#i need to plan a fit i need to check the weather i need to run into TRAFFIC

[sanchoyo]

&I CAN WEAR MY NEW COWBOY BOOTS TO SEE CHAPPEL ROAN . THE TIMING. the boots were LIFE FORESHADOWING

[exhaslo]

Corruption Ch18 (End)

(Villain!Miguel x F!Hero!Reader)

Ch1, Ch2, Ch3, Ch4, Ch5, Ch6, Ch7, Ch8, Ch9, Ch10, Ch11, Ch12, Ch13, Ch14, Ch15, Ch16, Ch17

Warning: Minors DNI, mentions of sex, violence, blood, murder, twisted thoughts, experimentation, language, wannabe fluff, established friendship/relationship? SMUT, public sex, creampie, breeding kink

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D-Day

The weather was chilly as the first heavy snow of the season finally started to flutter. Your eyes sparkled as you watched from Miguel's office window, adoring the view of the city. The city of Nueva York was beautiful before you.

Shivering slightly as you touched the window, you started to wonder if you were going to be okay for tonight. You had found out that Miguel was now Spider-Man. He secretly enhanced himself somehow and was doing who knows what.

"Yet he says I can't be a hero," You said with a soft pout.

Returning to your seat on Miguel's desk, you started to tap away on your tablet. A whimper escaping your throat as you rubbed your legs together. Miguel had been consuming both your body and mind and it was showing.

Trying to focus back on your work, you started to think about how Miguel was at home. He was such a romantic. Always taking care of you, pleasuring you and treating you like a queen. It felt so strange from someone who loved to torture people.

"(Y/N), I have another meeting in a half hour, correct?" Miguel asked as he quickly entered his office.

You snapped out of your dazed state and checked the tablet. Agreeing to his comment, you watched as Miguel cussed lowly and grabbed a drink from his fridge. Jumping off the desk, you approached Miguel and stroked his cheek,

"Are you okay? Do your eyes bother you?" You asked out of concern.

"Hah, still so worried about me," Miguel said with a smirk, "You need to start focusing on yourself."

"Mhm, it's pretty cold today," You cooed softly.

Miguel stroked your cheek before grabbing your hand. He had you follow him to the lab that was destroyed from the explosion a while back. It was being rebuilt rather quickly. To your surprise, Miguel had Lyla activate a tablet that was locked away.

"Until I set up a second location for a secret lab, this will be where I conduct my experiments for our Spider powers," Miguel said in a whisper and showed you the tablet, "Starting with a suit for you that generates warmth."

"Oh! Miguel!" You smiled brightly, hugging your boyfriend, "How long have you been designing this?"

"Since I found out," Miguel said honestly as he pulled out the suit, "You're going to need it for tonight."

You jumped in glee, pecking Miguel's cheek as you went to observe your new suit. It had some subtle changes, but nothing that you truly worried about. Miguel made you this suit and you were going to happily wear it.

-------

Miguel just smirked as he watched you get all giddy with joy. Yes, he included a heating element so you could swing in peace, but he also added so much more. That suit was to represent to the city that you were no longer a hero to them.

You were Miguel's.

"Now, I have a meeting to get to. Why don't you finish reviewing the paperwork of the restorations?"

"Okay~"

The more obedient you became, the more Miguel craved you. It started to become unhealthy and Miguel noticed, but he didn't care. As long as Miguel still got what he wanted, then he believed he was allowed to have everything.

Parting ways with you for the moment, Miguel kept a calm composure. He was debating on telling his idiot father about his new found powers. The reason? To take control of Alchemax and the shareholders.

Miguel had big plans for both the company and the city.

Everything was going to belong to him.

Everything.

---------

Your smile stretched from ear to ear as you wore your new suit. It fit you perfectly. Standing on top of the Alchemax building, you inhaled deeply. The cold weather wasn't bothering you thanks to your new suit. It was great!

"Enjoying the suit?" Miguel asked, appearing in his suit. You gasped, approaching him,

"Wow! I didn't get a good look last night, but you look amazing in that suit!"

It was hard to tell if Miguel was smiling at the compliment due to his mask. His attire was different from yours, but also quite nice. It made you wonder how long he was working on this. Giggling at the thought, you hugged Miguel,

"This is so cool. We can work together~"

"About that-" Miguel stopped you, grabbing your chin, "This will be your last night as a hero."

"Wha-"

You were at a loss for words. Miguel's fingers stroked your thumb, unmoving from his comment. You were no longer going to play a hero? There was no way Miguel could take on the role. You were hoping to guide him.

"But-"

"What did I say?"

You gave a small pout, "To do as you say," You said and gasped as Miguel pulled you into his embrace.

"Good girl," Miguel chuckled darkly, "Besides, I'll take over. I'll make sure this city is taken care of."

"Mhm....but....You've never fought before," You whispered, melting against his touch.

"Neither did you when you first started."

Touché. Miguel got you there. Agreeing to his decision, you gently tugged on his suit, wanting to go for a swing across the city. This would be your last time doing so.

--------

Miguel was holding back from laughing. How far you've come from trying to change him, to being his obedient good girl. There was something about tainting you that brought chills up his spine. Miguel enjoyed breaking you.

"Come on~" You cooed, falling off the building.

Like instinct, Miguel went to reach for you. He withdrew as you laughed and started to swing. He let out a soft sigh and followed you, making sure that you didn't go far. There was one last lesson that Miguel needed to teach.

Swinging above some reporters, Miguel just chuckled darkly. He hurried towards you, wrapping his arm around your waist before swinging you onto of the nearest building. You whined softly but stopped as Miguel started to rub against your clit.

"M-Miguel...n-not here...a-anyone could watch," You tried to protest. Miguel just found you cute,

"They won't know it's you. All they will see is Spider-Man giving Spider-Woman the time of her life."

"Mhm~ B-But-" You gasped as Miguel rubbed your clothed clit harder.

Miguel just chuckled as he looked down at the reporters. They were trying their best to get a shot of the two of you. Turning you around, Miguel undid the bottom of your suit. You were already dripping in anticipation for him.

What a good girl.

Miguel held your hips as his suit disappeared only around his dick. With a simple thrust, Miguel had you under his spell. You were gripped the edge of the building, moaning as he slapped his cock deep within you.

"Not so shy now, huh? Did you want those reports to watch me breed you? To have them watch the once hero, Spider-Woman get fucked stupid?" Miguel taunted.

"N-No~" You cried out. Miguel hummed as your pussy fluttered around his cock,

"Could have fooled me."

Miguel grunted as he held you in place. All those reporters could see was Spider-Woman getting railed by Spider-Man. This showed them who was in charge. To show them that there were no more heroes left in his city.

"Mhm~!" Miguel covered your mouth as you moaned, wanting to make sure you didn't say his name.

"I hope you're ready to answer some questions." Miguel said with a wicked smirk.

You just raised your hips and whined as Miguel fucked through your orgasm. With a few more thrusts, Miguel gave you his first load. Unamused by the amount, Miguel made sure to fill you up before your interview.

"Now, you're ready."

--------

You leaned over the building, panting heavily from Miguel's quick sex session. Your mind felt dizzy. Miguel was so mean. Fixing your suit, you shuddered as your body felt full. You were going to get pregnant at this rate.

"Come on,"

Wrapping your arms around Miguel, you hummed as he swung you over to the reporters. You couldn't think straight. All you wanted to do was behave for Miguel.

"S-Spider-Man....W-What...What are you doing here?" One of the reported asked, terrified, "A-And what have you done with Spider-Woman?"

"Hm? She seems fine, don't you?" Miguel said, motioning towards you.

"Mhm, I'm fine," You replied.

"H-How long have...have you two been together?" Another reporter asked. Miguel's hand wrapped around your waist,

"What do you think?" Miguel held you close as he snatched a microphone away from one of the reporters, "Since I have you all here, time to lay down some ground rules."

Everyone could only gasp.

"There are no more heroes left to save you. If anyone dares to confront me, they will perish. Nueva York is my city now and soon the world. Spider-Woman and I shall bring forth a new breed of advance humans to rule over you tiny incest's-"

"There's no way she would agree to this!"

"Oh? Well, what do you think, my dear?" Miguel whispered in your ear, causing you to shiver.

"I belong to him, so I will do as he says," You cooed, trembling as Miguel whispered, 'Good Girl', in your ear.

"As you can see, I have already corrupted your hero."

Humming lowly as Miguel pulled you close, you smiled as he kept speaking to the public.

"Listen to me, and you'll be fine."

A simple ask. Miguel treated you like a queen and all you had to do was listen and do what he says. Nothing crazy. Feeling yourself being lifted, you wrapped your arms around Miguel's neck as he swung away from the terrified reporters.

"Best make do on my promise."

"Yes, Miggy~"

What was once a dream of being a hero and saving both the city and Miguel, turned into nightmare.

The hero was corrupted by the villain and didn't even know it.

But, you weren't complaining. You just stayed as Miguel's good girl...

Forever

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WOO-HOO!!! I hope you all enjoyed this story!!!! I, for one, will miss it truly!

I didn't hesitate to start my next story, haha! I PRESENT:

Over-Time

@tojishugetiddies @miguelsfavwife @foulsharkheart @club-danger-zone @ivkygirly @jollystrawberrycycle @amber-content @weirdothatwritess @smartyren @mangoslushcrush @nyxzoldyck6 @migueloharastruelove @sukioyakio @killjoy-nightshadow @heyohalie @the-pan-liquid @bokutosprettylittlebimbo @kpopscoups17130000 @pochapo @killerwendigo @barbiecrocs @miss-galaxy-turtle @oscarissac2099 @lazy-idate @lauraolar14 @safixiovi @migueloharacumslut @straw-berry-ghoul @daisy-artfield @sukunash0e @undf-stuff @iamperson12280 @nightingale1011 @reader-1290 @mcmiracles @keepghostly @marlyharper @jadeloverxd @daddyfroglegs @shoukanjo @cicithemess @babyprofessorsharkpalace

[thecarnivorousmuffinmeta]

If a version of Midnight Sun existed for each following instalment of the Twilight series (New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn), what do you think they’d be called/what would you call them and what (new) scenes would be in them?

Anon, you speak my greatest dream. I want this in my life. If no one else does, then I am the sole person who does. If there is not one person who wants this, it means that I have died.

I need this.

But for now, I can only imagine (and no doubt fail miserably to what it would be in actuality).

New Moon

The thing is that Meyer would also want to call this New Moon for the reason that she called it New Moon for Bella: this is a book about hopelessness. Edward leaves, Bella's soulmate, she literally cannot survive without him and this book is her discovering "oh, yeah, I literally cannot survive without him" (and making friends with Jacob but let's be real Meyer was never that into that).

It's a book where the moon, the light, is gone.

For Edward, we have the same narrative, he tries to leave Bella for her own good, fails, has a miserable time, and comes crawling back only to find that he's made everything worse.

But because Edward is more dramatic, and to thematically work with Midnight Sun (named thus as Bella is the unexpected sunlight in what should be the darkest of Edward's nights) we have Polar Night which is the phenomenon opposite of Midnight Sun where instead of the sun never setting at all we have the night never ending.

As for what would be in it. My friend, my beautiful friend, everything would be in it.

We'd get the scene where Edward bullies his family into leaving, many of them having reservations, and then steals all Bella's photographs and tries and fails to steal the stereo out of her car. We'd get scenes of Edward fantasizing about Bella marrying and holding hands with MiKe NEWtoN and it being entirely too much for him. We get all of the birthday party, period, which from Edward's point of view would no doubt be insane.

We have Edward so fucking depressed that he feels he's bringing the family down and chooses to leave on the vague pretext of catching Victoria. Then he doesn't catch Victoria and loses her in Mexico but is so depressed he just keeps going south until he hits Brazil.

Where he stays, and per what he says to Bella (which is undoubtedly not the entire truth) he was fucking miserable and did nothing for months. Did he have a Hallucination Bella who told him not to eat human food because it'd make him sick? Did he write a rock opera about Bella Swan only to realize it didn't live up to real life and burn it in a fit of despair and anger? What about the family calling to check in? We know that happened, Rosalie could reach Edward and he answered, so did they just call and quietly try to ask if Edward's coming back home or not? You know? Anytime? Edward?

And then of course his pleading for death with the Volturi, being told no, planning his elaborate massacre-suicide before settling on good old suicide without any murder and Bella being alive and that whole debacle from his point of view including "OH NO OTHER MAN MOVED IN" when he realizes Jacob's... kind of... a thing...

Everything would be new in part because we see so little of Edward and given the insanity in Midnight Sun that was never in Twilight I can't even guess to what Edward got up to for months in Rio.

It could be fucking anything.

Eclipse

Or "Edward did a bad thing and is now very nervous" the novel. As for what it's call, this is less clear as we have to go with the sun/moon themes here, and Eclipse is already taken. If we're allowed weather related events maybe "Eye of the Hurricane" as there's a storm out there and this book is about Edward barely holding his shit together. This is his nightmare scenario in every way.

Bella has a new love interest, a friend she believes is platonic who is very interested in her, and worse, Edward actually does admire and is hands down in Edward's opinion the better man for her to be with. Bella's changed when he was gone and is now an adrenaline junky, what else about her has changed? How much did he miss? She's involved in werewolves who all hate Edward, for good reason, and want her to leave him, for good reason. Edward has discovered that he actually can't leave Bella, Alice was right, even though he wants to be that strong desperately. Bella got the family to agree to turn her and they'll do it, Edward's barely gotten her to agree to be turned by him instead, but she's hemming and hawing about marrying and committing to him and she wants him to bang him (which will likely lead to her death)

Edward is straight up not having a good time, bro.

So, we'd get Edward's insane plans to keep Bella and Jacob apart, his meeting Bella in the road after her looking like he'd love nothing more than to pull The Terminator where he chases her car down. We get Edward's increasing nervousness that Bella "wants to be with him forever" but "doesn't want to marry him" (which for Edward, understandably as he doesn't have Bella's background, is something that just doesn't compute). And there's Jacob, kissing Bella, warming her up at night, thinking very dirty things when Edward's sitting right there internally screaming.

And of course, offscreen things with the family, likely venting about the Denali who are leaving them to die because they won't let them kill the children Native Americans, wondering if they're all going to die in this fight, even more of the tent scene with Jacob (which I'm sure, somehow, I'm sure, got very homoerotic in there). Probably sobbing to Alice "I fucked up" and then hating Rosalie BECAUSE THIS IS ALL HER FAULT HISS HISS.

And of course, what we know he sees from Bree and perhaps the discussion with the family that Bella never got to be privy to.

And I imagine a lot of fantasies of Bella pregnant with Jacob's beautiful babies.

Breaking Dawn

I'm going to bow out for this one too, Meyer would want to name it that. Maybe we get "Hailey's Comet" or something, in that Edward has related Bella to a comet streaking across the bleak sky of his life and this is him learning to accept to be happy and perhaps good things are allowed to happen to him.

But anyways.

I mean.

We get Breaking Dawn.

We get Edward gearing himself up for sex and asking the family how to bang a woman. We know he did this. Canonically he confesses to Bella, in the weirdest manner possible, that he asked his entire family how to do it (and it made it clear that Carlisle didn't really approve and was pretty :/ and "don't do it" about all of it). We get the family probably watching Alice like hawks because they're waiting for her to tell them if Bella lived or died through intercourse. We get Edward interrogating the maid in Portuguese and god knows what they even said to one another but it had to be wild.

We get Edward planning Bella's abortion, the betrayal by Rosalie yet again, and then more planning of her forced abortion with Jacob and his opinion on Jacob turning from "respected rival" into "my only friend".

Then we get Edward's complete flip on Renesmee which must have been... I don't even know. But he'd be thinking she's the spawn of Satan before that (in the most Edward manner possible) and then that she's Jesus after that (in the most Edward manner possible).

Then of course there's "my son, Jacob" and honestly probably fantasizing about an adult Renesmee pregnant with Jacob's beautiful babies. Let's be real here. and just...

Look.

I can't predict this.

What we saw of Breaking Dawn was already insane and this would only be more so because it's Edward. There's so much we don't see as Bella pays 0 attention to the other vampires and to the family at large and Edward would just...

I have no idea.

It would just be madness.

TL;DR

I need this.

[froggywritesstuff]

yandere Tara Carpenter x male reader

holiday promise | yandere!tara carpenter

ship/pairing: Yandere!Tara Carpenter x male!reader

fandom: Scream

warnings: yandere, kidnapping, chains, being gagged, delusional Tara, slight stockholm syndrome, unwanted touching (not sexual), not proofread

word count: 731

A/N: i do not in any way support yandere behaviour, please know that this writing is purely fictional, and should not ever be reenacted in real life. this is sort of christmas/holiday themed, so if you don't celebrate that kind of stuff, feel free to keep scrolling. I wrote this in like 20 minutes so apologies for the lack of good quality writing. no use of y/n

Tara wasn't an idiot. She knew when her sister was up to something. Especially when she roped her friends into it and they 'whispered' right outside Tara's room. She wasn't surprised though. Sam, Mindy and Chad had grown to be very protective of the people they cared about, especially when it came to Tara. So when Tara cried into her sister's arms over her missing boyfriend, she knew Sam would go overboard trying to help her.

Tara placed the last poster into her bag, and made her way to the door, preparing herself for the looks of pity she was bound to receive. As she opened the door, she rushed past her friends, noting their deer in the headlights looks as if they weren't expecting her to open the door so soon.

Sam quickly followed after her sister, "Tara, do you have a sec?" 

Tara sighed silently, setting her bag on the floor as she grabbed her shoes by the door, "Not really, I gotta go."

"Do you want some company?" Chad suggested, sounding a little too desperate and not at all like he, Mindy and Sam hadn't planned this.

Tara shook her head as she laced up her shoes, "No, not today."

"We're getting worried about you." Sam admitted, though it wasn't at all a secret to Tara.

Mindy nodded, "We know you wanna be alone, but you don't have to be. We're here for you. So if you wanna talk, or if you want some help putting up posters, you can come to us."

Tara stood up to her full height, slinging her bag strap around her shoulder and staring expressionlessly at the three, "I said I just wanna be alone."

With that, she was out the door. She went downstairs and outside the apartment building, being met with the cool wind outside. The sky was cloudy and grey, and the air smelled of rain. She briskly walked down the streets of New York, until she made her way down an alleyway. She looked around and behind her, checking no one was following her, before she reached into her pocket, pulled out some keys and entered an old, mostly abandoned building. Locking the door behind her, she walked further into the house, footsteps sounding against the stone floor, until she reached a locked door leading to a room. Unlocking the door with her keys again, she pushed open the door, smiling at the sight of you. You were curled up in the corner shivering, the chains around your wrists clattering together.

"Can I sit with you?"

You said nothing, which was mainly the result of a gag shoved in your mouth, but Tara took your wide-eyed fearful stare as a yes, and sat down beside you. She smiled, cuddling close to you and grabbing her bag, unzipping it and showing you it's contents.

"Since it's the holiday season, I thought I should get you some things." she pulled out a soft, fluffy blanket, wasting no time to wrap it around your shoulders. She knew you would need it, you were sitting on the stone ground all day, and the weather wasn't getting warmer any time soon. She pulled the gag out of your mouth, sending you into a coughing fit, and she grabbed some snacks, setting them on the ground in front of you. "Just because you're spending the holidays here, doesn't mean you can't celebrate with me."

As your coughs died down, you looked at her smiling face, and for the first time since Tara took you here, you felt a calm feeling. You never felt that when Tara was around. But maybe she did care? Maybe she did really love you, she just didn't know how to show it...

"Oh, I wanna show you something." you stared at the bag Tara was searching through, until she pulled out a poster that made your heart drop. At the top of the page was bold, black letters reading: MISSING. Underneath was your name, your picture, some other information about you, and Tara's phone number at the bottom. "How does this look?" she noticed your wide eyes and sensed your fear, "Don't worry, I'm not gonna let anyone find you, these are just so no one gets suspicious." she smiled at you, lifting her hand to your cheek, "I'm never gonna let anyone take you from me. That's a promise."

[oxygenbefore1775]

winter time makes zeke's glasses fog up

➼pairing: zeke x reader

➼cw: fluffy fluff (as fluffy as it can get with zeke), could be canonverse cuz its ambiguous

➼wc: 1,5k

➼a/n: hoho im on the roll, winter gives me strength; divider by @/benkeibear

Frost stubbornly clings to your clothes even as you enter the warm shelter of your house. The air surrounding you is still fresh and crisp, a pleasant feeling safe from its biting cold. 

Shaking the snow off your boots, you do a rush job of unlacing your shoes with your very much stiff fingers to escape into the saving warmth of the room.

“The next time you get the bright idea to go for a walk in the snow, be so kind as to check the forecast beforehand,” your voice doesn't betray any annoyance with Zeke, not because it isn't there, but because it boiled out nearly an hour ago. The relief of finally being home is too overpowering for you to muster up irritation all over again. “Suggestion for a suggestion box, you know?”

As you decide to make your way to the kitchen, a line of outer clothing forms behind you. The snow, stuck to the fibers, already melts in the high temperature of the room and is bound to soak your clothes should you not hang them out in front of the heater, yet this barely makes it into the list of your current worries. All you want now is a cup of hot tea, coffee, cocoa - whatever the cupboard holds at its disposal, it just needs to be scorching hot to warm you from the inside out.

You can almost discern him huffing at your proposal - either that or it can be a shadow of laughter. For all you know, he’s found the visual of you waddling through the snow as the blizzard raged on quite amusing. Mayhaps it’s been his plan all along, to drag you out outside just to revel in the sight of you struggling against the elements.  

“Yeah, tell me about it,” he answered in kind, stomping his feet a bit too thoroughly to get rid of the snow. “As we both know, I was sitting inside the whole time and mocking your misfortunes.”

Well, cold certainly hasn’t dulled his poignancy. 

With a counter-quip dancing at the tip of your tongue, you turn around to face him - only to see nothing but the snow powdering his form. An unbidden smile graces your lips at the sight of this second layer of clothing, dusting it with white frost. Even his hair and beard aren’t safe from the fluffy flakes sticking to them, maybe even more so than other parts of his body. After all, he can always take off the outer layers covered in snow just like you’ve done a moment ago, hair and beard - not so much.

Too bad he can't see you approach, a spark of endearment pooling in your eyes. His glasses fogged up the moment he stepped into the house.

“Look at you,” you half-tease half-flatter, holding up a finger to the flushed tip of his nose. “At least the weather treated us equally shitty.”

Your comment falling on deaf ears, he promptly rejects your touch by brushing off your hand. Unlike you, Zeke actually has enough decency to undress in an orderly manner and put his clothes on a hanger instead of the floor. An impressive fit, considering the partial blindness he is currently experiencing.

As he bends down to unlace his shoes, you can't help but laugh at the way he's peering over his glasses, desperate to find the knots to untie. Knowing full well how unwelcoming he is to your touch, let alone affection, you nevertheless have the audacity to reach down to ruffle his hair still powdered in snow. Most of the snowflakes you shake off shower the floor around you two, with some landing on his lenses. Still, he says nothing to repel you - perhaps he's staring daggers at you, but you wouldn’t be able to see them behind those glasses.

Maybe it’s the recent cold leaving you wanting for more spice (as if barely getting out of the blizzard hasn’t been enough), but you feel brave enough to crouch down beside him. Eyes fixed at his brows he’s been furrowing ever since you approached him. Evidently, his inability to watch you is quite unnerving to him.

“Why don’t you take them off for a second?” you suggest with a smile, already reaching your hands towards the metal frame, “I can even be so gracious as to clean them for you.”

Before you can though, he smacks your hands away. Not hard, but assertive enough to make his discontent with your ill-conceived action known to you. Doesn’t mean that it stops you from smiling at him. It’s quite a challenge to get your point across if the most expressive feature on your face is now reduced to a pair of foggy circles. 

Standing up, probably to get away from you, he crosses his arms over his chest as he scoffs at your sudden bout of cheerfulness. “Hands off my glasses. I know you too well not to expect you to leave a smudge on the lenses. And guess who would be the one to wipe it off?” The way he crinkles his nose at you fails to deter you and if anything does the opposite as you now want to tease him even more. “Just don’t touch them, they'll get cleared up in a moment.”

With that, he attempts to push past you, but you've already decided to torment him relentlessly, sensing his susceptibility to it today. Having caught a glimpse of his irritation, you now crave to witness it in full display. And here you thought that it would be the other way around today.

You stand in his way, a complacent grin plastered across your face and eyes burning bright with challenge - not that he can see it anyway. Contrary to his reassurance, the glass lenses don’t show even the slightest hint of clearing up, if anything, they’ve gotten cloudier ever since.

The annoyance in his posture is palpable as you press your palms against his chest in a feeble attempt to prevent him from going away. Lucky you - he puts up with your schtick just the right amount for you to get away with this. 

“Come on, we both know that you don’t really need them,” you rebuke in a soft tone, reaching for his glasses again.

This time he lets you, although very reluctantly. Maybe the pros of giving in to your whim outweigh the cons of being hounded with your nagging should he refuse your touch. 

“Come on,” you nudge further and he relents, bowing his head ever so slightly to grant you more access. 

The metal frame feels cold as you grab it, and with an awkward, not-so-smooth motion, you slide the glasses onto his head. Meeting his gaze isn’t something you anticipate so the sight of his blue eyes staring back at you catches you by surprise. 

Now, his eyes stand out even more against his features, rosy from the cold. It’s been quite some time now since you’ve been given an opportunity to look at them up close, let alone without the barrier of the lenses. Even the peevishness he is trying so hard to convey to you through the gaze alone is unable to obstruct the clarity of their color, as fresh as the winter sky.

Again, you send him a curt smile in hopes he responds in kind. Only he doesn’t budge at this display of sentiment. He must be very cross with you to warrant such a lack of positive reaction then, evident in the way he purses his lips and quirks his brow at you, looking forward to seeing your whim to subside sooner or later. 

“Maybe I don’t mind a stroll in a blizzard every now and then.” As you muse to yourself, your fingers delicately trace the space where a subtle blush dusts his features. “If it means seeing you like this.”

Just as you're poised to playfully tap his nose, he unexpectedly leans forward, stealing a quick peck on your lips. As often happens, especially when he isn't careful (just like a moment ago), the coarse hairs of his beard prick your chin. You recoil instinctively, fingers reaching to your face. Before you can say something, your brows knitting together in understandable confusion, he shoots you a smirk. Now it’s his turn to flick you on the nose.

“This,” he declares, while scanning your features, “is my rightful compensation for having to endure your obnoxiousness earlier.”

Even as he utters those words, not a hint of irritation darkens his tone. Sliding the glasses back on his nose, he shoots you a grin before walking past you - the lenses have already cleared up enough for you to notice a glint of complacency shining in his eyes.

Well, if this is the price for you to be insufferable then who would you be as not to accept this generous offer, you muse to yourself as you follow him into the kitchen.

[breelandwalker]

so, I know you've been vending at a lot of different craft fairs and witch markets for awhile now (sadly, too far away for me to attend!). would you happen to have any tips for someone looking to do the same at their local fairs? thanks!!!!!! ❤️

Sure! To start, brush up on three things - networking, recordkeeping, and people skills. Get an idea of what's going in on your area, talk to the organizers, see what the particulars are for the events. Here are some questions to ask:

What's the venue like? (indoors, outdoors, parking, accessibility)

Do I need to bring my own table and chairs?

Is there electricity / wifi available?

What is the table fee?

When is the event and how long does it run?

Is there a theme or target audience?

Is there advertising being done for the event? (Signal boost!)

Based on the answers you get, you can start putting your stock and setup together.

Do as much as you can WAY ahead of time. If you need to make things, start now. If you need to buy things, give yourself at least a month before an event to make sure everything arrives in time. Get yourself a 6-foot folding table and a comfortable folding chair or camp chair for events where they're not provided by the venue. Sign for Paypal, Venmo, and Cashapp as well as a card payment processing service like Square to give your customers the most payment options possible. And of course, plan to carry some small bills for cash patrons. (You don't need a register or cashbox, a simple bag of appropriate size will do. I literally use a pencil case that says Resting Witch Face. Works great.)

You'll want to get some displays for your merchandise. The type will vary depending on what you have, but it should be simply and sturdy and preferably easy to pack in and out. Vertical visibility is important at these events, so if you can find some kind of stand or tiered display, that will help you get noticed. I'd also suggest some simple clear plastic standups that you can put a printout price list and a basic sign in. A table banner helps people notice your table from afar and you should definitely have business cards to hand out with your shop info and socials. (I use Vistaprint for both.) Decorations are nice, but don't overload the table with them. They should augment your setup, not overwhelm it.

You may also want to get an 8x8 or 10x10 popup canopy and canopy weights if you plan to do outdoor events. Also, GET A COLLAPSIBLE WAGON. Best investment I ever made was a $45 collapsible wagon. It fits in my backseat and makes hauling things in and out of venues SO much easier.

Keep track of everything you spend related to your endeavors, including event fees, supplies, stock, setup items, displays, signage, business cards, and gas and food on the day. Keep those receipts - you can deduct them on your taxes later to offset your earnings. (Because registering as a business can be a pain and comes with fees, but if you don't do it, you may owe money for not collecting sales tax. Put aside some money for that tax bill, just in case.)

Prep your setup and stock the night before an event. Check your merch, charge your card reader (and bring a fully-charged auxiliary power pack and cord, just in case), make any updates to your inventory or pricing that you need to. It really cuts down on stress when you're loading up if you know you've already get everything set. I suggest reusable shopping bags or clear plastic bins to make things easy to haul, plus they can double as storage.

Plan to leave as early as you need to in order to account for traffic and pit stops. Pick an outfit ahead of time so you don't have to dither over clothes. It should be something appropriate for the event and the weather that looks neat and clean and is easy to move around in, including comfortable shoes. (Look to other vendors for examples.)

Make sure you bring water, snacks, and anything you'll need to get through the day, i.e. medicine (headache pills and stomach medicine at minimum), energy drinks, a fan for hot days, an extra layer for cold ones, etc. Get to the venue as early as the organizers allow. The more time you have to park, load in, and set up, the less stressed you'll be. Make sure things are arranged in a way that's accessible and makes sense. Place signage where necessary to explain items and pricing.

GO TO THE BATHROOM BEFORE THE EVENT BEGINS. TRUST ME.

During the event, you're gonna have to do a LOT of socializing, so prepare for that as best you can. Try to stand if possible when there's a lot of foot traffic so you're more noticeable. Be personable - you don't have to grin constantly, just try to keep a pleasant expression and greet people as they pass, especially if they look in your direction. Don't be afraid to invite passersby over if they pause to check out your setup. Welcome them in, invite them to check out your stuff, and let them know you're happy to answer questions. (And ALL questions are good questions. There are no dumb questions. Even if the question is the dumbest thing you've ever heard or it's the fifteenth time you've been asked that day.) Chat and banter a bit where possible. If you can get people smiling or laughing, they're more likely to stick around and possibly purchase your wares. Make sure as many people as possible take your card when they leave.

Yes, you will be exhausted when the event is over, even if you're a naturally outgoing person, and you'll still have to break everything down, haul it out, load your vehicle, and drive home. If you happen to have somebody who can help you out, that really comes in handy.

In any case, know your own capabilities and personal limits and plan for that when you're deciding where to vend. If a venue is too far away for your comfort or doesn't have what you need or the table fee is too high (be wary of any thing over $75 for a single day event), don't sign up. If an event is too long or too far outside your target audience, don't sign up. If you don't have an appropriate setup or don't have the stock / can't get it in time, don't sign up. If something about the event or the venue or the organizers rubs you the wrong way, DON'T SIGN UP. Talk to other local vendors to get an idea of where to go and what to expect. Most will tell you right away what works, what's good, and what to steer clear of.

This is all just the basics. You'll learn a lot more when you start to vend, as far as what your individual needs are, where to go to find reliable business, and how best to connect with local venues and customers. Keep records of everything you do (spreadsheets are your friend!), network with organizers and other vendors, and practice that sociable game face.

And trust me - if a disorganized introvert with social anxiety and ADHD and absolutely NO sales experience can figure out to do this, I think pretty much anyone has a chance.

Good luck!!!! 😁

[mechalily]

LYNEY, LYNETTE, FREMINET × YOU, THEIR BELOVED

fluff, slight mentions of stalking (?)

Lyney never repeats same tricks, always coming up with new repertoire every show. Although.. you are an exception, the only person he doesn't mind rehearsing old tricks to. If you ask Lyney to show "that one super cool thingie!!" he'll do it without a second thought. He never thinks twice when it comes to your desires.

And whenever you are feeling down, Lyney is always there for you. If there are tears rolling down your cheeks, the magician pulls a handkerchief out of thin air and whipes it away gently.

"Ma chérie, you can cry as much as needed — I am here for you, but remember: even though you are undesrcibingly beautiful, smile really adorns your face", — somehow Lyney materializes a rainbow rose out of his pocket and presents it to you.

Lynette is always observing, keeping the tiniest details in her mind. Constantly noting minor changes, paying attention to circumstances is what she must do in order to fulfill her duties to the Father. Even though it may be selfish, Lynette mostly watches over you. Your every move, every blink, every sound — you don't want to know what she has found out about your persona. She needs to know everything about you to keep you safe (yes, this includes info such as your favourite color, favourite dessert and clothes you prefer to wear. Trust her!). Lynette is also the first one to take congnizance of changes in you. No need to tell her you've got a new haircut, got hurt or bought new jewellery — she already knows.

Lynette also notes to herself different traits of yours. If you waste time passing some silly quizzes and receive questions such as "how do your friends perceive you?", she appears out of nowhere to think for a few minutes and then gives you a serious, honest answer.

"Lynette, which object am I?"

"Lynette, which lyric fits me the best?"

"Lynette, who am I? Soldier, poet or king?"

Young lady's patience and seriousness during answering all this questions makes you melt.

Freminet's top priority is your well-being. He does everything to lessen your burden, spends days and nights trying to invent mechanisms which decrease the time you spend doing chores.

Too tired to cook? Freminet will most definitely construct some sort of automated pot: put the ingredients inside, and the dish will cook itself.

Lazy to do the laundry? Here, have this brand-new machine he absolutely-did-not-create-just-for-you. If the problems you are facing are common for Teyvat inhabitants due to its level of development, Freminet is going to outpace entire humanity and create 21st-century technologies, not even realizing the impact he'd made.

Because of his overthinking nature, Freminet plans everything 10 steps ahead. He checks the weather forecast everyday just to know if you need an umbrella or sunglasses today. Despite being extremely socially awkward, this precious boy asks if the dish contains foods that may cause your allergic reactions. He overcomes himself for you.

[gemini-sensei]

hi! i asked for that last shy!eli/preg reader fic and omg 🫶🏽 literally incredible. best thing i could've woken up to 😭 would love to read your thoughts on if eli never becomes hawk in this scenario! awe like maybe he starts off at miyagi do? ive always thought that eli would do well working with mr. lausso. idk. but your brain? incredible. thank u 🫶🏽

omg or if this happened with shy diaz!reader? or shy larusso!reader? ugh this fandom has the biggest hold on me, sorry if this is a lot lol

I should probably sign these off?? so i'll go by -anon 🌼

The way I almost did the last post with LaRusso!Reader 🤭🤭🤭 also, hi 🌼, this fandom also has a hold on me. Also also, don't apologize for your asks because I love asks that are a lot!

When it comes to shy LaRusso!Reader and shy!Eli, they still definitely start off their relationship at the Halloween dance. Her dad is there being pulled between watching over his two daughters and is being kind of embarrassing, but Reader is still having a fun time with Eli and his friends. She's dressed up super cute and Eli can't take his eyes off of her. If they try to dance together, her dad comes through and makes some space between them before he runs off because Sam is running off with her jerk of a boyfriend. Reader is so embarrassed but Eli doesn't care about her dad kind of interrupting them because does her dad really think that he'll do anything? He's more embarrassed by himself because he doesn't think that he'll ever be so lucky as to even ever kiss Reader.

But they do end up sharing a kiss before the end of the night. She pecks him on the lips before the end of the dance and tells him how she's like to hang out with him again sometime, maybe just to two of them... like on a date. She giggles at the way his eyes widen and he nods immediately, he's so cute. Then her dad is calling for her that it's time to go and she runs off.

Her dad would grill her about the boy she was with all night and she would gush about how sweet Eli is and her dad agrees that he doesn't seem as bad as that Kyler kid Sam is seeing. And watching his daughter light up because of her crush is sweet so he doesn't say anything bad about Eli, he doesn't really know anything about him.

After that night, Reader and Eli go on a few dates and have really nice times together. When her family isn't home, she secretly invites him over and they plan on just hanging out like normal, but things take a turn. Kissing leads to making out, and making out leads to exploring each other's bodies and that leads to taking each others clothes off which leads them to her bed and you know what happens. They're so gentle with each other, kissing almost the whole time because words aren't enough to express their feelings to each other. He will ask if she's okay, if she needs anything, just taking such great care of her while they share their first times together.

When it's over, he has to leave before her family comes home. She kisses him goodbye and he's over the moon because did that really just happen? She has him starstruck and in awe. He's almost dazed and confused except he's just playing the events over in his head because he can't believe he lost his virginity; let alone to the most amazing person he's ever met.

They continue to hang out and have a nice time as boyfriend and girlfriend until one day she doesn't show up to school. She's feeling under the weather, so her parents let her stay home. She's sick for a few days actually and doesn't go to school. The whole time, she and Eli are texting each other; he's checking in and making sure she's okay. He's a bit of a worrywart and just wants to see her, but understands she needs time to rest and feel better. Except this doesn't just go away...

After this "sickness" passes, Amanda begins to notice that Reader seems a little different. Her daughter's always been a little heavy and curvy, but there's been a drastic change recently. Her bras don't appear to fit the same anymore, so she decides to take Reader out on a mother/daughter day. At lunch, Reader doesn't order her usual because the thought of it makes her nauseous and this little difference only makes her mom more suspicious. So, while eating lunch, Amanda asks, "Honey, are you and Eli having sex?"

Reader gets all hot and flustered, wondering how her mom found out. "Wh-why would you ask that?"

"Well, you've been feeling sick these last few days... you spent three days throwing up and, well, to be frank, your boobs are a lot bigger," she says.

Reader sits there for a moment, putting the pieces together. She remembers how she and Eli didn't have a condom when they did it and she figures it out. She starts tearing up. "Oh my god, am I pregnant?"

Her mom sighs, staying calm. "You could be. We can go home. I have some tests in the bathroom."

"But what about Dad?"

"He's at the dealership today. It'll just be you and me there."

With that assurance, they take their lunch to go and return home. Amanda tells Reader that no matter what, she isn't upset. Reader knows her dad is gonna freak out though if he ever finds out she even had to take a pregnancy test. She knows that when it comes back positive, he's gonna kill Eli.

She cries, "We only had sex once!"

Amanda hugs her and shushes her gently. "One time is all it takes, honey. But it's okay. We can figure this out. I'm here for you."

When they tell Daniel, he freaks out. "How could this have happened?" "My sweet little girl" and that freaking out quickly turns into anger towards the boy. "I knew he was bad news" and "I should kill him." Amanda has to calm him down because those kind of things aren't helping Reader.

She's begging her dad, pleading for him not to go after Eli. She's just in tears telling her dad how great Eli is. "He's so good. He's sweet and kind and so so good."

After everyone calms down, Reader really wants to tell Eli. She can't not tell him, so Amanda drives her over to Eli's house and she knocks on the door. Eli's mom answers the door and lets them in. Reader goes up to Eli's room while Amanda opts to break the news (with her daughter's permission) to Mrs. Moskowitz.

When she sees Eli, Reader hugs him immediately and they sit on his bed. It's quiet for a moment before Eli tells her that he's happy to see her because it's been days since they saw each other. He's happy she's well and not sick anymore and she accidentally cuts him off saying, "Well, that's not really true..." It worries him and he asks her what's wrong, if she's okay, how she's doing.

So, she comes out with it. "I'm pregnant."

He's stunned into silence. They're both quiet for a moment before he just hugs her, seeking comfort and giving her comfort because they're both scared. They don't say anything for a while until their moms come up and ask them if they're okay and Eli just kind of shrugs, but doesn't let go of Reader. They're very much attached to each other at that point and it will take a lot to separate them at this moment in time.

They do eventually figure out what they're going to do. They want to keep the baby and realize how much they care about each other. It's a lot, they know that, but they want to do this. Their families stand behind them and support them in their decision to keep and raise the baby.

After the anger dissipates, Daniel even offers Eli a chance to come work with him to give him some workplace experience since he will need it sooner rather than later. This is how he learns Miyagi-Do over Cobra Kai. It isn't Daniel's intention to teach him karate at first but as he sees how anxious and shy Eli is around people on a normal day, he thinks teaching him Miyagi-Do could benefit him and make him stronger and more confident.

It also leads to some cute moments between him and Reader. When she feels overwhelmed and uncertain, she meditates or does kata to center herself and let her mind relax so she can think. Eli ends up joining her in these exercises and learning that he doesn't have to overthink everything and it's also a way that helps him calm down. Imagine they do kata together when she has her baby bump, and he stands by her to make sure she stays balanced. It is so cute.

Does this mean Eli and Robby are friends? Because Robby would still come to work with Daniel to get under his dad's skin and we all know how that goes? So Daniel has two Miyagi-Do students in the beginning; one is having a baby with his daughter. I think Eli would benefit from having a friend like Robby and Robby would have someone there to tell him Miguel isn't there to steal his dad away 💀💀💀 they'd get along well since Eli isn't Hawk but he's gaining that confidence.

(If he's friends with Robby, does that compounded with the pregnancy cause unintentional distance between him and Miguel? Because Mr. LaRusso would certainly say something about Cobra Kai to him at some point...)

OMG imagine Reader encourages Eli to be in the All Valley Tournament because she (and her dad) think it would be great for building his confidence. He fights for Miyagi-Do and she's there with her whole family, holding her round belly, cheering him on. She's so giggly watching him compete because she thinks he looks so hot. Sam teases her and Reader lets her because it's distracting her from her break up with Miguel. They're being so sisterly there together, cheering for Eli and later Robby when he joins Miyagi-Do.

What if Eli won that first tournament? That would be pretty great for his confidence. He'd give the trophy to Reader because her encouragement is what got him there. He'd dedicate his win to her and their baby, though he wouldn't say that at the tournament because he knows she doesn't like that kind of attention on her.

Imagine summer: her, Eli, Sam, Robby and Demetri. He'd totally convince Demetri to join Miyagi-Do after the tournament and they'd get to train together. Him, Dem, Robby and Sam would become core Miyagi-Do students and it would be amazing. He'd encourage Demetri and Demetri would be so sarcastic and say something like "We all can't be All Valley champions."

However, I'm thinking of when they go to the country club with Reader's family. She's there in a bikini and cover-up because it was all that was comfortable for her to wear and Eli is beside her, telling her how amazing she looks. Eventually, she sheds the cover-up and sits by the poolside. If any of the uppity country club people have anything to say to her, Eli tells them to back off and mind their own business. He's super protective of her and the baby. He wraps his arm around her and puts a hand on her belly, assuring her that she's beautiful and those people have no idea what they're talking about because she's gonna be an amazing mama.

Double dates where she and Sam treat their boyfriends to dinner or something. They all have such a fun time. Sam is also very protective of her sister and would try to start fights on her behalf and Robby would pull her away from whoever was making her upset. On that note, though, Robby would also be protective of Reader. That's his girlfriend's pregnant sister, of course he's going to care for her (he's also living with them, so of course they are close.)

And the quiet moments Eli and Reader get to spend together when she needs time away from people. She's still a little shy and meek, especially with the way people look at her or talk about her when they think she isn't around to hear it all because she's pregnant. Eli would be by her side when she needs to recharge her social batteries, telling her that no one else's opinion matters so long as she's not ashamed of their baby.

"I'm not ashamed," she tells him and he smiles.

"Then there's nothing to worry about"

He kisses her sweetly and puts a hand on her belly, feeling the way their little baby kicks at his palm. It's so sweet and perfect and he can't imagine his life being anymore perfect.

Imagine he still grew his hair out but instead of putting it into a mohawk, he just wears it casual and long 😍😍😍

I could so do more of this but this post got long. I feel like without Hawk there to contrast him, Miguel would fall further into the Cobra Kai hole and Johnny wouldn't be able to pull him out of it, and he and Tory become Cobra Kai's It couple👀 what do you think? Should I keep going with this and see how it continues to change things?

[seoksgrl]

rather be dead than cool, 2. : jjk nerd!jungkook x popular!reader college au, dislike to love genderbent she's all that au

tws: rich antics, irene and mina being mean girls, name-calling

m.list prev | next

The address you texted to Jeongguk, after obtaining his mobile number, is in the centre of Gangnam, a street lined with row upon row of stores fit for those who have cash to burn. If you’re going to get Jeon towards your end of the popularity spectrum, it’s imperative that you get him out of whatever baggy, dark outfit he plans to turn up in today. Once the clothes are dealt with, you can work on that shaggy mop of hair before figuring out how to introduce him to your scene. 

That will likely be the easier part - once Jeon is seen with you, campus interest will soar. 

“How are things going?” Irene coos down the phone, an edge to her tone that often came when the two of you would play these kinds of games. Finding ways to one up the other, whether it be over boys or over money. While Irene is the friend you have known the longest, you can’t say she’s the one you trust. Though, your competitive streaks have always run alongside each other, the perfect match. 

You check your appearance in the store window, the first place you’re expecting to visit with Jeongguk. There’s a party this weekend at an old friend’s cabin, and if you’re going to bring Jeongguk, he needs to wear something that will enhance the foundations you managed to spot upon your first meeting. Brushing your hair over your shoulder, you reapply lip balm, using the window as your mirror, “Things are going according to plan. Jeon isn’t anything I can’t handle,”

Irene hums on the other end of the phone, though it’s anything but encouraging, “As long as you don’t plan on throwing in the towel before we’ve even started,”

“Not at all,” You grin at your own reflection, “He’ll be walking into the spring formal with all eyes on him when I’m finished. And I’ll take a ride in the Porsche as a reward,”

You can see it now, Irene’s eyes flashing with annoyance at your confidence. You often wonder if pissing off your best friend should bring you this much joy, but before you can ponder any longer, a familiar dark frame comes into sight down the street, skulking through the people on the sidewalk, and you end the call with Irene as your eyes land on Jeongguk. 

He’s dressed in what appears to be his favourite colour, black, paint-stained jeans and an oversized t-shirt. All that covers him from the unpredictable spring weather is a thin, denim jacket - also paint-stained. You wonder if it’s intentional.

He stops in front of you, large frame so imposing you have to take a small step back, your Gucci boots hardly a match for Jeongguk’s height. Your head tilts, eyes meeting his own weary gaze before you flash him your winning smile. 

“I’m glad you got here in one piece,” You hadn’t asked if Jeongguk drives, but you assume he must, having walked from the direction of the parking lot behind the row of designer stores, “I hope it was easy for you to find,”

He frowns at that, shuffling from foot to foot and adjusting his backpack a couple times. The wind has already managed to wriggle some fly-away hairs loose from whatever excuse for a ponytail he has, the strands falling around his face and brushing his chin. You cannot wait to get a few inches chopped - the length doesn’t bother you, but you can spot the split ends from here, for goodness sake. 

Jeongguk doesn’t reply, and so you press on, still wearing the bright, chirpy grin you save for meeting new people. You always like to make a good first impression, and you remember it being one of the few things your parents instilled in you as a child. Your other habits were picked up from movies, being that you rarely had time to do anything else as a youngster. Father was never home and when mother wasn’t shopping, she was organising charity events for your father and his work colleagues. 

You shake away the oddly sombre memory and continue with the task at hand, leading Jeongguk into the first store - Gucci itself. 

“We’ll start here,” You say, maintaining control as you lead Jeongguk further into the store, towards where the men’s shirts and slacks are kept, “I have an appointment booked for your hair,”

Out of the corner of your eye, you notice Jeongguk reach up and tug at the strands by his chin, brushing them behind his reddened ear. You continue to talk him through the itinerary for the day, though his pleading eyes continue to drill into the side of your head, and you have no choice but to turn, brow quirked, “What’s wrong?”

“I, ah -” He clears his throat, “I can’t afford anything here,”

You wave away Jeongguk’s worries, exhaling a short laugh, “I can take care of it. I have more than enough money, and plenty of good friendships with the staff. You can use my black card,”

“Black card?” He asks, dark brows furrowing, creating a tiny wrinkle between them, “Is that like store credit?”

You exhale again, but this time you’re not laughing. You realise not everyone pays for their tuition into Yonsei, and you’re just now realising perhaps Jeongguk is there on a scholarship. That would mean he’s very talented, something that intrigues you, though you don’t have time to be intrigued by your science experiment. 

“It’s a luxury credit card, Jeon,” You blink, “My family is very wealthy, and like I said,” You flip your hair over your shoulder, “I want to help,”

Not completely the truth, but Jeongguk doesn’t need to know that.

His lips part for a couple moments, before falling shut, and you continue walking with him towards the Oxford shirts. The sales assistant, eager and a little annoying, strolls over, their brows raising a fraction when they spot the tall, out-of-place guy beside you. Their lips part, their welcoming disposition betrayed by the obvious judgement in their gaze before their eyes slide back to you. 

“Miss Y/N, so lovely to have you back,” The young girl says, hands clasp in front of her, bright pink nails start against the black of her uniform as her eyes once more stray to Jeongguk, confusion marring her strictly sunny expression, “How can we help you today?”

You step forward, gesturing at Jeongguk with one hand and sliding a thumb across your phone screen with another. You had spent last night brainstorming the optimum stylistic direction to take with Jeongguk, wanting to enhance what good features he has in order to make his transformation believable. He still has to win Spring King, after all, and to do that, he needs to look and act the part. Turning up in head-to-toe designer the day after wearing his paint stained baggy jeans isn’t gonna work.

“My friend is looking for a few staple capsule pieces to add to his wardrobe,” You say, walking further into the store, followed closely by the assistant, and then Jeongguk who lags behind, looking entirely like a fish out of water, “Nothing too flashy, just several timeless pieces to get him started. He’s new to designer,”

The shop assistant makes a noise as if to say yeah, I can tell and you raise your brows expectantly, watching as she stumbles over her words, rushing towards the back of the store where the men’s shirts are displayed neatly, “O-of course, miss. Absolutely,” 

When you turn, Jeongguk is watching the whole exchange with curiosity and a little disbelief, his brows are drawn together, eyes impossibly brown and impossibly wide. You pause in your step, raising a manicured eyebrow in response, “Do you have something to say?”

“Does everyone always do as you tell them to?”

You smile, “Yes, now come on,” clicking your fingers, you turn and walk to where the assistant is waiting for you, not bothering to turn to check if Jeongguk is following.

He is.

Irene smacks her lips as she reapplies her lipgloss, using the mirrored wall in the new sushi restaurant, Stix, to see her reflection. You watch her fluff up her hair, wiping at the corner of her mouth, and you decide to check over your own appearance. 

As expected, it’s flawless. You always apply a lip tint if you know you’re going to be eating, saving you the time of reapplying. Your mother always told you that was rude, and so the habit has stuck. The urge to make a dig at Irene raises it’s ugly head, but you successfully shut it down. After all, you’d hate to make a fuss, and to embarrass your friend. 

“Have you played with your little lab rat yet?” Irene asks, grinning as she turns away from the mirror, putting her lip gloss back in her purse and pulling out her compact. Her makeup is flawless, but you don’t say anything as she begins to touch up her already perfect skin. 

“I took him shopping a couple days ago,” Mina snickers, and you shrug, continuing, “I didn’t have a lot to work with, new clothes were imperative if I want to recreate his image,”

Irene giggles, “Sounds like you had fun dressing up your little pet project,” 

“It was a means to an end. The shirts were basic, Jeongguk didn’t want to branch out,” In fact, he didn’t take any of your fashion advice beyond pointing out what he would need from around the store. He picked up a few white t-shirts, white button-ups and some black slacks. You had to practically force him to get the shoes you suggested, if only to prevent him from wearing Gucci dress pants with his sneakers. 

You can safely say you’ve never met someone so stubborn. 

“Are you gonna bring him to Jimin’s party on Saturday?” Mina asks, wiggling her brows as if the mere idea is mischievous, “He could be your date,”

Irene let out a yelp of laughter, and Mina joins in, the pair of them cackling like two evil witches. You watch them with a vague sense of annoyance, a familiar flare of stubbornness coming to life in your chest as you remain stone-faced, waiting for their laughter to die down. When it does, it peters out, their eyes shifting between you and each other as the silence grows. 

“Y/N, did you hear Mina’s joke?”

“I did,” You smile, cat-like and confident, “I didn’t get the joke. I mean, Jeongguk’s reputation is about to be improved tenfold. Why not let people think he’s my date?”

Mina gasps and Irene’s plucked brows raise in a look of abject horror, she actually puts a hand on her chest as if she has been scandalised by your question. You can hardly see the problem with it - after all, it was your understanding that in order to ensure you winning the bet, the whole thing would end with you and Jeongguk attending the Spring formal together anyway. It makes sense in your head. 

“Y/N, you can’t be serious,” Irene says, snorting, “bringing that loser to Jimin’s party? You two just broke up, Jimin will think you have gone insane,”

You frown, taking a sip of water, “I’m not sure about that. Nobody knows who Jeongguk is, and once I’ve got him styled appropriately, people will just assume he’s a random hot guy I’ve picked up. If Jimin can be a cliche and score a cheerleader, why not be a little mysterious?”

Irene mutters, "I don't know about 'hot',"

You smile, brittle and a little annoyed, "He will be when I'm finished with him. Have some faith, Irene,"

When you glance at Mina, she seems to be grasping where you’re coming from, but as per usual, Irene doesn’t see your side of things, and she rolls her eyes, returning to her useless endeavour to fix problems that don’t exist with her makeup. You smile blandly at Mina, sipping at your water and scrolling through your socials.

taglist: @kyglover @jk97bam

please let me know if you wish to be added to the taglist!

[instarsandcrime]

Over the Radiowaves (2/2)

@ripelytoo So imagine me kicking down the door, completely out of breath with my hair partially on fire because hoo boy that took so long and thank you so much for your patience! Writing Vox and Alastor + life stuff got in the way of everything but I finished within the deadline baby! I hope the wait was worth it! We got silly, hurt/comfort, a smidge of emotions and feels, fluff, etc. Plus questionable, slightly less one-sided Radiostatic?

This is a sequel to @rosieknows's own request Under the Weather, so go check out part 1 if you're interested in starting from the beginning!

Quick cw: there is a small bit of mess at the end, though it's not very detailed. But I wanted to give a heads up at the end!

I'm gonna go lie down...in the meantime, thank you for the request and enjoy the fic! 🩷

---

Vox would not call himself a reckless man.

He prided himself on his maturity, his restraint, and a dash of opulence for good measure. All in all, he was the definition of the highest perfection in technology, a one-man revolutionary that never seemed satisfied.

But fuck did he need a vacation.

And that was just the case, glaring at the very screen that not too long ago sang a song that continued to haunt his processors. And the worst part was that he didn’t know why. He couldn’t quite place it, but it bothered him beyond belief.

“Ht’chhzzzt!” Speaking of which. It's not that his vents were irritated by Alastor's flu. It was just some bug– a minor glitch in the system. He was, without a doubt, above such an outdated virus! Clearly the rattling of his exoskeleton was from the malfunctioning air conditioning because holy Here it was fucking freezing. Clearly the excess electricity that rose his core temperature was from a long night’s work. And clearly the tingle that came with it, the static shock that ran from his processors through his wiring…down to his sk-skull…building with electric sparks until– 

“Het’chhzzzzt! ET’CHHZZZZT! HET’KSHHHZZZT!” The sound of shattering rained down like knives, luxurious chandelier lamps burst and broken by uncontrolled power. “Eh…heh! HEKT’SCHHZZZT! Guhhh…”

Vox pursed his lips, flicking a shard of glass from his shoulder. Well, maybe he should pay the walking germ fest a visit anyway. Just to rub his good health in that smug prick face. He nodded curtly, ignoring the overwhelming dizziness and cooling fans that sputtered like an old, rusty engine. It was clearly a warning for his overheating mind. But he couldn't not be all there, could he? Because he was fine! Taking a deep breath-- or one that didn't result in a debilitating coughing fit-- he focused on where he wanted to go. Flipping through channels and pathways, he had planned on not looking too desperate.

Which he wasn't, of course.

Maybe in front of the hotel. A few blocks away, even. He could see it now: he'd stroll up to those stupid, gaudy double doors and invite himself in. Make a grand show of the lack of security. Brag about how weak and defenseless The Radio Demon was, and how Vox was clearly superior because machines don't...hheh...cahhh-catch the–

“Hekt’SHHHZZZ’hoo!”

It was around midnight when Alastor returned from his little excursion. Not to say his meeting with Zestiel was difficult, but it was...interrogative. The seven year absence can only boast mystery and intrigue when it remains an intriguing mystery. But now he felt quite silly for stringing one of his oldest friends along-- a little sympathetic, even. After all, the demon faced down on the hotel floor gave him a confusion and frustration that he didn't know was in him.

“Vox?” Alastor craned over the poor soul. Only for him to spring to life, finding balance with a hand to the wall.

“So we meet again, Alastor!” Vox laughed.

“What is happening.” His rival replied flatly.

“Isn't it obvious?”

“Is what obvious.”

“That I won! I beat you! You got sick and I didn't!”

A pause. Alastor looked at the state of the intruder. Then to the radio on his bookshelf, still flickering a striking electric blue. Then crossed the carpet with a sudden smirk on his face.

“I see! Then please, by all means, recount your glorious victory over the poor, defenseless Radio Demon!” He cried, holding a hand to his chest. “I deserve to hear it. All of it.”

“Well look who finally decided to give up and throw in the towel! And after I saved you from freezing face down in the snow!” His rival smirked drunkenly, tugging on his lapels– as well as himself, nearly stumbling into the corner of an armchair.

“A tantalizing sight, my life right in your claws for the taking.” Alastor recalled, catching Vox under the arms by the heel of his cane to push him upright.

“And– and I was the guy who carried you to the tower’s main office without being seen.” He slurred, pointing slightly left of himself. “You better be fuckin’ grateful, by the way. You almost blew my cover! Twice! Seriously, it's like your stupid flu was as disgustingly dramatic as y-yuhh-youhhh...are…! Hup’TSHHHZZT! HUTSCHHZZZZT!” 

A battered desk lamp flared in a firework of light before settling back again. The overhead bulbs momentarily shook with a sudden burst of energy. And in the middle of the flickering, flashing mess stood the Tech Overlord, sniffling miserably into a sleeve.

“Truly you are a paragon of grace and wit.” Alastor assured as he strolled towards the bathroom. Leaving Vox to follow him in his delirious, rambling rage.

“And then! And– Hep’shhhzzt! Sdnff!” His body jerked forward, screen glitching wildly just for a moment before resuming the one-man battle that he was definitely winning. "And then I treated you pretty good I think!"

"Well."

"Whatever! I– ihh- It’schhhzzzt! Ughh. Th’ point is that I took care of you! Monitored your temperature, gave you blankets, made you tea. And then you just LEFT! How's that for morality--" Alastor hummed nonchalantly, passing him a downy comforter. "--oh, thanks. I mean come on! I already had like ten different projects I'm working on so the least you could do is..."

The Radio Demon stood, waiting expectantly while his potential patient trailed off. Vox stared down at the gathered blanket in his arms, hoarse voice lowering. "...you're taking care of me."

"Ah, I see your wires have finally uncrossed! Truly a headline for the ages, don't you think?"

"You're taking care of me?"

"Would you rather I show you the door? Because--"

"No!" Vox blurted. Then remembering himself, cleared his throat with a thick sniffle. "No, no, uh. It's. It’s juhhst- huh! HUT’SCHHZZZT! Ughh..." Already overworked vents shuddered with the effort, and his entire frame followed suit as it struggled to adjust. "I just-- I haven't seen you in a while. The, uh, other you."

The silence was heavy, and it smelt of dust and mold stuffed deep in the back of a closet full of unwanted things. Alastor paused. He inhaled. Then exhaled. "Let's make a deal."

At that Vox opened his mouth, stopped by a hand. "Verbally. And one I'm sure we would both prefer."

"...Okay." He exhaled wearily, wobbling to sit by the fireplace. "Lay it on me."

Alastor replied with another contented hum, sitting opposite, Cheshire grin still plastered on his face. "You’ve had the chance to kill me before, but decided instead to spare my fate. As you mentioned quite loudly." Vox’s flushed face spread to the corners of his screen, sinking into the blanket. “And judging by a severe exhaustion not dissimilar to mine, I’m sure that returning to your tower would be a near-Herculean task. So, for your repayment, I will assist you for tonight and tonight only. No strings attached, no loose ends untied. Do you understand?"

The Vee swallowed harshly, stuffing down his pride as far as it could go. “Fine. It’s a deal. You win.”

"Excellent! Now, then." In a snap a flurry of inky creatures circled the two, hammer and nail at the ready. “I believe it’s time to claim my prize. Shall we begin, old pal?"

Alastor expected whinging and moaning. Maybe a little bit of desperation. But instead Vox was eerily silent. Sensors glazed over lying propped up on the headboard of his newly built bed, watching. Waiting. Mind completely and utterly glassed over with fog. Not even a half-witted jab at the old-fashioned mercury thermometer that slipped from between his fangs. Sighing heavily, Alastor poured a spoonful of medicine from a bottle, humming softly to himself as he tipped the rim into his patient’s mouth. And ever so slightly some color seeped into sepia tone. Alastor was sure the second of cognisance was the foul-tasting syrup until a few weak notes echoed back– breaking into occasional coughing fits that rattled the poor man's chest. 

“You can't seem to stay quiet, can you?” The Radio Demon snapped, though it had no bite. Closing his eyes, the soft broadcast of a song began to whisper. 

“Does this satisfy?” Vox nodded slowly. Alastor swallowed a nauseating pang of relief. 

It wasn’t long after that his caretaker was jolted awake, eyes pried open by screeching static and shouting voices. Pushing himself to his hooved feet, each delicate step across the room grew heavier and heavier as the deer demon approached. Through mucky speakers it sounded as if this fever dream was submerged in muck and grime. But between the two of them, the tangled mess of a memory from seven years ago might as well be clear as a spring. The reflection in the water stared back at him, and Alastor couldn’t help but watch. It was like a bad telanovela, and yet he could read every page of the script by heart.

“Listen asshole! You don't get to tell me what to do with my company and how I run it! I make the rules, not you.” The bitter voice crackled painfully behind the monitor.

“I assure you that my ‘rules’ are sound. These flashy entertainment devices and security systems you flaunt are completely and utterly worthless in the face of the exterminations, and yet you claim they bear the freedom and safety to back it up. It’s foolish and irresponsible to half-ass a game if you hold all the pieces.” Alastor muttered, mimicking his younger self that responded in kind. He squeezed a fistful of comforter until it ripped. 

“Fuck no! VoxTech was made so sinners can feel safe. Seriously, what is your damage? You hide the fine print just like us, so why the Hell are you throwing a bitch fit about a few white lies?”

“Sinners need an honorable deal, not a gaggle of snake oil salesmen. The Vees are built on false hope, I have the power to actually fulfill my promises.  And that, my dear, is the difference.”

“They want an out, I’m giving them an out!”

 Alastor shot upright to face the bastard, every twisted feature hemmed by an eerie artificial glow. “If you cannot understand why I despise your nonsense business practices made of flowery language and empty promises, then I r̵̨̞͑͠e̸͉͚͛f̸͈̅ù̵̹s̶͈̅ë̵͇͉́̎ to join your useless little team you absolute–!”

“--Listen asshole! You don’t get to–”

And all too suddenly, Alastor snapped back to the present. The angry burn on his cheeks faded as the same memory played again. And again. Skipping on repeat over and over and over like a useless, broken record. 

He stumbled, collapsing back on the edge of the bed. Calm yourself, it's just a nightmare. He'll break out of it eventually. But time passed again. And again. The horrid sting could not reduce itself to a dull itch, finally breaking its pattern when a pathetic whimper passed Vox's lips and– alright, that's enough. 

Waking a person from a nightmare was dangerous, doubly so if said subject was a demon– triply so for an Overlord. And although The Radio Demon held far more power and control over his rival, the Vee still had countless amounts of voltage coursing through his veins. Hauling himself to his feet, shaking his previous nerves loose before plucking a snuff box from a high shelf.

Well, he decided, better a sneeze than the electric chair.

Sitting again by Vox’s bedside, Alastor held the powder under the vents that dotted the sides of his patient’s face, watching them shallowly suck in air– taking a small portion with it.

“Hhh..!” The reaction was immediate. The sound of sniffling and hitching replaced the cacophony of his dream, and he twisted with discomfort. Stuck in a torturous loop, unable to sneeze out the irritant. Alastor huffed in annoyance, rolling his eyes.

“Always with the dramatics.” He chided.

“Snffff snff! Ugh! And whose f-fuh-fault is…is thahhhHHH–! Hhhhghh…th-that!” Vox warbled out, airy voice pitching higher and higher. Finally deciding to end his misery, Alastor traced the tip of his claw around his vents with a feather-light touch. Quickly distancing himself, as a final shuddering gasp was his one and only warning before–

“Het’tshhzzzt! H’tshzzzt! ‘Zzzt! Zzt! hhhhHHHH–! …Hekt’SHZZZZHOO!” 

A pop, and a firework of electricity branched from his core, erupting from his suit and branching out– which Alastor casually stepped to the side to avoid. “Gesundheit.” 

Unfortunately, the blessing was premature. “HUT’TSHZZZOOO! HUP’TSHZZZZZT’hoo…huh-hehhHHHTSHZZZOO!” The ground rumbled with scorch marks from the lightning storm. Somewhere in the hallway, the shattering of a bulb made Alastor’s ears press to his head.

“Do you want to wake the entire hotel?!” He hissed through clenched teeth.

“I cad't hhhheh! helb ihhdt! IT’SCHZZZZTHOO! Heh! Hhh! …hghh…” The chaos began to settle, leaving the cyborg gasping for air as Alastor slapped his hands against his vents. Cringing as a thick fluid brushed his ungloved palms.

“S’rry.” Vox mumbled sheepishly.

“You're ill.” Alastor spat regardless, pulling back in disgust, “If you're going to annoy me, don't take credit for things you didn't do.”

“...Okay?” The sickly demon blinked blearily. He tried to sit up, stopped by the head of a cane to his chest.

“Ah-ah, don’t get up. I'll be back in just a moment.” The other sneered, plucking a tissue from the nearby nightstand and, wordlessly, exited. Ignoring the harsh, obnoxious blow that followed.

It took minutes for Alastor to wash the unidentified liquid from his hands and handle. It took an eternity for Vox to fall back asleep. Maybe he did regret that argument from seven years ago. Maybe not. Either way, he scowled and turned his back to The Radio Demon.

Because just for tonight, Alastor had won. Again. He had been cared for, doted over, and treated with the utmost respect. For the first time in a long time, he had a taste of happiness from an old friend.

And honestly? It was awful.

[jiyansthesis]

AIRPORT CRUSH

GEKKO (MATEO) x reader

summary — just some headcannons of reader having an airport crush on gekko: kind of a filter fic as i get to writing other ones. this is pretty short and its js a bunch of my thoughts put together

note — i write so much better in headcannon form and i wanted to get something out really quick so i decided to do this ^^ i was in a dilema to use gekko or leon for this but i decided that gekko would be more fun to write

"i have to be the hottest person sitting at my gate in the airport."

is what you would normally say if you didn't see the EXTREMELY attractive person sitting right next to you in the gate lobby.

somehow, you were next to the boy you had been seeing throughout the airport, and needless to say, you had developed a little bit of a crush on him.

true to los angeles, he had a fashion style and haircut that made him stand out. normally you wouldn't like such vivid colors on clothes, but on him it fits. you'd never know how he pulls that buzz cut off.

you wanted to make conversation, but you kept your eyes on the weather app on your phone. you knew you'd embarrass yourself.

gekko glanced over at you as he was surveying the airport.

he saw you nervously scrolling through the weather forecast, and he wouldn't have said anything if it wasn't for the fact that it was some random country in europe.

"you alright?" he questioned.

your eyes widened in surprise at the question

"yeah, i'm fine. just checking the weather!" you held your phone up. holy shit, you sucked at this

"that's the weather for romania," he pointed out.

it was indeed set for romania.

"sometimes i like seeing other countries' weather," you tried lying.

he let out a laugh.

you were all giddy on the inside. you finally got to talk to your airport crush and you caused him to laugh. and not at you.

"so, are you nervous about something?"

"what makes you think that," you scoffed.

"people only do that when they're nervous. and there's no groups of high schoolers around and you're not alone at a party, so what's up chica?"

well, he was smart

you knew that you didn't want to embarrass yourself, since the two of you were going on the same flight for a few hours.

"i just don't like planes."

he nodded in acknowledgement. "makes sense."

not wanting this to be the end of the conversation that would lead to an awkward silence, you piped up.

"so, why're you going on the flight?" you hoped that wasn't too intrusive.

"just for a job," he replied. he didn't seem like the type of person to be flying around for work. "what about you?"

"also just for a job," you grinned. you couldn't tell him what exactly.

the two of you made small talk, even going to go get some drinks when your flight got delayed.

then it was time for boarding. you expected this to be the last time the two of you would really talk.

but god had other plans.

showing each other your tickets, both of your eyes lit up in excitement.

"you sit next to me?" maybe you really were meant to flirt with him.

the two of you boarded and made some more small talk

"need me to hold your hand during takeoff?" he teased

your face turned a shade of crimson.

"hey. i was joking," you scowled playfully.

"then what were you nervous about?"

"talking to you." you put it bluntly as the airplane gained speed.

"talking to me?" he smugly grinned.

"hey man, don't rub it in." you looked out the window to avoid seeing his reaction.

a moment of quiet passed until he said, "i wanted to talk to you too."

you studied him. he wasn't lying for your benefit, that's for sure.

his cheeks reddened.

you let out a little chuckle. "then i'm glad that we both got what we wanted."

you really didn't want this moment to end, but you still had a few hours to make the most out of it

it was two hours of on and off talking, until you fell asleep.

you shifted, and slumped right onto his shoulder.

he wasn't complaining, but he didn't want to wake you if he ever decided to go to the bathroom.

so he stayed still.

a sudden burst of turbulence woke you up, and you noticed where you were resting your head.

"holy shit! my bad mateo" you immediately sat upright. you wiped your mouth to make sure you weren't drooling all over him.

"you're fine. it was cute." he smiled.

you wanted this man to wife you up already.

then came the time to eat lunch.

the two of you joked about it being like a little date, with spaghetti and all.

the two of you even decided to watch the same movies, both of you telling each other your opinions about certain parts.

before you knew it, you had landed.

the two of you stood outside the gate, ready to part ways.

"well, this is it." he said, shrugging.

"well, you're here for a job, right? we can still hang out when we're back in la." you handed him your phone. "call me when you're up to a date."

the two of you swapped numbers and went off on your separate ways. or well, you were supposed to.

the two of you left out the same way, which led to him catching up to you and sheepishly rubbing the nape of his neck.

then it was the same taxi, then you got out at the same building.

"well, this is awkward." he smiled.

the both of you somehow worked for the valorant protocol.

and now im too lazy to continue this so im probably gonna make this a fic later if yall want it 😹

[itmeansiris]

The Solar System Legacy Challenge: Random School Holiday Gen 1 pt.77

The weekend was over and Monday morning came with the promise of a busy schedule. When M and Kason came downstairs the triplets were nowhere to be found.

They were normally raiding the fridge or crowding the bathroom trying to get ready for school. Sure, it was still raining, but they hadn't gotten any notification about school closures due to the weather.

Kason: Think they packed up and went to live in Moonwood Mills with the wolves?

She swatted his arm before pointing at him.

M: If they did guess who gets to go bring them back smartie pants. I'll check upstairs, can you run the coffee machine?

M figured she'd start with Venus. She stopped outside her door hearing faint voices from inside. She knocked twice before opening the door.

M: V? Oh! Good morning ladies.

Venus spared her mother a moment's glance before returning her focus to her void critter battle as Aphdroite rambled off things she learned about Chestnut Ridge. Venus wasn't truly listening as usual, just adding the occasional head nod or half grunt to keep Dite appeased.

Venus: Morning Mom.

Aphrodite: Good morning Mom.

M: How come you guys aren't getting ready for school?

Aphrodite: It's a 3 day school holiday Mom. They put the reminder in our backpacks, it's hanging on the chores board downstairs. Nana put it there.

M tried to remember if she'd seen the note Aphrodite was talking about and could vaguely remember her mother mentioning it during lunch the day before. Luckily, Kason had the next two days off, and M had finished her latest book, freeing up plenty of time. This was the start of an eventful week.

M and Kason had the kids spend Monday morning skill-building. In the afternoon as the kids got restless unable to go outside because of the continued rain Kason suggested a family-friendly yoga session. Kason and M were graceful in their movements showing off a little. Dite caught on quickly striving for perfection. Ishtar and Venus were not as interested in the peaceful nature of the activity. They tumbled and fell over one pose after another until they were on the floor in a fit of laughter. Though their parents didn't mind, Dite on the other hand wasn't pleased with the giggling duo.

Aphrodite: Do you guys ever take anything seriously?

That evening they made homemade pizza and Spirit helped the kids build another blanket fort. They finished the night by breaking out the popcorn maker and settled in for a spooky movie night.

By Tuesday morning the rain had stopped. M took Zohreh with her to Comet's Vet appointment while Kason and Spirit taught the kids how to ride their bikes.

When M and Zohreh got back Spirit and Kason were in the kitchen with the kids. Spirit and her favorite little helper Venus were making spooky day cookies. M went and got changed to join the others downstairs when she got a call. She'd barely answered when the voice on the other line came in strong and without a greeting.

Winter: I'll be there tomorrow.

She bleated before M could say hello.

M: That's a day early is everything okay?

She heard Winter scoff. She could hear the rapid fluttering of Winter's massive black wings. She could recall all the times she had seen Winter flutter her wings without taking flight it normally meant she was anxious or worse mad.

Winter: Can't a girl want a little time away from her kids and husband to grill her best friend about the rumors she had to hear about from Peyton? Is that reason enough? Plus I still need a costume for your spooky day party. Figured I could drag you shopping.

M hadn't spoken to Winter in weeks and hadn't seen her since they were in Tomarang for Jorden’s funeral service, which meant she hadn't had a chance to explain what had happened with Paris recently. Winter and Peyton (Kason's twin brother) were coming to Brindelton Bay for the fall holidays. They planned to arrive on Thursday (the day before the party), but it seemed Winter was expediting her own arrival. M didn't offer any objections, it had been too long since she had seen her best friend.

M: I'm sorry Winter. You never need a reason to come and see me. I can't wait to meet Hannah.

Winter: Yeah, well that will have to wait.

Winter responded flatly. M wasn't sure if the hint of annoyance she was picking up in Winter's tone was real but she didn't like the way it made her feel.

M: We clearly have a lot to talk about. But do you mind if I invite Kiersten, the girl I told you about?

Winter: Sure. It's about time I met the person who's been occupying my bestfriends time while I've been away moving and having a baby.

M: Oh watcher Winter..I'm a horrible friend.

Winter's wicked laughter was enough to pull M out of her own head. Winter had always been a little mischievous and her antics didn't exclude Mercury. M had always blamed it on the spellcasters who had trained her but part of it was just how good ole Winter was.

Winter: I'm just busting your balls. You've been busy too M. I was upset-though, having Peyton show me the pictures and you never even calling that hurt. But I know you were dealing with it and the kids are excited to see their cousins and Uncle Kason. I can't wait to see you and hear all about the drama. Oh, and I can't wait to meet your friend.

M smiled as Kason came into the living room to steal a kiss.

M: Winter Lotus you better behave yourself she's nice but no one could replace you and you know it.

She warned using her parenting voice. On the surface, it may have been a joke but M couldn't shake the feeling that she had been neglecting her friendship with Winter and wanted to reassure her friend (and herself a little) that no one could ever take her place in M's life. They weren't just best friends. They were like sisters but were legally sisters by marriage to the Gratz twins. They were aunts to each other children. Winter was her family just as much as Beckett was her blood brother.

Winter: Does that mean I can't show her any magic tricks!

Winters laughter filled the line again along with the familiar twinkle noise that indicated she was using her magic.

M: Winter!

Winter: I'm just kidding! Love you M, See you tomorrow.

Previous Next

Beginning

Sidebar: Venus is playing on @ravasheencc voidcritter tablet. They still own the battle station but V likes to play alone or online sometimes! She’s determined to be the best.

Pose:

Willowsworld: Two bodies, One mind

Libet: child emotions

starrysimsie: On the line

[lelengerine]

call you mine

✿ pairing |  haechan x reader

✿ synopsis | sometimes, love letters might just be the way to get someone to like you (or maybe it’s because they’ve liked you for the entire time).

✿ genre | kinda tooth-rotting fluff at some points, a little bit of childhood friends to lovers, also pretty cliché so bear w me here

✿ wc | 1.4k

✿ notes | hello! this is a sequel to sincerely, yours and i highly suggest reading that first but this can also be read as a stand alone fic too hehe <3 ngl i kinda got carried away writing this ;0; as always,, lmk ur thoughts on this one :D

m.list

if you’d ask him, haechan wouldn’t know how long he’s been staring at the mirror, picking out clothes from his closet before tossing them into the far corners of his room. 

each second passes by and the more his irritation grows from the fact nothing seems to be just right. he knows he’s just going for a casual trip with you, and that’s all it’ll ever be, but the back of his mind itches at the thought of being with you for a couple of days straight.

sure, you’ve seen him wear all sorts of things back from when the two of you were little. the first time you met, he was sporting a shinchan shirt in the brightest green you’d ever seen. he even used to wear this one jacket that’s seen it’s fair share of days (correction, he still does), and you’ve always complimented how much it suits him. 

you’d honestly be the last person to care about what he’d show up in, and yet, he wants to look the best for you. he doesn’t know why this is exactly the case, but he’s never questioned it too much to care either.

haechan then pulls up a purple hoodie littered with embroidered patches from his closet by the hanger, recognizing it almost immediately. not because it’s an item he’s worn so often, but because you borrowed it more than once before. he still remembers how the fabric would completely engulf your figure, obviously being too big on you. though, you always tell him that’s exactly what you prefer.

he always thought you looked cute in it anyways.

carefully folding it up, haechan packs it into his small suitcase — the hoodie now being the first piece of clothing that rests inside. 

checking the clock, he doesn’t have much time left before needing to pick you up and painstakingly tries to gather all the things he needs to bring for the trip, rushing with you in mind. this trip would be marked as the first time you would travel together. well, more like the first trip without your parents coming along since they deem you’re both old enough to not get into stupid situations. at least, that’s what they wanted to assume from the both of you.

okay, so maybe he should be a little more nervous than he is. whatever, the jitters will come hit him straight in the face soon enough when he least expects it.

he finishes stuffing his suitcase full of items, albeit a bit sloppily and not at all like he originally planned for, but it’ll have to do. he’d rather have a messy bag filled to the brim with wrinkly clothes that might not even be fit for the weather than be late to the time you both agreed he’d pick you up on.

-x-

haechan soon arrives at the front of your doorstep pretty much on the dot, hand instinctively reaching into the pocket of his jeans to pull out a replica key with a mini teddy bear charm dangling from it. you gave it to him for when he ever wanted to spontaneously visit you and it’s something he treasures dearly, knowing it symbolizes the trust you place in him.

eagerly, he rushes up to your room, assuming you’re still inside. “y/n- are you ready to go?” he questions, sounding a little flustered to see the area empty. it isn't like you to leave your room unattended. did something happen-

“i’m in the bathroom! i’ll be out soon.” he hears you yell out soon after, placing his heart at ease. 

“oh thank god,” he mumbles softly, not knowing what he’d do if you were gone.

he takes the time to look around your room, noting how practically nothing has changed since he last visited when he was much younger. there are still glow in the dark stars that vaguely shine on your ceiling, ones he helped you stick because you couldn’t reach the ceiling even with the height offered by your bed. hell, even the wooden cabinet you use hasn’t changed for the past years and is kept in good condition thanks to your care.

it’s like he’s reminiscing everything he’s known about you all at once. every little detail only he knows as your best friend.

there is, however, one small thing that sticks out of place in his eyes. a small, well-kept box rests below your desk, one he’s never seen before nor heard you talk about. 

he believed you always told him about everything that went on in your life, so why hasn’t he known about this? perhaps he had been mistaken all along.

the thought can’t help but form the start of a crack on the notion of him being your best friend. maybe someone else had already taken that spot away from him right under his nose and he had realized just a bit too late. 

he didn’t want to be the person who would limit you to who you make friends with, quite the opposite actually, but jealousy serves to be a weakness in him – slowly seeping into his mind and clogging his train of thought. he could only wish he wasn’t feeling this way right now.

it's that same jealousy that urges him to pick up the box, crouch down and quickly take the lid off. there, he finds the dainty envelopes stored away with utmost care and attention to detail.

each one is signed with ‘sincerely, yours’ written at the bottom left in a perfectly executed cursive font, and that’s when he realizes they’re letters written with someone in mind.

he sighs, returning back to the times you’d nag him to learn lettering with you. he would never take the lessons seriously, but you always did. so this was why you wanted to learn how to write so prettily, he quickly assumes. 

his heart grows heavier the more he rummages through the box, the realization of the envelopes being love letters sinking in slowly but surely into his soul.

you like someone, he thought to himself.

so it wasn’t even someone stealing his title of best friend. it was someone who had stolen your heart. that someone was the person he yearned to be for so long, and now, it was never going to be him seeing as you’ve even committed to writing down letters. 

since when did you even write letters? haechan scoffs to himself bitterly at the thought.

“hyuck, i’m done. we should get-“ you come out of the bathroom unannounced, not even giving him a chance to gather his thoughts. “…going.”

he probably caught you just as off guard, judging by the way your shoulders stiffened up and your line of sight instantly focused on the letters that now rest in the palms of his hands. he already pieced together the fact he was never supposed to know about this, much less rummage through your things without consent. 

what was he even going to tell you? surely he could not get himself out of this situation with an excuse after being caught like a raccoon searching for scraps in the neighbor’s trash can at night. instead, haechan does the next best thing he could think of.

“…y/n? what are these?” well, to be fair, he never said his idea wasn’t outright stupid.

truthfully, he doesn’t know whether asking you directly was the right thing to do. yes, he knows he’s the one at fault in this situation, yet this was the only way he could hear a proper answer from you. 

he just wanted to pull the bandaid off his heart and accept the fact you have feelings for someone else. any form of hatred you throw his way after all this, he will gladly accept.

with a deep breath, you finally answer him with “they’re… sincerely yours.”

and for the second time today, haechan’s brain goes blank. did you just say all those letters were for him? no, he probably interpreted your words incorrectly. 

“mine?” he utters out moments later, voice still laced with confusion.

you sheepishly nod your head along to his words, further confirming what he had originally perceived about those letters were oh so wrong. his heart that was once sinking was slowly coming back above the tide, meeting the bright, blue sky. 

his lips curl upwards into a smile unbeknownst to him, however, you’re quick to notice – taking that as a sign your feelings may have not been so one-sided after all.

“can i… read them?” haechan looks at you with stars in his eyes and you wonder if that’s a reflection of the glow in the dark stars that decorate your room’s ceiling or if it's just him glistening under the sunlight that barely manages to shine into your room.

just how could you decline when he’s acts like this in front of you?

“after our trip?” you propose, “at least you’ll have something to look forward to when we get back.”

“okay, but does that mean i get to call you mine?”

now you’re the one flustered, heat creeping up to the apples of your cheeks. just how much did his confidence surge knowing the letters were for him? “i don’t know- i mean, you haven't asked me out yet.”

“oh baby, you genuinely don't know how long i’ve waited for this moment.”

[hannahbarberra162]

Country Mouse, City Mouse - Chapter 7

On Ao3

Sorry, no smut.

Also, we love a jealous Mihawk.

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5

Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10

Chapter 7 - After A While

A few weeks came and went. The outfits Perona had ordered for you were absolutely stunning. Mihawk wanted to see you try on all of them, but you shooed him away. You and Perona decided on the one that best suited you, and you packed it with your things. 

Zoro had been put on farm duty while the two of you were gone. Perona’s duty was to get Zoro to the farm. You brought him down and explained everything that would need to be done in your absence. Luckily, it was only simple tasks like watering and weeding.

“So, that’s about all, got any questions?” you asked, handing him a list.

Zoro grunted. “No, got it. I can do it.”

“Thank you honey, I sure appreciate it.”

“Mihawk said he would dismember me if I messed up the farm.” Zoro was not laughing when he said this.

“He’s… not jokin’, is he?”

“No.”

“Hmmm….well, I’ll bring you back somethin’ nice as a carrot for that stick.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

Sailing with Mihawk on Hitsugibune was an adventure all its own. The small craft was really only meant for one person, so you’d sat on his lap some of the time. You had always enjoyed sailing, and Mihawk was a phenomenal sailor…er, captain? You enjoyed good weather and good company on the way. Mihawk shared a lot of nautical knowledge that you were lacking, and you found him endlessly interesting to listen to.

After a few days, you reached the island you were journeying to. Crocodile had offered rooms at his estate for guests, but Mihawk had rented a hotel instead. Not a room, you realized as you both checked in at the desk. Mihawk had rented an entire hotel. He told you that the mere sounds of other patrons would “impede his romantic nature.” It seemed like a waste of money to you, but you weren’t one to tell others what to do.

That night was the gala, so you declared that you would be getting ready in a separate room. You and Perona had planned every detail of your outfit, down to the hairpins you would use, and you wanted to surprise Mihawk for the maximum effect. 

Mihawk POV

He and Crocodile were not friends. They were, at best, non-combative acquaintances. Mihawk did not mind Crocodile as much as some of the other members of the Warlords, like the irritating Boa or obnoxious Dolflamingo. However, he had a thought to thank Crocodile for inviting him to the gala. Because it allowed him the opportunity to see you like this.

You looked absolutely resplendent. The dress Perona had bought and you had selected made you look like a goddess incarnate. You looked like you had been poured into the dress - it accentuated everything he loved about your figure. Your hair was in a style that he hadn’t seen before, and it suited you. You had acquired jewelry, and it only served to highlight your already magnificent visage. You were a beautiful, sensual treat for the eyes. Though Mihawk knew the thought was foolish, he wanted to throw a cloak over you and hide your beauty from other eyes. He wanted to be the only one to bask in your feminine grace, not allow other filthy eyes to glance upon you. He had the brief thought of closing the door and simply ravishing you, gala forgotten. However, he knew you were excited for the event, and he didn’t want you to miss it.

He extended his hand to you, and when you took it, pulled you to him. He held you tight against his body. He brought his nose and mouth along your delicate neck, running his lips against the column of your throat. He simply had to have a small taste - he would have the full meal later. He heard you gasp and breathe harshly - a fitting punishment for doing the same to him. He continued on his ministrations until you put your hands against his chest and said “later, sunshine. Let’s get to the party first. We can always ditch early.” As always, your ideas were brilliant.

Y/N POV

The gala was unlike anything you’d ever been to before. Sure, you’d been to parties, formal gatherings, weddings, funerals, and every kind of social event in between. But nothing compared to the party at Sir Crocodile’s mansion. You could tell that the majority of the people there were movers and shakers. The way they handled themselves, the way they talked to others, they were clearly used to commanding a certain level of respect. Everyone was dressed to the nines, including Mihawk. Some attendees were socializing, some were drinking, and some were dancing to the live music.

You were happy he had taught you to dance. Well, not really taught. You could kind of dance, he was a magnificent dancer. You just followed his lead as he spun you around the dance floor. He made it seem effortless and intimate, and you enjoyed every moment of it.  You’d have to ask him to dance later.

You walked around the room with Mihawk, your arm linked with his. Many people came up to him and began conversations of varying natures. You didn’t say anything unless spoken to, but you could tell there was a buzz around the fact that he had both attended and brought a date. Mihawk was disinterested in conversing with almost everyone. He dismissed most who spoke to him after a terse sentence or two. It didn’t deter other guests from trying to speak to him. At one point, he asked if you wanted a glass of wine, and you accepted. He left you momentarily sitting at a table, watching the dance floor.

Mihawk POV

Crocodile had a certain taste that did not fit Mihawk’s own. The former Baroque Works leader favored decadence and a kind of self indulgence that he found tacky. However, the gala was acceptable enough to bring you to. Many had sought to speak to him - and garner information about you- which he had no patience for. All he wanted was to dance, drink wine, and speak with you. He didn’t care about these fools. As he came back to you with two wine glasses, he nearly shattered them in his hands. 

That lout Crocodile was speaking to you, clearly interested in both the conversation and your body. He was leaning towards you, smiling at your words as he spoke to you, eyes roaming your lush figure. He should not kill Crocodile at his own gala - probably. It would cause more headache than it would solve. Depending on what Crocodile said to you would determine the outcome, he decided. 

He walked up next to you, handed you your glass, and put his arm once again around your waist. You accepted the glass, said “thank you, sugar” and kissed his cheek. 

“Sir Crocodile came by to introduce himself, and I thanked him for the invitation to this wonderful gala.”

“Mihawk, no wonder you’ve taken an interest in farming lately,” Crocodile said with a smirk, “this delightful Signora could make a flower bloom in the desert.” Mihawk’s demeanor turned even colder. He fixed his unnatural stare to Crocodile, who remained undeterred.

“Ain’t you sweet. Well, I’d love to go dance to the music you’ve so thoughtfully provided.” Mihawk did not speak to Crocodile as he turned with you to leave the conversation.

Over your shoulder you said “See you later, alligator,” to which Crocodile laughed. Crocodile was lucky you wanted to dance. Otherwise he would have lost more than just his other hand.

[storiesbyjes2g]

3.175 Simple question

We left the house and headed toward a restaurant because that's how most of our dates begin. Halfway there, however, we realized we weren't actually hungry. Thanks to Desiree, we had second breakfast, lunch, teatime, and dinner on our trip. The snacks were supposed to be for her, but she kept feeding them to us. Sophia tried to explain we didn't want any, but she threw a fit when we refused. I think because she wasn't able to be close to us for a long time, and she's used to us eating together, she was a little frustrated. (sigh) We're officially toddler parents who give into their child to keep the peace. In the future, we'll find a better way to deal with it, but two and a half hours is a long time with a screaming toddler.

Since we weren't interested in food, we needed to find another activity, so I suggested a night club. This city is full of them, so one wouldn't be hard to find. We could get a little tipsy and do something crazy. Sophia wasn't interested in that scene, however. She said she just wanted to be with me. I should have expected she'd say something along those lines—she's simple like that, and I love her for it.

I constructed a quick plan, and we doubled back toward the park. It was quite large; maybe as big as Gibbs Garden back home. Walking and talking around such beauty seemed like the perfect way to spend our night with dancing, eating, and drinking off the table. There was a huge fountain at the entrance of the park, so I stopped there to give her the flowers I bought and kick off our evening. She was so excited, you would have thought I proposed to her again or something. I love making her smile. It is the life force that fuels my very existence. Without it... I don't even want to know what that's like.

With a very happy lady on my arm, we start toward the entrance, but Sophia's glee slowly drifted into something akin to worry. When I asked what was the matter, she began spiraling deep into the mommy guilt pit. Desiree has been with one or both of us every second of her life. How is she handling being in a strange house with strange sims without us? We trust Dub and Maia, but Desi barely knows them. Before she went too deep into the rabbit hole, I reminded her of her own words she said to me just the other day. We made a promise to each other to always make time for us, no matter what. Sometimes "no matter what" will mean leaving Desi with someone so we can have a moment. She may not like it, but she'll get over it. If we keep planning our lives around what's comfortable for her, we'll never spend time together because she's kind of obsessed with us.

"You mean we are obsessed with her," she said, winking at me.

I chuckled.

"It's...a mutual obsession. Desi is fine. You remember how she was with Yasmine's girls. I bet she's not even thinking of us right now because she and Tami are knee deep in toys. And we know Dub and Maia will take good care of her."

She nodded and seemed to shake off the bad vibes that tried to strangle her.

"You're right. I know these things. I guess I didn't think it would hit me like this."

"It's natural. Don't beat yourself up. You're a good mom, and she knows it."

We finally enter the park and check out the path for the trail to make sure we went the right way. Ciudad Enamorada was such a big city, and this park was like a little oasis right in the middle of it. Beautiful trees with shockingly bright purple leaves contrasted the greenery really nicely. I thought the Arboretum was something, but this place was an entirely different animal. I was so glad we took this walk instead of going to a club. Just being outside for longer than 10 minutes was enough to clear my head and make tonight worth Dub's sacrifice. The scenic trail and nice weather were the perfect companions for our stroll. Neither of us needed words. When we got a quarter of the way around, however, a simple question popped into my head. It had the potential to poke a bear, but I had to ask it and hoped to spark another intimate moment, not a fight.

"Are you happy?"

Her forehead wrinkled a bit.

"Of course I am. Why would you ask that?"

"It's a fair question. I've been thinking about what you said the other day, and I realize I assume a lot of things about you."

She cocked her head, puzzled and trying to figure me out.

"I never actually ask how you're feeling, so you could be secretly depressed for all I know. Life has been really crazy, and it hasn't turned out how we thought it would. Are you still happy?"

She grinned.

"Awww, Luca! Baby, you know how simple I am. As long as we're together, I'm happy! Life happens. I'm a big girl. I can handle when life throws curve balls. Don't worry so much! You'll know if I'm not happy."

"I'm not worried. I just realize I need to be more intentional about things."

"Like what?"

"Making sure you feel loved and appreciated."

"If there is anything I know for sure, it's that you love and appreciate me."

"I'm not perfect, though. There's always room to improve."

"I don't want perfect, Luca. I want you."

Ha! I see she also enjoyed Dub and Maia's vows. What did I do to deserve such a loving, supportive, and understanding woman? Is she my reward for all those years of confusion and hurt?

"And, uhhh," she continued, "whenever you think about improvement, you come get me."

Okay, it's official. I've thought it before, but it's undeniable now. My wife is way hornier than me, and I am NOT mad about it. Why can't we be at home right now?? I feel some improvement coming on.

[devildom-moss]

SIMBARB HURT/COMFORT.

That's all!

Remember to eat, sleep and dont do drugs!

Sincerely, 💜

This one was a little vague, so hopefully you like it 💜anon, and thank you for the request. I wasn't sure what to write at first, but I think it ended up pretty cute. (also I really hope you meant Simeon x Barbatos without MC, because that's what I wrote). I hope you didn't want heavy angst because this ended up so soft.

SimBarb hurt/comfort

(Barbatos x Simeon)

(mentions of slight physical injury) (fluff)

Word Count: +1,600

There was an unusual subtle ache in every muscle of Barbatos’s body when he woke up that morning. The pain concentrated in his throat, which felt drier than usual. He forced himself out of bed and got something to drink, holding onto a weak, fragile hope that collapsed into a void when his morning tea did nothing to soothe his throat. Barbatos sighed, blowing the steam out from his cup. He was sick.

It wasn’t just the sudden illness that annoyed Barbatos, it was the fact that he got sick the very day that Simeon had planned to visit the castle. Barbatos had spent the last three days working harder than ever to ensure he could spend a peaceful afternoon alone with Simeon. He had done everything except make the snacks he was going to serve with tea that afternoon. His mind had spent days imagining long, intimate conversations and a leisurely walk. If they could find some peace and if Barbatos could make his move, maybe they would have some time to get intimate in a more physical sense. Well, there’s nothing to be done now, he figured.

Barbatos went to the supply closet and grabbed a mask. He could have sent a message to Simeon and canceled their plans. He could have informed Diavolo and taken the day off to rest. He could have done a half-dozen other things than washing up and preparing the food he planned to make. As long as he wore the mask and avoided infecting the food, it would be fine; that was the rationalization Barbatos allowed himself. After all, Simeon always enjoyed the sweets he made, and Barbatos would hate to disappoint him. It didn’t matter how much slower he seemed to be moving, either; Barbatos still had a few hours until Simeon arrived – or, at least, he thought he did.

“Good morning, Barbatos,” Simeon peaked into the kitchen. Barbatos had been facing away from the doorway, and he jumped slightly at the sudden intrusion; he was certain he had more time. Simeon laughed sweetly and explained, “I’m sorry to surprise you. I met Diavolo on the way in, so I didn’t have a chance to ring the door. I know I’m early, but when I checked the weather, I noticed that it was scheduled to start raining soon, and I wanted to beat the rain. I forgot to tell you since I was in such a rush.”

“No, it’s alright. I’m glad you made it before the rain hit,” Barbatos spoke, muffled through his mask. He looked over his shoulder at Simeon – careful not to stare too long at the angel.

Simeon heard the muffled speech and saw the glimpse of a mask. He groaned, displeased, and approached the demon. “Barbatos, are you sick?”

“Slightly, it seems, but I’ll manage.”

“Barbatos,” Simeon sighed disapprovingly, “you should stop and get some rest. What in the Devildom are you doing in the kitchen? If something needs to be done, tell me, and I’ll take care of it for you.”

“I’m afraid I must decline your offer. I’m fine – simply not in top form. You needn’t worry. I’m nearly done here.”

Simeon glanced down at the tartlets on the counter. Barbatos grabbed a fresh blood red plum and cut it open. He took half of the plum in his hand and expertly pitted it with the tip of his knife. Simeon watched on in pity.

Without so much as a tickle in his throat to warn him, Barbatos was overcome by a coughing fit that caused him to jolt and slice his palm open, cutting through his glove and a layer of flesh. Simeon gasped and rushed Barbatos to the sink, pulling him by the wrist.

“Simeon, I can –” Barbatos started, but he cut himself off when Simeon looked up at him with a serious gaze – one that chilled Barbatos to the core and warned him not to protest. Simeon removed the glove and ran Barbatos’s hand under the sink until the water ran clear. Through the sting, as slight as it was, Barbatos refused to react or show any sign of pain.

“Do you have a clean rag?” Simeon glanced around the kitchen.

“Second drawer from the top next to the fridge.” Simeon left Barbatos holding his hand over the sink while he fetched the cloth.

He brought the dirty knife and the rag back with him, setting the knife in the sink to be washed later. With a gentle, angelic touch, Simeon pressed the rag directly onto the cut. The first thing Simeon noticed was how warm the palm of Barbatos’s hand was. Pulling his attention back from that warmth, Simeon asked, “You have a first-aid kit in your room, right?”

“Of course, but there’s one in the pantry as well,” Barbatos informed him, although reluctantly. There was no need for Simeon to worry so much over something this insignificant.

“Yes, but we should get you bandaged up in your room.” Simeon smiled sheepishly at Barbatos, who felt his face burn from the suggestive nature of his thoughts, only to be humiliated by his presumption when Simeon added, “You dripped a bit of blood onto your sleeve, and you’ll probably want a new glove once you’re all patched up.”

“Oh.” Barbatos looked down to see a few spots of blood staining his clothes. He nodded slowly. “You’re right.”

“Keep this pressed to your palm as we walk to your room – unless you want me to hold your hand the entire way there.” Simeon nudged Barbatos towards the door.

“I am capable of walking to my room on my own.”

“Yes, I know, but I’m going to tend to the cut for you.”

“I can dress my own wounds,” Barbatos protested.

“Yes, you can, but I can, too. Let me do this for you.”

Once inside his room, Barbatos pointed out his first-aid kit for Simeon and sat on the bed patiently. Simeon joined him and offered his hand, palm up and expecting, waiting to cradle Barbatos’s injured hand. At least Simeon had the kindness to not warn Barbatos of a potential sting as he pressed an alcohol swab to the cut – to allow Barbatos the dignity of presumed knowledge and anticipation. Barbatos sat, quiet and still, through the process.

“Tell me if it’s too tight,” Simeon instructed Barbatos as he began slowly wrapping gauze around his hand. When he finished, he kept Barbatos’s hand in his and caressed along the side of the wrap softly with his thumb. “Is it okay?”

“Yes, thank you,” Barbatos offered him a smile that stayed disguised behind the mask. “You really didn’t need to do that.”

“I know.” Simeon lowered his head and kissed the palm of Barbatos’s hand, then left another kiss on his wrist. Barbatos felt his face burn at the show of tenderness. So rarely had he been at the receiving end of doting affection that he found himself unnaturally flustered. Simeon looked up at him with a sickly sweetness. “You should learn how to allow someone to take care of you, Barbatos.”

“I’m trying,” he admitted – half humiliated to be loved.

“Take off your shirt,” Simeon instructed him.

“Pardon?” Barbatos’s eyes widened.

Simeon laughed, knowing he had successfully caused a stir in Barbatos. “I’ll wash it with your glove before I make some soup for you – assuming I have permission to make use of your kitchen.”

“You always have permission to access the kitchen, but –”

“Excellent,” Simeon cut him off. “The last time Luke got sick, I made him some soup that soothed his sore throat and cleared up his sinuses. I’m not sure if you’ll have all the ingredients, but I can go to the market if I have to. Now, that shirt?”

Barbatos sighed and began to undo his coat before unbuttoning his shirt. “I’m well enough to do laundry and cook.”

“And I’m in better health for both. Or do you not trust me to help out?” Simeon tilted his head slightly. That was a dirty trick.

So, of course, Barbatos had to concede. He handed his soiled shirt to Simeon. “Alright, just don’t push yourself for my sake. You could get sick, too – especially if you go out in the cold rain. We should have enough ingredients – if it’s the soup I think you’re talking about.”

“Oh, right! You’re the one who sent me that recipe.” Simeon laughed at his own forgetfulness as he tucked the shirt over his arm. He glanced out the massive window in Barbatos’s room. Somehow, he hadn’t noticed the gentle rain hitting the glass. It had grown particularly dark, and a thin mist obscured the usual view. A soft, content sigh left Simeon. “I didn’t realize the rain was here already, but I guess we’re both guilty of being oblivious.”

“I beg your pardon?” Barbatos was never – or almost never – accused of being oblivious. Often, he was accused of being quite the opposite. “What makes you say that?”

“You haven’t realized that I don’t mind the risk of getting sick.” Simeon leaned in, lifted Barbatos’s mask, and pulled it down before kissing him gently. Simeon’s hand rested on Barbatos’s bare chest, feeling his heart pound. “You’re worth it.”

Barbatos yanked his mask back up the second Simeon pulled away, determined to hide his smile and blush. “You’re certainly bold, angel.”

“You deserve to be cared for once in a while. I promise that the next time I get sick, I’ll let you dote on me.” Simeon pet Barbatos with a chuckle before sliding his hand down from Barbatos’s soft hair to his injured hand. “For now – at least until the rain lets up – let yourself go and trust in my capable hands.”

Suddenly, Barbatos wished that it would rain all through the night.