#i guess i subconsciously did somethin

[perfectfangirl]

speculated the other day with @ilovetea50 about what all cooper heard in the observatory between hank, maximus, and lucy. cooper enters in the back half of the episode, so he's not present for a lot of dialogue and moments presumably but the moment right before he shoots hank, the conversation hank and lucy was having was on the tail end of where she pulled the gun out on hank after he knocks maximus out cold. "you see what this place does to people? i'm your father, lucy. you came all this way for me. you're not gonna hurt me." this is the moment where cooper shoots hank in the face [not killing him but giving him a gnarly scar]. personally, i think this is what all cooper heard. at the very least, i am of the mind he heard "you're not gonna hurt me" because his ass sure pulled the trigger on hank like he was waiting centuries for that one. they showed cooper not approaching in the doorway but just standing there already, as if waiting. i kinda think cooper heard part of this conversation because after he shoots that man, he starts clowning hank like no tomorrow "oh, you want another autograph, young henry?" "feo, fuerte, y formal." "hell this kid use to pick up my wife's dry cleaning." taunting this man from the shadows and then it's the form of a ghoul. hank's mouth was agape and he literally didn't have anything to say to cooper. in some ways, i think he fled because this was just scary as shit to him in all ways conceivable. i'm sure he thought this man was long dead or somethin' but anyways! if lucy ever needed a lucy defender, cooper is right there. [she got two of them, thanks, maximus!] he wasted no time reminding hank of who he was and is, much like moldaver did. a tag team, if you will. cooper defused that situation in the most curious way because why did lucy tell cooper he let hank get away when she was the one pointing the gun first?! lucy's subconscious was like "get his ass" when cooper came i, apparently, i guess she was psyched he was getting knocked down a peg and wanted him wounded forreal 😭 but yeah. i wonder if cooper heard more, heard anything at all, or just saw lucy pointing a gun and realized who at

[dorkasdaydreams]

My Treasure

Juliana/Kieran (Pokémon Scarlet & Violet)

Summary:

After a couple of months pass during Uva Academy's Treasure Hunt, Juliana has found her treasure! She shows Kieran, who was definitely not expecting what the "treasure" turned out to be...!

Word count: TBA

A/N:

This is the first fanfic I've ever published, so any constructive feedback on how I could improve is greatly appreciated. I've got some more Dipplinshipping goodness cooking in the back, so be on the lookout for that! :3

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"This looks like a good spot, Kieran! I'll get the ingredients." "O-okay! I'll set up the table."

Juliana and Kieran were on a cliff in Apple Hills that overlooked a vast field. The hills were blooming with lush vegetation, and several Applins were rolling about playfully as the two Trainers set up their picnic. It was the last day of Juliana's second visit to Kitakami (and her friends' first), and she had asked Kieran earlier if they could have a picnic at Apple Hills between just the two of them before she left.

He wondered why she would have made such a request as he sat down with her. The pair agreed on the fillings; they would make a sweet & slightly sour fruit sandwich with apples as the main attraction. Once it was complete, Juliana cut it in half and handed one to her companion.

After the former and current champions ate their fill, Kieran remembered his thought from earlier.

"So, why did you ask me to come here with you?" "Oh! Here..." She pulled out a flat, rectangular box tied with a shiny blue ribbon and handed it to him. "What's in here?" he asked.

She smiled as she replied, "Do you remember that "treasure hunt" my school had? The one I was still on when I met you?" "Yeah, you've talked about it before. What about it?" "Well...I found my treasure!"

Kieran's eyes lit up brighter than the Terastal phenomenon. "W-wowzers! That's awesome, Juliana!" He paused for a second, looking at the box. "...so, is this it? Is your treasure in here?" "Yep! I wanted you to be the first one to see it! C'mon open it up!"

"O-okay!" He set the box down & carefully untied the ribbon. His hands trembled a bit as he lifted the white cardboard lid and set it down on the picnic table. "Woah...!" His jaw dropped upon seeing the contents of the box.

In Kieran' hands was a splendid, dazzling mirror encased in a shimmering crystal frame. It bore the clearest reflection of any mirror he had ever seen. It was so clear, in fact, that he thought he was looking into an alternate universe. He subconsciously glided his thumb over the surface to reassure himself that it was still just a reflection.

"Wowzers..." The former champion couldn't muster any other words in that moment with how stunned he was. A soft giggle beside him snapped him out of his short trance. "I take it you like my treasure?" Kieran was a bit confused, but he answered her nonetheless with a question of his own.

"Yeah, it's cool an' all, but why is your treasure a mirror?" Juliana seemed taken aback by his response, and she snorted a bit as the poor boy looked on in even more perplexity. "W-what? Did I say somethin' dumb...?" The current BB League Champion shook her head. "That's not it at all! Sorry, you just caught me off guard! I guess I should've expected that you wouldn't get it..."

"What do I not get???" he asked, his curiosity piqued. Juliana smiled and replied, "The mirror itself isn't my treasure, Kieran." "It's...not? T-then why'd you-" "It's what's reflected by it."

Dumbfounded, the young Kitakami native blinked in slight disbelief. "Okay, well, what exact thing are you referring to??" She put a hand on his shoulder. "Think about it, Kieran! What was the first thing you saw in that mirror when you held it up in front of you?"

Kieran had to take a moment to re-trace his steps. He held the mirror up once more, staring into the gleaming glass. As his own glossy golden irises stared back at him, the answer finally dawned on him, clearer than the trinket's crystalline frame.

"Me...I'm your treasure...?" He looked back at her in awe. Juliana nodded and giggled nervously as her cheeks tinged pink. "Yeah, you are!" She threw her arms around him and pulled him close to her, which he could not resist as he did the same.

The two nestled into their embrace as they quietly watched the stars dance in the night sky. Suddenly, Kieran broke the silence. "H-hey, so...does this mean you're my treasure, too?" Juliana looked a bit taken aback, but she smiled nonetheless and responded, "If that's what you want, then yes!" She nuzzled the boy's nose with her own as the two Trainers laughed softly in each other's arms.

When the time came to go back, they packed up and walked towards Mossui Town as their fingers intertwined. They stopped by Kieran's house first since it was the closest. As the former BB League Champion walked toward his front door, the current Champion stopped in her tracks. "Oh! I almost forgot..."

She took out the exquisite glass and handed it to him. "This is for you! I'll always be able to see my treasure, even without a mirror. You, on the other hand, won't be able to unless you have one." When she said that, Kieran stood there frozen and unsure of what to do. Juliana replied, "I-if it's too tacky, or if you're scared of breaking it, I can buy you a cheaper one-" "No! No, it's fine!" Kieran took the mirror from her hands and smiled. "I'll take good care of it! If it gets chipped or anything, I can fix it! Grandpa's been showin' me how to repair crystals."

"That's amazing! You'll have to show me sometime." "...I will one of these days. I promise."

With that, the two embraced their most precious treasures once more.

[moonillfated]

𝙎𝙏𝘼𝙍𝙈𝘼𝙉 - solarsuit 💥

Happy birthday to the biggest nerd i know @raggedy-dxctor

" ᴰⁱᵈⁿᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ ⁱᵗ ʷᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗˢ ʷᵉʳᵉ ˡᵒʷ ᴵ ˡᵉᵃⁿ��ᵈ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵒⁿ ᵐʸ ʳᵃᵈⁱᵒ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᶜᵃᵗ ʷᵃˢ ˡᵃʸⁱⁿ ᵈᵒʷⁿ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʳᵒᶜᵏ ⁿ ʳᵒˡˡ ᴸᵒᵗᵗᵃ ˢᵒᵘˡ ʰᵉ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵀʰᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˡᵒᵘᵈ ˢᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᵈⁱᵈ ˢᵉᵉᵐ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵃᵈᵉ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵃ ˢˡᵒʷ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉ ᵒⁿ ᵃ ʷᵃᵛᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵖʰᵃˢᵉ ᵀʰᵃᵗ ʷᵃˢⁿᵗ ⁿᵒ ᴰᴶ ᵗʰᵃᵗ ʷᵃˢ ʰᵃᶻʸ ᶜᵒˢᵐⁱᶜ ʲⁱᵛᵉ " ⊹★ 🌕 ⭑

"Are ya finally gonna order somethin' else?"

Corin looks up from where their fingers are intertwined around his bottle of 'Trade-Islands' ice tea, the straw has fallen into its long neck and he gave up trying to hook it back out with the toothpick a long time ago. Fingers numb from the icy moisture of the glass, he quickly pushes it towards the bartender, eyes distant and speckled like sunburst marbles and barley malt. He's been nursing the same drink for the past hour or so, and clearly the man working behind the pub table has had enough of watching them wallow like a pig in the mud.

"You ain't from Seattle, are you?" Corin looks at the man in suprise.

"No. How did you-?" The guy points a disinterested finger at the Golden State badge on his denim jacket. "Oh, yeah. I'm not." He mumbles sheepishly, thankfully taking a second pint of sweetened peach tea and letting it cool the mirage on his dry tongue.

"What brings ya all the way out here from Cali?" Corin straightens up, his head briefly looking at the stage before he redirects their attention to the prying man drying off different cocktail glasses. He doesn't understand where the interest is coming from, but inconspicuous small-talk with a stranger might cure the pit of self pity growing in his stomach.

"It's honestly stupid." He scrunches his nose, waving a dismissive gesture between them. "I thought this whole idea I had planned could actually work out, but it just went to shit." The man laughs, loud and cheerful, as if he heard what Corin said a million times before, yet he doesn't stop rubbing with his dirty yellow rag.

"A struggling musician, ey?" He cocks a brow, giving the younger a smirk and side glance. Before Corin has the time to ask, again, how the man knew-

"Your fingers, I know guitar indents when I see em, kid."

"Oh." He subconsciously brings his fingers to rest on his lap and under the man's radar, away from over analyzing eyes.

"Electric or acoustic?"

"Bass."

"A man after my own heart." Corin suppresses a wide grin, his nails tapping against the wooden bartop in a random pattern. The stranger leans against it too, following the movements and rhythm of their clinking. "Are you here with your band?"

"I don't have a band." The words make him want to curl up and cry. "That's what I was hoping to find here, but I guess Seattle didn't make the cut afterall." He doesn't like to admit it, but these trips all over the USA in the past year have driven him to the crumbling realization that there isn't much hope left, he barely has money and playing hitchhiker seems all to useless if he has to buy one more pair of rubber boots. "Think I'll just go back to Ferndale first thing tomorrow," he takes out a wrinkled ten dollar bill and slides it over the counter, "do you know any good motels nearby?"

The man stares at the paper, raising a brow at Corin before smiling. "It's on the house, don't worry 'bout it."

"Are- Are you sure? Really, I don't need this to be charity-"

"I'm offering ya a token of generosity, kid. I'm sure you would pay double over in Cali." He chuckles, nodding towards the door. "There's a cheap place down 54th, can't miss it. Ask for Tammy when you check in, she'll give ya the best room."

Corin gets up from their chair, picking up his satchel from the stool next to him. "Thank you so much, for everything." They smile, waving softly, but stopping once the man began to speak.

"Ya know," He eyes the dimming street outside. "Two is enough."

"What?"

"Two people. That's all a band needs." He tilts his head, greying hair falling in a sweaty fringe over his brooding sage eyes. Corin feels his heart skip with a sense of unsettling intensity.

"Maybe ya had the wrong approach this entire time. You've been searching for a group, someone who already has a history."

Corin doesn't reply, he only digs his sneakers into the creaking planks underneath his soles. He's right. They've been trying to worm their way into trios, desperate duos looking for an amateur lead singer and bassist. But what would one person bring him? He doesn't have much experience, making up for the lack of it with enthusiasm and kindness he hopes submerges the dull reality.

"Try building your own, start from scratch, ya dig? The world is big, kid. Someone will eventually agree to take on a journey with you."

"Well, it doesn't seem like that will happen anytime soon."

"It won't if you keep expecting it." He laughs hoarsely at the confused expression on Corin's face. "The best shit happens when ya least think it'll."

"Thanks for the advice."

"Good luck." He winks, walking over to another customer who seems to be his long-time friend, they bump fists and immediately fall into an animated conversation. Corin watches a for a second, skin clammy and stomach growling, he finally leaves the bar.

The walk to the motel really isn't far, it's short and barely far away for the sun to start completely hiding. Seattle is gorgeous, a smitten orange glow fades out the dry shrubs lining the kerbs of the road, buzzing cicadas chirp loudly like chewtoys and make his ears swarm, it's peaceful and warm. Most nights he spent here throughout the week have been like this, humid and filled with nocturnal insect choirs. California is loud, it's filled with people with more tan lines than braincells, smog from the cars that clog every pore of the city's shore air.

He makes a mental note to add it on top of his traveling list, up there with Boise and Poughkeepsie. When he reaches the building he was instructed to visit for the night, Corin sighs audibly and pushed the squeaky door of the masonry lined inn with a grunt.

"Hi, I uhm, I'm looking for Tammy? Is she here today?" He asks softly, gripping the reception desk and offering a gentle quirk of his lips.

"It's your lucky day, she's right infront of you." The girl beams, holding out her hand for him to take and shake. She's a got a strong grip, sure and like she could throw him over in with ease. "What can I do for you?"

"I need a room for tonight."

"Well, good thing we're a motel then, huh?" Corin agrees, a blush creeping up his summer tinted, freckled cheeks. Tammy types something into her computer, humming and turning around to scan the wall of hanging keys behind her. She moves her lips as she silently reads the various numbers etched into the pendants.

"I was sure it's not booked- ah! Here we are!" She snatches the only bronze key. "Room 306, the best view in the house."

"Oh wow, I uh, I don't really know if I can afford that. Look, all I need is a place to crash, not a panorama scene." Tammy scoffs, urgently pushing the key into his closed palm.

"Don't be ridiculous, it's a bargain." He scowls, looking at the shiny object in his hand worryingly. "I'll get you some fresh sheets in a jiffy! You go on up and relax, kay?"

"Thank you, seriously. I appreciate it."

"Welcome to Seattle." She says reverenlty, proudly, dissapearing into a small janitor closet styled room. They don't want to be standing around like an idiot, so Corin hikes up his bag over his shoulder and heads upstairs to settle into his room. The halls are old, the wallpaper peeling and dirty, but there's something particularly familiar and nostalgic about the musty smell and abandoned corridors. He soon enough finds his destination and enters the key, twisting it until a tiny click is heard.

The room is nothing special, but he does instantly notice massive terrace double doors in the middle of it. That must be the way to the view that Tammy mentioned mere minutes ago, inviting and apparently in the limits of his pathetic budget.

"Just wait till you go outside, it'll knock your shit out."

Corin jumps at the sudden voice, shoulders hunching once he registers it's only Tammy, carrying a pile.of crisp white duvets and pillows. He reaches out to take a few from her so her thin frame doesn't collapse like a ladder from the heavy cushioned weight.

"Thanks." She grins, walking over to the bed and placing it down, he mimics her and sets his own stack next to it. "It's not much, but the cityscape really does make up for it."

"C'mon, I'll show you!" She takes his wrist and he nearly stumbles over his own feet. Apparently it's not easy to open the doors, they're heavy and get stuck by the hooks. Tammy has to lean down and hit the springlocks for them to loosen until the handle can be pushed down and they open with a whoosh. "Tada!" She exclaims, spinning around and stretching out her arms as she steps backwards towards the railing.

Corin is left speechless, slowly, tentatively inching closer to the wide metal fence keeping him from falling down a terrible demise. They lean against it, his arms bracketing him from the chilly July gusts clashing over their skin like prickling nettle leaves.

The traffic lanes in the far distance sparkle like sequins from the headlights of dashing cars, houses and skyscrapers chase the horizon down a slope of vermillion and the evergreen of firs. He takes his glasses off to get a better view, blurry flashing yellow and white skitters in the slants of the suburban downtown trails. The ocean reflects the mosaic glass of pillars like an aurora borealis, streaks of watercolors seep into the pacific sea and clash into the pebbles along the beach. "It's- wow. It's beautiful."

"Told you." She breathes out, coming to stand next to him, both of them watching and listening to the droning noises of Seattle as it neared eleven pm. "Wouldn't blame you if you decided to stay out here all night." She snickers, nudging his shoulder.

"Wish I could see California like this."

"You're from Cali?" Tammy asks, her brown eyes wide and sparkling from the lampposts. Corin nods, placing his glasses back on. "That's so cool." She smiles, breathing evenly in the darkness creeping over the horizon. "I always wanted to see San Francisco."

"It's overrated."

"I'll take your word for it, then." Tammy places a hand on their arm for a brief second, warmly offering a timid smile. "I'll leave you to it, you look exhausted."

"Good night, Tammy."

"Nighty night, traveler."

Corin indeed doesn't think about sleep at all, not that he normally did, but he was confident that he would be dead and barely standing up on his legs by the end of the day. Yet here he is, sitting on the rickety recliner he found bent in the wardrobe while looking for a blanket, notebook on his lap and nursing a can of cider. He's been scribbling lyrics, brainstorming and letting the metropolitan air glide over his senses. They sing them reluctantly, as if testing how they would sound in an actual music performance.

"Sounds shit."

Corin yelps, nearly knocking over his drink and spilling it over the concrete. He whips around, eyes frantically darting to find the source of the lazy voice. There's a whistle from somewhere above him, coming from the roof that lifts above them. He gasps, staring at the black haired guy sitting on the tiles and leaning against the brick chimney smoking.

"Try'na serenade me all night?" The stranger asks and gives a tilt of his head that in any other situation might have been funny, a raspy Jersey accent slipping into his words.

"What-? I- no, who are you?" Corin stumbles over his words, unsurely pressing himself back against the wall. Who knows what type of people lurk around these parts of Seattle, somebody invading his personal space like this surely doesn't add anything positive to their resume.

"Wouldn't ya' like to know, buddin' rockstar." He scoffs, flicking a bit of ash. Corin can't make out the color of his eyes in the gloomy lighting, but he can see they're sparkling with a ravening curiosity.

"Why the fuck are you on my roof?" They ask, palms slipping into the back pockets of his jeans.

"Your roof, huh?" Again, there's that head tilt, so ridiculous and overly dramatic. He pretends to search for something before shrugging and taking another drag of his cigarette. "Don't see a name anywhere."

"This is trespassing."

"On public property?" He raises an eyebrow, stretching his legs out almost bored. Oddly enough, the motion makes Corin relax - yet they're still not convinced he won't jump them and dump their body behind a graffiti tagged dumpster.

"Can you just go away, please? Find someone else's roof."

The guy ignores their request completely, instead throwing back a question of his own, along with the burnt butt of his cigarette.

"What brings ya here, anyways? This ain't exactly a place you slum for inspiration." He slides a hand through his hair before the fringe falls back over his yet to be exposed eyes.

"I just needed a room to sleep in for tonight. I'm not staying long."

That seems to get the guy's attention, he perks up, sliding down to the edge of the roof, his feet hooking themselves on the pipe.

"You're not from here." They're blue. An icy cyan with dark grey.

Corin scrunches his face up, shaking his head. The man dangles his legs off of the metal tube before easily jumping down the fee feet in height. Instinctively, they curl up away from the overly interested stranger.

"Why the fuck are you in Seattle?"

"You're not," they flinch when the guy lights up another cigarette. "You're not from here either, right?'

"You're as half as dumb as you look."

"Hey!" Corin blushes, his own outburst suprising him. "Big coming from someone who looks like a crackhead."

"Jersey, asshat. Newark." He glares at them, cold eyes now a gentle turquoise underneath the smudged eyeliner surrounding them. Corin doesn't know when, but he is sitting rather comfortably on the fence. Facing the gleaming cityscape.

"Can you leave now? I'm trying to compose in peace."

"If you're goin' to sing the shit I heard, I ain't suprised nobody gives a shit about you."

"I have plenty of people who come listen to me perform." Corin mumbles, crossing his arms and awkwardly standing behind the man who is now officially freaking him out.

"Right, and that's why I've been watchin' ya sulk for the past two hours." He turns to give him a look of disbelief. "Be fuckin' real."

"I don't see why I have to explain myself to you."

"There's nothin' to explain." He has no right to read him this easily.

"If you're not going to leave, can I at least get a name?"

The man is silent and Corin braces himself to be murdered because he made too many annoying requests. Instead of a sharp stabbing pain, he hears a quick inhale through gritted teeth.

"Moon."

"I'm Corin." He replies, daring to step a bit closer. He can feel that the guy- Moon, is fully aware even though his back is turned from the way his spine is perched stiff. They walk forward until they're directly next to him.

"Ever heard of personal space?" He spits, shuffling away.

"We both haven't, apparently." Corin smiles when Moon snickers.

"Touché." He's serious again. "I mean it tho, back up."

"Sorry." Corin whispers, as if not to ruin the night's echoes. They take the time to properly look at him, picking at the sleeves of their jacket. His hair looks subtly indigo when the light catches it, spiky black tufts curl up beneath his ears and dangle together with various silver piercings that hang down obnoxiously.

"Take a fuckin' photo."

"Sorry." Corin looks away, staring at the busy city that roars mere miles away under their feet.

"Stop apologizin', can't help I look good."

"My god," Corin laughs, shaking their head. "Arrogant much?"

"Oh so you're Sherlock too, my." Moon rolls his eyes, dismissively flicking his empty hand in a gesture the brown haired bassist recognizes too much.

"You play?"

Moon gives him an annoyed side glare, throwing the half finished cigarette off of the terrace. Corin follows the fade of the glowing cherry all the way down. He turns, looking up at the dark sky before shrugging.

"Eh, not often. At least not anymore."

"Why?"

"Jesus fuckin' Christ, ya want my whole birth certificate, too?" He spits, slanting his head in a way that makes his ebony, shaggy hair fall like a curtain.

"I'm just wondering. It's nice to meet fellow musicians." Corin smiles, if just to himself. He can feel the lampposts warm the skin running along his arms, goosebumps jumping over it and cradling them in a crisp July cocoon.

"Haven't found anyone who's worth my talent, I guess. To put it simply." Moon's face twists with frustration, it contrasts rather nicely with his pale skin. Corin feels a pang of sympathy, seems like they're both in rather similar situations, if for different reasons and arguments. "Can't say I'm suprised nobody wants you, either."

"I'll have you know-"

"Will you now?"

"Whatever," Corin sighs, a frown extending itself on his face, it doesn't quite reach the creases of his eyes. "This is stupid." He waves Moon off and heads to walk back inside his crappy, mediocre motel room. The other doesn't bother stopping them, he just watches with that stupid head tilt.

"I'm gonna go to bed. I have to be up early tomorrow."

"Ey."

"What?"

They started at eachother for a few moments, hazel swirling blue.

"Nothin', Moon settled on, stepping up onto the railing. Corin watched him climb down, dissapearing through the back chain gates of the back alley motel.

"That's utter fuckin' bullshit." Moon shook off Corin's grip on his shoulder as they shook with laughter. "We did not meet like that."

"Yes we did!" They hit his arm playfully, still half hanging off of the green room sofa as Moon got his mic checked and prepped. They scrambled up on the dirty, carpeted floor tangled with different AMP chords and wires. "And you totally fell off of that balcony."

"Okay, that's it." He shooed away the girl arranging his chord with an irritated scowl. "We're cancelin' the show, call it off. Say their lead singer has been murdered-"

"Wait- no!" Corin hurriedly interrupted, wildly gesturing with his hands and pushing them into Moon's face.

"Get ya' wormy fingers out of my face before I cut em' off," he grumbled, dodging the attack on his freshly styled hair. "We'll see how you play bass then."

"Better that, than my vocal chords."

"Don't give me ideas." Moon pointed at their throat, jingling as he walked over to pick up his guitar from where it was placed in the corner besides his vanity mirror.

"Alright, you grump." They teased, dragging their shaking palms over the slaps of their glittery shirt. "Only after the show is done."

"I'm leavin' the fuckin' venue without you, I swear to god."

"Whatever you say." Corin opens the door that's barely holding itself close by the hinges. "You ready?"

"Don't fuckin' rush me." He grits out, checking his strings one last time before nodding. "I'm all set."

"Come on." They grin, calming their racing heart as they step through the narrow corridor towards the stage.

"I should have thrown ya' off of that motel in the first place."

"At least you wouldn't have fallen off of the balcony alone."

"Fuck off."

[designedparadigm]

PEOPLE I'D LIKE TO GET TO KNOW BETTER !

alias / name : cazcaine, caz, king birthday : december 17 zodiac sign : sagittarius height : 5'9" hobbies : writing. gaming. ...snuggling my beagle. favourite colour : red. black. purple. favourite book : dunno, the ones i remember the most are the scary stories to tell in the dark so?? those? last song : hooked on a feeling by blue swede last film / show : shit i think that was jim henson's labyrinth? recent reads : uh... fanfiction oneshots, i guess. inspiration : you know - i have no idea. i guess it's a lil bit of everything i see and enjoy. story behind url : it??? has something to do with the music i listen to. i know paradigm comes out of a7x's final paradigm. so it's... got somethin to do with that. man i ain't remember shit homie. fun fact about me : for a person that adores dogs i used to be terrified of them. i had to put in a lot of work to get over the subconscious fear i had. glad i did - now i can fully approach any dog as long as the owner says yes and enjoy dogs fully.

tagged by; @voicestm tagging; thieve it.

[artdecosupernova-writing]

OC Kiss Week Day 1: Dance

WIP: Partners Pairing: Ben x Reagan Timeline: what is this...1954 I think? god I don't know. it's between installments 1 & 2 of the "trilogy" CW: none Rating: T Words: 1,257

***

Reagan paced on the flagstone patio of the venue, cigarette in hand and humming along with the soft, slow jazz bleeding through the glass door. The three flutes of champagne he'd imbibed were making a noticeable dent in his focus, and he lost himself within the peaceful thrum of the world outside, in the cool night air, as wedding guests and bride and groom danced inside.

He started to sing, knocking ashes to the floor and tipping his face toward the sky. The song didn't have words, but he invented them, deciding subconsciously that it was about a lonely traveler on the way to a destination that existed only in his dreams.

"That's gotta be a superstition, right?" a voice said from the door. "Singin' something like that at a wedding's gotta be a bad omen."

Reagan smiled and turned on his heel, taking a drag simultaneous to sweeping his eyes over his best friend's face, his neatly-pressed tux, the slight stiffness in his shoulders. "Hey, boy," Reagan said softly.

Ben closed the door behind him, shrugging out of his tux jacket and loosening his bowtie once he discarded the outer layer onto one of the tables. "Why do you look better in a yarmulke than I do? Never mind, don't answer that."

"What're you doing out here?"

"Should ask you the same thing," Ben said, stuffing the tie in his pocket. "...I had too much wine."

"You didn't bring your beautiful bride?"

"I just needed a minute."

"You look a little nervous."

Ben took his own cigarette out of his pocket, waiting as he always did on complete instinct for Reagan to light it with his shamrock lighter. Reagan watched him through the small flame, then glanced back through the glass door as Faye stood among the throng of guests, laughing with Ben's mother, Shoshana, and one of his aunts.

"I don't think I've ever been around this much family at once," Ben muttered, exhaling smoke as Reagan put the lighter away. He rolled up his sleeves. "It's bad enough I can't think over the music."

Reagan didn't feel the need to point out that as far as live bands went, that one was particularly quiet. Instead, he reached up to secure Ben's yarmulke better to his head.

"Somethin' on my mind, Reggie," Ben said after a patient silence and Reagan had finished his task. "That toast you made earlier..."

"Wasn't much of a toast, was it?" Reagan said.

"I'm gonna need you to come up with a better one."

"Stop the band and gather everyone back to the tables, then, you absolute idiot."

Ben wouldn't meet his eyes, Reagan just realized. His gaze darted all around the patio and across the woods behind the building, taking in nothing but darkness and the deep, solid blue sky. "...I just thought there would've been more to it."

"I said that no one deserves happiness more than you." Reagan stepped a bit closer. "And I meant it."

Taking another drag of the cigarette, Ben nodded. He didn't appear to want to participate in any sort of levity whatsoever at the moment, which provided mild discomfort. "I guess I expected more."

"I couldn't say anything else, Benny," Reagan said, dropping his own cigarette and squishing it out into the flagstone with his shoe. "It wouldn't have been new to you, anyway."

"Still would've been nice to hear."

Reagan tilted his head and plucked Ben's cigarette from his mouth, putting it out on the stone beneath his feet as well. The band started up another song, slow and warm. "Dance with me."

Ben blinked, finally looking at Reagan's face. "What?"

Reagan took his hand and pulled him close, curling an arm around his waist. He delighted in the feeling of Ben fully melting into him, lacing their fingers together and moving in easy circles across the patio.

"Here we go," Reagan said happily, sighing as Ben's other hand absently found his spine. "Nothin' wrong with the groom dancing with the best man."

"There's quite a bit wrong with this, actually," Ben said, though he made no move whatsoever to stop the shenanigans. He smoothed his hand down Reagan's back—very casually, but Reagan inwardly shivered. "Very clever, though."

"I thought so."

"Just don't try to bring me to your car. I think my wife might have somethin' to say about it."

"I've been swimming in champagne for the last half hour," Reagan joked. "I don't even know who you are right now."

Ben pulled his head back and made deliberate eye contact. "I think you do."

Reagan held Ben's hand closer to his chest, and the comforting din of the party behind them faded away. He smiled. "I like when you're close to me." They made their leisurely way to the other side of the patio. "...Nothin' wrong with that."

"What's your limit?"

Instead of responding to that directly, Reagan's smile widened, what was once feigned innocence becoming deep and private mischief. "This makin' you uncomfortable?"

Ben assessed the question, eyes roving over Reagan's face. "No. Have any words of wisdom to impart on the newlywed?"

The warmth began to leech from Reagan and the light chill of the night took only some responsibility for that. "...You should rethink marriage."

"That's fuckin' fantastic, Reggie," Ben exclaimed, though he had yet to stop dancing.

"I don't think I was cut out for it," Reagan explained. "I think maybe I'm askin' too much of Carolyn to stay with me when I've expected her to tolerate my sleepin' around so much."

"We'll chalk this up to the booze."

"You're right," Reagan said suddenly. "I can't be sayin' shit like that at your wedding; it's not fair."

They watched one another as they danced, wordless for a few minutes, forgetting—for better or worse—that anything else was going on, that anyone else could've ruined their moment at any time. Ben seemed to soften in Reagan's arms, to let an unseen barrier fall with each gentle step they took, and Reagan fought every instinct to coax that further along.

"You know I'd do anything for you, right?" Reagan murmured.

Ben screwed his eyes shut, his hold on Reagan's hand tightening. "Reagan..."

"Ben, all you have to do is ask, and—" His brows pinched. "...You called me Reagan."

"Oh, is that your name?"

Reagan grinned once Ben looked at him again. "That's the first time in the nearly thirty years we've known each other that you've ever called me by my actual name."

"Well don't make a big fuckin' to-do about it, Rían," Ben scolded, invoking Reagan's true given name to hammer it home. Then, more timidly, "...We ain't children anymore."

As abruptly as it had started, the mood shifted. They'd come to a halt and Ben leaned into Reagan's chest, fully anticipating Reagan holding him close, holding his head to him as they embraced in silence only broken by the festivities.

"Mazel tov," Reagan said softly into Ben's ear, pressing his lips to his temple. "...Love you."

There was a pause, and Ben held onto Reagan's waist for support as he leaned in to plant a firm, quick kiss to his mouth. Reagan brushed a thumb over his cheekbone before Ben stepped back, almost unwilling to look away until he was forced to, eventually rejoining his own celebration.

Reagan stood alone, hands in his pockets, willing himself to criticize the choice of flowers within the landscaping until he was no longer wracked with the urge to flee into the forest, never to be seen again.

[multipleoccupancy]

Theo tried to comfort her in what way he knew how while she spoke. Making sure she knew he was there beside her and that she was safe after it all. The scene sounded horrifying to him too though and he just chewed on his cheek subconsciously. Part of him did think it had been what Sloane deserved but he was wise enough not to say that out loud. He was still just too relieved he had not done any worse to her. Unaware that her own father had once been bitten by a Hound and the worries that were circulating in her head.

He looked to the knife as she pulled it out, curious about it in his own right but it made sense to him. "I've seen some folks get through the most dangerous of places by coverin' themselves in monster parts. It works most of tha time," he explained softly, feeling his heart warming a little now he understood what had happened even if it was terrifying in itself. "I reckon you're right about it," he said as he nodded to the knife and thought on how to help ground her a little more. Last time she has just broken before she came back properly but he didn't think that it was right this time.

"I guess with somethin' like a Hound, it knows when a person's time is up and will wanna hunt them before they die? I think with it comin' in like that it might have been that Sloane wasn't gonna make it out of the cabin no matter what." He hugged her tighter and tried to soothe away the guilt he figured she was starting to feel somehow. "I reckon those flame creatures would'a got him, they didn't seem to discriminate between friend and foe." He explained, not blaming Violet or suggesting she would have killed Sloane again, and he was absolutely just clutching at straws to try and explain it but it was what he believed had happened.

"I'm just glad you're alright," so much more than she knew too as he held her just that little bit protectively next to the creek.

𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐎 & 𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐓 @multipleoccupancy

Violet leaned into Theo's arm, staring aimlessly at the plains that stretched, untouched by fire, into the distance. "It was horrible," she croaked, "it... it was like it was drainin' him. Suckin' the life out of him. He was agin', right in front of me, he looked well over a hundred when the Hound was done. I'd never... I'd never seen anythin' like that before." This was how Hounds killed. Devouring the life out of their victims. And her dad... they'd tried to do that to her dad. Had he lost some of his time? It was a terrifying thought.

"The Hound it smelled me but..." She pulled her knife out of her pocket. "I think my knife confused him or somethin', maybe I smelled like a Hound. It just took what was left of Sloane and vanished into the corner."

It was bizarre to think that, in a way, the Hound had saved her life. Not consciously, and certainly not willingly, but it had done it all the same. It had killed Sloane and spared her. She glanced at the shimmering blade. Her dad had the same knife. Maybe it could protect him, too. Maybe, even from so far away, she had managed to keep him safe.

[jenlizrose]

It's bi-rate o'clock 🏴‍☠️

Meet Bonnie Flint

[thatonericeball]

Unbothered

『 No matter how angry Atsumu is, in all honesty he can never stay away from you for long, maybe a few weeks at most? Although, apologies can be hard. 』

An apology fluff scenario :)

Miya Atsumu has his moments. He doesn’t realise how in love he is with you after each petty, little argument but when the awkward space comes around it tends to poke at his feelings. It’s not the most fun experience for him considering it's mostly a subconscious, self guilt trip but oh well I guess. Unfortunately, now was one of those moments. He’d fought with you over a… rice ball? Maybe it was volleyball? Well whatever it was he’d forgotten the whole ordeal and honestly that didn’t make it better being he’d forgotten it that quickly which only told him how stupid it would’ve been. “Oh Y/N,” Atsumu turned his attention upward and took his head out his arms slightly to see you at the entrance of his home room. He tiredly rolled his head to face the window with a deep sigh…okay yeah maybe he was sulking a bit…just a bit. Impatiently, he tapped his pointer finger still thinking of a way to start a conversation with you which would hopefully lead to some sort of apology. A subtle approach? Roundabout approach? He didn’t know where to start. He was only an inexperienced Japanese teenager after all. Okay that was a lie, he’d been through this at least twelve times this year so far because of his unwavering stubbornness. So why was he so unsure? Hell who knows, he didn’t that’s for sure.

Your laugh, the way your hair sat lightly on your shoulders, your wide e/c eyes, everything about you killed Atsumu. Each little feature about you was like cupid’s arrow being targeted right at his heart. “Damn it,” he cursed under his breath, “Why are ya so damn cute?” That was it. Atsumu didn’t really care anymore how he did it, the silence was becoming patronising above anything else. Marching over to you with his brother snickering at his walk, Atsumu leaned against the door frame practically towering over you. He looked you straight in the eye which obviously took all the confidence he could pull together. Dead silence hung over the two of you, “Yeah? Ya got somethin’ to say?” You say, clearly still annoyed about the current situation between the two of you. Atsumu tensed up at your tone, your unbothered stare didn’t make it any better. “Mm I-,” Atsumu stuttered nervously at your dull glare. With a sigh you ran a hand through your hair making Atsumu’s heart jump, “I won’t waste ya time then,” you mutter looking disappointed and let down. Oh right that was still happening Atsumu realised.

Running out of his homeroom he called after you, his girlfriend. To his surprise you turned around, “I-uh do ya mind readin’ my English essay…for me?” You stand there a little taken aback but laugh softly. After weeks of no talking, not a single word said between one another that sound was pure bliss to Atsumu. “Yeah sure,” you laugh. He nodded with a dorky, over joyed grin and the both of you turn away, walking back to your own homerooms. “Oh and Atsumu!” You call out, he turns back to see you with a smile, “yeah?” You smile at him again, wider this time. “Make sure you proofread it yourself first,” he nods happily, more than happily in fact. “Of course!” As soon as he got back to class, he pulled out his essay. “You’re looking better,” Suna teased, nudging his friend. “Yeah I guess, I just really like English,” Atsumu grinned widely as he focused in on his English paper. Running a hand through his hair he worked eagerly on his essay, “Right, English,” Suna smirked.

[daryl-dixon-daydreams]

Words: 3,778 Pairing: Daryl Dixon x Reader Reader pronouns: she/her Era: Alexandria Warnings: None really! A/N: This is the final part of a miniseries! Find the previous part on the Masterlist!

Your name: submit What is this?

The next morning, Daryl was still sitting watch outside the barn as he had promised you when some movement up at the farmhouse caught his eye. He straightened up when he saw it was you stepping onto the porch. He immediately started heading over and met you at the steps. The bruising on your arm from your boyfriend’s hand and fingers and on your face from where he had hit you had darkened overnight and his stomach twisted and clenched with anger. The split in your bottom lip glared out against the delicate pink around it, a dark crimson slice.

“Hey. Are ya alright?” His blue eyes were narrowed in concern.

You nodded. “Yeah. I’m okay.” You glanced over at the makeshift campsite. It was quiet and still. “Everyone still sleeping?” you asked.

“Mhm,” he hummed. “Ya sure ya should be up and about? Ya got a concussion.”

“I’m okay.” You gave him a long look and Daryl waited. He could sense you were on the edge of saying something. You tried to gulp down the nerves. “Would you—will you take me to go talk to him?”

Daryl’s brow furrowed more deeply. “Ya dun owe him anythin’,” he drawled. The gravel was heavier in his voice than usual.

Daryl nudged his nose up at you in a nod. He turned to lead the way but you called him back.

“Daryl—” There was worry and anxiety etched in your brow and somehow the archer knew what you were trying to ask.

“I won’t leave ya alone with him. Don’t worry.”

You gulped, grateful that he understood implicitly, immediately. You went down the steps and fell into stride beside him.

“How’d ya sleep? Ya get some rest?” he asked, casting a sideways glance in your direction. It almost physically hurt him when his eyes hitched on your injuries.

You nodded. “A little. Except Hershel had someone coming in to wake me up every hour or so… I guess that’s to make sure I wasn’t going into a coma after the—the concussion…”

Daryl felt that familiar burn of rage in his chest. “Is it that serious?” he asked, stopping dead. “Maybe ya really shouldn’t be up. We should get ya—”

“I’m fine. I think he was just being cautious,” you countered.

Daryl gulped under the fixed gaze of your eyes but ultimately nodded and started toward the barn again.

“Did you get any sleep?” you asked kindly, concern in your tone.

Daryl shrugged vaguely. “Nah. But s’alright. Wanted to make sure he was locked up and couldn’t get to ya. Once the others are up, I’ll catch a few hours.”

You gave him a grateful smile, feeling your cheeks warm a little with a blush. “Thanks for that.” He only nodded.

Finally, you both arrived at the barn and Daryl unlocked the door and paused with his hand on the latch. “Ya sure?” You looked a little afraid, but you nodded. He swung the door open and followed you inside. He passed in front of you as you crossed the space to a huddled figure leaning partially up against the opposite wall, half-slumped over toward the dirt floor. Daryl rushed up to him and kicked the bottom of his boot hard. “Wake up, dumbass!” he growled.

He stirred and lifted his head. You could see that his face was bloody and bruised, with one eye completely swollen shut, the result of Daryl’s fists the day before. You felt sick when he noticed you were there, his whole body language changed. His whole demeanor changed, but you knew it was just all an act.

“Oh, baby. Babe, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. I love you! I just got so jealous. Please, I just—I love you so much!” He was immediately pleading. Your heart started to race and the sick feeling in your stomach only increased.

Daryl was immediately on him, grabbing him by the front of his shirt and thrusting him hard against the wall. “Shut the fuck up! I don’t wanna hear another goddamn word out of ya. Ya ain’t even deserve to look at her, but she’s got some things she wants to say, and you’re gonna listen. Got it?” Your boyfriend averted his eyes and said nothing, and Daryl released his hold on him. Your ex-boyfriend’s eyes drifted back to you. They were cold, hard.

Daryl stood just behind you, watching the scene carefully for anything going the slightest millimeter wrong.

“They asked me what to do with you. You’re gonna be gone, but whether that’s away from here or dead is mostly up to me.” You paused and gulped again at the tightness in your throat. “But I think a quick and easy death is just too good for you. Besides, I don’t want anyone’s blood on my hands, even yours. So, I’m gonna tell Rick to take you way out, alone, into the middle of nowhere and just leave you. So maybe you’ll feel a modicum of the fear you put me through every day. You’ll experience how alone I felt, how isolated. How helpless. How robbed of every part of me that mattered. And then the walkers can have you. Or maybe you’ll meet someone just like yourself and get a taste of your own medicine.” Your bottom lip was quivering a little but you were determined to get through this. “And there’s something else you should know. Right now, this is the last time I will ever think about you. But you? You’ll think about me every day. You’ll think about what you did. But I don’t care about you anymore. It’ll be like you never existed.”

You stared at him once more for a long moment and then turned to look at Daryl. He nudged his nose up at you in a nod and you headed for the door, leaving behind the man you had once loved who you now didn’t recognize. Daryl latched and locked up the barn and you waited for him, your arms across yourself again, subconscious armor. He was anxiously chewing his bottom lip when he turned around and caught your striking eyes. “Ya did good in there. Ya feel better? After havin’ your say?”

Your expression turned a little sad. “Maybe a tiny bit. But mostly no. Besides, it was a lie. He’ll haunt me for a while. But it’ll be different. He won’t have control over me anymore. And I won’t live every day like I’m walking on eggshells.” You studied Daryl’s face for a moment and felt a warmth growing in your chest. “Thank you, Daryl. For everything.”

He shook his head. “S’nothin’.”

Your lips curved in a small smile and Daryl watched with surprise as you came close to him and stretched yourself up on your toes to place a kiss on his cheek. Setting your heels back down, your eyes flickered between his, memorizing the shades of blue in them. His expression was a little impassive, but you didn’t mind. You smiled up at him again. “Get some sleep,” you said, gently touching his arm, before turning and heading away back up to the farmhouse. The trail of warmth and slight tingling, like the remnants of a static charge, were still strong on his skin even as your figure faded away.

Daryl’s heart was hammering in his chest still as he laid down on his cot in his tent, chasing sleep.

_ _ _ _ _ _

Two Months Later “Hey!” Daryl jumped up from the log he was seated on beside his small fire circle as he saw you starting to cross the green space toward the tree line. You paused and turned at the sound of his voice and the smile you gave him sent a rush of heat to his chest which quickly poured into his face. You just brightened when you smiled and he found it damn near irresistible. “Where the hell ya think you’re going?” he said, jest plain in his voice as he jogged over to you.

You adjusted the strap of your pack on your shoulder and rested the other hand on the hilt of your knife, which was sheathed at your hip. “Gonna go see what I can forage. If I have to listen to Rick and Shane bickering anymore today, I’m going to lose my mind,” you joked.

“Yer just gonna go off out there? By yerself?” he asked you, his brow drawing down low over his blue eyes. “Real nice. Where the hell is my invite?”

You laughed jovially, and Daryl felt another jolt to his heart, causing it to skip a beat. He loved the way your eyes crinkled when you laughed, and how now you gave into it with your whole being. You were just like that, despite everything you had been through and despite the state of the world, you just gave into it. It gave Daryl hope. You straightened up and gave him a half-smile. “Well, where’s your crossbow? Come on. How are you gonna keep me safe from walkers without it?”

Daryl smiled back at you, just a small one like he always did, but it still filled you up every time you saw it. He lifted his chin in a nod. “Be right back,” he drawled. You were happy to wait for him while he grabbed his gear and returned to your side.

You fell into stride beside each other at an easy pace and headed toward the tree line. “So, Rick and Shane were goin’ at it again, huh?” Daryl asked. “What was it this time?”

You rolled your eyes and sighed. “Nothing. That’s the thing… Shane is just—I don’t know. He takes any excuse he can to pick an argument with Rick. He’s just—I don’t know…” you trailed off. “He makes me uncomfortable,” you said.

Daryl glanced over at you, his face darkening with a shadow of concern. “He do somethin’?” He felt a swell of protective fire in his chest.

You met his blue eyes and shook your head. “No. No, nothing. I just mean he seems… unstable,” you said. You had reached the edge of the woods now and you pulled a small bag out of the side pocket of your pack and unsnapped the loop over your knife hilt. You scanned the ground for edible plants and mushrooms.

“Ya, cuz he is,” Daryl agreed, glancing around to check for any sign of walkers. “I’ve known plenty of assholes like him before… He just seems to be better at foolin’ people about what he really is. At least he was. Promise me somethin’, though?” You looked up at the archer with a quizzical expression. “If he does anything to ya, tries anything ya don’t like—Hell, him or anyone else, ya tell me, alright?”

You suddenly lost your courage to hold his eyes in the wake of his protectiveness and you felt your cheeks burn a little with a blush. You averted your eyes back toward the ground but nodded. “What would I do without you, Daryl?”

He shrugged and hummed a vague and somewhat dismissive noise, even while he felt that fluttering between his lungs he always associated only with you.

You passed the time easily beside Daryl, and managed to find some wild mushrooms and berries that would add some much-needed variety and nutrition to everyone’s diet. You had just been thinking that it was probably time to head back when Daryl suddenly straightened up and looked skyward.

“We better get goin’,” he said. “S’gonna storm.”

No sooner had he spoken those words than the light seemed to shift and darken. You nodded. “Yeah. Those clouds don’t exactly look friendly.” You shoved the bag you had been collecting berries in back into your pack. “Let’s go.”

Daryl led the way quickly through the underbrush as thunder rolled in the distance. You both emerged from the tree line into the pasture just as lightening cracked and the sky opened up and unleashed a torrent of rain. You were both soaked in an instant and you let out a gasp of surprise at the coldness of the rain. Glancing over at Daryl, who was squinting at you through the downpour, you couldn’t help laughing at the situation as you tried to fend off shivers as the freezing rainwater rolled down your skin.

“C’mon! My tent is closest!” he yelled over the rain. You nodded and took off with him through the grey veil, running with abandon the way you had when you were a child trying to get home before dark. Your socks squished inside your inundated boots as they pounded the saturated ground. Your jeans were heavy with moisture and you felt your clothing and hair clinging to you as you moved.

When you arrived at Daryl’s campsite, he hastily unzipped his tent and held the cloth door open for you to pass inside first. You rushed in but tried to corral yourself in the middle of the tent so you wouldn’t shed rainwater all over his space. “Oh my God,” you said with a laugh, looking over at him as he zipped the door closed. “Soaked through and through.” He set his crossbow down at the edge of the tent and you gulped as you watched water droplets roll down from his wet hair and descend over his collarbone and strong arms. You tried your hardest to prevent a shiver from wracking through you, but to no avail. You were soaked and the autumn rain had been stinging with cold.

Daryl was trying his hardest to avoid looking at how your wet clothes were clinging to the curves and angles of your body and he was grateful for a distraction when he saw you shiver. He went to his duffel bag and pulled out a clean towel.

“Thanks,” you said, accepting it gratefully and trying to wring the water from your hair with it before wrapping it around your shoulders. “Not sure how much good it will do,” you said, laughing as you looked down at your sodden clothing and boots.

“Guess I shoulda pulled us outta there a little sooner,” he drawled, still avoiding looking at you because every time he did he felt like his brain started to go fuzzy and the warmth kindling in his chest was almost overwhelming.

It suddenly struck you how familiar this felt, but at the same time how different. “Not the first time I’ve hidden from the rain in here,” you said suddenly, not even really meaning to speak the thought aloud.

Daryl’s eyes snapped up to your face. That night had been on his mind since the moment the first raindrop hit him. He anxiously chewed his bottom lip and nodded.

The atmosphere between you in the small space, with the rain hammering on the outside of the tent, was sudden charged and heavy.

“But it feels different this time,” you said softly. “Nothing to hide from. Nowhere I’m supposed to be.”

Daryl’s blue eyes flickered between yours. “I shoulda known,” he said regretfully. “I shoulda done somethin’ about him sooner.”

You gave him a sad smile and shook your head. “That’s not on you. Any of it. You did enough.” You took a somewhat hesitant step toward him and Daryl watched as the towel slipped from around your shoulders and fell to the floor in a soft pile, forgotten in the intensity of the moment. “You do more than enough.” You studied his face, each fleck of blue in his eyes, the angles of his jaw. His shirt was clinging to his strong chest and you wanted more than anything at that moment to reach out and touch him, press your hands gently to him in the way he too deserved to be touched.

Daryl couldn’t look away from you. Your gaze, you were magnetic and he felt like he was being drawn in, pulled in. He was seconds away from tumbling into something he would be only too happy to get lost in.

But you suddenly turned and Daryl watched, puzzled, as you went to the upended box that served as a table beside his cot. You carefully moved aside a stray crossbow bolt and a wrinkled paperback and found what you were looking for; the pressed honeysuckle you had found that night, months ago, picked even longer ago before that. You laid the delicate, papery flower out on your palm before turning back to the archer.

He shifted a little anxiously as he saw what you had in your hand.

“You kept it. This whole time,” you said, glancing from the crimson bloom back up to meet his eyes, which were narrowed slightly at you as he waited to see where this was going, nervous but reeling with hopeful anticipation. “Why?” you asked simply. You were merely half a foot apart now, your palm held up flat between the two of you revealing the muted shades of green and red.

Daryl gulped down his nerves and shifted in a shrug. “Ya know why,” he said simply, his deep voice almost feeling like it was wrapping around you.

You stared back down at the flower in your hand. “It’s just a flower. It’s not—” But whatever you had been about to say was stopped by Daryl’s lips on yours. He clasped your face delicately in his hands and kissed you with an urgency that wouldn’t be ignored, couldn’t be.

At first you let out a soft noise of surprise, but Daryl’s nerves vanished as your lips gave softly beneath his and suddenly you were kissing him back eagerly. Your hands were on his sides, feeling the tensed muscles beneath his wet shirt and neither of you noticed the honeysuckle bloom floating gently to the floor as you sank into one another. You arched up onto your toes and looped your arms around his neck, pulling into him more deeply. Daryl’s hands lightly found your waist, your hips, one finally settling in the small of your back keeping you against him with gentle pressure. The world outside seemed to fall away and vanish and it was just you and him and the sound of the storm. The kiss was hungry and fervent but eventually softened and Daryl watched with disbelief as you pulled slightly away and your eyes opened, eyelashes fluttering, revealing the striking color of your irises which he was finally able to study as closely as he wanted, memorizing each hue, fleck, and ring of color. Your lips curved in a smile as you looked up at him and you were sure your cheeks were flushed, because wow. God you had wanted to do that for a long time, longer than you had admitted to yourself.

You clasped his face gently and ran your thumb along his strong jaw, subconsciously biting your bottom lip.

You felt one of his fingers lightly moving on your lower back, like he needed to feel you, really feel you to know this was real.

“Can we, uhh, do that again?” you said with a smile.

Daryl’s mouth twitched up on one side in a smile and he nudged his nose up at you. Before he could even lean in you had arched up on your toes again and pressed your lips to his. This kiss was soft and wanting and sent bolts of electricity through both of you, sending goosebumps rising on your skin that weren’t at all related to your soaked clothes.

You finally broke apart, breathless, and loved that Daryl’s arms were still around you. He seemed unwilling to let you go, and you hoped he never would. You were both all shy smiles for a moment until another shiver ran through you and Daryl felt it beneath his hands. One of his eyebrows immediately quirked down and he broke with you only long enough to collect the towel from the floor and wrap it around you again. His fingers then gently plucked the pressed honeysuckle from the canvas floor and he reached around you to replace it on his improvised nightstand. “Ya should go get some dry clothes on. Can’t have ya getting’ sick.”

Your eyes were still connected with his and you nodded vaguely. “Yeah. But I don’t want to leave,” you said quietly. Daryl chewed his bottom lip thoughtfully.

“Ya ain’t gotta. I got plenty of dry clothes in here. C’mon,” he said, gently tapping his fingers where they were resting on your lower back. “We can both change. I’ll face this way. I won’t look. Promise.”

You smiled widely at his sweetness and nodded in agreement. The idea of cozying up in Daryl’s clothes sounded like the best thing you could imagine at that moment, wrapped in his smell, and safe and warm with him close by.

Soon you were both in dry clothes. Daryl’s eyes drank in the sight of you in his oversized shirt and gulped at the rush of heat pouring outward from his chest. He’d wanted this for so long and now that it was happening it still didn’t feel real. You went and sank down on Daryl’s cot, moving toward the back edge to make room for him, giving him an irresistible and expectant look. The archer sank down beside you, gently putting one of his arms underneath your head and draping the other over your waist, his fingertips lightly tickling your back. You both just couldn’t stop looking at the other, and the sound of the storm outside was the perfect backdrop.

You reached out and rested your palm lightly against his chest, feeling the expansion of his lungs and the steady cadence of his heartbeat. “I’m sorry it too me so long to figure this out,” you said softly.

Daryl only looked back at you with a soft expression. “Don’t be. I woulda waited as long as I had to. You’re worth it.”

You gave him a smile and a look of wonder before kissing him softly again. “So are you.”

[dialovers-translations]

Diabolik Lovers DARK FATE ー Subaru Dark [Prologue]

ー The scene starts in front of the gate to the Demon World

Yui: ( I can get to the Demon World...By passing through this door. I’m sure I’d be able to meet up with Subaru-kun there, right? )

( I’m sure the Demon World has its own risks but...As long as I can reunite with Subaru-kun, I’m sure I’ll be fiーー )

*Creaaaak*

Yui: !

Subaru: You...!

Yui: Subaru-kun!?

Subaru: Knowing you, I had a hunch you’d come after me...Guess I hit the nail on the head, huh...?

Yui: Subaru-kun...Did you come and get me, perhaps?

Subaru: ...Don’t be gettin’ the wrong idea now! You see...I’m only here ‘cause I was worried ‘bout the house.

Yui: ...Fufu~

Subaru: Whatcha laughin’ for!?

Yui: Sorry. I felt so relieved as soon as I saw your face, I couldn’t help myself.

It was quite scary by myself after all...

So I’m glad you’re here.

Subaru: Hmph. Look at you grinning. ...Let’s get goin’ already.

Yui: Yeah.

( Subaru-kun...He really did come for me, didn’t he? )

( My anxiety is fading, almost as if I was never worried at all. )

( To think I can feel this way just from being together...I must really love him after all. )

Subaru: Oi, don’t be takin’ your sweet time ...Geez, when are you gonna wipe that grin off your face?

Yui: ...Coming! (1)

ー The scene shifts to the forest in the Demon World

Yui: ...It’s pitch black, huh?

Subaru: That’s ‘cause the lunar eclipse is ongoing. It’s gonna be like this for quite some time.

Yui: ( Which means it’ll be dark the whole time? Seems rather depressing. It’s a little scary as well... )

Subaru: ...

*Rustle*

Yui: Subaru-kun...?

( He grabbed my hand... )

Subaru: ...I’ll hold your hand like this.

Don’t look so worried. There’s honestly nothin’ for you to be scared ‘bout.

...I’m here with you, remember?

Yui: Subaru-kun...

Subaru: So make sure to stick by my side as well, ‘kay?

Yui: Yeah, gotcha. I’ll be right besides you the whole time. 

Subaru: ...I didn’t say ‘the whole time!’. It’d just be annoyin’ if you were to be glued to my side 24/7.

Yui: ...Would that be a nuisance? 

Subaru: When did I say that!? ...Fuck!

You should just stop rackin’ your brain over lil’ things and be with me, that’s all!

Yui: Yes!

*TIMESKIP*

ー The scene shifts to the entrance hall of the Sakamaki castle

Yui: What a lovely place...This is you guys’ house, right?

( Or castle, I should say... )

Subaru: Oi, don’t wander off. Father’s power is protectin’ the place from any outside threats, but even inside there’sーー

ー Approaching footsteps can be heard

Yui: ( Somebody’s here...? )

???: ...

Yui: ( A woman...? )

( She’s beautiful...Although she seems oddly familiarーー )

Subaru: ーー Mom.

Yui: Eh...?

( She’s Subaru-kun’s mother!? )

Christa: ...Oh my?

Yui: ( Ah, our eyes met... )

Christa: How unusual. A guest...?

Subaru: ...

Christa: !!

Yui: ( Eh...? Her expression changed...? )

Christa: No...Stop!! Stay away!!

Yui: Eh...? U-Um...

Christa: Stay away from me!!

Subaru: Che...Oi! Is nobody ‘round!?

Familiar A: Yes!

Christa: Stop! Don’t touch me!! Let me go!!

Familiar A: Ma’am! Please, follow me this way...!

ー Christa is escorted away

Yui: ...

Subaru: ...Haah...

Yui: Subaru-kun...That woman just now...

Subaru: ...She’s my mother...

She hadn’t been actin’ that way as of late...So what happened?

Yui: Perhaps the lunar eclipse is affecting her...?

Subaru: ...You might be right.

Yui: ( The eclipse makes Vampires emotionally unstable, doesn’t it? Is his mother experiencing something similar...? )

Subaru: Haah...

Yui: ( Subaru-kun seems exhausted. Although I can’t blame him after his mother spoke to him in such a way... )

( It must hurt, regardless if she’s being affected by the eclipse or not... )

Subaru: Oi. Let’s just get you to your room for now.

Yui: Sure.

*TIMESKIP*

ー The scene shifts to the balcony

Subaru: ...

ー Yui walks up to him

Yui: Subaru-kun?

Subaru: ...All settled in?

Yui: Yeah. Thanks. I can’t believe you had a room prepared even though I came uninvited.

Subaru: If you need anythin’ else, just ask one of the Familiars. They should be able to arrange most stuff.

Yui: Gotcha.

...Are you okay, Subaru-kun?

Subaru: ...How so?

Yui: I’m worried you might be taking what your mother said to heart.

Subaru: ...

Yui: ( She went through a lot...to the point of no longer being able to live by herself, didn’t she? )

( Worried about her well-being, Subaru-kun would go check up on her every now and then. )

( However, with the lunar eclipse ongoing...I wonder if she’s even more unstable than usual? )

...I’m sure it’ll get better once the eclipse has passed.

( This is pretty much all I can say... )

Subaru: ...Yui. Come here for a sec.

Yui: Sure.

Subaru: Take a seat.

Yui: ...? Okay.

Subaru: Lend me your shoulder. ...Even just for a lil’ bit.

Yui: Eh...?

On certain CGs, little black roses will appear on the screen. If you click on them, you get an extra line of dialogue.

“Your hand’s so tiny and slender...Yet it’s strangely comfortin’...”

“When I imagine something might happen to you...I nearly lose my mind. Stay by my side, okay?”

Yui: Subaru-kun...?

Subaru: ...I’m glad you’re here. Just by doin’ this, I feel like some weight has been taken off my mind. 

Yui: ...

*Rustle*

Subaru: ...What’s your deal?

Yui: ( ...He seemed down, so my hand subconsciously moved to pat his head... )

You didn’t like it?

Subaru: ...I never said that.

Yui: ( ...It must be hard. To have your own family push you away in such a way. )

( She seemed normal when our eyes met though... )

Subaru: Haah...

Yui: Hey, Subaru-kun? You don’t have to push yourself in front of me.

If you’re worried about your mother, I’ll do everything I can to help as well. 

Think about it, a stranger might have a better shot at getting through to her...

Subaru: Don’t think ‘bout it. I can’t let you do that.

She can get extremely violent when she snaps. You might get hurt if you’re near her.

Yui: But...The Lunar Eclipse makes her unstable, doesn’t it? In which case it might be better to have someone there by her side.

Subaru: Even if that were the case, there’s no reason you should carry that burden.

Yui: Burden, you say...

I just want you to cheer up, that’s all.

Subaru: ...

...Don’t come cryin’ to me afterwards.

Yui: Don’t worry. She’s your mother after all.

Subaru: ...You fool.

Yui: I hope the Eclipse will come to an end soon.

Subaru: They last long here. It won’t be over any time soon.

Yui: I see. You said that before, didn’t you?

Subaru: Yeah. That’s why they’re even more annoyin’.

Yui: I wonder if you’re letting me dote on you because of the Lunar Eclipse as well.

Subaru: Haah!? Dote on who!? 

Yui: I mean, usually you’d get upset if I were to pat your head like this, no?

Subaru: ...Then, should I get upset now?

Yui: Eh?

Subaru: ‘Cause you keep spoutin’ bullshit...I’ve become thirsty for your blood.

I’ll suck you harshly like usual.

Yui: ...But you’re always gentle, you know?

Subaru: I’m not. ...I won’t be kind with you.

ー Subaru bites her

Subaru: Hah, nn...Nn...

Yui: Uu...

Subaru: Nn...Phew...

Hah...Oi, Yui. Tell me as soon as somethin’ happens, ‘kay?

Yui: ...Of course.

( See? He really is gentle after all... )

*TIMESKIP*

Christa: ーー Nii-sama!! Where my dearest cousin!? (2)

Yui: !?

ー Yui wakes up in her room

*Rustle rustle*

Yui: That voice just now...!? 

*Rustle*

Yui: Ah...You woke up as well, Subaru-kun? The person shouting earlier...

Subaru: ...It was mom’s voice.

Yui: I wonder if something happened...? I’m worried so I’ll go take a look.

Subaru: You’re actually gonna look after her?

Yui: I mean...I can’t just turn a blind eye either.

ー Yui walks towards the door

Subaru: Ah, oi!

ー She leaves the room

Subaru: ...Will she be okay...?

ー The scene shifts to the library

Christa: Aah, why!? Why won’t anyone come!?

...Nii-sama...

*Knock knock*

ー Yui enters the library

Yui: Um, pardon the intrusion.

Christa: ...! You...

Yui: I could hear your voice so...Um, are you okaーー

Christa: Cordelia!?

Yui: Eh?

Christa: Cordelia...! Why are you here...?

Yui: ( Cordelia...? The name of the triplets’ mother...? Is she mistaking me for her, perhaps? )

Christa: Aah, Cordelia...I pity you as well.

I find it surprising you have stuck around this castle for so long. Do you still believe he loves you?

Yui: U-Um...

Christa: But I know. That is...a horrible misunderstanding. 

There is no love to speak of. Both you and me...We’re only being used by that man.

Yui: ( Used...? )

ー Subaru approaches them

Yui: Ah, Subaru-kuーー

Christa: ...!! No way! You’re here again!?

*Woosh*

Subaru: Ugh...Oi, cut it out!

Christa: No, don’t take one step closer!!

*Woosh*

Christa: Don’t show me your face!! Keep those filthy hands off me...!!

*Woosh*

Yui: ( ...! She threw a lamp at him...! )

Subaru-kun!

Subaru: Wha...Idiot! Don’t step in!

*THUD*

*Shatter*

Yui: Ow...!

Subaru: Yui!!

You fool...! You’re bleeding!

Yui: I’m fine...More importantly, your mother...

Subaru: ‘Fine’, my ass! Let’s get outta here!

*Rustle*

ー Subaru drags her away back to their room

Subaru: ...Has it stopped bleedin’?

Yui: Yeah. I’m fine now.

Subaru: Doesn’t it hurt?

Yui: It was just a scratch.

Subaru: Really? You’re a chick...and a human one at that. Shouldn’t you like disinfect it or somethin’?

Yui: You’re way too much of a worrywart, Subaru-kun. This kind of small injury will heal quickly, even when you’re human.

( Thank god one of the shards just lightly scraped my skin. Subaru-kun didn’t get hurt either. )

Subaru: ...

...You shouldn’t be here after all.

Yui: Eh?

Subaru: If you stay here, you’ll definitely get hurt again. I’m gonna get you back to the human world before that happens.

We’re leavin’ at once. Before mom becomes even more crazyーー

Yui: W-Wait, Subaru-kun! You’re blowing this way out of proportion!

The skin’s just a little scraped, so I promise you I’m fine. Don’t worry, okay?

Subaru: ...

Christa: Hurry up and bring Nii-sama to me! I am waiting!!

Subaru: ...Let’s step outside. You’re comin’ with me.

Monologue

Along the way after we left the manor,

I told Subaru-kun about what happened earlier.

That Christa-san,

had called me ‘Cordelia’. 

Yui: She seems to have the wrong idea.

Subaru: ーー About you?

Yui: Yeah. Seems like she thinks that I’m Cordelia. ...I wonder why?

Subaru: ...It just proves she’s not in her right mind, no? Did she say anythin’ else?

Yui: Um...Ah, right...

Subaru: What?

Yui: She said that...She’s being used by someone. 

Subaru: Used...? The fuck?

Yui: I don’t know myself but...According to her, so was Cordelia.

Subaru: I don’t get it...Oi, Yui. You should stop botherin’ with her as well.

Yui: But...She seemed calm when I was with her.

( Or rather, that might have been Cordelia’s influence... )

Subaru: ...I know she loses it as soon as she spots me.

Looking at it that way...It might be better if I wasn’t ‘round her.

Yui: Subaru-kun. Don’t put it like that. 

Subaru: ...It bothers me. It seems very likely you’ll get hurt if we stay here any longer. 

She may be my mom...But I’m not lettin’ her harm you.

Yui: ...Thank you, Subaru-kun.

But because she is your mother, I want to get on well with her.

Subaru: ...Che...Why are you so persistent...?

Yui: Because I loーー

Subaru: ...Nevermind, don’t say it! You’re just gonna spout weird shit again, aren’t you!?

...Fine. Do as you please. However, there’s one condition!

Whenever you’re with her, make sure I can jump in to save you at all times, ‘kay?

Don’t let yourself be alone with her in a private room. That’s the condition.

I’ll protect you. I won’t let anyone hurt you.

Yui: ( I’m pretty sure he doesn’t need to be that worried... )

( This just proves how concerned he is about me...as well as Christa-san, right? )

Yeah, sure. Thank you, Subaru-kun.

( ...I hope that one day, the three of us will all be able to sit down together for a nice chat... )

ーー TO BE CONTINUED ーー

Translation notes

(1) Yui simply responds with うん! which would be ‘yeah!’ or ‘sure!’ in English. However, that didn’t quite make sense as a response to his question in the translation, so I adapted it a little. 

(2) 兄様 or ‘nii-sama’ is literally an affectionate or highly formal way to refer to one’s older brother. However, it is not uncommon in Japan for the word ‘nii-san’ or ‘nii-sama’ to be extended and used for elder, male people (whether other family members or even random strangers) by those who are younger than them. I did a quick Google search on the ‘calling your cousin onii-san’ topic in specific and found multiple responses of native speakers who admitted to doing this. 

To avoid confusion and since ‘my dearest cousin’ is a bit long for my liking to use repeatedly, I will simply use ‘Nii-sama’ in my translation.

→  LIKE MY TRANSLATIONS? SUPPORT ME ON KO-FI!

<- [ Sakamaki Prologue ] [ Dark 01 ] ->

[17tetsuro]

could u do fake dating headcanons where they slowly fall for u w atsumu, kenma & oikawa,, gn pronounces are fine :)

haikyuu boys slowly falling for you (fake dating edition) (gn!reader)

feat: atsumu, kenma, oikawa

warnings: fake dating, abuse of cliche tropes and commas and question marks, timeskip setting because im anything but creative, swearing

requests are open!

a/n: thank you for requesting this!! i hope you like it :D

atsumu

* you’ve been friends with him ever since high school and you watched his career grow

* youre both equally proud of each other n your friendship is built on mutual respect, trust and love

* you basically live in his apartment, with how much time you spend over there

* he would complain 24/7 about not having anyone to go to events with

* at one point you wanted to strangle him for never shutting up about it so you propose you go with him from time to time

* atsumu: “yeah, that was a setup”

* he KNOWS you’re drop dead gorgeous and everyone will be jealous of him that you’re with him (and you also look very good in formalwear, which he very much enjoys)

* and you get to have free food and drinks and also wear immaculate expensive clothes

* so,, you became his regular date for sponsorship events and stuff

* and you never really outright said you were just friends?? so you’re used to the media portraying you two as lovers but your close circle is aware that your relationship is platonic

* everything was going great until one of his sponsor company’s heir started hitting on you

* atsumu saw you flirting with the person and his mind went blank

* he,, he didn’t understand why he wanted to commit multiple crimes on the spot

* bokuto conveniently showed up next to atsumu at that moment

“hey, atsumu? why is your date flirting with them?” bokuto asked, suddenly appearing next to atsumu, which startled the latter out of his thoughts.

a better question would be why atsumu saw red at the thought of you getting friendly with anyone but him that night. he tried his best to keep his composure, but it was hard when you rested a hand on the heir’s shoulder, leaning your head back while laughing.

“atsumu, are you not going to answer me? your lover is-“

“my what?” atsumu asked, attention now completely off you.

“your lover? is that a term you don’t like? i could say partner... significant other... or anything you want, really,” bokuto answered, apologizing.

“you- you think me and (y/n) are together?”

“aren’t you? what, with the way you look at each other i was convinced you two were like... high school sweethearts or something, who hate pda,” bokuto explained, while atsumu’s eyes trailed back to you.

“you think... you think they’d wan’ me?”

“are you blind, buddy?”

you must have sensed their gazes, because as soon as those words left bokuto’s mouth, your eyes snapped towards atsumu and bokuto. the latter started waving with a cheerful smile while the former just stood, entranced by you and your presence. atsumu noticed traces of confusion appearing on your face, and watched as you excused yourself from the conversation you were previously interested in.

“‘tsumu, are you alright?” you questioned, approaching the pair. bokuto grinned and left, which made you even more confused.

“yeah, i’m fi- fine. hey, uh, (y/n), say... do you- why did you offer to come to these events as my date?” atsumu asked, eyes dead set on yours. you cracked a confused smile. you seemed to be capable of nothing but confusion at the moment.

“because you’re my best friend and i hated to see you so down because of your loneliness at these gatherings,” you replied, holding his gaze. “why didn’t you oppose it?”

his eyes studied you and when he saw nothing but sincerity, he let out a loud sigh. this was all very new and confusing to him. it’s like bokuto calling you atsumu’s lover set off a bomb inside his head that instead of causing a mess, made everything fall into place; why his gaze seemed to linger on you more often than before, why he was so eager to choose your outfits for these events, why he went to parties he didn’t even have to attend, why he got so jealous and angry when he saw you with the cute heir.

“holy shit,” he breathed and ran his hands through his hair, letting out a nervous chuckle and lowering his gaze to the ground. “holy shit.”

“you look like you’ve been enlightened, and i love that for you, but ‘tsumu, i’m still very confused.”

“i’m in love with you,” he said in disbelief, and quickly snapped his eyes back to your face when he realized he said it out loud. “i- i mean- i’m not in love with you, no way in hell, you’re- you’re my best friend, you- you smack my head whenever i say somethin’ inappropriate, you keep me from underminin’ myself, you always lift my spirits and for fuck’s sake, please, stop lookin’ at me like that because i will be getting hopeful and if you’re just joking, i will never hear the end of it and-“

you finally hd enough of his rambling and cut him off with a kiss. at first he froze, but seconds later he melted into your embrace, hands sneaking around your waist, pulling you closer.

when your lips separated, atsumu gasping for air after his word vomit and the long kiss you shared, you spoke up. “miya atsumu, you’re a real dumbass, you know that?”

his breath hitched and you kept quiet for a second to let him suffer a bit.

“but you’re my dumbass. i love you, you absolute piece of work.”

atsumu honest to god giggled and leaned in for another kiss, which you gave him without hesitation.

somewhere in the room, bokuto was collecting the money sakusa promised to give him if he got you two to kiss.

kenma

* kenma and you are both twitch streamers with similar content so you knew of each other but weren’t properly introduced

* until one of your mutual friends invited you both to stream among us with them

* you obv accepted

* so during the 3 hr stream, you and kenma were imposters together a lot and had the biggest, most twisted imp plays

* a friendly competition broke out at one point, too, trying to see who exposed the most impostors between the two of you

* your fans ate your dynamic up

* from then on, you two interacted more and started to appear in each others’ streams

* kenma even invited you to his minecraft smp

* you became besties basically

* SO

* all fun and games

* and then a huge sponsorship opportunity rolled in

* and the people at the company assumed you were dating

* uh oh

* you couldnt just tell them they have it wrong bc the whole thing depended on your relationship

* so

* big brain kenma suggest you two start to “date”

* you were against deceiving your followers but kenma assured you you could have a public breakup and tell everyone you were better off as friends

* so you reluctantly agreed

* it was only for two months anyways, what could go wrong?

* both of you, on week 3, in separate discord calls: uh oh, im in l*ve

* you both tried to cope (read: repress everything) but the realization on both of your parts threw your dynamic off a bit and fans have noticed

* so you had to do something abt it

* so kenma suggested you try your hand at a minecraft challenge together

* it was all fun and games until it wasnt

* you somehow ended up flirting back and forth ????

* chat was goin crazy, even in sub only mode

* both of you: ha ha im in danger

* when the stream ended, you stayed on call, because that was a routine you stuck to no matter what

“so... how are you doing?” you asked kenma, trying to clear the awkwardness from the air.

“good.”

maybe you should have taken kenma’s refusal to talk about anything into account when initiating conversation.

kenma, on the other end of the call was anxiously playing with his fingers, trying to figure out if his chat was right, and you were indeed flirting with him. and him with you. god.

“hey, y/n,” kenma said after a while, “were you flirting with me?”

his bluntness startled you and you had to mute yourself for a few seconds while you collected yourself.

“is there a correct answer?” you asked hesitantly.

“yes.”

“oh... uhm, maybe? it wasn’t intentional. or maybe it was, subconsciously, i don’t know,” you admitted quietly.

“good. it was intentional on my part, i think,” and okay, that was not the reply you expected to hear.

“really?”

“yeah, i- i like you i guess,” he said, sounding more confident by the minute. “do you like me too?”

“i- yeah. i do. i like you, kenma,” you replied, sighing a breath of relief. it felt good to admit it aloud to him.

“do you- would you maybe want to come over?” he asked sheepishly, which made absolutely no sense because he sounded so confident a second ago. “we could play mario kart?”

you let the beaming smile you were holding back take over your face. “i’ll be there in 10, kenma.”

“i’ll be waiting for you.”

oikawa

* on god mans hated your guts

* like,, okay, you were iwa’s close friend but you were so annoyingly honest all the time

* it drove him mad

* what also drove him mad is the fact that you loved to tease him

* no matter what the circumstance, whether he was in japan or in argentina, you always found a way to make him blush

* okay so maybe hate is a strong word, because he kind of thought you were pretty, but in a platonic way

* dumbass

* iwa always give both of you shit for not liking each other

* so you came up with a big brain idea

* you: ”oikawa! we should date!”

* oikawa: “what”

* after you explained the concept of fake dating to him and its benefits (which included a staged dramatic breakup, giving you both a reason to hate each other without iwa complaining)

* he was totally down

* iwa, when he first saw you holding hands: “i knew it”

* SO!! thus began weeks of pretending to be in love with each other for the sake of iwa

* which turned from pretending to not pretending real quick for your liking

* falling in love with oikawa was not a plan of yours

* (falling in love with you wasn’t his, either)

* with iwa’s constant nagging of “i knew it, you both were head over heels for each other from the moment you met”, the time for the breakup came quicker than expected (maybe you both had enough. so what.)

* you agreed to do it in front of iwa so he could see it happen

* you chose a mcdonalds parking lot, because then you could storm off and iwa would follow you to make sure you were ok and oikawa could go home and sleep

* maybe winging it was not the best idea

“babe,” you said with venom, “haven’t i told you a thousand times that i do not want to hear about your exes? seriously, it’s like the only thing you talk about,” you complained, as your fake-boyfriend took a sip from his drink.

“well, babe,” his tone matching yours, “i would shut up about them if took the hint sometimes. maybe i don’t like going to the movies as much as you seem to, it’s boring,” he rolled his eyes, subtly glancing at iwa, who looked very uncomfortable third wheeling your argument. good

“jerk. i don’t even want to go to the movies that much, asshole,” you spat, crushing your empty cup in your hand.

“oh, you want to go to the movies plenty. face it, (y/n), you’re boring. no wonder you didn’t have a boyfriend before me,” he replied and his words, even though you knew were fake, still hit hard and you couldn’t help the tears gathering in your eyes.

“okay, then, thanks for these wonderful past few weeks, so glad you decided to take pity on me.” you tried to keep acting, encouraging yourself with the fact that if oikwa meant what he said, you wouldn’t have to talk to him if iwaizumi finally saw you two break up.

you expected a lot of things, but genuineness in oikawa’s eyes was not one of them.

“(y/n), i’m sorry, i didn’t mean it like that,” oikawa pleaded, clearly forgetting about your mutual goal.

with a mumbled whatever, you started walking home, letting the sunset wash over your face. when you knew you were out of sight, you sat down on a bench and just started crying.

you don’t know how much time passed, but you heard a voice behind you speak up.

“hey (y/n).”

“what the fuck do you want, oikawa? to rub in the fact that my first boyfriend was just faking it so his best friend would get off his back? leave me alone, jerk,” you said, trying to wipe your tears away.

“i- i didn’t mean it like that, please, believe me,” he replied, taking a seat next to you. you scooted away from him. he sighed.

“why would i believe you? why do you want to make up, anyways? this fight was pretty real, no way iwaizumi didn’t believe it,” you sniffed.

“because maybe... maybe i was very happy about the fact that i could be your boyfriend, even if it was fake. maybe i’m in love with you,” he said softly, leaning towards you.

“please, stop playing games. it’s over,” you replied, trying very hard to ignore the raw emotion in his voice as he spoke.

“i really am, (y/n). i wasn’t at first, i admit it, but now i am. i love you, please, believe me,” he begged and you finally made eye contact with him. eyes were mirrors of the soul, after all.

you studied his face for a few minutes, looking for anything that could indicate he was trying to pull a shit prank on you, but you found nothing.

“asshole. maybe i’m in love with you too, what would you do if i said that?” you asked, wiping your nose with your sleeves.

“kiss you.”

“do it, then, i guess. but you’re still not completely forgiven.”

“what do i have to do to earn your forgiveness, (y/n)?” he asked and you sent him a mischievous smile.

“take the blame for this whole fiasco with iwaizumi.” he froze at your words and visibly gulped, but nodded nonetheless.

“okay, i will. can i kiss you now?”

you rolled your eyes. “yeah.”

and he did.

[brockadoodles]

evermore - b. boeser

AN: Uh, UH, guess it’s been too long since I’ve hit you all with my true brand, angst about my fave blonde boy. So here you go. This is my evermore album fic. Please feel free to yell at me after. 

Word Count: 2206

Warnings: Angst. 

You sat idly in the front seat of your car, parked outside of an unfamiliar building in the most familiar city. Coming back to Vancouver had opened a wound in your chest that you had spent more time than you cared to admit to patch. Each thread you pulled through your heart, hoping to somehow tie it back together just enough to stop thinking about your own biggest regret. 

Regret was a feeling you spent your entire life trying to escape from. You often told people as you grew up that you didn’t have regrets, instead, each decision would lead you down a path. One path would be the right one, and others would be a lesson that you had to learn, no matter how painful it was. It was ignorant of you to miscalculate the meaning of the word because when you dropped Brock’s had and subsequently his heart, it took approximately an hour for the feeling to sink into your chest and build a home there. 

You sighed deeply as you worked up the energy to get out of your car. You knew that you were back in Vancouver to stay, you knew that it was long past time to return back home where you belonged. But stepping out of your car and unloading the bags into your new place cemented it as reality. It meant you had to face everything you ran away from. It meant you had to live in the same city as Brock again and the thought was like a hand on your shoulder that was holding you underneath the water, with just enough air to survive but not enough to escape. 

You left Vancouver, the place that you had spent your entire life because you thought the opportunity was better. It wasn’t until you came back to the same hometown that you left, a broken heart stitched onto the sleeve of your sweater that you realized. You were ready to tell him you were wrong, that you realized home would never be home again without him, even if his presence was still all over the city. His face quite literally littered the city and you could pick out his apartment building every time you looked at the skyline. But you never felt further from him than you did now because in that apartment was where he started a new life, where he was building a home with someone else.

You spent the next week settling in. You took your time because all of it felt overwhelming. Each day you woke up with an attempt to tell yourself that it would get better but each night as you fell asleep, your mind was invaded with dreams of him. Dreams of life that your heart was telling you that you should have had. 

The dreams were supposed to go away, they weren’t supposed to invade your soul as you watched the broken relationship fade further and further away. It had been too long to hold onto this feeling of hope that maybe, somewhere deep down he was still who you were supposed to be with. It felt like you were trapped above the trees and watching as he built an entire life without you. Brock moved on, and you were still there trying to grasp onto willow trees whose leaves slipped out of your grasp each time your fingers touched them. 

It was the dictionary definition of torture, having every dream riddled with Brock. Every time you dropped your head to a pillow and your eyes fluttered shut you saw the entire scene where it all fell apart. Only in this version, when he got down on one knee you didn’t grab his arm and stop him. You didn’t start crying because you had to say no, without the explanation that he deserved. In the dreams, your champagne problems didn’t blow up the only love you had ever known. But the dreams weren’t real, and each time you woke up with that painful reminder that the ring was now on someone else’s hand, because you had left instead of fighting the mess of your own mind for him. 

It took less than two weeks to run into him again. You had assumed it would happen at some point. For a city that had almost 2.6 million people living there, it was small when you knew your way around. Life had a way of fucking you just hard enough that it wasn’t even unexpected you would run into him in the most mundane of places, a park. You knew Brock had dogs and you knew that the very place you were walking through was in fact, a dog park. You also knew he still lived in the same apartment, the one that you once spent your days in. You had to swallow hard to stop yourself from thinking about the person that now occupied that space with him because part of you selfishly thought maybe everything you had heard from mutual friends wasn’t true, maybe he hadn’t moved on. 

Brock walked up to you slowly and sat down on the bench next to you. The mere feet of space between you felt taunting. He was right there. His hair was a bit longer than it was the last time you saw him, and the scruff on his face made him look older. He was a shadow of the Brock you knew yet he still felt as familiar as someone could. You made no move to speak, instead, you thought about how if the strangers passing by could sense that you once spent nights tangled together only to have the two feet between you feel like the distance between the sun and the stars. 

“I heard you were back,” Brock mumbled. He turned slightly to look at you, a half-smile adorning his features as you blinked back the onslaught of tears you could feel behind your eyes. 

“Yeah, two weeks ago about.” You replied. Brock just nodded in response and took a sip of the coffee he had in his hands. Likely the same order he always had, a medium drip with just a splash of cream. You hated that you remembered. Brock fumbled in his coat pocket, pulling out a small envelope and resting it in his hands. Your name was written in handwriting that you didn’t recognize. 

“I actually, uh, knew you were here.” He spoke, handing you the small envelope. You took it from his hand. When you opened it you saw an invitation. An invitation that was for his wedding. You ran your fingers over the words, the embossed lettering was beautiful. The location, the botanical garden, was the exact type of place you would expect Brock to get married. 

“It would mean a lot to me to have you there. Regardless of how we ended, you were one of my best friends, and I don’t blame you for any of it.” Brock’s voice filled the silence as you struggled to find the words. 

“I’ll be there, Brock.” You whispered, a sad expression in your eye that he noticed. There was so much more you wanted to say, there was always more that you wanted to say when it came to him. Each time he came home you hoped that would be the time you’d finally admit it, you’d admit to him that you weren’t over what happened. You weren’t over him. Each time the words were almost there, bottled up in your chest just needing to travel into the air for him to hear. But you never found quite the right thing to say and consequently, you never got to know that for a time, it would have been everything that he wanted to hear. Instead, you were left to the images in your dreams, the ones where you did tell him you loved him and you were sorry, where it all worked out and he wasn’t marrying someone else. 

That wedding invitation haunted you. It sat on your desk, untouched as you carried moved through the next few months. You had started a new job that you were excited about, and each day things were getting easier. The dreams that once felt like they were never going to leave had slowly started vanishing. You were, for the first time in what felt like years, waking up feeling more at ease. It wasn’t until the night before the wedding that the dreams resurfaced, one last hazy cloud that you hoped would dissipate in the morning forevermore. 

It felt like a new beginning with him, new roots in an entirely new world that was only crafted carefully inside your dreams. A dark forest where you ran through it, hand in hand, in the rain, and he kissed you in front of the cottage covered in green ivy. The plant spiraling up the building like your heart spiraled out of control. The kind of love that you feel deep beneath your skin, a steady rhythm that followed the beat of your own heart. The kiss entirely complicated everything, and it felt fucking good to be complicated for once, to be the person who got to experience the love that people only wrote about in sonnets. But the dreamland wasn’t real, it wasn’t crafted by anything other than your own imagination. As the scene fizzled into dust in your hands, you felt your eyes well up with tears, because he wasn’t yours. He would never be yours again.  

The sharpness of her voice shattered the haze that you were looking through. Her hard words echoing in your mind with each breath as you shot up from bed with a hand to your chest.

“I think he did it.” And he did. In your dreams, he did it every time, and her voice breaking as she said it in your dreams made you sick to your stomach at the thought. Because love at the betrayal of another isn’t an honest or true love at all, and you wanted no part in it. Even if it was just your subconscious dreaming about it. 

You did your best to push your thoughts down as you got out of bed. You took your time making your coffee, stopping to take a moment to sit in front of your window. Your small orange cat, Nora, was curled up in your lap, purring steadily as you took the last few moments to relax before what was going to be an emotionally exhausting day. You took your time getting ready, locking the door to your apartment, and arriving at the botanical garden with just enough time to slip in without running into anyone you knew. 

The problem with this being Brock’s wedding was that you knew so many of the people here. His friends that you once shared together, his parents who once thought that this would be you and their son. You didn’t want any of them to realize that you were there. You were there because it meant something to Brock. It was the last thing you could give him to hopefully make up for the hurt you caused him. The same hurt that he had found a way to move on from, leaving you right where you left him, dust in your hair, and the same solemn expression on your face. 

You sat by yourself in the back of the garden, the space around you was decorated in dusty pink peonies and clouded with baby’s breath. It was beautiful, tragically beautiful watching her walk down the aisle. You had seen it so many times in your own dreams, the evermore sense of dread in your heart as this day approached gathering up into your throat, threatening to send tears down your cheeks. In another life that would be you. In a dream world, that would be you. But this wasn’t a dream, and you had to let him go. 

The closure was something you never searched for. To you, Brock was always who you thought you would have it all with. You thought it would be you standing there in front of all of your family and friends, you thought it would be you with the home and the family with him. You were so deep in the own hurt you caused when you left that you told yourself over and over again that it would still happen, he was still your forever because even if right then wasn’t the right time for you, the right time was coming. It wasn’t until you saw him smile at her as she walked down the aisle that you knew, Brock had moved on. He was happy, and that was the closure that you didn’t know you needed. 

You didn’t stay, you couldn’t. So you stood up and smoothed your pale blue dress out, slipping out the back with a soft click of your heels that wasn’t audible over the symphony echoing in between the stained glass windows. It hurt, more than anything you ever thought could hurt, but as you stepped out into the rain and flailed down a cab, you took one last look at the church and let Brock go. You never turned back. 

[twdeadfanfic]

Feral Pt.5

Daryl Dixon x OC

Summary:  Daryl is on a run with Rick when, in a warehouse, they find a woman who attacks them, and who reminds Daryl to a lioness…or a feral cat, and who doesn’t seem to trust anyone, including them, but Daryl finds himself going back to the warehouse, trying to get that feral to go with him to the prison, and to earn her trust.

Chapter 5/10 Words: 3076

You can find my other fics in my masterlist.

Last chapter…Dana and Daryl went on a run to pick up an old bike, Dana fought some walkers, ended up drenched in their blood, and almost gave Daryl a heart attack...

They reached the prison when the sun was starting to go down. After Daryl parked the pickup with the other vehicles, Dana helped him to drag the old bike out of the pickup, leaving it in a sheltered place near his own bike. He’d start cleaning it and working on it as soon as he had a moment the next day.

On their way to their cellblock, some people looked at Dana covered in blood, asking if she was okay, to which she nodded awkwardly. Carol stopped them too, and Daryl explained briefly that they had found walkers near the cabin but they had put them down with no problem and they were okay, despite the blood on Dana.

“I know you, wouldn’t be surprised if you saw a herd and decided that you could take it down yourself, why not,” Carol scolded him. “And she’s just like you, isn’t she.” Dana didn’t say anything, just shrugged. “Put those clothes to soak before there’s no way of taking out the blood, half of our clothes supply is bloodstained already.” Dana nodded awkwardly. “I’ll save you both some dinner for when you’re ready.”

They kept going to their cells, and Daryl looked at Dana as she walked into hers, locking the door and already tugging off her shirt and so Daryl looked away. “Hey, um…” He began awkwardly. “You got soaked in blood and guts, why don’t you go to the showers?” He still didn’t know why she didn’t want to, everyone in there seemed to love it when they got the shower system going, but he didn’t want to push her.

“No.”

“Alright…” Daryl was about to go to his cell when suddenly something came to his mind, and he wondered if that might be Dana’s reluctance to shower. “Hey…if you go to the showers, it’ll be safe. You know nobody here will hurt you, right? And no walker can get in, we got fences, and walls, and lookouts.” Maybe Dana was subconsciously anxious at the idea of getting naked without weapons under a stream of water and without a lock, maybe she felt vulnerable. He could understand that.

“No…”

“I, uh…can take watch on the door while you shower, if you wanna,” Daryl offered, shrugging awkwardly.

There was only silence for a moment, but then, Dana spoke. “Okay.”

“Alright…alright, grab some clothes I’m gonna, uh…bring you a towel and all that.” Daryl rushed to the laundry room and came back with not only a towel but more stuff that Beth, who was working there at that moment, had given him.

“So…” He looked at Dana, who was already holding a change of clean clothes, waiting for him. “Here’s the towel, and also soap that someone made, Beth said this one is for you, and also this…” Daryl frowned at a bottle in his hand. “This is Beth’s, said is some oil for the hair, that it helps to untangle it or something.” He gave everything to Dana. “She gave me a comb too.” Dana looked at the comb, scoffing, and she didn’t even take it.

Daryl led her to the showers, closing the doors behind them, and then he waved to their shower system. “So…that is, you pump it and some water falls, and…yeah, that is.” He felt a bit like an idiot explaining it when she could just see it. “I’ll wait outside.”

“No,” Dana said, leaving all her stuff on a bench that they had there for that.

“I’ll be just outside the door, and you really are safe, nobody will barge in, or hurt you, walkers can’t get in, you know it,” Daryl told her softly, but Dana looked at the door, then at the shower and at him, and Daryl didn’t want her to feel anxious, he understood it if she felt subconsciously vulnerable, and if she knew that the danger was not real but she couldn’t help her anxiety anyway, she was probably beating herself about it enough already. Daryl understood. He didn’t want her to feel bad, or weak, or vulnerable. “Okay, I’ll stay.” He took his knife out of his sheath too, to show Dana that he meant it when he said he’d take watch, even if there was no need.

“Thanks…” Dana murmured, and she looked like she knew it was just her mind playing tricks on her, but Daryl nodded reassuringly at her, and she gave him that tiny smile. Then she began to strip down, so Daryl quickly turned away, facing the door, flustered. “Shy,” Dana said, and she sounded amused.

“Ain’t shy,” Daryl grumbled, flustered. “But I ain’t taking my clothes off anywhere and in front of anyone.”

Dana chuckled. “Worse things in the world than being naked.”

Daryl guessed so, but still, he couldn’t help how his cheeks burned. He heard Dana pumping the water and it splashing, but after a while, he heard Dana cursing. “Somethin’ wrong?” Daryl asked, but Dana just cursed again, and Daryl ventured a quick look at her, finding her cursing as she tugged at her hair, before he looked away again, though he heard Dana walking to him.

“Knife,” she asked, nudging his arm.

“What for?”

“To stab you,” Dana scoffed. “For the hair.” So, it seemed she was done at trying to untangle it again, even if she had already chopped it short, Daryl knew that she hadn’t cared to untangle her hair for a while, who cared for that when your priority was survival, and so her locks had gotten tangled and tangled.

“Wait, uh…I’ll help you…” Daryl found himself offering, didn’t know why, he didn’t even know if he could help , he didn’t even brush his own hair. “Just…uh…get some clothes on…” he said, cheeks burning again. He heard Dana walking away, and then she went back and tugged at his shirt, so Daryl turned to look at her. She hadn’t gotten dressed, but she had wrapped the towel around her wet body, and she turned so her back was to him and he could help her with her hair.

“Ain’t you cold…” Daryl murmured awkwardly and she just shrugged.

Without clothes on and with her hair short, Daryl could see more of her old wounds and marks, but some scars stood out. Those seemed burning marks, going from the back of her neck until almost reaching between her shoulder blades, making geometrical patterns as if someone had wanted to brand her, and Daryl felt his blood burn. He brushed a finger over the scars softly, couldn’t help himself, and Dana stiffed.

“Did you kill them? The people who did this?” Daryl asked and Dana nodded. “Good.” Daryl stopped looking at the scars and focused on the task on hand, untangle Dana’s short hair…he wasn’t too confident in his ability, but he took the oil bottle that Beth had given him, pouring some on his fingers, and then he tried to run them through Dana’s curls to see if he could ease some of the knots…instead, he tugged at her locks, and Dana cursed and hissed, slapping his hand away and glaring at him. “Sorry, sorry, let me…I…”

Daryl looked at her hair, clueless, but tried again, taking a small lock of hair and softly trying to ease the knot, being as gentle and slow as he could, trying his best not to tug at her locks of hair, and this time Dana didn’t complain, so he kept going like that. It was a slow process, and he managed to untangle some knots, but he had to cut the worst ones with his knife, so her already short hair was shorter in some parts but with some curls of hair spiking out here and there too…Daryl still thought it suited her.

Eventually, he could more or less brush his fingers through her wet and oiled black locks  with some ease, so he was about to tell her that it was done, but then he noticed that Dana had her eyes closed and a small smile on her face, as if she were enjoying it, and so Daryl swallowed hard, nervous, but kept going.

“Okay…” He said eventually. “All done.”

Dana turned around and smiled at him. “Thanks,” she said. She dropped the towel again and Daryl turned around to face the wall quickly. He heard her walking to the shower and the water splashing again for a little while. The next time that Dana tugged at his shirt, she was already dressed.

“Alright, let’s go,” Daryl said, but Dana didn’t move, pointing towards the shower.

“You?”

“Nah, I…I don’t…” Daryl stammered, flustered. “No need to… but uh…thanks…”

“Shy,” Dana smirked, following him back to their cells.

*

Daryl was on his cell, changing clothes before he went to grab some late dinner for him and Dana, knowing that if Carol saw him with his dirt-covered clothes, she’d get him to drop them at the laundry anyway, she didn’t understand why he was almost always wearing the same clothes, ripped and dirty or not, even now that they had a decent stash of clothes, but Daryl didn’t think it was a big deal.

He’d taken off his shirt and his back was to the door of the cell, but he noticed someone there anyway and he turned quickly. It was Dana, holding two bowls of stew, as if this time it was her who had decided to get them dinner, making progress at getting used to the prison little by little.

“Uh…” Daryl looked down awkwardly before reaching to take one of the bowls. “Thanks.”

Dana gave him the bowl but didn’t leave, and she kept looking at him, eyes trailing over the faint scars on his chest, making him feel even more awkward. Then she walked into the cell, and Daryl felt his heart hammering in his chest, shy and nervous, but he felt frozen too while Dana walked around him. She left the bowls of stew on the smell cell, and then Daryl felt her finger softly trailing one of the deep scars on his back and he shivered, swallowing hard.

Dana walked in front of him again, looking at him. “Who?”

Daryl chewed on his lip, looking down, but finally answered. “My father.” There it came again, that shame at not having been able to stop him. “Mean bastard.”

“You killed him?”

Daryl shook his head…he hadn’t been able and it only brought more shame. “But he’s dead.”

“Good,” Dana growled, nodding. She took her bowl of stew and walked away from the cell.

Daryl swallowed hard, trying to control himself, trying to even his breathing. Then, he thought it for a moment but finally he put on a shirt, took his bowl of stew, and walked to Dana’s cell. “Wanna eat together?” He asked bashfully from the door and Dana nodded.

They ate in silence, sat down next to each other on the bed, but soon it wasn’t awkward anymore and Daryl began to relax, and when Dana nudged his arm with the side of her head softly once, affectionately, he couldn’t help his small smile.

Once they finished the stew, Daryl took the bowls to the kitchen, washing them, before going back to the cellblock. On her way, Daryl stumbled into Rick, and he nodded at him, but frowned when he noticed Rick’s smirk.

“What?”

“First you get all guard dog at the outside of her cell, not you get into the shower with her?” Rick asked with a grin and Daryl barely could stop himself from slapping it off his face, and he groaned internally while he blushed red up to his ears, of course that someone had to see them walking into the showers or getting out together.

“Ain’t like that!” He snapped, defensive, which just made Rick chuckle, seeming more amused.

“I imagine…”

Daryl scoffed. “I’m gonna sleep.”

“On your cell or hers?” Rick asked with that shit-eating grin.

“Told you it ain’t like that!”

“Oh, I know but where’s the fun if I can’t mess with you?” Rick laughed and Daryl scoffed again. He began to walk away, but he stopped when something came to his mind.

“Yo, Rick.”

“Yeah?”

“You know when you…uh…” Daryl frowned, wondering how to word it. “When you’re all the time bothering me about not going to kill groups of walkers alone and all that.” Just like he’d told Dana and she hadn’t listened, scaring him when he saw her bloodied up fighting a group of dead assholes.

“Yeah, and you’re always annoyed saying that you can do it and telling me to leave you alone?” Rick nodded, still seeming amused.

“Just…uh…Thanks…for caring and all that…” Daryl shrugged, looking down shyly, feeling a bit like an idiot.

“Of course I care.” Rick squeezed his shoulder. “You’re my family.”

Daryl nodded, feeling emotional, and he wasn’t sure if he made a good job at not showing it. “You too…” He muttered before retreating. “Night.”

*

Weeks passed, and each day Daryl thought that Dana seemed more integrated within the community. She didn’t seem that on edge all the time, didn’t look like she might consider leaving and running away, and although she was often in her cell, she didn’t lock the door that often, only when she was asleep. She was not talkative at all, but she didn’t steer clear of people anymore, even if she was awkward around them, and she even gave them a couple of words here and there when it was necessary, and she was starting to open up a bit to Maggie and Beth, and Michonne whenever she was back.

She still spent most of her time with him, despite not being scared of the others now. They’d go hunting and patrolling in the mornings, and now when they went out, Daryl made sure that Dana got a silenced rifle with her. She still had a lot to learn, it wasn’t easy work, but she was getting better at tracking, and the first time that she had shot and killed a rabbit herself, Daryl had beamed with pride. For how much Daryl had liked his days of solitude at the woods, he had to admit that he enjoyed walking next to her, showing her stuff, teaching her, getting her to talk to him sometimes, while other times they’d walk in comfortable silence.

Once back, they’d get their kills ready together, and then Daryl would go to either do something else that someone needed or to tinker with the old bike. Dana sometimes went to tend to the horses, others helped Rick with anything he asked her, and other times she’d just go to her cell, but sometimes, when Daryl went to work on the bike, she’d go with him and either watch him work in silence or bring a book with her to read, and Daryl did enjoy her quiet company…but not as much as when he managed to get her to smile at something, making his belly do funny things, glad that she trusted him and opened to him, glad that she was feeling better, safe, hopefully happy.

Dana had recently started going on runs too when Maggie and Glenn needed people, either pairing up with Maggie or with him, and Daryl had already known that she was a good fighter, but seeing her in runs, putting down walkers by knife, just confirmed it more, even if he was still worried when there was a group around her. She seemed to turn back into a lioness when she fought them, ruthless and skillful, but once the danger was gone, she had that tiny smile for him that always got him smiling and feeling his belly tingling, as she was back to look like a shy, quiet cat instead of a feral one. He knew that Maggie and Glenn appreciated having her on runs now, and Daryl somehow felt proud.

They were on one now, in what had been a mall once, with a group. Maggie and Glenn had been planning it for more than a week, and everything had worked according to their plan. They had cleared the walkers, and although for one moment of panic it had seemed that one of their people had gotten trapped by a group, Daryl had shot at some while Maggie and Dana put down others by knife, and finally the cornered guy hadn’t been hurt.

They were now carrying all the stuff that they could find to their vehicles, and Daryl smiled when she noticed someone nudging his arm affectionately, knowing that it was Dana. “Hey, cat,” he said and she gave him that tiny smile. “You did well back there.” Dana’s smile grew, and Daryl couldn’t help his own.

He opened the truck of one of the cars, placing inside the box that he was carrying, and Dana did the same. Then, he looked at Dana again. The blood of one of the walkers had spattered on her face, and Daryl reached out a finger to smear one of the blood droplets, making Dana scrunch her nose and move her head away, and Daryl chuckled. “How do you always manage to end up like such a mess?” He told her and Dana scoffed, pushing him with her shoulder softly, but she smirked.

“Talent,” she said, shrugging, and Daryl snorted.

“Everything ready?” Maggie asked, and everyone nodded.

“Alright, very good job today, people,” Glenn said. “Well done, let’s go back home.”

Daryl and Dana went to the bike, but before getting on it, Daryl took a bottle of water from his bag and a rag from his back pocket. “Come here, messy cat, you’re gonna scare someone if the first thing they see is us on the bike with you all bloodied,” he said, pouring the water onto the rag and brushing it over Dana’s face.

“Should be used to,” Dana said, shrugging, and she closed her eyes, smiling softly when he began to gently clean her face.

“Alright…better.” Daryl nodded at Dana, getting the bottle and the rag into his bag and tying it to the bike with Dana’s. “Hop in,” he said as he swung his leg over the bike. Dana hold to his shoulders and got situated behind him, reaching back to hold onto the metal part in which Daryl carried the crossbow. “Ready?” He asked, kicking the bike into motion when Dana nodded and riding in front of the cars back to the prison.

*

I just love them.

Thanks to the people supporting this.

There WON’T be a chapter next Tuesday, probably, because I want to post something special, because it’s my birthday, and with it what I call “angst week.”

As always, excuse my English, is not my first language.

I’m going to reblog the taglist in another post to see if that way this shows up in the Daryl tags.

[whatissleepeven]

Good day, Sleep! I sincerely hope you're alright. Might I trouble you for some hcs for the Obey Me! Brothers with an MC wandering the HoL late at night because they can't sleep? Take care and enjoy your day! 💫

Good day anon!! I’m going to have to cut this shorter than I would’ve liked, but I really wanted to get this out there! (I hope you take care as well, and thank you for your kind words!)

Edit: I lied, I think this is longer than the last ask, forgive me -

Demon Brothers’ Reactions to an MC Wandering the HoL Late at Night

Lucifer

He heard your footsteps before actually seeing you.

He was working late into the night again when your feet padded by his door, sounding listless. He checked the time: 1:07am.

What were you doing up at this hour?

You were about to turn the corner when his door opened, his head poking out. 

His eyes zeroed in on you. “What are you doing?”

You look to the side, shifting on your feet. Ultimately, you shrug. “Just walking, I guess.”

“Just walking.” He repeated blandly, and had to mentally count to ten so he didn’t explode. “You’re walking instead of sleeping? Tomorrow...well, later today I suppose, we have RAD to attend to. You should be in your room.”

Uneasiness flickered across your face despite you doing your best to hide it, and he noticed it. “Maybe I just want to clear my head for a bit? The halls are nice and quiet at night. It’s...calming.”

...Oh. So that’s what was going on.

Lucifer stepped out of his room, closing the door behind him and walking to catch up with you. “Then I suppose you won’t mind if I join you on this little excursion of yours.”

You looked like you were going to protest, but in the end you sighed. “Alright, let’s go.”

It was quiet as you two walked. Lucifer didn’t say a word, which surprised you; you thought he was going to scold you for wandering the halls so late.

“Oh, I will; however, that won’t exactly help you in this instance, now will it?”

- Wait, you said that out loud? ...Well then.

You grimaced. “Some things...are better left unsaid. “Let sleeping dogs lie” and all that.”

He wanted to press for more information, but the bags under your (interestingly enough) alert eyes stayed his hand.

He nodded. “I understand.”

Your late-night/early morning walk with him made you feel more at ease. For the first time that night, you felt tired enough to fall asleep.

You two pause outside your door. You had subconsciously found your way back here, as if you knew that this walk would tire you out. “Hey, Lucifer?”

“Hm?” He hummed, turning to you.

“...Thanks. For this, I mean.”

His eyes widened a fraction before a smirk spread across his lips. “Of course. If you have trouble falling asleep in the future, then feel free to knock on my door. I will always answer.”

It was a promise. You nodded, waving him off before flopping onto your bed.

You take him up on his offer every once in a while, especially when it seems like he’s overworking himself. (...Which is all the time.)

Mammon

You wandered the halls because you had a nightmare.

You woke up with adrenaline coursing through your veins, heart racing and breaths coming out in short gasps. A cry for help died on your lips as you became more aware of your surroundings, and you blinked to get the tears out of your eyes. You wished you could say that you didn’t remember it, but you did.

Lucifer. Levi. Satan. Asmo. Beel. Belphie. Solomon. Simeon. Luke. Barbatos. Diavolo.

One by one, they all left you. 

You couldn’t even reach your family in the Human Realm; they had left you too, long before the others did.

Mammon was the last to go, grinning as he told you that he played you like a fiddle. “Ya should know better than to trust a demon, y’know. Humans are so stupid! I already took all of your money; have fun livin’ now...if ya can.”

You...had no one.

You pressed the heel of your palm into your eye, letting out a shaky chuckle. You knew what it meant; monophobia. It was the same dream you’ve been having for the past month, and to be honest...you were starting to believe it. It wasn’t like you could confide in anybody, either; you lived in a house full of demons, after all.

I’m just an ordinary human with life experiences unique to me that make up my person. I’m...I’m alone.

Is that why I was hell-bent on befriending people down here? You asked yourself, but asking yourself made you feel worse and hyper-aware of your big, dark room.

It’s empty in here.

You felt like you were suffocating, so once you wrapped a blanket around yourself (because it felt like a hug, like someone cared enough to wrap their arms around you, but it was only a blanket and you had no one) you left your room.

You didn’t know where you were going; all you knew was that you had to go. You started out at a slow walk, speeding up into a fast pace, then a run, and then you were sprinting -

“OW!!”

You accidentally hit someone in your panic, the other almost falling over.

You took a step forward, berating yourself for not watching your surroundings better. “I’m sor- ”

You stopped once you saw who it was. Mammon dusted himself off, grumbling about “running into trouble no matter what he did” when he noticed you.

“What the hell are ya doin’ out here, so late at night? Don’t humans need their sleep or somethin’?” He looked you over, fussing about how “his human was a magnet for danger” and that he couldn’t even keep his eyes off for a second lest you walk into a life-threatening situation.

He patted your shoulders. “Not a hair out of place. If you’re goin’ somewhere, why didn’t ya tell me? I’m your first man, after all; I gotta protect ya!”

You blinked. Then, without warning, something wet trailed down your cheeks as you stared at him in silence.

Needless to say, Mammon freaked out. “Wh-What?! Hey, y-you don’t gotta cry over that! I’m fine! You didn’t even hit me that hard, see? N-Now stop cryin’, damnit!”

You let out a watery laugh. “It’s not that...you know what? Nevermind.”

Mammon trailed after you as you walked down the hallway. “Oi, don’t leave me hangin’! Why did ya start bawlin’? HEY!!”

You didn’t have to worry about a thing. Even if your family left you...

Even if the whole world turned against you...

Deep in your heart, you knew that Mammon would never betray you.

Leviathan

“Dun, dun, dundun dun, dun, dundun dun, dun, dundun- NUNUNUUU!!”

You whisper-sang the Mission: Impossible theme song as you crept down the halls, peeking the corners as if you were going to be shot at without warning.

You narrowed your eyes at a particular entryway, a grin spreading across your lips. 

“Target acquired.”

You stepped into the kitchen, slowly opening the fridge and wincing whenever it made a sound. Beel knew the noises the fridge made by heart, so he would no doubt run in if he heard that something was amiss.

You pulled out a slice of angel cake Luke had gifted to you earlier, your stomach rumbling in anticipation. You had waited oh so long for this moment, and now nothing was going to stop you from -

“...Uh.”

Levi stood in the doorway, headphones slipping off his ears as he pushed them down. He looked like he’d seen a ghost, and you looked like you’d seen a ghost, and oh diavolo this was awkward.

He gasped, pointing at you. “You!!”

You gasped, pointing at him. “You!!”

(You know the spider-man meme? Yeah that’s the one)

Levi’s next gasp was dramatic. It seemed that he saw your angel cake, his finger shifting to point at that instead. “STOP!! You have violated the law! You must pay the court a fine, or you shall pay the price!”

Your eyes narrowed. “Hoh?” You picked up your fork, holding it out in front of you like a sword. “I wonder if you’re all bark and no bite.”

Levi reached into a nearby drawer, taking out a fork of his own and pointing the prongs at you. His eyes flashed; a challenge.

“Maybe you should ask yourself that, outlaw!”

You both carefully hit each other’s utensils, mimicking light saber sounds with the occasional snicker.

After a couple of minutes, Levi leapt back. You gasped; was he readying his special attack?!

He held his head up high, his fork- no, his sword - raised above his head. 

“ALL WOMEN ARE QUEENS!!”

You scowled, your own fork sword raised to copy his. 

“IF SHE BREATHES...SHE’S A THOT!!!”

You both screamed as you clashed, crashing into each other as your forks went flying. You were both laughing on the floor, imitating death cries.

You loved messing around with Levi.

“...So, why are you eating that now?” He asked, shifting to face you.

You grinned. “I was hungry.”

He laughed. “You’re a weird normie, you know that?”

“What is the meaning of this?”

Lucifer’s voice grew louder as his footsteps approached the kitchen, sounding irritated. It looks like you were too loud while battling...whoops.

You and Levi looked at each other, then at the forks, then back at each other, then at the cake, then at each other once more.

“RUN!!” He screamed, snatching his fork. You grabbed your plate and your fork before taking off after him, Lucifer’s yells fading as you escaped into the safety of Levi’s room.

You two ended up sharing the angel cake. It was delicious.

(You got yelled at by Lucifer the next day, but hey; that’s tomorrow’s self’s problems. Now, it was time to eat cake.)

Satan

He caught you just as he exited the library, a book tucked away underneath his arm.

“Ah- ” He said, letting out a soft whoosh of air as you bumped into each other.

Instead of greeting him or apologizing, you clutched his shirt. “Satan. Just the demon I wanted to see.”

He raised a brow. “...What are you doing up so late at night?”

You shook your head. “Not today, Satan! Can we go back to your room?”

He frowned. You looked frantic, to say the least, and if he could help, then... “Follow me.”

Once there, you took a seat on the floor. Satan placed his book (No Longer Human) on the shortest stack of books he could find, sitting on his bed.

He patted the spot next to him. “You can sit up here, you know.”

You quickly took him up on his offer, sitting cross-legged as you turned to face him. Your face was so comically serious that he would be laughing if he wasn’t so worried.

“What’s wrong?”

You didn’t say anything for a few seconds. Satan’s concern only grew once you started shaking, wondering which of his brothers he had to “have a chat with”.

“Did you know...that whales don’t live long enough to die of old age because they just don’t have the energy to make it back up to the surface anymore?”

Satan’s face went carefully blank. “...Could you repeat that?”

“They all drown!” You wail. “They suffocate in the ocean, which is their home! And that’s if fishermen don’t kill them or other animals do!”

Why did he ever think that it was anything serious when it came to you

He sighed. It was late, he was tired, you were tired, but...

He smiled. You got hung up on the strangest of facts, didn’t you? It was endearing.

“I see.” He said, holding out his arms. “All I can offer is some comfort, small as that may be.”

You launched yourself at him, and he fell back on the bed with a small oomph as you rapidly talked about how whales deserved better from this cruel, cruel world of ours.

He patted your shoulder. It seemed like he wasn’t getting any sleep soon, but...

As long as it was with you, this wasn’t so bad.

Asmodeus

Needless to say, he scolded you.

...Unless you were up because you had a sleepover with him. Then, you were fine.

But that didn’t apply to this instance.

“What in the world are you doing out here?!” He asked, grabbing your arm and practically dragging you to his room. “You do realize that you need your beauty sleep, right? Come; I’ll make sure you get the best sleep you’ve ever had!”

You were a little scared, but that was only because he had appeared out of nowhere. You matched his pace with a raised brow, trying to calm your racing heart. “Asmo, why did you jump out at me? I could’ve had a heart attack!”

He laughed. “The only heart attack I want you to suffer from is if it’s due to my stunning beauty.”

You smiled as the two of you entered his room. “So, what’s on the menu for tonight?”

He sat you down on one of his chairs, pulling out multiple bottles of...who-knows-what. The long brand names coupled with the loopy writing was enough to give you a stroke.

He stood behind you, a brush in one hand and a comb in the other. There was an excited grin on his face, which you could see from the HUGE impressively-sized mirror in front of you.

“Why, self care, of course!”

An hour or two later, and you both were relaxing on his bed with a content sigh. Asmo was a professional at self care, and you swear that you haven’t felt this good in...well, it’s been a while.

He shifted to face you. “Enjoying yourself?”

You nodded. “Of course, Asmo. You have the heavenly skills of a god.”

You both laughed at the irony of that statement, nestling underneath the covers.

Asmo threw his arm over you. “Well, as heavenly as my hands may be...it’s time to sleep. Beauty waits for no one, after all.”

You hummed in agreement, slipping your eyes closed. You could feel yourself drifting off...

“Thanks for this.”

Your breathing evened out, signalling that you were asleep. Asmo smiled, placing a small kiss on your forehead.

“Anytime. Come to me when you feel restless again, okay?”

Beelzebub

Beel was the one to have a nightmare.

He didn’t remember what it was, but when he came to his hand was outstretched towards the ceiling, tears dotting his pillowcase. He rolled out of bed, quietly padding out of the room so that he didn’t accidentally wake his twin up.

He rubbed his eyes. Even though he didn’t remember it, he could guess what it was about.

I’ve been having nightmares more often lately...

He saw the light of the fireplace as he passed by the entrance to the living room, and he wondered who else was up. Was it Lucifer? Levi?

Once he gaze fell on you fiddling with your D.D.D. on the couch, he stepped in.

“Aren’t you tired?”

His voice startled you, almost making you drop your device.

“Oh, Beel! What are you doing up?”

He shook his head, loosely grasping his left wrist as he frowned. “I just woke up and saw that the light was on,” He said as he sat down. “I was curious.”

You shifted to let him sit next to you, throwing a smile his way. “Funny coincidence, huh? I couldn’t fall back asleep either.”

A small smile formed at your words. “At least it’s the weekend.”

You stretched. “I know! Lucifer can’t yell at us for this!”

Beel looked off to the side in thought, giving a decisive nod. “He would still find something that we messed up on to yell about, though.”

Your snort of laughter made him feel lighter, erasing any traces of the mind-numbing fear and grief sadness his nightmare left behind.

You tapped his arm. “Something up?”

He shook his head, a smile blooming on his face as he looked at you. “...No, not anymore. Do you want to go grab something to eat with me?”

You leapt to your feet with a grin. “Beel, when will I ever say no to that?”

And so, you two raided the fridge of its contents and snacked on whatever you could find. You talked about anything and everything that came to mind, throwing out the garbage before huddling against each other in front of the dying embers.

You wrapped a blanket around you both, a yawn escaping you. “Thanks for being my hangout buddy, Beel.”

He beamed, its radiance slightly dulled by his tiredness. “We’re family. It’s the least I could do.”

You fell asleep against each other, and the other brothers couldn’t help but take pictures of the heartwarming scene once they found you two.

For the first time in weeks, Beel slept peacefully.

Belphegor

Belphie was en route to the planetarium when he ran into you.

“Going somewhere?” He asked with amusement in his voice, watching you compose yourself.

You jabbed a finger at him. “I am, actually. I was going...uh...”

He raised an eyebrow as you flailed to find an answer despite having recollected yourself moments prior, dragging it out before he decided to throw you a mercy line. “I’m going to the planetarium, if you want to come.”

You nodded, relief flashing across your features. “Thanks, Belphie.”

You two made a pile of blankets on the floor, pointing out constellations and making up stories for them. ...Well, you were, at least; Belphie was content to let you ramble, quietly chuckling at your elaborate depictions of each celestial body you pointed out.

“What are you doing up, anyways?” He asked, interrupting your recent tale.

You huffed. “Way to kill the vibe, Edgelord.”

He raised a brow. “...And the vibe happened to be you describing how Orion brutally skewed the Ursa Minor for his lover?”

You nodded sagely. “It’s a tale of love and betrayal, of sacrifice and ambition.”

He snorted. “Are you going to answer the question?”

You rolled over to face him. “I just...couldn’t sleep, I guess.”

“You can’t sleep?” He repeated, looking over at you in surprise. He shook off his initial reaction with a small, exasperated smile. “It looks like you came to the right demon, then.”

You flopped back dramatically onto the piles. “Please impart your wisdom on me, O wise one.”

Instead of scoffing at you, like he usually did, he placed a hand onto your head. “You won’t have to worry about any nightmares tonight.”

- And then you were out.

He sighed. “Just what am I going to do with you...?”

He now makes sure to check up on you from time-to-time, pulling you in for a dreamless sleep whenever he sees your fatigue. Despite himself napping the most in either the attic or the room he shared with Beel, he would lead you to the planetarium to sleep.

It was a sacred place for him, and who better to share it with than with you?

[thedracomalfoy]

Meanwhile, Draco's pulse was still racing after the encounter, something unfamiliar gradually building up inside him as he made his way back toward the Slytherin common room. What was the matter with him? How would his friends react? Worse still, what would his father say?

He knew exactly what to expect from them, of course - sneers, chastising or degrading remarks, and disgust. Perhaps anger or disappointment, too. Still, the Mudblo - Muggle-born, he mentally corrected himself, might not be all that terrible... Monique had shown promise and picked up the spell quickly, despite her awful pronunciations. A faint smirk tugged at the corners of his lips, almost forgetting that she had done that.

There was no question about it: he couldn't ask any of his inner circle for advice, nor would his parents be able to guide him in this situation. Certainly, his pride wouldn't allow him to ask any of the Golden Trio, either. Draco was alone this time. And, then again, maybe he wasn't...

Changing his direction, he made sure that no one noticed him before he made his way out of the castle and toward Hagrid's hut. Malfoy had smoothed his expression into a stoic mask by the time he had reached the tattered hut, trying not to wrinkle his nose at the hovel in front of him. Lifting his hand, he hesitated just before his knuckles touched the wood, a flicker of uncertainty swelling in his chest. Then, with a steady breath, Malfoy rapped his knuckles against the door and took a step down the porch, waiting for the door to swing open.

Not long after, Hagrid's tall, burly frame emerged, his face mostly beard and gentle, coal eyes blinking at him in surprise. "If it isn' Malfoy," came his booming voice as he opened the door wider. Now, there was a hint of skepticism clouding what little of his features were visible. "What brings yeh here?"

"Keep it down, you big -" Draco stopped himself, glancing over his shoulder quickly before meeting Hagrid's gaze again, this time with a sliver of sheepishness. He could see the disapproval in Hagrid's eyes and he suppressed a scowl. "I need your help," he muttered, lip curling subconsciously, almost invisibly.

"Well, come in, then," he grunted, stepping aside and gesturing for the blond to head inside. Following him and closing the door behind them, Hagrid moved to the fireplace and carefully pulled a tea kettle off the metal grate. "Cup o' tea?" the half-giant offered. He poured some of the mahogany tea into one mug for himself, waiting for the blond's response.

Draco felt out of place in the dismal abode, though he did his best to keep his composure, taking a seat as he waited for Hagrid. "No, thanks," he stated with the shake of his head, stormy gaze watching him move about the area to his own seat. Taking a steady breath, he contemplated how he would start the conversation, his words carefully chosen. "There's someone I'm considering being friends with. Someone I... well, I wouldn't have considered them before, but... something's happened."

Hagrid blew lightly on his tea a few times, then took a couple of sips while the young boy spoke. "There ain't nothin' wrong with bein' friends, even if yeh didn' think yeh were interested at first," he reassured the blond, his mug clinking as he set it on a small table next to his armchair. More seriously, the half-giant mused, "My guess's that yeh found a Muggle-born that ain't so bad, right? So, what's yer problem? Scared yer father'll have somethin' to say 'bout it, then?"

His eyes snapped up at the suggestion, scanning Hagrid's expression warily. Draco wanted to tell him to mind his own business, to lash out and deflect from the probing questions. But there was another part of him that whispered somewhere in the back of his mind, something that told him that the gamekeeper was right. "My friends - and my father, yeah," he acknowledged, his timbre softer than usual. "Potter, Granger, the Weasleys... too many to list off."

Seemingly mulling over what Malfoy had told him, Hagrid gave a low, brief hum. After a short pause, he spoke up again, his tone carrying an underlying understanding and a hint of warmth. "It takes strength ter challenge somethin' yeh can't see comin'. It's not ter late ter change it, Malfoy," he reminded him. "It's yer choice an' no one, I mean no one, should take yeh off the path yeh think is right."

The boy could tell he had emphasized 'no one' to mean his father, specifically, a glint of knowing in his eyes as he held Hagrid's gaze. A silent understanding had passed between them in the moment. It was up to him whether he wanted to be friends with Monique, to prove he was strong enough to go against what he thought he knew or weak enough to fold in the face of something new. With a subtle nod, Draco stood up and stated steadily, "Thank you, Hagrid... I should get going before it gets too late."

Several days later, Malfoy was getting ready for the upcoming Quidditch match between Slytherin and Gryffindor; he was in the middle of practice with several other members of his House, including Marcus Flint. When he caught sight of the Snitch, he leaned down and shot forward, his keen gaze tracking the little golden ball with ease. With an unwavering focus, Draco navigated around his team mates and under the stands before he emerged from the other side, closing the distance bit by bit until it was within reach. It brushed against his fingertips as he held his arm outstretched, and when he was close enough, he secured it in his palm and managed to pull up on the broom just before he collided with the side of the stands. Malfoy had a light sheen of sweat on him as he landed his broom on the Quidditch pitch, having been practicing for the past few hours and deciding to take a momentary break on the sidelines.

[darling-i-read-it]

A Room

Sam ‘Ace’ Rothstein x reader

Word Count: 1k

Warnings: insinuations to smut 

Author’s Note: I’m vibing. V i b i n g 

Summary: no plot really just some talking and you taking Ace upstairs to save him from Nicky 

Genre: fluff

I don’t own these characters. They belong to author/director 

(not my gif) (i wanna talk about this suit. I wanna talk about the lifechanging suit)

Ace was a popular man at this point in his life. He had the casino and he had the power that he needed to be a success story around the parts. Beyond that, he had you. He had the best girl in the world and he wasn’t exaggerating when he said that. He believed you were likely the best thing that would ever happen to him, especially since he had gotten rid of Ginger. Ginger had been problem after problem and he was glad he never married her, even though he had thought she would bring him some sort of happiness. 

He had found you and that was what counted.

You stood in the middle of the floor and he could see you, through the smoke flying above people's cigarettes and the slot machine noises. You were overlooking the place like you owned it but your outfit betrayed you. It was bought by Sam, one of his favorites. A sparkly showy dress that hit your just above your knees. Your hair was done perfectly, the do perfect. 

“You keep staring at my wife like that I’ll break your kneecaps,” Sam said, taking some cash from one of the dealers before turning to Nicky. He laughed, gesturing to you.

“She looks like a Goddess, the fuck am I supposed to do? It would be a crime not to look at her. It would be an insult,” Nicky said, turning to his friend. You started to walk over and Nicky slicked back his hair a bit, watching you as you did so.

“I’ll still break your knee caps,” Sam said as you approached. You put your hand carefully on his back, smiling at Nicky.

“Hi boys,” you said smoothly. “Do you mind if I steal Ace away for a few minutes Nicky?” He nodded, shrugging.

“I don’t see a problem with it as long as you come back and steal me away after.” You gave him a stare but he ignored it.

“You know I love you babe but not that much,” you promised.

“‘Ight quit it,” Sam said after a moment, grabbing you by the hit. You put your hand on his chest, looking at him with starry eyes. “Whatcha need?”

“For you to join me upstairs,” you said. “I need to run somethin by you.” 

“I hope it’s that lipstick of yours,” he said cheekily. You shrugged and started to walk away, walking through the casino. Both of you were watching the floor subconsciously, making sure that everything was going smoothly.

You got into the elevator together and you hit the top floor where the two of you lived. You stepped out a few moments later and walked into the large penthouse of a house. 

“Alright what is it you needed?” he asked. You walked across the large room. It was a gorgeous place and you were both quite proud of it. He used to live in a house but you wanted a place together and you got to design it all together as well so it had bits of both of you sprinkled around the room. You sat down on the light blue seat. The wall behind you was only windows, showing the backdrop of the night city. 

“I thought I’d save you before Nicky did something shitty. Come here.” You gestured for him to come over and he did so, walking to stand in front of you. You crossed your legs and put your hands on the arm rests, looking him up and down. “I like your suit.” 

“Thank you.” 

You finally stood up and put your hands on the suit, opening the jacket a bit and then closing it. 

“We should be down on the floor,” he said.

“To make sure no one cheats? In your place? They’d be super fucking stupid to do that.” You leaned into his chest and he let you. He was trying to gauge just what you were about to do. Usually you tried to throw in something random with your relationship, you had him on his toes often. He liked that about you. You were a safety but also some sort of danger. Always keeping him guessing.

“You think Nicky-”

“If you’re going to ask me if I would sleep with Nicky-”

“That’s not what I was going to ask,” he said laughing. You shrugged and turned him around so that you were facing the wall of windows. You pushed him down onto the chair lightly. You sat on his lap, slinging your legs over the side. You wrapped your arms around his neck.

“What were you going to ask?” 

“You think Nicky is good for this kind of work? Like, will he make it,” he asked as though you knew any more than he did. In fact you knew less about the job. You had married into it.

“I think he’s impulsive and stupid. But that’s not really my place. I like him, he’s funny,” you said honestly. He put his hands on your waist to steady you and make sure you didn’t fall over. 

He nodded.

“I don’t know.” 

You wrapped your arms around his neck and kissed him gently to shut him up.

“You wanna know the real reason I brought you up here Ace?” you whispered against his lips.

“What’s that?” 

Your hand traveled down his chest and to his crotch. You grabbed and he laughed, stiffening up.

“Figured we’d get a room.” 

“Half think Nicky would have preferred we stayed down there,” he laughed. You kissed him chastely.

“Fuck Nicky, he’ll be dead by the end of the week.” 

“Let’s stop talkin about Nicky.” 

“Good plan,” you said before kissing him again.