#i don't think i can say again i played it i think only once with friend in her home for maybe an hour

[bootsukki]

masterlist

warnings: nothing i think............... (i don't know if i hate this tbh)

tsukishima kei loved his niece, he really did, but, she was getting on his nerves. his brother akiteru and sister-in-law had left earlier that week for a work trip, leaving 24-year-old tsukishima kei in charge of his lovely five-year-old niece, hana.

so far, it had been relatively smooth, he took her to school, went to work, picked her up again and drove her home, where he made food (not as good as mum's, as hana said) and spent the afternoon with her, doing homework and playing.

until wednesday, kei's third day with hana

"uncle kei," hana piped up, taking the hair brush from kei's hands and shaking her head "you don't know how to braid hair"

"no."

"why not? mama knows how to."

kei had been trying his best at braiding her hair for the day. she insisted that, on wednesdays, she always wear braids to school and, after what it seemed like a excruciating amount of tutorials, the girl had given up on getting kei to braid it.

"because i've never had to braid someone's hair, hana"

hana frowned, her expression a mix of disbelief and determination.

"but i want it braided."

"i can't braid it, hana."

"then i'm not going to school."

"what?" kei asked, confused. "you are going to school, miss."

"no!" hana screamed "if i can't wear braids, i'm not going!"

"hana, please." kei leaned down, looking at the little girl desd in the eye. "i have to go to work and you have to go to school."

she squinted at him. "miss (y/n) next door knows how to! she always wears pretty braids and she can teach you."

"miss who?" kei knew almost all of his brother's neighbors, but it was the first time he had ever heard of that name.

"she's our new neighbor." hana jumped, grabbing the sleeve of kei's shirt, her insistence (and his need to go to work), leaving him with no choice but to follow the girl out the door.

when they arrived at the neighbouring house, hana knocked on the door and a young woman opened the door, blinking in surprise at the sight of them.

kei nearly choked at the sight of her. she didn't seem older than he was and her hair was up in a ponytail, a smile making its way towards her face at the sight of hana. she was probably the prettiest woman kei had set his eyes on and the fact that she was smiling at him was not helping the heat that was rising to his cheeks.

god, he felt like a teenager.

"hi there, little tsukishima!" she said, voice friendly. "how can i help you?"

"my uncle kei doesn't know how to braid my hair." hana announced bluntly, giving (y/n) the hair brush she had been holding on. "can you do them for me?"

(y/n)'s lips twitched into a smile, looking up at the tall man in front of her. his tall, broad frame nearly filled the doorway and his midly annoyed expression but rosy cheeks only made the situation more amusing. he was pretty handsome. "it's nice to meet you. i'm kinda new to the neighbourhood, my name's (y/n)."

"i'm akiteru's brother, kei."

they stood for just a few seconds, looking at each other, before (y/n) looked at the little girl who had already made her way inside her house.

"and... of course i can braid your hair, pretty."

kei hesitated before stepping into her house. it was an open space, living room and kitchen connected. what really caught his attention was the setup: a camera perched on a tripod, a bowl of... was that whipped cream on the counter next to a banana? no need to say that his mind went somewhere.... completely innapropiate. why did she had a camera like that? why the whipped cream? why the banana?

(y/n) noticed his gaze lingering and quickly cleared her throat, cheeks reddening but before she could explain herself, hana sat in a chair and urged them to get on with the braids.

(y/n) leaned down, busying herself with hana's braids while kei stood awkwardly near the door and once she finished, hana ran to his arms.

"do i look pretty, uncle kei?"

"the prettiest but you need to say thank you quickly because we are going to be late."

"thank you, miss (y/n)!"

"you're welcome, sweetie," she replied smiling. then, turning to kei, she added. "i... uh..."

"thank you for this but we have to go."

"oh... okay. bye"

"bye, miss (y/n)!"

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

(y/n) stood in front of the tsukishima's household, holding a box full of cookies and took a deep breath, making her way towards the door, ringing the doorbell.

kei was finishing up the dinner he had been preparing and when to the door to open it, finding (y/n) holding a neatly wrapped box.

"here," she said, looking down, trying not to look at him in the eyes, completely embarrased. "i... i'm a baker! a really good one and i have a blog and a youtube channel and i always film at home because.... because i love to and yeah... i've been doing this since i was 14 and now, i'm 24 and i don't film myself doing weird stuff with whipped cream! you weren't probably thinking about that but a girl who lives in a big house, had a camera set up and pointing to whipped cream and a banana? haha, it is weird, right? anyway... "she offered the box to him. "yeah, i'm sorry. i ramble a lot when i'm nervous but i am a pretty good baker so, please, take them. although i don’t know if you are the type of man who likes swe-“

kei laughed, hiding his mouth with his hand, shaking his head and she just stopped talking, hoping the ground would open and eat her.

“you do ramble”

“sorry! i… sorry”

kei smiled, taking the box from her hands, opening it, mouth watering at the sight of the freshly baked cookies, an arrangement of different flavors.

“i’ll be honest. i thought you were doing weird stuff.”

“i know.” she sighed. “it has happened before, that's why i moved here, my landlord actually threw me out of my last apartment because people were complaining and thinking that... well, yeah... sometimes brands ask me to film tutorials and they spend a lot of money on them so there has been a whole set up of cameras at home, which doesn’t look good in my neighbors’ eyes.” she looked up, hiding her hands on the pockets of her coat. "i'm rambling again, sorry."

“no, i'm sorry. i'm sorry that happened to you.”

“don’t be.” she smiled and kei reciprocated her smile and she just waved, turning to go back home. "well, see you around, i guess."

before she could make a quick exit, kei grabbed the sleeve of her coat.

“sorry, i…” kei looked at her. “would you like to stay for dinner? hana would love having you for dinner and i… i would like to know more about your weird filming experiences.”

(y/n) smiled, nodding.

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

kei: hey, why don't you take a few extra days to relax?

akiteru: did something happen? is hana okay?

kei: everything’s fine, trust me.

kei: so?

akiteru: yeah, why not? we trust you.

akiteru: btw say hello to lovely (y/n) from us! if she bakes something, keep it on the fridge.

kei: wtf

*akiteru reacted with haha*

akiteru: remember, hana loves gossip, you’re not safe.

*kei reacted with an angry-faced emoji*

[eu-nicola]

not yours part 3

summary: Rafe Cameron is the perfect boyfriend… but not yours, but Sofia’s. However, fate plays against you when you become the only person capable of understanding him in his darkest moments. What begins as a dangerous friendship soon becomes an attraction impossible to deny.

warnings: cheating maybe (yes)

word counter: 8960

author’s note: english is not my first language, penultimate part

tags: @xcinnamonmalfoyx @immyowndefender @tmlinsito

The days began to change subtly, as if something in the air had become different. Rafe was moving away from Sofia, but not in an obvious way. At first, they were small details that went unnoticed: messages that arrived late, plans that were cancelled with a vague excuse, and an increasingly frequent absent look.

Sofia, always sure of her relationship, tried to justify it. Maybe he was busy, maybe he needed time for himself. But with each passing day, the uneasiness grew in her, until she could no longer ignore it. There was something that didn't fit, a distance that wasn't there before.

One afternoon, while they were at your house, you noticed how his gestures had changed. His eyes no longer shone with the same confidence as before, and his hands nervously played with the cup of coffee. Although she tried to appear calm, the weight of doubt was wearing her down.

In silence, you listened to his words. She told you what had been going on: the distance, the excuses, the feeling that Rafe was somewhere else even when they were together.

Guilt settled in your chest. You knew that you had contributed, however silently, to that gap that now existed between them. Ever since that night when you almost crossed a line with Rafe, everything had changed. You had done everything you could to distance yourself, avoiding encounters, making excuses not to be around them. But the truth kept chasing you, and it seemed to be catching up with Rafe too.

Sofia tried to understand it, justify it, find a reason that would give her peace. But there was none. Rafe was distant because his mind was stuck somewhere else… or someone else.

“He’s always been so attentive to me,” she began, searching your eyes as if she could find an answer in them. “But now… now I barely feel him around.”

He asked you for advice, but you drew a blank. What could you say to him? The words seemed to get stuck in your throat, unable to come out.

You tried to comfort her. You told her that maybe it was a phase, that all couples go through difficult times. You assured her that Rafe loved her, even though your own words sounded hollow to you. Sofia wanted to believe it, and you wanted her to, because facing the truth would be too complicated.

You hugged her, trying to convey a security you didn’t feel. You knew she trusted you, that she always had. But this time, you felt like you were betraying that trust, caught between loyalty to your friend and the emotions that tied you to Rafe.

When Sofia left that afternoon, you were left alone, with too many thoughts running through your mind. Guilt invaded you once again.

Later that same night, your phone vibrated. It was a text from Rafe.

“Can we talk?”

You stared at the screen, hesitating. You knew the right thing to do would be to ignore it, to keep the distance you had tried to establish. But something inside you, that attraction you had been denying, made you hesitate.

"I don't think that's a good idea," you finally wrote, trying to maintain the firmness that was already beginning to fade.

The answer came almost immediately. "Please."

Your phone screen remained lit with Rafe’s last message. “Please,” he had typed. Just two words that echoed in your mind, like an echo that refused to go away. You tried to ignore it, to remember all the reasons why you shouldn’t get involved, but something in you gave in. Something always gave in when it came to him.

Finally, you gave in. You texted him a brief “Okay,” and before you could think twice, he replied with a clear address. “Come to my house. Sofia won’t be in tonight.”

Guilt crawled under your skin as you slipped on your shoes and grabbed your keys. You knew you shouldn’t go, but your feet seemed to have a mind of their own. You walked through the door of your house, knowing that at the end of this night, nothing would get better.

When you arrived at the mansion, the air was thick, heavy with unspoken words and repressed feelings. Rafe was waiting for you at the entrance, his intense gaze fixed on you from the moment you got out of the car. You didn't say anything at first, just walked in with a firm step, as if the decision to go there didn't weigh on you as much as it actually did.

The door closed behind you with a dry sound, isolating you from the outside world, leaving you alone with him and with everything you had tried to avoid. Rafe led you to the living room, but the silence you shared was too tense to be comfortable.

"Why did you ask me to come?" you finally said, breaking the silence, your voice a little rougher than you had planned. You didn't want to smooth things over, because this time he had to hear the truth.

"Because I wanted to see you," he replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. He came closer, crossing the distance between you as if there was no moral or emotional barrier separating you.

You took a step back. "You can't keep doing this, Rafe." It’s not right. Sofia is worried, and you just walk away from her without any explanation. It’s wrong what you’re doing.

He frowned, but he didn’t seem surprised. He was used to people telling him he was wrong, but he rarely cared.

“It’s not that simple,” he replied calmly, almost as if he didn’t want to argue.

“Yes, she is,” you insisted, crossing your arms in front of you like a protective barrier. “If you don’t want to be with her, tell her. Don’t leave her hanging, wondering what she did wrong.” Don't be a coward."

Your words were harsh, but honest. You couldn't stand to see Sofia suffer because of someone who didn't have the decency to be honest with her.

Rafe was silent for a moment, his eyes locked on yours. That look... that damn look that always seemed to pierce through you, read every corner of your thoughts.

"You think it's that easy?" he finally said, his voice low but laden with something deeper, something that seemed about to explode. "You think I don't know what I'm doing? But every time I'm with her, I only think about you."

Your breathing stopped for a second. You didn't expect him to say it, at least not so directly. You knew there was something between you, a tension you couldn't deny, but hearing it out loud made it all too real.

"That's not an excuse," you replied, though your voice trembled slightly. "Sofia doesn't deserve this, Rafe. She trusts you. She trusts me. We can't do this to him."

He came closer again, more determined this time, and you didn't pull away. His eyes searched yours, his face just a few inches from yours. You could feel his breathing, the heat radiating from his body, and your heart began to pound.

"I don't care," he murmured, with an intensity that completely disarmed you. "I don't care what I should do. All I want now is to be with you."

His confession fell upon you like a storm, dark and electrifying. You knew that at that moment you should walk away, get out of that house and leave it all behind. But your feet remained motionless, as if a part of you was also trapped in that forbidden desire.

"This... can't happen," you whispered, trying to hold on to the last shred of reason you had left.

Rafe raised a hand, gently brushing your cheek, and the contact made you close your eyes for a second. "But it's already happening," he said with a certainty that made you He shuddered.

You opened your eyes and took a step back, breaking contact. “No. I have to go.”

Rafe didn’t try to stop you this time, but the intensity of his gaze continued to haunt you as you walked away. Your steps felt heavy, as if leaving him behind required titanic strength. When you reached the door, you paused for a moment, closing your eyes and taking a deep breath. You knew the right thing to do was to walk away, but the desire you had tried to bury was awakening, and you couldn’t deny that something inside you was changing.

That night, when you finally returned home, you sat on your bed, your heart still pounding. You had distanced yourself from Rafe, but you knew that distance wouldn’t be enough to stop what was growing between you. And, for the first time, you realized that maybe you couldn’t control what you felt anymore.

The days that followed became a silent storm inside you. Every moment was a constant struggle between guilt, desire, and responsibility. You had managed to physically distance yourself from him that night, but the emotional burden remained, growing with every thought, with every furtive glance you remembered, with every heartbeat that quickened as you received his messages.

The hardest thing was being close to Sofia. You felt trapped in a labyrinth of contradictory emotions, having to be her support while your own stability was shaky. She trusted you, depended on you, and you did everything you could to be by her side. But every word of comfort you offered to her tore you apart a little more inside. How could you be a support for her when you yourself were on the verge of collapse?

You spent hours with Sofia, listening to her worries, her fears. Rafe had become distant, and she didn't understand why. He told you how things had changed between them, how every day he seemed further away, colder. And you knew it. You knew exactly why he was pulling away, and that knowledge weighed on you like a stone in your chest.

There were times when you wanted to tell her the truth, to confess what was going on, but the words died in your throat. You couldn't. You couldn't destroy her like that. So you stayed silent, nodded, and held her when she broke down in front of you, as if that was enough to keep her whole.

Until one afternoon, while you were at her house, Sofia surprised you with an idea you weren't expecting.

"I've been thinking about doing something special for Rafe," she began, with a smile that seemed forced but full of hope. "Something to help us reconnect. A romantic getaway, just the two of us. Something spontaneous, different."

Just hearing her talk about him that way made your stomach turn.

“Do you think that will work?” you asked, trying to sound neutral, even though you knew your voice betrayed some disbelief.

Sofia nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, I think we need to get out of here, away from everything.” Maybe a change of scenery will help us remember why we're together in the first place."

You nodded slowly, not knowing what to say. The thought of the two of them, together, trying to save their relationship, should have relieved you, should have given you hope that everything would go back to normal. But it didn't. Instead, you felt a knot form in your stomach.

"I want you to come with us," he said suddenly, as if it were the most logical thing in the world.

The surprise took your breath away. "What?"

Sofia looked at you with an almost pleading expression. "Yes, I want you to come. I know you've been distant lately, and I don't know why, but I think being in a different place will do you good. We could relax, have fun like before.

You stayed silent for a few seconds, processing his words. Going with them… on a romantic getaway. Being a third presence on a trip that should be just for the two of them. It all seemed absurd, out of place.

"I don't think it's a good idea." "I don't think so," you finally answered, trying to come up with a valid excuse. "It's a trip for you two, I have nothing to do there."

Sofia shook her head quickly. "It's not absurd. You're my best friend, and Rafe appreciates you too. Besides, it could be fun. I don't want you to be alone, and I know you're not at your best either." This could help us both.”

Her words left you speechless. Maybe for her, your presence would be a safety net of sorts, someone to lean on if things didn’t go her way.

And you… you were trapped. You couldn’t refuse without raising suspicion, without her wondering what was really going on.

“Okay,” you finally said, even though every fiber of your being screamed for you not to. “I’ll go.”

Sofia smiled, relieved, and you forced a smile in response. As Sofia began to talk excitedly about plans, you could only think about what was coming next.

From the moment you accepted Sofia’s invitation, you knew exactly what was going to happen. You had tried to ignore it, to pretend that maybe things would be different, that you could keep the emotional distance you had built with so much effort. But reality haunted you, and with each passing day, that certainty became harder to ignore.

Days later, as you absentmindedly checked your phone, Rafe's message appeared like a shadow you couldn't avoid:

"I can't wait to see you on the trip."

Your heart stopped for a second. There was no formality, no context, just that message, as if it were the most natural thing in the world for him to be eager to see you.

You didn't respond. It wasn't worth it. You would leave that message on read, buried among unimportant notifications, as if ignoring it could take away its weight.

And yet, you couldn't get it out of your head. Over the next few days, as you helped Sofia with the preparations for the trip, as you pretended to be excited about the getaway, that message was still there, latent, like a constant reminder of what awaited you.

Finally, the day of departure arrived. The chosen destination was a private island, a paradise hidden in the crystal-clear waters of somewhere not so far away. It was the kind of place only the rich and privileged could afford, with white sand beaches stretching as far as the eye could see, luxurious villas surrounded by lush vegetation, and a tranquility that seemed alien to the real world.

The plan sounded perfect. For Sofia, it was the ideal opportunity to reconnect with Rafe, to get away from everything that had been distancing them. For you, it was a gilded cage, a scenario where everything could go wrong.

You were nervous. You couldn't deny that the idea of ​​being so close to Rafe, sharing the same space, made you uneasy. Every time you thought about him, about his gaze, about the way he seemed to seek you out even when he shouldn't, a wave of anxiety ran through your body.

But you promised yourself that you wouldn't let it bother you. You wouldn't give it power over you. You wouldn't allow this trip to become anything more than what it was meant to be: a getaway with your friend, nothing more.

The day started early. Rafe picked you up with Sofia in his car, both ready to leave. Sofia was beaming, excited about the adventure that awaited them. You, on the other hand, kept a measured smile, trying not to let your thoughts betray you.

“Ready for a few days of paradise?” Sofia asked, with a smile that reflected all her excitement.

“More than ready,” you answered, with an enthusiasm that you didn’t quite feel. Your eyes avoided Rafe’s, who remained silent, driving with a calm expression.

The trip to the private port was short, but every second in that car made you feel as if the air became denser, heavier. Rafe didn’t say much, but his presence was impossible to ignore.

When they arrived at the port, a private yacht was waiting for them, ready to take them to the island. The luxury was overwhelming: an elegant vessel, with polished wood interiors, spacious rooms, and staff ready to attend to their every wish.

The trip on the yacht was as beautiful as it was uncomfortable. Sofia settled down on the deck, enjoying the sun and the sea breeze. You joined her, trying to relax, but you constantly felt Rafe’s gaze on you, as if he was waiting for something, as if the silence between you was a conversation in itself. 

When you finally arrived at the island, the place was even more stunning than you had imagined. The private villa was surrounded by palm trees, with an infinity pool that seemed to merge with the sea. From the balcony, the view was simply perfect: a clear horizon, the sky painted blue, and the sound of the waves like a constant melody. 

Sofia was delighted. “Look at this! It’s even better than I imagined.”

You nodded, pretending to be just as excited, while inside you tried to prepare yourself for what was to come. You knew you would be together, that you would share moments where the line between right and wrong would blur even further. And yet, you were there.

The afternoon passed in apparent calm. You swam in the pool, walked along the beach, tried to distract yourself with anything. But every time Rafe came closer, every time his presence became unavoidable, an electric current seemed to run through the air.

It wasn't the place, nor the time. It was him. It was what he provoked in you, that attraction that you had tried to deny but that grew stronger and stronger.

As night began to fall, you promised yourself that you would keep your distance. You wouldn't let anything happen. You wouldn't let it happen to yourself.

When night came, dinner was quiet, the table was set on the terrace, overlooking the beach and the moonlit ocean. The air was warm, and the sea breeze blew gently, filling the air with the soothing sound of waves breaking on the shore.

Sofia talked animatedly about the day, grateful for the trip she had planned. His voice had a mix of excitement and hope, as if this place could fix everything he felt was falling apart. Rafe, on the other hand, was more reserved, listening in silence, his gaze occasionally lost in the horizon or sometimes fixed on you for a few seconds that seemed eternal. 

You finished the last sip of your glass of wine when you decided it was time to leave them alone. Sofia had planned this trip to be with him, to reconnect, and you didn't want to be another obstacle. 

"I'm going to take a walk on the beach," you said in a casual tone, leaving the napkin on the table and standing up. You smiled slightly at Sofia. "I'll leave you two alone for a while." 

She looked at you with a mix of gratitude and relief. "Thank you." 

Rafe just nodded, his eyes meeting yours for a brief moment before returning to his plate. 

You didn't wait for an answer. You walked away from the table, crossing the terrace and descending the wooden path that led directly to the beach. The night air was cool and pleasant, and as you approached the sand, you felt each step take you a little further from the weight you carried.

The beach was completely empty, an endless stretch of white sand that sparkled under the moonlight. The sky was clear, and the stars seemed to flicker with an intensity you had rarely seen.

You walked slowly, letting your feet sink into the soft sand, enjoying the feeling of freedom that only this place could give you. The sound of the waves, the salty scent of the sea, the pleasant cold on your skin... everything seemed to conspire to offer you a moment of peace.

You stopped at a point where the shore met the tide, letting the water lap at your bare feet. You looked up at the sky, noticing the moon illuminating everything with its silver light. There was something comforting about its presence, something that made you feel less alone, less trapped in your own thoughts.

You had lost track of time on the beach, wrapped in that calm that you had needed so much. The sound of the waves, the reflection of the moon on the water, the coolness of the night... everything seemed to have conspired to stop the world for a while. You felt good, at peace, something you had not experienced for a long time.

You didn't know how much time you had spent there, alone, with your bare feet sunk in the wet sand and your gaze lost on the horizon. The world seemed so far away, and for a moment you allowed yourself to forget everything: the doubts, the tensions, the mixed emotions.

It was then that you heard footsteps behind you. Light, careful, as if the person approaching did not want to break the tranquility of the night. You didn't have to turn around to know who it was. You felt it before you saw it.

“Where is Sofia?” you asked, not looking at him, keeping your eyes fixed on the ocean that stretched out before you.

“Sleeping,” Rafe answered in a low voice, almost in a whisper that mixed with the sound of the sea.

His answer made you realize how long you had been there. Longer than you had imagined.

“Maybe I should go to sleep too,” you said as you slowly turned to look at him.

Rafe was standing a few feet away from you, his hands in his pockets and his gaze fixed on you. There was something different in his eyes, something softer, less tense.

“Will you stay with me for a moment?” he asked, his tone calm but with a nuance that made you hesitate.

You thought about it for a few seconds. You knew that staying was risky, that the line you had tried so hard not to cross could easily blur. But there was also something in his voice, in his gaze, that made you give in.

“It’s okay,” you finally replied, turning back to the sea as he came over and sat down beside you on the sand.

Silence settled between you, but this time it wasn’t awkward. On the contrary, there was something comforting about that shared stillness, as if you could finally be together without the weight of everything around you. For the first time in a long time, the usual tension was gone.

You both stared out at the ocean, letting the sound of the waves fill the space between you. There was no need to speak, no need to explain. You were just there, in that moment, sharing a pause amidst the chaos.

Suddenly, without warning, Rafe reached out a hand and splashed some water towards you. It wasn’t much, just a few drops, but enough to make you turn your head and look at him in surprise.

“Really?” you asked, raising an eyebrow, but unable to help a small smile.

Rafe smiled too, a genuine smile, free of the shadows he often carried. For a moment, he seemed to have forgotten everything.

“I couldn’t resist,” he replied in an amused tone.

You decided not to be left behind. You quickly stood up and ran towards the water, wetting your hands before spraying a jet directly onto his shirt. Rafe stood up immediately, with an expression of mock indignation.

“Now you’re in trouble,” he said, advancing towards you while you retreated, laughing, with the water caressing your feet.

What followed was a game, an improvised battle on the shore, with both of you splashing each other, laughing as if you were children. The worries, the tensions, the doubts... everything was left behind in those minutes when there was only the two of you and the ocean.

Rafe seemed different, freer, more alive. And you... you felt light, as if you had finally found a respite in the middle of everything. Laughter filled the night, and for an instant, everything was fine.

Finally, you both stopped, soaked and panting slightly from laughter and exhaustion. Rafe looked at you, his smile still present, and for a moment the world seemed to stop again.

“Do you regret staying?” he asked quietly.

You thought about it for a moment, looking into his eyes, still feeling the tickle of laughter in your chest.

“No... not this time,” you answered, letting the peace of that moment envelop you once again.

After that little water fight, the breeze became cooler and calm settled between you again. You both remained silent, sitting on the sand, watching the sky begin to take on soft tones with the arrival of dawn.

Rafe stood beside you, relaxed but silent, watching the horizon. Despite the peace that surrounded you, tiredness began to take hold of you. The night had been long, and although the moment shared with him had been unexpectedly pleasant, your body was asking for rest.

“I think that’s enough for today… I’m tired,” you murmured softly, breaking the silence as you slowly stood up, shaking the sand from your hands.

Rafe stood beside you, with that carefree air he always seemed to carry with him. He didn’t say anything, simply nodded and began to walk beside you towards the house. The walk was quiet, accompanied only by the distant sound of the waves and the song of the first birds that announced the morning.

When they reached the house, they both climbed the stairs in silence, the sound of their footsteps muffled by the soft creaking of the wood. In front of the door to your room, you stopped, giving him one last look before saying goodbye. But before you could say anything, Rafe moved a little closer, leaning towards you naturally.

His lips brushed your cheek in a soft, brief kiss. It was an unexpected gesture, almost innocent, but it left you completely taken aback. The warmth of his touch was marked on your skin for a few seconds longer than it should have.

“Good night,” he murmured in a low, calm voice, as if it meant nothing.

You didn’t know what to answer. For a moment, your mind went blank, searching for some meaning in that kiss you hadn’t anticipated. But before you could say anything, Rafe had already turned around and started to walk away, walking down the hall as calmly as he had arrived.

You closed the door behind you, leaning your back against it, feeling a mix of emotions you couldn’t define. You had spent the entire night trying to keep things under control, reminding yourself not to cross any lines. However, that small gesture—so simple and yet so full of meaning—had shattered the apparent calm you were trying to build.

You brought a hand to your cheek, as if you wanted to check that it had really happened. The kiss had been brief, but the confusion it left in its place seemed endless. You didn't say anything, because at that moment, not even you knew what it meant.

When morning came, the sun shone brightly, illuminating the landscape imposingly as the fresh morning air swept through the palms of the tall palm trees surrounding the house. However, inside you, there was a palpable tension, as if everything that had dissipated the night before had returned to its natural state, denser than ever.

Rafe seemed as distant as ever, but now, every glance, every gesture on his part, caused a knot in your stomach. The kiss on your cheek seemed to have awakened something in him, although you didn't know exactly what.

You were all together in the kitchen, preparing breakfast while the sound of the coffee maker filled the space with its comforting aroma. Sofia was animated, chatting about trivial things, oblivious to what was really happening between you and Rafe. She seemed completely immune to the atmosphere that had changed between the three of you. You laughed with her, mechanically responding to her comments, but everything in you was distracted, focused on the small space you shared with Rafe. 

He moved around the kitchen with that same calmness as always, but there was something in his attitude that got on your nerves. He gave you fleeting glances, not with the same nonchalance as before, but as if he were evaluating something that he himself could not understand. But he didn't say anything, and neither did you. 

Sofia didn't notice anything. She was absorbed in the conversation, asking if you wanted to go out to explore the place after breakfast, always so cheerful, so oblivious to the discomfort that was beginning to form a thick layer between you and Rafe. Sometimes, it felt like the friendship you and Sofia shared was cracking with each moment you spent alone with him.

You sat down at the table, trying to ignore how uncomfortable the air around you felt. Rafe finally broke the silence, speaking calmly, as if nothing had happened, as if everything was fine. 

The conversation continued as if nothing had happened. Sofia was delighted, oblivious to everything, and you simply tried hard to go with the flow. 

The rest of the day passed like a routine, but one that felt forced and artificial. You were with them, yes, but you felt distant, as if an invisible cloak separated you from Sofia and Rafe. 

When you found the atmosphere becoming uncomfortable or you felt trapped, you took the opportunity to escape. You went out to the garden or to the beach, walking aimlessly, breathing deeply to clear your mind. You needed those moments of solitude, those moments when you could calm your thoughts and get away from the chaos that formed when the three of you were together. 

Despite your escapes, Sofia seemed to be calmer, happier even. Her eyes sparkled as she talked about Rafe, and she enthusiastically told him how everything in the relationship seemed to be improving. The trip, apparently, was helping, as she said. Sofia's smile was easier to see, and the small tensions between her and Rafe seemed to have dissolved, at least in his presence.

At night, while Sofia and Rafe stayed in the house, laughing, or simply cozying up together in front of a movie or on the terrace, you left early. You didn't want to be there, you didn't want to be the spectator of something you couldn't control, that you didn't know how to handle.

Despite the apparent normality that Sofia and Rafe achieved in the moments they spent together, Rafe always came back to you, and no matter how much you tried to escape the tension that was brewing between the two of you, he found a way to get close again, as if there was something inside him that he couldn't ignore.

It was in those moments that you felt that strange mix of attraction and frustration, when he sought you out in those small moments of silence or in the casual exchanges that never seemed to be casual. You felt it in the way he looked at you, that intense gaze that you sometimes avoided, but that you couldn’t help but notice. Every time your eyes met his, the world around you seemed to disappear, leaving you alone with that warm but dangerous feeling that invaded your chest.

He did it without saying a word, just with his presence. Sometimes it was a simple gesture, like when he passed by you and his arm brushed yours, or when he asked you something in a low voice, just enough for you to hear. Other times it was more obvious, when he asked you to accompany him to a secluded corner or when, for no apparent reason, he stayed by your side for longer than necessary, as if he enjoyed the discomfort it caused. 

Even when you tried not to pay attention to him, he kept coming back. You saw it in his messages, the ones he sent with a disturbing naturalness, as if it were normal after everything that had happened. Sometimes you answered them, other times you simply read them and left them unanswered. But he kept looking for an excuse to get closer, always in those moments when you thought you had finally gotten far enough away. 

It was as if, despite everything that was between you, he couldn't stop coming back. And you, even though you tried to fight your own feelings, couldn't help but feel like he knew it too. He knew that, somehow, you always came back to him. And the worst of all was that, even though you tried to resist, you felt attracted too. 

The next day, it was one of those afternoons where the heat of the sun was beginning to wane, and the breeze coming from the sea made the walk more pleasant. You, Rafe and Sofia were walking along a path next to the beach, enjoying a landscape that seemed straight out of a postcard. Sofia, with her usual energy, was talking non-stop with Rafe. They walked slightly ahead of you, while you stayed a few steps behind, distracted by your phone, answering messages and scrolling through social media without paying too much attention to the conversation. 

You weren't really there. Or at least, that's what you tried to be. It was easier this way, less complicated. 

At one point, Sofia stopped to look at some stones that had caught her attention. He walked away a few meters, bending down to pick up a small shell that was shining in the sun. He took the opportunity to take some photos, always attentive to such things.

Meanwhile, Rafe didn't waste a second. He looked down at the ground and saw a small wild flower growing next to the path. It was simple, with white petals and a yellow center, nothing special, but enough to catch his attention. He quickly bent down and plucked it. At first you thought he was going to give it to Sofia, like any boyfriend would do at that moment. It was logical, what anyone would have expected.

But no. It wasn't Sofia he gave it to.

It was you.

Rafe turned slightly and handed you the flower with a disconcerting calm, as if that gesture meant nothing, but in fact it said everything. His eyes met yours for a brief second, a second that seemed longer than it should have been. He didn't say anything, there was no need. You looked at him, surprised, and he just smiled with that expression that seemed to challenge you, that seemed to know exactly what he was doing. 

For a moment, your mind went blank. You didn't know how to react. You couldn't reject it, but you couldn't openly accept it either. So you took the flower, your fingers brushing his for just an instant. The contact was as brief as it was significant. 

With the flower in your hand, you quickly looked over to where Sofia was, making sure she hadn't seen anything. She was still distracted with the shell and the photos, not paying attention to what was happening between you. Your heart was beating a little faster than normal, as if the simple act of receiving that flower was a secret you shouldn't share. 

Not knowing what to do with it, you put it in the back pocket of your shorts, hiding it, but not throwing it away. You didn’t want to get rid of it, even though you knew you should.

You continued walking down the path until you finally arrived back at the house. The sun was beginning to descend on the horizon, tinting the sky in golden and pink hues, creating a perfect atmosphere for a quiet afternoon.

Sofia was the first to propose that you stay outside, on the sand, to enjoy the sunset. You and Rafe agreed, and the three of you settled down on a blanket spread out near the porch. A small cooler with beers sat to one side, and you each took one to relax as the day slowly gave way to night.

The sound of the sea was constant, a soft murmur filling the air.

You sat cross-legged, the cold beer in your hands and the small flower Rafe had given you earlier resting on your knee. At first, you tried not to pay too much attention to it, but before you knew it, you started playing with it. Your fingers gently twirled it, bending the petals, as if you were absorbed in your own thoughts.

Rafe was sitting next to you, closer than you should be comfortable with, but the truth was that you had stopped caring about the closeness. Without saying anything, he looked away at you, watching as you manipulated the flower. His eyes followed the movement of your fingers with an attention that was not casual. It wasn't the flower that interested him, it was the fact that you had kept it. That small gesture meant something, even if neither of you mentioned it.

For her part, Sofia seemed completely oblivious to the subtle tension that was forming between you. She talked about how relaxing it was to be there, about how the trip was helping to disconnect from everything. You nodded and smiled when appropriate, but in reality you were caught up in your own thoughts.

The afternoon passed slowly, between scattered conversations and the constant opening of beers. When it was finally time to eat, they decided to stay outside. Rafe lit a small improvised campfire, and they ate there, with the cool night air beginning to envelop them.

After eating, Sofia was the first to suggest getting into the water. You thought the idea was a good one. There was something liberating about submerging yourself in the sea under the dim light of the night sky. You took off your clothes, leaving you in your bikini, and walked into the water. 

Rafe watched you from where he was sitting, his eyes following you in a way he hadn't done so openly before. It wasn't the first time he'd seen you in a bikini, but this time there was something different in his gaze. An intensity that wasn't there before, an attention that was now impossible to ignore. 

It didn't bother you. You could feel his gaze on you, but you decided not to give it any importance. You weren't looking for his attention, or at least, that's what you told yourself. You entered the water, letting the freshness of the sea envelop you, trying to disconnect, to forget for a moment everything that was happening. 

Soon after, Rafe joined you. He swam close, not enough to invade your space, but close enough that his presence was unavoidable. The moonlight was beginning to reflect off the surface of the water, and the atmosphere felt strange, almost unreal. Sofia, meanwhile, stood on the shore, laughing and playing with the waves that barely touched her feet.

Rafe watched you silently, as if he were debating something internally. But he didn't say anything. And neither did you. You just floated there, in that moment suspended in time, where everything seemed about to change, but nothing did.

It was close to 1 a.m. when Sofia decided it was time to go to sleep. She got up, drying her feet and shaking the sand off her legs before approaching you.

"I'm going to bed," she told you.

You hesitated for a moment, weighing your options. You were tired, and that whole day had been confusing enough that you wanted to finally disconnect.

"Yeah, I think I'm going too," you answered, slowly getting up as Sofia called Rafe to join her as well.

He was sitting on the sand, his eyes fixed on the dark horizon of the sea, as if he were lost in some deep thought. He turned his head towards her, with a calm expression, and simply said:

“I'll stay a little longer.”

Sofia didn't insist. She smiled and disappeared towards the house, leaving only her footprints in the sand. You followed her with your gaze, with the firm intention of doing the same, of returning and closing the day. But when you took a step towards the house, something inside you made you stop.

You turned slowly, your bare feet returning to the cold sand, and without saying anything you returned to the water. You didn't want to think too much about what you were doing. The water was calm, a dark expanse that blended with the sky, and when you entered, the cold ran through your skin, waking you up completely.

Rafe saw you return. He didn't ask anything. He simply stood up and followed you, entering the water beside you. The silence between you was thick, but not uncomfortable. There was a different energy, a tension that needed no words.

You felt him close, his presence inescapable. You wanted to ignore him, to keep your distance, but every fiber of your being was aware of him. His eyes searched for you in the darkness, and you, despite everything, avoided looking directly at him.

Until you couldn’t take it anymore. You felt his hand reach out to you, his fingers brushing your arm with a softness that was almost imperceptible, but enough to make you stop. You didn’t move away. You let him touch you because, deep down, you wanted him to.

Rafe approached slowly, the water barely reaching the height of his hips when he took you by the waist, with a firmness that you hadn’t expected, but that you didn’t reject. You stood still, your breathing getting heavier, the air between you getting thicker.

“I can’t stop thinking about you,” he murmured, his voice low, barely audible over the sound of the waves.

You heard him, but you didn’t respond. Not because you didn’t have something to say, but because you didn’t want to break the moment. His words were a confession you’d been waiting for, even though you were afraid to hear them.

And then, without warning, Rafe kissed you. It was a kiss that didn’t seek permission, that didn’t hesitate. His lips found yours with a need you’d felt in yourself for days, but had repressed.

And you… you let him. Because you couldn’t take it anymore. Because you wanted it.

The kiss was intense, charged with everything you’d both been repressing. His hands slid down your back, pulling you closer, as you wrapped your arms around his neck. The water surrounded you, cold and silent, but everything about you was fire, heat, desire.

After what seemed like an eternity, you parted slightly, your breaths mingling, your foreheads resting against each other. You didn’t say anything, and neither did he.

They stepped out of the water in silence, their bare feet leaving small footprints in the wet sand. Rafe led you to a dark corner, out of reach of the light coming from the house, where the night seemed more private, more his.

He gently laid you down on the cold sand, his body leaning over yours, but with a gentleness you hadn’t expected. His eyes searched for you in the dim light, and you whispered to him:

“No one’s ever kissed me the way you do.”

These words pierced him. He had no answer. And he kissed you again, and you let him, once again.

The night became denser when the kiss ended. You slowly separated from Rafe, your lips still trembling from the contact, and your eyes, full of emotions you couldn't contain, closed for a moment as you felt silent tears fall down your cheeks.

You didn't want to cry, not like that, not in front of him. But you did. It was inevitable. Guilt and desire intertwined in your chest, drowning you.

Rafe noticed it right away. Without saying anything, his fingers gently brushed your face, drying one of those tears, as if that gesture could erase everything that was going through you.

"I feel bad..." you whispered with a broken voice, barely a murmur that the sound of the sea almost drowned out.

You regretted it. Not just the kiss, but everything that had led up to that moment. Of having let yourself go. Of having crossed a line that you swore you would never cross. Sofia was asleep just a few feet away, trusting you, him, and you had broken that trust.

“I shouldn’t have… we shouldn’t have done this,” you added, your gaze fixed on the ground, unable to meet his eyes.

Rafe didn’t look away from you. You could feel his attention, that intensity that always seemed to envelop him, as if the rest of the world didn’t matter when you were around. He placed a firm hand on your cheek, gently forcing you to look at him.

“Don’t feel bad,” he said in a low, serious voice. “I need you more than you know.”

His words were simple, but heavy with weight. You stood still, your thoughts teetering between what was right and what you wanted. You didn’t want to hear that, but at the same time, you had longed for it.

“If this is what you want, I’ll leave Sofia. I’ll do whatever it takes.” His eyes searched yours, looking for an answer, a sign that you could accept what he was willing to offer you.

You shuddered at that. It wasn’t what you wanted, at least not like this. Sofia was your friend, an important part of your life, and you knew how much it would hurt her. The last thing you wanted was to destroy her, to take away something she still believed was hers.

“No…” you answered, shaking your head with a mix of firmness and desperation. “You can’t do that. I don’t want Sofia to suffer. She deserves to be happy.”

Rafe sighed, his frustration evident, but he didn’t let go of you. He moved a little closer, as if his words could convince you.

“You have to be happy too,” he replied with determination. “What about you? Why are you always thinking about everyone but yourself?”

You didn’t know what to say. Because, deep down, you knew he was right. You had spent so much time worrying about others, about keeping Sofia happy, about protecting the friendship, that you had forgotten about yourself, about your own wants and needs. But at what cost?

“I don’t know…” you admitted quietly, feeling each word cost you more.

Rafe leaned closer to you, his eyes locked on yours, his voice softer now, almost whispering:

“When we get back, I’m going to leave her. I can’t keep pretending. I can’t keep walking away from you.”

His words shook you. It was a statement you had feared and hoped for at the same time. Your heart was pounding, while your mind struggled to find an answer, a way out that wouldn’t hurt anyone. But you knew there wasn’t an easy one.

You stayed silent, letting the night breeze wash over you, while Rafe was still there, his hands still on you, his presence unwavering.

The next few days in that paradise you had longed for became a kind of torture. A sweet and bitter torture that seemed to have no end. Every morning, every afternoon, every night, Rafe found a way to get close to you, to seek you out with the slightest excuse. A touch of hands when Sofia wasn’t looking, a look loaded with meaning as you walked together, a stolen kiss in the shadows when the moment allowed it.

You couldn’t help it. He was constant, persistent. He knew exactly how to attract you, how to make you lower the defenses you had built up so much.

One afternoon, while you were on the terrace, watching the calm ocean, Rafe approached with something in his hand. Without saying anything, he placed it in your palm. It was a ring, delicate and beautiful. You looked at it, bewildered.

“Why are you giving me this?” you asked him with a lump in your throat, your fingers closing around the ring.

He didn’t respond with words. She just looked at you, with that mix of desire and determination that worried you so much, as if she were marking a silent promise. You didn't understand why she had it, or why she had given it to you, but there it was, in your trembling hand.

The days passed, and you felt more and more trapped. The sun, the sand, the sea breeze, everything that had seemed perfect to you before now suffocated you. You wanted to go home, return to the routine, to the family chaos, to anything that would allow you to escape this dilemma. Because at home, perhaps, you could separate from Rafe.

Not because you didn't want to, not because his kisses didn't burn your skin or his gaze didn't make you tremble. But because you knew it wasn't the right thing to do.

Sofia was still by your side, oblivious to everything, excited about this trip that she thought was saving her relationship. And every time she looked at you with a grateful smile, you felt the weight of your actions sinking you deeper.

Rafe, on the other hand, didn't seem to feel that weight. He looked for you every moment, as if nothing else mattered. As if he was sure that everything would end well, that when he returned, his life would change, with you by his side. But you didn't share that certainty. You couldn't.

But it didn't matter how much you wanted to deny it. It didn't matter how many times your reason screamed at you that you had to stop, that this wasn't right. Because at the end of the day, none of that seemed enough. You still loved Rafe.

You loved him with an intensity you hadn't felt before, a force that dragged you every time you were near him. It didn't matter how much you told yourself that you had to be strong, that you had to get away. Every time he looked for you, every time he looked at you with those eyes full of desire, you fell again.

His kisses were a trap you didn't want to escape from. His hands on your skin were an anchor that kept you in a place where logic and morality faded away. You liked how he made you feel, how he loved you, how he seemed so sure of what he wanted, of what he wanted with you.

And you... you wanted it too. You wanted it from the first kiss under the shade, from that flower you kept in the back pocket of your shorts. You wanted it from the first touch you shared in secret. You wanted him.

Rafe loved you too. He didn't say it in words, but he showed it to you every time he found a way to be alone with you. In every furtive glance, in every caress when Sofia wasn't there, in every moment when his lips urgently sought yours. He liked loving you. He liked the power you had over him, the way his thoughts revolved around you, leaving everything else in the background.

You knew it was wrong. You knew that every kiss you shared, every moment his hands sought you out, took you further away from what was right, from the loyalty you owed Sofia. But you also knew you couldn’t stop. You didn’t want to stop.

Every night, when the world fell silent, you thought about it. About how you had crossed that invisible line and how there was no turning back. You were trapped in a dangerous game that neither of you seemed to want to leave. And even though a part of you felt guilty, another part—the one that flared up every time you were with him—didn’t want to let go.

Because in the end, no matter how much you tried to convince yourself that you should stop. No matter how much your reason screamed at you. You still loved Rafe. And the worst thing was that he loved you too, and that made it impossible to stop.

[beef-brisket]

Lucifer watched Adam with Avery. He almost forgot that Adam was the leader of the exorcists.

Lucifer: Will you still be participating I the exterminations?

Adam eyed him: Uh- yeah? Why wouldn't I be?

Lucifer gestured at Avery: Don't you think our daughter is more important?

Adam: She won't see it. I'll be gone for a day, if that. There's plenty of people in Heaven I trust with her.

Lucifer: Seriously? What about me-.

Adam: She isn't staying here while that shit is happening. So don't even ask. And next time that bitch threatens me, I'm soaking that fucking lobby with her blood.

Lucifer cringed and watched Adam put Avery down to play.

Adam: You love that train, don't you sweetie~?

Avery laughed and waved the train around.

Lucifer was dealing with a bit of whiplash.

Lucifer: I wish you told me about the apple, Adam.

Adam: Why would I? So you could "fix" me? Yeah, no thanks. I don't want to end up like Eve. Who knows where the fuck she is. Amd I'd rather not live down here permanently with you or Lilith once she decides you're good enough for her again.

Lucifer sighed: So, Heaven's in control of you?

Adam: ...Sometimes. not always. They trust me enough to do my own shit.

Lucifer: I bet their happy about you coming down here every now amd then. And having a kid with the Devil.

Adam rolled his eyes: Sera knew the only one who knew. No one else has asked. So I don't say say anything. We have baby winners pop up all the time. There's nothing about Avery that screams you. She just looks like me. So there's issues.

Adam made his way to the couch and sat on his phone for a few minutes. Lucifer eventually worked up the courage to sit across from him.

Lucifer: ...I can help you.

Adam: Don't need your help, babe. I'm good.

Lucifer: But- you don't have free will-.

Adam groaned and looked at Lucifer.

Adam: I can still make my own decisions. As long as I listen and follow the rules and what the angels tell me, I'm gucci. The last time the forced me to do something was the exterminations, but I'm fine with them now.

Lucifer: You didn't want to do them?

Adam: Do you really think I wanted to kill my grandchildren and dependents once a year? That I wanted to fly down here with Michael on my fucking ass, making sure I killed these fuckers in the most brutal way possible? No. I didn't want to do it. But now, I'm fine with it. So drop it, Lucifer. If you want to make any changes or additions to the contract, you can talk to Michael or Sera.

Lucifer stared at him as he went back to his phone like nothing happened. Lucifer wanted the exterminations to stop entirely, but he knew that won't happen. Especially if Michael is in charge.

What about an au where Adam goes to Hell for night trips, wher ehe just parties and fucks. He has a disguise (it's just a slightly different looking helmet).

Lucifer joins his daughter and her friends at a bar, where he sees "Adam". He instantly knows it's him, but he's curious as to what he's doing.

So Lucifer spends hours flitting with him and buying him drinks to get him drunk. But Lucifer actually finds himself having a great time.

Long story short- they fuck, Adam doesn't let Lucifer know he's Adam. He goes back to Heaven and after a few months, he finds out he's pregnant.

Which is fucking weird cause he's definitely a dude, and he's very dead. But Lucifer's the Devil 🤷.

He basically has to play it off as him getting fat. It's working until the next meeting with Lucifer happens during his ninth month, and he's goes into labor right in front of Lucifer.

Lucifer: Why didn't you tell me your were fucking pregnant!?

Adam: Because you didn't know it was me!!

Lucifer: Yes I did! You have the same face!

Adam: ..... Oh..

[hungermakesmonsters]

Love, Sick Love

Chapter Thirteen

Plot summary : Working at one of the shadier bars in Brooklyn, you have one rule; don’t mess around with the patrons. Most of them are criminals, dangerous. None more so than Billy Russo, but Billy believes that rules are made to be broken. Especially your rule. One lapse in judgement is all it takes for Billy to decide that you’re his, and he’s never been the sort of man to take rejection well.

Pairing : Billy Russo x Reader

Story Rating : R 

Warnings : [This is a fic for 18+ only, minors DNI] Smut with a capital S. All chapters will deal with dark and smutty themes, including but not limited to stalking. Please check the warnings on each chapter if you choose to follow this story. 

Word Count : 5.8k

A/N : If you don't like cliffhangers, all I can say is I'm sorry...

CHAPTER ONE | CHAPTER TWO | CHAPTER THREE | CHAPTER FOUR | CHAPTER FIVE | CHAPTER SIX | CHAPTER SEVEN | CHAPTER EIGHT | CHAPTER NINE | CHAPTER TEN | CHAPTER ELEVEN | CHAPTER TWELVE

Master List

Chapter Thirteen

Then it’ll just be me and you.

Those words played over and over as you fell asleep that night. Some part of you knew you were setting yourself up for heartbreak if you dared to believe him, but a much louder part didn’t care. It had been so long since you’d had anyone in your life, so long since you’d trusted anyone. 

You’d never told anyone about your past before him, never told anyone what you’d done or what was done to you. No one else knew you like he did, and you were starting to think that you were the only one who really knew him. 

At least, no one else seemed to know this version of him.

This version of Billy was, for all intents and purposes, yours.

He was yours.

It was a terrifying thought and you still weren’t entirely sure how it had come to that. You hadn’t looked for it, hadn’t wanted it but, there you were, wrapped up in Billy’s arms, not wanting him to ever let go.

He fell asleep first which, given his injuries, wasn’t surprising. It was strange but, once you started thinking about it, you weren’t sure if Billy had actually slept in your bed since that first night he’d stayed. Usually you fell asleep first and always found him already awake when you woke.

Now, sleeping in your arms, he looked almost peaceful, the most at rest you’d ever really seen him. And it was nice (at least, when you willfully ignored the fact that he had stitches in his side, that you’d put there not thirty minutes before). Seeing him that way made things finally feel real between you, like a line had been irrevocably crossed, like you were in too deep to even think about backing out again.

You held him tight, wondering what the future might hold as you slowly drifted off.

It wasn’t until light was starting to peek through the window that you felt him stir and heard a broken mutter tear from his lips.

Your eyes opened and you lifted your head, looking at him and seeing that same pained expression on his face you’d seen the first time you caught him in the clutches of a nightmare. But this time you knew you couldn’t slip away and pretend you hadn’t seen anything - if only because you didn’t want to risk him thrashing about and tearing open his stitches.

“No -” he gasped, his whole body twitching. “No!”

“Billy,” you said, placing a hand on his shoulder and softly shaking him. “Hey, Billy, it’s just a dream. It’s okay.”

His eyes opened and he drew a sharp breath. For a moment he seemed lost, like he didn’t know where he was or maybe he thought he was still trapped in the dream, but then he saw you and his expression softened.

“Kitten?” His voice was scratchy, dry, and for reasons you didn’t entirely understand, hearing his morning voice made you feel warm inside.

“You were having a nightmare.”

Billy looked up at you, a flicker of defensiveness crossing his features, but he decided against denying what you’d seen.

“Did I wake you?” He asked, and you shrugged. “I’m sorry, kitten.”

You wanted to say something, to tell him it was okay or, at least, tell him you were glad you woke up before he could hurt himself, but Billy’s hand found your cheek and before you could even think, he was closing the distance to kiss you. And you sank into his lips, losing yourself in a sleepy but tender kiss, taking care not to agitate the already scabbed split lip.

When he finally pulled back, your fingers slipped through his hair, brushing it back away from his face.

“Thank you. For looking after me last night,” he said as his head dropped back onto the pillow.

“You don’t have to thank me, just promise me it’ll never happen again.”

“I promise. I - I’m gonna take care of things,” Billy said.

“What you said last night; that you were going to fix then and then it’d just be me and you...”

There was a question in there somewhere, you just weren’t sure how to ask it. Or, maybe you were too scared to ask it, too scared to think about a future that neither of you had really planned for.

“I think I might have to leave New York - at least for a little while - but I want you to come with me,” Billy answered.

Of course, you knew the rational response was to tell him no, to tell him he was being insane. You couldn’t just pack up your life and leave town with a guy you hardly knew, a criminal, a wanted murderer. But the words wouldn’t come and, instead, you fell into an uneasy silence.

“Is that a no?” He asked after a few awkward seconds.

“It’s... I don’t know...”

You braced yourself, expecting - you weren’t even sure what. Anger? Disappointment? But when had Billy ever really shown you anything like that? When had he ever tried to force you to do anything? Never. Even through his stalking of you and all his talk of changing your mind, it was his actions, not his words that helped you change your mind about him.

“It’s okay, you don’t need to decide right away,” he answered.

The next half an hour was spent in his arms dozing and trading more lazy kisses until, finally, your empty stomach started to grumble and you decided that you really should make sure Billy ate something.

Setting foot in the kitchen reminded you of the events of the night before and the mess you hadn’t cleaned up; the first aid kit and bloody towels still on the floor. 

Without a word, Billy started to tidy up as you headed for the coffee. It struck you that you hadn’t asked how he was, if his injuries were hurting. And, even after having that realisation, you didn’t ask. It wasn’t that you didn’t care or didn’t want to know, you just... didn’t want to think about it. You didn’t want to remember having to sew up what you were pretty certain was a knife wound.

You filled the coffee pot and set about making pancakes. While you were no Martha Stewart, you knew your way around a frying pan well enough to make enough pancakes for you and Billy to share.

“This is nice,” he said, smiling softly across the table as you ate.

“Yeah,” you agreed. Because it was, even if it was also a strange thing to be experiencing with him for the first time.

“Only thing that would make it better is a view,” he said, continuing when you shot him a questioning look, “mountains or maybe a lake. Or a place on the coast. A little cabin in the middle of nowhere, with a porch where we could sit and have breakfast.”

You couldn't stop the smirk that spread across your lips.

“What?” He asked, fighting off a smirk of his own.

“I don’t know, it just seems very... domestic for both of us.”

Billy let out a laugh and you barely stifled yours by lifting your coffee mug to your lips. You didn’t want to admit it but it sounded nice, like something you could want.

“I think...” he started before, uncharacteristically trailing off, almost seeming uncertain of himself for a second, “... I think I’d like something domestic. I mean... if it was with you...”

Again, you found your lips covered by your mug, not sure if the smile on your lips was genuine or nervous. His words had butterflies taking flight in your stomach. With anyone else, you’d assume it was just a line, but Billy seemed so uncertain that he was even capable of that and you knew he wasn’t just saying it.

After breakfast, you found him an old sweatshirt, a big thing you’d bought for yourself from the menswear department to wear during last winter. The dark red suited him, and you had half a mind to tell him to keep it.

Then, your sweet and domestic morning was over. Billy was heading towards the door, still looking somewhat worse for where but, instead of walking out the door, he stopped and turned to you.

“Thank you,” he said, “for everything. I know you never asked for any of this...”

You took a step forward, confused by the sudden change in him.

“Being with you, being able to be like... like this, I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy before,” he continued. “I don’t remember ever feeling like I belonged before you, not even with Frank and his family. So, thank you.”

For a few seconds you stood in a stunned sort of silence, and Billy seemed to take that silence to mean that you had nothing to say. Panic rattled in your chest as he started to turn towards the door.

“Wait,” you said, already starting to clear the distance between you as Billy stopped and turned back towards you. “Why does this feel like goodbye?”

Before you could think to stop yourself or bring yourself to care, your fingers were around his wrist, holding him, stopping him from just walking out and leaving things like that.

“Careful, kitten. I might start thinking you’re falling for me,” he responded with a gentle smile, completely dodging the question.

The panic continued to grow as he gave a little tug against your grip, like he was trying to slip away from you, and you just couldn’t fight the feeling that it might be the last time that you ever saw him. Your mind raced over everything he’d said, about how you could be together... after he fixed things. After he took care of things.

You’d been so stuck on the you and me part of things that you hadn’t even considered what needed to be fixed and how he was going to go about it, but now there was no stopping the sinking sensation in your gut.

Unconsciously, your fingers tightened around his wrist.

“Don’t go,” you pleaded. “Whatever it is, you don’t have to -”

He cut you off with a kiss, his body desperately crashing into yours. Your fingers tangled in the fabric of the red sweater and, before you knew what you were doing, you had started pulling him back into the apartment and towards your bedroom.

“I’ve been waiting months for you to ask me to stay. For you to want me to stay,” he muttered against your lips, not giving you a chance to respond to his confession before pulling you into another devouring kiss.

His hands pulled at your clothes, as yours did his, both finally giving in to the need that had been building since the first night you’d shared together. Your fingers ran down his bare chest, over the bandages, to his jeans, tugging open the fastenings, eliciting an eager sound from Billy, while he was busy trying to pull your slip over your head.

An awkward shuffle ensued as he kicked out of his boots, and he let out a low groan against your lips as your hand gripped his cock, starting to stroke and letting out an eager sound of your own as you felt him grow hard.

All you knew in that moment was that you wanted him. You craved him, hungered for him, feeling as you felt yesterday morning. You wanted to hold him tight, claw at his skin and make a place for yourself beneath his ribs.

It felt like the floodgates had opened, that all the thoughts and feelings you’d spent years denying yourself, years telling yourself that you could have, were all rushing to the surface.

You pushed Billy backwards onto the bed and followed him down, swallowing down any complaints he might have with another kiss. Suddenly you were put in mind of that moment weeks ago, when you'd accused him fucking you like you only existed for his pleasure. In retrospect you hated that you'd said it, that you'd dare to even think it because, even now, as he kissed you and held you, you knew that he had your pleasure in mind just as much as his own.

Right then, you were the one who wanted to fuck Billy and have him that way, you need for him overwhelming any other more rational thought.

Your lips pulled from his, trailing a searing path from his lips, along his jaw and down his neck. He groaned as you sank lower, as you dragged lips and tongue over his chest and stomach, doing your best to avoid his bandages, moving to settle yourself between his legs.

“Did I die last night?” He muttered. “Because I think I've gone to heaven.”

You might have laughed if you weren't at eye level with his cock. Your hand slipped around him again and gave a squeeze, pulling another groan from him. Billy bit his lip as he looked at you and you could tell he was craving the exact same thing as you. 

Slowly, you started to move your hand, stroking his shaft, feeling him grow harder still. Your eyes dropped, taking in the sight of him and the way his cock was already leaking for you.

Leaning you ran your tongue up him from root to tip. The sound that spilled from him had your thighs clenching. Never in your life had a man made such a desperate sound for you, and you found yourself wanting more. You wanted everything. Every desperate look, every weak and eager moan. The way his breath caught and the way he said your name like you were all he was capable of thinking about.

It made you feel powerful and in control, it made you feel strong in a way you’d never experience before. And if you could turn a man like Billy to putty with just a swipe of your tongue, well, you quickly came to wonder just what else you could do.

Parting your lips, you kept your eyes on him as you took him into your mouth. Billy inhaled sharply, swearing as your lips slowly slipped down the length of his cock to where your hand still rested.

You’d always enjoyed doing this, always enjoyed knowing that you could control a man’s pleasure and decide just how much you wanted to please him and how; hard and fast to blow his mind, or slow and sensual to make sure he came back for more. But, with Billy, you found that you wanted both. You wanted everything.

You wanted to drive him crazy, for him to have an experience like no other, but you also wanted him to come back. No. Not come back. You wanted him to stay.

A soft moan was muffled by his cock as you started to move, not too fast but fast enough to really get him going, fast enough to make him think you were pushing him towards sweet oblivion.

Your hand gripped his thigh and you were almost surprised when one of his own hands covered yours, like he just needed to touch you. Turning your hand, you took hold of his hand, and let slip another moan when you felt his other hand lightly gripping your hair.

He wasn’t used to this, you decided. Billy obviously wasn’t used to giving up control, and that he was giving it up to you had to mean something. For a second you faltered, remembering that he was just like you, that he had been hurt too, and you wondered if the loss of power in the situation was making him uncomfortable. But one look at Billy told you that he was anything but uncomfortable.

After a few minutes your mouth pulled away from him, though your hand continued to stroke his spit-slicked cock.

“Are you enjoying this?” You asked in the most sultry voice you could manage, smirking up at him.

Billy seemed to struggle for an answer for a moment, left so scattered and unfocused by your actions.

“Yeah, kitten. I’m really fucking enjoying it,” he said breathlessly.

“Good.”

You let him slip between your lips again, this time using your tongue, tracing the vein on the underside of his cock as you sank lower and lower. Your hand moved out of the way and you tried to relax your throat, taking him as deep as you could, blinking back tears when he nudged the back of your throat.

“Fuck,” he groaned.

His hips moved seemingly of their own accord, bucking upwards,forcing more of his length into your mouth, pushing his tip down the back of your throat. You whined at the sensation but didn’t pull back.

“Fuck... I’m close,” he groaned.

Those words from any other man would have marked the end, you’d have pulled away and made sure to finish him with your hand, but this was Billy. Whatever there was between you, you didn’t want to pull away, didn’t want to leave things feeling only half finished. So, you doubled down, starting to bob your head faster while you continued to tease him with your tongue.

Billy gave a grunt and one final warning, that you chose to ignore, before you felt him pulse and spill in your mouth. You stayed where you were, watching him as his eyes closed and his chest shuddered. It was the most beautiful thing you’d ever seen.

You didn’t pull back until he was done, swallowing down every last drop before letting his cock fall from your lips.

The look on his face quickly became one of sheer astonishment.

“You are so fucking perfect,” he muttered, his hand giving yours a squeeze.

“I know.” A smirk spread across your lips.

You waited a moment before slowly crawling back up the bed, over his body, keeping his hand in your as you did. Lingering over him, you lips inches from his you found yourself getting lost in his dark eyes wondering what a future with him would hold and if everyone morning could be like this one.

“You’re thinking too much,” Billy said, lifting his head, closing the distance so he could kiss you.

“How do you know?” You muttered into the kiss.

“I can hear the cogs turning,” he answered, his lips pulling into a smile against yours.

A laugh escaped you, and you felt a warmth spread through your whole body, a feeling of happiness, of belonging that you weren’t sure you’d ever really felt before.

“Maybe you should do something about it,” you told him before gently nipping his bottom lip, still trying to be mindful of his freshly scabbed-over split lip.

You expected a joke, or some sort of response, instead Billy flipped you onto your back, kissing you deeply, roughly, giving you a glimpse of the dominance you knew was lurking beneath the surface just waiting to be released.

He pressed himself between your thighs as he kissed you, his cock still hard. A whine spilled from you and your back arched, betraying your desperation as Billy’s lips began to move down your neck. He mirrored your previous actions, though he took far more time descending your body, letting his lips and tongue explore your breasts, teasing each nipple into an aching, hardened peak before continuing downwards.

Billy shot you a playful look before running his tongue around your navel, giving you a hint of what was to come.

Yes, you thought to yourself, wanting nothing more than to feel his lips and tongue against your core again. You were already wet for him, already feeling needy and so ready for anything that would follow.

His teeth nipped at your hips before he started to suck a love bite into your skin.

“Mine,” he said.

And you didn’t dare correct him.

By the time he was between your lips, close enough that you could feel his hot breath on your sensitive flesh, you were already trembling.

You held your breath and stared down at him, and an eager plea managed to escape you; “please, Billy.”

Billy obliged.

You moaned as fingers parted your folds and he lowered his head.

There was no slow and gentle teasing, there was no gradual build up - it would have been pointless anyway, you already felt halfway to orgasm before he’d even touched you

He started with long strokes along your slit and up to your clit, letting out hungry, filthy groans at the taste of your arousal.

The rhythm of his tongue was relentless, pulling breathy moans from you with every swipe. He ate  pussy like a starving man, a man possessed of a hunger he just couldn’t sate. The thought might have made you laugh at any other time, but the only sounds you were capable of making were those mewling moans that made you sound just as hungry as him.

Fingers dipped inside you, eagerly curling, already knowing exactly how to touch you. In the few times that you’d allowed him to do this, Billy had already learned you inside and out, and there was no doubt in your mind that, this time, this was just foreplay.

Billy was going to fuck you again.

“Billy,” you gasped and writhed under his attention, your fingers tangling in his hair as you ground your hips against his face. “Fuck, that feels so good...”

You couldn’t see it but you were sure you felt his lips pull into a smirk against you.

Whether he’d intended to or not, there was no doubt in your mind that Billy had ruined you for anyone but him. Your toes curled and your grip on his hair tightened. You barely even realised it but you were letting out desperate whines and moans, crying his name and begging him not to stop.

Soon enough pressure was coiling inside you, and you were pushed closer and closer to the edge by his fingers and tongue. The moment he nipped at your throbbing clitwith his teeth, you were a goner, panting and gasping between your cries as you came undone. Your whole body shook from it, violent tremors sparking from your core and racing you and down your spine. 

You continued to shudder and shiver beneath him as he moved back up the bed, his fingers gripping your chin lightly, forcing you to look at him. His lips and chin were wet, covered in your arousal, and there was no sexier sight in your mind.

“Do you want me to fuck you?” He asked.

“Yes,” you answered without hesitation. 

But Billy didn’t move, instead he seemed to be caught in some thought that he couldn’t quite escape from.

“I don’t want it to be just about my pleasure,” he told you.

Something inside you ached, hurt that he remembered those words you’d spoken to him in anger. You shook your head.

“It’s not - it won’t be,” you said. “I want this, Billy. I want you. The real you.”

You wanted the dominant Billy, the one that made you question your boundaries, the one that made you feel alive and possessed, the Billy who made you feel like no one else ever could.

He still didn’t move, so you reached between your bodies and took his cock in your hands, teasing the tip between your folds.

“Please, Billy - fuck, I need you...”

It sounded desperate, pathetic even, but there was no lie in the words. You did need him. You needed this - whatever the fuck this even was.

His free hand gripping your hip and, before you could even think, his hips were moving. You cried out as his cock filled you in one hard thrust, your back arching up to meet him.

“Fuck,” you moaned, pressing your head back against the pillow, as far as his grip on your chin would allow.

“I knew you liked it rough,” he said, smirking down at you.

It took you a couple of seconds to get over the fact that he was buried to the hilt inside you, and to get used to the feeling, but not as long as you might have thought.

“Are you gonna tease me or fuck me?” You answered back, your playful challenge letting him know that you wanted him to fuck you. You wanted him to do what he wanted.

The fingers on your hip tightened, holding you in place as he moved a little, giving a couple of slow, shallow thrusts, before almost pulling out of you completely. You breath caught in your chest but was quickly expelled as he slammed into you again.

Your arms wrapped around him and held on for dear life as Billy started to fuck you, the hard and fast motion of his cock inside you, more than enough to have you letting out whines and moans of pleasure, your eyes quickly threatening to roll back in your head.

Months of frustration came to the fore and, despite how overwhelmed you felt, your hips started to move, bucking up to meet his every thrust. You felt indestructible in that moment, completely unbreakable.

He kissed you, dominating your mouth while he fucked you senseless. And you let him. No, you encouraged him. You wanted it, needed it, craved it. There was no going back, not after this.

“Oh fuck - fuck!”

It crept up on you from nowhere, driven to another orgasm by him and everything he was doing to you. Your thighs trembled violently against his and your back bowed off the bed, but Billy didn’t slow even for a moment. He fucked you through the heights of your pleasure before hish hands started to pull at your legs, pulling them upwards, bending you beneath him so your ass and lower back were no longer on the bed.

As he continued to move inside you, you felt him sinking deeper, an awkward mixture of pleasure and almost-discomfort filling you as the tip of his cock nudged your cervix. 

“Fuck,” he grunted, “your mine, kitten.”

You didn’t have the chance to answer. Any thought you might have had was cut short the moment you felt his cock hit that special, sensitive spot inside you. His name spilled from your lips as a plea and a prayer, begging him for more of the same. And Billy didn’t disappoint.

He easily forced you to come again, leaving you sopping wet around him, enough that every movement filled the room with a slick sound that might have embarrassed you with any other man. But, with the look on Billy’s face, you were anything but embarrassed. In fact, you were almost proud of the effect you were having on him.

His thrusts became rougher and more stilted and you could tell her was chasing his end as your walls continued to flutter and pulse around him. But that wasn’t enough for Billy.

“Billy!” You cried out as you felt his thumb against your clit, rubbing the swollen bundle of nerves as he continued to fuck you.

“One more, kitten,” he groaned through gritted teeth. “Need you to come one more time.”

Not that you had much say in the matter. If you’d been able to speak, you would have sworn until you were blue in the face that you couldn’t come again, but less than a minute later, you felt that coiling tension again.

Your whole body tensed, every muscle seeming ready to snap as you came for him again, your pussy clenching around his cock so tight that Billy swore. And, a moment later, he was following you over the edge and into oblivion.

It wasn’t until he came that you realised he wasn’t wearing a condom but by then it was too late and you didn’t care. You couldn’t care. You were too fucked-out to even thinking about it beyond knowing you’d need to get the morning after pill. He continued to move, hips jerking roughly against yours, forcing himself into the deepest part of you as he emptied himself. You barely realised that you were moaning his name, over and over, clinging to him and holding him tight, losing yourself in the feelings that you’d spent months denying.

“You’re mine,” he grunted as he finally stilled inside you, his cock buried deep.

You didn’t respond. You didn’t deny it.

In some ways you knew it was true.

He lowered your legs and practically collapsed on top of you, trailing lazy and wet kisses over every inch of skin his mouth came across, while you wrapped your arms tightly around him. You closed your eyes, basking in the afterglow, enjoying the sudden stillness, and the feeling of your bodies still intimately joined.

“You okay?” He asked softly, nuzzling his face against your neck, not seeming to care that you felt like a sweaty and gross mess after all of that.

You gave a gentle hum in response, which clearly wasn’t enough for Billy. His head lifted and he looked at you before he repeated the question.

“Yeah, Billy, I’m good,” you told him.

“It wasn’t... too much?”

Again, something ached inside you. You hated that you were the cause of his doubts and insecurities.

“Billy, I - “ you shook your head, “- no, it wasn’t too much. It was just enough. It was... amazing.”

He smiled as you reached for him, cupping his cheek and tenderly running your thumb over his scarred skin. You leaned up to press a chaste and tender kiss to his lips, smiling softly as the gentle sound that escaped him.

“Good. I only ever want to make you happy.”

“Then stay with me,” you said, remembering exactly what had brought you to this moment in the first place.

“I - I will, but there’s something I have to do first.”

You couldn’t believe that that was the conversation you were having, especially while he was still buried inside you.

“Can - can you just hold me for a little while?” You asked.

There was obviously no point in trying to stop him from leaving, but you knew that you could slow his departure, even if it was just for a little while. Billy didn’t give an answer, instead he slowly pulled out of you, leaving you to feel that slow trickle of his cum between your legs while he settled beside you and gathered you up in his arms.

Somehow, despite everything, you managed to drift off for a little while, held safely in his arms.

But the perfect moment couldn’t last forever.

Billy roused you after forty or so minutes, telling you that he needed to go. You both moved slowly as you got out of bed, dressing as if it was the last thing you wanted to do. Then, you found yourself at the door again, this time in Billy’s arms, his lips pressing a kiss to the top of your head.

“I’ll be back. Then we can decide what comes next,” he said.

You nodded but found yourself lost for words until the door was open and he was stepping though. “Be careful, Billy. Please.”

For a second, he paused, no doubt because of the tremor in your voice, but instead of stepping back into the apartment and restarting the whole process all over again, Billy nodded.

Then he was gone.

Fighting, inexplicable tears, you closed the door and headed to the bathroom to shower before ending up back in bed, laying and staring up at the ceiling for a couple of hours until your phone started to vibrate.

“Jenna, what’s -” you started, but Jenna didn’t give you a chance to speak.

“Don’t come into work tonight.”

“What? Why?” Your heart started to pound nervously beneath your ribs.

“The Homeland Agent has been back, asking about Billy... and asking about you,” Jenna said, a seldom heard worry in her voice.

“What about me?”

“I don’t know, Sam said someone - some agent - was asking questions, wanting to know your full name, where you lived, stuff like that.”

Fuck. You felt your chest tighten, your lungs already feeling like they were on fire.

“What did he tell her?” You dared to ask, though you dreaded the answer.

“That he didn’t know - ‘cause he doesn’t, right? He only knows what you’ve told him.”

Thank fuck for that. One of the many reasons you’d taken the job at Sam’s was that he didn’t ask questions; he didn’t care who you were or where you were from as long as you could pull a pint and wouldn’t dip your fingers into the register.

“Fuck, Jenna, what am I gonna do?” You asked, voice trembling, betraying your fear.

“I don’t know, just - just hang tight for a few days, I’ll tell Sam you had a family emergency out of state or something,” Jenna  offered.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me just - just be safe, okay?”

“I will.”

The call ended, leaving you filled with dread and panic. Immediately, you tried to call Billy, but there was no response.

You thought about grabbing your bag from the wardrobe and leaving everything behind but, for the first time in your life, you felt like you had real reasons to stay; Billy and Jenna. 

There was no resting, no sitting still as the afternoon gave way to evening. Jenna texted you to let you know that Sam thought you were in Oregon with family, helping arrange a funeral but, other than that, you heard nothing. You tried Billy a few more times but got no answer.

Every noise outside had you on your feet, expecting a knock at the door - or for someone to knock down the door - but it never came.

By the time your phone did ring, you were so fraught that you almost jumped out of your skin.

Billy. It was Billy.

“Billy, I tried to call, Agent Madani is -”

Something stopped you, some horrible noise; a sharp but struggled intake of breath.

“Billy?”

“Kitten, I -” he started, his voice sounding weak, like he was in pain, “- I... I’m sorry.”

Already there were tears in the corners of your eyes and your mind started to race over every worst case scenario you could think of.

“What’s wrong? What’s going on, Billy?”

“It’s all fucked up, I - I thought I could reason with him...”

“Frank? You went to see Frank?”

There was no point trying to hide the panic you were feeling. Every time you’d seen Billy after run-ins with Frank, he’d been left a mess.

“I wanted an end to it but -” he let out a hiss of pain.

“Billy, what’s wrong?” you asked again, desperate for an answer that would assuage all your fears.

“Kitten, I - I think I’m dying...”

End Note : Okay, so, this chapter got longer than intended (lbr it's because of all the smut) so next week will be the last full chapter, but there is also an epilogue planned. I'd say I'm sorry about the cliffhanger ending, but we all know by now that I enjoy leaving you hanging for a week.

As always your comments/likes/reblogs/asks/general screaming is always cherished and appreciated. I hope you all have an amazing weekend!

Let me know if you'd like to be tagged in future chapters! If tagging doesn't work for some reason (aka Tumblr being dumb) I post most Fridays around 7:30 gmt (and on AO3 at some point in the hours after).

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[lesabear]

Thoughts on Veilguard

TLDR: If empty calories were a video game it would be Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The game is a pleasant enough - if generic and unremarkable - action RPG that basically abandons the themes and feel of the previous games, resulting in a bland story that largely avoids dealing with anything that might remotely cause conflict in the party or force the player to consider anything other than surface level good-bad morality.

If this is the direction they're taking DA, then I think I'm done with the franchise. If I wanted a generic, thematically uninteresting, action RPG there are so many other games to play.

Spoilers in my detailed thoughts below

The good:

It looks very nice - I wish I could have spent even more time exploring the world areas.

Very few bugs or technical issues unlike Andromeda (or most new games in general). I had a few minor issues near the end but overall was very impressed.

Manfred and Assan are great secondary companions. If anyone knows where to find a skeleton and/or griffon friend please let me know.

I quite like Emmerich, Davrin and Bellara and romanced the latter two and (Generally) really liked both. Disclaimer: I tend to have different tastes than the majority of DA fandom when it comes to romances. I expected to have mixed feelings on Bellara because of my issues with Bioware and their cutesy awkward naive/inexperienced female characters but I thought they (mostly) got her right.

Some interesting lore stuff, though I quibble with how it was delivered at times. Still was fun to get a lot more info on the Evanuris, Solas, Mythal, the Titans, etc. And there's also some fun lore stuff in the codices, although again I question whether that's the best way to deliver them.

The final mission is a lot of fun and the clear standout quest other than Weisshaupt maybe. Both are a lot of fun and combine multiple story elements with good gameplay for a satisfying experience.

Combat is engaging although it does get repetitive once you "solve" it. I did a lot of grinding to complete content though so that might be my fault.

Solas is very Solas-y in the game and the highlight of the antagonists by far. I wish there had been more of him and I say that as someone who finds the Solas fandom somewhat exhausting at times. He was far more interesting and compelling than the "even-worse" gods and the fact he's a fuck up who keeps making things worse because he's an egotistical fuck-up who thinks he's the only one that can fix things was is both tragic and fun.

Neve-Lucanis and Taash-Harding are both very cute. I actually think they might be my favorite companion romances off the top of my head (Tali-Garrus does absolutely nothing for me, and I don't even romance either character with my Shepard).

The not good

Why is the Inquisitor wearing pajamas.

Bioware can fuck off for making me pop about a zillion blight pimples. It's really not that much fun after the first 1000

Extremely disappointed with how sanitized the narrative is. There's little attention paid to major facets of the DA universe that are directly relevant to the plot (religion, Tevinter slavery, racism toward elves etc.) and you also get stuff like the Crows now being far lighter of an organization than they were previously.

Just as an example - both Davrin and Bellara touch on what it means to have their gods be the villains but they're just topics for conversation and there's no meaningful impact (especially as the bad guys rely on Antaam and Venatori forces - oh and generic mercenaries). The Dalish are just there (or victims of the bad guys) for the most part. I've read comments from Bioware that confirm this but it seemed obvious Bioware wrote themselves into a corner with making Elven gods be the main antagonists, as you then run into the issue of having the elves not only already be a persecuted minority but also be worshipping evil gods - but instead of writing around it they just avoided dealing with it and acted like it's just the Dalish getting a big win by not joining them.

Speaking of enemies, lots of bland dialogue from the non-Solas big bads. And the Venatori/Antaam/mercenaries gave off major "Cerberus in ME3" vibes - nameless, faceless goons thrown at you in waves that got very boring very quickly.

The way a companion gets hardened because of a choice early in the game is mostly meaningless unless you wanted to romance them. People getting mad about that happening are being ridiculous - if anything the game is too afraid (as usual) to have it actual matter beyond them briefly being upset before moving on.

One of the big choices is to decide whether to protect Treviso or Minrathous when both are attacked by dragons, but it happens so early you might lock yourself out of quests without realizing it. Worse, the ensuing mission is incredibly short and boring (basically a couple of packs of generic enemies and then a very brief dragon fight)

Why is the Inqusitor wearing pajamas.

Why can't I be a mean/"bad" Rook? Even the jokey responses feel super tame compared to previous DAs (let alone the borderline assholish purple hawke). Basically you're only allowed to be slightly different variations of a heroic figure.

While the companions are all nice they all top out at "I like them", with none matching the story or emotional peaks of previous Bioware games. Emmerich comes closest (especially if you account for Manfred) but there's just enough meat to him.

Disappointing romances compared to previous Bioware games(especially but not limited to Lucanis.). Not a ton of depth dialogue wise and at times it feels like they put more time into the companion romance than the Rook version (this time I am definitely talking about Lucanis).

Speaking of which, Lucanis was the biggest disappointment of the companions. I didn't want a Zevran clone but you have a hardened assassin possessed by a demon who (if you choose not to save Treviso, which cuts off a lot of his content) just drinks coffee and likes Neve and uh....

Completely forgettable soundtrack which is a major bummer after previous installments. Also, while I didn't have many technical issues, the music not always playing was one of them (although maybe it doesn't really matter given the lack of quality!)

Bad to horrendous incorporation of previous DA story which was also incongruous with the general tone, especially with the handling of the Inquisitor and the treatment of southern Thedas (especially if you get the Emmerich and Harding picnic conversation at an awkward time like I did.)

Lots of disappointing cameos but especially from my Pirate Queen/Wife from DA2. Isabela's hat is indeed very nice but what is that outfit? And I get they didn't want to deal with too complex a world state but man was it a bummer to see her basically reset after everything her and Hawke went through in my main DA2 playthrough.

Why is the Inquisitor wearing pajamas.

What did they do with Harding? Why did she basically get Dagna's story, even if Titan lore is interesting? She's such a nothing character in this game which is such a weird choice given that she's clearly there because they know fans like her.

The "Actually Varric was dead all along" did nothing for me. He barely shows up in game anyway and the weird framing of every appearance and the fact no one other than Rook ever interacts with him gave it away (at least partially)

[respectthepetty]

The Loyal Pin - Finale

I've waited two weeks for this finale, so I'm jumping straight in because I need three things out of it: a happy ending, Anin wearing pink, and Patricia apologizing to Pin, WHICH IT THE FIRST THING TO HAPPEN!

Pat, who finally gets her name back, is wearing Pink Person Pin's color and giving the best apologizing to Pin who still doesn't fully have her color back.

And now Anin's mom is pawning off the jewelry in case the girls have to go to England, and I have never appreciated fictional color-coded women more in my life.

OUR ALLY! OUR KING! OUR BEST BOY!

As much as Pin was upsetting me with that marriage business, she always shows up for her girl, and no man would EVER get on the floor and beg for mercy like this! THIS IS THE MOMENT!

One thing about Anin is she is always going to be a Blue Beauty regardless of what is happening.

WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING?! NO!!!! WE AIN'T GOING OUT LIKE THIS! PIN FINALLY GOT HER COLOR BACK AND HER AUNT/MOM/WHATEVS IS ON HER SIDE NOW! NOOOO!

Wait, a damn minute! What the hell is this all about?

What did this Blue Bitc--Beauty do? Annette, ANSWER ME?!

It's a prank?! What in the MTV's Jackass is this bullshit about?!

AND EVERYONE WAS IN ON IT?!

Anan, on God, you are the only royal I respect in this house because you have been PFLAG's Ally of the Year, and I appreciate you trying to convince your father, but what in the Sam Hill was your sister thinking?!

Pin, beat her! At least slap Annette once. She hasn't worn pink yet, and now this?! I know she is a princess, but if this was French Revolution, Annette would be on thin ice. I'm not saying kill her, but she needs to be scared the same way she keeps scaring you BY KIDNAPPING YOU!

Or give her a ring for her birthday because you love her special brand of crazy. Sure! That works too!

And the whole group is in blue for the Blue Beauty with some pops of pink. Everyone supports her special brand of crazy. Got it!

This feels like a baby shower, so it being a rich lesbian's birthday is making this so pleasurable!

Now, Pat! You just got your name back, and now I want to snatch it away again! What is this, mama? Desserts are your specialty, not decorations. Stick to your strengths, girl, cause this ain't it! AND WHY IS ANIN IN GREEN?! This green has haunted me the entire second half of the show! And now the green AND that little figurine will haunt me forever.

I know I should be happy homegirl is pregnant, but since Anan dropped the fact that he didn't get to marry who he loved, I feel bad for both of them.

They will make this work, but as Anin's mom would say, I'm being really western about this marriage of conventionality.

Alin, were you the Green Girl I was waiting for all along to take this darn color that has haunted me?!

Everyone's cute and in their colors. Alin looks more like Anin and Pin's daughter, and I love that for us.

Pat, I'm still salty toward you, but I'm glad I don't want to fight you anymore because you look so good in your color, and I hate being attracted to people who piss me off. I was never not attracted to you, but it's nice to know I actually like you again too.

Annette, just because you have incorporated more florals and dots into your outfits as a sign that you love Pin doesn't mean you are off the hook for not wearing pink, but I'm going to ignore it right now because MY BABYGIRL IS FREE!!! She can live her life as the bright and beautiful Yellow Yal she was meant to be without a man tying her down! I actually hope Aon is well too.

I don't know how Kuea's wife made the same mistake twice, but more power to that woman for giving that triflin' man two kids.

They are adorable wives, and Pin giving Anin lunch in a pink gingham checkered cloth is adorable, BUT WHERE IS YOUR PINK, ANNETTE?!

Prik, you and Pia were the real ones putting up with these lesbians over DECADES ACROSS CONTINENTS! I hope Annette taught you how to play tennis and drive, so you can run her errands in style.

SHE IS WEARING PINK! ANNETTE IS WEARING PINK! IT'S HAPPENING AND I'M SCREAMING!!!!!

Leave it up to Idol Factory to wait until the last possible minute, literally, to give me the color exchange! Congratulations, everyone got their name back this episode. Good job, Anin!

Pushing the horrible prank aside, the finale was worth the wait and the hour and half runtime. I enjoyed every single episode, and the colors were coloring until the very end (damn you, Idol Factory!), so I do hope it gets the credit it deserves for being the most each episode and doing most of it amazingly well.

Everyone got the ended they needed including our color-coded girls in love.

And I love that.

[cryptid-killjoy]

Babyface was nodding like yeah what she said.

"Exactly."

He meant it though. He had not come to take her away. He'd gotten in the mind set before he stepped off the boat and he made up his mind when he gave Ellie his parting last words of just in case. He had no intentions of making Mazzie leave. He also had no intentions of making any decisions for Ellie. He was done thinking he knew what was best for anyone. That's what fucked things up.

Once both Ellie confirmed neither one of them were there to try and take her away Mazzie's body language started to relax. She still seemed at the ready, but after realizing zombies were on this island now that made sense to Babyface. He was just glad she started to talk to Ellie even if it wasn't to him right off.

"He's at the control center with the donkeys and our Papas."

Babyface's eyes bugged. "You mean the Coachman survived?"

"I didn't say that."

He glanced over at Ellie unsure what that meant.

"You mean? Honest John and Gideon? They're here?"

"Something like that. You'd be surprised who's here."

Mazzie was still focused on what Ellie said. How things went before. It made her stare at Babyface despite them saying they weren't going to try and make her leave.

"The Coachman's not happy with you. He was ready to give it all to you. He wants to know why we would trust you now?"

"I thought you said he didn't survive?"

"I didn't say that." Mazzie spoke stern and slow.

Babyface looked at Ellie more than once. He wasn't always the quickest on the uptake in these situations, but he understood something strange was going on.

A part of Babyface was hoping this conversation would play out a little differently. He was hoping for more wiggle room before he put all his cards on the table. He wasn't even completely sure he understood what was going on, but he decided he didn't care. He knew he made the decision before stepping foot off that boat. It had been in his head for months. If he ever had a do over, he knew what he would do. Here he was with a real do over.

"Look Mazzie, please. I don't know what the Beagle is going on here. I almost don't care. All I know is I wrecked it right up. I want to stay here with you like before. Just like we talked about. I don't want to be a donkey. I want to be like you. I'll stay. I'll take care of it with you."

He glanced back at Ellie with every other statement.

"You know I loved it here. That part doesn't have to change. What can I do to make it up to the island? I just want to stay with you."

That was the most disarming confrontation Mazzie could have been hit with. Several island boys started to pop up out of the candy woodworks as if the island itself understand the ramifications of the conversation.

"You'd stay?"

The half a dozen or so boys began to line up behind Mazzie. She waved a hand downward to stave them off. The island listened to Mazzie.

"Yes." He looked at Ellie again knowing this time around the boys were some extensions of the magic that was the Coachman's wife embodied in this cursed place. It was knowledge they didn't have the first time.

She looked passed Babyface to Ellie. "Is that why you're here too? You want to stay too?"

Babyface hadn't meant to put Ellie on the spot, but to him this was the only way. It was his only regret in his entire life. He didn't regret pulling the trigger, but he sure did regret fleeing the scene. He was so scared of becoming a donkey he left his crew behind.

Every Beagle for himself. Get out alive. That's all he could think at the time. Hindsight after juvie and seeing his mother made him realize there was another role a Beagle could take that was just admiral to the family. It was why he was in juvie. He took the fall. He was ready to take the fall now.

“It was probably some douchebag boy who was sent here,” Ellie said, resolutely. That, she could believe. There were so many here that were ripe for the taking. The boys that would probably come up with a game like ‘Poke the zombie’. Ten points if you get it’s stomach. Twenty points if you get it’s head.

She had her hand on Babyface’s back, the two of them using one another to steady themselves as they looked up at Maz. The hair was definitely a big change and Ellie thought back to the slumber parties that they had - how fun it would be to do something like that again and be girly and cute and braid each other’s hair now that hers was long enough. But that felt like a part of a Oogie-induced lifetime dream now. Making her yearn, making her nostalgic for something that probably would never happen.

All things considering - Mazzie’s reaction seemed fair from her point of view. They had tried to talk to her and Jax until they were blue in the face about how wrong the situation with the Magic Man was. But no words had been able to convince her. That’s why Babyface had did what he did. It seemed kind of foolish now to expect that just because their lives had changed - they had become street kids in other towns, misplaced, an orphan, losing a whole family - that her mind might have.

“We’re not here to take you away,” Ellie affirmed, with a nod of her head, her blue eyes trying to meet Mazzie’s darker ones. “We’ve just - we’ve been thinking about you. And how things went the last time around. And then there’s been this whole zombie epidemic and we had to leave New Orleans and -” She shrugged with a sigh. “It’s been this whole big thing.”

She looked up at the candy-canes again, that Mazzie had been climbing, and then asked one of the many questions that had a hold on her heart right now.

“Where is Jax?"

[spacebaby1]

After you (PART 6)

(Reader!Nanami's widower / Gojo Satoru)

You sat at the cafe with Suguru watching Choso tell him about a random cartoon show while Suguru gave him the full attention and just when you turned your head towards the door, there was Satoru with Megumi walking ahead of him and rushed when he saw Suguru.

Megumi hugged Choso as the two babies laughed and then Megumi hugged Suguru before running towards you. With a smile you ruffled his long hair; he needed a haircut immediately. Suguru had no idea about what happened between you two.

Watching Megumi and Choso play at the small playground in the café had all your attention even though both Suguru and Satoru tried to include you in the conversation, you'd just hum or nod giving them small answers. "Hello? Yes, ma. Okay, I'll be there, see you soon." Suguru ended the call before sighing, "I have to get going, mom called. We'll meet again, okay?" You smiled at him as he gave your hand a squeeze before muttering, "stay strong, beautiful. Call me if you need anything."

You sighed before getting up calling Choso, "I'll drive you to home." Gojo said and you nodded without saying much. The ride to home was suffocatingly silent only the voice of Megumi speaking to Choso about random things was heard.

Satoru immediately got out of the car after parking to help the kids out of their seats as Choso and Megumi jumped in his arms while you held Yuji making your way inside the house. Once settled in Satoru couldn't stop thinking as he noticed the dark circles under your eyes and the tired look on your face as you gathered the toys from the floor to clean up a bit yet avoiding Satoru completely.

“Are you okay?” he asked, approaching you gently, leaning forward. “You can talk to me, you know. I’m here for you.”

And it all fell apart, a sob left your lips, “I feel like I’m drowning. And I don't know what to do! I can't stop crying. I'm gonna lose my kids and I'm fucking terrified." You sobbed hands reaching your eyes hiding your pain in the darkness.

“Then don’t,” he replied, reaching across the table as he pulled your hands from your tears stained face and giving your hand a comforting squeeze. “Let me help you. Just please, i want to help you! Its killing me to see you like this and in pain. For the boys? Just let me in this and let me do this for you and for Nanamin? I will never forgive myself if anything happened to you or the boys and I'm sure Nanamin would hate me if I don't protect you and the boys. Please."

Fighting back the flood of tears was a losing battle. You broke down again at his words. How could you think of being with someone other than your Nanami? the dam of pent-up emotions collapsing all at once. “I can’t…” you cried. “I can’t just marry you because I need support. That isn’t fair to you, or to me, or to the boys. This is wrong! I don't want to ruin your chance of happiness just because for you to protect me?"

Satoru’s expression softened, and he let go of your hand, creating a space for your pain to sink in. “Darling,” he began softly, “this isn’t just about needing someone. I’d never push you into something you didn’t want. But we could be a family, and I could take care of you all. You wouldn’t have to do this alone anymore. And you're not ruining my chances in anything, I would never live with myself, let alone be in love with anyone if I know I failed to protect the people that mean the world to me. You and the boys are all I care about. I have Megumi. Why would you think I'll go looking for another woman who knows nothing about my child like you do. Someone who won't take care of my Megumi like you did when I was barely able to feed my child lost in grief? Let me he there for you."

As you wiped away the tears, feeling an overwhelming fatigue. The burden of being a single parent weighed heavily on your shoulders already. Perhaps marrying Satoru would provide stability for your sons, especially little Yuji, who barely understood the loss of his father, and Choso, who would soon be old enough to ask questions.

Whipping your tears and taking a deep breath,“Let’s talk tomorrow, okay?” you said finally, voice trembling but steadied by determination. “I…I need to think about it. I need to lay down -" making your way towards the stairs looking for something to support, and Satoru immediately grabbed your hand, leading you upstairs to your room where the boys were already sleeping.

You sat on your bed as he stood on the doorway. "Do you need me to take the boys?" You shook your head. "Do you need anything to eat?" Again you shook your head and Satoru nodded, before leaving he made his way next to you and placed a soft hand on your head immediately making your sob. "Shhh, take care of yourself, Please." You nodded whipping your tears and laying down on the bed. It wasn't long before you fell asleep and Satoru headed downstairs laying on the couch.

The next morning you woke up to the sound of Megumi and Choso playing with their toys in your room, carefree as they had just woken up from their sleep; you could tell from Megumi's and Choso's messy hair, grabbing the watch you saw it was still early in the morning. heart heavy from yesterday, you got up making your way downstairs. And poured herself a cup of coffee, when you noticed Satoru’s soft snoring from the couch as you poured him a cup of coffee and made your way towards him. He had been incredibly helpful since her Nanami ’s passing, always there to lift your spirit yet avoiding his own, even if only for a moment; to the outside world he was the strongest but right now he was as tired as any father can be taking care of his only child and now worried tirelessly about you and the boys. As you sat down on the armchair, the warmth of the early morning broke through your sadness, as did the thought of a future without the constant strain of loneliness for your little boys.

You had made your decision and just then Satoru flinched awake feeling that someone was staring at him, he sat on the couch blinking the sleep away as you handed him the coffee cup which he took with a small smile. “Okay, I’ll marry you,” you told Satoru before he could take a sip on his coffee. His eyes lit up with a mixture of surprise and relief as if a weight of worry fallen of his shoulders. “It would be good for us, for the boys. But we need to take it slow. But if at any moment you feel like it's not the right thing to do and you want out, you tell me. Promise me that."

“Of course,” he nodded as you both shared the silence of the morning.

Before you know it; its been 4 years since that morning now. You found yourself laughing more often, the echoes of joy returning to your home. It was one of the afternoon where the kids would run around the backyard with Satoru playing and you watched him running around with your kids; with Choso and Megumi, Satoru’s close companion, who had become a part of their lives now, he's been nothing but a supportive role model to your boys and always treated them like his own.

“Mommy!” Yuji squealed, grinning wide, his brown eyes sparkling with pure delight as he waved at you.

“I see you, baby.” you called. Their laughter bubbling up as you saw them from where you sat at the wooden porch. That when Satoru gathered little Yuji off the gound making his yelp and burst into laughter as Satoru pretended to bite his face. Before placing him on the ground and he ran away towards his older brothers, Satoru glanced back at you, a content smile on his face. You watched him, marveling at how effortlessly he engaged with the boys, playing tag, lifting them high into the air, and making them scream with delight. Satoru made sure to place framed pictures of your late husband Nanami around the house and tell your boys about his high school year stories, their adventures, their jokes and he mostly made sure to have their fathers memory alive to them. He not once tried to take Nanami's place but tried to be around for all of you. And you appreciated him for that.

“Are you happy?” Satoru asked suddenly as he sat beside you watching the kids play, his gaze steady on you. The question was simple, but it held a deeper meaning that only you two understood. You nodded, a wave of warmth spreading through your heart. “Yes, very much,” you replied sincerely.

Omg! Yes! Finally, I got the chance to update on this. Hope you liked it, and I want to thank everyone who's been so sweet and reading my silly little fincs. I love you all! Xoxo

[epickiya722]

Hi, I just wanted to say your blog has gotten me through all the my hero academia discourse from the epilogue leaks that have came, out I just find it so frustrating Remembering when chapter 430 came out the leaks taken out of context again. Seeing people hate on midoriya is frustrating to me as a midoriya lover and a bakudeku shipper. Being in fandom is so tiring will definitely be taking a break from my hero academia until Dec 4 when the volume officially comes out.

First, you're welcome!! ദ്ദി ( ᵔ ᗜ ᵔ )

Second, you should take your break!

I'm with you on how frustrating how this fandom can be. I am, too, a Midoriya fan (you already know I'm about to say he's my #1 tied with Miruko) and being a multishipper, I have came to like BakuDeku.

I'll tell you, seeing how everyone is reacting, I frankly find myself highly annoyed.

I don't discriminate, so I'm annoyed with just about everyone right now.

From saying this is canon and this is ruined and whatever else isn't helping anything.

It seemed almost no one learned.

The full chapter isn't out yet and people want to start ship wars.

BakuDeku's now coming for Horikoshi's throat are doing exactly what others have been saying for years, you are really proving what antis and others have been trying to call you folks! They've been calling the shippers "toxic" and now with the leaks out, BakuDeku are acting out. I thought you were better than this! Don't be attacking people, hello? Let alone the fucking mangaka???!!!

You can ship BakuDeku! Don't feed the haters what they want! DO BETTER!!

Oh, the other ship shouldn't celebrate so soon either. "Horikoshi has been hinting IzuOcha since the beginning. BakuDeku's were delusional into thinking their ship would be canon."

Show me you're an ass without telling me. Case and point.

First, can we drop that word, "delusional"? I hate it.

Second, I don't know if anyone is really paying attention, but the most Horikoshi has done with IzuOcha was make it feel one-sided. Izuku barely shown anything towards Ochako except being flustered around her like once or twice because she's a girl. Just like he has done with other girls.

BakuDeku shippers weren't delusional to ship them because look at the manga, just look. They even have a volume cover that looks to be a reference to Spider-Man and Gwen Stacy!!

What I hated about Ochako having a crush wasn't that she had a crush. It's Izuku, why wouldn't she like him? What I hated was the fandom chose to only recognize her for that. Whether you hated or loved Ochako, it feels like injustice to her to think only her crush on Izuku was important and then assume from barely fucking nothing that after eight years, he wants to date her because his possibly drunk ass looked at her and thought "I want to make her my wife, she's so pretty".

Sorry but it's a played out trope.

And after reading his previous works, Horikoshi making the main boy and girl canon don't even seem like his forte. It just don't feel right.

Now, them dating isn't bad and I know some people think "it will ruin Ochako's development" but again... how we know that with very little information?

And Izuku, my favorite green bean... this fandom really doesn't get you. I have unfollowed and blocked so many people within just year alone because of these bad takes about him.

"Bakugou should take that suit back". Bakugou isn't the only one who contributed to that suit. Yeah, he gave the most donation but saying that just makes him sound controlling. Don't do that. Don't make him sound like someone who would deprive someone of something just to control their actions. Bakugou fans, come on now.

After all the years of Bakugou being hated? Don't do that to him. I mean, I'm already disappointed in some of you, but come on.

Izuku ain't do nothing wrong that we know of! Cool your jets, first!

We don't have no full translation. We don't have all the pictures. The leaks gave to little to darn near nothing.

We don't know everything, but apparently it doesn't matter to anybody, does it, friend? (I meant the friend part affectionately!)

Again, I'm annoyed at just about everyone right now about this. Nothing is canon until everything is out on the table and every little detail is seen.

People were acting like 430 was such a terrible ending even before the whole chapter came out and now seeing them go "I guess that chapter wasn't so bad" is so funny to me. Oh, now it doesn't?

[iniziare]

Tag drop: Aventurine.

[memento-morri-writes]

I've been thinking a lot about how Rook's reunion with his former mentor, Zara, is going to go, and since I can't predict what the DM is going to have her do or say, I can only dwell on what I know is going to happen. Which happens to include taking off the illusion ring that's been hiding his injuries from her. So have a snippet of the description I have planned for that moment:

tw for description of (mostly healed) injuries

He hesitates, twisting a ring on his finger. Looking at it more closely, she can tell it’s very finely crafted, and must have been very expensive. A large emerald is set into the band. Rook sighs, and pulls the ring off his finger in one quick motion.  Immediately she’s struck by the difference in his appearance as the illusion melts away. He looks awful. His warm, healthy skin fades to a dull and sickly grey. There’s huge bags under his deeply sunken eyes, and his cheeks are hollowed, as though they have been carved out by an overeager sculptor. He looks like he’s recently risen from the grave.  While he was thin before, now she can see his ribs under the skin, and his collarbones are exaggeratedly pronounce. Thin white lines left by dozens upon dozens of recently healed cuts are scattered across his body. On top of that, faded bruises cover most of his visible skin, a mottled mosaic of purple and yellow. They’re clearly days, maybe weeks old, and she can only begin to imagine what they must have looked like when fresh. Bandages are barely visible under his shirt, wrapping around his back, hinting at even more injuries.

[talkorsomething]

I have Got to get more transgender

[kapyushonchan]

It's not the authors who write these cards about "Why should you romance character X?"? Sasha has nothing to do with this at all, she can help create a character profile, but everything else, and this card in particular, are problems you should be asking from RC management and their PR.

I realize that the last update upset a lot of people, but it bothers me that Sasha has started to be slandered because people are unhappy with her poor writing choices (As if other authors in RC don't have the same issues that Sasha does).This isn't the first such confession post. In another post, people in the comments have started making assumptions about her personality and personal life because Sasha is giving them "a bad vibe" and they don't even know her personally.

Criticizing the author for certain decisions is one thing, but going ad hominem and accusing the author of something that happens behind the scenes of development because you think she's behind it is overstepping the mark. I understand why it happens - Sasha doesn't keep social media, rarely updates her Telegram blog, comments are closed, but the desire to vent bile is very strong among some people, and that's why nitpicky drama starts.

Let me emphasize that I'm not saying that Sasha can't be criticized, she should be, her Greg and Anna routes are the weakest among favourites. Criticism helps improve the work, and Sasha always listened to criticism - added warm things to Laine's closet, added worldbuilding information when questions arose, etc. What I'm saying is that you can't criticize her like /the examples I mentioned above/. Instead, it would be better to write a detailed and constant feedback in the official RC groups with your concerns and things you find problematic, they listen to it.

And once again I remind you that you can always vote with your diamonds. If you're upset with the author, stop spending diamonds on their work, play on Diamond rush only or simply boycott their stories. And always leave feedback.

Confession:

1) "I am totally disappointed in Sasha for that absolutely poorly thought-out and borderline fetishistic Greg card. And before you say it was a joke like Cain's character profile, it wasn't funny, didn't laugh."

2) "I'm probably being overly sensitive but I don't like how Greg's character profile only says about how hot he is without taking into account his personality. Like there's no mention about his charisma, his leadership skills, his love for food, his interest in geography, etc. I know it's meant to be a joke but it feels too....fetishized?? It's even more screwed up if the one who made his profile were the author themselves."

[hadesknockedupintheunderworld]

Sonic fandom when Knuckles has an entire epiphany montage where he calls the Whipple family his home: I mean. This could mean anything. Maybe Wade and Knuckles are good friends. Maybe Knuckles is friends with them.

Sonic fandom when Maddie tells a construction worker that the damage Knuckles did was done by her "big kid" so as to not admit that she has alien anthropomorphic animal teenagers living in her house, and then follows that up by calling Knuckles by "our big red friend" to Sonic, with all of this happening after Sonic says he considers Knuckles to be his roommate: OMG Knuckles series confirmed Knuckles Wachowski CANON I cannot believe we won!! He's her kid this is his home he's Sonic's brother!! After the show he gets back to the Wachowski household and gets in sooo much trouble cause Maddie is his mom

[cosmosrebellion]

Actually the parental dynamic was something I thought only for Optimus and Adora, because OP just has that "Dad who steps up" vibe. What I thought for the other characters are mostly friendships with the Autobots giving them their own "Robot Friend" or them to work out of.

And for Catra I had an idea that is weird, but I found really fun. Her Autobot friend would be Ratchet.

Now, I know that teaming her up with the grumpy old guy sounds weird, but I think that in a "Post-War Etheria", Catra plays a similar role to Ratchet in the Best Friend Squad of being the one who's constantly worried about keeping her friends safe, since all of them are the heroic self-sacrificial type, but hiding her worry under a lot of grumpiness.

Also, I really like the idea of Catra becoming interested in medical practice so she can learn how to better care for her friends and they don't have to rely on Adora's healing powers all the time.

And where Ratchet would feign annoyance over Catra most of the time, once he sees that they share that worry over the well being of their friends, he try to pass some of what he learned over the years: That their friend will get into trouble and hurt themselves to help others. So what they can do is have the right tools and learn the right skills to make sure they're cared for, and so they can lovingly say "I told you so!" after their dumb dangerous idea goes south.

Again, weird out of nowhere pick I know, but one that I think would make for a really fun dynamic.

Can't stop thinking about how if Optimus met Adora and heard her backstory, his already high-level paternal instincts would kick into overdrive.

[moe-broey]

Before I post anything else actually I have a VERY IMPORTANT PSA

(context, Alfonse and Sharena are Emblems here and it's a continuation of another goofy thing I made featuring them w this AU)

Transcript under cut!

Emblem AU

Sharena: "ALFONSE you ASSHOLE"

(scribbly and jagged "Huh?!" from Alfonse)

Sharena: "AS OF gen 7, Flareon AND Salazzle are the only fully evolved Fire Types who can't learn Solar Beam!!"

(Dialogue outside of talk bubbles) Alfonse: "DAMN it!! A grave oversight..." (BONK effect as Sharena punches him) "do you HATE women Alfonse?!" Alfonse "What!! No!!"

Alfred: "THIS is BLATANT Incineroar erasure!!!"

Céline, in rambling text: "also recent additions are Cinderace and interestingly enough Ceruledge -- its counterpart Armarouge can, meanwhile Ceruledge learns Solar Blade via move reminder"

Bullet point reads: *Physical counterpart to Solar Beam, introduced with Lurantis