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exalted-dawn-drabbles · 8 months ago

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Hey Hey Ed So y'know how we were getting a little unhinged the other night? Well GOOD NEWS it's friday and I have an oc x oc prompt for you!!

For some Tal & Hamin, "The dark collects our empties, empties our ashtrays. ([The dark collects…], Ben Lerner)" from the poetry prompts list.

OKAY SO I DID MY BEST WITH THIS ONE. I am new to Hamin so please if I made any character errors, lemme know and I would be happy to fix. But also I love them and think they would make great friends so long as Tal isnt trying to kill her LOL uwu Anyway, enjoy!

for @dadrunkwriting

Rated G: Tension and mild violence, ~1.5k words

Stained by Ash and Darkness | By Exalted_Dawn

“There is someone watching you.”

The warning floated in the dark corners of Hamin’s mind, a low roll like thunder on the horizon. Hamin stilled, her hands going to rest upon the hilt of one dagger. She had specifically picked this route to avoid enemies. The lower valleys were flooded with dueling mages and templars– too much of a death trap to be worth the convenience of the roads. And besides, the sound of all the fighting had scared most of the game away regardless.

“An enemy?” she murmured, praying instead that it was simply a lost kid in the woods.

There was a pause.

“I am unsure. They hide amongst the trees, but they are alone, and… they do not seem to be like the rest.”

A rogue bandit perhaps? Fuck, but she really hoped it wasn’t a templar. The last thing she needed was for some deserter to try their hand at easier pickings for food and coin and get close enough to find out she was a mage.

Hamin kneeled, playing pretend at having found some fungi for harvest. If they were a threat, it would be better if they still thought themselves unnoticed. At least for a little while– long enough until she could get away “How far back?”

“About thirty… maybe forty feet back. They are hard to follow.”

That close? Hamin’s brow furrowed.

Even with the din of the forest and the far away battles, she should have been able to hear the crunching of leaves of the drag of a lazy step. Especially if they were wearing armor. But as she stood and began walking again– listening– she heard nothing at all. Ten feet. Fifty. And still not a sound. Without the ghost, she doubted she would have picked up on the presence of her tail at all. And thatshe hadn’t been told otherwise likely meant they were probably still following her.

She ground her teeth.

Fuck her poor luck harder than a bear in heat. Why did this have to happen to her now, when she was so far out from the scouting camps?

Thinking quickly, Hamin chanced a few more measures of length before ducking behind a small bend of trees and skirting her way down a sharp drop off in the rocks. It was a steep hill, and she could feel loose gravel giving way beneath her feet, threatening to either shred them or trip her. But she was willing to take either of those odds against possibly going back to the Circle. She was free now, and free she would stay.

Coming to a stumbling stop at the base of the hill, she took off in a full on sprint. They may not have been her woods, but she would still wager she knew them better than any human at least.

The world was a blur of verdant waves as she ran, launching over twisted roots and around thistle bushes. She was swallowed up by swaying shadows, a veil of the forest’s weaving. But still, she heard nothing. Not a clank or a clamor or a shout. Certainly no curse words thrown at her. Huffing hard, she did not dare look back.

“Are they still following me?” she cried out loud, ducking beneath a low branch.

“Yes, but-”

Suddenly, there was a dagger stuck into the wood of the tree in front of her, right where her head had been. It thrummed still with the power of the throw, but that is not what caught her attention most. The design– she recognized it. Ironbark, carved with a rune for-

“Ah tits-!”

She dodged backwards, just in time for the tree to explode into a shower of wood and lightning. But even if she had evaded that attack, she realized too late she had made an error in backpedaling. Before she could turn to right her balance, there was a knife held tight against her throat, another pressed into her gut. Whoever stood at her back was roughly her height– their mouth perfectly level against her ear to hear the hissed insult.

“Thief.”

She turned her face to see stark gold eyes. A sweep of dark hair. Gaunt features. Ash smudged cheeks. And Mythal’s vallaslin beneath. A Dalish elf. But what had she meant by-?

There was a slicing noise as the kill she had collected a few hours was cut free from her belt, the lack of weight causing her to stumble a little and cut her skin against the sharpened knife blade.

Hamin winced, straightening her neck away from the dagger, stumbling over her words. “H-Hold, lethallan. Aneth’ara. I am of clan Virnehn. A hunter, not a thief.” They were spat in quick succession, hoping to sway the elf before she decided to cut her throat for having wandered too close.

Just to prove her harmlessness, she lifted her hands away from her belt, where her own knives still sat sheathed. She wanted no confrontation today, especially not with someone who had her weapons to Hamin’s throat.

“If I stole from you, then it was unintentional. I was sent to empty Inquisition traps,” she explained. “I must have made a mistake.” Even though she was nearly certain she hadn’t. If it had been a Dalish trap, she would have recognized the make of it, she was pretty sure.

She chanced another glance over her shoulder when she did not receive an answer. The elf was studying her suspiciously, eyes flicking between her face and her weapons belt. Now that Hamin had a bit of a clearer look, she could tell that the woman was more than just a bit gaunt. The darkness clung to the ridges of her protruding bones, and her clothes, which hung loose on her frame, were almost entirely smothered in scorch marks and ash.

…The victim of one of the mage skirmishes then. And a very malnourished one at that.

“The shems are reckless to throw their magic around as they have been,” she tried, forcing herself to meet the woman’s sharp gaze. “They’ve been setting the forests on fire, and scaring off all the game. Scorching and starving out the woods. If you like, I can build a fire and we can share that. I can also heal you if you need…”

The voice in her head piped up, wary. “Hamin. It is not wise-”

She did it anyway, letting a bit of mana flicker to her fingers. What else was there left to lose, if she could not convince the woman to let her go?

“I’m a friend. I promise. So, sathan, if you could let me go?” Green eyes met gold, reflected in the canopy above them both. A bit of sun poked through, shining dappled light on the woman’s cheeks. A light, plum colored purple, and not the black of the forests’ shadows she had assumed them to be.

There was a single, tense motionless second where she thought she might have blown it. That perhaps, out of safety, the other elf might assume she was simply an elven apostate, among the number who have been causing so much chaos and destruction in the lands below, and choose to kill her anyway. It is what most Dalish might have done, to protect their clans, but as she breathed in, and then out in one, strained exhale, the hold on her neck loosened, and then retreated all together.

She breathed a sigh of relief.

“Serannas,” she said, turning as she touched the nick at her throat and sealed it with a spell. “May I have your name?”

There was still mistrust in the woman’s gaze as she watched. A flickering in her eyes.

“Where is your vallaslin?” the stranger asked, speaking with the all-too-familiar lilt of the People.

Well that was a fair question, she supposed. “A long story– and one better told around a fire, if you wouldn’t mind it.”

Slowly, the woman lowered her guard, and sheathed her daggers at her belt. Barely, she tilted her head in a nod.

Hamin walked up to the tree that had been partially blown to bits and tugged the dagger free from its center. It was undented– a beautiful work of woodcarving and smithing. She flipped the small dagger in her hand and then held it out to the woman. Tentatively, she tried again. “Andaran Atishan. I am Meldiriel of clan Virnehn, but I go by Hamin.”

Equally as hesitant, the woman extended her hand and took the knife. “Talenna, formerly of clan Ethera. Now, though, I am clanless.”

Clanless? Then they were alike.

She nodded. “Well, Talenna, if you would allow me, I would like to offer you my help.”

Another second passed, and then surprisingly, Talenna scoffed. “I would prefer your food, but… I will not deny help when it is offered.”

A small smile twitched to her lips. “I will prepare the rabbit if you build the fire?”

Talenna nodded. “It is a deal.”

#dadwc #dragon age fanfiction #dragon age #talenna ethera #hamin surana

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alphabetboyluvr · 1 year ago

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Holly, I just wanna know how your brain works???!!!🤣

How can you write different stories at the same time??? How is it possible? Different characters, different plots. OC have their own personalities. How can you maintain it?

I’m a journalist. I write too but I write about real people, I don’t have to think that C and B are not the same…

Writers are wizards for me…

Love your books sooo much!

Have a good evening!

he he this made me smile cause I'm a bjtc accredited journo, I just had a gap year after uni and then the pandemic hit and I ended up in South Korea for two years LMAO. I should have been working in the industry with you but instead..... I am doing this hahaha. maybe one day our paths will cross!!

so our brains probably work in quite similar ways. journos have a responsibility to report faithfully, but they also have to persuade people to care about their stories. with fics, you're not restricted to facts and so it's a lot more fun!! you just have to make people care!!

but I think my background and my degree really proved the importance of research and knowing what you write about - I watched hours upon hours of boxing matches in the background of what I was doing today just to understand how it works and I like to think the research I put in reflects in my stories?? idk. everything I write is pretty much a first draft cause I'm a bit lazy with it lol but still!!

the simple answer is that my brain is a mess.

typically, I focus on two fics at a time - one will be happy and one will be angsty. this way I can switch between the two depending on my mood (atm we have bd and throttle, but for a long time it was cv and icarus).

idk if this will have explained anything, but this ask really made me smile!! hope ur crushing it out there in the journalism world x

#ask #bd #throttle

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imscaredofart · 1 year ago

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A fic about my oc and neloth that I have several wips for but I don't think I'll ever finish

Neloth is Neloth. Obviously. Tenvyn is a dunmer who just randomly appeared one day and asked if he could work for neloth. That's it. That's the plot

... and then, the liquid must be stirred; slowly, on low heat. After it eventually begins to boil, add just a little bit of Ash Salt, and it should combine all the ingredients together, sort of like glue, in a way. But be careful when you do that, because if it is more or less acceptable to fail the stirring process (although, if you're dunce enough to do that, maybe you should reconsider some of your life choices, and, preferably, crawl back into your mother's womb), but if you add too much of it, your concucntion might explode and cover everything around it with dust, so-

“Master Neloth! It's me! Hi!”

As the door to Neloth's laboratory was slam opened with a loud bang, his hand shook in surprise, which resulted in him adding just enough Ash Salt for it to be exactly too much. Before the dunmer could even curse or do anything, really, the mixture on his alchemy table exploded, covering him and the surrounding area with a thick layer of, well, ash.

The intruder coughed.

“Oh, I see that you're busy, then I'll just-”

“No. Stay.”

Neloth sighed deeply. He could hear the intruder flinch and shift their weight from one foot to another. An uncomfortable (not to Neloth. Neloth felt quite comfortable, actually) silence fell upon the room; the air so thick with unease you could easily cut it with a knife... it's either this or the dust that was still settling down. Probably the latter.

“Master Neloth, I'm so, so sorry.”

Like Oblivion you are, Neloth thought to himself. Of course he perfectly knew who was the culprit of his now failed experiment that took the Telvanni mage months to finally get a grasp on. Of course he perfectly knew who would ignore all his warnings and borderline threats to never, ever disturb him during his work. Of course he perfectly knew who would be intellectually inept enough to stand still and try to apologise instead of running as far as one can in a futile effort of saving one's pathetic excuse of a life.

“Tenvyn. What a pleasant surprise,” Neloth spoke as he turned around to his so-called 'servant', or rather 'errands boy that occasionally happens to be his lab rat.' “And here I was hoping that you have finally allowed me a moment of peace in your absence.”

Tenvyn was a Dunmer, and a very young at that; and as far as Neloth knew (and cared) he was not a part of any well-known family, or any family to that matter, and Tenvyn's only affiliation with a Great House was his service to Neloth. And even then, he wasn't his official servant - this fool just made awfully good cannis root tea.

“Don't worry, Master Neloth, I'd never leave your side!” Tenvyn gave Neloth what he would assume was a reassuring smile. Neloth didn't even try hiding it as he rolled his eyes and groaned in frustration. “Unless you really want me to, which I guess you-”

“I said, stay. Do you not understand words?”

To that, Tenvyn did not answer - something that was very in-character for him. He simply stood in the same place, expression unreadable, dark red eyes wide and blinking. Like a guar in the candlelight spell.

“Do you remember what I've told you about barging into my laboratory when I am working?”

No answer followed.

“Tenvyn?”

And then i got lazy

#oc #original character #writing #elder scrolls oc #tes #tesblr

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justoneofthoseghosts · 2 years ago

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You bring up a really great point about most of the viewers of shows are casual viewers, I think that those of us in the fandom often forget this. At the end if the day, it's a business for them. PD is a very good example of this. I don't know what happened behind the scenes with JLS but it seems to me that both sides were not able to agree on contracts. Did it hurt the franchise, maybe to those who were big fans of Halstead and his relationship, but for a casual viewer not so much. The ratings haven't been terrible for PD, it didn't drop drastically as some have made it out to be. The show has still been able to move on with major cast departures, and this applies to Med and Fire as well, because a majority of the people watching are casual viewers, they have no stake in favorite characters or ships, it's just another show in a line up of shows they watch.

I also see where fan service can come into play and how it can help and hurt a franchise. For me that's a good and a bad thing, especially for those who only watch shows for ships.

Look at 'The Rookie' they finally got Chenford together but this often scares me because if the writers are not good at making the characters multidimensional, those two will only be tied together. With no growth for characters only the relationship and often times is the female character who suffers like Hawkami and the writers putting the ships growth before the character (Violet). Or they can scream dislike of the show until the end of the show like New Amsterdam fans.

It's going to be interesting how the absence of TK will affect CF and how NBC chooses to go forward should he decides to permanently step away instead of returning.

Sorry if this came off as a tangent but something I was thinking about after I read your anon.

I agree with all of this, Nonny! And no need to apologize. My inbox is always open to any thoughts you and others may have 🤗

While streaming has been on the rise, a lot of these network procedurals still draw in so many causal viewers and OC has Wednesday nights in a chokehold. It was a great decision for NBC to line them up in one night because that does increase ratings and I noticed how Fire's increased beginning season 7.

I am wondering though why they haven’t announced renewals yet but maybe Wolf Entertainment is still trying to negotiate a deal for another multi season renewal. Procedurals tend to run longer than other types of shows, in my opinion, because even with cast changes, people still tune in. Most viewers aren’t really tuning in for the ships. They want some type of entertainment through action or cases and probably something to take their minds off their busy day. CSI ran for 15 seasons even with a lot of the cast leaving and new characters coming in. I can honestly see the same thing happening for OC if NBC decides to keep the 10 pm hour after next season and if they continue to get renewed. For actors, while it is a stable, paying gig, sometimes they might want change or some new challenge. Playing the same character for x years can be tiring too, While we can’t speculate about Taylor and his LOA, and I hope he's okay, if he decides not to come back, they can look for another actor with a similar level of popularity and make him the lead. It opens up more writing opportunities (or maybe rehashing old storylines lol) but Jesse and potentially, Taylor leaving doesn't mean the shows are over. Same for PD with JLS (and I am quite curious about what went down with that) and Med with all the cast changes.

You bring up a good point on fan service too. Writers seem to scroll through fandom Twitter or social media to see what people are buzzing about. Love it when they give in to it but also, there’s a bit too much bad writing on these networks. 22 episode seasons are a doozy unlike shorter shows on streaming sites or UK shows that only have 6 to 10 episodes which leaves less room for error or lazy writing or fillers but again, the base the writers are playing too is less the fandom but more casual viewers who they need to keep tuning in weekly. Casual viewers don't really analyze when a character is OOC or if a ship tanked.

At the end of the day, we can scream, sigh, fangirl/boy about everything about TV and that’s just the roller coaster of emotions. TV shows should be fun and (maybe if it isn't all the time) a stress free way to unwind!

#answered #anon tag

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mando-abs · 3 years ago

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Caged Inn (Series)

Chapter 1: New Greetings

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Pairing: Din Djarin x f!reader

Rating: 18+ (only bc it might get steamy later, but also minors dni w/ my blog in general)

WC: 2.3k

Summary: An assumingly unreadable and broad mandalorian comes to stay at your inn. Will this be your chance to confide in someone? Or will the town and your overbearing feelings for the newcomer get to him first?

A/N: This takes place sometime after season 2, but forget about the whole mand'alor mumbo jumbo. It'll save me and the plot the headache, trust me. Also, let's just believe the Razor Crest survived as well. Okay? Good. But Grogu is still at Jedi Camp.

Planting these moon pansies was a mistake. You shouldn’t have brought it up to Clyde. Honestly, you don’t know why you put in any effort to spruce up the inn at all. Sure, it’s mostly cathartic, and it’s not like you're going to find much else work in this Maker-forsaken town. And it’s not like your lanky sleeze of a boss is going to help. If it’s anyone who’s running things around here, it’s you. Your pockets have never reflected that though. So, here you are, attempting to clear this infestation of vines trying to suffocate your delicate flowers.

Moon pansies do just fine on their own. They thrive under any light, only need watering two or three times a week, and acclimate to any weather (except during cases of extreme heat or cold). They do not, however, take kindly to weeds. It’s still a bit of a mystery why they’re so finicky about their flower bed mates, but the results are clear. The flowers just give up when weeds are present and let them take over.

Oh, but the beautiful glow they emit at night, bright blue luminescence for all to see. That’s why you planted them along the path to the inn in the first place. Unassuming pretty flowers during the day, bold and magnificent wonders of the galaxy at night. You hoped it would attract what few travelers you get this time of year to stop by and stay the night, but the only thing it seems to draw out is the sweat and dirt accumulating on your overalls. You can’t imagine how dirty these gardening gloves have gotten your pant legs after wiping away dirt out of habit. If these flowers did attract the guests you wanted, maybe they would raise enough chatter about how hard you worked out here, make Clyde feel like an ass, and inadvertently get him off his ass to do something for once.

When a large shadow comes beside the particular pair of pansies you’re working on, you didn’t realize at the time how much your prayers were truly answered. A tall Mandalorian stands over you with his head turned to the side almost in quiet reverie, most of his body reflecting the midday sun around the shadow he’s created. You place your pruner and trowel off to the side and squint up at the spectacle traveler. You remind yourself to give your warmest customer service smile. The last thing you want is another potential customer to be turned off and away from you.

“Hello! What brings you here?” Was that too condescending? Honestly, the simplest job all day… This snaps the Mandalorian back into posture, his gear hanging near his shoulders rattling. You raise a hand up in reassurance. “Sorry! I didn’t mean to ruffle your feathers. I just…” you sigh and recompose yourself. You respond again more toned down, “How may I help you?”

The Mandalorian looks up at the inn and back down at your crouching form. “Does this lodging have a vacancy?”

Oh wow. For as large the stature of this Mandalorian is, his voice shouldn’t catch you off guard as much as it is right now. How can a sound so gentle come out from metal so rigid?

You clear your throat. “You’re in luck! All we have are vacancies - it's slow season.” Your subconscious decides it’s time for a break from gardening as it takes off your gloves for you. All of your focus goes into observing the new guest. Not that there’s much to see other than steel, but his whole body almost takes up your field of vision. It makes you wonder what he looks like if he shed his armor, how sturdy his frame would be, how large his proportions go…

You stand up and shake any remaining dirt (and intrusive thoughts). When you look back at the Mandalorian, he’s shuffling back to give you some room and readjusting his grip on his gear. It’s quite a bit, and it looks heavy. You toss whatever distractions away from the forefront of your head and fully hone in on assistant mode.

“I’m sorry, let me help you with that.” You begin to reach for one of his bags when he pulls his shoulder back.

“Please, I’m fine, but thank you.”

You raise your eyebrows and nod your head moderately. “No, I insist -“ but you continue on, and your eyes zero in on the “rod” the Mandalorian is using to carry his items. It’s a weapon, a large one and he’s packing some serious heat. Ok - better choice of words next time.

“I apologize but it’s business policy to not allow unlicensed weapons on the property. If you want to bring in that rifle, we have to file your registration papers.”

The Mandalorian looks at the wooden lodging and then faces you again. “Is this your inn?”

You raise an eyebrow and cross your arms. “Call me an assistant manager.”

“Do assistant managers normally dig up flower beds?”

Oh, so he’s got jokes, huh? It didn’t seem like he was trying to be condescending by tone of voice, but he’s certainly poking the lexu with a stick. Still, it doesn’t prevent you from smiling. “This one does, yes.”

He tries reaching out with his hand, but immediately resists due to the imbalance on his shoulders. He sighs. “I don’t mean any harm to you or your establishment. I do not have any licenses for any of my weapons. However, these weapons are an extension of my beliefs. I need them.”

You look him up and down (not that you already haven’t - just trying act loose and unbothered by the admission to having multiple weapons on hand). He doesn’t sound like a killer, but killers don’t have to sound rough to be rough.

But he is being honest. Honesty is hard to come by this millennium. Honest or not, you still give him the run down any suspicious guests receive.

“You’re a Mandalorian, right?” you inquire, keeping your composure still while becoming stone faced. Intimidation. Not your best feat by far, but it usually picks off the randos that show up at your door. You don’t consider running away any suspicious characters count toward any reprimands both from Clyde or your inner critic.

“Yes. They call me Mando,” he responds without any tone or infliction.

You inch a bit closer. It’s hard to tell if he’s put up a shield too or if he’s always this stone cold. “If what I’ve heard from the stories is true, you’re not far from the truth. But tell me Mando, why do you carry so much fire power?”

“It’s for my occupation.”

Closer. “Occupation?”

“Bounty Hunter.”

Even closer, almost touching him. You look into his visor, searching for his eyes and praying you lock onto them. “You got a keen eye there, Mando?”

“Sharp.”

He hasn’t broken once (not that you could tell or that you’re incredibly intimidating, but you guess that’s a reason for the armor, proving another point of his admissions). “Tell you what. I’ll allow you to stay as long as you keep those weapons out of sight from my boss. Am I clear?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“And in exchange, I will keep your secret by accepting your credits - and a story.” You smile back at him, relaxing your stance.

Mando moves his head back, the first movement he’s made in a hot minute. “A story?”

You step away from him to clear up the dizzying space you’ve created between the two of you. You could hardly take much more of it yourself without your heart going into crisis. You’ll take his small break as a victory. Little as it is, but hey, it’s something. “Yeah! It gets kinda boring around here and I have a good feeling you’re sitting on a great one…or twelve.” You poke the middle of his chest plate, square in the diamond.

“I’m not the talking type.”

You giggle as you make the first move for the both of you to start walking toward the inn. “I never pegged that you were! But I do believe it’s nothing a Mandalorian can’t handle,” you say playfully with your voice a bit higher to tease.

“Alright, it’s a deal.”

Hahaha! Nothing like a bruised mandalorian’s ego to make a victory so sweet. But, did you manage to pressure him into friendly conversation? He didn’t put up that much of a fight. Maybe he’s actually interested in talking with you, let alone sparing some time to sit with you. Was that a smile you could hear in his voice just then? You’re thinking way too much into things. He needs a place to rest, and with his load, he’s got to spend it somewhere. Seriously, you gotta stop it with the innuendos.

As the two of you approach the inn, you quickly jump ahead to unlock the door to swiftly usher the (presumably) exhausted mandalorian in.

“Sorry, my boss usually takes off mornings and afternoons to rest and wander about to the village. I have to lock up if I’m out.”

Mando looks back to you and follows your movement behind the wooden concierge desk off to the leftmost wall. “I don’t remember seeing a village on my way here.”

You try to speak up to let your voice carry over to the mandalorian as you face the wall of room keys to search for the best room. “Oh, well, the surrounding forests can get a bit dense in patches. It’s further up the river, east.”

“Thank you. I’ll make sure to check it out.”

After you turn around, you give a singsong sigh and a closed smile to him. It’s after a beat that you realize you can’t give Mando his room key due to his preoccupied hands and that he needs assistance.

“Oh! Let me show you to your room.”

You scramble over to the mandalorian and make way down the hall only to stop at the room closest to the corner on the right. You unlock the door with the metal room key and pan out your hand to welcome Mando into his new room. He wastes no time in moving in to settle his things off his shoulders and onto the mattress with a large thud.

“Corner rooms give you just enough extra space compared to the other rooms. But don’t tell Clyde I told you that or else he’d charge extra. Just figured you’d like the added room, gives you more hiding spots.” You wink at him.

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

There’s that politeness again. Are you imagining things? Is this real? Is this a setup from Clyde to see if you’re actually doing your job? In which case, you are definitely not. Not that you would care. Not really. Not deep down. You try not to let the comments or threats from anyone get to you anymore. You know your worth in your own right, and you’ve grown despite the conditions, in spite of them. But, maybe this rough-on-the-edges mandalorian standing in front of you knows your worth, too. Maybe the legends left out an important detail. Just maybe, there’s something more…

“Is everything okay?” Mando chimes in your thoughts.

It’s now that you realize you’ve been staring at him and his belongings for way too long. Even the mandalorian seems to feel awkward. He keeps flexing his fingers and making them into impossibly tight fists. Maker, you’ve got to say something!

“Have you ever killed a man?” you ask Mando with the blankest, doe-eyed expression on your face. You immediately cringe at your own first line of defense dialogue. Nice going…

Mando chuckles and places his thumbs to hug his belt. You dare not follow your gaze with them. “Do you always ask this to your guests?”

You nervously laugh and bring your hand to the back of your neck. “Only the interesting ones.”

“Right. Well,” Mando steps closer to reach for the side of the door while looking at your face, “I guess you’ll have to find out at story time.” You break his eye contact for a moment to catch a peak at his irresistible yet fully clothed and armored bicep hanging mere inches from you as he closes in. He has to be teasing at this point. Why else would he be torturing you so?

“Yeah. Right.” You fumble out into the hallway, making breathy attempts at a laugh to try to salvage whatever cool remains in you. “Well, I’ll be at the front desk if you need me. Rest easy.”

“You, too, sen’ika.” Mando comfortably replies as he nods and slowly shuts the door.

Even though your brain and stomach is guttering with embarrassment as you fast walk down the hall on your way back to the desk, your heart can’t help but soar at the thought of learning more about your patron. It’s highly ridiculous that you would even entertain the thought of sitting down with a potential murder. But hey, he’s a bounty hunter. It’s not like you can blame the guy. You know full well his line of work can get choppy from time to time, and jobs in this galaxy are hard to come by. You guess what you're most interested in is a clean slate. Someone who you have no clue about, and someone who doesn’t know about you. You get the first say in your story. Nobody else. And yet, so does he.

As you prop your head in your hands and stare out the windows to the meticulously kept flowers up front, you begin to finally indulge in what you want for yourself and not what others want from you. Things may be starting to finally get interesting around here.

A/N: Sorry if it’s a bit rushed at the end, but I just really want to get this out in the open. Also, Din called reader “little bird” at the end if you were wondering what that meant. Hopefully, I can get to writing the next chapter in the next week or so instead of a month or so. Thank you all for being so nice and encouraging. It means a lot. As God as my witness, my new year’s resolution is uploading more writing on this blog. Hope you all enjoy!

Tags: @moodsare @mindidjarin @samanthacookieone @paintlavillered @mswarriorbabe80

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wiypt-writes · 4 years ago

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You Cut A Mean Rug, Doll Face

Bucky Barnes One Shot

Summary: It’s no secret that Bucky Barnes has women falling at his feet, but it’s very rarely the other way round. He’s the love ‘em and leave ‘em type, well according to Steve anyway. So, when you find him hiding to avoid a certain Private’s advances, it amuses you no end…until she shows up and you find yourself offering to be his ‘Fake Date’ for Stark’s upcoming USO Gala Dance.

Fake Dating in the middle of a war…what could possibly go wrong?

Warnings: Bad language words. Smut. (NSFW 18+)

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader

A/N: So this is written as part of @anika-ann’s 1111 Follower Challenge. Congratulations darling! My prompt was Fake Dating.

Disclaimer: This is a pure work of fiction and classified as 18+. Please respect this and do not read if you are underage. I do not own any characters in this series bar reader and any other OCs that may or may not be mentioned. By reading beyond this point you understand and accept the terms of this disclaimer.

**********

“Hey, Steve.” You greeted the blonde super soldier as you walked into the little make-shift kitchen, deep in the underground London SSR HQ.

“Afternoon, Agent.” He nodded and you rolled your eyes, picking a piece of fluff off your khaki green uniform jacket.

“Seriously, after everything we’ve pulled together we’re still at agent?” You raised an eyebrow drawing a soft chuckle from the man in front of you as he poured a coffee into one of the tin mugs on offer, holding it out to you.

“Sorry, force of habit. Y/N. That better?”

“Much.” You nodded, taking the mug with a thanks, pulling a face as you took a sip. “God, all the technology we have and I still can’t get a decent cup of Joe.”

“Maybe you should have a word with Stark.” Steve shrugged. “He seems to be able to lay his hands on most things, rationing be dammed.”

“Well, you’re the man with the plan and he’s the man that can.” A smirk pulled at your face as you watched Steve fight the urge to roll his eyes. “Anyway, where’s Barnes? Colonel Phillips is riding my ass about a report he hasn’t filed. Keeps moaning on about us being unable to run strategic operations if we don’t actually do any strategizing.”

At that Steve’s face broke into a grin. “He’s hiding.”

“Hiding?” You frowned. “Chester isn’t that scary, he’s a pussy cat if you figure out how to make him purr.”

“Okay there are so many things wrong with what you just said that I’m not even going to go into.” Steve snorted and you flashed him a grin as he continued. “He ain’t hiding from Phillips, he’s hiding from Private Lorraine.”

“Why?” You paused, mug hovering an inch or so from your mouth.

“Well according to Stark who heard from Jones who heard from-“

“Yeah, yeah, skip to the interesting bit about why Barnes his hiding like the cowardly lion” You cut him off and he raised his eyebrows, his smirk growing wider.

“She wants him to ask her to that USO dance gala thing Stark is hosting.”

At that you felt the heat in your neck, jealousy, at the thought of the blue-eyed solider you’d been harbouring a crush on for months, like some love sick teenager, dancing with someone else. You carefully held Steve’s eyes and licked your lips, hoping you hadn’t given yourself away too much.

“Of course she does.” You shrugged, clearing your throat. “But that doesn’t answer my question. Why is he hiding?”

“He doesn’t want to go with her.” Steve shrugged, taking another sip of his drink and this time you did absolutely nothing to stop the grin that spread across your face.

“How come?”

At that Steve hesitated for a moment before he popped a shoulder again, slightly avoiding your eye line. "No idea."

You knew he was lying, he was notoriously bad at it, but before you could call him out, a deep voice spoke from the doorway.

"Sure your Ma told you it was rude to talk about people behind their backs, Stevie." Bucky grumbled as he walked into the room.

"Yeah, and I'm sure yours told you it was rude to do a lot of things that you still do anyway." Steve shot back and Bucky merely rolled his eyes, walking to the coffee pot and helping himself.

"Well, I’m astounded." You looked at Bucky as he turned around, leaning slightly against the small units that lined the room. "James Buchanan Barnes is fanning a woman away."

"Yeah, I don’t make a habit of it, Doll Face." He eyed you shrewdly over his mug.

"Still, never thought I'd see the day." You hummed, sipping your drink.

Bucky rolled his eyes and gestured with his mug towards Steve. "Now you sound like him."

"So, humour me, Barnes. What is it about her that’s making you run for the hills?"

Bucky hesitated for a moment before he winkled his nose and answered you. "She’s not my type."

"Really? I thought every woman was your type."

At that, Steve gave a chuckle. "She's got you there, Buck. I don't think I saw you without one before you shipped off."

"Shut up, Steve." Bucky bit back before he gave a low groan. "She's just..."

"Just what?" You scoffed. "Tall, blonde with big, come-to-bed eyes and pouty red lips? What's not to fall over? Dum Dum follows her around like a dog."

"Sweetheart, Dum Dum would probably chase a pig wearing lipstick if he thought he had a chance." Bucky looked at you his eyebrow raised and you heard Steve give a little snort of laughter. You turned slowly to him, and his eyes widened a little as you narrowed your eyes.

"What's your excuse?"

"His excuse?" Bucky paused, mug poised at his lips as Steve began to flounder over his words, a pink flush spreading into his cheeks.

“Yeah, he kissed her.” You informed and Buck gave a loud groan, placing his mug down on the side. "Peggy caught them, big time."

"She kissed me." Steve protested and at that Bucky sighed.

"What has my life become? Seriously?" He shook his head, his eyes flicking between you and Steve. "I’m hiding because I don’t wanna go dancing with some broad whilst this punks beating ‘em off with a stick."

"Shield." You corrected as Steve made an exasperated noise in his throat.

"I’m in a nightmare, right?" Bucky finished.

"’Fraid not, Buckaroo." You placed your now empty mug besides his on the wooden counter. "But I suggest that you get your report to me on the Dresden raid or you really will be in a bad dream. Colonel Phillips wants them pronto and I'm not taking the flack because you're too lazy to do it."

Bucky groaned. "How am I supposed to think about that with all this other shit going on?"

"Nice to see you have your priorities straight." Steve scoffed and Bucky glared at him but before he could reply, a loud girly laugh filled the kitchen and you saw Bucky still.

"There you are!" Private Lorraine spoke and you exchanged a glance with Steve, a look of utter glee spreading across his face at his friend's discomfort. "I was beginning to think you were avoiding me, Sergeant Barnes."

"Now what on Earth would give you that idea?" You quipped. As usual, she completely ignored you and watched as Bucky turned to look at her.

"Well, you found me." He nodded, a false smile spreading across his face.

"Yeah, I did. So, err, this dance, do you have a date or..."

Bucky took a deep breath, "well, the thing is..."

"Yes, he does." You blurted out, before you could stop yourself. You stepped forward and slipped your hand into his, ignoring the shocked look he gave you as you stood by his side. "He's going with me."

"You?" Lorraine looked at you, her eyebrows shooting up so high they almost disappeared into her hairline.

"Yes, me." You smiled. "So, you'll have to find someone else to go with. I think Duggan might be free."

"Well, suppose there's no accounting for taste." The blonde woman in front of you looked you up and down and you bristled under her glare, your nostrils flaring angrily. Sure, you might not have her model looks, hell, you might not even be conventionally pretty in some eyes, but you sure weren’t going to make her let you feel like shit. You'd been brought up by a loving family who made you realise your worth and that despite what anyone else said, you were just as good as them. You continued to hold her gaze and eventually she licked her lips and looked away.

"Well, erm, that's..." she clicked her tongue against her cheek, before deciding to cut her losses and she left the room.

The three of you stood in silence before Bucky turned to look at you, a smirk spreading across his face. "You, are a genius!" He pressed a kiss to your cheek and you swallowed slightly, feeling the heat in your neck. "I owe you, big time."

"Yeah, you do." You shrugged. "You can start by doing that damned report. And then you’re buying me a drink at the Gala, seeing as we're, you know, fake dating."

"You got it, Doll." Bucky saluted, flashing you a wink.

"Fake dating?" Steve muttered, and you turned to look at him as he shook his head, looking up at the ceiling. "I've heard it all now."

You cleared you throat, and removed your hand from where it was still in Bucky’s and swallowed. "I need to get going. That report, Barnes. Don’t forget."

"Anything for you, Darlin'." Bucky grinned.

You gave him a last little smile, and then turned leaving the room letting out an inward groan.

What the hell had you just got yourself into?

****

“Why did I do this?” You sighed, looking at your reflection in the mirror, shaking your head.

“Because you’re sweet on him.” Peggy matter of factly replied and you shot her a look in the mirror. She gave you a knowing smirk and you sighed.

“I just felt sorry for him, okay?”

“Sorry for him?”

“Yeah, you know what she’s like, she wouldn’t leave him alone.”

“Admirable.” Peggy nodded, stepping forward so she was behind you, reaching up to fix another pin into your up do. “So what’s your master plan? Act the part tonight and break up tomorrow?”

You shrugged. “Haven’t thought that far.”

“I doubt you’ve thought at all.” The brunette looked at you, her perfectly shaped eyebrow raising slightly.

“You know, you and Steve really are a match made in heaven.” You scoffed, stepping to the side as you smoothed down the dress you were wearing. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it traced your curves perfectly and made a nice change from the uniform you spent every day wearing. “Go take your righteous indignation and discuss it with him. That is if you’re speaking to him this week, I can never keep up.”

At that Peggy pursed her lips. “We’re not discussing me and Steve, we’re discussing you and how you’re going to get through the next however long pretending to date someone you actually want to date.”

“Well, it could be worse.” You shrugged.

“How?”

“I could be about to spend however long pretending to date someone I don’t like.”

Peggy looked at you for a second and you held her gaze, challenging her to say anything more on the matter. Eventually she merely raised her eyebrows before she turned and looked at the clock.

“We should go.”

With a deep breath you took one last glance at your reflection, grabbed the small clutch from the cot in your room and followed her out.

*****

The small dancehall in London's Soho District was packed with soldiers and civilian staff alike, and you accepted the drink offered to you by a waiter as you entered the main room, the Big Band already playing a bluesy-jazz number as background music, whilst people stood around the room, chatting. It didn’t take you long to locate Bucky. He was stood with Steve and the rest of the Howlies by the bar, all of them dressed in their best uniforms. Taking a deep breath, those pesky butterflies fluttering away in your stomach, you made your way over with Peggy and she let out an annoyed sigh as the men all blatantly looked the pair of you up and down.

“You’d think they’d never seen a woman before.” She mumbled and you scoffed out a laugh.

“Well, we’ve been running missions with them for that long maybe they’ve forgotten that we actually have boobs and a vagina.”

At that Peggy stopped to look at you, and the pair of you started to laugh.

“You are so uncouth.” She shook her head at you, as you linked your arm through hers and continued your path towards your team.

“Like I said, I’ve been in the field with these bozos for over a year, guess their bad habits are rubbing off on me.”

“Well, as long as that’s all that’s rubbing off on you.”

“Agent Carter!” Your mouth fell open in mock horror, turning to look at her as she continued facing forward, her lips quirked up at one side in a barely there smirk. “Now who’s being uncouth?”

“Ladies.” Dum-Dum greeted you with a tip of his bowler as you approached and you nodded to him, smiling before you turned to look at Bucky.

“Wow.” His eyes flicked up and down your form again, and you swallowed, a warm feeling spreading over you as his eyes took in your outfit and when his eyes finally met yours he cleared his throat and you gave him a small smile. “You err, look great. I mean, compared to how you usually look.”

At that Falsworth, Dum-Dum, Dernier, Jones and Morita all snorted as Steve let out a groan.

“Thanks. I think.” You frowned.

“No, I err…I didn’t mean it like that.” Bucky hastily began to back track as Dernier mumbled something in French, of which you caught the words ‘stupid idiot’, Jones hastily agreeing. “I just, well, it’s different to how I’ve seen you before.”

“Well a tight dress and courts ain’t exactly practical for hiking through woods and mounting stealth operations.” You shrugged, taking a sip of your drink. “But for the record, you look exactly the same as you usually do.”

At that the men all roared with laughter as Bucky sighed, dropping his head. “Guess I asked for that.”

Bucky watched as you gave him a small grin, before you turned to talk to Jones, and he took the chance to observe you properly. You looked good. You always did in his eyes but tonight, you were a knock out. Your dress hugged the curves of your thighs and hips, nipping in at the waist with a neckline that showed him just enough skin to leave him imagining what it would feel like to pepper your collarbone with kisses. Your hair was set in a perfect style, your lips rouged, you looked effortlessly stylish. He swallowed, sliding his finger in between the collar of his shirt and neck in an attempt to loosen the starched material as he suddenly flushed very, very warm. He felt timid, awkward, and that in itself made him feel a strange juxtaposition of irritated and amused. Bucky Barnes didn’t get nervous around women, that was Steve’s speciality. But here he was, flapping over how best to ask you if you wanted to get a drink whilst that punk was laughing away with Agent Carter hanging off his every word.

No, this wouldn’t do.

With a small cough, Bucky cleared his throat and dropped his hand to the base of your back. “You want a drink, Doll Face?”

You smiled up at him, blinking and nodded. “Yeah, thanks Buck. A gin would be great.”

Bucky waved over the bartender, placed your orders and had just turned back to you when he spotted the woman who’d thrown him into this mess in the first place, Private Lorraine arriving with some other poor, unsuspecting soldier from the unit. Bucky didn’t know his name, not that he cared.

“Hey,” he nudged you and you turned to face him and he jerked his head, “guess this fake date worked.”

You followed his eye-line and visibly bristled a little bit before you shook your head and shrugged. “Poor bastard.”

“You really don’t like her, do you?”

“Whatever gave you that idea?”

“Just a hunch.” Bucky smirked, passing you your drink, before he gestured with his arm for you to follow the group who were now moving away from the bar to find a table. “After you, Darlin’.”

*****

You had to admit, you’d had your reservations but as it turned out, the night was pretty fun. Whilst you’d been hyper aware of Bucky besides you, you felt reasonably relaxed. His arm had dropped round your shoulder at one point, pulling you in for a friendly hug, the way he often did out in the field, and you’d simply enjoyed being as close to him as you were.

Because, fake or not, a chance to date Bucky Barnes didn’t come along that often.

It was a couple of hours later when you both found yourself at the table with Steve who made an excuse he needed the bathroom and left. Bucky snorted as Steve headed across the room and shook his head.

“Bathroom, he must think we’re stupid. He’s gone to find Peggy.”

“Aww, don’t. I think it’s cute.” You smiled, turning to look at Bucky. “Don’t you? I mean we’re fighting a war and in the middle of all this bloodshed and horror, he’s found someone who…” you trailed off as Bucky was watching you, a strange expression on his face. “Or not…am I talking nonsense?”

“No, it’s not that.” Bucky shook his head. “I just, guess I never thought about it that way. But you’re right. Suppose none of us know how long we have left, especially at the moment.”

He trailed off, his eyes scanning yours for something, but what you weren’t sure. You felt your cheeks warm and you glanced down at your hands, before you turned to watch the dancing going on around you. It was crazy when you stopped to contemplate that, in the midst of all the devastation and destruction, life was still going on. Bucky was right, your time could be up in a flash at any point.

“Well, seeing as you put it so eloquently,” you looked at Bucky, jerking your head to the dance floor. “Wanna show me how it’s done in Brooklyn?”

“Do you mind if we don’t?” Bucky shook his head and your heart sank. “I just…well, I…”

“No, you don’t need to explain.” You hastily back tracked. “I just thought it might keep up appearances, that’s all.”

There was an awkward silence, Bucky studying you for a moment with an expression you really couldn’t place and then, well, it all became too much.

“I’m gonna go to the bathroom.” You made the same excuse Steve had given moments ago, and before Bucky could say anything, you rose from your seat and walked away, as dignified as you could, trying not to let the tears that were stinging your eyes fall down your face.

*****

Bucky watched you walk away from him, your movements graceful as you headed round the tables placed around the edge of the dance floor, taking care to avoid the groups of guests as you went. He let out a heavy sigh and shook his head. This was a mess. It had started out as a bit of fun, you helping him out, because that's what you did, but he'd been a wreck all night. Frankly, being in such close proximity to you was making his head swim.

He'd wanted to dance with you, he'd really wanted to dance with you, but he didn’t trust himself because the truth was he liked you. A lot and he had done so for a while. He wasn’t sure he could trust himself to hold you on the dance floor without trying to kiss the life out of you. So he’d said no, and let you walk away, and the look of hurt on your face was now burnt into his mind. With an angry snort he stood up and stalked to the bar, signalling for another drink.

He stood there, nursing his glass for what felt like an age, seething at his own stupidity until a familiar voice cut through his murderous thoughts.

"Did HYDRA scramble your brain or something, Buck?"

"What?" Bucky's brow furrowed as he turned to look at Steve.

"You’re missing a girl's signals."

"Signals, what are you..."

"Y/N, you dolt." Steve rolled his eyes.

"What about her?"

"She likes you, has for ages."

"I don’t think so, Steve" Bucky snorted.

Steve sighed and leaned against the bar as Bucky necked his scotch. "So explain the look she had on her face as she stalked passed me before.”

Bucky rolled his eyes. "She wanted a dance, dames love dancing. I said no.”

“And why did you do that?”

Bucky took a deep breath and didn’t answer. But he knew Steve could see right through him, the punk always could.

“Buck, what exactly did you think I meant that night at the bar when we first came to England a couple of months back? About Peggy having a friend? I meant Y/N."

Bucky blinked, his mouth dropping open. "What?"

"She's sweet on you. Falsworth told me. I was trying to give you a hint."

Utter frustration lanced through Bucky's entire body and he shook his head. "How in the name of Hitler’s left ball was I supposed to understand that?"

"Well, I thought it was obvious."

"No, no it wasn't, Steve!" Bucky groaned, his eyes flicking around, trying to locate you in the crowd but he felt his heart sink as there was no sign. "Oh, I fucked up, big time."

"Suggest you go fix it then." Steve shrugged, his voice a little slow as he himself was busy looking at Peggy as she walked towards him, smiling. He stood up straight and clapped Bucky on the shoulder, before he walked off, leaving his sergeant alone.

Bucky anxiously continued to search the room with his eyes, and felt his heart jump as he saw a flash of colour the same as your dress, and your familiar profile as you walked onto the dance floor, your hand in Howard’s as the man smiled at you, pulling you into a hold.

Oh, fuck you, Stark!

Without wasting another second, Bucky necked his scotch and moved, striding around the dancehall towards you, not watching where he was going which was why he collided straight into Dum-Dum.

"Woah, Barnes, where's the fire?"

"On the dance floor, I hope.” Bucky sidestepped round the broad man quickly, his eyes entirely fixed on you as he weaved his way round the various couples all in the middle of a reasonable slow dance until he reached the pair of you.

He cleared his throat, gently tapping Howard on the shoulder as your eyes fixed onto his, surprise etched across your face.

“Mind if I cut in?”

xxxx

“Did it work?” Peggy asked Steve as the pair of them stood to the side of the hall. Steve glanced over the dancefloor, just as Howard stepped away from you, kissing your hand in an over-the-top gesture before he turned and walked away. Bucky approached you tentatively, and Steve saw you give the faintest of nods, before his friend took you in a close dancing hold.

Grinning, Steve turned back to Peggy, jerking his head to the floor. “See for yourself.”

As the pair of them watched you and Bucky for a second, Steve’s eyes then fell on Howard who had paused to talk to someone. Almost as if he could sense the Captain’s eyes on him, Stark glanced over, a smug grin crossed his face, and he gave Steve the thumbs up sign.

Steve smiled into his glass, the irony at the fact that Bucky had tried and failed many times to fix him up with gals in the past yet he’d managed to turn the tables in a single try, wasn’t wasted on the Captain.

xxxx

“Funny looking bathroom.” Bucky cleared his throat as he steered the pair of you round in a gentle dance.

“Oh, well I got waylaid a little.” You replied. “And seeing as we’re not actually dating, I didn’t think it was an issue.”

“It’s not, I just…” He was quick to reply as he drew in another deep breath before he shook his head. “I’m sorry.”

“What for?”

“Before, saying no the way I did. It was rude.”

You took a deep breath, your heart racing as you glanced up at him. “So, is that the only reason you’ve come to dance now? To apologise?”

“Yes, I mean, no.” Bucky stumbled over his words as he shook his head. “No, I wanted to dance. More specifically I wanted to dance with you.”

His admission settled like a bubbling brook in your belly. You wondered why, so you asked, "why?"

Your mind began quickly doing the math, adding up the moments and signals between the two of you, wondering if what you dared to think was actually what he was thinking too. You were nervous but you remained close in your dance, your eyes flicking between his and his lips as he spoke, the words drowning in your ears, his voice sounding like your head was under water.

“Because I like you, Doll Face.”

Then, you felt it, your body leaning in just a smidge as you tilted your head upward as his moved just a pinch to look down at you. Your lips brushed his and the electricity took off as he pulled you in for a deeper, slightly less modest kiss, the hand that had been curled around your waist moved upwards at the same time his other released yours from his hold, and calloused palms and fingers cupped your jaw and cheeks. Despite the roughness of his skin, his warm hands felt soft against your face like the finest silk whilst his tongue dipped into your mouth, kissing you in a way that your Pappy certainly wouldn’t approve of.

But you approved, boy did you approve.

The sounds of the big band drowned out the mewl that bubbled from your delicate throat to those around you, but not to Bucky. He heard the elicit sound clear as day, and that was enough. He wanted to get you alone, away from prying eyes.

He pulled back, casting a quick glance around before he looked down at you, "let's get out of here."

It was a suggestion as much as an instruction, and he waited as you blinked, before you gave the slightest nod and he took your hand, turned, and led you from the dancefloor.

****

How the pair of you made it back to your quarters, you had no idea, but here you were, stumbling into the small room, heated kisses being shared as Bucky kicked the door shut, his lips still fiercely on yours. Your fingers were now deftly undoing the buttons of his jacket before you pulled it open with a flourish, shoving it down over his shoulders and arms as Bucky was quickly pulling off his tie and opening the collar of his shirt. Before long, that was also discarded somewhere on the floor and your hands slid up his strong biceps, down his chest, tracing the taught muscle before your fingers hooked into the front of his uniform pants and you turned your attention to his belt, breaking the kiss a little so you could look down.

“Eager, Doll?” Bucky mumbled as his nose nudged at your chin, pushing your head up. His lips trailed across your jaw line, and then down your neck and you tipped your head back, your eyes fluttered shut at the feel of his lips on your skin, relishing the feel of his soft mouth and the delectable gentle scratching of his five-o-clock shadow.

His hands slowly slid up your sides, before they moved round the back, his lips pressing to yours as you felt his fingers gently guiding the zip of your dress down. Once it was undone, you stepped back and allowed it to fall into a pool at your feet. Bucky glanced down and groaned as his blue eyes scanned the stockings, garter belt, lace panties and matching bra.

“Fuck, Sweetheart.” His lips crashed back to yours as he backed you towards the cot at the side of the room. As the back of your knees hit the metal side of the frame, he gently lowered you down, positioning himself over you, caging you with his arms and his legs as his mouth continued trailing soft kisses down your neck and her jawline.

You were powerless to stop the soft noises of pleasure you were making, try as you might, conscious of the fact the walls in the Quarter-Hall were thin, something you cursed on a daily basis as you could hear the squeak of the cot which belonged to the neighbour to your right as she turned over at night. Luckily for you, your springs were untested so to speak, therefore didn’t make a sound, unlike you at that moment in time.

“Are you sure you wanna do this?” Bucky suddenly stopped, his mouth hovering by your ear and you stilled, tilting your head to look at him. “I mean, this…well, it aint proper really, but…”

“Since when did you give a damned about being proper with a Dame?” You teased, fingers wrapping in the chain of his dog-tags, but there wasn’t a shred of humour in Bucky’s tone or on his face when he answered.

“When that dame was you.”

You blinked, and looked at his face, finding nothing there but a genuine softness and you were overcome with the emotions and sensations you were feeling and you yanked on the chain in your hands, pulling his head back down as you crashed your lips back to his.

“Yes, yes I do. I want this Bucky, I want it so much.” You mumbled against his mouth and he gave a groan, before he stood up, quickly, reaching for his wallet. He pulled out the small condom packet, one you recognised as the standard issued to all soldiers to avoid them catching anything when they were putting it about during furlough, so to speak, and he sat back down on the edge of the bed, bending down to unlace his boots.

Bucky was mentally cursing the damned things as he felt you stir behind him, the hard mattress of your bed dipping slightly, and he stilled as he felt your fingers gently brushing over the back of his shoulders. Your touch was feather light as your hands gently felt across his broad back and he gave a sigh, tipping his head back slightly to catch your lips in a deep kiss.

“Doll, if you want me to do anything to you tonight, I gotta get these boots off.”

“So take ‘em off.”

“Stop distractin’ me then.” His accent dripped from his tongue as he chuckled, and your lips curled into a smile against his.

“You saying you can’t handle a job with a little distraction?” You gave a tut, but pulled away a little to allow him to finally get the damned things off. “And Steve says you’re our best marksman.”

“Well, what does that Punk know?” Bucky tossed the boots to the floor with a thud, before he quickly raised his hips enough to allow him to slide off his pants. Then, in a flash he turned, pinning you back to the cot, smirking at the giggle that burst from your mouth. His hands trailed down your body, flicking open the clips on your garter straps without so much as a fumble, before the reached up and snapped the hooks at the front of your bra.

He took a moment to appreciate you, the soft, supple lines of your breasts a complete contrast to your toned shoulders and taught stomach, both the result of an extensive training regime.

“Fuck, you’re beautiful.” He leaned over, kissing you softly, his lips tracing a track down your sternum before he softly took a nipple in his mouth, his tongue gently teasing, eyes flicking to your face to watch your reaction.

You groaned at the sensation, rolling your head back on the pillow, hips bucking upwards as you let yourself go, barely daring to believe that his was happening, but just as you were questioning if you were in some elaborate dream, a low moan from above you caused your fluttering eyelids to jerk wide open. You could feel him hard, pushing against you and your hands moved round to his back. You dragged your fingers up his spine, as his hand moved down, sliding into the waistband of your panties making your gasp as his fingers slipped into your folds. As he teased you, your hips began to move in time with his motions, groans falling from your lips as the heat began to build in between your legs, deep in your belly.

“Good?” Bucky’s voice was a rasp, and it was all you could do to do whimper softly, your head falling back further as your mouth dropped open, your entire body shuddering as the pleasure lanced through you. You reached down, grabbing his wrist and his eyes moved to yours, waiting.

“Want you.” You whispered softly. Almost as if he’d been waiting for that final bit of permission, Bucky’s fingers hooked into the top of your panties, gently sliding them down your legs, gathering your stockings as he went, a movement he had clearly perfected through goodness knows however many other clandestine liaisons. Discarding them to the floor, he wriggled his way out of his own underwear before he sat back on his heels and you moved, grabbing the packet he’d placed on the small bedside unit before.

Bucky groaned softly as your hands gently wrapped around his cock, sliding the condom down. It really shouldn’t have been as arousing as it was but he was almost ready to blow before he’d even started. Once it was on, he crawled back over you, his thighs gently parting yours a little further and with a steady, slow motion he slid into you, the sensation caused both of you to groan, your head falling back against the pillows as Bucky stretched you, his girth and length filling you completely.

"Fuuucckkk.” Bucky breathed out as your tight heat gripped him, his word little more than a whisper. He moved his hands to snake his fingers through yours, gently pinning your hands by the side of your head as he began to move his hips. He went slowly at first, picking up the speed slightly as you keened underneath him, his dog tags sliding in the valley between your breasts, the metal cold against your heated skin.

Your hips bumped together with every thrust he made and, with each rock into you, he was rubbing against that soft spot deep inside you. Your soft cries stuck in your throat, your senses completely overwhelmed as the fire in your body was raging white hot.

“James,” you whispered his name, and Bucky let out a low groan, his fingers tightened around yours as he gave a particularly deep thrust, making you purr in delight. He raised his head to capture your lips, plunging his tongue into your mouth before he released your hands, his own cupping your face as he continued to move.

In that moment, you could have been anywhere. In a hotel, surrounded by the finest silk sheets that money could buy or on some far away beach in the corner of the world, but instead you were led on a hard mattress in a military base, knowing full well you were in for some serious reprimand if you were caught, but you didn’t care. All that mattered was the man who was currently undoing you piece by piece as the two of you were tangled in your own private dance.

The more Bucky gave, the more you wanted, and as he hiked your leg up round his waist, his fingers curling round the back of your knee you choked out another pant of his name, “James,” as you felt yourself nearing that point where you’d drop over that oh-so-steep cliff edge. The tips of your nails dug into the skin of his shoulders, causing him to groan loudly, his head tipping backwards.

“You feel so good.” His voice was nothing but a whine, and at his praise you gave another low, sultry gasp, your breath now coming in ragged gasps. “God, Y/N,” he moaned loudly as you titled your hips, pushing back up against him, his head dropping slightly. “You close?” he gasped and you nodded softly, your lips falling open and once again he kissed you, hard, his movements speeding up ever so slightly.

“Don’t stop.” You begged, shaking your head as you grasped at his back, “please, so good.”

Bucky felt you shudder underneath him and a few thrusts later your back arched and a soft cry escaped your mouth as your eyes fluttered shut and your head tilted back, mouth open in a now silent scream. He could feel you tightening, pulsing around him as you came and that was it, enough to tip him straight over the edge behind you, the surge and ecstasy of his relief causing his whole body to stiffen as his hips faltered. A groan burst from his mouth as he gave a few final, sloppy thrusts before he collapsed forward, his head burrowing into your neck.

You both lay still for a moment, before Bucky regained enough composure to prop himself up, placing a soft kiss to your lips and as he pulled away slightly, he found you looking up at him, lips swollen from his kisses, heavy lidded eyes blinking slowly in your sated state, and he smiled at the fact you wore that just fucked look so damned well.

“You okay?” He asked softly and you nodded, a smile playing on your lips before you kissed him again.

“More than okay.” You grinned, your nails gently scratching at the nape of his neck. “You got moves, Sergeant.”

Bucky let out a chuckle as he kissed you again, his lips hovering over yours. “Well you weren’t so bad yourself, Agent.”

*****

“Nice of you to show up.” Colonel Phillips looked at you as you walked into the briefing room. “Late night, was it?”

“Sorry, Sir. I didn’t get much sleep.” You mumbled, avoiding Bucky’s eyes as he looked down at the table, a grin on his face.

“Huh, I could have sworn I saw you leaving the dance early.” Dum-Dum quipped and you shot him a glare as you took up a seat next to Peggy who licked her lips, fighting a smirk.

“Whatever, I’m not interested.” Phillips sniffed before he tossed a file down on the table in front of Steve who reached over to take it. “We have word that HYDRA are intending to move Arnim Zola.”

“Do we know where to?” Steve asked, looking at the file before he glanced up and Peggy shook her head.

“No, this is hot off the press so to speak. Stark’s team intercepted their encrypted broadcast. All we know is that they’re nervous about moving, and that the route has been carefully planned to avoid any long, open distances.”

“They’re going through the Alps.” Phillips moved to a map at the side of the room. “Trying to maintain a cover so to speak. Our surveillance team still has Zola at his current location, but that could change at any time. Captain, I need you to co-ordinate and mount an operation to intercept that train and apprehend him.”

“If you know where he is why can’t we just bust in and get him now?” Bucky asked.

“Because you’ll never get there in time.” Phillips replied. “As we understand he’ll be moving out in a couple of hours. So we’re up against it. The window of opportunity lies about six hours into his trip where there’s a slight break in the mountain cover.”

“How do we know this is kosher?” Falsworth took the file from Steve. “They could be leaving a false trail.”

“We hacked a number of broadcasts, each saying a different thing.” Peggy answered. “But this one held the code words we know HYDRA are using today.”

“And our codebreakers have never let us down before, so I’m willing to take a punt.” Phillips nodded. “Get to it, we don’t have much time.”

There was a flurry of movement around the table as you all stood up, Steve barking instructions at you all to collect what you needed and head to the transportation hub immediately as Dum-Dum mentioned something about zip wires and ambushing the train from above. As you all sidled out of the room, a hand gently closed over your arm and you turned to see Bucky as he fell into step besides you.

“Just so you know, I don’t normally make habit of splitting before breakfast.”

“Oh, you normally eat first?”

“In a manner of speaking.” He smirked and you gave a chuckle. “I just didn’t want you thinking-“

“It’s okay, I get it.” You assured him, and you did. He’d left in a flurry that morning before he could get caught sneaking out of the small room you had in the female quarters and you didn’t hold it against him at all.

“But, I’d really like to take you out, properly, I mean. When we get chance.”

“You asking me out on a date?”

“Yeah.” Bucky stopped, turning to face you. “A real one this time.”

You smiled and nodded. “I’d like that. Oh, but just so you know, I don’t put out on a first date.”

“No? Then what was last night?”

You hesitated, feeling the heat rising to your cheeks. In all honesty, you had no idea what had come over you last night. You’d never behaved in a reckless manner with a man like that before and taken him home so easily, for fear of getting yourself a bad reputation. That said, you didn’t really care either. You were in the middle of a war, running dangerous missions, any of which could be your last. Life was for living, and as long as you were breathing, you intended on making the most of it.

You opened your mouth to explain this to Bucky, but you stopped yourself and instead you simply smiled at him, your eyes looking straight into those steel-blues which were sparkling with mischief.

“Doesn’t count, it wasn’t a real date.”

“Oh, that’s how it is?” Bucky arched an eyebrow and you nodded.

“Yup, that’s how it is.”

“Well,” He took a deep breath as the pair of you continued walking, “guess I’ll just have to show you a real good time when I get the chance.”

You snorted and shook your head. “You’re a piece of work, you know that?”

“It’s been said.” He grinned as you reached the end of the corridor. “But, first we’ve got a German scientist to catch. Think you can contain yourself around me long enough to run a mission?”

“Okay, first off he’s Swiss.”

“What?”

“Zola, he’s Swiss. I don’t know why you all think differently, it’s in all the briefings and his file-“

“Yeah, I don’t read those.”

“Well you should, you might learn something. And second -“ you held your hand up, finger extended, instructing him to keep whatever wise crack he was about to make to himself, “-you’re not that irresistible.”

Bucky blinked before he gave a laugh and shook his head. “You know, I actually learned a fair bit last night.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah. I learned that you cut a mean rug, Doll-Face.” He glanced around, before he leaned closer, his breath hot on your neck as he whispered into your ear. “And that you look even better with your clothes off.”

With that he turned and headed off towards the equipment store, leaving you staring after him, blinking with shock, but feeling an overwhelming sense of smugness that, even in the middle of all this bloodshed and fighting, you had something to look forward to when you got back.

#ann1111fc #bucky barnes #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky barnes fic #reader insert #captain america fanfiction #mcu fanfic

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weirdthinkingdragon · 4 years ago

Text

Welcome To The Family (6/???)

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / here

Yandere EraserMic household x reader

Fun fact- Tadao was a sudden decision I made up on the spot after chapter 3 and wasn’t expecting to really make him a character other than a mentioned person with a mold/fungus quirk. I did though, and already love him as an OC more than I should. Oops.

It might be a long while before the next chapter. I think I may have drained myself a bit from focusing on this story so much.

Warnings- swearing, slight coercion I think? Not really sure but better safe than sorry.

I promise the darker stuff is coming soon.

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

I wake up to someone calling me. Hitoshi? Why is he calling me at… 9 in the morning? Come on dude, I want to sleep more for dinner tonight. My fault for hanging out with Tadao a bit later last night than usual. He’s started walking with me to our apartment for the past few days. I wonder why we haven’t hung out until now. Meanwhile, Ryo and I seemed to drift apart. They refuse to even look at me now when I saw them last night.

Ugh, might as well answer it. “Hey, Hitoshi. You need something?” I tiredly slur from just waking up.

“Sorry for waking you…” Apologized the familiar voice of Eri. Wait, Eri? Why does she have Hitoshi’s phone? The wonder why she has his phone wakes me up a bit more.

“Oh, hey, Eri. Is something wrong?” A slight panic enters me in the possibility something bad could have happened to one of the guys. “Wait, is everyone okay?”

“We’re good. Just wanted to talk a bit with you before tonight.” Pipes up the familiar voice of Hitoshi in the background.

Relief floods me. “That’s good. What about?”

“Our dads!” Eri cheerfully informs.

My eyes narrow in confusion. “What about them?”

“What do you think of them?” Hitoshi asks. Huh? Why does this need to be talked about now? Maybe because more likely than not the two adults are asleep, and won’t hear the conversation?

I’m too tired to be filtered right now, so whatever comes to mind is whatever is going to be said. “They’re… An interesting two, to say the least. Hizashi seems like someone I can rely on to cheer me up pretty easily if I’m ever down, and after that day Shouta was sick, I realize Shouta’s secretly a lot more caring than he lets on. Still wouldn’t want to pi- anger him.” Ugh, it’s too early. I nearly just swore with Eri there! Well, saying “piss him off” wouldn’t have been that bad, but she needs to keep that innocence at least for a while yet.

Hitoshi laughs, probably catching on with what I almost said. “Seen it first-hand with his class. Can’t say I recommend it either.”

“What about looks?” Eri suddenly asks, catching me off-guard. What do their looks have to do with anything? They’re also a married couple, so whatever I think is invalid anyways.

“Well, had this weird thought of wondering what Hizashi would look like with his hair fully down when we went to the festival, but that’s really not something that I need to tell him. It’s something I probably shouldn’t be wondering in the first place.”

“What’s the problem in wondering that? It’s just hair.”

“Says the one who always looks like he stuck his head out a car window and hair decided to stay that way.”

“Can’t argue with that.”

I go back onto the topic. “Otherwise, I’m not really sure what to talk about with them. It’s their choices of what they wear. Though it IS pretty funny imagining Hizashi forcing Shouta to wear something he normally wouldn’t.”

“It’s happened more than once before.”

I tiredly let out a laugh. “I believe it.”

“Daddy made him wear a dress!”

An almost inhuman sound comes out of me at the thought of Shouta deeply frowning with a strapless hot pink dress forced onto him, and the only reason he does it is Hizashi would probably keep pestering him otherwise.

“Maybe sometime we could get him to do it again with you here. It’s quite a thing to see.”

“Oh, really? How did he not kill you for laughing?”

“He almost did,” he replies jokingly.

“If he tries to attack me when I’m there, you’re taking the blow.” I joke back.

He goes silent for a moment. “He wouldn’t dare. If he did, he’d have an angry little girl scolding him.”

“Toooshiiii!”

“What? You know I’m right.”

“Hmph.”

“Anyway, want to tell them what you’ll wear?”

“No! It’s a surprise!”

“Right back at you two,” I inform the slightly bickering duo.

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

We both hung up after a bit more of talking about tonight. I could swear there was someone talking in the background for a second, but I brushed it off as the T.V. Eri was probably watching something earlier and forgot to lower the volume.

After playing on my computer for a while since it’s close to my bed, I decided to just get up and get ready. There are not many fancy things I have, so it’s quite limited on what to wear. Hopefully, they don’t mind if it’s a bit more casual than fancy. There’s plenty of time to shop for something, but I’m honestly too lazy to go anywhere. Just something of my favorite color and slightly more fancy than my daily clothes should work.

I have to dig much deeper into my closet to find said clothing from not wearing it too often.

One of my favorite color is grabbed. Nope, that’s not it.

I move a few more. Wait, there it is! I move a few more pieces of clothing and grab it, pulling it out. Hopefully, it still fits. Welp, time to try. I take off my pajamas.

Like a glove. Perfect!

Just to make sure there are no new forgotten holes or something, I look at myself in my body mirror. Huh, I actually look pretty good in this! I might have to wear it more often. Something feels like it’s missing though. Maybe a ring or something would help?

I look over to the select few rings I have, including the forgotten one Ryo gave me. My heart slightly twinges at remembering they gave it as a best friends type of ring years ago. A ring with real blue topaz fitting my middle finger.

Might as well wear it. I slip it on and decide to leave my room, though they won’t be here for a while yet. Maybe Tadao will be around.

My body instinctively starts looking around for the familiar- oh, not again. Does he LIKE sleeping on the floor in the hall or something? I walk up to his sleeping form. I gently nudge him to move with my foot.

He groans, and curls his head deeper onto his arm, also bringing his legs up so he’s a ball. “Come on dude, I know your quirk is related to mold and all, but you’re not supposed to BECOME it.”

“I am one with the floor… I shall be the floor…” He mumbles, probably sleep talking.

I nudge him harder, making him open his eyes to look up at me. “Heyyy Y/N. What time is it?” He sluggishly asks.

I check my phone. “Already half-past noon.”

That got his attention. Both of his eyes snapped open as he shot to sit up. He grabs his rather cracked phone and looks at it. There are a few messages on the screen without him unlocking it. They’re impossible to read as he seems frantic after looking at them. “Already!? Man, I gotta get ready! I’ll be late for work!”

I don’t even get the chance to ask him anything since he gets to his feet and sprints off past my door, probably to his.

Glancing at Ryo’s door, the thought of checking on them arises. No, they’re deciding on acting out like this. Crawling to them could only continue this childish way again at some point. Ugh, what to do now though? It will be boring to just sit around for the next few hours. The park could be good for a few hours.

The villains around though? Nah. Welp, more computer time.

Familiar brown hair in the corner of my eye catches my attention before returning to my door. It’s the woman that glared at me with Hizashi at the studio. What’s she doing around here? Never saw her around before, and she doesn’t exactly strike me as the type to like parties. Funny if she’s attracted to Hizashi like he told me.

She keeps her glare on me as she… Knocks on Ryo’s door? Oh hell no. There’s no way Ryo is hanging out with someone like that. I’m proven wrong though as Ryo opens the door and pulls them in without looking at me.

I- What? What’s going on lately?

Also, okay, what the ever-loving fuck Ryo!?

Calm down, give them the benefit of the doubt. Maybe the woman hasn’t told Ryo anything about my work, and maybe it can just be a sudden meeting they did at one point, and it’s an opposites attract type of friendship. After all, I haven’t really been around. They were bound to try to find someone else to hang out with I suppose. Should this be a concern to bring up with Hizashi and Shouta though?

I stand there still staring at Ryo’s door and blink confusedly. They couldn’t have found anyone better to hang out with? Even a villain would have been better than her in my opinion. Sure, more trouble from me being around two- basically three- heroes could arise, but I’d be willing to keep that kind of secret for them. But this? This gives me a bad feeling.

What if she’s the reason Ryo is acting so odd?

Next Sunday will be the day to get some answers from them. If they will talk to me, that is.

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

Time seems to slip by while being on my computer. My phone notifies me of a text message. I look at it to see it’s from Hizashi.

“Hitoshi’s coming in to get ya! We’re waiting!” My eyes widen noticing it’s already past six at night.

I try to text him ASAP to not let Hitoshi come in. They won’t be happy with my living place. “That will be fine, call him off. I’ll be out shortly.”

“Too late! Sorry!”

I sigh. He doesn’t even know which one mine is! I put my computer away and quickly left. Looking left and right, there’s familiar purple hair far down on the right. Obviously, it’s Hitoshi. He is staring with great disgust at the peeling walls and ripped-up flooring. Oh boy, it’s probably a disaster with what is about to happen in the vehicle now.

The hallway is rather dimly lit now, making it slightly hard to see, but it’s easy to tell he’s wearing a suit matching his eye color. I’m feeling pretty underdressed now.

“Hey, Hitoshi. You could have waited outside. Uh… You probably should have no offense.”

He glares at a piece of wall that falls off onto the floor. “How do you live in this?”

I shrug. “Eh, you get used to it,” I noticed his frustrated expression. He’s about to ask me why I don’t move or something since I clearly could with my pay. “And before you say anything, I rather like it here. It’s where a lot of my closest friends are.”

His eyes narrow at me. “You could still visit instead of living here.”

Someone jumps upstairs, making the place shake, and a piece of the ceiling on this level chips off and falls next to the wall piece on the floor.

“That’s new,” I comment. It’s true, the ceiling has never fallen before. Makes me wonder when this whole building is going to collapse. Bit worried for my friends here now.

Hitoshi looks at me like I just told him the world is going to end tomorrow.

I start walking to the exit, having Hitoshi follow behind me too closely for my taste. Makes sense if he’s doing it for my protection, but he obviously doesn’t know these people as I do. He almost could be felt against my back. “You mind standing back a bit? You’re rather close.”

He does, but just barely.

It doesn't take long for us to get to the vehicle. Just like before, I get in the center and hug Eri. The slight light in the car makes it hard to see her dress, but I'm pretty sure it's a bright silverish blue. The light wasn't on long enough to notice the two up front.

They do seem to notice Hitoshi in a slightly on edge type of way. For the moment the light was on.

"What's wrong, little hypno-man?"

"Their apartment is not fitting to live in."

"What?" Hizashi's tone almost drastically changes. I'm glad I can't see them right now. I focus on the scenery past Hitoshi to try ignoring the growing unease of him whistleblowing to them.

"It's falling apart. A part of the wall fell to the floor. The inside is much worse than the outside."

"Why are you still living there? You can easily move with the money we give you." Shouta pipes up.

"Because I like living there. It's a walking distance from your place, and all my friends are there."

"You could visit them some other time if you moved. We'd pay a bus for you if needed."

"Exactly! Or I could drive ya to our place! It wouldn't be a problem, and it would give me a little somethin' to do while the grump wakes up in the morning!"

I don't feel comfortable at the thought of having to rely on them like that. They're already so busy themselves, it really wouldn't be fair to them despite what they say.

“Uh… no. Thanks for the offer, but my place is good for now.”

The air is rather tense, telling me that they want to push more on the subject, but decide not to for now.

I decided to bring up what happened earlier. “Remember that bad woman from before?”

“You mean Chiyo?” Shouta spits her name with such hate, someone would think he’d murder her if he could. Hizashi must have told him about our meeting in his studio. Wait, Isn’t that a first name?

As if reading my mind, Hizashi answers for Shouta. “She doesn’t deserve the respect of last name. What about her?”

“I discovered today she might be hanging out with one of my closest friends that doesn’t seem to be too happy with me lately. Isn’t it a bit of a concern she might tell them that I babysit for you guys?”

“That’s confidential information. Like it was said to you before you started, you can’t tell anyone our identities. They can get into serious trouble if they do, and they signed a contract accepting they wouldn’t.” Shouta replies.

“That’s good to know.” I say, sounding relieved. They could be told how Ryo thinks they’re bad parents for me babysitting so often, but that’s something that probably doesn’t need to be brought up. Especially if she can’t tell Ryo about it.

Hizashi pulls up and parks in front of the restaurant we must be dining in. wait- fuck, I’ve heard of this place. It’s one of the most expensive restaurants around here! We exit and enter the restaurant. The first thing I noticed was how well-dressed the two men were. Shouta was wearing a navy blue suit, white undershirt, and a light brown tie. Oddly, he’s also wearing glasses. When did he need glasses?

Hizashi was wearing a cream-colored suit with a dark grey undershirt and a tie matching his eye color. Looking at the four of them and the others around, I am… severely underdressed. Doesn’t feel much better with everyone that stares at me from their tables for a moment.

Wait- Hizashi’s. Hair. Is. Fully. Down. I whip my head towards Hitoshi and glare in betrayal.

He notices with a smirk, and puts his hands in front of himself in mock-defense. “Don’t look at me. He was there then, just didn’t speak.”

My eyes narrow. “So it really WASN’T the T.V.” Seriously though!? That’s so embarrassing! He must have heard everything!

Him and Hizashi chuckle at me, making me feel worse.

A woman comes up from the counter. “Please tell me the name of your reservation.”

“The Aizawa’s.” Um… I’m not exactly a part of this family? Well, it does make sense though I guess just to do a last name. Hizashi smirks at Shouta while he glares in return.

“Right this way please.” She starts to lead the five of us to a table farther in the back. The enormous chandeliers overhead from the really tall ceiling are slightly intimidating if I’m to be honest. Each crystal is taller than Hizashi from the top of his hair in his hero costume to his feet.

The white and gold walls of the place give a surprisingly calming type of effect. It’s rather cool in here as well. Probably to help combat the ones who wear layers of clothes to be more fancy or something.

“You couldn’t have chosen anything else?” Shouta hisses quietly enough for the woman not to hear, but I’m close enough that I can. I’m right between them from behind while Hitoshi and Eri are behind me. I can swear Hitoshi keeps trying to nudge me forward closer to them.

“Aw, don’t worry ‘bout it babe! Besides, you and I both know you’re known much less than me! This way they won’t know us!” He leans even closer to Shouta. “And don’t deny it, you know you like the thought of me bein’ called an Aizawa~”

I can see red start to cover the side of Shouta’s face even though he tries his best to hide and prevent it. Ha! Now he’s the one to be embarrassed!

I let out a chuckle, making Hizashi turn and give me a toothy grin.

We get to a table with booth seats. The color of them is surprisingly similar to Eri’s dress.

I go to sit with Hitoshi and Eri, but like before, Hizashi grabs my wrist and has me sit between him and Shouta. Why do you keep doing this to me dude!? Shouta is on my right by the wall with Hizashi on my left by the opening.

Eri is sitting by the wall with Hitoshi by the opening in front of us. I didn’t notice before, but her dress has some candy apple red jewels the shape of diamonds, adorning the dress even more than it already was. Must be new since it’s never been seen by me before.

… I don’t like the closeness of the two men beside me again. Saying it is uncomfortable is an understatement. A difference than before is the heat of their thighs radiating through their pants onto mine.

The woman hands us menus. “Someone will be here to take your orders shortly.”

I try to brush them off while looking at the menu.

“Hey Y/N, are ya datin’ anyone?”

“Maybe.” They don’t need to know I’m not.

“That’s a yes or no question.” Shouta states with slight annoyance. He must have forgotten I told him I’m not the day he was sick.

“They better not be a villain. We’d hate to have to do something to you and them. Better be honest, you’re not looking the best right now.” Hitoshi accuses.

What the heck Hitoshi!? You’re just going to turn on me like this!? Why I ought to come over there and smack the back of your head myself!

My saving grace as the waiter comes- Tadao!? This is where he works!? He comes up to our table with a notepad in front of him. "Hello, I’m Ito, and I’ll be your waiter for tonight. What can I get you started with?”

“Tadao, you work here?”

His head snaps up from the notepad, and looks at me. “Oh hey, Y/N!” His face becomes a smirk. “What happened to calling me glowstick?”

“Well, you’re not really glowing right now in this light, are you?”

“Ha, you got me there.”

The three men look between us with some look I don’t really understand.

“Ya know each other?”

“You could say we’re close.” Tadao informs. They grow rather deep frowns at the news.

He clears his throat and brings his notepad up. “What drinks could I start you guys with?” We each tell him our drinks and he writes them down. “All right, drinks coming right up!” He leaves to go get them.

“He’s one of the reasons I don’t move out of my apartment. Especially now. We’ve become really close recently.”

“You should stay away from him. He seems like bad news.” Hitoshi informs.

??? huh? “Why, do you know he has a villain record or something?”

“He could be using you. Stay away from him or we might have to make sure he doesn’t do anything.”

Okay, THAT pisses me off. “First of all, you guys can’t tell me who I can and can’t hang out with outside of babysitting hours. Second of all, I’d really appreciate it if you guys could be less judging of him, because he has never done anything even slightly villainous whenever we met.” My slightly edged tone makes them back off the topic. I wanted to add third of all being he walks with me at night to our apartment place, but that seems like a bad idea if their reaction is this so far.

It grows awkwardly silent between us all for a moment. Maybe I should have kept the others to myself too, but damn it, they need to have more respect for my decisions they were never a part of, and have no need to be a part of.

Tadao comes with our drinks. He places them down, and Hizashi immediately takes a big drink of his.

“Here you guys go, and one drink for one special person.” He jokingly winks at me.

I roll my eyes in response. “Sometimes I truly wonder if I hate you.” I tease.

He rolls his eyes in return. “Admit it, you know you love me.”

Hizashi chokes on his drink. I don’t help him from still being a bit upset. He should be fine anyways after a bit.

He does, and is able to manage keeping his quirk down as well.

“Do I?” I question teasingly.

The three men glare at him. Sheesh, what’s their problem?

He seems rather uncomfortable by it and leaves in a rush immediately after taking our orders. After I almost had a heart attack from the beyond insane prices, of course. Even the cheapest thing is over half the money I’m given a day for babysitting.

I’m getting pretty upset with these guys right now. Starting to wonder if they got hit with some odd quirk again or something.

That calms me down a bit since it would kind of make sense that’s why they’re acting odd. How long will it last though? Better not be long. I don’t know if I can handle them like this without losing my mind.

“Hey, Y/N. We have something for you,” Hitoshi pipes up, and nods towards Hizashi.

“Right!” He reaches into one of his pockets and pulls out a… necklace? It has my favorite type of jewel in it, encased behind and around the edges with what looks like real gold. A different shine is on it, like something is covering the gold to prevent it from easily being destroyed by weather or wear. The shape is in a rather large teardrop. It looks custom-made as well. Never seen anything even close to what this looks like before.

“It’s a gift!” Eri cheerfully chimes in.

“That she helped us pick for you.” Shouta informs.

Please don’t tell me it’s authentic. It looks real though. I can’t even begin to imagine the price of what it must have cost to create it if it is real. “I’m sorry, but I can’t accept this! It feels too much like I’m just using you guys if I do!”

The three of them frown. Even Eri seems a bit disappointed.

Eri asking me my favorite jewel kind of makes sense now, but why would they want to give this to me?

“C’mon, let’s put it on ya!” He hands it over to Hitoshi and stands up, pulling me to stand up with him. Hitoshi stands as well.

“Did you guys not hear me? I- I can’t accept it!”

Hizashi shakes his head. “Don’t be so worried, dear little lovesong! We want you to have it! Ya can’t just say no, we spent too much for it to go to waste now!”

Hitoshi goes behind me with the necklace and is able to put it on while I’m still rather reluctant to accept such a gift.

Eri’s eyes almost seem to sparkle when the clasp gets shut on it. “You look amazing!”

I freeze in my tracks to notice everyone is staring at us yet again. This time with slightly different reactions. A couple of them seem to be with envy, making me want to shrivel up and hide in a hole, and others seem to be appreciative I have something more expensive than my clothes now or something.

At least Shouta seems to give me mercy by pulling me back down in the booth and glaring at them all in such a way that they all stop staring. I’m feeling a bit like a ragdoll at this point.

Hitoshi joins him, making sure they truly stop. The glare combined of those two could probably curdle the blood of All Might himself.

The restaurant seems to grow quiet between all of us.

I decide to escape by using the bathroom. Hizashi didn’t have time to sit back down before it was necessary. “Stay here, it won’t take me long.” They still seem reluctant to let me go alone.

Getting to the bathrooms, I didn’t have to go, just wanted to get out of the stares and whispers for a little bit. Despite the men’s glares, of course there was still going to be gossip of someone in here who looks so out of place.

“Hey, Y/N, be careful around them, alright? They’re pretty strange.” Pipes up the familiar voice of Tadao behind me.

I play dumb. He probably shouldn’t know I know they must have been hit with some kind of quirk. “How do you know? They could just be being cautious since their children are with.”

“I admit, I did watch you a bit at the festival. More so the men you were with when they came. Something about them isn’t... “ He seems to be struggling with figuring out how to explain it. “It’s wrong. I just can’t quite put my finger on what it is. Again, just be careful, alright?”

I just nod and enter the bathroom.

A bit after cooling off, I go back to the dinner table, them all still waiting and chatting about school. Well, Shouta being nearly silent as usual. Hizashi quickly stands up to let me sit between them again. Ugh, I really don’t want to.

Yet I do, just to be kind. The least I can do is sit through this since they went through the effort of such a gift, even though to me it seems highly unnecessary.

Tadao comes with our food not much later with a secret frown on his face. He’s smiling, but I’ve learned him well enough by now it’s worry he has instead of a cheerful personality. It slightly drops to reveal his true emotions when he notices the guys glaring at him yet again. He doesn’t say a word, just drops all of the food off and leaves.

This feels like a really ruined dinner, even though this food is incredibly good. The atmosphere has definitely become shit. I seem to be the only one to notice. Hizashi looks over towards me and gives me another grin, not giving much comfort. What’s worse is every time I stop for a moment and rest my hand on my lap, Shouta seems to try to grab it. It led me to just keeping the utensil for my dinner in my hand.

I’ll have to apologize to Tadao for their behavior tomorrow. Easier said than done since I still can’t exactly tell him who they are. Cursed contract.

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taglist-

@dabi-s-whore, @angelicblackwolf, @fuegy-fuegy

Double fun fact- Did you know slapping someone’s back if they’re choking is actually worse than letting them try to get it out themselves, especially if it’s food? The food can actually get lodged deeper in their throat at the impact. Huh, First Aid is quite interesting.

#Yandere EraserMic household #x reader #yanderes x reader #platonic yandere shinsou x reader #yandere erasermic x reader #yandere shouta aizawa #yandere hizashi yamada #yandere eraserhead #yandere present mic #welcome to the family #yandere poly x reader

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captain-ozone · 3 years ago

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Fic Writer Review

Thank you for the tag, @flutteringdreams-matw!! I loved reading your review, and I’m stoked to have the opportunity to fill this out myself, too!

1) How many works do you have on AO3? 46. And not all of them have been transferred over from FFN. There’s at least another dozen between multiple fandoms over there, lol.

2. What’s your total AO3 word count? 656,571. My word.

3. How many fandoms have you written for and what are they? When one of your fandoms is DC Comics...Does that count as one or several? LOL. xD

There’s been Merlin, Danny Phantom, Batman (Comics), Young Justice (cartoon), Teen Titans (cartoon), Titans (TV Show), Smallville (TV show), The Justice League (movie), The Flash (Arrowverse TV Show), Miraculous Ladybug, Harry Potter, Rise of the Guardians, How to Train Your Dragon, Sword Art Online (anime), Blue Exorcist (anime), The Bright Sessions (podcast). Might be missing some.

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos? 1. Come Alive (Young Justice) 2. life, if well lived (Batman) 3. On Three (Miraculous Ladybug) 4. a million dreams (Batman) 5. Genesis (Danny Phantom)

@redriotted should be informed that my top two are fics she requested from me via prompts I’m sure neither of us expected I would ever fill. Love you, dear! I credit you for these fics!

5. Which of your fic do you want more attention for? Difficult question for me to answer. I’ve been gifted with lovely feedback on most of my work. I guess if I were to choose one it would be Locking Up the Sun (Batman)? It’s a Fantasy AU. A fantastic exercise in world-building. I had so much fun with it that I’ve been playing with the idea of spinning bits of it into an original work.

6. Do you respond to comments, why or why not? YES. I try to respond to every review and comment I receive. I understand it takes a lot of time and energy for some people, but from the moment I posted my first Merlin fic in 2011, I needed to respond, even if with nothing more than a little thank you. And I’m not about to stop the habit. I met some of my dearest friends responding to reviews. I still meet wonderful people doing so. :) 7. What’s the fic you’ve written with the angstiest ending? Uhhhh, I’m not sure? I guess it depends on perspective. Most of my fics end happily, or rather, I am quite heavy-handed on the comfort part of the Hurt/Comfort trope. I do bittersweet more often than I do angst. I wrote a Merlin AU inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray about Uther Pendragon that was pretty angsty? Grief was another one, also in the Merlin fandom. I’m sure there were some in my FFN Merlin oneshot collection Rabbits and Bathroom Breaks that apply, but lord knows I hardly remember half of what I’ve posted in that monster.

8. Do you write crossovers? Once. I wrote a Rise of the Guardians/Frozen crossover with an Elsa/Jack Frost pairing as a gift for a friend. 9. Have you ever received hate on a fic? Oh, of course. Who hasn’t? I’ve been cursed out more than once, too. It always stings, but it’s a matter of stepping back and asking myself: is this constructive? will this make me a better writer? Once you frame the comment/review that way, it’s a bit easier to see that it’s unproductive to linger on it for long. It’s someone’s personal preferences and/or beliefs not aligning with your own. Or someone who can’t quite distance themselves from fiction enough to realize you are not always what you write, nor are you a reflection of the characters/plot you’re writing about.

10. Do you write smut? if so what kind? Rarely, and only as crack or as a joke. Nothing I would ever share in public. RIP Uther Pendragon/Troll fic of circa 2013-2014. I do so wish I’d saved you somewhere safe. 11. Have you ever had a fic translated? Yes, but I have no idea where they are posted or in what language. Most of the requests came over FFN, so I’m sure they’re available somewhere. In some capacity.

12. Have you ever co-written a fic before? Not quite. My friend and I wrote every other line of the aforementioned Uther/Troll fic in a chatroom, if that counts. 13. What’s your all time favorite ship? I’m far more interested in platonic/family relationships in pretty much every fandom I’m in. If I were to choose one? Adam Hayes/Caleb Michaels from The Bright Sessions. Or Barry Allen/Iris West in The Flash.

14. What’s a WIP that you want to finish but don’t think you ever will? *eyes Shift warily*

I KID. I made a promise over half a decade ago, and I intend on keeping it. In all seriousness: A Merlin time-travel fic I started ages upon ages ago. I hardly remember what the point of it was. There is a fun scene I’ve considered posting as a oneshot more than once over the years, though, just because it makes me laugh.

15. What are your writing strengths? Dialogue, I think? I love it.

16. What are your writing weaknesses? Imagery/action. Give me a single scene focused on a conversation between two hopeless individuals that need some TLC and let me forget about where they are sitting or if they are sitting at all or if there are things that need describing around them, please and thank you. 17. What are your thoughts on writing dialogue in other languages in a fic? I’ve done it, in some capacity. I used my knowledge of Latin grammar from old high school classes to try to write spells for Merlin fics. I probably butchered quite a few, lol. I think it’s important to use language as accurately as possible, though, if it were to be used at all. Most of the time I take the lazy man’s route and use dialogue tags and italics, just so I can avoid making ignorant mistakes. As a reader, as long as I have translations in front of me, I’m golden. 18. What was the first fandom you wrote for? Merlin. I owe that fandom everything. 19. What’s your favorite fic you’ve written? Come Alive. I don’t know that I have ever had so much fun writing anything in my life. a million dreams (my Flying Grayson time travel tear-jerker) and Not a Bit (my MLB Brothers AU, inspired by the original PV) come in close second. I dig my family feels, obviously. 20. What fic are you most proud of? Shift, my Danny Phantom AU, if only because it’s been seven years since I posted its first chapter. Writing it has felt like pulling teeth at certain points, but it has been with me for a long, long time. Rereading it is like looking at a time lapse of how I’ve developed as a writer, lol. Heart of Gold (Merlin) is another. Before Shift, it was the longest fic I’d ever written, one, and it was my first time really developing an OC/attempting a redemption arc as well. It was far from a perfect fic, but boy did I feel like a queen when I finished it. I’m sure you might’ve done something like this at some point, @cdelphiki, but here you go! @breynekai-tfc, too! And anyone else who sees and wants to share, please do so!

#captainozone #ask game #my writing #fanfic #fic

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blackgirlsuperherorants · 3 years ago

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With more articulation, I'm ready to talk about why the push for Lokius simply bothers me, and this can be said for other m/m or w/w ships that fans push to be canon so hard just because they ship it.

It's the framing. The framing that if Marvel doesn't do it (or whatever the brand is), it's because homophobia, and if other fans don't like it/ship it, it's because homophobia (even if they ship other queer ships and are queer themselves.) And the biggest problem with that is that it overshadows the REAL issue of lack of queer representation on screen in mainstream nerd media, especially from big things under the Disney umbrella (Marvel and Lucasfilm/Star Wars, especially.)

It makes it bad that your ship isn't canon instead of bad that there haven't been any queer romances on screen in the MCU.

And like, as a writer myself, I find myself dissecting the stories of other media all the time. I can watch an MCU movie or series and pretty much assess what direction the story is going in by the narrative points they're hitting. I knew Sylki was basically gonna happen (even if just a kiss) because narratively, that's what the show was doing as soon as they had that "what is love" conversation on Lamentis-1. It didn't mean I liked it. But I knew it was happening.

Similarly, there's no romantic undertones to Loki and Mobius. None. For Marvel to make them a couple, it would mean they'd be doing it simply because the two present as men and it would make stans happy. And while there's something to be said for fan service, it would be annoying to watch them cram two guys together who aren't romantic in the slightest. I'd much rather see Loki meet some guy and have the same type of undertones they were giving to Sylvie and form a real bond to where the kiss feels earned and warranted. Not just put him with the nearest man because "he gay lol."

And how you guys are claiming it's being queer that makes you want this is beyond me. It's not being queer that makes you want this. I don't want queer characters that fuck everyone of whatever gender(s) they're attracted to even when it doesn't make sense for them to. I want real love stories. I mean, yeah, sometimes we can have a slut character, because that's fun, too, but that's not even what y'all think Lokius is. You seem to want them to be in love. But why? Because he's the first friend Loki made that isn't through Thor?

I hate that, too, because I hate this idea that queer people cannot have friends of their same gender without wanting to fuck them. IDK how y'all are, maybe y'all are like that, but I almost never have wanted to fuck any of my friends. The only few exceptions have been when I tried to befriend someone I had a crush on (in which case, usually the friendship can't work, really, because I have a crush on them.) I also think it's okay if you can have casual sex with friends, or if you have a friendship that develops into romance, but Jesus, do you people not have friends that you don't want to fuck? I am bi, maybe more pan (gender kind of doesn't matter to me, I guess) and I'm friends with people of all kinds of gender identities and like... I love them as people, which is why they're my friends, but I DO NOT want to fuck them. Especially my closest friend. I talked about her, before, here, but she's like my sister. The thought of fucking her is gross, to me. Not because she's gross, but because it feels incestuous.

Loki shouldn't want to fuck Mobius just because they developed a friendship. And that's very much how it's written on the series. They almost dislike each other (or Mobius is at least indifferent to Loki) and then they become friends.

That's not to mention the power dynamic that exists, there. And I know some of y'all are subs, but yeah, it's a bit gross to imply a sexual relationship with Loki's captor.

But on to Sylki. It sucks that I feel like most of y'all hate Sylki because Sylvie is a girl, and not just because it's bad in other ways. Like, the reasons Sylki is bad have less to do with "it should have been Mobius" and more to do with it being a lazy 1980s action movie plot that should have never happened. I'm not as creeped out by the selfcest (as many of you wouldn't have been if she was a he, I'm almost positive), but what's bad about it is that they couldn't have a strong female lead character without her being the love interest of the main guy. She didn't need to be, especially because she was a Loki variant, anyway. There was no need for it to have romantic undertones, and there was no need for them to kiss. It was sexist more than it was homophobic (and I can't help feeling like y'all are kind of being biphobic in this case. Maybe I'll talk about that, later, but yeah.) It was sexist bullshit. And there's valid criticism that Sylvie is underdeveloped. She's just angry and something for Loki to project affection onto.

I was also hoping they'd do a "found family" type of thing with Sylvie and Loki and let her be like the sister he never knew he needed, but no, they had to go trope and make her the love interest. It was lazy and bad and basically went "If Loki girl, main Loki want bone!"

Basically, having the main character fall for a character just because of their proximity and gender is bad and I hate it (and it would have been bad with Mobius, too, but yeah.)

Both the Mobius and the Sylvie thing also feel kind of racist, to me, because the show has prominent Black women who aren't even presented as desirable to Loki. And y'all, of course, ship him with anyone but the Women of Color. Y'all can pull true love with Mobius out of your ass, but he couldn't possibly fall for the Black women. lol.

Anyway. Not every show needs ships, and this show shouldn't have had any. I hate it. It's bad.

I guess on the biphobia front, I have heard some takes that it's not biphobic because Loki being queer in the MCU which hasn't shown any queer relationships, and Loki being the first openly queer character means they shouldn't have shown him with a woman presenting character. Which, I guess I get where you're coming from... but I have also been in fandoms for a long time and I see mostly girls saying this shit, which is what leads me to feel like it's simply jealousy. It happens all the time when a long-beloved single male character/celebrity suddenly starts dating a woman. Everyone hates it. And like, we haven't seen Loki be with ANYONE in the MCU, because mostly he's been doing villainy and his dating life hasn't been relevant. If the demigod says he's bi, he can kiss a woman. Especially a woman version of himself. Like I said, I hate it for other reasons, but pretending it's because he should have kissed Mobius is utterly delusional. He probably shouldn't have kissed anyone. Not in this series. There was no reason for any canon romance, especially because the show has a season 2 and we'll have time to see Loki develop earned, deserved romance with someone.

I'd much rather see them create a character just to be his boyfriend than have y'all push Marvel into making Lokius canon, which is a nonsense ship that only happened because Mobius is the only prominent male-presenting character before we meet the other Lokis.

My sincere wish is for people to remember that their ships are just ships and to enjoy them without getting all self-righteous about it. I TOLD y'all that Lokius wasn't gonna be canon like 4 episodes back, and here y'all are acting shocked and like Marvel took something from you. NOBODY expected y'all to ship Lokius. It's not even queerbait.

You can make clear arguments as to why Sambucky was queerbait. It's there in undertones in the actual series.

You cannot watch Loki and tell me you thought it was queerbait, unless you think men can't have conversations or hug goodbye without being romantically involved. Which means, in my opinion, that you need to learn about healthy masculinity.

Again, this is not a defense of Marvel. They DO need to let characters be queer, for real, and not just by saying " A bit of both". Like, let Loki be queer. Let Deadpool be queer. Let these queer characters be queer on screen. Yes.

But please stop making it about your ship. I'd rather see a flashback of Loki dating a guy and see him kiss someone he loved back on Asgard than watch y'all force Lokius. Because my queer rep is not about your crackship. It really isn't. And the fact that y'all keep calling us homophobic for not liking your ship REALLY needs to be addressed.

Like, when will y'all stop? I got on Stucky shippers about this shit in the past. All of us gay as hell, too, we just don't like YOUR ship. A lot of us like other queer ships. A lot of us like queer ships in other fandoms, too, and even have queer OCs. YOUR ship just ain't it. Stop forcing it. Literally, most of the ship wars between MCU fans have been queer ship vs queer ship, not really queer ship vs straight ship. Like, the number one Stucky rival ship was Stony. Not Steggy. People are not homophobic for not wanting your ship.

Sometimes it's because they ship something else.

And sometimes, like me, it's because they want something to make sense narratively and not happen for the sake of it happening. It's always better writing to have a character meetcute a new love interest than to magically turn a platonic friendship into a romantic relationship. Like, even when the characters are straight. Like, when Moesha dated Hakeem. It was just weird, even if he was kind of a great boyfriend. He was just supposed to be her friend, and people didn't really like it because it didn't fit narratively.

And that's why ships for the most part should be left to fanfiction, with the exception of a few where fans are right to call out the writers for not making it canon because it's clearly bait (like what happened to Destiel shippers. To see Lokius shippers compare themselves to THAT was so ridiculous. Destiel shippers had a decade of evidence only to be let down by a criminally unfair ending. Lokius shippers saw two men have a deep conversation once and lost their minds.)

Anyway, I'm not saying don't ship Lokius. I don't even hate it, really. I just think it obviously shouldn't be canon, and fans pretending like they were robbed of it is ridiculous. Literally, Ao3 exists for this reason. I will never see Steve fuck Sam Wilson, so I wrote it into my fanfic. I am not mad that they didn't actually date in the main MCU storyline.

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realisaonum · 3 years ago

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book meme

thank you, jen @det395 !! i feel like this meme got away from me a bit, but no shame! i love talking about books and writing so onward ~under the cut~

1- how many books are too many books in a series?

mhmmmmm i guess it depends on the objective of the series, right? is the plan to have x number of books in the series and if so, when we finally get to the end will it be satisfying considering all the books we’ve read leading up to it? OR is the objective of the premise / characters just to exist doing whatever? both can be done well. i would say a lot rides on how much i trust the author.

2- what do you think about cliffhangers?

so this is meant for cliffhangers in a series like between books? i don’t really care if there’s a cliffhanger as long as i have the next book sitting right next to me. otherwise uh, only if the wait between books is tolerable, because at that point you need to know that the author can clear this mess up, right? there’s this other thing, like you know how if the entire series was already written, then they might release the books a month apart or a quarter apart - that could be alright too. but years in between? not especially a fan. is anyone a fan?

3- hardback or paperback?

jen, you and me are complete opposites here. paperbacks stress me out. i will go out of my way to buy a used hardcover if given the choice. of course, there are some publications i don’t mind in paperback —thinking poetry and super indie books that don’t have a hardcover release OR books where the spines are thin enough they won’t break and i won’t be holding them long enough for them to wear. hardcovers are sturdy and i don’t have to worry i’ll accidentally bend the cover in some damaging way. I am invested in keeping my books nice to the point that i create covers for my books out of kraft paper or brown grocery bags while i am reading them. this is something i started when i was in college and didn’t want these books i was hoping to probably resell get thrashed coming in and out of my bag for all these classes. My home library is probs more half and half paperback/hardcover but if given a choice usually it’s hardcover.

4- least favourite book?

i think it’s good to at least attempt to meet a book on its level. there are lots of books i didn’t like, but i wasn’t meeting them on their level and i know that so we’re ignoring those. i do however have a shelf on my goodreads dedicated to books that i have beef with so i’ll just go off on two of them.....

tana french’s the likeness for being plagiaristic shit. it is essentially poorly concealed alternate universe OC insert fic of the secret history. you’ve got french’s dublin murder squad folks and then this group they are investigating who bear a STRIKING resemblance to the greek students in tsh 🤔. this would be one thing. it is pretty well acknowledged that nothing is original and there are enough changes to The Likeness that MAYBE i could let it slide if not for this other thing: french’s book, the likeness, has lines that are just basically reworded quotes from the secret history and french positions these lines so they are said by the counterpart (essentially same!) character that gave them original life in tsh. i cannot stress this enough: you can HEAR how similar the sentences are and their core intent is always the same. it’s thinly veiled theft! it astounds me that French hasn’t been sued frankly. it is one thing to want to capture some of the genius that tartt’s debut novel holds, but it is completely lazy and disgusting theft to go about it in the way French did with this book. and YES the secret history was published before french’s book. if i could stomach how fucking goddamn boring the likeness was to read it a second time and cite every one of these offenses i would, but that’s yet a third strike against it—it’s too boring to be worth it.

T. Kingfisher’s second book of the Clocktuar War duology : The Wonder Engine. this is a book that i feel violated the contract between writer and reader. the first book feels almost like a YA book. the stakes while described as very high are treated, as actions unfold, as very low. nothing truly irreparable happens until the climax of the second book and the fallout of that action is so off-tone of everything that came before i felt deeply betrayed. no, like, completely betrayed as in it ruined the rest of my afternoon, i am still viscerally angry eight months later, and i will never trust this author again. sure, maybe none of those actions that led to the climax were out-of-character, but there was nothing NOTHING in the proceeding action that even came close to that level of consequence. it’s a pity because right up till that point i was having a really good time. the entire vibe of the rising action to the climax of book one all the way through the rising action of book two was just a quippy fun version of roadtrip/quest - it felt like a comfort read. the abrupt tone shift had all the subtlety of dropping a graphically, brutal murder into Blue’s Clues. you don’t do that - this is a basic tenet of a writer / reader relationship. i’m not touching this bitch’s shit again.

5- Love Triangle, yes or no?

not so much. i like jen before me will scream ‘just be poly.’ love triangles that lead into poly relationships? yes, awesome will be glad i read. but i am at a stage in my life where your standard will-they-won’t-they-love-triangle is just fucking pointlessly frustrating to me. an example: i read a Nic Stone’s book Odd One Out a couple years ago and something about the synopsis or the hype made me think that it would resolve the love triangle that way, so when that did not happen i was incredibly frustrated and immediately wanted to resell the book. it’s the potential of the thing. stone’s book could have been the perfect vehicle for opening up the concept of polyamory to a ya audience but instead just really squandered that potential with weak floundering — in my opinion!

6- the most recent book you just couldn’t finish

uhhhhh i’ve got two and i’m not sure i’ve entirely given up quite yet buuuuuuuut

fucking dune. i got really pissed off with this book. So just…setting aside the whole vaguing at a pedophilically inclined queer coded villain - it’s done so poorly, that it's almost funny? like it doesn’t (as of half way through) actually have any consequence on…anything at all and is tacked on like an afterthought to the end of his scenes. honestly it all could just be cut out entirely with no recourse to the larger story. So my actual beef with this book is the pacing is ATROCIOUS. like yo, not only do you expect me to give a shit about these Atreides cunts, when we just met them and we spend the same amount of time with them IF NOT MORE with the antagonist? but you also expect me to believe Paul was able to just convince the leader of the Arrakis people —the leader of an entire planet!!— with a single fucking sentence??? yeah, not so much. it was not set up for me to believe that Paul could do that! maybe if Kynes hadn’t died immediately after—or at least not died at that moment? baring the fact I thought he was by far the most interesting character, IF he had been convinced by Paul in that scene, it would have been great to see some actual work done around that - with a transfer or a liaise of power between Kynes and Paul and the Fremen. By not having any substantive scene that does it - it begs the question of what the fuck was the point of the character in the first place? unplumbed potential!!! over all there seem to be some key scenes missing to get the reader to where the narrative expects us to be? but the choices made of the characters we spend time with and the moments we see with them, the benefit to the larger story…is not always there. hey herbert, these words you have written aren’t doing what you want them to?? i feel like i should finish it but i reaaaaallly don’t want to :) the only thing i can say is it looks like from the trailer, villeneueve is giving space to these moments so that the viewer can foster a genuine connection with the characters? radical concept.

our lady of perpetual hunger - i started this one optimistically bc i like chef memoirs, but i am at the point where she has just given birth to her son and honestly DON’T CARE. i still haven’t officially given up on it yet since i actually fucking bought it like a dope. i certainly would not have if i knew how much NOT about working the line this was gonna be

7- book you are currently reading

Aside from the failures mentioned above, I am working on the second book in B. Catling’s Vorrh trilogy, The Erstwhile. Also very close to finally finishing Iain Sinclair’s The Last London - there’s a review of his work from the LA Times that goes “One of Sinclair’s greatest skills has always been his ability to take diverse if not chaotic source material and refashion it in a way that sometimes seems downright alchemical” which captures some of the wonder I experience when reading his work. His style and how he creates atmosphere and setting is just unique and astounding.

8- last book you recommended to someone

The Secret History by Donna Tartt. Before that I told my brother to read Eat a Peach, as we both love Anthony Bourdain and David Chang talks about him a bit here, plus it’s just a fucking great book. any book that gives insight into Chang’s methodology and paradigm is worth a shot.

9- oldest book you read

I think it might have to be Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night (which apparently according to wiki premiered on the stage a whole four months before Hamlet so that’s what we’re going with) and if plays don’t count, I don’t care. I think they count and that’s what we’re going with.

10- the most recent book you read ?

Given the previous question, the most recently published book, right? It’s gotta be the one I just finished: The First Collection of Criticism by a Living Female Rock Critic - Revised and Expanded edt., which like just came out this summer. I watched Jessica Hopper’s promo zoom, curtesy of my local indie bookstore, and went ahead and bought it. This was a great decision! It was just what I needed to read these last couple of weeks. i love there’s lots of short pieces that made the read quick and the fact that it’s non-fiction so there was no pressure of a plot or the emotional weight of character investment when I had a lot of big stressors dragging me down irl -it was such a relief. Hopper’s criticism is fun to read and there’s some real art in her appreciation of music here.

11- favourite author?

These are the top in a kind of order but not really: Donna Tartt, Jeff VanderMeer, Megan Whalen Turner, Flannery O’Conner, Chuck Palahniuk, Anthony Bourdain

Other faves very much worth mentioning: Emily O’Neill, Richard Siken, Brandon Sanderson, Warren Ellis, Nathan Englander, Stephen King, Eddie Huang, Carl Hiaassen, Anne Carson, and Iain Sinclair.

12- buying books or borrowing books?

Depends on if my library has it, of course! I nearly always see if my library has a copy first if i have never read it or the author before. If i’ve read the book before or trust the author, I’ll buy it. Like I’ll straight out buy new stuff from Jeff VanderMeer even though with him it’s either this-hits-exactly-and-is-my-new-fave or i-really-disliked-this-but-admire-the-boundaries-you’re-pushing-my-dude - so it’s always a gamble but a worthy one.

12- a book you dislike that everyone else seems to love

a little life (just bc it's torture porn elevated to art doesn’t negate the fact that it’s torture porn. Yanagihara’s project here is repugnant and the fact that this book is lauded as moving lgbt fiction makes my skin crawl)

sharp objects (good writing, compelling story, BUT typographical scarification doesn't work like that - i am not going to get into it but i know from first hand experience how Flynn described it is not accurate)

nesbø’s the snowman (what kinda dumbass detective would think THAT when a woman finds her missing father’s corpse? absolute idiocy - so obviously reverse engineered with that end in mind)

the raven cycle (fuck ronan lynch to start and then fuck him to end as well - there’s some other stuff but mostly he’s a total CUNT and if i don’t say that once a day i have probably died)

14 - bookmarks or dogears?

Bookmarks and sticky notes. Then I can place it pointing directly to the paragraph I last stopped on.

15- The book you can always reread?

This is my question because I reread all the time. ALL THE TIME. Books I reread often: The Secret History, Medium Raw (especially chapter 17 The Fury), Crooked Kingdom, The Violent Bear It Away, and The Goldfinch. Every year like clockwork (since it came out apparently) I will reread Stephen King’s The Outsider.

Other books I feel the urge to reread: VanderMeer’s Acceptance, Englander’s Dinner at the Center of the Earth, Frazier’s Nightwoods, Fresh Off the Boat, the Mr. Mercedes trilogy, the Peter Grant Series (which is queued up for another go here soon I think), any of the stories from A Good Man is Hard to Find, Sanderson’s Wax and Wayne Mistborn books, simon vs the homosapiens’ agenda, and there are two of Alan Morinis’ books on Mussar that I am technically always revisiting—when i need a reminder, i’ll jump around and read specific sections to get centered again.

16- can you read while listening to music?

Yes, but only ambient or near ambient (only usually one track on repeat) or a soundtrack I am extremely familiar with. No new music. I do usually need some audio stimulation or my mind will wander terribly.

17- one POV or multi POV?

Multi pov can certainly be done well (looking at the soc duaology and VanderMeer’s Acceptance) but working a multi-pov means there are more plates spinning, it’s more of a challenge, and some authors pull it off better than others.

18- do you read book in one sitting or in multiple days?

I don’t really do this anymore. that might have something to do with me picking up thicker books? but also i have a full time job now and let’s be real the book has to be hella good if i don’t want to put it down. the last book i attempted to shotgun was the final installment of my favorite series and it still took me two days so....i can get through a lot of books but none of them are ever in one sitting anymore.

19- who to tag:

@sybilius @mouth-rainboy @iwonderifthatisart @phereinnike @magnificentmoose @wambsgangs @moriarteaparty and anyone else if you feel so inclined!

Bonus Question: What’s on your to-read shelf?

As for me, I am excited about one i just picked up, Danforth’s Plain Bad Heroines, which i might start tomorrow and I will be taking Paul Madonna’s Come to Light on my trip to see my brother this coming weekend.

#this took a while but was fun #thanks again jen #very excited to read other folks responses #also like a general content warning? i mention/refer to things in the books but nothing's unpacked here #still to be cautious reference to mature themes #the narrator feeling posthumous

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missserpentia-fae · 4 years ago

Text

Take Care of Them

Warnings: Hmm..? If you’re touchy on religion, I’d advise you to not continue reading. (I wrote this for fun)

If any of the characters are OC, tell me so I can try and adjust it.

Takes place after Lesson 18 but before Lesson 19

Pairings: Obey me boys x MC/Reader

Summary: God talking to MC in a dream or such about the brothers

Part 1-9

Chapter 10

MC strolled through the streets of the Devildom, waving at a couple of demons that they recognized from their classes at RAD. They slowed down as they peered through the glass of one of the shops. Oh yea. I should probably buy that box for my letters since I’m already out here.

The human happily exited the store, letter box tucked into the shopping bag that they were currently carrying. They headed towards the direction of the House of Lamentation, ignoring the forest full of dead trees on the way to the dorms, already used to how creepy the place was. The human opened the gate, walking up to the house and opening the door and calling out, “I’m back guys.”

“Ah. You finally came back.” MC tilted their head up to see Lucifer descending from the stairs towards them. “I was afraid I would have to come get you if you were any later than you already are. Did you run into any trouble?” The black haired demon asked as he drew closer to the human.

“None whatsoever. I just needed to buy something before I came back.” MC spoke, lifting up the shopping bag they had before piping up, “Oh yea. Luke gave me some treats to bring back. Hope you don’t mind.”

Lucifer allowed a small smile to appear on his lips before answering, “That is favorable. I’m sure you are tired so you should head to your room and rest up before one of my brothers monopolizes your attention. You shouldn’t be bothered by my annoying little brother since he’s currently hanging from the ceiling for being bothersome.” MC laughed nervously before thanking the Avatar of Pride hesitantly.

“I should be back a bit later than usual. Diavolo called in for a report that he needs immediately.” Lucifer lifted a couple of papers that the human didn’t take notice the first time before he brushed past MC who nodded slowly, turning to stare at the demon’s retreating back.

They walked up the stairs leading to the main floor where their room was located and strolling down the corridor before turning left. They entered their room and immediately headed to their drawer, extracting the few letters that they received from God and the portrait of the brothers that was given by Camael. They sat on their bed, taking out the letter box from the shopping bag and opening it. They gently placed the letters into the box and closed it shut, caressing the top of the box before getting up once again to put the box into their drawer.

They looked at the box that Luke gave them that was full of treats and murmured to themself, “I might as well put this in the kitchen so the Little D’s can bring it out for breakfast tomorrow.” MC looked down at their uniform before frowning, “I need to change out of my uniform first.”

MC started undressing before putting on a comfortable shirt and shorts. They looked at their reflection from their half body mirror and shrugged. “Eh, I look fine. Not like anyone else but the brothers will see me.” They picked up Luke’s boxed treats and headed out their room to the kitchen right next to their room.

“MC.” The human looked up to see Beel who seemed to have just came back from a work-out if the sweat dripping down his face was anything to go by. MC smiled up at the towering demon as he spoke, “Welcome back.”

“I’m back.” They greeted back before lifting up the box of treats with a large beam, “I came back from Purgatory Hall and Luke gave me the leftover treats that they had so we can share it with the others tomorrow for breakfast.” The mention of Luke’s treats made the Avatar of Gluttony start to drool, eyeing the box with hunger. MC rolled their eyes fondly at the stare and reached up to tap lightly on his nose, “You’re not allowed to eat it until tomorrow Beel, understand? Don’t eat this in the middle of the night. We have to share it with the others. Let me just put it in the kitchen for the Little D’s to bring out for breakfast.”

The orange haired demon adopted a pout but waited for MC to put the treats in the kitchen, watching as the human coaxed the Little D’s hovering around the kitchen with a couple of pets to their large heads. The two left once that was all done and Beel gestured them to follow him to his and Belphie’s room.

Belphie cracked an eye open when the door opened, Beel and MC entering. Beel lightly pushed the human towards the younger twin and spoke, his gruff voice gentle and soft, “I need to take a shower. You can keep Belphie company.”

MC nodded and walked towards Belphie’s bed, nudging the lazy demon to move to make room for them. MC shifted their weight and laid on their side, facing the demon who was staring at them with sleepy hooded eyes, “Where were you, MC? I missed you.” Belphie mumbled.

“I was in Purgatory Hall. I wanted to talk to Simeon about something.” The human spoke breathily, scared that if they spoke any louder that it would destroy whatever was between them. “I’m sorry for leaving you Belphie.” Belphie grumbled underneath his breath, pulling the human closer to him to the point that they were flush against the demon’s chest.

“I don’t like it when you’re away from me, MC. I can’t protect you if I can’t see you.” The Avatar of Sloth mumbled, a frown playing on his lips. The human let out a small giggle, nuzzling under his chin and whispering, “I know. I’m sorry. But I can protect myself too. You can’t always be there for me and I know the dangers of being here.”

He continued to grumble under his breath, aggressively burrowing his face into the human’s hair. They smiled softly, staying still as they felt the bed dip from behind them. Immediately, a large arm dropped over their waist. They tilted their head behind their shoulder to look at Beel’s relaxed face.

The human snuggled back against Beel’s hard chest, finding comfort with the twins. Beel started tracing shapes against their exposed skin when their shirt raised just a tiny bit. The human shivered at the feeling but allowed it to happen, feeling content. The three stayed quiet, just basking in each other’s presence almost to the point where MC started to drift to sleep when the door to the twin’s room banged open.

MC jerked upwards, staring wide eyed at the door to see Asmo leaning against the door frame, a large grin on his slightly feminine face, “There you are darling~ I need you.”

Asmo ambled up to Belphie’s bed, ignoring the growling that was coming out of the youngest brother which was directed at Asmo. The champagne-color haired male took hold of MC’s hand gently and tugged them away from the twins. “Come darling. You spent enough time with my younger brothers. You can’t be selfish and keep them all to yourselves, you know.” The last statement was directed at the frowning twins.

“Come along my dear.” Asmo dragged the human out the door who only turned their head to shoot an apologetic look at the twins.

Asmo pulled the humans towards his room, opening the door before shutting it behind them. “Sit on my bed for a moment, dear.” MC hesitantly listened, wandering to his very pink and large bed.

Asmo was looking through his drawer and pulled out a couple of bottles of nail polish. He walked over to the human and began, “So where did you scurry off to, MC? You will not believe the tantrum Mammon threw during dinner when he realized you wouldn’t join us.”

MC permitted the demon to take hold of their hand and placed it on top of his knee as the human informed, “Oh. I thought Lucifer told you guys. I went to see Simeon. I wanted to talk to him. Oh. And Solomon too. I know that if I told Lucifer that I would be seeing Solomon, he wouldn’t have allowed me out.” MC huffed, sulking as they stared at Asmo painting their nails a pretty pink color.

“Oh~? Whatever could you need from those two that you couldn’t have asked us?” Asmo purred, a suggestive glint in his peach colored eyes. “Get your head out of the gutter, Asmo.” MC teased the Avatar of Lust and Asmo returned the teasing with his own. “Nope. I like the gutter just where I am.”

MC chortled before answering, “There was something I was wondering and I thought that maybe Solomon might be able to help me since he too is human. If Solomon can’t help me, then that’s when I’ll ask help from Satan or Lucifer. But until then, I’m not saying anything.”

Asmo frowned as he blew lightly on the finished application of the polish on their hands. “Give me your other hand.”

“So this is where you were.” MC looked up, turning their head to the door to see Satan shutting the door behind him, a book in hand. “Mind if I keep you two company?” He asked, already walking over to the vanity chair near Asmo’s makeup desk. “What’s the book you’re reading Satan?” MC asked, turning their head to look at the blond who was getting comfortable.

“Oh. It’s a textbook on advanced spell work. I want to see if there’s something in here that I can use on Lucifer.” MC sweat dropped at the blunt statement from the green eyed demon who seemed to be oozing ill intent from the smile plastered on his face.

Asmo grumbled as he looked away from the hand he was putting nail polish on to stare at his younger (but stronger) brother, “Don’t do that to your face, Satan. You’ll get wrinkles on your beautiful face.”

Satan scoffed, crossing one leg over the other as he chimed, “Like any of that matters to me.”

MC just smiled as the two brothers went back and forth with each other. They started to relax, just listening to the voices of the people that meant the world to them.

“Normie.” They were jerked out of their bliss-like state when Levi’s voice flooded through their thoughts. Their eyelids fluttered open, not realizing that they shut their eyes and glanced over to the door to see a partially hidden demon. MC recognized the envious glint in Levi’s eyes and exhaled. They pushed Asmo off, brushing aside his whines as they claimed, “Okay. I spent enough time with you two. I should be able to spend time with Levi too.”

Asmo and Satan looked upset at the turn of events and MC sighed, looking remorseful. “Sorry guys. I promise to make it up to you soon.”

The human approached the still sulking third born and lightly placed their hand over his. “Come on Levi. Let’s go. We can have a TSL marathon to make up for the time we didn’t spend together.” Levi stared at the hand covering his before shifting his gaze to the human’s beaming face. He flushed slightly but nodded, his hair covering his eyes slightly.

The human tugged on his hand and started dragging him up the stairs to their room. They blinked in confusion when they heard muffled grumbling coming from above them and tipped their head up. They stared blankly at Mammon who was tightly bound up and hanging upside down at the ceiling, a cloth wrapped around his mouth keeping any sounds in.

“How long have you been up there? How come I didn’t see or hear you when I headed to my room when I first came?” MC contemplated before turning to glance over to Levi. “Do you mind if he joins us for our marathon? I haven’t hung out with him either today.”

Levi looked annoyed at having his time with the human disturbed by Mammon but agreed since he couldn’t refuse when their smile was directed at him. MC looked for a way to get the second born down and saw the rope that was keeping him hanging tied on some kind of hook. They headed to it, slowly untying it and letting out a groan of pain when they felt the rope bite into their skin. They lowered Mammon bit by bit until he was laying on the floor in a fetal position due to his bound hands and ankles.

The human approached the still bound male on the floor and gently untied him, rubbing at his slightly red wrists to ease the pain. “Ugh. Stupid Lucifer.” Mammon grumbled, allowing the human to soothe the burning of his wrists and ankles.

“It’s also your fault for being annoying.” Levi pointed out from behind the human and Mammon growled, “I was not!”

“I remember very clearly you screeching at the top of your lungs during dinner about where MC was. Like a stupid normie.” Levi growled and MC ignored the two arguing, already used to how they were and knowing there was no point in trying to stop them when they got going.

They just waked away in the direction of their room, knowing fully well that the two will just follow after them. They walked over to their television, setting it up as the two demons bickered with each other as they sat on their bed. As soon as they got the episode in, they strolled back to their bed sandwiched between two demons once again.

Levi was a bit shy with his affection towards the human so he lightly placed his hand over their knee, tracing small circles. Mammon had his arm wrapped around their waist but he denied it vehemently. “I’m doin’ this so ya won’t move too much and bother me.” MC rolled their eyes fondly at the tsundere tendencies of the second born but snuggled closer, placing their head on his shoulder and placing a hand over Levi’s.

A couple of episodes in and the human realized that the two demons have fallen asleep. They giggled to themself softly before getting out of the bed as gently as possible to not startle them awake, knowing that Levi hasn’t been getting enough sleep because of his gaming and Mammon wasn’t getting sleep due to his nightmares.

They left to get something to eat, stopping by the kitchen and getting one of the treats from Luke’s box. The human headed to the lounge room, basking in the silence of the house with the other brothers sleeping.

They sprawled themself over one of the couches, biting into the sweet tart. They hummed quietly to themself as they mulled over everything that happened recently.

“MC.”

“Lucifer.”

The tall demon was standing at the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be sleeping?” Lucifer asked, approaching the human who smiled up at him.

“I would be but my bed has been invaded by two of your brothers.” Lucifer had a small smile on his lips before he sat beside the human who scooted over to make room for him.

“I apologize for my brothers. If they get too much for you, you can always tell them no. They will listen if they know what’s good for them.” The eldest spoke softly while MC hummed, flicker a strand of hair away from their face. “I don’t really mind. They can be overwhelming at times but I wouldn’t want them to stop. It just means they’re comfortable around me.”

Lucifer looked thoughtful but didn’t say anything else. The two stayed silent, enjoying each other’s company as MC finished their tart, the human not noticing the small fond glances that the demon was aiming at them. “Should I get my brothers out of your room so that so that you can sleep in peace?”

“If it won’t trouble you. Thank you so much Lucifer.” MC spoke, standing up and stretching which allowed a couple of their joins to pop.

They headed towards MC’s room and Lucifer neared their bed where his two brothers were sprawled over. He shook his head fondly before wrapping an arm around their waists before heaving them over his shoulders. MC was surprised that they didn’t even stir but waved Lucifer goodbye as he inclined his head towards them. “See you tomorrow, MC. Sleep well.”

They closed the door behind Lucifer, heading to their closet to change into their pajamas before flopping on top of their bed. They snuggled into their pillow, a smile on their face as they drifted to dream world. I really am one lucky human.

Part 11

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taglegend · 4 years ago

Photo

Tag Fact #3 - I’ve come to realize I’ve always been a fan artist more than I thought. so here is a timeline of influences that shaped my childhood to now. from nostalgic times, to sad changes, to great loss, to strange rises to fame and phases, to stepping stones and finally a laughing place. all the things that make up your favorite fan artist Tag.

1. Rayman (bumped into this in the year of 1999) was actually the first fandom (with crossovers) I bumped into when I was 9. although the internet wasn’t available at the time it was still fun to dwell in home amusements. I remember the storylines and the OC’s I made but they’re kind of embarrassing and it’s probably a good thing there was no internet. I’ve done fanart and comic crossovers of Rayman with Calvin and Hobbs and Nights Into Dreams, spinoffs of Sonic the Hedgehog OC’s, Yoshi with Pikachu, and the Pokemon/Digimon craze with OC’s and other Nintendo comic shorts. but the drawings and comics are long gone and disappeared in the garage in a backpack due to suspecting my sister’s dad accidentally throwing them away. years later towards the year 2018 (now 28), we decided to move to North Carolina and it was my chance to find them again. unfortunately the backpack was gone just like I suspected (my main stuff), but for some reason I found my Pokemon/Digimon fanart, a good batch of Super Mario drawings (vaguely remember doing these), my sister’s drawings and some other neighborhood kids’ drawings in a dirty box. I was partially happy I found something at least but it was the backpack I wanted the most. sometimes I regret not looking for the backpack (’cause I was too busy being a kid) but it’s alright, noone needs to see that shit anyway, ha ha. anyways, I recall being a fan of Rayman from 1999 ‘til 2002.

2. Sonic Adventure 2 Battle (bumped into this in the year of 2003) my second fandom I bumped into when I was 12 going on 13. at the time, my sister and I both liked the Sonic The Hedgehog Franchise based on the Battle remake and ended up making our own secret fanart club that consisted of only us two members. she liked Sonic (and that was her boyfriend, ha ha) and I liked Knuckles (and he was my boyfriend, ha ha) and we were crazy in love about Shadow’s backstory. we listened to the game’s soundtracks as we drew fanart and comics after school and man, those were good times. however, as we grew older towards the year of 2005, we ended up having separate rooms and I believe it played a part in disconnecting on the same interest. then one day, I asked her why she wasn’t into Sonic anymore and she replied, “Because I grew up.” I was sad after that and slowly observed that she was influenced by the emo culture and the new friends she’s made. I was the only member of our little club for a little longer...but eventually I moved on too. I still have some surviving fanart we did together but it doesn’t mean shit anymore since she turned out to be an abusive mother from the last I’ve heard of her.

3. Gorillaz (bumped into this in the year of 2006). as the Sonic years were at its end, I first heard the song “Feel Good Inc” on Music Choice and seeing the first image of them as displayed on this post (except the fan-made background doesn’t count since I can’t find the original artwork). this was my third fandom and later had proper access to the internet to the website I still currently use called DeviantArt. at first I liked 2D but eventually fell for Murdoc and developed a spiritual connection towards the character as obviously seen in my old fanart and rare photos of my devotion shrines on Valentine’s Day and his birthday every year. for the longest time since being a permanent fan from 2006-2017 (11 1/2 years) I had no knowledge that it was a political propaganda band and other realizations I don’t want to talk about. I only followed them because it was a cartoon and not the bullshit behind the musical project. the world I’ve built and support for them for all those 11 1/2 years shattered the fuck out of me and I just wanted to be left alone to find myself again, somehow. activity stopped on all my profiles, the flow of fanart stopped since I now cringe from the fan service and felt I was used for my talent. I didn’t want to be reminded of it all so I took down all my Gorillaz fanart and archived them for old followers’ nostalgia but also in the hopes they’ll be forgotten in my timeline. I ceased to exist in the fandom for huge personal reasons but it’s best to not say why. I know for sure that the fandom wonders what happened but it’s none of their business. THE END.

4. Waluigi (although I knew he’s been around since 2000 during childhood, I took deep interest once I revisited the character again in the year of December 2013). as silly as this sounds, when I revisited him again, the character was so bizarre that I ended up staying up 3 nights and 3 days in a row just looking all over the internet on everything about him and the questionable “hush-hush” absence of a backstory. despite there being no backstory he slowly gained a cult following and in many ways it’s a good thing. however, since the early 2010′s tension has been building up between Nintendo and its fans about him starring in a main game but everyone hasn’t fully gotten it in their heads that it’s not gonna happen. as long as Nintendo is in control of that, the fandom will not win, I’m sorry to say. on the other hand, if it’s going to be this way, then that’s what fanart and comic projects are for. as for me, I am doing my very best to get my comic project “Waluigi Land” going. again, I apologize if it’s taking very long to get Chapter 2 going if you’ve been keeping track but aha moments need to develop before I start permanent drawing (since concepts, character design and storyline needed improvement badly). as of right now I am still a Waluigi fan and I will not quit on him.

5. Turbo from Wreck-It-Ralph (although it debuted in 2012, I watched the movie two years later into the year 2014). for some bizarro reason, I had an unhealthy obsession with this character to the point where I dressed up as him for Halloween 2014. only 2 fanarts of him and the Turbo Twins exist on my profiles, mainly because my mind was more focused on just ‘thinking about him’ or ‘being him’ rather than drawing physical drawings. luckily, this supposed alleged fandom didn’t last long a little after Halloween so I chalk it up as a very short phase. to this day I don’t know what has gotten over me about him. the only thing I can think of now is that I think it’s because the character had yellow eyes and teeth but I don’t know. now that I think of it, that little fucker was ugly as hell and I STILL don’t know what had gotten over me. one day, my brother mentioned what that was about, and I said to him, “I don’t wanna talk about it.”

6. Undertale (although it debuted in 2015, I later took interest in it in 2016). It was all about Sans and Papyrus. I couldn’t get enough of the skeleton bros. eventually Toriel and Mettaton EX became my favorites but it took a long time to draw more of all 4 of them because I had other important things to do in my life plus I was still waiting for the next Gorillaz album to revive my imaginative juices (or so I thought). I really want to have this as one of my frequent fandoms but I just don’t have time for it anymore. it’s still in the back of my head to want to draw them but at this point I still have other better interests to be in. and besides, I’m lazy just like Sans.

7. Cuphead (June 28th, 2017 was the official day I called quits on the British-based band Gorillaz due to the bullshit behind it. since that date I was lost, had no inspiration to look forward to and no cartoon guy to make me smile...but lo and behold of the same year, I took an interest in playing the game Cuphead and man...that shit was a frightening exaggerated metaphor for being on that one drug (forgot the name though) and having sex at the same time but man that was the best fun I’ve had in years. I mean, it’s like, enemies are just so happy to murder you and that scared the shit outta me. and the facial exaggeration?....I think I should stop, ha ha. anyways, the Moldenhauers saved my ass from spiraling down, they have no clue. anyways, eventually I became a permanent fan of their work so to ease the hurt and erase my past from the G-fandom I had to re-wire my brain into a different cartoon category that’s a rather more American, so anything Toon related like Roger Rabbit, Felix the Cat or another favorite that’s a western-based cartoon makes me feel better, especially my new man .......King Dice <3 <3<3<3. however, there was something about this new fandom category I still didn’t quite understand until the date March 14th, 2020. I finally understood what it was but I feel I shouldn’t bring it up. anyways, Cuphead and anything western or rubber hose is my last stop in inspiration for the remaining years of my life. many say never say never but I believe I’ve found my laughing place and that’s all that matters.

#tag facts #influences from cartoons #likes and dislikes #thoughts i have about characters #toons #rayman #sonic the hedgehog #gorillaz #waluigi #turbo #wreck it ralph #undertale #cuphead

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