was slow but you gradually picked up speed until you were practically bouncing on them. Your hips rocked back and forth, grinding around in circles to get as much friction as possible. His other hand seemed too empty for your liking so you used it to play with your clit as you rode his other four. 

Your head was tossed back and eyes were closed. Your boobs swayed left and right, at times up and down, as you moved. Sounds of flesh on flesh could be heard, the slick was dropped down from his fingers to his palms and down his hand. Elijah was thoroughly enjoying this sight of you. Every now and then, he’d curve his fingers which made you moan even more. You were close, he was aware of this from your breathing and panting. In a few minutes your body completely stilled as it shook out an orgasm. 

“Good girl.” He praised as he parted your hair that was stuck to your face due to the sweat. 

“Thank you Eli.” 

“I hope you’re not tired darling. We’ve barely begun.” 

“Good. I want more.” 

“That’s my girl.” He leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on your lips. 

He slowly pulled out his fingers and sucked them off one by one but purposefully skipped his middle one. Instead, he brought it closer to your mouth and you opened without prompting. In one slide, you sucked it off as you tasted yourself. You maintained eye contact with him as you sucked whilst inside your mouth, your tongue licked him. 

He knew what you wanted next so he pulled his finger out and tapped your ass gently. You got off of his lap and into position — you sunk to your knees with your hands behind your back — as you looked up at him, waiting. Elijah had no desire to put on a strip show right now so he used his vampire speed to slide out of his clothing in seconds. 

There he was in front and above you, fully naked. Your eyes didn’t know where to look but you knew where they’d end up anyways. You couldn’t help licking your lips as you faced his dick directly in front of you. It stood up alert, veins bulging around the entire length, as the precum dripped down. Without a thought, you leaned forward and licked it up. He groaned at the feeling of your wet, warm tongue on him. 

You pulled back and looked up at him. “Fuck my face.” 

“As you wish my dear.” You could hear the restrained happiness in his voice. 

Shutting your eyes, you sat back on the back of your legs and waited with your mouth open. He took a moment to enjoy this sight of you before grasping himself in his hand then slid inside slowly. He hissed at the hotness of your mouth and when you immediately closed around him. Your tongue licked him but you opened once again. This time he didn’t slide all the way in, halfway in and he pulled out then went back in. He kept this up for a while, eventually speeding up but it was an inhumane one. The sides of your mouth hurt and your throat was starting to ache from the constant prodding his dick was doing. 

Both of his hands were in your hair, holding you in place as he mercilessly fucked your mouth. Saliva was dripping down from your mouth to your chin and down the valley of your chest. This didn’t phase you at all, you took it all happily. When he looked down, all he saw were your sweet eyes staring back up at him and this made me fuck you harder. You looked so ridiculously innocent when he knew otherwise. He was trying to fuck that innocent look off of your face but instead it was what made him feral. 

Elijah loosened his grip on your head and you decided to take initiative. You lifted your right hand and placed it on his dick, slowly moving your hand up and down. Your mouth pushed him out until the head remained and sucked harshly. Hollowing your cheeks, you spit on his dick a couple of times and licked it up. Your hand continued to jack his length off whilst your mouth teased his head. 

This went on for a few minutes until you changed your actions. Your mouth widened and took all of him inside until he hit the back of your throat — the fullness made you instinctively gag — then placed both of your hands on his thighs for support. You bobbed your head back and forth, gagging until your eyes watered. You pulled all the way out then quickly pushed him back in, your nose was firmly pressed against his base. 

“Love if you don’t stop, I’ll– fuck…I’ll cum.” He was close, you could hear it in his voice. 

You mumbled but your mouth was full so all he felt were vibrations. This made him twitch and you stifled a giggle which caused another twitch. You pulled him out slowly and tapped his dick on your tongue, firmly jacking him off all the while. 

“Please do it. Cum inside.” 

Without warning, he was balls deep in your mouth once again and this time you intended on him staying there until you said otherwise. Your hand toyed with his balls, pinching and rolling them around in your fingers. You knew what would push him so you sat back on your legs once more and gazed up at him, your mouth full of him as he fucked and you deepthroated him. 

“Such a good girl, taking all of me.” He praised you. “Would you like a reward my dear?” 

You couldn’t speak so you nodded your head rapidly. You were craving to taste him far more than you thought you would. 

“Will you swallow? I want it to coat your throat.” 

You nodded profusely once again. He was teasing you, you just knew it. Coat my throat? Fuck yes. Yes please. You thought to yourself and silently begged for that salty, creamy goodness. 

Elijah placed both hands on the sides of your face and went to town. His movements were unforgiving and ruthless, his speed was inhumane. He was determined to cum and fill your mouth if it were the last thing he’d do. You knew he was there when his movements became sloppy and soon after he emptied himself in your mouth. A loud deep groan erupted from his chest as he let go. 

When he was satisfied and done, he pulled out and looked at your mouth. He was right, he’d surely coat your throat. You couldn’t even open your mouth to show him, you were filled to the brim so you swallowed as he watched. Tongue out, you proudly showed him your now empty mouth. 

“My goodness you look stunning like that.” He sighed contentedly. 

You slowly got off your knees and stood up with a grin on your face, “You are delicious my love.” 

“My wife has a dirty mouth. What shall I ever do about that?” He mused with a slight smile. 

“Put it to use.” You cheekily replied then stepped back from him. You turned around and stepped into the glass shower that had now fogged up. “Join me?” 

He laughed then answered, “With absolute pleasure.” 

The moment he walked in, you found your back pressed against the wet wall. Your hair had slowly started to stick to your face, neck, and any part of skin it could. With his outstretched hand, he ran his fingers slowly through the partially wet and dry strands, and without notice you felt your head being yanked backwards and downwards. Before you could react to the pain, his lips were quick to find the pleasure spot on the base of your neck. 

There was a mixture of licking and sucking. You couldn’t tell if the wetness was his saliva or the water droplets. It didn’t matter anyways, your mind was just absentmindedly wondering. You were taken by the pleasurable kisses that you didn’t realize until it was late — you were bleeding. His fangs sunk into your carotid as he happily drank– one hand gripped your hair still and the other had been caressing your boob. 

It was euphoric for him. He’d never tire of you in all the ways he had sampled you. There was no favorite for him, he’d devour you in all moral and immoral ways. No questions asked, no complaints. As he drank, he savored the metallic liquid that coursed through him, awakening every nerve in him. 

An impulsive image interrupted his feeding– he suddenly remembered that he was a father. Less than a year ago, you were in this exact situation. It’s what led to the pregnancy. This train of thought alone was turning him feral. He could vividly see how he had fucked you raw for months on end — not that you ever complained — and one day you had come running to him with a smile as your hand waved the test stick around in the air. 

Your soft moan brought him back from his memories and he retracted his fangs, the veins disappearing in an instant. Your husband stared down at you, his hands switched around to hold you better – his left one hooked under your right thigh and his right hand found its place on your throat. His dick was situated perfectly at your entrance, one slight hip thrust and he’d be inside. 

“Do you think Alex would like a younger sibling?” He asked. 

“I think he’d like someone to play with.” You agreed. 

“Mm, I’d like you to play with me sweetheart.” 

“Yeah? What game do you have in mind?” 

“How about ‘fill her up’?” That smug smile on his face made your clit throb. 

“How do we play?” 

Your husband leaned his head down until his lips were next to the right side of your face, directly on your ear. “I’ll empty my cum inside you and fill you to the brim. You’ll be a good wife and take it.” 

You didn’t even have to say anything, your body betrayed you immediately. Your arousal and the twitching of your thighs told him exactly what he wanted to know. You didn’t even respond — you nodded as you hiked your leg higher on his waist — just glanced up at him, a feigned look of innocence graced your face. 

Elijah chuckled and thrusted inside immediately, not letting you have a moment to adjust. He pushed his hips in and out in a lazy manner as a sort of warmup. The contact made your head instinctively tilt back and your eyes shut. Your mouth made a small o shape, soft whimpers escaping here and there. His hand released your throat and lifted your other leg up, resting it on his waist. You were now straddling him — back against the tiled wall — so you placed your hands on his shoulders for support. 

His large hands held onto your thighs firmly whilst his hips picked up speed. All that could be heard was the slapping sound that skin on skin was making when it would come in contact with each other. You decided to take a look down and saw his dick enter you then seconds later it’d come out. You moaned just at the sight which caught his attention, he had noticed you watching yourself being fucked. The ferocity in which he used to enter you was unexpected but the feeling it left you with was indescribable. 

Elijah had started to tire of this slow pace, he wanted you destroyed but you were far from it. You could pinpoint the exact moment you saw his pupils dilate, it was around the same time that the shower room felt more intense. Suddenly, you found yourself on the warm, wet shower floor laying down on your back — both of your hands were pinned above your head by one of his. His hips thrusted into you so powerfully that it jolted your body. 

It was hot. Fucking hot. He had been staring at it the entire time, it could explain his ruthless movements. Elijah was so deep inside you that his dick’s imprint could be seen from the outside. You were now watching the bulge on your abdomen as it filled you fully then retreated, in again and out. It was fucking hot. Your legs spread wider for him and tightly wrapped themselves around his hips. Breathing was a bit of a chore at this moment, every thrust made you feel like he’d tear you apart. 

Your eyes had started to water and your mouth was salivating. Your back arched upwards towards him and he took the hint, his head lowered close enough to take a nipple in his mouth. You were meant to take it all — take the thrusts, the nipple sucks and bites, the choking — like a good girl. So good. Actually you’d be the best girl because you wanted to please him in every way. 

“Eli…more please.” You weakly begged. 

You knew if you wanted him to listen, you’d need to do more than that. He knew it too which is why he didn’t respond, he just stared at you. To motivate you, he bit down on your nipple but this only made you moan. He removed the hand on your throat and leisurely slid it down your body, hovering right above your clit. He stared at you expectantly. 

“Put it there.” 

His fingers grazed the protruding sensitive nub which earned him a sigh and gasp. “Where are your manners dear?” 

“Please Eli. Please.” 

A small smirk was his response to you. You felt it before you saw it– the slap on your clit that made your hips jolt. He did it again when he saw your reaction. Once again, you tried to move away from him. That smile was so deceiving, he was thoroughly enjoying this. This time he flicked the nub then rolled it between his thumb and pointer finger. You were so caught up in the action that you hadn’t prepared for him to palm you rapidly, making good use of that vampire speed. You didn’t even last a minute, you were moaning loudly as you came undone, a bit of pee even escaped you. 

You may have orgasmed but he hadn’t and it was his turn. While he was getting you off, he had stilled his actions so now he wanted his fun. He pulled out of you and released your hands then flipped you over to your stomach. You laid there and waited to see what he’d do next. You couldn’t see anything unless you looked back so you had to rely on your other senses. 

Tap. Tap tap. You didn’t need to look to know what that was, he was slapping your ass cheeks with his dick. He sandwiched himself between both cheeks, rubbing himself against them. He sighed and then slowly inserted it in your pussy. There was no restraint, he was already balls deep and had no intention of slowing down or stopping to give you a break. He was chasing his own high — your walls weren’t helping the situation, they grasped him firmly in place  — and would get what he wanted no matter what. 

His movements now had no definite rhythm, he slowed then sped so you knew he was close. You reached back to your ass and spread your cheeks apart for him slightly. There was nothing to say, only do. He pushed your back down and used his speed to mercilessly pound into you. Your moans were being drowned out by his own. He was getting closer. His fingers reached around you and found your clit, he toyed around with the nub and your folds. 

His lips were next to your neck, nibbling on the flesh, then he whispered, “Will you cum for me again?” 

You nodded your head rapidly, “Yes. Please make me.” 

“Shall I coat your pretty pink walls white with my cum darling? Would you like that?” 

“Fuck yes. Eli please.” 

“Then empty me. Tighten those walls and squeeze every last drop.” 

“I’ll be a good girl and do it for you.” 

Several more thrusts plus a few more vulgarities and he erupted in tandem with you. Elijah let out a loud groan as he filled you up — as promised — to the brim with him cum. He stayed there for a few minutes then slowly pulled out. Some semen threatened to escape but he used his fingers to shove it back inside your cunt. The sight of you laid out on your stomach with your pussy full of his cum was giving him ideas. Feral ones that is. 

“You did so well darling.” He praised as he lifted you up. He sat down on the built-in shower seat and pulled you into his lap. 

You offered a soft smile then leaned into him for a kiss which he happily obliged you with. His arms rested on your hips and yours on his shoulders. It was slow and sweet then after a moment you both pulled away. 

“I hope you’re not tired yet. I still want more.” You told him, gently caressing his face. 

“I’d never tire of you. Besides I shall need to fill your womb if you’re to fall pregnant once again.” 

“You say the most romantic things.” 

Elijah chuckled and kissed your forehead. “You enjoy the filth, I’m merely indulging you.” 

You knew that was a lie. He absolutely loved the dirty talk, aside from your looks, it turned him on but he wouldn’t admit it out loud. 

“If you say so.” You hid your smile then added, “Let’s play a game of ‘fill her up’.” 

So you both did once again. Two more rounds were in the shower but you couldn’t keep your hands to yourselves so one more was in the bathroom, on that bench. You had to shower separately otherwise you’d never leave. Once you were fresh and had been fucked to your heart’s content, you laid in bed and waited as he went to check on Alex. 

Your hand rubbed your abdomen at the thought of another child. You wanted one and so did he but there was no rush, it was rather fun trying to make one. Elijah was back and in bed next to you, he reached for your body and pulled you close to him. His lips left a gentle kiss on your forehead whilst his hands rubbed your back in small circles. He was happy and content with the life he had, he’d never change a thing but he wouldn’t refuse the idea of a bigger family with you. 

“I love you Y/N.” He said as he stroked your arm softly. 

Your face was snuggled into his chest so your reply came out muffled. You lifted your head up and looked at him, “I love you Eli.” 

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[captmickey]

Anger 20 with the three adventures?

For all the quips and jokes the two had made about Link, he was surprisingly strong when he was focused. Especially so when he was going after someone.

Guybrush and Graham held onto the Hylian as tightly as they could, trying to hold him back from going after the poor individual who decided to open their big mouth on a particularly sensitive topic. The topic, of course, being the very duo who was literally holding him back lunging at the guy who was annoyingly standing there with their nose up in the air.

It wasn’t a first (nor did they feel it would be the last) of someone claiming to know of Link’s supposed destiny and saying to his face that he would bring the end of the world, so with it he usually brushed it off (though not without being in a bit of a down mood). What was first, however, was the person attacking the characters of Guybrush and Graham. Going so far as to claim that Link is further propelling the end times by having help from others, from not handling whatever quest on his own. 

Guybrush shrugged it off and Graham found it upsetting of the lack of faith.

Link was insulted on both of their behalf.

Which was how he found himself being held back by the very two as he tried to break free from their hold so that he could beat up the guy for speaking like that.

“Let go of me!” Link fought.

“No way!” Guybrush said, cursing that his height didn’t equate his strength.

“You need to calm down.” Graham said through gritted teeth.

“I’ll calm down once I get that smug look off their face!”

The person scoffed and continued looking down at the trio.

“And that right there is why you are the bringer of ruins.” They said. “You cannot fight alone, you cannot control yourself, and your companions are a couple of pathetic nobodies–”

“Shut up!” Link shouted. “Say what you want about me, but leave them out of this!”

“You are the most reckless, pathetically weak, horrible–”

“Alright! We get it!” Guybrush then snapped. “Jeez, think of something more clever already you snot nose sniveling one-note nerd!”

“Jeez, Guybrush…” Graham winced, but a smirk was just at the edge of his lips.

“And that’s not even my meanest insult.” Guybrush chuckled, strengthening his grip on the Hylian. 

“I can make the meanest insult…” Link growled, just for the two to hear.

“Punching someone till unconsciousness is not an insult. That’s an assault.” 

“Graham.”

“Am I wrong?”

Guybrush shook his head and looked at Link. “Listen, I get that feeling, I do. But you have got to pull yourself together. Don’t give this jerk anymore ammunition.”

Link stopped struggling, but the grip on him was still tight… and rightfully so. His urge to still lunge at the guy was still astronomically high.

Graham looked up at the guy, his brows furrowed as he focused all of his rage in his stare. “You got anything else to say that’s not a redundant statement? If not, then I suggest you get going.”

“Or what?” The person threatened.

“Or else you’re going to be dealing with the two supposed nobodies and it won’t end well in your favor.” Graham said, his tone being frightfully cold. “Especially since one of us is a pirate.” 

“And pirates are not exactly known for their mercy.” Guybrush threatened.

The person looked at the trio, going pale at the idea of the threat and let out a huff before storming away and leaving them be. Once they left, and they knew that they were gone, Link sagged slightly in their hold, his head hanging low. 

“Link?” Graham called out, warmth returning to his words.

“What happened? You’re not normally like that.” Guybrush said, slowly letting go of Link.

“I hated how they talked about you two.” He grumbled.

“Yeah, noted. But I’m used to people talking like that about me.” Guybrush pointed out. “Can’t say the same about Graham… do they talk about you like that?”

“Um… Does laughing at my name count?” Graham tilted his head. “The Guards did that all the time during the Knights Tournament.”

Guybrush gestured with his hand so-so.

“But that still wasn’t fair to drag you two because of me.” Link said. “I already know what people think of me, I’m used to it. I’m not used to having other people being belittled just because of close proximity to me. And I know I messed up by acting like that but what they said just… just…!”

Link gripped his head and paced a bit before kicking a rock.

“Do they do that with the Princess?” Graham asked.

Link and Guybrush looked at him, wondering where that came from.

“What about her?” Link asked, his hair now slightly frazzled.

“Do they talk about the Princess because of the close proximity thing.” Graham pressed.

“...Sometimes…” Link admitted quietly.

“How does she handle it?”

Link contemplated, thinking for a moment before brushing a hand through his hair. “She remains calm, lets them speak their mind… after a while she brushes them off and tells them to wait and see. And… and she has confidence in me…”

“Well, so do we.” Graham smiled, his hands on his hips. “I can definitely speak on behalf of Guybrush when I say that they just have to wait and see and that we’re confident in you too.”

“That and I’ve learned it’s actually way easier to deal with literally anything with people who want to help.” Guybrush agreed, his arms crossed. “The guy was a jerk… but he’s no different than the last few jerks we dealt with or will eventually deal with. Same pile of crap, different lipstick or however that saying goes.”

“You were nowhere near the vicinity of that saying.” Graham snickered.

“Eh, I was close. A good eighty percent.”

“More like eight…”

“You’re seriously sticking by me with all that happened?” Link asked quietly.

“Well, yeah. We made it this far together. It’d be pretty dumb to leave you hanging.” Guybrush answered.

“Besides, who else will hold your sword while you go off to pummel someone to unconsciousness?” Graham said as he walked over and draped and arm around Guybrush.

“Doth my ears deceive me? Graham encouraging violence?” Guybrush playfully smirked.

“Only for this particular group. And I’ll have you know I’m not ALWAYS nice.”

“That’s a bold face lie.” Link smiled, wiping at his eye a little. 

He looked between the two as they got into a debate of kindness and the familiar sting in his eyes returned though this time…. This time it was with joy and relief. Time and time and time again they proved they would go to the ends of the earth with him, to act as his rock when he needed it… he might not be living up to the expectancy of whatever legend, but for right now, he was perfectly content being the abnormal one with friends who journeyed with him then being the norm and alone.

[apomaro-mellow]

This one’s about Robin and Nancy getting a job together.

Robin ignored Steve as she rifled through her closet. He was pouting up a storm but nothing was going to change her decision.

“I can’t believe you’re abandoning me.”

“I didn’t realize I was your mommy Steve.”

“You know what I mean. Together. We’re always together.”

“We’ve had two jobs together. I think it’s about time we cut the cord.” Robin finally found a shirt she liked and pulled it out. Now for some pants. Something that she wouldn’t mind getting dirty.

“The heck am I supposed to do at Family Video now? Talk to Keith?”

“You could always quit and work somewhere else. Even I wouldn’t subject you to that.”

Steve’s arms were crossed and he was leaning against her door frame, bottom lip jutting out. It never worked on Robin but he did it anyway.

“Keith said he’s already looking for someone to replace you. I just know they’re gonna be the worst.”

Robin began to undress and Steve did the customary turn around. “Chin up. A stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet.” She had a mischievous grin, knowing Steve couldn’t see it.

Robin was starting a new job at the pet store. More importantly, she was starting at the pet store with Nancy.

“Oh aren’t you just the cwutest-wootest-wooshie-sqwooshie widdle buddy”, Robin cooed while squishing the face of an adoring rottweiler puppy.”

Nancy just looked at her tolerantly as she went about feeding the birds.

“Gigi said they like it when you talk to them”, Robin said.

“They’re animals. They can’t understand what you say”, Nancy replied.

“I think some of the meaning gets through. Like our feelings can transcend language barriers.”

“Whatever you say.”

Robin cradled the puppy in her arms as she watched Nancy move about the store. “I know you’re only here cause that radio job didn’t pan out, but you could try to have fun here.”

Nancy let out a sigh like she was talking to a child. “It’s a job, Robin. It’s not supposed to be fun.”

“We are being paid to hang around god’s cutest creatures. Tell me how that’s not fun?” She then got closer and used the puppy’s paw to pat Nancy on the shoulder. “Tell us.”

The puppy licked at Robin’s hand and then looked at Nancy, as if he was too asking her to explain why she wasn’t enjoying herself. Unable to resist two sets of puppy eyes, Nancy allowed herself a small smile.

But before she could answer, the phone rang. Nancy had the giant bag of feed, so Robin went to go answer it.

“Leo St Pet Shop. How can I help you?”

“You knew”, Steve’s voice hissed in a whisper.

“Knew what~?”

“You knew the new employee was going to be Eddie!”

“Maybe~”, Robin grinned.

“This isn’t funny, Rob. You gave me no time to prep. I thought we were friends. How could you do this to me?”

“Steve. He’s your friend and co-worker now. Just handle the tapes and clock out and like, get a beer or do what guys do after work.”

“I’m gonna have your ass for this Bucks.”

“My ass isn’t the one you should be focusing on.”

“Robi-”

She hung up and turned back to Nancy. “Steve’s just a drama queen. He’ll be fine.”

“You didn’t tell him Eddie applied to Family Video?”

“He likes surprises. Well, I like surprising him and he likes my surprises whether he likes them or not.”

Nancy looked at her, incredulous. “I don’t know what’s worse, being your friend or your enemy.”

“Well would you rather be subjected to facing your inner feelings or getting a face full of fire?”

Her jaw clenched and Nancy seriously looked like she was considering it. “Hard to choose.”

Robin put the puppy back with his siblings. “Well, lucky for you, the feelings things is reserved for my best friend. And I’m all out of molotov cocktails. So you’re safe from both.”

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

Steve survived Day 1 of working with Eddie somehow. And the days that followed. While he was constantly doing a tight rope act, being totally normal around a guy he absolutely did not want to climb like a tree, his other half (she was no longer his better half after betraying him) was having the time of her life.

Robin and Nancy went out to lunch everyday, Robin had all sorts of stories about what they got up to.

“I heard her doing the baby voice with the new kittens Steve. It was adorable. I thought I was gonna die.”

“I’m sooooo glad you’re enjoying yourself”, Steve said as he followed her through the bookstore. “Don’t worry about me spiraling or anything.”

Robin had half a mind to chuck a novel at him. But instead, she simply rolled up a magazine and bonked him with it. “You need to get a hold of yourself. Whatever happened to that Harrington charm?”

“It doesn’t work on Eddie.”

“Have you tried?”

The silence spoke for itself and all Robin could do was shake her head and smile. “You’ll figure it out. If not, maybe Eddie will.”

Robin had better things to do than to see Steve through a crisis that wasn’t really a crisis. She bought her book and when they left the store, Argyle was there, right on time.

“Hey Birdie. Whaddup Loverboy?”

“Sup, Waver Rider. Thanks for the pick up”, Robin said, getting into the passenger side.

“You need a lift too?”, Argyle asked Steve.

“I’m good. Got a couple more errands to run.”

The two left him on the sidewalk. While parting ways, neither Robin nor Steve knew what the rest of the day had in store for them.

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

When their respective shifts ended, Nancy had been picked up by Argyle and Robin got picked up by Steve. Robin immediately bull dozed him with words but about five minutes in, she realized he was being unresponsive.

“Hey. Did something happen today?”

“You first. Clearly something went down between you and Nancy.”

“Uh, you first, because something clearly went down between you and Eddie.”

“Robin. Go.”

No, Steve go.”

“If I tell you what happened, you’ll call me a slut.”

Robin scoffed. “I called you that once when you got high and snuggled with Jonathan. You should’ve seen Eddie’s face then, you harlot.”

“That’s why you should go first.”

Unable to keep it in any longer, Robin went ahead. “We kissed Steve! Ahhh!” She grabbed his arm and shook it a little.

“Tell me everything! Now!”

“Okay, so that thing happened again. You know where she’s talking to the birds and I think she’s talking to me and so I say something and she has to say ‘I was talking to the birds’.”

“Right, yeah”, Steve nodded.

Robin really did tell him everything, describing pretty much the entire day and every touch and look that led to them kissing under the counter.

“God that was probably the weirdest place for a first kiss but also kinda perfect somehow? Anyone, some rando came in and I bumped my head. Nancy was perfect, didn’t skip a beat. Helped him out and everything.”

“And then?”

“And then, uh, then she asked me if that was okay.”

“And it was, right?”

“Was it, Steve?”

The conversation had taken them longer, so Steve was looking for a decent drive through. “Was it okay? Robs, me and Nancy are completely done. You’re the one trying to set me up with Eddie.”

“By the way, how’s that going?”

“Number 1, large coke, no ice”, Steve said out the window when he found a good place.

“Number 3, extra pickles, orange soda”, Robin ordered after him.

Steve gave her a look of disgust.

“What? I’ve already kissed her Steve.”

“Yeah but have some respect my my own nose. I still gotta drive you home.”

“Just for that, I should’ve gotten onion rings too. Anyway, you and Eddie. Spill.”

Steve paid at the window and handed the bags of food over to Robin.  “Okay...so...” He drummed his fingers against the wheel as he gathered the nerve. “We kissed too.”

“Holy shit you kissed him!”, Robin was about to celebrate when she saw the look on his face. “Holy shit you did more than that.”

“Alright, I’m not giving details on this part, but...these aren’t the same pants I wore to work today.”

Robin let out a dramatic gasp. “You slut.”

“I knew you’d say that!”

“I’m getting hot and bothered over a kiss and you’re getting frisky at the video store!”

“Yeah, you under the counter and me in the backroom. Guess we’re both deviants.”

Robin picked off some of the extra pickles from her burger and chomped down. “Between that and the hell dimension with nightmare monsters, which do you think the townspeople will be more scandalized by?”

Steve kept the window cracked to fight any lingering pickle smells. “I think they’d tie. But the greatest crime will be you trying to kiss a girl with pickle breath.”

Robin shoved him with her free hand and they turned the conversation to other topics. Maybe Robin should’ve told him she had applied for another job and maybe she should've told him that Eddie would be her replacement. But all’s well the ends well. And if they’re both making out with their co-workers, that seemed about as well as it could get.

[trubbishrubbish]

Toko DR1 defense rant. (+ some UDG and Tokomaru hot takes)

I wrote a DR1 Toko defense rant and hot takes on twitter after seeing a DR1 Toko hate post on tumblr, funny that. Anyway, I'm copying pasting that rant onto here becuase it's really important. I will defend Toko with my life.

DR1 Toko haters are the weakest link.

Y’all can’t handle the fact that a woman with childhood trauma, trauma with relationships and has DiD with a serial killer alter is thrust into a stressful life or death killing game would not act very nice and normal 24/7.

If Toko in DR1 made you feel uncomfortable and you didn’t like her moments then that’s completely fine. That’s the point of her character.

It’s a pretty accurate portrayal of how someone with trauma who hasn’t been able to get the help they need would act this way. Her character was perfectly done to serve the story she has. Saying her character is bad just because it’s uncomfortable is dumb.

You can argue that her trauma being played for laughs and is bad taste but that’s more a story issue than a character issue.

Here’s another hot take: If you love UDG Toko but hate DR1 Toko then you don’t actually love Toko, you only love a fanon version of Toko.

A fanon Toko that is gay for Komaru and her obsession with Byakuya and trauma are just “magically gone”

All of Toko’s negative traits in DR1 are still present in UDG. Her sole motivation for coming to Towa city was to save Byakuya. Her reason for sticking with Komaru, encouraging her to not give up when she is at her lowest and helping and saving her, it was all done so Toko could trade Komaru with the enemy so she could save Byakuya. Her being rude and making incest jokes in front of Komaru are aspects of Toko’s character that shouldn’t be ignored. (Although, the incest part is more a product of UDG trying to squeeze as much grossness it can)

The reason why it shouldn’t be ignored is that it makes Toko’s growth in chapter 4 onwards all the more significant. Toko at the start of UDG was calling Komaru “Omaru” and fully wanted to betray her.

Toko in the end of UDG has learned that she likes having Komaru as a friend and wants to fight to save both her and Byakuya. That’s a character god tier arc.

But what about Toko’s obsession afterwards? It still exists because it’s linked to her trauma that she still has not been able to heal from. Komaru is a very important and wonderful person for Toko but she is not a therapist. She can’t diagnose all of Toko’s issues and create a way for Toko to fully heal. She can be the start and encourage Toko, but Toko needs professional therapy. Months of therapy most likely. This isn’t something that can be fixed in a week. DR3 shows that even when Toko has Komaru, she still has her obsession with Byakuya because she hasn’t been able to go to therapy.

I should probably clarify that I don’t dislike Tokomaru content that has Toko healing with Komaru’s help or Toko content that has her over Byakuya. Lord knows

I can’t throw stones in the department because of how I write Genocide Jack lol. But what I am saying is that DR1 Toko is important for UDG Toko to make sense. You can’t ignore DR1 Toko and only think about Toko as she is in UDG. Both Tokos are halves of one complete Toko.

That said, I do take slight issue with people who said that Toko NEEDED UDG to be good. Guys, Kodaka wasn’t thinking about UDG or any future DR game when writing DR1. DR1 was written as if it would be the only thing that could be made of the series. Toko’s arc in DR1 WAS supposed to end where it was. It wasn’t left incomplete so another game could fill in the rest. Toko in UDG is just an expansion of DR1 Toko. She’s already learned how to be braver and fight, UDG teaches her that she doesn’t have to pick and choose between two people. She can have both.

It’s extremely rare that a Danganronpa character has second time in the spotlight to develop more beyond the game they star in. Toko is the sole exception to this.

Also worth mentioning, Toko wasn’t first considered to be the partner early in development. It was actually Haiji that would be the secondary protagonist in UDG. The only reason why they switched from him to Toko was for gameplay purposes. Kodaka wanted the player to have the ability to switch to a super powerful character that can’t die so the people used to visual novel aspect of DR can play UDG without worrying about having to be good at a third person shooter.

Haiji’s power form would have been him taking off his cast and killing Monokumas with a robot arm. But that didn’t go very far so it was decided that Genocide Jack would be that power form.

That means y’all have to thank Genocide Jack for giving you the UDG lesbians. (Btw, if I got this info wrong please let me know.)

Anyway I exhausted myself from talking about Toko. She is a perfect weird girl who is one of DR’s best written characters.

[lucky-clover-gazette]

the girls are bitingggggggg

Teen | 4613 words | Vio & Shadow, not explicitly romantic or platonic

This one-shot is a sort of "filler" piece based on the excellent Four Swords Vampire AU by @kaitopitoo and @othervio. I'm a huge fan of both creators' work for this AU and in general, and highly recommend checking them out if you somehow haven't already.

Specific dialogue towards the end of this piece is directly taken from this comic.

Thank you again to the AU's creators, you guys are the coolest!

“I really don’t understand why you’re not letting me help you,” Vio pouts, and Shadow has to stop himself from laughing at his expression. Are all Hylians this expressive, or is this specific Hylian strange even among his own kind? Perhaps that’s why Vio seems so comfortable with Shadow—outsiders recognize outsiders.

Nevertheless, Shadow will not be swayed. “I told you already,” he tells Vio, “I’m not feeding from you again. The first time was out of desperation, and I shouldn’t have done it.”

Vio shrugs, which brings Shadow’s attention to his bare shoulder. Hylia, it really is just out there in the open, isn’t it?

“I mean, sure,” says Vio, “I definitely would have preferred a bit of warning. At the least, you could have made me dinner first.”

“In a way, I did make you dinner.”

read the rest under the cut or on ao3

Vio stands in the doorway with his arms crossed, lilac-colored blouse too loose on his shoulders to be accidental. “You look like death.”

“I am death,” Shadow retorts, although he grants his guest attention all the same. He, of course, has no intention to bite Vio again—not after the days of gracious hosting he’s spent making up for it—but he is hungry. It’s his own fault, as he’s been so busy trying to provide for his surprise houseguest to secure any kind of sustenance for himself. He may feel woozy, but he can handle the discomfort until the evening allows him to venture outside the castle. He’s certainly withstood worse.

“I really don’t understand why you’re not letting me help you,” Vio pouts, and Shadow has to stop himself from laughing at his expression. Are all Hylians this expressive, or is this specific Hylian strange even among his own kind? Perhaps that’s why Vio seems so comfortable with Shadow—outsiders recognize outsiders.

Nevertheless, Shadow will not be swayed. “I told you already,” he tells Vio, “I’m not feeding from you again. The first time was out of desperation, and I shouldn’t have done it.”

Vio shrugs, which brings Shadow’s attention to his bare shoulder. Hylia, it really is just out there in the open, isn’t it?

“I mean, sure,” says Vio, “I definitely would have preferred a bit of warning. At the least, you could have made me dinner first.”

“In a way, I did make you dinner.”

This makes Vio chuckle, and Shadow has no idea why that feels like an accomplishment.

“I suppose that’s true. But you were starving, right?”

“Yes. Normally I can restrain myself, but the injuries from battle had already weakened me significantly.”

Vio rubs the back of his neck—his damn neck, can he stop it with the neck? “I am sorry about that, although we really couldn’t have known any better than to attack. We’re knights and we do what we’re told, and the Princess has convinced everyone that your kind are evil.”

Shadow raises an eyebrow. “You’ve been perfectly well for days, yet you’re still here. Would your Princess approve of a knight voluntarily cohabitating with someone so evil?”

Vio gives him a small smile. “Well, maybe now I know better.”

Shadow isn’t sure how to respond to that, so he picks up his book instead.

“Hey!” Vio exclaims. “I’m talking to you, you can’t just abandon a conversation like that!”

Shadow looks up, genuinely confused. “I… can’t?”

“Not if you want to be polite. Do you get any kind of social interaction on a regular basis?”

“Not really.”

Vio’s expression softens. “That’s… well, that’s a shame, then. Sorry.”

Shadow places the book aside again. “It’s all right, Vio.”

“I mean really, who am I to judge, I’ve spent half of my life with my nose in a book. It’s a very effective way to ignore people. I guess it’s just not very fun being on the receiving end.”

Shadow slides the book even farther away from himself, so much so that it falls off the desk. Vio notices, but ignores it.

“Seriously,” Vio says, meeting Shadow’s eyes. “You don’t look well, and you’ve been holed up in your room all day. If my being here is too much, I can leave. You shouldn’t have to feel like some kind of predator in your own home.”

Shadow shakes his head. “You don’t have to leave. I really am happy to have your company, for as long as you’d like to stay. Do you… do you know how long you’d like to stay?”

“No, if I’m being honest. I had initially planned to leave as soon as I felt physically able, but you ended up intriguing me. Quite honestly, I am still intrigued.”

Normally when a Hylian is intrigued by Shadow, they have already deemed him a monstrosity deserving of brutal execution. They examine him like a threat they need to neutralize, like a wild animal whose only desire is to kill. Yet somehow, Vio’s interest feels completely different. It’s still strange, because Vio is an undeniably strange person, but he seems to regard Shadow with the same confused fondness Shadow fosters for him.

Because Shadow is fond of Vio, he realizes, and this entire situation becomes all the more intriguing.

“I usually feed at night, so that I don’t feel weak during the day,” Shadow explains, truly wishing to dispel Vio’s concerns. The fact that the knight is concerned about him at all is astounding, actually, and wholly undeserved. “But in the past few days I have been… occupied. Feeding from a Hylian is able to sustain me for much longer than from an animal, so I’ve forgone hunting in the time since I brought you here. But even a Hylian feeding won’t last me forever, so I’ll have to visit the woods tonight. It’s really not much longer, Vio, I’ll be okay.”

Vio looks thoughtful as he processes this information. It occurs to Shadow that his explanation must come as a surprise, as vampire literature distributed by the royal family is undoubtedly full of inaccuracies.

“It doesn’t sound like you enjoy hunting very much,” Vio says slowly, sitting on Shadow’s perfectly-made bed. It’s identical to the one Shadow had prepared for Vio just days ago, after smuggling his unconscious body back to the only safe place he knows.

Shadow still isn’t quite sure why he had done that—he could have just left the knight to be rescued by his allies. But perhaps Shadow felt embarrassed about the consequences of his hunger, and leaving Vio for everyone to see would have reinforced Hylian beliefs about the brutality of his kind.

And even if Vio had lived, he would still have had to cope with memories of the bite itself—the terror, the pain, an inherent sense of violation far more intimate than any typical battle wound. Waking up in the care of the Princess, Vio could have been made to feel pitiful, disgusting, tainted. Shadow had hurt him profoundly and irreversibly—perhaps giving him a safe place to awaken had partially been an attempt to make up for that.

“I don’t enjoy hunting,” Shadow admits with a sigh, “but it’s something I have to do.”

“But you said yourself that animal blood is far less sustaining than Hylian blood. Like, you have to feed from an animal every night just to survive, while feeding from a Hylian would last you days. And that was when you were wounded—if you’re not wounded, would it last you even longer?”

Shadow grits his teeth. “It doesn’t matter how long it would last me. I don’t feed from Hylians.”

Vio glances pointedly at the still-healing bite on the left side of his neck, then at the perfectly unbitten skin to the right. Shadow groans.

“Can you please wear the shirt normally?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Vio hums, playing with the ruffled sleeves. “Besides, this isn’t my shirt. My shirt, my favorite shirt, was perfectly tailored to my body by the royal seamstress herself, and would never slouch off my shoulders in such a scandalous manner. But I can’t wear my favorite shirt, on account of the copious bloodstains, so I have no choice but to make do with your cast-offs.”

Shadow, again, does not know how to respond. Licking his lips is definitely not the correct response, but he finds himself doing it nonetheless.

“I’m just saying,” Vio continues, mercifully ignoring Shadow’s involuntary response, “that you wouldn’t need to hunt tonight, or for several nights afterward, if you just let me help you.”

Shadow grips his own arms, only stopping when he remembers that he has claws. The nerve on this Hylian, truly, to just burst in and antagonize an actual monster while wearing said monster’s perfectly well-tailored and stylish shirt…

“I really do want to help,” Vio says, no longer teasing. “But I also respect your wishes. I’m not trying to torture you here, and I really appreciate everything you’ve done to take care of me. I suppose I just want to take care of you, in return.”

Shadow shakes his head. “You don’t owe me anything. I bit you, I helped you recover, and now we’re even... at least, as even as we’re ever going to be.”

“Good, then,” Vio replies with a smile. “I’m glad we’re even. Now you know I’m offering my blood as a genuine kindness, and because I’d very much like to keep you around.”

Shadow rolls his eyes. “Hunting takes me three hours.”

“You’re not the only one in those woods on a hunt,” counters Vio, and there’s a sudden sharpness in his voice. “The others are looking for me, Shadow. And if they find you instead…”

Ah. That had not occurred to Shadow.

“Ah. That had not occurred to me.”

“If you really don’t want to bite me, I will go to the forest and hunt something down for you myself.”

Shadow looks Vio up and down. On one hand, he is a knight—but on the other, he still seems like the kind of person who would kill a deer and cry about it for hours. Hylia knows Shadow had been like that, before he’d been forced by circumstance to desensitize himself completely.

“Seriously,” Vio says, rising to his feet. He places a firm hand on Shadow’s shoulder, and Shadow can’t remember the last time someone did that. “I admire your dedication to your values. If animal blood is the only thing that’s going to keep you alive, I will get you some.”

“The knights could find you just as easily,” argues Shadow, and he doesn’t want Vio to go, not yet, not when his hand is so warm and his mind is so clever and his presence is so unbelievably appreciated.

Vio just winks. “I’m pretty good with stealth. How do you think I was able to sneak up on you during combat?”

“Still,” Shadow says, bowing his head, “it’s risky for you, too. I worry what they’ll think, whenever you do go back… will they accept you, even though you’ve been bitten?”

“I think they would. But my return would also make them hate you even more, and I don’t want to be Zelda’s final argument for completing the genocide of your people. She’s been holding off on an offensive strategy for years, in line with her parents, but your lack of action is starting to make her paranoid. She can’t comprehend the idea of you just minding your business, far away from Hyrule’s citizens, and posing no threat to them or the kingdom. At this point, she’s desperate for reasons to finally take you down, and I’d be a pretty damn compelling one.”

Shadow wishes Vio was wrong, but they both know he isn’t. And with the Hylian standing so close, his bare shoulder and neck only an arm’s length away, Shadow finally loses his resolve.

“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” he asks Vio, finally meeting those intelligent eyes.

Vio nods without hesitation. “I am.”

“Did it… did it hurt, the last time I bit you? I’ve never gotten to ask.”

Vio smirks. “What, the deer weren’t interested in a debriefing?”

Shadow doesn’t smile back, and Vio takes a deep breath. “Sorry. Uh, I don’t remember it hurting too badly. I was mostly just shocked and scared, because of everything I’d been told about you during my training. It hadn’t really occurred to me that a vampire attack was something a person could survive. I think… once you actually started feeding, I was confused whether I should grip you tighter or push you away. It was like you comforted me by holding me steady, but you were also the reason I needed comfort in the first place. I felt myself getting weaker the more you fed, I eventually passed out, and then I woke up here.”

Shadow blinks.

“But really,” Vio adds quickly, “it was fine.”

“I’m sorry,” Shadow tells him. “I don’t really know what else to say.”

Vio gives him a reassuring smile. “You don’t have to. I’m not afraid of you anymore. Honestly, I think if most Hylians actually got to know you, they wouldn’t be either.”

Shadow frowns as he opens the drawer of his vanity. Wincing, he withdraws a small item wrapped in white cloth. “Take this,” he tells Vio, “it’s dangerous to… well, you’ll see.”

Vio nods as he takes the item and unwraps it, revealing a weighty metal triforce symbol. “Oh,” Vio says, tossing the talisman in his hands. “Didn’t expect you to have one of these.”

“My kind are weak against holy symbols,” Shadow explains, standing up and motioning to the vanity chair. “If you feel like I’m taking too much, or out of control, you should be able to stop me using that.”

Vio takes the seat, turning to face Shadow’s mirror. Despite the fact that Shadow lurks right behind him, only Vio is visible.

“Damn, Shadow,” Vio laughs nervously, “if you can’t see yourself in mirrors, how in the world do you manage that eyeliner?”

Shadow rolls his expertly-lined eyes. “I have a lot of free time.”

“I’ll bet. It looks great.”

“Thank you,” Shadow says, unsure of how exactly one is meant to take such a compliment. Vio, meanwhile, appears to blush. At least Shadow can spare him that embarrassment by relieving him of any extra blood running through his veins, giving him that delectably rosy coloration—oh, he did not just refer to Vio as delectable.

“Are you squeamish?” Shadow asks, firmly gripping Vio’s bare shoulder. The knight tenses for only a second before relaxing himself.

“Kind of? The first time I was mostly just shocked, and I’ve obviously dealt with wounds before… but I try to avoid seeing doctors. I don’t like the idea of someone knowing my body better than I do.”

Shadow nods. “You have the triforce, so you can stop me whenever you need. Of course, I will also try my very best to stop myself, but…”

“I get it,” Vio says. “I say the same thing when it’s pumpkin soup night at Hyrule Castle.”

Shadow chuckles. “You’re the strangest little Hylian I’ve ever met.”

“How many Hylians have you met, again? I call selection bias. And I’m not little, you’re only an inch taller than I am out of those platforms.”

“I enjoy our banter immensely, Vio, but I’ve been staring at your bare shoulders for the past ten minutes and I find myself quite frustrated. Permission to proceed?”

Vio loudly gulps. “Granted.”

Shadow eyes the side of Vio’s neck he hasn’t yet bitten, then the clean bite wound he had recently left behind. He feels an odd sense of protectiveness over the Hylian, a sort of supernatural possession undetectable to anyone but himself. For the millionth time, he wishes for the presence of other vampires, or really anyone capable of providing insight regarding his condition. The only thing Shadow has is written history, saved before the royal burnings and stowed away in his castle.

He recalls writings of the relationships his fallen kin had once maintained with Hylians, before the church created a divide and carried out its genocide. Many vampires had once been happy to coexist with Hylians, even safely feed from them with full consent. These kinds of recorded bonds had been sometimes platonic, sometimes romantic, and occasionally unlabeled in nature—but in the writings, there is a consistent feeling of intimacy, even exclusivity, projected onto each.

Of course to some of these vampires exclusivity was not important in the slightest, but to Shadow… there’s a sense of security in an exclusive bond. He could feed from any Hylian, and would be mindful of their comfort all the same, but Vio… Vio, he wants around after the bite. How can Shadow possibly explain to the knight that while he appreciates the offer to sustain him with blood, Shadow values his company above all else? How can he himself even begin to understand this unfamiliar and terrifying feeling?

Not on an empty stomach, Shadow decides, running his tongue against a sharp fang.

“Hey,” Vio says, looking over his shoulder. “Are you okay?”

“Yes. Now, with what you said about wanting control of your body—I suggest that you focus on your reflection, as it will keep you from becoming overwhelmed.”

“So that’s why we’re doing this in front of a mirror.”

What Shadow doesn’t say is that he cannot stand the very idea of himself feeding, that he is profoundly ashamed of what he must do to survive. Erasing the sight of himself is just as much a comfort to Shadow as it is to Vio.

“Hold eye contact with yourself,” Shadow says, gently tucking Vio’s hair away from the skin where his collarbone meets his neck. “Especially if you’re sensitive to the sight of blood.”

Vio nods, accidentally displacing Shadow’s hands. He winces as Shadow regains control of his posture and hair. “Sorry. I’ll stay still.”

“It’s all right, Vio. You’re doing perfectly fine.”

This seems to placate the knight, if only slightly. His body is so tense, and this worries Shadow—but what else can he do? Stalling will only perpetuate Vio’s anxiety.

 “It shouldn’t hurt,” Shadow mutters, literally breathing down Vio’s neck. “There’s venom—it numbs the wound, should help you stay calm.”

“I am literally so calm right now,” Vio counters, clutching the triforce tightly.

Shadow leans in, just an inch away from Vio’s skin. He notices, out of the corner of his eye, that Vio’s eyes are squeezed shut. “Remember what I said,” Shadow tells him, and Vio winces at his cold breath. “Eye contact.”

Vio opens his eyes. “Got it.”

“I’m going to bite you now.”

“Go ahead.”

Shadow’s fangs ache as he lightly touches them to Vio’s bare skin. A slight pressure, just to get him used to the feeling of something there…

“Did you do it?” Vio asks, and Shadow can feel his neck muscles tense as he speaks. “I’m making eye contact with myself, like you told me, but I feel something on my neck—your teeth, maybe? Are you biting me right now, Shadow, because it doesn’t feel like you are, and—oh. Okay, yes, this definitely feels like you’re… you’re biting me. Shadow, you’re—”

Shadow hums into Vio’s warm flesh, already beginning to draw blood from the small punctures his fangs have made. It flows easily, more easily than Shadow is used to, although that might have something to do with the lack of struggle. And it… it’s good. Usually while feeding he loses himself, becomes the rabid animal he’s always believed himself to be—but right here, and right now, he feels like he’s in control. Because Vio has given him control, and trusts him enough to hold it over him, and can easily stop him if he so pleases.

And this is how vampires must have lived among willing Hylians, all those years ago, and Shadow can see how they’d managed not to be absolutely miserable. Not like he is now, lonely and starving and steeped in self-loathing. In a way, it’s comforting to finally understand everything his kind has lost—but in another way, this discovery makes the loss all the more infuriating.

“Shadow,” Vio mutters, his body slumping against the chair. “Sh—you… I’m…”

Shadow’s grip only tightens. He hasn’t felt this good, this strong, in decades. He would ask Vio how he’s feeling, tell him he’s doing wonderfully, but with his mouth full all he can do is hum louder.

“I… I think ’m  gonna close my eyes,” Vio sighs, although his eyes are already closed. Shadow nods. Thank you, Vio. Thank you thank you thank you thank you.

I promise I’m almost finished.

“So tired,” Vio continues to narrate, and Shadow could almost roll his eyes. “And… warm? That’s… odd…”

Stop analyzing it, idiot, Shadow thinks with all the affection in the world. While the venom in his fangs and the physical weakness that comes with rapid loss are almost always viewed as negative side effects of the feeding, they do not necessarily need to be frightening. They could serve as a relief, couldn’t they? Surely Vio must have known that, even subconsciously, when he’d asked to be fed upon again.

Shadow knows Vio’s eyes are closed, and he knows he doesn’t want him unconscious again. That feels wrong, feeding off him while he’s totally out, and this amount of blood should be more than enough to sustain Shadow until he can figure out a way to hunt safely. Or, he supposes, until Vio recovers and allows him to feed again. Not that he expects that, or wants that amount of codependency between them. Because, whether he admits it or not, Shadow is pretty sure Vio gets something from this too. It’s hard to ignore the weak smile on his face and the way he ever-so-slightly leans into Shadow’s touch—seemingly not out of fear, but in search of comfort nonetheless.

Shadow pulls back from Vio’s shoulder, removing his fangs from the flesh, and then leans back in to lick around the wound. He tries to savor the last taste he might ever get of this Hylian (his Hylian, a primal voice in his head corrects, although it is immediately shut down by Shadow’s rational instincts), and then searches the vanity drawer for the closest things he has to first-aid supplies. Still, he makes sure to keep at least one grounding hand on Vio, just to remind him he’s not alone.

“Still awake?” Shadow asks gruffly, clearing his throat. He places a glass bottle of alcohol and a roll of bandages onto the vanity, immediately pressing a clean cloth to the small bite wound.

“Just a little,” Vio slurs, the smile on his face growing. Then he frowns and furrows his brows, and it’s objectively adorable. “That’s not the right way to answer that, is it?”

Shadow removes the cloth. “You did very well.”

“Damn straight.”

“I’m going to disinfect the wound now,” Shadow says, pouring some of the alcohol onto a new cloth. “It will hurt, probably more than the bite itself, but only for a second.”

“I’ve had wounds disinfected before, Shadow,” Vio says, really drawing out the ‘sh’ in his name. “Do your worst.”

Shadow presses the cloth to the wound, hoping that in his relaxed state Vio will tolerate the pain. Shadow had done this before, of course, when he’d first brought Vio back to the castle—but the knight had been unconscious then, unable to resist his care. Now, Vio seizes up slightly, but seems not to mind.

“Done with that,” Shadow says, removing the cloth and putting it aside. “Almost finished, and then you can rest.”

“But my bed’s so far away,” Vio whines, his posture wilting. “Why do you need such a giant castle, anyway?”

“Sit up,” Shadow instructs as he unrolls the bandage. Vio does as he is asked, although there seems to be a time limit on his cooperation.

“You’ll use my bed,” Shadow tells him as he wraps the wound. “Right here, in this room.”

“I’d argue with that,” Vio says, and Shadow believes him, “but I really am exhausted. Are you done?”

Shadow finishes up the wrapping and places down the remaining bandage. “You’re all set. Think you can get yourself to the bed?”

He watches as Vio tries to stand on shaky legs, only to collapse back into the chair. Shadow takes that as his answer.

“Is it all right if I carry you?”

Vio looks like he’s already nodding off, but still grants him a slight nod. Shadow picks him up bridal-style, one arm supporting his back and one under his knees, and gently deposits him onto the large four-poster bed.

Shadow turns to leave and hears the rustling blankets as Vio tucks himself in. He’ll come back in a few hours with some water and food, as Vio will need to feed himself sooner rather than later to get back his strength. In the meantime, Shadow can begin thinking of ways to hunt that won’t result in his or Vio’s capture, for however long this arrangement between them persists.

He will not, however, allow himself to think of the many terrible ways it could end.

“Wait. Don’t go.”

Shadow slowly turns his head to see Vio, all cozied up in his bed, reaching out a limp hand.

“What do you need?” Shadow asks, already calculating how quickly he could get him a glass of water or entire loaf of bread. He said he liked pumpkin soup—Shadow could make that happen, probably, or at least he could try—

“No, I don’t…” Vio tries to sit up and Shadow moves to stop him, guiding him back into a relaxed position by the shoulder.

“Just rest, Vio. You need it after that.”

He turns to leave again, but feels Vio’s hand grab his own. Even while weak, the knight manages a firm grip.

“Wait,” Vio repeats, this time with a smile. “Stay here, with me. I’d like your company for a while, Shadow.”

A small gasp escapes Shadow’s lips.

Well.

It would be an effective way to monitor his health.

“I’ve never had another person in my bed,” Shadow admits, and he actually finds himself nervous at the prospect.

“Loser,” Vio teases, and squeezes Shadow’s hand twice. “But so am I. Don’t worry, I don’t mean anything by it.”

“What… what would you mean, if you did?”

“Dunno. I’m tired.”

Shadow blinks. He almost wants to pry harder, ask Vio how he really feels about him while his guard is down. But, of course, he could never actually take such advantage of his weakened state.

And besides… Shadow isn’t sure exactly how he feels, either—just that he does. Somehow, despite all the odds against them, he likes Vio and feels safe around him. Those are not easy bars for just any Hylian to clear, and Vio has managed both with surprising ease and only minimal blood loss.

He tucks himself in bed beside Vio, whose warm body is entirely foreign and admittedly pleasant. Shadow wonders what he’s meant to do next—lay beside Vio, leaving distance between them? It seems like a silly hesitation for someone who had his teeth in the knight’s neck just ten minutes ago, but an important one all the same.

Vio curls on his side to face Shadow, not-so-subtly making grabby hands in his general direction. “You could hold me, you know. If you want.”

And Shadow does want, meaning be damned. He takes Vio in his arms, allowing the knight to nuzzle into the space between his shoulder and neck. The irony of this is not lost on Shadow, although ‘irony’ may be too cruel a word for such a tender parallel.

Shadow wraps an arm over Vio’s waist and hears him sigh contentedly. “Shadow…”

“Yes, Vio?”

“I don’t want to lose you. I won’t… let them…get you…”

Shadow’s eyes widen, but only for a second. He shushes Vio and hears him exhale, almost as if he’s wanted to say those words for days.

Despite popular belief, a vampire’s heart does beat. It is the rate at which it beats that is determined by the amount of blood in their system. So it makes perfect sense that Shadow’s heart beats quickly now, given the recency and potency of his last feeding. It is an anatomical feature, divorced from emotion, and the notion of any other possible explanation is simply absurd.

Shadow watches Vio sleep peacefully in his arms and smiles.

Absurd.

[hannahssimblr]

Chapter Fifteen

Joyful chatter and laughter is emanating from the room next door and it startles me awake. It takes a few moments before I realise where I am, but I have no idea what time it is or how long I’ve been asleep. I sit up and rub my eyes then look out the window over the sea where the sun is low in the sky, beginning to cast long shadows over the beach. 

Jude is gone, the blankets on the bed next to me are crumpled into an imprint of his body. I check my phone for the time and as soon as I do the screen flashes with messages and missed calls. They’re all from Kelly. The sight of her name on my phone makes me feel sick, and I don’t even want to read any of them because I already know the kinds of things they will say. It’s twenty past eight. 

Everyone is back from the pitch, including Claire, and when I step out into the now crowded living room they all stare at me, especially her. I look back, feeling sympathetic, because in her face there’s that look people get when they’ve been caught doing something that they shouldn’t be. I wish I could find some way to communicate with her through just my eyes that I won’t tell on her, her secret will be safe with me.

“Rise and shine.” Jude says with a little smirk. He’s sitting with his feet on the coffee table. 

“I suppose I was tired.” I say.

“We’re thinking of ordering pizza.”

“I can’t, I have to go home.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah. Thanks though. I’ll see you guys soon.”

I go up the stairs and back through the kitchen making sure to walk at a normal pace, then as soon as the front door clicks shut behind me I start running as fast as I can.

There are plates in the sink when I get back, and the kitchen smells like cooking which is how I know that Kelly already made dinner for herself. The muffled sound of the TV in her bedroom is the only noise in the mobile, and it makes me feel jittery. I realise my palms are sweating as I touch them to the door handle. 

She’s sitting cross-legged on the bed, and even though she knows I’ve come in she refuses to look at me, and keeps her eyes firmly on the screen. Her jaw is set and her body is rigid. I can’t think of what to say.

“Hi.” I say eventually, the words sounding hollow and weak in my throat. 

“Hi.”

“How are you?”

“I’m fine.”

I creep closer to her and perch meekly on the edge of her bed, thinking that perhaps the best course of action is to pretend that nothing happened. “How was your day?”

Her lips are a tight line, and she still won’t look away from the screen. “I had a horrible day actually.” She says. 

“Oh.”

“You were supposed to come home at six so we could go swimming and then go to get dinner together, but you never showed up. You didn’t even text me back or pick up my calls.” 

“Kelly, I… know. I know that, I feel awful, it was a mistake.”

“I was looking forward to it, obviously, because I’ve been feeling like shit all week, and I just sat outside waiting for you for an hour until I gave up and made freezer chips and fish fingers for dinner. How sad is that?”

“Honestly, it wasn’t on purpose, I just took a nap and just slept longer than I expected, I’m so sorry.”

Her eyes finally snap to me and it makes me flinch. “You were taking a nap?”

I nod. 

“Where? On the beach?”

I keep my mouth shut and her face contorts. “You were at Jude’s house. Look at you, you’re not even wearing your own clothes. You’re not even wearing a bra.” She spits. “I actually can’t believe this, after everything that’s happened with Claire, and me explaining how I felt about my brother and his friends, you still went to hang out with them, and it’s not even that you did that, it’s that you chose that over hanging out with me. How do you think that feels?”

“I didn’t mean it.”

“What you did is actually way worse than what Claire did, because at least she told me that she’s not on my side. You just went off with them anyway, and didn’t even bother to tell me that you weren’t going to get back in time for six. I thought you were different, but clearly you’re not.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Are you?”

“Yes.”

“I felt like an idiot waiting for you.” Her voice cracks, and the sudden surge of emotion startles me. Tears spring to her eyes, and the sight of it takes me aback. 

“I wish I hadn’t gone over at all.” I say, feeling my own chin begin to wobble. “I wish the day had gone differently.”

“No you don’t, all you want to do is hang around and flirt with the boys and for them to all tell you how pretty you are and give you their t-shirts to wear.”

“That’s not it.”

“Please. That’s been your whole thing lately, all you want is attention.”

“It isn’t, I wanted to spend the summer with you and Claire, that’s why I’m here.”

“Yeah until you met Liam, and then Jude, and then who knows who’s going to be next. I can see this is just how it’s going to be from now on isn’t it? You’ll just run around after these boys batting your eyelashes instead of spending a second slumming it with me.”

“I’ve been with you so much this summer, I see you all the time.”

She rolls her eyes. “Yeah, well clearly you’d rather be doing something else. And apparently so would Claire, so why don’t you just go and do it. I don’t care anymore.”

I know that she does care. She always cares. I stare down at my lap. 

“This is always what happens to me.” She says harshly. “Everyone eventually finds someone better and forgets about me.”

“I’m always thinking of you.”

“Clearly not, Evie.” I can feel her eyes boring into my head and I can’t bear to look at her. The skin around my thumbnail is loose and I raise it to my mouth to bite it. 

“Of all my friends I ever had, you’re the one that’s been there the longest. I really thought that I meant more to you than this.”

“I didn’t want to disappoint you or make you feel bad, I didn’t forget about you on purpose, I don’t think it’s really fair to start questioning our whole friendship because of it.”

“You have no clue what it feels like to be forgotten though, really, do you? You’re the only child, and your parents just dote over you, they give you everything you ask for. There’s nobody to compare you to ever, you’re just so perfect, you’re such a lucky girl who has it all.”

“That’s ridiculous Kelly, nobody thinks that.”

“Yes they do! I’ll always be second best in my family and I’ll have to be second best to you too, perfect pretty little Evelyn with her perfect skinny body and cute little pixie face. You never have to try, people just like you straight away, and within hours of meeting you they invite you on trips and want to hang out with you while I don’t get a second thought.”

“That’s just not reality.” I say incredulously. “Everyone likes you, you’re always making people laugh and you always know the right clothes to wear and the right things to say to people.”

“Then why am I sitting here alone eating fish fingers and watching Eastenders then? Meanwhile you’re off hanging out with a hot boy and falling asleep in his t-shirt.”

“Well I don’t know, sometimes that’s just how it goes.”

“You think you’re so special don’t you?”

“No, I don’t.”

She shakes her head and pretends to be watching TV again, even though we both know she’s not paying attention, she just wants to make a point of being angry. There is a coil right under my rib cage that twists and tightens uncomfortably as I look at the side of her face. I feel angry too. She’s not annoyed because I forgot about our arrangement, she’s filled with bitterness over the fact that there exists a group of people who like me more than her. Over the fact that I’m not second best like I was when we were younger, back when she got to be the loudest one in the classroom and dazzled everyone around her while I sat back smiling mildly. She wanted me to be her plain, quiet little mousy friend who faded into the background, wallpaper, barely even perceptible, and now she’s furious with me for growing up. She’s been furious with me for a long time, so much now that she can barely even conceal it.

“If you hate the idea of boys liking me more than you then what was all that about setting me up with Liam? Why didn’t you just take him for yourself?”

“Because I don’t like Liam, he’s a loser.”

“But good enough for me?”

“Better than nothing, and nobody ever. Maybe I was thinking that losers should stick together.”

“Whatever Kelly.” I say, in a voice that sounds unpleasant to my own ears. “I agreed to go to the festival already, so I suppose you’ll be on your own again eating fish fingers while we’re all away.”

She won’t look at me. 

“I want you to know though that it���s your choice. You decided not to come, and if you’re miserable then you can only blame yourself.”

“Fuck you.”

“Okay.” I get up and leave the room, heart thumping and hands shaking, an explosive rage building inside me so much that I have to go outside. The sun is finally setting and the sky is red. I take off running towards the beach, listening to each thud of my feet on the dry grass beneath me. With every beat I repeat the same words over and over like a mantra: Fuck you too, Kelly.

Prev // Next

[itsbackwoodsbby]

NightTime

Brent Faiyaz x Black Fem Reader

Summary: Your daughter can’t sleep because she misses her daddy, who is back doing tours after your daughter’s arrival. This makes you wonder is this the right time to have another kid with Christopher.

it’s 3am and you’re up listening to a lofi radio on youtube as you’re finishing up some schoolwork that’s due earlier that night. you normally would do it in morning, but you’re going to be so busy today. you want to take your daughter out on a girls’ day out to get her mind off of her dad. you understand her because you miss your boyfriend so much. he barely has any time to respond back to your text and calls.

as you’re closing up your laptop, you hear baby footsteps walking slowly towards your room. you rush to put the blanket over your head.

“mommy?” your whining toddler comes in your room, rubbing her wet eyes. “when is daddy coming back?”

you try to ignore her by pretending you’re sleep, but your quietness makes her upset, she cries again. you sigh and pick her up.

“isabella, your dad won’t back until next month.” you say to her. “can i call him?” she says, trying to find a little hope. “isa, its 3am. he’s probably sleep.” you say.

you feel a few teardrops on your arm, as her sniffles fill the room. you look at her. her face is very red and covered with tears. you grab your phone and you scroll through your contacts until you see the contact that said “cw 💍” and you hit it.

it rings for a couple minutes and then he answers. “hey baby.” he says. “hey bae.” you say. then isabella hops in the camera, with only her right eye and her matching bonnet with you, “hey daddy!” she yells. he smiles, “hey baby girl.” he says to her, laughing a little over her excitement.

you turn on the light and set the camera up to where everyone can be seen.

“has my baby been crying?” he says. she nods her head yes. “why you been crying baby girl?” he asks her. “i miss you daddy.” she says biting her finger. “aw i miss you too sweetie.” he says back to her. “why can’t you come home now?” she coos at him. “i’m busy on tour, but i’ll be home next month baby. i promise when i’m home, we can do whatever you want to princess.” he says to her. she smiles at him, “okay daddy.”

they talk for a few and then he looks at the time. “should daddy sing you to sleep? it’s late. you should be be sleep.” he says. she yawns, “i’m not tired.” she says, as her pretty brown eyes slowly start closing. he starts singing her a llubaby and she’s off to sleep.

you pick her up and place her back in her room. you come back to your room and you see chris eating a piece of chicken. you take a picture of him.

“come on y/n.” he laughs. “i’m sorry.” you let out a cute giggle. “i really just couldn’t help myself.” he smiles, “god, i miss you guys so much.” you smile back, “i miss you too chris.” he looks at you, admiring your beauty for a moment, “you were doing some schoolwork, baby?” he ask. you were smiling really hard, “yeah. i finished up before lil mama came in the room.” you say as you take off your glasses and get comfortable in bed again.

you love how observant chris is. he notices the little things. how you only wear your glasses at night to do school. it’s silly and small, but it shows he knows you and he cares.

you two are silence for a couple moments until finally you break it. “chris… i think we should hold off on trying.” you say quickly hoping he didn’t understand you. but he did and he looks at you, hurt. “why? this is the perfect time y/n.” you inhale and exhale, “it’s just… i hate seeing isabella sad like this because you’re gone. how am i supposed to handle isa and a newborn baby?” you say.

he’s quiet for a moment, “y/n, i want this. i’ll take you guys on tour with me.” you look at him, “what about baby appointment? who’s going to watch them during your shows? after the shows? what about substances? you know your tours have weed and alcohol everywhere. we agreed to keep that stuff away from our kids until they were older enough to understand.” you starts listing all the cons of going on tour with him. “only way, i could get what i want is if i stop touring.” you see that made him even more hurt. “y/n… i don’t want to stop touring. this tour has made me realize how bad i miss it. i don’t want to stop now.”

you feel bad for making him choose between tour or another child, so you try to cheer him up. “baby, i’m sorry, but think of it like this. everything good sometimes takes time. maybe soon, we’ll have a little cj running around here.” he smiles, “i love that idea baby.”

so you fall asleep on the phone. eventually chris wakes you up and tells you he’s getting ready to go and he has to hang up. you pout about it but he reassures you that he’ll call back later after your girls’ day with isabella. you two hang up and you go right back to sleep.

around 11, you’re waking up to isabella jumping on the bed. you smile. she hasn’t did that in a while. you get up get both of y’all ready for the day and then you two leave the house. the girls’ day activities were: getting breakfast, getting the nails down (which y’all got matching colors of light blue), going to trampoline park, going to the movies, and going on a target run.

you get more dolls for isabella and … a pregnancy test. of recent, you been waking up very nauseous and you’ve been getting tired more than usual and not to mention… you’re late on your period… but not too late, but you’re still worried.

you go home and open isa’s dolls and she runs straight to her room and plays with her doll house. you go to the bathroom and take the pregnancy test. you wash you hands, feed you and your baby, and start getting her ready for bed. you do everything but look at the damn stick.

y/n, everything is fine. you’re overthinking. you’re not pregnant.

you’ve been repeating this to yourself for a while as you bathe isa. you dry her off and get her in the pink onesies. then you shower yourself and get ready for bed. she chills in the room with you, waiting for the phone to ring so she can talk to her daddy. you go to test. you look at the results. you had no time to think about it and react, because chris calls.

“mommy! hurry! daddy’s calling!” she rushes you. you run out the bathroom and answer the phone.

the phone call went the same as usual. he talked to isabella and then she fell asleep. faster this time because of the fun she had. you’ve been quiet the whole time. he looks at you.

“y/n, are you okay? you haven’t been talk?” he says, making you tear up randomly. you weren’t sad. it’s just now all the emotions hit you at once. “chris, i’m pregnant.”

_______________________

maybe a part two 👀

[kirby-the-gorb]

reply roundup!

boy howdy I love being medicated

other news:

reminder that stickers and prints left over from kirb2k are finally available on [kofi], only shipping to north america without tracking rn to keep it simple

my wife fiiiinally matched into a residency program in her specialty of choice after 3 years, she'll be moving out of state starting this summer while my partner and I stay here and hold down the fort

also thank you for all the boops at the beginning of the month! and all the support and enthusiasm for finally getting better medical treatment. and even more yeehaws still coming in for [cowboy kirby] too :')

on [rare disease day] @ragefilledmunchkin said: happy rare disease day! my mom has MCAS/POTS/EDS and I’m getting tested for the trio this month

oh man I hope it went well! it's very not a fun thing to have but it's definitely way better to know than to just be afflicted by Mysterious Horrors. (although if you're lucky enough to genuinely not have it that would probably be the ideal lol)

anonymous asked: My fiancee absolutely loves your Kirbys and goes into hysterics every time I show her. Thank you for making very good kirbs!

aww how sweet! I love drawing things to make my wife laugh so I'm glad it's working for someone else too lol

on [lichen] @joekingv1 said: *has been subscribed to baby since the start*

it's true, you've been around for quite a while! (several of you have in fact! it always makes me happy to see urls that have been around since the reply roundups were so short they didn't need readmores lol)

(also thanks as always for all your little replies, you offer up so many cute ideas I don't have the energy to draw >n< )

on [lichen] @ceylonsilvergirl said: ok, so as someone who makes this joke A LOT and her kids don’t get it and her husband doesn’t think it’s as funny as she does (me. I’m the she) this is HILARIOUS!! I have a lichen growing around the door handle of my pickup truck. yes I suppose I don’t wash it enough. But it is an almost 25 year old beat up ford ranger. but I can’t remove it, it’s my lichen subscribe

lichens are precious little friends and I wholeheartedly understand preserving your little truck friend. take every harmless little joy you can get!

on [pacman] @nexus-nebulae said: i wonder if kirby and pacman are related. round. little to no limbs. infinitely consumes. chased by funny lookin but kinda cute little guys constantly. consumes Fruit for power

hmmmmm you may be onto something there...

on [normal] @graycoin said: Ooogh. Sorry you're going through normal. It looks krunkly.

it was so scrungy dude -_- (thank you as always for the supportive replies <3)

on [normal] @paperstarwriters said: sending hugs your way op I really hope you get through this and get the treatment you need

thank you! it seems like I finally am!

on [normal] @the-halo-of-my-memory said: get well soon op, and you too kirbs

thank you <3 dunno that I'll ever be well, but I'm certainly better than I have been.

on [taped] @journey-within said: i will sing for you in the car on my way to work

waaah that's so sweet, thank you ;n;

[jamies-rambles]

Finding Noel

Noel, canon divergence, trans Noel, angst, dysphoria, mentions of suicidal thoughts, Jamie, flowershop, Tobi

1800 words

Author’s note: Noel pls don’t have an identity crisis. I just started writing this as a joke but then I was projecting a tiny little bit.

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

It was a warm summer night on Coastle, the gay bar was bustling with life. Noel, drunk and silly, had climbed on the stage, everyone looking at him with annoyance. “Women are stupid!” he yelled. “And fat people are gross!” Everyone groaned, used to his antics and wishing he would shut up. Tobi sprung into action, his tail fluttering behind him as he got up on the stage and snatched the mic from Noel’s hand. “Thank you Noel, now get the fuck off my stage. Next up are the Mushy Boys with Cool Like That!”

He guided Noel off the stage into a backroom, where Jamie was doing some writing. They preferred the relative quiet over the suffocating loudness of the bar, and it was the perfect spot to work on their next story. He sighed when Noel and Tobi came in. “You’re here to annoy me now, Noel?” he scoffed. Noel ignored them and plunged himself down in a cozy chair in the corner. “Why are you always so hateful?” Jamie asked. “Am not!” Noel protested childishly. “You’re always so mean to everyone though. Why can’t you be nicer?” Tobi nodded in agreement. “You even made Synker destroy my cat room! Where are my cats meant to live now?” “Yeah!” Jamie continued. “Do you have hatred in your heart, Noel? Where is that coming from? Maybe you need to do some soul searching!”

Noel thought on this for a second. Maybe he was acting out of insecurity. Did he really know who he was? “I’m sorry, guys,” he said. “I know I’m horrible. I should just go.” Jamie, too kind for their own good, couldn’t help but feel empathatic towards the sad drunk boy in the corner. “It’s okay, Noel, it’s not too late to change. If you need someone to talk to I’m here for you.” Noel smiled, thankful that he had such a good friend. “Thanks. I just feel like I’m wrong in some way, like there’s a piece of me that doesn’t fit. Maybe that’s why I lash out so much.” Jamie nodded understandigly. Tobi rolled his eyes, muttered about not wanting to hear this cheesy shit and made his way back to the bar. Jamie was generally more patient and deciced to hear Noel out.

“Do you ever feel you don’t know who you really are?” Noel asked. Jamie chuckled. “Do I? That’s been my entire life.” “No, I mean, when you feel like people don’t see you for who you really are but you couldn’t describe what that would be anyway,” Noel continued, sounding frustrated. “I just feel so unsure about everything, I can’t trust any thought I have. Maybe that’s why I like making strong statements, it gives some amount of clarity.”

Jamie sighs. “Identity can be complicated,” he says. “It’s perfectly normal to feel unsure. I can’t give you any magical answers, other than trying to figure out what seems right for you and going from there.” After a moment of contemplative silence, they continued: “I went through a similar thing a few years ago. I’m not saying you’re the same, I don’t know how you feel, but I can certainly understand the pain that comes with constant doubt. I wanted to die every day. But if you can embrace the doubt and are open to the possibilities, you might just find a whole new side of yourself.”

Noel stared into the night sky, thinking about Jamie’s words. How was he supposed to embrace the thing that was causing him so much pain? It felt much safer to stay where he was. Being completely open meant abandoning everything he thought was true about himself, and he wasn’t sure he could handle that. “I’m just tired,” he mumbled. “I want to stop thinking forever.”

Jamie nodded, seeing the exhaustion on Noel’s face. “Come, I’ll take you home.” Noel made a dissaproving sound, but got up anyway. Jamie guided the dazed Noel through the gay bar, out the door and back to their tree house in the South. “Forgot I owned this place,” Noel mumbled. It was true Noel hadn’t spent even one night in his house since Jamie built it for him. He even had a bed here, which was unusual for him. Jamie wished him goodnight, leaving Noel alone with his thoughts.

After an hour of tossing and turning he finally managed to fall asleep. It was not a restful sleep, his subconscious mind still trying to process his conflicting thoughts. He dreamt he was on a train, watching the rain flow down the windows. The conductor asked to see is trainpass, adressing him as a woman. Wait, was she? Noel showed her pass, after which she returned to staring out the window. It was dark outside, and she could clearly see her reflection when she focused on it. Soft features stared back at her, and she felt a sense of peace and clarity. She was a woman, of course, how had she ever doubted it.

Noel woke up with a strange sensation, the remnants of the dream lingering in his mind like a dark cloud. He sat up in bed, his breath coming in shallow, ragged gasps as he tried to shake off the unsettling feeling that had settled over him. He reached his trembling hand up to his face, which was still as it had always been. He felt a pang of disappointment, followed by immediate guilt for entertaining the idea. He was a boy, a man, and the thought of him being anything else was completely ridiculous. There was a pit in his stomach that seemed to be getting worse. Tears welled in his eyes as he found himself wishing he could just be normal. He’d had these kind of dreams before, and he was able to shake them off at first, but the more they occurred the more real they felt. He didn’t want to feel this way, he wanted it to just stop.

Noel spent many weeks trying as hard as he could to distract himself from thinking about it again. He found people to talk to, play games with and even when he was alone he made sure that his mind was always occupied, just so he didn’t have to endure the doubt again. But his efforts were futile. Late at night in bed they would return, and the pit in his stomach never went away. He knew he couldn’t go on like this. Remembering his conversation with Jamie weeks ago, he decided with much resistance that it might be worth being more open to the possibilities. Was he supposed to just become a woman now? Would that solve all his problems?

Frustrated and tired, he decided to explore the option. Standing in front of the mirror, he stared at his face, trying to find some sort of hint of what he was supposed to be. Did he really see himself as a man? Was that how he truly felt or was he just so used to it because it was expected of him? Could he see himself as a woman? Looking at their face with different eyes, Noel felt a sense of recognition. They remembered times as a kid when they had dressed up in their sister’s clothes, going out to play with other kids hoping to be seen as a girl. They also remembered the disappointment they felt upon being gendered as a boy by his peers. It was a long time ago, and they hadn’t really thought of it again until now. Did it mean something? Was it a sign all along, or were they just overthinking it?

They needed to talk to someone, figuring this out on their own seemed impossible. Tobi was a good friend, but he surely wasn’t very good with advice. Binero would just call him crazy. Jamie was the obvious choice, but what if he thought they were just faking it? Maybe they shouldn’t tell anyone until they were absolutely sure, otherwise people would surely think they were crazy or just following a trend. Oh no, were they? Did someone push them into feeling this way? Noel felt like they were going crazy. They needed to talk to someone before they went truly mad.

Jamie was hard at work in the flower shop when Noel walked in. “Hello Noel, how can I help you?” he asked with a friendly smile. “I need advice,” Noel said. “Hold that thought. What flowers can I get you? Some nice sunflowers?” Jamie walked to the back. “Actually,” Noel started, “I need to talk to you about… gender?” Jamie raised an eyebrow, putting back the sunflowers. “Maybe some lilies then? You know, they are often associated with femininity.” Noel looked around nervously, making sure nobody had heard what they just said. Luckily there was nobody around. They knew that Binero would never let them hear the end of it.

“I think I might be a woman,” they blurted out. Jamie paused, his expression softening with understanding as he turned back to face Noel. “Sit down, let’s talk,” they said, gently guiding Noel to a table in the back of the shop. Noel sank into the chair, their nerves buzzing with a mixture of anxiety and relief at finally voicing their thoughts aloud. "I don't know what's happening to me," they admitted, their voice barely above a whisper. "I've been having these... thoughts, these feelings, and I don't know what to do."

Jamie took a seat opposite Noel, his eyes filled with empathy as he listened intently. "It's okay, Noel," he reassured him. "You're not alone in this. Gender is a complex and deeply personal journey, and it's perfectly normal to feel confused or uncertain." Noel nodded, a tear slipping down their cheek as they struggled to put their feelings into words. "I just... I've spent my whole life trying to fit into this... this box of masculinity," they admitted, their voice thick with emotion. "But lately, I've been feeling like maybe that's not who I am."

Jamie nodded in understanding, his gaze filled with warmth and acceptance. "It's okay to explore different aspects of your identity," he said softly. "You don't need to have all the answers right now, or ever really. Just take things one step at a time. Discover what feels right to you.” Noel nodded, feeling reassured by Jamie’s words.

Noel felt much lighter, and without the pressure of trying to find the answer, a sudden clarity befell her. “I am a woman,” she mumbled to herself, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. And then louder she proclaimed: “Ik ben een vrouw.” And for the first time in a long while, she felt truly whole herself, embracing every facet of her being.