#i don’t want to be here !!!! there is nowhere else !!!!!!!

[dduane]

I just read the part where Kirk experiences the Enterprise's point of view in The Wounded Sky to someone else, where she sees the crew as children she is training up to the Great Desire of exploration for exploration's sake, especially Jim. His reaction, essentially: "That was really pretty. ....And then he blows her up."

I hadn't thought about that before! I checked the copyright date, and it looks like The Wounded Sky came out a year before The Search for Spock, so you were writing without knowing that sacrifice would eventually happen.

How did you feel about that? Do you wish that writing decision had been made differently? (If, as a Trek writer, you're allowed to comment on other Trek writers' choices!)

You know, I tend not to think a whole lot about such issues. First of all, because (in the long run) it gets you nowhere in particular that's useful. And secondly, because it's not a thing that, as a Trek writer in any medium except film, you have the slightest power to change.

Now, at this end of time I think we can safely say that no one's going to hire me on to write a Trek film. And also that no one at that end of the creative spectrum is going to pay the slightest attention to anything I say, either. Both of those situations are just What's So, and neither of them bothers me. (Since I have universes of my own to manage at the moment, and that's where my attention properly lies.) So as regards my opinions about other writers' work, I'm pretty much off the hook.

If I had been on screenwriting duty for that film, would there be things I'd have wanted to do differently? Hell yeah. From the premise up. But the important thing here is: would those things necessarily have worked better on the screen / with the audience? Impossible to tell. And speaking as someone repeatedly given permission to work in someone's universe, the main thing to be aware of is the expectation that your chief responsibility is to do what best serves the characters and the IP of which they're part. (There's a post over at Out of Ambit with a lot more of my thoughts on the subject:)

The other thing to remember is that, though I've worn the Canonical Hat in my time, novel work is by definition non-canonical. Doing it, you are at all times working with the understanding that the licensor rarely views your work as anything better than a corporate side hustle—a way for the IP to make some cash on the side—and will ignore you and the stuff you've created unless given pressing reasons to do otherwise. (Such as when they might make some unexpected money off it... at which point you remind yourself as forcibly as necessary that what you did is Work For Hire; they own it, lock, stock and barrel, and you should not realistically expect to be given any credit.)

And, if you understand the rules and enjoy the work enough, all of this is okay. The reward is not in making a lot of money doing it, or even in having aspects of your work openly assumed into canon. The reward lies in being allowed to contribute to a given universe in public (and, yeah, getting paid for it by the licensor). It's not payback: it's payforward. And you're left an astonishing amount of freedom to bring your vision to that universe. (Sometimes... as one colleague has McCoy say... you have to be "very, very careful" to get away with it. But it can be done.)

The truth is that even in the 1980s, I was sharing this level of playing-in-a-universe with a goodish cohort of editors and writers: a big roomful at least. Now I'm sharing it (retroactively speaking) with hundreds of them. With the best will in the world, even in the 80's the licensors (as regarded film) couldn't have realistically polled/listened to all of us regarding our creative opinions about the screenplay end of things. As for what that'd look like nowadays... I'll leave you to your own deductions. 😏

Anyway, thanks for the question. It's always nice to know that there are people who want to know what you think. 😊

[tanjamikaelson]

BEST FRIEND'S BROTHER - CHAPTER 2

MASTERLIST

CHAPTER 2: | HE'S AN IDIOT |

The following morning was filled with the sound of waves and the soft hum of voices as you and Sarah joined a beach cleanup, mingling with the community, hands busy gathering discarded cans and stray wrappers tangled in the sand.

After a couple of hours in the sun, the cleanup wrapped up, and you and Sarah made your way back to her house. She was off with Topper, laughing and relaxed on her boat, while you headed into the kitchen, hoping for something quick to eat since breakfast had been a hurried affair. Just as you grabbed a bag of chips and a drink, you turned and nearly collided with Rafe, who appeared out of nowhere in the foyer.

You both froze for a split second, and the chips slipped from your grasp, tumbling to the floor. Rafe leaned down, mumbling, “Shit, sorry,” as he retrieved the bag. His fingers brushed yours for an instant, sending a spark through you that made your heart race.

“Someone’s in a hurry,” you said, trying to make light of the moment even as your stomach twisted in nerves and curiosity.

Rafe ran a hand through his hair, his expression unreadable, but his usual confidence wavered. “I wasn’t expecting you here,” he said, his voice low, almost distant.

A slight laugh escaped your lips, though it felt too light for the weight between you both. “Like you didn’t expect me in your room the other night…”

Your words seemed to make him tense even more, his gaze darting around the room as though searching for an escape. His eyes looked a little glazed, and you wondered again if it was the lingering effects of that night, or whatever it was that had him on edge lately.

“I’m sorry about that,” you added, the words catching in your throat. “Maybe… maybe I shouldn’t have done it.” Your heart sank a little as you spoke; had you really pushed too far?

Rafe’s eyes softened, just barely, and he shook his head slightly. “You don’t have to be sorry about it,” he said, though his tone carried an unspoken weight. He looked as if he wanted to say more, to reach out to you, but something was holding him back.

You couldn’t help but smile, though it felt bittersweet. “Are you going to Kelce’s party later?” you asked, hoping to bridge the awkwardness lingering between you two.

“Yeah,” he replied, a faint smile playing on his lips as he nodded. “I’ll be there.”

“Okay, see you then.” You glanced at him one last time, wanting so badly to understand what was going on behind those conflicted eyes before you turned and left the room.

As you walked away, you felt his gaze on you, lingering even after you’d turned the corner. Rafe seemed lost, struggling to find his footing, caught between the pull of his own feelings and whatever else haunted him. It was clear he didn’t know how to act around you, as though every word or touch might unravel something inside of him that he was afraid to face.

•°•°•°•°•°•

You arrived at Kelce’s party with Sarah and Topper, the evening air warm against your skin. You were wearing a white swimsuit underneath a nearly sheer black dress, its delicate pattern of pink roses giving it an air of elegance. It clung to your body just right, the subtle transparency leaving just enough to the imagination. You had spent the last half hour watching Sarah and Topper, noticing the way they seemed lost in their own world as they playfully splashed around in the pool. Their laughter echoed through the yard, carefree and full of excitement.

Earlier, while getting ready for the party, Sarah confessed to you that she was ready to take the next step with Topper. Tonight, she said, would be the night. There had been a glimmer of nervous excitement in her eyes, a kind of anticipation that only firsts can bring. Now, as you watched them sneak away together, you knew what was about to happen, and your heart swelled with protectiveness for your best friend.

As the night moved on, you made your way back into the house, hoping to find a place to sit down and relax. That’s when you saw Rafe, sitting on a couch surrounded by people—girls and guys, all vying for his attention as he passed around small bags of coke. You rolled your eyes, the sight of him dealing drugs like it was just another casual social activity filling you with annoyance. You hated that he was caught up in that lifestyle, and even more, you hated that he used them too. It was something that separated you from him, something you wished he would stop.

Despite your frustration, you found yourself drawn to him. He seemed to sense your presence immediately, even as he was in the midst of his drug transactions. You sat down across from him, not close enough to join the chaos surrounding him, but just close enough that your eyes could meet. Rafe’s gaze flickered over to you, his expression softening into a smile that was just for you. He never offered you drugs, never even tempted you with them. He had always kept that world at a distance from you as if he was protecting you from the same things that consumed him.

Minutes passed, and soon Topper appeared, his face dark and clouded with frustration. You noticed immediately that something was wrong. He didn’t look happy, not like he should have after being with Sarah. Worry twisted in your gut, and you didn’t need to ask to know that things hadn’t gone as Sarah had planned.

Without hesitation, you stood and went to find her. When you finally spotted her outside, she was already heading toward the gate, her face streaked with tears.

“Sarah!” you called out, hurrying to catch up with her.

She turned to face you, and the sight of her tear-streaked cheeks broke your heart. "What happened? Did Topper do something?" you asked gently, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Sarah shook her head, trying to wipe away the tears. “No, he didn’t do anything. I just… I thought I was ready, but I wasn’t.”

Her voice trembled, and you could see the weight of her decision hanging over her. “It’s okay,” you whispered softly, your hand brushing her arm in comfort. “It’s okay to wait. You don’t have to rush anything.”

Sarah sniffed, her lips quivering. “He wasn’t happy about it,” she admitted her voice small and filled with doubt.

You rolled your eyes at the thought of Topper being upset over something so personal. “Screw him. Guys like that—they only think about one thing,” you told her, a little fire in your words, hoping to make her feel better.

A small, broken laugh escaped Sarah’s lips, and she smiled through her tears. “You’re right.”

You smiled back, relieved to see her spirits lifting. “Do you want to go back to the party?” you offered.

Sarah shook her head, wiping the last of her tears. “No, I think I’ll just head home. I don’t feel like partying anymore.”

“I can come with you,” you said, ready to leave everything behind to make sure she was okay.

But Sarah smiled weakly and shook her head again. “No, stay. Have fun. I’m just going to sleep.”

You nodded in understanding, watching as she walked away. Once she was out of sight, you made your way back inside, your heart still heavy for her. As soon as you entered, your mood shifted sharply when you saw someone you hadn’t expected—your ex-boyfriend. He was standing across the room, eyes locked on you like a predator sizing up his prey, and you felt a wave of discomfort roll through you. The memory of him stung like an old wound. Six months together, and it all crumbled when he cheated on you while on vacation. The betrayal cut deep, and though you had ended things swiftly, only Sarah knew the real reason. Seeing him now, with that familiar smirk on his face, made your skin crawl.

You quickly moved over to where your friends were gathered around Rafe, hoping to avoid any confrontation.

The moment you settled into the group, one of your friends leaned in, her voice full of curiosity. “Hey, isn’t that your ex?”

You barely spared a glance in his direction, rolling your eyes as you nodded. “Yeah, it is.”

“Why did you two break up anyway?” she asked, her voice light, unaware of the storm those words stirred in you.

Before you could stop yourself, the words slipped from your mouth. “Because he cheated on me.”

The room felt like it froze for a moment. The words hung in the air, and you instantly wished you could take them back. But it was too late.

Rafe, who had been leaning back lazily, suddenly snapped to attention. His eyes shot up from where he sat, his expression darkening as he processed what you’d said. He didn’t like hearing that. The idea of someone hurting you, betraying you like that, made his blood boil. He had sensed something was off when you broke up, and noticed the sadness in your eyes back then, but he never knew it was because your ex had hurt you that badly.

Anger surged through him. How could anyone be so stupid, so careless, to hurt someone like you? Rafe's jaw clenched, the coke in his system amplifying his emotions, making the fury harder to contain.

Before you could even brace yourself, your ex started walking toward you, completely unaware of the conversation he was about to walk into. His casual demeanor made your stomach churn. He had no idea that everyone knew now—everyone knew what he had done to you.

“Can we talk?” His voice was calm, almost pleading, as if nothing had happened between you. As if he hadn’t shattered your trust and left you to pick up the pieces.

Before you could respond, Rafe was already on his feet, moving with a quickness that surprised even you. “She doesn’t wanna talk to you,” he hissed, his voice low and dangerous.

You blinked, stunned by how swiftly Rafe stepped in, the way he positioned himself between you and your ex, like a shield. “Uh, yeah... I don’t,” you stammered, nodding in agreement with Rafe. You couldn’t help but be surprised by his protectiveness, but a part of you felt grateful—like he’d been waiting for this moment, waiting to defend you.

“I just wanted—” your ex began, but Rafe cut him off again, his patience wearing thin.

“Nobody cares what you want,” Rafe snarled, his voice dripping with hostility.

Before you could even process what was happening, Rafe grabbed your hand, his touch firm but careful, and dragged you away from the tension-filled room. Your heart raced, not just from the confrontation but from the way Rafe was holding you—protecting you.

He didn’t stop until he had you pinned gently against the hallway wall, away from the prying eyes of everyone else. His body was close to yours, his blue eyes searching your face with concern. “Are you okay?” he asked softly, his voice a stark contrast to the rage he’d shown moments before.

You nodded, your breath still a little uneven. “I’m fine, Rafe. Thanks for that, you didn’t have to—”

Rafe cut you off, his voice filled with determination. “Of course I did. He’s an idiot.”

You laughed, the tension melting away for just a moment. “Yeah, he is.”

“Biggest one I know, besides myself,” Rafe added, a self-deprecating smirk pulling at his lips.

You shook your head softly. “You’re not an idiot, Rafe,” you said, your voice gentle.

But Rafe’s expression darkened slightly, his eyes flickering with something deeper. “Of course I am,” he corrected you, his voice lowering as he leaned in closer, so close you could feel his breath on your skin. “You wouldn’t even be with him if I tried something with you sooner.”

Your breath hitched in your throat, the weight of his words settling over you like a heavy blanket. Was he saying what you thought he was saying? You weren’t sure how Rafe felt about you before, but now… now you knew. The intensity in his gaze made your heart race, your pulse pounding in your ears.

“Do you want to show him that you don’t belong to him anymore?” Rafe’s voice was rough, but his words sent shivers down your spine. There was a rawness to his tone, a need that mirrored your own.

You swallowed hard, your mouth suddenly dry as you whispered, “How?”

“You don’t have to do anything. Just let me lead the way,” Rafe murmured, his voice almost soothing. He was waiting for your permission, waiting for you to tell him it was okay. “Okay?”

You nodded, unable to form words, your body already reacting to his closeness. Your heart pounded in your chest as you bit your lower lip, feeling the heat of his body radiating against yours. When you felt his fingers brush along your inner thigh, a soft gasp escaped your lips, your knees threatening to buckle beneath you.

“Can I touch you?” Rafe asked, his voice barely more than a whisper, his hand hovering near your covered core.

“Please do,” you whispered, your voice shaky with need.

The moment his fingers made contact with your swimsuit, brushing over the fabric covering your most sensitive spot, you nearly collapsed into him. Rafe’s hand moved slowly, deliberately, teasing you until you were trembling against him.

“Shit… you’re wet already,” Rafe breathed against your ear, his voice filled with lust. His touch was confident, fueled by the coke and years of pent-up desire. Your body reacted on instinct, the alcohol making your inhibitions fade, allowing you to give in to the moment fully.

“I bet you were like this that morning when you were grinding against me,” Rafe’s voice was husky, each word sending goosebumps down your skin.

You couldn’t answer at first, your breath coming out in short gasps as his fingers continued to tease you through your swimsuit. But when you finally found your voice, it was barely a whisper. “I was,” you moaned, the confession slipping out between breaths.

Rafe groaned, the sound deep and primal. His fingers began to rub your clit through the fabric, slow at first, then faster, and it sent your senses spiraling. You clung to him, your arms wrapping around his neck as waves of pleasure coursed through you. You moaned his name softly, the sound of it making him grow even more eager. He was skilled, knowing exactly how to work your body, pushing all the right buttons to bring you closer and closer to the edge.

“Is your ex watching?” Rafe asked, his voice thick with satisfaction.

You managed to rise up on your tiptoes, glancing over his shoulder. There he was—your ex, watching with eyes full of jealousy and frustration. He had never been able to get this close to you, never touched you the way Rafe was touching you now. He had cheated because he couldn’t wait because he thought he could manipulate you into sleeping with him. But now, seeing you with Rafe, he realized just how wrong he had been.

“Yeah, he’s watching,” you whispered, your voice trembling.

“Good,” Rafe smirked, and in one fluid motion, he moved your bottoms aside, his fingers brushing over your bare clit.

The shock of his touch made you moan louder, your body pressing into his as your legs began to tremble. Rafe’s fingers worked faster, rubbing your clit with expert precision. You clung to his shoulders, unable to hold yourself up as your body buckled under the pleasure.

Once again you stole a glance over Rafe’s shoulder, searching for your ex, wondering if he was still watching. The sight of him seeing you with Rafe had fueled you earlier, a sense of satisfaction curling in your chest. But when you looked now, he was nowhere to be seen. Maybe he had left, unable to stand the jealousy burning through him, knowing that you had moved on in ways he hadn’t expected.

But you didn’t tell Rafe. You didn’t want him to stop. Not now, when you were so close, your body trembling as you felt the knot in your stomach tighten with each passing second.

Rafe’s breath was hot against your ear as he spoke, his voice dripping with desire. “I knew it,” he whispered, his words making goosebumps rise on your skin. “I knew you wanted this as much as I did.”

You could only moan in response, your legs starting to shake as he increased the pressure, his fingers circling your clit faster.

Your grip on his shoulders tightened, needing something to hold onto as pleasure washed over you, wave after wave. Your breath came in ragged gasps, your body trembling as the orgasm crashed over you, more intense than anything you had ever felt before. You moaned Rafe’s name over and over, the sound of it sending waves of satisfaction through him.

Rafe’s arm was quick to wrap around your waist, holding you up as your body shook with the intensity of it all. You buried your face in his chest, your breath coming in short, ragged gasps as you tried to steady yourself, the overwhelming sensation still coursing through your veins.

Rafe chuckled softly, his lips brushing against your ear as he whispered, “You okay?”

You looked up at him, still a little dazed, but a slow smile spread across your lips. “Perfect,” you breathed out, your body still buzzing from the aftermath. The intensity of it all had left you feeling lighter like something had shifted between the two of you, something you could never take back.

Rafe grinned down at you, his eyes filled with a mix of pride and hunger. He had imagined this moment so many times, but having you here in his arms, breathless and flushed because of him, felt better than he ever thought it could.

After a few minutes, the two of you returned to the main room where the party was still in full swing. Your heart pounded in your chest as you scanned the room, hoping your ex wouldn’t try anything else. But there he was, standing near the table, hunched over doing lines of coke with a couple of other guys. The sight of him filled you with satisfaction—he had lost, and he knew it. You clung to Rafe’s arm, feeling his warmth, his presence grounding you.

Your ex looked up, the fury in his eyes was unmistakable, and the look on his face sent a chill down your spine. The rage was clear in his eyes, his nostrils flaring as he saw you cling to Rafe’s arm. He had never been able to handle his jealousy well, and now it was eating him alive. He thought he could guilt-trip you back into being with him, make you think you were naive and innocent, but you weren’t playing into his games anymore.

Your ex sneered, his voice low and venomous as he hissed, “What would Sarah say if she knew her brother fucked you?”

The room seemed to be still at his words. The air grew thick with whispers, people turning to glance at you and Rafe, eyes wide with curiosity and judgment. The accusation lingered in the air, heavy and dangerous, and your stomach twisted at the thought of Sarah finding out. Your best friend—what would she think? How would she react?

You felt the heat rise in your face, panic creeping up your throat. Your wide eyes met Rafe’s, silently pleading for him to do something, anything, to make this go away. But you knew Rafe didn’t care about what his sister thought the way you did. He didn’t care about their whispers or the gossip that was sure to spread like poison through your social circles. But the only thing that seemed to matter to him right now was you.

Rafe’s jaw clenched, the sharpness of his fury clear in his eyes. He didn’t need words to convey the rage simmering inside him. The moment he saw the tears welling in your eyes, something snapped. Without hesitation, he stepped forward, his voice low and dangerous, each word filled with venom.

“Shut the fuck up!” Rafe growled, and before anyone had time to react, his fist flew through the air, connecting squarely with your ex’s face.

The sound of the punch echoed through the room, a brutal, sickening crack that silenced the crowd. Your ex staggered backward, his hand instinctively going to his face as blood gushed from his nose and mouth. He collapsed to the floor, groaning in pain, his hands now stained with red. Rafe stood over him, chest heaving, his expression hard and unforgiving.

Everyone around you stared in shock, too stunned to say anything. It was clear Rafe had broken his nose—the way your ex was gasping for breath, clutching his face in agony, only made it more obvious. And Rafe? He didn’t care. You could see it in the satisfied glint in his eyes, the way his chest rose and fell with the adrenaline of the moment. He had been waiting for this, waiting to finally put your ex in his place, to make him pay for what he had done to you.

You couldn’t help but feel a small, wicked smile pull at your lips as you watched your ex whine, blood dripping from his nose and down his chin. He deserved this. He deserved all of it, after everything he had put you through, after trying to come back into your life like he hadn’t betrayed you.

Rafe didn’t give him a second glance. He grabbed your arm with a firm but protective grip, pulling you out of the house and away from the whispers that had started to stir behind you. You barely had time to catch your breath before you were outside, the cool night air washing over your heated skin.

Without saying a word, Rafe grabbed his helmet and placed it over your head, the action so gentle and caring that it sent warmth through your chest. He secured it carefully before helping you onto his bike. Your legs felt shaky, your body still buzzing with adrenaline, but the moment you settled behind Rafe, wrapping your arms around his waist, you felt safe. You felt protected.

He revved the engine, and the roar of the bike drowned out everything else—the noise of the party, the whispers, your ex’s pitiful groaning from inside. As Rafe sped off into the night, the wind whipped past you, carrying with it the weight of everything that had just happened. You held onto him tightly, your face pressed against his back, your heart still pounding.

The ride to your house wasn’t long, but it felt different like time had slowed down. The tension in the air between you both was still palpable, a mixture of emotions swirling in the silence. When the bike finally came to a stop in front of your house, you hesitated, your arms lingering around Rafe for just a moment longer, not ready to let go.

Rafe turned slightly, his eyes searching yours with a softness that wasn’t there before. “If he tries anything else with you, just let me know, okay?” His voice was low, but there was an edge of protectiveness to it, a promise in his words. He was serious—he would handle your ex, no matter what it took.

You nodded, your lips curving into a small, grateful smile. “I will. Thank you, Rafe.”

He returned the smile, but there was something more in his gaze, something that lingered in the space between you. Just as you handed him his helmet, the front door to your house swung open, and your mother stepped outside, her expression surprised to see you.

“I thought you were going to stay at Sarah’s again tonight,” your mother said, her eyes flickering between you and Rafe, taking in the unexpected scene.

You cleared your throat, trying to sound as casual as possible. “She wasn’t feeling good,” you explained quickly. “So Rafe drove me back.”

Your mother smiled warmly at him. “Thank you for driving her back, Rafe,” she said, her voice kind and appreciative.

“Yeah, no problem,” Rafe replied, his voice steady as he gave her a nod.

With that, he revved the engine once more, the sound filling the quiet street as he turned and sped off into the night. You stood there, watching him disappear down the road, the cool night air brushing against your skin. Something had shifted between you two tonight, something undeniable.

As you finally stepped inside your house, closing the door behind you, you couldn’t help but feel the weight of everything that had happened. The confrontation with your ex, the way Rafe had stepped in, protected you and made you feel seen in a way you hadn’t felt in a long time. It left a mark, something that would linger long after the night was over.

And as you lay in bed that night, you couldn’t help but wonder what tomorrow would bring, and where things with Rafe would go from here.

[vrystalius]

The demon that stole my heart

Ever since you finally met the demon that places a stolen gift on your nightstand, you began to build a relationship with the demon you found out was named Gyutaro.

Pairing: stalker!Gyutaro x oiran!fem!reader

Here’s part 1, The demon that steals jewerly for me.

(Implied sexual assault from clients)

The demon kept visiting you every night, despite being discovered by you, and you are glad, incredibly so. Although he may look sick, starved, disgusting even, the demon, whose name you found out to be Gyutaro, made you feel safe. You heard tales from your Lady and the other oirans of your establishments about how more and more beautiful women suddenly either disappear or end their lives seemingly out of nowhere.

You listened the rumours about these creatures, how they seemingly only pick the most beautiful, how they stalk them before breaking into their bedroom while they’re asleep to devour them, how they walk on the rooftops to find their next victim… You never believed those things. Besides, you had real threats to worry about; not getting paid enough, being pretty enough to keep your job and drunken men to fend off that try to take advantage of you.

The demon you met was nothing like the descriptions you heard. Gyutaro is shy, kind, soft. He is incredibly insecure about himself, about how he acts around you and how he looks. Your visitor knows that he is beautiful, quite the opposite, but in your eyes you strongly believe that he is beautiful. Not only visually, but also the way he acts. You can’t help but smile everytime he hesitantly hands you over a small pouch filled another treasure he had prepared for you, his fingers trembling and eyes nervously watching for your reaction. Seeing a smile spread on your face makes him feel so incredibly happy and grateful being able to even exist within your vicinity.

In Gyutaro’s eyes, you are a goddess. A blessing from the heavens, something he desperately needs to hide from his sister, or else she might get the idea of devouring you. He could not let that happen, ever. You are too pure for this like of work and it infuriates him everytime when he watches another costumer enter your bedroom, while he is forced to sit on top of a roof, silently listening and making sure that you are safe and not attacked in any way. Gyutaro scratches, rips and tears his skin apart in jealousy the whole time. You should not be defiled like this, you’re pure, ethereal and the embodiment of beauty. You don’t deserve to be with a demon like him, but even less to be used by these men.

Gyutaro was curled up into a ball, nuzzling his head against your thigh while you held him. Your hand was slowly brushing through his way, separating matted strands while he was relaxing under your touch, melting by your affection. You were still in your “work clothes”, a kimono in a soft colour with golden accents and seams. He felt how expensive it must’ve been by the feeling against his cheeks alone. He never wanted to approach or touch you in fear of staining you in some way with his aura alone, but after touching your palm for the first time, Gyutaro instantly got addicted to the forbidden fruit.

“Gyu, the sun will be up soon.”

The demon cuddling onto you groaned in annoyance, opening his eyes slowly to glance up at you. His lips were formed into a large pout.

“C-Can I stay? In yo-your closet?”

You were slightly taken back by his request and gave him a small smile. You placed a gentle kiss on his nose, right onto his black marks. You know that your demon is protective of you, perhaps a little too much, but hiding in your closet while you serve clients might be a little too much. Besides, he’ll probably wont be able to bear listening to you and either scratch all his skin open, nearly skinning himself alive, or murder your client on the spot. You can’t let that happen, despite how much you hate being in the line of your work.

“No, people will notice. Besides, you won’t fit in it… you’re too large.”

Gyutaro’s pout grew, almost looking like an upset child. His eyes avoided yours while your hand brushed against his cheek, nuzzling against your warm skin, his lips placing light kisses all over before savouring everything about you for one last time. His eyes glossed over your figure, from your legs to your warmth thighs, perfect stomach, soft chest and the most beautiful face. Suddenly, Gyutaro gently bit down onto your finger, nibbling a little.

“C-Can I come by tonight a-again, pretty?”

His mouth was muffled by his teeth nibbling around your delicate fingers, placing sloppy kisses all over your hand.

“Yes, please. I’d love to.”

Gyutaro nervously smiled softly, finally letting go of you to move towards your window, his usual route of escape.

“I-I love you.”

You could barely hear him say those words, but they were there. Your whole face brightened up and a blush tainted your cheeks while watching him slowly open your window, avoiding looking at you.

“I love you too, Gyu.”

“M-Mhh.”

He whimpered quietly, hurriedly jumping away quickly to both escape the rising sun and to not allow you to see his blushing face.

💠

@starvedluci , I saw you getting excited about Gyutaro XD I hope it’s okay I’m tagging you like this, it just made me laugh out loud during lunch 😅

I need some kind of merch from him. I’m not sure if there are any plushies but I have seen some figures. I was at a convention this august where I saw a decently priced figure of him and one of Gyutaro + Daki in the hay thingie together (I hope you know what I mean) but I decided to get an Akaza one instead :,)

Anways, make sure to EAT, SLEEP and DRINK enough!!

Take care of yourselves <3 I am forever grateful for all your comments, reblogs and support. Thank you!

Here’s the The demon that.. Masterlist.

[lirational]

Xeno Witch

Fantasy AU Path to Nowhere

Witch!000 x Reader

A/N: Zero, Zero, you can call her Zero, white hair, cat ears, hiding in your wifi~ :D no beta we die like my soul

Warnings: Porn with a fumbled plot, dubious consent, general yandere shenanigans.

—

The orbs spun around the three-layered ring in mesmerizing, unchanging patterns, the small object heavy in your palm. Its pink glow gave a speck of light in this dark tower, where not even the light followed the rules of physics. Instead, it comverged around one figure, the lights itself moving like it was trying to dispel the darkness her presence provides.

No, it would be more accurate to say that the lights looked like as if they were commanded to highlight her presence instead of this tower’s structure.

“Well?” The witch asked, her tone playful. “All you need to do is swallow. Just a little ‘gulp!’, and you get what you want. Easy, right?”

Flagrant anticipation and mischief twinkle in her mismatched eyes, the tiny, almost weightless rings representing a contract. You were always told to be a good person, to live a good life and stay away from the darkness of the world, yet here you are now, facing one of the very things the world has told you to stay away from.

But, the light has rejected you, and now, you were desperate, angry, vengeful. Your heart a maelstorm that threatens to consume any sense of self-preservation.

Though hesitation colored some of your senses in a foreboding red tint, what you could feel coursing through your body was anticipation.

It was a chance, after all, to get what you want.

“What is your price, witch? What do you demand of me in return?”

You tried to load your voice with conviction. After all, such was expected in the bizarre book you had consulted for the ritual to call her, yet, your voice shook, the feeling of sheer power infused in the very air itself serving as a warning that made you falter.

“Insolent voyager! Are thee making light of the everlasting covenant?”

Seeing you flinch, the witch’s tone softened, glee replacing her pretend anger.

“Come on now, I was just teasing you, are you always this easy to tease? You’re just like a little fawn!” She whistled. “Witch is a little distant, how about you call me Zero? Come on, say it, ze~ ro!”

“O-okay, Zero.”

Well, any attempt to load your voice with authority as the book said has completely failed now.

“What are you waiting for? Come on, swallow it!” Zero floated around you, moving fast enough to breath warm air onto your ears, causing them to heat up. “Do you prefer something more verbose? Ah, ahem, don’t you loath the fate you were forced to tread and feel vengeful to upend the world?”

Her arms snaked on your chest and stomach.

“Then make an everlasting covenant with me...”

With the promise of change, you brought the rings past your lips, her whispers a temptation full of sin.

“… and alter your own fate.”

Power, along with something else, foreign and invasive, spread and took root in the essence of your very being, a breaching presence that could be felt down from the tips of your fingers to the tips of your toes. You couldn’t help but squirm, the oddity of it all too overwhelming to truly comprehend—

Then it stopped, leaving you feeling bereft and cheated.

The nagging sense of missing something important, missing a comprehension that lies beyond a thick veil, remained for quite a while.

“Our covenant has been sealed! With that, let’s return back to your world~“

Only upon looking back did you realize that Zero did not answer the most important question.

—

The incessant beep of an alarm clock spurred you back to the waking world.

Sunlight had started to slip through the blinds, a silent confirmation that, indeed, night has given way to another day. Even though your body felt leaden, frozen in time, cursed to not feel anything resembling restfulness, you shook the fatigue the best you could and forced yourself to roll to the side, then, as your vision started to focus—

“Hey!”

The all-too familiar voice that plagued your dreams greeted you. As your vision snapped into focus, your eyes met the red-yellow ones of the witch who haunted your sleeping hours.

“Zero?!”

“Aw, don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten,” she pouted. “Now that you accepted the contract, I’ll be sticking with you until I get your wishes!”

“Please don’t, I can’t afford to lose this job!” You reply, almost automatically, too panicked for your liking.

Zero didn’t seem to register your refusal. Rather, she seemed even more amused, her lips curling into a smile. “Oh come on, I want to see things! I want to eat snacks, watch the stars, read the new comic books. I won’t drag you down, I promise!”

She took your hand, pale fingers interlocking with yours in such a slow, tender gesture. Her thumb found your ring finger and brushed the base, coaxing a small ring with one loop to appear. The ring glowed in the same pink as the one you saw in your dreams, light particles revolving around it in a slow dance, merging and shifting and chasing each other. If there were any doubts of the encounter being nothing but a dream, the tender gesture would have dispelled it completely.

“After all, you, the one bound by our everlasting covenant, are the only one who can see me.”

Zero released your hand in a slow motion, fingers brushing onto yours for a few seconds too long, before her attention went to something else.

Oh, right, you have work to do.

Ignoring the ever-curious Zero, you bolted away to make yourself presentable, while the witch eyed your things with interest. She was especially interested at your snack stash, something about the sight of a powerful, wish-granting being from another world being so enamoured about something so ordinary bringing a chuckle to you.

Such was the start of your life with the witch from another dimension, yet, the mundanity only made the dark of your life all that much more stark.

For, as even the fools would have guessed. the first wish Zero granted you was one of revenge.

It was something you had long tucked back in your mind, placed inside a box labelled ‘repression’, taped up, and stored deep where no one should be able to reach, placed under myriad layers of irrelevant memories and kept out of reach from the light of your conscious thoughts. At least until the dam burst as you were forced to face the memory again. Looking back, it was almost childish, something about how a minor feud between competing businesses that spiralled into insanity that claimed the lives of people you knew, until you were forced to grovel as those you formerly considered friendly rivals showed their true colors.

For all these years, you endured the harsh, unfair treatment from them, forced to endure endless additional work until you snapped under the weight of unresolved anger and spite.

More than everything else, though, it was a careless wish, made as one of those former friends attempted to drag you away to parts unknown against your will.

“I wish all of you were fucking dead.”

At that moment, you spotted her black dress at the periphery of your sight, and then, she was in front of you. Even the world had stopped moving, bathed in a blue, criss-crossing grid lines except for the two of you. Depsite the outrageous nature of the request, Zero seemed unperturbed. Rather, she regarded you with a curious look.

“So, these were the ones who made you call for me. Boring people, if you ask me.”

You raise your eyebrow, prompting her to continue.

“Let’s see… these people were going to live unremarkable, mundane lives, and that shouldn’t be too hard…”

Realization hit you then, the fog of anger parting to give way for you to remember the witch’s sheer power.

“Zero, wait, this isn’t a good—“

She seemed to not perceive your presence, rather, she was focused on tinkering with something in front of her. Panels full of thousands of ever-scrolling lines, each with symbols more complicated than the last, enough to make your head pound from within when you stare for too long. Around her, cards wrapped in light of multiple colors rotate and wrap around each other in a mesmerizing display, a sight that Zero seemed to be unaware of - or perhaps, she did not deem it worth paying any mind.

“Done!”

With a flourish, she turned around to look at you, the panels disappearing as the lights shot away in multiple directions before dispersing. As time started to march once again, the person that was harassing you were contorted into painful, impossible shapes, expression frozen in horror without being able to speak as his own body started to break down, turning into—

You didn’t want to look, but out of the corner of your eyes, you saw a dark, yawning void where he was standing not even moments ago, swallowing every trace of him.

“Finished! They’re dead, well, it’s more like they don’t exist,” Zero winked at you. However, it registered as terrifying more than anything else. “Can we get something? I saw that shop selling ice cream so thick that don’t don’t melt even under the sun! Can we try?”

“But—“

“Come on, don’t focus on such boring things! I granted your wish,” she pouted. “This really reminds me of that comic I’ve seen once… Someone made a contract with an evil demon, and in the last part I saw, the villain actually made a cult…”

In contrast to your horrified expression, Zero didn’t seem to mind what she just did, and just rambled on. Just like a cat, Zero marches on her own beat, and your last attempt of protesting were shushed with a pale, slender finger on your lips. Her finger were cold, freezing your lips into silence and compliance, and there, the realization truly slammed itself onto your psyche.

This was a contract where you left the cost section blank, free for the witch to fill as she pleases.

From her smile as she took your hand and walked out of your workplace, it was easy to assume that she, indeed, were aware since the beginning.

That day, the ice cream Zero made you buy alongside her tasted overly sweet.

Perhaps a reminder of the impossible, costly saccharine deal you were sucked into, or proof that Zero was trying to anchor her presence even on one of your most basic senses.

—

The second wish Zero granted you were one without forethought.

With you, she has learned a lot, from simple pop-culture, to the minutiae of life, at least something that cannot be gleaned from being an observer. Though she seemed to like the sound of her own voice, she seemed to adore yours more, at least equal to her obsession with trying new foods if her demands after assisting you were anything to go by. When she asked you for something spicy for a challenge she saw on the internet, her expression twisted into something that must be seen to be believed.

In that moment, you forgot that you were dealing with a powerful witch from another dimension, and not a clueless friend whom you were stuck with.

Your conscious mind, your logical thoughts, all realized that letting your guard down near her would be a mistake, one that you may have to pay dearly for, yet even with constant reminders, it was difficult to stand guarded against her. She was eccentric, even the small kindnesses she did for your sake, such as preparing some food in the morning before you wake and in the evening, or even cleaning up the house with a thought, it was all colored in her character.

From how she made a pancake that started out completely sweet and end up savory with a swallow, to how she turned the apartment walls into edible candy for two days.

(You try not to think of the price you will have to pay when it is time to tally the costs.)

She became a constant presence, and sometimes, when she was away to do her own thing, a sentimental part of you missed her. She was fond of touching you, her cold digits lingering a few seconds too long, the sensation of her touches remaining fresh in your memory for a few hours even after she left.

No one remembered the family you killed. In this altered, unnatural reality, there was no feud that turned deadly, all traces of the ones you bore hatred and swore vengeance to falling into the void and replaced with you. Their wealth, their position, it all fell into the palm of your hand with such a simple command.

Though the question remained. What is the cost of having such a powerful being at your disposal?

A question that were always deflected by a smile and a freezing finger on your lips, scattering your thoughts away until she has long left into another tangent you could not hope to interrupt.

Your reminiscing were interrupted with a familiar rhythmic knocks on your door, proven to be nothing more than a formality not a few moments later, as Zero— the witch walked in from a torn void in reality, one that was definitely not there a few seconds ago.

“(Name)~” Zero called out, her voice sing-song and relaxed. “Heey~ Voyager~ Darling~ the audience is getting bored of you spacing out!”

As panic spurred you to stand up, Zero still looked relaxed, mismatched eyes staring upwards, her gaze directed to a distance so far, far away you could not fathom what she was getting at.

Wait, that wasn’t important. Was there someone here?

“Relax, the gods can’t hurt you! Well, they don’t get to do that as long as I’m here,” Zero flicked your forehead, your expression changing from panic to bewilderment. “C’mon, I heard someone is selling limited version ice cream made from black licorice! I want some!”

“Later, Zero, I’m not really feeling it,” you closed your eyes, your tone conveying exhaustion. “How about you go by yourself?”

“Nope! Come on, don’t be such a stick in the mud,” Zero remained unperturbed, taking your hand and pulling your arm. The sight would have been rather adorable, were your relationship were anything but based off a transaction with an unknown price.

“You already know everything there is to see around here, Zero. You can go by yourself. Sometimes, I wish you know how much you can be a pain—“

You clamped your mouth. Shit. Though you attempted to backtrack, you saw the witch’s expression has already soured, an uncharacteristic scowl highlighting her darkened gaze shadowed by her hair. In that moment, the room seemed to chill into a freezing stillness, even the lights around starting to fade until there was only you and her in the room.

“Zero, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—“

“I see,” Zero only responded, her tone stabbing and cold. “If that is what you desire, my voyager, there is nothing I could do.”

Your tongue felt ice-cold, lips frozen into a frown, unable to make a single sound. Meanwhile, your body refused to obey your commands, and you could only watch as Zero took her hand on yours, fingers hovering on the ring finger where the mark of the contract was, brushing the base of the finger with a movement so tender that still managed to chill you down to the farthest nerves. She lifted your hand and made you watch, watch as another loop started to appear above the first one, each passing moment of the new loop growing brighter feeding the pit of dread that has long formed within your stomach.

“Though, you might want to remember that I will collect what I’m owed, and you should watch your tongue from here on out.”

She placed down the hand bearing the mark of your contract and lifted her other hand, brushing her thumb past your lips, and then, the freezing cold of your tongue was replaced with a searing heat, drowning, breaking, overwriting every other sensation with an unrelenting sensation akin to thousands of heated needles piercing all conceivable surface. It hurts, it hurts, and you swore you tasted iron, without the warm feeling of blood that would accompany it—

Then, it stopped. Zero was no longer there, and everything was fine. You ran to the closest mirror, and a quick check revealed that everything was fine. It was such a tempting lure to think that everything was fine.

Only for the illusion to shatter as the image of a stylized clock face branded your tongue, bearing the myriad colors you’ve come to associate with Zero’s presence.

However, no matter how much you called for her, there was no answer.

—

It was on the cusp of true relief, just when you let yourself truly return to normalcy, that Zero granted your third wish.

You cannot miss what you never had, at least this way, there was no deluding yourself that there was something more behind the transactional nature of your connection. With time, with space, and without Zero shadowing you with her constant presence, it was easier to look at everything with a more objective angle. For the first few days, weeks, you watched your back and surroundings with the paranoia of a fugitive, even tried to make a wish, all without any effects, without her answering your call.

The human mind was not made to handle a nigh constant sense of danger, and with time, you allowed yourself to truly relax. The ring was still there whenever you focused on your ring finger, while the clock that branded your tongue has faded without leaving any traces.

Though you knew what she was capable of, a part of you longed to dismiss the sight that day as nothing but a mere figment of your imagination, an eerily vivid hallucination that had you hearing the sound of ticking for the first few days whenever you so much as closed your eyes.

Even that has disappeared with time, leaving only your not-so infaillible memory of the event.

With what you got from the contract, you have moved far away to restart your life, to a place less crowded, with less modern facilities, just enough to live without too much discomfort. With time, you allowed yourself to feel again, to heal, to dismiss everything from the fateful day piece by piece.

Maybe, the rings would drag you down to be tortured by her for all eternity, just like in one of those stories written by the superstitious.

Months would pass by, before you allowed yourself to be vulnerable around someone. There was someone who offered you help when you were finding your footing here, and they had remained a constant presence, owing to the close distance of your living places and the ease they talk to you with. A wonderful friend that you fantasized, no, hoped one day would become something more.

It was juvenile, a crush on the level of a child who had just learned what romantic love was, but there should be no harm to entertain such a little fantasy in the comfort and privacy of your thoughts.

“I wish they would give their heart to me.”

When the air started to hang heavy with thick, inky darkness, panic gripped your lungs.

Too late. Right when you felt her presence, your body had escaped your control, a doll with enough strength to stand, yet helpless to resist while Zero held your hand. Her pale hand took the hand bearing your contract mark, the other resting on your shoulder, putting you into a kneeling position with a firm yet gentle touch. Her eyes twinkle with amusement and glee, and the undercurrent of something more, something sickeningly sweet and sinister.

“Finally, I almost tried to make bets with the gods on how long until you end up with me again.”

The hand on your shoulder moved to your face, cupping your cheek while her thumb grazed your lips. With her command, you opened your mouth, revealing that the dreadful seal placed upon it has changed, the clock hands had moved ever closer to the middle of the day - or perhaps night, if the dark all around the owner of the mark could be taken as a hint.

“They were waiting for this moment, after all.”

Zero didn’t seem angry - rather, her voice was gentle and soothing. Perhaps it was your eyes, your pleading gaze, your struggle to move, but she seemed to read your intentions.

“Of course, there is no need for regrets, my voyager. After all, this ending has been written ever since we made the contract, even if there are some snags around the way~“

You try to plead, to reason, but what was there to say? It was pointless, she would grant the wish you so thoughtlessly spoke of, and from the looks of her expression, you would come to regret every second of what you were given. It only took a second for her to stop tinkering with whatever it was she altered to grant what you desired, yet to you, it took an eternity, locked to watch as she nudged the first domino that would seal your fate.

“Enjoy your wish, dear voyager~”

Just like before, she disappeared right after. Leaving no chances to ask questions, no chances to plead and regret.

You look at your reflection in the mirror.

The hour hand of the clock branded to your tongue was one hour away from midnight.

—

It took the span of a few weeks to discover what she meant.

Since that day, something deep within you were screaming, pleading, even at times forcing you to flee, turning into nightmarish scenarios that haunted your dreams and plagued your waking hours. A primal fear, unknown whether it was from you or from the manipulations of the witch, made you all too aware, of how the smiles from your friend start to veer into a devouring, smothering affection, until this affection you once so treasured and desired turned into a suffocating leash.

Paranoia crept upon your life once more, as you start to lock doors behind you, start to sense what may not be present in moving shadows, start to see and feel and suffocate with each passing moment of this too-long, drawn out punishment. Even in your downtime, nothing went truly right, for you had to keep your guard up.

At least, it was the most apt description, for you were chained in the most nightmarish instant just before the other shoe dropped.

No matter the pleas you shouted to the void, the witch only smiled, as if your suffering was nothing so dangerous. Even as everything started to crumble around you, from odd incidents of things breaking, chunks of buildings almost crushing you into a nasty pile of meat, vehicles veering just a little too close for comfort, reducing you to hope for a mild scare at the comfort of home.

Until the metaphorical shoe finally dropped.

It dropped in such a bitter show of cruelty, too, as it was the first night you could sleep a little better since the wish tumbled from your lips as a herald to the descent of your life into disaster once more.

There was the sound of breaking, and with no fanfare, as you felt the touch of cold metal on your bare skin, everything stilled, colors fading into muted greys all over. From a strange, geometric void, Zero stepped out, the edges of her movements causing chunks of reality itself to crumble into multicolored fragments and disperse away as ashen dust.

“Hello again, voyager,” she smiled, warm and inviting, despite the circumstances. “Have you forgotten? It is time for me to collect.”

You looked around and saw that the cold metal was a knife, belonging to the special friend that was both your savior and your nightmare within a span of time too dizzying, too quick to truly reconcile with yourself. They have been frozen mid-stab, crazed smile locked on their visage.

“After all, don’t you ask for their heart? You are one demanding voyager.”

It would not take a genius to figure out her intention. But you talk back, anyway. Out of futile hope, or out of curiosity that needed confirmation.

“Not like this. You warped their love.”

“Our sacred bond would not allow such a trickery, dear voyager,” Zero answered, voice sing-song as she glances at the person frozen in place just before they struck the killing blow. “As you wished, I gave you their whole heart. Never did I say that I would give them yours.”

Zero grasped your fingers, letting you watch as the third ring appeared above the second, shining with the color you’ve come to associate with the weight of dread pooling deep within. Deep down, you knew, it was the final seal that signified your end. Your limbs felt heavy, but this time, you were not frozen, rather, everything felt heavy beyond compare, as if you were pinned down and prevented to move.

Darkness started to open up beneath you, square by square, reality first crumbling into multicolored cubes before dispersing into ashen dust leading you to your destined abyss.

“Don’t you know that when you alter your fate and others, the world will eventually take notice?”

Zero didn’t seem concerned, rather, she watched as the void beneath you grew larger. “A human who wishes to alter fate will also alter the fate of others, and it’s a matter of time until the world itself—“

She cups your face, her hold tender. In this proximity, there was only you and her, as you drown into her gaze.

“—declares you an error.”

She captured your lips, and together, the two of you fell into the void.

You were drowning, lungs and mind filled with information a human shouldn’t be able to grasp, yet, when you reach out to touch and focus on one, everything eluded your grasp the way floating particles would elude a drop of soap. An eternity, a moment, passing as you attempt to focus and anchor yourself to something, only for everything to slip between your fingers as Zero tightened her hold on you.

“Mine, my voyager, finally mine to cherish,” she stared at you as she guided you to a gentle descent, your peripheral vision registering the familiar walls of the tower you once visited in your dreams. You were only given enough time to take a breath, before her lips took yours again, her tongue tangling upon yours as she tasted you. She tasted of strawberry, of sweet treats and refreshing cold, and she only allowed you release when your breath were truly, completely stolen, a string of saliva connecting the two of you before Zero licked it with a swipe of her tongue. Her manipulations suspended you in the air, your form propped by her powers, soft to your skin yet with the appearance of hardened light.

“Finally mine to take, another error born from fates too far altered. Don’t you know? Many desired your downfall, too, as they took vicarious pleasure from your situation.”

Your clothes disintegrated into nothing, disappearing the same way the gaps in reality did. “Don’t you hear them? They await your arrival here with anticipation. Give yourself to me, give me your heart, for the gods have declared you their favored, and now, you have nothing left.”

Her kisses trail down, bruises marking where her lips touch, her teeth grazing your skin. Though the tower shook, the coldness of the outside void rattling the walls, you felt nothing but rising warmth, radiating from your belly and spreading until it reached the tips of your fingers, your skin responding to Zero’s touches and gentle kisses. Her hold on your waist was possessive, her knee gently pressing between your legs until heat pooled and dripped onto her immaculate dress. She didn’t seem to mind, as her kisses reached your chest, sucking one more mark before her attention went to your lips once more.

Two of her fingers pressed down on your lips, past your teeth, her gaze a silent order.

There was nothing more to lose, nothing more to hold on. Some details of your life has been shrouded in thick smoke, the tightening of your chest a punishment should you try to reach beyond.

With that, you obeyed, wrapping your lips and tongue around her cold fingers.

From the approving quirk of her lips, it was clear that Zero, too, was aware of your predicament.

You sucked, wetting the two fingers, the intensifying, occassional press on her knee to your core becoming your encouragement. It was not enough, never enough, and the fire of desire within your belly only abated for a moment, just enough for you to chase the promise of release, only for you to he left bereft unless you continued. Only when the cold of her fingers were replaced with warmth did she pull her fingers out, one hand keeping your thighs parted despite how the odd, binding lights had already kept you in the best position.

Just when you were starting to think that she would leave you bereft and suspended like this, Zero pushed her fingers in. Even with the slick, you felt full, so full, thighs quivering in an attempt to close itself, to stave a little off the addicting, poisoning pleasure that Zero was feeding deep into the ravenous fire of your thirst. Her movements were experimental, but not inefficient, observing with glee as she found your weak spot and curled her fingers to press on it, drawing a pleased mewl that painted your cheeks in a rosy crimson and burned your ears.

“You can take it, don’t you? They made you strong, they made you able to withstand, for they would, too.” She whispered with a groan, the facade of her dignified witch crumbling long ago. Her hair has curtained your body, not even allowing your peripheral vision to lack her presence, her fingers driving you up to the precipice of release just before she relaxed her movements. “Come on, say my name, I’ll reward you~”

For the second time this day, you obey, and your vision exploded in stars of pleasure as her name fell from your lips in an endless repetition, the witch licking her lips at the sight of you coming undone. She did not release her grip, her gaze shifted somewhere, to something you could not reach, without relenting her hold on you.

“Are you all still not satisfied?”

Her smile turned predatory, a promise of pain and something else.

“Then, follow your desire, call for me, and perhaps, you too, could arrive in this place without the need of a proxy.”

Zero’s attention shifted back to her prey, entangled and basking in each other’s presence and passion.

Until time itself lost all meaning.

[mythica0]

Silly messenger

🎂: Epic: The musical

🧁: Hermes

🍫: Poseidon

Summary: After Hermes decided to play a little trick on Poseidon, the god of the seas decides that instead of kicking his ass, he’ll try something a little different.

A/N: this is a sequel to Special Delivery by @amazingmsme ! Read that(and their other amazing fics) first!! Also, I know I’ve said it many times before but I’m saying it again I LOVE HERMES GRAHH. Also, you’ll know why I’m saying this when you get there, but I HC that Hermes likes being tickled and is very open about that. That man does NOT care. Lastly, the last line feels a little dumb but I didn’t know how else to end it so whatever. That all being said, ENJOOOYYYY!

Cw for swearing and some more intense tickles, but that’s it!

Silly messenger

Oh, Hermes was so screwed. He could tell by the mischievous smirk on his uncles face.

Was it worth it? Abso-fucking-lutely. But that doesn’t change the fact that he was still screwed. Royally screwed, even.

Y’see, Hermes was an opportunist(and a trickster) by nature, so when he found out that his pissy, grumpy-pants uncle was ticklish, he just couldn’t help himself!

And now he was about to face consequences.

Poseidon faced the first challenge of trying to get revenge on Hermes. Catching the fucker. He is the good of speed, and therefore ridiculously fast. The exit was blocked, but within the cave Poseidon still had to find a way to get Hermes out of the air and into his mischievous clutches.

“Grr, get your ass down here, feathers!”

“Hahahahaha! And why should I?” Hermes didn’t actually want to get away all that badly. But he wanted to tease his uncle, so he was putting up a fight anyway.

“Because if you do, maybe I’ll go easy on ya.” Poseidon smirked, picking up his trident.

“Yeah, right! I know mercy isn’t exactly your thing, uncle.”

“Well, if you comply, maybe I’ll be swayed otherwise.”

“Hahahahaha! I have absolutely zero belief in that, Poseidon. If you want to get to me, you’ll have to catch me first!”

Poseidon growled. He was expecting that. Didn’t make it any less annoying. So, the hard way it was then. He didn’t even bother trying to chase Hermes, he would get absolutely nowhere, the feathery fucker was far too fast.

Instead, he used his trident to summon the water around the cave to block Hermes in and hopefully get his wings wet so he couldn’t fly.

“Woah there! Smart move, but you’re gonna need to do a little better than that if you want to catch me!” Hermes ended the taunting remark with his signature, shrill giggle.

“Oh really now?”

Hermes pretended not to notice the small little trail of water that was sneaking up behind him. Again, he didn’t actually want to get away, after all.

The wings on his sandals got wet, making it so he had to fly back down or risk falling, landing right in Poseidon’s grasp.

“Got ya”

Hermes was still smiling, on the verge of giggling because of what he knew was about to happen. Poseidon took mental note of this. For later.

The sea god wrapped his arms around his nephew, and then started to wiggle his claws at his sides and ribs. “Really, you’d think you would’ve seen that coming, you getting sloppy?”

“Nohohoho!” Hermes responded, the protest infested with giggles. His hidden eyes were scrunched up from the wide smile across his face as he giggled.

“Hmm. Then what was that about, huh?”

“Yohou’ll sehee! Hehahahahaha!” Hermes laugh was a little less.. annoying.. when he was being tickled. Poseidon was expecting to sacrifice his eardrums to the loud, glass-shattering, infuriating laugh. But surprisingly, while it still held that infuriating, bird-like tone, it was much less high pitched.

He took his claws and scribbled his way under Hermes arms, causing them to clamp down to the younger’s sides as he laughed louder.

“Hehahahahahaha ohoho nohoho!” He called out, his instincts finding it unbearable no matter how much he liked it.

Poseidon noted many things. One of which being, “y’know, I don’t think you’ve asked me to stop once.”

“Hehahahahaha thahahat’d behehehe cohohorrect!”

Poseidon narrowed his eyes with a teasing smirk “so does that mean you don’t want me to stop?”

“Whahahahat doho yohou thihihink!” Despite the situation Hermes was in, he couldn’t help but tease a bit.

“Ha, that’s what I thought. Of course you would enjoy this, you silly messenger.” You’d think that since it was revenge, Poseidon would stop when he found out the other enjoyed it, but he didn’t. It was still revenge, he knew how unbearable the sensation could be, even for someone who liked it. So, he upped the ante, scratching his claws faster and faster against Hermes’ sides and underarms.

Hermes’ loud giggles echoed around the walls of the cave, kicking his feet lightly as Poseidon tickled him ruthlessly(ha, see what I did there?)

“Hehehehehahahaha! Thahahat reheally tihihickles! Hehahahahahaha!”

“Well, that’s the point. I’m tickling you, dumbass.”

Hermes didn’t try to conceal whatsoever how much fun he was having, smiling widely and never once trying to push at Poseidon’s hands or ask him to stop. What can he say, it was fun! Laughing like this was always a blast, no matter what caused it.

Poseidon decided to be a little mean and without any sort of warning, blew a loud raspberry right in the center of Hermes’ stomach. The messenger squealed and giggled louder, resembling his usual, ear-shattering laugh a little closer.

“EEEE! Ahahahahahahahahaha ohoho nohoho! Eehahahahahaa!”

“What? You don’t like raspberries? They’re a pretty tasty fruit, if I do say so myself.” Poseidon teased before doing the same thing again.

“Eehahahahahaha ihihi dihihidnt sahahay thaHAT! EEE!”

“Heh, you are an absolute dork, you know that?”

“Thahahank yohohou!” Hermes giggled out sassily in reply to the teasing remark.

“It wasn’t a compliment, stupid.”

“Ihihit ihihihis toho mehehe!”

“Ugh, shut up and laugh.” Hermes response was cut off by another squeal as Poseidon blew another raspberry, followed by changing the scratching at his underarms to drilling and digging, making Hermes laughter even louder and more hysterical.

“EHEHEHAHAHA! OHOHOHO GOHOHODS! HHAHAHAHAHA!”

“Heh, that’s more like it.” Poseidon finished the taunt with another raspberry, assaulting Hermes’ torso with lingering waves of tingles that made him feel so giddy.

Hermes wings were flapping and he was kicking a bit, trying to expel some of the energy building up within him from the bubbly feeling. It was a lot of fun and he was not afraid to show it, smile splitting his face in half with small happy tears pricking his eyes. Poseidon continued his relentless digging and raspberries, using his facial hair to make it tickle the younger god even more.

“EHEHAHAHAHA POHOHOSEHEIDON!”

“Whaaaaat? I thought you liked this!”

“IHIHI DOHO- BUHUT- EEEHEHEEEE!” His words were cut off with more squealing laughter. It was so intense and unbearable but also so amazing, sending giddy waves of laughter and tingles through his whole body.

As much fun as this was, Hermes laughter was starting to get shrill and high pitched again, so Poseidon stopped in order to spare his ear drums, letting go of Hermes who then stood on the floor, letting out remaining giggles.

“Gods, you’re loud.”

“Ihihi- hehehe.. I’m sorry, I can’t help it!” The smile in his face made it seem like he wasn’t actually sorry, although the latter part of the statement was true.

“Okay, whatever you say.” Poseidon walked back up to his throne and sat down with a dismissive wave.

“Go on, I’m sure you have more deliveries to take care of.”

“That I do! Ta-ta, uncle~ this has been fun!”

Poseidon rolled his eyes with a huff as Hermes left, hiding a small smile.

Maybe Hermes wasn’t so bad.

———THE END————————————————

[theesteppenwolf]

SPOILERS LUCANIS ROMANCE

Look my disappointment with how his writing was handled aside i still love the bird man. It could’ve been and should’ve been great, i am certain the lay offs and rewrites are big to blame here and Bioware/EA aren’t going to fix it.

He’s still my favorite personality wise, i still love his Tevinter Nights short story and i am not interested in romancing anyone else so i’ll just headcanon and never bring Neve and him together with me lmao.

I still had a lot of fun with the game and i don’t want to ruin it for myself but unless you are super into him as a standalone character like me and are fine with doing massive amounts of headcanons i wouldn’t recommend the romance, sorry peeps it needs a lot of work.

There are still great parts in the beginning, his ending lines are incredibly sweet and romantic but there is absolutely no build up to it and it feels unearned and out of nowhere.

Imma still make my fanart of him and fun little comics and everything, not going to let a video game i like bring me down <3

I’m just going to actually start reading fics to fill in the gaps now so there’s that.

[boydykedevo]

Btw Devo’s name has nothing to do with Devotion that’s a complete coincidence it’s actually short for

Devario

[bigothteddies]

anyways now that 12 hours and passed and I’ve slept, a little bit better of a summary: (also I think I’m gonna start referring to her as Princess when I talk about her on here cause her some of her old url’s have had princess in it and it’s one of the pet names I use most often for her)

I did end up getting to see her !! She drove down like she said she would and met me in a parking lot next to the beach. She drove us out for some food and took my In-N-Out virginity and it was fun! We then went back and ended up hanging out on the beach for the rest of the time until we walked back to her car and delayed saying goodbye until she had to leave 💔. Short and sweet visit! Umm nothing really happened we didn’t get kiss we didn’t go back go back to my hotel room or anything hands never ended up between any legs ! But it was still really fun, she was really adorable IRL and had such a playful personality. We flirted a lot and I definitely teased too much! Ended up with my thumb in her mouth at one point and *might* have gently tugged on her hair at one point when she was bein bratty so there was definitely some fun tension between us 🥰 All in all I’m really happy I saw her ! She says she’d love to see me again so hopefully that’ll happen I just don’t know when

[arolesbianism]

Ok yeah I’m a little obsessed with them

[channelworldbluez]

Attempts to collaborate with Male rapper/producer in my city, gets flirted on 🙄

Him: I wanna take you out..

Me: So I can show you my music and see your set up and beats right?

Him: 😏

Me: ….right? 🙁

I need to find female rappers/producers here dawg I’m done lol.

[seilon]

just wrote like three paragraphs ranting about my living situation and deleted it just know I am going insane and i hate it here and I need to live by my fucking self or I am going to absolutely fucking lose it

[astral-catastrophe]

These walls are so fucking thin. And the floors are weird. I can hear literally everything. I’m so damn restless but I can’t pace around because even though I’m near silent when I walk, these floors are wrong and for some reason, my limp is more pronounced tonight

[gawayne]

ughh SORRY BUT I HAVE TO SAY IT the people you meet in engineering are just by and large so unpleasant I hate it here

[carcasstohounds]

you know what. i’ll post my zines here. for fun. they are about star wars and being native.

[taketheringtolohac]

what if I just screamed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and cried!!!!!!!!

[fruitcusp]

solas. when i get my hands on you solas