#i just finished embroidering lol really cut it close here

[glassofpumpkinjuice]

hi i will be at 2ourdust nyc in this outfit and i made wristbands to give out!! i'll be on the floor section A for the show pls say hi if u want :)

[thequeenofmyownscreen]

Embroidery updates : a cat in needle painting !

About a month ago, I finished this project of a cat in a hoop, needle-painted, and gifted it to a colleague at her retirement party. It was my 1st time using this technique, and I think the result is pretty good.

This project started about a year ago, with me wanting to learn this technique... and not really having an end goal for it lol. So I bought Hiroko Kubota's book : Embroidered Cat in My Pocket (the French version is Brode un chat dans ta poche, at Les Éditions de Saxe). And I just started slow, not knowing where I was going. Here are some creepy photos of a cat without eyes (the quality is not ideal but I don't have any other photos of the WIP) :

Then later in the year, my dear colleague announced she was leaving, and suddenly I had the best idea ever : why not gift it to her, since she likes cats and has an artistic mind ? This meant, of course, that I could no longer dilly-dally, and so I finished just in time for her retirement party. (And yes, I worked on the Laudna blouse in parallel, the summer was very complicated guys)

I didn't know how to finish it properly on the back, so I watched a bunch of Youtube videos, cut the fabric very close, glued it on the hoop with clothespins to keep it in place, and cut a cardboard circle and glued it on the hoop on the back.

My colleague loved it.

More details under the cut !

The posture is maybe leaning a little bit too much to the right, but once I started, there's nothing I could have done.

The colours on the ears are a little weird (the darker colours should be on the inside, not on the outside) and that's because the book used Olympus thread - that I cannot find here in France easily - and give a chart for DMC threads equivalency... and the chart is not very well done. Some colours are not the same at all, including the ones I used on the ears. But I started by the ears, and again, once you're in, you're in !

I'm mostly proud of the general fading of the colours, especially on the body, and I think I managed to give to this project the texture desired : like a cat's fur !

It was a good intro to this technique (oh yeah btw : 1 strand only, with size 10 embroidery needle, a combination of long and short basic stitches, except for the whiskers that are done in split stitch). And I will continue to use the book and the things I've learned, but also coming back to traditionnal embroidery... because yes, needle-painting is great, but it takes so much time !!

[solvevi]

I saw your longcharr plush and liked it! would you be able to share some tips for someone who wants to make a plush of their own? I don't know where to start and I don't know if it's also viable to embroider letters on something like that.

ofc! the one really big thing for beginners to keep in mind is that for your plush to have a 3D shape, you have to be able to work with multiple parts that add up to a certain shape. for example, if you were to draw a circle, you wouldn’t be able to cut two pieces of fabric in the circle shape to make a sphere, you’d more like sort of get a flat pillow in the shape of a circle. unfortunately i have no idea where i put the pattern i made that i used to make the long charr LOL but i found this pattern online which is pretty similar. i’ll try to link it at the end of this post, but i’m not too familiar with how adding links to asks work so i can dm you if it doesn’t work ahahahhaha

the most similar parts in the pattern i’d say are the body shape and the head! you can honestly experiment with the face, for my muzzle i just used a circular piece of fabric and attached it to the face, and you can use fabric glue to attack the smaller parts that can’t be easily sewed on. for the horns, i’m not sure how to make more complex shapes like the ram horns, but for most horns you should be able to cut 2 pieces fabric in the shape you’d like. however, one piece (the one facing the top is the one i’d recommend) could be using darts for a nice 3d shape. in the pattern, this is what the creator did with the head piece (step 3) when they sewed the folded pieces of the head together!

as for the ears, i just cut fabric in the shape of a diamond and folded it! you can sew two pieces of fabric together to get the inner ear color and outer ear color.

i’d recommend with starting with cheaper fabric (you can find some very cheap plastic fabric for under a dollar at the fabric store, so it’s easier and less expensive to remedy if you make a mistake). for this plush, it would also be helpful to look up video tutorials of blanket stitching, basting, and darts! they sound a bit overwhelming at first but they aren’t super difficult once you get the hang of it. luckily this project is a simpler shape so you can make your own very beautiful and maybe a bit messed up first long charr out of cheaper plastic and move onto the better quality fabrics once you start getting the hang of things.

as for embroidery, i’m not too experienced with it, but keep in mind that embroidery thread isn’t the same as the thread you want to be using to sew the pieces together. it’s doable but the text might be thin and difficult to see! however, i don’t see a reason why you wouldn’t be able to embroider text on the plush, so you should be good! actually i used regular sewing thread for the lines on the paws, but either works here.

i used polyester stuffing but you can use whatever you want to put inside it (including leftover fabric pieces that are too small to make anything else).

you can hide the stitches that attach the ears and the horns to the head by seeing them onto the head before sewing the head onto the body! also, i’d recommend not attaching the plush’s tummy and bottom of the head until you finish attaching the head to the body. you don’t have to follow these exact steps, but these were sort of the easiest for me to do:

1. cut the face piece and attach the muzzle (just a circle), eyes, nose, and mouth (you can put some polyester in the muzzle to give it a 3d shape)

2: sew the head dart

3. make your ear pieces and your horns

4. sew the horns and ears onto the back of the head

3. make the top half of the plush’s back (long part)

4. cut your tail and attach it to the butt of the long part

5. add your paws and feet to the plush and attach the mane, if yours has any (also before “closing” the plush up you’ll probably want to put your letters onto the plush at this step)

6. make your two bottom pieces (two flat pieces of fabric) and attach the head’s bottom piece first (this lets you establish how wide you want the body to be)

7. sew the long portion’s bottom piece onto the bottom head piece, and finally attach it to the body (leave a gap to put the stuffing in, then finish attaching the bottom part)

sorry for the long post, but i hope that it helps a little bit! there’s a lot to keep in mind but once you understand why it’s not super difficult, and if you take it slow and give yourself room to make mistakes you should be good! i’d be happy to answer anything else you might ask as far as i am capable of to help you with the process.

here’s the link to the pattern (whose head, body, and bottom parts are very similar to the shapes i used, you’ll just have to extend the length of the body portion to get such a longer shape LOL):

good luck! don’t give up!

[jomaccudo]

I felt pretty vulnerable when I put that last post up, but I did not anticipate the warmth my Tangy and Rosie would receive! Thank you all for your kindness :)

Rosie was the second AC plush I made, and Tangy was the third. I can post some others another day, but for now I think I want to show what went into making one of these two.

The minky I used for their fur started off as white, so each color has been dyed using Rit Dyemore Synthetic: their base body colors, Tangy's leaves (there's a second one on the back of her head), Rosie's fringe, the pink blush, and even the gradients on the ears which I had to dip. When I dye, I don't use measurements and instead play it by ear, so sometimes my colors are just "good enough." (Rosie's blue could have been darker, for instance.)

I am really particular when it comes to making their faces! Because I love plushies that evoke a sense of life. This doesn't have to be through realism—just expression. I freehand draw the face, tighten the sketch on graph paper, then trace two copies: one to cut apart and use as a template, and the other to keep as reference when designing future AC plush faces. (It's helpful to have for placement and scaling of the features: in case I want to make one with eyes as wide as Rosie’s, or as far apart as Tangy’s...etc.)

I then use the cut-up template to draw the face on the back of the fabric.

The face is made of felt appliqué and hand-embroidered details. I start with the appliqué, sewing stiffened felt onto the minky. Then I embroider the lines, which are done using a split-stitch, doubled layered to create thickness.  And I couldn’t forget Tangy’s freckles! Those were satin-stitched to make sure they appear recessed. 

This picture is a little horrifying! But it shows the back of the embroidery. I used a water soluble marker to draw the face on here. That way, it didn't leave any permanent marks on the finished plushie.

Here I'm about to sew the face to the rest of the head, using nami nui! Which really is just a running stitch. It’s what I learned from my mom, who learned it from my grandmother. Additionally, nami nui is a foundational stitch for hand sewing in Japan: sashiko is a type of embroidery that is made of nami nui; boro involves repurposing old and worn textiles using nami nui; and traditionally, kimono were sewn using nami nui. It is a stitch like a wave: up, down, up, down; consistent, even, and repeating in one steady direction.

A side note: for some reason, my mom never taught me to use a regular knot. I only learned French knots! Which meant that there were many years of her tying off my stitches for me before I finally mastered it myself. I've since learned simpler knots, but...old habits die hard!

I modified my head pattern here, because the previous plushie’s (Rosie’s) head came out too wide. So Tangy has a head that’s more proportional to her face. Additionally, I changed the pile direction for the side of the head, to go downward as opposed to toward the face (as it did with Rosie). This amounts to a more seamless (lol) transition between the face piece and the sides. I would continue to alter my strategies for future plush: for instance, the next AC plush I made got embroidered paws on both arms and legs!

Tangy was a lot of fun at this stage. The silly little head got up to a lot of mischief.

The leaves were made much like the face: drawn in the template, transferred to the fabric, put on an embroidery hoop, then split-stitch embroidered. Afterwards, they were sewn onto the head using a ladder stitch.

If you look closely, you can see a plant on the left in the background. That scraggly thing became the lush ivy that features in most of the plush pictures I’ve taken lately! It has really thrived since this photo.

The running stitch is a reliable hand stitch, but it is not the strongest one. So I make two accommodations to increase the strength of my seams. First, I work with my thread quadrupled over (passing both ends of the thread through the eye of the needle), and secondly, I keep my stitches very even, short and tight. The majority of my time goes to sewing these seams together.

Naturally, using a machine can drastically cut this working time down. I even had a sewing machine several feet away from where this picture was taken. But I wasn’t interested in using it, because my craft is not about efficiency or making a sellable plush. Ultimately, it’s not even about what I'm sewing. All that matters to me is how I'm sewing it, and that's by using the same stitch as my mom, grandma, and great-grandma.

Though I was born in Japan, I grew up in America and barely got to know my mom's family. This craft is one of the few threads that ties me to them. When these sewing motions and rhythms become second nature to me, I like to imagine it’s because their hands are guiding mine.

I would like to draw attention to the one freckle I embroidered on her body! I was delighted to discover that the character’s designers put a freckle there. That was a detail I knew I needed to add, even if it would always be hidden in the final plush.

And here is the finished Tangy, dressed and properly photographed! She ultimately took me 52 hours to complete. This dress was a nightmare to sew, as I was still very new to patterning clothing. But I pulled through somehow.

So that's how I made Tangy! I did edit this down to have at least a little chill, haha. But my sewing craft is so intrinsically tied to where I came from, what I've lost and my attempts to reconnect, that it's hard for me to separate these things from the process and end result, even when it’s something as simple as Animal Crossing plushies.

[shorkbrian]

💖💘my heart’s dizzy and I my dose of serotonin whenever I read your prose🤟🏽😩 was wondering if you could do reader with an erratic future-vision!quirk so when they first meet yandere!Hawks they’re suddenly plagued by erotic, sensual, 365days-level of disturbing visions of them, so reader actively avoids them (it’s like those Tik Tok future-seeing videos playing to “Play Date”)

Prelude - Hawks isn’t a famous pro-hero in this, but he still has his quirk. It’s not really mentioned a bunch tho lol.  This is rlly long, but I decided not to put it into two parts because the smut is so slight lol. Hope this meets your expectations anon, thank you for reading!

Pairing -  Keigo Takami X Reader

Warnings - NSFW mentions, dubcon, noncon. No out-and-out explicit smut, just a really long story. Hawks is manipulative and gets what he wants

Music - https://open.spotify.com/track/5ukAQcKEIJuzIbP55xp07x?si=iz6I-RoDSdCNYhT2Du8etg

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He was a friend of a friend, someone you had only met once or twice.

Your friend kept bringing him to hangouts, he kept showing up on her instagram feed,  getting mentioned in her twitterbio, and eventually it came out that they had started dating. It didn’t catch anyone by surprise.

What did catch you by surprise, was how infatuated with him your friend was.

“He’s just sooooo hot, isn’t he?” She squealed, shoving her phone in your face to show off a shirtless pic he had just sent her.

You nodded in agreement, quickly appraising the pic before turning your head. Yeah, her boyfriend was attractive, but you weren’t one to ruin relationships. Plus, you and Keigo had never really talked past the brief “Hey” and “Wassup?” said in greeting when introduced the first time.

“Can he come to the mall with us on Friday? I promise there will be no third wheeling.” Your friend begged, clasping her hands together. You thought about it for a second - this had been a fun shopping trip the two of you had planned a few weeks ago, meant as a girls date on a day the mall wouldn’t be crowded. But would it really hurt anything if her boyfriend came along? Probably not.

“Yeah, I don’t mind.” You shrugged, watching your friends face erupt into a wide grin. “But don’t ditch me to go makeout in a bathroom or something, got it?”

“Sir yes sir!” Your friend faux saluted, before patting you on the shoulder. “Thanks girlie!”

You jerked back, head suddenly swarming with visions, your quirk activating. Your quirk was helpful in some ways, but you mainly tried not to use it - headaches resulted, and you hated getting glimpses of the future. Sometimes they’d be good, but they were often bad - you had gotten a screenshot glimpse of your brothers death, his face marred and bleeding out onto the pavement.

It still made you sick to think about it.

Touch wasn’t something you could always avoid, but you tried, seeing as how it activated your quirk, giving you visions of your future with whomever you touched, or whoever touched you.

You saw your friends face, eyes puffy with tears, shouting something. Then another scene flashed, your friend on TV, talking to a reporter.

Thankfully, the visions ended, this episode relatively quick due to how short of a time she touched you.

“Oh shit, I forgot, I’m so sorry.” She rushed to apologize, holding her hands up and backing away from you.

“It’s-it’s fine.” You wheezed, waving your hand in the air to signal that it wasn’t a big deal. The vision just probably meant the two of you would get into a fight soon, which wasn’t uncommon.  It was fine, you were fine.

——

The mall wasn’t too crowded, which made the day pleasant. Your friend was talking to her boyfriend, hand tangled with his as the three of you walked in.

“So (Y/N), what do you think about that new Victoria’s Secret launch?” Your friend bumped you with her hip, drawing your attention as she pulled you into the conversation between her and her boyfriend.

“Oh, um… what?” To be fair, you had zoned out when the couple started being gross and mushy, which was like, the second your friend met Keigo at the door.

The blonde man laughed. “Victoria’s Secret just launched a new line of lingerie, have any thoughts about it?”

Turning red, you smiled sheepishly. “Ah, well…. From what I’ve seen of their stuff it’s… nice? So I’m sure it’s good.”

Your friend mock-gasped, almost slapping you on the arm before quickly remembering your quirk, drawing her hand back. You gave a quick nod of thanks.

“(Y/N)! Don’t tell me you didn’t even know about it?! I practically live, eat, and sleep Victoria’s Secret, it’s impossible to miss their product drops when you’re one of my friends.”

Unsure how to respond, you floundered, opening and closing your mouth like a lost fish.

“Babe, leave her be, she’s probably just shy.” Keigo stepped in, giving his girlfriend a chuckle as he steered you both towards a shop.

“Fineeee.” Your friend whined, turning to focus on the task ahead. “They have a VS shop here though, you’re not getting out of here without going in with me!”

----

The VS store was huge, smelling sweetly of flowers, bright colors assaulting your vision, soft pop music filling your ears.

It was hard not to cringe at all the fancy lingerie, you were honestly a bit embarrassed to be strolling through the store with your friend, let alone her boyfriend by her side.

“Does-does Keigo mind?” You quietly asked your friend, out of earshot of her boyfriend, who was looking at perfumes, last time you checked.

“Not at all birdie, I’m used to clothes, any form, any shape.”

You whirled around, squeaking in surprise at Keigo, who had apparently finished with browsing the perfume. He was flashing you a 1000 watt grin, continuing with what he was saying. “I’m a model, practically every girl I’ve ever met I’ve seen in less than full underwear, it’s no big deal.”

“Oh…. Cool.” You offered, cheeks turning red again. You felt like such a blushing schoolgirl, turning red when faced with looking at bras and panties, flushing when a man got too close.

It was the nature of the store, you told yourself, that was making you so embarrassed.

“Oo! What do you think of this one?” Your friend was holding up a babydoll, pink, with light fabric and zero coverage.

Keigo wolf whistled. “Man, that’d be a good look for you. Lets buy it.” The couple moved on, pointing at different clothes, your friend occasionally picking one from the rack to hold up against her body, looking for Keigo’s opinion.

They were cute together, laughing over the cheesy names on the tags of the lingerie, holding hands as the browsed, your friend occasionally stopping to plant a kiss on her boyfriend’s cheek.

“I think that’s everything that I like…. (Y/N), your turn!” Pulled out of your casual observance, you back pedaled. “Me? No, I’m not really the type to wear this kind of stuff - I don’t even think most of it would fit, I have weird proportions.“

“Nonsense!” Keigo looked around for a moment, going to the nearest rack to quickly sift through bras, before pulling one out. “This one would make all the boys drool over you honey.”

He held it out towards you, shaking it slightly when you hesitated to take it. Was your friend okay with him talking to you like that, pushing underwear at you to buy? A quick glance sideways showed she was more than okay with it, clasping her hands excitedly as she watched you.

The bra was sheer, soft lavender fabric forming the cups, an intricate embroidered detail of flowers dotted haphazardly over the bra. It was pretty, but you weren’t exactly partial to it. When would you wear it? Who would you wear it for? You weren’t sure it was your style. Plus, it probably wasn’t even your size.

“My arm’s gettin’ real tired.” Keigo joked, before you finally took the garment from him. Checking the size, you paused for a second, blinking towards the man.

“How did you-?”

“You spend enough time in the fashion industry, you learn to tell a girl’s size just by looking at her.”  He seemed to puff up, as if he was proud of his bra-sizing skills.

“Let me help her pick out some things too!” Your friend cried, rushing past you to head over to the next rack, ushering you to follow with a wave of her hand.

You ended up with an armful of lingerie - bras, panties,  an odd bustier or two, and some other flowy items, like a sheer robe and a lacy chemise. The choices weren’t exactly made by you, more so made by a combination of your friend and Keigo together. They had alternated holding up items towards your body, comparing color and garment cuts, lost in their own mushy-gushy world, and it was almost like you didn’t exist for a few moments, nothing more than a barbie doll to dress up.

But now the three of you stood in line to checkout, and you felt included again, your friend cracking jokes that were making you snort, Keigo watching the two of you interact.

Until your friend accidentally brushed against your arm as she shifted forward in line.

Again, you saw her tearful face, heard her sobbing, before the other scene flashed, of her on TV, talking to the reporter. She still looked upset, eyes rimmed red, nose running, hair a mess.

With a gasp, your vision returned to the present, and you were wobbling on your feet, almost falling.

“Oh god, I’m so sorry (Y/N), I’m so so sorry. Here, let me take that, go sit down by the entrance.” She fussed over you, face concerned as she carefully took the stack of clothes from your arms, making sure to not make contact.

“Oh fuck, is she alright?” You heard Keigo ask, your friend stepping in front of you as he moved forward to check on you.

“Yeah, she’s just feeling a little dizzy. Can you make sure she doesn’t fall and crack her head open? Just wait by the entrance please.”

“Okay. Oh, here-“ You were a bit dazed, but you saw Keigo fish his wallet out of his pocket, thrusting the entire thing into his girlfriends hands before patting her on the shoulder “Whichever card is fine.”

And then you were stumbling towards the entrance, towards the bench right outside.

You hated seeing the future. Why was your friend crying? What had happened to elicit such a reaction? The unknowns killed you, kept you up at night as you tried to puzzle out the events that could lead up to the scenes from your visions.

Not looking where you were going, you tripped on air, unable to catch yourself as you plummeted towards the ground.

But then you were seeing Keigo.

He was above you, face flushed and sweaty, hair tousled, his chest bare. The room was dark, barely lit, and he was so close. The man leaned down to kiss you, then the scene changed.

You were bent over a table, only able to see the solid wood your face was smushed against. There was a heat in your belly, a tingling between your thighs, and pressure. Someone was talking - Keigo, muttering behind you angrily. You head was pulled up, a hand fisted in your hair, and then one of your knees was pushed up onto the table, and the pressure inside exploded into pure pleasure.

You felt yourself screaming, bucking your hips as you suffered through whatever the feeling was.

The scene changed again.

Hands tied above your head, you were pressed against a wall, sitting on some kind of…. Saddle? Your legs couldn’t touch the ground, and you squirmed, before gasping loudly.

There was a nub in the seat, ribbed and textured, slick with some kind of liquid… From you? Then you saw Keigo, standing in front of you, smirking at you with hardened eyes.

He had something in his hand, arms crossed over his chest while he fiddled with the object, muscles flexing. He was shirtless again, and-and his cock was hanging out of his sweatpants, pressed against his belly, smearing precum over his skin.

You tried to say something, anything - the visions never lasted this long, it was too intense, there was so much sensation. But your mouth wouldn’t move, choked up.

Keigo’s hand was on his length, rubbing slowly, saying something that didn’t reach your ears.

The scene changed.

Something was shoved down your throat, warm and twitching. You were sobbing, choking, clawing at whatever was in front of you. A dark laugh filled your ears, and you opened your eyes, met with the clenching abs of a strong stomach.

Keigo was brushing your tears, no, smudging them over your face. Were you wearing makeup? His cock was sitting in your throat, his hips moving in tiny jerks, stabbing your esophagus, making you gag.

Then you were back in the present.

A hand was holding your arm, keeping you from falling and making contact with the hard floor.

“-N)? (Y/N)? Are you okay? Talk to me birdie”

You made a panicked noise, pulling yourself out of Keigo’s grip so fast that you fell flat on the floor, scrambling backwards away from the man.

He almost looked scared, confused as he followed after you, holding out his hands. “(Y/N), you gotta calm down, you’re gonna make yourself sick.”

The man reached for your arm again and you pressed yourself against the floor, screeching out a loud “No!!” before he could touch you. Keigo paused, looking at his hand, then at you. “Hey, hey, I’m not gonna touch you. It’s okay little birdie, you’re alright.” He cooed, sinking to his knees in front of you.

You were hyperventilating, wide eyes trained on Keigo. Your thoughts were swirling in your head, you couldn’t focus, the sensations of the future still echoing through your body.

Keigo crouched there while you steadied your breathing, talking to you the entire time, trying to help you relax and calm down. You weren’t sure what he was saying, something about the weather? Or a dog? But you could feel your breathing evening out, head clearing.

“Hey, she fall?” You friend was carrying two bags, crouching down beside Keigo, cocking her head at you.

Her boyfriend nodded, turning to her and taking one of the bags. “I caught her, but then she freaked out and fell for real.”

Your friend nodded. “I should’ve told you earlier, she has a touch-based quirk. Every time someone touches her, she sees snippets of her future with that person.”

Keigo cocked his own head, gazing at you curiously. “I guess her future with me isn’t too positive then?”

Your friend shrugged. “Eh, she just hates seeing parts of the future. She doesn’t want to know what’s going to happen, makes her worry or something like that. Don’t take it too personally, she’s like that with everyone.”

“It-it-“ you rasped out, causing both sets of eyes to swivel towards you. “-I hate it... because-‘cause I can’t ever cha-change it.” You shivered.

Keigo nodded in understanding, before rising to his feet. “Think you can walk to my car? I’ll drive you two home, I think you’d benefit from some rest.”

He dropped you off at your apartment, and you wearily waved at the couple as they drove off, before heading inside.

----

A week passed, then two.

The visions you had concerning Keigo were plaguing your mind, filling your body with anxiety. There had been a distinctive feel of fear during each one, and despite all the other various sensations felt, the most overwhelming had been distress.

Whatever was going to happen, you weren’t going to like it.

You were holing up in your apartment, ignoring your roommates when they knocked on your door, only leaving your room to eat or grab water. You couldn’t sleep, too scared you’d have dreams, or more accurately, nightmares of what you had seen.

Curse your quirk.

Trying to pass time, desperate to keep your mind off of the future, you threw yourself into any activity you could find.

First you tried coloring - it was supposed to be relaxing, but it gave you too much time to think.

Then you tried gaming, spending hours in front of your computer mashing the keys. That worked for a bit, but your eyes and head soon protested.

You listened to music at full volume, tried several workout videos, even resorted to cleaning your space with fervent energy.

None of it took your mind off the inevitable.

“(Y/N), someone’s at the door asking for you.” You jerked awake, slumped over uncomfortably on the floor, the half finished card tower in front of you promptly knocked over at your erratic movements.

“(Y/N)?” Your roommate called again.

“Yeah! Coming, sorry.” You mumbled, scrubbing sleep from your eyes. You guess your body would give out sometime and force you to fall asleep, but as you moved to stand, you sorely wished your body had chosen a more comfortable place to pass out.

Opening the front door, you immediately took a cautious step back, sleepy demeanor vanishing.

Keigo smiled at you, one hand in the pocket of his jeans, the other holding a bouquet of flowers.

Flowers?

“Hey birdie, mind if I come in?”

You stared at him for a second, immediately on guard. Why did he have flowers? Why did he want to come in? Wasn’t he dating your friend? She didn’t live here, what was he doing here?

The man cleared his throat, raising an eyebrow at you. You moved to the side, holding open the door for Keigo to come inside.

Your roommates were home. If anything happened, they would be within earshot.

Keigo shot you a smile and a thanks, before immediately moving into the small living room, taking a seat on the couch. When he saw you still hovering by the open door, he patted the cushion beside him.

“Come sit, I promise I don’t bite.” He thought for a moment, before grinning. “Well, not unless you want me to.”

Hesitantly, you shut the front door, going to sit in a ratty armchair further away from the winged man. If this bothered him, the man didn’t let it show other than a short pause before he spoke.

“So, I know it probably seems like, super weird for me to show up at your apartment, but hear me out.”

Flowers were shoved in your lap, Keigo taking great care to avoid touching you.  “I felt bad about the other day, and my girl and I decided that we should get you some flowers. She picked ‘em out, it even says so on the note.”  The man laughed, running a hand through his hair.

“She’s so uptight about this kinda stuff. Anyways, just wanted to say that I’m sorry for grabbing you like that. If I had known, I would’ve let you fall flat on your ass. But I know now, so I’ll be better, cool with you?”

Finishing his little speech, Keigo held out his hands, wings stretching behind him to mimic the gesture.

Looking at the flowers in your lap, you felt your hands shaking. Picking up the little note attached to the bouquet, you found that your friend had indeed picked out the flowers, which made sense. They were your favorites, and in a nice color too.  Keigo had left a messy, scrawled “Sorry!” in one corner, before signing by his girlfriends name.

“Um, thank you Keigo, you didn’t have to apologize.” You murmured, rubbing one of the flower petals between your fingers. You were so glad your quirk extended solely to humans - if you were shown glimpses of the future of everything you touched, you would most likely go mad.

“Nah, I wanted to. Also wanted to swing by, check how you’re doing. You been taking care of yourself?” He relaxed on the couch, legs spread, arms resting behind his head. This wasn’t his home, yet you totally could believe that it was by the ease with which he owned the space with his presence.

“Oh, well… I’m still here, so…” You shrugged.

Keigo frowned. “That’s not a fun answer. How much sleep you been gettin’ each night? Eight hours?”

You shook your head, huffing out a breath in place of a laugh.

Keigo clicked his tongue. “No sleep? That’s bad for you y’know. Have you at least been drinking water? Eatin’?”

You nodded quickly, looking up to meet the man’s gaze. “I’m not a kid. I appreciate your concern, but it’s not necessary.”

At this point, you think the best thing for your health would be for the man to leave.

The blonde man stared at you for a moment, before sighing. “Alright, I get it. But I don’t want to hear that you’ve passed out or something, got it? Your friend would kill me.”

He rose to his feet, and so did you, walking him to the door. “Thanks Keigo, and thank you again for the flowers. That was very sweet of you both.”

Keigo beamed, giving a two fingered salute. “You deserve it birdie. Well, have a good rest of your day, yeah? Eat something.”

You smiled, at Keigo as he turned away, beginning to whistle as he strolled down the hall.

Once the door was shut, you found a vase for the flowers, filling it with water and setting it on the table. Your roommates would think it was pretty, and it was, a nice little centerpiece.

That really was nice of your friend and Keigo to offer you flowers.

——

“Welcome to Gold Nile Jewelers, how can I-“ You blinked at the man entering the shop. “-Keigo.”

“Birdie? You work here?” He looked just as confused as you felt, cocking his head to the side as he approached the counter.

You looked around the small display room, nodding your head. “Yep… You looking for anything specific today?”

“Ah, right!” He clasped his hands together, bending over to lean on the display counter as he looked up at you. “So professional (Y/N), it’s just me.” The man chuckled.

“Actually, I thought I’d get my girl a cute little bracelet or something like that, you think she’d like that?”

Knowing your friend, she’d be ecstactic. “Oh, absolutely. Any particular occasion, or just an “I love you gift”?” You asked, already running through the list of bracelets in stock.

“It’s our two month anniversary in another week, thought I’d get her a little sumn’ sumn’, y’know?”

Gold Nile Jewelers was an expensive store. You patted yourself on the back for not dropping your jaw when he said “two month anniversary”. People came here for wedding rings and special occasion jewelry, not monthly anniversaries like some high schoolers.

Well, unless they were rich.

You showed Keigo the selection of bracelets currently available, the man listening quietly to your product descriptions and recommendations, asking questions about the fit and feel, and if you think your friend would like a particular one.

“Honestly Keigo, I could choose one I think she’d like, but it’d be more special if you chose for her.” You finally told him.  He wasn’t annoying you, but you felt frustrated with his apparent lack of knowledge about his girlfriend. How did he not know what her favorite color was? “I’d suggest coming back in a few days. Go home, see what kind of jewelry she wears, pay attention to the colors she gravitates towards, if she’s allergic to any metals.”

Keigo tapped his chin. “Hmm, you have a good point. I guess I should pay more attention to those kinds of things.”

You nodded as you began to pack the expensive bracelets back into their display cases. “Gifts for a significant other can be hard. Honestly, it means a lot if they pick it out themselves and surprise you with it. Makes it special.”

“Oh, you have a partner?” Keigo asked, bright eyes watching your hands work.

A frown almost crossed your features, but you stopped it before it could show. “Ah, sorry, that’s not really a work-appropriate question.”

“Awh, c’mon! It’s just me, we’re friends, can’t you tell me?” Keigo pouted, batting his eyelashes at you in an exaggerated, dramatic fashion. The display made you laugh, so you indulged him. After all, he was a friend. No harm in telling him something he was bond to know sooner or later.

“I’m actually single right now. But as a jeweler sale associate, I know how much it means to a person when their partner picks out a gift for them, especially if it’s a surprise.”

Keigo nodded his head solemnly.  “That makes sense. I better follow your advice then eh? Find out what she likes-“ he mused “-I can do that.”

“Good luck Keigo!” You called after him as he strolled through the door, waving when he smiled at you, giving that same, goofy two fingered salute that he always did when saying goodbye.

The man unnerved you, the visions you had experienced concerning him making you worry. But as long as he was dating your friend, you felt that you’d be fine.

-----

Keigo showed up again two days later.

“Back so soon?”

“You know me-“ He shook out his umbrella, placing it in the drip-bin by the door, wiping his shoes on the mat. “I always try to be speedy with my work.”

It was grey outside, drizzling slightly. You loved these kinds of days, where you could sit near a window and watch it rain while sipping tea. It was so peaceful and calm, and always soothed your stress.

“Find out anything useful?” Whatever he could tell you would make it easier to refine the jewelry selection for his particular needs.

“So, she doesn’t have any bracelets, and I asked her about why and she said they annoy her. She likes necklaces.” He clarified,. You could tell by the way he puffed up that he felt proud of his detective skills. “I even made a note of the lengths - she likes ones that dip low, which-“ He wolf whistled, and your stomach turned. But it was fine, just awkward.

“Alright, I think we have quite a few like that. Let me collect them for you and lay them out.”

Keigo strolled around the display room while you bustled about, looking in each case at the shiny metals and stones  

You laid out the necklaces, calling Keigo over. The man smiled brightly at you as you showed him the selection, noticing he was gravitating towards the more simply, elegant choices.

“I’m sure she would be thrilled with any of these.” You offered, Keigo silent as he tried to decide between two necklaces.

Still, the man shook his head, quirking his lips. “I just…. I need to see them on, y’know?” Then he brightened, as if he had just thought of something. “Hey, can you try them on? Model one for me? Just to see what it’d look like.”

You laughed nervously. “Sorry Keigo, but I’m not allowed to do that, it’s against company policy. Only customers get to try on the jewelry, and that’s if they’re supervised.”

“Awh, c’mon! No one else is here, and I won’t tell.” The man leaned forward, shooting you a quick wink before he snatched up one of the necklaces, holding it out towards you. “Please? I just need to see it. I promise I’ll buy it.”

He was so insistent, and no matter how loud the alarm bells were wringing in your head, you felt cowed by his confidence.

“Um, still… I don’t think it’s allowed-“

“Fuck what’s allowed-“ He cut you off, snorting. “-I want to see what it looks like. It’s just me (Y/N), I’m not gonna snitch.”

A heavy sigh, and you finally agreed, taking the necklace from his nimble fingers.  You slung it around your neck, not fastening the back as you held it in place. Hopefully that would be enough to sate Keigo’s curiosity.

His eyes immediately followed the curve of the necklace, how it dipped low towards your cleavage (curse you for wearing a lower-cut shirt today). You tried to ignore the leering.

“Here, let me help you fasten it, doesn’t look right otherwise.”

Before you could protest, he was sliding behind you, deft hands reaching for the necklace your had in your grasp.

“Keigo no-!”

But it was too late.

You were pressed up against a wall, face-first, your hands gathered into the small of your back and held there with a vice-like grip. There was pressure between your legs, something hammering into you, in and out, in and out, in and out.

Keigo was talking to you, you could tell it was the man by his voice. What was he saying? You were too overwhelmed with the sensation between your legs to focus on the words falling from his lips.

Sweat dripped from your temples, Keigo’s chest pressed up against your back was slick with perspiration, his nipples hard and pressing into your skin. It was an uncomfortable situation-

And then it changed.

You were tied up now, tight enough that you couldn’t move no matter how you thrashed. Knees bound in such a way so your ass was up in the air, arms stretched out in front of you, anchored to the headboard of the bed.

Keigo was behind you again - nothing to indicate that the tongue running through your core was his, but somehow, you knew.

You were begging and pleading, withing in your restraints against his tongue, but he wouldn’t let up, he wouldn’t let you crest the mountain that had built up inside. He kept chuckling, the vibrations running through you and making you buck your hips. You felt disgusting.

Then the bed was gone, and Keigo was in front of you. He was sitting in an office chair, your legs straddling his lap. Hands on your hips were dragging you back and forth, grinding you on the hard member protruding from Keigo’s lap. He was flushed, letting out little moans as he kept eye contact with you, smiling and praising you.

Then you were back.

Gasping, you shot away from Keigo, the expensive necklace clattering to the ground as it fell from your hands.

The man froze, confusion etched across his features as he watched you bend over, trying to catch your breath, to calm down, to ignore the lingering sensations from the futuristic visions.

“(Y/N)…”

“I think-I think you should leave.” You heaved, tears building. That had been awful, everything had felt good but you hadn’t. You felt uncomfortable and disrespected and stupid. That couldn’t be your future with Keigo, you wouldn’t be able to handle that. He was your friend’s boyfriend, for goodness sake!

Keigo opened his mouth to say something, but you snapped at him “Leave.”, making the man click his jaw shut.

He walked out the door, shooting you concerned glances the entire way.

You felt better as soon as he was gone, the door clicking shut after him. Thankfully, you were the only employee out front at the moment, and no other customers were present, so no one but you and Keigo had experienced your outburst.

Bending down to pick up the necklace, you inspected it carefully, horrified that you had dropped such an expensive item. It was alright though, so you brought it back to the others, shakily beginning to gather them up to put away.

You didn’t want to see Keigo again.

——-

“I just don’t understand!”

Your friend sobbed, surrounded by tissues on your bed, eyes red and blotchy.  You wished you could rub her back, our give her a hug, but you knew what would happen. So you stayed on the floor, passing up tissues and offering wordless sympathy.

“Why would he break up with me? Why?”

You shrugged, looking for words. “I don’t know… I’m sorry that this happened, but if he can’t see how awesome you are, then he’s an idiot.”

She sniffed, blowing her nose. You could tell she wasn’t convinced, but she didn’t say anything further, instead choosing to wipe her eyes.

She had called an hour or so ago, tearful, asking if she could come over. Refused to tell you what was wrong, but the second you let her in, she had burst into tears, explaining everything.

Keigo had broken up with her via text, that asshole.

“I just…. I thought we were good. Did I do something wrong? I just don’t get it.”

“Neither do I. You said he just texted you out of the blue?”

She nodded her head, going to blow her nose again. “We were supposed to go out for dinner tomorrow, it’s our two month anniversary.”

You cringed. Did your encounter with Keigo in the jewelry store have something to do with this? Had you driven your friend’s boyfriend away? Had you weirded him out? Oh god, what if this was all your fault?

Your friend broke down into a sob again, slumping onto your bed. You passed her another tissue. “It’ll be okay. I think he’s a stupid fucker that just wanted to play with your heart.  He isn’t worth shit. You deserve so much better than him.”

She nodded, blotchy eyes seeking out your own. In the back of your mind, you cringed, seeing the exact same scene from your vision. Well, at least the two of you hadn’t gotten in a fight.

——-

A few weeks later, Keigo was at your door.

“You need to leave. Now.”

“Aw, c’mon (Y/N), at least hear me out?”

You huffed, crossing your arms. Maybe he had a dumb explanation for why he had dumped your friend. You were wary of him accidentally touching you again though. “Fine, but make it quick.”

“No promises.” He grinned, breezing past you and into your apartment. He beelined for the chair you had sat in last time he was here, leaving you to take a seat on the couch.

“Alright-“ He settled in, fixing you with a gleeful eye. “How do you feel about your quirk?”

Caught off guard, you blinked. Wasn’t he going to explain why he had broken your friend’s heart? “Um, what?”

“Your quirk, y’know, the one that makes you see the future?” He leaned forward, rubbing his hands together with a smile. He seemed far too pleased, and it made you nervous.

“I hate it. If I could get rid of it, I would.” You stated, ready to move onto a different topic. But just as you were about to ask him about your friend, he rose to his feet, fishing in his pockets.

He drew out a bracelet, black and red, thin. “Well then, lookie what I have.” The man walked over, sitting down quickly on the couch next to you, causing you to immediately scoot to the end. You didn’t want him touching you.

“Oh, sorry.” He apologized upon noticing your unease. Instead of scooting closer, he simply tossed the bracelet onto your lap, leaning back as he watched you look at it curiously. “Put it on, see how it fits.”

“I don’t need jewelry Keigo, and I think we should be spending our time discussing why you bro-“

“Just put it on (Y/N), please? I promise you won’t regret it.”

Huffing, you did as he asked, clasping the bracelet around your wrist. It fit snug, almost too tight, but it hugged your wrist comfortingly. It was pretty, but you didn’t see what this had to do with your quirk, or with your friend, or anything that held any relevancy.

Bracelet now on, you fixed Keigo with a blank stare. “Happy?”

“I don’t know.” Keigo grinned. “Are you?” And then he was hugging you, arms wrapped around your shoulders, face buried in your neck.

You shrieked, already panicking as you tried to ready yourself for the onslaught of  visions that accompanied physical touch.

They never came.

Choking back a surprised gasp, you drew back from his hug to find Keigo’s eyes, the man smiling down at you as he watched your reaction.

“Kei-Keigo…” You stuttered, shocked, surprised, euphoric, confused - so many emotions, all at once. You couldn’t even think to brush off the hands still around your shoulders, thumbs brushing at the tops of your exposed collarbones by the neck of your shirt.

You weren’t able to think rationally, couldn’t focus on anything but the awe you felt at being touched without being slammed with visions of the future.

You forgot about the terrifying visions you had gotten when Keigo touched you.

You forgot about how he had hurt your friend, broke her heart with no explanation.

You forgot about his hands refusing to leave your body.

“Keigo, this is…. Amazing” You breathed, wide eyes snapping up, catching his smiling face, eyes crinkly and twinkly.

“I had my team modify some quirk-cancelling cuffs! You seemed so upset whenever someone touched you, I couldn’t leave you with such a burden.”

Nodding, you returned your gaze to the bracelet, turning your wrist this way and that to look at the bracelet from different angles.

“I mean, I know how much I like being touched, and touching. I think I’d totally die if I couldn’t.” Keigo chuckled, but you weren’t listening.

The rest of his time sitting next to you on the couch was spent explaining the colors he had spent so long picking (“They’re my personal favorite, aren’t they nice?”) and why he had decided on a bracelet (“It could’ve been a necklace, but I think it looks better in it’s original cuff design, looks cooler that way.”).

By the time he had to leave, you were completely sidetracked, so distracted with your shiny new jewelry that you didn’t even remember to ask what his deal was with being a jerk to your friend, his now ex-girlfriend.

-----

“-and then he gave me the bracelet. I wasn’t thinking much after that, I just… I can hug you, isn’t that incredible?”

You gave your friend another squeeze, feeling a smile dance across your face. But then you sobered, pulling back from her with your hands on her shoulders, quickly becoming serious.

“But he’s really starting to kind of weird me out. Why won’t he explain why he broke up with you? He’s being a little bitch. I tried asking him a couple times, but he kept cutting me off, and I feel like the bracelet was a distraction to stop me from busting his chops about his behavior towards you.”

Your friend looked sad for a second, before shrugging. “I dunno, he just said things weren’t working out, and that while he liked me, he’s not ready for a relationship right now ‘cause of where he’s at in his life.”

“Psh-“ You scoffed, going in for another comforting squeeze for your friend. “-that’s code for “I’m a fuckboy and want to sleep around”.”

“I know….. But it still hurts.” You friend sighed, wrapping her arms around your neck. “But at least he gave you that quirk thing. I’ve never seen you so happy.”

“I just wish he was a mildly decent person.” You grumbled, detaching from the hug to sit back, glaring at the ceiling. “He gives me the fucking creeps.”

“How so?” You friend locked her head to the side, throwing her arm over the back of the couch. You had called her over the second Keigo had left, finally gathering your wits about you.

“I dunno…” You shrugged, not quite ready to tell her about the disturbing visions containing him. Did that have something to do with their breakup? Was it your fault? What was going to happen with Keigo? It honestly scared you, the residual feelings and sensations you could remember from the visions.

Your friend nodded understandingly. “Some people just give off those vibes. Well, at least we don’t ever have to see him again. Good riddance I say.”

You agreed.

——-

Knocking on the door, you shuffled your feet as you took in the house.

It was one of those rich places - nice neighborhood, fancy street filled with lavish houses, expensive cars. You felt slightly out of place, shifting from foot to foot in your clearance-rack clothes.

The door swung open, revealing a sleepy Keigo, shirtless, clad in nothing but sweatpants.

“Oh, um-“ You quickly turned, averting your eyes, trying to give the man privacy in case he hadn’t realized he was shirtless. It looked like he had just woken up from a nap, eyes blinking owlishly, hair mussed.

“Hey (Y/N), come on in.”

Still keeping your eyes turned away, you stepped inside the opulent house, trying not to gape too much at the decor inside. You didn’t want to look like a complete peasant in front of Keigo, but he’d already been to your house, so you could imagine that he knew of your poor-ness.

“Something wrong? You can look at me y’know, I’m not gonna turn you to stone or something.” Keigo joked, voice entirely too close for comfort.

Head whipping around, you found that he was too close, practically almost touching you as he stood beside you, head cocked as he watched you.

“No… nothings wrong, you’re just…” You gestured to his torso, and Keigo looked down in confusion, before looking back at you, a grin on his face.

“Ah, just woke up.” He shrugged, before reaching out to touch your arm. “Bracelet still keeping that quirk at bay?”

You nodding, following the blonde as he turned and walked further into his house, towards the kitchen.

“Glad to hear! I just wanted to look at it a bit, make sure nothing’s worn or torn, y’know? Hate for you to have to deal with the no-touching thing again.” He said over his shoulder, gesturing for you to sit down at the island, on one of the barstools.

You did so, watching the man open his fridge, take out a carton of milk, uncap it. “Is it too tight?”

“Nope.”

He drank right out of the bottle, and you watched some dribble out of the corner of his mouth, down his chin. The man finished gulping down the milk, taking the bottle away from his lips to swipe at the white trail of liquid rolling down his chin.

Eyes dark, he made contact with your own eyes as he cleaned his chin with a finger, stuffing it in his mouth to suck it clean.

That was gross.

The next second, he was back to normal, cheerfully putting the milk back into the fridge. “Good, good. Now, mind if I take a look at it? You should keep it on though.”

You nodded, and Keigo straightened, walking around the island to sit next to you, shuffling his stool closer.

He grabbed your wrist, laying it out on the island, before beginning to poke at the bracelet, running his fingers over it, fiddling with it, squeezing the tendons in your hand, smoothing his hand up your arm.

It felt a bit intrusive.

“So the visions are all blocked?”

“Yep.”

“And you can touch and be touched?”

“Yeah.”

“How’s your appetite? Sometimes complete quirk suppression can make you lose your appetite.”

“It’s been normal, I guess I’m a little hungrier than normal, but I’ve been getting out more too, not as afraid of crowds.”

“Nice! And how about your libido?”

You spluttered, choking on your own spit, snatching your hand away from Keigo’s wandering touches.

“Excuse me? That’s a bit personal, thanks.”

Keigo shrugged, bright eyes hooded and lazy. “It’s just a question.”

“Are you done making sure it’s all good? No broken parts?” You changed the subject, narrowing your eyes. You can’t believe your friend had ever dated him, that you had ever thought he was anything but a playboy.

You wouldn’t even be here, in his house, but he had come into the jewelers a while back (both you and your friend had blocked his number), spouting something about your bracelet needing constant checks and maintenance in order to keep suppressing your quirk. (“Wouldn’t want it to stop working, right? Just stop by sometimes, here’s my address.”).

So here you were.

Keigo leaned back a little, raising an eyebrow at your irritated tone of voice. “Woah there, don’t get snippy. I’m doing you a favor, right? I’m not trying to hurt you or something.”

Technically, you guess he was right. But he had played your friend, had fucked with her feelings. He was a fuckboy, liked messing with each and every girl he could find, and you didn’t care to be one of them.

“And I appreciate that Keigo. But I like to keep my private life private.”

Keigo was silent, simply holding out a hand for you to place your arm in, so he could fiddle more with the bracelet.

Several moments of awkward silence passed before he spoke again. “You’re being awfully ungrateful. It makes me think you don’t even want this little gift. If I were you, I’d be doing everything I could to show the person kind enough to do such a thing for me how thankful I was.”

Lost for words, you stared at the man. Was he expecting some sort of award? Some sort of prize? It’s not like you had anything to give him.

“I don’t have anything to give you in thanks. Just my words, which I’ve said plenty of. I didn’t ask you to make this for me.” You pointed out.

“Sure, but you use it, don’t you? You wouldn’t like it if I took it away, right? Think about how miserable your life was before I gave you this.”

Your life had been miserable. Afraid to go out in crowds, afraid to leave the house, Nervous about grocery shopping, about paying and having the cashier touch your hand as they handed over the change.

Scared of public transportation, of coffeeshops and bookstores, of public parks, even your own home. What if one of your roommates forgot and touched you? Or accidentally bumped into you?

Plus, you could hug now, and shake hands, and slap your friends back when she told a horrible joke, or tap her when you wanted her attention.

You didn’t want to go back to before. “I’m sorry Keigo… I really do think it’s lovely, and I can never thank you enough for doing this for me.”

Keigo let go of your arm, and it swung back to your side. You could feel the man looking at you.

“You know what would let me know that you mean it?”

God, it better not be something sexual.

“You could buy me coffee. Or maybe a cookie from that bakery on 1st Avenue, you know the one? With the little bunny pastries?”

That surprised you.

“You go there? That’s my favorite place.” You mused, looking at Keigo in surprise. He didn’t seem the kind of guy who’d like a place like that. But appearances could be deceiving.

“Of course! I really like their stuff.”

“Alright,” You conceded, rising to your feet. “I’ll get you some stuff from there. Want it today?”

Keigo rose to his feet as well, crossing his arms over his bare chest. “Yeah! Let me get dressed real quick, and then I’ll go with you. Don’t go anywhere birdie.” He shot you a wink, before sauntering past you, out of the kitchen.  You raised a brow, surprised. He meant to go with you?

“Make yourself at home while you wait, don’t be afraid to kick up your feet!”  

——-

The bakery smelled as lovely as usual.

A warm atmosphere, good food, friendly employees. It was your favorite place for a reason.

“Alright, what do you want?” You asked Keigo, the two of you staring up at the menu.

“Hmm, I don’t know. What are you going to get?”

“Probably a muffin, those are my favorite.”

“What!?! That’s my favorite too! How crazy.” Keigo smiled at you, dimples showing. You got the feeling that he was brown-nosing you, but you kept the thought to yourself, striding up to the counter to order.

Muffins purchased, you approached Keigo, who was lounging by one of the display cases, admiring the delicate, mouthwatering masterpieces held within.

“All good to go?” His smile was so charming, so friendly, you almost caught yourself wanting to see it more. Huffing in irritation at yourself, you pushed past him, shoving the bag with his muffin into his chest.

“Here’s your stuff. I’m going home now, see you around.”

“Wait!” Keigo turned, jogging a little to catch up as you exited the bakery. “We gotta eat these before they get cold - hey, birdie, are you listening to me?“

You weren’t, stoically keeping your head turned forward, walking with determination. There was only so much of Keigo that you could tolerate, and you had reached your limit. He was starting to really annoy you, didn’t he get that you wanted to go home? You’ll just eat your muffin on the subway, it’s not that hard.

“(Y/N)-“ His sudden growl was punctuated by an arm on your shoulder, spinning you around and pulling you towards the man.

“Hey-!” The sudden collision of your face with his chest knocked your breath away, almost causing you to drop your own muffin in the process.

When you managed to gather yourself, you shot a glare up at Keigo’s face, only to find the blonde smirking down at you, a fierce glint in his eyes.

“I expect you to listen when I’m talking, got it? I don’t like being ignored.”

That’s evident.

You tried to back away, but he still had a hand on your shoulder, squeezing you tight to him. “Keigo! Let me go, you stupid idiot-“

“Stop it, I’m not doing anything to you, ya big baby.” He cooed down at you, before taking his hand away, letting you stumble backwards.

He was just messing with you, teasing you. It was obvious, yet still you allowed him to be around you.

“Alright, I’m sorry, I know all the touching’s gotta be new still. Wanna go eat these in the park? I’ll buy you some ice cream if you want.”

“I don’t want ice cream, I want to go home.”

Keigo frowned, walking after you when you turned on your heel, heading for the subway. “Why do you dislike me so much? I’ve done so much to help you, and yet you spit in my face. Your parents ever teach you how to be grateful? Or even respectful?”

You gasped at his accusation, stopping in your tracks to whirl around, only to find the man far closer than what you had expected. Still, you tried to hide your surprise at his proximity, jabbing a finger in his direction.

“You are a playboy, you broke my friend’s heart, and you want to sleep with every single person you come across just to mess with their feelings. I don’t want to be around you. I won’t get dragged into that.”

The man watched you, face solemn and contemplative. “Is that really how you see me?”

“Why would I say any of that unless it was true?”

He ran a hand through his hair, looking up and around, as if gathering his bearings, before back down at you.

“Have you ever considered that I’m the one getting my heart broken?”

“Yeah right-“ You scoffed, only for Keigo to cut you off.

“People want to sleep with me because they think it’ll get them something that they want. Fifteen second fame, a piece in a tabloid about my “new lover”…. Think it’ll help them further their career, or that I’ll give them money. I can’t find anyone real.

“And my friend wasn’t real enough for you?” You spat, not believing him for a second.

“Nope.  You think she liked me for who I am?”

“Uh, yeah? She gushed to me all the damn time about how good you were, how she felt about you. That girl held nothing but love and affection for you.”

The man snorted, rolling his eyes. “Yeah, sure, love for my wallet.”

“She’s not like that.” You argued, brows furrowing.

“Really? Cause she was sucking me dry, and not even in a sexy way.”

You crinkled your nose at what he was implying. Your friend wasn’t like that, she truly had felt for Keigo, had liked him as her boyfriend. She wasn’t just a leech.

“I’m done talking about my failed love life.” Keigo said lowly, nudging your shoulder. “I just thought two friends could hangout, but it seems like you think all I do is try and fuck people.”

“No, Kiego…. That’s not what I meant.” Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t, but right now…. You almost felt a twinge of sympathy for him.

Some of what he was saying made sense, how people would try and use him for various reasons. But that still didn’t explain his sudden and harsh breakup with your friend. And over text no less, a complete douche move!

But you felt bad about his words, about how he seemed to actually want to hangout, and yet you were accusing him of trying to sleep with you. But what about those visions you had had? Was that even how they went? Or were you remembering falsely based on your bias towards the man?

And what about his suggestive touches, his leering gaze? Was that maybe just how he always was, and it wasn’t exclusive to you? Were you inflating your place in his life, thinking that he wanted you?

It was confusing, and you didn’t want to think about it, try and untangle the lies from the truth. Right now, you just wanted to eat your muffin.

“If you really didn’t mean it, then can we go eat these in the park? I just want to chill with someone that isn’t trying to gain something from me. I want to spend time with someone that’s real.”

With a half-irritated sigh, you nodded, hoping you wouldn’t regret hanging out with the obnoxious man.

-----

He kept calling you, texting you. You’d had to unblock his number at some point, in order for him to text you about the bracelet and when he needed to look at it.

“Come overrrrr, I’m bored!”

“Birdie, are you hungry? The delivery place gave me extra Torikatsu and I don’t want it to go bad. Can I come drop it off?”

He’d swing by the jewelers, leaning over the counter to talk to you about a recent shoot he’d booked, or something he saw recently.

Keigo seemed to slowly insert himself into every facet of your live, against your will, ignoring every subtle, irritated attempt of yours to turn him away. Every single time you saw him, your mind would inevitably think of the visions, but you felt like you couldn’t trust yourself with those anymore.

The man assured you at every step, he had no romantic feelings for you, he just wanted a friend, someone to put him in his place, be honest with him.

You definitely were honest.

Snapping at him when he showed up at your apartment uninvited, coming up behind you on the street and grabbing your sides, laughing when you shrieked and tried to hit your attacker, only to realize it was Keigo.

Tearing into him when he tried to talk badly about your friend - she had been having less and less contact with you, and you couldn’t figure out why. Now your relationship with her was reduced to curt text messages. Maybe she was just going through a hard time, and wanted alone time? Still, you let her know you were there for her, whenever she needed.

You were honest when Keigo asked your opinion on food, TV shows, clothes, movies. It was almost satisfying saying something sucked, just to see Keigo’s face fall slightly, before he shook his head, whining.

“Then help me pick something out! I can’t do it without you-“

He totally could, he was just being a baby.

The more he inserted himself into your life, the more you realized that he was akin to a petulant child, just with muscles and a penchant for inappropriate touching.

Whenever he saw you, he’d try to draw you into a hug, letting his hands drop far down your back, way too low for you to feel comfortable. You’d slap them away, and Keigo would laugh, before ruffling your hair.

He’d have you come over so he could check your quirk suppressor, except he was in the middle of a show, and it was getting to the best part. (“Sit down, shhh, it’s just getting good!”) You’d have to sit through the entire thing, enduring Kiego’s hand lazily drawing shapes over your pants on your thigh, simply putting it back whenever you shoved it off.

He was insufferable, irritating to no end, but you could tell he was a lonely man, bitter about his love life and with his friendships.

So you tolerated his presence.

After all, he wasn’t trying to hurt you. That’s something he reiterated every single time you shied away from his touch. He made you feel like a fool for thinking the man was hitting on you, when he made it so clear that he wasn’t, only interested in friendship.

Until you fell asleep at his house.

Another one of those days were he needed to look at your quirk suppressor (which you were 99% sure was fine, it seemed like he just enjoyed seeing it on your wrist). He had been rummaging around in his room before he had to run and open the front door for you, talking as he walked back to return to his previous task.

Apparently he was trying to find a good shirt, seeing as how he had pants on, but his chest was bare. Keigo instructed you to sit on the bed for a second while he retreated into his massive closet, trying to find a good shirt  to go with the rest of his outfit.

His bedroom was pretty large, a full California King taking up the majority of the space, neatly made. The sheets and blankets felt soft beneath your fingers as you sat on it’s edge, prepared to wait for Keigo for a bit.

The man always took his fashion very seriously - one time he’d even spent two hours trying on clothes until he’d decided on an appropriate outfit to go to the park.

So you followed your tired eyes, exhausted from work and dealing with Keigo, worrying about your friend, daily life stressors and the like.  Keigo wouldn’t mind if you laid back, right? Your feet wouldn’t be on the bed, so it’d be fine.

And it was fine, pleasant, the room the perfect temperature.

You were roughly jerked out of sleep by pressure. Pressure on your hips, pressure on your lips.

Eyes jolting open, you tried to inhale, only to find yourself unsuccessful.

Keigo was on top of you.

Panicking, your hands came to push at him, a muffled sound of protest being squeaked out from where his lips pressed against yours.

Noticing you were awake, Keigo pulled back, smiling the whole while.

“I’m not willing to wait anymore, I just gotta have you.”

His eyes were glinting, hair tousled, still shirtless. You felt goosebumps arise as you remembered the vision you had so long ago, of this exact moment.

“Wai-mmph!” His lips were on yours again, passionate and warm, moving eagerly. A wet tongue pressed at the seam of your mouth, surprising you and making you blanch, which allowed the man access.

Kiego’s tongue explored the inside of your mouth, playfully tapping your own wet muscle, encouraging you to lift it and wrestle with him.

This was too weird, this wasn’t happening, you couldn’t do this-

Biting down hard, you snapped your teeth shut on his tongue, and Keigo yelped, drawing back immediately.

“Ouch, what the fuck!?! Chill out (Y/N), geez.” His hand was dabbing at his mouth, wincing when it came in contact with his bleeding tongue. You had bitten him deep, but you weren’t focused on that right now.

“What are-what are you doing?” Your voice was breathless, disoriented. The room felt…. Dark, and suffocating, as if it was closing in on the two of you, trapping you.

Keigo looked down at you, and it was only then that you realized you had been moved to lie on the bed fully, shoes off, legs splayed. The man rested on his stomach between them, his weight pressed against your body, keeping you still.

“I told you, I can’t wait anymore. I’ve been as nice as I can, but it’s time you started paying me back for everything I’ve done for you.”

What? Paying him back-was he talking about the quirk suppressor he had gifted you? Had he been lying about his true intentions this whole time?

“That’s not right, it was a gift, you-you don’t have to pay back a gift.” You spluttered, feeling as if your chest was collapsing.

Keigo shook his head, swooping down to leave a bloody kiss on your forehead, which you cringed at, before pulling back to speak.

“Nah, it wasn’t a gift. You know how expensive it was? You were always gonna have to compensate me. Now shush, I wanna feel you-“

One of his hands grabbed your jaw, keeping your face turned towards his, pressing down until tears formed in your eyes. His lips were bloody from the bite on his tongue, tasting unmistakably like iron.

You didn’t want this.

Trying to bite him again left you with a slap to your thigh, making you cry out. Keigo huffed out a laugh against your mouth.

He detached from your lips, just to start nibbling at your jawline, elating streaks of red where his lips touched.

“God, you are so sexy. I was trying to chill, but then I came out and you were sleepin’ all cute, and I couldn’t fucking stop myself from touching.”

“Stop doing this, I can pay you with something different. I don’t wanna do this Keigo.” You whispered, on the verge of crying.

“No, I get to decide what you’ll be doing for me, it’s my bracelet-“

“It’s not, you gave it to me, please stop-“

“Shut up.” He growled sinking his teeth into the side of your neck, nipping at the skin hard enough to have you screaming. “You’re so ungrateful, where’s my thanks? I’ve done so much for you.”

“Thank you, thank you Keigo, I appreciate it all-“ You hurried out, hoping it was what he wanted to hear “But I can’t do this, please don’t make me. I wanna go home.”

“There we go, I like the sound of you thanking me. You’re going to thank me for each and every time you cum tonight, got it?”

“No, no, we can’t do this, I can’t! Get off of me, please-“

“You’ll do it, or else I’ll whip you until your flesh hangs off of you in strings.” He hissed, squeezing your jaw cruelly.

The tears in your eyes overflowed as you fell silent.

“Aw, birdie, don’t cry. I’m not gonna hurt you, I never have, right?” He waited for a second, watching your face before he pressed harder, eyes hardening ��Right?“

You nodded jerkily, and Keigo came to kiss your tears away, savoring their salty taste as they rolled down your cheeks.

“Keigo, this isn’t right though, please get off me. I don’t want this-“

“You want me to take this away?” A hand caught your shaking wrist, the one that had the quirk suppressor fastened snugly around it, wrenching it up so both of you could see it. “Huh? Put you back where you were in your miserable little life? Running away from everyone, holing up in your apartment, not willing to touch or be touched…”

The very thought made your insides churn, and a fresh round of tears rolled down your face as you shook your head no, lips wobbling as you whined. You felt so pathetic, so small and dumb underneath Keigo.

“That’s what I thought. You’re going to relax now, right? No more begging unless it’s for more.”

He didn’t wait for an answer, beginning to shuffle around until he could slide his hands under your shirt, pressing against your tummy as you flinched away.

“Don’t worry birdie, you’re gonna like every single thing we’re gonna do. You’ve had sex now, yeah? Since I gave you the bracelet?”

You shook your head “no”, it’s not like you were eager for sex before you got it, and all the touching-without-terrifying-visions thing was still new to you, the dating world was being eased into. Somehow though, every single date seemed to be crashed by the man on top of you.

Keigo lit up like a Christmas tree, licking his lips gleefully. “Okay, okay, I can-whew, that’s hot-I can be gentle.” It sounded like he was trying to convince himself more than he was trying to convince you, his hands skirting up your ribs, shucking up your shirt as the traveled higher and higher.

“Keigo please-“

“Don’t you dare say stop, I’m not gonna. You’re the first person that doesn’t want anything from me, you’re real, and I’m not stopping.”

His admission made you cringe, recoiling from his touch. He followed you, palms finally smoothing over your breasts, over your bra.

“You’re going to do what I say, or else this-“ Your wrist was wrenched into view, red-and-black bracelet glittering. “-gets removed. And I’ll still do whatever the fuck I want, but you’ll be off in your mind having visions of who-knows-what while I have my way. Got it?”

Your blood chilled, body suddenly feeling ice cold. His tone was dead serious, spitting out the words with a sense of finality.

“So, just lay there and take it birdie, I’ll be good to you.”

[victoria-daydreams]

Till Kingdom Come

Chapter Twelve: A Macabre Rite of Passage

AN: You ever lose a post in your drafts? No, just me. Well, that’s what happened here. I didn’t think that was possible lol.

Word Count: 4.6k

Trigger Warnings: none

Taglist: @nerds4life246, @leahnicole1219

Chapter Thirteen:  A Simple Lover’s Quarrel

New York, 1889

On a sunny, New York City afternoon, sunlight shone down on the stately, grimy buildings providing some brightness to the residents below. Creaking of carriage wheels filled the crisp air along with the distinct cries of newsboys, shouting the latest headlines on every available street corner. The busy street was filled with carts selling fruits and vegetables of all kinds to the bustling crowd of New Yorkers, carrying baskets of groceries while children clung to their mother's side or onto their cuddly toys. Couples of young and old strolled on the cobblestone streets, sporting colorful gowns and embroidered suits. Occasionally, stopping to consort with a member of the class below them.

It was just another regular day in the city and Sabine was right in the middle of it.

"Remind me why we're doing this today?" he asked.

Side by side, she walked with Bastien as they did bit of grocery shopping of their own.

Sabine smirked, "Because while we are immortal, we still need to eat," she replied, keeping her voice low.

Steam rose up above the general cheerful chatter of the crowd, coupled with the enticing smells of the competing aromas wafting from the immigrant street vendor's wares.

"Honestly, this is your fault," Sabine stated, adjusting her grip on her own heavy basket. "Someone couldn't keep their hands off me this morning," she pointed out. "We could have been finished by now,"

"Well, someone didn't seem to mind my freshly shaven face..." he trailed off, discretely lowering his lips to her ear. "All over their body," he finished, regaining his posture with a cocky grin.

Her cheeks heated at his words.

"What can I say?" Sabine began, looking over at him. "You cut quite the dash with a scraped chin," she complimented, forcing herself to not touch Bastien's face, a gesture that would be heavily frowned upon.

"I do, don't I?" he remarked, as he gave his clean shaven jaw a stroke.

The two of them passed by rag-tag groups of men and women that walked between the lamp posts. As they crossed over to another street, they walked past a group of middle aged men dressed in sharp suits, smoking on cigars and buying the latest newspapers.

"Wait here will you," Bastien requested. "I must know the latest scandal rocking this city," he quipped, making Sabine smile.

"Go on," she chuckled, flicking her chin out toward the pale faced and rag-adorned newsies ahead of them.

Bastien flashed a smile of his own before moving away from Sabine, leaving her alone on the corner of the sidewalk. Tilting her head up, Sabine briefly admired the cloudless blue sky. She couldn't believe her dreams of coming to New York after had come into fruition. After California, the band of immortals state hopped their way from the West Coast back to the East Coast, residing in big cities where it was easy enough to blend in. There was only one area that they all refused to live in and that was the South.

It seemed like everyday new Jim Crow laws were being enacted...or there was news of another lynching.

The shriek of street children playing in the alleys with a refreshing degree of excitement snapped Sabine from her daze, shaking her head a bit. She had gone into a slight trance and the passing crowd didn't offer her much of a second glance, only if it was to silently question her social status as a colored woman wearing a dress of a middle class woman at best. But Sabine ignored the occasional stares and held her head proudly, waiting for Bastien to return.

"Sabine?"

The voice hit her by surprise and she froze. Nobody knew her real name outside of Bastien, Andy, Nicky, and Josef. The owner of said voice was female, but it sounded weak, frail even. All of which that made it abundantly clear that it was not Andy.

"Sabine?"

Looking from her left to her right, Sabine couldn't find the voice at first only seeing people perusing around the vendors and carriages that trundled along holding the rich. It wasn't until she completely turned around and found herself staring down at an older, black woman, maybe in her late sixties or early seventies.

"May I help you ma'am?" Sabine asked, cocking her head.

"My, my, my," she breathed, her eyes roving over her face. "It's you, it's really you," the woman stated, reaching out to touch her face.

Sabine leaned away from her a little, "Ma'am...I...think you have me confused with someone else," she corrected, but the woman just shook her head.

"I'd know this face from anywhere, so warm and full of love and shaped just like a heart," she remarked. "A mother always knows her daughter's face, Sabine," she said gently.

Sabine nearly fainted from the woman's words.

Her mouth opened and closed, "No, no, you must be mistaken," she said, shaking her head.

The woman gripped onto her arm, "You are, you must be!" she maintained, trying to convince Sabine or maybe herself.

"I-I-"

"Mama, Mama!" another female voice called.

A middle-aged, well dressed woman came hurrying over to them with a parcel in her hand.

"Mama, please let go of the young lady's arm. We don't need to cause a scene in front of all these people," she said, placing her hand on top of her mother's and scanning the crowd nervously.

Sabine glanced around the busy street and sidewalks as well, but no one seemed phased about what was transpiring. In their heads, its just another colored family having a squabble.

"But Emile,"

Once that name came from her lips, Sabine was sure that she was actually going to drop to the ground. Blood rushed to her ears and drummed in its canals, muffling all the sounds surrounding her while she felt heartbeat increase dramatically, it felt like her chest was going to explode.

"Emile. Mama. Here?" Sabine thought.

Faintly, she could hear her older sister and mother arguing with each other.

"See reason Mama, this can't be Sabine, she's too young,"

"It is her, you can't recognize your own sister? She's a Freemen like us,"

"What's going on here?"

Bastien's deep voice is what brought Sabine back down to Earth as she attempted to process if what was happening actually real. His expression was a mixture of seriousness and confusion while tucking his newspaper under his arm. Emile and the older woman instantly became demure at the arrival of Bastien, her mother even going so far as letting go of her arm as if it burned her.

"It's nothing sir, my mother was bit confused," Emile explained, her eyes not quite meeting Bastien's. "It was a mistake, we apologize for wasting your time and disturbing your maid," she said, before quickly walking away arm in arm with her mother from Sabine and Bastien.

"My maid?" he repeated, his brow furrowing and looking in the direction of where the two women went.

Sabine placed her hand on her chest, trying to calm her erratic breathing down which did nothing of the sort.

"Sabine, are you okay?" Bastien inquired, eyes filled with concern.

His hand went to reach to touch her on the waist, but he quickly snatched his hand back. Thank god, he remembered to show restraint.

"Sabine?" he called again, waiting for an answer.

"I think I just ran into my family," she breathed out.

~~~x~~~

"You're acting like a spoiled brat Sabine," Bastien said, opening the door to their home. "You don't get your way for once and you throw a fit," he added, closing the door after Sabine marched inside.

This argument had raged on since the moment they left the street where Sabine had been reunited with her family. They did their best to keep the heated whispers between them, but occasionally Sabine's temper got the better of her and she drew more than a few stares when she lashed out at Bastien. However, once they entered the confines of the safe house, the gloves came off, figuratively and literally.

Sabine slammed down the basket onto a table near the door, "I'm acting like a spoiled brat for wanting to see my family?" she repeated incredulously, as she roughly tugged at her gloves.

Bastien pulled his coat off, "Yes, you are," he insisted, removing his hat and hanging it above his coat. "If that is your family, then they think you're probably dead and it is best that we leave that way,"

Sabine placed her hands on hips and frowned, in utter disbelief at what Bastien said.

"No, it is not," she disagreed, vehemently shaking her head. "Did you see the desperation in her eyes, the way she tightly clung to my arm? After all she has been through in her life, from being enslaved and watching her daughter be ripped away from her. Why should I be the one to make her suffer even more?" she questioned, pointing to herself.

"You're not Sabine!" Bastien replied in exasperation. "She's an old woman, for all we know, she thinks every girl that looks like you might be her daughter," he reasoned, sticking his arm out to the side.

Sabine lifted her brow, "She said my sister's name, Emile," she pointed out, shrugging her coat off.

"Coincidence," he retorted.

"They have Louisianian accents for god's sake!"

"Sabine, there are plenty of slaves that could've escaped from Louisiana named Emile," Bastien guessed, and Sabine's coat hit him dead center in his chest, hard.

"Don't be an ass!"

"What? It's a possibility!"

"You are the most infuriating man I've ever met!"

Sabine began pacing up and down the den area in a vain attempt to control her temper.

"Hey, what is all this yelling about?" Josef asked jokingly, walking around the corner.

"I think they're having a lover's quarrel," Nicky commented, coming from behind him.

She halted in her movements, "Sebastien won't let me reunite with my long, lost mother and my family!" Sabine exclaimed, pointing an accusatory finger at him.

Josef's eyes widened sharply, "Your mother?" he repeated, as Andy joined them as well, a half-closed book in her hand.

"Yes!"

"And I forbid you from going to see her," Bastien declared, placing his hands on the waist.

Sabine scoffed, "You forbid me?" she echoed, raising her brow again. "I'm not a fucking child, I do as I damn well please!"

"See Andy," Bastien started, walking towards the oldest immortal. "I told you that we had gone too soft on her," he stated gesturing towards Sabine.

A sympathetic expression was on the older woman's face as she looked at the youngest immortal.

"Sabine, I'm going have to agree with Booker," Andy spoke up, causing Sabine to deflate a bit. "I do understand why you want to do this, but it's going to cause nothing but pain,"

Bastien lifted his hand in the air as if to say 'thank you'.

"I mean, what would you even tell them, hmm?" Bastien questioned, shoving his hands into his pants pockets. "Hello, I'm Sabine, you're long lost daughter thought to be dead. I'm technically forty-seven, but I have the face of a twenty-two year old!"

"Then I won't tell them my true identity!" she shot back. "I'll play the role of a concerned young woman if it means I get to see my family again!" Sabine exclaimed.

"Book maybe-" Nicky began.

"No," Bastien interrupted, looking at him. "Sabine," he called, turning to face her again with his hands pressed together. "I am trying to protect you, reuniting with your family will only bring you more pain," he stressed.

"Just because you're family despised you when they died, doesn't mean mine will!" Sabine snapped.

Even though the sentence had already left her lips, she realized how cruel it was.

Bastien tightened up, his face no longer showing any measure of restraint. He let out a breathy laugh of disbelief and Sabine could see how much her words hurt him to say what she did, his blue eyes were practically swimming now. Regret gnawed at her, she didn't mean to say that, it was the heat of the moment and tempers were flaring. And she...she said it. Sabine didn't like how this was going, she felt her guilt grip on her harder the longer she looked at Bastien.

For once, there was utter silence between all of them, it was eerie, unsettling even. Sabine did not like this sudden change, it was obvious it made miserable company.

"Bastien, I..." Sabine trailed off, when he would no longer look her in the eyes. "Bastien," she called again, but he did not meet her stare.

The Frenchman moved away from her without speaking a word, his expression held tightly. He moved towards the front door and gathering his coat and hat as he went.

"I'll go after him," Josef muttered, briefly looking over to Sabine and giving her a forced semi-smile. "Booker," he called, jogging to catch up with him.

The door slammed shut and Sabine felt herself flinch as the sound reverberated throughout the room, leaving her feeling inexplicably cold. Josef, with his coat in hand, reopened the door and this time closing it with a soft click. Sabine dug the heels of her palms into her eyes, wondering how she was ever going to fix what just happened. Warm hands found there way on top of Sabine's shoulders and gave them a reassuring squeeze.

"Everything will be fine Sabine," Nicky assured, and she lifted her head away from her palms.

"How could you possibly think that?" she asked, shaking her head. "Did you not hear what I said to him?" she questioned, feeling her eyes well up.

Sabine knew that Nicky could see the guiltiness on her face, it was easily readable.

"Excuse me," she whispered, her voice trembling and rushed towards the hall where her bedroom was.

The door swung open and Sabine snatched her hat off her head, throwing it to the floor with one hand and slamming the door shut behind her with the other. Blindly, she threw herself onto her bed, landing stomach first with a muffled thwump against the mattress. A soft sob left Sabine as she gripped the soft blanket, her chest tight. A few tears leaked from her eyes and she did nothing to stop them. Sniffling, Sabine sunk deeper into the mattress.

Suddenly, there was a knock at her door and Sabine lifted her head from her pillows and looked back at the door. Sabine turned away, intent on ignoring whoever it was and let out a sigh instead as she closed her eyes. There was shuffling from outside her door, but Sabine remained keen on ignoring Nicky or Andy, they would give up eventually. That belief quickly left her mind as soon as she heard the door knob turn slowly on its hinges.

Then the door creaked open.

The sound of heels clacking against the floor echoed hollowly throughout the bedroom, Sabine squeezed her eyes just as the bed dipped beside her. She felt a hand gently nudge her.

"Come on, Sabine. Get up," Andy ordered softly. "No use in sulking, what's been said has been said, and you can't change that," she said.

Reopening her eyes, she slowly turned her head in Andy's direction. Sabine knew she undoubtedly looked like a mess, her face was slightly red and teared stained. Her eyes, which were usually warm and clear, were now blurred and teary.

"I've ruined everything Andy," Sabine croaked out, sniffling once more. "I-" she began, but stopped herself.

She could feel a lump in her throat that was keeping her from finishing her sentence, and the emotion that clung to her words wasn't making the lump go away any sooner.

"Now, now," Andy started, rubbing her on the back soothingly. "Don't be dramatic," she stated. "The two of you were arguing and hurtful things were said by both parties, that's not unlike for couples,"

Sabine scoffed, "I doubt Bastien would throw it in my face that I was a slave, as I did with mentioning his dead wife and kids," she pointed out, shaking her head.

"No, I don't think he would,"

"He has every right to be mad at me," Sabine replied. "He misses her, he misses all of them," she stressed, burying her head in the pillows. "And I went ahead and said...that," she finished, letting out a huffed breath and closing her eyes.

"Well, I'm not here to berate you Sabine," Andy informed, shifting herself on the bed. "You know what you did and you know what you must do," she remarked.

"I know,"

The youngest immortal looked over at her elder, her brown eyes mixing with gray ones. A grim expression lined Sabine's face. Of course she felt bad for what she did and was trying to fix it, but she feared it wouldn't be good enough. They had their fights like any couple, but this one was different, it felt different. This one was more personal, on both ends. Right now, Sabine wanted nothing more to be wrapped in Bastien's embrace, to have silly, meaningless debates like they always did about food, books, and art. Now she wasn't sure if those would happen anytime soon.

In her anger, Sabine crossed a line.

Andy let out a sigh, "Sit up, sit up," she said, gently pulling at her body.

Sabine was reluctant to move from her position, much more content to wallow in her sorrows, but she did and let Andy guide her into a upright position. Scooting closer towards her, Andy put one hand on Sabine's shoulder and the other on her cheek.

"Clean your face," she instructed softly, using her thumbs to wipe the remaining tears away. "You, Nicky, and I are going out," she announced, her hand gently gripping at Sabine's arm.

"Where?"

"I'm sure Nicky and I could use some fresh air as we finish the rest of today's errands," Andy explained, while Sabine looked over at where she threw her hat. "And you could use the air as well to clear your head, put you at ease a little," she suggested, and Sabine met her gaze again. "Sound good?" Andy questioned, with an encouraging smile.

Sabine nodded her slowly, "Sounds wonderful," she responded, a genuine grin growing on her lips.

~~~x~~~

Sitting at her vanity clad only in her nightdress, Sabine silently unpinned her hair. A knock rapped against her door as she dropped the pin into a little enameled box.

"Come in," she said in a clear voice,

Sabine heard a soft click behind her at the same time that she dropped another pin into the box. When her eyes returned to the mirror, her movements froze at who was standing in the door frame. At that moment, the temperature in the bedroom seemed to drop a few degrees.

"Sebastien," she whispered, turning slightly towards him. "I-" she began, but stopped when he quietly stepped in, closing the door after him

Sabine went to stand up and Bastien just shook his head, motioning for her to stay where she was. Her mouth suddenly felt dry and all the words she had come up with earlier had up and vanished.

"May I?" he asked, gesturing towards her hair.

She nodded slowly, shifting her body to face the mirror again and Bastien's hands found themselves into her hair. He took the ornate silver comb from on top of the vanity and started at the ends. Sabine watched him through the mirror, feeling his fingers separating every last strand of her hair.

"Where did you go?" she asked quietly, finding the courage to speak.

"Where do you think?" he asked back just as softly, though there was a hint of humor in his tone, but also a trace of bitterness.

Though she tried, Sabine could not ignore the overwhelming stench of cigarette smoke and booze, clinging to Bastien's clothes. She stared at his reflection again, he seemed completely unfazed or even showed the slightest sign of inebriation. Bastien languidly ran the comb through her black locks, with steady hands, stroke after stroke. Normally, she would this find quite amusing, Bastien playing sober incredibly well when they both knew he was not. Except that it wasn't, not today at least. Especially since she was part of the reason why he smelled like a brewery and the whites of his eyes were bloodshot.

"What is going on in that head of yours?"

Bastien had caught Sabine's stare in the mirror and held it, he could see the troubled look in her eyes.

"Why are you...why are you being so kind to me, Bastien?" she asked, her tone guarded. "I was absolutely dreadful towards you earlier," she admitted.

"Yes, yes you were," he agreed, without breaking eye contact and Sabine felt herself wince.

It was one thing to acknowledge it, it was another to hear it spoken aloud by Bastien himself. It stung in more ways than she thought it would. She cast her eyes downward, feeling uneasy and ashamed, but two fingers underneath her chin guided her eyes back to the glass in front of her.

"Shall I braid your hair for you?" he asked.

"Yes, please,"

Bastien's fingers combed through her hair once more and Sabine closed her eyes at his touch, feeling him beginning to braid with surprising ease.

"I would do this for my wife every night before bed," he stated softly.

Sabine's eyes snapped back open, recognizing that far off tone he gets when mentioning his family.

"I guess that explains why you are the only man to possess this rare ability and other men don't," she replied, an attempt to be humorous.

He stopped, only to return to his task a second later, "Or how I'm adept at lacing a corset so well," he mentioned.

"You did that for your wife as well?"

"Every morning when I could," he replied, finishing the braid and combing at the ends.

Sabine felt her heart squeeze slightly with guilt. She turned in her chair, looking up to the man behind her.

"Bastien, I do apologize for my behavior today. I should've never said what I did,"

"When I told you about my family, something so intimate to me and how they treated me afterwards..." he trailed off. "I never would've thought that you would take information and use it against me in the manner that you did,"

"I-" Sabine started, but cut herself off, she could feel herself getting worked up and defensive. "I didn't mean for it to come out that way," she stated, sighing deeply. "I knew where the conversation was headed, I knew what your concerns were," she continued, standing up from her seat. "I wish I had worded it differently, but I was so angry, so hurt, by your flippant attitude. At that point, I stopped caring. I wanted to say something, anything, to reciprocate the same pain you were causing me," Sabine explained, wringing her hands. "Only I took it far," she finished, glancing up at him.

The nervous motions in her hands grew tighter and more frantic that she had to move her hands behind her back.

"Sabine, it felt like you took a knife, and stabbed me with it," Bastien described. "And then, you decided to twist it around for good measure," he added.

She bit the inside of her cheek and lowered her eyes to the floor, "I am sorry Bastien," Sabine repeated.

"Yes, I know," he acknowledged, exhaling heavily. "And I forgive you," he informed. "I am sorry myself, I was harsh with you when it was not necessary. You were not acting like a spoiled brat," he apologized.

"Thank you for recognizing that,"

The two them stood in silence, every second feeling like an eternity. Finally, Sabine brought her eyes to his and and took his hands in both of hers.

"Is all well between us again?" she asked, her dark brown irises looking into his blue ones. "I do hope so now that we both apologized for our regrettable actions today,"

Bastien let out a rough sigh and shifted his eyes to the ceiling, "On one condition..." he trailed off.

"And that is?"

"You let me seal this with a kiss," he answered, staring back down at her with a faint grin.

She scrunched her nose up, "Ugh, maybe later," Sabine suggested, smiling a little.

"Why?" Bastien inquired, pulling her closer.

"Because my dear, you reek of alcohol," she replied bluntly. "And so does your breath," she commented, putting her hands on his chest to keep him at bay. "I'll draw you a bath and fill a glass of water for you-"

"I can do that all myself Sabine, I'm not that drunk," he cut in, his mouth curving upwards. "You go on and head to bed, I'll freshen up. And maybe I'll get that kiss,"

Sabine chuckled, "For now, I can only give you this," she said, before slipping her hand from his and pressing two of her fingers onto her lips and then onto Bastien's.

Gently, he wrapped his hand around hers and kept it there.

~~~x~~~

Sabine was half-asleep felt her mattress dip down beside her, a heavy, solid weight joining her on the bed and underneath the covers. Blinking to adjust to the darkness, she turned over to face Bastien.

"I didn't think you'd be joining me in bed," she said hoarsely.

Bastien slightly froze, "I didn't want to be alone tonight," he explained, his voice low. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," he apologized, settling underneath the blankets.

"Eh, never you mind," she yawned. "I meant to stay awake for a little longer, but my efforts failed," she explained, a sleepy smile on her lips.

Sabine could feel the bed shift as Bastien fumbled about for a moment or two before he found the oil lamp on her nightstand. She blinked a few times, her eyes once again adjusting and she saw the face of Bastien, who is looking at her with a wry smile on his face. Sabine shifted on the bed so that she laid on her side, her elbow on her pillow and her cheek in the palm of her hand.

"You smell better," she commented plainly, and Bastien let out a hearty chuckle.

"Good enough for that kiss that was promised to me?" he asked curiously, grinning at her.

"I suppose so,"

Sabine leaned forward and pecked him on the lips.

"I said a kiss, not a peck," Bastien reminded, wrapping her into his arms and pulling her onto his chest.

A small giggle escaped from her as she reached her hand out, cupping his cheek. Briefly, the two immortals just gazed at each other in silence, content with the other's presence. She dipped her head slowly before brushing her lips over his, indulging in the softness of them. Bastien inhaled deeply through his nose, letting his hand caress the small of her back. Sabine went to pull back, but didn’t get far as Bastien sought her lips in a slower and lingering kiss. A soft hum left Sabine just as they parted for air, their chests heaving.

Reopening her eyes, she leaned down again and kissed the corners of his mouth before pulling away once more. Bastien's warm breath mingled with hers as she stroked her thumb back and forth across his cheek.

"Are you alright?" Sabine asked, searching his eyes.

"I am better now," Bastien answered, his hand coming to a stop on her waist. "Today...today was rough," he stated. "For the both of us," he added.

"I know," she agreed, with a sigh and laying her head on his chest.

Sabine could feel the slow rising and falling of Bastien's chest beneath her head.

"I sometimes forget just how sharp your tongue can be," he commented, his voice sending a low rumble that reverberated through her body. "I don't think I've been on the receiving end of one of your lashings before, at least, not in a very long time," he noted, and Sabine planted a kiss on his night shirt covered chest.

"Bastien," she called quietly, reaching her free hand out to interlock their fingers.

"Yes?"

"Promise me something,"

"Anything,"

"Promise me, that we won't go to bed mad at each other," Sabine said, nestling her face into the crook of Bastien’s neck. "I don't know if I could bear it, us going to bed in anger, and then waking up again the next morning with unresolved, bitter feelings still clouding over us," she explained, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I promise,"

Chapter Fourteen: Welcome Home, Sabine Freemen

[solarwindswriting]

Oh, The Places You’ll Go

Chapter 2

Previous Chapter / Next Chapter

Loosely inspired by the song Greek Tragedy by the Wombats

Pairing: Scotty x FemalePresenting!Reader

Word Count: 3313

Summary: The Enterprise welcome party is in full swing, and our two main characters finally meet each other!

Warnings: excessive alcohol consumption (I think that’s it)

A/N: So, I didn’t notice how long this part was until it was too late. I wanted to slip it into two but I couldn’t find a reasonable place to do it. So instead you get over 3k words. Sorry lol. Also, thank you so much to those who showed interest in being tagged, you have no idea how big that is for me!

Tags: @mournthewicked @damalseer  

“Oh my, does this dress make my butt look bigger?” Sara asks, standing in front of the mirror in a shop.

“Is that what you want? If so, yes. Why do you need a new dress anyway? You have so many beautiful ones already.” Y/n wonders out loud while looking through the racks.

“Because I want to make a good first impression. Besides, I heard the crew of the Enterprise are all quite attractive. I’ve got to live up to that.” Sara responds, walking back into the dressing room.

“Sara, you are one of the most attractive people I know. Neither of us would have a problem if we went in something we already owned.” Y/n laughs, pulling out a flowing deep blue dress off the rack. “What about this?”

Sara pops her head out of the dressing room, watching as Y/n holds the dress up to her body. Sara’s eyes widen and shake her head frantically in agreement before her head disappears back into the dressing room, “absolutely. Go try that on right now.”

Y/n walks into a dressing room with the dress in hand. The dress was made with elegant royal blue tulle with embroidered stars speckled over the top layer. It fell over Y/n’s body perfectly, off the shoulders and stopped to about mid-calf, and whished when she moved. Stepping out, Y/n looks at Sara who was now sitting in a chair with the black cocktail dress she had tried on previously.

“You look like a greek god in that dress, Y/n,” Sara mused.

Y/n walked in front of the mirror and twirled. “Is it too much? If I get this, you have to pick a more exciting dress than what you’ve got.”

“It’s not too much but if it takes me getting that dress that makes my butt look good for you to buy that, I’ll do it,” Sara responds while walking over to the rack where she found the aforementioned dress.

With both dresses paid for, the friends left the shop and headed to Y/n’s apartment to pick up the things she needs to get ready at Sara’s.

“So, Let’s see what we’re getting ourselves into,” Sara started, looking at her datapad with photos of the crew while she walks.

“Sara, we’ve looked at these photos thousands of times. We know what they look like,” chuckles out Y/n, weaving their arm with hers.

“Yes, but that was different. Now we’re performing reconnaissance for the party tonight.” 

“And what does your reconnaissance tell you?” Y/n glances at the pad.

“That Lieutenant Uhura is very attractive and only one rank above us.” Sara giggles as she reads Uhura’s personnel entry. “She’s also incredibly smart.”

“And very taken by Commander Spock,” Y/n points to the relationship status on file.

Sara deflates slightly before swiping through the next few personnel files. She stops on Commander Spock next.

“And this is the Vulcan you’ll be working under. Good luck with that, Y/n. I hear he’s rather cold.” Sara comments before continuing to swipe.

“He’s not that cold if he’s in a relationship. Also, isn’t he half human?” Y/n stops Sara before she walks into the busy street.

Sara ignores the potential harm she could have caused herself, and next stops on Lieutenant Commander Montgomery Scott, better known as Scotty. 

“Cheif of Engineering. I hear he’s basically married to the ship,” Sara laughs and restarting to walk once the crosswalk is open.

“Next,” Y/n chuckles bad.

“Lieutenant Commander Leonard McCoy, Chief Medical Officer. I heard he has a cute accent but is a bit of a hardass. Remind me not to get hurt a lot.” Sara side-eyes Y/n while she talks.

“Good to know. Bet he knows how to make a good drink though.” Y/n speculates as they enter their apartment building.

“And Lastly, for the head of different groups, Captain James T. Kirk. Quite the looker.” Sara smirks to herself.

“And quite the flirt,” Y/n laughs at her friend as she unlocks her apartment. “I’ll be right over. I just need to pick up a few things.”

Living in the same building as your best friend had its perks. Getting ready for events was one of them. After picking up her makeup and a pair of heels that match her dress, Y/n walks over to Sara’s apartment and opens the door.

“Hey, why didn’t you wake me up this morning?” Y/n questioned, setting her makeup down next to Sara’s.

“Oh, I tried, you wouldn’t budge. I figured you’d make it eventually. And you did! So points for Sara.” She muses as she grabs two hard ciders from her fridge.

“I could have missed graduation!” Y/n fakes anger as she takes the cider from her dear friend.

Both get to work on their makeup and hair. Sara loosely curls her auburn hair, whereas Y/n does her hair in her favorite style. Once they were both ready, they left Sara’s apartment towards the location of the welcoming party, an old-style bar reminiscent of old San Francisco. The two stood in front of the main doors, peering into the windows, unsure if they should just walk in or not.

“Lieutenants! Very nice to see you two could make it.” A strong hand falls on Y/n’s shoulder, causing them and Sara to turn towards the voice to see a hand outstretched. “How about a proper introduction? I am Captain James T. Kirk. You’re welcome to just call me Kirk when we are off duty. And this is Commander Spock.”

  Y/n takes Kirk’s hand to shake then trading with Sara to shake Spock’s. “I am Lieutenant Junior Grade Y/n Y/l/n. I just go by Y/n when off duty. And this is-”

“Lieutenant Junior Grade Sara Conners, Sir! It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Well, we should probably get inside and join the party, yes?” Kirk suggests, holding the door open for the other three.

The music playing was just above a comfortable volume, but quiet enough where you could hold a conversation without yelling. Sara and Y/s walk up to the bar to order drinks when a young man approaches them with a wide smile.

“Hello, I’m Pavel Ch-”

“Chekov. Navigation right?” Sara finishes for him, reaching out her arm. “Sara Conners. A pleasure to meet you!”

Pavel chuckles shaking Sara’s hand, “Did your research I see. And you are?” He finishes with a soft Russian accent, looking at Y/n.

“Y/n Y/l/n.” She says, shaking his hand. “Got any suggestions on what to order from here?”

“Well, the midtier brandy is spectacular here. But they do have a wonderful mint julep.” He states before waving over the bartender and ordering himself a brandy.

“We’ll take two mint juleps please.” Sara catches the bartender before he’s able to walk off.

“So, are you two in a relationship? You seem very close.” Pavel questions, sipping from his glass.

“No, just really close,” Sara answers, reaching for the newly arrived drinks and handing one to Y/n.

“Ah, cool,” Pavel beams. “Have you met the rest of the bridge crew yet? I can introduce you!”

Pavel leads Sara and Y/n to a table where Kirk and Spock were sat with two others.

“This is Nyota Uhura and Leonard McCoy. You’ve met the Captain and Spock already, yes?” Pavel introduces the crew with a bright smile. “Everyone, this is Y/n Y/l/n and Sara Conners.”

Hello’s and handshakes were exchanged. Pavel is pulled away by a few other ensigns towards what Y/n now notices a karaoke machine.

“So, Lieutenant Y/l/n, You will be working under me. Is there a particular area of study you wish to work on while abroad the USS Enterprise?” Spock questions.

“Oh, um yes. I’m looking specifically for new worlds with large deposits of Bio-mimetic Gel. It has many wonderful medical applications but very-” Y/n is cut off by Leonard.

“Regulated by the Federation. Do you have the proper paperwork and training to be handling such a hazardous material, young lady?” Leonard questions.

“Hey, we’re here to celebrate and have a good time, not to discuss work. Give the girl one more night of freedom.” Kirk interrupts and chuckles. “Also, call him Bones, he hates it.”

“I would love to answer your question, Lieutenant Commander McCoy. My last two years at the Academy majorly consisted of training and research with Bio-mimetic Gel under the supervision of Erika Biordi. My research has been in stabilizing the gel for transport and more widely used medical purposes. I have papers signed by President Kenneth Wescott and the proper containment materials that should already be aboard the Enterprise. This could be major for doctors all over the Federation. Also, I wouldn’t be able to do this work unless the Captain has approved it.” Y/n smiles thinly at the doctor.

Kirk, Spock, and Uhura all look impressed by the confidence in which Y/n spoke. Bones looks more apprehensive about the situation. Kirk broke the silence, “Y/n have you met Scotty yet?”

Y/n shakes her head no and notices Sara slinked off at some point to talk with Pavel more. Kirk leads Y/n towards the back corner to a table with three chairs. At the table sat a gentleman in a brown leather jacket and a Roylan both embroiled in a heated conversation about… power converters?

“No, Keenser, that will overload the Warp Drive, she won’t be able to take that kind of power without the proper energy suppressers.” A thick Scottish accent talks tensely between sips of whatever is in his glass.

“Can no one on my ship take a day off?” Kirk laughs, clapping his hand onto Montgomery’s shoulder.

“Ey, not when you have a potential explosion risk due to Keenser, Sir,” Montgomery responds.

“Well, I’ve got bad news then. I’d like to introduce you to Lieutenant Junior Grade Y/n Y/l/n. One of the newest graduates from Starfleet Academy. She will be studying Bio-mimetic Gel.” Kirk pulls the third chair out and motions to Y/n to sit. “She’s not getting along so great with Bones and thought you two might get along better.”

And with that Kirk walks away. The three are quiet, Y/n sipping on her mint julep that She’s about half done with.

“Sorry, I didn’t know I’d be interrupting a conversation. You can act like I’m not here.” Y/n said just loud enough to be heard over the sound of Sara and a couple of ensigns poorly singing Africa on stage.

“Why did you decide to study Bio-mimetic Gel?” The question from Montmonery surprised Y/n.

“Oh, um, when I was younger, Bio-mimetic Gel saved my mother’s life while out on a five-year mission. Her ship shouldn’t have even had any onboard, but they had just commandeered some from a smuggling vessel. If they hadn’t found that ship when they did and the doctor on board willing to take the risk, my mother would be dead and I would never have been born. So, when I heard they were wanting to do more research into it to potentially make it a commonly used substance by Federation doctors, I jumped at the chance. Sorry, that’s probably a lot more information than you were asking for.” Y/n found herself rambling.

The Cheif engineer just shook his head slightly, finishing off his drink. “No, I asked, Lass. I rarely get full explanations of why someone joined Starfleet. It’s refreshing. I’ll be right back, I’m going to get a refill. Can I get you anything?”

“Yeah, Sure. I’ll take one of whatever you’re getting. Thank you, Montgomery.”

“Please, call me Scotty.” He said, before walking off towards the bar.

Keenser and Y/n sat in more silence as they finished their drinks waiting for Scotty to return. Peering towards the bar, Y/n notices Scotty being stopped by some ensigns to chat.

“So, how long have you been on the enterprise?” Y/n asks Keenser.

Keenser babbles in his native tongue something along the lines of “not very long.”

Y/n nods in acknowledgment, “very cool. Do you like it?”

Keenser simply nods as Scotty returns, placing a glass in front of Y/n.

“Thank you, Scotty.” Y/n smiles at the man now sitting across from them.

“No problem, Lass. This will unfortunately be my last drink for the night. Going to head up to the Enterprise tonight to get a head start on some undocking prep. Coming with Keenser?” Keenser huffed in response, Finishing his drink and hopping down from his chair.

“Oh, okay. Have a goodnight then. Don’t overwork yourself. It’s supposed to be a night off.” Y/n waves goodbye to Scotty and Keenser.

Almost as soon as they leave, their spots are taken by Sara and Pavel.

“Y/n! You HAVE to get up there and sing!” Sara’s words slur as she waves her arm towards the small stage in the bar.

“Yes, you should take her advice, Lieutenant,” Pavel smiles towards Y/n.

“No, I’m perfectly fine here. And call me Y/n, Pavel. When do you want to go home, Sara?” Y/n looks with a soft smile towards her friend. She isn’t feeling the alcohol as intensely as Sara but she assumes that’s because she’s had significantly fewer drinks than her friend.

Sara looks at Y/n like they’ve just committed the most heinous crime. “What do you mean you don’t want to go up and sing. You have the most beautiful voice! And I bet your dress would look stunning under those lights.” Sara leans further into Y/n, head now resting her head on her shoulder, and whispers, “You can sing that old Earth song you like so much.”

Y/n chuckles at her friend while shaking her head. “You’re going to have to get a lot more alcohol into me before I’m willing to sing in front of the whole crew.”

Before Y/n could finish talking, Pavel was already up and at the bar, ordering a double round of shots. After a couple of minutes, he returns with a tray of purple shots. The trio cheers the first round to their health and quickly follows it with another to their safety aboard the ship. The trio continues to drink and after about an hour, Y/n is successfully sloshed. Sara convinced Y/n and Pavel to sing Sara’s favorite song that her grandmother loved called ‘Shut Up and Dance’. This was not a song to sing well, but more to just yell the word to. They even got a few of the old crewmates to sing along. Y/n was having a blast and finally thought she couldn’t wait to be working with these people. A group of nurses went on next and sang some modern rock anthem.

Y/n cut themself and Sara off after that song and convinced Sara to drink some water and eat some more food. Both slowly started to sober up, Pavel never seemed very drunk though. People begin to leave back to their homes or hotels for the night. It was starting to get late. Y/n shivers.

“Are you cold, Y/n?” Pavel asks.

“A bit, but I’ll be fine.” Y/n smiles at the kind man.

“Um,” Pavel looks around and spots something on the back of Sara’s chair and grabs it, “put this on.”

‘Scotty’s jacket? When did he take that off?’ Y/n wonders to herself as she slides the jacket on. ‘I’m sure her wouldn’t mind. I’ll just bring it to him on the ship tomorrow.’

“Y/nnnnn, come ooon. Barely anyone is left and I got you drunk like you said I had to. Go sing a solo song.” Sara nudges Y/n elbow towards the stage again.

“Fine, but I’m not happy about it!” Y/n laughs, walking onto the stage after the current song ends.

Sitting on a stool on stage, Y/n adjusts the mic to her sitting height. ‘Take Me To Church’ starts playing.

***

Scotty left earlier than he had planned. But talking with the new science officer made him feel odd and he didn’t want to be rude so he lied about needing to work on the ship. She’s much too young for him he thought. She has her whole life of research ahead of them. He couldn’t be with someone who dressed so elegantly, he was a bumbling fool and could never compare. She didn’t need him, some old Scotsman pinning for her. So instead, he and Keenser walked around the surrounding area until they got tired. About an hour had passed when Scotty realized something.

“Keenser, where’s my jacket?”

Keenser looks at Scotty and responds in his native tongue, “you left it at the bar.”

“Damnit, why didn’t you say anything?” He huffs out, turning around to walk back to the bar and get his Jacket.

He had walked further than he realized from the bar and took him about half an hour to return. As he entered the front doors, he watched Y/n walk onto the stage with his jacket on. Confused, he walks up to Kirk who now sat alone at the bar.

“Y/n said you went back to the ship,” Kirk prodded at the engineer.

“Yeah, but I noticed I forgot my jacket.” Scotty’s accent was unmissable.

“I noticed.” Kirk glances knowingly at Y/n who has started singing on stage.

Most people continued to talk but a few people stopped to listen to Y/n sing. Sara and Pavel sat at their table swaying dramatically to the song. Sara even started waving her arms slowly above her head, causing Y/n to chuckle as she sang. Scotty became enraptured in Y/n singing and began swaying lightly to her voice.

On the last line, “Good God, let me give you my life,” Y/n makes eye contact with Scotty, making her instantly blush.

Hopping off the stage, Y/n shuffles towards him while taking off his jacket.

“Sorry, Pavel found your jacket. I planned on giving it to you tomorrow on the ship but I got cold and put it on. Sorry.” Y/n talked fast, face beet red while shoving the jacket into Scotty’s arms and running back towards Sara before he could get a word out.

“Thanks,” Scotty whispers under his breath, looking down at his jacket.

He slides his arms into it, still warm from Y/n wearing it. Her song had entranced him. It wasn’t a song he was familiar with, must be old. He doesn’t usually care for music, but he thought he would listen to music for hours if she was the one singing it. Scotty shook his head free of those thoughts. By the time he came back to reality, Y/n was gone.

“What are you thinking about, Scotty?” Kirk prodded.

“Nothing, Sir. Goodnight” Scotty straightened out his back before leaving the bar and walking to his hotel room.

***

“Sara, it’s time to go,” Y/n spoke quickly

“What? But I’m still having fun.” Sara huffed.

“Yeah, and we both need to be up and on the transport shuttles at 0700. Let’s go, Rockstar. Goodnight, Pavel, we’ll see you tomorrow.” Y/n pulled Sara to her feet and waved goodbye to Pavel.

The cool, damp air was refreshing on Y/n’s skin. The walk wasn’t long to their apartments, which Y/n was thankful for. She helped Sara into her apartment and bed, setting their friend’s alarm with plenty of time to get ready before going to her apartment to do the same. Y/n quickly fell asleep with oddly invading thoughts of one Montgomery Scott.

[benhardypout-archive]

I’LL PROTECT YOU WITH MY LIFE

Day 01: role reversal

Rating: T

A/N: My entry for another @lightisdays2k lightis week (2020) yaay! hope you guys like this short fic (2.3k+ words) i’ve written. i’m sorry if i got some of the original plot wrong BUT this is my own au, so deal with it. lol

"Princess Claire Farron, as one of your Father's will before he…" 

Silence soon cut through the halls by the sudden pause.

"...died," the future queen of Bodhum finished the sentence for him as her advisor. 

She's seated in a black throne wearing the royal crown and a long black dress carefully embroidered with pearls, making her look more regal yet daunting. Her pale aqua eyes looked sharp, ready to slit the advisor's throat standing before her. 

Why were they afraid to say the word? Whatever they say would not change that her father's gone.

She had read her father's last will before he got killed, and one of them was having assigned a royal guard - like a bodyguard - for her, which she knew, and her father knew, she didn't need.

The advisor fidgeted in his place and cleared his throat. What a sore to look at! 

She huffed but stayed silent as she was taught to listen. She waited, tapping her black heel against the black marbled floor.

"A-as I was saying, your highness…"

"Cut to the chase," she cut him off, clicking her tongue. 

"H-His late majesty wanted you to have someone to look after your back."

Just as she thought.

She scoffed which echoed coldly across the wide hall making everyone silent and their breathings shallow. 

"I told you I don't need a bodyguard. I'm afraid I’ll end up saving their asses instead." 

"I-I know, Your Highness. But they've come a long way, so if you would kindly let me bring him before your presence and meet him." The advisor bowed gallantly.

The princess tapped her fingers against her seat as she thought for a moment. Then she said, "All right."

With that, the advisor bowed again before he walked away.

She sighed, pissed.

A minute had passed, but for Lightning - the name she began to call herself since her mother died from the same war her father had been killed - it was forever. 

The huge double doors pushed open and a sound of footsteps clad against the floor, echoing through the stillness. Slowly, the advisor appeared from the shadows along another stranger, who was also wearing black. Their face hidden in the dark as the only light serving the throne was the one coming from the huge windows, but it still wasn't enough to brighten the place for its high ceilings.

"Here he is, Your Highness. Let me present to you Sergeant Noctis Lucis Caelum." Her advisor stepped aside to make way for the Caelum guy who stepped forward, revealing his face through the light. His hair black and spiky but it reflected blue as light touched it.

He bowed with grace and authority before her. "Your Highness."

"Leave us be, Sazh," Lightning said, referring to her advisor, who, then, silently took his leave.

"What made you come here, Sergeant?" She asked, her voice flat. She straightened in her seat.

Noctis slowly raised his body, lifting his gaze to her. His dark blue eyes shone yet his face, unreadable. But the princess admitted that she didn't expect for her would-be bodyguard to look so well and young. She, maybe, was expecting something rougher and older.

She smirked to herself. He looked like a total weakling. Her father never really knew her and what she wanted or needed.

"I was trained to look after Your Highness. The King had chosen me."

Now she wanted to laugh. Her father never mentioned anything about him or someone he would train to look after her. 

"You do know, rather, must know, that I don't need anyone to look after me," she leaned on her seat, crossing her legs.

"I understand. But it is my duty--"

"Thanks for your service, Sergeant. And for your loyalty, but I am sorry to send you back this instance…" she trailed off as an idea hit her. The corner of her lips pulled up into a slight curve. "Or maybe you can go look after my sister for me, since I don't trust the man assigned to guard her. Then report it to me the next morning. Your choice."

The sergeant paused and looked at her carefully. After a moment, he sighed, "All right."

"All right, what? You're going to leave?"

"I'll look after you and your sister," he said slowly, stressing each word.

"What? I didn't mention-"

"I told you, Your Highness, that I was ordered by the late king to look after you. And as you commanded, I'm going to look after your sister as well."

Lightning huffed, glancing down as she thought for a moment. She had to do this for Serah. She couldn't brush the idea of her sister developing feelings towards her bodyguard whose name was Snow Villiers, as what the rumors said. Though, her sister disputed that it wasn't true, however she didn't trust her this time. I'm sorry, Serah.

She lifted her gaze back to the sergeant and said, "All right." 

* * *

The smell of roses wafted in the air. Closing her eyes, Lightning basked in its scent and let it embrace her. The rose garden was the only thing her late mother left as her remembrance. So, she made sure to look after and took care of it herself. It had become her favourite place to go to in the palace. It felt like her mother was there, and never really left.

Reaching for a rose, she heard a faint rustle among the bushes. She stopped. Her senses told her she wasn't alone.

"Who's there?" She called, turning her body slowly. "Show yourself. I know you're there," she said  when, whoever was behind the bushes, didn't come out. 

Then a pair of black boots appeared, the Sergeant revealing himself. 

She crossed her arms, shifting her weight on her other leg. “What are you doing here?”

The sergeant shrugged.  "Watching you?"

Lightning squinted at him and drawled, "Watching, huh… Well, it looks like you're stalking, by hiding in the bushes." 

"Since you said that you didn't like me to watch over you. But I shan't fail the late King of what he ordered me to do as a promise, so I decided to do it in secret."

She scoffed, shaking her head once. "You have a weird sense of humor, aren't you? Besides, we all know he's dead so whether you keep your promise or not wouldn't matter."

"No. A promise is a promise."

"Are you going against me, Sergeant?"

The sergeant straightened his back and bowed slightly. "Forgive me, Your Highness. I do not intend to."

"I am, as you call it, Your Highness. So whose orders are you going to follow?"

"Whoever rules the Kingdom."

"And that's me."

"And your father…"

Lightning gave him a sharp look. This man's testing my patience.

"May I ask a personal question, princess?"

She regarded him a moment before she nodded her head.

"Why is it like you're going up against what the late king wishes for you? It's for your own good."

Her hand balled into fists. Her jaw rigid. "He never knew what's good for me. All he cared about was the Kingdom. And now he thought he knew what I needed? Where was he when I needed him the most?" She then sighed sharply, closing her eyes. Her heart hammering wildly inside her chest. And she thought she revealed too much.

Shooting a glare at Sergeant Caelum, she waited for him to say more or for him to scold her that she got her father all wrong. She wanted to know if her father really cared about her, but all she got from him was a nod of understanding. How disappointing.

They turned silent and still. None made a move. Yet the silence was disturbing, when a gentle rush of wind blew past them, making the rose rustle, as if her mother was urging her to say something. But she’s lost for a moment. What shall I do, mother?

The sergeant cleared his throat, stealing her attention. "Then... will you just let me do what your father wishes this time and watch over you?" 

She sized him up for a moment. Her mother raised a queen that could defend the kingdom, not to be looked after. "On one condition. Defeat me in a spar."

* * *

Lightning took him to the training grounds. In her hand was the Blazefire Saber, her personal weapon which the gods had given her on her 18th birthday.

"Where's your weapon?" She asked when she saw Sergeant Caelum holding nothing.

Without uttering a word, Noctis held his hand, palm open in front of him and then a sword materialized into thin air.

How--

Her grip tightened on her gun-blade, her brows furrowed. She looked at him grimly.

The sergeant swung his sword and placed his body in a stance. 

With a faint huff, and stillness surrounding them, Lightning charged first, swinging her weapon to him which he countered with his sword. 

His sword, Lightning thought, was not unexceptional. Surely, an ordinary person wouldn't be able to gain it. Her eyes flicked to his dark blue ones, feeling an unexpected force. She broke out from the contact and was thrown backwards, the sole of her boots glided against the smooth wooden floor. Good thing she had her balance in check, or she might be thrown off.

"Who are you?" she uttered, almost like a whisper, looking at the man with disbelief. Where did her father meet him?

The sergeant stood straight, his sword disappeared as he placed a hand on his chest and bowed. "I do not wish to fight you, Your Highness. As I told you, I'm here to watch over you."

"Yaah!!!!" Not giving him the chance to utter another word, she launched at him. And in a blink of an eye he vanished into thin air and appeared right behind her, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulled her close to his body before she could make the fall; her sword fell from her grip. She grunted, and gritted her teeth, trying to hide the pang of embarrassment and humiliation. She's the queen, she must be better. Do better.

"Let go of me," she grunted between her teeth, and the sergeant did so, gently.

"I told you, I do not wish to fight you," he said.

She turned at him, frowning. Her pride refused to speak to him, but the way he held himself only humiliated her more, and was telling her to act how a royalty should.

She held her chin high despite being shorter just a few inches than him. "All right. I can see you’re fit to watch my sister. But not me. I can handle myself."

"I've sworn my life to you."

Lightning paused. Sworn his life. Normally, all of her soldiers had sworn their lives to her, but he, this sergeant, the way he said those words carried such weight as if he’d been preparing all his life for this. To serve their kingdom. Or worse, to serve her, solely.

Not wanting to give up to him yet, she sighed. "Yes, I know. And that means watching over my sister. She needed you more than I do."

The sergeant, intently, stared at her. She shifted on her weight and about to glance away when he spoke, "I know. But how am I going to look after you?"

She chuckled, which sounded like a scoff. She couldn't believe this guy. "You don't need to look after me. I thought we had an agreement that you'll look after my sister."

"Yes, but you are my priority. Don't make me stop now."

"You're stubborn, are you?"

"Maybe."

Then the words, she had been wanting to ask, just slipped off her tongue. "How could you have the ability to materialize a sword and teleport? What are you?"

A faintest smile touched the sergeant's lips. "You are curious it seems, Your Highness."

She didn't like the way he’s looking at her. And that smirk.

"No. I'm not," she tilted the corner of her lips then she spun around, turning her back on him and started to walk away. However, she felt his presence behind. Urgh! She wasn't going to live like this with someone following behind her.

"Stop doing that, you're creeping me out!" she said, sharp.

She heard him smirk. "My apologies. If you want we could talk."

"All right. Tell me how you got the power then I'll let you look after me. Don't leave one bit of information." 

"Certainly, Your Highness. I got it from a near death-experience when I was young. We have been attacked from the war ten years ago…."

Lightning could still remember it, she was eleven and that’s when her mother died. 

Bodhum had been at war against Niflheim, wanting to get their hands on the crystal, which they won. But the enemy kingdom attempted again,  two years ago, which her father had sacrificed his life for. And in her reign, she vowed she would not let what her parents sacrificed to go to waste. She would protect the Kingdom and the crystal as her life. But this sergeant, listening to his story… Etro had blessed him and gave him a prophecy of protecting it - the crystal - thus, her father had chosen him. 

But why him? And not… me? 

Was it also the reason her father tasked him to look after her?

"It was a curse. I know that someday, I'm going to pay its price and sacrifice my life for it… But I'm ready," he said, finishing his story.

She stopped walking, and looked at him. If that was so, and he was called to protect the crystal… she had made her decision.

"No, you're not cursed," she said, "because I need you. And you're not going to die… because who will protect me, then?"

Her face turned soft and then... she smiled. 

And thought, ‘I have to protect him with my life.’

[artificialqueens]

Galactica, Chapter 57 (Group Fic) - TheDane/Veronica

A/N: Click here if you’re looking for previous chapters (or here if you’d rather read on AO3). 💫

Last Chapter: Fame nearly gave the designers a heart attack while Violet reached out to a friend and Courtney couldn’t get Bianca out of her head.

This Chapter: A delivery, an investigation, a confession, a meeting, a startling revelation, a secret rendez-vous, and an emotional breakdown.

***

“Miss?” Courtney asked timidly, standing in the doorway. She knew she’d been a bit distracted all week, and could tell that Miss Fame was annoyed with her, but she was trying nonetheless.

“Yes?”

“Ivy sent over the powerpoint for tomorrow. She wants to know if you have any more notes.”

“Leave it.” Fame gestured to her desk, and Courtney hurried forward to put it down, turning to get out of the office and her direct eye line as quickly as possible. “Courtney!”

“Yes Miss?”

“Close the door behind you.”

“Of course, Miss.”

Courtney closed the door, sighing. It had been a long week, Courtney already counting down the seconds until their meeting at Marie Claire tomorrow, nervous butterflies filling her stomach as she wondered what it would be like to see Bianca again.

Would she be all business? Would she flirt with her right in front of everyone? Courtney’s skin prickled, imagining those dark eyes smoldering at her, when the intercom buzzing made her jump, startled.

“Court, got a delivery for you,” Roxy announced through the speaker, and she hurried to reception to see what it was, assuming Roxy meant a delivery for Miss Fame.

At the front desk, Roxy held a small bag out, but when Courtney reached for it, she moved it out of the way, first asking, “Why’s the runner from Marie Claire bringing you stuff from La Perla?”

“I...I dunno,” Courtney said, twirling her hair, already psyched at the prospect of a delivery. It was probably related to the meeting, but even so... “What’s La Perla?”

“Bitch, it’s a lingerie store. A fuckin’ fancy one,” Roxy said, still holding the bag out of reach.

“Oh.” Courtney bit back a smile, abdomen twisting with excitement, lunging forward to grab the bag from Roxy’s hands. “Thanks.”

But Roxy wasn’t giving up without a fight, grabbing her sleeve and pulling her back.

“Ma’am, you aren’t going anywhere until you answer. What’s the deal?”

“Well…” Courtney said, “I’m kind of...dating someone who works there.” Which was at least a little bit true, wasn’t it? Maybe dating was too strong a word, but she didn’t think “fucked” would be appropriate for workplace chitchat.

“And he used the company messenger?” Roxy asked. “He must be pretty high up then, who is it?”

Courtney giggled at her mistaken assumption, shaking her head and saying, “That’s all you get today.”

She wrestled her sleeve out of Roxy’s grip and skipped off back to her own office, where she eagerly opened the bag, first pulling out a handwritten note on BDR stationary, which Bianca must have written as soon as she’d gotten to the office, since her plane landed only a few hours ago. Not that Courtney was tracking her flight.

See you tomorrow. XX, B

Courtney touched the letters, feeling a bit silly but also incredibly elated that Bianca was thinking about her at all, much less sending her presents. She then pulled a tissue-paper wrapped package from the bag, opening it carefully to reveal an embroidered lace turquoise bra and matching panties. She quickly stuffed them both back in the bag before anyone else saw, cheeks warm and skin pleasantly tingly.

Finally, she had an excuse to send another message. She pulled out her personal phone and quickly typed it out before she lost her nerve.

COURTNEY: Thanks for the present. ;)

Courtney felt a rush of adrenaline as soon as she hit send, wondering how long it would take for Bianca to reply. When those three magical dots appeared almost immediately, she nearly gasped with delight.

BIANCA: You gonna wear it for me?

COURTNEY: Maybe…

Her heart pounded as the dots appeared once again, waiting with bated breath for Bianca’s response. She seemed to be typing for an awfully long time. But when the message finally came through, it was short.

BIANCA: Can’t wait.

As she took a deep breath, trying to calm her frantically beating heart, the phone rang, the shrill sound nearly knocking her out of her chair. She put on her headset, trying to compose herself and swallow down her giddiness before answering.

“Miss Fame’s office…”

***

ROXY: Hey girl, got a minute?

SHANNEL: Sure babe, what’s up?

ROXY: One of our assistants here is apparently dating someone high up at MC. Need you to help me solve who it is.

SHANNEL: Oooh, I love a mystery. Clues?

ROXY: Yeah, your runner just dropped off a bag of La Perla for her.

SHANNEL: Lol cheesy. Stand by…

SHANNEL: OMG. Last person to send the runner out was Joslyn. BDR’s assistant.

ROXY: Whaaaaaat????

SHANNEL: Who’s the assistant?! Is she gay???

ROXY: I mean not that I am aware but daaamn!!!

ROXY: PS It’s FAME’S assistant

SHANNEL: OMG

*

ROXY: GUUUURL

IVY: Lol, what’s up?

ROXY: BDR just sent Courtney a delivery

IVY: Yeah, and? It’s probably for the meeting tomorrow

ROXY: Bitch it’s La Perla

IVY: :O :O :O :O

ROXY: Exactly

***

If anyone asked, Jovan would say that he found creating support pieces boring, that there was no creative challenge to rounding out a collection, that his talents were wasted on closing up holes and tying up bows.

In reality, it was something he looked forward to every collection.

Once all the major pieces had been selected, once the stars of the show were submitted, it meant that he could direct his creative attention outside of the company without it affecting the quality of his work.

Jovan pressed save on the drawing he had just finished doodling, a repetitive pattern of beige thread roses on a cream white background for the seasons underwear not a detail anyone would pick out when they looked at the runway, but one he knew would matter to senior management when they were shooting the looks in the spring.

He stretched out, hiding a yawn behind his hand as he grabbed for his coffee cup.

He had spent the majority of last night on his building's roof, his outfit for this year's christmas party an orange suit he was decorating every square inch of in graffiti.

Jovan raised the cup to his mouth, the liquid barely touching his lips before he spit it back out, the coffee ice cold.

“Fuck-“ Jovan groaned. He had completely lost track of time, and as he looked around the room, it seemed like he wasn’t the only one, all of his coworkers caught up in their own projects.

“Hey, Chachki,” Jovan twirled around in his chair, turning so he could look at his desk mate. Violet was sitting with her sketchbook, her gigantic headphones on, her head resting on her hand.

“Yo-“ Jovan stretched his foot out, tapping the edge of Violet’s chair which made her jump, a loud laugh leaving Jovan at her surprise as she took her headphones off.

“What?” Violet sounded annoyed, but Jovan had learned that it was simply who she was once she was in the zone, interrupting her a really bad idea if she wasn’t in the mood.

Jovan figured that was part of why Trixie had paired them up, neither of them ever taking it seriously when the other one snapped.

“Coffee?” Jovan waved his mug, a smile on his lips. Violet considered it for a second, but then she nodded, grabbing her own cup to go with him, Jovan not even noticing that the page Violet had been on was completely blank.

***

“Your team is already here,” Joslyn said, leading Miss Fame and Courtney down the hall to the conference room. “So if you’re all set, I can let Bianca know-”

“Bianca knows better than to keep me waiting,” Fame said, tossing her coat to Courtney, who stumbled a bit.

“Of course,” Joslyn assured her, and was proven right by the fact that Bianca strolled into the conference room a few moments after them, greeting Fame warmly and then turning to Courtney, a sly grin on her face.

Joslyn was no idiot. She had a sneaking suspicion when the whole “find a vegan chef for Thanksgiving” thing had come up that Bianca had her eye on someone new, and it was basically confirmed yesterday when Bianca had asked her to arrange the La Perla delivery.

Today was the first time she’d met Courtney in person, and she had to admit that she certainly was beautiful--Joslyn even briefly wondered if she was wearing the lingerie before telling herself that was inappropriate.

“Hey, Courtney.”

“Hi,” Courtney replied, biting her lip, cheeks reddening. Zero poker face whatsoever, Joslyn noted, turning her head to hide her amusement.

“Courtney,” Miss Fame said, and Courtney’s head whipped around, standing a bit straighter, her arms still full of the heavy white coat. “This conference room is too crowded. We don’t need you here.”

“Oh. Okay, I…” Courtney looked around, slightly embarrassed, clearly unsure where to go, and Miss Fame let out a little huff of annoyance.

“Hey Jos,” Bianca cut in, a hand on Courtney’s lower back guiding her towards Joslyn. “Why don’t you set Courtney up in my office?”

“Your office?” Miss Fame repeated.

“Yes, so she’s close by in case you need anything. And she can hang your coat in my closet, where it’ll be safe.” Bianca punctuated her suggestion with a self-satisfied grin.

“Sure thing!” Joslyn chirped, taking Courtney’s elbow and leading her from the room before Miss Fame’s death glare melted them both. She then unlocked Bianca’s office and opened the large closet for her.

“Thank you,” Courtney said, taking the offered hanger.

“So, um, I guess just make yourself comfortable. Can I get you anything? Water, coffee, tea…juice?” Joslyn asked sweetly, pretending that it was totally normal for an assistant from another company to be hanging out by herself in Bianca Del Rio’s office. This girl could very well be a brief fling, and probably was, but it didn’t hurt to get on her good side anyway.

“Thank you, but that’s alright. I don’t want to be any trouble for you.” Courtney bypassed Bianca’s comfy sitting area, instead choosing a hard-backed Lucite chair in front of her desk. She seemed to be trying to make herself as small as possible.

“It’s no trouble, honestly.” Joslyn smiled again, and Courtney looked up at her.

“I appreciate that. You’re really sweet.”

“That’s why I make the big bucks,” Joslyn joked, and Courtney chuckled.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Of course, go ahead.” Joslyn perched on the arm of the sofa.

“Is Bianca a good boss?” she asked, shifting in her seat.

“Why, you after my job?” She crossed her arms, feigning offence while giving Courtney an exaggerated look of grave suspicion.

“No,” Courtney laughed, “I just...I don’t know. I know you’ve been here for awhile, and she seems like a good boss. Is she?”

Joslyn wasn’t sure exactly why Courtney was asking, and she was also aware that anything she said could easily be repeated, so she was careful but honest in her response.

“Sure! I mean, she’s tough. And she expects us to work really hard. But she also works really hard, so...plus, you know, her last assistant is now one of our senior ad execs, so that bodes pretty well.”

“Yeah, definitely. Thanks.” Courtney smiled again, this one bright and dazzling, and Joslyn couldn’t help but return it.

***

“Ginger! You’re back!” Katya exclaimed, a big smile on her face as she entered the staff room, holding a slightly misshapen hand-painted mug gifted to her from a student several years back. She set it down on the counter and went to give her friend a hug. The fifth grade teacher had been in Florida for a family reunion, and Katya couldn’t wait to hear the stories of her self-described crazy redneck relatives.

“I’m back,” Ginger affirmed, her smoky voice even hoarser than usual. “Made it out by the skin of my teeth.”

Katya laughed, then winced, pulling back suddenly.

“You alright, kiddo?”

“Yeah, I just like...I must be PMSing because my tits are so sore,” Katya said. She poured coffee into the mug and then sat down heavily. “And I’m exhausted.”

“Oh yeah? How long’s that been going on?” Ginger asked, one eyebrow raised.

“Oh, I dunno. I’ve felt a little flu-ish on and off all month, just kinda tired and achy and nauseous, but it’s never developed into actually being sick. I probably just had a stomach bug that didn’t want to leave my system?” She shrugged, adding, “These flesh suits we lug around are weird.”

“That they are.” Ginger sat down, putting a hand over Katya’s. “But in this case, there may be an explanation.”

“Oh god, am I dying? Like, faster than normal?”

“Well, I’m no doctor, but…it sounds like you’re pregnant.”

Katya burst out laughing. “Oh my god, can you imagine?”

Her giggles died down when she saw that Ginger wasn’t laughing along. Which was weird, because she’d been the one to make the joke in the first place.

“You’re kidding, right?” Katya asked, a sense of dread growing inside of her as she repeated, “Please tell me you’re kidding.”

Ginger paused before shaking her head slowly. “I mean look, I could be wrong, but…”

“Oh my fucking god.”

***

Bianca stifled a yawn, trying to pay attention to Raja and Alyssa’s presentation on their upcoming collaboration. She had no doubt that the spread would turn out well in the end--the partnerships with Galactica always did, the fashion house absolutely known for bringing high quality editorial pieces.

However, at the moment, she was seeing a lot of taupe, and with the level of jet lag she was still suffering from, it really wasn’t enough to keep her eyes engaged. Luckily, they appeared close to the end.

“If we’re committed to this color story,” she cut in, “then I’d like to think about incorporating a few more graphic prints as well, and some exaggerated shapes.”

“You’re so impatient; that was our next slide,” Raja replied, motioning for Ivy to click forward, showing sketches of some of the looks with bold large-scale prints beside the originals.

“Wonderful.”

“Yes, the idea is for the makeup to be the real color stars,” Alyssa said, “but of course we want plenty of eye-catching shapes.”

“Yeah, it all looks good, very promising. What do you say we order some lunch, take a short break, and then go over the potential advertising partnerships my team put together?” Bianca suggested, and was met with nods (and a few relieved sighs) from around the table. She dialed her office extension on the intercom. “Joslyn, can you bring in the lunch menus?”

She began to get up from the table when she noticed Fame giving her some side eye from across the table.

“What?”

“Where are you going?” she asked suspiciously.

“Bathroom. Is that okay with you?”

“Mm…” Fame sat back, eyes still narrowed, and Bianca laughed, shaking her head.

“If you really want, I can bring you back a sample.”

“You’re disgusting,” Raja called out, and Bianca shrugged, letting out a cackle before ducking out of the room.

She hurried the short distance down the hall, passing Joslyn on the way, swiftly entering her office, a rush of endorphins filling her with glee the second she caught a glimpse of Courtney inside. She hadn’t expected for her to get under her skin so fast, but the entire week in Tokyo, she’d found herself thinking about her, fantasizing about her, anxiously waiting for the next time they’d meet. And now here she was, finally.

Courtney stood, turning around slowly. At first, she looked shy, maybe a bit unsure, tucking her hair behind her ear. “Hi. How was your week?”

“Brutal. I thought about you every second…” Bianca said quietly, her gaze unwavering.

Hearing that seemed to embolden Courtney, her eyes brightening before her face melted into a suggestive grin.

“Shut the door.”

“Yes ma’am.” Bianca grinned back at her, closing the door firmly behind her. She looked as fresh and pretty as always, in a belted, long-sleeved shirtdress and ballet pink heels. But all Bianca was interested in was what was underneath. “Are you wearing it?”

“Come see,” Courtney said, head tilted coyly, and Bianca strode forward, immediately taking hold of her belt, pulling it loose. As she began undoing the buttons as fast as possible, Courtney added, “I don’t usually wear bras, but I figured I could make an exception today.”

“Special occasion?” Bianca asked, heart hammering in her chest as she opened the dress to reveal the bra and panties she’d sent over yesterday, the teal standing out on her creamy skin, even better than Bianca had imagined.

“Uh huh…”

“Fuck.” She stepped closer, wanting nothing more than to wrap her into her arms, but Courtney evaded her touch.

“Now show me yours.”

Bianca’s head lifted, temporarily stumped. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.”

A smirk pulled on Bianca’s lips as she asked, “Do I look like some kind of sex object to you?”

“Yes.” Courtney twirled a lock of hair around her finger, perched on the edge of the desk.

Bianca had to hand it to Courtney--she was proving to be a lot feistier than planned, and it was a very welcome surprise. She slipped off her jacket, placing it on the guest chair, and then turned around. “Maybe you better help me with the zipper.”

Courtney took her time, dragging the zipper down, fingers trailing along the exposed skin until Bianca shrugged out of the dress, letting it pool in a heap at her feet. She turned back around, standing in what was at least pretty respectable silk underwear, if slightly unmatching as usual, and a black garter belt hooked to her thigh high stockings.

“Well?”

Courtney’s green eyes raked over her body, taking in every inch of her, making her feel exposed in a thrillingly unfamiliar way. When her eyes finally lifted to Bianca’s face again, she was breathing hard. She reached out and pulled Bianca in by the waist.

“Kiss me.”

“I’ll get lipstick all over you,” Bianca warned, fingering one of her bra straps.

“I don’t care. Kiss me.”

Bianca smiled, tilting her chin up and moving in for a kiss.

It was electric, hungry--even better than the last time. Courtney’s hands clawed at her ass, pulling her closer, and soon she had her sprawled on the desk, falling apart in the most glorious way. Bianca pulled down one of her bra cups, tongue wrapping around her dainty pink nipple, making her gasp and whimper, thighs tightening around Bianca’s hips.

Bianca moved a hand between her legs, feeling through the thin lace how wet she was already, one finger teasing her clit, rubbing her in gentle circles as she watched her eyes roll back.

“Oh god…”

“Look at me…” Bianca cradled the back of her neck, wanting nothing more than to watch her beautiful face as she came, when she heard buzzing, a phone vibrating beside them. She paused, fingers going still, eliciting another choked whimper. “Is that you?”

“What?” Courtney blinked up at her, pupils fully dilated, hips still rolling fruitlessly against her hand.

“The phone.”

“Shit!” Courtney gulped for air, struggling to sit up as Bianca handed her the still ringing phone, doing her very best to answer in a normal voice, the anguish in her eyes nearly making Bianca laugh. “Yes Miss?”

Bianca tried to suppress her dimples, patiently waiting as Courtney listened to rapid-fire instructions from Fame, but unable to resist teasing her a little bit more, fingers just barely touching the front of her panties.

“Uh huh...yes, I…” Courtney drew in a sharp breath, and Bianca’s dimples deepened, now unable to wipe the grin off her face. “Yes...right away, Miss.” She finally hung up, pressing her forehead against Bianca’s shoulder, chest heaving.

“Everything okay?” Bianca asked, moving closer, hovering over her.

“Yeah. I have to…um…” Courtney swallowed hard, tucking her face into Bianca’s neck, teeth grazing her skin.

“Can you spare a few more minutes?” Bianca murmured, and Courtney nodded.

“Yes. Please…”

“Please what? Tell me what you want.”

It had become clear to Bianca, during their last encounter, that Courtney was not accustomed to dirty talk. She had no trouble giving orders in some circumstances, but words like fuck and pussy seemed beyond her. So of course, being the sadistic bitch that Bianca was, getting her to say them became an urgent desire.

“I want...I want your fingers…” Courtney grasped at her wrist, doing her damndest to shove Bianca’s hand down the front of her panties.

“Yes? Where? Tell me.”

“In my cunt,” she said finally, voice breaking, and Bianca would have laughed if it wasn’t so fucking hot.

“You got it, angel…” Bianca slid two fingers into her wet pussy, curling them forward, pausing a beat when she gasped. She could feel nails dig deeper into her ass and asked, “You okay?”

“Fuck me, please…”

How quickly they learn.

Of course, Bianca obliged, working her quickly, thumb dragging figure eights over her clit the last thing she needed to send her over the edge with a high-pitched, drawn out moan.

“Shhh, shhh…” Bianca whispered, attempting to remind her where they were, who was potentially still in earshot. And then her whole body went soft, practically molding itself to Bianca’s, and all Bianca wanted to do was wrap her into an embrace. A pang of regret that she had to quickly return to the meeting went through her, and she tipped Courtney’s chin up to kiss her softly. “Hey so...you got any plans later tonight?”

Courtney shook her head, still in a daze.

“So there’s a restaurant near my place that I’ve been dying to try. Why don’t you come over after work and I can take you out on a real date...wine and dine you like you deserve.” The way her face lit up at the suggestion told Bianca that it was absolutely the right call.

“Okay…”

Bianca helped her down off the desk and guided her into the bathroom, where she handed over a makeup wipe and then went to work fixing herself.

“I gotta get back, your boss is already suspicious of my whereabouts,” Bianca said, pulling open a drawer to find a lipstick that matched what she was wearing before. “But use whatever you need in here.”

“Thanks, I-shit!”

“What’s wrong?”

“No, um...when she called, she was giving me a lunch order and I can’t remember if she wanted broccoli or kale…”

“Go with the broccoli,” Bianca advised, walking back to the office to find her clothes. “But why’s she not ordering from Pierre’s? We literally chose it because it’s her favorite.”

“She said there was nothing she wanted on the menu,” Courtney said, stepping forward to help with her zipper.

“What a diva,” Bianca chuckled, and turned around to face Courtney, brushing a thumb over her cheek. “I’ll see you later.”

Courtney nodded slightly, and Bianca couldn’t help notice that her dress was still unbuttoned. She took one last gratuitous look, and Courtney giggled, pushing her towards the door.

***

When Trixie opened the door to the supply room, he heard a strange noise.

He had only meant to come in to get a new box of pens, his favorite one all dried up, but now, he paused, waiting for a beat, but when he heard the noise again, he knew instantly what it was.

Someone was crying.

“Hello?” Trixie stepped inside, flicking on the lights, taking a few steps. “Anyone in here?”

Trixie had expected to find Blu, or maybe even Kiara or Kandy, but instead, he came face to face with Violet, who was standing in the corner, hiding in between reams of printer paper and extra staplers, her crutches resting against the shelves.

“... Violet?”

Trixie could see that Violet had been crying, black smudges under her eyes telling their clear story, but she looked so different from when she had been lying on the floor with a broken foot, the expression on her face completely devastated.

“Please go away.”

“Not until you tell me what’s wrong.” Trixie didn’t like to force himself on anyone, didn’t like to force anyone to open up, but he couldn’t accept that anyone from his staff was crying, couldn’t look away when someone he was responsible for was so obviously in distress. “Is it your ankle?”

“No,” Violet looked up, turning her eyes towards the ceiling as she quickly dabbed under her eyes, her lip between her teeth. “It’s stupid.”

“That doesn’t mean you can’t tell me.” Trixie leaned against a shelf, making sure he didn’t knock over the boxes of pencils. “Please.”

“I just, it’s-” Violet took a deep breath through her nose. “I’ve been trying so hard to keep up, and I can’t. I just- I can’t. I work on my dress, and I can’t let anyone else touch it because it isn’t finished-”

Trixie nodded, listening to Violet’s words. He understood her point of view, a couture gown a completely different beast from designing ready to wear. No one expected Violet to do the entire thing herself, not even Violet, but Trixie could see that she had an extremely clear vision in her head for how she wanted it down to the beading, which meant she couldn’t ask for anyone’s help yet and least of all tailoring.

“And when I’m on schedule for the dress, and I try to focus on the sketches, I don’t, I can’t, I just scrapped half my sketchbook because it isn’t good enough, and I can’t push through because I’m so tired and-”

“Hey, hey hey hey.” Trixie reached out, gently touching Violet’s arm. “Violet. Violet. Listen.” Trixie squeezed it, forcing her to focus on him. “It’s okay that you don’t have any support pieces-”

“Maxwell has done over 30 submissions.” Violet looked like she was about to cry again, and Trixie could see how much she hated it painted all over face.

“Maxwell is a senior designer.”

“But-”

“No. No buts.” Trixie cut her off “Do you want to hear a real problem? I’m trying to replace Aiden, and so far, Fame has rejected every single candidate.”

“She does like to do that,” Violet gave the tiniest smile, and Trixie couldn’t help but grin.

“Exactly, but do you know why I think she’s so tough this time around? Because the last hire we made, is a goddamn rockstar, who happens to be closing on her first ever show.”

Violet snorted, like she didn’t actually believe him, but she looked so much better, the woman he had come to genuinely care for slowly coming back.

“Go home Violet.” Trixie squeezed her arm one last time before letting go. “Go home, and I’ll see you Monday. Okay?”

Violet nodded, not even opening her mouth to argue, and Trixie couldn’t help but feel like he had finally, finally, finally broken through to his newest designer.

***

[iheartgirlymcs111]

~celebrating the comte’s birthday~

author’s note: i’m literally writing this an hour before midnight in my time zone so technically i’m not late but i’m cutting it close

so Happy birthday Comte de Saint Germain!

i’ve also l never wrote fan fiction, let alone posted it so don’t judge me i can’t tell you if this is gonna be an actual thing i’m just in love with comte and he’s my favorite character and i have way to many daydreams about him in my head lol

also i need some self indulgence to calm my nerves since i’m gonna be getting my wisdom teeth out and overall oral surgery tomorrow so yeah this is from mc’s (my mc’s) perspective here goes nothing! Enjoy!

genre: mega fluff

fandom: ikemen vampire temptation in the dark

warnings: spoilers for his real name

I awoke to the sound of rain softly pattering against the window in my bedroom. “This early?” I thought. I had checked the time

it was 7:37am a little later than i wanted since i had a goal to give Comte breakfast in his study at 8:00. I’m sure he’s been awake for a quite awhile by now, that begs the question though do pureblood even technically need sleep? Regardless I swiftly got out of bed, lazy made it and got dressed for the day. I made sure to have some gold and tan accents in my outfit & accessories to pay omage to my boyfriend. I’ve been at the mansion a few years by now and we started dating within the first one. I stumble around getting ready as quickly as  possible so I have as much time leftover to meet my goal. If you walked in on me I’m  sure it would like I was on a game show and had a timer going.

Once I was taken care of I had pulled out comte’s gift already wrapped in the depths of the closet that I had hidden and worked hard.

I put it on my vanity for now then went to work in the kitchen. I cut up some pieces of the freshly baked baguette that I had Leonardo pick up for me this morning which I thanked him for. Applied some butter on the bread set it on a plate, cut up some fruit and created a one person fruit salad in a bowl arranged it neatly on a tray along with some earl grey tea and adding a vase of bright yellow roses and the birthday card right next to it. I leave it on the dining room table for a couple minutes while i swing by room to get his gift. I run back to the dining room to get the tray, my hands full and very careful and focused on not dropping anything i finally arrive at comte’s study. The door is cracked and yes as i guessed it he’s awake. I lightly knock on the door three times and ask “comte it’s me may I come in?” “yes of course dearie.” I hear a quick response back. I excitedly open the door and exclaim “Hi HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” “Thank you ma cherie, what’s all this?” he’s replies as his lips quirk up into a a small smile. “just a little breakfast for the birthday boy, today is going to be a great day i can feel it!” I jump and clapped my hands together as I spoke. “is it now?” he said as he looked up from the tray to me. “Yes of course I mean you’re here, it’s important I mean why wouldn’t it be?” I ask rhetorically. “ “Mhm I appreciate your enthusiasm dear.” he chuckles. “Yes of course! oh wait here’s your gift, wait no read the letter first!”

Dear Abel,

Happy Birthday!

I know you have had so many you probably don’t even remember all of them. That begs the question though, how old are you really? Don’t worry you don’t have to answer that right now, I’m just teasing (for the most part). But, at the very least I hope that this is one you’ll remember and one of the many that we’ll share together. I, along with everyone in the mansion love you very much and appreciate everything that you’ve done for us. I’ll be doing everything in power to make sure that today and all our all days together will be full of good memories and joy. I know there’s nothing we can’t overcome but really take care of yourself today. It’s my turn to spoil you and return the many favors.

I love you forever and always,

MC

I see the smile on his face as he finished reading it and I stare bashfully blushing.

We make eye contact, and the warmth in his eyes is obvious. He gently grabs my hand and holds it while I reach and grab him his gift. I’m still continuously blushing and extremely nervously heart starts racing as he gracefully and gently unwraps it. The gentle shock on his eyes and he looks at it and lets the wrapping paper fall to the floor. It’s a small to medium sized handmade decorative throw pillow, the base is a light beige with a brown hourglass, gold pocket watch, his white pet ferret Time, and a red heart all intricately hand embroidered together. “ They’re all symbols of you, I didn’t want to buy you something since it would be with your money so I made this.” ‘ It’s your brand, The hourglass represents your collection, the clock represents time and how important it is to spend it wisely and with the ones you love,Thyme represents well Time  obviously, and the red heart although looks somewhat out of place represents your kindness and generosity and that I love you and always will no matter what.” I shyly yet firmly explain. “god I hope he likes it” I thought to myself.

His grip on my hand tightens and he pulls me closer and gently kisses me on the lips. After the short but sweet kiss he smiles “It’s beautiful, I love it thank you.” he says.

“of course.” I smile and reply back

Now we got the rest of the day to do whatever he desires.

[undertale-rho]

Underearth: Book 1 - Chapter 26

The outside of the elevator was relatively cooler than back down on the first level. A quick investigation from Frisk showed why, as this new level is much higher up, far from the magma below. Just outside the elevator as well was a small flame with two arms, two legs, and a face. As Frisk looked at it, the face of the flame looked at him.

"Heh. I'm Heats Flamesman. Remember my name!" the flame said.

"Uh, alright." Frisk responded, not really sure on what to say.

After the interaction with the flame Monster, Frisk flipped around and walked down the narrow passage, a precipice on either side of him. Not long after, Frisk ran into a slightly wider area that boasted two Monsters holding hotdogs, and what appeared to be another sentry station holding Sans behind it.

"Hey buddy, what's up?" Sans said to Frisk when he approached the stand.

"Not much. So, you've got another sentry station up here?" Frisk responded.

"Nah, this ain't a sentry station. It's a hotdog stand. Speaking of which, wanna buy a hotdog? It's only 30G."

"I would, but I've still got no money." Frisk said a bit disappointedly.

"Heh, you should get a job. I've heard being a sentry pays well." Sans said jokingly.

"Yeah, I'll think about it"

Frisk, wanting to get a move on to get back to the surface, turned to face the pathway opposing the one he'd come down. "Anyway, I'm gonna get going."

"See ya, then."

Frisk began walking down the pathway.

The pathway was long and mostly uneventful. Frisk looked around at the area while walking, noticing several strange red-glowing things off in the distance. As he progressed, his phone began going off from status updates. First one from Alphys was a picture captioned "dinner with the girlfriend ;)", the picture was of a catgirl figurine next to a bowl of instant noodles.

The next update was from a user by the name of "CoolSkeleton95". It was another picture captioned "ARE WE POSTING HOT 'PICS???' HERE IS ME AND MY COOL FRIEND.", the picture was of Papyrus flexing in front of a mirror wearing sunglasses. Giant muscular biceps were pasted onto his arms, which were also wearing sunglasses.

"LOL, CoolSkeleton95! ... that's a joke, right?" Alphys replied.

"THE ONLY JOKE HERE, IS HOW STRONG MY MUSCLES ARE."

Ain't that the truth.

Just up ahead was a branch in the path, heading left. Not much further and Frisk received another notification. "NAPSTABLOOK22 has sent you a friend request."

"Who?" Frisk racked his brain trying to figure out who this was but couldn't remember anybody who'd go by the handle "NAPSTABLOOK22", so he rejected it, and stashed the phone back into his pocket.

The area he had entered appeared to be a dead end, with an apron lying on the ground. The apron itself had a large heart embroidered onto the front of it, taking up most of the area, and a big, brown stain on the top of it. Frisk decided to leave it be and get back on the correct path.

Another little bit down the path and Frisk came upon a set of conveyor belts, one going outbound, the other inbound. Frisk phone began ringing as he approached.

"H... hi...! It's Dr. Alphys. This p-puzzle is kinda... um... timing-based. Y-you see those switches over there?" she was referring to three red dots that ran along the outbound conveyor. "Y-you'll have to press all three of them within 3 seconds. I'll t-try to help you with the rhythm!"

"No thanks, Alphys, I've got it." Frisk responded.

"A-are you sure?"

"Yes. You don't need to help me with puzzles. If I need help, I'll call you."

"O-oh, alright."

The phone-call then ended.

Frisk got onto the outbound conveyor and pressed all three buttons easily, de-activating a force-field covering the exit, allowing him to proceed.

The next puzzle was right after the previous, just barely down the pathway. As Frisk reached it, he got a notification of a new status update from Alphys.

"that's the last time i try to help with a puzzle lmao"

Good, about time you gave up trying to help me. Frisk thought.

Frisk then looked at the area, which consisted of multiple islands with steam-vents pointing in all four directions on each island with a large switch in the middle. Three conveyors looped around the left side of the area allowing for those that wanted to to backtrack without entering the islands, but the only way forward was through them.

Frisk looked at the puzzle for a while before making a move, touching the switch located next to the steam-vent on the section he was on. This caused some steam-vents to de-activate, but a few to activate. With his collected knowledge, he then spent the following minutes preforming the puzzle, eventually solving it, and landing on the other side. Once there, Frisk proceeded down the pathway.

The pathway here was just as long and uneventful as the start of the level. This of course means, by just as uneventful, that Alphys was constantly posting updates to her status.

"OMG? ppl think Mew Mew 2 is better than Mew Mew 1? LOLLLLL that's a joke right..." and "omg... DONT THEY GET IT RUINS Mew Mew's ENTIRE CHARACTER ARC" - "My Mew Mew 2 Review: Mew Mew Kissy Cutie 2 Is Neither Kissy Nor Cutie. It's Trash. 0 stars"

Funny how people here are just as opinionated as back on the surface. Frisk thought to himself.

Further down the pathway, Frisk heard a deep, slightly muffled voice call out "Hey! You! Stop!" to him. Frisk turned to see what the commotion was. Behind him he saw the same two soldiers that were blocking a branch back before he entered Alphys's laboratory.

"We've, like, received an anonymous tip about a Human wearing a striped shirt." The one with what looked like armored bunny ears said. "They told us they were wandering around Mount Hot right now... I know, sounds scary, huh? Well, just stay chill. We'll bring you someplace safe, OK?"

Frisk stood still, as he wasn't wanting to go anywhere. "No thanks, I'll be fine." he told them.

"Hey, like, we've got a job to do, so if you could please co-operate with us, that'd be nice." the bunny-eared one protested, all while the other, who looked something like an armored lizard, just stared at Frisk.

"You're wearing a striped shirt." the lizard finally said, causing the bunny to look at him. They both remained quiet for something like a minute after until the bunny finally spoke again.

"Bro... Are you thinkin'... What I'm thinkin'?" The bunny asked the lizard, who just nodded. "Bummer. This is, like... Mega embarrassing. We, like, actually totally have to kill you and stuff." This last one was directed at Frisk. Next think he knew, they'd both drawn swords and readied to attack.

Frisk got ready to be attacked by them, and waited. These two Monsters were heavily armored in plate-mail, just like Undyne, meaning Frisk didn't have a weapon that could kill them. Then a thought came to his head. If I could get a hold on one of their swords, I might just be able to kill them. Frisk got ready to counter and maybe disarm one.

"Team attack!" They both said, nearly at the same time before lounging at Frisk, who backed up just out of their reach. When their swing had finished, both their arms were just hanging out in the open. Frisk too advantage of this and struck the back of the bunny's hand as well as the inside of their wrist at the same time. This caused his sword to fly out of his now half open hand and land on the ground not too far away. Frisk dived for the sword, grabbed it, then swung around and stabbed the bunny in the chainmail on his lower abdomen. The bunny gave a horrible shrike as Frisk pulled it out. The lizard stepped back, hesitating as the bunny dropped to his knees and Frisk cut off his head. The lizard looked on in horror.

"Robert..." the lizard then looked straight at Frisk. "you...!!!!" he then charged straight at Frisk, swinging twice, then jamming his sword straight into the ground, getting it stuck there. While trying to pull it out, Frisk took the opportunity to cut off the guard's left arm at the elbow. The guard recoiled from pain, stumbling backward and collapsing onto the ground. Frisk approached with the sword to cut off his head as well, but mid-swing, the guard brought up their other hand and caught the sword, pulling it out of Frisk's hands, then batting him away with the stub of his left arm. Frisk hadn’t flow far, fortunately, as the path was narrow and the drop was far into magma.

The guard regained his composure and picked up the sword of his fallen ally and approached Frisk with it, who too had regained composure. Frisk dodged the relentless swinging of the guard until one swing that left the guard wide open, allowing Frisk to shove him. Hadn't done much and wouldn't have done anything if the edge of the path wasn't right next to where the guard was. The guard saw how close to the edge he was and lost balance just enough for Frisk to shove him again over the edge. The guard screamed the entire trip into the lake of magma below, and everything fell silent.

Frisk sat back to catch his breath for a few minutes before going back and trying to pull the sword jammed into the ground, but to no avail. After trying for a minute or so, he just decided to once again press onward. Wasn't long before his phone went off again with another status update.

"oopswait how's the humnan doing"

What have you been doing this entire time Alphys!? Frisk thought to himself.

"Top 10 Shows That Make You Froget To Do Your Frickin Job"

Frisk kept the phone in his hand as he went forward, as he figured Alphys was going to call again. Just ahead after a bend in the pathway was a barely perceptible thick black curtain covering an entire section of the pathway, an opening in the curtain corresponded with the path.

Must be Mettaton again... Frisk thought as he entered into the area, resulting in a pitch-black view of everything. Frisk readied himself for yet another adventure with Mettaton.

A Whole New World : Mount Hot

Previous First Next

[kikis-writing-world]

Can you give us any more information on your Oberyn/Ellaria wip please?? 😊

Happily! Thanks so much for asking! I'm guessing you mean the reincarnation/soul mate fic, since the A/B/O doesn't for sure have Ellaria in it yet... If I'm wrong, just let me know and I'll talk about that one too lol

More info on some of my WIPs here. Check it out and let me know if there's any that interest you!

In the canon era, Seren (F!OC) works for a cruel man who has underpaid her and mistreated her as a way of keeping her from leaving. He boasts being one of the finest tailors in Dorne, but is really taking credit for her hard work. Oberyn is gifted a sash she embroidered and loves it. He and Ellaria track down where it is from and go to meet the person making them.

Visiting the little shop, they see through the lies. They realize Seren is doing all of the work and offer her a job at the palace instead, where she'll be compensated fairly for her work. Of course she jumps at the chance. Over time, interest between the 3 grows into a full relationship.

I have plans for how it follows canon (loosely anyways, it's still fanfiction lol) up until... well, until the trio becomes a duo... then a single... then a none. Very sad, very angsty, and Doran is a bit of a prick after his brother dies.

BUT THE STORY ISN'T OVER, BECAUSE REINCARNATION AND I DO WHAT I WANT

Modern day, Seren is a student at a fashion institute. She is struggling to pull together a collection as a final project, which includes a runway fashion show. Enter Ellaria, a newer fashion model who is starting to get noticed. She is going to work the fashion show and works with Seren closely to make sure the garments are perfectly tailored to her body. Ellaria is charming, charismatic and openly affectionate to those in her circle (we know this) so it isn't a surprise that Seren starts to fall for her...

That crumbles when Ellaria's fiancé appears... doesn't it? The universe gives our trio a second chance at a happy ending, because they deserve it.

Below the cut is an early version of the prologue, when it was "Reader" and not an OC. I still love the way it's written and how it begins weaving their stories together.

WARNINGS: Unedited/Unbetaed. Mentions of mistreatment (Seren is more or less forced into a sweat-shop kind of situation,) mention of a parent's passing,

The room was hot and stuffy, sweat threatening to drip into your eyes as you worked. You spared a moment to wipe your brow with the back of your hand, making sure to keep your palms and fingers as dry as possible. Sewing with sweaty hands wasn’t easy, and you needed to finish this scarf quickly. You’d already been berated for it taking so long in the first place and, if Damek was to be believed, the customer was coming to pick it up today. It wouldn’t be the first time he had lied to get you to work harder, work faster, to push your limits. Still, you didn’t dare slow down on the chance that he was telling the truth.

The scarf was so ornate, he never should have promised the turnaround he did. The stitching so small it appeared as fine lines across the silken fabric, the pattern so detailed. You had been working on it for so many hours you were seeing it in your dreams - the short time you were allowed to sleep for, anyway. The cream fabric, the golden thread, it all swirled together as you slept, like a magical potion.

You didn’t know what time it was, unable to see how high the blazing Dornish sun sat in the sky. There were no windows in the back room, lest someone find you working. No one was to know that Damek wasn’t the tradesman behind the delicate stitching. The bold, stylized “D” of a logo that was supposed to brand each piece as his was a slap in the face every time you stitched it. It was your blood, sweat and tears that went into every garment, not his.

You’d thought about leaving, but it was a fleeting fantasy. A fairy tale you whispered to herself as you fell asleep, trying to invoke happy dreams. Your own colourful shop in the market. Happy townsfolk breezing in and out to browse. Taking orders for bespoke pieces such as the one in your hands now. A bright smile on your face as you reaped the benefits of your hard work. A smile so wide, you weren’t even sure you knew how to anymore.

The last stitch was finally done. You thanked the gods you had completed it before Damek had a chance to charge into the room, demanding the finished piece. Your fingers were numb from working hours without stopping. Even the calluses you had spent years growing as you mastered sewing were no match for the amount of work the scarf had needed.

You laid it out on the table, carefully examining for any errors or loose threads. Damek had told you it was for an important customer. You thought all of your customers were important, but you knew what he was implying. The scarf was for a rich customer. Someone was going to pay handsomely for all the hours of work. Too bad you would see next to none of that coin.

The wages had diminished slowly over time. At first Damek paid you for your time, supplying all the threads and fabrics you needed to create the pieces. Soon he would take more money away if you requested premium fabrics, promising to share the profits when the more expensive item sold. He never did. After that, he decided to charge you for room and board. It was a small price at first, but it grew steadily. You had been making enough to buy most things you fancied and keep a small stash of savings. Now he fed you scraps for the withheld money and you received a copper or two a month - unless he forgot, of course.

Nowhere to go, not enough coin to survive elsewhere, so you stayed. You sewed. You daydreamed of a better future, or your happy childhood before your mother’s passing, but reality always crashed down.

“Is it done yet, girl?” Damek huffed as he opened the door to your room. It brought in a breeze, still warm from the hot climate but cooling enough in the cramped space. “The customer is makin’ their way through town. Be here any minute.”

You smoothed the fabric out with your hands, pressing out any wrinkles as you finished her once-over. “Yes. I just finished it.”

“Good, giv’it here.” He ordered, holding out his beefy hand. You folded the scarf carefully, not wanting anything to happen to it before it got to the customer. Hours and hours went into making it the treasure it was now; something you were proud of despite the conditions you had created it in.

“Yes, this’ll do.” He nodded, looking over the embroidery. He haphazardly unfolded it, making you flinch. He examined the corner, making sure that the logo - his logo - was properly stitched into the piece. He ran a large finger over it, smiling widely. If this scarf was going to a rich customer, he wanted to make sure anyone who asked where it came from would be directed right back to him. He didn’t even look back at you as he left the room, eyes locked on the shimmering fabric woven into the cream coloured silk.

He’d left you with no orders. No bespoke pieces to be made or colourful garments to entice passersby to stop in. You felt your body sag in relief and exhaustion. Leaning against the wall, you let yourself close your eyes. He might wake you in 10 minutes or he might wake you in an hour, but until then you would rest.

Oberyn smiled down at little Loreza, sitting in his lap and reaching for the shiny gold chain he’d just unwrapped. Her eyes were wide as she reached her chubby little palms out for it as it glittered in the sun streaming through the pillars of the courtyard.

“I think Loreza may like it even more than I do.” He joked, winking at Elia who had chosen the gift for him. He let the girl grasp at the metal, feeling it in her hands as she cooed at the jewellery.

“She likes pretty things, just like her mother.” Ellaria added with a smile.

“She likes expensive things, just like her mother.” Oberyn countered, making the older sand snakes laugh. The younger ones joined in even if they didn’t understand the joke. They wanted to be part of the festivities and cheer.

Ellaria scoffed, feigning annoyance despite the smile on her face.

“My turn, Papa!” Obella begged, holding something behind her back. “Dorea and I picked it out together.”

“Alright, alright, little love.” Oberyn chuckled, calming his daughter as he set aside the golden chain. Loreza watched it go, reaching for it as it fell farther from her grasp.

Obella skipped up to her father before revealing the hidden present. In her hands she held a scarf, cream coloured with golden accents. Her face was full of excitement as she eagerly awaited her father’s reaction.

“Oh darling, it’s beautiful.” He gushed, taking it gently out of her hands. He unfolded the fabric, examining the shiny golden thread that was so finely woven into the silk. Loreza babbled in agreement as she clutched a corner in her tiny fist. “You two picked this out all on your own?”

“Mama he’ped.” Dorea chimed in, making Obella nod in agreement.

Oberyn ran a finger over the delicate stitching, making the shape of a sun. He followed the pattern, watching as it pieced together elements of a story. The legend of the forming of Sunspear told through golden swirls. Down in the corner, a flourished “D” stood as the mark of the artist.

“I love it.” He told them honestly. “I can’t wait to wear it.”

“I he’p!” Dorea popped up as fast as her little legs would let her. She took the silken cloth out of her father’s hands, having to tug a little to get it away from her youngest sister.

Oberyn laughed as the child draped his shoulders in the cloth. When she finished, he pulled her tightly to his side, kissing the crown of her head as he thanked her.

He felt the scarf-turned-shawl adjust over his shoulders. He didn’t need to look to recognize the gentle touch of his paramour. He leaned into it, relishing the attention.

“Good Name Day, my love?” Ellaria purred into his ear as she smoothed the fabric over his shoulders.

“Perfect.” He sighed, bouncing little Loreza in his lap as he squeezed Dorea once more.

[long-liv-prairies]

Inquisitor as a Companion

Whew! I finally finished it! Here you are @ladydracarysao3, and anyone who wants to read this really long response!

Inquisitor’s Name: Sybil Cadogan (can’t use Trevelyan, lol)

Race / Class / Specialization: Human / Rogue / Assassin/Thief

Gender Identity: Female

Varric’s Nickname for them: He tries to call her Snow, but she shuts him down immediately. You will hear this exchange as banter if both Sybil and Varric are in the party.

Varric: So, Snow…

Sybil: What was that you called me?

Varric: What? Snow? It’s a nickname.

Sybil: No.

Varric: No?

Sybil: I don’t like nicknames.

Varric: Really? All my friends get nicknames.

Sybil: Others thought they were clever when they gave me names based on my looks. I will not have you do the same.

Varric: …Fair enough. Sybil it is.

Varric does not try to give her another.

Short(ish) bio: Sybil was born to a noble Free Marcher family. The youngest of four children, with an older twin sister, she was immediately marked as different from the rest of her family because of her albinism. Her mother especially was offended by her pale daughter, as superstition ran in her family’s history about the condition. In her mother’s eyes these fears seemed to be realized when Sybil’s twin, Gemma, developed magic at a young age, and her eldest brother was killed in a hunting accident. Her other brother had been sent to become a Templar, leaving Sybil the sole heir to the Cadogan fortune and lands.

Emotionally neglected by her parents and separated from her siblings, Sybil had no interest in becoming a proper noble lady. She resisted her teachings, though she still developed a love for embroidery and horse riding, and still learned much. But as she grew older her mother turned to finding Sybil a husband. Sybil had no interest in noble boys her age, as in her experience they had only ever teased and ridiculed her. She found love instead in a stablehand, but when her parents discovered their affair he was jailed by her father, devastating Sybil. In a desperate attempt to get Sybil married, her mother tried to force her into a marriage with a much older man. It was the final straw, and Sybil ran away.

Alone and with no real skills to survive in the common world, Sybil turned to thieving and using her… feminine charms to secure food, drink, and lodging wherever she traveled. Free for the first time she didn’t always make the smartest decisions, and was arrested on occasion, with one such arrest ending in an encounter with her father that turned sour, as he attempted to trick her into a marriage she still did not want. She escaped, but vowed to never see her parents again.

Over the years she refined her skills as a thief and a lover, never staying long in any one place, finding people to train her further, including members of the Coterie, and help her rob larger and larger targets. Eventually Sybil found a way to sneak into the Circle where her twin Gemma was held, though after the Kirkwall rebellion she had to resort to offering favors to a Templar to secure her passage. However, upon learning that after a few weeks the Templar had turned to her sister for his payment, she snapped, and murdered him in the tower. Gemma was mortified when she was told, and angry at Sybil. Sybil, frightened of what would happen if she was discovered, ran, drowning herself in alcohol and the company of men.

Gemma disappeared after the Circles fell, along with Sybil’s Templar brother Nyle, and she was travelling to the Conclave in hopes of finding them when the Divine was killed.

-The rest below the cut because it’s loooooong

What would their companion card look like? (The Devil) Sybil is seen facing the viewer, her knees drawn up as she crouches on the ground, a chain wrapped around her feet, the cuff clasped around her ankle but open. Golden coins are spilling out of a small purse on her belt A dark hood is drawn over her head, obscuring most of her face. All you can see is her pale nose and chin, her lips turned down in a small frown, and a few small tendrils of white hair. Her cloak swirls up behind her shoulders, embroidered with floral and geometric shapes. In her hands are a pair of daggers, dripping with blood.

Recruitment mission: Shadow in the Hinterlands – You first encounter Sybil while in the Hinterlands. As you approach the rebel mages’ hideout you hear the sounds of fighting, and rushing into the clearing reveals a dark cloaked figure fighting a mage. She joins you in removing the rebel mages, and after the last one has been dispatched a cutscene is triggered. 

You approach her as she inspects the bodies, leaning very close to check the face. You hear her mutter, “Good, she’s not here,” before she stands and turns to you. Her hood now removed, you see that she is incredibly pale, with white hair and pale violet eyes. She has a hard time focusing on your face.

You have a brief conversation where she tells you she was looking for her sister, a mage, amongst those gathered here, but they attacked her before she could approach. You can comment on her skills, and ask if she is interested in fighting for the Inquisition. She will turn you down, saying that she needs to find her sister. Whether you ask her to join you or not, she mentions that she will be heading toward Redcliffe next, as she’s heard most of the mages are there.

After returning to Skyhold a message will appear on the war table from Sybil. She is having trouble approaching Redcliffe, and offers her aid in exchange for passage into the city. If you accept, she will meet you outside Redcliffe when you approach, and help in closing the rift just outside the gate. During the cutscene she will part ways to find her sister, thanking you for your assistance.

When you next attempt to leave Redcliffe another cutscene will trigger, and Sybil will approach you once more, this time with another woman in tow. The dark-skinned, dark-haired woman is introduced as Gemma. You can ask, “This is your… sister?” and Sybil will nod, saying deadpan, “We’re twins actually.”

At this point she will offer her services to the Inquisition. You can ask what changed her mind, and she will say that now that she has found her sister, she wants to make sure she is safe, and the Inquisition seems like they’re the only ones helping anything at this point. When asked about her skills, she will allude to being an accomplished thief, and mentions that she’s more than capable in a fight. If pressed for more, she will begrudgingly tell you that she has more than enough secrets collected on various nobles around the continent to keep your spymaster satisfied, as well as connections to the largest thieves guild in Kirkwall, the Coterie. Gemma will also mention that she is a capable spirit healer, though she has little experience in combat.

If you accept, Sybil will be added as a companion, and you will have the choice to add her to your party right away. Gemma will be recruited as an Inquisition agent. If you do not choose to meet her at Redcliffe you will lose the opportunity to recruit her.

Where they would be in Skyhold / Haven: Sybil can be found at Haven outside the tavern, leaning against the wall. In Skyhold she will find a spot on the wall, near one of the empty rooms with a bed in it.

Personal quests:

Quest 1: Brother Where Art Thou – If the Inquisitor sided with the mages, Sybil will request Inquisition resources to try and find information about the fate of her Templar brother, Nyle. If the quest is completed before the battle at the Arbor Wilds, he will be discovered hiding out with a small number of unchanged Templars, in the throes of lyrium withdrawal but safe from red lyrium. He will be brought to Skyhold with the rest of the Templars, and Sybil will greatly approve. However, if the quest is not completed until after the battle, if will be revealed that he died a red Templar at the battle. Information will come forward suggesting he had gone months undiscovered by the red Templars, but when he was discovered had been force fed red lyrium until he was transformed. Sybil will disapprove of this outcome. If the Inquisitor sided with the Templars, Nyle will have been among the Templars brought to Skyhold, and be an NPC you can talk to for a little more information about Sybil and her past.

Quest 2: (Loyalty) Blood and Water – If approval is high enough Sybil will approach the Inquisitor with a problem. She will reveal that she has received a letter from her parents, demanding that she return to the Free Marches. They claim that she is married, and legally required to return to her husband. Sybil will tell the Inquisitor that the marriage was a sham, and that the Chantry Mother had been paid off by her father to say that she had completed the marriage rites. The Inquisitor can point out that Sybil is under no obligation to return to the Free Marches and her ‘husband’, and that the Inquisition will keep her safe. Sybil will insist, saying that she would have a better peace of mind if she knew her family couldn’t come after her. She asks that the Inquisitor use their influence to convince the Mother to reveal the fraud, and annul the false marriage.  If the Inquisitor agrees to help her, they will travel to Ostwick. They will arrive at a Chantry where Sybil says the corrupt Mother lives and her father comes every day, and wait. After some time passes an older man will enter. His hair is graying and his skin is a slightly lighter shade than Gemma’s, though his eyes are the same striking green. He will approach a statue of Andraste and kneel. A Chantry Mother will enter the room, and approach the man.  Sybil will come out of hiding and approach the two, calling out to her father that she’s come back. However, she tells him that she has only returned to come out from under his thumb for good, saying that she never intended to see him again. He will try to intimidate her, saying that she has no choice but to return to them, that the law will not allow her to run forever. He will threaten her, saying that he knows enough about her past crimes to have her arrested should he choose. Sybil will turn to the Inquisitor, introducing them and saying that her father holds no power over her.  The Mother will appear very intimidated by the Inquisitor, and deferential. The Inquisitor will have the chance to question the Mother and Sybil’s father about the marriage. More information will be revealed, and they will learn that the man she is “married” to is an old family friend of her brother’s, who had been almost raised by her father like another son. Her father will reveal that Sybil had previously slept with the man, and that she completed the marriage rites willingly. Sybil will interject, saying that she had been essentially kidnapped by her father and forced in front of the Chantry mother. She feared for her life and only went along while she felt her life was in danger. During this entire exchange, the more questions the Inquisitor asks the more Sybil will disapprove, as her father tries to muddy the events that happened, and convince the Inquisitor that Sybil is actually the one lying. Ultimately, the Inquisitor can intimidate, convince, or command the Mother to admit that the marriage was fake, and that Sybil is free from this man. Or, the Inquisitor can side with Sybil’s father and the Mother, either because they do not want to help Sybil, or because they are now convinced that Sybil is the one lying and trying to use their power to get out of a marriage she now regrets. If the Inquisitor sides with Sybil she will leave triumphantly, telling her father that she is now free from him for good, and that she has ultimately found a family where he provided her none. However, if the Inquisitor sides with her father she will look betrayed. She will still tell her father that she will not be returning, and storm from the room. As the Inquisitor leaves the Chantry Sybil will be waiting outside. She will have her daggers in her hands, and while she won’t threaten the Inquisitor, it is clear she is ready to attack. After a brief discussion she will simply tell the Inquisitor, “I don’t know why I’m surprised. So called friends always betray you in the end,” and then she walks away. If you do not side with Sybil she will leave the Inquisition for good. Gemma will still remain at Skyhold, but she will tell you nothing about the whereabouts of her sister, and at the end of the main game Gemma will quietly disappear. If you do not complete her loyalty quest, or approval is not high enough to trigger it, Sybil will remain with the Inquisition until the end game, but leave shortly after the final party. If you complete her loyalty quest successfully, Sybil will decide to remain with the Inquisition for a while after the final confrontation. If her loyalty quest is completed successfully, and the Inquisitor has flirted enough with Sybil, a cutscene will trigger back at Skyhold where Sybil reveals she has stronger feelings for him than she anticipated. Dialogue will be slightly different depending on whether they have previously slept together, but regardless, the Inquisitor will have a chance to initiate a more substantial relationship with Sybil. The scene will lead toward sex, with the implication that this is no longer a one time encounter.

Quest 3: (Romance) A Sister’s Love - After completing her loyalty quest and beginning a relationship, Sybil will reveal to you that she worries for her sister and her future outside of the Circle. Sybil knows that currently the Templars do not have control over the mages, but she is afraid that in the future things will change and Gemma will be once more locked away. This fear will be especially strong if the Inquisition is allied with an otherwise free Templar Order. She reveals her worry about Gemma’s phylactery still being somewhere out in the world. After this conversation a quest marker will appear on the war table titled “Find Gemma’s Pylactery”. The quest will let you choose between Leliana or Cullen, using either her spies or former Ostwick Templars to look into where the phylacteries from the Circle have ended up. Either option will reveal information that the Ostwick phylacteries are not it the abandoned Circle, but evidence suggests they were taken by one of the high ranking Templars. Another quest will appear on the war table titled “Track the Phylacteries”. The results of this quest will reveal the estate where a noble Templar Captain has been hiding, biding his time with the phylacteries and a stash of lyrium until the war calms down. A quest will appear on the map to confront the Templar and retrieve the phylactery. The Inquisitor must take Sybil, though he will have the option to tell her beforehand about where they are going, or not. The party will approach a mansion at night, and stealthily climb into a second story window, led by Sybil. They will make your way through a few rooms, looting as you go, before ending up in a room filled with red Templars. They will discover that the Templar Captain has been housing Templars and feeding them red lyrium, turning them. The group will confront the Templar Captain, and when he is destroyed a cutscene will trigger when the phylacteries are found. Sybil will either be surprised to find the phylacteries if she was not told, or very relieved and excited. She will find Gemma’s vial among the horde and pocket it, then destroy the rest of the stash, saying that she wants to be sure the rest of the mages will be safe from Templars in the future. Back at Skyhold there will be a cutscene where Sybil presents the phylactery to Gemma. The sisters will share a moment, where many things are forgiven. Gemma will be relieved, and decide to destroy the phylactery under her foot, saying that she had spent enough of her life behind walls, and that she has no intention of returning to that life. Gemma will leave and Sybil will turn to the Inquisitor, thanking him for making sure her sister will be safe. She will kiss him, and the two will end up in bed. In the morning the Inquisitor will wake next to Sybil in bed. She is awake and watching his face, close so that her eyes can focus on his features. She will tell him, for the first time, that she loves him, and that she wants to be with him exclusively and for as long as possible. She says that it had been a long time since she has trusted someone like she trusts him, or even thought that she could love someone again. He’s given her renewed faith that people can be good and true, and that she doesn’t have to face the world alone anymore.

How to get their approval: Siding with commoners over nobles will always garner her approval, as well as decisions favorable for mages that lead to more freedoms for them. If you are snarky and flirt with her, she will approve. She will also approve of an Inquisitor who generally makes jokes about situations they are faced with. She will greatly approve of siding with the mages. Compassionate rulings toward those in desperate situations will gain her approval.

How to get their disapproval: Making judgmental comments about her past will result in disapproval, as will offering advice when it is not asked. She will disapprove of Inquisitors who side with nobles over the less trodden, and who try to suppress mages’ freedoms. She will disappoint of harsh sentences toward desperate people.

Are they romanceable? Yes, by male Inquisitors of any race. She will approve of female Inquisitors who flirt with her, but will make it clear early on that she is not interested so as not to lead them on.

Can you have sex with them? Yes. A relationship with Sybil will start with sex first. Once reaching Syhold and even before you complete her loyalty mission, the Inquisitor will have the chance to ask to spend a night in the tavern with Sybil. A cutscene will trigger and they will talk about their pasts, though Sybil will hold much back, with some chances for approval changes. Over the course of the night a male Inquisitor will have the chance to propose going to bed with Sybil. If approval is neutral or higher, she will agree, and the scene will fade. The next scene will show Sybil in the morning, dressed and quietly leaving the Inquisitor’s bedroom as he wakes. He will call after her and choose to cut things off right then, or ask to keep seeing her. If he cuts things off, she will agree with no approval change, saying that she doesn’t usually see people more than once. If he asks to continue seeing her, she will refuse, saying that she doesn’t want things to get serious. The Inquisitor will continue to be able to flirt with her, but they will not sleep together again until her romance progresses.

Are they open to polyamory? Yes. She will not disapprove of the Inquisitor flirting or sleeping with other companions, though in order for her romance quest to trigger and her romance culminate all other romances will need to be cut off.

If they can be romanced and are not, will they begin a relationship / relationships with other character(s)? If so, who? Regardless if Sybil is romanced or not, if Bull is recruited and they are in the same party there will be banter early on implying that they have slept together. There will also be some chatter around Haven/Skyhold afterwards, and the Inquisitor will have a chance to ask Sybil about it. She will disapprove if the Inquisitor seems judgmental of the relationship. No matter what, the relationship will not continue and the Inquisitor will have the chance to romance either of them with no problems. If her loyalty mission is completed, the Inquisitor is not in a relationship with Cullen, and he has stopped taking lyrium, she will enter into a relationship with the Commander.

Who are they friendly with? Iron Bull, Dorian, Sera, Cassandra. Her and Iron Bull have sexual chemistry and generally joke with each other, she and Dorian joke when in a party together, her and Sera have similar views towards nobles and Sybil appreciates her uncertainly toward religion, and it’s implied that Sybil and Cassandra spar.

Who do they dislike? Vivienne, Solas, Cole. She doesn’t like the way Cole says her thoughts out loud, Solas is too stuffy and no fun in her mind, and Vivienne is too pro-Circle. She doesn’t dislike Varric or Blackwall, but they spend less time together.

Companion card changes: (use a text descrip. if you have no images)

Loyalty (Successful): (Judgement) Sybil stands at the top of a flight of stairs on Skyhold’s walls with her hood thrown back, her face turned toward the sky and a content expression on her face. Tendrils of white hair still flow around her features, and there is more color in the cloak that swirls behind her figure. The sun shines above her, and the Frostback Mountains rise up around her.

Loyalty (Failed, left the Inquisition): (Three of Swords) Sybil kneels on the ground, her head bent and obscured by her hood. Rain falls from a dark sky and a dagger is driven symbolically through her body. She holds two other daggers crossed over her heart.

Romance: (Two of Cups) Sybil is naked, her pale body pressed against the chest of a man. Her eyes are closed and her lips pressed against his throat. Their arms are wrapped around each other in a passionate embrace, and a budding vine entwines their bodies as one. They each hold empty wine glasses.

Side Missions: Coterie Connections – A series of war table missions where Sybil contacts some of her connections with the Coterie, providing intel for Leliana, Cullen, and Josephine about nobles in Kirkwall and the Free Marches. Will provide influence, gold, and items from completed missions. Letters from one of her contacts will imply that she had been romantically involved with at least one of the Coterie members.

Opinions on mages / templars / how the world is going to shit? Sybil is very pro mage and anti-Circle, as the Circles are what took her sister away from her as a child. She believes mages should have their freedoms, though she does recognize the need for education. She hates Templars as a whole, though she will be friendly with Templars as individuals, though she often has some mistrust toward them initially. In her mind the world has always been shitty, though she recognizes that Corypheus’s actions are above and beyond the general awfulness of the world, which is why she is willing to help and make things better.

Something guaranteed to make them leave the party: Siding with her father during her loyalty mission, no matter how high her approval or the state of romance relations, will result in her leaving the Inquisition. No matter how low her approval, so long as she is not betrayed during her loyalty mission, she will stay to keep her sister safe. If approval is neutral or lower, she will leave after the final confrontation with Corypheus and not return in Trespasser.

Special Events:

Imprisoned at Redcliffe: How are they holding up in Redcliffe, being slowly infected with red lyrium over the course of a year? She has been driven nearly mad, as she watched her sister waste away next to her in the cell. She is almost entirely blind, and in the final fight she recklessly attacks, just wanting to kill as many creatures as possible before death takes her herself. 

At the Winter Palace: Do they enjoy the party, any special events with them at the Palace? She detests the Winter Palace. Asking her will reveal that it reminds her too much of her childhood, where such events were only ever uncomfortable and painful. If romanced, you can ask her to dance and she will be surprised, but admit that the dance was nice.

In the Fade: Their reaction upon entering the Fade? Nightmare demon’s taunt, and their response? Fear on their grave?

She finds the Fade greatly unsettling, and admits afterwards that she understands why mages fear demons.

“Why do you try? You are worthless, only useful to others when on your back. You should run, just as you always have. It would serve you better.” If loyalty mission completed – “I’m done running, demon, and you will feel my blades in your back before we are through.” If loyalty mission not completed. “Fuck off.”

Greatest Fear: Controlled

Trespasser: What were they up to two years after Corypheus’ defeat? Any special events with them over the events of Trespasser?

If Sybil has left the Inquisition, she will not return for Trespasser. However, she will have kept somewhat in touch with the other members she was friendly with, and they may allude to her activities. If she her loyalty mission was failed, you will hear that she has been spending years drinking and sleeping around. Her final slide will reveal that she had been arrested and is currently jailed and wasting away. If she left with neutral or low approval, you will hear that she is still thieving, living back with the Coterie last that was heard, earning money to keep Gemma safe.

If she stays with the Inquisition, she will have risen in the ranks among the spies of the Inquisition. If Leliana becomes Divine, she will be second to Charter. If she romances Cullen, they will reveal that they are engaged.

If romanced, the Inquisitor will have the chance to propose to Sybil during Trespasser.

Other Major Events: Any other major events that happen with them over the course of the main game?

During the main game there will occasionally be banter around Haven or Skyhold suggesting Sybil has spent the night with various men of every race and background. This will continue after the first time the Inquisitor can sleep with her, but end once the romance is initiated after her loyalty mission is completed.