#i like that they are TRYING to stay civil and friendly and it seems like there is still love there(i see those smiles and stares)

[cerealbishh]

"As excited as I am to have everyone see Kathy Bates deliver another incredible performance, I'm excited for people to be introduced- who don't already know how incredible Skye is." (x)

"I am having the time of my life and Jason Ritter keeps me laughing more than any human being on the planet." (x)

[ventismacchiato]

16 stuck with you — im so obsessed with your ex !

scaramouche x gender neutral reader

“It’s finally happening,” Yae sighs with a gleam in her eye, practically floating into the dorms. She sits next to Scara on the couch, her excitement palpable. “The three mystery guests are arriving! Finally, some drama!”

“I feel like there’s been enough drama,” Aether mutters.

“This will take the cake,” Yae giggles, clearly delighting in the upcoming chaos. “Trust me.”

“I think I’ll just stay here then,” Scara mutters, sinking deeper into the couch, his arms crossed tightly as he tries to resist the inevitable.

“Not so fast,” Yae says, “I need you there, especially.”

“She’s scaring me,” Yoimiya pipes up with a nervous laugh, inching her way toward the bedrooms, clearly trying to make a quick exit.

“Come on, enough chitchat,” Yae declares, standing up. She grabs Scara by the shoulder and yanks him up off the couch, practically dragging him by his feet. “I think the guests are situated.”

As you all make your way down to the beach and head toward the kitchens, you can't shake the uneasy feeling sitting in your chest. You’d known guests were going to join the main lot for the show, but no one ever told you who they could be.

“Oh my god, is that Diluc?” Lumine pipes up as Childe begins to fix his unkempt hair in response.

“Oh, hell no,” Scara mutters, his face immediately twisting with disgust as he takes one look at the scene in front of him. His instinct is to turn and leave, but Yae grabs him by the shoulder and pulls him forward, much to his annoyance.

“Is that my ex?” you say in disbelief, glancing at the table. His burgundy hair was recognizable even from how far you were standing. At the same time, everyone in Delusion turns to you, their eyes wide.

“Since when did you have an ex?” Aether asks, genuinely curious. Even Scara looks over at you now, his gaze lingering a little longer than you expected.

“Heizou and I had... a thing for a while,” you murmur, suddenly feeling awkward. “It was more of a situationship. How did you find out, Yae?”

“Research, baby,” Yae says smugly, clearly enjoying this too much.

“What kind of research?” you ask, eyebrow raised.

“Xiao. We asked Xiao.”

“She loves to gossip,” Xiao adds offhandedly, giving a shrug that seems almost apologetic.

“This is great,” Yae exclaims, her eyes lighting up as if she’s already imagining the chaos. “Let’s have some jealousy arcs!”

“I need to drown, I need to drown right now,” Scara mutters in exasperation, visibly agitated. He pulls his arm away from Yae’s grasp. “Please, just let me go.”

Even you’ve never seen him that agitated around you.

“Hush, it won’t be that bad,” Yae says, pulling him along  like a petulant child despite his protests. The rest of the group follows hesitantly behind.

The tension in the air thickens as the group walks into the dining area. The three figures sitting at the table come into full view. Mona is sitting nearest to the door, her posture more relaxed than you would have expected, while Heizou is across her, looking just a bit too calm for comfort.

Her eyes immediately fall on Scara, and she offers him a gentle smile. It’s sincere but carries a hint of hesitation.

“Scara,” Mona begins softly, her voice almost tender. “It’s been a long time since we’ve met, hasn’t it?”

It’s clear she’s trying to be civil, maybe even friendly, but Scara is having none of it.

“Yeah, not long enough,” Scara mutters as Yae pushes him into the chair beside her.

Meanwhile, you sit yourself next to Heizou, which is coincidentally also right across from Scara. Heizou looks as unbothered as ever, though you notice how his gaze flicks between you and Scara. 

“So... long time no see,” Heizou says, speaking in a neutral tone, trying to ease the tension in the room. He flashes one of his smiles, pretending not to care about the undercurrent of discomfort between everyone. “How have things been? You know, outside of... whatever this is.”

You can’t help but chuckle at how easily you slip back into conversation with him. You can’t help but notice the way he leans just a little too close when he says that last part, like he’s testing the waters. 

“Things have been fine,” you reply, your tone playful, “And you?”

“I'm doing better now,” he smiles, his eyes trailing you for a second. You feel your ears burn under his gaze.

Meanwhile, Childe, who’s been awkwardly sitting beside Diluc perks up, “Hey, uh, I like your music,” Childe says, his voice unexpectedly shy as he glances over at Diluc.

Diluc, who’s normally a man of few words, gives a rare smile, his expression softening. “Thank you,” he replies in his low, gentle voice, making Childe shift in his seat.

“So... uh, you like being an idol?” Childe continues, his words tripping over themselves in an effort to keep the conversation going.

Aether, sitting next to him, raises an eyebrow, clearly amused by the sudden shift in Childe’s usual extroverted self. “Wow, you’re really wooing him, huh?”

“Shut up!” Childe hisses, elbowing Aether in the ribs, his face flushed. “I’m trying!”

୨୧✧

The rest of breakfast goes on in a strained silence. Scara refuses to even glance at Mona, his arms crossed tightly and his eyes fixed on his plate. He’s not engaging with anyone. 

On the other hand, you and Heizou are catching up, your easy back-and-forth making the tension at the table feel a little less suffocating. So much so you don’t even realize Scara’s listening in on it.

Heizou, with his usual calm smile, picked up a blueberry tart and slid it across the table toward you. “I remember you really liked these,” he said, his voice warm and casual. “So, I asked them to bring some for you.”

Scara, who had been uncharacteristically quiet all morning, suddenly spoke up. His voice was flat, and his gaze remained fixed on his plate. “Yn doesn’t like blueberries.”

The words hung in the air, and for a moment, the room fell silent. Every eye turned toward Scara, the unexpected interruption making the tension in the air feel even heavier. Scara, clearly aware of all the attention, slowly lifted his eyes, his expression unreadable.

Heizou’s polite smile didn’t falter, but there was a hint of confusion in his tone. “Yes, they do. I used to gift them to them during our trainee days, right?”

He looked at you, his eyes searching for confirmation. But you, suddenly feeling like the weight of the room was on you, couldn’t meet his gaze. You shifted uncomfortably in your seat and looked down at the tart in your hands.

“Actually,” you said, sheepish, “I’m not very fond of blueberries.”

Heizou blinked, clearly surprised, and for the first time, his smile faltered. “...Oh.”

Scara, who’d been content to stay silent up until now, couldn’t help the smug grin tugged at the corners of his lips. “Told you.”

“And why do you care?” Heizou asks, raising a brow at Scara.

Scara, leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed, looked entirely unbothered. “I don’t want to see them gag at the dinner table,” he said dryly, glancing at Heizou for the first time. “I’m already losing my appetite sitting across from you.”

The table fell silent again, the weight of Scara’s words hanging heavy in the air. You couldn’t help but notice the way Heizou’s smile tightened, as though his polite exterior was beginning to crack. He leaned back, trying to brush it off, but you could see the slight strain in his shoulders from the tension Scara’s jab had caused.

“…Whatever,” Heizou muttered, though you could tell Scara had bothered him, turning back to you. “What did you do with all the tarts I gave you then?”

“I gave them to Venti,” you admitted, still feeling a little awkward.

Venti, ever the enthusiastic one, raised his hand with a mouthful of tart. “They were good!”

For a moment, the tension in the room dissolved into awkward chuckles, but you could feel the remnants of discomfort still lingering. You couldn’t ignore seeing the flash of hurt in Heizou’s eyes upon realizing you didn’t enjoy his gifts. That man had bought you a lot of blueberry related snacks. 

On the other hand, Scara seemed less tense after his squabble with Heizou. 

The awkwardness lingered, but before anyone could say anything further, Mona, who had been quietly watching the scene unfold, spoke up. “Yn, I also don’t like blueberries that much.”

Scara scooped his plate forward, pushing his untouched blueberries onto Mona’s plate. Without a word, he walked out of the room, leaving a trail of silence in his wake as everyone wrapped up their breakfast.

Mona remained unfazed by the small act of defiance, simply getting up from the table and following suit.

After breakfast, Yae gathered everyone around outside with her usual enthusiastic flair. Well, gathered might be too generous a term since she practically herded you all together. She had to ask the film crew to chase down Scara who was surprisingly athletic when it came to escaping Yae’s stupid games. Well, game was a strong word for whatever this was. It was all rigged from the start, Yae wasn’t about to pass up an opportunity to get you and Scara paired with your exes on live television. 

"Could you at least pretend to smile?" Yae sighed, pointing to her lips in an attempt to show him as Scara leaned back, clearly not interested in playing along.

"No," Scara deadpanned, scooting further away from Mona.

“Fine, if you won’t sit by her, at least go sit by Yn,” Yae quipped, clearly amused at his indifference.

Surprisingly, Scara did exactly that, stepping over to your side. Seems he found you more tolerable than her. 

Yae clapped her hands, clearly pleased with herself, and shot a thumbs-up toward the film crew. "Alright, are we all set?" she asked, the microphone in her hand now buzzing with static. "Okay, contestants!" Her voice rang out, louder than before, making everyone jump a little. "We’ll have a quick challenge to see which two couples get to go on a date at Paradise's carnival!”

She lowered the mic, cupping it with her palm and muttering, “Obviously, we need those four to win this,” gesturing at you, Scara, Heizou, and Mona. She paused before continuing with a sigh. “But I’ll get everyone else catering to make up for it.”

"I keep getting my hopes up and forgetting this is all rigged," Childe moaned dramatically from the sidelines, earning a laugh from Diluc, who patted him on the back.

Yae rolled her eyes but wasn’t fazed. She raised the mic again, her voice returning to its enthusiastic pitch. “Alright, time for a little competition to earn your prize! You guys are going to participate in a quick trivia game about each other!"

You didn’t want to win this, especially not when it involved a fake date, but it was becoming clear there was no escaping it.

The teams were set up, and you ended up paired with Heizou, while Scara was stuck with Mona. Yae started her rounds, and the questions were as ridiculous as you expected. It wasn’t a serious trivia challenge, but that didn’t make it any less awkward whenever it was your turn. Everyone else was having fun answering, unlike you. You should’ve known most of the answers about Heizou, but your mind was surprisingly blank on all the details you used to remember.

“Yn, what’s the name of Heizou’s first album?” Yae asked. 

You blinked, then grimaced. “Oooh, can I get a new question?” you asked, trying to deflect.

“It’s called After Hours,” Yae instructed, her voice a little too chipper. "Just say that, and we'll move on."

You hesitated, then awkwardly repeated, “After Hours.”

“Correct!” Yae singsonged, moving on without missing a beat.

You shot Heizou with a sheepish look. “Sorry. I swear I did listen to your album... it just... slipped my mind.”

Heizou chuckled, though there was a hint of hesitation in his smile. “It’s fine. Honestly, I wouldn’t have remembered the title of yours either if I didn’t see it sitting on my shelf every day.”

You blinked, surprised. “You bought my album?”

Heizou shrugged casually. “Yeah, why? Did you not buy mine?”

You pause, “I was broke when I first debuted,” you awkwardly reply, suddenly feeling rather guilty. 

“Don’t worry about it,” Heizou answers, looking the other way. 

Meanwhile, Scara was making a game out of trying to tank his answers, but Yae didn’t even bat an eye. She was too busy setting up the drama.

“Now, Scara, what’s Mona’s stage name?” Yae asked, shooting him a smile. 

Scara barely looked up, “Stardust?” he says with a bored tone, flicking his gaze to the ceiling like he couldn’t care less.

“Correct!” Yae cheered, almost too enthusiastically.

Lumine, sitting nearby, raised an eyebrow. “Won’t people know this is fake? It’s Astra, isn’t it?” she pipes up, “That wasn’t even close.”

Yae waved her hand dismissively. “We’ll voiceover the correct answers later. Don’t worry about it.”

“Okay, bonus points for anyone who gets this!” Yae announced with a sly grin. “If any of your four, apart from Scara, can answer this right, I’ll cut your awkward date short on the island.” Yae adds, looking at you, clearly not expecting you too.

“What was Scara going to originally name his debut album?” She asks, grinning.

“How the hell are we supposed to know that?” Mona muttered, glancing at you, only to be interrupted by your sudden answer.

“Meet Me at Midnight,” you said, almost instinctively, before you even realized what you’d said.

Yae’s eyes widened, a look of disappointment on her face. “That’s correct!” she gasped, then immediately slapped a hand to her forehead. “Wait, why did I bet on that one?”

Scara turned to look at you, genuinely surprised.

“How do you know that but not my debut album?” Heizou asks with a surprised laugh.

You shrugged, trying to play it off. “I remember because I told him it was a terrible name for an album,” you said, looking at Scara. “Now it’s just called Midnights.”

“It was an alright name,” Scara mumbles to himself.

“Sure it was.”

Yae, already over it, clapped her hands with exaggerated enthusiasm. “And that wraps up our trivia game!” She paused for dramatic effect. “The top four contestants are... Yn, Scaramouche, Mona, and Heizou!” She feigns a gasp as everyone rolls their eyes, “What a twist! You four will be off to the island soon for a double date!”

As everyone else started discussing what food to get Yae to cater, you could feel the weight of your fate hanging over you.

୨୧✧

After the game, everyone else heads back to the dorms for some free time, while the four of you are left to awkwardly prepare for your double date. You couldn’t think of anything more awkward as Yae explained how you guys would be spending the day at the carnival on Paradise. Just great.

Once everyone is gathered outside, Jean approaches with a clipboard in hand.

“So, we need to figure out if you four want to take the helicopter or the boat with the crew to the island,” Jean announces, his voice carrying her usual professional tone, unlike Yae who was having a little too much fun. 

Your heart sinks at the mention of the helicopter. You try to act casual, shifting your weight from one foot to the other, but you feel your stomach knot. Scara notices the subtle change in your demeanor.

Heizou speaks up with an excited grin. “Wouldn’t the helicopter be a nicer view? Plus, it’s quicker.”

Mona, standing beside him, nods in agreement, her smile sweet and sincere. “I think the helicopter would be lovely,” she says, her eyes flicking toward Scara. It’s a small, calculated glance. You can’t help but feel a pang of discomfort.

You force yourself to keep a neutral expression, trying not to give away how uncomfortable you feel. You hate flying. The last time you were in a helicopter, you barely made it through without a panic attack. And Scara had been there to witness it. You don’t want to relive that embarrassing moment, especially not with Heizou and Mona around.

Clearing your throat, you try to sound casual, although your voice betrays you with a slight tremor. “I’ll just go on the boat, if that’s okay,” you say, not looking at anyone directly. There. Perfectly played. Totally.

Heizou gives you an amused look. “Oh? Your loss,” he says with a grin, his tone light and teasing. “The helicopter’s way more scenic.”

But then, to your surprise, Scara speaks up, his voice flat as always. “I’ll take the boat too,” he mutters, already turning away as if the conversation had never mattered to him. He starts walking toward the dock without another word.

You blink, taken aback. Mona looks at Scara in surprise, clearly expecting him to choose the faster, more fun option. But Scara just keeps walking, his footsteps heavy with disinterest. He doesn’t look back. 

Jean shrugs, unfazed. “Alright then. We’ll all meet at the carnival on the other island.” She gestures for the crew to follow you two, and the tension seems to dissipate as everyone moves on to their respective transport.

You follow without saying anything, still processing Scara’s response. It wasn’t like he had to take the boat. He could’ve gone with Mona. And yet, here he was, going with you.

Once aboard the boat, the sunlight shimmers across the water, making everything feel a little more serene. The boat rocks gently beneath your feet, and you settle in, stealing glances at Scara, who’s staring out at the horizon with his usual unreadable expression. His posture, though, seems stiffer than usual.

“Thanks for coming on the boat,” you say, breaking the silence. Your voice sounds too loud against the stillness of the water, and for a moment, you regret even saying it. The awkwardness of it hangs between you like an unwanted presence.

Scara doesn’t answer immediately. His eyes stay fixed on the water, but after a few beats, he finally shrugs. “Didn’t wanna sit next to Mona,” he mutters lowly, as if the answer is self-explanatory.

“Alright,” you reply, though the simple response feels like it doesn’t quite cover the weight of the situation. But still, you can’t ignore the fact that he chose to sit with you instead of her. “But still.”

You had been disappointed when Heizou boarded the helicopter without you, but you didn’t blame him. Things had been rather awkward since breakfast, and there was no way to get around it.

Scara shifts in his seat, his eyes flicking toward the water as he says, “Whatever. It’s fine. You don’t have to thank for shit like this.” His voice is as nonchalant as ever, but you can sense there’s more to it. You don’t push it though, choosing to remain quiet, happy just to have the ground beneath your feet. After all, not dangling thousands of feet in the air is a small victory.

୨୧✧

You arrive a bit later than Heizou and Mona, who are already waiting for you both on the island, standing near the carnival entrance.

“Alright, Yae and I will be on the boat while you four go on your date, in your ears,” Jean explains, skimming through what was on her clipboard. “Just go explore the carnival together, and please, try to keep it civil.” Her gaze lingers on Heizou and Scara as she says that last part.

“Actually, I think they’re adding some good drama,” Yae whispers to Jean, her voice carrying a playful note.

“There’s a line between drama and full on fighting,” Jean sighs, clearly unamused.

Once the film crew is situated, Yae starts her spiel again, her voice ringing out through a mic.

“Alright, the winning pairs have arrived and will be having their double date here at Paradise's carnival!” Yae says enthusiastically. “You four must stick together as you explore the attractions! No running off now! Have fun!” she singsongs.

“Where to first?” Heizou hums, his eyes scanning the map board in front of you all.

“Maybe some games?” Mona suggests with a bright smile.

“Sure,” you reply, even though the idea of spending the day with your ex and Scara on a date makes your stomach twist in awkward knots. Scara, as usual, hangs back, his hands stuffed in his pockets as he follows behind the group with no real enthusiasm. You don’t blame him.

The smell of buttered popcorn and sugary cotton candy drifts through the air as you walk through the carnival. The place is mostly empty, though you suspect the company rented the space out just for you all. It’s quiet in a way that almost feels like a trap.

“This one looks fun,” you say, pointing to a ring toss game in front of you.

“Would you like to win something for your date?” The man working the booth asks Heizou, waving some rings around.

Heizou grins, catching your eye. “Sure, which plush is catching your eye, Yn?”

You glance at the display and point to a penguin plush. “I guess the penguin’s pretty cute.”

“Five tries,” the worker explains, handing Heizou the rings, “Three to win.”

Heizou takes the rings and tosses the first one, missing by a wide margin. One miss. Two miss. Three miss. Four miss. Five... another miss. Heizou manages to miss every single one, which, frankly, seems impressive in its own right. You start to wonder if the game is rigged.

Scara, who had been watching with mild amusement, can’t help but chuckle at Heizou’s pathetic attempts. Mona pats him on the back sympathetically, equally entertained.

“Sorry, Yn,” Heizou says with a sheepish grin, clearly embarrassed.

“It’s fine,” you say, rubbing him awkwardly on the shoulder.

“How about you?” The worker asks, nodding towards Scara. “Want to try and win your pretty lady something?”

“Win me the cat plush,” Mona says, folding her arms with a smirk as she glances over at Scara.

Scara rolls his eyes but takes the rings with a lazy flick of his wrist. His first throw barely makes it off his hand, landing miles away from the bottles.

“Oh no. I lost,” he says in his usual monotone voice, clearly throwing the game on purpose.

Even so, Heizou seizes the opportunity to provoke Scara. “See? You’re no better than me,” he teases, his voice light.

Scara gives him a glare as he raises his hand again. “Actually, I’ll take another round.”

One. Two. Three. Four. Five. He easily lands all five rings around the bottles. The worker blinks, clearly surprised.

The man reaches for the cat plush Mona had pointed to earlier, but Scara interrupts.

“That one.” He points to the penguin plush you had chosen earlier. His voice is flat, but you wonder if he’s doing it to spite you.

Instead he grabs the penguin and tosses it over to you without a word.

“At least one of us can actually win a plush,” he says, smirking at Heizou before walking off towards the next stall. Mona sighs and follows him.

You look down at the penguin in your hands, still processing what just happened. He’d won, but he’d also given it to you. 

Every game after that is a repeat of the same pattern: Heizou trying (and failing) to win, and Scara effortlessly collecting plushies. By the time you leave the stall, you’re carrying an absurdly large pile of stuffed animals. You’re forced to hand them off to one of the cameramen just to be able to walk around. You almost feel guilty, offering Mona the cat plush she’d wanted earlier.

Soon, the date devolves into nothing more than Heizou and Scara making bets with each other as you and Mona trail behind, quietly watching them one-up each other in a strange unspoken rivalry. 

“Hey,” Mona says, nudging you gently. “Let’s sneak away.” She nods towards the rides you haven’t touched yet. “You were eyeing the swings.”

You look over at Heizou and Scara, who are too absorbed in their competition to notice anything else. The worker at the fishing game is giving them a look of horror as they try to fish rubber ducks out of a tiny pool.

“You know what?” you say, relieved by the chance for a break. “Yeah, let’s go.”

She grabs your hand and tugs you along toward the swings, placing the cat plush between you two as you hop onto the ride.

As the swings start to rise, you glance over at Mona. She’s screaming with excitement. You can’t help but smile at her, but the smile quickly fades as you find yourself wondering about something. What happened between her and Scara? You know the basic gist of it from what your fans post on social media and from what gossip Xiao has passed on to you, but the Mona you’re seeing now feels oddly different from the one who’d dated Scara.

The ride slows, and you look down to see Heizou and Scara finally noticing that you’ve gone missing. Scara looks up, and you and Mona wave at him as the ride speeds past.

Once you’re off the ride, you suggest grabbing some snacks before Heizou and Scara catch up.

“Chocolate churros sound good?” you ask, already feeling the weight of the strange tension between the group. Mona agrees, walking up to the food stall to ask for a few.

You find a bench to settle on as you wait, the stillness between you and Mona only slightly alleviated by the warmth of the churros.

“Thanks for dragging me away,” you say, looking over at her. “I had fun.”

“No problem,” Mona hums, her voice light as she takes a bite. “Besides, I wanted to check out the rides too. And bonus, got to make Scara upset.”

You glance down at the churros at that, having the urge to ask her about what really went down between her and Scara. But it isn’t quite your place to ask. 

Your train of thought is interrupted when Mona reaches out, brushing some chocolate off your lips.

“You got something…” she murmurs, her face much closer to yours than you expected.

You blink, caught off guard by how close she’s sitting to you. She seems so casual about it, but you start to wonder if she has a different intention than just being friendly.

��Huh?” you murmur, turning towards her.

“Shh,” she whispers, her palm caressing your cheek as she pulls her hand back. “He’s watching.”

Out of the corner of your eye, you spot Heizou and Scara making their way toward you. Scara’s gaze is unreadable, but his stare is piercing.

“Just wanted to make him jealous,” Mona smiles mischievously, her hand gently pinching your cheek.

You try to mask the surprise that rises in you as you look up at Scara. His expression remains neutral, but there’s something unsettling about the way he’s staring. Mona seems to notice too.

“Sorry for abandoning you guys,” Heizou apologizes, looking sheepish as you hand him your extra churro. “Got too caught up in competition.”

Scara says nothing. He doesn’t seem at all sorry for leaving you both. He takes the seat next to you, not Mona, who’s holding out a churro for him. His eyes flicker over to her before settling back on you.

“We should all ride something together before we leave,” you suggest, trying to shake off the tension. “How about a coaster?”

“Sure,” Heizou hums, though you can hear the hesitation in his voice.

Scara shrugs, nonchalant as always. “Whatever.”

The rest of the night drifts by in a blur of rides and laughter, though it’s hard to tell just how much fun Scara’s actually having. He never fully cracks a smile, his face as unreadable as ever, but there’s something about the way his posture relaxes just slightly on the rollercoaster that makes you think he’s enjoying it at least a little bit. Heizou, on the other hand, is the opposite and makes it known how much fun he’s having. He’s as animated as ever as he throws flirty comments your way between rides. 

The weirdness from earlier fades between you and Heizou, especially as he ends up sitting next to you on every ride, his easy smile gradually putting you at ease. 

But Scara? He’s hard to read. He follows along without complaint, occasionally joining in on the banter between you and Heizou, but when he’s not pulling one of his usual stony expressions he’s somewhere else. You catch him staring off into the distance as the carnival lights flicker in the fading sunset, his gaze fixed on something beyond you. It’s moments like these that make you wonder what’s really going on in that head of his. Something you never used to care about before.

Before you know it, the night sky has fully taken over, the bright carnival lights casting long shadows behind you. You pause for a moment, just long enough to breathe in the cool air, the faint smell of popcorn and sweets still lingering in the breeze. 

Mona and Heizou end up walking ahead, chatting about something or the other. Meanwhile, Scara trails along beside you. He doesn’t speak, but he doesn’t walk ahead either. You almost feel like you should say something, if only to break the silence, but you’re not sure how to approach it.

“Thanks for the plushies, by the way,” you pipe up, the words feeling almost too casual, but you don’t know what else to say. Your hand instinctively grips one of the stuffed animals, the penguin that Scara had won for you. You’d given the rest to the crew, but you wanted to hold onto this one. The soft plush feels comforting against your palm. 

Scara doesn’t immediately respond. You can feel his eyes on you for a brief second, before he looks back down at the ground, his expression unreadable. “No need,” he says in his usual flat tone, like it’s no big deal.

“Didn’t think I’d see you giving out prizes, Scara,” you say, the words slipping out before you can stop them. You try to make it sound lighthearted, but your voice catches a little on the last word. “You seemed pretty determined to win... for Mona.”

“It wasn’t for her,” he immediately says. But then, after a beat, he answers, his voice a little softer than usual, “I just didn’t want to hear Heizou gloat.”

“Besides,” he adds, eyeing the plush in your hand, “it looks better with you.” His steps slow, just slightly, and for a moment you think he’s about to say something else, but then he just keeps walking towards the dock.

You stand there for a second, a little caught off guard by his words. The air between you two feels charged. He said it so nonchalantly, like it didn’t matter, but there was something in the way he said it that made you wonder if it did.

With a small sigh, you hurry to catch up with him. As you walk alongside him, you can’t help but glance at the penguin plush in your hand, still unsure of what to make of this strange, quiet moment between you.

୨୧✧

Since you and Scara had chosen to go by boat you two had to wait a while longer for it to arrive. Mona and Heizou were already off to the island as you stood by the beach. You look over and see Scara sitting by himself.

He was sitting by the edge of the dock, legs dangling just above the water, his posture tense as he stared out at the horizon with a detached sort of focus.  

You weren’t stupid, you knew he was trying to be alone. But with the way he’d been acting off all day and was now sitting out here by himself you felt your chest twist with something. Something that made you carry your feet over to him. 

You hesitated for a moment, watching the way the wind tousled his hair and how he drew circles in the water with his feet.

"Scara," you called out, your voice quiet.

He didn’t respond.

You sighed, stepping closer. "Kuni," you tried again. 

This time, he turned his head, his eyes flicking toward you, just enough to acknowledge your presence. He said nothing, but he scooted over on the small dock.

You hesitated for a second before taking a few steps and sitting next to him at the edge of the dock. The tension between you two was still thick and unresolved.

“So…” you began, trying to break the silence with casual ease. “It’s weird with our exes, huh?”

He let out a low, almost inaudible sigh, his eyes returning to the water. “Yeah.” His voice was flat. He was frustrated, whether it was with Mona, with Heizou, you, or himself, you couldn’t tell, but you figured it was a mix of all of it. 

You watched him for a moment, then took a breath, deciding to ask something that had been nagging at you since breakfast. “How do you remember the blueberry thing?” you asked, eyes narrowed in curiosity.

Scara’s gaze flicked to you again, and this time, he raised an eyebrow, as if the answer was obvious. “Why wouldn’t I remember?”

His tone was casual, but there was a sharpness to it that made your chest tighten slightly. You’d never really considered that all the times you’d argued, all those little details, would stick with him over the years. 

The silence stretched between you two, and you looked down, finally noticing the cigarette hanging loosely from his fingers.

“I thought you quit,” you said, offhandedly, trying to push the knot in your chest aside.

He didn’t even glance at you. “Don’t worry, I did,” he muttered, voice as indifferent as always. “I just carry one around.” He doesn’t question how you know about him quitting.

You were unsure if you should press further, so instead you just hummed in acknowledgment. You’re about to stand up and leave when Scara’s voice breaks through the quiet once more with a question of his own.

“So, you and Heizou?” he asks. 

“Yeah, a long time ago,” you say, your tone more guarded than you intended. You didn’t think he’d ever cared about it. Then again, maybe he was just being nosy, as usual.

“Why didn’t you date him?” Scara asked, his eyes still trained on the water, watching the waves as they lapped lazily at his feet. He absentmindedly twirled the cigarette between his fingers, but you could feel his attention on you. You always could.

“I don’t know," you said after a long pause, your voice quieter. Your throat tightened. You hadn’t thought about Heizou in a long time. "He switched companies, and then... I debuted." You shrugged slightly, trying to make the words sound casual. “No time, or whatever.” You hated how unconvincing that sounded, but there it was.

Scara didn’t look at you, but you could feel his gaze. Then, after a moment, he said something that made your throat tighten even more.

“You have the time now, don’t you?”

You blinked at the question. For a few seconds, you didn’t answer. Three years had passed since then. Three years of nothing. You could have found the time. You could have sent a message or tried to find him after a concert, maybe even crossed paths at some industry event. You could have tried. But instead, you were caught up in everything that had come after…you’d been occupied with Scara. 

You spared a glance towards him, but he wasn’t looking at you. He never looked at you when the questions got too close to something real. He was staring at the water, still twirling the cigarette between his fingers, but there was an unreadable expression in his face.

“I was occupied, to be honest,” you said, your voice unsteady.

He scoffed, “With what? Your other ten exes I don’t know about?”

“With you.”

There was a brief, charged silence. The weight of your words hung in the air, and you didn’t even understand what you meant. He didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he continued twirling the cigarette, his fingers moving mechanically. But you could feel his gaze shift towards you, sharper now. The unreadable expression on his face faltered just for a moment, but it was gone before you could place it.

Finally, he huffed out a breath, leaning back slightly, “Whatever. Not my problem,” he glances at you, “Can’t blame me for that.”

"Yeah, sure." You paused, your voice softer now, tinged with frustration and something else you couldn’t quite name, “But arguing does take up a lot of time.”

He didn’t answer right away. What was there to say? You could feel the unspoken weight of the past between you two, the years of frustration, of unspoken words. 

All of the time that had slipped away, together but apart.

But instead, he just exhaled sharply, pulling himself to his feet with a lazy, practiced motion. He tucks his unlit cigarette away as he reaches his palm towards you. He hoists you up with ease, and you stumble a bit on the dock. His other arm grabs your waist to steady you before letting go, his touch lingering for a moment longer than he needed to.

“The boat’s here,” he murmurs, eyeing you. 

You stare at his hand, your waist still warm from the brief contact, and then at the boat approaching in the distance. The night is settling in, the world around you dimming as the sky deepens to purple and dark blue. The quiet between you is thick, like the air before a storm, and for a moment, you can’t tell if you’re relieved or frustrated that he’s not saying anything else.

You swallow, a mix of something bitter and sweet twisting in your chest. “Yeah. Guess we should go.”

But as he walks, his pace a little faster than before, you catch the faintest of glances over his shoulder. His gaze meets yours for a fleeting second, almost like he wants to say something but stops himself. 

And just like that, he’s gone, stepping onto the boat with the same indifference he always carries.

[00:00:00] GUEST INTERVIEW TAKE ONE

YAE: What's your name, my beautiful queen?

JEAN: Oh God, cut!

[00:00:03] GUEST INTERVIEW TAKE TWO

YAE: [SIGHS] What's your name?

MONA: [LAUGHS] It's Mona! You all know me.

JEAN: How has your first week on the island been?

MONA: Honestly, weird. Scaramouche has been giving me the nastiest side eye but I still want him to at least acknowledge me, and Y/N is so socially awkward it kind of hurts and—

YAE: Haha, so funny! [PAINED LAUGH] What about a good thing?

YAE: [WHISPERS] This isn't a good look for you, Mona.

MONA, STILL TALKING: - and you know, Fischl is beautiful, but how am I supposed to talk to her? I know I'm a bad bitch, but I can't fumble this one. It'll be so bad for my image and-oh, sorry, did you ask me something?

JEAN: What's... what's a good thing about your first week here. [SOUNDS PAINED]

MONA: Oh! Getting to tan. I'm so pale being inside all day as an idol, it's nice to get some sun. [SMILES]

YAE: Cut!

[00:00:00] POST DOUBLE DATE INTERVIEW

YAE: So, how are you feeling about our guests?

YN: You are an evil woman for bringing them here.

YAE: [GIGGLES] Right? I’m so good at this.

YN: Seeing Heizou was a little awkward, but I think we’re okay now?

YAE: Any sparks flying? 

YN: I’m not sure, I don’t think so.

YAE: And what are your thoughts on Mona?

YN: Well, she was nice…?

YAE: [RAISES A BROW AND GESTURES FOR YOU TO CONTINUE]

YN: Well, she was nice on the date. But looking back I think she was just trying to get a reaction out of Scara [SIGHS] I still had fun though.

YAE: I see all those plushies your not date won for you [WIGGLES HER EYEBROWS SUGGESTIVELY] That was romantic, right?

YN: [WAVES HER OFF] He was just competing with Heizou!

YAE: [GROANS LOUDLY] 

JEAN: Don’t mind her–

LISA: [ALSO GROANING BEHIND THE CAMERA]

YN: Archons, sorry. 

YAE: Yeah, you should be. Open your eyes. 

YN: They’re open I swear! [PUTS HANDS UP]

YAE: Hmph. CUT!

stuck with you!

masterlist — prev | next

btw chapter eleven is when yn mentions they don’t like blueberries, told ya it would come back (and sorry again if u actually like them, replace it with a fruit u hate)

also typo slide 27 it’s supposed to say yn weverse update and i think i put the wrong year for a few chapters oops

me tryna figure out how to do backstory: twitter thread! more scaramona backstory next chapter so be patient xx

i cudnt fit the written text below pic in this as much so make sure u read all the written parts!

also scara only saying his body count after yn shows interest i know what u r

pls comment or send me an ask if u enjoyed i need motivation 🤗

comment on the MASTERLIST if i can use ur user as a fan in the au!

notes — wow 3 updates in one month merry christmas also btl easter egg who caught that

synopsis — after the disaster that was the live award show, where you and scaramouche got into an argument on stage after both of your groups got a tie for top artists, your guys' PR teams have been in shambles trying to scrape up your mess. that's when the idea to send you both off with some other idols to a remote location for a survival dating show to mend your public image comes up. before you know it your bags are packed and you’re on a plane to a remote island. the only obligation is you need to end up with scaramouche at the end of the show, whether you end up liking him or not doesn’t matter to your managers as long as the show’s ratings stay high. whatever you do in between to get there is up to you!

taglist — @na1lea @cindywasneverhere @lunavixia @aestherin @mlaakai @camvrin @retiredmommylover @iheartpieck @cartierfiles @loveariel @silly-ez @mochipls @pomeiu @flowerypesky @creammpuff @boxdisappeared @kissingkzuha @webbywill @kazusboyfriend @s3xpistolss @bunns-wonderland @lordbugs @localgirlywithnolife @kosumos @danfelions @featuredtofu @pinxeajin @haeunoo @scaradooche @pglt19 @chemiru @childesbabygirl @simonisferal @shutingstar @ttalgi @esuz @tokkishouse @kitsuvil @scarasmood @ihearttori @nomurahayami @starringyau @androxphobic @reivelmin @animeobsessed56 @femaholicc @vi0let-writes @izayumi-chan @aloflapse @migorengeaterrr

[ginnsbaker]

All Of Your Pieces (13 - Mind If I...?)

Chapter Summary: You weren't the type of person to make easy assumptions, but you swore Wanda had been following you around ever since the mission in Turkey.

Pairing: Wanda Maximoff x Female Reader Chapter word count: 4k+ | Chapter Tags: Age of Ultron!Wanda, Enemies to Lovers (sort of)

A/N: I've been soooo busy lately, but as promised, here's a new chapter... // More author's notes here.

Series Masterlist | Main Masterlist

You weren't the type of person to make easy assumptions, but you swore Wanda had been following you around ever since the mission in Turkey.

At first, it was subtle—a coincidence here and there. The mission in Turkey had thawed the ice between you, shifting from open hostility (mostly from your end) to a cautious civility. Wanda had saved your life, and you'd extended a fragile olive branch in return. But becoming friendly with someone had never come naturally to you.

In the weeks that followed, you began to notice her presence more acutely. At first, you chalked it up to coincidence. After all, the Avengers Compound wasn't endless. It started with her appearing in the training room at the same time you usually had it to yourself. You thought the schedules you had set for yourselves would stay in place—Wanda working out in the evenings and you having the facility all to yourself at dawn. Even if it weren't Wanda encroaching on your space, you didn't appreciate company. 

“Mind if I’d join?” she’d said, her thick Sokovian accent still clinging to every word. You couldn’t very well turn her away without seeming petty, so you'd just nod and stick to your routine, hyper-aware of her breathing a few feet off. 

Then she'd start frequenting the common areas—lounges, kitchens, even that quiet nook in the library where you liked to lose yourself in a book. Always with a plausible reason, of course.

“Just grabbing a snack,” she’d say, foraging through the fridge as you nursed your coffee. Or “Looking for a new book. Do you have any recommendations?” her fingers trailing the spines on the shelf next to you. You’d nod mechanically, then busy yourself or wait a quarter hour before glancing at your watch and feigning a sudden memory of somewhere you needed to be.

One afternoon, as you were sifting through mission reports in the conference room, she walked in with a stack of files. “Steve asked me to go over these,” she explained, placing them on the table. “Do you mind if I work here?”

You glanced up briefly. “Plenty of room,” you answered, then turned back to your report. But your focus was shot. The shuffle of papers, the faint trace of her perfume—it was all too distracting. After a few strained minutes, you shut the folder.

“Something wrong?” she asked, picking up on your frustration.

“Just distracted,” you muttered, standing. “I’ll finish this later.”

Her face fell slightly. “Oh, sorry. Didn’t mean to bother you.”

“It's fine,” you said curtly, already heading for the door.

That evening, you were in the gym again, pounding away at the heavy bag. As you replayed the day, you questioned whether you were being unreasonable towards her. Maybe it was all in your head.

“Mind if I join?” Her voice again. “I’m working on my form, maybe you could give me some tips?”

You turned to see Wanda at the doorway, gym bag in tow, looking hopeful. And pretty. Even though heavy eye makeup wasn't usually your style, you couldn't ignore that she was attractive, especially now that she was around so often.

Not that it mattered. Wanda wasn't your type, after all.

“Actually, I was just finishing up,” you said, reaching for your towel.

“Oh. Another time, then?”

“Sure,” you replied noncommittally, avoiding her eyes as you passed by.

Leaving the gym, you felt somewhat guilty for walking out like that. Was Wanda just trying to be friendly, or was there something more behind her constant nearness? Trust didn't come easily to you, and her persistent presence was suffocating you a little.

The next morning, you decided to test a theory. You altered your usual routine, heading to the training facilities an hour earlier than normal. To your surprise—and mild irritation—Wanda was already there, running through combat drills.

“Early start today?” you remarked coolly.

She glanced up, a small smile playing on her lips. “Couldn’t sleep. Thought I’d use the time.”

You nodded slowly. “Right.”

Wanda stopped throwing punches in the air, clearly sensing something. “Is everything okay?”

“Just fine,” you said.

Her eyebrows drew together. “If I've done something to upset you—”

“Look,” you cut her off, sighing heavily. “Why are you always around?”

She blinked, taken aback. “I thought we were getting along better.”

“We are. But that doesn't mean we need to be joined at the hip,” you retorted.

Wanda’s cheeks flushed and she quickly looked away to hide the embarrassment and hurt on her face. “I didn’t realize I was that unwelcome.”

“You’re not,” you said, toweling off your sweaty hair. “I just need some space, okay?”

“Understood,” she said softly, gathering her things. “I'll leave you to it.”

Wanda was gone before you could take back all of it. You hadn’t meant to drive her from the training room. You just... you just wanted things to revert to how they were before—before she came in and upended your world—no matter how small your world may have been.

Over the next few days, Wanda gave you exactly what you asked.

—

Vision chose to knock on your door instead of walking through a wall to talk to you this time. 

You had been engrossed in a technical report for the past hour when you glanced at the clock—it was just past nine in the evening. Visitors were uncommon at this late hour, and you were hardly in the mood for company. Sighing, you set aside the tablet and stood, crossing the room to open the door.

“Yes, Vision?”

“Good evening,” he replied with a polite nod. “I hope I'm not intruding.”

“You were, but…” You stepped aside, gesturing for him to enter. “Come in.”

He entered with that effortless grace characteristic of him, his eyes briefly scanning your sparsely decorated room: a king-sized mattress at the center, a small wardrobe, and a sound box at the foot of the bed. You noticed he seemed more contemplative than usual.

“Is there something you need?” you asked, leaning against the door jamb.

He clasped his hands behind his back. “I wished to seek your advice on a personal matter.”

“My advice? On what exactly?”

“Wanda,” he said simply.

Why did everything seem to be about Maximoff lately?

You folded your arms. “What about her?”

Vision hesitated, like he was carefully picking through his words. “I've noticed a... growing complexity in my interactions with her. Emotions that don’t compute.”

“Are you saying you have feelings for her?” you asked bluntly.

“In a way, yes,” he replied, almost clinical, like he was reciting lines from his programming. It was harsh, maybe, to still see him as just an AI, but you couldn’t shake it entirely. “I find myself wanting to understand her better, to be closer to her. But I'm uncertain how to proceed.”

You let out a short laugh. “And you think I'm the right person to help you with that?”

He tilted his head, considering. “Well, you and Wanda are friends. I thought you might offer some insight.”

You shook your head. “We're not friends, Vision. We just work together. Like you and I aren't friends—we're colleagues.”

He seemed to process this for a moment. “Ah, I see. My understanding was that you shared a closer relationship.”

“What gave you that idea?” you asked, unable to hide the slight edge in your voice.

“Because Wanda talks about you more than she does about anyone else,” he replied matter-of-factly.

That stopped you. “She does?”

“Yes,” he replied, as if it was obvious and you were too dense to have missed it. “It seemed logical to assume you two were friends.”

You sighed, running a hand through your hair. “Well, maybe we're... getting there. But that doesn't make me an expert on how you should approach her.”

“Perhaps not,” he conceded. “But any guidance you could offer would be appreciated.”

You considered his request. Despite your reservations, you could tell that he sincerely wanted to have a real connection with Wanda. If Wanda was looking for a friend, Vision might just be what she needed. 

“Alright,” you relented. “First off, why are you interested in Wanda?”

He took a moment. “She has a depth I find… compelling. She’s new to the team, just like me. I think that shared ground could be a natural starting point for a bond.”

You weren't convinced by his answer. It struck you as a cop-out. You suspected he might have deliberately shielded his true motives behind a logical and boring reasoning.

“Is that all?”

Vision appeared regretful—an emotion you hadn't thought he could display. Seeing it for the first time, it gave you a feeling that whatever he felt for Wanda—it was as real as the human side of him.

“I believe she's... lonely,” he murmured.

The word drops between you like a stone, stirring ripples you'd rather ignore. 

“Lonely?” you repeated.

“Yes,” Vision nodded. “Given the recent loss of her brother and being in a new country after her home was destroyed, it's understandable.”

There was no denying that the life of an Avenger wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, despite how the media painted it. Captain America and Iron Man costumes flooded stores, kids wore them for Halloween, and posters of the team adorned countless bedroom walls. Occasionally, you'd be stopped on the street for a photo or autograph. To them, you're living the dream.

But the reality was far different. It was more isolating than people realized. The relentless pressure, the heavy burden of responsibilities, the perpetual cycle of threats—it all took its toll. You suspected everyone on the team experienced this to some extent, but there was always another mission, another catastrophe, leaving scant time to confront personal demons.

Thinking about Wanda, you realized Vision had a point. She'd lost so much in such a short time. Her brother's death was still fresh, her homeland in ruins, and now she was in a new country with people who hadn't fully accepted her. If anyone was the loneliest among you, it was probably her.

“Maybe you're right,” you said, looking down at your feet. “She's been through a lot.”

Feeling uneasy about the direction the conversation had taken, you steered it back to Vision's original reason for showing up at your bedroom door at this late hour.

“So, what's the problem with getting to know Wanda?” you asked.

Vision cocked his head. “Wanda doesn't take well to unasked-for advice. When I try to offer solutions or comfort from what I've researched, she pulls away.”

“Research?” you repeated with a grimace. “Vision, people prefer advice that comes from personal experience.”

“I’ve only been recently “born” into the world, Y/N. I don’t exactly have many human experiences to share,” he said.

“Fair enough.”

Vision sighed. “I'm quite resourceful when it comes to finding answers. I've accessed millions of articles on how to make someone feel better—psychology journals, self-help guides, even personal blogs. Now I know why none of them worked.”

“Have you tried just... spending time with her? Without trying to fix anything?” you suggested. “Maybe invite her to do something together.”

“Such as?”

“I don't know—watch a movie, grab a coffee, something low-key.”

He shook his head. “I haven't attempted that approach.”

“Well, maybe you should. What does she like watching?”

“She has a particular fondness for sitcoms,” Vision recalled.

“There you go,” you said. “Pick a show she likes and suggest watching it together.”

He seemed to consider this. “Do you believe that would help her feel less isolated?”

“It couldn't hurt,” you shrugged. “Sometimes, all you need is someone sitting next to you.” Surprisingly, the words felt foreign on your tongue. You wondered if you even bought what you were selling, given your usual preference for solitude.

“Thank you,” he said earnestly. “I will endeavor to apply this strategy.”

“Don't mention it,” you said, and then, off the cuff, you asked, “By the way, when I hinted that you had feelings for her and you said maybe, we’re talking just friendly feelings, right?”

Vision thought about it. He thought about it long enough that you almost retracted the question.

“She is objectively beautiful,” he finally said. “It’s something to explore once we've established a solid friendship.”

You hummed in response, neither confirming nor refuting his statement.

You walked him to the door. As he was about to leave, another thought occurred to you. 

“Vision?”

He turned back. “Yes?”

“Why did you really come to me for advice?”

He met your gaze steadily. “Because, despite what you say, I believe you understand Wanda in ways others do not. And perhaps, you understand yourself a bit less than you think.”

You opened your mouth to respond but found no words. Before you could gather your thoughts, he gave a courteous nod.

“Goodnight,” he said, and with that, he departed down the corridor. Your eyes wandered off to the door next to you, wondering if Wanda was already lost to sleep.

—

That week, the compound was uncharacteristically quiet. Missions were sparse, and the world seemed to take a collective breath. The team was left grappling with an unexpected lull, each member handling the abundance of free time in their own distinct way. Some welcomed the break—Clint retreated to his family, Natasha disappeared out of town with only a mumble of vague details, and Tony barricaded himself in his workshop. Only Steve kept busy, visiting schools and hospitals as part of an initiative to keep the Avengers grounded and engaged with the community. You, however, struggled with the sudden downtime.

One afternoon, after pacing the length of your quarters for the umpteenth time, you flopped onto your bed and stared at the ceiling. The thought of another movie marathon or video game session made you bored out of your mind. With a sigh, you pulled out your personal phone from the nightstand drawer—the one with a public SIM, not the encrypted devices issued by the team.

You unlocked the phone and opened a dating app you hadn’t touched in months. Swiping through profiles had become a sporadic pastime, and Natasha often berated you for it, reminding you that some of these girls weren’t just looking for a one-night stand.

You began absentmindedly swiping left and right, the faces blurring into one another. Matches were infrequent. Most assumed your profile was a fake, a catfish impersonating a celebrity. On the occasions when you did match with someone, they often turned out to be the imposters, hoping to scam or exploit. It was a frustrating cycle that usually led you to abandon the app altogether.

But this evening took a surprising turn. Just as you were about to give up and close the app, a new profile appeared. A certain Olivia. Stunning, huge green eyes and a great smile, with a bio that suggested a keen intellect and an interest in adventure. 

Your kind of girl.

It's a match! The notification popped, making you grin.

Surprised, you opened the chat. Olivia had already sent a message.

“Well, either you're incredibly good at Photoshop, or I've just matched with an Avenger.”

You chuckled, typing back, “Guess you'll have to meet me to find out.”

—

It had taken two nights of texting for you to convince Olivia to meet with you in person.

You stood in front of the mirror, deliberating over what to wear. Settling on a casual yet stylish outfit—a well-fitted white shirt and faded jeans—you gave yourself a final once-over in the mirror. Satisfied, you grabbed your jacket and headed out.

Descending the hallway toward the exit, you passed by the communal lounge. Out of the corner of your eye, you noticed a familiar figure sitting alone on one of the couches—a brunette with her back to you. Wanda. She was hunched over a book, and you recognized the cover—The Book Thief by Markus Zusak—the same book you had been reading a few weeks ago when she caught you in the library. 

Come to think of it, you hadn't seen much of her since you'd told her off in the training room. For a moment, you considered approaching her, perhaps to say a quick hello or even to apologize. 

But as you made a move, Vision came into the room, rattling off about some nearby restaurants Wanda might like. Wanda glanced up and mouthed a ‘thanks’ to him.

It sure had the makings of a date. Not keen on intruding, you quietly veered off, slipping out of the compound without announcing your exit.

—

You left the compound unusually early, intent on scouting the area to ensure it was secure and free of threats. Knowing the exits was crucial—in case things went sideways, you needed a clear escape route. Complacency wasn't an option. After all, the semblance of normalcy was just that—a façade. In truth, anyone linked to someone like you was never truly safe. 

It was also a good antidote for nerves. It had been ages since your last date, and chatting with Olivia over the past few nights had been a genuine pleasure. Her humor matched yours beat for beat, and she steered clear of the usual job interrogation. Instead, you both dove into discussions about literature and swapped stories of your favorite place you’ve been to.

It was Olivia who chose the restaurant. She knew enough not to bring you to a popular spot in the city, and picked a small establishment tucked in the quietest neighborhood of the city. 

You arrived five minutes early, only to find that Olivia had still managed to beat you there. She stood from a table near the window, greeting you with a warm smile. In person, she was even more captivating—confident, with that effortless, girl-next-door charm.

“Glad you made it,” Olivia said as you approached.

“Well, I did ask you out, so…” you joked, pulling out a chair.

You both slipped effortlessly into conversation. She did most of the talking, which suited you just fine—it meant you didn’t have to share much about yourself, something you were never quite comfortable with anyway.

“I've heard the beef stroganoff is supposed to be excellent,” Olivia said.

“Sounds perfect,” you agreed, looking over the menu. “Let's share a few dishes.”

You were about to signal a server when movement by the entrance caught your eye. Turning slightly, you spotted Wanda stepping into the restaurant. She glanced around as if searching for someone, then made her way to a small table near the back.

A wave of irritation washed over you. What were the odds? First at the compound, now here.

Olivia noticed your distraction. “Is everything okay?” 

You forced a smile. “Yeah, sorry. I thought I recognized someone.”

“Friend or foe?” Olivia joked.

“Neither,” you found yourself saying more honestly than intended.

Olivia chuckled, oblivious to the depth of your remark. “Well, whoever it is, they can wait. Tonight is about us.”

“You're right,” you agreed, pushing thoughts of Wanda aside. “So, tell me more about your trip to Prague.”

Olivia immediately launched into a story about a strange encounter she had in one of its historic streets but your attention wavered. Instead, you watched Wanda as she placed her order and then casually scrolled through her phone, resembling anyone else dining alone in a restaurant, passing the time while waiting for their meal. She seemed unusually pensive, and part of you felt a semblance of empathy, but you reminded yourself that it wasn't your job to worry about her.

Still, the coincidence was too glaring to ignore. Had she followed you? Was this another one of her attempts to get close to you, or was it something more vindictive—a way to retaliate for being so standoffish with her?

“Excuse me for a moment,” you told Olivia, rising from your seat.

“Sure,” Olivia replied, looking mildly puzzled.

Weaving through the tables, you approached Wanda's. She looked up, her face registering surprise as you stood there in front of her.

“Y/N—”

“What are you doing here?” you murmured, keeping your voice low.

She blinked, taken aback. “Having dinner.”

“Here? Tonight?”

She set her jaw at your tone. “Is there a problem?”

“It seems like you're following me,” you stated, the accusation slipping out despite your intentions. You weren’t entirely sure why you confronted her; it wasn’t to drive her out of the restaurant. It was just that not knowing her intentions was getting under your skin.

“I'm not. This is the only place around that serves Sokovian food. I come here when I miss home,” she said.

“You don't really expect me to believe that, do you?”

“What are you talking about?” Wanda demanded, standing up as well.

“I saw you with Vision at the lounge earlier tonight. He mentioned he'd found a few new spots for both of you to try,” you revealed, smirking. You wagered Wanda didn’t know you were there when she was busy planning evenings with her boyfriend—or so you assumed.

“Well, if you'd eavesdropped longer, you'd have heard me tell Vision I'd just go to my usual restaurant,” Wanda retorted calmly.

“Really?” You scoffed. “Then why are you here alone, at the same restaurant where I'm on a date?”

“You’re on a date?” Wanda’s eyes darted past you, landing briefly on Olivia, who threw a curious glance back. Her gaze took in Olivia’s features—a pair of green eyes, the shade more hazel than her own. A fleeting expression crossed her face before she turned back to you.

She sighed, her shoulders drooping slightly. “Vision doesn't eat food. Why would he come with me?”

“Because he's your... he's…” You stumbled over your words, realizing you weren't quite sure what to label their relationship. The assumption that Vision was her boyfriend felt suddenly unfounded.

“Vision’s my friend,” Wanda said. “He was making suggestions because he knows I miss home.”

Before you could respond, she flagged down the waiter. 

“Excuse me, has the chicken paprikash been started yet?”

The waiter checked his notepad. “It's still queued, ma'am.”

“Please cancel it,” she said, much to your surprise.

“Certainly,” the waiter said, and hurried off.

“Wait, where are you going?” you asked as she began gathering her things.

“I'm getting dinner somewhere else. Happy now?”

“Wanda, that’s not what I—”

She breezed past you but stopped a few paces away, turning to face you. “Not everything is about you,” she said softly, then exited the restaurant without another word.

You stood there for a while, heart beating fast, hands trembling slightly.

When you got back to your table, Olivia looked up, her brows knitted together in concern. It was hard to tell if she was worried about the scene with you and Wanda or if she thought you might bail on her.

“Everything okay?” she asked.

You managed a weak smile. “Yeah, just a little misunderstanding.”

Olivia studied you for a moment. “Do you need to go?”

“No, no,” you assured, though your mind was elsewhere. “I'm here.”

—

It was around an hour before Wanda heard a soft knock on her door. She was sitting by the window, absentmindedly strumming her guitar, playing an old Sokovian folk song from memory—the same tune her mother used to sing while doing housework. She couldn’t remember the lyrics to the song, but she could recall how it made her feel. It never quite brought her to tears, but the melody stirred a deep sense of nostalgia. She remembered being happy and content sharing a cramped apartment with her family. Wanda's voice trembled as she tried to hum along. For all she knew, the song might have been about mundane chores like dusting or laundry, and she might never find out. 

The knock didn't come again, so she continued playing. When she finished her song moments later, she set the guitar aside and walked to the door, wondering if she had imagined the sound. Opening it, she found the corridor dim and deserted. She peered up and down the hallway but saw no one.

“Hello?” she called out quietly, but there was no response. Just as she was about to retreat back into her room, she noticed a small package resting at her feet.

Picking it up, she felt the warmth seeping through the container. Attached to it was a folded note.

Thought you might still want that chicken paprikash. I'm sorry. —Y/N

Wanda stared at your hastily written note, allowing a small smile to creep onto her lips. Her stomach growled softly, reminding her that she hadn't eaten much earlier. Her stomach gave a gentle rumble, a reminder that the quick American cheeseburger she'd grabbed from a food truck, after leaving the restaurant earlier in a huff, hadn't really filled her. Nothing quite hit the spot like the flavors of home.

It really did upset her when you confronted her about being at the restaurant, and it felt like a miracle that the day ended on a different note. If you were back this early, it probably meant you hadn't gone home with that girl, and Wanda couldn’t quite understand why she felt relieved by that.

Your note remained by her side as she ate the paprikash to her heart’s content. Maybe someday, Wanda would gather the courage to tell you the rest of the truth:

That she had stopped trying to read your mind, but she could still sense your presence when you were near or in the room. That earlier tonight, she felt you in the commons and her curiosity led her to follow you, only to be pleasantly surprised when you entered her favorite restaurant. That her heart sank a little when she realized you weren’t alone as she walked into the restaurant. That she couldn’t explain why she felt drawn to you, more than anyone else on the team. That Vision had become a friend, but she found herself still wanting your friendship too.

Maybe one day she’d confess all of this to you. 

Or maybe she wouldn’t.

[world-of-fantasies]

"Ain't So Bad"

Words: 1578

Pairing: Daryl Dixon x FemReader

Time: Atlanta Camp

Warnings: language, weapons

Summary: When you start sitting with Daryl every night in the camp, and he doesn't push you away, you ask him to teach you to shoot a bow. Soon, you realize a new friendship is developing.

A/N: Hi! This is my first post ever after lurking through different fandoms and pages! This is just a cute little scenario and I hope someone can enjoy it!

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

It was hard to believe the outbreak had been going on for a little over a month now. In just that short amount of time it had transformed from a peaceful visit of your cousin Rick and his family before he was shot in a car chase and then the world went to shit. You were luckier than most though as you were with Lori and Carl when the evacuation happened and had stayed with them ever since. Most of the others you had found on the highway outside of Atlanta were civil enough and you mostly trusted them in camp. Some not so much but you tried to get along.

The one person who hadn’t bonded with everyone as much, choosing to sit alone most of the time, was Daryl. He provided for the camp in many ways, always the one to go into the woods with his crossbow and shoot down a rabbit, a squirrel, anything he could find. When it came to camp though, he was very reserved.

It wasn’t like you were trying to get him to open up, but you didn’t see him like everybody else did. Sometimes it seemed like people intentionally were opposed to connecting with him, his rough personality turning them away. You saw his protective nature of the group and recognized he had had a rough life so far. You were one of the quieter ones in camp, but tried your best to be friendly, always helping stoke the fire when it got chilly at night, learning to skin and cook the animals people brought back, and helping out with the laundry, although that was something some of the men forced all the women to do anyways. You especially looked out for the kids, telling them stories and playing little games to keep them entertained.

Before long, you found yourself beginning to drift toward Daryl though. Every night he would sit on a big slab of rock overlooking the quarry, cleaning up his bow or sharpening a knife, sometimes just staring out into the distance. The man intrigued you and one night you built up the courage to sit close by, pulling your knees to your chest and looking out into the night.

“What you want?” his gruff voice called after a minute.

You glanced over to see him looking at you questionably.

“Nothing, just wanted to sit here,” you responded with a sigh. “Get some air away from everyone else.”

He simply huffed and went back to his weapon, but didn’t tell you to leave so you stayed there, thinking about life.

Night after night it became a habit to find yourself next to the man. He never seemed opposed to it so you never stopped. One night, as he was checking his bow, you spoke up about the weapon.

“How’d you learn?” you shyly asked.

“Learn what?” he questioned.

“To shoot. I always wanted to learn how to use a bow and arrow when I was younger, regretting never actually going through with it now.”

He made a sound that sounded like a scoff, but had a hint of a laugh before turning to show you the tool.

“Jus practice. Buildin’ up strength and accuracy to shoot straight. Ain’t difficult once ya know basics.”

“Cool. Maybe one of these days you could teach me,” you said, not really thinking about it before catching his eye. “I mean, only if ya wanted to, was just curious.”

“Nah, ya good. Could tag along t’morrow if ya want.”

Your heart skipped a beat. He actually agreed. You felt a moment of butterflies imagining him close to you teaching you to shoot before pushing them down. The man wasn’t bad looking at all, at least in your eyes. He wasn’t the stereotypical attractive type, but there was something about him that you were drawn to, more than just his company.

“Only if you’re sure.”

“Why not? It’d be good for ya to learn it now, jus in case ya need to use it.”

Sure enough the next day, Daryl caught your eye before heading out to the forest and casually asked, “You com’n or wha?”

You quickly put down whatever random thing you were doing and followed him into the woods. It was easy to notice how at ease he felt in the forest despite his constant tracking for the new threat of… What were people calling them again?... oh right, walkers. Suddenly, caught up in your thoughts of the man you deemed more attractive every day, you stepped on a branch causing a slight snap to be heard through the air.

“Shit, sorry,” you whispered.

“It’s fine, jus watch your step, alright?”

You nodded and continued to follow him through the trees, now more aware of your steps and surroundings. After a few minutes, Daryl stopped ahead of you in a small clearing and took his crossbow off his shoulder as well as taking the normal bow to hold out to you. A bit shyly, you grabbed the weapon, feeling the light weight of it. As you tested the feel of the bow, Daryl grabbed his knife and walked over to a large tree across from you guys, using the blade to chip off the bark on the tree to show a lighter spot in the rough shape of a circle before walking back over to you.

“K,” he started, taking the bow from you to demonstrate. “Load it like this,” he explained and continued to show you each step of setting it up and aiming properly before letting it go, the arrow landing pretty much in the center of the circle.

“Wow,” you whispered under your breath.

“Your turn,” he explained, handing it to you.

Carefully, you tried to set it up just like how he had shown you just seconds ago. You set your stance similar to how he had and aimed at your target, pulling back the string. Softly, you took a deep breath and released, the arrow surprisingly landing, not on the mark, but still on the tree not terribly far off.

Daryl grunted beside you before saying, “You sure you ain’t learn this before?”

“Lucky shot probably,” you said, looking down at your feet.

“Nah, that ain’t bad. Yer stronger than ya seem. Yer a natural, just narrow in on aim. Load it up again.”

Nodding, you loaded it again and raised it up, but before you could do anything else, suddenly Daryl was stepping up behind you. His arms wrapped around you to adjust your hold slightly and you could only hope he couldn’t feel your breath pick up as he did.

“There, pull back,” he said, putting his hand on yours on the string to help you pull slightly harder, “And release.”

This time the arrow landed just outside the circle.

“Good. Yer learnin’ already.”

All you could do was nod, too nervous to speak, feeling butterflies in your stomach and a lump in your throat. Daryl had you try a couple more times and each time you did just as well, if not better. Before you guys headed back, Daryl let you tag along to find something to cook on the fire, occasionally speaking but mostly in comfortable silence.

Later that night, after the group dined on slightly burnt rabbit, you walked over to your usual evening spot next to Daryl overlooking the quarry and sat down on your normal rock. Surprisingly, he spoke first, just a couple seconds after you sat.

“Ya did good today, with the bow.”

“Oh, thanks. I had a good teacher,” you slightly smiled, shrugging your shoulders.

“Nah, like I said before, yer a natural.”

Some time passed between you two as the sun finally set behind the hills, the late evening light creeping in.  Then you started thinking about why. Why had Daryl agreed to teach you today? You imagined if anyone else had asked him like you had. You knew he probably would’ve told them to go away in the first place, wanting to sit in silence. If they had gotten to the point of asking, he probably would’ve told them to go away again or tell them to ask one of the other guys. So why was he okay with you?

“Daryl?” you suddenly asked in a quiet manner.

“Huh?” he grunted.

“Why do you let me sit with you? Why’d you teach me today?”

“What do ya mean?” he asked, putting down his knife to look at you properly.

“I mean, you’re always so independent, pushing anyone away if they try to get close to you in camp. But you haven’t pushed me away. I’ve sat here with you almost every night and then you casually taught me to shoot today. Why me out of anyone else here in camp?”

Embarrassed by your little rant, you caught his gaze briefly before turning slightly and tucking your knees into you as the silence lingered for just a bit.

“Ain’t so bad,” he responded.

“What?” you asked confused.

“Yer company. It ain’t so bad. Yer not like everyone else.”

And that was that. He looked away, not out of embarrassment or anything, but he was just done with the conversation, picking up his knife again and whittling away at the piece of wood he had. You smiled to yourself, tracing your finger along a rough spot on the rock. Daryl Dixon was warming up, at least to you, and you didn’t mind it one bit.

[spideyhexx]

12 am thoughts with kit;

sfw; billy bonney

A deep voice calls out from a few paces behind you.

"You good up there?"

You stretch out your limbs on the grass, the heat burning down on your skin. The grass tickles your ankles, but it's nothing more than a friendly embrace to you.

"Mighty good," you reply, leaning up against your elbows and tilting your head to see the culprit of the voice. One mister Billy Bonney, outlaw extraordinaire as you liked to call him.

"I never find you in civilization," he says, his drawl sounds somehow thicker than you remembered it to be. He plops into the grass next to you and places his hat on the ground, arms resting over his knees.

"You don't know me as well you think you do if you're searching for me in town."

Billy chuckles at that and shakes his head, glancing down at you. His eyes squinty and his forehead a little wet from the heat.

It's probably been about three weeks since you last saw him. He stopped around and begged for some bread, which you gave him. If only he'd get a wasp's nest down from a tree near your home. Billy did it, no questions asked.

"How've you been?" He asks, and he's watching you intently. His gaze doesn't look out over the valley ahead, or at the sky where you're looking. Billy is watching you.

"Same old," you start, "Heard of you less."

It's true. He had rumors about his name going left and right for quite some time, but he's laid low enough for now that you've barely heard a peep.

"Tryin' to go straight," he tells you. And that's when his eyes look elsewhere, almost like he's embarrassed to admit it.

You lay back fully down, eyes at the sky, fingers absentmindedly digging into the earth. "I think ya could," you say, glancing at him, noting the curls at the nape of his neck that stick to his hot skin.

"Maybe I gotta be like you. Out in the middle of fuckin' nowhere," he chuckles again, a sound you could get used to. Without thinking, he grabs your hand, the one that's closest to him.

Billy's brow furrows, wiping away the dirt you willingly let hold your hand. It flashes you back to when you first ever met Billy almost a year ago, half of him was as dirty as a pig sty and you were scrubbing your tub for hours after he used it.

"There's dirt in your fingernails," he mumbles, mostly focusing on your hand, but he can't help but try to get the dirt from your nails too.

You let him.

"And you smell like you haven't showered in days."

Billy flashes you a small smile and then gently sets your hand back in the grass, giving it a pat before his hand return to himself, tapping to his thigh. He's jittery.

"'S a little hard to when you can't stay in one place long. I like it though," he says, inhaling, then letting out a deep breath, shifting to lay down fully next to you.

"Going to different places?"

He nods. "I don't know how you can stay here. In one place, I mean," then he adds, "how anyone could." Billy's hand rakes through his hair and he looks at you.

You return his gaze, and prop yourself on your arm to see him better.

Trailing your fingertips on the blades of grass in front of him, you find the right one, the one yearning for you, then pluck it, showing it to him, "all of the grass is the same on a first sight, yes? But this is still an individual blade. There is always something important about every part of the land. Something new to learn, to think about, all when you're not able to travel. Gotta use this..."

You knock your knuckles on his head to indicate his brain.

"And why can you not travel?" He asks out of curiosity. If anything, you would be a person who would want to travel all the time. See nature you've never encountered, discover everything new the way he has. That seemed exactly like something you would want.

"I think the trees here would miss me," you tell him, giving a little shrug. You expect him to laugh. To pry more. To question why that was your train of thought. But he doesn't.

Billy just nods, his expression focused as he replies, "I missed you when I left, so I think I can understand the trees' feelins'."

You should not let yourself smile as much as you do at his words, but it's hopeless. Billy reciprocates it.

"Missed me? You probably missed my jam," you say, deflecting his kind words.

He rolls his eyes dramatically, bringing one of his knees up and knocking his knuckles on it. Still jittery.

"I did miss your jam, you're right."

You place the blade of grass in his hair, then you turn onto your back again.

"Think I could stick around for a bit?"

Billy says it quieter, he might be unsure. Or nervous. His jitters don't tell you anything because Billy's hands were restless all the time, even when he was calm. You can usually tell with him, but you're not looking into his eyes. They always told you everything.

"I could use a ranch-hand," you mumble, pretending to mull it over.

The sun continues to beat down on the two of you, the clouds in the sky doing nothing to stop the effervescent power of the ball of light.

And when he nudges you with his elbow, waiting for your answer, you feel that ball of light accumulating inside the pit of your stomach. You will it away, gripping the earth at your side to push yourself more to the ground.

"I 'spose you could. Company would...," you glance at him and he's already grinning, "be nice."

[oreolemur]

Desperation- Choso Fanfic

Receiving letters from Choso sent chills down your spine. He kept trying to confess his love for you after you helped him fight off his bullies. The man was obsessed with you, but you didn't want him. You sat in bed, reading the numerous letters he wrote to you. The letters detailed his feelings in great detail. The one from this morning mentioned how much he missed you and that he couldn't wait to see you after school. Another from a few days ago mentioned how he thought about you all the time and wanted to be with you forever. There were several more with similar sentiments from the past weeks. "Why does he keep writing to me?", you said to yourself. "Does he not get the message?”. You had told him several times that you didn't want to be with him, but he didn't seem to get it. You tried to be civil by still talking to him in school, but he took any small interaction as a sign that he still had a chance. You tossed all the letters in the trash and headed to bed, trying to forget about Choso and his weird obsession with you. You fell asleep quickly, hoping that tomorrow would go by without any drama from him. 

The next day as you were walking in the hallway, you saw Choso. "Oh no", you said. You tried to walk the other way, but he saw you before you could get the chance to avoid him. Choso spotted you immediately and started walking towards you. You tried to make a quick escape, but he had you cornered. He walked right up to you and said, "Hi." in a low tone. "H-hey", you said, trying not to sound weirded out by him. Choso's gaze was intense, making you feel uncomfortable. The way he stood so close to you was also unsettling. You tried to keep your tone friendly, even though your heart was beating fast. You hoped he couldn't hear how hard you were breathing. "So...I...ugh got your letters", you said. Choso nodded and said, "Yes, I wrote them for you." His voice was steady, but there was a hint of desperation in his tone. He continued, "I was just hoping that if I wrote enough letters, you might change your mind”.

You decided to confess to him again. "I appreciate you having feelings for me, but...I'm not interested in having a relationship". Choso's face fell as he heard your words. The sadness was clear on his face, but he tried not to show it too much. He nodded and said, "I understand. If you feel that way, I respect your decision." His voice had a slight crack, showing his disappointment. Despite the rejection, he kept his composure and said, "Is it okay if we still stay friends?". You nodded. "Of course. That's all I want". Choso gave a small smile at your response. Clearly, he had wanted a different outcome, but at least he could keep you in his life, even if only as a friend. He said, "Thank you for being honest with me. It means a lot." Despite the rejection, he was trying to stay positive and continue to talk to you. 

You were glad that Choso understood where you were coming from, but you couldn't shake this feeling that something bad was going to happen. There was something about Choso's reaction that made your gut instinct act up. You couldn't help but wonder if he truly accepted what you told him, or if he was just hiding his true feelings. Something inside you told you to be careful around him, but you couldn't exactly explain it. You decided to change the subject and hope your gut was wrong. After talking with him for a minute, you and Choso shared your goodbyes. "I'll see you around, ok", you said. Choso nodded and said, "Of course. See you around." Despite the awkward nature of the conversation, he appeared to be taking the rejection well and was being civil toward you. You couldn't help but feel relieved that it didn't end in a worse way. You were still a little uneasy around him, but you brushed it off and started walking away.

❤~Time Skip~❤

Later that night, Choso was in his dorm, doing his homework. His mind was still flooded with rejection and he didn't like it. The man took out his special book that was filled with photos of you. He had been taking pictures of you without your knowledge, and keeping them here. He stared at the pictures, the emotions from earlier flooding back to him. The rejection and how you didn't want to be with him hurt him, which only made him want you more. Choso continued to stare at the pictures, growing increasingly obsessed with you. His voice grew cold as he said, "She's mine and mine only." His obsession with you had grown stronger, and he wasn't going to let you slip away. He was determined to make you his, no matter the cost. 

Choso spent the rest of the night obsessing over you, planning ways to express to you how much you meant to him. He was no longer content to sit back and let you get away from him. He wanted to show you that he was serious about his feelings for you and wasn't going to let anything get in his way. "I have to have her", he said. "I have to make her love me". Choso continued to mutter to himself about how he needed to have you, how he needed to make you love him. You were all he could think about, and not having you would be unbearable for him. He was completely consumed by his obsession with you, and this thought made him grow even more determined to make you his. Choso decided that he needed to send one final letter to you, but this time it would be a warning rather than a confession of his feelings. This letter would make it clear to you how serious he is about you. 

Meanwhile, you spent the night in your dorm, getting ready for bed. "I'm glad he understands", you said to yourself. "Hopefully those creepy letters will stop now". You tried to put the whole situation out of your mind and hoped that he truly accepted your rejection. You were tired and just wanted to get some sleep, but something deep inside you told you to stay alert. "Why do I keep getting this strange feeling?". You tried to ignore the feeling, dismissing it as just your imagination running away with you. You crawled into bed, trying to get some rest, but the feeling continued to plague you. You tossed and turned, unable to relax or get comfortable. The feeling kept gnawing at you, making it hard to get comfortable or sleep. Just as you were about to head to bed, there was a loud knock at your door, which startled you. It was late in the night, and you weren't expecting anyone to visit you at this hour. You said, "Who is it?" but received no answer. You got off your bed, opening the door cautious as you wondered who could be there at this late hour. 

You cautiously opened the door and saw no one there. To your surprise, there was a letter on the ground that caught your attention. You saw that it had your name written on it and picked it up carefully, hoping it wasn't another love letter. You examined the outside of the envelope, then decided to open it. “I can't keep ignoring my feelings for you. I can't just accept the way things are and move on. I love you too much to just let you go. If you won't be with me willingly, then I'll have to make you mine. I know the best way to make you love me, and I'm going to use it. I'll see you soon ❤”. You were filled with fear as you read the letter. Choso's words sounded like a threat, and it caused your heart to drop. You realized that he wasn't going to accept rejection, and he was going to use some sort of method to make you his. The "best way" and "make you love me" part of the sentence was particularly eerie.

It almost sounded like he was going to use force or something sinister to get your affection. Your heart was beating fast, and you felt an icy chill go down your spine. You rip up the letter in a fit of frustration and sorrow. You couldn't believe that a simple rejection would cause someone to become so obsessed or even resort to threats. You didn't know what would motivate Choso to send a letter like that, but it didn't matter. All you could think about was his words, and how he planned to make you love him. You felt a surge of fear as you thought about what his "method" for making you love him might be.

You made sure to avoid Choso for the next few days, not wanting to interact with him. You didn't see him during your shared classes and decided that him not being there was a good thing. Your mind was still focused on that ominous letter, and you were anxious about what he might do if he saw you again. You tried to stay on your guard and told yourself to take precautions when going to your dorm or anywhere else where you might bump into him.  You went about your daily routine for the next two weeks and didn't see Choso once. Even though you were glad that he wasn't around, you couldn't help but feel that it was strange that you hadn't seen him at all. You had shared classes with him and would normally see him pretty often, so it felt odd that he was nowhere to be found. You kept wondering where he was, but you were also relieved that you didn't have to deal with his obsession for the time being. 

❤~That Night~❤

You were walking back to your dorm one night, hoping that the walk would be uneventful. You felt uneasy for some reason, and a sense that you were being followed suddenly crept over you. You stopped, looking behind you only to see no one there. No one was visible that you could see, but something in you told you otherwise. You got an uneasy feeling, like someone was watching you. "I'm probably just tired", you said, nervously. You tried to convince yourself that it was just your imagination playing tricks on you, but the feeling of being watched refused to subside. You felt tense and nervous, as if someone was hiding somewhere. You couldn't see anyone directly watching you, but you had a strong sense that someone or something was following you. The sense of paranoia grew stronger, and you found yourself looking over your shoulder and around you constantly. 

Just as you were about to open the door to your dorm, someone ran up behind you, putting a cloth over your mouth and nose. The sudden attack took you by surprise, and you struggled to breathe as you were forcefully pulled into a nearby alleyway. Your attacker was quick and stealthy, and you couldn't see who it was. All you could do was struggle and try to breath while the cloth was over your mouth. You continued to struggle and try to get away from your attacker as the cloth on your face made it harder and harder to breathe. You could feel your strength beginning to wane as the oxygen deprivation took its toll on you. After you start to pass out, your vision begins to get blurry and your body becomes weak as you struggle to remain conscious. Choso looks down at your unconscious body with a grin on his face. He looks completely unhinged and crazed, his mind consumed by his obsession with you. He drags your body back to his dorm, where he plans to carry out his plan. 

You slowly begin to regain consciousness. You're not sure how much time has passed, but you eventually begin to gain clarity. Your head is pounding and your vision is still blurry. Your body feels weak, and you're not sure where you are. You struggle to move and open your eyes, your breathing labored. As you come to your senses, the first thing you see is Choso standing in front of you. "Ch-Choso?", you said, weakly. Choso glances down at you as he hears your weak voice, a sinister grin spreading across his face. He looks down at you with cold eyes as he leans in closer, his face just inches from yours. "You're awake," he says in a calm but cold tone. Choso walks to his door and locks it, seemingly not caring that he just locked you in with him. The only sound in the room is you panting and his breathing. He steps closer to you, his body looming and threatening. "I'm going to make you mine," he says in a low voice, his eyes filled with obsession and insanity.

"What are you talking about?", you questioned. Choso continues to stand over you, his eyes fixed on yours. "I've decided that if you won't be my girlfriend willingly, I'm going to have to do this the hard way." He says calmly, not seeming angry or agitated in the slightest. He leans down even closer to you until your heads are mere inches apart. "I'm going to make you love me”. You looked at him confused. "You can't just force me to love you". Choso ignores your words and leans even closer to you until his face is just inches from yours. "Of course, I can't. But there are ways to make people feel things they otherwise wouldn't”. The way he said those last words made it sound like a threat. "It's simple, really. I just need to put you through an experience that will break you down and make you love me”. 

Choso's face remained calm and unExpressionate as he took off his clothes, revealing his muscular body. His body looked incredibly fit and toned, something he's probably been doing to impress you. Instead of making you feel attracted, the sight only made you feel even more scared. He ignored your words as he looked down at you with cold eyes. He continued to strip, stripping his pants and his top. As you desperately tried to scoot away, he grabbed your ankle and pulled you close to him. You found yourself unable to move and were helplessly trapped as he pulled you closer to him. He said nothing and just looked at you, a hint of madness in his gaze. He positioned himself, between your legs, reaching up your skirt. “Please, Choso”, you whined. 

He pulled and tugged on your panties, ripping them off. The cold air in his room hit your bare pussy. You tried to close your legs, but Choso stood firm between them. His lower half moved closer too, making his cock hit your cunt. He rubbed his dick against you, feeling how warm and wet you were. “Choso”, you whine again. “Please don’t do this. You don’t have to do this”. He pushed you further onto the bed, getting on top of you. “You know, y/n…”, he paused, shoving himself in you. You gasped at the sudden thrust, feeling your cervix breaking. Blood trickled down your thighs as Choso proceeded to fuck you. “I read your diary”. You tried to listen to him, but the pain kept distracting you. “I read all about how you fantasize about being raped and toyed around with”, he continued. “If that’s something you like…”, he grunted. “I can give that to you”. 

He threw your leg over his shoulder, fucking your tight cunt harder. Your body went limp as you laid underneath Choso. You felt disgusted. The pain you first felt started to turn into pleasure. “Why am I starting to like this?”, you asked yourself. “All that stuff I wrote was a lie. A mere thought I had when I was depressed”. Choso’s dick slid in and out of you at a slow but medium pace. His dick was huge, stretching your walls open with each hard thrust. His face was red and his breath was heavy. He enjoyed the power he had over you as he forced you to take him. “I know you like this”, he whispered. He leaned into you, grabbing your throat. He slightly choked you as he quickened his pace. “I love you so much, y/n”, he said in your ear. “I don’t care how much I hurt you, as long as you love me that’s all that matters”. He fucked you faster and harder, soon dropping his warm cum inside you. He kept himself in you for a hot minute, making sure that every drop spilled into your womb. “I hate you”, you said under your breath. Choso didn’t care. He knew that this was only the beginning. 

❤~One month later~❤

It had been a month since that dreadful night had happened. Choso’s attempt at making you love him didn’t work, but he still never gave up on you. He kept a watchful eye on you, meeting up with you every chance he got, which was every day. You couldn’t tell your friends about you and Choso’s forced relationship. You knew it wouldn’t end well. “I love you”, Choso said, laying on top of you. He just got done fucking you. You looked up at the ceiling with soulless eyes. He kissed your neck, marking your soft flesh. “Your skin is so soft”, he complimented. He looked into your eyes as he grabbed your chin, forcing you to look at him. “Till death do us part, my love”, he smiled. 

[think-ill-watch-it-burn]

Current and forever Beni simp. Would you possibly write a reader whos the daughter of someone whos incredibly like Empire pride and she leaves the Empire for Asakusa and maybe Beni and her fuck? I dont know how to describe whats in my head.

Ooooohhh this is a good one! If you're still around I hope I was able to give your idea justice!

So... Whew this one kind of got away from me a little bit, so I split it into 2 parts. This one is mostly safe, maybe a little canoodling toward the end. Part 2 will be all the scandalous NSFW bits.

(Also I just wanted to say, not sure the story behind your username but you absolutely should be proud. <3)

Beni x Empire!Reader below! Part 2 Here!

Shinmon Benimaru

Trust Issues

"I don't like this, Waka," Konro declared, a worried wrinkle between his brows. "She may seem nice enough, but they always do at first. I don't feel good about this. The empire can't be trusted."

"We trust them with your medicine," Beni retorted. Konro bristled a little.

"That's different. We have no other option. That was part of the deal when we became Company 7."

"Still have to trust them. Maybe she didn't have a choice either."

Konro grunted softly. "Possibly, but don't forget it's the way she was raised. That means something."

"Noted," Beni replied dryly, popping a cherry into his mouth. "She can stay here at the guardhouse. We can keep a better eye on her that way."

Konro could've choked. "Here?"

Beni grabbed the bowl of cherries from the stand and reclined to his elbows, the bowl on his tummy. "If she is a threat we'll send her back. If she's telling the truth, she might end up being useful."

Konro frowned, contemplating Beni's proposal. With a heavy sigh he conceded. "If you think that's what we should do, we'll do it. I'm still not sure I like the idea, but I'm behind you."

---

A week of side-eyes and unspoken threats. No matter what you did, not how helpful you tried to be, nothing affected Konro's stony demeanor. He was civil most of the time, sometimes almost friendly, but there was no mistaking the intimidating energy he put off.

You weren't especially nervous about it. You wouldn't trust you either.

Beni was... different. Never seemed very far away. You figured he was keeping eyes on you, but the questions threw you off a little. There were the expected questions: Why did you leave? Why did you come here? Why should I trust you? But then he'd started asking seemingly unrelated questions: what's your favorite food? What kind of music do you like? Do you have any kids?

You assumed he was trying to be thorough but he didn't really know what he was doing. Regardless, you answered them, and then talked for hours longer. He was almost starting to feel something like a friend.

As you strolled through town a handful of villagers greeted you with a smile; most scowled, some vendors refused to sell to you, others refused to acknowledge your presence. You told yourself you understood, you'd feel the same, but it didn't really take the sting away. It felt unfair to judge you by your family, but what else did they know about you yet?

You trudged back to the guardhouse, trying not to let it bring you down. Beni, already outside waiting, stood and outstretched his arms, waiting for you to hand him some of your bags.

"You really don't have to, I'm a big girl."

"I'm already here. Might as well."

He took the bags from your arms, giving you little choice in the matter. After helping you put them up he invited you on a walk through town with him, introducing you properly to each of their neighbors. They all treated you a little more kindly this time, out of respect for their Destroyer King.

Why, you wondered. Why go out of his way to do this? Had he seen them during her walk?

Maybe he was a friend.

---

A month later and almost everyone in town treated you like a neighbor. Almost. Even Konro had warmed a little to your presence.

Beni now seemed to hang out with you for fun. You spent most of your time together bantering back and forth, in passionate discussions about things that didn't matter, or just enjoying some comfortable silence together.

Wandering the halls of the guardhouse looking for something to do, you heard Beni's voice, tense and irritated, followed by Konro's. You knew you shouldn't but you couldn't help but press yourself against the wall to listen through the cracked door.

"You said she would be useful. How has she helped since she's been here?"

"She will be. Look, I don't trust her much either but she's starting to trust me. I'll get something out of her. Then maybe you'll stop complaining."

Ouch. That stung. Of course they don't trust you yet, you told yourself. It's only been a month. Barely.

But it didn't take the sting away. Konro you understood, he'd been plain about his distrust. Beni was supposed to be different, a friend, really your only friend. Instead he'd been deceiving you to pry information out of you. How could that be true?

You'd heard enough. With as much stealth as you could muster with your heart thundering like it was you slipped back down the hallway and headed for the garden. You just wanted to tuck yourself away to hide for a while.

For the next week you hardly spent any time with Beni, using any excuse you could think of to avoid spending time with him. For a whole day you'd followed Konro on errands to avoid Beni. He seemed confused but didn't press the issue.

The evening of the seventh day rolled around and you sat tucked back in a shrouded corner of the garden, curled around a book.

"So this is where you've been hiding."

You jumped and chucked the book, sitting up and folding your legs and arms defensively, the book hanging somewhere in a bush. "Not hiding," you argued. "Reading."

Beni scoffed and rolled his eyes. "You can read anywhere, this is where you choose? No. You're hiding. Why?"

You hesitated. "Maybe I'd like to be alone. Maybe I'd like one place to be unbothered for a little while."

"Your room has a door. I don't buy it. You've been avoiding me but you hide from me in a place you know I visit often. Tell me why."

You were caught off guard. Despite the hours you'd spent with him here, the thought hadn't occurred to you.

"I... don't know."

You were still hurt and you knew that, but you couldn't tell him why. Beni stood staring at you and you wanted to wither under his gaze, the persistence urging you to confess. Instead you stood, brushing the debris from your behind, and offered a dismissive 'if that was all' as you brushed past him.

But a hand around your arm stopped you, whipping you back toward him. He stepped closer, hand still on your arm. "Tell me. Why?"

His expression was unreadable but the stare just as persistent. He looked stern, maybe even angry... it was hard to tell. "I really don't know," you insisted.

He took a deep breath and stepped closer still, eyes dropping to investigate the rest of your face. "You're either hiding from me or you've got something to hide." He studied your face again, scanning for any sign of... anything. You tried to keep your face neutral but your heart was thundering and your mouth was dry and you were probably turning red. "Or maybe both? What are you not telling me?"

"I'm not hiding anything from you," you offered, cringing hearing your own tacky mouth. "I just... think I misinterpreted the situation."

He reared back a little, confused. "Misinterpreted what?"

"I thought... I just thought. I mean," you wiped your sweating forehead and brushed your hair back, sighing heavily. "I thought we were, I don't know, friends. Or something."

"Friends?" he said thoughtfully. "What makes you think we aren't?"

You couldn't help the sardonic laugh you let out.

"What would make me think we are? I need a place to stay, you need information on the Empire that I could probably provide. It's transactional."

Beni groaned and shrunk a little. "I didn't mean that. Actually I guess I did a little. But that was mostly for Konro's benefit. I, uh." He hesitated, looking suddenly nervous.

"You what?"

Beni shifted, looking even more nervous. "I uh. I don't know how to explain it. There was something about you. It sounds stupid but I had a good feeling I guess. I like spending time with you. I think about you a lot. Damn it."

Butterflies welled in your belly until your eyes narrowed, stomach sinking. "This is kind of a shitty way to get back into my good graces..."

"I'm not... what?" He sounded incredulous. And annoyed. "Seriously?"

"Who would you be more likely to lie to, Benimaru? Your lieutenant and lifelong friend or the enemy on your doorstep?"

"You think I'm lying?"

"I don't think you're truthing."

"You don't think I'm... you've got to be kidding me."

He leaned back and looked at you again, really looked at you. He was debating something, you could tell, wheels turning in his eyes. He took a step closer to you, close enough to feel the heat coming off him.

"Have I treated you like you're an enemy?" he argued, a different look in his eyes as he scanned your face. "If I didn't like you, you'd know it." He took your chin in his fingers to lift your face, brushed away some stray hairs from your cheek. "Does this seem like I don't like you?"

[irresponsibleink]

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is Off to a Great Start, but Who Asked for This?

*No spoilers*

I stayed up to watch the premiere of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (3am on the east coast) and things are off to an interesting start, but I have to ask, who wanted this show? When it was announced, the series was meant to tell Spider-Man’s origin story in the MCU, but as production went on, the producers realized how boxed in they were, so they decided to make it a multiverse story. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man takes place in a universe similar to the sacred timeline, but instead of Tony Stark recruiting Peter, it’s Norman Osborn. 

I understand why this show isn’t in the MCU, and while I admit that the series is taking the character in a different direction, I’m tired of seeing Peter Parker in high school and most fans seem to agree. I love a good superhero/average teen combo, which we see in this series. Peter misses class and skips parties to fight bad guys, and I love that dynamic. I love that Peter can’t tell his teachers why he wasn’t there for the test, or tell his friends why he missed their play, or birthday party. I enjoy that dynamic every time I see it, but it’s not anything that The Spectacular Spider-Man (2008-09), Ultimate Spider-Man (2012-17), or Spider-Man (2017-20) didn’t do. The live-action films also take on these scenarios, and they execute them well for the most part. 

I don’t mean to be a pessimist, because this is a good show, but I can’t write down my thoughts and opinions about it without also expressing my exhaustion at how many times we’ve seen this play out. Marvel Animation should’ve placed Peter in college for this series. It would’ve been way more interesting, especially if they framed it for adults specifically, like Invincible (2021-) or Creature Commandos (2024-). My idea isn’t for them to make Spider-Man unnaturally dark, brooding, or edgy, but it would’ve brought more fans to the table in my opinion. 

Some people say this show should’ve been about Miles Morales and I don’t agree. To me, the Miles-shaped hole in my heart is being filled by the Spider-Verse movies, and if they do a Miles Morales animated series, I believe it should wait until the Spider-Verse movies are over because the Spider-Verse movies are animated I believe the producers would have their work cut out for them trying to create another animated universe that rivals the Spider-Verse films, and because of this I believe that the show would suffer critically for it because everyone would compare it to the Sony rendition. 

But let’s talk about this show and why it’s good, sans spoilers, of course. 

The first thing you notice about this series is the animation and it’s just splendid. The fight scenes look immaculate, the shots of Spider-man swinging around the city are so well done. Episode 2 in particular had some really sweet shots. The voice acting was okay. I can’t decide if Hudson Thames is a good Peter Parker. At times he sounds good, but then it sounds like he’s got phlegm and didn’t bother to clear his voice before recording. The opening title was superb. The music and art together were just perfect. The callbacks to Civil War were also pretty cool. The suit Peter wears feels homemade, more so than the MCU edition and I liked that. I like that he uses some propane-type thing to power his webshooters. 

Peter Parker feels like Peter Parker in this series. He’s stumbling around, chronically late, and missing the bus, it’s all very Peter-coded. On top of that, he’s very empathetic to criminals, something I think was lost in some of the films. The characters have got good chemistry. I like the dynamic between Peter and his friends. There was a certain character whose name I recognized from the comics, but he looked so different and there were some scenes with him that I didn’t fully understand, so I’m curious how his future in the show will play out. I can’t decide if Norman Osborn will be a villain or not. I always got the vibe that he has something going on under the surface, but that could be an intentional choice to make us suspect misdeeds from him. This show wants to subvert our expectations, similar to how the MCU films did. There were more names I recognized and I’m excited to see where they go from here, especially since the series was renewed for a second and third season. 

I like that Marvel Studios is putting effort into this show. There have been plenty of Spider-man shows in recent years, but you could tell they were for children. This series has more attention to detail, it’s an animated superhero show that can be enjoyed by adults, and as I get older that’s something I value more and more. I love to rewatch shows like The Spectacular Spider-Man (2009-09) but something gets lost there as you get older. You can’t enjoy the story as much because it’s written for children, but today’s animators seem to understand the need adults have for these shows. 

I just said that I’m tired of seeing Spider-Man in high school, but this series makes me nostalgic in all the best ways. Watching shows like this makes me feel like a kid again, and in recent times I value that experience so much. Listening to the awesome music selection as Spidey swings through the city oddly reminds me of walking to class in the morning, blasting music, and worrying about the math test I had later that day.

Overall, I’m excited to see where this show goes. 

Final grade: B+

Rick Stepp (irresponsibleink@gmail.com)

[batneko]

Okay, bowuigi soulmate AU on the suggestion of @scribeprotra

(sorry not sorry it came out angsty)

Though most people in the world of the Mushroom Kingdom speak English, they use a different alphabet from the "real" world, so for most of his life Luigi has had no idea what the first thing his soulmate was going to say to him was. He and Mario both looked, for years, but never found anything that looked like the letters on the back of Luigi's hand. Eventually Luigi just resigned himself to being alone for the rest of his life.

(Mario doesn't have a soulmate, which is not uncommon in this universe. It's not really a big deal and people without soulmates follow what we'd consider a more "normal" pattern of dating. Luigi doesn't know, but Mario made the decision to put romance on the back burner so he could support his brother.)

Then they fell into a warp pipe and landed in a world where they could understand everyone, but not read the signs. Luckily Princess Peach is the kind of person she is, and took it upon herself to help them settle in and look for a way home. On one excursion she ends up kidnapped, and Mario decides since she was only out there because of them, it's their responsibility to save her!

It all leads to Mario and Luigi in Bowser's castle, and though Luigi was reluctant to fight a giant fire-breathing turtle dragon, when he sees his brother in trouble he chucks a loose brick at Bowser's head and shouts "Hey! Big guy!"

Bowser turns around, sees a figure with a moustache and a stupid hat, and roars "YOU!" before realizing there's two of them.

They rescue the princess, they're celebrated as heroes, and Luigi and Bowser both more or less forget they spoke at all (Bowser more, Luigi less).

Years pass, including a lot more fights, a few team-ups, and eventually the agreement to try a few friendly competitions to keep things civil. When Luigi discovered his soulmate mark was the local alphabet he was excited, at first, but he's already used to disappointment and he's conflicted about the exact word. Is it angry? Surprised? What if he's doomed to get off on the wrong foot with the person who's supposed to be his partner?

Then one day, at one of those friendly sporting competitions with Bowser and his team, Bowser spots Luigi making a note to himself and suddenly grabs him.

"What's that?"

"What's what?"

"What you're writing. Where did you learn that?"

"It's just how we wrote back where Mario and I grew up, it doesn't mean anything bad."

Bowser suddenly rips the collar off his throat and points at the writing there. "What does this say?"

It says Hey! Big guy! And though Luigi can't be certain (it's been YEARS) he has a horrible horrible feeling that the exchange between his soulmate words and Bowser's is very familiar.

Bowser seems completely oblivious to any of this and just starts asking Luigi where he's from and how to get there. Luigi doesn't even realize why Bowser is asking until he says "I don't know how to get back, Mario and I decided to stay here," and Bowser does NOT like that answer. Luigi can't bring himself to say what he's thinking. Maybe it's not true? Maybe Bowser is right and his soulmate is still waiting for him in Brooklyn?

Bowser talks to Peach after the match is over and says he's sorry but he's finally got a chance to find his real soulmate and he's going to have to end their flirtation. Peach, ever the diplomat, says she understands.

Time passes. Bowser is doing research on his own on how to cross between worlds. But for some reason he keeps coming by and asking Luigi about it. He says it's just to make things easier once he gets there, but after a while they start talking about other things. They start to become something like friends.

One day Bowser mentions how much it hurts to hope after all this time. About how he'd resigned himself to being alone for the rest of his life. Luigi almost confesses then, but he's afraid of how furious Bowser will be knowing that Luigi hid it from him all this time. How can he admit he didn't tell Bowser straight away because he didn't want him?

[ash5monster01]

Getaway Camp : Eleven

Pairing: Charlie Dalton x OC!Fem

Warnings: 18+, mentions of smut, dirty talk, slight foreplay, minor angst, language, mentions of death, fluff, lots of teasing.

Summary: Charlie and Valerie get away for the weekend, enjoying every second alone they get together. When Charlie comes back, he finds a surprise waiting for him.

word count: 3.1k

Masterlist

Ten ←→ Twelve

July 9th 1961

It’s hot when Charlie wakes up. The sun’s rays shining through the fabric above him and getting trapped inside. It’s immediately uncomfortable but Charlie ignores it as he reaches to his side, the blanket falling low on his bare hips. Yet his hand just meets sleeping bag. His eyes open to find the spot beside him empty and he sighs until he hears the clutter of a pan outside the tent walls. Sitting up he discovers his clothes from last night are gone and he has no choice but to pull on the green shirt and khakis he had packed with him.

Ever since the Fourth of July, Charlie and Valerie couldn’t get enough of each other. As predicted the great cabin shuffle was hard to recreate so the pair had to get creative. The boat house had become a common destination since Charlie knew there was a cot in there from rowing. When it came to the weekend, the couple was quick to pack everything they had and hike to the spot where they had their first date. A whole weekend that was just the two of them, in a tent, with nothing but woods around. Charlie would like to say he had connected with nature while out here but if he was being honest, he spent more time connected to Valerie than anything else.

“Morning handsome” Valerie smiles from her campfire set up, scrambled eggs in a pan. They seemed to be sticking to the pan more than actually edible but Charlie didn’t have it in him to mind. Especially since the girl sat in his blue shirt from the night before and only the blue shirt.

“Smells good” he tells her, leaning down to press a soft kiss to her lips, his hand grazing along the back of her head and to the base of her neck. Now that the pair had explored each other’s bodies she had found Charlie’s kisses to be less shy and more demanding. He had no issue positioning her anyway he wanted when his mouth met her own.

“You look cute” she says when he pulls back and despite the light blush on his cheeks he can’t help but laugh at the comment.

“I guess I should’ve packed more camp friendly clothes” he suggests, moving to sit in the seat across from her own and Valerie smiles, scooping some eggs on a plate and passing them his way.

“It’s okay, I don’t mind. I plan on taking them off of you anyway” and Charlie grins a wide and devilish smile. He was not foreign to hooking up with a girl before but this was not that. He simply couldn’t get enough of Valerie which hadn’t ever happened to him before. Each time he found himself trying to out pour his appreciation for her. By the third time around he discovered he had been making love, not hooking up. The thought scared him, but he was obsessed with her more.

“Like you did last night?” Charlie suggests, eyebrows jumping at the reminder of how they had tried to eat dinner in this very spot last night. Yet Charlie had ended up with his pants pooled around his ankles and Valerie’s pretty lips wrapped around his cock as he watched the waterfall. Maybe he could convince her to leave civilization and stay with him in these woods forever.

“Anything’s a possibility” she tells him, sipping from her glass of water as he digs into the eggs. There is barely any taste but he eats them anyway, smiling at her, and wishing they didn’t have to head back to camp so soon. He hated meeting her in the boat house and then having to go sleep separately. Yet for Nate and Levi, that was their one time thing hooking up with those girls. Charlie knew Levi wasn’t mean about it in the way Nate was. Mia just happened to be a casual hookup that they both wanted to keep casual. Who would have thought? It also made Chrissy extra whiny and impossible to escape. Charlie officially felt Valerie’s pain when it came to her roommate for the summer season.

“You keep me hostage in these woods any longer and Ezra might send out a search party for me” Charlie tells her after a while and Valerie giggles, aware of how Charlie had been favoring her over anyone else these days. She had been doing the same, ditching Levi because she only had a taste for Charlie.

“I’ll make it up to him, I think he’ll understand though. I have a very attractive boyfriend” Valerie says but almost instantaneously after the label leaves her lips, the tops of her ears burn red. “I mean, friend-boy. Guy I date-“

She’s cut off by Charlie’s bellowing laughter, his hand falling to his chest as he tries to calm down. Yet his amusement hasn’t stopped yet, the cute and panicked look on her face making him laugh more. When it finally calms he gives a wide and comforting smile as he reaches for her hand across their mini pop up table. “I’m your boyfriend V. At least I better be cause I’d be pissed if you tried dating someone else”

“Same Ace” Valerie says with a shy smile, her cheeks still a soft pink from the conversation she hadn’t expected to have.

“I don’t have eyes for anyone else. Well I still favor Miss December but-” and Valerie is launching a piece of bread from her plate at the boy, Charlie laughing as he dodges it. He still had the centerfold of Miss December, his first ever read poem written on the back of it. Yet he found himself reading the words more than looking at the picture these days.

“I have better boobs than Miss December” Valerie claims and Charlie smirks, eyes dropping to her chest. How her nipples are peaked through the blue fabric of his shirt, the outline of her curves pulling the button in that spot taught. Valerie’s aren’t nearly as big as Miss December’s, than again is anyone’s? Even Charlie knew the image was unrealistic. Valerie was still big chested in all the ways that mattered and turned him on. He always had been a boob guy.

“Yeah they are, plus I’ve actually felt them before” Charlie wiggles his eyebrows and Valerie giggles, Charlie’s hand tugging her own, and indicating she join him on his side of the table. When she obeys and sits in his lap, Charlie discovers there truly is nothing under his shirt as his hand settles on her ass. It’s no surprise to either of them he’s already hardening beneath her.

“What, you trying to get me over here to grope my chest or something?” she teases but Charlie pretends to take it seriously. Fingers tracing through the fabric of his shirt on her form, slowly moving until his hand grazes inside, fingers brushing under her breast before cupping it gently in his hand. The perfect fit.

“Maybe” he grins and Valerie just rolls her eyes before kissing him. It’s not anything sexual but her tongue ends up in his mouth anyway and she wished they didn’t have to pack up so soon to make it in time for her afternoon shift.

“You gonna see Ezra tonight?” she asks once she breaks away from his lips. She loved the taste of him.

“Yeah, if I don’t I’ll go crazy alone in my cabin without you” Charlie tells her, the hand once placed on her chest now tucked gently against her thigh and holding her in place.

“Cabin fever huh?” she asks and Charlie chuckles before giving her a genuine look.

“That must explain it, because I go crazy whenever I’m without you” and Valerie feels the words settle on her lips, yet they don’t come out. Her heart thrumming quickly in her chest because those three words may be simple but for her they hold so much weight. She had always been different from other girls, felt excluded in ways she couldn’t understand. She was used to boys, the careless and reckless ways they lived their lives. It was no surprise to her when she viewed them more as brothers than love interests. Love was never an option, and now suddenly it was everything.

“Then let’s hope summer never ends” Charlie’s affectionate smile quickly falls into a frown, not expecting such a harsh reality to be thrown his way. They had never had a conversation but he knew there was a timeline. He just hadn’t expected to put his feelings out there and suddenly find out Valerie has no interest in continuing this after camp was done. A harsh reality he was hoping to ignore for a little longer.

“Yeah, let’s hope” he agrees and she misses the sad tone of his voice as she lifts from his lap and begins to pick up their things. Charlie can’t even bring himself to admire the curve of her ass that’s been revealed to him or playfully slap it. Instead he finally feels sad knowing it’s not just him that feels there’s an expiration date to what the both of them have.

It only takes about an hour to pack up camp, the giant backpacks on both of their backs filled to the brim. The hike had gotten easier for Charlie too. Once he discovered it was worse saying goodbye to Valerie when they got back it felt like the walk wasn’t the worst thing he had to go through. He had kissed her goodbye for nearly twenty minutes before she finally pulled away because she would be late if she didn’t. Sometimes he wished she wasn’t so punctual.

Slowly he makes the short walk back to his cabin, uninterested in the rest of the day, until he eyes the small mail box nailed to the side of the cabin. It hadn’t ever changed since he got here, a layer of rust on the side, a bit crooked against the wood. Yet today the lid was propped open and the smallest corner of a yellowing envelope peaked out from inside. In a scramble he’s digging in, freeing the three letters addressed to him. He can’t help the way his stomach clenches as he reads the familiar return sender names on each. Suddenly he can’t get inside the cabin fast enough.

Quickly he plops down in the chair of the desk, shoving aside a few liquor bottles to make space for him to read. Not even bothering to find a letter opener, he’s tearing the seal open with is finger. Eagerly freeing the letter inside, the familiar chicken scratch making his heart leap. It had been so long, so long since he had seen any of them in person. Suddenly he wanted to cry, the yearning for his friends deepening inside him. In this moment he promises himself he will visit them soon, not waste another shared moment between them. Especially with how long it took to send letters back and forth from camp.

Dear Charlie,

It is absolutely no surprise that you’ve become king of the camp. Yet for some reason it’s hard to picture you sleeping in a cabin and swatting away mosquitoes. The same guy who used to have all his shirts pressed and the finest liquors hidden under your floorboards. Then again I’m sure you’ve found a supply to keep you occupied. Or maybe you’ve changed from the boy I once knew and now you’re embracing nature and all it has to offer.

The image of you on waterski’s will be enough to keep me going until the next time I see you. Even better the idea of you falling. After I made sure you didn’t get hurt of course. I’m sure you’re making the most of this summer lifestyle. This girl Valerie sounds like she makes it all worth it. Then again you always worshipped any girl you could find. Yet the way you refer to her leads me to believe you’ve finally found a soft spot. I would love to meet the lady who finally tames the wild and reckless Charlie Dalton.

Please write me back soon, no feeling in the world compares to the one I get when I see Charlie Daltons name written on the side of an envelope.

Love, Todd Anderson

Charlie chuckles, hugging the letter close to his chest, thankful Todd hadn’t lost that part of him. The confidence he found right before Neil had died. Neil was Charlie’s best friend but to Todd, Neil was his person. The one that changes the entire trajectory of your life. One that suddenly means everything and then gets ripped from you just as quick as you got him. It wasn’t fair then and it wasn’t fair now. Then again, nothing in life really was. You just had to make the most of what you got while you had it.

Charlie,

When I had heard you were to work at a summer camp I’m pretty sure I had to be resuscitated. Picturing you in a cabin, possibly with a roommate like Cameron, seems like the purest form of hell you’d ever endure. Then again I’m sure it’s nice to finally be away from your parents. What doesn’t surprise me is that you’ve found yourself a girl. This Valerie sounds like a real charmer, especially if she happened to lock down you.

I go to Harvard Law in the Fall and Chris is staying back at community college. I am already dreading when the day comes so I can’t imagine how you feel when the same happens for you.

What I can tell you is to fight for her. When I had read your letter it was the first time I saw a glimpse of the Charlie I knew before Neil had died. I’ve been waiting a really long time to have him back. Plus I’m sure Neil would’ve kicked my ass if he knew I encouraged you to let go of the first girl to ever get Charlie Dalton to settle down.

I miss you buddy, please keep in touch.

Love, Knoxious

Charlie shorts a laugh at the letter, eager to tell him that so far his roommate had been pretty cool. He should’ve expected the sentiment though. It was the romantic in Knox. Knox would beg him to stay with any girl if Charlie had even slightly mentioned her. It’s because as much as Charlie talks about girls there was never the idea of one.

Charlie,

It doesn’t shock me you’re working at a summer camp. In fact, I always had a feeling you’d give up on civilization and become one with the trees. Real life was never really meant for you. You’ve always been wild and free, I figure you fit right in. Probably friends with the animals and wiping your ass with a leaf. It makes sense.

Next week me and Pitts start early admission at Yale. Feels kind of crazy the days of college are already here when that’s all we used to talk about. Pitts says hi by the way, he agrees summer camp was meant for you. He saw no point in writing you since you’d probably be annoyed with his non legible handwriting anyway.

Charlie this is Pitts, I am happy to write you but Steven is a control freak who thinks it’s easier to send our letter combined. Miss you.

Anyway Charles, we miss you a lot. Come visit us at Yale someday, or maybe we’ll get curious enough to come visit the city. Please write soon.

Love Steven Meeks & Gerard Pitts

Charlie laughs loudly at the last one, his chest aching. He misses his friends, he misses the cave, he misses study group, he misses Welton. God he can’t believe he misses a place he hates so much. The very place he still blamed for every traumatic moment in his life, but it was where he belonged. Where he should’ve been for that last year and a half. He had missed out on so much but then he felt guilty knowing Neil was going to miss out on everything.

So Charlie gets to work, writing a handwritten letter back to each, and finally finding himself not consumed with thoughts about Valerie. He tells them about everything he’s done and everything that’s coming up. How Valerie is his girl despite the end of summer looming above them. He doesn’t leave a detail out because for once he wants to be there for them even if it’s only through a pen and paper.

It’s dark by the time Valerie makes her return. Charlie’s laid up in his bed, a book in his hand, while Andy lays on his own and listens to the radio. She doesn’t bother knocking, smiling at both of them before making her way to Charlie. Shes still in her red bathing suit, indicating she came right after her shift, and Charlie disposes the book as he welcomes her into his arms instead.

“Hey baby, how was work?” he asks, pressing a kiss against the top of her head.

“Fine, some thirteen year old boys wouldn’t stop staring and flirting with me though. I just wasn’t in the mood” she tells him and Charlie chuckles, remembering being thirteen and having way too many hormones to know how to handle. A pretty girl would’ve made him malfunction, especially one that looked like Valerie.

“I’m sorry honey, want me to beat them up?” he asks and this time it’s Andy snorting from his side of the cabin.

“You two make me sick” he teases and Charlie rolls his eyes, tightening his hold on the girl against him.

“Says you. I watched you beg Alice to stay for twenty minutes. It was starting to get weird and not just for me” Charlie calls him out and Valerie giggles against his chest, warming him over completely.

“I think it’s sweet Andy” she tells the boy and he tries to hide the smile that crosses his face when it comes to the girl he finally got to go out with him.

“Thanks Val, I like you more than Charlie” Andy says and Charlie quickly flips him off, Valerie laughing at their antics and the relationship neither of them will call a friendship yet. Dare she say they were each other’s best friends.

“Most people do” Valerie responds and Charlie gasps, pointing a shocked look her way and she smiles, wiping it off with a kiss to his lips.

“I’m hurt” Charlie pouts when she pulls away and Valerie smiles, lying back down against his chest, and wishing she didn’t have to go back to her own cabin. Wishing she didn’t have to go anywhere ever again.

“It’s okay Ace, I like you more than anyone”

Taglist: @eden-punk @octaviasdread @pursuedbyamemoryy @poetsinnyc @linmichea1

Comment if you want to be added to the taglist :))

[oneshotnewbie]

Cult Victim - Part 2

Criminal Minds x Reader

⚠️Trigger Warning for the whole series⚠️ This one-shot includes the topic of blood, kidnapping, torture, sacrifice, depression, needles, injections, drugs, and those plots are presented. If this triggers you too easily or you just can´t handle the subject, I urge you NOT to read this work. I am NOT embellishing this topic under any circumstance. Read at your own risk.

ᕚ---ᕘ

Your thoughts slowly returned from the darkness. A dull pain throbbed in your head and your body felt heavy and sluggish. You blinked several times to see the blurry world around you more clearly. The memories of your abduction came back like a paralyzing shock and you forced yourself to be alert.

You were no longer lying on the floor but on a wide, old-fashioned bed covered with a heavy bedspread. The room around you was silent and strangely familiar, as if it were a relic from a bygone era known only from books. The walls were paneled with dark wood and heavy curtains covered the windows, through which only a faint, muted light filtered. The room was filled with a hint of damp and cold that crept through the thick brickwork of the old building.

You forced yourself to stand up, your muscles protesting the movement and your wrists still bearing the marks of the shackles. You rubbed your sore spots as you took in the surroundings.

The room was tastefully decorated, if with a morbid sense of aesthetics. A massive dark wood wardrobe sat in one corner, next to an antique desk stacked with carefully placed notes and books. The furniture exuded a ghostly elegance, but what was really disturbing were the paintings and sculptures that decorated the room.

The walls were covered in eerie images. One depicted a dark forest with shadowy figures moving among the trees. Another depicted a woman trapped in a labyrinth while menacing figures lurked from the shadows. You stepped closer to examine the details, and it hit you that the images were more than just works of art; they were disturbing depictions of the Brotherhood's crimes. Each wall seemed to contain the screams of the victims, and a cold shiver ran down your spine.

In the middle of the room stood a sculpture depicting a fallen angel, its wings broken as if it had been swallowed by a hellish abyss. The intensity of the image was so strong that you involuntarily recoiled.

Slowly you began to realize that you were in a building of historical significance. It was more than just a mansion, it was a former sanatorium, hidden deep in the woods, far from any civilization. The place was surrounded by an unsettling silence, as if the walls themselves had absorbed the screams of the patients who were once treated here.

You felt a knot of fear in your stomach, but you pushed back the panic. You had to stay strong, keep a clear head to figure out where you were and how to escape. You couldn't afford to give in to despair.

A quiet crash and creak made you turn around. The massive locks on the back of the room's wooden door were opened, the door slowly pushed open as a woman entered. It was Lucien Kane, the leader of the Brotherhood you had already met. Her presence immediately filled the room and you felt the cold threat emanating from her.

"Good morning, y/n," Lucien said in her bright, calm voice, as if she seemed to be trying to start a friendly conversation. Her eyes, dark green and inscrutable, rested on you as she let the door slam shut behind her.

You stood up straight, your shoulders broad, your senses on high alert. "Where did you take me?" you asked sharply, watching every single movement and muscle twitch on her face.

Lucien smiled slightly, as if she was amused by your directness. "Welcome to the House of Silence, our humble headquarters," she said, spreading her arms as if presenting a stage. "It used to be a sanatorium, a place of healing and secrets. Now it serves as a sanctuary and a monument to our beliefs and goals."

You resisted the urge to back away, your jaw clenched. "Your beliefs and goals? You mean terror as a prayer and murder as a goal?"

The woman in front of you tilted her head as if hearing a particularly interesting question and answer she had never heard before. "We consider it more of a type of... art. A form of expression that changes the world. But enough of that, I hope your stay here will be enlightening for you."

You felt the anger rising in you again, your eyes flashing with deep disgust. "The only thing that will light up here is the barrel of my gun once I put an end to this whole thing."

She stepped closer and leaned in slightly, her voice just a whisper in your ear. "You underestimate me and overestimate yourself. You won't get out of here until you decide to be one of us."

You returned her gaze without blinking, the hardness in your eyes visible and impossible to break. "I will never be one of you. Never."

Lucien straightened up, an eerie laugh pierced the air and made the walls shake. "Your determination is admirable, but you are alone here. Think about how you could join the inevitable change. We could really use your intelligence here," she turned and walked through the threshold before stopping. "I will break you, y/n. And there is no one to stop me from doing so."

With that, the door slammed shut with a dull thud, the locks all locked, leaving you behind. You felt the effects of the drugs you had been given slowly creeping up. A dull numbness fought its way to the forefront and began to permeate your consciousness, and reality warped into a surreal nightmare. The walls seemed to breathe, and the shadows seemed to move as if they had a life of their own. The paintings on the walls whispered in a foreign language you did not understand, and the face of the fallen angel in the sculpture seemed to change in a constant expression of pain and rapture.

You tried to organize your thoughts, but the drugs blurred the line between reality and madness, making you woozy and disoriented. Images from your past kept resurfacing - old cases, unsolved crimes, faces of victims and perpetrators, all mixed together in a kaleidoscope of horror. The voices in your head began to whisper, scream, and laugh as you fought against the looming despair.

Lucien Kane came to you every hour to continue the psychological game she had started with you. Sometimes she would sit quietly next to you and watch you lose your mind, sometimes she would stand in the shadows, watching you from the darkness. Her goal was to break you, and she would take every opportunity to test your mental strength.

"How long do you think you can fight off the madness, y/n?" she asked that evening as she sat down at the desk with a cup of tea and her dinner in hand. Her gaze was intense, her words honeyed, yet full of venom.

You, holding your ground despite the drugs in your system, replied with slurring words and falling slack. "I have seen things in the four years of my service, Lucien, that far exceed your imagination. This is just another fight. And I'm not giving up."

"Interesting," she replied as she took a sip from her cup. "I think you're underestimating the power of the mind again, y/n. If you let it, madness can be liberating."

You knew she was trying to get into your mind to make you doubt yourself. But you refused to give up. The memories of your team, the cases you'd solved, and the victims you'd brought justice to gave you the strength to fight off the further craziness that captivated you.

ᕚ---ᕘ

At headquarters, Emily decided to search your apartment with JJ. They hoped to find clues there that they had missed in the office. After all, they had noticed several times that you took home various folders and pieces of paper that they had never seen before.

"Maybe she has something in her apartment that will help us," said the blonde as she opened the door to your apartment with a separate key that you had given her for security.

Your apartment was tidy, almost clinical, but when the two women entered your study, they immediately recognized the intensity of your obsession with the case. An entire wall was covered with notes, photos and newspaper articles, all related to the Brotherhood.

"Wow," Emily said quietly, stepping closer to examine the details, gently running her fingers over the red wool threads that crisscrossed the wall. "She collected all of this herself?"

JJ nodded, her eyes wandering over the wall. "She was apparently deeper into this case than we thought. It looks like she made connections we hadn't even noticed."

"She took it personally," Emily said, looking at a photo of Lucien Kane that was displayed in A5 format in the middle of the wall. "Maybe she discovered something we missed."

With that, she picked up a notepad that was on your desk and flipped through the pages. "She kept detailed records of the Brotherhood's movements. She knew they were more dangerous than anyone thought."

JJ sighed, her eyes wandering over the countless connections you had made. "That explains why she was so obsessed. She knew these people were a threat to all of America."

"We have to share everything we found here with the others," Emily said firmly. "She was close, and maybe we can pick up where she left off."

With the notes and findings from your apartment, the two returned to headquarters. They knew that the information they had found could be crucial to saving you and stopping the Brotherhood.

But the realization that you were so deeply involved in the case also made them realize that the danger you were in was even greater than they had previously thought. Now that they realized the full extent of your obsession, it was all the more urgent to find you quickly.

Meanwhile, the rest of the team had gathered in the FBI conference room, each of them struggling with the frustration and fear that came with your disappearance. The air was tense and the agents' faces reflected the gravity of the situation.

Spencer Reid sat at his desk, surrounded by a flood of files and notes from the last few months full of clues about the Brotherhood. He stared at his computer screen, tirelessly scouring for information that might point to your whereabouts. The pressure to find his partner was weighing heavily on him. He had let you go alone and not insisted on going with him.

"We need to find out how they could have fooled us. How they could have fooled y/n," Luke Alvarez said, staring at the map that marked the Brotherhood's known activities. "There has to be a clue somewhere that we missed."

"We're dealing with a group that is well organized and highly dangerous," Reid added, flipping through the report you had put together back then. "They managed to hack our system and lure her into a trap."

Tara stood with his arms crossed, his expression thoughtful. "We know that Lucien Kane is the leader and that she is a master manipulator. It is likely that she is using y/n as leverage against us."

"That means they are watching us," Rossi interjected. "Every step we take could bring them closer to their goal and force y/n to her death."

The psychological strain of the case was obvious to the team. They had all been through many difficult cases before, but the personal connection to you made this case particularly challenging. The constant fear that they might be too late haunted them in every decision they made.

"She's strong," Rossi spoke again, his voice determined. "We all know y/n. She's a fighter. But we have to find a way to find her before it's too late."

"We've already checked everything we have-" Luke sighed, and was immediately interrupted by a female voice. "Not everything," JJ said, throwing the files onto your empty desk. "These are y/n's personal files and information gathered from her apartment."

Garcia, who was working tirelessly on her computer, suddenly turned around, her eyes wide with excitement. "I have something! I found her GPS data from her car. It's parked in a remote area on the outskirts of town."

"That could be a lead," Tara thought, immediately setting off. "We have to go there, let's go. If she's in trouble, we might not have much time."

"It could be a trap," Rossi warned, but stood up to rush off as well. "We have to be prepared for anything."

The minutes passed as the team prepared to search the potential hideout. They were aware of the dangers that awaited them. As they left the building, each of them had the seriousness of getting you home safely in their eyes. But deep down they knew that every second counted.

When they reached the remote location fifteen minutes later, they saw your car parked abandoned from afar. The area was gloomy and surrounded by tall trees, giving an eerie feeling of isolation. "It looks like she just left the car here," JJ said, examining the ground around the vehicle.

Emily drew her weapon and signaled the team to stay alert. "Let's split up and check the whole factory. There must be clues somewhere."

Reid spotted the still open door to one of the factories and whistled the others over as he headed inside the building. "This way. It looks like someone went through there."

As they followed Spencer, they came across various machines. Not far from some footprints on the dusty floor, Reid spotted a syringe on an old box that was lying used in the middle. "Oh no..." muttered Emily, who had followed right at his feet and bent down to take a closer look at the find. "That would have disabled them..."

"Damn!" Luke cursed, clenching his fist as he continued to shine the flashlight into every dark corner. "We're too late."

Emily pulled on one of the disposable gloves from her pocket and picked up the syringe, examining it more closely. "We're taking it with us to be sure. But that means she  was here."

The team knew they were dealing with a threat they didn't fully understand, and that the price of any mistake they made could be their colleague's life.

But they were determined to overcome any challenge that stood in their way and free you from the clutches of the Brotherhood. The hunt had begun, and they would not rest until they had achieved what they needed to.

[bluestrawberrybunny]

Garth from @ask-marios-apprentice asks

I got some asks from some from some friends.

Mario: How does your Mario protect the Kingdom. Garth told me that he is not a SUPER Also congratulations on your wedding.

Peach: What is your Kingdoms government like. Is Peach doing a good job. What are relation with other nations.

Meggy: Meggy. Do you remember our mom and dad. Our biological parents I mean. I sometimes have trouble remembering who they were.

Shigeru Miyamoto: how is the Kopai doing. Does tears of the kingdom do well. We need to know if we can release it in tandem with the new switch in 2022

Ricardo (My dad): Ask if they need you also to kill the artist guy like in the universe with the mutants.

My dad was referring to how SMG4 in the @asksmg4hollowau wanted me to kill Axol because he was showing symptoms of an illness

SMG3: why would I ever want to marry that smooth brain knucklehead. I have me, eggdog, and a cafe i almost have a permit for.

Alice (The Fourth SUPER): ask what was the organized syndicate seem like in their 1950s. I want to know if their Alice stayed fully evil.

I'll see if I can find anyone else who wants to ask questions.

SMG4: Pfft. You would totally say that back then.

SMG3: Oh, shut up! ... baka...

SMG5: Ok, so... let's go question by question...

Mario: Okey dokey! Mario protects the kingdom by being Mario!

Luigi: ... he means the whole avatar thing...

Mario: That's what I said-donkey!

Luigi: Basically, the whole SMG4 crew works together for that. But Mario and I have some special abilities due to being our world's avatars.

SMG6: For the second question... um... our Peach here is... uh... we don't talk to her much after... the... um...

SMG5: Since SMG4 got possessed by a demonic keyboard in his pursuit of perfection and destroyed Peach's castle and kind of left her to rot down there for 2 years as some sort of virus mutant beast and then we snuck down there and then you got possessed by the demonic keyboard as well, and then we had to go in and save you and then we finally turned her back to normal but now she's taller and has 4 arms and white eyes and isn't exactly friendly with the crew anymore but will remain civil?

SMG6: Um... yeah... that...

Meggy: Um... no, sadly I don't remember our biological parents either. Sorry...

SMG5: What is Kopai...?

SMG6: I'll take this one, Bunny! It's doing. Although its more known as Nintendo around here. And Tears of the Kingdom is great! But... try not to... announce the title when the Queen of England dies. Yeah? Yeah.

SMG4: *wheeze*

SMG6: Wait! Controller drift! Get that shit fixed or I swear-

SMG4: Ok. That's enough out of you

SMG6: But Dad!

SMG4: Nope. Don't cus out random interdimensional Miyamotos. You can do that enough in our dimension.

SMG6: Ok...

Melony: You'd better not!

Axol: Yeah... I literally just got brought back from the dead a year ago... please don't kill me again...

SMG4: *laughing* Hey 3... wanna answer that last question?

SMG3:

SMG3: No

SMG4: Awwww... :(

SMG3: Listen, if other dimension me is asking why I'd marry SMG4 he's either lying to himself or has 0 feelings towards his SMG4, so... not answering

SMG5: SMG3 HAS HAD A CRUSH ON SMG4 SINCE BEFORE SNOWTRAPPED AND HE SAID THAT HE IS VERY IN LOVE WITH SMG4 AND WOULD DIE AND KILL FOR HIM AND THINKS HE IS ADORABLE AND ACTUALLY FINDS HIS JOKES FUNNY AND WANTS TO SQUISH HIS FACE AND KISS IT ALL DAY!

SMG3: ...

SMG5: I know. I read his diary.

SMG3: ...

SMG5: He also wants to do unspeakable and unholy things to him.

SMG3: I hope you die

SMG5: Damn. Rude.

[merakiui]

I saw your notes on the sk!Floyd piece you have upcoming and that it was nearly an arranged marriage piece. I'm suddenly very interested to hear your thoughts on our fav characters as partners in an arranged marriage! Riddle? Azul? Vil? Scara? Any others?

Oooh arranged marriage is always such a fun trope! I think Love me Not perfectly encapsulates how an arranged marriage with Riddle might go if you're an unwilling participant.

As for others, Azul is most definitely in love with you. The moment the two of you were paired together and you treated him warmly and friendly he fell very hard. >_< he's a greedy tako at heart, so the fact that you have been his since the two of you were young? That already makes everything so perfect. I think he tries his very best to make the arranged marriage work. He does what's necessary and tries his hardest to help you warm up to the idea. It's frustrating at times if you, in his words, "act like a brat" and refuse to sleep in the same bed as him or refuse to wear your wedding band. He pretends like it doesn't hurt and sometimes he treats your rebellion with vindictive pettiness. But mostly he just wants a happy relationship with you, so even if he has to pull some strings and use underhanded methods he'll do whatever it takes.

With Vil it's a process. He treats the relationship like it's in need of some major fixes (and it most definitely does if you're unwilling). From a social perspective, it would be best if the relationship looked wonderful to fans and the media. After all, he'd hate if people started spinning untrue tales about how he's a horrible husband or you're a bad partner or the two of you are a couple destined to fail. As hard on you and others as he can be, Vil genuinely cares. He loves you, even if he may not be as vocal about it in public. But you'll know he cares when he takes time to find common ground with you, to resolve any issues maturely and respectfully, to give you your space if you're upset or angry, to comfort you when you need it, and so on. He handles the arranged marriage perfectly, and hopefully you will come to see that this is a good thing. You will one day; after all, he's not going to let you take that ring off and you certainly won't get rid of him with something like a divorce. He won't allow it.

Omg arranged marriage with Scaramouche... he's insufferable!! So annoying and mean and >:( everything he does makes it seem as though he despises you—as if your very presence ails him in some horrible way—yet when you even allude to separating or leaving he becomes so vicious and demands you drop the subject or else. It's difficult to see any love or care in his actions when he's always so cruel, but there are rare moments in private where he does soften for you, where his voice loses its barbs, and he's considerably kinder. You should take advantage of these moments the most because there's no telling when you'll get to experience them again. Deep down, Scaramouche craves affection from you, but he never knows how to verbalize his innermost desires and he only knows how to terrify and harm others. He's learning how to be nicer with you as he goes (and only you; no one else is privy to the romantic, vulnerable sides of Lord Scaramouche). Of course he still defaults back to his usual defense mechanisms because human emotions are things he never wishes to feel often (yet he does; he always feels them when it comes to you). It's truly a great undertaking to tolerate him in a marriage because he makes it very difficult.

Arranged marriage with Leona is fun because he just doesn't try in the way you think he might. He lets you do your own thing because he understands that this entire arrangement isn't ideal or enjoyable. With him, it's a relationship where the both of you are on a mutual agreement to stay together but to be civil and respectful. He'll let you do whatever you'd like if you let him do his own things; he won't get in your way if you won't get in his way. But that doesn't last for long because Leona is drawn to you. It starts small; he challenges you to chess matches because no one in the palace is good enough to play against him (he always beats them) and you're fresh meat, so entertain him with a few games, yeah? But Leona realizes he likes playing with you a little too much and the following week he's challenging you to more games. If you point this out, he's rather blunt with it: "So what if I enjoy playing you in a few games? You're fun." High praise coming from Mr. Kingscholar. <3 (don't let his dismissive, teasing attitude trick you; he's falling in love with you hehe!!)

[moonlight-tmd]

can you elaborate more on the bee and bulk meeting thing? especially how bee feels when he finds out! pls and thanks ^^

Hahah yeah!

I've talked about this before here but i suppose i can do it again. <3

So, when Bee and Bulkhead met for the first time, the cadets were separated in groups and under the watch of the different officers/teachers (their's was Sentinel).

Bulkhead has seen small cybertronians but never a minibot/minicon. He was so surprised and confused when he heard one of the cadet's names being called out and instead a small yellow Sparkling stepped out of the line before saluting and going back in place. There were few other "Sparklings" in the group but he was most interested in the yellow one named Bumblebee.

The tiny Sparkling seemed distant and always trying to be on his own, the other Sparkling who's name was Wasp along with the bot Ironhide always seemed to bully him. One time he saw them bullying Bee he went over and kindly told them to stop it, only to be insulted with very adult words. Afterwards Bee only told him to frag off before going his way, which was very mean for a Sparkling.

One of the other officers came up to him later asking if he was good (he was sitting all sad and alone in the far end of cafeteria). He told him that he got treated badly by the Sparklings that were somehow running around the complex. That officer couldn't be more bewildered and alarmed until Bulkhead described said Sparklings and their names and the officer told him that no, those aren't Sparklings, those are minibots. Then Bulkhead couldn't be more bewildered when he heard there's a whole another type of frame outside of warframe and civil. To be honest he felt kinda embarrased thinking there was a Sparkling running around the military complex, the government wasn't that stupid.

So, knowing that Bee is not in fact a Sparkling, he has set it his goal to befriend him. He tried his best to appear friendly and said hi to him whenever he saw him. But Bee only told him to leave him alone and avoided him most of the time. That didn't stop Bulkhead from actively searching for him in his free time, few times he even stopped Wasp from doing something awful to him like lock him in the storage unit or splash him with something mildly corrosive. But Bee has never said thank you (rude), he only ran away as fast as he could.

Bulkhead was on his 147th streak of trying to find Bee when he wandered into an area he surprisingly wasn't in before. It appeared to be some sort of observatory on the far end of the complex, in his curiosity of the place he almost missed the tiny sniffles coming from an upper level.

Sure enough, he found Bee, sitting there all alone right in front of the glass and crying.

"Are you okay?" He gently asked as he quietly approached the minibot which took him offguard. "Do you not understand anything that's said to you- I said leave me alone!" Bee barked back while trying to rub his tears away.

"I don't think you want to be alone right now..." Bulkhead spoke softly, making tiny steps closer to Bee. "Yes I do! N-now get the frag out of my sig-ght!" Frag he was starting to cry harder again, he did not want for this gigantic idiot to stare at him pitifully while he's having another breakdown. He was sure he was gonne start laughing at him any moment...

But to his surprise, Bulkhead sat down next to him and pulled him into the gentlest hug one could give. He even pet his back when the sobs got too big for him to control. Bee pulled away as soon as he regained control of himself, Bulkhead expected him to tell him to frag off like he always does but surprisingly Bee stayed quiet.

Bulkhead initiated a small talk between the two, this time Bumblebee spoke to him. Wasp has gotten very cruel on him this time, going as far as breaking into his assigned room and wrecking a havoc. He even stole some of his things and threw them out somewhere. Bee just couldn't handle it anymore... what was the point of even sticking around if all he was getting is hurt?

"...You look like you need a friend." Bulkhead shyly prompted as Bee continued talking about how miserable he was, he still didn't know why or how he was telling this to a complete stranger. "Why?" Bee asked.

"People need friends! My carrier always said that if you're feeling bad you should always go and talk to your friends to feel better- and it's true! I can tell from experience." Bulkhead explained, the cheery side of him briefly appearing before going back to the more calm and composed expression.

"...I never had a friend." Bee confessed, it was true- he never made any connections with anyone that weren't business or to survive. He never saw any point in it, no one was there for him when he needed it so why would one person be different from the other?

"I can be your friend!" Bulkhead happily said earning Bee looking at him with an unclear expression. Bee glanced from place to place, almost as if he was considering it. Bulkhead... he wasn't like the other bots around the camp; he was friendly and looked after him whenever he could. He even took some hits from Wasp to defend him- something that no one has ever done for him.

After a moment of silence Bee returned his gaze to Bulkhead, this time there was a small glimmed of something hopeful in his optics. "...Will you be my friend?"His voice seemed even tinier than his frame.

Bulkhead only smiled warmly before answering. "Of course!"

From then on, Bee wasn't washing Bulk off everytime he saw him. He still was shy for a while but slowly after some time and talking Bulkhead started to see his real colors; how skilled he was, how funny the jokes he made were and most importantly- how talkative he really was. The sad and distant attitude he usually had was replaced by a jolly and sassy if not slightly cocky one. Bee also started telling him about the bad stuff that was happening instead of keeping it to himself, which resulted in them getting closer.

Bulkhead was surprisingly open about personal things with him. He told him about his life at the family farm and his sparklinghood and stuff he did as a youngling with some other young bots there. Bulkhead's Carrier was a warframe and his Sire was civil frame, which explained his size but not really combat build.

Bee didn't tell him anything from his more personal stuff until later on when they got out of boot camp. It was a slow process, getting to know Bee's past, but Bulkhead was patient and let him share things at his own pace. Eventually he got to learn the life Bee had before joining boot camp; that he ran away from a bad orphanage and lived on the streets barely getting by, that he eventually got a dream job he lost few stellar cycles later, that he never had any family or friends to rely on and Bulkhead was the first one he could call a friend- first one he could somewhat trust. It hurt to know that such awful things happened to such amazing person like Bumblebee- but now they were friends and Bulkhead would never willingly let anything bad happen to him again.

As for the 'Bee finding out what Bulk's first impression of him was' part; i think at some point after they get on Earth they would play a game like 20 questions with Sari and Bulkhead would confess the little secret he kept for decades.

Bee. could not. have felt more betrayed (in a way)- like, is he that bad at being an adult?? I mean of course he's not very adult-y and the youngest of them all (besides Sari) but he is a full-grown adult! The fact Bulkhead literaly NEVER saw a minibot is no excuse! Hmph!

Sari is just laughing her ass off in the corner, lol.

[homestuckreplay]

> WV: Invent Canscription.

(page 718-721)

If you journeyed into a mysterious bunker, and then found from a cryptic and powerful computer that in four hours and thirteen minutes a mysterious fate would befall you and/or the place you’re hiding out, what would you do? Would you leave immediately, for self preservation? Or would you make the most of every minute you have to stay out of the desert sun, drink a bunch of free soda and play pretend games?

WV has the right idea. They’ve even invented a few new cans for themself (p.719) – pickles, bamboo shoots, radishes, seaweed, artichokes, and a hat, which is definitely an empty can on some sort of base. I think it’d be really cute if HAT was part of a longer word on the can, similar to how WV turned MAYO into MAYOR, but the best I can come up with is CHATEAUBRIAND, and I honestly don’t see WV as a fancy steak kind of person.

Today’s page is a short but very fast paced animation of the Wayward Vagabond completely losing track of time, playing chess against themself and winning, interspersed with flights of fancy about Can Stuff. It’s good. They’re still guzzling cans of Tab, probably becoming more and more caffeinated, which accounts for the fast pace and the jaunty ‘Vagabounce’ theme. However, it’s much harder to notice everything that’s happening when the images flash by so fast, even on multiple watches – I had to take screencaps to really get some of the details. And I’m glad I did because the moment when a can of Tab goes ‘vroom’ as it rides down Can Blvd is a delight.

What I really want to do is slow this down to ¼ speed, write down all the moves WV makes, and figure out if they’re actually good at chess. I’ll probably do this later in the week – if chess is synonymous with war in Homestuck, then figuring out WV’s skill level at chess could hint at how much combat training they have and what their role in the war might have been.

WV’s part of the story is absolute tonal whiplash. Homestuck is this in general, but it feels more blatant with WV. On page 711 the narrator says, ‘It's not like emptying a can kills it or anything. They are just cans after all.’ as part of a beautiful statement of the radical inclusivity of Can Town, an idyllic place ‘based on mutual respect between the leader and its people’ where ‘everyone is friendly and happy’ (p.686). And then on page 720, the residential and commercial zones for up and coming young cans become an army training ground as all cans are forcibly drafted into the military by their ostensibly democratic leader, engaging in what feels more like a civil war than a training exercise since there’s really nothing to defend against.

My theory, right now, is that WV is trying to overcome their programming. As a Sburb NPC, ideas like seeing the chessboard as the only logical pattern, believing that a community will always militarize, and the forces of darkness winning an eventual conflict, are all literally coded into WV’s design. The whimsy, the imagination, the love of a color that isn’t black or white, the interest in democracy, are unique to WV and are signs of a real consciousness. The sudden shifts in their focus and in the tone of these pages represent the shifts back and forth between these states of mind. The firefly encased in amber, which WV seems to have become attached to, represents who they want to become – its golden glow echoes the luminous planet, where they’d like to be, instead of the ominous planet they’re trying to escape.

Also ‘free up all the canpower’ and ‘your forces will be a well oiled machine’ (p.720) are both excellent puns. Yeah those cans are well oiled alright.

[alterrune]

Emperors Abyss

Mission 2 of 6: Golden Handshake

Details: The Toppat Radical’s had just torn up a city just so they could eliminate one of the Toppat Clan’s High Ranking Leaders, Édouard Labarthe. The city has been reduced to nothing but a warzone, and GEOGRAM Personnel is attempting to keep Édouard safe. We need the full support of the Toppat Clan for this mission. Édouard is in an armored vehicle and we are attempting to extract him by the beach via air transport. We will need 2 members of the Colorstreak Battalion in Aircraft, another 2 in Ground Vehicles, and 1 with the VIP Édouard in his personal vehicle.

Complications:

Enemies Unmarked: The Toppat Radical’s has used jammers to block out satellite links. Because of this, all allies and enemies are marked as unknown and difficult to identify to due toe time of day being night, let alone the massive storm taking place. You must manually identify Toppat Clan Members (Friendly), GEOGRAM Personnel (Friendly), and Toppat Radicals (Enemy). This goes over to ground personnel, aircrafts, vehicles, and boats.

Defend VIP: Édouard is valuable for the operation against The Toppat Radicals, he must be protected at all costs. If he dies, the mission is a failure.

Enforcers: Terence has equipped his people with protective armor and weaponry, they’re not screwing around just trying to kill Édouard, be careful and do not let your guard down.

CHAPTER 3, ACT 6: THE ABYSS DEEPENS

(Alter and Vi are in the air, Henry and Ellie are on the ground, and I'm in the VIP car defending Édouward. We marked all members of GEOGRAM and the Toppat Clan as "Friendly" before we left. However, this man is very---)

Hey! Do not ignore me! Why are you just staying silent, huh? Explain zat, mon ami!

(---yeah, that. Annoying. Annoying the ever-loving piss out of me. He's constantly trying to belittle me. And I'm about one insult before I---)

Are you deaf, you stupid fool?! I asked you to explain yourself!!!

(---y'know what? FUCK. THIS. SHIT. I immediately slam the breaks on the vehicle and turn to him with my gun aimed dead-center at his forehead.)

Unless you want to meet your maker right here and now, I suggest you shut your fucking piehole before I shut it myself.

Meep.

That's what I thought. Now, do us all a favor and SHUT UP ALREADY.

(I immediately turn the vehicle back on, but it seems as though Terence's lackeys have caught up to us. However, it seems Alter and Vi have a way to get us out of this.)

Kyle! There's a tanker up ahead of the Radical's fleet!

Shoot at it and they should scatter.

(Me, Henry and Ellie all shoot at the tankers...which EXPLODE, taking out the Radicals' vehicles. Luckily, the armored vehicles withstand the explosion and continue moving.)

Oh man, I thought it was a WATER truck...

Was that a refrence to Captain America: Civil War, Vi?

Hey, you're not the only one who can pull pop-culture references outta their ass!

Okay, we should be reaching the extraction point now! How about we have a little fun in the sun before we go?

Don't have to tell me twice, Henry! Let's go!

(Whoo boy, that took a bit, but we did it! And I got to give that snooty, hoity-toity, holier-than-thou fuckface a reality check, too, so I feel like this was worth my time. Mission accomplished, bitches.)

CHAPTER 3, ACT 6 COMPLETE!

ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: "Beach Party"

DISPLAYING EPILOGUE...

What do you mean, "Édouward escaped"?!

Just what I said, sir.

You bloke. I oughta choke you out and fuckin' replace you with someone who can do better.

Jerry. Why am I not suprised you're with him...?

(As if by magic, Earl Grey appears, who wasn't expecting to see his brother working with Terence, but isn't terribly suprised by it.)

Earl, get out of my sight. I am not your brother anymore.

Oh, trust me, feeling's fucking mutual. After you betrayed GEOGRAM the way you did, I have a hard time considering we were EVER related.

What the hell are you---

(Earl holds up his hand as if to say "Silence, I'm still talking.")

But, I digress. I'm here to deliver this to Terence. A note, courtesy of the Colorstreak Battalion. The five of them have asked you all to go fuck yourselves. Goodbye, Jerry, you disgrace of a brother.

(Earl leaves as Terence unfolds the note.)

Hey, Terence! We're currently enjoying a day at the beach, sipping some beverages and enjoying some food here, celebrating YOUR latest loss at our hands. If you really think you can win this, then buckle up, motherfucker. Because this ride's about to get real bumpy.

Hope to see you in hell,

Kyle Gibbons ✍🏼

Alterrune 🔺

Violet Wolfsbane 💜

Henry Stickmin 🔵

Ellie Rose 💕

(Terence crumples up the note in anger, then tosses it in his jacket pocket.)

GODDAMNIT! Alright, c'mere, Jerry. You're gonna initate the next part of our plan.

But, sir, we don't exactly know what's ahead of us and---

DID I STUTTER, YA DAFT FUCKER?! GET OFF YA FUCKIN' DUFFS, GET ON YA FUCKIN' KNACKERS, AND GET TA FUCKIN' WORK!

YES SIR!!!

(Jerry hasn't seen Terence snap like that before. Whatever is going on is leaving Terence in a worse mood than usual...but just what could it be?)

I SAID---!

YES SIR, I HEARD YOU THE FIRST TIME!

(Finding out what it is, however, will clearly have to wait until Terence is in a better mood.)

END OF EPILOGUE