#i dreamed an entrance for us and here it is! aren't I nice. say it SAY IT

[kantraels]

fseer funniest behaviors

[jellyfishsthings]

My lips. Your lips. Apocalypse.

Warnings: my shit writing, violence (kinda?)

part 2

I will be the first person to say it. School is boring. And that is a lot since Nevermore is no ordinary school. The only class that is interesting, yet exhausting, is this one. Mrs Smith is sitting across from me. Staring intensely in my eyes, trying to find the weak spot in my mental shield. We have been at it for hours and I have managed to preserve my resolve. Until now. She finally breaks in.

"So what is it about you? You seem quite ordinary to be going to that school." The cute Barnstaple across from me asks. He has nice brown hair that curls at his ears. Deep thoughtful eyes. He is mundane or better yet, ordinary, as he called me. He is perfect. But something about him screams certain danger. Tyler, Tyler Galpin, whom I have come to know as my best friend. My dreamy best friend, who I moon over day and night and constantly plagues my thoughts.

"That is top secret agent type of shit, you can not know" I answered him with a chuckle.

The memory soon fades, as fast as it appeared. I feel my shoulders sag from exhaustion and I try to find sense in the safety of my magical pendant. The one that keeps others at bay while also containing my powers. The one that keeps me safe not only from others but also from myself. Mind control is not easy stuff, you have to be hyperfocus. Do you want to control something or someone? You have to draw all your willpower and pour it into that task. Which is tough shit. Making someone forget or simply reading their thoughts or memories, even manipulating them is now as natural as breathing. Shielding yourself from others with the same powers is the hardest. There aren't many of us but we are more powerful than anyone else. So if you slip up, you are vulnerable to the world.

You know what they say. With great power comes great responsibility.

My ears are ringing. My mind is reeling. Each breath I take feels like hell. They are uneven, torturous and slow

"Drink this" I feel a cold water bottle touch my bottom lip. I drink the offered water greedily. My vision from hazy slowly starts turning itself clear and I can make out my surroundings again. "Better?" I nod and wait for the lecture to start. "So your shield lasted over two hours. You are strong, you know that, but you can not let yourself get lost in your daydreams. Especially when we are practising ".

"Yeah I know, I know" I heave, still trying to stabilize my breathing.

"Go rest"

I get up slowly. Unsteady on my feet and wandering through the halls while feeling my way in the walls, trailing my fingertips in the cold stoned wall. I enter my dorm and change out of my uniform. Putting on a white oversized shirt, half buttoned and collapsing in my bed.

The hours pass as I am in a half-awake state. Being aware of the room around me, but my organism turns to its usual state. And so I dream. I dream of him. What it would be like to kiss. What it would be like to date.

I am startled awake as my roommate slams the door behind her wake. Wednesday in her usual lack of colour stops in the middle of the room and sharply looks at me. "Good, you are awake".

I sigh rolling my eyes "What do you want?"

"I am going to the house I was telling you about. I might need your help."

"Why?"

"Because you are useful."

"Jee thanks. It feels good to be appreciated. "

The sun has finally set and we walk towards the school's entrance door, where a familiar Jeep awaits. Tyler, he is here. Enid and Wednesday are wearing their matching hoodie scarf things, as usual, I am left out. As usual, Wednesday climbs in the passenger seat, my seat, and Tyler doesn't say a word about that, instead, he flirts with her. He doesn't even greet me or ask about my day, as he used to.

I silently seeth as we arrive at what looks like a haunted manor. We break in and we start wandering through the house trying to find evidence. At some point, we are separated. As I walk into what looks like an old girl's bedroom, I feel a presence behind me, the hair on my neck standing as I grab the nearest object ready to attack.

Yet a strong hand shoots out and stops my blow easily. "Hey there. Be careful, Rockey, you wouldn't want to hit me, now would you?" The breath is knocked out of me. The moonlight hits him just right, highlighting his features, the soft smile, the high cheekbones and sharp jawline. His laughing face turns into one of confusion. He opens his mouth ready to ask me something, when a strange sound echoes through the room.

He grabs me and flushes me to his chest. He places his hand to my mouth and I feel my heart race. I can feel every plain of his body against mine. His defined chest rises and falls in a crazy rhythm, and his hands hold me in place with urgency. We must stay like this for a few seconds or mere minutes but it feels like hours as I try to catalog his characteristics.

"I will go check, it must have been the girls, please stay here."

"What? No, I am coming with you."

"Please." He uses that voice. The one he knows that can convince me to do anything.

So I stay put. Until I see a light shining into the forest. I find myself following it. Threading through the trees and the fallen leaves. Someone moves just out of sight. A knife is thrown my way and I drop to the ground. The figure stalks towards me and as I think that I am doomed. The Hyde makes its appearance, attacking what I assumed to be a man, tiring him to shreds. After it's done it turns my way, snuffing the air as I am frozen in place, terrified to the bone.

The sound of bones breaking fills the air as the monster in front of me turns into a … boy? A familiar one. He is covered in blood and unconscious. I make a quick decision and drag him towards his house, cleaning him up in his bathtub and stitching up the scratch wound on his pecs. Tyler is the Hyde. The Hyde is Tyler. They are one and the same.

I am watching him, studying him while he sleeps. He looks so peaceful yet troubled. I creep towards his father's room and find some handcuffs, thank you Sheriff Galpin, and tie him up in his headboard, waiting till he awakes.

words: 1.154 (there will be a pt.2.... propably?)

[nicoleheichou]

Girl Of My Dreams - Chapter 49: Know That Look

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Synopsis: Sakusa was the type to always get things done on his own, but now that he's forced to juggle between his successful pro-volleyball career and being a single dad, what happens when he enrolls his daughter in a new preschool and meets his daughter's new teacher? Will their relationship remain professional or will it evolve into something more?

You were sat at the dining table, having just finished up breakfast along with Sakusa and his family. Kimi let's out a sigh from beside you before leaning back in her chair and patting her tummy with both hands. "Now that hit the spot!" You hear chuckles from around the table, clearly everyone was as enamored with the toddler as you were.

"What are your plans for today, son?" Sakusa's father questions while taking a sip of his tea. You watch as Sakusa just shrugs, an arm coming to wrap around your shoulders. "We're just going to see where the day takes us." His parents nod, satisfied with the answer before his mother starts to clean up, causing you to spring on to your feet to help.

Today you weren't going to give in to her protests, you wanted to help clean up especially since Kiyoomi's sister, Kiyoko, wasn't here to help clear the mess away. "Is there anything you want to do while you're here?" His mother questions as she hands you a plate to dry. You glance towards the entrance of the kitchen, catching a glimpse of Kimi in the living room with her grandpa and dad. Judging from the conversation she'd just convinced her grandfather to read her a story.

You shake your head, a smile forming on your lips as you hear the young girl's giggles. "I just wanted to spend time with them. It didn't matter where." You place the last dish on the drying rack just as his mom finishes putting the rest of the leftovers away. "In that case, why don't we go out? Just the two of us. I think it'd be nice to get to know you better. You've clearly won over my son and grand daughter." You were hesitant to be alone with her, at least here Sakusa and Kimi were just a few feet away, but if you left with her you wouldn't have a buffer and you weren't sure what to do. You just really want her to like you and you're worried if left alone you could mess it up.

"Oh don't worry! I won't bite sweetheart! Plus, we'll have so much fun!" Her smile easily puts you at ease that you can't help but agree. You excuse yourself to get ready which has her just as excited and rushing off to prepare for your day together.

You had just finished the painting class but it seems that she wasn't ready to return home, so you both decided on going to the park across the street to relax and get to know each other better. "Did you know you're only the second girl Kiyoomi has ever brought home?" She says as she sits down on a bench. You weren't expecting her to start the conversation with this interesting tidbit so you were taken aback. "No I didn't. But why am I not surprised to hear that? Omi is serious with his relationships. I've noticed that he's very guarded and decides who he wants to let in." You watch as a smile forms on her lips at your observation of her son.

"He really cares for you. And from what I've seen in the time I've known you, I can confidently say you feel the same way for the both of them. I've never seen Kimi be as attached to anyone else besides her father, but to see the reaction she had at not being able to call you mommy, that's when I knew." You look at her, confusion evident on your face. "Knew what?" She let's out a chuckle before giving a pat on your shoulder.

"That you're good for the both of them and that you're the missing piece to their puzzle that they've been searching years to find. Unlike his ex..." She scoffs, a look of disgust on her face before she continues, "You aren't with him for your personal gain, you're with him because you truly care for him. And I know you do because it's not easy starting a relationship when you know he has Kimi and that they're a packaged deal. Not everyone wants to be with a man who's had a daughter from another relationship. But from what I've heard you'd accepted that fact quite easily."

It's your turn to smile, you know how you feel about the father and daughter duo, but there's just something about hearing someone not directly involved in the relationship describe how you feel. "It's hard not to be enamored with them. Kimi is such an easy child to love, she's so sweet, kind, smart, not to mention the cutest child ever, but I might be a tiny bit biased on that." She lets out a chuckle before nodding her head in agreement.

"And where do I even start with Omi? We started out a little weird, what with me being Kimi's teacher and us having mutual friends, but look at us now. He makes me so happy, I can't imagine him not in my life anymore." You let out a sigh thinking about how you're already missing those two and how you can't wait to get back to them. "I love how they look out for each other. And I'm so thankful they've allowed me to be a part of the little bubble they've created together. They both mean so much to me." You feel your eyes getting a little teary, thoughts about how much you care for them making you emotional.

Her hand comes up to gently rub your shoulder. "I know that look." You rub your eyes trying to get rid of the wetness before giving her a questioning look. "Whenever you speak about my Kiyoomi, you get this look in your eyes. It's the same look I get when I talk about his father. You're in it for the long haul, aren't you?" There's a knowing look in her eyes and you can't help but nod your head, were you really that easy to read?

"Was I that obvious?" You watch as she scoffs before listing all the times she'd caught you staring at her son or pointing out how you almost cry every time Kimi calls you mommy. You bring your hands to your face to hide your embarrassment. "My son and granddaughter deserve to have someone who cares about them and doesn't see them as a means to get what they want. They've been through so much and I know they'd be able to get through anything as long as they have each other, but I also know that's not what they want. I know they've always felt like their unit was incomplete, that a part of them was missing. But ever since you came into their lives, they seem whole. I just want to let you know that I'm so thankful that you decided to give them a chance. It means a lot not only to them but to me as well. I just want them to be happy and you do that for them everyday. So thank you." She says as she pulls you into a tight hug that lasts a few minutes, before she's pulling away, a few tears escaping her as she does so. "It's nothing to thank me for Mrs. Sakusa. I just want them to be happy, I want to see them smile, to hear them laugh, I want nothing but good things for them."

She takes the tissue you offer her then dabs at her eyes, careful not to ruin her makeup. "Please, call me mom. After everything I've seen and heard, I'd be honored to call you my daughter." You feel your eyes begin to well up with tears before you're launching yourself onto her and pulling her into a hug. She lets out a laugh before wrapping you up in her arms. "Thank you." She spends the next hour telling you all about her son and his daughter. Stories you can't wait to bring up to Omi just to watch him squirm in embarrassment.

I thought it would be nice if we got to see mc's day with mama sakusa. Lol.

As usual, let me know what you thought in the comments or thru ask!

Taglist: @taelia15 @dorkange @sexyandcringe @szeonn @natriae @whore-for-anime @diestheticu @loveinhaikyuu @youraggedybitch @mikk-o @erenisms @akisrandom @confusion-lord @aikochan4859 @trashy-simp @somniari-94 @pillboxmb @astrrnmy @all-in-the-fandoms @mattsunnn @kunikame @daninaninani @juniorhooter @crayonwriting @beans-and-jeanes @lvrjjun @sosiegate @grassbutneo @saaraunicorn @lalalemon101 @sunahyejin @sugusshi @roselleviennesstuff @queen-aria-things @hello0i @oopskashish @wolffmaiden @shakesqueer444 @julia-1901 @blkladyelle @marinarihearts @oikawas-toris @carlgrimm @zekeslefttit @rory-cakes @nomnom21 @noayuusukki @yukimaniac @the-jester-calamity @everytimeswift

[enstarriedownbad]

Mayoi x F!reader fanfiction

‼️MINORS DON'T INTERACT

Genre: smut

Tw: somnophilia (reader receiving), non-con, established relationship

Word count: 1,447

Plot: As you are sound asleep on your bed, a tall figure stares at you from the corner of the bedroom. You were supposed to be alone this night but it seems you aren't. He gets closer to your bed.

By clicking "see more" you acknowledge that you are 18+ and consent to read this fiction despite the TWs.

"I-I just want to make sure she's okay since she told me she would be alone at home today", Mayoi quietly mumbles to himself.

"AahH I'm so sorry for being such a disgusting stalker Y/N", he says. It seems he used his stealth skills to get inside your house at night without your knowledge. It wasn't his first time doing so.

"Just a sneak peek a-and I-I promise I'll go" your boyfriend whispers, hoping to get to see your sleeping face before leaving.

As the room is quite dark, Mayoi gets even closer to you to catch a glimpse of your facial expression.

"You're so beautiful Y/N... ahH I'm sorry for being such a creep!", he says on low volume.

Be it because of the vibrations in Mayoi's voice or because of the temperature getting hotter, your mouth opens a bit.

"Oh no.. Y/N...?! Did I wake you up?! I'm so sorry I didn't mean to-", he stops.

It looks like you are still sleeping. Your body even relaxes a bit, the switch in your position slightly revealing what you are wearing underneath your bedspread. This didn't go unnoticed on his part.

Mayoi starts to gently pull your blankets off of you with his shaky hands.

"Just a quick look!", he says.

Your bra and panties are the only fabrics covering your body now.

"So... beautiful...", Mayoi compliments with a mixture of adoration and lust.

He stares at your cleavage and crotch for a solid minute, while his is hardening.

"Y/N Can I?...", he says while groping your breast.

"S-So soft".

Mayoi accidentally pinches your nipples. While still dreaming, your body releases a soft moan.

"Do you like it?.... UghH... I'm so sorry for troubling your sleep like this", he says while tearing up.

Although he feels a bit guilty for what he is doing to you, he starts rubbing his thighs together. The sound of your moaning voice made his boner even worse.

"Y/N... ah.. If only you could be awake right now... But if I wake you up, I don't know how to explain why I'm here".

He hesitates, his pants getting tighter and tighter.

He finally stands back up, and pulls his pants down, his lower half only covered by his boxers now.

He sneakily gets back in your bed and puts himself on top of you.

"L-let me just... feel good for a moment, a-and this time I promise I'll go."

Your boyfriend places his covered cock against your panties.

"Ahh! It f-feels nice..." he released at the contact of your two crotches.

Mayoi then starts rubbing his boxers against your clit and entrance.

Even though the thin fabrics of your respective underwear are the only thing protecting you from penetration, you can still feel Mayoi getting harder and harder while feeling you up.

"Mhh! This is nice...". While rubbing, his cock almost slips inside of you but your panties stopped him.

"Y/N... I want more... I want to be in y-you" he whispers to your sleeping self.

He backs up a bit, removes his boxers, and gently pulls up your legs to remove the last thing protecting you from him. Mayoi slowly moves down your panties and throws them on the floor.

He gets back in missionary position and puts your legs above his shoulders.

Your lover places his tip already covered in pre-cum at your entrance.

"I can't believe I'm doing this! I don't deserve to be alive I'm so sorry for everything Y/N but I'll pull out!", he cries while pushing his cock inside your wet folds.

"Ahh... we are finally one..." he says while his dick gets even more erect inside your pussy.

"I hope it doesn't hurt I'm so sorry!"

The man starts moving his hips, pushing his dick even further inside. Your body moans in pleasure. Mayoi mistakes this moan of yours for validation and reaches your cervix.

"T- that's your G-spot right? I-I'll try to make you feel good as well..."

Without further ado, Mayoi starts thrusting fast inside of you, his cock pressing against your deep end after each movement.

"ahhH this is so good" he moans.

Mayoi pounds your pussy as his precum and your love juice mix inside.

"You're so wet Y/N... ahhh you must love my cock right? It means t-that what I'm doing is consensual right?? Or else you wouldn't be so wet right???...", he tries to persuade himself.

Without any regret whatsoever, Mayoi continues to push himself in and out of you, each time thrusting harder and harder against your cervix.

"I love you so much... I'm so sorry!"

His pace gets faster. His dick thrusting the heck out of you feels even harder. You can even feel a slight pain in your cervix.

"H-huh..? Is your pussy opening up even more for me..? Does that mean you want me to cum inside Y/N?"

No reply. You are still unconscious and sleeping.

Mayoi gropes your boobs again, pinching your nipples, hoping to hear you moan once again. His wish got fulfilled as you let out a soft moan after he made your chest hurt.

"I'm so sorry Y/N, but I'll take that as a yes. P-please forgive me!!"

He goes back to pounding your cunt, both of your bodies getting hotter and hotter.

His thrusts get shorter. Mayoi grabs your thighs and presses all of his weight on you.

"T-that way you can't escape my s-seed hah..."

Mayoi gives you one last thrust before cumming inside of you. His dick pressed as hard as possible against your cervix, you feel a warm liquid filling you up.

"Aaahh I love you Y/N" he moans while still cumming and spreading more seeds inside you, his lover.

Your pussy milks his cock. Mayoi keeps a firm grip on your thighs, putting them up so that little to no cum leaves your hole.

"S-so warm", Mayoi moans.

"Take it... all in..., Y/N" your boyfriend says in ecstasy while finishing inside.

Your lover's semen gets inside your cervix and completely fills you up.

"Oh my God I'm so sorry I deserve to be killed this instant. I tainted you!", Mayoi cries while gently sliding out, somehow satisfied instead of guilty, after seeing how well you take his cum in.

"At least t-this.. is over now" your boyfriend whispers.

As he gently pulls out, drops of your love mixture leave your entrance. Unfortunately for you, the man did notice.

"Ah... N-no... This won't d-do..."

Mayoi lets go of your thighs and grabs your waist even harder. With all his strength, he pulls your body even closer to his abdomen. Without a second thought, he places his still erect cock at the entrance of your leaking pussy, and forces himself inside you for the second time.

"I know I keep breaking my promises I apologize!", he says with tears in his eyes.

"B-but, if you're going to be tainted by someone like me, y-you have to take every single drop in before I let you go Y/N. I'm so sorry!!"

Wet sounds, your sleeping face in front of him, the sight of your sex filled with his cum, his sweat mixing with yours, no one stopping him...

And all that while he pounds your already full pussy, again.

"AhhH... I don't deserve you Y/N but please forgive me!"

"If you wake up now, I k-know it's over. If I made you dirty, I might as well go all the way in and make a m-mess of you..! It's not fair for you I'm sorry!"

With that being said, Mayoi removes your bra, the last piece of clothes hiding your body from your rapist. He immediately starts groping your boobs hard while violently thrusting inside of you.

"Ahh so soft", he moans in pleasure.

Mayoi then pinches one of your nipples in one hand and grabs your hip with the other.

You moan again while asleep.

At this sound of yours, your boyfriend starts thrusting more rapidly.

While he could last even longer, your unconscious body reacting to his lovemaking made him climax. After two or three aggressive thrusts, Mayoi is ready to cum inside you again.

"AhhH... I love you please forgive me!", he moans during his orgasm.

His fluids violate your insides yet again. His first cum hadn't even completely left your body but now even more is yet to come.

"I love you Y/N aahh" he cries while cumming again and again inside you.

This time, instead of semen dripping out of your cunt is a little bump. After all, this time, Mayoi made sure his seeds would stay inside.

Next post will either be Rinne (fluff romantic smut) or Kanata (lake public smut)

First time ever writing smut, hope you liked it. Not really proofread. Feel free to ask for requests, it might inspire me

[writerdream22]

requested by: anonymous, I sincerely hope you like this ✨🌻💛

pairings: Dream of the Endless x reader, Roderick Burgess x reader, etc.

warnings: cursing, plus blood and violence might be mentioned

a/n: I unfortunately didn't think the 'soulmate/ seeing colours for the first time' trope fit with the series and Morpheus' character, so I tried to change it up a bit. I hope it's ok!

feedbacks are always appreciated!

You'd been hearing about the devil being held captive at the Burgess manor for a long time, and you were starting to think that maybe the rumors were true.

You weren't one to mess with the supernatural, not in the slightest. However, your family was involved in it, and you had a vast knowledge about the matter. The fact that your father had been invited to stay at the manor for a few days, though, seemed like the perfect occasion to prove whether the rumors were true or not.

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“We're here” your father stated, as you and your parents stepped off your car and walked towards the entrance to the Burgess manor “Don't do anything that would embarrass me, y/n. Roderick was nice enough to welcome us into his home, and I don't want you to ruin this for me and your mother”.

“Yes, father.” you simply responded, while struggling to hold your suitcase.

Your father was about to say something else, when the door opened and on the other side were three people: two servants, and an old man who seemed to be Mr. Burgess himself. “Ferdinand! It's so nice to see you!” he exclaimed, greeting his friend and signaling for his servants to take our baggage; you refused their help, knowing very well that your parents' luggage would have already been too much to bring inside by themselves.

“Marge! And y/n! My, how you've grown! Come on in!” Mr. Burgess then said, before welcoming you into his majestic house. As you walked in, you noticed that all the furnishings were dark-coloured, which gave an ominous and eerie feeling to the whole space they covered.

While your father and your mother talked with the man, you started walking around and observing everything that was around you. All of a sudden, you stumbled upon a young man; he seemed to be about your age, and your memory suggested you that it was Alex, Roderick's son.

“Oh! I'm sorry!” he apologized “Oh, y/n! It's you!”.

“In the flesh” you stated, laughing as you hugged who you considered to be your childhood friend. “How's it been? Is Lucifer doing well in the basement?”

“Well, we both aren't well. And you — you shouldn't know about that”

“I know lots of things. And I would like to encounter this creature you're holding captive. Because —” you were distracted by a raven, which just so happened to squawk and fly out of a tree in that moment. “Because” you continued “The devil doesn't have ravens. The Lord of Dreams, however, does”

Alex seemed too scared to say anything, if not for a warning about what his ' special guest' was able to do. You shrugged your shoulders and went to reunite with your father, as not to anger him nor your mother too much.

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There were a hundred people that day at the party. At least. You'd tried to count them, to no avail, in an attempt to try and make time go by more rapidly.

Everyone seemed too immersed in their own conversation to notice that you were standing by yourself; not even Alex was there to keep you company, as he was running around to attend to his father's needs.

That's when you came up with an idea: why not go down the stairs that led to the manor's basement? It would be just a minute you thought to see if the rumors are true or not. Without a second thought, you made sure that no one was looking your way before descending into the Devil's lair.

You almost fell down a couple times, but you managed to get to the basement without a bruise.

“For the love of—” you cursed, as your eyes met the gigantic glass bowl and the seemingly sleeping man that was inside it.

You started walking around in circles, to analyze its structure, but when the 'Devil' suddenly held up his head you freezed. It wasn't for his beautiful face, nor for the fact that his eyes conveyed deep hatred and hurt.

It was because you'd seen things. There seemed to be a whole universe in the creature's eyes, and you couldn't help but be fascinated by it. It was like the world had brighter colours than before. After a short while, you figured that you had to say something, anything, to make him understand that you didn't have any bad intentions.

“Oneiros ”

He seemed to recognize that name, as his expression somewhat changed to one of surprise — so it is him after all you told yourself

“You.” he seethed. It was clear that he wanted to know who you were, so you introduced yourself.

“I saw them” the Lord of Dreams began, almost whispering as to not let anyone hear “The stars. The colours. Everything”. 

“Everything?” you questioned, earning a subtle nod in response. “I came to get you out of here. And I don’t know how, but I hope I’ll find out a way while I’m here”. 

It seemed like the dark-haired-figure was about to say something, but the sound of a few people walking down the stairs made you react instinctively by running to hide yourself behind a wall. As cliché as the situation was, it seemed like you’d gone unnoticed and tried to hear to what was being said.

“Roderick, this is him?”. It was my father’s voice. What the hell?

“Yes” the Magus responded, “I believe that with your abilities, you might be able to get him to do something for me”.

“I don’t think it would be wise of you to anger the Lord of Dreams, Morpheus. The Endless are known to be quite vengeful, especially when humans dare to treat them in such a way” my father observed, to which his friend responded, “He can’t do anything as long as we keep him inside that circle”.

Your father then sighed, clearly frustrated by Mr. Burgess’ way of thinking, then invited him to go back upstairs, stating that they couldn’t keep their guests waiting for them.

As to prevent your parents from getting more suspicious, you followed their path (careful not to be noticed) and went to the dining room.

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You couldn’t keep your mind away from the brief conversation you’d had with Morpheus. What he’d said about him seeing things after you’d walked into the basement was utterly confusing, but you never questioned whether something made sense or not since your whole family dealt with the Occult.

After that night, you tried to think of a way to free the Lord of Dreams without drawing too much attention, but it seemed to be impossible. There weren't any books in your possession nor in Mr. Burgess' that would have been of help.

While you and your mother drank tea in the manor's garden, you caught sight of a raven flying around. It was the same that you'd noticed the day before, and it was obviously there for a specific reason which was very clear to you since you did know who the Lord of Dreams and his companions were.

Your eyes widened. The raven might have helped, but how exactly?

Therefore, a couple of days later, you went back into the basement.

“The raven—” you blurted out “—it might help you. But I don't know how to communicate with it. Does it understand common tongue?”. The Endless nodded slowly, then pointed to the ceiling.

“Is it up there now? Nearby?” you questioned, to which he responded with a faint “Inside”.

“She's inside, good. Now I just need to—”

Almost immediately, the creature you'd been talking about flew into the room and landed on top of the sphere in which its master was detained; then, it started pecking at the glass surface in an attempt to break it.

Morpheus' eyes were now full of hope, and he slowly stood up as to beckon the raven to hurry up. When you started seeing a crack, you knew that it would have been mere minutes before he could escape.

But, Destiny had other plans.

All of a sudden, you heard the shot of a gun; and the raven was no more than blood splashed onto the sphere's surface. You didn't say anything, but turned around and met the eyes of your father, Mr. Burgess and Alex.

“Y/n, step away” said your father, to which you shook your head. “I don't want you to get hurt. Please, step away from the orb”

“I said no, father” you responded sternly, stepping right in front of the sphere “If you hurt him, you have to hurt me.”

Your eyes went to Mr. Burgess, then to Alex, then to your father. Then to Mr. Burgess again. His eyes were fixed onto Morpheus, who was staring at you.

The old man smirked, then quickly walked in your direction and grabbed your arm. You exclaimed a 'No!' before he also grabbed your neck and made you face the Eternal.

“I'll tell you what, Dream Lord” he said “I will do no harm to miss Y/l/n if you give me what I want”

At that moment, the dark-haired man was clearly preoccupied, and so was your father since he was begging Roderick to let you go.

“Don't touch me, you —” you shouted, only to be interrupted by the white-haired man who questioned “What if I do? Your friend can't do anything. But I can free him if he gives me something in return”

At that point, the Lord of Dreams was clearly torn about what to do. His eyes conveyed sadness and despair, and you silently hoped that somehow, he might have escaped without your help.

You started thinking about different scenarios that could have taken place from that moment on, and something in your mind clicked. The circle.

While Roderick was concentrated on Morpheus, you put your foot onto the spell — that, in your opinion, had been made horribly — and smudged it in the best way possible. You then looked at the Eternal, whose eyes were still fixed onto you, and that's when he saw that you'd given him the perfect opportunity to escape.

Little did you know, he wasn't going to leave you behind.

He turned to look at the man who was holding you hostage, and his expression changed to one that conveyed rage. “So, what do you say, Dream Lord?” Mr. Burgess threateningly questioned.

“I say... that you die”

[lee-hakhyun]

593 + 594

was kim dokja really a good person?

i've changed ceo kdj to representative kdj to better fit, so i'll be referring to him as that from now on ^^ with everyone here, kim dokja's banquet starts. rep kdj asks if anyone has questions, and nobody speaks up because. yeah. why would they? they're randomly brought here, and this guy is clearly way more powerful than them

rep kdj brought everyone here, but it's clearly causing a strain on his probability. lhh raises his hand to ask a question, but someone is faster than him

he's immediately asked if he's really kim dokja. rep kdj brushes off the question, but another boy says he clearly can't be kdj, which gets his attention

first of all, a blind girl in the apocalypse. dear god. rep kdj claims that kim dokja wouldn't care, but the readers aren't phased by this

oh, it's nice to see someone with so much faith with the girl's words, more and more people join in speaking against rep kdj, again asking if he's really kim dokja, and some revealing they've chatting with rep kdj before the scenarios, and he did not act like this

as the mood shifts, all the air in the room disappears. rep kdj begins to speak

a.. heartless god,, 【Among the stories that you loved, was Kim Dokja really a good person?】

after all this, the readers can't defend him anymore.

the readers are the extras now, people who were barely or never even mentioned in orv

so lee hakhyun asks, what does rep kdj want?

well, that's how they got here. an outer world covenant, like what kdj had to go to the 1863rd turn some readers had already expected this, and people start to plan, and ask questions

obviously, questions go to kimcom but this isn't their story, anymore, and rep kdj makes this very clear. this world is for you, not them

with the end of the banquet, beams of light come and start returning people back. lhh and ksi quickly realize they have NOT found jiyoon yet, and push through the rapidly disappearing people to look for her

but they don't find her. kyung sein and lee dansu on hakhyun's back disappear, and lee hakhyun does not feel good about not finding jiyoon

but. in the cleared room, he spots ji eunyu

and,, they don't get to talk, but they've got a location to meet up at!

with lee hakhyun as the last person left, he waits to return. and waits some more.. what is with this guy's soul and sticking in places he shouldn't be.

well, it seems he's not leaving but he can hear some noise, and it leads him to the theater entrance.. which is active.. and yeah. as he opens the door,

ooh. so this is where the kkomas are. i am honestly surprised he thought the kkomas were a dream, seeing as he literally watched yjh on the movie screen with the kkomas for a good bit 37's here again! but rep kdj caught him,, that's not good

and chapter 594

rep kdj has lhh, and lhh wonders, will he recognize him? they did meet for a bit in the actual chungmuro theater shortly before he got transmigrated but rep kdj doesn't recognize lhh, and just drags him out of the movie room so, lee hakhyun has a plan

the thoughts of almost anything stuck with him, even though all the other items were left behind? that's. odd.. using the 'thoughts of almost anything', he grabs rep kdj's hand and it recognizes as an item..? he has to keep contact for 5 minutes to identify it, so he starts buying time rep kdj asks what he saw in the theater, and activates lie detection, but he's able to fool lie detection with incite and just says he saw small kkomas and not the movie itself

he's pushing it. but he continues

there are two kdj representatives..? and there might be more?? i guess kim dokja identify theft is the new thing, yoo joonghyuk is free

and. he continues lhh's exclusive attribute activates, and he starts piecing things together like puzzle pieces

a character whose story was ruined by kim dokja that.. does not narrow it down that much, actually..

he's pushed too far this time, and the sparks around rep kdj intensify, but the analysis completes just in time

i do not like that additional condition!

immediately after figuring out the item, he incites the thought to transform into samyeongdang's damaged bamboo stick, and attacks rep kdj

he wasn't able to find out who rep kdj is due to his level, but his face cracked. and what's beyond it does not sound very good and after that

DEAR GOD>?

PROVOKE HIM FURTHER? he. continues taunting rep kdj even as he's being literally tortured the probability sparks have been getting stronger, but rep kdj still keeps going

if i'm reading this right.. HE DUG A STORY OUT WITH HIS OWN HANDS? WHAT THE FUCK? but the story rep kdj saw

???????

lee hakhyun's story is censored. is that the fourth wall. kimcom?? > A beautiful thread of light.

i didn't realize until i read some of the comments for this chapter, but a thread. ...sangah???

[the-zapped-part-timer]

Penn Zerothon Day 4

I'm Super!🦸🏼‍♂️

My Ramblings: I love that Phyllis quietly downplayed the fact that she's zapping them to the Superhero World, she knows Penn will go berserk! His excitement is adorable and I adore the voice acting. I wish I could get that excited for things. Also we see that Phyllis does in fact live and sleep at the Odyssey. Interesting to see her outside, that would've been neat to see her out and about in town more often.

Very Boone to be using the woman's bathroom. Boone really doesn't ever mind wearing a dress or a skirt and if he's a lady, he's rolling with it! Love him for that.

If I had my dream since I was 6 come true, I'd bawl my eyes out!

Funny that only Sashi has an actual Superhero name. At least with Boone we get an idea,  but Penn? Left out to dry.

Wonder if the Super Dog is what got Sam Levine on Super-Pets? I know that's not how it works but it would be funny.

Captain Super Captain is a treasure, RIP Adam West. His force fields look awesome.

Always with the dramatic entrances, eh Rippen? This tells me that your hide out may be underground. Also was the car smashing really necessary? You didn't even throw them!

I love all the Superheroes just yelling their names out like overpowered Pokémon.

What an interesting sound when Larry first springs out of Rippen's suit... also I like expression when Rippen uses his new found super speed. Ya scrambled his brain cells, Rippen! Do you think he was ever embarrassed about having Sashi's powers? Probably thinking I have to take them not because I want but that she can't have them.

Larry almost killed an old man.

I will never be tired of the mystery behind Penn's superhero logo. The theories are endless! We got:

An 8

A dollar sign

Two awesome snakes just hugging

An 8, again

A stack of two donuts

A snowman

And my favorite, two awesome cookies hugging

Like where did you get "two awesome cookies hugging." Rippen? He almost sounds a little innocent here. Also how he said "snowman vibe" is so unbelievably sassy. Rippen really said "HEY" at Penn so annoyingly, I love it.

Penn's great wink is going to someone who desperately needs it.

My god, the remodeling kitchen story and the fact that Rippen's reading his mind? All the same info swirling in his brain? Amazing already. Probably a headache coming on and then BAM! RANDOM ITEM STRAIGHT TO THE DOME! His expressions, he's so confused. Comedy gold.

Also I need you all to do yourself another favor, when Captain Super Captain messes with Rippen's robo-leg wires and says: Captain Regular Captain! Look at his legs. Damn...

I love the idea of Rippen and Larry just getting arrested. We get to see Rippen's nice and simple suit, very stylish.

Just this out of context:

Rippen: To be honest, Larry, it feels better not to have you in my belly.

Larry: Really? I was starting to feel at in there. It was kind of cozy.

And we end off with Penn accidentally destroying the city. The day is saved indeed, mission accomplished.

~The Characters~

Penn Zero: Must have sucked that he wasn't super for most of it because you know, it was his dream since he was 6. But happy he learned that powers aren't everything, it's the inner self within that matters. I'm sure he will still never not freak out when they're zapped here.

Boone Wiseman: Doesn't do a whole lot but I do wonder what he's read in others minds that he didn't bring up. Would've like to see that as a gag. Unused potential.

Sashi Kobayashi: Poor Sash. I don't think her power is that bad, don't underestimate the power of smell! It can be so horrible for so many people sensitive to strong odors.

Rippen: This has been on my mind for years! The fact is he is not a supervillain in this world, no powers! My headcanon is that the villain is bitter about that an wants to steal everyone else's powers. Anyways, so close to winning but the power of teamwork saved the day, as always. I just need to know how this guy and the mutant parasite met!

Larry: Super helpful in this world, he can use his special power and not hurt anyone... hugs! I really like that he played a huge part in the plan and actively participated. He even pushed an old man! Evil points!

Dimension(s): Cool world but raises plenty of questions, mainly: what is the entire world like? Is everyone super? If everyone is super, are they really super? What's it like for people not born or accidentally turned super? Can you accidentally become super? I wanna know! Even the politics!

Forms: I like Sashi's because I like skunks, they're cute! Helps that the purple and green combo slaps. Boone's is alright, he looks good. Penn's... not a huge fan on the yellow to be honest with you. But still looks good, especially those two awesome cookies, hugging.

But Rippen's design is awesome! He's just a guy in a giant mech suit but so what? I like it. Larry's is also really cool! He's just a little purple man worm and apparently worms are my jam now so yay!

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

The Fast and the Floor Rugs🧞‍♂️

My Ramblings: So, they've fought vampires before and of course Sashi kills them in the most slow and painful way imaginable... did she do this to Rippen, who we see a photo of as a vampire. Probably not, I think it's possible Larry did, as we see in the picture in that particular episode, I'll bring it up again.

Is Phyllis reading a romance novel? It's a nice deep red and says something with love on it. I can't properly see it. But good for her.

Penn and Boone didn't even make a peep when they saw Sashi, they both just smiled, but not in a joking way, more of a you look cute today kind of way. I like their smiles. But also I understand her threat, so far in these episodes, I notice a lot of the time we see Sashi last and the boys say something that can come off as them making fun of her. They're never malicious, I just understand her wrath.

There's that monkey obsession of Boone's flaring up.

Bikers! A good twist on the obviously Aladdin inspired world. Interesting to see a lot of evil or mean bikers in media when in real life, a lot of them are nice, some the nicest and most helpful people. Like Bikers Against Child Abuse. Anyways, Rippen's face when Larry vacuums his rug.

Is it a can of worms to bring up the hero being white in a predominantly non-white place? There's something about that, right? I mean, going back to Aladdin... it's certainly a subject.

I like the conflict at hand between Penn and Boone, I mean, Penn isn't entirely wrong but I still feel for Boone, he's trying his best. Probably hurts more considering this is his family's thing to be wise and helpful to the heroes and him failing at that... ouch. I understand both of them, I've been on both sides.

Trouble in bromance land? Yes, Rippen, actually! His little giggle before saying that. Also his expression and sigh when he realizes that Boone is stuck in the lamp. I like him face and voice, ok? And him scoffing at John DiMaggio biker like a peeved off teenage girl? Great.

It's so funny to see Rippen obey to being pulled over by a cop. Like he's evil but he for some reason respects the law... for a minute. He did that earlier with the carpet train, he just sat and waited impatiently while Penn just flew over it. Trying to be a kiss-ass to the cop while fruitlessly trying to find his license on the empty carpet. Until he realizes it's all pointless and he's evil. Shining gold as ever. Larry didn't even try to help or speak to the cop.

More good advice from Sashi, she's kind of like a Wiseman herself, lots of pep talks from her. Very good scene between Sashi and Penn. She didn't even wanna talk about Boone behind his back, that would've been easy to do but nope!

Why did Rippen have to use the pliers to to fix the lamp below the screen... by his crotch? With loud cranking!? Come on, you know that had to look a bit sus right?

Boone was ready to square up against Rippen so fast, if it wasn't for the fact he was a genie, I believe it would have been over for the poor villain. Boone seems tough he's just a bit cowardly, which is fine! Rippen is too! Too bad sass and pettiness got to Boone from a moody Rippen, an adult man.

To think, Sashi almost died because of Penn... as a monkey.

We adore Boone being difficult towards Rippen either on purpose or not! Gets worse for old Rip, Boone and Larry start to bond over baby nickels! Rippen is too much for me right now, I'm dying of laughter.

Do one of th bikers laugh at Penn's carpet and say "it's small"? I think so.

WILHELM SCREAM! Also Penn killed 3 bikers... not even a joke or a possibility that they survived. Nope! He got them, they're dead! Larry could've almost died we don't know, he blasted off to who knows where.

Awww, Boone being the team's anchor! Sounds mean at first but Penn brought it around. And putting a hand on Boone? I love them. I cherish this dream team. Too bad Rippen's gotta be a problem.

Boone? It's big brain time. Legit one of my favorite episode endings, he's so clever! He so easily manipulates Rippen and uses his own desires against him, even if that's not part of his mission! Great job, Boone! Everyone, clap for Boone! Just so subtlety twisting his words from "annihilate Penn Zero" to "I wish you would make Penn Zero expire", of course Rippen will say exactly what Boone said because he learned he needed to be so damn carful with his words like with the GPS and wanting peace and quiet! I feel bad for Penn, he must have felt so terrified at first. BUT HE TRUSTED HIM! And all that happened was him turning into expired milk! EVERYONE CLAP HARDER! Rippen just being like: alright kill him for real and Boone is like, nah, you already used all your wishes. Go cry about it, bitch!

And Rippen goes out in the funniest way imaginable! I need to clip this and talk about it forever!

I love Boone. I love this dream team. I cherish all of them. But Boone? This is your day! Shine!

I would have been pissed about the Sultan.

~The Characters~

Penn Zero: A low-blow towards his buddy but obviously some feelings he's had over time. Which understandable, I would be frustrated by that, I have been before. But glad that he felt guilty by that, it's good to be honest with your friends but coming off as a jerk doesn't feel good either. Just need to sit down and properly talk about stuff like that.

Boone Wiseman: Like what I said earlier, the ending was awesome, Boone, your a genius! But before that, the break up, I really felt for him, Like I said, it would crush me if my friend said that and that was my whole family's thing. Even though, technically we don't know that yet and sadly don't get that much attention as Sashi's family dynamic. Happy it all turned out right in the end and not in a way where it's like, why are you still friends. It's easy to mess that up.

Sashi Kobayashi: Sage advice from the non-wiseman, that's kinda been her role so far besides the bloodthirsty Sidekick.

Rippen: So damn funny! Like, I died. His raising anger and frustration is so good! The ending? Biggest and funniest L so far!

Larry: Not much to do but funny. This starts a good friendship between Boone and Larry, their bot so different the two.

Dimension(s): Desert... that's it. But the concept of how carpets are just motorbikes is good.

Forms: All great! Especially Genie Boone, I like his pointed ears! Penn's beautiful ponytail and Sashi as a monkey? Adorable. Biker Rippen and Larry ate hard.

[aimlessarchery]

19. A memory of someone they don’t see anymore

// this one got away from me a little tbh lmao?? anyway the inspiration for this one is the description of the Deliverance Hideout in SOV which reads as follows:

"A vast underground cemetery carved out of the earth. Within, commoner's graves lie next to those of nobles and even Zofian royalty."

Clouds hung heavy and gray in the sky on the day that the Deliverance lost Zofia Castle. Rain drenched their clothes and turned the ground to mud beneath their boots as they fled into the woods, down into the damp crypt that was meant to serve select teams of scouts as a hiding place—now meant to shelter the entirety of their forces. Clive took the lead in the march, ushering them all to safety with his head bent low. He works beside his men to prepare the space for the night—counting supplies, stashing weaponry, clearing out ancient stones to make room for weapon racks and bedrolls. Now he stands beside Python, the two of them brushing cobwebs and dust out of empty loculi. (Python tries not to think too hard about whether these shelves had occupants before, or where those hypothetical occupants may be if they aren't here, where they were supposed to be laid to rest.) In the flickering light of torches and lanterns, the golden sun at the head of the Deliverance looks…sallow. For the first time since Python has joined the force, he sees doubt openly tarnish the face of the shining noble knight. "Was real nice of 'em to clear out and leave space here for our rations," Python says dryly, wiping a hand against his pants in a fruitless effort to clean it. "Our new neighbors might stink to high heaven, but at least they're polite." Clive offers him a small chuckle. "Your optimism is admirable. And a bit surprising, coming from you." Python's responding laugh echoes sharply off the catacomb's stone walls. "Oh, no. Lemme be clear: this is miserable, uh, Sir." The honorific is tacked on as an afterthought at the end, as always. "I'm pretty sure I wrenched my shoulder sticking an arrow in one of Slayde's little friends, this whole place stinks of death, and I've got mud crusted in some unmentionable places. I'm just looking forward to finally getting some rest." "Your resilience, then." Another chuckle. And there it is, that overly polite smile that makes Python want to squirm away. "Thank you for standing with us, Python. Truly." The air is stifling suddenly, filled with dust and noble intent. Python grimaces, returning his attention to the loculi in front of him. Names are embossed along the lower edge of the shelf, the lettering somewhat obscured by age. Around the edges, draconic hands cradle them together—holding them in the Mother's arms. He runs a gloved finger along the raised edges, tracing what remains there.

An--- F-r---us, Duke of Lu--n- R--v-, Sh-p--d's Son No matter the circumstances of our birth, Mila's blessed soil reclaims all of us in the end.

---

The catacombs lack the luxury of space required for any segregation of sleeping quarters. Bedrolls are laid practically from end-to-end of the inner sanctuary. Laid on his side, Python gets a distant view of the entrance. Clive leans against his lance—a pale, fixed figure in the dim light, staring out into the hall beyond. Python rolls over, turning his back to watch the rise and fall of Forsyth's breaths beside him in the darkness. Despite his complaints of exhaustion, he sleeps fitfully. The air is too stagnant. The stone is too cold beneath his side. When he closes his eyes, he dreams of the ceiling collapsing and burying them all as one.

[steeltraptrainer]

They land right back where they left off the night before. Between teeth, claws, and a barred door. Their weapons spark as they go on the attack, make the beasts fall. They are at least good at weaving around one another. They take what they can get.

---

Cathedral ward looms. it is huge, and it stinks. The incense is cloying. Ferro winces, and immediately pulls his scarf higher. Eugh. No. He doesn't like it.

"You alright?"

"It stinks. The incense." Giacomo grunts at Ferro's words.

"Not the most pleasant of smells. I can see how it would keep the beasts out." There is noise ahead. The Chapel Dweller. He looks stranger in reality than in the game. More stretched, skin even more sallow.

"Oh... Are you two hunters?" He tilts his head, exposing milky white eyes. Cataracts. "Very sorry, the incense must've masked your scent. Good, good. I've been waiting for one of your ilk. Two are even better." He wrings his hands. "These hunts have everyone all locked up inside. Waiting for it to end… It always does, always has, y'know. Since forever. But it won't end very nicely, not this time. Even some folks hiding inside are goin' bad. The screams of wimminfolk, the stench of blood, the snarls of beasts… none of em's too uncommon now. Yharnam's done fer, I tell ya. But if you spot anyone with their wits about 'em… Tell 'em about this here Oedon Chapel. They'll be safe here. The incense wards off the beasts. Spread the word… tell 'em to come on over."

"Sure. Why not?" Giacomo nods quietly. "It's not a bad idea."

"Yeah, we can do this. It's something."

"You two sound very young. I am so sorry to put this on you."

"Ah, don't worry. We'll be okay. We're hard to kill." And they kind of are, aren't they? Giacomo hopes that they won't die. That they didn't do so against the cleric beast is a wonder already.

"If you say so... Good luck out there."

---

"Where to now?" Ferro is leaning against the doors of the chapel, arms crossed. the bandages that had been around his eyes a day before now pool around his throat, the boy clearly not bothering to tie them today.

"Got a few options. We can walk around the ward for a while. Explore, and see where that lands us. Just have to make sure not to get snatched by an Amygdala." Giacomo crosses his arms. The air currents around them, around the chapel, twist a bit. "We could try to go through Old Yharnam."

"That comes with gunfire."

"Lots of gunfire."

"What else?"

"Find the executioner. Or the workshop."

"Not sure if I feel up for ankle-breaking parkour to get to the workshop."

"Fair." There is silence. "So the gun?"

"Yes. The gun."

"Valid."

---

To even get near the entrance to Old Yharnam, they have to open the entrance first. Neither of them is good with the map. They stumble through the wrong door. The Crow is there, leaning against the wall. She looks up, hums a bit.

"Oh, hello there. Perfect timing." A pause. "I see you have obtained new gear. It suits you." She tilts her head. "Did you steal it from the Father?"

"Ah, no." Ferro chuckles slightly, the sound just shy of embarrassment. "I... The Dream."

"Ah. Very good. Something to keep you two running a bit longer. On that note..." The glass in her mask shows nothing of her face, but Eileen's gaze clearly focuses on them. "Stay away from the tomb near Odeon Chapel for a while."

"We just came from there," Giacomo admits. "Calmed the Padre down and got him home."

"Oh? Curious, that. The Father's old partner, Henryk, went blood mad. He is my mark for tonight." She playfully shushes them, and Ferro has the sudden feeling that she winked at them. "So. Don't go near the tomb below Oedon Chapel in the Cathedral Ward." She turns a bit, then leans back against the wall. "I have business there first." Her low, raspy laughter fills the air.

"Don't die." Ferro swallows past the lump.

"Likewise."

---

"We ain't letting her do this alone, right?" Ferro is quiet as he asks Giacomo. Eileen had left a few moments ago, disappearing with a swish of feathers.

"We sure as dist won't. You think you can try your electricity trick again?" As if to demonstate, Ferro holds up one hand that begins to spark and chirp, discharge growing brighter and brighter by the second.

"This is easy. I can go brighter way easier."

"Good. Henryk's clothes are good against electricity. Lock him up, and then... then what?"

"Dunno. We figure it out when Miss Eileen isn't in danger of dying."

"Fair. Let's go." One advantage they have on Eileen is that they are younger. Younger and faster, and with very little regard for being seen. They only slow down when they clamber onto the roof behind Henryk, where not even 24 hours before they had revived Viola and pulled Gascoigne back from the brink. "You want to try it again like yesterday?"

"Hmhm. Just... dialed up to eleven. If it goes wrong..."

"Try not to die, Ferro. I don't want to hold you as you dissolve. I'll jump in if it seems like Henryk ain't going to go down."

---

They're not here. Henryk can smell the blood, and he sees the puddles. One that smells like Viola, big enough that it is all but guaranteed that she is dead. When he checked the house a good few hours earlier, before the sun dipped in full, neither her nor Gascoigne were home. Ettie was afraid, and so was Colleen. He knew at that point that things were dire. Far too much blood, and deep groves in the stone. There was a fight here. With another hunter. Shit.

He knows there is a haze over his vision. He has to find that hunter. Show them why they weren't allowed to harm his people.

Then... A noise. a teenager in clothes that look far too much like Gascoigne's is dropping down on him, sparking like the Darkbeast locked underneath the Hypogean Gaol. He isn't fast enough to escape.

He never managed to master quickening.

His vision blots and blacks, and there is copper on his tongue. Bit it. His limbs ache and sting. But he can still move. And move he does. His saw cleaver bites into the teenager's shoulder, and he screeches in pain, stumbles back. That is just about enough damage to put him out of commission. Maybe down for good. If the kid doesn't have blood vials.

A fist crashes into his temple. Another teenager, dressed in classic hunter garb. The sparking teenager is fumbling with something, and Henryk can see the way his arm comes back together, realigns itself into its socket. No matter. He managed it once. He can do it again. He doesn't get a chance, not when crow-feathers fill his vision and there is the bite of siderite-steel in his own shoulder.

"Bad choice, Henryk." Crow. Crow, crow, crow, she's here for him. He backpedals, tries to gear up for a three-way fight. He doesn't get a chance. More electricity, applied right through the gap made by the Crow's blades. His vision goes dim as he topples, limbs unable to respond.

---

"You are awful little children." Eileen's breath is surprisingly heavy. And here she thought that she had more stamina. No matter. "Did you not listen to what I said before?"

"We did. And we thought it stupid. You'd have died." The one in the Father's garb grinds out, holding his shoulder still.

"And so would you. Don't think I did not see that wound. You have more luck than sense. Now let me finish the job."

"He was looking for Gascoigne and Viola. We know where they are. That they're safe. Think they might help better than a blade through the heart." Hm. Soft. But skilled.

"You have a soft heart, little one. On you it be, should he grow frantic once more. I will bring him. You have done enough today." She reaches down to haul the unconscious, paralyzed hunter up. "Should we meet again, I would like to know about this power of yours."

"That'll be a long story." The taller teenager sighs. "Come, Ferro. Let's see if we can't find people to send to Oedon Chapel. After we visit the Dream." Good. Something to keep them out of trouble a bit. As the two children vanish into Moon Scent Dust, she hauls Henryk over her shoulder, and begins to walk.

"Your partner and his wife better do as the children hope, Henryk. It would be a shame, to cut you down in front of your two lovers and children..."

---

They don't stay in the Dream long. Just long enough that the Doll mends Ferro's clothes. Just long enough to hand her a few books. The surprise on her porcelain face is something that warms them both. A children's introduction to the eighteen types, with colorful illustrations of the most common Pokémon of each type. They hope the Doll will like it. They feel it before it happens, and sit down, right before

T h e y

w a k e

u p

[whentranslatorscry]

Hitagi Honeymoon

004

On our honeymoon trip, Kanbaru Suruga accompanied us as well.

Why, you may ask?

Before I could even raise the question, my wife— Araragi Hitagi— had already factored her in as a member of the trip, as if she were another character among the list of suspects in a mystery novel.

By the time I had carefully planned the three-day, two-night itinerary, including destinations within Tochigi Prefecture, and even woven in some glamping in Nasu Highlands— she had nonchalantly changed the lineup to make it so.

It was a decided matter.

Hitagi-san, who famously had her own father tag along on our first date, has transcended six years of time and changed her family name, but it seems her mental resolve remains unyielding.

“Well, although I did say earlier that I often go to the observatory, I haven't been able to hang out with Kanbaru much lately. Despite finally getting to work in Japan, I've been swamped with settling into the Japanese branch, and Kanbaru has her studies to focus on… Even I couldn't help her with the grueling exam preparations to become a doctor, so all I could do was watch over her from afar.”

“Oh, right, Kanbaru is aiming to become a sports doctor, isn't she? That's why she enrolled in the medical department of a physical education university.”

Compared to me, who struggled with entrance exam studies just to attend the same university as her, the motivation behind her ambitions was worlds apart. Speaking of which, what happened with that? Being abroad, I've been oblivious to any news. It would've been nice to ask her during the wedding (Kanbaru served as Hitagi's bridesmaid, even though it was a traditional Japanese wedding).

“Now she's in her fifth year, and since it's medical school, she won't graduate until the year after next. But she does have various internships and such.”

“Seems like everyone's constantly doing internships when they're young.”

“While she continues to pursue her dream of becoming the sports doctor for the professional basketball team she had always hoped for, it seems the team itself is looking for someone with experience. The fact that she participated in the Inter-High in high school wasn't all in vain. To become a sports doctor, she'll need to work for more than four years after obtaining her medical license, so the road ahead may be long. That being said, if she pushes herself just a tad, she'll be able to join our honeymoon trip without a hitch.”

“It sounds great, but it's like our gears don't fit together. Who's spinning their wheels here – me, or you? You're pushing her a little too hard. Regardless of our plans, it feels like it was a given that Kanbaru would join us on our honeymoon.”

“What's wrong with that? It's like an American family sitcom. I'm even considering the possibility of sharing a house with Kanbaru.”

“Even though we aren't living together?”

“There's a lot to catch up on. Koyomi, don't let your old, outstanding junior becoming a renowned future doctor shake you up; celebrate her accomplishment properly.”

I feel like this wouldn't exactly qualify as a honeymoon anymore, but more like Kanbaru's consolation trip... No, it's not that I don't want to celebrate her new beginning. On the contrary, I'm filled with the desire to celebrate.

Isn't the honeymoon, which originated with Sakamoto Ryouma, fundamentally something that a married couple goes on alone?

"What's this? You're the type to brazenly challenge the notion of married couples having the same surname, and yet you're willing to bow down to such a trivial bit of common knowledge?"

"Well, when you put it that way, it does sound pretty weak…"

"Rather than going on two trips, wouldn't it be nice to wrap it up in one go?"

"So you're just trying to avoid the hassle, huh? Both the honeymoon and the consolation trip?"

"Oh no, actually, I'm quite satisfied with the interesting plan of taking Senjougahara to Senjougahara. Not a hassle at all. I just want to let my dear junior participate in this fun experience too."

When bundled together as a cute and amusing plan, the nuance of the two-night, three-day trip changes a bit—but if they're up for it, I would be happy too.

Such a production, which would culminate in taking away Hitagi's name, is the most painful and the one thing I must not do, as it would leave me with nothing but self-indulgence.

“I knew that Senjougahara was in Tochigi Prefecture, but it's my first time going there, and I didn't even know that the stars were so beautiful. Having lived as a Senjougahara for nearly a quarter of a century, I consider this a life-long mistake and a loss I wish to recover as soon as possible. So, I'm in quite the high spirits. Even as she is, Hanekawa-san will still help us, won't she?”

“She's like… a genuine revolutionary, you know?”

Her style is different, as are her principles.

“If only we could get in touch with her, I would have loved to invite Hanekawa-san to the Haney-moon, as well.”

“Are you trying to be witty?”

That Hanekawa was no longer the Hanekawa we once knew.

Again, all records of her were erased two years ago.

Now she existed only in our memories.

“That said, if we count the participants, we can’t overlook the fact that even you aren't alone. Wouldn't it be nice to travel with one companion each?”

Oh, she found the blind spot before the blind snake stone was found.

If you’re asking why, it’s because my shadow-dwelling companion, Oshino Shinobu, formerly known as Heartunderblade, would inevitably accompany me on my trip to Tochigi Prefecture. So closely intertwined were we that the realization eluded both Shinobu and me.

If Shinobu was to me what Kanbaru was to Hitagi, then there could be no objection.

Besides, it would be easier to fight at any time.

Because a fight to the death may await us at our honeymoon destination with a nine-tailed fox scheming to destroy Japan.

A doctor and a vampire.

Like a medical team and battle companions… more indispensable than even a thermos or a smartphone.

Prev Chapter | Next Chapter

[ghoulish-fiction]

I haven't been writing lately because life is a bitch. Thanks to those who have waited patiently. It isn't much, but here is a little drabble. Enjoy. 🖤

Rain/Trans Masc Reader. Mostly fluff, with just a touch of NSFW at the end. Vaginal fingering. Pet names. Dewdrop makes an appearance but not in a sexy way.

After yet another long day on tour you are ready to climb into Rain's bunk on the tour bus. You love being on tour with the band, but it is exhausting. You're always happy to have a warm ghoul to cuddle with at the end of every night. When you slide open the curtain you are greeted by a warm, sharp grin. Your mate throws back the blanket for you and holds out an arm.

"There you are, baby." He purrs as you cuddle up against his side.

"Hi Rainy. Sorry I took so long. I didn't want to get out of the hot shower. It was so nice. Aren't you cold?"

You are dressed in warm pajamas and he is in just his boxers, but when you press your hands to his bare, fuzzy chest you find him hot to the touch.

Rain laughs, "When am I ever cold?"

"Fair enough." You laugh.

He drapes the blanket back over you and himself. He wraps you up in his arms and tail to squeeze you tight. You giggle and squirm as Rain kisses your neck.

"Rainy! Stooop!" You squeal.

Suddenly a loud thud near your head makes you jump. Rain's claws press into you slightly as he holds you in a protective grip, but he quickly relaxes when someone speaks.

"Yeah, Rainy boy, stop. Some of us are trying to sleep." Dewdrop complains from the bunk above yours.

"Yeah, yeah Dew." Rain says, "How long where you fucking that guy last night? Three? Four hours?"

"Three and a half I think." You chime in.

You and Rain both giggle but Rain motions for you to be quiet by placing a finger over his own grin.

You jump again when Dew flings your curtain open and sticks his head in, his hair cascading down to your sheets.

"Fuck you, Rain." Dewdrop says, but there is no venom in his voice.

"Kiss me." Rain says as he reaches for Dew who quickly retreats to his bunk.

"In your dreams, water boy!" Dew teases.

"Every night. My love burns brighter than you!"

Dewdrop laughs in spite of himself, "Just try to keep it down, yeah?"

"No promises." Rain says.

You hide your face in his neck to help muffle your laughing.

"Come here, baby." Rain whispers. He tilts your chin up so he can kiss you. His kiss is gentle, sweet. You feel as though you could melt into him. Rain purrs as he holds you, his hands wandering over you, feeling every muscle relax. You moan into Rain's mouth as his tail rubs against your dick and his fingers brush against your entrance. You startle and gasp. Damn sneaky, sexy demon. How does he manage to be so slick? And so, so good?

"R-rain! Wha- what are you doing?"

"I need you." He purrs as he continues to touch you so gently and lovingly.

"But we are on the bus." You whisper, "Dew told us to be quiet."

"I know. We can wait until we have a night in a hotel if you want." He says honestly, though he isn't quick to pull his teasing fingers and tail out of your underwear. You, however, are quick to grab his wrist.

"No." You whine, "Please don't stop."

"Sshh... Good boy. I won't. That's my sweet baby." He purrs in your ear as he finally slips his long, calloused finger into you.

You love being on tour. Its exhausting, but it is... fulfilling.

[gucciwins]

Leather and Lace

The one where Harry goes to the Grammy's and Y/N is his date

Word count: 4,960

A/N: Hello beautiful friends! Harry at the Grammy's just blew me away, the leather look is all I want to talk about for the rest of my life.

I was feeling inspired and decided it was only fitting to continue Adore You. Part two is Three Time following nominations. So this is part three. Yes, I have a soft spot for Harry and Atticus. Will always write for them if the inspiration strikes.

warnings: smut (female pleasure), pandemic

There's been one thought running through Y/N's head for most of the day, and Harry can tell because it's nearing five pm and she has not started on dinner. Instead, she's sitting on the backyard steps that give her the beautiful view of the pacific ocean, an empty glass of wine in hand.

Harry doesn't say anything, just sits next to her, knowing she will speak when she's ready, but he also knows she enjoys the quiet moments with him.

Y/N leans her head on his shoulder, letting out a deep breath before settling down the wine glass to wrap her arms around his bicep.

"You asked me an important question."

"Wasn't that important." He shrugs.

"Harry," No nickname making sure he knows she's serious. "It is important. You asked me to be your date to the Grammys where you're opening the show and are a three-time nominee during a pandemic."

"Well, when you put it like that." He teases.

Y/N and Harry made two years of dating on February 16. To celebrate, they had dinner from their favorite Italian food place with chocolate strawberries for dessert that Atticus made for them with the help of Mitch and Sarah, who were more than pleased to take him for the night. It was a beautiful day primarily spent in bed talking and enjoying each other, reminding each other how much they were loved and would continue to be as years went on.

Two years and their relationship has been well hidden. Honestly, Jeff has been impressed at how not one word has gotten out. This may be due to only close friends and family knowing about the relationship. Also that they spent almost one entire year inside due to this ongoing pandemic.

She's not worried about others finding out about her relationship with Harry; that isn't her big concern; it is what they will say about her and Atticus. Harry is a single dad to the world, and Atticus is his first priority, and everyone knows that; she does not want to be the reason they write about how Harry is a neglecting father for dating someone so openly. She fears the backlash and how it can affect how Harry sees her.

Reasonably, Y/N knows that won't happen and that Harry sees her as his life partner as he's told her on multiple occasions. Also, the assurance that Atticus gives to her by calling her Mum more openly around their family. The constant I love you's get her through it.

"I understand if you aren't ready, love."

"Don't think I'll ever be ready, but there are lots of times where I just find myself wanting to shout it from the rooftops how much I love you." Harry smiles, knowing he's felt the exact same way.

"Yes, I'll be your date to the Grammys." She breathes out after a moment of silence.

Harry sits up straight, shifting to make her look him in the eyes. "Yeah, you will?"

"I'd be honored."

Harry's smile is breathtaking, and the next thing she knows, his lips are on hers. It's passionate and full of thank you's because she knows how much this means to him.

He pulls back but not before pecking her lips twice.

"I'm going to call Jeff." Harry rushes inside, leaving her alone once more, but a sincere smile is left on her face.

Y/N said yes because even though a part of her wanted to say no, the urge to say yes won because to be there by his side holding his hand no matter the results win her over.

She says yes because as much as she may have wanted to say no, the urge to say yes and be there by his side, holding his hand no matter the results, wins her over.

Harry comes back ten minutes later, a bottle of champagne in hand, with his eyes shining bright as if he had already won the award. "Jeff said it's all set. He's going to be our third wheel for the night."

She laughs, knowing very well he loves when Jeff has to be around them without his wife now. Always teasing him, but also very happy for him.

"Pop that open then! Let us celebrate." They walk back into the house, getting glasses, when they hear small steps approaching them.

Atticus is thrilled at hearing the news about Harry performing at the Grammys. He got even more excited when he found out Harry was taking Y/N as his date. Told them that she would be the prettiest on the carpet, Harry had pouted, asking what about him. Only to agree when Atticus said no one's beauty compares to his Mum's.

Harry had asked Glenne to watch over Atticus, and she eagerly accepted. They let Atticus know, and he was over the moon excited. Atticus knew his Auntie Glenne had a hard time saying no to him.

In a different time, if there was no pandemic, Harry knows Atticus and Y/N would have been the perfect dates for what is supposed to be a joyous night.

Grammy day arrived, and Harry walked the red carpet alone.

It's something all three agreed on, not at all wanting to steal any attention when it was such a big debut for Harry. As much as Harry wanted photos with her, he knew this was the way to go; she would be sitting next to him for the rest of the night, which he was thankful for.

Harry felt comfortable and happy in his red carpet look. He was wearing a green and yellow check tweed jacket and a tartan sweater combo worn, flared trousers, and lavender boa. It was a bit different but entirely himself, and that's all he wanted.

As soon as he's done posing for photos, he has his mask back on and is ushered into his changing room to change for his performance happening very soon.

Y/N is waiting in there chatting with Sarah, and when Harry opens the door, he's taken back by her beauty. Yes, he saw her dressed at home, but she seems like a dream here in this new light. Y/N is wearing a lilac satin backless dress, a long slit going up her left leg. She's wearing gold heels that their wonderful friend Harry Lambert acquired for her. The gold primrose signet ring adorned her right-hand ring finger. A few more that she has gifts from her mother and others she bought for herself, but his attention is on the one he gives her because even as she is in a conversation with someone she's fidgeting with, she has the feel of it under her fingers.

"Clear the room, friends," Jeff announces. "Styles here has to get ready. We can start heading to the stage."

Everyone is up and out in a matter of seconds, Jeff shutting the door behind him, telling him he only has fifteen minutes.

More than enough.

"Are you going to help me or just sit there ogling me?"

She smirks. "If I help, there's no saying you'll get clothes on in time."

Harry feels a twitch in his trousers and knows she's right. He huffs, not bothering to argue, just throwing his lavender boa in her direction.

"I'll always accept a striptease."

"I should have had Jeff kick you out as well," Harry says, not meaning a single word.

Y/N pouts. "Not nice, H."

"Baby, please. No more teasing, not really a fan of going on television with a boner, especially in leather." Harry stops her before she can continue on.

"Alright, I'll behave."

Harry breathes a sigh of relief because he's always so close to caving in. She has that effect on him.

Y/N sits there, turned on by Harry changing his outfit. What she wishes she was home instead because watching and not being able to touch is absolute torture.

Harry shimmy himself into the leather pants wanting to get Y/N to laugh, and it works like he knew it would.

"Got a nice ass, Styles. Might have to take it for a ride."

Harry mutters a fuck, and she's giggling. "It's like you hate me."

"On the contrary, I adore you."

"Yeah, well, hand me the jacket, please."

Y/N gets up, the black leather cropped jacket in hand; she stands behind him, guiding him to slip in his left arm, followed by his right. It rests perfectly on his shoulders; she let her hands slide down his arms before turning him around and getting a good look at the completed fit.

She takes a step back as Harry reaches for the mint feathered boa slipping it over his shoulders before dramatically swinging it over his left shoulder. He poses a hand on his hip.

"What's the verdict?" He's biting back a laugh.

"I'm in love. You should ask for my help in designing a look more often." Y/N's gaze has not left his exposed torso. The butterfly fly tattoo starting back at her, Harry's a bit leaner, but he's never looked, fitter. Definitely, feel lucky she can run her fingers over his abs as soon as they get home.

"You recommended no shirt."

"And look how right I was. Your fans are going to go crazy."

"There's only one person I care about going crazy." He steps forward, pressing a kiss to her neck before trailing up to her lips. Leaving soft kisses, not giving her more, and she needs it. She needs him to push her up against a wall and just take her.

"Trust me, baby. I'm showing so must restraint right now. Fuck, you need to walk out now before you're late."

Harry smirks; he likes knowing the effect he has on her. She's the reason he's wearing leather, having confessed thinking he'd look really good. And right she was. "Need a good luck kiss."

Y/N nods, bringing a hand up to rest on the back of his neck, the heels adding a few extra inches making her aligned perfectly with his plump pink lips. She's gentle as she connects their lips; he wraps a hand around her waist before taking control of the kiss, slipping his tongue inside; she lets out a soft moan as he kisses her with all he has. Harry pulls away, a dimpled grin on his face. "Lots of luck in that kiss." a

She nods, still in a daze. "I'll be watching, baby."

Harry and Y/N walk out hand in hand, masks on as they find Jeff, who directs him to the stage entrance, a whispered I love you and a final kiss. He's walking towards the stage, greeting each of his band members lingering a second longer with Sarah.

Y/N was grateful she was allowed to watch the performance from a hidden side stage with Jeff by her side. Those three minutes of Harry singing, she was left in awe as she always is; he's got a way of capturing your full attention. She let out a gasp when Harry threw the boa and turned to have exposed his chest, a broad smile on her face. Jeff was trying to stifle a laugh next to her, and she knew he would be passing this information along.

She felt lucky to be loved by Harry.

As soon as Harry finished performing, Jeff ushered her to his changing room where she could watch the other performances as they waited for Harry to join them once more before going to sit at the socially distanced tables.

Harry came back, a deep smirk on his face, his mint boa now resting on Mitch's neck. "What you think, love?"

"You were wonderful; you and the band just killed it. I felt like it was my first time listening to it. Those note changes were beautiful." She hugs him, happy to have him in her arms again. "Get changed, not much time."

Harry nods, going to the clothes rack but comes back to give Y/N a kiss. She feels herself melt into his touch. She pulls away and sees his green eyes glistening. "Thank you for being here." Before she can respond, he's walked away and changing into his previous outfit.

Harry is dressed, and Jeff ushers them out. Harry leads, greeting people as they walk by, occasionally stopping for someone. Y/N falls behind, smiling at everyone from behind a mask, she laughs, remembering others can't see it, but hopefully, they feel it. She spots a women's restroom and grabs Jeff's arm to get him to stop. He turns concerned. She leans in close, letting him know she's heading to the restroom and will catch up soon.

Y/N is walking out of the restroom heading down the hall when she stops hearing her name called. She turns and finds it's her good friend Julia Michaels.

"Hi darling," Y/N greets a large smile hiding behind her mask. "You look brilliant." Julia was dressed in a black gown adorned with white patterns resembling seashells and her tattoos on full display. Y/N was in awe.

"Thank you! As do you." She says, pulling her in a hug. "Is that a bit of an accent I hear?"

Y/N laughs. "Don't know about that; I've been living in London for years now. Might be that I've been around my British friends constantly."

"That or-"

Julia is interrupted by a man calling her name. Y/N sees it's her boyfriend, JP Saxe.

"Ah, the beau is calling for you, it seems." Y/N teases.

"Oh bummer, I love chatting with you. I would tell you all about him, but I'd expect the same."

"What do you mean?" She feigns confusion, but Julia sees past her.

"Well, who's your date?"

She can feel her face warm, knowing exactly who she's referring to.

"I came with my boyfriend," Y/N answers proudly.

Before Julia can respond, Y/N feels a hand on her back and turns to find Harry behind her. "Calling for us to head to our seats, nominations up next."

"Okay, H." She smiles, knowing there was a look of concern for her hiding behind the mask.

Harry seems to remember she was speaking with someone.

"Hello, Julia, lovely music. This one always plays it around the house." Harry knocks his hip with Y/N's. "Especially this new song that's nominated, she always had it playing. Soon my son was singing it as well. It meant I had to join in. I don't like being the odd one out."

"Thank you, Harry; I'm glad you could all enjoy my music. We've been doing the same. Fine Line is a gorgeous album. Best of luck tonight." Julia tells him sincerely.

"You as well."

"One last thing between us."

"Of course," he nods.

"She's a special one; take real good care of her." Y/N has never been more thankful for a mask because it hides her face that she is slowly starting to heat up.

"I like to think I've been doing a good job, or she wouldn't have stuck around for two years so far."

Julia doesn't hide her shock, her eyes go wide, and Harry just smirks.

Y/N laughs. "We have been good at laying low. Except for this one, he likes to always be doing something new."

"What can I say? I like to keep busy." Harry shrugs, knowing everyone knows about his next film in London.

"Now we definitely have to grab dinner soon or a zoom date, I don't know. I want to hear all about it." Y/N can tell Julia is curious but overall happy for her.

With that, they bid each other goodbye, and Harry escorts her to their seats.

"Someone is very open," Y/N tells him, adjusting her dress as she sits down.

"She's a good friend of yours but also Niall's. I know we can trust her." Harry tells her honestly.

"I see. We'll see how interviews go soon." Y/N knows Jeff had told them he had to do at least one interview if he didn't win, and if he did, it would just be him addressing the virtual press room.

Harry is sitting in the middle, Jeff to his left andY/N to his right. He's never felt as safe when they name the nominees for the category.

Y/N feels the tight grip Harry has on her thigh, and his left hand is rubbing up and down his pants to dry the sweat she can only imagine is building up. She looks up at his face, but he's calm, but she knows him; there's a storm of thoughts running through his head. Y/N knows there isn't much to help ease, but she can remind him she's there for him. She lifts his hand that was resting on her thigh to her lips and gives it a gentle kiss through her mask, yes he can't feel it, but the sentiment is there. She sets his hand back, fingers now intertwined with hers. Y/N knows he's looking at her and meets his gaze reassuring him with his eyes she loves him.

Rachelle Erratchu is opening the envelope, and in the next few seconds, she will announce the winner for the best pop solo performance.

"Watermelon Sugar, Harry Styles!"

Harry sits there shocked, his shoulders dropped, eyes wide, not at all able to hide the shock. He just heard his name called; he just won a Grammy.

In the next second, he's standing up, removing his mask, his nervous smile now able to be seen by the camera. Jeff is quick to pull him in a tight hug. Y/N stands feeling the happiness travel through her entire body.

Harry won.

A mask is no longer hiding his smile, and she knows if she removed her, she'd have a matching smile. Harry hugs her tight, her arms going around his waist; she can feel how fast his heart is beating. Harry is not at all ready to let her go but knows he has an acceptance speech to give.

"You did it, H," she whispers, ushering him to head up the stage.

Harry gets up, letting out a deep breath as he hears the applause continue. He picks up the Grammy for a second before setting it back down. He looks out at the audience, and he's just astounded that he's won.

"Wow, um..." Harry takes a deep breath before starting. "To everyone who made this record with me, thank you so much. This was the first song we wrote after my album came out, during a day off in Nashville. I just wanna say thanks to Tom, Tyler, and Mitch, and everyone, Rob Stringer, everyone at Columbia, my manager Jeffrey who always nudged me to be better and never pushed me and thank you so much, and I feel very grateful to be here." He smiles at Y/N. "Thank you to my son, who has been the light in my life and my biggest fan. Everything I do is for him, and I hope I continue to make him proud. I love you, darling boy." Harry knows he's got only so much time left, but there is one last person to thank. He doesn't address her by name, but everyone in that room knows what he says next is for Y/N as he never takes his eyes off of her.

"Thank you for believing in me. I was not the easiest to deal with when we first met, but you're here and have been every step of the way. Thank you for helping me become a better man each day. I adore you." He chuckles, continuing on, "All these songs are fucking massive, so thank you so much; I feel very honoured to be among you, so thank you so much."

Harry walks off stage, leaving the grammy he had just won behind, eager to have Y/N back in his arms. His eyes are set on her; she's standing arms open, ready for him. He melts into her touch, hiding his head in her neck placing a gentle kiss on her exposed neck. "I love you," he whispers.

Y/N softly cradles his cheek as he leans into her touch, her eyes filling with tears of joy. "I love you, H."

Harry pulls away, letting her take a step back as Jeff hugs him tighter than before. He's so happy he places an affectionate kiss on Jeff's masked cheek.

Harry's happy; he knows he didn't need an award to let him know how talented he was, but it was an honor to have his support team by his side as he did receive the award.

Harry had taken Y/N with him to help change, claiming he needed help. Jeff knew better but let them be.

As soon as Harry ushered them into the changing room, he pushed her up against the locked door, ripped his mask off, shoving it in his pocket, kissing down her neck.

Y/n reaches a shaky hand up to remove her mask, letting it fall in Harry's waiting hand to place next to him.

"Kiss me," she breathes.

Harry, never one to deny her, brings his lips to hers. Y/N felt her whole body tingle as he claimed control over her mouth, hungry and intense as if she'd disappear if he would slow down.

Y/N laughs as her hands rest on his shoulder, letting him kiss all the skin she has exposed.

"Baby, you're a Grammy winner." A hand now in his hair as she feels his lips right above the curve of her breasts.

"Just like you."

"Atticus must be so proud," Y/N says, now lost in thought.

Harry pulls back, "As much as I love our baby, please don't mention him as I'm trying to shag you in my dressing room."

Y/N grins nodding, she pushes the plaid jacket off his shoulders, letting it fall on the floor. "Sorry, did you say shag? Is that Grammy fame getting to your head?" She teases

"The only place my head is going is between your thighs." His voice rough, no longer teasing. She can see the lust building in his emerald eyes.

"Guess I'm the real winner," Y/N tells him, pushing up her dress to reveal her black lace panties, Harry's favorites.

"Fuck." Harry trails his hands down her thighs as he sinks to his knees.

Y/N holds her dress up as Harry begins to pull down her panties, letting them fall to her ankles. "Those are too hot to be hidden, baby. Fuck, knowing you had those on the whole time for me has me so hard." He unbuttons his trousers giving himself breathing space.

"Please, baby," Y/N begs, wanting him to give her some kind of release.

"Alright, darling, since we don't have much time."

Y/N has her legs spread open for Harry; her face was flushed, knowing the pleasure Harry would soon bring her. She was wet; she had been since she saw Harry perform in his whole leather outfit; she swears this look will enter her dreams when he's away.

"Love, you're so wet." He smirks, knowing this was for him, but a bit of confirmation never hurt anyone. "All-cause of me?"

"Yes, always wet for you." She breathes out, looking down at him.

Harry leans in, pressing soft kisses on her thigh, getting her to relax, wanting her to enjoy this as much as he's going to. He loves how soft her skin is; he litters kisses as he watches her, still feeling how close he is to where they both want him to be.

Y/N feels like she can't breathe; Harry's teasing always so good but not now. Not when she wants him inside her, but she settles for him eating her out. He's proven more than a dozen times how good he is with his tongue.

"I'm ready, darling. I'm ready to taste you, fuck, you smell amazing, but oh, there's something special about how you taste. Will you let me?" Harry asks, always asking for her consent, never wanting her to feel pressured.

"Yes, please." Harry always knows what she needs; she's happy to relinquish all control to him.

Harry tightened his grips on her thighs, scooting closer. He smiles at how glistening her pussy looks for him. How wet he's made her. He didn't have time for foreplay as much as he wanted to tease her have her withering under his touch. He drove right in, his tongue in between her lips, tasting her sweet juices. It was good, sweet, and just for him.

Y/N let out a moan; Harry wanted more from her; he wanted her a moaning mess. Y/n felt his tongue against her most sensitive spot and felt her knees go weak, fuck; he knew exactly how to bring her the pleasure she seeks.

Harry's eyes were closed, focusing on the noises Y/N was making and savoring the taste.

Y/N has a hand in his hair, her right hand holding up her bunched-up dress. "My winner," she moans out.

"You're always a winner. Fuck, so good." She pants.

"You are….baby" Nothing's making sense. She's lost in her pleasure. Harry was focusing on her clit; he licked at the small peek, knowing she was close.

She pulls harder on his hair, he lets out a moan against her pussy, and it brings her twice the pleasure. "Make me cum, baby." She whines, "Show me exactly why a song about oral sex deserved to win."

Harry, edged on by her words, begins to suck on her clit, letting her feel the ecstasy it brings her. Y/N lost in her pleasure, misses Harry's cursing against her.

"Harry, I'm close." She whimpers out.

"Cum for me, darling." He doesn't slow down, lapping against her pussy, taking everything she gives him. He sucks on her clit, swirling his tongue around as he brings a finger to her hole, gently pushing in, knowing it will drive her over the edge.

"Fuck, you're always a winner. This mouth is always a winner."

Y/N whines out his name, pulling him closer as he licks up all she offered him, letting her ride out her orgasm enjoying every moment. Harry pulls his hand away, setting it on her exposed thigh, drawing small comforting circles, until he's sure she's ridden it through.

She lets out a long sigh as she slides down the door, no longer able to stay standing. Harry grins, guiding her down gently as he sits back on his heels.

"Can I return the favor?" She blinks at him, lust still swimming in her eyes.

Harry blushes but not at all embarrassed. "Watching you cum for me did the job, baby."

She pouts her lips.

"Can treat me to a good time later," he promises; she eagerly nods, already knowing how she'd make him go crazy at him. The taste of him on her tongue later, something to look forward to.

"Think this was the reason you had a third outfit picked." She jokes,

Harry laughs, "Definitely."

Y/N and Harry sit there staring at each other, blissed out in pleasure, taking in the other's smile when a loud knock on the door startles them reminding them where they are.

"When you walk out of here, there better not be a single trace to what you did in there," Jeff tells them.

Harry smirks, "oh Jeffery, who does he take us for?"

Y/N is helped to her feet by Harry, who slips her panties back up her thighs. Y/N walks to the restroom to fix herself while Harry washes his face at the sink provided. Harry is quick to get out of his clothes and into the final outfit of the night. An orange blazer with a white low-cut shirt and plaid pants.

He's ready to step back out and mingle, showing off his girlfriend to everyone who approaches them. Harry stands in front of the mirror looking at the deep red mark on his neck where she left a love bite; he doesn't even remember her giving it to him.

She smirks, seeing him trace his finger over it. Y/N walks up to him, placing the black-feathered boa over his shoulders.

"I could get behind the feathered boas if it means I can leave more kisses like that behind," Y/N tells him as he swings it over his shoulder, adjusting it to hide the mark that would bruise over the next few hours.

"We'll see, love."

Y/N stands in front of the mirror, adjusting her dress. She smooths her hands over her dress, happy with how she looks. Not at all like she was just given the orgasm of her life. Harry smiles, grateful she was here with him on an important day. He loves her, and he knows she loves him.

"Ready, love?" He stands being her, hand on her waist

She turns her head up to look at him, puckering her lips, waiting for a kiss that Harry happily gives her. "Now, I'm ready."

Y/N and Harry walk hand in hand, masks on.

Harry may not have won any more awards, but he truly felt like he had won it all way before ever hearing his name being called. With a woman like Y/N on his side who was intelligent, beautiful, and independent, constantly pushing him to be a better person every day, there was no way he would ever know what it would be like to lose.

Thank you so much for reading! I adore you. Hopefully, the future allows me to write for Harry, Atticus, and Y/N some more but for now I hope you enjoyed this continued story. <333

[squidficdump]

FREE HIM (ch1)

pairing: Deok-su x Reader rating: M words: 779 read: 5m (fastest) content: plot without pourn, first person, dark themes, existentialism, toxic romance

A/N: WP | AO3

The classical melody that signaled morning wrenched me out of my deep slumber.

I go away in my dreams.

It's a nice place, but I'm always suffocating.

There's a beautiful lake full of terrifying creatures, and I row out onto it. Sometimes surrounded by friends. Sometimes enemies. But no matter what I'm doing, I can't breathe.

Even still, I'd rather be in that recurring dreamscape, struggling for breath, than march in line with the other pink suits.

Today we were to get new "players." Little pawns. Odd to think of them like that. Whenever I try to...I feel like my face is splitting apart. Everybody dies, right? They signed up for this.

The small-portioned meals. Easy to stomach when you aren't connected with your stomach.

I feel like a ghost floating around in a robot. I don't even know the last time I saw my own face. What did I used to care about? What music did I used to listen to?

"Hey 14," said my neighbor behind me, "Pick up the pace, some of us wanna eat."

My instinct was to step back and motion for him to go ahead of me, but we have to go by number.

15 shoved past me anyway and grabbed his tray. 16 said to me, in a hushed tone, "You're not the one headed to the gallows today, so relax and stop walking like it, huh?"

I nodded politely but shrugged their hand off of my shoulder.

Usually I'm not this adverse to the occasional friendly touch.

Food gotten, I followed the line back to our rooms.

The tower was circular, underground. All hallways connected. No exits. No hiding places.

As I ate in silence, mask half-up out of paranoia, I mused about who the new players would be. If any of them would be smart enough to figure a way out. They probably weed those people out, right? They don't want anybody too smart participating in their games. I would kill to see their process of picking players.

Maybe there would be a bomb expert who could blow up the place, free us all from this contract with the devil.

---

456 players all laid out, drugged, in bunks. Prior to the dramatic entrance of awakening them, as per protocol, we gave each sedated player any medications they are prescribed outside of the games. This is one of the Frontman's standards for a level playing-field. He says that if we were to give them their medications while conscious, they might share them, hoard them, or refuse to take them.

It always felt weird, since I've never been a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist, but it isn't like we're doing anything legal out here.

Walking up to my assigned player, I was overwhelmed by the impact of his appearance. If not the largest man in the room, he certainly was compared to the 30 people I could see from a glance. He had a face tattoo of a snake, or maybe a dragon, it was difficult to see in this lighting.

I squinted at the label on the pill bottle I had been handed. 200mg quetiapine. Sliding open its sleek black cap, I poured the contents into my hand. Pressing two of my black gloved fingers to his lower lip, I tried not to be so aware of how warm and soft it was. I'd done this several times before, why did it suddenly feel so intimate to open this guy's crooked teeth and press these pills to the back of his surprisingly brushed tongue?

As I forced him to swallow, I did as well, very aware of the increasing strength of my own heartbeat as I felt his throbbing artery under my hand.

I filed out through the small door after the others, feet automatically following the lineup for the delivering of consent forms, but a superior called my number from behind me.

"DA-36,” I acknowledged, nodding to the manager of the gamemakers.

“Your requested training starts today,” she said, “or had you forgotten?”

“No, ma’am, muscle memory,” I explained.

She faced me silently for a moment. “Becoming a gamemaker is not an overnight process. You must meet certain requirements and show your understanding of all aspects of the games. Today, you will be trained on the players’ monitors. SA-12 is waiting to check your mask and give you a temporary one. This temporary mask is for cosmetic purposes and will not grant you clearance to enforcer-only hallways, rooms, or data. This mask contains your current ID with your current rank. At the end of today’s training you will return the borrowed triangle mask in exchange for your circle mask.”

“Yes ma’am.”

[lindwyrmrelinquished]

No please continue talking about Ranbob and the Fishermen

I’m intrigued

ALRIGHT IT TOOK ME A WHILE BUT I THINK I HAVE A COUPLE THOUGHTS IN ORDER

So Ranbob tries to kill the fishermen right? Well what if. Emotions

This man hasn't had anyone in his city beyond possibly a hallucination of Dream here and there and the weird voices in his head that are just. Quiet most of the time. So now there's not just one stray traveller looking to loot the city, but four people who have no idea what they're doing there aside from a weird book telling them to be there, and these people are nice! They listen to his rambles and don't mind his forgetfulness, and they're just there to explore, and they're fascinated with every new thing they find, and Ranbob sees himself finding these things in the way they all react, and for the first time in a long while, his smile is real.

So when the whispers tell him it's time for them to go, he's hesitant. He sets the tree alight because he thinks it'll be easier than facing someone like that with his sword. But he chickens out(and this is where canon diverges)- he thinks the sight and feeling of the tree he practically raised, burning at his hands, was too much for him and he put it all out with the few water buckets he had, sustaining water burns kn the process but he doesn't care, he's panicking and he just- He can't do this. Burning the tree was a bad idea and that's how he rationalizes letting Cleetus live after pushing him to the ground.(the man sustained a couple broken bones and Ranbob can't find an explanation for why he gave him a healing potion.)

(more beneath the cut because this shit got LONG)

Then Benjamin tried to do the parkour over the lava, and Ranbob doesn't know why because that's dangerous and since when did he start caring- And either way he pulls him up instead of pushing him when he gets to the top. Ranbob hasn't said a word since the tree and doesn't assist Banjamin in getting back down. He thinks he'll keep doing the wrong thing but what is the wrong thing? He sees Dream standing among the group while they're looking over the new treasure they got, hoping it'll give them a clue on how to get out, and when that mask turns to look at him, the particles start fizzling. And Dream dissipates and suddenly Ranbob is on his feet and stumbling to a stop where Dream used to be. He was hallucinating again. And the fishermen actually show concern for him, even if Cleetus thinks he's crazy and Isaac is more than a little wary of him after the words crawling out of his mouth on the tree. And of course he says he's fine, he just doesn't teleport a lot, it makes him a little dizzy, and while it's not a lie it's not the complete truth either.

He keeps them all away from Dream’s room at all costs, knowing that he'll kill them with no more qualms if they do, and since when did he care about not killing someone? Maybe it's because these people aren't raiders of the city. Maybe it's because they indulged in all his available knowledge. Maybe it's because they've shown him kindness and care? And it's been so long since he's felt any of that... and he wants them to leave. The rule was absolute. They don't deserve to be down here. It's the one thing he's sworn to live by. Stuck here with him. They should go back. The rule was absolute. The rule is absolute.

Ranbob leads them back to the entrance. He knows there's a way to open it from inside, and he does and ushers all of them out. Cleetus crawls back up without hesitation, Benjamin gives Ranbob a quick hug before going and it short-circuits him for a moment, enough to miss Charles's mock salute from halfway up the ladder, but he does catch Isaac's reluctance to go up.

The voices start to whisper at him again. He can't understand them today, but he gets what they want him to do.

He tells Isaac to go back up. Isaac asks him if he wants to come with them, and he freezes. The rule is absolute. The rule is absolute. The rule is absolute. He can't leave. He'd be abandoning everything. His one tie to the other people in this city, the one rule everyone obeyed. He can't just leave it behind. He can't break that rule. He still has things to do down here. What things? He has to stay. He doesn't think he's breathing. Isaac is trying to get his attention. Charles is peeking in from upstairs. Cleetus is shouting. There are eyes on him and they're concerned, they're questioning, they're everything at once. His ears twitch- he can hear every shuffle and the voices up above, when did these people start to throw him into too much? Isaac takes his hand and his body rips it away. There's blood on his claws. The voices are crowding in, he can't think. The room is becoming pink and purple with particles. The people are talking and he can't understand them. Somehow Cleetus got down here and he's hauling Isaac back up with him. Ranbob doesn't want to be alone, but he just steps back. And the eyes leave. And suddenly he's all alone again. And the voices silence. The particles fade away but his panic doesn't. It's not a sense of betrayal anymore, just anxiety and he doesn't know why. The silence is loud. It keeps getting faster. Ranbob goes to sit in a corner again to wait the weeks or months or years for someone else to come.

The fishermen come back the next day, minus Cleetus. And they just. Talk to him, from up above. Ranbob doesn't respond save for a couple taps on the open ladder. His voice is too tired today- he talked a lot yesterday. But they understand. They fish and have a picnic up above, asking if he wants to join them. He prefers to stay downstairs so they hand him a little portion of their food. He doesn't realize the hunger he's been ignoring was so much. He got tired of the crops. His stock is far too high, he's only been gardening because it was something to do.

They come back every week and have a picnic with new things they got from the marketplace. Ranbob remembers when the trading center in the city was alive and bustling. He decides not to think of it, but when the fishermen talk about the outside, he can't help but imagine his city.

When Ranbob can talk again, he asks questions about their world. He asks for new seeds and plants them, and Isaac and Benjamin come down to look at his special little plot, untouched by the poison that permeates the rest of the soil. The voices don't tell him to hurt them this time, just whisper about how nice it is to show off to someone again. He missed this. He thinks he had siblings once, or maybe they were just friends, that he showed his now overgrown plot to.

They continue having the picnics for a few months. Sometimes the menagerie is different. Sometimes they bring pets- Charles especially has a few cats and dogs and birds and a rabbit as well? He tells Ranbob he can hold them if he comes up. Ranbob does not want to come up yet. One of Charles's cats always yells at him to bring her with, he says, and every time he does she's watching out for Ranbob. If they pass the entrance to the city, she meows until he docks there. She's the one that always rubs up on Ranbob's face. He thinks he loves her. Sometimes Cleetus comes, and begrudgingly he has forgiven Ranbob for the tree incident. It makes Ranbob go silent again and he misses next week's picnic by accident, tending to that tree and helping it regrow.

Someone gives him a camera and a few rolls of film so he can take pictures of the city and remember everything. Ranbob finds a couple pens and starts labeling the pictures they already have- he thinks maybe they gave him some used film on accident. It was not an accident, and now he has pictures of the fishermen.

It takes months before Ranbob even starts climbing a few rungs on the ladder, but once he starts he doesn't stop. He goes higher every time until his head is poking past the top, and eventually he does get to hold Charles's animals because he's out enough to see them and rest his arms on the ground up above. It's still a little too nerve-wracking to leave the city completely, but he's getting there. Bit by bit, and the fishermen are proud of him.

[ifmywishescametrue]

i don't know if you're still taking prompts (so please ignore this if you aren't) but i cant stop thinking about your recent buckytony fic (and how much i love breaking up and making up as a trope) - so i was wondering if you'd be up for doing smth else w that trope for buckytony?? maybe they re-unite at a mutual friend's wedding?? and it brings up emotions about their almost wedding?? idk i just really love breaking up and making up as a trope and i really love your writing :))

thank you!! I'm very much up for doing another buckytony break up/make up, plus you deserve nice things for finishing law school - congrats on that!🎉🎉hope you like this one 😊

There's a ring on Bucky's finger.

It's the first thing Tony notices when he walks into the bar for Natasha and Sharon's joint bachelorette party. He stands there in the doorway, frozen and staring until someone clears their throat pointedly behind him, and he mumbles an apology as he moves out of the way.

He thinks about turning around and not coming back, just ditching the event entirely and maybe even the wedding tomorrow, but he tosses the ridiculous thought the second it comes. He promised Sharon when she asked him to be her man of honor that he could handle Bucky being Nat's. Living on the other side of the country afforded him to miss the rest of the events and planning along the way, and he could deal with one day of being cordial to his ex, even if the day comes with walking down an aisle together.

But now there's a ring on Bucky's finger.

The silver catches the light, and it's on prominent display with his left hand wrapped around a beer bottle. It shouldn't be possible for him to have moved on that quickly. Eight months shouldn't be long enough to bury three years of memories. Three years of hopes and dreams and plans for a future built together. Years of love so blindingly intense that it burrowed into Tony's soul to make a home and refused to be evicted just because it was supposed to be over.

Tony wonders what the timeline is. Did he find someone new while Tony was still just beginning to pick up his own scattered pieces? A first date for him while Tony was barely getting out of bed. When was it that he replaced Tony as the last person to have his heart? And how did he find forever in someone else so soon after losing the one he used to call his soulmate?

Natasha notices him first, still hovering near the entrance, and she raises a single eyebrow that calls him a coward. He rolls his eyes at the accusation, though it's accurate. She elbows Sharon to catch her attention, and before he knows it the entire small group is turning their heads his way, giving him no choice but to join them.

It's less bachelorette party and more pre-wedding celebration with the crowd they've gathered, all mutual friends of both brides with no regards for gender traditions that usually come with this night. Tony used to fit in well with them all, back when gatherings like this were just a typical Friday night. But he made himself an outsider between the move to California and the breakup with Bucky. All he has now with most of them is a dead group chat that hasn't been used in months. He wonders which one of them made the new one without him in it.

Sharon is the first to pull him into a hug, then Natasha follows suit. He gets a nod from Sam, a wave from Clint, and what might pass as a smile from Steve. Bucky stares so intensely that Tony can feel his eyes with his back turned, but when Tony looks his way, he pretends to be interested in the floor.

He had a plan before the ring threw him off. Step one should have been the entrance. Head held high, shoulders square, perfect outfit that shows everything off and compliments the Malibu tan he has now. Step two should be nonchalance. A light hearted greeting to everyone, accompanied by an easy grin and relaxed body language, and catching up with subtle brags slipped in. Show them all that he's doing better than he ever was, sitting on top of the world these days, even if most of the time it feels like he's barely above rock bottom.

Step three in his ideal scenario involved Bucky breaking down and begging to get him back. Some versions even had him on his knees for it, with tears running down his face. Others required it to be raining outside, and the cloudless sky ruined that before the ring on Bucky's finger did.

With steps one and three out the window, he tries to salvage step two.

“Hey,” Tony starts, a little too loud. He swallows the lump in his throat and tries again, “Hey, Bucky. It's good to see you.”

Bucky nods, a strained, jerky motion. “Yeah, you too. How, uh, how have you been?”

“Good. Really good, actually. Company just had its highest sales quarter yet, so it’s been a little crazy around there, but good.”

“Good,” Bucky repeats, and there’s a long awkward pause.

“And what about you?” Tony asks, and then because he can’t help himself, he adds, “I see you got engaged. Or, hell, I guess it could be married, even.”

Bucky freezes with parted lips and wide eyes for the briefest of moments, like he wasn’t expecting Tony to know about it or bring it up, and his eyes shift to the ring on his hand and stay there.

“Yeah,” he says slowly. “Engaged. Last week.”

Tony ignores the ache in his chest and plasters on a smile like he’s happy for him. “Congratulations. Who’s the lucky guy?”

“Oh, you wouldn’t know him. Steve introduced us. They work together.”

“So he’s at the museum then? I thought you used to say that you hated all those stuffy guys and Steve was the only one worth knowing.”

Bucky smiles, a fond thing that widens the crack in Tony’s heart. “Yeah, well, I guess I was wrong. Felix is a great guy.”

Tony resists the urge to roll his eyes. Stupid name that probably matches a stupid, punchable face.

Some masochist thing pulls at him to make him keep digging for more information, a twisted need to know even as each word pushes the knife in deeper. He aims for casual, leaning back against one of the high top tables as he asks, “So how long have you been together?”

“Just a couple of months. Kind of fast, I know, but when you’re sure about something, it doesn’t really matter, right? Why waste time waiting?”

“Right, of course,” Tony says, a little flatter than he intends. “So why isn’t he here tonight? Hope it wasn’t to spare my feelings, because it’s really not necessary.”

Bucky falters, “It’s not? You, uh, you’re dating someone, then?”

Tony nods, and he wishes he had grabbed a drink before this so he could hide behind it as he lies through his teeth. “Only a few weeks, though. A little too early to be a wedding date, but I’m sure your guy will be there tomorrow right?”

“Oh, um, yeah, definitely. Why wouldn’t he be, right? There’s no reason I can think of,” Bucky says, stumbling around it. “But tell me more about your thing. Your person. How’s that going?”

Tony shrugs, and he finally pulls off that easy smile he’s been trying for. “Well, it’s not get engaged in a couple of months good, but it’s been really great. We’re taking it slow. Trying not to rush anything and just get to know each other first. I think it could really be something, though.”

“That’s good,” Bucky mumbles. “You deserve something good.”

He isn’t meeting Tony’s eyes anymore, almost like he’s upset that Tony moved on, and the vindictive part of Tony wants to be happy about it, but another part wants to be angry because it isn’t fair. It’s not fair to act like Tony should stay stuck in time, forever longing for him when he already moved on with someone else first. It’s hypocritical and selfish, even if Tony is lying about there being anyone else.

“Well, I’m gonna go get a drink,” Tony says, pushing down every feeling. “Should catch up with everyone else, too, while I’m at it. I’ll talk to you later.”

He heads over to the bar and isn’t surprised when Sharon joins him a moment later, right after he orders a double shot of whiskey. She puts an arm around his shoulder and asks, “Are you okay?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Tony laughs, running a hand through his hair. “My ex is engaged to somebody else and apparently doing really fucking well. Meanwhile, I’m making up fake boyfriends that I’m taking it slow with, because last week I went on my first real date in eight months and cried in the bathroom in the middle of it. And then, at the end of the night, he literally told me to my face that he didn’t think a second date was a good idea. We weren’t even talking about it, Sharon. He said it unprompted when we were still ten minutes from his apartment, and I was driving.”

Sharon nods slowly as she processes the rant. “He told you he got engaged?”

“Yeah, thanks for not telling me, by the way. It was really fun to get blindsided by it.”

She ignores the complaint to ask, “What else did he tell you, exactly?”

“Oh, just the whole line about how you know when you know, and Felix is such a great guy, and all that bullshit.”

“Felix,” Sharon repeats.

Tony knocks back the rest of his drink and orders another. “Please tell me he’s not better looking than me. Tell me it’s a downgrade. Don’t lie, because I know I have to meet him tomorrow, but please give me something that will make this better.”

“Well, I can guarantee he’s not as attractive as you. But he’s a little too perfect, you know? Like how could this guy possibly be real, he’s so unbelievably perfect,” Sharon says.

“I told you to make me feel better, not worse.”

Sharon shakes her head with a smile, the arm around him tightening into an approximation of hug. “I wouldn’t worry about it too much. I don’t think they’re going to last. He’s kind of flaky, too. Always cancelling at the last minute and all that. Bet he won’t even show tomorrow.”

The amusement on her face that she’s failing to hide confuses him. He’s starting to feel bad, though, for making the night about him when it should be about her and Nat.

Resolving not to dwell on it anymore, he squeezes the hand on his shoulder and says, “Alright, enough sad drinking, and definitely enough about me. We’re celebrating you and Nat and a lifetime of sickeningly wonderful happiness for both of you.”

Sharon grins, “Hell yeah, we are.”

“Shots?”

“Is that even a question?”

_____________

He wakes up with a headache and hazy memories. Shots of tequila that turned into shots of vodka when Nat got involved, then Clint’s terrible suggestion to try a shot of every liquor they had to offer. He vaguely remembers the round of toasts and drunken impromptu speeches from everyone, locking eyes with Bucky and failing to look away on both their parts. There’s a blur of wandering hands and heated, messy kisses. A bathroom stall turned into a cab ride which turned into his hotel room. He knows what he’ll find next to him when he opens his eyes, and guilt comes in full force.

“I know you’re awake,” Bucky says, voice still rough with sleep. It used to be Tony’s favorite sound in the world. “And I know we’re both sorry about what happened, but pretending to be asleep isn’t fixing nothin’.”

Tony shifts over to his back, and if there was any question before about what happened between them, the all too familiar ache in his body would answer it. He stares up at the ceiling to avoid the acres of bare skin on display next to him.

“You should probably leave,” Tony says to the walls. “I’m sure your fiancé is wondering where you are.”

“I doubt it.”

Tony puts an arm over his eyes, partly to block out the light that makes them ache and partly to hide his face. “Just go, okay? It was a mistake, and it won’t happen again, and we don’t have to talk about it.”

“Was it a mistake?” Bucky asks. “It didn’t feel like one to me.”

He doesn’t answer, and it’s soft and broken when Bucky says his name. Too much for him to handle.

Tony pushes back the blankets and searches for Bucky’s clothes in the mess they’ve made. He finds the shirt first and throws it at him. “You’re engaged, which means it was a mistake.”

His boxers are on the back of the couch, jeans right in front of the door, and they join the pile on Bucky’s lap. “You promised the rest of your life to somebody else, and I’m pretty sure fidelity is supposed to go with that.”

He tosses a shoe in the general direction of the bed, and it hits the nightstand with a loud thud. The second shoe is still in his hand when Bucky gets up and walks over to him, taking it and letting it drop to the floor.

His eyes hold a level of intensity that Tony has spent months dreaming about, and Tony couldn’t look away or move from this spot even if he tried.

“Felix isn’t real,” Bucky says. “I made him up when you asked, because I didn’t want to tell you the truth that I haven’t moved on in the slightest. That I’m so pathetic that I’ve spent the last eight months wearing an engagement ring that I bought for a guy who doesn’t love me anymore because I don’t know how to let him go.”

Tony stops breathing. “What?”

Bucky slides the ring from his finger, holding it between them so Tony can see the inscription. Always yours. He can’t remember the last time he heard the words get spoken.

“When?” Tony asks hoarsely. “When did you get that and why didn’t you ever ask me?”

“About a year ago,” Bucky says, slipping it back on his own finger. He sits back on the edge of the bed and stares down at it, twisting it around. “I thought about doing it on your birthday, but Nat and Sharon had just gotten engaged the week before and I didn’t want to take anything away from them. You were working a lot of late nights after that, and I thought it would be better to wait until things slowed down. You were so tired all the time, and you deserved a better proposal than when you’re falling asleep in the middle of dinner. It never slowed down, though. And then you got that big promotion and somehow we fell apart instead. If I’m honest, I still don’t really know how. One minute I’m getting ready to come with you, and the next you’re telling me not to bother.”

Tony sits down next to him, shoulders touching, and he pulls Bucky’s left hand into his. “You didn’t really want to go.”

“That’s not true,” Bucky says, but Tony shakes his head.

“All you talked about was how much you would miss New York. How much you’d miss your friends and your family and your job. Every day, everywhere we went. Even the fucking hot dog stands got sonnets about them. It really didn’t take a genius to figure out that you weren’t exactly looking forward to leaving.”

“I still would have gone for you,” Bucky argues. “I told you I would go anywhere with you, if it was what you wanted.”

“And then what? You move with me, and you’re miserable all the time, because my job never slows down so I’m still not around as much as you want, except now it’s compounded because you’re in a city that you hate with no one else that you know. You resent me for making you go, and the outcome is the same in the end either way.”

“Or I move with you, and I finally ask you to marry me like I’ve wanted to since almost the day we met. I find new friends and a new job, and even if it’s not perfect, it’s still worth it because at the end of the day I have a husband coming home to me.”

Tony runs his thumb over the ring and murmurs, “I wanted you to be happy. I didn’t think I could do that for you anymore.”

Bucky cups his cheek, tilting his head up to meet his eyes. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but baby, you’re an idiot.”

“Oh, thanks,” Tony laughs.

“You’re my idiot, if that helps.”

Tony smiles, still fragile but growing more hopeful. “Am I?”

“Always have been,” Bucky says. “Always will be if you stop assuming I’m going to leave you all the time. Let me decide for myself what I’m willing to sacrifice for us.”

Tony nods slowly, then says, “I’m sorry for ending it like that.”

“I’m sorry for making you feel like you had to.”

Tony climbs into his lap, circling his arms around his neck, and Bucky pulls him in closer with his hands on Tony’s hips. The ring is strange to feel against his skin, but also completely right. He wants it to stay there and to mean what it was always supposed to. Wants one of his own to match.

“We can fix it, right? We can be us again?”

“I don’t know,” Bucky says, and Tony’s heart sinks for just a moment. “Is your boyfriend as real as my fiancé?”

Tony laughs again in relief, “Yeah, they’d be a good pair.”

“I knew you had to be lying. You’ve never taken it slow in your life,” Bucky grins.

“Do you want me to start now?”

Bucky flips them over in one fluid motion, and he kisses up his throat as he murmurs, “Absolutely not.”

[animeyanderelover]

Yandere Fairy Tail Hc’s

Tw: Yandere themes, unhealthy mindset, unhealthy relationship, possessiveness, delusions, clinginess, overprotective behavior, manipulation, stalking, blackmailing, threatening, sabotage, kidnapping, killing

Hibiki Lates

✨Hibiki is a semi-delusional Yandere. I admit it, he obviously is quite perceptive and intelligent so he isn't a fully delusional Yandere. Still though he can't help, but think of his darling as something more. He's a womanizer and rumors say that he's had many different girlfriends at the same time. But with the sudden entrance of his darling something seemed to change. He suddenly turned extremely obsessive, wanted to know everything about them and he could never stop thinking about them ever since. So even if he knows that some things he does aren't technically right, he views this whole situation as some sort of destiny and that his darling is his only one. He's quite infatuated with his darling for that reason.

✨Manipulative and overprotective. Hibiki obviously has his charm upon his sleeve and there is a reason he's been voted for several years in a row as a boyfriend every girl would like to have. Problem is that if his darling is looking for a serious relationship, they might ditch him since he is a womanizer and they wouldn't want to be with someone who hangs out with numerous women at the same time. Hibiki has to prove something in here and he is aware of that. But he's a determined and persistent man and he will make sure that he'll court his darling successfully and he isn't above making himself look better than other possible competitors. And a man has to protect his lover after all so of course he is more protective, though he overdoes it in order to look more like a gentleman.

✨Hibiki might just experience for the very first time in his life how real jealousy feels like when you have someone you want to love and cherish for the rest of your life. As someone who is constantly being talked over and the knowledge that he is everyone's dream man give him a certain confidence and since he is a polite man, he never really lashes out on someone. But he learns quickly that he dislikes it when someone else tries to charm his darling the way he does and that e likes it even less when they react flattered by it. Such experiences never really fail to make him a bit more possessive since it's a brilliant reminder that he wants no one else to steal you away from him.

✨He ensures protection as good as he can, but if his darling is a mage themselves he naturally admires their strength and respects it when they can kick someone's asses all by their own. We did see in the Grand Magic Games that he isn't exactly strong when it comes to brute strength so in that aspect his darling might actually surpass him, but he is smart and great in other things. He has without a doubt his own little fanbase and has influence due to his popularity so it may very well be that he uses this against people he views as serious threats and destroys their reputation just like this. He does this more with people who harrassed the s/o or make their life hard rather than people who try to snatch his darling away and make them theirs. In such cases he rather trusts his own looks and charms.

✨Assuming that he does manage to become his darling's boyfriend, it might be not very likely that they would break up very fast since Hibiki almost appears to be the prefect boyfriend, he's probably just a bit too much. But since Hibiki views the whole reason you two met in the first place as fate he of course doesn't plan on letting his darling leave now that he's found true love. He uses manipulation over violence since he sees himself above such brute methods and in general he prefers blackmailing and bribing over physical force the moment he fails to solve an issue the normal way.

✨It's really not seen as anything serious when he first is seen in public with you, but when it is suddenly made clear soon after that he stopped looking at other women and stopped flirting with every women he's encountering, it's made clear that this is due to his relationship with you. His teammates and Ichiya congratulate him soon after for having found the real passionate love. Hibiki is actually a bit careful around his teammates when you're with him since they are womanizers as well and for that might behave the same with you which does make him jealous a bit. I think he has no real problem being extremely cheesy and romantic with you even in front of others. That guy does give his darling space even if he can be rather clingy from time to time, but if he misses them he tends to try to communicate per telepathy.

Eve Tearm

💛Eve is pretty much alike to Hibiki in this matter. He as well is a semi-delusional Yandere. However, he isn't like Hibiki a more intellectual character yet and different from Hibiki lacks the more serious side. He is younger after all and views that as part of his charm so he has a far more stronger side to himself than Hibiki has. Because Eve falls much more faster in love than Hibiki does and for that has a much more stronger view on destiny and that him and his darling are meant to be. He is protective as well. He might be younger and maybe less experienced than his other friends, but he as well wants to prove his dedication and love to the s/o.

💛Obsessive which should be obvious. What kind of lover would he be if he wouldn't know how to make you happy and how to always surprise you pleasantly. Something that still marks a big difference between him and Hibiki is the fact that Eve actually turns out to be more on the shy side once he's really fallen hard for his darling which is why he at first tends to be a bit more on the stalkerish side before Ichiya, Ren and Hibiki encourage the young man to go for this beaty before someone else takes them away from Eve. That includes them as well, they are womanizers. Eve uses manipulation less than Hibiki does since he is surprisingly bashful, but he will sweet talk things more harmless and appealing if he has too.

💛Eve is less possessive than Hibiki is and overall is less jealous. His darling gets their freedom and can talk to others all they like, he can endure them having friends and spending time with others. He is somewhat more cautios around other members of The Trimens for clear reasons. It isn't like Hibiki and Ren don't respect the fact that yo are Eve's lover, but being charming and flirting with women runs simply through their blood and so they might subconsciously accidentally and up doing just that. Eve of course is respectful with his friends and they understand him and stop quickly as well. In front of strangers flirting he still retains that more mature approach similar to Hibiki, but just like him he shares the dislike of seeing other people being all gentleman and nice to you the same way he is. He's not shy when it comes to making it to others clear that you already have him.

💛Similar to Hibiki he will share the same respect and admiration in case you are a wizard yourself and for that have spells up your own sleeves to fight for yourself, though in case of a sudden battle Eve would like to fight right besides you. Even with his whole soulmate belief Eve still mostly turns away from the idea of killing someone as long as it isn’t an emergency situation. He likes discussing it out as well and in the case that someone does try to cause troubles, you have a guild ready to help you out since Eve naturally won’t let anyone harm you. He can sabotage certain situations as well where odds are put against the person he views as a threat.

💛Assuming that you are part of Blue Pegasus, you two would already spend a lot of time together so there would be no need for him to kidnap you since he constantly hangs around you in the guild, regarding clinginess he can be more extreme than Hibiki is. He is younger and more delusional after all. And since he is seen from everyone in the guild as sie sort of younger brother he would definitely be able to count on their help in case something should have happened that caused you to be mad at him.

💛The wizard, despite higher clinginess, still respects the fact to hold back in public more than Hibiki would. Ren and Hibiki most likely triggered him to go out of his way and talk to his darling way back when he was still a secret admirer and didn’t know how to set up a good scenario and how to talk to them. Has a more submissive nature to him so he would like his darling to be the one to lead this relationship whilst he follows along and does in the meantime things to please them and make them happy. But similar to Hibiki he stops flirting with other women as we for the sake of you.

Ren Akatsuki

🎆Funnily from all three of them, he probably is the most lucid one. But he still only is a semi-aware Yandere to have, he's stained ith the same delusions as his team members. He can view many of his habits as rather unusual and he knows that as well, but in the end his belief in the greater love manages to overcome most of his doubts and insecurities whether he's wrong about his feelings or not. He mostly tries to show his feelings in a more tsunderish form, but in the end he as well is far too much lovestruck to come over as very cold and his darling can tease him greatly for it. From The Trimens he's notably the most possessive Yandere to have.

🎆Protective and manipulative. No matter how cold he may try to act, he'll always defend you from others and save you when you do trip into some issues and even if he complains afterwards that you should have been more careful, he was very worried and that's evident. Ren is subtle about his manipulations as well, mainly because he wants his darling to love him without him having to use bribing and other sorts of lies and tricks, but similar to Eve he will do it when there would be the need for it.

🎆He doesn't get along very well with other men except Ichiya, Hibiki and Eve for the real funny reasons because he views other guys as his rivals in love (don't expect girls to be safe from this either, he'll merely be more polite). And Ren is the most rude about his jealousy because even if he is more embarrassed to show how much he really do loves you, he sure as hell won't have others flirt with you and take you away from him. He's the passive-aggressive type with such people and his feelings for his darling are always made obvious during such times. In front of people like Hibiki and Eve he is less harsh, but it doesn't stop him from shooing them away when they are suddenly all over you as well.

🎆He might just be the one who would be the easiest triggered from all of them to act when someone starts looking more and more like potential troubles for the s/o and the relationship. I would say that with love rivals he wouldn't be violent, more focused on just scaring them away and use threats and warnings to stay away the moment someone becomes very persistent on having his darling. If it comes to people such as bullies or perverts he has a faster way to react because simple flirting isn't anywhere near as worse as being catcalled or otheriwse humiliated. But just like with Hibiki and Eve I really only see him killing someone when the circumstances are very bad and the person turns out to be a possible death sentence for his darling if he doesn't do something. Anything can happen in the heat f a battle.

🎆Despite his tries to come over as a Tsundere, he still spends a lot of time with his darling which kind of blows his cover up, but that really isn't something new. Ren isn't necessarily clingy unless someone triggered his jealousy extremely or recently something bad happened to his darling and for that reason he decides to accompany them for safety reasons. Kidnapping is still something he wouldn't really consider since, as already mentioned, he is the most self-conscious Yandere to have from those three.

🎆How you can tease him about his constant tries to come over as a Tsundere despite easily getting flustered around you is really funny. Ren wants to look cool in front of his darling which means he obviously doesn't want to embarrass himself whilst you're watching so he always tries his best. He cools his interactions with other girls extremely down after he's courted you since he obviously cares about you more than anyone else. He might still fall back into the habit of simple flirting, but he learned his lessons quickly when you had enough of it, avoided him and did the exact same thing with Hibiki and Eve who naturally flirted back. He got quite mad at them afterwards for this, though they only helped you giving Ren a taste of his own medicine.