#i feel foolish for having such. reactions. to the problems when i found out

[shatteredsnail]

absolutely wild that talking to people about problems your having leads to them becoming aware of the problems. i will learn nothing from this

[paperdice]

Hii! I saw you write for saiki k, so i was wondering if i could please request Kusuo x foreign reader hcs? Reader is a transfer student from somewhere outside of Japan (maybe australia because i’m australian, but anywhere is fine if you can’t do that 💕), and she (or they, up to you) ends up in saiki’s friend group and they get feelings for each other. If you end up deciding to do this, tysm!! xx

����𝐮𝐬𝐮𝐨 𝐒𝐚𝐢𝐤𝐢 𝐱 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐟𝐞𝐦!𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 (𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐬)

"Is it sad that my heart's beating frantically? you give me that look and I'm over the edge."

small note, reader will be Australian for the hcs but it won't be heavily influencing in all the hcs

When you first joined the new school, it was naturally nerve-wracking for you. New country, new culture new everything, it was one scary ride that only made you hope for the best.

Thankfully, you wouldn't be alone much longer, not with the new friends you've made. In fact, one of them had been tugging at your heartstrings for awhile now, and the melody felt right for both of you.

⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚ Kusuo knew your intentions and how you were rightfully afraid during your first day. He knew how you truly feel, just as he does for everyone else in his life. Your thoughts and feelings were another book for him to read clearly, so why was it he was slowly growing an interest in you?

⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚ He's got a sharp mind, he knows himself better than anyone else, or so he thought. He always knew that he wasn't interested in romance and thought he would never feel it due to his psychic abilities. His romance radar seemed to be a little 'nonfunctional' but he didn't care.

⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚ After awhile of getting to know you, he realized he was feeling off when around you. A feeling he didn't recognize was growing within him, and he quickly realized it. In the deepest farthest back of his mind, Saiki understood it had to be a romantic feeling.

⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚ He was stung by the idea, though the more time flew the more he was okay with it being towards you. The hidden love you had for him was no secret that you could possibly hide from Kusuo, he observed the gradual blossoming of your feelings for him firsthand.

⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚ When you first arrived, people were curious about your life in Australia and shared their thoughts and comments during your conversations. Although Saiki didn't say anything to you, internally, he was interested in the life you lived before moving.

⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚ He knew you snuck in a lie or two about encountering a snake that tried to eat you, or how you threw in scares with exaggerations about the snakes and spiders. Or how overly dramatic you made yourself when addressing the pure hatred felt towards the city of Melbourne, Saiki never knew there was a city in Australia that was heavily frowned upon. And from what he heard in your thoughts, you didn't know why either, not from personal experience that is.

⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚ Trying to evoke reactions without ill intent, you seemed friendly. Over time, quirks like these grew endearing to Kusuo. He saw right through your choices more and more, only to find more things about you he liked. So, how is he now that he knows he likes you and you like him?

⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚ He definitely looks out for you. Naturally, he knows better than to be a stalker constantly following you around. His abilities underline that idea as useless; though it's not like he'd ever do it. That's why he checks up on what nuisance is bothering you or what future nuisance will be. People do have a habit of barging in on you. You'll never say how tiring it is, so Kusuo does you favors.

⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚ He enjoys your new-found company in the friend group, whenever you come around he subconsciously moves more in your direction. You don't like bothering him too much so he doesn't have to worry about you being a problem, he knows you don't wanna make some foolish mistake in front of your crush. Though you don't have to worry, your flaws to him are meaningless.

⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚ Sadly Kusuo doesn't get butterflies around you, but being near you disrupts his control over his powers and makes it hard for him to maintain while solving unthinkable problems. This can be frustrating, but he's never been mad at you about it, he can't control his heart after all.

⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚ Ever since he developed a crush on you, he has been smiling without even realizing it. It's just a small, soft smile that creeps onto his face when he sees you enjoying yourself with others. Luckily, he manages to catch himself before anyone else notices.

⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚ Saiki can't help but be a little jealous if guys are flirting too much with you, he knows you won't accept them however for some reason his mind can't help but feel envy.

⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚ He finds your opinions and morals interesting, internally giving dialogue on breaking down your thoughts and why you might think that way. An unspoken way of his is that he shows he cares about how you think by breaking it down like some analysis.

⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚ If you have any hobbies or interests, he'll take some time out of the weekend to take a look at what's got you all hooked. Music tastes, collections, shows, podcasts literally anything you're into he'll give it a try. The appeal might rub off him, you do have good taste in things, to Saiki that is.

⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚ His crush on you was a secret for a long time, and was almost accidentally figured out by Nendo. That mindless Nendo somehow connected the dots out of nowhere, maybe he saw how Kusuo looked at you, or maybe how close he gets naturally. Whatever the case, Kusuo freaked as Nendo was calling your name. But when you turned, it was just Saiki standing there, you felt crazy..

⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚ Kusuo has only ever thought of you two being in a relationship as a maybe thought, which says a lot. But he decided that if he truly does want more in the future, he will make a move, a slight one at least. Just for you.

Saiki is such a cutie pie, maybe ill write dating hcs at a later date. Thanks for the request, feel free to return to ask another!

[marypaol]

Cold Heart

Draco x Fem!Reader

Warnings: Aftermath of a fight, soft angst, that’s all :)

Summary: Reader and Draco have a fight over something they can’t even remember and they sleep in separate beds. But all that changes when Reader has a nightmare.

Note: I don’t use Y/N, if that’s okay :)

***

The feelings inside her chest were unbearable. It was a feeling of loneliness and hurt settling in her chest making her feel uneasy. The tension between them was thick yet awkward at the same time, so thick she didn’t know what to say next. Like if she tried to say something the air would drown out her words and they would be faded before they even reached his ears.

The so called fight was horrible. They both said things they didn’t mean, and called each other names they didn’t really think each other were. Their actions were foolish, getting upset over something that wasn’t important enough to affect their relationship. The thing neither of them would admit is that they didn’t even remember how it started. That was the thing about arguments. Once they start they keep adding up until it explodes, but no one knows what set it of in the first place.

The girl felt small under his sharp gaze, the once soft eyes that looked at her were now hard and stern. The sudden cold air made her shiver but of course he had no reaction. He just stood there, staring her down, making her more uncomfortable by the minute.

She swallowed her regret and pain for the night, deciding to deal with it the next day. “I’ll sleep in the guest room.” She mumbled oh so quietly, not even sure he heard her and slowly made her way to the bedroom, her feet softly padding on the floor the only sound in the room besides Draco’s breathing.

Draco didn’t do anything to stop her, not even changing his body language as a sign he wanted her to stay. It was almost like he wanted her to leave, wanted her to sleep in a separate bed just because they couldn’t act like mature adults properly solving out their relationship problems. So he stood there watching her leave and still watched as door closed, leaving him with the wood staring at him. The man sighed, running a rough pale hand through his even paler hair, tugging at the strands until it hurt. His hand went to his chest next, tugging harshly at the tie that was tied at the collar, something that seemed to be getting tighter each minute. He felt like he was being choked. He untied it and threw it hardly on the ground, the fabric making a sharp slapping noise. He himself was cold, the unexplained breeze sending shivers up his arms as he traveled to their bedroom, totally expecting her sleeping figure to be there, soft skin laying on the silk sheets, eyelashes tangled together as her eyes fluttered from time to time. But he know that even when that happened she wouldn’t wake, for that was a sign she was in deep slumber, not planning on getting out of it any time soon. But once he walked in he found the temperature even colder; the absence of the girl seeming to have an effect on the atmosphere itself. The bed was empty and the sight was unsettling to his chest, almost like her in the bed was something that needed to happen in order for him to feel content.

Sadly the feeling of discomfort didn’t go away even when he decided to sleep on her side of the bed, her scent evolving him like a quilt, the warmth of the smell almost overwhelming. The goosebumps on his skin seemed to go away just by smelling her, like just a piece of her could fix his smallest problems.

Draco slept restlessly that night, his eyes fluttering open every couple hours until he finally found himself falling back asleep again, only to do the same thing a couple hours later.

It wasn’t until he felt another presence in the room, someone’s eyes on him as he slept that his eyes finally decided to stay open for more than five minutes. He glanced at the doorway, the darkness seeming to spread as he focused on one spot. He heard heavy breathing, the person obviously trying to stop it so it wouldn’t wake him up. Little did they know he woke up because he felt her in his presence, not heard it. Almost like he couldn’t just feel her when he’s awake but also when he’s asleep.

“Hey,” he grumbled, his arm coming out of beneath the pillow, the pillow being almost permanently bent because of his arm squeezing it. The girl in the doorway shifted her weight on each foot, her body rocking back and forth as she did so.

“Come here,” he requested, rolling over so she could reclaim her spot. She hesitantly walked over to the bed, stopping when she was next to her side, hands fiddling with her-his- shirt. His hand reached out to her, fingers connecting to her arms, stroking the skin there. Her skin was still warm from the bed sheets, telling him that she wasn’t standing there for long before he woke up.

Silence wrapped around them for a while as his fingers continued to massage her skin, warm against warm. He knew she found comfort in it since she was practically melting into his touch. He wrapped his slender fingers around her wrist softly and lightly tugged as a signal he wanted her to join him in the silky bed sheets.

“Come here,” he grumbled again, fingers going down her wrist to connect his hand with hers. She stepped closer at the repeated request, like she convinced herself that the first one was a misheard, and that she needed reassurance. Her knee stepped up on the bed, arms reaching out to him for a seek of comfort. His arms settled on her hips, guiding her as she settled into bed with him.

She chose to lay on her back, eyes settled on the ceiling but her arm was still touching his. He only noticed then that her cheeks were damp and eyelashes wet.

“Hey,” he said comfortingly, fingers going up to her hair to stroke it out of her face; continuing to do so even after it was out of the way. “No tears, alright love? No tears,”

She sniffed, eyes glazing over but nothing escaping. Her lips parted and she breathed through her mouth for a couple seconds before she spoke.

“I had a nightmare,”

Draco sighed as a sign to say he felt bad, hand moving to her ear so he could stroke it carefully.

“I’m sorry, loves.” He said softly. “I wish I was there when you woke up.”

“I was scared you would still be mad.” She stated anxiously. He shook his head before she could finish speaking, lips leaning forward so he could peck at her cheeks, kissing the tears away one by one. He then backed up but still stayed close by, her right hand coming up to wrap around his neck. His silver orbs met her glossy ones, eyes searching for any emotion in her eyes. “Listen darling, I would never stay mad at you for coming to me for comfort,” he started, rubbing their noses together softly before looking into her eyes again. “You are mine, and if you need anything I’m here to give it to you.”

She smiled ever so softly, fingers stroking at his hair on the back of his neck. “All I need is you, and you already gave that to me. There isn’t anything else I need more.”

[save-the-villainous-cat]

may I request a really really really smart villain. but somehow the hero manages to outsmart them, and even though villain is completely dumbfounded, they find it incredibly hot???

gl, if you wish, but im fine with anything !!

“You’re scared,” the villain whispered. “I know what that feels like. I know what it can do to a person.”

Their fingertips traced the hero’s clavicle gently, as if they attempted to calm a startled deer by stoking it.

“It’s not a pleasant emotion. It certainly isn’t one anyone should be used to. So I’m curious, do you need my help?” the villain said. Their eyes scanned the hero curiously. Almost as if they could absorb everything about them just by looking at them.

Something about the hero seemed to pull them in, something seemed to fascinate them on a grand scale and the hero couldn’t tell if they loved the challenge or the attention.

“Would you mind?” the hero asked. They nodded towards the villain’s fingers on their body and clearly, the villain received their message. They pulled away and smiled. Curiosity seemed to be their big weakness.

“I apologise, of course. I’m fond of pretty things.”

“As every crow is.”

“That’s a compliment.” The hero didn’t answer. They knew the villain was toying with them; they were fully aware of their sweet words and their kind smile.

The villain wasn’t easy to understand and that was a big problem in this whole mess. Incompetent people proposed a threat to the city because of their lack of intelligence. They weren’t easy to understand, they were unpredictable.

Usually, the hero could argue with smart people, could get into their minds and understand their motives but the villain was a complete minefield. Their unpredictability came from several unrelated plans that intertwined and altogether made up a whole picture.

They were ten steps ahead. Always.

Suddenly, a missing professor, a burning bakery, a sick child and a stolen book were parts of a chain that would make sense to the hero much, much later. Ordinary things could play huge parts in these reaction chains, something they liked to call “controlled butterfly effect”. It made the hero think of all the details, all the little crimes in the city. It made them overanalyse every little conversation they had with the villain.

Was the villain giving them clues?

Was there a way to decipher these riddles?

How could anyone be at ten different places at the same time?

How was it possible to get information you’d have to torture out of people without actually talking to anyone at all?

“I’ll have to change my address for the third time this month,” the hero said. “You should apologise for that as well.”

“It’s not my fault you make it so easy for me.” The villain looked around the hero’s living room and in some weird and strange way, the hero felt superior to them, now that everything was done. It would’ve been foolish to say they were relieved. In fact, the villain was right. They were terrified. “New choice of plants, I see. You like orchids?”

“Why exactly are you here?” the hero asked. They assumed the villain knew about yesterday. They also assumed the villain was here to talk about that. “So you can make fun of me? Humiliate me in my own home?”

“Without an audience? Please, I thought you knew me.” The villain’s eyes found the hero’s again after what they deemed to be enough observation.

“You like it more intimate. You like it when it’s just us.” Now, the villain looked intrigued.

“Touché,” they said, almost as if the hero had defeated them with a single word. The hero wished it had been that easy.

“Again. Why are you here?” The hero crossed their arms in front of their chest. It was getting quite chilly in just a shirt and underwear.

In response, the villain took in a deep breath and sat down on the hero’s couch. They lounged.

“When Hannibal crossed the Alps, do you think he was scared? I mean, all that responsibility on his shoulders? It was dangerous, he could’ve lost his entire army.”

“Is this supposed to be some metaphor for me being Hannibal and you being…what? The Roman Republic?” the hero asked. Sometimes, it was laughable where the villain’s mind went. It was hard enough to keep up with them already but the amount of knowledge the hero acquired from talking to them alone was insane.

It was the type of learning experience that required failing repeatedly to get to the answer. The hero didn’t enjoy it.

But the villain only chuckled.

“I was trying to say that being determined and scared can coexist. You did something that demands great courage.” They tilted their head. “And yet, it is a very scary thing.”

With slow steps, the hero approached them until they were close enough. They sat down on the villain’s lap. Unsurprisingly, their nemesis didn’t protest.

They weren’t proud of what had happened, they weren’t proud of what they’d done.

“How can a person obtain information no one dares to whisper?” the hero asked. “How can that person receive it within seconds?”

“You tell me,” the villain said. An invitation. It would’ve been illogical to decline.

“You had two helpers. Someone who can teleport. Someone who can turn invisible. I don’t know how you convinced them but they were heroes once.”

The villain nodded.

“The Romans had to learn the hard way how important spies are. They learnt it from the Carthaginian. Like I learnt from you years ago,” the villain said. It was difficult to imagine that all this was the hero’s fault. “Now, tell me what you did when you found out.”

The hero was quiet until the villain’s palm brushed their thigh softly. The villain seemed unfittingly euphoric.

“I knew they wouldn’t be easy to keep in a cell.”

“So?”

“So I killed them.” The villain nodded.

“You killed them,” the villain agreed. “Did you know crows wait for other predators to tear open their prey?”

The hero waited. The villain wasn’t angry. They were fascinated. It hadn’t even occurred to the hero that this was the solution up until yesterday.

And still, even though this was a major success when it came to stopping the villain, it wasn’t satisfactory. Killing two of their own people hadn’t been pretty.

“Did you know curiosity killed the cat?” the hero asked back. Behind their back, they clenched their fist to stop their hand from shaking.

Within seconds, several red laser dots pointed at the villain. With the hero on their lap, pressing them into the couch, there wasn’t anywhere to go. The sharpshooters wouldn’t let the villain move a muscle.

And behind the shocked expression, the hero saw something they weren’t sure if they loathed or liked: a certain admiration for only them.

[multi-fandomsfreak]

Okay now xenophanes and his litte darling toy reader is actually a Cannibal like him. But not showing it, after all, reader is playing the innocent role but xenophanes will probably notice it so reader is acting a little smart, let's say. I actually had a few questions, but let's say I found the answers now. I will just move directly to the point again, whatever I said. One night reader had successfully left the house but xenophanes of course notices it immediately so he prefers to follow instead of catching her and finds reader in the middle of the forest, doing nam nam to the human yk the rest.. Xenophanes was confused when reader turned back to her normal form xeno catch her and go back to their house what will xenophanes do or his obsessive behave will high up even more or not?

Also Xenophanes is doing his usual things, torture, gore but he cannot lose his only toy, so he heals back of course. For example, when there is torture, he says things like '𝔂𝚘ᴜ are only mine, they can't even come near you 1 millimeter.' or 'you can't run litte one' or 'my,my,what do we have here' etc.

I wanna it to be like platonic but like enemys to lovers and smut (a litte not much) at the sametime but I don't know I have a lot on my mind, but it might seem foolish, maybe I don't know, so I leave the rest to you, if you don't like it, I can do something else, no problem,

You know it already, also reader looks like This character when she turns her exe form)

It would be more sensible to take inspiration from her because I currently have no other character in mind.

Xenophane With A Demon!Reader

Hey there! Thanks for the ask!

Homestly, I think I may of had a bit too much fun writing this lol. Not sure what came over me writing this. Also, I hope this is alright. I tried my best to include a bit of everything so sorry if it ain’t the best. Regardless I hope you like it. ~Blaze/Dawn

Pronouns: Not Mentioned

Warning: ⚠️Cannibalism + Torture/Harm Done To Reader + Kind Of Suggestive? + Mentions Of Murder and Corpses⚠️

Requested: Yes/No

Characters: Xenophanes

Proofread: ❌

Credits: Art by Zerophao on Deviantart + Banner by itzmelonii (Edited By Me) on Pinterest

———————————

- It’s been awhile since you’ve been a victim of Xeno and to say he likes you is an underestimate. One day everything was normal and boom you were blessed with his presence. That’s how it is and always will be. Everyday honestly felt like a long day for you with him starting to slowly become more and more every time you're still here with him. He just can’t help but love your reactions when he comes to visit you. Your body writhing in pain when he digs his nails deep in your skin causing blood to draw from the wounds seeing tears form in your eyes while he licks your blood off of his gloves keeping your body close towards him wanting to make you feel like you could rely on him even though you experience nothing but pain from him. If it gets you to stay with him then he will do it. Harming you only to heal you straight after just to torture you gets him off in a sadistic way.

- He finds you very interesting even before he figures out your true self. He can’t really explain, he just does. Due to his little obsession over you, you practically can’t have any time to yourself. Every second you're not asleep assuming he lets you if he’s not torturing you he needs to have you by his side. Wherever you are he’s next to you the same goes the other way round. It doesn’t matter if the situation you two are in is dangerous he needs to be with you in order you don’t escape. If you just so happen to get hurt he can easily heal you again. It’s as simple as that.

- It’s pretty rare that you have been able to get away from him. After a few steps outside assuming you didn’t get caught trying to get out you still get caught after a bit by him. He honestly doesn’t understand why you want to escape him. Isn’t he not perfect for you? Like sure he has gotten you fucked up before but that’s just how he shows how much he loves you. What else do you need to be shown to prove he’s right for you? Just tell him and he’ll do it. Unless it’s for him to let you go then he’s not doing that.

- However, there was a bit when you did manage to escape him for a bit and it kind of pissed him off once he figured you were off and that he let you get away. What he didn’t know was your little ‘adventure’ you had while you had some time to yourself. You found yourself getting more and more hungrier the longer you were out. This was mostly because you were some sort of demon/entity yourself and had to feast upon humans for sustenance. At first you didn’t want to do it but to be honest you couldn’t hold it back any longer so you ended up feasting upon a dead corpse to satisfy yourself.

- Leading up to discovering your little secret he was pretty much feeling a mix of emotions. A combination of pissed, dread and really impatient. Did he really let you get away for good? This thought was continuing in his mind as he desperately tried to find you until he managed to find some sort of figure which had the same figure as you. Then the previous emotions were replaced with excited, in a twisted way excited to finally finding you. That’s his face shifted into confusion. He saw you lumping over what seemed like a dead body, maybe a recent victim he had killed but he couldn’t understand why you would be near a corpse. You don’t have any reason to. But when he started to get closer towards you planning on catching you off guard but then once he gave himself a moment to process what was noticing something different about you. You looked completely different to what you usually do.

- Then when he got even closer he noticed you feasting upon the corpse. Then I guess when it started to click for Xeno. Were you a demon like him? It looked like it so with a smirk on his face he went up to you unaware of his presence before placing a hand on your shoulder catching you off guard before saying “well hello again little devil” he said his voice was very sultry yet you can clearly hear the evil intentions he was planning on doing to you after being separated from you for however many days.

- I’d like to think his opinion of you wouldn’t change once he had discovered that you were a demon. You still belonged to him, nothing has changed about that. However, I feel like he would try to encourage for you to let your inner demon (sorry if that sounded cringe lol couldn’t rephrase it any other way) but not in the way of ‘I want you to be more open about yourself’ but more of a way to torture you more. Probably using ways to try to coax it out despite you trying to make sure it doesn’t. He’ll try to use your need to feast on bodies to his advantage. Knowing that your hunger can change depending on how bad your day has been.

- “Aw come on [Name], I know you want this” he says as he flaunts an arm that once belonged to someone “you can’t handle the sensation any longer. It would be best if you just give into the urges.” He says dragging a claw towards your chin making you look at him. These are the types of things he might say to you. Teasing you about your needs, flaunting parts of bodies in front of you. Doing this until he forces you to give in. Once you do he praises you while also teasing you for giving into your urges. I swear you can’t win with this man.

- I also feel that since he discovered that you're a demon he’d like to test your limits when it comes to certain things. Knowing that what he did before was possibly child’s play for you makes him admittingly very excited to see. As I said in the first point this type of shit gets him off. The tougher he is towards you the more turned on he gets. He gets some sort of euphoria off of it. The sight of your groan in pain makes him more and more determined to see you like that.

- Overall, regardless if you were a demon or not he is still the sadistic hedgehog you know him to how craves nothing but having you by his side despite the things he makes you go through just to prove that you are his.

———————————

[i-am-xp-64]

I checked out this guy

Because I been seeing people talking about them before

And I kinda make an AU of this guys video (because I found it so incredible) and also from rainbow factory type shit

And made an AU of Albert and jett, because oh BOY we can't get enough of these two and I also wrote them each stories ✨

First made:

Name: jett Lockwood (same name lol)

Age: idfk-

Gender: son of a- (ehem, male)

The story:

Jett were just that one sociopath in Albert's therapy place, he has some attitude and stuff but he kinda fun to talk with and due to we see from Albert, he going pretty good, until one day Albert and him got missing after Albert asked if he could walk him home, jett refused and find it weird but Albert said that he just wants to have a longer chat with him about stuff so jett knew Albert would didn't take his nos so he let it slide, while these two walking home a two strange man follows them behind, jett and Albert who noticed that decided to do the usual trick everyone do when they got stacked, but things didn't got as the plan and first Albert got knocked over by one of the man and the other put a bag on jett's head while he try to process the thing, the two got taken to a weird looking hospital at nowhere that they one their eyes and find their selves tied to metal tables tightly, each one as two tubes next to them and connected to them with a needle, jett has a yellow and Albert has a blue liquid at their tude they connected on, soon later they wait and wait but no one shows, but suddenly some different reaction changes happened to both of them, jett felt more violent than his own mental while Albert felt emotionally weaker, after hours the liquid on their tubes runs out and the locks on their arms and legs set free, Albert fall on the ground with none stop tears falling from his eyes while jett is shaking with same years but with a smile creeper than his normal one, these tubes were filled with two different tests, the yellow one is to extra the mental while the blue one is to extra the emotion, both being in a room, jett start swinging his arms around clawing the air while Albert tried his full power to stand up but jett accidentally hit Albert's arm and make it bleed, seeing that, jett gone more insane and start laughing uncontrollably and jump on Albert, keep on hitting him, causing a lot damage on Albert's body, Albert tried to defend himself but the liquid also got him gone weaker, all he can do were scream and cry than out of sudden that same two guys who kidnapped them walks in, both of them stopped and look at the mans, quickly one of them pull jett away from Albert and the other hold Albert's arm and pull him out the room like a dead body following with jett being dragged the same way to two different cell rooms.

Second made:

Name: Albert Morgan (same name again)

Age: idk-

Gender: male lol

Story:

Albert were a therapist who made horrible mistakes and foolish decisions before, he put all his effort to help his patients and keeping his calmness for others, but he's been having backfires from past lately and think that he has to talk this out with jett to fix it once in for all, so after therapy he offer jett to walk him home, jett first refused but the Albert asks it again and he let's it, while walking they talk about a lot and Albert realized that two man are following them, he told this to jett and they start to try their best to lost the stalkers but when they entered a street hall Albert got knocked out by one of the man, he woke up in the same weird hospital and the rest that it tolded on jett's story, Albert were feeling way and way weaker after the tube and keep on crying and having problem standing, he also got attacked by jett after the tubes they both got dragged to different cells like it tolded, while Albert were at his cell, he trying to process the thing and get himself together, but the tube made him emotionally weak also weaken his actions he didn't able to think much or do anything, he just lay on the floor and try to sleep, after hours the same man's realise them to a white room with some paper, crayon and stuffed toys in, literally like some rooms in mental health hospitals to keep the patients calm, jett start banging on the door, threating the mans while Albert just sit near the door, jett see this as a chance since his mentality gone worst with the tube he looked around the papers and crayons and find a scissor it were a kid scissor but it didn't matter to him, he walks up to Albert, hold him from his hair and lift his head up, and he that trying to cut his neck, when jett realized it's not working he hold down Albert and shove the scissor in his eye and then throw Albert on the floor, after it he got on top of him and start punching him like crazy, somehow none of hits killed him, it's like that tubes also has feroflued to keep them alive, apparently jett were not trying to kill Albert, he were trying to escape something after that tube and using Albert like a mental toy to calm him, eventually jett got tired and run of to the other side of the room, he sits there laughing in tears same with Albert, they both were in massive pain after that liquid in that tubes and it's like they both trying ways to get it out.

@weirdsillycreature sista! I'm cooking an AU that is CRAZY AS A MIX PERSON OF HUNTER AND JETT✨

WOOOOOOOOO-

If you also realized I put a book on their heads that I got inspired by loudjunk lol

[receival]

star trek enterprise, season 1 starters.

the following is a collection of sentence starters from star trek enterprise.

is he dead?

so that’s your diplomatic solution? to do what they tell you?

you’re not going to let them do this, are you?

you have no idea how much i’m restraining myself from knocking you on your ass.

this is no time to be imposing your ethical beliefs.

when your logic doesn’t work, you raise your voice?

i had a feeling their approach wouldn’t sit too well with you.

don’t screw this up.

i don’t think i’m quite ready to have my molecules compressed into a data stream.

they claim it’s safe.

keep your shirt on, (name).

is it me, or does the artificial gravity seem a bit … heavy?

i believe you missed a spot.

think you can handle it?

keep trying, you’ve almost got it.

it’s impossible for me to leave now.

i could order you.

do you really want someone else to do it?

in the meantime, we’re to extend them every courtesy.

is there a problem?

while you may not share our enthusiasm for this mission, i expect you to follow our rules.

if there’s nothing else …

can you prevent it?

when will we speak again?

don’t be concerned with ‘when’.

love what you’ve done with the place.

what you lack biologically, you make up for with your … charming optimism.

be very careful with that.

if you’re going to try to embrace new worlds, you must try to embrace new ideas.

please, no apologies.

what better time to study human beings than when they’re under pressure?

i’ll do the best i can.

you’re upside down, (name).

sightseeing was not one of my assignments.

all work and no play … everyone should get out for a little fun now and then.

you should have started without me.

you have yet to embrace either patience or logic.

with proper discipline, anything’s possible.

perhaps you’d like to go to your quarters and lie down.

i’m sorry, (name), i’m doing the best that i can.

we’re losing power on all decks.

shut up!

there’s someone here.

are you alright?

we have state of the art senses. why the hell didn’t we detect them?

there’s no way you could have anticipated this.

your mission is over.

space is very big, (name).

your reaction to this situation is a perfect example of why your species should remain in its own star system.

get the hell out there and make yourself useful.

i’ve never seen anything quite like it.

did it ever occur to you that i might know what i’m doing?

any luck?

are you sure it’s safe to stand so close to that?

why the hesitation?

i wasn’t authorized to reveal the details of our findings.

i’m not going to harm you. tell me where it is.

are you certain they’re telling the truth.

i don’t know what you’re looking for.

you have a tendency to be … gregarious. i suggest you try to restrain that tendency.

it’s nothing that concerns us.

but first — you should enjoy yourself.

we should get going.

i’ll meet there as soon as you can.

you should learn when to interfere and when not to.

maybe we should get back to where there are more people.

you better be careful.

if you’re thinking of harming me, i’d advise against it.

what are you doing?

you know, under different circumstances i might be flattered by this, but …

that’s … never happened before.

you know i’m not lying to you. now what?

they’re simply soldiers fighting a temporal cold war.

you need to get up here as quickly as you can.

the storm’s getting worse.

the storm’s kicking up too much interference.

i can’t do it.

it shouldn’t take more than a few moments.

you must really be proud of yourself.

you didn’t wasn’t much time, did you?

how long before we get back to (planet / place)?

what happened to, “this is a foolish mission”?

my instincts tell me not to trust them.

there’s too much distortion.

your instincts were right.

i believe we have found what we’re looking for.

they followed us here.

i’m okay, (name).

wouldn’t exactly call this an improvement.

it’s just a little bad weather.

we’re too far away.

if we remain here, they’re going to locate us.

how complicated can it be? up, down, forward, reverse … i’ll figure it out.

it’s illogical to attempt this alone.

never put off ‘till tomorrow.

if anything happens to either of you, i’ll be held responsible.

they have two settings: stun and kill. it would be best not to confuse them.

i really don’t want to have to carry you out of here.

be quiet!

i’ll be right behind you.

i don’t particularly like the way you smell, either!

wait a minute. i think i’ve got something.

i’m only picking up two bio - signs.

turn the ship around. now.

what’s there to interpret?

what the hell is that supposed to mean?

i can’t believe this!

the situation must be analyzed logically.

you’re wasting your time.

it would be unwise to discharge that weapon in this room.

am i supposed to be impressed you know my name?

i was going to let you go.

what you call tricks, we call progress.

sorry, (name). i had no other choice.

i’ll take that as a “thank you”.

let’s hope that’s the last time somebody takes a shot at us.

if i’m going to pull this off, there’s a few things i need to leave behind.

this mission would have failed without your help.

i hope you’re not in a big hurry to get home.

i didn’t realize you spoke slug.

she doesn’t look any better, does she?

i promise to do my best to keep it alive.

he’s gonna make you all better.

we’ve been out here for two weeks, and the only ‘first contact’ we’ve made … is with a dying worm.

shh! hear that? squeaking. something squeaking.

my people don’t share your enthusiasm for exploration.

i know the statistics!

i’ll leave you to your … exploring.

… i’m having trouble sleeping.

the further we are from everyone else, the better.

are you sure it’s not the simulations that are off?

it’s time for a little target practice.

anyone sitting here?

no, please. sit down, sit down.

try the potatoes. they’re delicious.

wasting time seems to be all we’ve been doing. starting to get a little antsy.

we’ve been on the move for two weeks, and we haven’t seen a damn thing.

every moment’s been an adventure for me.

humans are so unpredictable.

it’s good to see you’re enjoying yourself.

how big is it?

doesn’t seem to be moving very fast.

if you insist on allowing your curiosity to dictate your actions.

are those venting ports … or hull breaches?

those look like scorch marks.

if there is anyone home, you can be they know we’re out here.

not everyone chooses to answer the door when they hear a knock.

it would be best to resume our previous course.

maybe they’re in trouble — sick, or something.

is there a problem, (name)?

we’re not breaking in. we’re just going to see if everything’s okay.

there’s gonna be plenty of time to go exploring.

whoever’s on that ship might not want us nosing around.

maybe they could use our help.

sorry to bother you, (name).

it should be exciting.

the environmental suits, they make me a little … claustrophobic.

you talked me into it, remember?

what is it, (name)? is something wrong?

hang on, i’ll come with you.

can’t be too careful, (name).

you’ve seen too many science fiction movies.

is this necessary?

just a precaution.

just our luck.

blood?

whatever it is, it hasn’t been here very long.

(name), where are you going?!

my guess is, they’re coming back.

we should leave.

you’re telling me that we should just leave them there?

your intentions were admirable, (name). but there’s nothing we can do for them now.

i’d never seen that many dead people in one place before.

you have nothing to be ashamed of.

i screamed like a 12 year old girl.

we’re all frightened by unfamiliar things.

you should be grateful that your body of experience doesn’t include rooms full of corpses.

it goes without saying that you’re going to encounter the unexpected.

i shouldn’t have brought her onboard.

what kind of pasta is this? it’s great.

too spicy for you?

they were crewmen. murdered on their own ship.

what’s the matter? the tension bothering you?

must be great, not to let things bother you. no remorse, no guilt.

we don’t know where they came from.

we didn’t even try.

am i the only one who’s having a problem with this?

so we should avoid confrontation at any cost?

you got an answer for everything, don’t you?

we have a code of behavior, and we try to obey it.

it took a few thousand years, but i think we’re starting to get it right.

how were they killed?

care to assist?

could be a laundry list. or instructions on how to conquer the universe.

i’m surprised you’re not familiar with it.

how long before the transceiver’s online?

the quicker we get this done, the quicker we can get back to the ship.

i’m not suited for this.

give it a try, you’ll be fine.

i think i’ve got it!

they’re still not responding.

we’re dead in the water, (name).

i’m afraid we’re stuck here for awhile.

it doesn’t have to be perfect.

i’ll get it all wrong, and i’ll — i’ll just make things worse.

things can’t get much worse.

you’re gonna do just fine here.

how can you eat that stuff?

did you hear about this?

i wonder if someone lives there.

someone may have a claim on it.

i understand that you have a more cautious approach, but i didn’t come out here to tiptoe around.

thanks for choosing me for this mission.

you’d have better luck making friends with a housefly.

i almost forgot what fresh air smelled like.

take a minute to enjoy yourself.

perfect. hold it right there.

you have your assignment. we’ll rendezvous here at 1900 hours.

i’m afraid my log entry isn’t going to do this justice.

don’t worry, i’m not going anywhere.

you’d be lost without me.

sorry. i lost track of time.

glad to see you’re getting into the spirit of things.

when’s the last time you slept under the stars?

this isn’t shore leave. this is a research mission.

research isn’t the only reason we’re out here.

you almost destroyed the ship!

let me guess: no ghost stories where you’re from?

when i was a kid, i’d go camping with my buddies. we’d spend half the night looking up at the stars, wondering what our own sun would look like from this far away.

headache. if it’s alright with you, i’d like to lie down before we get back to work.

nice going, (name). you scared off the bugs.

did you hear that? someone’s out there.

are we allowed to squash alien life - forms?

you want to shoot a bug?

do you require assistance?

we should leave!

where do you propose we go? back out into the storm?

it’s too dangerous. we should go back.

who were they? who were you talking to?

there’s no one here.

we’re apparently not alone.

we’re getting out of here.

why won’t you tell me what’s going on?

i have no reason to deceive you.

you’ve held things back before. you might be doing it again.

this is pointless.

we’re stuck down here for god knows how long, with a bunch of rock people who, for all we know, are staring at us from these walls right now — not to mention a crewman out there who probably won’t last the night.

if we’re gonna get through this, i need to know what the hell’s going on.

you couldn’t care less about him, or any of the rest of us!

your emotions are beginning to effect your judgement.

you’re becoming irrational.

you’ve never seen me irrational.

i’d hate to add to our problems, but we’re running low on water

join me, if you’d like.

sit down. you heard me.

find anything you wanna tell me about?

there’s nothing of scientific interest on this planet. our mission here was a waste of time.

i’ve learned a great deal about human behavior.

i thought you had your emotions all locked up.

having a little problem, are you?

you think we’re gonna wait around here for you to slaughter us?

i’ll blow this whole cave apart if i have to.

i know you hear me!

these wounds should heal nicely.

you don’t understand what’s going on.

put your weapon down, (name). bthat’s an order.

have you been affected?

(name)? you still with me?

listen to me. i’m giving you an order.

what’d you do to him?

i have no idea what you just said, but it didn’t sound very nice.

you’re making a mistake, working with her.

i thought you said he was going to be fine.

i … think it might be too late.

i can’t tell you how sorry i am, (name).

i need to know if they’re going to be dead when we get there in the morning.

can’t afford to have you going out on me.

say one more word of that gibberish, and i’m gonna split you in two!

(name), how long have we known each other?

i’m asking you to trust me now.

this is a major breach of security, but i’m going to have to trust you.

i hope you know the difference between ‘stun’ and ‘kill’.

you didn’t shoot me last night, did you?

i was hoping it was all just a bad dream.

look, i know i kind of shot my mouth off last night…

challenge your preconceptions, or they’ll challenge you.

[ishipgenfics]

You and Your Human: Part 4

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

You see your next crew member walking out of a shop entitled Engineering Advice and Tool Repair. You probably would not have noticed them, but your human tugged on your sleeve. Its feautres were frozen, eyes wide.

"Human?" your human says.

You step closer. The sentient is walking slowly, so it is easy for you to get a glimpse at it, and to see that your human is wrong. It is a Sirviles, and while they can look human at times(although you'd never noticed it before) they are a species all their own.

You turn slightly to your human. "No," you say, shaking your head. "Sirviles."

Your human appears to lose an inch or two to height, which is concerning until you realize it is merely slumping. A reaction to exhaustion in many species that you had never gotten used to.

You jump up to your human's shoulder and shake it. "Okay?" you say.

Your human makes a noise like the yipping of wild dogs, which you have come to recognize as its version of laughter. "Okay," it confirms. "Just... little sad. What is Sirviles?"

You struggle to find the words to explain. Sirviles are wonderful and fascinating, but complicated. "Human then snake then human. One to two to one."

Your human nods at you and you nod back, momentarily forgetting the meaning of the gesture. Your human laughs at you and you bare your claws playfully at it before turning your attention back to the Sirviles.

You may end up zoning out slightly, for it feels like only a few seconds have passed when it whirls around, bares pointed fangs at you and hisses, "Who are you and why are you watching me?!"

You clasp your paws together and jump down from your human's shoulder. You don't want to draw too much attention to it yet, before you reveal to all of them what it actually is. Being human technically isn't illegal here, but there are still definitely people that could have a problem with it. "Apologies," you say. You know you must sound rather foolish, but you have always had trouble with the hisses of the Sirvilein language. "I saw you exiting a shop about Engineering, and I have found myself in need of an engineer. Do our needs align?"

The Sirviles is stunned into silence. You back up a few steps and study its face as it gathers its thoughts.

It is mostly on the hominid end of the cycle, with only a few scales and a slight limp showing the snake end. It is bald, with abstract tattoos covering its head and shoulders. It has dark skin and dark scales.

"They do," the Sirviles says. "Or I believe ssssso. What sssort of workerss are you looking for?"

"I have brought a new s-s-ship," you say, giving up on trying to hiss the s. You just aren't made for it. I could use an engineer, a scientist, or a doctor. Third is lowest priority." You already have a bit of emergency medical training, enough to get by. If there's a doctor willing to come work on your ship, great, but it really isn't necessary.

"I am an engineer," the Sirviles says. "I also ssspeak Cervilian, and a bit of Pyricessse, if that enhances the deal for you."

You smile. You've picked up the habit from your human. "It does."

"Where will the deal be ssssealed?" your engineer asks.

"The Crow Section of the docks," you say. "You will find an Equilian there. "I will meet you shortly."

As your new engineer walks off, quickly vanishing into the crowds of people, your human bends down to tap you. It is a startling feeling, and you jump. Your human backs away, babbling too quickly for you to understand.

You hold a paw up. "Slow, slow," you say in your humans language.

"Sorry," your human says. It bends down. It does that sometimes when its talking to you. Its... kind of sweet, but you are very used to talking to species much taller than you. Did your human not see you talking to the Sirviles five seconds ago. "When home?"

Home? What does your human mean, 'home'? Does it mean Earth? You can't get to Earth. Earth is dangerous. And anyway, your human never mentioned wanting to go back there. "Home?"

Your human frowns, and your tail twitches slightly, a prey instinct you cannot suppress. "The ship? You? When home?"

Oh. Oh, you love your human so much. "Soon. Person," you hold up one finger, "supplies," you hold up another, "and then home," you hold up a third finger.

Your human nods. "Good."

As you walk into the crowd, you notice that your human is walking behind you. Now that you think of it, it's pretty much been doing that the whole time. You aren't sure why. It's not like you can hide it, other than drawing attention of it-- it is much bigger than you. And while you would do anything to protect it, it is stronger than you as well.

Hmm. It is young. Perhaps it doesn't know it's own strength.

As you ponder this question, you feel an icy chill through your arm and turn to see a flickering sentient trying to pull you away. Its hand keeps going through your arm and it growls in frustration.

"Excuse me?" you say in Pyricese. It probably doesn't know Pyricese, but hopefully it knows at least one language that you speak.

"Hi!" the sentient says. "Will you come over here? Your friend can come too."

You stare, unable to process the words you are hearing. This feels like encountering an extinct species in the wild. "Are you speaking Universal Standard?"

The sentient shifts its weight back and forth. The light of its form flickers as it moves, like a candle flame. "Is that bad? Sorry. If so."

You sigh, and jump up to pat the being. It seems to have focused more, because your hand doesn't phaze through it. It zaps you a little, like... tiny electrocution? There should really be a word for that. "Galaxy-new, no one speaks Universal Standard."

The flickering gets more intense, and you thank the Saints that you are standing on the side of the road rather than in the middle of it. "Why is it called Universal Standard then? This is too confusing."

You really want to rant about the history of Universal Standard, because it is fascinating, but ironically, your Universal Standard is extremely rusty. You only ever studied it, never actually practiced, since no one speaks Universal Standard. Instead you just chirp a I don't know, and say, "Sorry. Were you not looking for a job?"

The sentient flickers in and out one more time and then settles down into a more humanoid form, with golden eyes and a pointed noise. It doesn't have a mouth, and you realize that you have no idea how its been talking to you this whole time. "Right! Yes. Now I haven't been to space before, so I would like a job. Before they find me."

"Are you a criminal?" you ask. "Because I'm not hiring criminals--"

"Only from my planet!" the sentient protests. It seems flustered. "They're very closed off, and they don't like space, but I wanted to go to space so I could learn more things."

That explains why they thought Universal Standard was actually the standard language then. Galaxy-new was a lot more accurate of a term than you thought. "What can you do?"

The sentient hesitates. "I am a," there is some sort of word in their home language that sounds like the squeak of a whistle. You have a wide range of vision and can see your human tense behind you.

"I don't know that word," you say. A very helpful phrase, in any language.

The sentient growls again. "I... I learn things, and I do tests, and I do more tests to figure things out, and I collect information about the things and write it down."

"A scientist?" you say. Your heart flutters. Saints, you have been lucky today. Maybe the world is trying to give you a break after having your old crew abandon you. "I need a scientist."

"Is that the Universal Standard word for it?" the sentient says, before waving a glowing tendril. "Not important. So you'll hire me?"

You sigh. Well, it seems sweet. Why not? "Yeah, alright," you say. "But I'm gonna be giving you language lessons. You need to know something other than Universal Standard."

"Deal!" the sentient turns into a little glowing star, pulsing happily. You explain to it where to go, and then head off into the crowd again. Just a few more supplies to get and then it will be time to go back to your ship.

This time, you hop onto your humans shoulder, occasionally whispering instructions into its ear to tell it where to go. Its nice, to see the world from a different perspective, and also nice to see your human.

You have a very wide range of vision, and from your spot on its shoulder you can see your humans absolute wonder at everything it is seeing. Sometimes fear, yes, or confusion, but mostly wonder and awe. If you are interpreting human facial expression correctly.

It's beautiful. You haven't been that in awe of the galaxy in a very long time, but you still remember the feeling, the first time you saw how small you were, and how big the world could be.

You are glad to be able to see your human experiencing it. You would have thought it would have already happened, considering you found your human on a crashed Cervilian ship. Maybe the ship never landed....?

Eh. It's really not that important. You should just enjoy the moment.

You gather up supplies-- food and equipment. You'd gotten a lot of different types of currency before you'd set off in your ship, so you don't have to worry too much about exchanging, which saves a lot of time. Before you know it, you have everything you need.

Your human is walking back to the ship, when you pass by a bookshop. You would have ignored it, but for two important things.

1: One of the books on display has a human on the cover.

2: The sentient inside, sweeping the floor and humming quietly to himself, is Pyrician.

You jump down from your human's shoulder. It will be good to look another one of your species in the eye.

You open up the door, your human awkwardly shuffling after you. It seems to understand when it sees the Pyrician, because it stops whispering, "What?" at you in both Human and Pyricese.

The Pyrician is larger than you. Its tail is bushier and its fur is darker, more beach than desert. It is a little grey around the whiskers, and it snuffles welcomingly at you as you enter.

"Pronouns?" it asks.

"She/her variant," you answer. "You?"

"He/him," he says, answering with the shortened version. You have gotten used to talking more formally, you realize. It is easier for outsiders to understand. "What brings you to my little bookshop?"

You are almost certain that this man is from the beach areas of your planet. He has quite a thick accent. "I saw that you have a book about humans in your windows...?"

"Oh! Yes!" he glances around. "Can I tell you a secret?"

"Of course," you promise. You glance over to your human, standing in the corner tapping the wall in some sort of rhythm unidentifiable to anyone but itself and giggle. Whatever the secret is, you are almost certain you won't have a problem with it.

"I think humans are a bit... too villanized," he confides in you like its some huge deal, instead of something you've thought pretty much ever since you started talking to your human. "They can be dangerous of course, I'm not denying that, but there are lots of dangerous species out there. Humans just seem... misunderstood to me. I have a lot of books about them. Professional interest."

"Wait..." you say slowly. "You have books? About humans?"

"Yes!" he says happily, ears bobbing up and down. "Some written by other species, but a few written by humans themselves. And one of them is just all my collected information. Now, all the humans I know are from one specific part of the planet, so my understand of the language is limited--"

"But you have books on the language?" you repeat.

He nods. There is a twinkle in his dark black eyes. "Yes, I do."

You grab him by the shoulders. "Show me everything."

[dandelion-wings]

Do you think Sara would be good with kids?

Especially in regards to your Sara-in-Mondstadt AU, where for some reason I can’t help but imagine her being exasperatedly fond of Klee and babysitting her.

For a partial answer, have this snippet I shoved in that AU doc the other day:

Sara strongly suspects that the book the librarian found on "yokai customs" is largely the invention of some opportunistic author who wanted to profit from credulous mainlanders' lack of knowledge. "Oh, this is charming," the librarian says, turning another page. "'Each tengu guest brings unto the marriage circle a length of branch or bough, suitable to a nest, to symbolize that the marriage takes place within the flock; while the tengu bride and tengu groom bring each of them a whole bundle, chosen by hand, to symbolize that they will build their nest together and raise each other's young....'" That Sara can't swear is false. She's never attended a tengu wedding, and there seems something... *right* about bringing nesting material to one you love. But she feels an itch all down her back at the awareness of how laughable and foolish this would seem to humans. She's heard the mockery before when she's acted in a way too easily compared to the behaviors of a common crow. "I would prefer not to include that," she says, stiffly polite, just as before. "Oh? You don't want to show Jean that you'd raise her children for her?" It would be wrong for Sara to be dishonest about this. "I'm not suitable to raise human children." Or tengu children, for that matter, as this literary exploration of her people's heritage makes clear. The librarian gives her a sad smile. "Neither is Jean. All right, cutie, no sticks. Let's see what else is in here."

But for a longer answer: eventually.

Everything we see in her voicelines and especially in her teapot lines, which I presume all are meant to take place after the Inazuma AQ, suggests that now that she doesn't have Takayuki around, she is actively working on reparenting herself and improving her own social skills. I strongly suspect that's going to lead long-term to a version of Sara who can, in fact, handle children well! But right now, at the point where I have her depart for Mondstadt (or Liyue), she's simply not yet there. That's a skill she would have to develop through exposure to children, not something she possesses when she starts.

With Klee, I think she would initially have much the same reactions as Jean, for (what I headcanon to be) much the same reason--harsh correction and punishment for any misdeeds, because that's what she experienced as a child and believes to be correct. The optimistic side is that I think that, specifically because she is trying to make the changes above, I think she's in a better position than Jean* to look at what happens afterward, realizing it's not working re: changing Klee's behavior, and taking another approach. I think there's a lot of trial-and-error! I think Klee probably initially, and for a long time after, reads her as mean! But very long-term, I think I could imagine her ending up as a good tutor for Klee, in a similar position as Lisa but more able to deal with the physical end of her boundless child's energy.

*I've ranted plenty about this, but: Jean is not a good babysitter. I have some sympathy for her around it, because she's in a very shitty position here and she didn't ask for it, and I don't think she has the capacity to become a good babysitter while she's so overwhelmed with all her other responsibilities to Mondstadt. But the upshot, sympathy or not, is that she keeps doing the same thing over and over again and it does not fix the base problems involved, and she doesn't have the understanding of children or the spare time and attention to figure out what's going wrong and why, and thus what else she could do about it. Ultimately this is Alice's and probably Varka's fault, but. It's not good. Everyone is in a rough spot here but at the end of the day it's a prepubescent child getting the short end of the stick and it sucks.

In the Liyue version of the AU (both have such good but different elements, which is why they both bang around in my brain despite me making more actual writing progress on the Mondstadt one), Sara's ability to handle children grows faster, because she has help. Ningguang recognizes both her social weaknesses and her desire to repair them very quickly, and one of the ways she subtly tries to help with this is to dump Sara on Ningguang's little gang of child informants. Letting said children know that this is a job she'll pay them for, on their end, and without giving Sara responsibility for them--I can't remember who I discussed it with, but I recall that my idea for how it starts is that they throw a ball onto a roof and ask Sara to fly up and get it, and Sara, who again in this version of the AU thinks of it as forbidden to fly around people, is flustered when Ningguang encourages her to. And then to play with the kids. :> But it's fairly important here that Sara is in no way made responsible for these children! (Not that she doesn't take some on, of course, but it's not official.) She's just a fun adult whose wings can add to the variety and ease of their games, which is Ningguang's other goal here, to make her cute new wife understand that it's okay if she flies.

[giselsann-opencommissions]

the confession (sebinis)

Ominis gaunt was at the beginning of his fourth year when he began to develop other types of feelings towards his best friend Sebastian. They had always been good friends, since they met at that slytherin table on the day of the ceremony, despite the fact that ominis was quite reserved and quiet, it seems that this was not a problem for the pair of cheerful twins, who immediately sought to become his friend and over time they became inseparable.

However, ominis never imagined that sooner or later he would end up falling in love with the troublesome boy with freckles and not his sister. That is, he was a boy, it would be normal to feel attracted to the sweet girl, with whom he also spent a lot of time. She was fun, funny and mischievous, but above all, a great friend. He unfortunately could not see her in the same way as her brother.

His first reaction upon realizing that he liked his friend was panic. It wasn't normal to feel this way about another guy. He was confused, scared, and he didn't know what to do about it. The only thing that occurred to him was to act as if nothing happened. They would still be the same good friends and he would never tell her about his true feelings.

But apparently his own body didn't quite agree with his decision. Every time he heard Sebastian's laugh, the smell of him, when he sat too close to him and his arms brushed against him, or when he hugged him, his head simply exploded from the inside and a deep red blush adorned his face. he. Even his hands were starting to sweat. And this was obviously not lost on Anne. And one day she dared to ask him.

"Ominis, is everything alright with Sebastian?"

The question took him by surprise as he was sitting on the couch in the common room. Trying to rest until he heard the familiar footsteps. Fortunately Sebastian was not with them at the time. Ominis did his best to maintain his composure.

"Yes" he answered quickly "Why do you ask me that, Anne?"

"It's just. Lately you feel uncomfortable when you're with him" I looked at him fixedly and suspiciously.

Ominis gave a hesitant chuckle. Trying to hide the nerves inside him.

"Awkward? You always come up with something new, Anne"

"You are lying to me, ominis. I know you"

"Everything's fine, Sebastian and I came in. Seriously," he said in an almost annoyed tone.

Anne noticed that he was tense. She observed her hands which played restlessly with her wand and in that she held her hand, making her jump. However, the boy did not let go of her grip and closed her eyes.

"You know you can trust me, right?"

Ominis nodded slowly as he kept his head down. Of course he trusted her, but he couldn't tell her about her feelings for Sebastian. He just couldn't.

"Then tell me what's happening to you. Maybe I can help you with whatever's bothering you. Does it have to do with Sebastian? Do you want me to talk to him?"

"No. I can't tell you" the blond refused opening his pale eyes.

"Ominis"

"Please, Anne. Don't make me tell you."

The girl sighed in resignation. Ominis could be very foolish. But that was not why he would force the information out of her.

"Okay. You don't have to tell me now, but if he decides to change his mind, you know I'll always be here to listen to you."

Ominis smiled.

"I know yes"

Anne touched his shoulder affectionately, then left him alone. In front of the fireplace, he with his head is confused and even more worried about his feelings.

Sebastian returned to the common room later and didn't see ominis anywhere. Assuming that he would already be in the room, he headed straight for it, ignoring his other companions. Entering he found him sitting near the window and slowly approached him. The moonlight illuminated his face and his eyes looked, well, just mesmerizing.

"How did it go in the library, Sebastián? Ominis said, recognizing his steps immediately.

"Hehe, it's amazing how you always manage to guess"

"I'd know those silly footsteps anywhere * he sneered.

Sebastián smiled and took a seat in a chair that was close to ominis, while he couldn't stop looking at him.

"This time they didn't catch me in the restricted area" he said, still smiling.

Ominis hesitated, shaking his head at the antics of his friend.

"Next time you won't be so lucky"

"I will continue to be one step ahead"

Well. Another punishment won't stop me" he shrugged "I found some very interesting spells there, ominis. Maybe we should practice them at the Undercroft soon" he suggested.

"You're trying to get yourself expelled before you graduate, right? Because there's no point in what you're doing"

"What can I tell you? I like to break the rules from time to time. It's risky but exciting" he smiled at her mischievously.

"You're hopeless" he rolled his blind eyes, as he felt the soothing night breeze.

Sebastián was amused by her response and without warning he held her hand. Ominis's heart jumped suddenly and now the words were clumsily coming out of his mouth.

"Wha-what's wrong?

Ominis felt his face burn and then how Sebastian placed a rectangular-shaped object in his hand. His face went from embarrassed to confused.

"What is this?" He felt the object slowly without being able to identify it.

"It's a music box. Very pretty by the way"

Ominis was speechless and it was enough for him to touch the small crank for it to start releasing a beautiful melody. A beautiful smile formed on his face as he gently caressed the wood.

Do you like it?" Sebastian said.

"Yes. I haven't had it in my hands for a long time. It brings back some memories" he told her.

"Okay. Enjoy it, it's yours"

"Where did you get it?"

Sebastian scratched the back of his neck before answering.

"Let's say you can find a lot of things in the restricted area other than books"

"Did you steal it?"

"It was abandoned and cobwebbed. And probably no one had used it in centuries. But if"

"I don't know why he asked you" he expressed something bored. Sebastian would never learn the lesson. But still, he couldn't help but think how cute he was to give her this. His heart was beating fast and now he was smiling happily.

"You had already told me before that you liked them. So, as soon as I found it, the first thing I thought of was you"

Hearing that only made the ominis stomach feel a strange tingle. His cheeks burned and his mind was blank.

"Thank you, Sebastian"

"I'm glad you like it" he smiled.

A short silence formed in the room. Then ominis spoke.

"Sebastian" he blurted out without thinking. He only left her mouth on reflex.

"Yeah?"

"I, I" she looked down from him embarrassed. What was he supposed to be doing?

"Ominis. Are you alright?"

"Ugh no. I'm not. I'm tired of feeling like this" the latter replied in a frustrated tone, moving away from the window and leaving the music box on his bed, at the same time that he raised his wand and looked to leave the room. But before he could do that he felt Sebastian's hand on his shoulder and he stopped.

"You're acting strange, what's wrong with you?"

"Nothing"

"You said you were tired of feeling this way. What exactly did you mean?"

Ominis took a deep, regretful breath. He shouldn't have spoken without thinking. And he already knew Sebastián, he wouldn't stop until he got the answer out of him.

"Listen Sebastian. There are things that it is better not to know"

"What? But what are you talking about, ominis?"

"It doesn't matter, Sebastian" he said turning in his direction.

"If it's about your feelings. Of course it matters to me" he said with a more serious voice "You can tell me anything. That's why we're best friends.

"You don't understand Sebastian. What I feel, ugh, could ruin our friendship" he confessed with a shaky voice.

Sebastian was surprised to see two thin streams of tears run down his flushed cheeks until they reached his chin and then fell to the ground. His pale eyes were glazed over and his lip trembled. His heart sank seeing him cry like that. At that moment his only instinct was to reach out to give her a hug. But his feet were still.

"Ominis" he said.

"I can't believe this" embarrassed, he wiped his tears and then tried to flee the room, but again a hand stopped him, only this time it was two hands that wrapped him in a sudden hug that left him breathless.

Sebastian hugged him from behind, and he could feel his hot breath on his neck. Ominis didn't know how to react, he was more nervous than ever, and before saying anything Sebastian got ahead of him.

"What do you feel when you are with me, ominis?" he asked in a calm voice.

Ominis was silent.

"Please tell me. I swear that nothing you say can ruin our friendship"

He again he was silent.

"Ominis"

"I feel like you make me lose patience very easily"

Sebastian was somewhat confused.

Ominis raised his free hand to hold the boy's arm and sighed.

"But at the same time, I like that you're like that. So rebellious, funny, and cute" he closed his eyes as he spoke "I feel like. I… I've fallen in love with you, Sebastian" he confessed with a fearful voice.

He finally said it. Despite the fact that he had promised himself otherwise. This time he spoke from the heart.

"I'm sorry" said ominis.

"Do not be sorry"

"I know this is weird. And that it's not right"

"Ominis, don't say that. Please, don't ever repeat it in your life"

Sebastián's arms released him and ominis felt that he should flee from there as soon as possible. He didn't want to hear his rejection, even though he was already aware that Sebastian wouldn't feel the same way, he didn't want it to happen. But instead, he felt how Sebastian held his arm and guided him to sit on the edge of the bed with him. His heart did not stop beating desperately.

"Why did you think that was going to ruin our friendship?" she asked directly.

"Do you really need me to tell you? The answer is very clear"

"I understand your concern, but you shouldn't have jumped to conclusions about what I would say or think. If you had told me earlier, I would

"If it wasn't so easy to accept my own feelings, Sebastian. What makes you think it would have been easier to tell you?

"Good. Because I thought you were also aware of mine"

"No I do not understand"

Sebastian nervously played with his own fingers, hesitating a bit at first but building up the courage to do this. One of his hands slowly placed over hers, while with the other he gently touched her spotted cheek and began to lean.

Ominis was startled to feel the hand on his skin. And his brain was even more confused. Was Sebastian going to...

Kiss it.

Sebastian was kissing him.

He felt his soft lips move over his and he unconsciously closed his eyes. When he opened his mouth a little, Sebastián took the opportunity to deepen the kiss and now everything became more intense. The ominis' hand loosened its grip on his wand, letting it fall to the ground and now touching Sebastian's face. His hot breath was driving him crazy and when they separated they were somewhat agitated.

"Why did you kiss me?" He said ominis.

"Because I like you"

"Are you serious?"

"I wouldn't have kissed you otherwise" he smiled.

"Sebastian. This is crazy, are you aware of that?"

"The only thing I'm aware of is that I want to kiss you more" he replied, approaching his face again to kiss him.

Ominis allowed himself to be kissed without putting up any kind of resistance. This time he wrapped his arms around her neck on his shoulders as they went about their business. But from one moment to the next, Sebastián's kisses became much more intense, and then they descended from his lips to his neck. He also seemed to want to lay him down on the bed.

And for some reason that alarmed the young blind man. And he jerked away while he was as red in the face as a tomato. Sebastian found it too cute to see him like this.

"Sorry, I thought I got carried away"

"Don't apologize. It's just, I've never done this before. I'm nervous."

Sebastian looked in the direction of the door, the room was dimly lit, and he smiled. They had this whole room to themselves. And seeing ominis like this, with their eyes lowered and flushed, was giving him some impure thoughts.

"Anyway. I would never force you to do something you don't want, ominis" he said.

Ominis nodded embarrassed and in that he groped for his wand, which had fallen when the kissing began. Sebastian noticed that and grabbed it from the ground quickly to give it to her.

"Here it is, ominis, your wand"

"Thank you" he squeezed it firmly.

For some reason Sebastian felt bad for seeming so desperate to possess him. Or only he had the impression that ominis quickly searched for his wand to protect himself.

"I mean it ominis. I would never hurt you"

"And created you. Don't worry"

Sebastian held her hand affectionately again and smiled happily at her.

"Thanks for trusting me"

"Always, Sebastian. Always"

*End*

[delirious-donna]

chapter 3: When Worlds Collide

Story Masterlist

pairing: Kakashi Hatake x female reader

warnings: SFW (NSFW in later chapters)

wc: 2.7k

synopsis: Kakashi Hatake, newly appointed Hokage, is struggling with transitioning from active duty to being sat behind a desk. Sure, he might not be placing his life on the line every day but perhaps now is the time he puts something else out there instead, his heart.

Meanwhile, things aren’t quite adding up. There is a discrepancy in the records that cannot be explained, and it falls to you to investigate. Never did you expect it would lead you to the door of the Hokage’s office, a man you had admired from a safe distance until now. What happens next leads you into a closely guarded secret that will change the rest of your life.

In a story where the past might be harder to let go of than usual, can two strangers find a semblance of happiness and peace?

beta reader: a huge thanks to @niatheangel for agreeing to be my beta reader and for holding my hand as I've never had one before!!

“Oh. I – I really didn’t expect you to still be here,” you stated as warmth bloomed over your cheeks.

“That so? Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you but I am indeed still here.”

You swallowed nervously, far from impressed with how his voice hinted at amusement likely at your expense. For a moment you simply stared, mind running entirely blank in the face of the current Hokage, the man you were sworn to serve and who you found too attractive for his own good.

Kakashi lifted a fist to his mouth and cleared his throat, he had no idea what had brought you to his door – perhaps it was simply fate intervening in a venture that he had started to believe may have been foolish to embark on?

Wasn’t it only earlier today that he found himself once more standing within the office you inhabited? Drawn inside when he hadn’t been able to locate you in your usual lunchtime haunts. His visit had been short-lived, turning on his heel when he spied you hunched over your little corner desk, completely absorbed in your work but it left an uneasy feeling in his chest. He should stop, and let the silly notion go before it became something he could no longer control.

The problem was that the more he learned about you, the more he wanted to know. Little idiosyncrasies that he found to be endearing; the way you often tied your hair to fall over one shoulder, playing with the ends as if your fingers needed something to occupy them, or how you made a habit of humming when you thought you were alone. Kakashi had even noted you bounce your step like you were doing a covert dance, it was adorable and that was not an adjective he was used to thinking. 

He was unsure of how to introduce himself in a way that wouldn’t seem apparent that he had been watching you, the more he thought about his actions, the more uncomfortable he felt about it. Today's latest venture had convinced him that there would be no more, if he wanted to get to know you then he would have to find the correct way of doing so, regardless of how stumped he was about how to do so.

As if in reaction to these inner turmoils, destiny stepped up to the plate to push things along. 

“You haven’t disappointed me, far from it,” you enthused at pace. Alarmed that you may have inadvertently offended him and taken a step back which resulted in you stumbling.

You would have landed squarely on your butt had it not been for the strong hand caught beneath your elbow, Kakashi’s grip was firm but not painful as he steadied you back to your feet and withdrew his touch. You hated yourself for missing it, that it made your heart pick up from the briefest of touches.

“Why don’t you come inside? I assume you’re here to see me for one reason or another and I’d much rather get you off your feet before you hurt yourself.”

The heat of your mortification intensified; not at all enjoying the smirk that was evident even hidden behind the black of his mask. “No, I can come back tomorrow, another day or maybe never…” The last few words were murmured under your breath but of course, he heard them.

With an amused chuckle, he shook his head, extending a hand into the depths of his office and fixing you with a look that told you that there was no way you were getting to scurry away like a frightened mouse.

Kakashi observed the uncertainty in your expression, how your eyes swept over him and inside his office before darting to the side. For a single moment he thought you might run, and why, he wasn’t sure. He was the one that should feel nervous. Were you on to him? Had you caught him watching you from afar and decided to confront him?

Your spine straightened, determination set in motion as you took the two steps necessary to make it inside the office, and it felt like the air was sucked from your lungs. It was a place you had never envisaged seeing the inside of, much less under these circumstances and you stared at a room that you imagined would be opulent and comfortable. 

It was far from it.

The furnishings were minimal; boxes of files, stacks of scrolls and various maps lined around the walls. Two simple chairs were set before the cherry wood desk that dominated the space, and Kakashi gestured for you to take one as he rounded to his far more impressive seat. You were walking swiftly, ignorant of the look of confusion being levelled at you, ignoring the offer in favour of sweeping towards the windows that offered a panoramic view of Konoha.

The early evening sun was low on the horizon, bathing the streets, forests, and mountains in the distance in a dusky pink. Hues of orange and purple mingled with the pink and your fingers stretched out to touch the glass that stood between you and the outside world. It was a view afforded to few and you were grateful to see it at this hour when quiet was beginning to descend, and fewer people filled the streets that were usually rowdy. A sense of calm washed over you as you watched the sun slide into bed, a period of peace was upon the world after many years of conflict, and it was only when you noted Kakashi’s reflection in the glass did you truly contemplate that he was one of the people responsible for it.

“Enjoying the view?” he asked softly, taking his seat, and spinning it towards you.

It was impossible to look past you, to the sight that had captivated you so readily and a view he had looked upon too many times to find the magic in it any longer. However, there was something about you, a magnetic pull that made him want to stand and move closer–to be in your orbit. He resisted. Leaning a hand onto his palm, he watched as the fading embers of the sun caught in your hair and the soft light highlighted your profile.

“Hm?” The question filtered past your subconscious slowly, awareness dawning and you spun to find Kakashi watching you closely, almost lazily through half-closed eyes. “Sorry! I don’t know what’s gotten into me this evening.” You hustled to take a seat, dropping your backpack into the empty one and crossing your legs as naturally as you could manage.

“No need for apologies, Miss...?”

Thankfully you didn’t choke on your name, instead noting the faint nod he gave in response and repeating it back to you. It had never sounded more intimate than it did, tripping off Kakashi Hatake’s tongue, like brushed velvet caressing your skin, and this was not helpful.

“What brought you to my door this evening? I assume there was some other reason and not that you wished to admire my view,” he asked with a laugh.

“Ah-ha, right. Hang on.”

You unzipped your bag, pulling the folder onto your lap and reminding yourself that he had no idea who you were other than your name. You fought the blush that threatened to return this time, lifting your gaze to find his gentle stare. Patience is not what you had expected, surely the Hokage was a busy man and to allow you to dawdle seemed wrong but as you took in his relaxed posture, it was evident that he had no intention of hurrying you along.

“I work for the records department, and I’ve been assigned an investigation that I was hoping you could shed some light on. Are… are you sure you have the time for this now, Lord Sixth?”

His hand lifted immediately, brow drawing low in displeasure. “Please, it’s Kakashi. I’m not fond of some of the formalities of this position and I would prefer we speak on first name terms if that is agreeable with you?”

He wanted you to call him Kakashi. 

That thought reeled in your mind, licking your suddenly dry lips but bowing your head in acknowledgement. Whilst you still felt you should show him some sign of respect as your superior, you weren’t keen on picking a fight over something trivial. You would simply avoid addressing him at all because you didn’t trust that you wouldn’t stutter the syllables of his name and make a fool of yourself.

“S-sure.” You cleared your throat, gazing down at the file and reminding yourself why you were there. “As I was saying, there are some very classified documents from within this particular file that seem to have gone missing.”

Kakashi frowned, his gaze focused on what lay upon your lap and knowing it immediately to be a shinobi’s personal file. It was rather thin looking and he assumed it would be of either a younger shinobi or perhaps one that had died early in service. He wondered why curiosity arose from such a matter, what documents could be so important that you would come to the door of the Hokage in search of answers and how he could be connected to the situation in the first place.

You placed the file onto his desk, spinning it around so he would be able to read the label when he would inevitably pull it closer. “This person is meant to have two death certificates, a strange situation but one I believe you are familiar with.” 

There was an evident frown on his face as you watched him sit forward slowly. Reaching out and grasping the file, you fixated on the fingers of his hand, the way the material of his fingerless gloves flexed over the knuckles and the width of each digit. Your thoughts were scrambled, far from what you should be thinking about right now. Why were you wondering how rough his fingers would feel against yours? Stop it!

This wasn’t happening. Kakashi stared in disbelief at the name that stared right back at him.

This was never meant to come to light, Tsunade had promised it would never be discovered. Quickly, he schooled his features, the deep scowl that had drawn his brow lower smoothed out and his eyes swung up to see if you had noticed. You seemed distracted by something or other, eyes fixed on his desk and slightly glazed. 

He was one lucky man, and he was clearly losing his touch. Had he been the one watching this interaction, he was certain that he would have noticed his reaction to reading the name. However, now was not the moment to mentally kick his ass about his shortcomings. 

“You’re certainly correct, I was witness to both instances of the recorded deaths. How was it discovered that the death certificates were missing?”

“There is an audit that is completed every ten years,” you explained with a shrug. “You signed off both accompanying reports of death. Do you have any idea what might have happened to the documents?”

There was no accusation in your tone, Kakashi was relieved by that fact more than he assumed he would be. In truth, he had no hand in the disappearance but he most definitely had information related to the matter. What he needed was a distraction, some way to divert your attention elsewhere until he could come up with a plan on how to resolve this favourably.

“You’d think the Hokage would know about such audits, but it seems no one tells me anything around here,” he chuckled. “I’m sorry but I’ve no idea what might have happened.”

Ideas chased in circles around his head, how was he meant to keep you adequately distracted, then it struck him? Was it a good idea to use his attraction towards you in this manner? For a brief moment, he wondered if fate were laughing at him, this was his punishment for learning about you without your knowledge or consent.

“I wondered if you would answer a few questions about—”

“Would you have dinner with me?” Kakashi blurted out, effectively cutting off your words and leaving you gaping at him. It would be amusing if his heart wasn’t hammering a mile a minute in his chest. Not only was his pride on the line but a great secret could be revealed, which he couldn’t allow.

“I’m sorry, what did you say?”

“Would you like to have dinner with me? It would be a far nicer way to have this conversation, no?” His head cocked to the side, eyes closing in that lazy smile he was infamous for.

“I— well, I don’t see why not?”

Hold on, had you agreed to a date with Kakashi Hatake? Could it even be called a date? There was a chance that you were misreading his intention. Should you ask? Your mouth popped open and then closed.

“Wonderful. Shall we say Friday? Is your schedule free that evening, I know I’m not giving you much notice,” he offered with a faint sheepish look. His hand flew to the back of his neck, fingers rubbing at his skin and it looked like a gesture he performed regularly.

Kakashi shoved the file back to your side of the desk, tapping it pointedly until your trembling digits wrapped around it, placing it back into your bag without your eyes leaving his. There was an emotion in his eyes that you couldn’t place. Almost like a hint of sadness but not quite.

It could have only been seconds that you stared at one another, but it felt like hours. You didn’t know what to make of it. It made no sense but now was not the time nor place to deliberate on it further. You knew when you were being dismissed, though the expression on his face was anything but dismissive. 

“Friday is fine with me. I don’t have any plans for the weekend,” you said, mentally slapping yourself for giving a little more information than was asked of you. You stood hastily, turning towards the door and screaming a silent curse that was hidden from view.

“Alright, shall we meet here at this time and we can leave together?” Kakashi asked whilst rising from his seat and walking swiftly to the door. He held it open for you, the waft of your perfume permeating into his nose and he struggled to catch himself from sighing.

He watched you turn back into the meek version of yourself that had first appeared at his door, the faint nod of agreement and the pink heat that spread over your cheeks were endearing. 

You wished him a good evening, narrowly avoiding melting into a puddle when he used your name once more and closed the door with the softest snick of the latch catching. If you had expected anything to come from this spur-of-the-moment venture, it definitely was not this.

On the other side of the closed door, Kakashi leaned against the wood and let out a quiet exhale. This was the kind of shit he really did not need, not ever but definitely not this early into his tenure as Hokage. He wasn’t due to go out there for another week but needs must and this was a situation that needed more than him working on a solution.

There was always the option of speaking to Lady Tsunade, she was involved in this, more so than Kakashi but he needed to shield her from this. The fallout if the elders were to discover what she had concealed for him would not be looked upon favourably.

It was a clusterfuck of a situation and despite it all, he laughed.

I wonder if Obito will be pleased to see me so soon…

[someverygaymoth]

KD!AU

(lmao did I forget to mention the errormare? My b Dawgs that too. We have chaos polycules in this au.)

Euclades(NM) knew Steller(Error), when he was younger, still in his flock, still by an entirely different name and form. When things went horribly wrong for him, he ran from his flock, and Steller. A lover he'd taken some 400 years ago. They parted with only a letter, a letter Clay left for him in a fit of fear and confusion after becoming what he is now. He fled from his problems, and didn't allow anyone to follow him or help them. Needless to say, Euclades still thinks of him often, and having him show up on his doorstep, with a mate, no less, is not something he was prepared for.

Steller doesn't recognize him. He looks so different now, he can hardly blame him, but part of him aches. He can barely stay there long enough to greet both him and Atra(ink) before having to spend the rest of the day in his room, shocked to realize he can still take his old form. He didn't know that before Steller came around. But, it didn't take much for Steller to figure it out...

Literally the whole fic I wrote about that ages ago↓↓ (this is old AF I revamped it literally just for this post PLEASE forgive me if it vaguely sounds like garbage in some parts.)

(Important details: trade is the common language used for international trade in this world, dragons propose with giant intricate circles made with stones and rocks gathered sometimes over months, dragons have little balls of flame for souls called soulfire.)

(third person focused: Steller's point of view)

Clay isn't who he says he is. To Steller, it's all but a mystery to whom, if anyone, he's told the truth. It began as morning more than a feeling when they first arrived here. Something felt off, familiar and suspicious. Then it became a hunch, then a conclusion that the king was hiding something. If his mate, his kid— Atra's kid were going to stay here, secrets weren't going to fly with him.

Many things clued him in on the King's secret, and when he uncovered something so personal as this is, Steller found it an incredibly difficult realization to have. He had to confer frequently with Atra, to fumble through what to do and what to think, how to feel. Not that Atra is any good at any of those things, but stars he does his best. And that's something. One thing Atra said stuck with him through all of this.

"If he loved you as you said he did? He left so abruptly to keep you safe, even if it was something you didn't need to be protected from."

Euphe was always the protected, never the protector. Of course he'd want to protect Steller from what he wasn't protected from. From whatever happened to his home, to his people. To him. Thinking about and processing all of this went slow, had been absolutely heart wrenching, and snowballed slowly into more of an investigation into the truth rather than just exploring a hunch or a feeling.

The first hint had been his reaction to his presence here, Euclades didn't utter a word beyond a curt greeting in draconic, in response to Steller's trade. That could easily be mistaken for an old age monarch attached to his ways, but Euphe never learned trade either. Then, with nothing but those words, he disappeared for the rest of the day. Steller had been intrigued, and looked for him, wanting to talk to him more. At least thank him for allowing himself and his mate to stay here, apologize for his lover's foolishness.

Though, he wasn't around. Steller asked his mates, though they told him that Clay was in his room, probably working, and he seemed in a mood about something when they last saw him. In other words, he was best left alone. Though they remarked about Cain handling the political affairs this week, to give him a break, and promised they would check on him later, and relay his gratitude. It left him with an odd taste on his tongues, persay.

The next? Cain. Steller never met him when he was with Euphe. Euphe talked about him a lot. Tall, strong, bright and beautiful. Steller knew without a doubt, that Euphe loved him deeply, but Cain was a protector before all else, he would've kept the secret at first, but Euphe knew it would spill eventually... On purpose or not. His flock wasn't a fan of lone draconics. Nor was any other, really.

To have one of their monarchs, nevermind such a sacred being as Euphe fraternizing with a troublemaker like him, that would give the young monarch's flockmates all the more reason to hate him. Though, now Cain acted the same way Euphe had always talked about him. A beautiful golden social butterfly that was able to connect with damn near anyone. Though he lacked a certain naivety that Euphe described, Steller could guess that was a product of maturity. To find them together now, ruling their empire as mates, was no surprise.

Cain contributed to more than one hint, really. One other being, their origin. Born of the sacred Tree of Connection, twin protectors given to their flock by their deities. It's pretty difficult to miss that one. Euphe never completely explained what they both were to him, but he's not sure that Euphe completely understood that for himself at the time. Nonetheless, you don't get two stories like that one. He was almost completely sure of it then.

The fourth hint lie in the garden. Deep in the garden, in fact. Abandoned and alone. The Tree of Connection itself, and the last source of Empathy magic, a single golden apple, hanging alone within its ancient branches. A story that's also pretty unmistakable for any other, it sat in a well, reflecting golden light onto the water beneath. It was so well kept. Too well kept to be anything but the real Tree of Connection. How the hell they got it here was beyond Steller's comprehension, but still.

Steller would suppose it's fair to count the Tree of Life as a part of that last hint as well. The massive tree in the middle of the castle's main buildings. An apple tree, just like the Tree of Connection. It wasn't hard to figure out that it was grown from the last dark apple of Empathy. Steller put that one together pretty quick after seeing the golden apple all alone on the tree. He had few doubts then.

The fifth clue, was each of Clay's mates. The stories of how they met. Clay's need to help them all... That unmistakable empathy for small, helpless things. That was all Euphe. It was just like him. Steller could see it in his expression as they talked about it, he seemed so nostalgic for the time, but so terribly empathetic, hurt by remembering their pain and helplessness. He still has that same desperation to protect, to provide. Like he has anything to prove after taking an entire Empire by right of combat and creating a safe haven for draconic people everywhere.

The sixth was the library. The moment Steller saw it he had no doubts left. So many books, in so many draconic languages, so many scrolls from so many different flocks. Euphe loved books. He may not know trade, but he knew almost every draconic language near to his own flock. He used to bring many books in whatever language he could find, to their little clearing in the woods and read to him all night long. Memories Steller carries with fondness.

The castle is full of secret rooms and dark passages, and the library is no exception. The library has so many secret rooms, full of old scrolls in ancient draconic languages. In one of these rooms there was nothing but scrolls about his flock... The flock and the prophecy that tortured Euphe until the day they all disappeared. So many of them had the burnt impression of claws on the corner of the page. Steller could imagine it so easily, Clay staring at it with such fear and anguish, wondering why they had done this to him, and allowing his emotions to run away with him.

Between Cain dropping information about their past, Clay's desperate little attempts to hide the obvious, and the clues practically written in the walls themselves... It wasn't long before Steller figured it out. Now, came the hard part. Actually talking to him about it.

Atra was there through it all, content to let Steller know his thoughts on everything. All he had to say when he decided he wanted to talk with Clay was, "do whatever you feel is right. If the dust settles and you want to be friends? That's okay. If you end up fucking on his desk, that's cool too! We can sort stuff out later." Stellar gave him a straight shot to the ribs for that, of course, because that was a very unhelpful fantasy to carry in this situation... But at least he knew whatever way things went, he had the support of his mate.

After hours of pacing and procrastination in my room, Steller somehow end up in front of his door... Holding that old letter like the most precious thing in the world. The purple ribbon that held it was old and worn now, he'd applied sap many times over the years to help the fraying. The edges used to be a vibrant shimmering silver, but now the thin metallic touch had worn and flaked in some spots. The letter itself was corroded and yellowed at the edges. Steller read it often in those first years that his lover was gone. In fact, he'd read it so many times now he's certain that he could recite it word per word, blindfolded.

Now he held it before the door of the one who gave it to him, unsure and fearful. Clay knew he was there, without a doubt. Born of the tree of Connection, he possessed focal magics even other monarchs did not. Empathetic magic, specifically. He'd always been able to feel the emotions of others, but what he understands now is that Clay's abilities have grown much over the years. Steller knocks on the door gently and it unlocks with a small click, opening just a little. He pushes it the rest of the way open, and when he does, Clay watches him with tired eyes.

After all his anxiety and worrying today, it would seem he is an expected guest.

"Steller, what do you requi-" he freezes-no, flinches- when he sees the letter in his hand. His eyelight swirls with an unmistakable twinge of vibrant violet for a moment. He blinks and it's gone, it almost felt imagined.

"Euclades. It's a lovely name."

He was silent, watching Steller wearily. He looks guilty, contemplative, maybe even afraid... The dredge of negativity that flows over his bones seems to drip more heavily around him, roiling like a pond disturbed by rain.

"But it isn't yours, at least... It wasn't always. Was it?"

"No. No it wasn't." The door shut quietly behind him. The sound makes Steller glance back, only for a moment. "Please... Please allow me this moment in private. I... Cannot imagine how you must feel. If I must endure your anguish, let me be the only one to bear it." He pleads.

Steller locks the door on his own, content to give Clay what he asks. He sighs out, "I knew it was you," in a breath. It's difficult for him to tell whether it's a sign of relief or something entirely different.

"You're clever, I knew I couldn't hide it."

"You made quite an effort," Steller counters quickly.

He whispers back, "I am sorry."

"Why?"

"I was afraid," Clay answers. He looks Steller in the eyes with some acrid, visceral emotion that lingers. A terror he keeps buried away in the embers of his soulfire. It's an expression so like one he'd once seen Euphe make, whenever he spoke of his flock... It makes Steller's soul twist with longing, nostalgia, love and care that still lingers after centuries apart.

"Why did you leave." He corrects, "why didn't you even say goodbye?" Steller steps forward slowly, pulling the worn, old ribbon from their letter, and places the curled page gently on Euclades' desk, right in front of him.

"I... was afraid," he answers again.

"Of what?" Steller paces a slow line past his desk and around towards the door, gripping his skull as though he couldn't comprehend any of this. Maybe after all these years, he still couldn't.

"Of myself, what I might do... What the corruption did... It... I hurt people. It made me want to hurt people. I didn't want to hurt you."

"And you thought I wouldn't stop you? You thought I'd ever let you become something you're not? You thought you could hurt me? I am a force to be reckoned with, I've burned villages and destroyed towns, I have faced those which were unbeatable in the presence of draconic armies! I can protect myself!" Steller spits.

"Not from this. You don't understand. The influence of the tree is strong, Steller, it is dangerous, and real. It isn't something you can protect from. It took me centuries to break through it's influence-"

"And I COULD HAVE HELPED YOU!" Steller cries, pausing his pacing near the door, "but no, no you left me alone, and scared, with no clue where you were and no chance of helping you- you fool! I would never be afraid of you!"

"Well maybe, you fucking should be." Clay hisses, standing up.

"Don't try to prove a point, dumbass. I know what you are. What you REALLY are. And you can't ever hide that. You are not, and will not ever be something I fear." Steller growls, wings flaring out behind him. Already a broad, tall monarch, it made for a threatening display.

Clay puffs up right back, purple dancing through his eyes and in his markings. Two eyes... That's... Different. Everything is different. He's so much bigger now, it's startling to hear everything in his voice ring with something from the past, all coming from a form so different. Euphe was beautiful, even without the extravagant marks of a strong monarch. Even now, he's so beautiful, in all the conventional ways he never thought himself when they were younger. It makes Steller ache, but he doesn't let up on his stance.

He's in power here, size and status be damned.

Euclades still can't hurt him.

Clay marches around his desk, a growl heady in his throat. "That's exactly why I stayed away. You're too trusting— too stupid to—" he makes a wounded sound, "if I wanted to hurt you, would you even stop me?" He asks, expression pained.

"If you wanted to hurt anyone I would have stopped you!" Stellar barks back, throwing his hands up in the air.

He marches forward, face twisted into a snarl as he slams a fist into the door hard enough to make the wood tremble. "WOULD YOU?! Would you hurt me to stop it? Would you?" Steller doesn't flinch. Instead, he slides hands up to Clay's face, rubbing the gleaming markings under his right eye.

It has all the effect he remembers. The expression on his face wanes and it's not so difficult to see the tears blossoming in his sockets now. His wings shudder and his eyelights shift to a deep plum, he might notice, given the way he blinks a little harder for a moment, but he seems to give up on whatever he was trying there fairly quickly. Steller lets out a long breath, still holding him gently.

"The entirety of this hypothetical little situation that you've made up in your head, depends on you being able to hurt me. Euclades. You may be a king now but I know you are not but a stubborn child in your embers. I am not afraid of you, I never have been, and I never will be. No matter how hard you try, you can't hurt me. I won't let you, and you would never. You never once won a sparring match against me in our days together, and a handsome set of horns and some height on me will certainly not change that. Euclades, Euphe, neither of them would hurt me, I know that. More than anything, I trust that," Steller whispers to him, watching as Clay closes his eyes.

He leans into the contact as his breathing goes shaky, and his shoulders tense up with quivering little sobs. His expression tenses for a moment before going lax again. When tears fall, they're a familiar purple, not seafoam. They leave smooth trails of ivory white bone visible in their wake, and only more of it is exposed with every moment.

He asks softly, "do you hate me?" and when he speaks it's not the same deep central nation draconic grumble. It's softer, a gentle voice with an eastern dialect. It's Euphe's voice, not his.

"I couldn't ever hate you, I don't," Steller promises, still holding him in his arms, even as the darkness fell away, dripping onto his hands and the floor. "Not Euphe, and certainly not Clay. I don't blame you... Even if you were a stupid jerk for leaving me like you did." He whispers. Clay smiles, and when he opens his eyes, blinking away tears, it's Euphe staring up at him. "I uh... didn't know you could... you know. I didn't know you were... Still... Like this, under all the..."

"I didn't either... Until you came back." He laughs, like it's all some cruel joke.

"You're beautiful. Still so beautiful..."

"You always said that." He's smaller than Steller is now, looking up as he gently wipes the tears from the other's cheeks.

"I'm not talking about Euphe, you're not some relic, Clay. I'm talking about you."

Euclades looks up at me like he's said something profound, something that he hadn't even considered.

"That's not- I'm not..."

"But you are... You're so beautiful. You're strong, and amazing. You always have been, you just didn't see it before. And your horns have grown so much too... I won't lie, it's... attractive." Steller admits, smiling wryly and glancing to the chair in the corner of the room. It's upholstered in a beautiful purple, velvety fabric, and it's clear that someone sits their frequently, likely to keep Clay company while he works.

"Oh..." Clay stares at him wide eyed, flushed a deep plum, a color that's rather ironically fitting of royalty.

"You're... I still..." Steller sighs before taking a deep breath in, "I loved Euphe, and I want to love you too, Euclades. I want to chart every difference, bed our coals and make a new fire together, every new feature and habit as our kindling."

Clay sighs when their skulls press together, a smile creeping onto his face when their horns clink, and it makes both their beads rattle on their horns. "I cherish you Steller... I always have."

"Too much for your own good, dork."

"Hah! Maybe..." Clay admits, sighing.

Steller smiles down at him with an unconditional fondness. Their faces are close, like this Steller can feel their breaths mingling together. The tease of a taste on his tongues, like sweet spices and the love Steller wants to give him. Clay takes a step closer and pauses, seeming contemplative.

"Is this okay?"

"More than okay," Steller murmurs back, sliding one of his hands into the other's.

With the confirmation, he presses a slow kiss to Steller's mouth, chaste and small. The taller leans in again, vying for a deeper kiss. Clay happily reciprocates, squeezing Steller's hand as his other gently squeezes his iliac crest. He pulls away just enough to breathe before searching for more. Steller encourages the closeness with a hand on his skull, pulling him closer with the gentlest insistence. Clay doesn't resist or hesitate, just presses closer, until Steller's back is firmly against the door, wings relaxed out to the side.

After a couple more rounds of kissing he pulls away, breathless. "Wow, spirits I missed that..." He says softly, almost trembling.

"Did you now?" Steller asks, grinning a little.

"Silence, I missed your silence... That's what I missed." He insists, although the soulfire glimmering through his thin shirt does him no favors in confirmation.

"Naturally, of course."

"I- oh stars, Atra, he- did he say this was okay?" He tries to pull away, seeming startled.

"Shh, he's fine... Jerk was literally rattling off about every way this could go and telling me I better at least kiss you," Steller scoffs.

"Oh... Hah! Dear stars... Yes, I can imagine he was as helpful on the mind as Vicki was..." He sighs, "I figured this was coming... I... Thought you would be more... Upset with me."

"Something like that... Ramblings of a horny bastard," Steller sighs, shaking his head. "I was upset, at first. I couldn't fathom why you'd abandon me. Not when we almost..."

Clay pets gently over his hand.

"We were almost mates, Clay... That and I... I know I didn't tell you but I... I'd been working on a circle for weeks before you left."

Clay's expression twists up again, and his surprise is almost something he can feel in the air. "Steller..." He sighs, tearful.

"Shit timing... Huh?"

"My love..." Clay cries, smiling at him. "I would've loved that more than anything."

"would've."

"I still would now."

Steller's soulfire burns cold for a moment, flickering in his ribs.

"We have some catching up to do... and we still need to talk with our mates, together. But I want you to know... really, it was time that wronged us. You, were perfect. Always," Clay says softly.

"You were perfect too..."

Clay smiles wider, and Steller can almost feel the joyful shift of his magic in the air around them.

"So... where should we start, on that catching up?"

Clay grins slyly, "you know, I have been thinking about that. I have some ideas."

[countlessrealities]

Prompts for ordinary things that feel intimate

@thehazbins sent: [ swipe ] sender notices a smudge of something on receiver's face and gently wipes it off ( Rosie @ Alastor )

Alastor had always taken pride in his self-control. Back when he was alive and even more once he had crossed the doors of the afterlife. He showed only what he wanted and chose to show, hiding most emotions behind that ever-present, too wide smile that occupied his face, no matter what.

The perfect mask, able to conceal of the sort of secrets from the outside world.

Unfortunately, that didn't always apply to his own mind. While he could keep his facade for everyone to be fooled, when it came to deceive himself, things were much more complicated. Iron-cast self-discipline could only lead you so far.

In all truth, that hadn't been a much problem for the most. The Overlord had never had a too hard time repressing his thoughts, sentiments, urges. It took a little extra effort here, a small, planned slip-up there. All calculated risks taken consciously.

Yet, everything had changed when he had found himself chained down into a deal, with no escape or loophole in sight. What had led and locked him in such a cage, he couldn't have said. Had it been pride, had it been foolishness, had it been arrogance? Perhaps all of that. Maybe something else entirely. What was certain was that this was completely, infuriatingly out of his control.

Every time his thoughts wandered in that direction, every time his mind struggled and failed to wrap around the ordeal to find a possible solution, a potential escape route, he got lost in his head. No matter where he was, no matter what he had been doing. Reality disappeared, against his will, and the Radio Demon found himself sucked into a black hole of his own making.

And that was where he was when Rosie's napkin found the side of his face, just right next to the corner of his mouth. A brief, soft touch that, however, came unexpected and caused Alastor to jerk back violently.

Bright red eyes grew wide, teeth clenching hard to make his smile as fake and forced as it could be. His claws sank into the smooth surface of the table, leaving marks as he reeled away, pushing his chair backwards. An unmistakable reaction, betraying very specific emotions. Fear and repulsion.

The Overlord's gaze dashed around, taking in his surroundings, remembering where he was and why. At Rosie's. Having a spot of lunch. A delicious set of small courses she had prepared just for the two of them.

A pleasant meeting with his treasured friend and that was how he acted? How embarrassing.

"Oh my! Apologies, my dear. You startled me," he hurried to say, trying to cover up his inner turmoil with some light humour. "I really don't know where my head went!" Liar. "I suppose that I have plenty of my mind these days. So much to do, so much to plan, so much to direct. You can surely understand."

He reached out to touch the spot of his face that she had tried to wipe, brushing off the little hint of blood her napkin hadn't had the chance to wipe clean.

"Ah, thank you for that. I know my manners, but I've been a messy eater far too often lately. Bad habits tend to stick more than good ones, I'm afraid."

[adoracora-elizabeth]

The truth always comes out, chapter 25

"Mama, I have some bad news." Sybil said when Cora picked up her phone.

Cora immediately sat down, preparing for the worst. Robert had been in an accident or something.

"Anna, found a letter this morning in O'Brien's room."

"Oh." Cora let out, relieved it had nothing to do with Robert. She knew he would be drunk most of the time at the moment.

"She has left you, without a real explanation." Mrs. Hughes said. "Do you want me to place an advert, or do you want to do that yourself?"

Cora was relieved, now she did not have to let go of O'Brien, she had resolved that problem herself. She did not need a lady's maid when she left Downton. "I will do that myself, thank you darling. Can you let your Papa and Aunt Rosamund know I am taking the train tomorrow?"

"You are coming back home?" Sybil said enthusiast. "I am so glad you are finally feeling good again. See you tomorrow. Love you."

Cora put her phone down, she looked down at her hands, they were shaking. She was going to ruin her girl’s life and she hated herself for it. If only she had given Robert more attention, he would not have strayed.

+++

"Dear Mama, what brings you here." Robert kissed his mother on her cheek, who stayed seated.

"Sit down Robert, sit down." Violet gestured towards the sofa. "We need to talk."

For a second Robert wanted to play dumb, but he knew Rosamund had told their mother about the upcoming divorce. "This is not Cora's fault." He wanted to defend her, knowing the opinion of Violet about Cora.

Violet looked at Robert. "What happened?"

"I have cheated on Cora with one of our maids."

"A maid?" Violet laughed. "Oh Robert, how could you be so foolish."

Robert was surprised by this reaction. Was he being laughed at? "Mama, what do you mean?"

Violet shook her head. "I knew you made foolish decisions before, but this one. Where did you think this would end? You living here with a maid?"

Robert's cheeks were burning. "I, I." He stuttered. "I did not think about that."

"That is clear." Violet said. "Now wonder Cora is this upset, you were betraying her with a maid!" She scorned.

"Jane, was a smart woman, she was not just a maid." Robert tried defending Jane.

"Clearly not, my dear boy. Clearly not. A smart woman would never try to steal a man away from a Lady as a maid. Did she think she could replace Cora?"

"No, Mama, she did not. I do not know what we were thinking."

"I can honestly say that I know for a fact you were not thinking. Although it is smart, having your maid as your mistress, she is always around you, so you do not have to sneak out of the house."

This shocked Robert, he had never thought about that.

"And now what, what are you and Cora going to do?" Violet asked.

"Cora wants a divorce, and I will give her what she wants."

"You are letting her go this easily?"

Robert sighed, he felt tears burning, but he did not want to cry in front of his mother. "There is no other option left. I tried talking with her, but there is no way back. Cora is not coming back to me."

"We will see about that." Violet said resolute.

"Mama! I ask you to not bully Cora into staying with me. I want Cora to be happy and if that is not with me, then I have to accept that fact."

Violet stayed silent after that and Robert drank from his whiskey, he wished Violet would leave so he could drink more and intoxicate himself. Escape the reality and pretend everything was still as it was.

+++

Rosamund and Violet had stayed for dinner. The silence around the table was discomforting. Sybil was the one who broke the silence. "I had Mama on the phone this afternoon."

Robert's head shot up. "What did she say?" He enquired. Rosamund gave him a stern look.

Sybil looked surprised; her father had a strange reaction she thought. "She will be back home tomorrow."

Robert could not be happier he thought, but the same second, he realised that the fact Cora did not tell him herself did not mean she was coming back to him. She was only coming back to tell the news to the girls. "Good." He said, timid.

"Mary, how is the event coming along? Are there any interesting guest coming?" Rosamund made sure they changed the topic.

Mary pulled a face. "No, they are just some locals who are renting our space and expertise for a stupid wedding."

"Mary, it is very middle-class to look down on other people. I did not know you started the business to only work with upper-class?"

"Oh Granny." Mary hated it when her grandmother scolded her in front of Edith, who was sitting at the other end of the table with a smirk on her face. "But this wedding is so simple."

"Be glad that people are using your services." Robert said annoyed. "You will work as hard for these people as you would for the King of England."

"Now, now." Rosamund shushed. "Let’s not fight about this."

"Well, I am glad Mama is coming home, she can help with this stupid wedding."

"One more time. Mary, one more time and I will cancel your whole business. And your mother is not doing anything for you. You will organise this event yourself. Better yet, you will organise all the events in the future yourself. Your mother helped you to start, but I will tell her not to from now on." Robert was fuming.

"Maybe Cora should make that decision herself?" Rosamund tried to defuse the situation.

"Because she always makes the right ones, is she not!" Robert shouted. He pushed his chair back with so much force that it fell to the ground. Without another word he left the dining room. Leaving the rest of the family stunned behind. https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14247899/25/The-truth-always-comes-out

[betweenmuses]

He didn’t mind being called dramatic, it wasn’t the worst that had ever been said about him, and honestly was pretty damn spot on. He was dramatic, especially when it came to upsetting him, he’d fly off the handle and nobody was safe when that happened. “Noted,” so this kid liked to hear compliments, a fact that Alessandro could put in the back of his mind for if he needed it later. He was good looking enough, had caught Alessandro’s eyes easily, so a compliment wouldn’t be too far fetched. Hell, Alessandro coming over in the first place could be seen as a compliment because the man didn’t just waste his time talking to anyone.

“Opened my eyes to the possibilities,” not that he thought Owen would do something as foolish as open fire on him or hurt him in any way. “I guess I’ll take solace in the fact that I am one of his favorites,” referring to the boys father of course, “he ranks highly on my list and is respected, something I do just give out to anyone,” respect had to be earned and Owen had definitely made that happen. Alessandro, as weird as it had sounded, felt safe around Owen, granted of course his head was a bit rattled at the moment given what Leo was saying. “If you grow up to be even half the man your father is, I would say you made out just fine in life.” He could already see the boys father in some of Leo’s actions and mannerisms, so he had a feeling Leo would make out in life beautifully.

“Isn’t a guy allowed to change his mind?” He asked, of course knowing that it’d been changed rather quickly and probably looked a bit daft, but at the moment he didn’t care too much. Alessandro wouldn’t usually even listen to someone else’s terms, he was the one that made them, not other people, and yet as the kid talked all the older man could do was listen to his words. Either giving him a secret or buying him something worthy, “buying you something seems beneath the both of us. Your family has enough money that you don’t need someone else to buy you anything,” that would be the worse of the two options.

“The problem is, my secrets don’t come cheap, and who’s to say what you have on me is even worth something I keep private?” He asked, wondering just what this kid had that he thought could be worth a private story. Still, the kid had to have something, and Alessandro was willing to bet that it was pretty juicy given the reaction, along with the father urging him to introduce himself. What was their gorgeous family up to? “My mother was the first person I came out to.” He shrugged, it wasn’t a secret that he was gay, but he didn’t share his coming out story with many. “It was my fathers right hand man who took my virginity, my mother always wondered why him and I were so close,” he chuckled at the thought, “my father found out through a slip of Jonah’s mouth and the next day I found out he’d moved to Singapore. It wasn’t until after my parents had died that I had found out the truth, that my father disapproved of Jonah having taken advantage of me like that and had him killed for his insubordination.” Not that Alessandro saw it that way, he’d actually cared for the guy, but his father thought the relationship was wrong because of their age gap, and how close Jonah was to him. “It’s funny how loose lipped my dads henchmen got as soon as he was murdered,” he made sure they held their tongues though after that or he’d cut them out of their mouths. “My mom never disapproved of my lifestyle but my father wanted that big family, a successor, a grandchild,” he shrugged, knowing that he didn’t want any of that, “how’s that for a fact not many know?”

"Is that so? How very dramatic of you, such a shame you don't take the time to listen to people complimenting you. I rather enjoy the sound of it myself" He smirked, not ashamed to admit praise and words of adoration or worship were enjoyed. He didn't need them in order to feel good about himself, but it didn't mean he didn't enjoy the thrill of it either way. Leo may not be directly involved in the work of his father or men like Alessandro but he didn't seem nervous or put out by it. He seemed perfecty at home talking to a man like this and clearly knew how to make a good bourbon.

"I'm sure you do handsome, though you're looking a little nervous. It couldn't be that sweet, little me spooked you with my words?" He asked with a coy smile and mischevious eyes that danced with a cunning that was different from his father's but was still clear that he took after him in some ways. He sauntered past, hips swaying as he went to refill his own drink and let the man stew a little in his thoughts and worry for a little bit. Leo doubted many people could rattle Alessandro so he'd take some pride in that.

"I thought you said you were good?" He replied, taking a swig of his drink before setting it down. "What indeed, might need to think about it for a moment" He hummed, letting the moment linger before chuckling. "Relax handsome, I'm not looking for much..." He trailed off, tilting his head. "Well, you have a few options. You could tell me something about yourself that you tell very few people, something personal and important" He offered, before his smile grew a little more. "Or you could buy me something that you think is worthy of me" He declared, eyes lingering on the man.

"Now you could tell me something that was a lie or insult me with what you intend to buy and if that's the choice you make...by all means" He remarked, almost as if even those choices would reveal something that the older man wasn't aware of yet.

[stonewallsposts]

Political Compass Test

This is the political compass test. 

The description below is from the website. 

Please note that this isn’t a survey, and these aren’t questions. They’re propositions. To question the logic of individual ones that irritate you is to miss the point. Some propositions are extreme, and some are moderate. That’s how we can show you whether you lean towards extremism or moderation on the Compass. Your responses should not be overthought. Some of them are intentionally vague. Their purpose is to trigger reactions in the mind, measuring feelings and prejudices rather than detailed opinions on policy. 

The survey statements are written in italics. The agreement spectrum responses are after in capital letters. SD strongly disagree, D disagree, A agree, SA strongly agree 

On many of these I wrote my response as to why I answered the way I did. On some I didn't feel like it needed a response. 

Page 1- Just a few propositions to start with, concerning — no less — how you see the country and the world. 

If economic globalisation is inevitable, it should primarily serve humanity rather than the interests of trans-national corporations.  A 

I’d always support my country, whether it was right or wrong.  D 

I'd hope I have principles that I live by, and that when those principles are violated, I would stand by the principle, rather than the actor. 

No one chooses their country of birth, so it’s foolish to be proud of it.   D 

I get the logic here, but I don't know why a person shouldn't be proud of where they are from. But of course it also depends on how far you take that. I'm American and Sicilian. I'm genuinely proud of some things America has done. I'm also proud of the Sicilian heritage. It's cool to read of places where my ancestors were from in works from thousands of years ago. What does the founding of America, and the things that happened in Sicily mean for me as a human? Not much. I'm still just me and I'll have to make my way through the world on my own merits.  

Our race has many superior qualities, compared with other races.   D 

No. It's not a matter of race. I do believe certain cultures are superior to other cultures. But that isn't divided along racial lines. In fact, a superior culture can be multi-racial.  

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.   D 

I have principles that I want to live by. If I have an enemy, it would be someone who perhaps hates those principles. A third person who hates my enemy may still not accept my principles, and therefore not someone I want to align with. They may be my friend, but they are not necessarily so. 

Military action that defies international law is sometimes justified.  A 

Agreed. International laws are made by people. If those people's principles don't align with what is morally right, they may sanction something that is morally wrong. In which case, I don't have any problem with a military intervention that contradicts a morally deficient law, even when supported by a majority. I realize this is tricky, and there is wisdom in trying to seek redress through the established channels. And I'm not advocating a military adventure every time. I just don’t want to rule it out. I think it could be sometimes justified. 

There is now a worrying fusion of information and entertainment.   A 

I don't necessarily have a problem with fusing information and entertainment; that probably should be done at some level so the information isn't so dry as to be ignored. But entertainment can be used to obfuscate information... and it probably is being used that way currently. 

Page 2- Now, the economy. We're talking attitudes here, not the FTSE index 

People are ultimately divided more by class than by nationality.  D 

Wrong. This is a fundamental mistake Marx made in his internationalism. Poor people in America will identify more with upper class people in America more than with a poor person in Vietnam. American's still share the same language, culture, food, etc. The fascists actually got this correct when they sought to align people along national consciousness rather than Marx's class consciousness. 

Controlling inflation is more important than controlling unemployment.  D 

This is a trick question for me. I don't believe the government ought to be controlling either. A properly working free-market will adjust itself to control both those things. So I disagree not because I think controlling unemployment is more important, but because trying to control either with anything other than the free-market is a problem. 

Because corporations cannot be trusted to voluntarily protect the environment, they require regulation.  A 

While I like free-markets, they require a set of rules and a referee. this is an area where a referee must step in, and the only referee would be the government. 

“from each according to his ability, to each according to his need” is a fundamentally good idea.  SD 

One of Marx's axioms, and absolutely wrong. It sounds good in principle and turns out to be deadly in practice. It is dependent on humans fundamentally changing their nature from self-interested to community minded. When the Bolsheviks engaged in actually implementing this, Lenin decreed that it would take an iron fist to people's heads for an undetermined amount of time to change them. In fact, he said the communists couldn’t promise the change would take place, but they knew it was a goal towards which they were working. The only thing he could promise was the iron fist. They killed millions in the pursuit of this noble-sounding goal. 

The freer the market, the freer the people. A 

Yes. 

It’s a sad reflection on our society that something as basic as drinking water is now a bottled, branded consumer product.  D 

It is no reflection on our society whatsoever. Drinking water is also available for free from the tap.  

Land shouldn’t be a commodity to be bought and sold.  SD 

Another Marxist belief. Of course, he took it further to say that there should be no private property whatsoever. But it turns out that if people have no hope of ever improving their lot, they give up trying at all. My own view is that justice is a state of affairs that allows people to enjoy the fruits of their labor, and a fundamental part of that is the ability to own a plot of land and work it to produce fruits of your labor. 

It is regrettable that many personal fortunes are made by people who simply manipulate money and contribute nothing to their society.  A 

I can agree that it's regrettable. I don't think we can regulate it out, but it would certainly be better to reward people for contributing. 

Protectionism is sometimes necessary in trade.  A 

I'm against protectionism in general, but there may be times when the principle is being violated by another side that would merit reciprocal action. 

The only social responsibility of a company should be to deliver a profit to its shareholders.  D 

There is an argument to made for this, but I'm not going to subscribe to it. I think companies do have a responsibility to do what they do without offloading negative consequences to the public. 

The rich are too highly taxed.  A 

I agree that their rates are too high. I can't say, because I don't know, about how much they are actually paying. There are all kinds of tax write-offs, and I'm ignorant about the reasons those exist, or for what reasons they were implemented in the first place, so I can't say whether it would be better to remove them or not. 

Those with the ability to pay should have access to higher standards of medical care.  A 

This sounds like I mean poor people should get less because they are poor. But because I believe in a free market, I believe health care should be removed from insurance and any government intervention. In that case, naturally, those who can pay more will have access to better care. On the flip side, it should bring the cost of care down across the board. But that would never result in absolute equality of care. 

Governments should penalise businesses that mislead the public.  A 

A genuine free market requires restrictions on the ability of predator multinationals to create monopolies.  A 

Yes. A free-market still requires rules of fairness and a referee, and the only possible referee is the government. 

Page 3- Now a look at some of your personal social values … 

Abortion, when the woman’s life is not threatened, should always be illegal.  D 

While I'm against abortion, I would always choose the life of the mother. In general, I agree with the statement, but there may be other reasons and I don't want to preclude them. 

All authority should be questioned.  A 

An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.  D 

This is a proposition for proportional response. And in general, I agree with proportional responses to injustice. But there may be occasions where mercy should be shown and I think we need to leave these cases up to humans to make judgment calls. 

Taxpayers should not be expected to prop up any theatres or museums that cannot survive on a commercial basis.  D 

Taxpayer support for cultural institutions is a benefit for all. I am in favor of their support. 

Schools should not make classroom attendance compulsory.  D 

I'm not sure who would attend if it weren't compulsory. 

All people have their rights, but it is better for all of us that different sorts of people should keep to their own kind.  D 

In general, I think we're better off being exposed to different ideas. It broadens our understanding of life. 

Good parents sometimes have to spank their children.  A 

It’s natural for children to keep some secrets from their parents.  A 

Possessing marijuana for personal use should not be a criminal offence.   A 

The prime function of schooling should be to equip the future generation to find jobs.   D 

I think the prime function of schooling should be to equip the future generation to develop their thinking across a broad spectrum of life. Apprenticing junior to a trade will equip him for work, but we wanted to move away from condemning classes to only certain types of work. A general education is how we open up doors to different areas. 

People with serious inheritable disabilities should not be allowed to reproduce.  D 

The most important thing for children to learn is to accept discipline.   D 

It's important that kids learn to accept discipline, but it's not the most important thing. 

There are no savage and civilised peoples; there are only different cultures.  A 

I agreed with this, but there are certainly cultures that are better than others. I don't feel like I can support the 'savage' v 'civilized' dichotomy proposed. There are certainly 'civilized' cultures that I don't want anything to do with. 

Those who are able to work, and refuse the opportunity, should not expect society’s support.   SA 

When you are troubled, it’s better not to think about it, but to keep busy with more cheerful things.  A 

In general, I agree because I think getting your mind off your troubles will help you. 

First-generation immigrants can never be fully integrated within their new country.   D 

It's tough for adults to fully integrate, because they come with fully formed cultural ideas from the old country. But if they come with the desire to integrate, they can. Children coming will, on the other hand, end up fully integrated. 

What’s good for the most successful corporations is always, ultimately, good for all of us.  D 

This one is worded in a way that I can't really agree with. What's "good" for the corporation anyway?  

But in another sense, if we, the consumers, vote with our dollars to support that corporation and make it successful, then the corporation aligns with our values. 

But there can be examples of crony capitalism that give corporations success, that isn't necessarily good for all of us. 

No broadcasting institution, however independent its content, should receive public funding.   A 

Not a fan of this, which I see as different from museums and parks etc. 

Page 4- … and how you see the wider society. 

Our civil liberties are being excessively curbed in the name of counter-terrorism.  D 

I gotta admit, I don't feel qualified to answer this, but I disagreed because I can't really think of a way in which I ever notice any curb, so I suppose I can't agree that my civil liberties are being 'excessively' curbed. 

A significant advantage of a one-party state is that it avoids all the arguments that delay progress in a democratic political system.   SD 

Bogus wording. While it is true that a significant advantage to a one party state is that it avoids arguments that delay.... implementation of that parties strategies... it may not be 'progress' at all, and it certainly isn't democratic. 

Although the electronic age makes official surveillance easier, only wrongdoers need to be worried.  D 

The problem with this statement is: who is going to decide what constitutes 'wrongdoing'. It establishes a turn-key authoritarian state, whereby any actions decided in the future as wrongdoing can be retroactively scraped to identify enemies of the state. 

The death penalty should be an option for the most serious crimes.  SA 

In a civilised society, one must always have people above to be obeyed and people below to be commanded.   A 

Ah, if only we could all get along without any kind of government. But our collective experience is that as soon as we congregate, the various individual ideas begin to step on the toes of others. This requires a government to act as a rule maker and arbiter. So there needs to be a law, and police, that are obeyed by the populace. I would disagree if one were to frame this as: there should be a hereditary class of citizens who rule, and another class of citizens who must submit to them. 

Abstract art that doesn’t represent anything shouldn’t be considered art at all.  SD 

My answer is mind your own business. 

In criminal justice, punishment should be more important than rehabilitation.  A 

While the possibility of rehab should be part of the criminal justice system, it's primary function is to remove the threats that criminals hold to society and hold criminals accountable for their action. 

It is a waste of time to try to rehabilitate some criminals.   A 

There will be some who will not respond to rehab efforts. That doesn't mean rehab shouldn't be on the table, just that certainly some will not respond to it. 

The businessperson and the manufacturer are more important than the writer and the artist.   D 

Both are important, in different ways. 

Mothers may have careers, but their first duty is to be homemakers.  A 

I do think that where kids are involved, parents have a duty to the home over career. So while this says 'mothers', I would also apply it to fathers. But on second thought, I perhaps would answer disagree, because the father could be the one who becomes the primary caregiver. 

Multinational companies are unethically exploiting the plant genetic resources of developing countries.  D    

Uh... wut? I'm ignorant about this, so I just put disagree. 

Making peace with the establishment is an important aspect of maturity.  D 

I suppose it depends on the establishment. In general, yeah, but there can be times when it wouldn’t be. I wouldn't have wanted to make peace with Communist Russia or Nazi Germany at citizens of either. 

Page 5- If you got through that okay, you'll find these propositions on religion a breeze. 

Astrology accurately explains many things.  SD 

You cannot be moral without being religious.  D 

I think christianity has been the driver of morality in the west, and people in the west will operate, consciously or unconsciously on those assumptions even when they no longer subscribe to the religion. 

Charity is better than social security as a means of helping the genuinely disadvantaged.  A 

I think it's better in principle- because it more directly connects humans with other humans. I don't know if it's more effective. 

Some people are naturally unlucky.  D 

Perhaps on an individual level, there are some people who suffer through an inordinate amount of 'bad luck'. Something about the question feels off to me though, and it's of course difficult for anyone to self-analyze the difference between bad luck and consequences. In general, 'luck' will even out over time and populations, but at the individual level, given that luck, by definition, is something that happens randomly, it's probable that there are cases where individuals suffer from an imbalance of poor luck.  

It is important that my child’s school instills religious values.  D 

Nope. 

Page 6- Finally, a look at sex. 

Sex outside marriage is usually immoral.  A 

A same sex couple in a stable, loving relationship should not be excluded from the possibility of child adoption.  D 

I know same sex couples exist, but I don't think their relationships are marriage material and I don't think they ought to have children. 

Pornography, depicting consenting adults, should be legal for the adult population.   D 

I wrestled over this. On one hand, I want to leave people alone even if I don't agree with them. But there are things we recognize as having societal repercussions, and I think this is an area that I'm growing more comfortable in regulating. I think the downstream effects of this on the population have gone beyond just people enjoying themselves in the privacy of their own homes. What could we practically do? I'm not sure it's possible to do anything. 

What goes on in a private bedroom between consenting adults is no business of the state.  SA 

No one can feel naturally homosexual.   D 

These days openness about sex has gone too far.   D 

The political compass defines the spectrums as right and left in economic terms, and authoritarian and libertarian in social terms