#i am begging someone that is smarter than me to please explain

[danhengposting]

the statue of the first high elder in scalegorge waterscape confuses me. are dan feng and all the high elders that came before him incarnations of the first high elder? when they said that all the high elders look the same is it because its the same vidyadhara reincarnating or bc high elders have to dress and wear their hair in a specific way after they are chosen to be the next imbibitor lunae? but what about the statue's spear? it resembles cloud piercer but cloud piercer was gifted to dan feng, not the first high elder??

[judgement-marshmallow]

Begging on my hands and knees please someone who is smarter than me explain how Cellbit broke the feather code. I know there was like numbers!? And counting??? And letters??? I am so confused but very curious

Help

[redhoodieone]

His Girl

Plot: Dick Grayson has a type in women: athletic, feminine, and classy. However, the reader is completely different as she is plus-size, tomboyish, and spontaneous. But a conversation about Y/N between Dick and the batboys takes an unexpected turn one night.

Warnings: Language, Sensitive topics, and Fluff.

“What the hell’s up your ass?” Jason asks Dick, as he hands him a bottle of beer from the refrigerator in the Batcave. It was only until last week that Bruce gave in and allowed a refrigerator to be down there after the boys begged him for one.

As long as it was only for beverages, of course. Bruce had mentioned the boys have been eating too much junk food lately, but the boys knew deep down that his rule is simply for him, because of his age, and maybe for Y/N, too.

Y/N has only been with the Batfamily for a year since her family died at the hands of Two-Face. She had only started training with Bruce for two months now, and the two of them have been working out quite a bit.

Which makes sense of Bruce’s one rule for the refrigerator, though. But that hasn’t stopped Jason from sneaking in food anyways; mostly pizza and lunch meat and cheeses for sandwiches.

But now, Dick’s distant and silence is unbearable since the circus descent acrobat is usually excited and rambling about anything and everything.

“Uh, nothing! I mean...” Dick stutters. His behavior tonight was questionable to say the least. Usually, he would be on his game and even throw some wisecracks but he’s been awfully quiet, nervous even.

“Uh-huh, sure. Whatever you say,” Jason scoffs.

Dick sits on top of the hood of the Batmobile while he peels the sticky label from the beer bottle. He notices Tim and Damian walking out from the showers and are already dressed in sweatpants and t-shirts. Bruce is seated at the Batcomputer, still in costume but minus the cowl. Jason sits at the small table and sips from his beer and snacks on a triple meat and cheese sandwich he must have made quickly.

And Alfred had long gone to bed after Bruce forced him to get some rest since they’ve returned home and are not dead.

Dick suddenly notices Y/N must still be in the showers, on the other side of the cave for privacy where the guys can’t bother the girls.

“Fine...I’ve been...having these thoughts and dreams about Y/N lately,” Dick confesses. He notices Jason staring at him with a confused expression.

“Yeah, and…?”

“Well…lately, I’ve been thinking about her as…more than a friend. I’ve been seeing her in a new light. And you know I’ve always thought she was cool, and funny, and incredibly smart,” Dick continues, with a small smile. “But…I’ve never been sexually attracted to women like her before.”

Jason purses his lips and appears to think it over. “So, I don’t see the problem.”

“I just told you I’ve never felt this way about Y/N or any woman like her before.”

“Because you’re shallow.”

“I’m not shallow,” Dick argues, suddenly feeling defensive at Jason’s attack. “I just…I’ve never seen heavy women as hot, you know?”

“You can try to justify all that, but the point is, you’re shallow.”

“Have you ever slept with a heavy girl before, Jason?!” Dick snaps.

Jason chuckles and grins. “Actually, I have.”

“Bullshit,” Dick scoffs.

“Yeah, I have Dickie-bird. It happened three years ago, when my Outlaws and I kicked Black Mask’s ass. We went to a bar to celebrate in downtown Gotham. Roy and Star left early to go fuck or something. I was left alone and I was about to call it a night until this smoking hot woman took a seat next to me. She had long dark hair, tan skin, and curves that made my mouth water and my cock hard enough to pound nails. She was gorgeous, but there were these assholes around her and were calling her fat and telling her to leave because no one here would take her home. And do you want to know what I did?” Jason asks.

“What?” Dick asks quietly.

“I took her home, after I broke all those guys’ jaws. She was fucking amazing, man. She had a magnificent ass that she actually allowed me to spank. Her curves were endless, and after I fucked her good three times, cuddling and falling asleep with her was probably the best part of the night. I’ve never felt so…comfortable and felt warm, because I actually felt someone beside me,” Jason admits.

Dick raises an eyebrow at him. “Wow, I didn’t think something like that could happen to you, Jason. If anything, I thought you were shallow.”

“I used to be, until I realized I was judging others, when I was actually trying to have others not judge me. Alfred actually helped me with that. I don’t remember every word he said exactly but he said I wasn’t trying all the ice cream flavors out there. Like, I was always sticking to a certain flavor of ice cream, and I wasn’t trying other kinds, meaning I should be looking at all types of women. And after my one night stand with that magnificent woman’s ass, I realized bigger girls aren’t deal breakers; they’re just more to love,” Jason admits, and shrugs with a smug smile.

“That’s…I don’t even know what to say. But Y/N’s different. She’s someone we know and it makes it harder. And my problem isn’t that I’m shallow, it’s how I’m supposed to handle my feelings about her.”

“Yeah, you are, Dick. Y/N’s literally the best woman we’ve ever met. Hell, the best woman I’VE ever met. She’s fucking funny, she’s so caring and kind, she’s smarter than Timbo when it comes to common sense,” Jason lists off his reasons.

“That’s true! I’m not going to lie about that!” Tim interrupts from the distance.

“Y/N’s real, she doesn’t bullshit about anything like other girls. She’s honest, and that’s a rare thing to find nowadays. And fuck…she can really handle her alcohol, she can down shots of Fireball like it’s water,” Jason adds.

“You don’t think I know all that? Of course, I do! That’s why I’m having such a hard time dealing with my feelings for her. I’ve only ever been with tall, athletic women, who wear skirts and dresses, eats healthy, and are…well, feminine,” Dick confesses. A guilty expression shows on his face. “And Y/N’s not any of that. She’s really short, kinda chubby, and she’s more of a tomboy type, who’s loud and rambunctious, and eats like a man.”

Jason snorts. “And that’s a problem why? That’s why Y/N’s fucking awesome, man! I actually really like how she’s not afraid to be herself. She’s not fake. Do you know how long it took for her to be comfortable with all of us and be who she is rather than how she thought we expected from her? And I don’t know about you but I love how she eats, whenever we go out to restaurants, I actually like how I can eat the way I want and not feel like a fat ass because I know her and I both love what we love and fuck all who have a problem with that!”

Bruce turns around in his chair and gives both boys a warning look. Even Tim and Damian silently take a seat and watch closely.

“Fuck…Y/N is the perfect woman. She’ll always be in my eyes,” Jason admits, looking down at his beer longingly before taking a sip.

“If you feel so strongly about her then why haven’t you tried to go out with her or sleep with her?” Dick asks angrily.

Jason’s pause takes everyone by surprise. “Because she can do better than me.”

“You-you actually tried to get with her?” Dick stammers.

“Oh, yeah I definitely did. I think about a year ago. I had spent the summer with her here while everyone was busy with the whole Justice League and Superman bullshit,” Jason explains. “You were with the Titans with Tim and Damian. It was just me and her.”

“Alfred was there as well,” Bruce mumbles.

“Anyways, call it cheesy as hell like those romcoms, but we actually got really close. She’s a spitfire for sure, but she really knows how to get under your skin,” Jason chuckles.

Tim and Damian nod their heads in agreement with that.

“And I obviously made the whole situation uncomfortable as fuck because when I told her how I felt, she rejected me. She said we were too alike, we’d butt heads all the time. And after that, I never brought it up again.”

Jason’s confession gives Dick a sense of confidence.

“Look, if you want to ask her out and do all that then I support you. Just know if you fucking hurt her or do anything wrong, I’ll slit your throat even if you’re family,” Jason threatens seriously.

“I wouldn’t even know how to bring it up with her,” Dick says.

“Well, don’t bring up how her weight and appearance bothers you,” Jason says seriously.

“It doesn’t!”

“Okay. How did you ask Barbara, Star, Zatanna, and-”

“I get it, Jason. I’ll just talk to her and tell her I have strong feelings for her,” Dick interrupts him. “I’ll just tell her the truth.”

“You already did.”

That voice belonged to none other than Y/N. All the guys in the Batcave jerked their heads to the top of the stairs where Y/N stood and looked down with tears running down her cheeks. She was wearing her plaid pajama pants and a loose black t-shirt she stole from one of them a long time ago, she doesn’t exactly know who though.

Dick and Jason slowly stand up. Dick carefully walks over to the stairs while Jason cautiously follows.

“Y/N…” Dick whispers, already feeling guilty and nervous that she had probably heard everything. “Please listen to me…”

“WHY?! So, you can tell me you didn’t mean any of that, when you actually did. I thought you were different! I didn’t know you could judge someone like that! Especially someone like me!” Y/N yells. “I thought you were my friend!”

“I am your friend! Y/N, please give me a chance to explain! I really like you, and-and I was just trying to ask for help so I can talk to you!” Dick pleads.

“Don’t lie to me! You were only asking for help because you didn’t know how to deal with me being fat and manly! I’m sorry I’m not like Barbara and Star! I’m sorry I’m not beautiful and thin! I’m sorry I’m not perfect for you!” Y/N cries out and runs up the stairs.

“Y/N! Wait! Please!” Dick shouts for her. He chases after her.

By the time Dick reaches Y/N’s bedroom door, it’s locked. He can hear her crying, automatically feeling like shit for being the reason why she’s hurt.

“Y/N, please…” Dick tries again.

“Leave me alone, Dick!”

Dick swallows hard and forces himself to move away from her door. There was no use for him to stand there; he’d already broke her trust and possibly ruined their friendship. He might have even ruined his chances with her.

Jason approaches Dick. “Is she crying?” he asks.

“Yes,” Dick chokes out. He runs a hand through his dark hair. “Fuck, Jason…I don’t know what to do. She won’t even talk to me.”

“You should go, Dick. I think you’ve done enough.”

Dick was a little taken aback by Jason’s command. He pushes himself to walk away anyways.

“Bruce wants to talk to you. You should go find him before he finds you,” Jason adds.

Dick exhales heavily and leaves. Jason shakes his head in disappointment at him. He takes a deep breath and knocks on Y/N’s bedroom door.

“Doll, it’s Jay. Please let me in,” Jason says softly. “I just want to talk to you.”

He didn’t think she would open the door for him. He didn’t think she would want to talk to him even though he hadn’t pissed her off or upset her in any way. But Y/N unlocked her door and even opened it for him.

Jason was deeply heartbroken to see Y/N; her eyes were red and swollen, her cheeks were wet, and she had the devastating look on her beautiful face. He quickly walked into her room and shut the door, quickly locking it.

He had to be cautious though. He knew couldn’t say or do the things he wants to do with her right now. Instead, he slowly and carefully approaches her. She allows him to wrap his strong arms around her, bringing her closely to his body to hold and protect her from everyone and everything.

“Shh…it’s okay, sweetheart. I got you. I’m not going anywhere,” Jason whispers into her hair. He tries desperately to not inhale the addicting scent of her shampoo and lingering perfume so much. “You’re okay. Everything’s going to be okay.”

Y/N lifts her face from Jason’s chest and gazes up at him. The sight of her glistening eyes makes him draw her closer to him.

“What did I do wrong, Jay? What did I do to deserve all that? Is everything about me really bad?” Y/N asks softly, on the verge of tears again.

“No. No, don’t say that. Don’t say any of that! Nothing is wrong with you. You’re beautiful, Y/N. You’re perfect just the way you are,” Jason admits.

Y/N shakes her head in disbelief. It breaks Jason’s heart more when she tries to pull away from his embrace, but he refuses to let her go. His grip tightens and he holds her as if she’d disappear and leave him all alone.

“That’s not true, Jay,”

“It is true. Hell Y/N, you’re the most badass woman I’ve ever met. You don’t take shit from any of us. You’ve managed to stay here even after all the bullshit everyone has put you through,” he explains. He even chuckles at a memory. “You’ve even made Bruce cry, remember? Remember you called him out on his bullshit when he refused to train you? You’re almost a savage like Alfred, you even make Wonder Woman and Catwoman look like dollar tree prizes, and that’s no lie.”

Y/N looks down at her feet. Jason knows she still doesn’t believe him.

“You’re always perfect in my eyes, Y/N. There isn’t a goddamn thing I would change about you,”

“If I’m so perfect, then why does Dick think so low of me?” Y/N asks. She sniffles adorably and looks back up at him.

“Because he’s a fucking idiot who can’t see the best thing that’s in front of him,” Jason answers, and looks into Y/N’s eyes before he looks at her lips. “But his loss is my gain.”

[minshookie]

Petting Zoo.

Pairing | Stalker!Jungkook x reader

Genre | yandere,angst

Summary | “your secret admirer turned close friend wants to be more than just that, and he always gets his way.”

!warnings! | 18+ mature language, stalking , mentioned sexual acts, violence, sick pets, pet death...

| this is not in anyway shape or form a true depiction or representation of BTS, this is a work of fiction and is not to be taken seriously. For entertainment purposes only.|(this is my work, please don’t repost or steal)

Requested [closed for request] words: 2k.

A/N: another request done! I love taking a finishing request I just get so nervous in the end. Also trying something new. Any type of interaction is greatly appreciated! Edited, but please excuse errors. {should petting zoo be my first series?}

He knew you’d love it, you’ve always had a tender heart. The bunny coo’ed as he gently placed her into the plush box. He knew you were lonely, your roommate recently left you for her boyfriend, he knew fully that you were struggling. He’d push his ear against the wall to hear you two bicker in the deep hours of the night. He didn’t mind, he’d save you...but only if you let him.

Knowing your financial struggles, Jungkook went all out to make sure your bunny had the best even providing a months supply of food. He fully planned on this being the light of your month, you’d never stop thinking of him. He secured the new pet under one arm and the equipment under the other, he pushed his door open checking if the hall was clear. Of course, nice and clear just how he needed it, he slipped through the door with stealth leaving the gift in front of your door. With care he pulled the note card from his pocket perching it on top of the punctured box. Heavily he knocked before slipping inside his rightful apartment.

Leaning against the wall he listened for you to open your door. Finally when you did, it felt like his heart was attempting escape. Expertly he creeped to his door looking through it cracked ajar, he heard you read.

“I’m hopping mad for you, take me in as a friend, from your lover.” Fearfully you opened the whining box. In awe you gladly took in his gift, without a second thought. His heart fluttered he felt like floating in love, like in the cartoons hearts in his doe eyes.

Shutting the door he skipped to bed, exhausted his mind finally at ease, he finally has a shot with you! His heart was racing. He rolls onto his bead, head full of sweet thoughts of you, the plans he had for you. Closing his eyes he knew, this is only the beginning.

Overtime you’d grown fond of your new furry friend, inviting people over to meet your mysterious new fur ball of joy. With this new happiness and motivation, you started leaving your apartment more often. As a result Jungkook started seeing you a lot more and he loved it. He loved it so much that for some reason his schedule now aligned with yours almost perfectly.

You have a class? Oh so does he....would you like a ride? Time to head to work? How funny,him as well.....hop in!

Jungkook planned to be just what you needed, in a foreign place like this all you really needed was a honest friend. And he planned to be that and more. It isn’t hard to notice Jungkook loves it when you depend on him, you need him, your life would be in shambles without him. He knows it deep inside he believes it, but he knows you don’t. No worries for him though, you’ll see the truth soon...

Like any other day, like clockwork, Jungkook waited for you in front of your door like a royal guard. Today though he had plans for you, for days Jungkook perfected today’s schedule...big plans to tell you his feelings. Plans to pour his heart out to you, and to get yours poured to him, but something wasn’t sitting right.

you didn’t come on time, checking his watch like a mad man he paced in front of your door in anticipation. Your prolonged time inside threw off the agenda severely. Beside the settle irritation, he was worried something happened to you he was going insane. What if you left him? What if you died...what if someone kidnapped you?

Two seconds from ramming his fist against your door...Finally, while on the edge of his sanity your door creaked open. “Hey, running late today huh?” He looked your figure up and down. You weren’t dressed for the day, pajamas and Nikes weren’t your usual fashion choices.

“Oh, Kook it’s Bella she’s sick.” The whining animal sat curled into a ball inside of the pink carrier. Your voice floated to his ears, soft and worrisome. He crouched, looking into the dark cage. “Sick? Sick how?” He prodded his limber finger inside rubbing the frail animals head. “I-I don’t know she hasn’t been eating,her breathing is strange.” He could hear you on the verge of tears as he got up, slightly annoyed though he tried to hide it. “We’re late to class y/n maybe you should just leave her, she’ll be better later.” The way you batted your lashes told Jungkook he’d said something wrong. You griped the carrier locking your apartment door before begging to leave towards the elevator. “Wait Y/n where are you going?” You Kept walking carful not to rock the poor bunny too hard. “Kook, Bella is half dead and you want me to leave her? I’m taking her to the vet.”

He groaned coming closer as you waited for the aged elevator to reach you. “Yeah? Okay well wait for me I’ll take you.” The elevator stoped with a horrifying screech, you stepped in Jungkook was kicking your last nerve this morning. “I already had it planned for today.” He got closer barley missing the door, “Jin offered to take me.” The door closes quickly and you descend.

Jin? Did you say Jin? Like a angered child he almost stomped back to his apartment door. he threw his bag against it, crouching to search for his key inside. “If I knew she was going to bitch over the thing-” he cut himself off opening the door,kicking his bag inside. “ I bought the fucking bunny, who is he to take care of our bunny.”

He threw himself down onto his couch, unmotivated to go to class now, or do anything for that matter he decided to miss today, and maybe even tomorrow. He mentally facepalmed, of course Jungkook noticed you and the new older man downstairs getting closer. He didn’t think anything of it, until he saw him walking into your job when he came to pick you up. Handing you his cheap flowers and gifts whenever he’d see you around the building. Jungkook thought you were smarter than that, it made him fiery with anger thinking about him manipulating you. The only person that loved you was Him. How could you blow him off for some guy downstairs, some guy you didn’t even need.

He let his mind jump from one angering topic to another. Oh! And that fucking rabbit. Bella had been getting a lot of love from you recently, he didn’t mind he saw that pet as a connection between you two. But to suddenly you kick him to the side because the rodent refused to eat? From Bella to Jin, his head spun. He could feel his face heat up at the thought of Jin getting close to you in the car, touching you, playing with your hair. It made him sick, he could almost feel the bile in his throat. If it wasn’t for that walking ball of fur, you’d be in his car, getting touched and loved by him.

He sat up with a groan. “I’ll wait until she gets home.” He stood going to the kitchen grabbing a drink. “And I’ll talk to her, I’m sure she can explain, she’ll tell me the whole story.”

It seemed like decades before your laughter was heard coming into the hall. He’d been sitting facing his door, waiting for you, his hair disheveled his mind distraught. “Thanks Jin, talk to you later.” Your voice so sweet to him he felt himself physically react, oh how he missed you today. He heard the creak and slam of your door. What am I to say? Maybe I should ask about Bella? He got up fixing his appearance before leaving and turning to your door.

He cleared his throat before letting his knuckles beat against the hardwood. “Coming hold on!” He took a step back painfully waiting. Thankfully you arrived quicker than expected. “Hey Kookie.” You answer in hushed tones. “Hey, going to work today?” You shook your head “no, I called out on emergency.” He nodded hands in his pockets. “How’s Bella?” You looked behind yourself quickly, “Uhm, she’s a bit better just weak would you like to come see her actually?”

He nodded enthusiastically following you in, “sit down if you’d like.” You left him to go retrieve the sickly pet. He stood admiring the room, everything from the pictures to the decorative items resembled you, not only did it look like you but it smelt like you. Jungkook could swim in this scent all day.

“Here she is, a sleepy little one.” The soft hum coming from her sleeping figure earned endearment from you. Jungkook came closer rubbing her back softly. “So, why didn’t you ask me to take you this morning ?” You looked up from Bella. “I thought that you were gonna to be in class.” Your head tilted adorably. “Mm no, I’ll always wait for you.” He took Bella from your motherly arms. “Oh how sweet of you.”

“Hm So, since when have you been taking to Jin?” He looked at you inquisitively. “Jin? Eh Jin is... We’re...complicated, I’ve known him since I moved here he’s helped me quite a bit.” You answered keeping a loving gaze on Bella.

Jungkook felt himself grip the rabbit tighter he looked at you with furrowed brows. “Huh?” “I met him in a bar with my ex roommate, we’ve been talking since then.” You explained lightly trying to not hurt his feelings, of course you knew how Jungkook felt, and it wasn’t mutual.

You plopped onto the couch patting the cushions inviting him to sit. “He moved downstairs to be closer, he’s making a good effort but I’m not sure how I feel right now.” Sighing you toyed with your fingers, unaware of the grimace on Jungkook’s features.

He couldn’t believe what he was hearing, he felt that he’d been lied to and he didn’t a appreciate that. “What do you think Koo, what should I do?” You asked, getting anxious at his sudden silence. He was upset and he was doing his best to hide it, with a sigh he sat next to you. “Don’t let him fuck up your mind y/n.” Confused you looked up to him, “we both know what you want.” You crossed your arms, curious. “What’s that?” Already being aggravated, he sighed deeply,letting the now awake rabbit escape onto the floor. “Me.” You were visibly taken aback by his unusual boldness.

“Uhm Jungkook.” Anxiously you rubbed the nape of your neck. “Y/n don’t pretend for Jin’s sake, I can hear you through the walls talking to friends about me.” Without noticing he started leaning towards you. “I’ve heard you in here being lewd with yourself, who was on your mind.” He could read the fear in your eyes, you grew uncomfortable at the personal information he was throwing at you. “Jungkook please wait-” “who was it?” You pushed a firm palm into his chest in attempts to get him away from you, the sweet dorky neighbor you’d befriended now lurking over you like a beast. “Who do you love y/n, c’mon?” “Kook-” “before you answer, know that I’ve always loved you it’ll never be complicated with me y/n you want better I can give you much be-” you pushed his muscular chest roughly to shut him up, your back now touching the arm of the couch. “I’m with Jin, Jungkook please leave I’m afraid.” A statement you thought would save you, turned to bite you right in the ass.

You could visibly see the anger play along his features, grimly he chuckled. “I’m not going any-fucking-where until you come to your senses.” He gripped the hand you had up against him. “Jungkook that hurts please I’m scared!” “You should be, how dare you use me, fucking whore I loved you!” He ran a finger over his lips, his emotions clashing harshly with each other. “I love you...but you probably let Jin fuck you silly, disgusting...but don’t worry you’ll learn.”

He proclaims pushing you to the floor, he rushes to slam and lock your apartment door. He turned and saw you clutching the coffee brown rabbit,sobbing. “Y-you fucking stepped on her Kook!” the whining of the pained animal began to creep onto his nerves. If that rodent wasn’t here you would’ve been going out with Jungkook today, and Jin wouldn’t stand a chance. He bent down pulling Bella from your clutch, with little to no struggle.

“You get what you want, and you run with it, you get what you want and you go snuggling under some other asshole huh?” He held the injured animal in a primal grip. Uncontrollable he’d held in his anger, his love,and his thoughts for far too long. “Kookie please...please...please no, l- I love you!” You desperately pleaded for your pets fragile life. “Never have I met a bitch that lies as much as you.” Coldly he responded, not appreciating your falsehood, he gripped Bella’s neck harshly putting the disturbed animal to death. “Jungkook!” You let out a shrill scream. “I bought her I can kick her to fucking curb if I want, go ask Jin for one, or did he lie and say he bought her.”

Silently all you could do is whimper and sob, the thud of Bella’s body made your throat constrict. His heavy steps near your quivering figure sending chills through you. “Say it like you mean it.” With no mental strength to look up, you collected yourself enough to speak. “I lo-ve you j-Jungkook.” He groaned. “Suck it up it was a fifty dollar animal, you’re pissing me off.” You’ve never heard him in this tone. “I love you so much, Kookie.” He gripped your chin forcing you to look at him. He pulled up his other hand slowly touching your face causing you to flinch. “Ah Ah don’t run.” He cleaned your glistening face.

“Now, tell me who we hate.” He looked into your eyes darkly. “J-Jin.” His once adorable smile, now made you want to vomit. “Good, and I’ll snap his puny neck if he gets in our way.” He brushed more tears from your features. Giving into his temptation he gripped the back of your neck, bringing his lips to yours before pulling back to whisper. “Now tell me, who were you thinking about during those lonely nights?” You shook swallowing thickly “and you better not lie.” Closing your eyes in defeat, warm tears spilled from you like a fountain. “You Jungkook.” Pleased he kissed you warmly, while you resisted the urge to react. “Keep being such a good girl, and I’ll get you a whole petting zoo of bunnies baby...would you like that?”

Not my image

[grapecaseschoices]

find the word tag 🔍

@laufire-writes tagged me .,... idk when lmao. with the words:  COSTUME, DECAY, MAGNETIC, FAVO(U)R.

COSTUME

Kendis’ lips curved into another grin; this a pale manifestation to the sudden, bright bubble of excitement that threatened to burst through her. “Right!! Like, all right, the whole waking up with someone else’s memories is like some deep shit. But come on! You also wake up a whole superhero! Think about the things you could do! The people you could save? I know this is kind of out there, or maybe it’s not. I mean. Like, come on.” As they’d been saying ‘out there’ was re-defined. Why couldn’t people go and redefine what it meant to put good back in the world? “People could get costumes! Secret identities and like alla that.” 

from an old thread in 2019 where (og) kendis and a heart sibling talk about the sudden influx of past lives & powers.

DECAY

She took a careful step closer, and cocked her head like a bird inspecting the scavenged sight left before it; clinical --- displeased. She huffed out a little laugh, a disparaging sound. “That little bitch.” She closed her eyes slowly and breathed in just as carefully. “Crafty.” Lupe murmured, curious. Crafty yet disrespectful. She supposed that summarized who and what the town had been dealing with for months. “The body isn’t decaying.”

Lupe turned to the group -- she almost looked impressed, still very much displeased, yet impressed.

She mulled her words for a moment before she continued to explain: Even a body set to be preserved by human means was set to decay, eventually. But the means preserving Cass were far from human. It was almost as if magic was holding her death hostage.

another old thing, about last year; a mini-narrative. one of my characters Lupe - whose abilities involve death - is analyzing a body of someone she knows that’s been fucked with magically.

MAGNETIC

She hesitated before her gaze moved toward his, dark eyes met brown, as if unbidden. Even though it had been lured toward his like the attractive sound of 'psspss' to a cat. He asked and she felt compelled to answer; not like a puppet on a string, not like metal to magnet -- but rather a faced tugged close by a warm hand. There was the choice to pull away but was it really a choice when the best option felt like saying yes? 

Their breath caught as something warm filled their chest -- he still smelled like citrus, like sharpness and brightness was at the core of him and couldn't be washed away by the grime of 2023. Something warm tried to fill their chest but panic drowned it over. 

Kendis tried to swallow but took, stumbled, a step back. He had such pretty eyes. And maybe it was because they were smarter now, because Kendis a few years ago would've thought their eyes were open and fallen into their own hubris -- as they had with Dove. 

This time they were -- This was... No.

"I need to go.  So I'm gonna ... leave. Bye." They turned abruptly and began walking away.

listen, this is the best i got. at least this one’s THIS YEAR. formerly titled: ‘The Ugly Meet Cute. Or is it The Cute Meet Ugly?’; originally Fitz and Kendis’ first meeting but we tweaked it, and they ran into each other two times before this (at Pride!) lmao

FAVOR

"I did not know!! Delilah, I swear it upon your mother, I did not know. I am not to blame. I could not lead them anywhere, it was all by chance. It is the gods, it is the gods!!"

"You would not.

"Delilah, please."

"Do not whisper your begging, bitch. Let your gods hear it, let them know, and understand that I will grant their "righteous" rebellion the same leniency that they placed upon my family. Beg me for the mercy that they did not grant Kyrios or our children -- in all the fucking lands, in all the fucking homes, they chose mine to rebel in. My husband may have been ambitious and arrogant, but his connections to the praetor were no stronger than any other man seeking favor. They could have struck any other family. Yet they came to my city. How odd, how odd, indeed."

funnily i have a lot of threads/narratives with the word favor, most of them involving kendis -- and i think a majority of THOSE involving their various past lives. this one centers around one of the most recent ones delilah and is a snippet from a narrative that showed her downward spiral to ‘villainy’ (i mean yes she killed a lot of people - and some of the “wrong” ones - but they killed her family first, so is that BAD?)

tagging i have too many writers (not ACTUALLY complaining) 234rew umm @equusgirl-writes  @writerray @wayhavenots @shady-saint @thelittlestspider @lizzybeth1986 @impossible-rat-babies and really and TRULY whoever wants to (also ignore if you want <33) !!

your words are CRACKED, FAUNA, IMAGE, FREEDOM 

[lokislastlove]

Come One, Come All! (Dark!Loki x reader) p.2

Summary: A girls night out to the fair takes an insidious turn.

Warnings: Noncon/Rape, Knife play, Oral (m&f), Smut, Bondage, Kidnapping

This is a dark fic! 18+ ONLY! Explicit Adult content. Please READ THE WARNINGS! Do not continue if these matters upset you!

Authors Note: Here is part 2, for those who have taken a chance on my trash, thank you so much!! I hope I don’t disappoint. ❤️

Chapter 2:

You feel your chest seize and you start to shake as your heart rate skyrockets, your body and mind dissolving into a full blown panic attack as you feel around the black box imprisoning you. You are only locked in for a minute before you hear rustling outside and you are thrown into the wall as the whole box shifts and turns.

“What the fuck. Oh my god, someone help! Please let me out!” Your voice cracks as your pleading grows more desperate with each passing minute.

You try to hold out hope that it’s a prank or part of the experience but after what you were sure had to be at least ten minutes of begging to possibly no one, you sag in defeat. Your eyes burn with hot tears, the temperature inside the box rising the longer you sit there. Stewing in silence and sweat, you listen to anything that might tell you where you have been moved to but the joyful bustle of the carnival fades early on.

You fall asleep hunched at the bottom of the box, arms wrapped tightly around your knees. You don’t know for how long but you are awoken roughly as the box tips over sending you face first into the solid surface. You grunt and stretch out, turning to lay on your back.

“Open it” you hear faintly.

The wall above you is ripped off instantly by a singular muscular arm. Startled, you gasp but manage to hold in the pathetic squeak when you look up into piercing blue eyes shrouded in unruly golden hair. Your own eyes widening as you take in the sheer mass of this man.

The muscles under his sun-kissed skin ripple as he huffs and stands straight. He scratches his bearded jaw, looking over to the darker figure you could barely see standing across from him.

“Yes I can see why you liked this one. Inquisitive eyes. A bit of fire in there, yes?” The hulking blond man raises a brow and smirks at you.

Had you not been in your current situation he would have been the type of man you could drool over for days. But considering the fact that you appear to be kidnapped, his physique only enhances your trepidation.

“Where the fuck am I?” You demand, fighting your soft-spoken nature.

“Yeah, there’s that fire” the large man chuckles deeply. “Want me to put her on the wall?” He asks looking back to his silent counterpart.

“The wall?” You mutter, panic rising again at the prospect of being ‘put’ anywhere.

“Yes, then you may go. Thank you , Thor” The darker mans voice drones, sounding bored.

The larger man, Thor, leans down and goes to grab you, making you scream and try to slap away his arms which is clearly ineffective, considering his bicep is the size of your head. He grabs your wrists easily and pulls you to your feet, you try going limp but he hardly seems to notice as he drags you out of the box. You start kicking and flailing wildly as he tosses you against a hard flat wooden surface attached to the wall. You sob as he takes one of your arms and stretches it straight out and snaps a mounted metal cuff around your wrist. You reach over with your free hand and try to unclasp the lock but he catches you and stretches the other arm out to the other side, rendering you completely helpless.

Arms spread wide, you feel exposed and vulnerable, especially when he traces his hand over your breasts before stepping away. That’s when you finally look at the thing you are mounted to. A circular wooden board painted red and white like a giant target, with you at the center.

“What the hell is this?” You tremble.

“Ankles too, for now” the dark suited man directs from across the room.

“Oh, well aren’t you a lucky girl” Thor chuckles under his breath before kneeling down and spreading your legs, attaching each to a similar iron restraint.

“Please. Please let me go” you plead softly to the bulky blond as he stands straight and smiles at you.

Thor brushes his thumb under your eye, catching a stray tear before sucking it into his mouth and humming.

“So sweet.” He praises before winking at you and leaving the room.

Your eyes settle on the lithe figure facing away from you. He’s tall and although he’s not as thick as Thor, you can tell he doesn’t lack strength either. He sheds his jacket and lays it neatly across the desk in front of him.

“If this is s-some sort of joke, it’s not funny” you stutter.

You watch in horror as he slowly turns to look at you, leaning back on his desk and crossing his ankles.

“You’re a clever girl, does this feel like a prank to you, darling?” His voice is as smooth as silk.

“Why are you doing this? Where are my friends?” You question, dreading the answer.

“Oh they will make fine prizes for the highest bidder. But you, darling… you caught my attention.” He explains blithely, slowly unbuttoning the cuffs of his shirt and rolling the sleeves up to his elbows.

“Lucky me” you scoff, narrowing your eyes at him as a wave of anger washes over you at the mention of your friends.

“Indeed.” He smiles cruelly.

“I swear to god if you hurt my friends –“ you fume before getting cut off suddenly.

You barely see the silver glint as something small whizzes through the air toward your head. A sharp silver blade sinks into the board next to your head, the shock causing you to choke on a gasp. It was mere inches away from your eye.

“Care to threaten me again?” He smirks, holding another knife in his right hand, the sharp point of it delicately pressing into the middle finger of his left hand.

You gulp as your body shakes uncontrollably, your life seemed to flash before your eyes in that moment. How did he throw that so fast, you say to yourself, the target behind you making more sense now. You shake your head in response to his question, voice lost amongst the adrenaline coursing through you.

“Very well” he nods once, with a small smile.

Your eyes are glued to the dagger in his hand, as he flourishes it about casually. Your muscles tense every time he tosses it gently in the air before catching it.

“Now, I want to know how you solved those riddles so quickly today” he asks lightly before throwing another dagger, this one splintering the wood inches away on the other side of your head. “And no lies.”

You squeak and close your eyes, body trembling so badly you aren’t sure how to form words anymore.

“I – I don’t know. I just did.” You manage to stammer out. “Please stop.”

Another dagger flies through the air, landing with a thud between your thighs.

“Oh my god, please! Please” you cry.

“You know some people could figure out one, maybe two, within the time limit. Most just get the answers from those who went before them. Others just come back repeatedly, mindlessly searching for the keys. But you… such a clever girl” he purred, pushing himself away from the desk still clutching another knife.

“You can hardly blame me for being curious” he continues, taking slow steps toward you.

He stops before you, admiring your terrified expression before dropping his eyes down your body. You pull on the restraints and shift in discomfort at his close proximity. He smiles as his eyes connect once more with your own, his pupils blown wide.

“I’m sorry, okay. I wasn’t trying to – I won’t ever do it again. Just please let me and my friends go,” you beg.

You watch him smirk and sniff at your pathetic pleas, both fully aware you have nothing to offer. He turns and calmly walks back to his desk.

“Ugh let me go you fucking creep! What do you want from me?” Anger and panic causing you to lash out desperately.

He turns and flings another dagger at you, but this time you feel a sharp pain under your arm. You look over to see the dagger pinning your shirt to the board, slowly staining with blood.

“Oh my god!” You scream shifting your arm away from the dagger. “You cut me!”

“Barely more than a scratch. You’ll survive.” He assured you coolly with a roll of his eyes.

You feel the slow flow of warmth trickle down the underside of your arm and you whimper as you watch him near you again. He stops in front of you and pulls the dagger from the board, releasing your shirt. He admires the blade for a moment and then reaches out to you, making you flinch away. His eyes flare at your reaction and he tuts disapprovingly.

“This shirt, however…” he mocks, sliding the sharp end of the blade under the hem of the fabric along your stomach, “I’m afraid it will not.”

You gasp as he brings the knife up cutting through the flimsy material with barely any resistance. You cry as the cool air breezes over your exposed stomach. The useless cloth hanging loosely off your arms.

“Better” he coos his appraisal, as he glides the tip of the knife from your neck to your navel.

Your chest heaves as the reality set in like a boulder dropping in your stomach. You can’t believe this is how your ‘fun night out’ is going. Cursing your luck as you wonder why the hell your intelligence only seemed to lead you to trouble and scummy men.

“All of this because I solved your stupid riddles” you gripe, shaking your head in bitter disbelief.

“Stupid?” He repeats, his face twisting in disgust at the insult.

“Yeah, what is it? You have a problem with women smarter than you? No, that can’t be it, you’d have to be used to that by now.” You sneer.

You don’t know where this boldness is coming from, but something about this man makes you angry, and you figure, what do I have to lose?

His face twists in anger and he slams the dagger into the wall above your head. Your head is now caged in by three sharp knives and yet you suppress a flinch.

“That, wasn’t so smart, darling.” His lip curls in amusement as he backs off slightly and grips the rounded edge of the board spinning it until you are hanging upside down.

Tags: @darkficsyouneveraskedfor @caffiend-queen

[natsukitakama]

Being in relationship with Zeke Yeager would include

*looking respectfully* 

Author note : I know some people aren’t quite found of him and I can understand. But I know some of you simp for him (me too don’t worry). I hope you’ll enjoy this. 

i do not own that gif I found it on google so credit to the owner (if you know them please let me know)

Warning : mention of spoiler if you haven’t season 2, 3 et 4 / slight nsfw cause I’m going to hell / fluffy because we derserve it 

Masterlist 

Annoying. Not in a bad way but this man can’t shut up, he always has something to tell just because he loves seeing you getting flustered or angry because of him. 

That’s just how he is. He loves teases people and get the most of them. It’s even worse with his S/O 

Typically if you want to kiss him (private or in public won’t matter although he might prefers being private about his relationship) he would litteraly make you beg for it. « Couldn’t you wait until we’re home ? So needy Y/N » 

Since he was educated to be a leader he is pretty god at reading people’s body language and won’t hesitate to use it on you. 

Not a surprise here you barely got a fight : the man barely loses his temper and since he can read you like an open book he knows exactly what to do to avoid situation like this. 

Nonetheless it doesn’t mean he can’t provide every argument. So yeah times to times you two fight, most of the time because you know he is hiding something from you, and everytime you confront him about it he just brushes if off telling you, you’re being paranoid or something. 

Although he got a huge ego so yeah he might act as if he was smarter than you and would tell you so.

He is kinda mean and cold and even though he is trying his best to cherish you, sometimes he says things he shouldn’t tell. It ends up with you crying or trying not to (but he can tell) and just leave him. 

Man he hates it. Everytime he got to see his grandparents and everytime they scold him for being an assholes to you. 

And everytime he could come back to you with a gift either a book that you might be interest on, flowers or even jewellery if you are into that. 

He would apologize for being a dick to you

100% end up making sweet love just to be sure he is forgiven (also because he misses your touch but shhh he has a reputation) 

Don’t lie to him. He would know. As I said before he can read people and especially your body’s language. It took you a long time before owning his trust, don’t give him reason to not trust you : it you want to say something tell him.

He is pretty blunt himself so he won’t mind and actually would love it if you are confident and comfortable enough with him to talk about anything

Like I said earlier he might want to be cautious with your relationship, not because he is ashamed or anything but he knows that not everyone loves him and he is afraid that they might use you against him as a threat. He can’t tolerate that (also because he will betray his own army, he doesn’t want you to get hurt or worst because of him) 

Yeah because you’re not a part of his plan, he never talked about anything related to his plan. 

It might surprise you but I don’t think he is actually good at flirting. He is pretty blunt and not that subtle, he won’t go as far as to say « I think you’re hot » on your first meeting but still you will notice that he was more talkative with you. 

Maybe it’s a fantaisie of mine but I think he would love send you letters : he tends to be more sensual while writing. You always got a letter when you start your day at work and if he couldn’t manage to be with you that or even call you during work, he’ll send you another one with flower to apologize. 

But he can be smooth when he wants to, especially when he is teasing you : that’s his way of flirting with you. He can’t help but feel like he has to tease you just to see you with a pout on your face. (His heart melt everytime he saw you like this) 

He tends to be more rough with his teasing if he is dating a male than a women, his grandma raise him to treat women like queen so he will oblige. 

He daydreams a lot about you, sometimes it’s just about you laying on his chest sleeping like a baby, he could literally feel your soft hair on his hands as he stroke them. Sometimes it’s more sensual, as he could easily remember the touch of your skin against his hands, the whimper that left your lips each time he is kissing you, sucking you, bitting you, the way you gripped his shoulder as he was pouding into your core relentless. 

It didn’t help that everything seemed to remember him of you, when he is drinking is usual coffee at 10 AM he got a memory of you cooking his breakfast whistling softly as you were happy to cook some meal for your man. When is having his tea after his lunch time the flower scent coming from his tea makes him of your perfume. His book and paper on his desk, reminds him of you when you’re overworking, claiming that your mess make actually sense for you and that no you weren’t just too lazy to clean up. 

If he claims himself to be good when it came to emotion and to keep everything for himself, his grand-parent noticed something about his behavior. He seemed more clean and presentable (not that it wasn’t the case but he wasn’t the one to take extra attention of his looks), he was more polite always trying to not swear or at least not that much, they noticed him looking somewhere as if he was looking for someone. 

Sometimes he calls you just to annoy his superior (cause he knows they survey him), just to talk about anything but especially to talk trash about some embarrassing things. But since he never used a name or something they never know if he was talking to you or someone he just slept with. Occasionally he would talk about embarrassing story about this superior, he knows he won’t be punished otherwise it would be a proof that he was telling the truth earlier. 

He is possessive not like Porco or Eren where they would let their anger scare the poor people trying to talk to you, he is smart enough to know when someone is hitting on you or when someone is just speaking to you. But still, he doesn’t like when he sees somebody being too touchy on you. How dare they ? He is commander, smart, handsome, strong and that poor people think they could challenge him ? 

During time like this after, kicking that poor person out of your way, he would take you home. Don’t ever think you leave this house, he won’t stop loving you until you can’t walk and the only thing you could remember is his own name. 

Be careful, Zeke is patient very patient. 

If you think he won’t edge you until you’re crying mess for release you’re wrong. He tends to tease you and make you beg to cum, so when he feels like he has to remind you who you belong to, one word can describe your night with him : intense (yeah because not only will he edge you but he’ll also overstimulate you and if you’re crying because it’s too much he would just look at you as if he was surprised « oh ? Too much ? But I thought you wanted to cum ?". 

He doens’t want children for multiple reason and he won’t like if you keep ask him about it : he doesn’t want to be a father please respect his decision. (He would try to explain to you his opinion so it won’t appear as a selfish decision) 

Some nights, he feels guilty for not explaining to you his plan, what he wants for future but he knows it’s for your own sake. You couldn’t take it and he is aware that he is not mean to last forever and than one day you would wake up and he won’t be there for you, he is already acting like a an asshole because he is taking your love while he knows he would die eventually (quicker than you he hopes), he won’t put any pressure because of his plan. 

[abizarreyodelingincident]

Braaaaaaains...

Jason Todd is legally – and biologically – dead. His family noted his lack of pulse at three in the morning, inside the cave, his body laid out on a table with medical instruments.

No, really, tell him something he doesn't know.

What else crawls out of a grave moaning and groaning?

Or, Jason thought his family full of the world's greatest detectives was smarter than this. Apparently not.

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

It had been an ordinary night. Calm. The stage for very little costumed crime and barely more regular, non-insane crime as well. Half the menagerie that made up Dick's loving ragtag bunch of younger siblings had even taken the night off.

Nothing should have make him arrive to silence this thick, to this faint echo of sniffling.

He sprinted after the noise.

Damian's fine, left before me. Duke didn't go out, nor did Steph. Babs spent the evening with Cass in the cave, Tim swept the bowery and said he was going to stop by Jason's place to-

He collided with a shaking, tear stained Tim right outside the medbay.

There was a body on the closest table. Others around it, crying, pacing, muttering in denial.

Dick couldn't look.

No, no, please, please no. I can't do that again. I can't!

Scarred skin, too pale – to be Duke or Cass – by death. His breath hitched. No. He. Fuck.

He knew those scars. Those arms. That chest and that fucking Y from navel to shoulders.

“Dick! Jason... he was...  I found him in his apartment. And I brought him to the cave... but... Jason doesn't have a pulse. He's... cold...”

Dick stumbled.

No.

No, no, no, that... that couldn't be real.

He caught himself on his little brother. Brought himself into a hug too tight, as painful as the arms gripping his ribs and back. A grip meant for a lifesaving light at sea. For a safeline over a ravine.

Twice. He'd lost the same brother twice. And this time, he didn't even have the excuse of inexperience and unstable situations. He... he patrolled the city whilst his brother was dead, completely oblivious to the fact. How could he? How dare he not know?!

“Shh, Tim, I'm here. I'm here.” But not for Jason, whispered a vicious part of him.

“What's all this?”

Dick's heart just about stopped.

Damian stood at the entrance to the lockers' room, uniform folded under one arm, hair slightly damp from a shower and Bat-themed pajamas worn without shame. His mild annoyance was proof he had no idea of the drama that had happened not twenty feet from him.

With reluctance, he let go of Tim, a gentle hand lingering on his shoulder, before he took a few steps toward his youngest, most vulnerable brother.

“D-Dami, I... ”   Damn it, he had to be the one to tell Damian about this. Because otherwise, the person to break the news would be Bruce, and-

Shit.

Bruce.

Oh God. How could they possibly tell him- ? After all their fights, the goddamned shattering that had broken the man he had been, and their last conversations even being more admonishment about protocols that Jason had flippantly disregarded. Bruce would never recover. That was it. The end of Batman.

...But first, God he hated himself, wanted to just curl up in a corner and forget everything, first he had a young brother he needed to talk to. One... one little brother less than just this afternoon.

“Jason... ” He swallowed, his throat tight, his heart in denial, the words so damning, but needing to be said. “Jason did not make it. He... he's dead.”

Damian stayed thoughtfully silent.

Not... not the tearful reaction he had expected, but Damian had grown up surrounded by so much death and horror that he would obviously be guarded. And oh, Dick's heart went to his baby brother, and he truly wished he could

“I do not understand. Why such theatrics for the zombie?”

Dick gasped, knowledge warring with the flash of anger.

“Damian! He's our brother!”

“Did he lose his head?” Damian demanded, and Dick's mind buckled.

“Huh, no, but that doesn't have anything to d-”

“Then, why are you acting so weirdly emotional, Richard?”

Before Dick's temper could catch up to his mouth, the longest and most painful-sounding gasp erupted from the medbay, where, to the general shock of all, Jason's gray-ish body shot upward with both his arms raised.

Electroshocks didn't make you jolt like that.

Electroshocks, in fact, remained in their kit on the other side of the medbay, unused. Because Jason had seemingly been dead long before he had been brought to the cave.

That was roughly the moment when Dick's brain caught up with the first of many hints. Latched onto it with a fool's hope.

“... Damian... When you were calling Jason a 'zombie', what did you mean?”

Damian's brows scrunched up together, a look he meant to be intimidating, but had more in common with a disgruntled kitten. “Exactly that, Richard. Do we not have files on zombies in the computer? Dead bodies walking about animated by unholy powers?”

Jason's not- Dick forced the half formed thought to a halt. For once, he rather wanted to be very, very wrong in how he perceived his family.

“What's with all the noise? Can't someone try to sleep like the dead without screaming?” Jason groused. “Should have gotten myself buried ag-OOF!”

“JASON!” screamed the hysterical teenager that had launched himself at a very lively dead body.

“Huhh? Hi, Timmy?” Jason said blearily, ruffling Tim's hair, eyebags suspiciously prominent. “... Fear gas?”

The blinking slowed, the fog of sleep drifting away as he silently begged the rest of them for an answer.

Happily provided by a still crying Tim. “I thought you were gone!”

“What is dead may never die,” Jason quipped, his mouth twisting in that cocksure grin from his Robin days.

And Dick wanted nothing more than to stop right there, pass out from the relief and joy of his little brother being alive and kicking, but...

But... 

That joke. One of many morbidly unfunny jokes and puns.

Bone-deep fatigue crushed his back. A bitter curse for whatever higher forces messing with them echoed strongly inside his skull, before he gave in to the inevitable and inhaled a few times for patience.

“Jason. We thought you were dead-dead.”

With prickly, hedgehog style affection, Jason pushed Tim back and stood up, stretching. “Come off it, Goldie. I wasn't even decapitated. I mean, if you were really worried, you could have just called a necromancer or something.” His expression hardened. “But if you ever call a necromancer on my ass, I'll shoot your perfect glutes.”

Yup, yup, yup, this is happening.

Tim finally wiped the rest of the tears away, helped by one of Stephanie's handkerchiefs, when he froze. “Wait. Your skin's still pale as a corpse.”

The flicker of amusement in Jason's eyes killed it for Dick.

God, how could they have all been this idiotic? If Wally ever learned about this – Shit, did Roy and Kory know before him?!

They were going to laugh their asses off at him.

Jason, unaware of the world recalibration happening in his poor big brother's mind, shrugged and rolled his shoulders – who creaked suspiciously loudly, more like rusty hinges than normal body parts. “Eh, I'm just a bit hungry. Nothing a meal or two won't fix and get some blood flowing back under my s-”

“You're a zombie.”

They turned toward him.

“Way to cross the finish line on time, Mister Rabbit,” Jason drawled.

Barbara, for once, looked completely unprepared. “A zombie,” she repeated, dazed.

Stephanie's nervous giggle died out when she noticed the lack of humor. “... No!”

Cassandra furiously looked down, muttering in her fist. Duke, by contrast, had the expression of a person stuck in a very awkward nightmare.

Even Jason's good-natured ribbing faded in when faced only with the distant screeched of bats. “... Hm, guys, bats, roostery, parasites and octopi? This is old news. What's with all the... ”

He vaguely gestured at their faces.

“Old news?” Tim rasped like he was being strangled.

“I came back from the dead years ago! Come on! Am I in a parallel universe? Hey, Demon Brat,” Jason called, baffled, “you knew, right? I didn't imagine that, right?!”

“Of course, Todd. Mother informed me of everything. Besides, Grandfather's interest in your state of being was of interest for a few weeks. How could I have been ignorant about your zombified state of being?”

In the corner of his eyes, Dick noticed Tim's, Barbara's and Cassandra's expressions all pinching in displeasure. In a way, Dick was reassured. He hadn't been the target of a family-wide hoax to discredit him as an attentive and loving eldest brother. No, he was just naturally blind, apparently.

“He knew?” Tim growled, like it was a personal failing of the fabric of time and space.

Damian's tone was the exact opposite. “And none of you realized...?”

Dick squirmed. “I... huh... you see...”

His baby brother eyed him, completely unimpressed, and for once after years of partnership, Dick felt he deserved every single ounce of it.

“I see... I shall reevaluate the value of this 'detective training' I've been given if this is the result then,” he said, the nearest thing to completely disavowing his older siblings without saying so.  

In other circumstances, perhaps the others would have demanded that Damian stay and explain, but he suspected the quelling look it would have deserved prevented them. Not one of them spoke until Damian had disappeared upstairs and the elevator doors had closed.

“Jason, since when have you been a zombie?”

Jason blinked, jaw hanging. Juuuust enough for some of the scar tissue on his face to stretch past normal. Why did Dick only notice that now?

“Wait, you're all serious? How could you not know? I told you guys!”

And there was Dick's pride rearing its ugly head, because no, no he had not been told and maybe his deductive skills needed a very complete overhaul, but his memory was still excellent!

“You never said that. Heck, we weren't even talking until two years ago!”

“I literally told you all that I crawled out of my grave by myself, groaning the entire time. No experiment, no Lazarus Pit, just a body waking up in its own coffin and deciding to breathe fresh air. Does that not scream 'zombie' to you?”

They cringed.

“Not the only one that returned from beyond,” Babs mumbled. He could see her pull up the mental list right there.

“I greeted you all last meeting with a 'What's up, my bat folks? It's me, your favorite zombie!'. What did you think that meant?”

“That you're an asshole with a morbid sense of humor?” Stephanie quipped, and Jason momentarily paused his indignation to high five her. Fair's fair.

“Okay, but what about that time I got shot in the chest and I told you all not to worry about it?”

“I just figured you were going to get stitched up by Leslie or yourself, you know, regular bat neuroses,” Tim confessed.

Dick made a mental note to keep a much closer eye on Tim's patrols for the next few months.

“From a bullet chest wound?” Jason asked with an incredulousness that was not at all earned, because he was a freaking zombie!

“I thought your armor had blocked it! The hole wasn't bleeding!” Tim protested, cheeks red and tone defensive.

“Well, yeah,” Jason replied. “I don't bleed. It's like some fruit pulp or something. Ain't coming out if you don't press. My heart's not pumping.”

That's a 'nevermind' on the smoothie I saved for after patrol.

“Well, I know that now,” Tim said.

“I feel like I should write it down on the plaque or something,” Jason still sounded amazed, and might have pinched his arm just to be sure he hadn't been daydreaming, “Like, 'a good soldier AND A VERY DISCRETE ZOMBIE!' in big flaming letters. With a spotlight. And a dictionary opened on 'Zombie' or 'Undead'. You know, just in case the next batbrat to come along needs a few subtle hints about my true nature. What'd you think, Dick?”

He could not have been blushing harder than he currently was. “I think shut up.”

“Of course. What about when I shoved my deadly cold toes at Tim under a blanket?”

“Cold feet.”

“Never eating around you guys?”

“Daddy issues with Bruce,” Barbara deadpanned, and got a sock thrown at her for her honesty.

However, Duke, poor kid, turned green. “Wait, so when you offered me some jellied brain... was that not a death joke?”

Dick's stomach spontaneously shrivelled.

By the grimaces and sharp inhales all around, that was a common reaction.

Then the worst possible thing happened: Jason grinned.

He strutted, all confidence and brashness, and viper-quick, snatched an arm around Duke's shoulder. “Narrows, Nightlight, my tiny bitsy bro, everything I do is a death joke. My very existence laughs at death.”

Inside the batcave, the groaning was long-suffering and shameful.

“But that was actually brains,” Duke countered.

“Yeah. Calf brains. It's a delicacy.”

Tim massaged his forehead. What a mood.

Duke narrowed his eyes. “It was purely for the joke, wasn't it?”

Jason patted him on the back so hard Duke faltered. “One tragically wasted on your obtuse mind. I prefer me some Tête fromagée instead. Less like grainy jello.”

Stone-faced, Barbara wheeled herself toward the batcomputer. There, upon a series of quick clicks, she opened up the Bats's files. “Alright, you had your fun. Do you need to eat brains or are you just the world's least funny meathead?”

“I'm the world's most misunderstood vigilante!” Jason loudly protested, milking their pain for all it was worth. And then some. “But yeah, I do. No grey matter in there” -- he tapped his belly -- “no thinking up here.” -- his skull.

“Need some better quality brains then,” Tim stage-whispered to Stephanie.

Cass pointed the finger at Jason. “No killing for brains.”

Jason's good humor flickered with a flash of green. “Ain't ever done it, never will. It's a matter of morals, not hunger, Cass.”

Dick swooped in that minefield before it exploded.

“Great! Proud of you, Jay! You're the good kind of vegetarian zombie,” he said, putting an arm around his ginormous little brother's shoulders.

Wait a minute...

“Hey, you're older than when you died! Zombies don't age.”

“No, I was thrown into a Lazarus Pit, and the evil waters cured the malnutrition-induced delay on my growth. Haven't aged a day since.”

“I just thought you had a weird babyface thing going on,” Tim said.

Jason's grin turned sardonic. “Quite the opposite, Timber.”

Dick put his head in his hands in some vain attempt to prevent his brain from leaking through his ears.  With his luck, his little brother would 'playfully' eat some of it. “There's no way you look this rugged at biologically sixteen! I refuse to believe that.”

“Can you imagine my power if I'd been allowed to reach my full potential?” Jason leered, eyebrows waggling like waves in a sea at storm. “So many heart attacks.”

Barbara and Cassandra exchanged a silent look, and, after a solemn nod, Cassandra reached up to slap Jason upside the head.

“Thank you, Cassandra,” Barbara told her. “Jason, never do such a thing again.”

The disgruntled groan that followed must have been on purpose, because Jay was indeed an asshole.

“Besides, it's not like the world will ever know,” Tim said, cutting, a smirk hiding by his hand.

Dick really thought his little brother was far too relaxed upon learning that Jason was one with the undead. Sure, they had all encountered various levels of zombies during their missions, from all sorts of oral traditions and cultures, alien viruses and hidden nanobots piloting meat puppets. It wasn't even classified as a nation-wide crisis to encounter free-roaming zombies. But since the chronically unalive individual in question was one of their own, Dick felt he was owed at least a whole evening of frazzled panic and incomprehension for once.

“Oh?” Stephanie instead asked, sensing blood.

Tim shrugged. “Well, you know, no pulse, no blood flow,” he said with an angled eyebrow nodding at Jason's crotch

Stunned silence followed, their expressions varying from disgust, horror, unholy glee and, from Jason himself, wide-eyed shock that his shrimp of a little brother had had the balls to assimilate the zombieness fast enough to mock him for him.

Dick prayed for patience. For fortitude. And for an alternate timeline where he was an only child.

Why, for all the love of cotton candy and professional uncriminal clowns, did Tim put THAT image of Jason inside their brains? What had he done, him, a loving model for all of society, to suffer like this?

Maybe if he asked nicely, Jason would eat the image out of his head. He owed Dick that much after this clusterfuck of a conversation.

“Ooooooooh,” Stephanie crooned, miming getting dunked on. With acrobatics.

Jason huffed. “Like I was ever interested in the first place. I ain't Dick.”

“Okay, no slut shaming or virgin shaming, in fact, no shaming at all, please. In this house, we accept all sexualities, but we don't give out raunchy details about any of it, I only have so much brain bleach.”

“Share?” Duke pleaded in a whisper.

Oh, I wish I could, you young innocent soul.

A few beeps turned their attention back to Barbara and the batcomputer. “Well, that's one long overdue update to Jason's files. Anyone else want to share their 'obvious' medical condition?”

“Excuse you, being dead is not a medical condition.”

“I will make you wish for the peace of the grave, Jason.”

Droplets dripped from nearby stalactites.

A few bats flew overhead.

Jason turned to them like nothing had been said.

“Right. That was fun. Best night of my month. Can't wait to tell the Outlaws.”

Dick resigned himself to a series of unflattering texts by the absolute dickheads that were his second family. He could already tell the messages would blow up his phone to the Moon. 'You didn't know your brother that came back from the dead is a zombie?!'

“Have mercy and wait tomorrow morning?”

That smile could have been great or terrible. “You're lucky I'm in a spectacularly good mood, Dick.”

He had lifted his leg over his bike's seat when Duke was struck by genuine worry.

“Wait. Does Bruce know?”

Jason barked out a laugh.

“Of course he does! God knows he's got some massive blind spots, but he's obsessive, paranoid and I find subcutaneous trackers on me every week. No way he didn't get the hint before now.”

But, as his gaze went over the rest of them, his good cheer dimmed, his grin slipping off his face as surely as a bit of decayed flesh.

“... Right?”

[youresog0lden]

Call Out My Name || S.R

Word Count: 2.1K 

Summary: being kidnapped was never easy and neither was being in love

Tagging: @doctorthreephds​

Warnings: cursing, kidnapping, nightmares, mentions of being kidnapped. 

Masterlist

Based off this post

I never thought it was going to be like this. To end up in the situation, in which a sadistic man kidnaps three federal agents, holds them hostage and makes them spill their darkest secrets. In which I also didn’t know that I was going to tell the only person I’ve ever loved that I loved him, in front of the girl he was in love with and, it is true I am completely and hopelessly in love with Spencer Reid. From the countless times we spent night on his or my couch watching Disney movies together or, when we would talk about stupid memories from our childhood, to times when he would cry to me about being scared of what his future would be like. I never in a million years thought I would be sitting on the floor hands tied together, feet tied together, tears spilling out of my eyes, and seeing Spencer and JJ sitting on the floor the same way. Broken glass and the numbing of my wrists were the only things I could feel right now. I wanted so badly to scream and shout. I wanted so bad to escape but being held at gunpoint won’t let me be able to do that. I wish I would’ve stayed with Emily, but I insisted I came with them. Is that selfish of me? It might be but it would be better than being here. 

“Okay so who’s going to start. We don’t have all night agents.” his voice was harsh. “Hmm, you.” he points his gun at JJ. 

“Start spilling or-” he takes a minute to look between Spencer and I. “He’s dead.” his gun pointed at Spencer. My eyes went wide, looking around for anything, anyway to get out of this. 

“Doll, we don’t have all day. I’m starting to get impatient.” I look the guy in the eyes before taking a deep breath. 

“My deepest secret is that I wish I never joined the BAU.” 

“Hmm. Not good enough, elaborate.” he smiled a crooked smile. I look at Spencer as he furrows his brows at me wondering what she was talking about. 

“I wish I never joined that BAU because I wouldn’t have fallen in love with someone I shouldn’t have.” 

“Who.” he jabbed, I looked at Spencer, then at JJ, then right back at Spencer. The ringing sounded throughout the room. I hear Spencer let out a yelp, when the bullet barely missed his leg and went straight to the floor.

“Spencer. I’m in love with Spencer.” she cried my eyes rushing to look anywhere but his right now. My eyes went wide as I felt a few tears prickle. I sat there just looking between them watching Spencer just sit there and stare at JJ with so much disbelief in his face. I mean who couldn’t the girl he was in love with just told him she was in love with him.  

“Good now-” before he could say anything another ringing sound was in the room. The smoke was filling the room, seeing it come from Spencer's hands, holding a gun. 

“Come on let’s go.” JJ said, lifting up Spencer and walking out holding him up. I let out a long awaited sigh and stood up walking to the exit. I watch the swat team come into the building along with the medics. I take a step out into the cold winter air letting it hit my face. 

“Y/N are you okay?” Emily walked up to me, putting her hand on my shoulder. 

“Ye-” I watched them hugging tightly. “Yeah, sorry I’m fine. I just think I really need some sleep.” I sighed. It didn’t take long before everyone was walking back to the jet, happy that no one got injured badly. Everyone sat on the plane making small talk, trying to defuse the tension. I just sat there staring at the ground, trying to get my mind off of what just went on. JJ was in love with Spencer and I couldn’t tell. I mean she did tell me her and Will were having some troubles right now, and her and Spencer had been hanging out a lot, and the way she looks at him. I’ve seen it somewhere I just can’t pinpoint it. I’ve seen that look before. It’s the look of hope, the look of being in love with someone. It’s the look I’ve given Spencer a thousand times. I was supposed to be a profiler and I couldn’t even see this coming. I felt my eyes get watery once again so I lay against my hands and try to go to sleep. 

After some much needed sleep, I feel someone trying to wake me up. I let out a loud yawn and meet the eyes of the one and only Luke Alvez. 

“It’s time to get up. We’re home.” I nod, grabbing my to-go back and walk off the jet. I don’t say anything to the team but a wave goodbye and quickly walk to my car. I sit in my car for a second before I can’t stop the tears. They start coming out, letting out loud sobs, and whimpers. I felt hopeless, I had no chance of being with him. I start my car, my hands shaking as I get to the apartment complex. Starting a long and treacherous night. I get to my apartment and unlock the door before sliding against it and bringing my knees up to my chest, letting out loud sobs. 

12:00 P.M 

My head was spinning, my throat was dry, my heart was heavy. I sat at the table looking through all the team photos, the photos of Spencer and I. Everything seemed so off recently and I was never able to tell. Going through the photos made my heart hurt more and more. Photos of Spencer holding my hands, kissing my cheeks, and holding me. It doesn’t take long before the tears start up again, and I’m all alone in my thoughts. 

1:00 A.M 

I’ve tried to sleep, but every time I fall asleep I see him, and her, and that place and I wake up screaming, with no one to hold me. To comfort me when I need it. I think about calling Spencer but I decide against it. He probably has a lot going on too. So I’m trying to go to sleep again. 

2:00 A.M

“Stop, please stop. I need him here.” my body was twisting in my sleep, sweat drenching off of me. 

“Please, kill me. Not him, kill me instead.” tears we’re on my cheeks. 

“I don’t think so, doll.” I jumped up, crying harder. 

3:00 A.M

My neighbors checked on me. They said I woke them up screaming and needed to make sure I was alright. I told them I was fine, just a bad dream and I’m sorry for waking them. I didn’t want to chance that again so I sat at my couch and stared at my t.v. Nothing was playing, no sound was coming from the apartment. It was cold and irey and I didn’t know why. 

4:00 A.M

My eyes are getting heavier, but every time I close my eyes I see him and the shop again. I see Spencer smiling with her. Everything just seemed to be about him, but now my eyes feel heavy and I’m fast asleep. 

11:00 A.M 

I woke up to someone shaking me awake. When my eyes do finally open then I look up to see a very worried Spencer looking over me. 

“What- what are you doing here.” I groaned sitting up. 

“We have a case, Emily tried to call you, so did JJ.” I winced when her name came out of his mouth. He didn’t say anything but it didn’t go unnoticed. 

“I um-” I was looking around my room for my phone, trying to find it. “I don’t know where my phone is.” I sit on my table, trying to fully wake up. 

“ ‘s okay. We all had a rough day yesterday. Emily said and I quote ‘I get it if you guys want to take some time off. That is understandable.’ but you never texted her back or me. I tried to call you. I was worried. I didn’t get to talk to you after… everything.” he looked at me. 

“How are you doing.” his hand went to my arm. I sigh at the touch, I wanted so badly to be mad at him but he’s here right now.

“It was a rough night. I couldn’t really sleep without-” I cleared my throat. 

“Without having this nightmare.” I looked into his eyes.

“What kind of nightmare.” he rubbed his hand up and down my arm. 

“I don’t know how to explain it.” 

“Y/N just talk to me.” he sighed softly. 

“I had a dream... we were back in that place but it was just us and the unsub.” 

“Us?” 

“You and me.” 

“He- he was trying to kill you, I begged him multiple times not too, but he didn’t care he shot you dead and told me it was my fault. All my fault and that I didn’t tell him a good enough secret.”  I cried. 

“Hey, Y/N. You’re okay. I’m here.” his hands wrap around my waist.

“I’m right here.” 

“Then I- I had another dream.” 

“Okay, tell me about it.” 

“He made you choose.” 

“He made me choose? Between?” I looked at him for a second. “JJ and I.” 

“That’s crazy why would I have to choose-” he stopped mid sentence and looked at me. It was like everything from the past night had finally made sense. 

“Do you love me?” his eyes snapped to mine. I looked down, his hand moving to my chin to lift it up. 

“Y/N.” 

“Yes.” it was barely audible. He let out a little smile.

“Why are you smiling.” 

“I just- I never thought someone like you would fall for someone like me.” 

“Are you crazy.” my eyes finally met his. “Spencer you are charming, caring, one of the sweetest people I have ever met. You care for everyone and anyone. You have one of the biggest hearts out there. You are so so smart, and anyone would be more than lucky to have you. Especially JJ.” my last part was quiet but I know he heard it.

“Why would I choose JJ.”

“Because she is so much smarter, prettier, can handle so much more than me. She is so much of a better person than I am.” I look down once again. 

“Y/N I don’t ever want to hear that. You are one of the sweetest people I know. You always put someone else before yourself. You are so beautiful, and you are so strong. If you weren’t as strong as I know you are you wouldn’t be doing this job. Y/N please don’t ever doubt yourself because I love you. I know I don’t act like it sometimes especially yesterday but we all had a lot going on. I just needed to sort out my mind. Y/N maybe if you asked me ten years ago who I would choose you or her. I might choose her, but today if you were to ask me who I would choose it would be you. No hesitations. I’ve loved you for the past five years. Every time I needed someone who was the person by my side. When I needed a shoulder to cry on one who was there. When I was scared for what was going on, what was going to happen to me. Who was the one by my side. When I just needed some food and wanted someone to talk to, or what about when I wanted to watch Star Trek and everyone else said it was too nerdy and you sat there and told them how good the movie was. Who was there. Because it wasn’t JJ, it wasn’t Derek, it wasn’t Emily. No it was you. You are my partner in crime. How can I not love you. How can anyone not love you.” tears by now were streaming down my face, his thumbs wiping off every tear. 

“I wish you would’ve told me sooner.” 

“I was scared.” i laugh quietly 

“Of what?” 

“That you wouldn’t feel the same way.”

“Was it not obvious.” I look at him

“No.” 

“Oh well in that case.” I grab his face pulling his lips to meet mine. After a few minutes we pull away.

“I love you.” I laugh.

“I love you too.” and his lips are on mine again.

[thenovelartist]

A Blanc Slate, Chapter 6

OKAY! I'm just ready to see this story done, SO right or wrong, good or bad, we are going to keep chugging along and hope it ends up halfway decently XD.

<Previous Next >

16. Purring

It had been a revelation that had shaken Ladybug to her core. Chat… was dying?

He stayed silent, waiting for her to speak first.

“Chat…” Any and all words after that died on her tongue.

“That’s why I can’t be your cat anymore,” he said, voice ragged as though he was exhausted. “Because I have to get rid of this ring as soon as possible.”

“Then let’s look for a solution together.”

He shook his head.

“Why not?” she challenged.

“I have to do this on my own. This is my problem—”

“You’re my partner,” she countered. “Your problems are my problems, too.”

He sighed, looking weaker by the second. “I knew you’d say that.”

“Then why don’t you trust me to help you?” she begged, on the verge of tears. “Why are you cutting me out like this?”

He paused, his eyes avoiding hers as he lost himself in thought. “I have my reasons.”

“And they are?”

“Personal.”

Oh, dammit, Chat.

“Sorry,” he muttered, still not meeting her eyes. “But it’s better this way.”

“I don’t think it is.”

“I do, though.”

She grit her teeth, the pain in her heart growing the harder Chat drew the line between them.

“Trust me on this, bug,” he said, finally lifting his hazy gray-green gaze to her. “The backlash of my actions will come back to only me, and I don’t want you in the way.”

“I’d be willing to—”

“Oh, I know you would,” he cut in. “And that’s the problem. You…” He sucked in a breath. “You and Marinette both. You care far too much about people who are hurting. It’s not wrong, but… for people hurting to suddenly have safe havens like you is both the biggest relief and biggest weakness. Because if anything happens to that safe haven, we’re left with nothing. Mentally, it’s easier to leave the safe haven so it stays safe instead of watching it fall to ruin. Do you get what I’m saying, bug?”

The whiplash his words gave her made her head spin. She was sure he’d said other things before to that affect but never so clear for her to understand something she really couldn’t comprehend. “But… I can still be your safe haven even if you lean on me. I just help you get through all the other hard things. That’s what friends do, right?”

Chat’s ears fell, his eyes closing as he took a heavy breath. “There’s a limit to what I feel like I can ask you.”

“There’s no limit for me.”

“Maybe not for you, but I can’t cope with pulling you into this.”

Ladybug bit her lip, confused and hurt. He’d said before to Marinette that he loved Ladybug more than anything, so why was he pushing her away? Was he saying that he couldn’t lean on her because he cared for her? Because he couldn’t put that kind of pressure on her even if she was willing to take it?

She just… did not understand.

“Sorry,” he muttered, breaking the silence. “I figured you wouldn’t understand. So just… realize that I need to do this myself and stop trying to butt in to ‘help’. Because it’s not helping.”

There wasn’t anything else she could do. “Okay,” she relented. “Under one condition.”

His brow furrowed, and she watched his guard spring up again. “No. No conditions.”

“Just hear me out.”

“Why don’t you hear me out?”

Silenced, her words died on her tongue.

“I don’t want to pull you into this, and don’t go forcing yourself into my issues, either,” he growled, ears pinned back. “I’m asking one thing of you, and you’re trying to play fix-it by not listening to me. Stay. Out.”

There was no other option for her but to relent. “Understood.”

The edge of Chat’s intensity softened, his ears relaxing so they were no longer pinned at her. “Thank you.”

“This won’t be our last meeting, right?”

Chat quirked a brow at her. “Of course. I’ll have to give the ring back to you.”

Oh… right. “Still. You’re not going to just drop it off with me and run, right? You’ll talk with me? Please?”

He stared at her for a long moment before sighing. “Yeah. Fine.”

“Okay,” she sighed, sad and hurting but hopelessly unable to push forward anymore. “That’s all I ask for. I’ll leave you alone until then.”

“Thank you. Now, you leave first.”

Ladybug quirked a brow at him. “What?”

“I have to apologize to Marinette. And thank her for letting us use the room.”

“Oh,” she muttered.

“I don’t have anything more to say to you now, Ladybug,” he stated. “And I won’t until I finish this last mission. So please, just go.”

Though it hurt, she really didn’t have a choice. He’d said more than she’d expected him to, and he also made it clear the conversation was over. She didn’t want to push and risk pushing him away again. But with this in mind, she knew she’d have to think about how their last meeting would go and what she was willing to give to make him stay in contact with her.

She stood. “Okay. I’ll go tell Marinette you’re awake.”

“Thanks.”

She went downstairs, detransformed and waited a minute, as though Ladybug was explaining everything to Marinette. It was hard not to immediately go back up to him, but it had to be done for her identity.

But once that thought struck her, she realized that she’d likely know who Chat was very soon. If he was going to give the ring back to her, he’d have to detransform. She’d know what he looked like outside the mask. She’d be willing to beg for his name, as well as for anything he was willing to give her about him. A part of her had always wanted to know the man behind the mask. But she’d never wanted that more than now.

And if she had to give her own identity in exchange, she realized she’d gladly do it.

Eventually, she walked back up to her room and knocked on the door. “Chat?”

“Come in.”

She opened the door, and there was Chat, sitting right where he had been, except the smile on his face nearly knocked her off her feet. “It’s your room, you know,” he said, his tone teasing. “You don’t have to knock.”

She shrugged, unable to come up with any other retort. “You had both Ladybug and I really worried, you know.”

That smile of his disappeared. “Sorry, Princess,” he said, letting his eyes close and head fall back to lean against the wall. “I didn’t mean to. And I’m sorry about everything else, too. It’s not like I want you to have to take care of me—”

“I don’t mind,” she cut in, crawling up to her bed and taking a seat beside him, their shoulders touching. “Really, I don’t mind at all.”

He huffed. “You shouldn’t have to be babying this superhero.”

“Again, I don’t mind.”

“You’re not a caretaker,” he said. “And it’s not fair of me to take advantage of you like that.”

She shrugged. “You need help. And I’m happy to assist.”

He sighed, turning down to look at her. “I know I yelled at you before for being Miss Fix-it,” he eventually said. “But one of your best qualities is your willingness to help someone. But then again. Maybe it’s not.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Because it makes me worry someone might take advantage of you.”

Marinette tilted her head. “Like… what are you talking about? I’m smarter than to let that happen.”

He huffed, sliver of a grin flashing across his lips before disappearing again. “Nevermind. Just… be careful who you let in your life. You… you’re a pretty amazing girl, babying a guy who can’t even tell right from left. You deserve the best, Princess.”

“You’re a pretty amazing guy, too, Chat,” she said. “Risking your life for Paris’s safety for years and still finding time to make others smile when you could. I want the best for you, too.”

He hummed, but didn’t respond. Instead, he leaned sideways, his head resting on top of hers. “Sorry, Princess,” he muttered. “I just… I really need a minute. And then I’ll get out of your hair.”

“Take as much time as you need,” she assured. Out of habit, she reached up, burying her fingers into his white locks right under his cat ear. He stiffened at her touch, but as she slowly scratched circles in his hair, he relaxed. If she was Ladybug, she would use this to start up a purr that amused her so. But she didn’t expect that this time. It was only to put him at ease.

But he ended up purring anyway.

The sound rumbled through her, somehow calming her heart. Oh, kitty.

She stayed like that for a while, long enough for him to fall asleep. And when she eventually realized that, she laid him down on her bed, curling up beside him, and ended up falling asleep herself.

17. Locked in

After that last time she’d met him as Ladybug, Marinette had noticed Chat seemed to be losing himself more and more. She hated watching it, that ring draining him dry. She just wished he’d tell her what he was doing so she, her Ladybug self, could help him. So she could save him.

But she couldn’t. Chat had told her no. And pushing would ruin any chance of saving their partnership.

“You seem to be pushing yourself really hard,” Marinette began, setting a plate of cookies in front of him. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“Liar.”

“So what if I am?”

She sighed, taking a moment to focus on what she wanted to say and what she could say as Marinette. Which… wasn’t much.

Chat’s icy demeanor thawed. “Sorry. Guess I’m just on edge with everything lately.”

“Is it stress or…?”

He shrugged. “A combination of things.”

“From what I can guess, you’re pushing yourself too hard.”

“I am cleaning up a mess that I alone can deal with,” he said. “And… guess I can say it’s taking a lot out of me.”

Like your life and health. She bit her lip. “How much longer do you think you’ll be at this? Because watching you now is painful.”

He paused, silence lingering a long while once again. “I have one thing I have to get for Ladybug,” he answered. “That’s it. Then I’m done.”

She blinked her surprise, unsure if she was more shocked at his task or him being so forthcoming about it. “My guess is it has something to do with the miraculous?”

He nodded. “I thought it was locked in a… certain place. But it wasn’t. It took a while to hunt down, but I found it.”

“So… are you saying you’ll be done soon?” she asked, hopeful. “And then you’ll be able to rest and recover?”

He stared at her for a moment before reaching out to rest a large, comforting hand on her head. “Yeah. And then I should be back on track to be okay again, okay, princess?”

She blinked at him, already feeling her vision blur.

He gave her a smile, one weak from exhaustion but true nevertheless. “Thank you for caring about me. It means more to me than you realize.”

18. Oops

Her cat just kept wanting to give her heart attacks, didn’t he? If it wasn’t bad enough that he was already barely lucid half the time, Marinette had just come up on her balcony to see the white super sprawled out, unconscious.

“Chat. Chat!” She flipped him off his stomach as carefully as she could before checking him over for any sign his was breathing. Which, while shallow, he was.

“You’re going to be the death of me, damn it!” she hissed, plopping down on the ground and pulling his head in her lap. Gently, she patted his cheek. “Chat. Chat, wake up, please.”

He didn’t, at least not right away. It took a moment for him to so much as stir under her touch. And when he finally opened his eyes, Marinette felt herself sigh heavily in relief.

“Damn it, you stupid cat,” she said, heaving a sigh of relief while her gut still burned with worry. “You scared the crap out of me.”

His eyes shut for a moment. “Sorry,” he muttered. When he opened his eyes again, they seemed to be a little less foggy. Nowhere near fully lucid yet, but she’d take any bit of progress she could at the moment.

She sat there for a while, stroking his hair and pondering what she could possibly say that she hadn’t already said a million times before. She couldn’t tell him to surrender his ring now, since he seemed determined to see this through, nor could she tell him to go to Ladybug for help. He certainly wasn’t going to listen to her either way.

“What am I going to do with you?” she muttered, tears beginning to make their way down her face. She realized that too late when they rolled off her jaw to splatter against Chat’s cheeks.

“It’s almost over, princess,” he muttered, forcing a weak smile that clearly took a lot of energy out of him. “I’m almost done.”

“You’ve said that before.”

“I mean it this time,” he wheezed out. “I… I got it.”

Got what? She wondered.

It took her far too long to realize what he meant.

“You’re really almost done?”

“Yeah,” he said, reaching up a shaky hand to roughly brush away the tear trail on her cheek. “Almost done.”

She could have cried in relief. Now, she had to prepare herself for his meeting with Ladybug. “Are you going to meet Ladybug now?”

He opened his mouth, but froze, words seemingly stuck in his throat.

“Chat?”

“No,” he answered solemnly, the light seeming to fade form his eyes. “Not… I need… I need a moment.”

Her brow furrowed. “To collect yourself?”

“To… recollect everything,” he said. “Because… it didn’t go as planned. And to call it the second big ‘oops’ I’ve made is just… too much an understatement.”

Suddenly, Marinette’s gut was back into such a tight knot she felt like she could throw up. What happened, cat?

A stupid question. Because unless she could work some Ladybug magic on him, she doubted she’d ever know.

[mochegato]

Will you Fake Date Me?

A bit of fun for the Jasonette July Fake Dating prompt.  I think this was the first fic I actually completed.

 “Explain this to me again,” Marinette said with slight exasperation as she stirred her coffee. She watched her friend, one of her best friends, run a hand through his hair looking slightly desperate and anxious. The fact that messing up his hair like that just made him even more attractive was utterly not fair.  Wait, she was supposed to be annoyed not turned on. Stop Marinette, focus!

Jason sighed staring down at the coffee in front of him, “I need you to pretend to be my girlfriend for the upcoming Wayne gala.  Bruce is forcing me go and I need some protection.”

“You need my protection?” she asked eyeing him suspiciously.  He nodded, still looking intently at his coffee. “From?”

“Bruce, Alfred, attention seeking harpies looking for a meal ticket,” he listed off gruffly, “Dick.”

“Dick?” She raised a skeptical eyebrow.

“Dick,” he nodded.  “He is positive I need to find a significant other. But, see, here’s the genius of the plan, if I have one already, he’ll stop trying to set me up with every single, roughly our age, mildly-attractive-in-Dick’s-eyes person he sees.”

“Just to be clear, you think pretending you have a girlfriend that Dick didn’t know about will get Dick to pester you less,” she deadpanned.  “I’m still looking for the genius part of this plan.”

Jason opened his mouth then closed it quickly.  She wasn’t wrong, but that wasn’t the point.  Stupid logic. “Come on, don’t make me go to this thing alone.  It’s going to be miserable and boring and annoying and it would be at least tolerable if you were there with me.”

“Wow you are selling it so well.  When you put it that way, how could I resist such an amazing offer?” she scoffed and rolled her eyes taking a sip of her coffee.  “Also, ‘tolerable’?  When did you turn into Damian?”

This wasn’t working.  He needed a different tactic, one he knew worked on her every time, “Please?” he begged asked in a very manly way, giving her the biggest puppy dog eyes he could manage.  

Marinette looked at the puppy dog eyes warily.  She could already feel herself giving in.  Damn beautiful, gorgeous, big blue eyes she could get lost in.  He knew she couldn’t resist his eyes.  She needed to think of something quick or she was going to lose her dignity and pretend to date someone she really did want to date and she was not some fucking fanfic trope, even if it was one of her favorites. One of Jason’s favorites, too, if she remembered correctly.  Even if it would be fun to “have to” spend even more time together, close together, touching and making out endlessly in order to sell the story.  

Wait, she had a point… Right! She was not going to let her real life succumb to her and Jason’s favorite trope…

Jason’s favorite... trope

What. The. Fuck.  That scruffy-looking, fic-loving, nerd-rat!  He was playing her… but only if he liked her.  So… he liked her?  What!?  When did that start!?  Why weren’t they already dating!?  He was sitting there playing games instead of kissing her!  Bastard.  He needed to stop playing games and act.  They could be kissing right now!!

Okay, so maybe he hadn’t asked directly because he was afraid of how she would react.  He wanted to keep their friendship and his dignity intact no matter what.  Aww, that was so adorable.  Still a nerd-rat, but an adorable one.  It was going to take tact and finesse to help keep the fine balance Jason was walking.

“Jason, if you want to ask me out, ask me, you coward.”  Finesse.  To be fair to her efforts... screw the balance.

Jason stared at her mouth agape.  Shit. This was not how this conversation was supposed to go.  She was supposed to agree to go with him to the gala.  He was supposed to show up wearing a dashing tux that would make her blush deep red and render her speechless.  She was supposed to wear a beautiful dress that took his breath away and made his jaw drop, so any dress really, or anything… or nothing.  No wait.  That wasn’t a fantasy he had time to indulge in right now.  If he started down that road…. What was he thinking about before? Oh right.  “What?” He gurgled out.  Eloquent. He knew words.

“We’ve both read enough fake dating fics to know how you think this ends.” She looked at him with narrowed eyes.

Jason considered his options for response and still keep his self-respect.  He was Red Hood.  He took down mob bosses, hell he was one for a long time.  He could handle this little soft-hearted pixie.  Surely.  

His knee-jerk response to any situation was his patented emotional detachment.  He didn’t care, not about this not about her.  But that wouldn’t work with Marinette, especially if he wanted to get a date out of this.  She knew he cared.  Maybe she didn’t know how much he loved CARED! cared about her, but she knew the detachment was a mask.  She’d certainly called him out on it enough.

He could play dumb.  He was good at that.  Damian always leapt at the chance to believe he was an idiot. Mari knew him better though and always trusted his insights into any situation because she trusted that he knew what he was talking about.  She knew he was smarter than he liked people to think.  She treated him like he was brilliant.  Even if it wasn’t the same way Tim or Barbara were, he still had as much to contribute, as much value.  She completely trusted him, even when she shouldn’t, giving him those eyes that melted him into a puddle.  So that was out.

He could try to play her, a corollary of the Play Dumb approach, playing off of her weaknesses; her refusal to back down from a challenge, her anxiety, her willingness to believe the best in everyone, her need to help everyone around her, her soft heart, her creativity, her kindness, her intelligence, her wit, her bravery, her beauty, her… wait… what was… WEAKNESSES!  Right.  He’d already used his puppy dog eyes though.  He could pull them out again and it might work, but...  Fuck it.  The direct approach then.  Just be straight forward with her, sincere.

“What are you talking about?” Sincerity is vastly overrated.

She stared at him, mouth set in a thin line.  He was still playing games.  Fine. He wanted to play games?  She could play, too.  And just like every game she played with him, she would destroy him.

“I don't know... I’m thinking about becoming a roommate with Roy and…” she gasped placing her hands on her cheeks, eyes and mouth wide open in shock. “…there might only be one bed,”

“The fuck you are,” Jason growled out under his breath before he could stop himself.  He noticed the victorious grin and light blush that appeared on Marinette’s face at his outburst before she schooled her face again.  He narrowed her eyes back at her.  She was playing with him.  She wasn’t walking away and she wasn’t saying ‘no’.  That meant… she was interested too, right?  She was interested and flirting with him.  A small smirk spread across his face before he schooled his expression as well.  Flirting he could do. “You better be careful or you might make me into an enemy, then when I get hurt I’ll have to come to you for comfort.”

Marinette drew in a breath “enemies to lovers, 10,000 word slow burn” she whispered in mock scandal nodding her head.

He chuckled at her and looked back into her eyes, “you didn’t say no, you know”.

“No” she said leaning back.

He stared at her for a second, his heart stumbling.  Had he read this wrong?

“I will not fake date you.  If you want a date, you can ask for one.”  

She started to get up but Jason grabbed her hand gently “Will you go on a date with me, secret princess Marinette?”  He said looking at her with soft eyes, smiling at her as a shy smile spread across her face.

“Yes, of course I will. I could never deny my soulmate.” She smiled wider.  “But…” She paused hesitantly.  

“But?” He asked nerves suddenly surfacing.

“But, where will we go? We’re already in a coffee shop…” she threw him a devastatingly wicked smile.

He groaned.  This was his life now.  He was never going to live this down.  

 Bonus:

“Come on, let’s get out of here.” He held her hand as they walked out of the coffee shop, reveling in finally being able to touch her for more than a few seconds at a time.  He could feel her warm skin whenever he wanted.

“One thing though,” she started as they left the coffee shop.

He groaned again and threw his head back in mock exasperation, “Oh God, what?  You worried about your found family?”

“Oooo, that’s a good one, but no.  I was thinking,” she said suddenly a bit bashful, “that we don’t want anyone to suspect that we are just pretending to be dating, right?”

He eyed her suspiciously, “Right… because we’re not.”

“Right, but we don’t want Dick to keep pushing, so we want to make sure we look completely comfortable with each other, right?”

A happy grin spread across his face as he caught onto where she was going with this, “right, so we should maybe practice.  Things like being close to each other, holding hands, hugging, touching, kissing…”

“Exactly,” she nodded, looking up at him through her eyelashes.  “Just to make sure we completely convince Dick we are completely in love… so there’s no question.”

His hands cupped her cheeks as he stared into her eyes, “and I am” he whispered, lowering his head down to gently touch his lips to hers.

 Slightly dirtier bonus:

“Oh God,” he said with sudden realization breaking the kiss.

“What?” Marinette asked concern edging into her expression.

“Am I the Alpha or the Omega in this relationship?”

She let out a loud laugh, wound her arms around his neck, and pulled him down for another more searing kiss. “Who said you had to choose?  We can always switch.”

  Thanks to @gajer-1226 for helping me figure out who share the one bed with.

And thanks to siderealSandman for teaching me what “switch” means.

Tag:

@fsketchart  @jasonette-july-2k20

[milks-writings]

The shadow that laid over his body made his eyes wander up the figure that stood in front of him, seeing you with an umbrella in your hand. His eyes adjusted to the new scenery, before only letting out a soft chuckle. “And who are you?” His voice was a little raspy, probably because Solomon had been soaked wet with the pouring cold rain that hadn't stopped yet. “Do you need an umbrella?” You asked back, without answering his question he had longed you to answer. When you mustered his figure up and down, only to see how a few water drops were falling onto the concrete and leaving slightly darker grey spots there. The oh-so-great King had been sitting on a bench that was placed under a small bus stop house, to give the people that waited for the bus the opportunity to sit down while waiting. “Oh it-” Before his sentence got finished, you quickly cut him off, knowing exactly that Solomon would say something between the lines like ‘It’s all fine I don’t want to make you any troubles’ or ‘It’s okay don’t worry about me’. “Don’t worry about it. You are all wet and the rain probably won’t stop until tomorrow” You assured him. The sorcerer had no other option but to just silently agree with you, getting up and leaving a small puddle on the spot where he sat. “Where do you live?” Of course, you’d ask that, and he already prepared mentally for that question. “In the south… you know the grocery store next to the kindergarten?” “Oh yeah… understood” Your hand automatically reached a little up to hold the umbrella over you two, since the male seemed to be taller than you had planned. But instead of adjusting to his height, the white-haired male already took the umbrella from you, holding it over your heads to protect you from the falling rain. “Thanks” Solomon probably saw how you had been struggling with the umbrella, so he decided to at least do you the small favor of helping you. “So, what are you doing here… in a school uniform?” The immortal asked quite confused, leaving you speechless for a second. “Oh… today was my graduation… You know, end of the school year” “And now you are walking alone home?” his head tilted to the side, making you nod slowly with scrunched-down eyebrows. “What about your parents?” curiosity got ahead of him, letting him talk more than he ever wanted to. “They are working.” “What about taking a day off once?” “I don’t know, they don’t seem very interested, but I don’t really mind you know. I kinda wanted to get some alcohol later in the store…” “Aren’t you 18?!” “Yeah so? Just some sweet words and I will easily get one bottle or two of beer” To say the least, Solomon was invested into your personality. He craved for more of your words, the way you talked and the way your words just slipped over your lips amazed him more and more with each second, making him thirsty for things he can’t have forever. Because forever was until he dies, but he is immortal. But your forever was until you die, but you are not immortal. “Are your parents home?” The sorcerer asked, leaving a confused face on you. “No, not yet bu-” “I know we just met but… Maybe you want to go to the grocery store with me?” His heart fluttered for a moment, and the pale skin turned into a sweet pink, leaving a blush over his cheeks. “If you pay, sure”

He shouldn’t have paid.

Once again, there was pouring summer rain. His head was still full of thoughts about you, even after two years, he couldn’t stop thinking about you. Solomon knew that this was not good for him, to hurt himself by falling in love, watching his beloved one dying, and being alone again. For his whole life, and his life was loner than an eternity. But seeing you crying on a bench, getting all soaked wet like he was two years ago, his legs just had to move before he could think of it. The sorcerer’s hand stretched out, letting the umbrella cover you and catch the raindrops. Your eyes darted immediately up, and just as fast your hands reached out to wipe the salty tears away. “Solomon?” The small voice crack made the king smile, nodding slowly. “Are you okay?” “Can we go to the store and get some ice cream?” Just like back then, you blacked out his question, but he didn’t question. Solomon’s heart followed the sweet sound of your voice like it mesmerized his mind, forgetting about every responsibility he carried within his whole life. The nostalgia hit him harder each time you two would share the umbrella, leaving his mouth empty and his stomach filled with lots of butterflies. “Don’t you think it’s funny how we always share one umbrella?” he awkwardly asked, trying to break the silence. “An umbrella for two” You shortly answered, but enough to make not only him but also yourself smile. “So, what are you doing now after your graduation?” “I applied to some universities… Life is really short so if I won’t get accepted by any of them I will just go somewhere else.” Some people are praying for longer lives, some for better lives, but all Solomon does is begging on his knees, just to get mortal again. To lift the curse, to break all strings, and be satisfied with his life. “What are you doing for a living, Solo?” His heart tugged at the shortcut of his name. If you would have been someone else, he would’ve complained, but for now, he would just let himself enjoy the serotonin boost. “Not much… I sometimes help here and there out, I live alone and already have a house without a rent, only need some food and pay the taxes… so that’s enough” He explained whole heartedly. “Also” instead of letting you slip something between his words, Solomon tried to add a few more words. “Nothing is forever. Everything is temporary. Even pain you might feel, the happiness you might feel, anger or whatever. Nothing lasts forever. Not even life.” His words were probably there to comfort you from your crying, though they rather left you confused. “You are quite mysterious.” You replied, managing to catch his heart that was about to drop with a smile and chuckle “Though that’s interesting.”

You did age in the last two years, got less childish and more of an adult.

But why does he never age?

Seeing you at RAD was more than a surprise to the poor boy’s heart. Just a few weeks ago you two had ice cream at the store after catching you crying, and now you two got destined into the exchange student program.

Nothing bad happened, not after one week, one month, three months. Actually, quite some good things happened, perhaps life was giving Solomon some signs of happiness, of forgiveness to let you stay at his side as his significant other.

“Solomon.” Your voice was sharper than any knife that got stabbed into his chest, and his gaze just looked unwillingly at you. “What do they mean, that you are immortal?” Solomon expected to see the horror in your eyes, disappointment, sadness, but instead of this all, he saw nothing at all. Just dead eyes without any meaning behind them. “Who told you that?” He tried to avoid the question, but you were smarter than that. “Just answer me. When you said that we could grow old together, did you mean me and me only?” the shaky voice of yours echoed through RAD’s hallway, catching everyone’s attention around you two. “Hey, let’s talk about it in private, shall--” “no!” Seeing you raise your voice at him made him flinch for a second. “What do you mean we can’t lie six feet under the dirt next to each other? If we get kids, you will live longer than them? In 200 years will I be meaningless to you? Will you forget me in 1000 years?” Finally, the façade broke down, tears streaming down your face, with no beginning or end. “Y/N…” Solomon tried to cheer you up, hoping not to catch everyone's attention. “Answer me: Do you remember who was your partner 600 years ago?” Your voice yearned for hope, only to get it crushed down by one word. “No…” The great King answered ashamed, suddenly being not so great and wise to you. “Why should I be even together with someone who I am meaningless to?” “Listen please-” He tried to calm you down while you yanked his hand away that reached out for you. “You told me no one lives forever… So why do you?”

Yes, why does he? Why does Solomon go through all the pain in his life? Why does he not just try to find a spell against immortality?

“Do you think I want to live that long?”

“Huh?”

“I really wish I never met you, Y/N. In the end, I am suffering more, aren’t I?” A scoff left your mouth since no words were left in it. “Okay fine, then let’s just break up.”

“Yeah, fine.”

If he hadn’t simply agreed that day, Solomon might’ve been the one next to you, even after four years, ten years, or even 50 years.

His heart just ached thinking about you, and all the colorful memories with you were suddenly painted all grey and black, only leaving pain in his heart and filling his mind with nothing but agony. Weren’t you made for each other? Wasn’t he enough?

Was it because he was immortal?

No matter what it had been, the umbrella was for two, just not for you two.

It was an umbrella for two, like you said, though for you and someone else than him.

The umbrella he had was for only for himself.

«𝐛𝐲 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞»

[arvinsescape]

Okay, so my request is based on Surrender by Birdy. Of course, feel free to come up with whatever plot you like, it just needs to be inspired by the song not necessary based 100% on it, but please make it pure angst hehe! 💞

Take all the time you need to write it, no pressure at all 🥰

Thank you so much and I hope you have a lovely day/evening 💞

- 🍃

Hi lovely! Thank you so much for your patience, i went though so many ideas for this! I loosely based it off the song or my interpretation of it! I am so happy you introduced me to this song, i really like it! I really hope you enjoy, i enjoyed writing it! It is angst but i added a hopeful ending for reader, it just seemed to flow better and work! I really hope you like it and i hope you are well!!💕💕

Warnings: I don’t think there are any in this one.

W/C: 2K.

Requests are closed.

You’d always thought you were smarter than this, you’d always said you wouldn’t be one of those people that would have a complicated relationship yet here you are. You wished it wasn’t so complicated but it’s how it seemed to be, you cursed yourself daily for allowing this to happen. You found yourself in the same position again and again and you were getting tired, it was becoming too much. The heart ache unbearable.

Tom had been in and out of your life for almost a year, he’d spend a few weeks with you and then he’d disappear for a few more before coming back. It was getting harder every time, you kept telling yourself that this time would be the last but that never happened. You found yourself wishing this time would be  different, that he’d stay but he never did. Instead you were left with the memories of him for weeks and the tears to stain your pillow.

You’d not seen him for two weeks now and you found yourself scrolling through your pictures, reminding yourself of him and the hole in your chest felt as big as it ever had. You never heard from him when he disappeared, you really wished he’d send you a text just to let you know how he was, that he cared. You were slowly coming to the realisation that maybe he didn’t care, he said he did but you weren’t so sure.

When he did reappear it was like he was never gone, he’d kiss the pain away and you’d find yourself melting back into his embrace and allowing him to fix your heart before he broke it again. He made you so happy when he was there but when he wasn’t it was torture, he told you he cared deeply for you, never that he loved you and you became an idiot because you started to blur the lines between the two.

You love him, you really do but you swore this time would be the last, if he made another reappearance that would be it, you’d send him packing. You couldn’t continue to do this to yourself. You’d played this game long enough now to grow tired, you worried of course that if he did reappear it would be like every other time, you’d fall straight back into his arms and wish he’d just stay. This time felt different though, you felt different.

You were laid in bed when you got his text asking if you were in. Normally you’d reply in seconds, maybe that’s how he knew he still had you, you never asked him about where he’d been, making it easy for him in a way. You fought with yourself, your natural instinct was to allow him back with open arms, like every other time, but you knew you had to stop doing this, so you shut your phone off and put it in your bedside table.

You became curious after a day of not replying, of not hearing from or seeing him when you knew he was in town. You pulled your phone from your drawer and switched it on, you were expecting your phone to have blown up, like an idiot you thought he’d care or worry that you’d not replied, had he? No. Nothing, just the same text you’d received yesterday. Sighing you switched it back off and put it back, he doesn’t care, so why should you.

You wished it wasn’t like this, so complicated, you wished he’d just commit and stay but he didn’t. He told you that you were different and you believed him but now you weren’t so sure. You heard a knock at your door four hours later and when you opened it the last person you expected to see was him.

“Tom.” You breathed and he grinned.

“Hi darling. You’ve been ignoring me.” He pouted and the hole in your chest only grew, normally seeing him would fill it in quicker than a cement mixer, but not this time.

“Yeah I have.” You said, not denying the truth and he furrowed his brows.

“Can I come in? We can talk about it.” He offered and you sighed, maybe it would be easier if you just slammed the door in his face and cut him from your life, but a small part of you hoped the conversation would go the way you wanted it to.

“Sure.” You sighed as you let him in, he pulled you into a hug and it surprised you. Kissing the top of your head and you applauded yourself for fighting the urge to hug him back, you just stood there tense. You wanted to hug him back, fall back into the pattern, but you couldn’t. this wasn’t fair to yourself.

“What did I do?” He asked when he realised you weren’t willing to hug him back. He sounded concerned and when he pulled away from you he looked it, looked genuinely concerned. You shook your head as you felt the tears pool in your eyes and his furrow deepened when he saw them.

He moved his hand to wipe them away and you took a step back from him, angrily wiping your falling tears. He looked shocked, never once had you not allowed him to touch you, but you couldn’t if you did you’d fall straight back into him again and you couldn’t, you wanted to but you couldn’t.

“Where do you go?” You asked and his brows lifted at your question, you never questioned him.

“I just need space for a few weeks.” He said and you nodded in understanding. “I’m sorry.” He followed as he nibbled his bottom lip.

“Do you see other people? Other women I mean.” This had been the thing that had bothered you the most, you never knew if he was leaving for another woman, hell he could be married for all you knew.

“No.” He answered and you were shocked in a way, you were expecting him to say yes. “No, I don’t see other women.”

“Then why do you leave?” You asked and you couldn’t help the crack in your voice as your tears fell and he looked upset with himself. He tried to step closer and you stepped back, fighting the urge to stay still.

“I don’t know. I just need space, I can’t explain it.” He said and you cried harder, the sadness in your chest growing.

“Do you love me Tom?” You asked, you knew the answer, deep down you knew and you were torturing yourself by asking. He sighed.

“Y/N, I care about you, really I do. I think I love you but I don’t know, this is all new to me.” He said and you weren’t expecting that, you were so certain he didn’t. “Princess, I’m not good with commitment and you know that. I make things complicated when I don’t mean to.” He explained and you nodded as you sniffled, wiping your nose on the sleeve of your hoody.

“I love you.” You admitted, you’d never told him, you suspected he knew but this was the first time you said it. You broke down after that, realisation hitting you so hard, you couldn’t stand anymore, plopping onto the sofa before pulling your knees to your chest and sobbing your heart out.

“Y/N…” He trailed off as he knelt in front of you, placing a hand in your hair as you cried. He tried to coax you into his arms, but you couldn’t, this was hurting to much to go on. “Sweetheart, I’m sorry. I don’t mean to do this to you.” He said and his voice was so full of guilt that it made your chest ache.

“But you still do.” You choked out. He sat next to you and pulled you into his chest, kissing your head as you cried into him, too tired to fight. You wished he’d stay, but you knew deep down he wouldn’t. After a while, you calmed down, you pulled away from him so you could look at him and you were shocked to see tear stains down his face.

“Could you ever? Stay I mean? Make this less complicated?” You asked and your voice sounded so weak and tired, you were embarrassed. Tom didn’t miss it, what he’d done.

“I’ve tried, I have and every time I think I can do it, I can’t. Something makes me leave every time.” He said and you realised in this moment you had to stop doing this, giving yourself to him. He cupped your face in his hands and kissed your cheek. “I’m sorry, I want to. I do. I meant it when I said you were different.”

“I’m just not different enough.” You concluded for him and he sighed as placed a kiss to your forehead.

The truth was Tom hated himself as much as you did, if not more. He loved you, he knew he did. He’d tried to stay so many times, he hated that he was doing this to you and part of him was proud of you for confronting him, he deserved it. You deserved better, you deserved better than someone who got left you for weeks with no explanation.

“Don’t do that.” He said as he stroked your hair. “Don’t assume this is your fault, it’s not. It’s mine. I’m the one with the problem, not you.” He said and you let a few more stray tears fall and he kissed them away. “I’m sorry. I am, I don’t know what else to say.” He said and you stuffed your face back into his chest, finding comfort in his embrace.

This is the last time you’ll do it, the last time you’ll allow yourself to let him do this again. He knew it too, he knew this would be the last time he held you and it was enough to have him crying again. He wished he could be better for you but he couldn’t and you couldn’t suffer for that any longer.

“Please can you stay?” You sound yourself asking. “Just for one last night, please?” You almost begged and he nodded. He stayed with you that night, you saying your goodbyes to each other, leaving no inch of skin untouched as you were his for one final night. You let yourself fall into his arms for the final time and you both knew it.

Tom didn’t want to leave this time, something about the finality of it scared him, he didn’t want you completely out of his life but he couldn’t do this to you. He woke up well before you did and found himself moving stray strands of hair out of your face as he took you in one final time. Placing a kiss to your cheek as he left you for good. He knew that although he was feeling this way now, he wanted to stay now, he couldn’t risk your feelings if he felt differently in a week.

When you woke up the next morning he was gone, you didn’t feel the same sadness you had before, it was different. You got closure, you both understood that this couldn’t carry on, that you couldn’t keep falling back into his arms even though you didn’t want to. It was getting harder to fight the urge to just accept whatever it was between the two of you but that battle had ended now, you’d miss him, you would, but this was for the best. You wanted him to stay and commit but he couldn’t and you couldn’t keep falling back into his arms and allowing the cycle to continue.

[the-insomniac-emporium]

Chasing Providence {Dimitrescu/OC} Pt 1

Fandom: Resident Evil: Village Pairings: TBA, at minimum platonic House Dimitrescu/OC, with some wlw side characters (also original, but not the focus of the story) Rating: T for mild violence and possibly triggering content Warnings: A character briefly threatens suicide as a means of prolonging a conversation (i.e. saying "if you don't listen, I'll ___") Additionally, this contains spoilers for Resident Evil 8. Summary: Months after being infected with a mysterious virus, investigative journalist Avaskian Caldwell is left with no choice: Xe has to get help, one way or another, from whatever remains of the Umbrella Corporation could be trusted. Or, perhaps, from the very person who started it all... Along the way xe'll have to get along with vampires, fight off would be hunters, befriend a hoard of cultists, all while performing the duties of an everyday servant. There's nothing xe won't try as xe's forced to chase providence. Notes: While this chapter features a somewhat talkative Ava, xe's normally selectively mute, and will be for the entire rest of the story.

1: Blood Runs Thick

“This can’t be it. No fucking way, bruv, are you sure you got the address right?” The journalist asked, eyes narrowed as xe stared out into the distant hills. One hand held a phone, currently without any signal, while the other kept a tentative grip on the van’s door handle. To their side was the driver, a middle-aged man with relatively little patience. When he replied, it was in a language the journalist didn’t speak, but could clearly understand as a swirl of profanity. “Alright, alright, I get it. Not like I could afford to pay you to take me back, anyway… I’ll just, uh, be going then. Try to have a nice day, eh, you old chap?” With that said xe opened the door, hopping out rather eagerly. After tucking xer phone into xer pocket, xe quickly gathered xer bags from the trunk, half expecting the man to drive off before xe had a chance.

Surprisingly, he stayed all the way until the journalist gave two hard pats to the van’s side. Then he practically slammed the gas pedal, speeding off in a whirling cloud of dust and kicked up rocks, promptly sending xer into a coughing fit. Curse these feeble lungs, xe thought, scowling. Absent-mindedly xe put a hand to xer throat, silently checking if xer, ahem, ‘wounds’ were still covered. Once satisfied, xe turned to the long, winding path into the village. Was this truly where the ever-elusive “Miranda” could be found? What in the blazes of hell was a scientist like herself doing here, in a mostly empty stretch of Romania? The thought sent a rush of anxiety to the journalist’s chest, as xe wondered if this “Miranda” would even consider helping xer. Xe hoped that, at the least, xer unique case would get her attention.

In the end, it took xer twice as long as expected to reach the village proper. There were no signs along the path, nor signs of life, other than countless dead birds, hung like falling leaves from every tree. Once, a display this gnarly would have made bile rise up in xer throat. But these days? After everything xe had researched? This was no hell, not when compared to the bombed ruin that was Raccoon City. Yet xe still cut xer hand when hopping the barbed wire fence, as if once again a rookie, too desperate for the truth to see the proper world. Fresh blood dropped onto the snow, but xe allowed xerself no wince nor complaint, instead focused on the figures moving in the distance. Strangers. Nay, sources. Someone would know something about the mysterious Miranda, even if they didn’t realize it.

So the journalist made haste, approaching as casually as xe could, considering the heavy traveler’s bag on xer shoulders, and the sturdy cane xe walked with. It was the latter that caught people’s attention first, as it click click clicked against the stone path. Before long there were several pairs of eyes on the journalist, some of them bearing thinly veiled hostility, others filled with nervousness.

“Who are you?” A man growls, stepping in front of a woman (his daughter, based on similar features, age difference) as he does. One of his fingers jabs into xer chest, daring them to take another move, carrying an unspoken threat within it. For a few seconds xe simply smiles at the man. Somewhat amused, xe hoped that xer natural charm would win the day, despite a quick glance telling them that most of these strangers were armed.

“I’m a journalist-” xe started to say, until the others moved their hands towards their holsters- “or at least I was, once. But I come asking for assistance, kindness from my fellow humans,” xe said, gesturing widely with xer arms. This made the others present pause, though the journalist wasn’t immediately sure that xe hadn’t just misspoken. Romanian was not xer first language. Or xer second, come to think of it. Oddly enough, however, it had clicked rather quickly in xer brain, as if xe had always been meant to speak it. “You may call me Avaskian Caldwell. Or just Ava, or just Kian, or just Vas, depending on your mood. Ah, but that hardly matters. I am here… to find a woman. Someone I have heard much about, a, how do you say… ‘marvel’ of science? They tell me she is called ‘Miranda’. Have I come to the-” xe do not get to finish that sentence. Before xe can understand what’s happening, someone has grabbed xer by the throat, attempting to life xer into the air.

For once in xer life, xe’s glad for the ‘extra insulation’.

“Fuck you, outsider, you don’t deserve to taint her name with your foul tongue!” The man shouts, squeezing xer throat, urged on by the jeering crowd. A smarter person would have been rather concerned at that point. But the journalist- Ava, as xe said- was not known for xer cleverness. That did not, however, stop xer from exhibiting cleverness. Taking advantage of xer ridiculous arm joints (which may or may not be doubled, possibly merely weird as fuck), xe reached into xer bag, ignoring the crowd’s scared reaction, retrieving an evidence bag. Inside of it: several broken vials, each marked with a symbol of terror. This is not a place of honor the symbol screamed. To the villagers, it meant something else, something older. To Ava? It meant the prophet of death, it meant Umbrella.

“I come bearing the sign of your village. I come bearing the scars of your Goddess,” Ava proclaims, raising the bag into the air. As soon as xe does, xe is released, the man scrambling backwards. Others turn away, some leaving, a handful gathering to pray. ‘Twas an odd display, but one that Ava preferred over a public execution. Only one person dares to approach: A woman, likely mid thirties, with dark eyes and darker hair. There’s a clear caution in her movements, as if it was taking all of her courage to not flee. “Do you perhaps know how I may reach Miranda? I am in dire need of her knowledge.” At this, the woman flinches, though her gaze lingers on Ava’s throat. It’s then that the journalist realizes xer collar was undone, exposing xer strange, ever-bleeding wound. The stranger does not speak until xe has covered the deformity.

“One does not simply reach Mother Miranda. But there are ways to get her attention, to ask for a, hmm, blessing,” she explains. With a sigh of relief, Ava starts to celebrate, eager to find a cure for what ailed xer. But the woman wasn’t done speaking, and her next words cut a thick line through xer hope. “It may take a few weeks, maybe less, but we can ensure your prayers are heard. Mother Miranda always rewards the faithful. Even those who start out as outsiders. In the end, all are welcome here, if they keep the faith in our Mother.”

“No, no, that won’t do!” Ava snaps, far harsher than intended. The woman flinches again, and xe starts to pace back and forth, trying to release xer pent up energy. “There has to be another way. Faster, more direct. I don’t-... I might not have time to wait. Please, please, anything you can do to help, even if it’s just pointing me in the right direction…” A gulp, eyes shining with unshed tears, a quiver of the lower lip. Falsehoods alike, directed for an honest purpose. Miranda was xer only hope for information- and, perhaps, for salvation. But the latter had never been Ava’s true priority.

“There might be one way, but it is dangerous. You’d be more likely to die on the path than reach your goal, if I am honest. Yet… if there is anyone in all the village who can grant you the audience you seek, it would be one of the four lords. If you are certain-” the woman could only watch as Ava nodded furiously, silently begging- “so be it. Follow me, but do not say I did not warn you. I do not want your spirit coming to haunt me for my act of pity.”

—————————

“An unexpected guest? How… delightful. Do tell me why you even bothered to drag this miscreant before me, Cynthia?” Lady Alcina Dimitrescu asked, with a scowl, staring down at the fragile human in question. Of all the things she had expected to find, once her head servant called her, this was not one of them. An intruder would have been more likely. Perhaps even more fun, if Alcina felt like letting her daughters join in the resulting feast. But this ‘thing’ was hardly worth her time. They were short, although admittedly somewhat plump, with a scent that implied illness. For once, she could not pinpoint the exact disease by smell alone. Not that she cared, really. ‘Twas simply… interesting.

“Please, allow me to introduce myself. You may call me Avaskian Caldwell, and I come with an… offer. With mutual benefits, I assure you, Lady Dimitrescu,” the journalist answered, giving a deep bow. Despite xer manners, Alcina seemed unimpressed, even irritated by the display. Still, she gestured with her right hand, encouraging xer to get on with it. “I am in need of a meeting, specifically one with the much beloved, dearly respected Mother Miranda. In exchange, I offer two things: The sweat of my brow, and the blood in my veins.” Much to xer displeasure, Alcina replied with loud laughter before fixing xer with a hard stare.

“Pray tell, little thing, what makes you think I won’t simply take your blood now, hmm?” She muses, cackling again, ignoring the way her servant flinched at the sound. But Ava did not waiver, instead simply reaching into xer sleeve. Slowly xe pulled out something metallic, speaking firmly as xe did.

“For one, Mother Miranda would certainly dislike losing out on this opportunity,” xe started to say, unable to stop xerself from smirking. Then the knife fully exited xer sleeve, dancing in the light, before pressing against xer own throat. It was certainly a unique threat. Instantly Alcina rises to her feet, only pausing when she realizes that she wasn’t the one in danger. “Secondly, my blood is worth more if I am alive. You see, I have a wretched ‘condition’, which does a handful of lovely, lovely, life-threatening things to this poor vessel of mine. But someone as intelligent as yourself could find plenty of use for my so-called ‘illness’. If you give me a chance to explain, that is.” Though she does not sit back down, or even nod, it quickly becomes clear that Alcina did not intend to interrupt. Yet. “Grand, grand! I do appreciate it, my Lady. Now, let me just grab the research I brought with me…”

Never once lowering the knife from xer throat, Ava digs into xer bag, forced to briefly clip xer cane to xer belt. Then xe retrieves a closed manilla folder, carefully handing it to the giantess in front of xer. Wordlessly Alcina accepts the item, opening it to peruse its contents, only pausing to put on a pair of reading glasses. A minute of quiet passes before Ava continues xer explanation.

“I heal faster than anyone else on your staff, guaranteed. Hell, I cut my hand down in the village, on some damned wire, and the wound has already closed back up, good as new. That means, of course, that if someone were to let’s say… remove some of my blood, well, it wouldn’t take too long for me to get more, now would it? Obviously there has to be some biological counter, some form of payment for my ability. The rule of equivalent exchange, and all that, yes? As it stands… I eat an extra slice of bread a day. That’s it. Nothing bad enough to cancel out the boon of my blood. My… extensive reservoir of blood. Interesting, yes?” Ava says, still as charming as ever, despite the indescribable terror in xer chest. If there was one thing that xe had learned as a journalist, it was how to hide xer fear. Which was plenty useful, in the current situation, especially when Alcina flips a page to reveal the one downside to xer condition.

“Don’t tell me you came all this way to try and deceive me. Here I was, beginning to think something of you, and you hand me a sheet that says it clear as candlelight: Your blood is dirty. Infected. I won’t be drinking it anytime soon, nor would I even consider allowing it to be used for my family’s wine!” Alcina is essentially yelling at this point. But Ava only takes a step forward, smile present but trembling, and gestures for her to turn the page. With narrowed eyes she does, quickly reading through the notes. Once, then a pause, then once more. Finally she closes the folder, setting it down upon her desk. “Fascinating. You are indeed a… unique case. I cannot guarantee you a meeting with Mother Miranda, and even if I do, it will be because of your condition. She will use you, as is her divine right to do, likely without ever once considering attempting to cure you. But if you are determined to meet her, well,” Alcina leans in with her own grin, sending chills down Ava’s spine, “I will not stop you. Here’s hoping you manage to give me plenty of blood before you ‘expire’. Cynthia, show her to the servants’ quarters. I expect her to be working by tomorrow morning. Dismissed.”

Although Ava could not help but twitch at the Lady’s choice of pronouns, xe had expected this. Eventually xe would explain the indefinite nature of xer gender. Or perhaps xe was doomed to die a horrific, tragic death long before xe ever had the opportunity. Either way, xe could not help but feel a small sense of elation, pleased to have made some progress towards xer goal. Three steps forward and two steps back was still, cumulatively, a step forward. In time, xe would likely come to regret this series of choices. But who among us could say they held no regrets at all? And if, in the end, this storyteller came away with one hell of a story… wouldn’t that outweigh the regret? Even if Ava did not know it, xe would one day learn a valuable lesson from the strange family xe now worked for: Blood of the covenant is thicker than water of the womb. Oh, and what a lovely covenant it would be.

[smokeymountaingal]

This is from the Express today Wednesday 19th. It looks like Bouzy and the rest of the SS sycophants are really working hard to bring Yankee down. This is at least the 3rd article I have seen from The Express over the last month calling Yankee a troll. Does anyone know the author of this pile of crap? His name is Sean MeLeady. Someone needs to sit down with him and explain the definition of a troll and the possibilities that he technically could be sued by Yankee (at least according to U.S. law) for loss of income. This is twice that he has made an INFLAMMATORY title that does not match with Yankee's words. Can someone a lot smarter than me PLEASE look this over and let us know what you think? Maybe I am wrong about this, if so,I am okay with that. However, I know I am right that these attacks are cruel and unnecessary. I think this will come down to the way he worded the headline.

Here is MeLeady's "report":

"Meghan Markle troll sparks outrage after comparing Princess Diana's lover to ape"

" A Megan Markle troll account has caused outrage after comparing the man who died alongside Princess Diana in a Paris car crash to an ape. 

Yankee Wally posts videos on YouTube that focus on hate targeting Megan. 

Among the trolling videos shared by Yankee Wally to their 46.2k subscribers was one that commented on the "nappy hair" of Dodi Fayed the boyfriend of Princess Diana at the time of her death in 1997. 

The comments feature in a video entitled “The Mystery & Middle East Connections of #meghanmarkle” which was posted in October and has racked up 24k views since.

In the video, Yankee Wally said Dodi Fayed was “rather awful looking” before describing him as having hair all over his body "a bit like, you know, an ape". "

That's it. That was his entire report. I am particularly offended by his comment,..."among the TROLLING videos shared..." Is that not a fact but an opinion?

This constant harassment is REALLY getting out of hand. It isn't just Yankee that has been attacked. So many of us are experiencing this MADNESS everyday and they are focusing on those they think are the weakest. Those of us who cannot afford to defend ourselves. They are taking our right to speak, they are threatening us, our children, and in some cases( like Yankee) our livelihoods. THIS IS WRONG AND I AM SO FRUSTRATED! Nothing we say or do is comparable to the hell the SS puts us through. I beg anyone that has contacts with lawyers, reporters, ANYONE that might have recommendations for us to help stop this harassment.

The Express, Bouzy, Sunshine Sucks, and H&M have been cruel in their relentless attacks and harassment to our community. They have turned their "reporting" into witch hunts. I honestly don't know if I have ever witnessed a more perfect example of a David and Goliath situation,and that offends me deeply. Please keep in mind this isn't just a Yankee Wally fight. It is bigger than that. This is a fight for ALL OF US. Lives are being destroyed because we dare to express our opinions or reveal truths about H&M that they want to keep hidden. This is wrong. It is censorship. It is restricting our freedom of speech.

Something has to change not only to keep our community safe, but to stop their attempts to limit our right to speak. Keep going. Keep fighting. Keep spreading the word. Support people from our community who are getting treated unfairly. Pass on any attacks, harassment, and bullying to ANYONE who might be able to help. Record their cruelty. Take screenshots of the threats that they make. Keep your evidence, proof( receipts😁) of anything that you think is being censored. Publicize them. Get them into the hands of reporters, journalists, lawyers, etc. ANYONE you think can support our cause.

Most importantly. Please remember we are the good guys here. We don't threaten people. We do not interfere in their livelihoods. We speak the truth, we speak our opinions, and we try to provide proof to present our claims whenever possible. Let us be better than them. Do not attack. Do not harass. Do not bully. Ignore them but always RECORD their cruelty. Share it with the community so we know who to look out for and who to be prepared for to avoid attacks. Thank you in advance to anyone taking on this fight. I appreciate this community more than I can ever say. Each and everyone of you have been so kind and thoughtful. There have been times over the last few months when I honestly didn't think I could continue. Yet even on my darkest days,one of you have always picked me up, given me good advice, and gave me enough warm thoughts to help me through a problem you weren't even aware of! Thank you for your kindness, strength, and friendships. Stay safe, stay strong and know that you are loved and cared for. All my best to you and yours. - SMG🤍🖤🤎💜💙💚💛🧡❤

***Please be aware that I have written this on my own. I have not contacted Yankee at all. Do not blame,target, harass,or accuse Yankee of being a contributor to my post. She was not. *****

[elentiyawhitethorn]

Sneaking Around | Chapter Five

Aelin dreamed of Rowan’s hands, running through her hair, tracing her curves. His tongue...

Aelin needed to snap the fuck out of it. She had a job, and a life, and she had to get her shit together.

She drove to work. She then greeted Elide, talked with Manon, Gavriel, and Vaughan in the elevator, and worked her way through the stack of papers on her desk. It was when lunch rolled around that things got interesting.

“I heard you scored a hot date, Moonbeam,” purred Aelin. Oh yes, she’d woken up to Ansel blabbing about how Fenrys had walked into the bar, flirted with her, then asked her out on Friday when they were both free.

“As a matter of fact, I did.” This aroused everyone’s attention. Grinning like an idiot, Fenrys explained. A few of the boys wolf-whistled, and Manon just rolled her eyes.

They continued to tease him for a few more minutes until Gavriel said, “Everyone’s invited to our place on Saturday. Aelin, you can tell Ansel.” By “our place” he meant the apartment he shared with Lorcan and Aedion. An evening of talking to each other, insulting each other, and drinking beer.

Everyone accepted, including Aelin. And Rowan.

-

Thursday and Friday passed without incident. Aelin and Ansel got ready to head out on Saturday. They went to the three men’s place often, and neither felt the need to dress up. They both wore jeans, Aelin in a vibrant yellow blouse, Ansel in a plaid green one.

Ansel had informed Aelin of her date the night before. They had badmouthed everyone, laughed about it, and made out. Ansel and Fenrys really did make a good pair.

Aelin noticed Ansel putting on lipstick and said drawled, “Trying to look nice for somebody? I can’t imagine who.”

To her surprise, the woman didn’t blush. “I want to get laid tonight. A woman does what a woman has to do.”

At this Aelin burst into laughter. Despite her comment, though, Aelin put on some lipstick of her own. Rowan would be there. If Ansel noticed, she didn’t comment.

They took Aelin’s car. The whole friend group mostly lived around the same area, and the drive was only ten minutes. Aelin was very anticipated. This would be the first time since their date she would see Rowan outside of work. Laughing, relaxed. She liked him best when he smiled.

They pulled up to the apartment and knocked on the door. Lorcan appeared in the doorway. “You’re early. Aedion and Gavriel are still out getting beer.” Lorcan wasn’t one for greetings.

“Ladies,” came a welcome from the other room. Rowan was sitting at the kitchen island, apparently the only other one to have shown up so far.

“Hello, Rowan.” Aelin kept her face schooled into neutrality.

Ansel said hi as well, then asked if there was any alcohol to tide her over until the others got back.

“This way,” said Lorcan, chuckling.

Aelin was smiling as well. “Bring me back something.”

“Yes ma’am,” was Ansel’s response, complete with a salute.

Rolling her eyes, Aelin walked over to the island and sat on the stool next to Rowan. They were the only ones in the room now.

“How’s your day been?” Aelin asked.

Rowan placed his hand on her knee. “Better, now that you’re here.”

“Oh, please.”

“What? Am I not allowed to compliment the lovely lady sitting next to me?”

Aelin couldn’t help but laugh at his antics. Before she could respond, however, the front door opened. Rowan withdrew his hand and they both leaned farther away from each other.

“Aelin! Rowan! Hello,” called Aedion.

“Hi, Aedion,” said Aelin.

Lysandra, Elide, Fenrys, Vaughan, Manon, and Connall all arrived in the next ten minutes. Aelin moved onto the couch, between Lysandra and Elide, Lorcan on Elide’s other side. This earned the two some suggestive looks. Lysandra even leaned over and made a heart with her hands. This continued until Lorcan looked like he was about to get up.

The kitchen was open to the living room, so Rowan was still at the island. Ansel and Fenrys were on the other stools, their knees touching. They got their fair share of teasing as well. Gods, Aelin could only imagine if they found out about her and Rowan.

As if reading her thoughts, Ansel asked, “Who wants to hear about Aelin’s secret boyfriend?”

“Here we go,” Aelin muttered.

When Lysandra asked for details, Ansel frowned. “All I know is that she came back last weekend wearing her dress from the night before, she went on a date on Tuesday, and she is annoyingly refusing to say anything.”

“Tell us, Aelin,” demanded Aedion. He had always been overprotective.

Aelin put her hands over her face. She couldn’t help but peek through her fingers to find Rowan smirking at her. Of course he was. Bastard. “Shove off.”

Of course, they didn’t. After at least five more minutes of needling, Aelin crossed her arms and said, “I do not have a boyfriend and I am not telling you anything.”

“Leave her be,” commanded Manon. She wasn’t exactly the most sympathetic of the group, but at least she could understand wanting privacy. The others obviously couldn’t.

“Thank you, Manon. Will somebody please change the subject?”

Aedion cleared his throat. “We played this game last night.” Lorcan, Vaughan, and Rowan laughed. Gavriel just sighed. It seemed Vaughan and Rowan had been over the night before. “It’s spin the bottle...”

Before he could continue, Aelin said, “You and the boys played spin the bottle?” Everyone else laughed.

“If you would listen for one minute, Aelin. It’s spin the bottle, but instead of kissing the person, you fight them. First person on the floor loses, everyone else takes bets.”

The women giggled. “And to think you’re grown men. This is really what you do with your free time?” asked Elide.

“I think it sounds like fun,” commented Fenrys.

Aelin smirked. “You just want to see someone beat up Lorcan.”

“I won’t deny that.”

Lorcan scowled. “It wouldn’t matter who I land on, I would win.”

“I beat you last night,” said Rowan. He saw smirking as well. Interesting; Rowan had beat the big gym dude.

“That was a fluke,” was all Lorcan would say.

“Are we really going to play this with the girls?” asked Gavriel.

“Why wouldn’t you?” asked Ansel. The other “girls” were frowning too.

Vaughan leered at them. “Haven’t you heard? It’s not nice to beat up a woman.”

Aelin scowled. “That settles it. We’re in.” The other women nodded their agreement.

“Are you sure?” asked Aedion.

“What, don’t think we can handle it?” retorted Aelin.

“No, I’m more worried about what you’ll do to us.” None of the other men were concerned, though. Connall was sent to fetch the bottle used last night. The others gathered in a circle. Yes, it was a ridiculous, immature, and downright weird game for a bunch of adults to play. But they had always been odd.

When Connall returned, it was decided that Lorcan should spin first. He did, and it landed on Aelin. He death-stared her as the others betted. The women and Aedion (who grew up wrestling with Aelin) betted on her. Then other men were for Lorcan, including Rowan, damn him.

Then the two faced each other as the group backed up. Lorcan threw the first punch. It probably wasn’t the best he could do, thinking she would hurt herself or something, but it wasn’t a light punch either. Aelin’s own hand zipped out, quick as a viper, grabbed his fist, and twisted. This threw him off balance, spinning Lorcan sideways. At the same time, Aelin’s kicked his feet out from under him. Lorcan hit the ground with a thud.

A moment of silence passed, then Manon started cackling.

“I hope I didn’t bruise your manly pride too much, Salvaterre,” said Aelin, batting her eyelashes at him.

Lorcan struggled up, glaring daggers at her. Aelin hadn’t even moved her left hand. Everyone was laughing at this point.

Not saying a word, he walked back to the others, humiliated.

The circle was formed once more, and Aelin landed on Rowan. She was happy with this; she wanted a chance to kick his ass for his arrogance. She was feeling confident.

Money was exchanged, more for Aelin this time. Rowan was smarter than Lorcan, waiting for her to make the first move. Finally, she relented, throwing a punch. He dodged, but barely. She blocked his own punch, then spun into Rowan, grabbed his arm, and tossed him over her shoulder.

“That’s what you get for betting against me.”

Fenrys let out a long whistle. “Hell, did you just judo flip him?”

“Damn straight I did.” Aelin was grinning.

Rowan slowly got to his feet. The glare he sent at her promised enough violence that she didn’t think it was for their friends’ benefit. Aelin giggled.

Rowan spun the bottle, getting Vaghan. Rowan won. Next, Lysandra knocked down Vaughan in seconds, just as Aelin had both times. Lys got Gavriel, who didn’t stand a chance. Then, Elide brought him to the floor with a few swift blows. It continued like this for a while. Anytime a man was paired against a woman, the woman kicked his ass. The game only ended when Aedion begged for mercy.

At this point, the woman were struggling to hold in wicked fits of giggles. “Oh, did we forget to mention signing up for mixed martial arts?” Elide asked innocently. All self-restraint broke and they burst into laughter.

“Somehow that doesn’t surprise me,” muttered Fenrys. At least Gavriel was chuckling good-naturedly.

The men were utterly humiliated, but they finally drank enough to forget about that fact. Fenrys and Ansel disappeared, much to Aelin’s amusement. Elide and Lorcan went outside for some “fresh air.” Aedion and Lysandra were flirting in the corner. Manon declared the romance was sickening her, and dragged Aelin into the hallway to sit and gossip.

“I totally saved your ass earlier,” stated Manon.

Aelin winced and smiled at the same time. “Yeah, thanks for that.”

“You have to tell me about him now.” So much for respecting privacy.

“I don’t think that’s how it works,” said Aelin.

Manon frowned. “I could go and tell them it’s Arobynn Hamel.” The creep who flirts with women long after they try to leave and makes unwanted advances. “I could tell them you’re in love with Arobynn Hamel.”

“What do you want to know?”

“Do I know him?”

Aelin sighed. “Yes.”

“Is he good-looking?” Manon was smirking.

“Definitely.”

“Good in bed?”

“Hell yes.”

“Is it serious?”

Aelin thought for a moment. “I have no idea.”

Manon smiled. “That’s all.”

Aelin blinked. “Really? You’re not going to ask who it is? I mean, not that I’m complaining.”

She grinned evily. “I have a feeling you would rather me tell everyone it’s Hamel than give me his identity. Anyways, it’s a weekend. Why are you still here?”

Aelin blinked again, then realized she was right. She had gotten Rowan’s phone number long ago when Lysandra needed to ask if she left her right shoe at his apartment. Long story. Anyways, Aelin pulled out her phone to text Rowan.