#i am honestly fearing for my life right now (joke)

[danifart]

for those who give a fuck: i will watch arcane after finishing the DMC series. and this is totally not because i know for a damn fact that caitvi will make me feel suicidal

[bb-blu-love]

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆when the world is asleep⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆

tags: idol!bangchan x reader, established relationship, fluff, slight hurt comfort (really just a couple doing their best in a bad situation), reader has ~anxiety~

3:00 AM in the quiet part of town is your favorite place in the world. On the outskirts of the city, where only families and old folks live and the streets are empty this time of night, you have found what seems like the only place in the world where you and Chan can feel truly at ease.

You’d been waiting for him to come over all day, so when he finally called around ten saying he just left the studio you became giddy with excitement that soon turned into anxiety. It’s not like he had never been to your apartment before or that you felt uncomfortable around him; it’s just that you can never shake the fear that this time is when everything will go wrong. That this is the night you’ll be caught by photographers or fans and soon everyone will know and your relationship will change forever. That your whole life could change forever. These worries echoed in your brain as you went down to the entrance of your building to let Chan in. 

Your nerves were obvious; you didn’t hug him as tightly as you wanted to--trying to maintain the illusion that you could just be friends should anyone see you--and your smile twisted into a grimace as you kept an eye on your surroundings.

The summer night air ruffled the hair that stuck out from his hat “Hey, Baby!” he said with a soft smile “You feeling alright?”

“Yeah, I’m good. I’m glad you could come over tonight,” You shyly smile, still not being able to shake the tight feeling in your stomach. 

He hummed a response and, sensing how on edge you were , looked over his shoulder to see if anyone was around before asking, “Should we go upstairs? I brought ice cream,” and lifted up a convenience store bag in his hand.

After heading up to your apartment the two of you spent hours just talking in your room. You were mostly catching up—you hadn’t seen each other in a couple of days due to your schedules—but eventually, it dissolved into a mess of inside jokes, you showing him all the Tik Toks you’d saved for him, him showing you videos of the boys messing around in dance practice in return, and whatever other nonsense made you both smile. Even though your relationship could be stressful, actually being with Chan was the easiest thing in the world. Honestly, you would be happy staying here forever; cuddled in his arms in the dim light of your bedroom, listening to his laugh get all squeaky as he worked himself up over some dumb video you won’t even remember in the morning. 

What you will remember, however, is how hot you are right now. Turns out your fourth-floor apartment with one broken AC unit could spell quite the sweathouse in the summer—especially with the amount of physical contact you two are prone to after some time apart. Chan had already shed his shirt sometime in between his first and second popsicle, and you had all of your fans on high pointed at your bed where you both laid tangled up with each other.

Chan, after finally calming down from his laughing fit, let out a sigh as he stared up at your ceiling. "You know I love you, right?"

"Yeah, why?" You asked, confused by his sudden declaration.

He continued quickly, "And you know that I really like coming over to your place-"

"Yeahh?"

"-because of the lack of roommates and overall better smell?"

"Also, I have HBO."

"Yes, also that—so will you not take offense if I, hypothetically, say that I’m going to die of heat stroke if I stay in here any longer?" He looked over at you with a rueful smile.

You laughed silently as you looked into his eyes. "I’ll go get my shoes."

He let out a triumphant "Yes!" and pumped his fist into the air as you got off of the bed, satisfied with the result of your banter. As you continued to get ready, he moved to the edge of your bed and was brought back to how anxious you seemed when he first arrived. "We don’t actually have to go out if you don’t want to, though," he said, scratching his arm as a nervous tick. "I know that we both get all paranoid when we’re not in private, and I don’t want to ruin the night or anything."

You turned to face him and put a reassuring hand on his arm, whilst you tried to shove your own concerns to the back of your mind."Don’t worry about it. I was thinking we could go to that one spot—you know, where we went on your birthday?"

"Yeah, that sounds perfect." He said with a relieved smile.

And that’s what brought you here; after checking for paparazzi from your apartment windows, and after you went outside and checked again, ensuring you both had your incognito face masks and baseball caps on. Finally, you were able to make the epic journey two blocks down and one over to a small playground surrounded by some trees and a fence: your safe haven. Taking in the warm night air as the wind lightly blows across your face--gently wicking the sweat on your brow--and hearing the leaves softly rustle as you both sit on the old swing set and let your legs dangle. You did what you loved to do most with each other: you talked.

"I’m sorry it’s always like this," Chan said as he looked at his feet, the toe of his shoes sputtering over the rubbery ground as he swayed, "that we can’t just get together and go to restaurants and the movies or—I don’t know— win you a big teddy bear at a carnival," he laughs half-heartedly, "or whatever regular couples get to do."

You smile sadly. "I’m sorry too. Maybe I’m just being overly cautious." 

He reaches over, grabs your hand, and rubs gentle circles on the back with his thumb, letting you know he isn’t mad and that he doesn’t blame you for anything. 

"I could tell the company, and they could release a statement or something." His tone hitches up at the end, almost like it’s a question—or maybe just the only thing he can think of to ease your guilt.

Not wanting to worry him, and always the best at avoiding the hard topics, you raise your eyebrows and sarcastically remark, "Oh yeah, and that would go over really well."

"Hm, yeah, you’re right. What do you think they would say, though?"

You lower your voice and attempt your best soulless executive impression. "'How could you, Chan?! You’re being so selfish by having desires and feelings! How do you expect us to monetize you when we can’t sell you as a fantasy boyfriend? Blargh rargh raa!'" You both chuckle at the absurdity of your situation: "And then of course you’ll get punished by your company, and everyone on Twitter is going to eat you alive when they find out, and you’ll get a tidal wave of hate thrown at you-"

"Oh, for sure." He nods along to your pessimistic prophecy (and excellent impression).

"-and I’ll be, like, assassinated by a bunch of teenagers whose identity hinges on the fantasy that they are secretly your one true love." You finish with a breathy chuckle.

He smiles at the ground. "Hey, Stays are much more than that," he says in an only half-serious defense.

"Heh, not the ones that I’ll have to deal with," you reply, almost to yourself. He seems to draw back at that comment, whatever clever response he had lined up dying on his lips.

You press your toes into the soft ground and push your swing over to his so that your shoulders touch. "I’m joking, Chan," you say in a soft voice.

"No, you're not." He shoots back in defeat. You sigh and try to meet his evasive eyes.

"You’re right, I’m not," you sigh, leaning in closer to him, "but that doesn’t mean I regret any of this. I can wish things were different while still loving how they are now." He finally meets your eyes, and his gaze goes soft. You share a fond look and, without words, reach an understanding: you're the best thing that has happened to each other, and eventually your love may see the light of day, but for now, just this is more than enough.

He brings your hand up to his mouth and lightly kisses your knuckles before letting your arms fall in between the both of you. "You’re right. I love this too. I’ll love anything as long as we can do it together." His words are full of tenderness and a rom-com sincerity that only he can do right.

"Except sit in my hot apartment." You smile as you lean towards him, and he smiles too as he goes in for a kiss.

"No, I loved that too. Just a little less than this." His lips touch yours, gentle and grinning, as your giggles float up into the night sky and you feel truly at ease once more.

[axelsagewrites]

Where Am I?*Part Four

Pairing: modern!f!reader x (to be determined...) Ubbe, Ivar, Sigurd, Hviserks, Bjorn

Word count: 2146

Warnings: drinking, Sigurd making a cripple joke, drunk reader

Series Summary: After falling head first the reader wakes up face to face with a group of strangely dressed men who look eerily like the vikings she studies

Part one Part two Part three

Masterlist Here

Something your arrival seemed to have distracted from was the success of the latest raid. “You’ll love it,” Hvitserk told you over breakfast. He, you had soon noticed, was the only morning person of the bunch. Ivar looked even more homicidal while Sigurd was still too asleep to piss him off. Meanwhile Ubbe was still in bed, threatening to cut off whoever’s hand tried to wake him, “We pull out all the stops. Wines, mead, ale, -“

“Is anything not alcohol related?” you joked just as Bjorn walked in. You’d honestly expected him to have breakfast with his father, but Bjorn said nothing as he took a seat beside you. You knew he was tall but him sitting shoulder to shoulder with you made you realise just how not only tall, but wide he was. The man was built like a bear.

“Hello?” Hvitserk said, waving his hand in front of your eyes, “I swear none of you appreciate the morning,” he tutted.

“Die,” Ivar grunted, earning an agreement from Sigurd. You chuckled a little at seeing them finally on the same side.

Still, you shot Hvitserk an apologetic smile. “Sorry Hvitserk I just spaced out,”

“Spaced out?” He asked, even Bjorn looking down in confusion.

“Like got distracted?”

Hvitserk nodded in understanding, but Bjorn wasn’t satisfied, his head tilting even further in confusion. “Why do you say ‘like’ all the time? You always say like at the start of everything its strange,”

“I guess it’s like,” you said, pausing to chuckle at the accident though he didn’t laugh, “I don’t know it’s just how we talk where I’m from. Like how in every conversation someone threatens someone’s life here,” you said, finally earning a crack of a smile from him, “Where I’m from that would be the weird thing,”

“It’s not as if we mean it,” Hvitserk said.

“It’s brotherly love,” You turned to look at Ivar and Sigurd who both just kind of shrugs.

“It’s something all right,” Sigurd muttered. Ivar’s glare said enough on his behalf.

You ignored them both and turned back to Hvitserk with a laugh. After all they were brothers after all. It was all just talk. Surely. “So, if I go wake Ubbe up right now he won’t actually cut off my hand?” This time they all shared a concerned look. Okay maybe not.

“Take back up with you,” Ivar said. “Just encase,”

You sighed and rolled your eyes at the dramatics of all of them “Seriously? Right come on then,” you said, nodding your head at Ivar as you stood.

For a moment you actually saw a slight look of fear wash over his face, “But I’m still eating,” he tried to weasel his way out of it making Sigurd laugh. That was until you turned to him, hands on hip and his eyes suddenly dipped to the floor and the laughing stopped.

You threw your hands up, “He cannot be that bad!” you protested as you headed to Ubbe’s room.

As you headed for the door you heard someone’s chair scrape against the floor following you. You knocked on the door before quickly pushing it open, “Rise and shine sunshine- “

A loud groan came from the lump under the furs that was presumably the grumpy Ubbe everyone had warned you about. He quickly went to sit up and you jumped back when you saw the axe in his hand. Right back into what you soon realised was Bjorn’s chest.

Realization dawned over Ubbe’s face when he saw you, “Oh,” he said, dropping the axe onto the furs, “Sorry I didn’t realise it was you,” he mumbled, collapsing back into bed.

“Yeah, sorry about that,” you mumbled, stepping away from Bjorn and hoping he didn’t see the blush covering your cheeks from the previous closeness. Then they went even redder when Ubbe sat up in bed and you realised he had nothing on. “I’m just gonna,” you span around, trying to leave, before almost smacking right back into Bjorn’s chest. You almost gulped before looking up at him, “Sorry,” you mumbled, rushing out past him, not noticing the smirk on Bjorn’s face or the way Ubbe laughed at your antics.

-

Ivar had finished eating by the time you’d returned, and you very quickly insisted on him showing you the market like he’d promised last night. He almost jumped at the chance and debated flinging his knife into Sigurd’s chest when he insisted on joining you both. However, you weren’t out for long before Aslaug sent a thrall to fetch you.

Aslaug had arranged for you to receive another dress for tonight’s festivities since “our guests represent our honour,” and you weren’t going to turn down the clean clothes.

The boys had gone out to do some training leaving you to get ready. You debated doing some makeup, you did have a couple items in your bag after all. “What is that?” Aslaug asked as she and a woman you recognised as Helga walked into the room. You’d been sat at a table in the middle of the house to utilise the little light inside and hadn’t heard them walk in, “Its eyeliner,” you said, showing them the black on your eyes, “Like how you use charcoal on yours,”

“Can I watch?” Helga asked, excitement written on her face as she sat across from you, “What’s this?” she asked, picking up the liquid blush, “It’s so bright!”

“It’s blush,” you laughed, “It’s for your cheeks,”

Aslaug sat next to her, eyeing over the cosmetics, “Like berries?”

“Kind of?” you said, gently taking it out of Helga’s hand so you could put it on to show them,

“See?” you asked patting it in, “Same sort of thing but this lasts a bit longer,”

“Can we try some?” Helga asked and even Aslaug looked interested at the idea. For the next while you helped them apply some moisturiser and blush to ease them into it. you were honestly scared to show them your eyeshadow pallet considering how Helga reacted to a pink blush.

then it was your turn. Apparently, the hair problem was long overdue. Helga was gentle when she brushed but you winced as Aslaug took over the intricate braids. “Do all girls fuss where you’re from?”

By the time she was done however you had to admit it looked beautiful. “You almost look like one of us,” there was almost fondness in Aslaug smile.

Helga looked up with a large grin, “You’ll get used to the pain. You looked wonderful though,”

-

Walking into the bustling hall by Aslaug’s side was both comforting and terrifying. On one hand it meant no one would question you but on the other, everyone was staring. When the boys finally returned Hvitserk was the first to greet you and you happily accepted the ale he offered.

You were sat at a table with the five of them, Hvitserk and Ivar on either side of you, and Bjorn, Ubbe, and Sigurd across from you. However, something the group were quickly realising was their tolerance to ale was far higher than yours. “Do you not drink where you’re from?” Ubbe teased as your cheeks flushed from the alcohol.

“We do! I swear I’m not a lightweight. This stuffs just strong!” you laughed.

Apparently, the laugh was infectious as soon they were all giggly. All but Bjorn but for once there was a permanent smile on his face, “What’s a lightweight?” Bjorn asked.

“Someone who can’t hold their alcohol,” you told him, very matter of factly making them all laugh at your drunken confidence, “You lot wouldn’t last one second on a night out at my campus. I’m talking tequila shots, body shots, Jello shots,” you began to drunkenly list off as the boys tilted their heads in amused confusion.

“What’s a shot?” Hvitserk asked making you face palm.

“Oh, I have so much to teach you,”

-

Unfortunately, while the boys were great company and had adjusted well to you being in their groups your presence seemed to disrupt everyone else. It was Hvitserk who first noticed everyone staring at you, but you were too tipsy too care. However, as Ivar and Ubbe drank more both began to glare at the men whose eyes stayed too long.

Despite all the boys warning you about Ivar’s temper they all seemed to ignore Ubbe’s even when he insisted on you all leaving because a drunken Viking tried to hit on you. You however were happy enough to follow them all the edge of the lake and sit on the cold sand with a flask of ale being passed around.

As you were all walking down to the lake Hvitserk, and Sigurd were in a heated debate over which slave girl was hotter while Ubbe carried a giggling Ivar on his back. somehow, you’d ended up at the back of the pack, stumbling down the hill beside Bjorn.

“Woah,” he gasped, grabbing your waist before you could stumble and fall over a tree branch. “Steady,”

“Careful Bjorn,” you grinned up at him, holding onto the arm he offered you so you wouldn’t risk falling again, “Someone might think we’re friends,” you teased.

A smirk quickly showed on his face, a teasing light in his eyes, “Oh? Are we not friends already? I am wounded,”

“Friends don’t try kill their friends,” you pouted but you weren’t able to keep the charade up for long before grinning again like a Cheshire cat.

Bjorn just rolled his eyes with a smile however, “We weren’t friends then. We are now,”

“So, you won’t try kill me again?”

Another eye roll, “I won’t try kill you, no,” he said, shaking his head as he helped you to where the rest of the group had begun to sit.

“Pinky promise?” you asked, pulling out of his grip and extending his arm.

His eyes narrowed, head tilting, “What’s a pinkie promise?”

“Its where,” you said, stepping closer to grab his hand, “You lock pinkies,” you said wrapping yours around his, not noticing the smile on his face, “And promise something. And if you break it, I get to break your pinkie,”

“So, an oath?”

“An oath with a threat,”

“Of breaking a finger?”

“Pinkie specifically but yes,” you grinned, “So do you promise?”

“I promise,”

“Good,” you grinned, pulling your pinkie away from his grip before turning to join the group. You plopped down on the ground next to Ivar who was staring off into the sea, “Hi,” you grinned.

Ivar turned to you, laughing when he saw the wide grin on your cheeks, “Hello,” you could hear a slight drunken slur in his words. “Want some?” he asked, passing you, his ale.

You gladly accepted it, taking a drink of the alcohol you first hated but soon grew to love, “Thanks. You’re always so sweet to me,” you smiled before taking a drink, missing the way Ivar’s cheeks went red at your sweet words. Sigurd however didn’t want you to miss it.

“Aww look at the cripple,” he teased making Ivar scowl, “He’s blushing like a baby,”

You passed Ivar his drink back, noticing how tense his jaw was and quickly checking to see how close he was to his axe. After all you didn’t need to be here when the fall out happened, “Why do you care so much Sigurd?” you asked, rolling your eyes.

Everyone’s eyes seemingly went wide, shocked that your bubbly attitude had so quickly dropped. “you don’t get it,” he tried to brush off, “you’re not from here,”

“Then explain it to me,” you said, sitting up straight, “Explain what’s so funny about Ivar’s legs. Ill wait,”

“Well its just,” he tried to stutter earning a snigger from Hvitserk, “I don’t know it just is. Why do you care?”

You were honestly a bit hurt by that, “because he’s, my friend?” you said it like a question because the answer seemed so obvious.

“Okay well I’m sorry,” Sigurd shrugged, his eyes focused on the ground.

Luckily the night quickly moved on from the brief ugly confrontation however Ivar couldn’t get the reaction out of his mind. He was so used to fighting his own battles that he never even expected someone else to back him up, let alone speak up before him. Despite his bruised ego Sigurd thankfully stayed civil for the rest of the night.

A few hours passed before you all decided to walk home. You were in a world of your own at this point, your eyes fixed on how bright the night sky was with stars with no city skyline or factory gases to ruin your view. You didn’t even notice the stares from the boys or hear Hvitserk and Ubbe talk about how you stood up to Sigurd. For the first time this week you didn’t have a care in the world.

Part five

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[sandy-the-glader]

Is That Me?

Character: Adrian Chase x Gn!Reader

Type: Fluff

Length: Drabble (500 words)

Summary: All month you have been ranting to your best friend about your celebrity crush and Adrian gets a little jealous. Little does he know that the face is quite familiar.

Trope: established relationship

A/N: Since Peacemaker confirmed that a lot of celebrities exist in the DC universe I thought this was adorable. Also, I saw someone do this with a different celebrity a long time ago so credit to them! Hope this will tie you guys over until I finish the requests since they are taking longer than I thought they would.

"Who is he?" Adrian stood in the doorway of your guy's shared bedroom with folded arms and a concerned look on his face. You looked up from your phone with a confused look.

"Who are you talking about?" You sat up on the bed with your phone in front of you. Adrian sighed heavily

"You know who. The dude you've been talking about non-stop." You couldn't help the smile that broke out on your face. You had been ranting to your best friend over the phone for weeks about this really handsome actor you came across recently because he looked exactly like your boyfriend.

A giggle bubbled up inside you and you started to laugh hard. You couldn't keep hiding the celebrity from Adrian.

"What's so funny?" He frowned at my reply. You almost felt bad but once he realized who it was he would feel much better.

"Are you jealous Adrian?"

"Gonna be honest yes I am a little bit! Who is he?" He came closer to me making me look up at him. Seeing him jealous was honestly really attractive.

"Do you really want to know?" You teased trying to keep pulling a reaction out of him.

"Yes." He whined. You unlocked your phone and typed up the actor you had been obsessing over. You hesitated to show him because the joke was really enjoyable. But you finally flipped over the phone to him and showed him.

At first, he squinted and adjusted his glasses to see the man better. Then his face morphed into confusion and shock.

"Is this me?" He exclaimed scrolling through the images that popped up of him. "He's me but blonde?" He looked so startled.

"No! Freddie Stroma." You giggled. Adrian sat down on the bed absolutely starstruck by the information of him having a look alike.

"Oh my god, I was in Harry Potter." He muttered. You continued to smile and laugh at his reaction. "Are you sure this isn't me? Did you like photoshop my face on some random guy's body?"

"I definitely did not." You watched his face morph into so many emotions. Curiosity, confusion, and some sort of happiness.

"So this whole time you've been obsessing over a guy that looks like me?" He still continued to scroll and look at everything he's done. You nodded a couple of times. "But I'm right here." He shrugged his shoulders. Adrian narrowed his eyes at the screen still flabbergasted by the whole situation.

"But do you have a hot British accent?" you joked.

"Yes. I do now!" He put on a fake voice making you kiss his cheek.

"I just wanted to see how you would react baby." You hummed hugging him from the side. "And now there's an actor that looks like my boyfriend," You repeated to kiss him on his cheek making his face go all warm.

"Please don't say you're going to leave me for actor me." He turned his head and had a look of genuine fear in his eyes for a minute before you cupped them and told him no.

"No honey I'm not going anywhere." He leaned in to capture your lips in a heartfelt kiss that made your heartbeat quicken. You didn't need a celebrity that looked like your boyfriend because you already had him in your arms.

"Are you still jealous?" you joked making him smile.

"Defiantly not because it's me." He smiled like a dork. You were happy to have your love in your life. "I guess I'm an actor now." You shook your head.

"Nah my boyfriend is the badass Vigilante."

[slimyalienfreak]

Hey!! Can you do movie sonic x mobian fem reader (platonic) who is a fan of him and wants to show herself to the world and fight eggman but she is too scared people will hate her

Movie!Sonic Meeting Mobian!Reader Who Happens To Be A Fan

Hey there! Thanks for the ask!

Sorry for the late post. I’ve had a bunch of requests coming through and with me going to the hospital recently to see if my foot’s good (by the way it’s healing great just need to get used to walking again.) so I didn’t have the time to do it till now. Hope you like reading this because I definitely enjoyed writing this. ~Blaze/Dawn

Pronouns: She/Her

Warning: ⚠️Mentions of low self-esteem/anxiety⚠️

Requested: Yes/No

Characters: Sonic + Mentions Of Tom + Maddie + Tails + Knuckles + Eggman

Proofread: ❌

Credits: Icon by jennieismygirlfriend on Pinterest + Banner by scyprod (Edited By Me) on Pinterest

———————————

- Sonic the hedgehog. A name that constantly rings through your mind constantly. You most likely discovered him around some point from the baseball scene to near the end just like how Tails did. You had heard about his antics on earth and to say you liked him was an understatement. Judging on the info you had discovered from the most recent event with him and eggman you became a massive fan of him. Can anyone blame you? He helped you be inspired in your own way. Even if you had some problems expressing yourself mostly due to fear of what people might think of you. You wanted to prove your worth but you just didn’t know how.

- You really wanted to meet him even dreaming of what he would be like if you were to talk to him. Would he take interest or not? You were contemplating on going to earth just to meet him in real life. Show him how he has helped you in a way without directly meeting you. But you let your insecurities get the better of you. Eventually you decided to risk and travel to earth, you didn’t know what you were going to do when you got there, you didn’t really have any other motive besides meeting your idol. With Eggman gone as far as you were aware of and no one else who wanted to carry out his plan you didn’t really have any reason to go and get yourself into any trouble but still for some reason you felt like you needed to go. It kind of took you a while to get used to being on earth as well trying not to get spotted by pretty much everyone. You never know what they’re reactions could be seeing you and honestly you didn’t want to find out so you created a hide-out like what sonic did in the first movie.

- Now for when Sonic met you for the first time. He managed to come across you and your hide-out on his solo adventure and to say he was surprised was an understatement. There was another mobian like him, he immediately went over to you and started asking you a bunch of questions catching you off guard before immediately recognising him as the idol you love. You were too busy internally fangirling about if this was a dream or not to answer his questions.

+ “Ma’am is everything alright there?” Sonic asked, managing to snap you out of your fangirl trance concerned about the lack of reaction coming from you “oh…yeah I am, you're sonic right like the actual sonic?” You asked in return wanting to confirm it even though you knew it was. Sonic gave you a confused look before slowly answering your question “yeah I am sonic, why do you ask?” You gave him a cheerful smile before bringing him into a hug, surprising him even more but still hugged you in return despite just meeting you. You then told him about how much of a fan you were of him, telling him how much you appreciated him to which he thanked you and joked about he never knew he had fans.

- Pretty much since then he wanted to introduce you to Tom and Maddie because why not, they were also starting to suspect something with him constantly going off to see you. At first you were nervous because based on how he described them you guessed they were humans and your nervousness was getting the best of you but sonic managed to convince you that they really didn’t mean any harm and you trusted him so you decided to go with him to meet the two of them. As soon as you met the two of them they were excited they’d pretty much had gotten used to seeing sonic so seeing you with him although surprised to see someone like sonic they openly welcomed you with open arms, they were just happy that sonic met someone else. Also Sonic may have been teased by Tom about you especially since you were a female but except for that they enjoyed meeting you.

- Sonic will be your number one defender. If anyone even dares to make you upset about something he isn’t going to sit there and let you take it, making you even more self conscious. He doesn’t like seeing his friends upset, it kind of makes him both angry and upset himself seeing you just take insults being thrown at you.

- He pretty much noticed a bit after meeting you that you're very self conscious about yourself. Although you seemed to be somewhat open, when it came to expressing yourself and your strengths he noticed how unwilling you were to do it. He didn’t really understand why at first because he thinks you're really cool. You must have some sort of strength if you were willing to leave your home planet just to visit him. But once he learns about your lack of confidence he honestly feels bad for you. He could tell by the way you talked to him that you do genuinely want to prove yourself to the world; you just let your feet get the best of you. So with the new information he learned about you he’s willing to do anything to help raise your confidence. He feels like he has to, what sort of idol would he be if he didn’t?

- He takes it a step at a time, although he was wanting to make sure that you gain your confidence he knows it will take some time. You two will often have one on one sessions basically letting you express your feelings (imagine that scene when sonic is acting like a therapist but it’s with you and not just him).

- Eventually when Eggman returns from Mushroom planet Sonic definitely wants you to join him alongside Tails. He knows this would be a big step for you but he sees this as an opportunity and wants you to join him. He promises to keep both you and Tails safe as long as you're with him. Although a bit nervous yourself you could see what his point was and you knew he wouldn’t let you get harmed. You wanted to prove yourself and put what you learned from him to use so without thinking you joined him. And to say that it felt oddly good to finally do what you wanted to was an understatement. Still you were nervous but that nervousness was overwritten by adrenaline and relief. Although you went through some things during the trip to get the chaos emerald it was worth it in the end. This is when you decided to permanently join Sonic’s group alongside your new friends Tails and eventually when he decided to join Knuckles.

———————————

[ghirahimbo]

Okay, so I am probably going to get hate for this, but I voted for Trump, and I am shocked at how upset people are about his re-election. As a Republican, we have constant allegations of being racist, homophobic, xenophobic, fascists, against women (the list goes on and on). We have been silenced and abused for over a decade, and yes it hurts. I am genuinely curious how Trump is any of those things listed above, despite there being no evidence shown through his actions, besides clips spread by the left-wing media taken out of context or a joke being blown way out of proportion. (Building a wall to keep millions of people from pouring into our country illegally without any screening not counting as racist). It's clear his personality isn't for everyone. His rhetoric is masculine, he obviously is not sensitive, politically correct, or polished, but despite this, millions of other people from all walks of life support him, including MILLIONS of people from so called marginalized groups. I highly doubt that over half of the people in this country are filled with hatred and violence. If anything, I have felt physically unsafe as a conservative around far leftists. (For example, once at a music camp I heard people say that they would volunteer to shoot conservatives into a ditch like the Naz*s did to the Jews, and everyone was like "YASSS QUEEN.") They thought it was hilarious, but I was terrified. Another thing that I noticed was the only concrete thing Harris really talked about in her campaign was abortion. I think it should be available for incest and rape, (there is also so much you can do before it gets to that point too, unless you're a helpless child, like go to the hospital for plan B) but I find it sick how that was basically the only thing focused on in the Harris campaign. I highly doubt that anything will change as far as "women's rights" since it's up to the states now to decide their abortion laws. It's obvious that many people certainly felt scared during his first term, and I am not denying that racism sexism etc. does exist, but to me, it's evident that the scale of the fear had completely been blown out of proportion. There were no wars, no boys in girls' sports, transgendersism being preached to underaged kids in school, and the prices for everything were better during Trump's first term to name a few things. I certainly felt happier and safer. I was scared of my brother being send overseas for WW3 if Harris was elected, so I am very relived. I don't know your personal beliefs, but why do you think so many people are hysterical about his re-election? I really admire you and your work, so I say this in all respect.

For context, I received this ask a few days after the election, and worked on my response off and on over the next few weeks before dropping it altogether because rehashing it all was putting me in such a bad mood, and then honestly… I forgot about it. Having rediscovered this in my ask box, I figured I might as well post what I’d already written since I really did put some time into it, and then try to wrap it up with some sort of ending. It’s long. Here goes:

Hi! You seem to be reaching out in good faith, so I’ll do my best to respond in kind. There's a problem in this country where people seem to be experiencing two very different versions of reality, and I've been grappling this week with the question of how to break through the cycle of outrage and fear that so many of us are trapped in. Maybe this can be a start to that. 

I can also speak to you from the perspective of someone who grew up conservative and shifted drastically leftward throughout my 20s, and who remembers struggling early on with some of the same things you're struggling with. Particularly, I remember grappling with the accusations that people like me were racist/homophobic/etc. because I didn't feel any such way.

With that being said:

When you speak of feeling unsafe, this is due to beliefs that you hold—and beliefs, while an important factor in determining who somebody is, are subject to change over time on both the small and large scale. If your social or political beliefs eventually shift, you will no longer feel threatened in quite the same way. When marginalized communities describe feeling unsafe, this is due to something intrinsic to their nature, whether that's gender or sexual orientation or the color of their skin. There is no way for them to alter themselves in a way that will make them “acceptable” to those who already hate them for who they are.

This is not to argue in favor of belief-based discrimination or to excuse the kids in music camp—young people exist on both sides of the political spectrum and they’re gonna say shit, and I heard the same or worse from people in my grounds crew in college targeted towards a more liberal population—but it's important to recognize that not all beliefs are created equal. Some are straight up incorrect (flat earth theory), some come as a result of undue influence (cults), and some beliefs are flat out dangerous (white supremacy). Where one person's beliefs interfere with another person's rights is the point where most people start to take issue—and all of that is to say that the beliefs of Donald Trump and his party trample on the rights of marginalized groups and others, and whether you personally align with every one of those beliefs simply doesn’t matter. Whether you personally think of yourself as racist, xenophobic, or anything else, by supporting Trump’s presidency, you signal your acceptance of everything that comes along with it, and those who feel threatened by that support won't care whether your acceptance comes out of ignorance or malice. You're going to face, and have already experienced, a lot of animosity due to your support of those harmful beliefs.

Of course, this is the point where we’re going to have to backtrack because you've already mentioned not understanding how Trump is anything negative other than rough around the edges. As bewildering as that statement is when held up against my own experience, you're not the only person I've seen saying something similar—but then, our country's perception gap (how people from each political party view each other) and the effect of echo chambers and algorithms on the information we're exposed to are both well-studied phenomena at this point. You also stated that Trump's first term as president was fairly positive from your perspective—no wars, a stronger pre-Covid economy, and a general feeling of safety. These two points seem related to me, and I’ll address them together.

I guess first of all, whatever information you've been exposed to thus far, I do want to assure you that Trump has clearly demonstrated the content of his character beyond the need for embellishment or anything pieced together out of context. In fact, the old classic “grab ‘em by the pussy” is made much worse by its context: “I better use some Tic Tacs just in case I start kissing her. You know, I’m automatically attracted to beautiful — I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. Grab ’em by the pussy. You can do anything.”

I just… simply don't have the energy to pull up all the receipts on Donald Trump of all people, but if you're inclined to do some research, look into all the contractors Trump stiffed in previous construction deals, causing bankruptcies and destroying small businesses in the process. Read up on the scam that was Trump University and the predatory tactics used to sell expensive “courses” specifically to vulnerable people. Consider whose best interest Donald Trump has ever and will ever look out for. All of this was well known (I think?) during the 2016 election, but not enough to keep Trump out of office, which is maybe why it's simultaneously treated as common knowledge and never brought up anymore.

Leading into Trump’s first term, I think it’s fair to assume that neither you nor I are in a demographic that was most obviously affected by the worst of Trump’s acts as president, but I do still remember the Muslim Ban: straightforwardly xenophobic, promised first on the campaign trail and then later put into effect during his presidency despite findings from the Department of Homeland Security itself that people from the seven nations affected by the travel ban posed no increased terrorist risk. It sure did fan the flames of hate among those who were already afraid of our Muslim population, though—and consider that according to an FBI report, hate crimes rose by 20% during Donald Trump’s term as president. Consider the wave of racially motivated harassment and texts spurred by the most recent election and realize that whatever Trump’s own views may be, he has always emboldened and empowered the worst of us. I don't care if Trump is personally racist when his policies and rhetoric directly affect minorities. I don't care if he's homophobic when the politicians he places into power alongside him specifically and explicitly want to dismantle hard-won rights for LGBTQ people.

I remember the nuclear pissing match Donald Trump got into with Kim Jong Un on Twitter, and the fear of World War III that lingered for weeks after—a fear famously memorialized in John Mulaney's “Horse in a Hospital” bit which, if you watch it, might explain exactly how that first Trump presidency felt for many Americans. Did that not seep through to the right wing media? 

More than anything else, I remember the “zero-tolerance” anti-immigration practice that came in the form of the child separation policy—and yes, I remember the wall. The wall that Mexico was going to pay for, though of course only US funds were ever used for its construction. The wall that research from the Department of Defense determined would not prevent a substantial portion of immigration—but it sure did make a handy mobilizing symbol, didn’t it?

The lies. There's just something different about the way Donald Trump lies—something that makes you feel a little crazy. Most of them are just so easily disproven that you wonder how he could possibly get away with it… but then he doubles down, and his rabid fan base believes him without question, and the far right media treats it as fact, and suddenly you have to treat his most ridiculous statements seriously because they have serious, real-world consequences (I think I’ve seen this described recently as “sanewashing”). Donald Trump says with no basis in fact or reality that Haitian immigrants are eating your dogs and cats, and a woman in Springfield calls the cops on her Haitian neighbor because her cat has gone missing.

And then poke around a bit. Look up some facts. Research. You've asked me to help explain why so many people are scared of Trump’s re-election, and I've already put literal hours into this response because I'm hoping it might do an ounce of good and I don't know what else to do… 

In fact, do me a favor: go to the Wikipedia article titled “False or misleading statements by Donald Trump”, really internalize this warning:

…And this is where I lost steam when I was initially writing this response because honestly, there’s an essay that could be written to refute every point you’ve made, and I just can’t do that. Political analysts across the country have tried to take apart and analyze voting demographics and campaign strategies and just about everything else related to the election, to varying levels of success—so I’m just gonna wrap this up with the strong suggestion that you can’t see the racism/xenophobia because it’s coming from inside the house, and a plea to you to recognize why you are being led to fear the “other.” 

Transphobia, for example, is not only written between the lines of your ask but soaking it all the way through. I saw enough political ads leading up to the election to know that “transgender panic” was one of THE issues pushed forward by right wing media (right alongside immigration), and if you’re pretty young, which I think you are, then you might not realize how much of a recent development this is culturally? Not transphobia in general—not at all—but the panic part. When I was roughly as old as I suspect you are, it was gay panic, and “think of the children,” and the reaction against Proposition 8 and “I don’t care if they’re together, but why do they have to call it marriage?” And before that it was the satanic panic, and woven all through our country’s history is anti-immigration rhetoric against various groups and ethnicities, because demonizing the “other” keeps your focus off the people who are actually, tangibly making your life worse through the corruption and policies they enact that you don’t notice because they’re pointing the finger elsewhere. It's an old song. And I just scrolled up to look at your ask again, saw that you’d written that “it's evident that the scale of the fear has completely been blown out of proportion,” and burst out laughing because that’s what it is! 

And like, I could link you to some sources that I think do a good job of debunking everything that the “trans panic” is built on (there’s an episode of the podcast Maintenance Phase that has some of the best gathered research I’ve found so far), but you probably wouldn’t find it particularly palatable—and that’s part of the problem, isn’t it? 

Anyway, I don’t think I can stomach reading all this through again right now, but I do wish you luck and a happy new year. I hope this response did any good at all, and I hope my fears for the upcoming presidency prove to be overblown. Can’t say I’m feeling too optimistic, though.

Peace ✌️

[pixiedurango]

If you wouldn't mind, I'd appreciate a letter from Illario to Lucanis that is basically him wondering how the hell his awkward cousin managed to attract a hottie like Rook De Riva. (Bonus points for it being my Rook, Adava. I've posted a couple screenshot archives of her.) Thank you very much! This is such a wonderful and fun thing you're doing for the community!

Ding Dong. Another special delivery from the Antivan Postal Service.

We all know Illario is a yapper... this may be the reason why this letter is so crazy long. It's a bit more than just the one requested topic, I hope you don't mind, but I felt, that even Illario would not just kick down the door and starts asking awkward questions about his cousin's love-life. I honestly can't figure, how Lucanis would even answer this letter... Anyway, enjoy!

Transcript:

Cousin, I hope you don’t mind me, bothering you. I know the new First Talon is still saving the world and has probably not the time and even less patience to read from a despicable criminal anyway. Even (or rather because) said criminal is your blood and the closest thing to family you’ll ever have. Beside of course our dear Caterina, who naturally sends her regards (because this way she’s excused to write a letter to you herself. Which of course she would never confirm, and I would NEVER even think. Huh, who wrote that?)

I spend my time doing paperwork for the Diamond recently, since Viago could not be bothered to supervise me all day and night (which I don’t take offensive, I would not want to be my watchdog, either.) Of course no one gives me a contract anymore, maybe there are some with my name on it, but I fear, you’ll find that name in an unfamiliar spot there. No wonder, Viago is paranoid, that something might get out of hand. Which would make him fail his first ever contract from the new First Talon by losing his ward (that would be me).

Not that I wish for this to happen, but then, what is life without the roofs of Treviso in the moonlight, its markets and cafés. The canals and gondolas and the beautiful people in the streets. While I am stuck in the belly of the Diamond. Copying inventory lists.

Anyway, how’s your days? And I mean the parts we don’t get to read in the gazettes or war reports. Allow me to live a little through your new life. I want to know about hat Lighthouse you’re residing in. Living in the Fade is such a weird concept on its own – but being there stuck with a bunch of non-Antivans who are each so different and unique, but you’re still all on the same contract - that sounds like an interesting experience. And they are all so stunningly beautiful and exciting personalities.

Speaking of exciting: Send my kindest regards to that divine but harsh Tevinter detective if you don’t mind, my brother. I’d be very intrigued to get to know other Tevinter people. For a wider perspective, maybe if you want to call it that?

And no, I’m not trying to make a joke here. Or try to push a shady agenda. I just feel that my choices of people from the Imperium was not the… most educated one.

You know what? Never mind, you shouldn’t have to bother with such silly requests and why I feel to ask them from you.

Better we hold onto our words about the things past until we can exchange them in person.

But, you are aware that I simply could have made up a story to make you introduce me to her, right? Or, even better, I just could have written to your Tevinter friend right away, instead of asking you to give my regards…

Speaking of friends. Must be all new and awkward for you, cousin. I can’t remember you having any close acquaintances ever, at all, when we grew up. I would never have thought, you’d have that in you.

Of course now, this all new YOU will not have any more use for your poor cousin - who’s fallen from grace, to do all the nasty ice breaking and socializing for you. And we were such a successful double like that.

Remember that wigmaker job? Vyranthium, I guess. It got you your, moniker, right? Demon of Vyranthium. Just like a creepy foreshadowing, don’t you think? Anyway, what was I talking about? Ah!

You did all the bloody work back then, I happily give you that, but without me? Way more complicated it would have been, I dare say. And even more dangerous as it was already.

Cousin, just think about it. We could rule Antiva together. Or just retire and be the rulers of our own court, whereever that may be - and do what ever we please.

Or did you eventually make peace with being the one in charge? First Talon! So much responsibility. And so large boots to fill.

May Caterina continue to live and rule on for many many more years to come. So you don’t have to step up entirely. Letting her continue to draw strings in the shadows, while you being the representative and handsome young face of the Antivan Crows. That was a clever move from the old girl. Or was it yours? Either way. She could have all that with less drama and an even prettier face, far more willing, to put up with her and her attics. But, well, here we are.

Sorry, I fell back into ramblings about things again, that should be topic for us talking in person. Forgive me. How did I get there in the first place… I have no idea. Maybe this gives you a hint, of just HOW boring the paperwork is, I get to do here. I start yapping. In a letter.

Before I end this pointless lament, cousin, brother! I want to congratulate you. Honestly. Of course, only if it's true, what’s going round within the Diamond and probably the salons of Treviso’s nobility, too. That the new First Talon, known to be the chastest of all Crows, finally decided to seriously court someone. And not only that. It’s even reciprocated this time, as we hear.

A strategic bond with the House of the 5th Talon? I hear that not few people are taking it this way.

But I know you better, cousin. You’d never engage into such an endeavor, when it’s not playing out like in your silly romance novels. (Yes, of course I know what you always hid between your textbooks and under the mattress. Kitsch!) But well, to each their own, I guess. You the books and me the real experience. But you seem to finally getting there, as it seems. Tell me everything, brother! I’ve witnessed you yapping about coffee and kisses goodbye and smarmy stuff like that. You were really into that de Riva girl, right from the start. There goes my last hope, that Adava had, or would ever discover, a soft spot for me behind her wall of professionalism and all business. Just joking, of course, I’m happy for you both. I mean it.

Just don’t let your heart and your… midsection get into the way of a contract. Which in your case would very much unfortunate for all of Thedas. But who am I to give you advice of matters of the heart… (or the midsection) My latest choices weren’t the smartest, either.

Before I end up filling a journal here, I’ll end now. If you want, write me back, I really want to hear about your life and could use any distraction. We’re family, after all. - Illario

Find the other letters here

[skys-archive]

To me, a very heartbreaking aspect of this election (at least as someone who lives in the deep south) is finding out the sheer number of people who I thought loved me and cared for my safety are happy at the outcome. People I tried to tell about this and what would happen.

My own mother didn't like either candidate from the beginning. I tried to tell her about project 2025 to sway her opinion. She told me those could never pass. She said she couldn't vote for Kamala because she's "basically Biden" to her. She voted for Trump because she thinks he's a smart businessman, and she said she likes Vance.

My own mother, who does genuinely love and care for me and who I have a lovely relationship with, voted for someone who actively wants me dead. For someone who wants her to remain in an abusive relationship she left years ago. Because "they won't pass".

My close friends who know my identity and who I am and I thought respected me for who I am are ecstatic at the results. People I didn't know the political beliefs of are coming out and letting me know they side with someone who wants my death, who wants the erasure of my people.

And honestly, maybe they will have it.

My ex, when I came to him originally about how scared I was of project 2025, thought I was getting upset over nothing. The man who I loved more than anything in this world believed that I was overreacting, that it would all be fine, that it didn't matter. He wasn't there when I was terrified. I almost wish I could look him in the face several months from now and he could see how real my fears are.

Other people like me, other people who are scared like me, are trying to just ignore it. A woman who I don't know too well came up to a group of friends I was with today and went to a couple, a man with his nonbinary partner. She said not to worry, that it was unconstitutional and it wouldn't happen.

This same group of friends discussed it, but it wasn't about fear or what to do now.

I met a friend today, at our usual spot. I was waiting for them, sitting with my head down on the table. I'd only found out a few minutes before. They said my name several times before I looked up. They asked if I wanted a forehead kiss and then led me to the rest of our friends. They said they were scared their father would be deported.

A different friend is probably going to leave their boyfriend. Not necessarily because of him, but definitely due to his friends. They say awful things about people like us every day, and there's certainly a reason their boyfriend hangs out with them.

I sat next to a friend and made fun of a tiktok I saw about Trump, it turned into a velocity edit about halfway through, I thought it was silly. She laughed with me but then said she was "so glad" he won, and doesn't understand why so many of her friends are "in such a mood". Many of her friends are queer.

My black friend is posting videos, jokes about having her rights taken away. I know it's how she's coping. I feel for her, and I understand, but I know I also could never know exactly how she feels.

I'm surrounded by people celebrating, people who I thought wanted me safe. Do they simply not know? Or do they want my death, too? Can they not see how terrified I am, how silent I am now?

I don't know if I should stay out. I hate the idea of using my deadname, of hearing my close friends calling me "she". But that would be safer.

Do I want to be safer? I don't think so. I don't want to die resigned. I don't want to hate myself even more. I want to be who I've been my whole life. Out, proud, safety and inspiration to the younger queer people who are scared. I want to be positive for them so they know that people like them can be happy. But I want to warn them as well, that being like this is dangerous, and hard.

I want disabled people who are scared to get aids, scared to get diagnosed, to look at me and know that there is at least some hope.

My mind is prone to overthinking, to finding the worst possible outcome of every situation. So I wonder if all of the things I come up with won't happen, and for a moment I find comfort in that. But I see others fear. I see how terrified they are of the same outcomes that I am, i see that I'm not the only one seeing them.

And I think, Why?

What am I meant to do now?

[fizzyapplecandy]

The one with the female vampire, and her spark

Ateez Yunho X Fem Vampire Reader

Genre: Fluff, Angst, Comfort

1.7k words

An addition to the previous imagine

Hey guys!

I wanted to get a bit into the whole 'spark' thing with our main characters. I hope you were curious about that whole ordeal as well.

Enjoy! X

Have you ever wondered about soulmates? Your one, big, true love? What a load of crap, am I right?

Well, let me tell you something about soul ties then.

It's similar to the soulmate thing, only amplified. Once you bond yourself to your mate, there is no going back.

You feel happiness, they feel happiness. You feel joy, they feel joy.

You die, they die.

You get the gist.

I didn't think much about soul bonds until I met Yunho, my current human boyfriend. He's been adapting to my vampire side almost naturally. His friend Wooyoung has gone on a trip with my ex fling in order to learn more about the life of a newborn vampire. (And so as to not harm his friends and family here)

I've been thinking about the 'spark' as me and Yunho call it almost non-stop. We know it's not an ordinary bolt of electricity.

The library hasn't been extremely helpful. Every ancient text I have doesn't mention a single thing about a bond between a human and a vampire.

I was sitting on the couch in my living room, sipping on a chilled glass of freshly squeezed B positive when Yunho came through the door.

"Hey baby."

He leaned down to give me a peck in the lips and sat beside me.

"Hey buddy boy. How was the last exam? Although I'm certain your big, smart brain aced it"

He got a bit red in the face, not yet used to my praises.

"I have high hopes for this last one. I have even higher hopes for that promise of yours."

Ah, yes.

Ever since Yunho found out about my cold blooded side, he's been adamant on becoming one himself. We've been together for about six months now, and I've honestly thought about it too much. The only problem making me question my decision is simple - fear.

Fear that he will change his mind about me, run away, and I'll never see him again.

"I know baby boy, but we've talked about this. Once you get all of your results and graduate, the honor to turn you will be mine. I just want to make sure you understand how serious this is. I love you, Yunho, but I don't want you to miss out on life."

I looked at my almost empty cup, unaware of his intense gaze.

"Listen, baby. There isn't a thing in the world that's going to stop me from changing my decision. I want to be with you. I want to spend the rest of eternity with you."

He took my face into his palms.

"When I look at you, all I can see is my happiness."

If I could still cry, I'd tear up right about now.

I sighed and nodded.

"Okay, I'll fulfill my promise."

.

.

.

Two weeks later we were celebrating Yunho and Wooyoung's graduation with an intimate dinner between the two of them, Seonghwa, and Hongjoong. He's become a key part of the group after his famous college bash.

"A toast! To finally putting an end to this shit show! I hope to never suffer through college again!"

Poor Woo. He doesn't know that college will become his favorite pastime in the lifelong journey of a young vampire.

We clinked our glasses together and the room was soon filled with laughs and jokes.

"Seriously Y/N! When will you turn my best friend? I have stronger willpower now, but it's still tempting!"

I kept quiet through his inquiry.

"Knock it off Woo." Mumbled Yunho beside him.

"No, like, I get it. You don't want this life for him. The cold skin, aversion to the Sun, drinking blood... Have you thought about how selfish you are though?"

My head shot up and my eyes bled black. Before I could rip his jugular our, my sweet boyfriend cleared his throat.

"Listen guys this has been truly great, but I think it's time for you to go. And you -" he pointed at Wooyoung "- stay out of our business. What we do, and the agreements we make don't concern you."

That ought to shut him up for some time.

After they left I got ready for bed while Yunho washed the dishes. He knows I'm capable of doing it myself, but he insists that I've "washed too many dishes in my lifetime" and that I should relish in his helping hands.

"Baby? Are you all set up for bed?"

"Yeah, just waiting on you."

He came into the room freshly showered, with a towel wrapped around his waist. Now, that is a sight for sore eyes.

Unfortunately, we knew tonight wasn't about that kind of intimacy.

"I hope you didn't let Woo get to you. We all know how bras he is about things."

I nodded and looked into his eyes.

"Yeah, it's just... I don't want you to think I'm changing my mind. I want you, Yunho. I'm just... Scared."

He put in his pyjamas and slid beside me, circling his arms around my waist. He gently placed a kiss on my forehead, before moving my head up to give me a light peck.

"I get it. I'm scared, too. But the thought of not being with you scares me even more, you know that?"

I placed my hand on his cheek.

This was going to be tough.

"Do you want me to do it now?"

His eyes widened and he sat up.

"Like right now, now? I mean..."

"We don't have to if you aren't ready. I kind of said this out of the blue. Forget it."

He pulled me up beside him. He gulped and took a deep breath.

"Do it, Y/N. Make me yours forever."

We looked into each others eyes as I nodded slowly. Without breaking our gaze, I bit my wrist to let my midnight blood flow.

"It's not going to be tasty, just so you know."

Without hesitation, he grabbed my wrist and put it to his mouth. I forgot how it felt to be sucked dry of your blood. With the intensity he was doing it, you'd think he was the vampire.

"Okay buddy boy, that's about enough."

He pulled away from me, all smeared around the mouth with the liquid. That was the easy part of it all.

"You get that now I have to... Snap your neck, or... I don't know? You'll have to die now."

"I... Yes, I get it. Just... Be as gentle as you can. I think a quick snap of the neck will do."

"I love you, Yunho."

"I love..."

He was out like a light before he finished the sentence.

.

.

.

I stayed up all night watching over him. I could see his skins getting paler, along with his muscles contorting. It wasn't a pretty sight, but I knew the transformation would soon be over. I had a couple of blood bags ready because his hunger would take over the shock.

Just as I was about to flip another page in my book, I felt him stirring beside me.

"What in the world? Why is everything so pixelated? Y/N?"

"Hey there baby boy, how are you feeling?"

I touched his cheek and froze. If our touches were sparks before he turned, now they were fireworks.

The sensation made him sit up straight, and his crimson eyes bore into mine.

"You can feel that, right? Y/N? I think I'm in love with you."

"Roger that. I thought you were already?"

He shook his head. "No, like... I was before, but now it's..."

"More intense?"

"Exactly."

I put my palm onto his now still heart. My fingertips were vibrating.

"I don't know what this is baby, but I think we were meant to be."

He nodded enthusiastically. "Like soulmates?"

I froze for a second. How could I forget?

I jumped out of bed and ran into my study. The answer was right under my nose this whole time.

"Y/N? Hey, why are you in such a hurry? I mean can't the books wait, we have a more important issue here." He gestured to himself, but I couldn't stop until I found it.

"Ha! I knew it was here! Let me just..."

I opened up the old journal and flicked through the pages.

There it was, smack dab in the middle. I pointed at the words underlined and called Yunho over.

"Soul ties?" I nodded.

"Soul ties baby."

He picked me up and spun me around, laughing in glee.

"I knew we were something special! Where did you get this from?" He gestured towards the journal, and I smiled sadly.

"I met a young woman once, while traveling around Istanbul. She was a witch, known for her abilities to see soulmates, or in our case, soul ties. She claimed every person on this planet had another half, separated by the stars. Our spark wasn't as intense with me being supernatural, and you being human. Now that we are the same, we can feel everything, all at once."

He nodded in understanding. "I get it. It fits us, you know. Soul ties. It has a nice ring to it."

He flipped through the pages again. "What happened to the woman?"

If vampires could cry, this is where a tear would drop.

"She couldn't live with the fact that her soul tie died. So she went to the lake he drowned in, submerging herself two months after his funeral. She left the journal on her desk with a note attached."

I went to the last page of the journal where a piece of paper was stuck.

"To Y/N. I hope you find your special someone, someday. After all, you have a whole eternity to search. I wish you all the best. Use my notes if you ever have any questions or concerns. Thank you for being a part of my short life. You made it memorable.

Love, Sevdah."

Yunho hugged me from behind, and put his head on my shoulder.

"You do make everything memorable Y/N."

.

.

.

"Remember the talk about soul ties we had?"

"Yes, Wooyoung, I remember the one hundred questions you've asked."

"Okay, well, do you guys like read each others thoughts? Or like, can you feel each other up from a distance?"

He was pulled up by his collar by my overly strong and protective (now immortal) boyfriend.

"Okay, off you go now pervert."

"Hey, that was a valid question!"

[kidgillis]

I'm trying my best. I don't feel like it's good enough. Honestly, I don't know if anything I'm doing is even worth it, but still, I try. I know I'm not perfect. I tell you that all of the time. I joke about my fears and insecurities, making myself the punchline to ensure I'm well-prepared and protected before you ever try. I'm numb inside, but this heart of my heart pumps love and beats intense devotion. I feel hopeless, but I'm still hopeful. I was taught to have blind faith as a child and have been hanging onto it ever since. I can't let go even when I try. There's just something that continues to keep me lingering, and as much as I want to tell you how much pain I'm in, I won't. I can't. Because to some extent, I don't believe that you care, but, to another, I believe you care so much that the thought of hurting you scares me too much. So, I remain silent. I am dwelling in my darkness, making friends with the demons and the skeletons in my closet. This is the lowest I've been in a while, and I still remember this place so well. It's easy to grow comfortable here while being uncomfortable everywhere else. It's familiar. This state of despair. I hate that I'm here again, but something has led me back to this place I'm in. I feel disconnected from the world. I haven't been around people in months. I don't understand why they don't call or come through. I show up for them when they need me most. I celebrate them and serve in their lives. I've tried my best to give them the best parts of me and apologize when the slightest hint of my traumas interferes with what we have going on. But, now I'm exhausted. I am tired beyond means. But now I'm questioning and struggling to hold on by a thread barely. And, all I can wonder is if I made the right decision to make lasting impressions in everyone's life. You see, it's them that I love and cherish so much. And, while they have their burdens to bear. I am still willing to carry what I can as I walk miles alongside them - no matter the reason or weather. And, maybe that's the problem. I'm holding them up, down, and together. Yet, their hold on me is destroying me from the inside out. I've grown so accustomed to saving everyone I no longer know how to save myself. So, this darkness becomes the only familiar place that reminds me of the love I've shown them and wanted for myself all along.

[kippykasey]

Old Defiance Jr High School (Dakota Laden x Reader)

This was a request by @coralineyouareinterribledanger

Summary: Reader joins the Destination Fear team on the investigation at Old Defiance Jr High School.

Pairing: Dakota Laden x Reader

Word Count: 5192

Trigger Warning: discriptions of a panic attack at the end

Authors Note: Took a while but here it is! As Destination Fear has rebranded for their switch over to youtube as Project Fear if you aren't aware. If an investigation happened on the Destination Fear show I will be using that but as soon as I switch to any Project Fear era stories that title will be used. Hope that explains anything!

Destination Project Fear Masterlist | Masterlist

A little hinty-poo. That is all the team had asked for and Dakota had supplied.

“Truthfully, we’ve never been to a facility like this.”

The guesses came in with Chelsea thinking it was a church, Alex thinking a bar, and Tanner didn’t even offer a guess before Dakota went on.

“I’ll just tell you guys, honestly–”

Tanner interrupts, “What? Hold on!”

“Oh my god!” Alex comments as Tanner practically shouts over him, “This is a first! This is a first ever!”

Chelsea even looked a bit shocked at her brother’s willingness to give up information about a location. “Okay. Do it!”

“Yeah,” Dakota glanced between the three before he gave them the location hint. “We are going to a haunted school.”

Chelsea instantly broke out in a wail of protest at the thought of returning to a school. “Why are you so upset?” Dak questions’s his sister, directing his camera at her looking at her through the small LCD screen.

“I spent so much on my life at school!” She complained leaning her head back against the window.

Kota grinned, “You really just got done like a year ago.”

“I’m more scared of, like, my memories of school, than I am of an abandoned school.” Alex admits.

Chels points to her brother, “Remember when you got a B in film class?” She teased.

“Shut up!” Dak says as they all laughed. “My high school consisted of me being a nerdy film boy.”

“I always got, ‘Too Talkative’ on my report card.” Tanner admits. “ ‘Distracts others’.”

“Do you guys know who you're sitting with right now?” Chels grins pointing to herself.

“Chelsea was the homecoming queen,” Dakota explained for the camera.

“The presence of royalty!” Alex jokes, faking a bow from his seat next to Dakota. He sits up and glances at Dak before mentioning about his days in high school, “I was pretty much just in the dean’s office.” Tanner chuckled at his friend.

“So you're saying you guys were trouble makers and I was the goody two-shoes?” Chelsea looked at the three guys around her, “And now look at us, we’re all in the same place in life.”

“Yeah, just goes to show you don’t need to try that hard.” Tanner jokes.

“Unless you're Dak, keeping your high school sweetheart.” Alex leans over to nudge Dakota.

Chelsea gasps and looks at her brother. “That’s right you and (Y/N) have been together since high school! Ugh I wish she were here she would have such good embarrassing stories about you.”

Dakota grinned to himself and nodded. “Don’t worry you’ll see her soon.”

The RV stopped and I stood up from the black bench that I sat on waiting for this exact moment. It took a few moment before the door opened and my high school sweetheart and current boyfriend, Dakota Laden stepped down with a grin on his face as he shot the camera at me and waved a hand. I waved back the sleeve of his my sweater fell slightly so it no longer covered part of my hand. He turned around and helped his blindfolded friends and sister from the RV. I covered my mouth to prevent from laughing as the four made a train to walk over. As he parted from them, letting them sit on the bench I previously occupied he came to my side and silently kissed my temple in greeting. After that I went onto the RV with my bag for the night to wait for my que to come out. The production member who had picked me up from the airport had told me about the mystery box that Dakota had set up, in fact I had helped set up the table and box for the event. Now I sat in the passenger side front seat holding a camera that I was given with a tape label over the handle that read my name, given that would be the camera I used for my visit.

I got to observe Chelsea, and Chelsea alone got up behind the box. The first mystery animal was a hedgehog, well four or them. The next was an armadillo, which is such a strange looking animal. The last was a snake. As a handler came to remove the snake Dakota placed a hand on his sister’s shoulder, he glanced to the RV at the same time a crew member opened the door and waved me over.

As I stepped down, out of the RV I could hear Dakota, “Okay but on a brighter note I do have one last surprise for you all. We will not be alone tonight because I have convinced a very special person to join us for her first ever investigation. (Y/N).” As Dakota turned towards me the other three turned as well, their faces lighting up. I waved with a grin as I pointed my camera at them to help capture their reactions to seeing me. They all ran over to greet me and it wasn’t long until rain interrupted us and chased us all back onto the RV to travel the rest of the way to the location, which I only knew to be a high school.

🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆

“So, right now we are going to park and read the packet. To make it clear, (Y/n), you have no idea where we are going correct?” Dakota explains his camera panning over to where I sat next to Chelsea.

I look up from the LCD screen on the camera sitting on the table aimed at Tanner and Alex to face him. “I was told it’s a high school? Which is creepy by the way.” I tried to smile at him but it didn’t quite get past the nerves already brewing from the anxiety of my first investigation.

“Don’t worry little duck, we’ve got your back.” Tanner reached over patting my head which I quickly laughed at and pushed his arm away.

We all got out of the RV and entered this fancy park gazebo area with a fireplace. Alex sat off to the end getting the long shot of the table we sat at, Tanner and Chelsea on one side across from Dakota and myself. A light setup above shined down giving us enough light to read in.

“Alright. I know you guys already know that it’s at a school.” Dakota began glancing between all of us the packet him his hand. “But , trust me, this is going to be a very bizarre one for us.”

Tanner took the packet and opened it up for him and Chelsea to read the front page, the location of the next investigation, “Old Defiance Junior High School.”

“Positioned directly between two winding rivers in Northwestern Ohio can be found the imposing facade of former Defiance Junior High School.” Chelsea read from the packet. “Standing for over a hundred years this three story building shaped the lives of thousands of students. But the school was not the first structure to be built on this land.”

Chelsea passed the packet and flashlight for easier read over to Tanner who took over reading. “In the mid-eighteen hundreds, the town established a high school. The institution operated without incident until 1891, when a scandal shook the town of Defiance to its core. Janitor John Mall was a hardened man who was arrested for helping a teacher bring a 12-year-old student down to the school’s basement. Mall held him tight as the teacher whipped the boy mercilessly, drawing blood.”

I couldn’t stop the look of disgust and scrunch of discomfort in my shoulders at the mentioned incident. Dakota took hold of my hand, running a thumb across my knuckles to soothe my discomfort. “It’s horrible. That poor child.” I muttered.

“That’s disgusting.” Tanner comments looking over to us. He took a deep breath before lowering his head to read on. “The two were turned in to the police by the school’s superintendent. Mall was so angered by the arrest that he launched a complaint of his own against the superintendent. After a lengthy investigation, Butler and the teachers in question were cleared of all accusations. But that did not stop the fall out for janitor Mall.”

Tanner went on to read how Mall was found bludgeoned to death, lying on the railroad tracks with his legs amputated. The railroad tracks in question are no more than 100 yards behind the school. Some believe that he was placed there against his will. The most scandalous things to ever happen in Defiance with no answer as to who did it.

“The truth about what happened that fateful night out by the tracks, is still unknown to this day.” Chelsea reads and looks up.

“Now that is a very bizarre story.” Alex comments and Dak looks at him and agrees.

“Sounds like there’s a lot of sketchy things happening within the walls of this school.” Chels concludes as she turns a page to read more. “Unfortunately, the tragedy at the high school did not end there. In 1902, two young football stars collided head-first on the field. Due to the poor protection of their leather helmets, both boys were badly injured. The boy from the rival school suffered from a fractured skull over his eye and died from his injuries. In 1918, a modernized building was created on top of the same foundation, but the new building did not keep misfortune from its doors. In 1921, the class valedictorian drowned while swimming in nearby Powell Lake. And just eight years later a junior drowned in the nearby river when he fell off his raft.”

Tanner adjusted his hat before he took over the next part of the packet read. Since its shut down in 2018,” - “That wasn’t that long ago” I muttered lowly not wanting to interrupt.- “There have been very few individuals who have dared to venture inside the building. But the few who have strongly believe that there are many spirits that chose to remain long after the final bell tolls. The most active areas include the second floor, home to many different classrooms and the library. And there are numerous shadow figures that dart in and out of classrooms.”

Dakota took the packet next to read. His hand left mine as he took hold of the packet. “The gym, a separate building accessed through the basement..”

“Yeah really creepy dude thanks for bringing us to this place. I’m sure your girlfriend just loves the sound of this place.” Alex sarcastically says, making me nod.

“This place sounds awful. Shadow figures pulling you out of rooms, creepy basements connecting buildings.” I add on as I take the packet from Dak. I licked my lips before I began to read from where he left off. “The third floor, home to classrooms and the study hall. Loud tapping and lockers slamming shut have been heard. The area with the most intense energy is room 312. EVPs of a woman urgently screaming, ‘Get out!’ have been captured, as well as references to fire and burning. The basement, this is where janitor Mall brought a student down to be punished. Mall is a very angry, hostile entity and becomes increasingly agitated when asked about his death.” I look up to the group, “Let’s not do that then, shall we?”

“Screw that!” Chelsea objects.

“We’re going to deal with something that wants to hurt us?” Tanner asks, looking right at Dakota.

“We’ve never really dealt with any sort of spirit like this before.” Dakota explains. “Whoever ends up sleeping alone in that basement is screwed.

I huff running a hand through my hair feeling a spike in anxiety for what this investigation might bring.

🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆

“Class is now in session.” Alex announces as the RV parked out front of the huge high school.

The five of us got out of the RV with our cameras and a flashlight. Dakota walked in the lead to open the door for the rest of us, I stayed right behind him, as the other three commented on the size of the school we were about to spend the night in.

“Welcome to school!” Dak announces as he opens the doors.

Chelsea and I entered first with Tanner right behind us. He looked around at the hallway we had entered into. “This is so weird. All the desks, lockers, papers are still everywhere.”

“Definitely has the creep factor.”

A loud slam behind us caused me to yelp and spin around. “Alex!” Dakota called out his friend who had a small smile on his face. “Just a little test to see if we’re on edge.”

I let out a nervous laugh. “Well I think it’s safe to say we’re on edge.”

With our first look done we set up the gear room on the first floor. From the first floor we headed down into the basement. Dakota once again took the lead but this time I stayed more in the middle with the Laden siblings in front of me with Tanner and Alex behind me. The first look at the basement was unsettling.

“The basement is where Janitor Moll lived and where he, reportedly, abused a student down here.” Dakota reminded as we stopped walking. Everyone was looking around. “When asked, ‘How did your die?’ Someone got the response, ‘I’ll show you.’” On my left, in one of the entrance ways I thought I seen a tall dark figure. Turning my camera towards where I was looking the dark figure was gone and it seemed simply to be possibly Alex’s shadow. I turned back to Dakota as he pulled a device out of his pocket. “I’m gonna have the ovilus on the entire time we’re down here. If janitor Moll is down here he will be able to choose one word at a time and talk to us.” He turns to his sister, “All right Chels, you wanna hold the ovilus while we’re down here?” He passes the devise over and I leaned over towards Chelsea to get a look at the devise now in her hand.

As a group we walked farther into the basement in the direction of the possible shadow figure I had seen earlier. Alex behind me muttered about how creepy the basement was and Dakota prompted for Moll to talk to us using the ovilus. With no response Chelsea directed Kota to lead us to the area where the janitor would have stayed. The room was a bit of a mess but the inspection lead to discovering a crawl space. The moment someone pointed out the crawl space the electronic voice of the ovilus spoke for the first time, “Here.”

“What?” Dakota turned towards Chelsea. She confirmed that the ovilus said ‘here’.

“A lot of people think you’re a bad man. Is there anything you’d like to say?” Tanner comments, my attention was still drawn to the crawl space, this time with my camera facing the same area.

It was silent as they waited for a possible answer. When there wasn’t one Dakota asked another question, “Where you actually as bad as people say? Or was the superintendent trying to frame you?”

Again nothing.

“Who killed you?”

That question got an answer. “Teacher.” The ovilus had answered.

The main four shared their excitement and shock of the answer. “That paints a different picture in my head of what went down.” Dakota admits.

“I don’t think I have ever heard ‘teacher’ come out of the ovilus.” Al comments.

“I have a gut feeling that the janitor knew something that someone didn’t want him to know.” Chelsea says.

“Maybe he did see too much. Maybe he did know too much.” Dak agreed.

“Yeah there is two sides to every story.” I nod turning to face them. “Maybe the janitor wasn’t the bad guy in the first place.” Chelsea adds.

Dakota restates the question if a teacher did this to the entity they were talking with. Although it wasn’t the ovilus that answered. Instead there was a loud thud that came from another room. Alex, being the closest to the doorway quickly went to look. He turned to look at us from over his shoulder, “Dude, I think that came from up the stairs.”

“Let’s go over there.” Dak instructs setting the team into movement heading to investigate the thud we all heard.

Entering the room where the stairs are off of we looked around. Dakota asked for another noise. It was quiet for a few seconds before another thud was heard. This time Tanner stepped into the hall shining his flashlight up the stairs. “That came from upstairs.”

“That sounded like a locker slamming.” Tanner says almost uncertain.

“That did sound like a locker!” Dakota and Alex agreed.

The group went back up stairs and entered the gear room. From there Tanner went over and slammed a locker shut to have a noise to compare what we heard to. It was pretty much confirmed that the noise was from the lockers weather it was slammed or banged on it was definitely from the lockers near the stairwell.

“I just don’t like the fact that it lead us out of the basement.” Tanner comments and I quickly look over to him. “I totally agree.” Tanner nods glancing over at me, “Like, after we were getting some good responses.”

“I mean, it’s said that he doesn’t like to talk about his death.” Alex reminds us softly.

“Or we were getting such good answers that something else didn’t want us hearing them.” Chelsea counters.

“Janitor Moll, was that you up here? Or was that something else, someone else?” Dakota prompts in a louder tone than what we had been talking among our self in.

No answer.

“Were you trying to lead us out of the basement?” Al asked.

The ovilus spoke. Return.

“Like go back down to the basement?” Chelsea questions.

“Why would it lead us back up only to go back down?” Tanner was confused.

As we stood there trying to understand what was happening another jingle like noise could be heard. “Is that coming from the basement?” Dakota asks.

Alex walked over to the top of the stairs and Tanner followed, as did I. As the three of us stood at the top of the stairs listening we once again heard the jingling sound.

“What is that?” Dak wrapped an arm around me as he leaned forward. “It was like metal.”

I let out a soft gasp. “Like keys!”

Once again we descended the stairs into the basement. “I think (Y/n) was right, it sounded like keys.” Chelsea agreed her camera pointed at me. Dakota also agreeing. Tanner even pointing out how a janitor carries a ring of keys.

As we confirm that activity keeps happening where we aren’t Dakota decides to set up a static camera in the basement, first floor, and third floor with a REM pod in front of each camera. With those ‘traps’ set up we walked up to the second floor to continue our investigation.

The second floor was just a creepy as the first. Chairs and desks lined against the lockers in the hallways, books and paper littered around. Stopping about halfway down the hallway once again Dakota lead the charge on trying to make contact. With no answer we enter one of the classrooms. The guys commenting on how untouched everything looks for a school that has been abandoned since 2018. With art still hanging on the wall, piles of books, all the chairs and desks still around.

It wasn’t long before we moved up to the third floor. The floor looked just as abandoned as the previous floors but with less desks and chairs in the hall. Yet is was still so easy to picture the halls still in use teenagers loitering around lockers, rushing to an from classes, lockers jamming or being slammed shut- a noise they may have already heard. Chelsea even commented on it, “You can just imagine all these halls packed with students.” It was something we could all agree with as we strolled down the hallway.

A REM pod was set up as we settled on a spot in the hall. Dakota opened up the line of communication. Alex was stood a bit farther back to get a wide shot of the group, always the camera man. I was somewhere between Alex and Dakota against the locker deciding to film behind Alex since it wasn’t being caught by the other three.

If only we knew the evidence being caught in the basement at that same moment. Buzzing. Running water. The light turning on by itself. All while we were floors above and no one else was in the building.. living that is.

With a seemingly uneventful third floor hallway investigation we headed into room 312, which is said to be where most the paranormal activity is centered around. Everyone seemed to enter the last room on the left, I ended up staying in the doorway, my back to the hallway.

“What exactly happens here?” Alex inquired to document the claims for their footage.

Dakota began to list that people have received EVPs saying ‘Get out’. Or EVPs relating to fire and burning that didn’t quite make sense. Chelsea pulled out the Ovilus by request of her younger brother. As she turned the device on I turned with my camera to peer down the dark hallway towards the stairs feeling uneasy, like someone was watching me. With multiple unanswered questions Dakota asked if the spirit would rather go into the hallway, behind me, where the REM pod was still set up and use that instead.

“If that REM pod goes off I’m getting out of this doorway,” I joked although very serious.

A REM pod did go off but it also happened to be down in the basement. Continuing to beep as the guys ask for a sign of activity. Including when Dakota asked for a sign to leave, but we wouldn’t know.

The ovilus finally went off drawing our attention to the devise. Chelsea looked down at the screen and repeated the word that it had said, “Observe.”

Dakota once again asked if the spirit could interact with the REM pod in the hall but the ovilus spoke. “Rewind.” I gasped softly. To look through all the floors worth of footage would take a long time. Something we wouldn’t be able to do until after the trip.

The group left the third floor, collecting all the equipment, before preparing to split up to sleep alone. It was when Dakota and Alex went to retrieve the basement camera and REM pod that they notice that the light was on. Dakota called for the rest of us. We all traveled down to the basement together to investigate the light being on.

“All of the lights are on down here,” Dakota mentions as he looked around the basement. He looked to the camera and seen the blinking red light signifying that it was still recording. “The camera is still on so we should have caught it on camera.”

Alex went over to the camera to verify that it indeed was still recording as we all fully entered the lightened up basement. Dakota admitted to not even knowing how to turn the lights on and we looked for a light switch. The group tried 3 different switches before finding the fourth, at the top of some utility stares that Tanner tried and successfully returned the basement to darkness. The bad news with the location was that the camera was pointed in the opposite direction and wouldn’t have been able to capture anything on the stairs that would flip the switch.

I feel bad for whoever has to sleep down here.” Dakota comments before we returned to the gear room to decide where everyone is sleeping for the night.

The four scary locations chosen were;

The gym, which we didn’t investigate and was a building all on its own.

The third floor.

The second floor.

And probably the worst being the basement.

Tanner wrote the four locations on paper for the random draw. Tanner drew the second floor. Dakota had me choose for the two of us. Sadly my luck was not there as I pulled out the basement. Alex pulled the gym leaving Chelsea with the third floor. With the locations selected we headed to our sleeping arrangements. Dakota and I headed down to the basement. Dakota set up the cot for me and him to some how share but he also had a sleeping bag just incase.

“How are you doing with all of this so far?” He asked in a soft voice as we both sat down on the cot.

“Good I think. I mean I have this constant feeling like someone is watching me and I have since we were on the third floor but I think its just nerves.” I admitted pushing a strand of hair out of my face.

“Well you’re doing great for your first investigation.” Dak leaned over and kissed my forehead before he pulled and pulled out two masks. Due to the condition of the basement we agreed that masks would be best for our health.

My restlessness lead to me sitting on the floor in front of Dakota and the cot. But still in frame of the set up cameras. My eyes were starting to play tricks on me, or so I thought, as a dark shadow would appear behind Dak occasionally but by the time I had blinked a few times it was gone, so I never mentioned it to my boyfriend.

“I’m really, really regretting taking away everyone’s flashlights.” Dakota admits before getting up and showing the darkness of the room by turning off the night vision. “Ow Dak!” I mumbled feeling something tug at my hair, thinking it was the zipper of his jacket getting caught in the dark. “Sorry, (Y/n).” Dakota quickly turned the night vision back on and sat back on the cot, making it creek.

“Janitor Moll, if you can hear me, in the nicest way possible, I really don’t wanna see you or hear you.

Dak and I made small conversation to pass the time, or pointing out possible noises both too nervous to sleep. I had stood and was now walking with one of the cameras so I didn’t walk into anything. “We’ve been down here for a while now. And it sucks.” Dakota spoke to the camera. “We keep feeling like we’re hearing things. In all directions. (Y/n) is somewhere behind me actually looking for anything.”

With nothing seen I went back to the cot to join Dak. Resting my head on his shoulder I closed my eyes. That was until we both jumped hearing the jingling, the same kind as earlier in the night. We both were not standing facing the direction the jingling had come from. Dak quickly moved for the camera. “Oh my god, I just heard keys!” He spoke to the camera about the jingling being the same as earlier but louder, do to the closer location.

“Hello?” Dak called out. He left my side to walk around the room we were in to investigate but I stayed near the cot. “That was keys right?” He asked.

“Uh huh. Clear as day.” I replied nodding my heart racing in my chest.

“Something is down here and I don’t like it. It came from close to this door or over here.” Dak was still looking around with the camera, no where near me when I heard a breathy sound next to me.

“Dak?” I called unsure of how far away he was to me.

“Yeah?” He replied sounding father away than the breath was.

“Something just breathed in my ear.” I bit my lip hesitating to look in the direction of the breath. I could hear Dakota’s hurried footsteps as he made his way back over to me. “There’s nothing there.” Dak tells me.

I let out a small nervous laugh. “Is..is now a good time to tell you I think I’ve been seeing something in the darkness?” I look up at him barely making out his face in the darkness. Dak took that seriously and instantly talked about getting out of there. As we went to leave I heard a loud knock right behind me causing me to let out a short panicked scream and grab onto Dakota’s jacket. I turned behind me to see a tall looming shadow causing me to stumble into Dakota’s back making him stumble as well. He was able to catch himself and quickly turn around.

Even in the darkness I could tell my peripheral vision was blurring as my breath quickened, my heartbeat pounding in my ears. Dakota called my names sounding miles away. His arm wrapped tightly around my shoulders urging, leading me up the stairs out of the basement.

“Yo!” Dakota called as we entered the gear room his voice sounding as if I was stuck underwater.

Someone replied but I couldn’t hear it over the heartbeat in my ears. My hands felt numb as I gripped onto Dakota’s jacket.

“We’re done!” His voice was so far away as he tried to unfold my hands from his jacket. “Breathe, sweetheart.” As strangled, gasp was choked in and seemed to burn as it forced itself passed the lump that formed in my throat.

“Dude I am so done! (Y/n) having a panic attack.” His voice sounded crisper. He kneeled to the ground in front of me cupping my face.

“Sweetheart look at me, focus to my voice okay?”

My eyes blinked a few times before focusing on his face.

“Can you list five things you see?”

I licked my lips and looked around. “Camera. Desk. Chair. Books. You.”

“Good. Four things you can touch.”

“Notebook. Locker. My jacket. My watch.” I slowly acknowledged the notebook by my foot. The locker behind the chair that my head would occasionally touch. The jacket that felt too warm at the moment. And the watch that vibrated with the reminder to drink water.

Dakota smiled at me. “Three things you can hear?”

“Tanner and Chelsea in the hall. Alex over a walkie. My heart beat.” My breathing had calmed considerably and it no longer felt like a struggle.

“Two things you can smell.”

“Your body spray. Musty books.”

“Very good. And one thing you can taste?”

My brows furrowed at that one. I didn’t really taste anything at the moment. “I think there is a bit of strawberry left from my chap stick.”

Dakota let out a soft laugh as his thumb brushed over my cheek.

“That counts. Are you okay?”

“As long as we leave, sure.”

“I can take her outside while you guys pack up.” Chelsea offered softly as she stepped up next to her brother.

Dakota looked between her and his sister before nodding. “Get her some water too please.”

“I got it.” Tanner spoke up and passed the water bottle forward.

Dak helped me stand and kissed my head. “I’ll be out in a bit. I promise. It’s okay.”

[minijenn]

"True Leader" - Bill Cipher and White Diamond (non-paring)

White Diamond’s ship was empty, quiet, and cold like usual. That’s honestly, how she liked things. Nothing out of place, everything under her control… but, things were about to change.

“Come out, Bill. I know you are here” the white lady revealed with a sweet and delicate voice. If anyone with no context heard that, they would be sure she was kind and gentle… and they would be very wrong.

Finally, the yellow triangle became visible. Usually, when he did so, the area around him would lose color, and time would stop. However, White’s ship was already empty and filled with shades of gray and White.

“I came just like you asked, White? What do you want with me?” Bill asked, cleared not happy being there. That kind of behavior was unexpected coming from the guy that joked with all his potential clients. White was different…

“Is that any way to treat a partner?” she asked teasingly, with her same creepy smile of usual.

“Get to the point, White!” the triangle demanded, crossing his arms in anger. White didn’t seem completely satisfied, but didn’t lose composure.

“I just wanted to know how my dear Starlight is doing on earth?” the diamond asked dramatically, as if she was a caring mother.

“I though you and your… bleached mind powers allowed you to spy 24/7 into Quartzy and Rosebud’s lives” Bill stated, still unpolite. 

White approached him threateningly, making the triangle shiver in fear.

“Oh, but they do, Bill. But, well, it’s a bit hard keeping Blue, Yellow and Starlight in check at the same time, you know?” the diamond retorted. Although she seemed happy, she was clearly sending a message: ‘behave if you don’t want to face the consequences.

“Right…” he agreed, this time, being more polite. He already faced many beings on his life. Scientists, other Human Scientists, and all his henchmaniacs. But, none of them was compared to the gem matriarch. She had a lot more power than it seemed.

“Although, to be fair, I have to admit that the events on your… ‘Nightmare Realm’ were quite fascinating” she smiled, referring to the incident involving Stepper’s journal.

Bill felt a shiver down his spine. The deal involved Pink Diamond’s gem intact. And he almost shattered her in an attempt to stop Stepper.

“It was all…” Bill tried to defend himself, horrified at what could happen to him if White found out the truth. She, however, only made a sign for him to stay quiet.

“I knew it wouldn’t work. Your little ‘stealing the book’ act. You would have had to come up with something more creative. That’s why I didn’t call you immediately” she turned her back and walked a bit, going back to her usual spot at the ship.

“I hope that, next time, you will stay true to your word. Will you?” she questioned. Bill simply nodded, not wanting any more trouble with the gem.

“Good boy” White said, patting his head. Bill HATED being treated like that. But there wasn’t anything he could do. That gem was ruthless.  

“I need to go back to the Nightmare Real now! My pals need their ruler” the triangle said, trying to find an excuse to leave.

White diamond, however, gave a wicked laugh that shook her ship’s walls.

“A ‘ruler’? What makes yourself believe you are a ‘ruler’?” the gem snickered, making the triangle turn red.

“Well! I keep the Nightmare Realm in check! A beautifully chaotic check!” Bill shouted, finally losing his patience.

“‘In check’? You call that mess a place that is ‘in check’? Don’t make me laugh” White grinned.

“At least my peers have fun there! Unlike here! Which means, I am a better leader than you” the triangle tried to defend himself. The gem matriarch wasn’t affected by that… at all.

“A better leader? Well, I never burned my dimension and destroyed my own kind” White sassed, knowing where to hit.

“…what?” Bill puzzled, unable of guessing how the gem matriarch managed to find out about his past.

“Euclydia. Does it ring a bell to you?” the gem matriarch questioned. The triangle froze.

“Poor Bill. The first time you tried to take charge, you destroyed everyone that cared about you. It surely doesn’t make you seem like a good leader” White sassed, satisfied with the reaction she got.

“Shut up! I will be going now!” Bill yelled, tired of being reminded of his past.

“Oh, so soon? Came back again. I love your visits, dear” the gem matriarch teased, satisfied at all the nerves she hit.

“We are not FRIENDS!!” the triangle shouted, finally returning to his world. White started laughing again.

“Oh, Starlight, I wonder why you were so enchanted by such an inferior life form. I am excited to hear it ALL from you when you get back” she said, thinking about the youngest diamond, that was galaxies away…

  _____________________________________________________

Author’s Note: Okay, I don’t know if you accept people submitting our own UF inspired stories, but you speaking about Bill and White’s relationship, Billrose and all the other things gave me inspiration to write this.

It’s my first time writing for either Bill or White, but I am kind of satisfied with the result.

Anyway, sorry if I got to excited. Hope you liked it. Bye!

——

Oh man we’re back to UF fan submissions! This makes me so nostalgic! Great job with this btw loved how catty these two are to each other; very in line with how I imagined them interacting in UF2 lol

[chuckeroo777]

Dungeon Meshi Volume 6 Part 1

Welcome back to my liveblog! As a reminder, this is a re-read, so expect plenty of spoilers!

Don't intentionally spoil people or get thwacked in the face.

Huh. So they have been here for about a week. Makes Rin's exasperation even more understandable.

Wow, rude. I feel like if you actually knew her, that's kinda the last thing she would do. She hates eating weird stuff.

Batting 0 for 3 Maizuru. Honestly, I originally thought she was kind of a jerk, but between this and "Ninja Art: Babysitter", I think her observational skills are just really bad.

See? She doesn't have a clue why this is an atrocious idea.

I mean, it was an elf who was around during Delgal's day, and was using exceptionally potent ancient magic. Who the heck else would it be? Plus the orcs confirmed his identity. And of course Laios thinks Thistle is mad about the food.

Asebi is not amused.

Hmm... another depiction of the winged lion with horns. Also, there was no need to bring up the black magic. Marcille used a regular resurrection spell, just using ancient magic to boost the power level. If the dragon hadn't been soul-bound by Thistle, it would have gone without a hitch. People like to joke Marcille did nothing wrong, but in this one case, I think she was totally in the right. There is plenty of time for her to commit war crimes later.

Chilchuck: Gasp! You were drugging him!

Kabru is here for ALL the hot goss. From a distance.

I love how the canon explanation for why Faligon has feathers is that Dragons = Dinosaurs. It's like an atavism or something. Idk, it looks cool. Stop asking questions.

God. Marcille may be my favorite, but I relate so much to Laios. This chapter and the next are painful. (And I'm not talking about the part where everyone dies)

If only Chilchuck won the coin toss, we could've avoided this drama. (At least until Shuro saw Falin)

Now that's a trustworthy face if I ever saw one.

Well well well. If it isn't the consequences of my actions.

I know I just got done explaining that her actions were fine. Just let me be funny.

Eh, it's worth a try. It works in at least one alternate universe.

She's beauty, she's grace. She's gonna eat your face.

What's all the more heartbreaking is you get little moments where Falin shines through. She wants to pet the doggie! But then the dragon reasserts itself.

Even freakier, I think this is actually Falin too. You can see her pupils oscillate throughout this scene between normal, and elongated.

Like, I don't think it did that on purpose, but the dragon is more than happy to exploit the opening it creates.

Holm? Holm, are those golem cores? Have you been holding out on us?

Man, no wonder she freaks out. Imagine you've been a dragon for who knows how long, covered in scales of iron, and suddenly this dude manages to stab you five times like it's nothing. Heck, Laios just stabbed her in the foot with a normal sword. This dragon must be fearing for it's life like crazy.

Obligatory Whoa Hey!

An important image.

No you dummy. This is standard dungeon procedure. There's a reason healers like Holm and Falin wear those silly robes. So that they get priority resurrections.

Hold up a sec. My drama senses are tingling.

I am genuinely curious what this insult was in the original Japenese, if only because I can't see that coming from either of them.

You know, when I first read Dungeon Meshi, I kinda glossed over the secondary cast a lot. Hard not to when you have my attention span, and like two dozen characters. I didn't even notice the Asebi stuff.

I know people dunk on Toshiro a lot, but I really have to question his relationship with his retainers if a simple thank you and sorry elicits this sort of reaction. Honestly, I mostly get the impression that his dad isn't great, and Maizuru is too loyal to do anything about it.

I also have to wonder why he left Asebi behind. Did he just not want to bother? Or is he rethinking his whole relationship with his retainers, and is offhandedly giving her her freedom?

Like brother like sister.

Image limit reached! I'll be back in a bit. Need to get some meshi!

[rageprufrock]

hello, I hope you're doing well. I was wondering if you could answer a career-related question of mine. I'm a young woman (21) in an extremely male-dominated field. I want to go into project management, but I am not prepared to deal with the insane male egos/fragile masculinity I had to experience during my internships. it doesn't help that I've been a passive person my whole life. how do I overcome my passiveness? how do I even begin to learn leadership and project/people management? 1/

I'm going to be honest, you're catching me at a disadvantage because I'm allergic to project management. Like if I'm sharing an area code with that shit I'm itchy. I'm joking, a little, sort of, because the unfortunate truth is about 50% of my job on any given day at this point is project managements but I still hate it. The point is, I'm not your best point of contact for it, because while I can do it for my specific area of expertise, the practice by itself is not my ministry, if you get my drift. Project managers are lunatics who you will find snorting crushed up Excel spreadsheets in truck stop bathrooms, and for that I fear and respect them.

For the passivity, maybe have some thoughts that might be helpful.

So like, you're probably not going to like hearing this: but oh my God, you're--so young. Like I refer to someone on my team who is 30 this year as the resident fetus. You have nine years before you hit fetus status. So much of you're feeling is only going to be remedied with time and experience, and your fearfulness of speaking or standing out right now in a professional environment isn't a mark of failure in yourself, it's a natural part of your growth and progression.

It is absolutely normal and completely fine that when you were in an intern (or honestly, even early career!) situation, presumably surrounded by people who were more experienced than you and have significant seniority to you, you felt were feeling at sea with the egos and politics.

Here's a dirty little secret, especially re: internships:

Many interns get brought in on projects that are far, far, far beyond their actual scope of capability.

That is because we have no actual expectation that you will deliver any work or usable outputs on it, but we want interns to get excited about what we do, to feel like their work could be important, for them to get a taste of the what it will be like when you actually get your feet wet and have more professional seasoning.

For example, people who summer at law firms get a red carpet experience rolled out to them, and they get to sit in on really exciting high profile client meetings! These are not things that will happen for them again for a long, long, long fucking time once they become associates! Once they've got you in their claws, they no longer care about giving you enjoyable stimulus, now you gotta start billing.

In organizations I've worked at in the past, I was fully happy to welcome interns with like 4 minutes of "experience" into very sensitive high level meetings--with the understanding that (a) everybody there knew they were the intern (b) the objective was to show them what the work could be like and (c) that nobody would actually ask them to throw themselves into the demented fray of the actual work.

The goal isn't to scare you off. We know that the stuff you're seeing a lot of times as an intern is really terrifying, for a lot of reasons. If you're in a room of people with 10 or 20 years of experience on you, then...yeah, it's going to feel awkward. You're not even a full time employee! Of course it's going to be weird and nervewracking! If you didn't feel weird and nervewracked about it, I would ask you to bottle whatever it is you're taking and sell it to become a billionaire.

Beyond that, the rest of it will come with time--truly.

When I think back to the person I was at 21, at 22, I feel such a strange tenderness toward her. I feel so protective. She had no idea what she was doing, and she was doing her best to do her best every day. She failed a lot. She was a mess. The people around her knew it. She knew it. She wasn't the greatest at what she did, or a very good friend, but she was trying so desperately to keep her head above water and only sometimes succeeding.

So much of the vulnerability you're feeling will be remedied in tiny, unnoticed ways. With every day and week and hour, you'll gain some new insight or capability, and some afternoon or month far from today--but closer than you think--you're going to look back and realize you've built yourself an entire suit of professional armor, and have no idea where it came from. You feel passive and ill equipped right now--but that's only because you are ill equipped right now, you just tumbled out onto this strange new world.

It's going to take a while to get your sea legs--just try to be kind to yourself as you do it.

You're going to crush it. I just know it.

[immortalwandererxoxo]

It's me, can't you see?

Pairing: Spawn Astarion x F!Reader/Dark urge

Summary/Setting: “You thought they knew and saw you for who you were. The nights around the campfire, the jokes and stories you shared, the rounds of constant checking in on them, it was all for nothing. The hate in their eyes was apparent and set for who could honestly trust a bhaalspawn, and perhaps this was for the best. You thought I’d be free of these urges, these feelings, this life. I’m done; I’ve had enough of all this; how nice your last sight on this plane would be, those jewel-red piercing eyes."

Rating/Warnings: Basically for everyone just get ready to cry your little heart out lol

Word Count: 1,903

A/N: Sooo this is the first fic I've written in a while, so please be gentle with me. Honestly, I just kept thinking about this kind of scenario constantly running through my head. I'll be posting this here and on AO3 if you prefer to read it there as well! Currently, I am writing the second chapter on this. At first, I was going to only do one shot but the ideas just kept growing lol

-----

It was your birthright; that is what the funny-looking butler has said to you. A gift was to be bestowed upon you, but only if you killed the selunite cleric Isobel… the last hope for last light inn.

Your first encounter with her was tense; even being near her brought on a violent pounding within your skull as if it were to spilt any second; you tried to push past it to focus on the vital information that Isobel was explaining in regards to Moontower, it fell on deaf ears, the roaring in your ears started to get louder, your vision began to darken at the edges, no you thought not now! Your finger began to twitch as if in anticipation of unleashing the same horror that claimed the poor bard Alfira.

You needed to remove yourself now. You quickly mumbled about needing a moment to yourself before sprinting out Isobel room and down the stairs and making your way to the furthest edge of the light barrier to try and gather yourself.

“Breathe, just breathe, please just stop; you silently pleased with just you and your horrid twisted mind. You squeezed your eyes tight, though it seemed to not really matter. In fact, it just made the images appear faster in your mind. Oh, the beautiful ways you could rearrange the limbs of Isobel body, bones snapping, eyes all but gone and left with gaping holes of nothing and filled with nothing, darkness, and hopelessness. The delicious fear of condemning these pathetic souls that cling to life only for it to be snuffed out in an instant just if blowing out a candle. It would be so easy.

The sound of footfalls told you that the others had finished up with the Cleric and had most likely come to see why their leader had run out on them.

“Wretched thing, pull yourself together,” You whispered quickly, trying to dissipate the vile thoughts still wracking your mind and readying yourself to answer the many questions probably going to be hurled upon you.

“Oh darling, was that cleric prattling on too much for you to bear? Even Shadowheart had to restrain herself before tearing into her about her love and how much better her dark lady was ha! Astarion says with a

“Ah, my love, are you alright? Darling your hands!

This is what breaks you out of your dazed self. You open your hands to reveal puncture wounds you had inflicted upon yourself. You didn’t even notice your hands had formed into closed fists, forcing yourself to restrain yourself to the point small droplets of your blood had begun to pool a bit in your palm.

“Yes… I.. I’m alright. I just needed fresh air; this shadow curse must do a number on me. You could feel Astarion eyes boring into you. He must have known you were lying, but he didn’t press further, and you were thankful for that. You were not in the right head space to tell him what you had just expressed, nor did you really feel the others would care when you had more pressing issues to address. You must focus on the task at hand and find the nightsong. Your pain could be dealt with later.

“Let’s head back to camp with the others. Gale said he is trying out a new recipe, and it don’t worry; he even managed to find the good kind of wine just for Astarion.

————————————————————————————————————--------------------------------------------------------------

As Gale started passing out the new stew, he managed to salvage together from the stocked-up ingredients you collected throughout your journey; Shadowheart began to explain the current mission and what you had missed. But your heart and mind weren’t all there, considering what happened previously. When would you be rid of these violent urges, these sick thoughts that clouded your mind?

With dinner complete, you did your normal rounds around the camp, checking in on everyone; you were a bit apprehensive in speaking with Astarion, concerned that he would ask you what had happened since you never really did address why you ran out, but no he didn’t even bring it up, you would have thought you would be relived, but a sharp chord struck you within your heart; did he really not care you had thought your relationship with he was making progress or perhaps that was you fooling yourself into thinking someone could love such a creature as yourself.

Making your way to your bedroll and staring up at the pitch-black sky you knew you would not be getting any sleep; the thoughts in your head of today’s events were ever buzzing about.

You were so engrossed in your thoughts you didn’t hear the pattering of talons upon the dirt coming closer to you.

“You called for me, Milady?”

You sat up hastily. Gods, what did he want you to do now, or what exactly were his intentions of coming to you in the middle of your camp?

“What is it now? If this is about killing the cleric, you can forget it. I already gave you my answer; I refuse to be part of such a massacre, you said with a hushed whisper.”

“Your father was most displeased with this kind of outcome, Milady, dear Master; I want only the best for you; you always did need a little push of encouragement with those urges you get; allow me to give you a hand in this, please,” he pleased.

“I don’t need any push or anything from this so-called father I have never met before!”

You wanted him to leave before anyone could overhear you two, and you would have to explain another thing to the group.

“Now, don’t be this way; your father does love you, miss, how he doted on you so tenderly when you were but a babe, and because of this, he is allowing yet another chance for you to redeem such an egregious display you have made of yourself.

Your hands begin to feel clammy and freezing; the building anxiety takes hold of your body and starts to stir. What is that will do? More importantly, is this something that harms others?

You catch the glint of silver with little red specks encircling something within his clawed hand. It looks to be a coin?

“Here is the deal, master: if this coin falls upon heads, your favorite person will be brutalized! This normally would have been your punishment and a token to your father and would allow this minor transgression with the cleric to be overlooked. If it lands upon tails… no, you know what, master? I shall let you find out personally what awaits you; this will be my little push to steer you in the correct direction for you to grab your inheritance.

A flash of anger flared up within you. “No, what is the second choice tell me now!” Panic filled you as if the first choice was not bad enough; something worse awaited you, leaving you in the dark.

“Oh, don’t be like that, Milady. Be patient here; I’ll toss this coin, and we shall see what fate has in store for you.”

With the flick of his finger, the coin spun in the air. The fear and anxiety that you felt waiting on this damn coin to fall, you tried to make a plan of some sort on how to deal with the said potential of having to kill either Astarion, your lover, or dear friend Shadowheart.

“Oh, master! You are Truly cursed with the most delicious tragedy.”

Your eyes widened, and your heart sped up. Gods, what side did the coin land on? Were you fated to kill your sweet love?

“Now, Milady, stay still. I don’t want to miss.” Scelerita’s hands began to glow red, even his eyes;

Beneath your feet, a red glow, a red circle outlined with what seemed to be blood drops arranged in a perfect circular motion on the outermost circle were some ancient ruins, ones that looked familiar, but you had no time to possibly read them before you felt the excruciating pain of your bones breaking in multiple places, your joints snapping, stretching, your skin being pulled into various directions to cover long new limbs you seemed to be growing, Gods it HURT,

Two additional arms shoot out from your sides. Each hand is morphed into sharp, long, talon-like claws. You feel the sharp spikes and horns poke and prick your entire body, from your head, arms, and legs to the tip of your now-said tail. Great long horns jut out from your now spikey head, and you feel something dripping. It seems to be slick blood from your former form. It’s a miracle you think to yourself that you are not dead from blood loss or, at the very least, shock from the horror show that you are becoming.

But honestly, the worst part of this horrid transformation is the one relating directly to your mouth: two large tusk-like horns protrude out from your would-be former jaw that now splits into somehow four splits of skin that are all surrounded and arranged by pointed and thorny teeth that could shred something or someone within seconds.

“Oh, my Master, you truly are a sight to behold; how I missed this form of yours so dearly! Such a strapping young behemoth.”

You attempt to scream for help from your companions; however, it quickly becomes apparent that you cannot speak within this grotesque form. What were you to do now that you were transformed into a monster?

“Master, this will surely be something you can finally make your father proud of! I can see in your eyes that you are waiting for an explanation of what you are meant to do with this new, beautiful form; allow me to get this started. "

Your now small demon butler has waved his hand and conjured up an illusion of self-disguise into a near-perfect replicate of Gale?! He then opens his mouth, and much to your horror, what he screams out next in a voice. That sounds exactly like him.

“What is that monstrosity?! Everyone! Wake up! There is an abominable monster readying to attack the camp, and they have our leader!” screams the illusion-like Gale.

Your heart begins to plummet into the pit of your stomach, and you quickly understand what this sick lesson is meant to teach you. Your father expects nothing to stand in his way. It does not matter if they are the ones that can help you reach the Baldur’s gate. If they are holding you back from your “gift,” then they must be dealt with, and what a perfectly twisted way for them to be under the guise that this monster has taken their precious leader and must kill it.

You can only watch in horror as you look out to see the flames in camp start lighting up and the yelling and harsh footfalls quickly approaching your location. In the distance, you hear Karlach’s battle cry and the others gathering their weapons.

You swiftly turn your head to see your butler’s face, only for him to give you a sick and cruel smile on your friend’s face. “Have fun, milady, your father, and I wish to see some excellent results from the child of Bhaal.”

And then he is gone, leaving only behind thick smoke and the damn coin laying tails side up.

[claudemblems]

One of my friends asked me to write for this prompt from the list I posted, and one of you requested Sherlock for it, so here you go. Enjoy the angst 🥹

Sherlock Holmes - Moriarty the Patriot

Prompt 18: hugging them tight without saying any words when they're having a hard time

Why didn’t he kill Jefferson Hope when he had the chance?

It was a horrible thing for a detective to consider, especially one that was determined to save as many innocent people as he could, but if he’d taken the offer presented to him, would things have turned out different? Would he have had the Lord of Crime bound and shackled, harbored in a prison cell for the rest of his life? Would the people no longer live in fear of seeing yet another murder plastered on the newspapers' front pages? If he'd taken the offer by killing Hope, Sherlock would have had all the information he needed to find the mastermind. The hard part would be proving his guilt.

But if he’d pulled that trigger, he would have not only learned the true identity of the Lord of Crime, but he would have put an end to Hope's suffering. He’d practically begged Sherlock to take his life, but, out of kindness or conscience, he couldn’t.

Honestly, how pathetic of a detective did he have to be to second guess not killing a man in cold blood.

“...Sherlock? Sherlock?”

The sound of your voice rang in Sherlock's ears, gradually dragging him out of his thoughts and back into the sitting room he rested in, his body splayed out across the couch.

“Are you all right?”

No would have been his first answer had he not cared about worrying you. With all this baggage weighing on his shoulders, he was almost tempted to let himself crumble underneath it.

“I’m fine,” he answered, finally sitting upright. The room still smelled of smoke from the cigarette he’d had earlier. However, when he looked down at the ashtray, it appeared he’d ended up having several more than that.

“For a detective, you’re a terrible liar. I hope you know that.”

Sherlock sighed, running a hand through his disheveled hair. “Thank you for the vote of confidence, dear.”

“I’m not joking around. I’m worried about you!”

Well, there went his efforts to not make you worry.

"I...I'm just thinking about a case, is all."

"It's the one where you were offered the name of the Lord of Crime, isn't it?"

Somehow you always knew exactly what had been troubling him.

"I just keep thinking about it. Every time I close my eyes, I imagine what it would have been like if I'd pulled the trigger. Would it have been a good thing to put that man out of his misery? Would I have caught the mastermind by now? Would London have been freed from his reign of terror...or am I just a foolish man who's no different than he is?"

Sherlock buried his head in his arms, fighting back the frustration that wanted to burst out of him. What should he do? What was the right thing to do? For once in his career, Sherlock had no evidence, no confidence, and not a clue of what to do next.

But in all this gloom surrounding him, your ray of light encapsulated him, determined to drive out the darkness in his mind.

"Even for a famous detective, it's okay to not know the answer," you said, wrapping your arms around his neck and pulling his head next to your heart, its slow and steady beat a soothing lullaby. "You're human, and no human can be perfect. We're bound to be ignorant, to mess up, to get lost along the way...but that's to be expected. All we can do is rely on our morals and ambitions to keep us going. If we can't do that, what else will we have left?"

"...Do you think ill of me because I questioned if I should have killed that man?"

"No, I don't," you answered without hesitation, "because I know you never would. Truly, Sherlock, if you found yourself pulling the trigger, it wouldn't have been to learn the Lord of Crime's name but to save that man, Jefferson Hope, from the misery that consumed him. Your heart went out to him, didn't it?" Gently, you stroked Sherlock's hair, watching as the stress from the past few days slowly began to leave his face. "He killed the monster who had kidnapped his wife and put her through so much suffering. But even with him dead, Mr. Hope can never forget what was done to his beloved wife. The thought eats him alive day by day, and you understood that. Who wouldn't have compassion on a man that wanted a peaceful life for the woman he loved, only to have it ripped away from her?"

Sherlock clutched the edge of your shirt, and though he made no sound, you knew that he'd begun to cry.

"You're no monster, Sherlock. You're a man that wants to save all of London, but you can't. You can't save everyone. You know that, yet you still try."

"If I don't try...then who will?"

Tears fell down Sherlock's cheeks and onto your shirt like light summer rain, and you held him in the warmth of your arms, intent on sheltering his broken heart until the storm had passed.

"One day, love, you'll find the answers you're looking for. For now, take a deep breath, and you can think through all of this when your mind has cleared."

Sherlock cried for a long time, and your hold on him never once faltered. There, in your embrace, you knew he felt safe, and though no words were spoken, being in your presence was all he needed. Eventually your sunshine chased away the clouds, and Sherlock found himself ready to go searching for answers once more.

London needed him. He would not fail.