#i sat on the concept for 2 months and then banged it out in one night.

[ladytabletop]

Published a game for the dice exploder jam that's ending soon! it's an ode to late nights in my small town playing cards and listening to gossip. It's in active development, which means it's probably a bit of a hot mess right now! But I think I've got solid bones here.

[rafesaddiction]

It's still not cheating when he's your best friend – Rafe Cameron x Reader (Part 2)

See here for part 1

Summary: You're excited to see your favorite band live. But a fight with your boyfriend threatens to cancel the trip, until someone you don’t expect to see, saves the day: your best friend Rafe Cameron.

Concept: best friend, only nice to her

Warnings: mdni! – smut, fingering, public, (kinda) dubcon, cheating (reader cheats on boyfriend), hints at a toxic relationship, name calling (reader is called slut), protective!rafe

Word count: 3.1k

a/n The past weeks have been really hard for me due to health issues. But I've finally been able to write again. I had fun writing this and I hope you won’t be disappointed reading it. Please let me know your thoughts.

Taglist @dream-pink @dope-trope-105 @rafeinterlude @baby19sthings @yootvi @aaronhotchswife @lilo7sworld

He almost ruined it. For months, you had been looking forward to seeing one of your favorite bands at the beach festival. The day before the concert, your boyfriend told you he didn't want to go and he didn't want you to go either. You had a fight that started over something stupid and ended with him accusing you that you just wanted to go to the festival so you could run around naked and fool around with guys, like the slut you were. You cried when he stormed out and shut your dorm room’s door with a bang. You cried all night.

Your boyfriend was supposed to be the driver. And now on top of all the personal pain you were feeling, you had to explain to your friends that you no longer had a ride to the festival. Neither you nor one of your friends owned a car. You tried to get your parents' car, but they needed it themselves. In the group chat you discussed all kinds of possibilities, until one of your friends wrote that he had organized a car. Everyone cheered at that, and even you, despite of all those tears that kept running down your face, were relieved that you and your friends could make the trip. You not only wanted to see the band play, more important to you was to get out with your friend and forget about the argument you and your boyfriend had.

Your friend also mentioned that the car's owner would join us to the festival, to which everyone naturally agreed and was excited. You even promised to bake cookies for the mysterious hero.

But you didn’t expect it to be him. You could have guessed because that friend also went to high school with you and they had been friends then. Still, it was kind of a shock and you froze when you saw a familiar car on the parking lot next to the dorms. The Cameron family SUV.

You hadn't talked to him since that one night. That one night that should have never happened. That one night that had been the best night of your life. That one night when you had had the best sex of your life with your best friend, Rafe Cameron.

Rafe wasn't much of a texter, but he had texted you. You had written six different replies and never sent one. You had wanted to write him or call him several times. Like last night when your boyfriend had made you cry again. Suddenly you were very aware of how you must look. Your eyes all puffy from the crying.

Rafe was at the back of the car, loading bags into the trunk with the friend who had invited him to this trip.

He hadn't seen you yet, his back was turned towards you, and you were glad about it, because you didn't know what to say, didn't know how to feel. So you were more than relieved when one of your friends arrived shortly after you, pulled you in a hug and decided that you two could already get into the car which was much cooler than standing around in the burning sun, while you could leave it to the guys to load your stuff into the car.

You sat in the middle of the backseat, your friend to your right. She started chatting right away and you felt somewhat relieved that she didn't comment on your boyfriend's absence nor your puffy eyes. Shortly after, the rest of your group arrived, you were six altogether, and luckily the SUV was really comfortable – more comfortable than your boyfriend's old minivan.

Rafe got into the driver's seat, and for a moment, he looked at you through the rearview mirror, before you turned your attention to your friend, as you felt your heart skipping a beat at that moment. You were unsure whether you saw a smile flash over his face, and you didn't dare to look again to check, afraid your face might reveal too much of your inner turmoil.

Though the drive took several hours, time flew by quickly. You had been right. It was good being with your friends and having fun. Everyone was in a good mood, the music was good, there was lively chatting and laughter, there was drinking and snacking, and even stupid car games were played. You might have been a little quieter than usual, but no one seemed to notice – no one except Rafe, who again and again looked at you through the mirror, but never directly spoke to you.

The parking lot of the festival site was already quite full, but Rafe managed to find a good spot for the car. When you got out of the car, you stretched your arms and felt the sun on your skin. It was a very hot day and the car had been nicely air-conditioned. Since it was so hot and the festival was on the beach anyway, your friends and you decided to just wear your bathing suits. You got out of your jeans shorts and shirt, as you were wearing your bikini underneath. You saw Rafe take off his shirt, and one of your guy friends commented that he should put it back on as it would make them all look like total wimps compared to him. There was laughter and Rafe smirked as he casually flexed his chest muscles. It was true. Rafe did look fitter than most guys. It wasn't too much muscles, but he was big and looked strong. Sometimes you thought he looked too good to be real, like a statue of some Greek god… Rafe had caught you staring at him and you quickly averted your gaze, feeling heat crawling to your face.

Since everyone was hungry, your friends and you decided to get some pizza and drinks, and after that more drinks. Everyone was relaxed and had a good time. You smiled a lot – except when you looked at your phone and saw the notifications. Your boyfriend had sent you several texts and voice mails. You didn't open them, you had already seen in the preview window what those texts were about. Obviously he hadn't calmed down. If anything he was even more angry, even more hurtful in his messages.

When looking at the phone, you also saw the time. The band you wanted to see was about to play soon. You asked your friends to go with you closer to the stage, but no one really wanted to move. They said you could hear the music perfectly well from their current spot, besides the booze was here. To that everyone cheered and raised their cups. Everyone but Rafe.

“I’ll go with you.”

“You don't have to. You can stay here, enjoy yourself. I'll just go on my own.”

“Quit that bullshit,” he said and came closer, he had put his cup away. “I'm going with you. So you won't get lost in the crowd. Besides, I know how much you want to see your third favorite band live.”

“You remember,” you gazed up at him, who stood now directly in front of you. You had to shield your eyes since the sun was shining so brightly, but you could definitely see a smile on his lips.

“Of course, I remember,” he said in a low voice, almost whispering and you couldn't help it, you gasped for air.

The smile on his lips turned into a smirk as he continued, “How could I ever forget you dancing to that one song for like all of junior year, hm? You're gonna do that dance again? Wouldn't wanna miss that.”

And he started moving his hips and his arms in a weird clumsy rhythm, imitating what was supposed to be you dancing. It looked ridiculous and you had to laugh.

You punched his shoulder. “Stop that. That's not how I dance.”

He kept on moving in that awkward way and you tried hard to stop laughing – suddenly feeling lighter and more relaxed than you had in weeks – since that night.

You crossed your arms in front of your chest and pushed out your lips, pouting, but couldn't fight the giggles, as Rafe tried some elaborate pirouette which caused him to stumble, but he stopped, directly in front of you. All of a sudden he was calm and there was something so soft in his features which you knew he rarely ever showed anyone.

“Let's go,” it was almost a whisper, then he added in a louder voice. “We don't want to miss that song and that dance.”

You punched his chest, your hand almost hurting as it hit the hard muscle – and felt his hot skin. But you let him take your hand and lead you from the group of your friends who were engrossed in some conversation of their own. His strong hand holding yours felt good, it felt right. Rafe was your best friend. He was the one you trusted most, he was the one who made you laugh, no matter what.

Rafe walked towards the stage and tugged you along with him. When there were more and more people around, he pulled you close to his body. Still holding one of your hands, his palm touched your back as he walked behind you, keeping you very close. He made sure you didn't get lost in the crowd. His body shielded you from anyone bumping into you or spilling their drinks on you.

The place got more and more crowded and he had to slow down. You turned your head to look at him.

“This is okay,” you said.

Rafe frowned as he looked at you. “No, it's not. We're going to the front row.”

“No, Rafe, this is totally okay. I can see enough from here.”

His frown deepened. “No, you can't. You're too tiny.”

At that comment you frowned. “I’m not tiny. You're just a giant,” you said and wanted to punch him with your free hand, but you didn't have enough space to move your arm, so you just ended up placing your palm on his chest. Feeling his hard muscle, feeling his hot skin, and his heart beating. He placed his hand on yours and your breathing hitched.

Rafe held you even tighter to his body as he proceeded to walk to the stage. His strong arms held you, protected you. And despite all these people around you, you only felt him, his presence, his closeness, all around you. Your skin tingled where it touched his, and that tingling grew stronger and became something else. Something that went so much deeper. And you felt a too familiar pulsing in your core.

Some people complained and pushed and shoved, but one look at Rafe’s face and stature and they made room for you and him. He really managed to secure a spot in the front row for you, right in the middle and you got the perfect view of the stage, standing directly behind the first barrier. Only a few feet of empty space separated you from the stage. Rafe was standing directly behind you, his hands to both sides of you, resting on the rail, his arms caging you in – shielding you.

You wanted to turn and thank him, but in that moment the band entered the stage and started playing their first song. You were captivated by their performance and the great atmosphere their music created. There was cheering, singing, dancing all around you. People were pushing and shoving, but you only felt a fraction of that as Rafe's body pressed closer to yours. He was shielding you from all the crowd's wilder movements, while you could enjoy being part of this experience safely.

You even danced a bit, your back rubbing against Rafe's front. When you craned your neck to look back at him, you saw him grin. And you felt a grin on your own face.

The set list was great too. They played all your favorite songs and the lead singer managed to put some kind of spell on the audience when they played a couple of slower songs. Or that spell was just on you, and not caused by the singer, but by something or someone else.

You leaned back a little, your head resting against Rafe's broad chest, feeling his heart beat. You closed your eyes and your hips swayed to the slow rhythm of the song. Your skin touched his skin. And you didn't mind the thin film of sweat covering his body from the heat of the bright sun and the crowded place. You smelled his scent so intensely, it made you almost forget where you were. It just made you feel.

Your eyes opened, your upper body leaned forward, resting your arms on the barrier. You watched the singer putting all his emotions into each and every note. Goosebumps crawled over your skin. But it wasn't from the singer's raspy voice. Rafe's hand touched your hip. Your back arched a little as your butt was pushed back. You gasped. Rafe's hand rubbed over your butt cheek, you felt the rough palm, the long fingers, the cool metal of his ring on your skin. The touch was light, too light, too gentle, too soft. Your mouth opened, but all sounds were drowned by the music and the noise of the people.

His fingertips, just his fingertips, tenderly touched the back of your thigh, moved to the inside of your leg. They moved up and one finger rubbed over the fabric of your bikini bottoms. It was like scratching and you flinched, but that didn't make him withdraw his hand. Instead, the finger pushed harder, pushed to part your folds, pushed to tease you, while the layer of clothes still was between you and his digit.

You felt heat rushing through your body, neither caused by the sun nor by the heat of the people moving around you. You did not perceive any of them. You just felt him, while your eyes were directed at the band on stage performing their emotional song.

Rafe’s finger moved along your slit with pressure. Through your bikini panties his fingertip was able to find your most sensitive spot at once and he began teasing it mercilessly. No one heard it, but you were sure, Rafe felt that you were moaning. You felt a growing need that threatened to take over all your senses. As if he knew that, felt that, perceived that, Rafe pushed the fabric aside �� tantalizingly slow. And his fingers found you wet and yearning for his touch. A mewling sound escaped your lips as a finger pushed inside you. You felt your walls clench around the digit. And you felt Rafe tense behind you and you were sure you heard a groan.

The song had changed, you only now realized, its rhythm was faster, wilder. And so was Rafe's touch. His finger thrust into you, stretching your tightness, pushing deep, making you squirm. Your hands gripping the metal of the barrier for support. Your legs started shaking as Rafe added a second finger and began fucking you with his digits. He curled them inside you and your head went back to your neck as you moaned shamelessly. He pulled his fingers out completely, just to push them into you even deeper. Again and again.

The song grew louder, harder, fiercer – and so did his finger-fucking you. Your body trembled, your voice was hoarse and you were whining now. He pushed you further and further, closer and closer to the edge.

Then, all of a sudden, he leaned over you – maybe he was pushed by the crowd jumping about, maybe he needed to feel you closer too – and you could feel his hardness press against your back. You pressed your eyes shut as your climax hit you, hit you hard. The wave swept you away and carried you to another place, where all you did was feel, feel this, feel him.

His fingers fucked you through your orgasm. He had wrapped his arm around you, was holding you close to his body, and thus was also keeping you from falling, since your legs were shaking and you feared you no longer could trust them to support you.

Slowly he pulled his fingers out. And even though you still felt echoes of your high, this also left a feeling of emptiness inside you. A longing that was always there if he wasn't inside you.

You felt his breath close to your ear and heard him say something, but the music drowned his words. You turned your head, looking at him with hooded eyes and saw him lick his fingers.

The rest of the concert felt like in a haze. Rafe kept his arm around you, holding you close, while you watched the band play but could only listen to his heart beat, as your body was still shivering.

When the show ended, people started moving and Rafe took a step back to give you room to turn around to him.

“Thirsty?” he asked you, and you just nodded, not trusting your voice.

His hand on your back, Rafe guided you through the crowd back to your friends, and you had to admit to yourself that you wouldn't have found them on your own.

Rafe ordered something to drink for you at the nearby bar while you stood with your friends. One of them commented that you were glowing and that you looked totally blissed out. You touched your cheek and felt the heat, and felt that smile on your face. She asked if the show had been that good and you replied that it had been amazing. Your voice was hoarse and she suspected it was from you singing along with the band so loudly all the time. You didn't comment on that, just felt another wave of heat going through your body. As you turned, your eyes met Rafe's. A little smirk on his lips as he put a cup into your hand and took a swig out of his own.

[iraprince]

Hey Ira how do you finish stuff? i've been working on a project for months and i just cant find a way to complete it

see, the thing is my first instinctive response to this question was "idk, because i feel like i never finish anything either!"

i mean, obviously i DO, i finish stuff for work etc and if i really never finished anything then there would be nothing on this blog. but from where i'm standing it feels like the amount of stuff i've actually finished is like, a tiny tiny drop in the massive ocean of stuff i've THOUGHT about or WANT to do or maybe have even STARTED but are all collecting dust on the back burner

i think ive had the idea for project catboy since, like, 2017 or something, and i still only have the first draft outline done; i keep thinking i'm not ready to do it justice yet. i think the villains win has existed for a similar amount of time as a concept and i DID finally start it but i've been too busy/occupied w other things to continue. i've been wanting to open an online shop and sell prints + merch for years now, and have done maybe one or two steps in that direction, but then it keeps stalling and getting lost amidst my other more pressing to-dos

basically: i am always working on projects for months (and years!) and never finding ways to complete them, and any personal project i do end up finishing feels like a huge outlier most of the time

so i don't really have solid advice bc i struggle w it so much myself, but i guess i do have a "hey, you're not alone." just keep banging away at things and eventually some of it will pop through, even if most of it doesn't. if i try really hard to skim over the stuff that DOES get done and find a common thread, it's either 1. i literally Had to (work stuff etc,) or 2. i was EXTREMELY passionate/excited about it, and i had a plan/the scope was visible + digestible (i knew how it was going to end or i was kind of aware of all the parts that needed to come together, rather than just kind of writing/drawing endlessly into the abyss without being able to visualize how much progress i was making). if there's no end in sight, maybe the next best step is getting more specific/granular about what the end would actually look like; a lot of times i find that i THINK i know what a project would need to be done, but in reality it's all just a pretty vague concept in my head, and i never actually sat down and hammered out the steps of what i need to do/make! if you have a fixed endpoint, you can ALWAYS be inching toward it, even if it takes forever.

(also, do it shittier. im being so serious. whenever u get really stuck, do a shitty job just to get onto the next step. if you hit the finish line you can always go back and improve/redo things, but a lot of times you might look back and be like "actually the low effort version is fine, in the big picture")

[eclipsejynx-writes]

Playing With Their Food. Pt. 2

Imma be honest I have NO IDEA where you guys came from, but THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH I LOVE YOU ALL! Like once I randomly left and I have 11 notifications for this story specifically??? probably the most attention I've ever gotten online for my writing (or in general). ok im gonna stop blabbering and get to the story-

Summary - After Sidekick was kidnapped, they're trapped with Supervillain. But ever wonder what happened with Hero, the one that 'abandoned' them?

TW - Imprisonment, wounds, coughing blood, blood in general

── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ──

It’s been days. At least, that’s what Sidekick thinks. It could’ve been months at this point. Time was always a strange concept to them. It never started, ended, or was always just… there.

Being stuck in a pearl-white cell gave them time to think. They could think about life outside of the cell, wondering if anything changed with their disappearance. They could think about their friends and family, wondering if anyone missed them. They could hope the agency cared enough to look for them. However, the question lingering in their head was whether or not Supervillain was right.

If Supervillain was right, and Hero abandoned them in the burning building.

A sudden bang on metal knocked them out of their thoughts as their head whipped around. “Prisoner #845, your meal.” A monotonous voice said, their voice barely a whisper. Sidekick strained to turn their body around, hopping off the bed. They staggered towards the door as a small hatch was opened on the other side. A pale pair of hands reached through it, holding a case. It was a smooth, small rectangle that was a light gray; probably the most colorful thing Sidekick had seen since they were kidnapped. Sidekick carefully took it as the hands and limped back to their bed, the hatch shutting with a clang.

They grunted as they sat on the bed. Their limbs felt numb. Their frigid fingers flicked the small clasp on the case, a click indicating the small box was unlocked. They opened it to reveal their day's meal: a cold sandwich with sliced chicken meat, lettuce, and tomatoes.

Sidekick stared at it, their eyes taking in the red juice dripping from the tomatoes, the green of slowly drying grass, and the beige of the sliced meat. Their pupils dilated at the sight of the color. Slowly, their hands touched the bread, its texture soft. Letting out a soft sigh, their hands wrapped around the meal and brought it to their mouth, taking a bite. It was cold, and the juice leaking from the tomato made it soggy—a person who hadn’t been kidnapped would’ve hated it—Sidekick inhaled his food, feeling like it was a meal fit for royalty.

The black camera, tucked away in a corner, turned to Sidekick, observing their every move.

── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ──

“They seem to be adapting quickly,” Villain said. “And it’s only been a month. I think you’ve finally broken them.”

“Hm.” Supervillain stared at the computer screens on the wall in front of them. It was just a canvas-white room, the only inhabitant being Sidekick. “Not yet. I can still see the spark in their eyes.”

Villain rolled their eyes, scoffing. “More like them having an internal crisis. We should just get rid of them. They must be useless if Hero abandoned them.”

“Patience, darling.” Supervillain grabbed the remote on the table and zoomed in on Sidekick. “They have talent. I can feel it. They just need a reminder about what happens in society to useless freaks, and they’ll understand what they need to do.” They grinned. “Besides, they’re fun to toy with, don’t you think?”

Scoffing, Villain turned around. “Whatever. I’ll check on the other goody-two-shoes.” Villain put their hand on the keypad and the doors slid open. Their heels clanked against the metal floors as they stalked the hallways. Multiple recruits and soldiers walked past them, but they ignored every one of them. The walls were slate in color, but they all reeked of blood and iron. As they walked, the number of people around them dwindled, everyone heading towards their chambers to sleep.

Eventually, on the farthest side of the base—its metal composition meant to be impenetrable, a lack of windows to prevent a peek inside, and the edges fortified with an extra layer of reinforced steel—it was meant to keep things inside.

Villain took a key out of their pocket and opened the door, opening with a loud, eerie creak…

“I gotta say, red suits you well,” Villain said, sitting on the chair in front of Hero. Hero tried to laugh, but they fell into a coughing fit. “Careful,” they warned. “You lost a bit of blood.”

“Oh, really?” Hero tried to say sarcastically, but their voice was hoarse.

“Mhm.” Villain crossed one leg over the other. “A bit more than I anticipated, but I’m sure it won’t be that big deal. It shouldn’t be too bad.”

Villain looked at Hero with loving eyes, mesmerized by their looks. For a normal person, it wasn’t a pretty sight. But for Villain? They were in awe. Hero was sitting on a chair, their arms behind their back. Their face was practically purple with the number of bruises littered was large. Their clothes were falling apart, rips and tears caused by the torture they endured. However, the most noticeable was the blood pouring out from the untended wounds scattered around their body. “You look like a canvas with red paint splattered on you.” Hero didn’t respond. Villain chuckled. “My little masterpiece. Has a nice ring to it.”

“Oh, shut up, will you?”

Villain was glowing as they heard Hero’s annoyed response, but they couldn’t take them seriously, not with their ragged breathing. “Lovely noises,” they complimented, but Hero knew it was anything but kind.

“Freaking psycho,” they spat out but started coughing. Villain waited patiently for their coughing fit to stop. However, the more Hero coughed, they could see their clothing stained with bright, fresh red; from their chest and mouth, they couldn’t tell.

“Daw~” Villain teased, speaking over Hero’s groans. “You’re still bleeding? I didn’t think I was that harsh.”

Hero huffed as their coughing finally went to ease, licking their lips. They glared at their captor, not wanting to speak any longer than needed. Villain scoffed. “You wound me, dear.” Villain gave them a mock frown. They stood up and walked over to Hero, not missing their flinch at their sharp movements. Their hand wrapped around their chin, forcing them to look up in their eyes. “But seeing you, tied up and bloody? I gotta say, it’s making me feel things.” Villain grinned and kissed Hero’s forehead, their lips stained with their crimson blood.

“Burn in hell.”

“Cute.” Villain looked at Hero, leaning down. “It’s entertaining, you know that? Seeing your many failed attempts to be so threatening while you’re… you’re basically a breathing corpse.” Villain pushed their weight on them as they leaned on Hero, still stuck on the chair, and put their head on their shoulder, whispering in their ear. “Funny what you’d do for a friend, huh?”

“Where is Sidekick?” Hero ordered, wanting an answer. Villain huffed, their breath tickling Hero’s ear unpleasantly.

“How rude. Always about your little pet and never about me.” Hero could feel the poutiness radiating from Villain. “Seriously, you worry too much. They’re fine if that’s what you’re concerned about.”

“You kidnapped them! And me!” Hero tried to seem intimidating, but they started to cough once more. Snickering, Villain got off them and backed away. They grinned at Hero’s angry face. To them, they were like a kitten.

“I gotta say,” they said, “it’s so fun seeing you so helpless.” They walked around the chair, going behind Hero. Hero attempted to turn their neck, not trusting Villain to leave their vision. “Ah ah-” Villain’s hands grabbed the sides of Hero’s face and forced them to look in front of them. “Don’t break your neck. I’m right behind you.”

“That’s what scares me,” Hero choked out, barely able to speak properly.

“Hm.” Villain rested their chin on top of Hero’s head. Hero winced, the sudden weight making them uneasy. “You’re cute like this. Did I mention that?” Hero slightly nodded, and Villain smiled.

“Good. I just want to make sure you know.”

── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ──

I'm gonna be brutally honest, I hate this one with a burning passion. I don't really like how this turned out. I'm REALLY sorry if it didn't come to your expectations, especially for the ones who asked me for a part two! forgive me (•᷄- •᷅ ;)

[callsignbaphomet]

Been sitting on this all day and I wanna word vomit about it for a bit. Might put a read more if I think it gets too long.

I wanna move forward in Oracle. What do I mean by that? I mean, in a lot of posts you'll often read phrases like "when he (Jelani) finally gets his memory back" or "when Jericho unlocks his (again Jelani) memories" or when I phrase things that pertain to his "old self" in the future tense. I wanna get that part over with and carry it forward from now on.

EDIT: Yeah, this is long as fuck lol but there is/was a lot of information that goes into this and honestly I tend to overexplain stuff and suck at summarizing stuff. So if anyone actually bothers to read any of this, let alone the whole thing, just know that I love you and you now own my soul.

I have a lot to say about Jela and this entire ordeal honestly speaking. There's a lot to him that was done from the get go, some that developed over time (hell, I'm still developing this as I go) and some that was brought over from other AUs believe it or not. Some was on purpose and some that was completely unintentional. Anyway, if anyone's been keeping up, Jelani is actually what in the setting of Oracle is known as a Maker. To recap a Maker is a god to the gods, the god to a pantheon and so on. If there was a tier list from most powerful to least powerful in a deity sort of way it'd have to be:

1. Maker

2. God

3. Demigod

4. and everything else under demigods.

Like I said in a post like a month or two ago, there is nothing higher than a Maker...except for Concepts (we're not gonna get into those at the moment, those are way too difficult to get into and this subject matter is already difficult enough as it is). However, Jelani falls into a weird category. Originally, back when he was known only as Eldest One, he only answered to the Concept of Existence. The pecking order goes as:

1. Concept of Existence

2. Eldest One aka Jelani

3. All the thousands of thousands of Concepts.

4. Every other Maker.

5. Gods

6. Demigods

7. Everything else

Why the hell is he, a Maker, above other Concepts if they are these uber powerful ideas that answer to nothing? Because Eldest One was the very first thing to be created. Not the universe, not the stars, not planets, dark matter, antimatter, matter or anything else. It was Eldest One. So from Eldest One everything else was made. Eldest One is the foundation for literally everything.

But then why is he born to two berserkers? Because he was "killed off" and was reincarnated and this reincarnation stripped him of his memories, powers and abilities. Whatever he knows before Jericho was slowly unlocked on his own and even then he's still operating at 1% of that power.

As Eldest One he was instructed to create a patheon, it would be the very first pantheon--the Primordial Pantheon. From this patheon came Jericho, Iain and several other unnamed gods. As life kept creating itself and evolving each god fell into a role. Death, life, afterlife, creation so on and so on. Concept of Existence took a backseat and just monitored everything. The only thing They had to do was make sure existence kept going, no matter what. As long as there was existence They really didn't care how it was. They would also task Makers with this job: keep existence existing and if there was a threat to existence it was any and all Makers's job to snuff out that problem no matter who or what it was.

CoE sat back and relaxed, made Eldest One an Arch-Maker and for millions of years shit just happened. Some few millions of years later, if you wanna put a timeline to it I guess you could say a little before the Big Bang, Eldest One needed some help managing shit and who better than Jericho. She was trustworthy, reliable, loyal to a fault and capable so Eldest made Her a Maker.

*Makers aren't born, they are ascended by other Makers.

Iain was sort of put off by this because She felt She could do the job better than Jericho could. Could She? No, She was always busy handling Her own thing and was about as helpful as a dick on an elbow but She still felt some type of way. So instead of proving Herself useful or you know, doing Her damn job She instead started spreading the rumor that Jericho bribed Her way to that position. Iain legit thought Jericho was a total yes man just to get rewarded but that was not the case. The rumor spread between the pantheon and other pantheons were starting to lose control of their ranks so to speak and this in turn caused some turmoil and creation as a whole halted. CoE was summoned but all They said was that it was in the hands of the Arch-Maker (Eldest One). Long story short an uneasy agreement was reached but Iain being Iain She kept inciting others behind Eldest One's back which culminated in a coup because Iain managed to convince many gods and Makers that Eldest One operated by favoratism and only those They were fond of could rise to power and before you know it the vast majority of these deities were against Eldest One and Jericho along with a handful were on Eldest One's side. Unfortunately with time Eldest One grew paranoid and trusted no one, not even Jericho. Time passes and the paranoia grows more and more, unrest gets worse, bickering gets worse and creation suffers. The realm being created is almost at a standstill with nothing progressing and a war is almost fully developed until it blew up. An old god of death wanted an audience with Eldest One to see if something could be done to ease tentions but an argument broke and Eldest One killed the old god of death. This was the first ever recorded death to take place. Their corpse was tossed into the half-baked realm to be displayed for all to see and when another Primordial god came forward Eldest One killed that one in a way that caused a massive explosion and from the body and soul came the Big Bang and put everything into motion. However, Eldest One was sort of in a state so a war broke out and They intended to go for everyone since everyone had turned Their backs on Them. Not true but They were so deep in Their paranoia and hurt by it all that They couldn't see reason. Jericho tried to stop Them but They saw it as an attempt to kill Them so Eldest One attacked and injured Her and before They could kill Her CoE finally stepped in and restrained the Arch-Maker but millions of years of paranoia had kind of taken their toll on Them and They were deep in a sort of psychosis. Given that They were immensely powerful and currently a threat to existence CoE had no choice but to kill Them. Sort of.

CoE killed Them physically but Their essence was very much alive and floating in the aether trapped in complete silence and darkness for actual eons. Everyone and everything else thought They were dead and the surviving gods of the Primordial pantheon disbanded though none were ever the same again and no one knew it all started because of Iain's bitch ass.

Here's the thing. CoE could've killed Eldest One but They were the foundation for creation and if They die everything else dies with Them and CoE would have to start all over again. So CoE decided that freezing the prince of existence away until They calmed down was the best choice. They could and should've left Them trapped but CoE had placed a timer on Their prison and when it ran out Eldest One was released but instead of just coming back They decided to move on. Basically the equivalent of changing your name, changing your look a little and moving to a different country to get away from your toxic and bullshit family only a little more complicated.

Memories? Scrubbed clean. Powers? Locked away. Essence? Killed off and passed onto a new self. For all intents and purposes Eldest One is dead and the new owner of the title of prince of existence and the new Arch-Maker is Jelani. Neither of them are the same person. At all. However, Jelani inhereted several things from Eldest One and you can argue that it's not fair since he wasn't responsible for any of it nor did he ask to be the new Arch-Maker and prince. It is what it is though.

So instead of being born a Dreadstar berserker as he would've been had Eldest One not passed on Their role to Jelani he was born as the new Arch-Maker. So what does that mean for him? A lot of things actually. He inherited the powers, abilities, privileges, status and all the negativity as well. When word got out that Eldest One was now this person born from mortals (using that term loosely here, what I really mean is not of divinity) and raised as one all eyes were instantly on him. Both Iain and Jericho knew CoE couldn't just kill Eldest One and they waited eagerly to find Them again and exact revenge in their own way. However, through the years She had Her suspicions about Jelani but She had no tangable proof. She'd get close and observe and even tried to test him in ways to see if what She suspected was right. She even went so far as to try to kill him (managed to injure him though) but She knew better and this inkling of a feeling in Her chest wouldn't let Her do it. She still absolutely hated him, hated him so much She would torment him with hallucinations, night terrors and even made his sleeping disorder worse at times. Speaking of, yeah, the constant migraine attacks he gets are because of Eldest One. CoE crushed part of Their crown and stabbed a bunch of the shards into the right side of Their head and face, which is where the migraine attacks always hit Jelani. Jela's phobia of the dark is the result of Eldest One being trapped in darkness for millions of years. Like I said, Jelani inherited all the negativity from and because of Eldest One. Along with that Jericho and Iain's hate as well as the hatred from thousands of gods and Makers. So when Jericho fully confronted him She saw he couldn't remember anything, hell, he didn't know Her at all and that's when She put two and two together and honestly felt disgusted that Eldest One would just place the burden of it all on him without his consent. She saw how confused by it all Jelani was and to be frank he's had an identity crisis his entire life so in an act of "kindness" She placed Eldest One's memories on him and unlocked all the powers and abilities. No, She shouldn't have done that because She set in motion a lot of bullshit.

Now Jelani was aware of a lot of crap he honestly was not prepared for, was pretty much outted to a ton of other powerful forces that hated him for shit he didn't do and wasn't even aware of, exposed him to Iain and severely pissed off CoE. No one aside from CoE and Jericho knew the truth and as much as Jericho wanted to clear his name She was silenced by CoE so Jelani bore the brunt of it all. Jela wasn't quiet about it though, he was adamant that he wasn't Eldest One but it mostly fell on deaf ears, no one (I'm talking in a cosmic divine level, not his family, friends or non-divine) trusted him and like I keep repeating a lot of them hate him for what Eldest One did. The stress of it all was crazy, he was constantly attacked and/or threatened not just by Iain but by other divinities. He barely slept, barely ate, barely got out of bed and for the second time in his life he actually tried to kill himself but Jericho stopped him. She managed to calm him down enough to get him to see reason mostly in the form of convincing him that he couldn't do that to his husband, his brother, his family and friends. She was basically his one and only (divine) ally.

So after begrudgingly accepting that that was how shit was gonna be from now on he and Jericho went after Iain. Took a while but in the end he managed to kill Her but not before getting Her to confess that She was the one that initiated that whole mess. So what happened after that? Even after all that trouble and hard work a lot of them still didn't trust him but they didn't full on hate him especially when Jericho vouched for him. In the end Jelani wants absolutely NOTHING to do with being an Arch-Maker or anything to do with outer and cosmic gods and the Concepts. He finally got his answers, for better or worse, and unknowingly carried out Eldest One's revenge. Jericho volunteered to take his burden as prince of existence and as a secondary Arch-Maker to carry out all of his duties. Where does that leave Jelani? Self exile. He gave up his duties as prince of existence but he is STILL an Arch-Maker and his place in the pecking order hasn't budged. All the perks and privileges are at his disposal and all that good shit that would make anyone lesser than go power hungry are his but he doesn't acknowledge it and doesn't use it UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY (read: some world ending catastrophy). Yeah, he was bitter for a while and a little lost to be honest but eventually he went back to his old self. CoE tries to steer him back but Jelani pretty much ignores Them and doesn't talk to Them unless it is the absolute last option. Think of it as him going no contact with CoE. Jericho shows up every once in a while to check in. Both he and Jericho were fucked over and a sort of weird friendship formed between 'em.

With this sort of parallel to Angelus it made both his and Angelus's love all the stronger. They both saw themselves in each other, born as something unexplainable, often ostracized by others (Angelus for being a Crossedbreed and Jelani for being the son of two berserkers but not being one himself, feeling like he was a complete disappointment to his family given the rich history of his family from his mother's side), never having the chance to fully understand who they really were because of outside circumstances, being hated for being born something that was completely outside of their control, being completely misunderstood and often times the subject of jealousy from others coveting their power and abilities. Both actually got to a point where they thought of themselves as dangerous monsters and were so afraid of hurting other people but the truth is both are extremely caring, loving and protective people who would rather hurt themselves than to hurt someone else especially loved ones.

With this development a lot of other story-arcs open up especially one of my favorite ones that I'll sit down and write someday lol. Some older enemies become a little more threatening, others become lesser than and other ideas can be explored. I just thought it was about time I moved this forward. I wanna move a lot of things forward but this is already long enough. If you read this to the very end you officially own my soul and I love you.

[squarebracket-trickster]

Happy STS! Since you're on the second draft of ur WIP, how was the progress of the first draft? What are some things you learned during it? What is something you would do differently for your next first draft?

It's so rare to see a writeblr going through revisions and i find your commentary very inspiring. One day i too will be telling myself to leave the sentence be for another draft LOLLL

Oooh I love this question so goddamn much!!! (well, ig it's sort of two? three? questions.) I had so much fun answering this<3333 It was an excellent chance at reflection.

How was the progress of the first draft?

(lol I did not intend for my answer to be this long but it just kept going. But I like the idea of being very transparent about the journey because I hear a lot of nice, summed up "one day I sat down and wrote a novel, the next month I had a manuscript and started querying" stories and I think that can be really invalidating for people for whom the journey isn't that smooth if that is the only narrative you hear.)

I think I came up with the story idea some time in 2019. It was one of those, "princess runs away from an arranged marriage but [redacted due to spoilers]" concepts but at the time I was worldbuilding for other things so I put it aside for later.

About a year later, when I had not made much progress on my other WIPs (due to not having enough worldbuilding ideas to carry a fantasy or sci-fi story and banging my head against a wall trying to think up something I was happy with), I decided, ah what the hell, I'll try this instead.

I picked it because it was a simple concept--an idea fit for a standalone novel on the shorter end, with a fairly small setting and requiring little worldbuilding. It seemed like it would be good practice before I seriously tackled my more ambitious WIPs.

It still took a while to actually get writing. I tried three or four times to make an outline--one was more than 8000 words--and ended up scrapping each of them because when I got to actually writing the scenes I had outlined I found them dry and soulless. I was just going through events that needed to happen but there was no emotion, no humour, no themes, nothing. I tried to write the first chapter once or twice but I started the story too early in the timeline and lost the momentum to keep going. Finally, I wrote a scene somewhere in the middle (the one where Sorin figures out Adris is a girl) and it was the first I was actually happy with. I had fun writing it and then reading it again, and it finally felt like there was some "life" behind the plot I had been failing to outline. I rewrote that scene in both first and third person, decided I liked 1st better, and tried to keep adding to it. Then I had about 3600 words. I wrote another scene near the end (when Isadred and Firnen meet; though I changed this later) and it gave me some direction to work towards.

Then I did not touch the project again for several months.

One day in November of 2021 (NaNoWriMo month but I hadn't heard of it yet) I decided to just go for it and put a bunch of time aside to write like crazy. I started from chapter one and had two rules, 1. Start chapter one as late into the story as possible, and 2. keep it going--don't edit (not even spelling unless it is absolutely critical for me to make sense of later), if I get stuck just jump ahead to the next scene I can write, and if I don't know what happens next just ramble about everything that can't happen until I figure out a situation where that does not apply.

It worked. Really well. The next things I knew (about three weeks in) I had roughly 48 000 words. Some days I was hitting 13-14 000 words per day. Then I took a break because uni and came back to it in April 2022. Same rules, same deal. Suddenly I had 112 572 words.

I got stuck on the ending. I wrote a few scenes but didn't like them. So I figured I would just call it a finished manuscript, put it aside for a while, and come back to it when the time was right.

About two months ago I thought up part of a better ending while in the shower and a few weeks ago, just before I started the second draft I figured out the rest. So I knew it was time and I went back to it.

What are some things you learned during it?

I had a lot of fun. I laughed a lot at the banter and dramatic irony, I highlighted my favourite lines to look back on later, and I left funny comments for myself in the margins. The weird part was that I was not expecting it to be fun at all. I see so much writing content about how hard writing is and how much writers hate it, especially first drafts, and I have done my share of banging my head against a wall (especially in my other WIPs) but, for me at least, it is one thing to get stuck on a plot point, but if I am finding every single new sentence to be a struggle to get down it is probably because my story has not come to life yet. I am writing too much from a place of "hit each plot point in my outline" and not enough from a place of "you know what would be fun/gut-wrenching/shocking/funny/clever/insightful?".

Believe it or not, the middle section was the most fun to write.

I have also come to believe ardently in these commonly touted morsels of advice:

if your story is losing momentum after only a few chapters you either don't know where you are going with it or you have started too far before the inciting incident.

Name your first draft draft zero, garbage draft, word vomit (or in my case, "idk what the FUCK this it looks pretty cool tho"), and just expect utter garbage.

Don't look back, just keep going. You know that thing in improv where they do the "yes, and..." exercise? Do that.

If you are stuck on what happens next, skip that scene and go to the next. There is a chance you may not even need the scene you were stuck on. Long time skips in the same chapter are allowed.

If you don't know what to write just sit down and start rambling. As long as you know what you are trying to write towards, eventually you'll end up there and you can cut the bloat later.

Know your climatic moment before you start--not your ending, but the big final showdown the story is building to. You don't have to know how it resolves (I didn't figure that out until like six weeks ago) but know who is in your final battle and where it takes place.

Don't research. Don't worldbuild. If you need a piece of information you don't have, write [insert type of medieval ship here] and move on.

What is something you would do differently for your next first draft?

I am honestly not sure on this one... I do wish I was a more skilled writer prose-wise because my first drafts would need a lot less editing later on if descriptive, poetic prose came as naturally to me as dialogue and emotional one-liners. But all I can really do for that is keep practicing.

The only other thing I wished I had done from the start was keep a journal, log, or blog of my progress, and save some of the funny comments and [somehow our two romantic leads have to sword fight their way out of a masquerade ball in this scene while dressed to the nines] notes-in-brackets I left in the draft but went back and deleted later once I actually filled out the scene. Hence the existence of this blog now.

One of these days I would also like to develop a proper writing schedule to make more consistent progress throughout the year (instead of the random sprints of activity followed by months of not touching it that I do now). But between the ADHD and the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome I don't know when that will happen.

[isabilightwood]

5-4-3-2-1 Fic retrospective + resolutions!

Tagged by @wrecklwj Thank you! 💕💜

Post the following: 

top 5 works you’re most proud of that you released in 2022 (not necessarily your most popular, and non-ao3 works count!)

your top 4 current WIPs that you’re excited to release in the new year

your top 3 biggest improvements in your writing over the past year

your top 2 resolutions (ways you wish to improve your writing/blog) for the new year

and your number 1 favorite line you’ve written in 2022! 

Tagging @spookykingdomstarlight @fapamir @rubberduckieassassin @tapiokay @habibinasir and anyone who wants to participate 🥰

My answers below the cut!

Top 5 works you’re most proud of that you released in 2022

1. sweet beneath sharp edges - (CQL/MDZS) Light horror murder mystery monsterfucking rom com in jazz age Shanghai. This one was, ngl, very difficult to pull off. It took a lot of research, less on broader history of China in that period (which I was familiar with) but the details, like had flash bulbs and washing machines been invented yet? What flowers and fruits and vegetables should be growing at that time of year? And I think the result was pretty fun! 2. inevitable everything - (CQL) Pretend war prize but the self-arranged marriage is real. Wangxian can admit their attraction to each other, but not their feelings. Cue the pining while fucking (+ Plot). I'm happy with how it turned out -- I felt like the characters' emotions landed where I wanted them to and writing a 194k fic in a year was just a big accomplishment in general (one that I will not be repeating this year for my own sanity 😅) 3. doing the wrong thing wholeheartedly - (CQL/MDZS) modern cultivation with rivals to lovers and truly wacky worldbuilding decisions about dragons. This fic made me feel positively gleeful while writing it -- there's really something to be said for writing specifically to an audience of yourself! 4. something wicked - (CQL/MDZS) modern with magic coffee shop au. WWX's a witch who helps the living sort out their lives and the dead move on, LWJ's just been turned into a talking bunny. The curse can only be broken by True Love's Kiss -- but they're both convinced they've just been rejected. I actually struggled a lot with this one, sat on it for months, begged help from @/luckymarrow before I felt comfortable releasing it. I like the final version quite a bit, and it really seems to have made people happy, which is always my goal

5. red strings and eager hands - (MDZS/CQL) canon divergence where WWX believes LWJ has betrayed him, and LWJ responds by stripping. Written for jing's gorgeous art! It was a bit of a challenge to write LWJ's feelings during the smut, and that was very much a good thing for my writing! This was another one that was a lot of fun to write and I love the outcome!

Top 4 current WIPs that you’re excited to release in the new year

I only have 2 active WIPs right now but --

YLLZ!Wen Qing! This one's been living in my head for over a year, slowly growing from an initial idea Wen Qing with ghost girls to vague concept of what if JGS and WRH's roles were swapped and the Jiang were allied with the Jin to mostly outlined with 10k on the page. I'm very excited to write Wangxian in a secret relationship that puts WWX in an impossible position re: saving the Jiang siblings, an angsty slow burn for Wen Qing and Mianmian, and some very creepy monsters

My Bottomji Big Bang fic! Which I cannot talk about, but will be very in line with my typical nonsense 😆

I have thoughts on a something wicked prequel about Wangxian becoming friends when LWJ could newly see ghosts. They are just thoughts so far

A something wicked where WWX is trying to help a pair of starcrossed lovers get together, and LWJ is just trying to get railed on their anniversary. This is also just thoughts

Top 3 biggest improvements in your writing over the past year

Atmosphere - particularly in sweet beneath sharp edges, which was a bit of a stylistic challenge

Visual detail - I feel like I've improved on how I describe settings, appearance, etc and choosing when to do so with less disruption of the flow of the story

Smut - I've written a lot more variety in my smut scenes in 2022 and (I think) gotten better at getting them to flow

Top 2 resolutions

Take my next long fic at a slower pace instead of pushing myself to complete it. 2022 was busy, but 2023 is likely to be even more so and I don't want to burn myself out over something I do for fun

Write what makes me happy!

Number 1 favorite line you’ve written in 2022!

I was seduced by music and conversation and kindness in the sunlight.

[windblume-wishes]

Just A Bunch Of Hocus Pocus - Twisted Wonderland

Ace, Deuce, and Blume are helping Sam clear out some old boxes of mysterious items that he has in the back. When Blume discovers a mysterious old candle who knows what trouble can come with it?(Featuring Blume!! My OC!!)

Wattpad AO3

Chapter 2: A Virgin Lit The Candle

It was now sunset, the sun hang low on the horizon as it slowly sank below the waves. The sky was becoming dark quickly and the wind blew a chill through the crisp autumn leaves. There was a rich scent of wood fire burning from the Ramshackle fireplace with soft crackles and pops emerging from the flames as they danced like a ribbon in the wind.

Ace and Deuce sat by the fire with Grim while Blume sat on the sofa still admiring the details on the candle, there was something about the candle that fascinated Blume- the design depicted a time of pain and sadness for witches, there were women being hung in the imagery and there were cauldrons and strange symbols littered in the design- it was quite unusual but nonetheless beautiful in its own way.

Blume stood up and placed the candle atop the kitchen table, preparing the boys some hot cider and Grim some tuna in his favourite bowl. Blume could feel a strange energy- one that was almost drawing her back to the candle. Blume had ties to Salem in their world, it ran deep within her veins, an ancestor who was responsible for hunting and even killing many suspected witches was the blood she carried. A chill went down her spine, reddish hair began to puff in response to the chill but paid no mind to it.

"Boys, Grim! I have cider and tuna for you three!" Blume called from the kitchen, almost instantly the three darted in and sat at the table with a mug of cider in their hands and Grim happily munching on his canned tuna. "Not sure what it is but that candle is calling my name- it's just- I'm not sure I should light it... there's something strange about it..."

"Blume, are you being a bloody chicken because of some scary story?" Ace smirked. "Never you would get cold feet with a stupid candle! Haha! Girls are always scaredy-cats, eh Deuce?"

Blume punched Ace on the shoulder, huffing in disapproval with his remark. "Jerk! That is false on a number of levels!"

"Yeah, Ace, if Leona can be good to ladies, you can too... please do not make Blume angry..." Deuce sighed, taking another sip of his cider.

"You know what, fine! I'll light the bloody candle since you both are too chicken, it's as Blume said earlier! It's just a bunch of Hocus Pocus, eh?" Ace grinned mischievously as he took the lighter out of the kitchen drawer, Grim already hopped off the table and into Blume's arms, shivering.

"Ace! You are scaring Grim! Grim, it's okay buddy, there, there, kitty." Blume soothed, petting his fur gently as he buried his face into her neck, not caring about his claws digging into her sweater. "Ace- think about this- if it is the real one.... You know what will happen!"

"Yeah, yeah, I'll summon some old hags back from the bloody grave! What did Trein say, a virgin has to light the candle? Here I am!"

"Um, guys..." Deuce spoke up in confusion. "What's a virgin?"

Ace and Blume looked directly at Deuce who stood there looking innocent and confused, one would think at age sixteen he would understand the concept of virginity but it appeared not, not even after the "Chicken Trauma" two months ago.

"Deuce, sweetie, you see- well- um... lets have Trey talk to you about that... oh dear..."

"Dude- how do you not know?! Whatever- I'll get you some magazine- geez! How embarrassing... sixteen and never had the ol' talking to?! Whatever- light em up!"

Ace turned the lighter on and lit the candle, the flame turned black, it WAS the candle!

"Uh oh-" the ginger groaned, realizing how terribly he messed up.

Suddenly all the lights went out with a bang, the ground began to shake and the cracks between the floorboards began to glow an ominous green. Chaos was coming and there was an eerie energy in the air. Everyone screamed as the whole dorm shook and creaked then suddenly it stopped- everything was silent.

"W-what happened?!" Ace sputtered in disbelief. "What the bloody hell was that?!"

"A virgin lit the bloody candle!" Blume grumbled, still holding Grim as Deuce hugged them both.

All of a sudden the lights turned back on one by one with a pop, there was a sound of cackling older ladies coming from the back door. The four of them looked at each other and ran to the pantry where they could hide, hoping they would not be seen. The door burst open and three witches entered, cackling heartedly at their grand revival courtesy of Ace.

"Ohoh! We are back! We are back, sisters! But, where are we? I smell children~! Delightful!" Winifred exclaimed excitedly, sniffing the air as she walked around the kitchen.

"Winnie! Look! The candle is lit! Did another child light it?" Mary replied as she circled the kitchen table.

Sarah began to sniff the air like a hound, catching a wiff of the four and moving closer to the pantry. "Winnie! I smell two little boys and I think a girl!"

"Find them! Find them and my book! I must have my book! Those little rats must have it!" Winifred huffed, digging through the cabinets for the spell book.

"Found you!" Sarah burst the pantry open suddenly, causing the bunch to scream in surprise. "Look, Winnie! Teenagers! Three of them and a kitty!"

"G-go away! Leave us alone!" Deuce yelled, swatting Sarah's hand away from him. "I'll blast you back!"

"Yeah! I will too!" Ace spoke up, grabbing his magic pen from his pocket and pointing it at Sarah but it was no use, Mary quickly approached and dragged him out. "Hey! Let me go!"

"Feisty little boy, you are! And look! A wand, I see? You are a magical child, hm?" Winifred asked, running her long nails along his face.

"Yeah I can do magic! You are at a whole school full of us who can! Mess with one of us and all of us will bast you old hags to the past!" Ace barked back.

"Grab the other two!" Winifred ordered, watching Blume cling to Deuce and Grim. Mary and Sarah separated the two, each witch had one from the group.

"This girl, you are a girl right? Trousers on a lady?" Winifred questioned as she moved towards Blume. "And what is this? A cat? Not a black one but a grey one with strange blue ears? Odd creature- are you a witch, girl?"

"No? Not exactly... I can do magic but I would not consider one's self to be a witch." Blume responded with a huff and a glare.

"Winnie! Winnie! Look at her hair! It's red! Remember how this hair colour was feared? Haha!!" Sarah laughed as she played with Blume's hair. "Oh and her eyes! Green eyes are a witch's eyes!"

"O-Oi! Let her go! Let her go o-or I'll drop a cauldron on you!" Deuce threatened, whipping out his pen and pointing it at the three witches. "I WILL DO IT!"

The three stood there laughing, not taking him seriously which only angered the navy haired boy more.

"Oh? What is a little boy going to do to us, hm? We are experienced witches! You are but- well by your scent I'd wager a beginner! Children these days think they are so tough!" Winifred cackled but it was too late, Deuce had already begun to summon the cauldron.

"COME FORTH, CAULDRON!" A loud bang echoed through the house, shaking the ground, they were being squashed under its weight, but they knew they had to run as it would only hold for a little while longer. "RUN! Hurry let's go get Crowley and- uh- and Housewarden Rosehearts!"

—————

Lesson of the day is one should never light a suspicious candle from the past... you never know who you will bring back from the grave...

- Windblume

[ronnie-azumane]

Rebound

Kuroo Tetsurou x female reader 18+

NSFW, IF YOU ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 18, PLEASE DO NOT INTERACT

Warning: mentions of breakup, cunnilingus, 1 photo taken (nature of which is slightly nonconsensual), aftercare

A/N: So, uhh, these past few months have been wack in regards to my love life. I went from breaking off an almost 2-year long distance relationship, to proclaiming that I’m gonna have a hoe phase on Tinder, to actually meeting a guy who I actually like (who knew I would have a successful Tinder relationship?!?!)…….. soooooooo

ALSO-- this is my first (serious) smut I've ever written. Please be kind.

ALSO ALSO-- if this gets enough love, I might make this concept into a full-blown fic

You did everything right. You made time for him. You gave him gifts. You sent him both a good morning and a goodnight text every day. You fulfilled his needs, even when it didn't necessarily benefit you.

Or so you thought.

If you didn't answer that butt-dial from him and heard the pants and moans coming from his end, you would have lived happily in ignorant bliss. If you didn't go to check on him to see if he was ok, you wouldn't be in the predicament you found yourself in currently.

Now you find yourself, wrapped in blankets, crying on his neighbor's couch.

Your boyfriend would always complain about his next door neighbor Tetsurou Kuroo, how he would be the reason your boyfriend got in trouble with loud music and smoking with the landlord. However, despite your boyfriend's hatred of him, you grew close to the rooster head, becoming proper friends and not the girl who apologizes after every night she gets a little loud. He didn't approve of this friendship, but there wasn't much he could do about it.

Now that he's your ex, there is absolutely nothing he could do about it.

"So you walked in and saw him banging his coworker?" Tetsurou asked, placing a glass of cold water into your hand. Your body shook as you lifted the glass up to your lips to take a sip. You then set the glass down on the side table.

"Yes, and it was the one he told me not to worry about." you stuttered. You didn't care much for that coworker. She always seemed to weasel her way into your relationship. Date nights were cut short by her calling your [now ex] boyfriend to help her with a problem. He always seemed to be texting or calling her, and when you would ask why, he would just say 'work' and close his phone so you couldn't see. You would express your concern, but he would assure you that he only had eyes for you.

What bullshit.

Your wails of agony have since subsided to small sniffles. Your breathing was still rapid and without control, but for the most part you were calming down.

Then your phone went off, sounding a text tone that you had specifically saved for your now ex boyfriend.

As you reach for your phone, Tetsurou grabs a hold of it.

"Gimmie that," you whine.

"Password," Tetsurou demands.

"W-what? I'm not just gonna give-"

"Password!" Tetsurou demands even louder. Sighing, you tell him your password and he unlocks your phone. He reads over the text your ex sent you, talking about how you didn't know the whole story and scoffs. He taps on your phone a bit and gently tosses it on the couch cushion next to you as she sits himself down.

"Blocked him for you. He was going on about how you don't know the whole story and that this was the first and only time he messed up. Newsflash, I'm his neighbor, and the girl he has been with the last few weeks definitely wasn't you."

"Oh," you sniffle. So your suspicions were correct. This had been going on for quite a bit. "If you knew, why didn't you tell me earlier?" you asked Tetsurou.

"Well, honestly, I just put the pieces together this morning," Tetsurou replies. The walls are thin, so he could hear every gasp and moan that happened on the other side. He figured it was you, since you were his girlfriend after all. He would just turn on a show and watch it to tune out the love making on the other side of the wall. However, when he didn't receive the usual sorry note under the door that you would write, he knew something was up. The amount of times he would have to turn on his show wasn't going down, but the amount of the little notes he received was.

"You know, I don't think he ever loved me," you say, turning away from Tetsurou. "I honestly think he only liked the idea of me." The waterworks started to flow again.

"I tried so hard, you know? I know he didn't treat me the best, but I stuck with it because I thought he truly loved me," you sob into your hands. You smash your palms into your eyes as you cry out, as if you are trying to stop the tears coming out of your eyes. But they don't stop. If anything, they start to flow out faster.

"What did I do wrong?"

As soon as that question escaped your lips, Tetsurou pulled you into his lap and pressed you head against his chest. You cried even harder, balling his tear-soaked t-shirt in your clenched fists. He ran his nails across your scalp, lightly scratching it in an attempt to calm you down. Usually you would tell him to stop so as to not mess up your hair, but hair was the last thing on your mind at the moment. His other hand was rubbing your back, grounding you from the emotions racking your body at the moment.

"You did nothing wrong," he whispered over and over again in your ear, repeating until you calmed back down. He reached across from you and grabbed the glass of cold water and placed you off of his lap.

"Please drink up, I think you cried half of your water weight in the past 30 minutes alone," he joked, earning a small giggle from you. "I hate to leave you alone, but I'm going to change real fast and get you some bubble tea from that place down the street you like. Sound like a plan?" He asked, earning a nod from you.

With that, he stood up and left to go change and get some tea. You sat back on the couch and watched the door close shut. Now you were alone.

You had been in his apartment a couple times before, but now you were truly looking around at his décor. He didn't have much hanging on his walls, but he had a few pictures here and there. One was of his old volleyball team from high school. He stood in the middle with his red number 1 jersey sticking out for all to see that he was the captain.

Another picture he had on the wall was a picture of a small girl in his arms. After recalling a couple of conversations the two of you had, you remembered that he did have an older sister who had a daughter of her own. His niece.

Her short black hair was sticking up into two little pigtails, each decorated with a small pink bow. Her fluffy pink dress contrasted beautifully with the black dress shirt Tetsurou was wearing. Both of their smiles reached their ears.

He looked pretty good.

You sit there thinking, realizing only now that Tetsurou, the 'nasty neighbor' of your ex boyfriend, your friend, was pretty attractive. How come he didn't have a girlfriend of his own? Did he maybe swing the other way? You shook that thought out of your head when you remembered the stories he would tell of his high school sweetheart.

What happened to her?

While you're lost in thought, you don't hear the front door opening up.

"Here!" Tetsurou shouts, scaring the living daylights out of you. In one hand he's holding two cups of tea with the little tapioca balls at the bottom, and in the other are two straws. You sigh in relief as he sits down next to you, handing you your tea and straw.

"Tetsurou, what ever happened to that girl you dated in high school?" you ask as you stab the straw through the plastic.

"Oh, Alisa? It wasn't too brutal. Our futures were going in different directions and we just fell out of love," he shrugged as you sipped some tea and a few balls of tapioca.

The silence is deafening. Every time you glance at him, you shutter. 'How did I not see how hot he is earlier?' you scold to yourself.

The longer you look at him, the more you get worked up. Your eyes travel downwards to his neck. His Adams apple is sticking out, not too much, but just the perfect amount. They continue downward to his arms, which are framed beautifully by the cotton t-shirt he's wearing. His veins twist across his muscular arm and down to his hands.

Oh god his hands! The roughness of the veins popping out contrast with the smooth, even coloring of his skin. light callouses dot his palms, but for the most part, his hands are soft. perfect for caressing-

Not paying attention, you start to choke on a tapioca pearl. Coughing and wheezing, and with a little help from Tetsurou, you get it out of your windpipe. You pull the straw a little higher to avoid any more tapioca at the moment to catch your breath.

"You alright?" Tetsurou asks, and you nod a little too frantically. He squints his eyes and stares at you for a little bit, seeking confirmation that you're actually ok and not lying to him. Pursing your lips together in a sort-of smile, he takes that as the confirmation he needs and moves back to his drink.

The way he sips on the straw, how his soft, supple lips form around the straw and suck. The way the tea he's drinking dribbles down his chin just a little bit. The way he moves his thumb over his chin to wipe it up.

It shouldn't be getting you this worked up.

"So, is there anything you want to do now?" Tetsurou asked, reaching for the remote as if to imply that they should watch something on the TV. The way his arm flexes as he reaches across you.

You can't take it anymore.

"I want you to fuck me!" you blurt. As soon as the words left your lips, your hands shot up to cover your mouth.

Now it is his turn to choke on his tea. He drops the remote and it breaks apart on the wooden floor. Your hands migrate from your mouth to cover your face. This has to be the most embarrassing moment in your life.

"W-what?" Tetsurou asked, finally catching his breath. You keep your hands on your face, as if they are glued in place. The last thing you want is to look at him, much less in the eye.

"Ju-just ignore what I said! It's not important!" you frantically wave your hands around, hoping maybe they can help you fly away from the current situation.

Alas, you are merely human, and must suffer through the consequences of your actions.

Frantically, you shoot up from your seat, mumbling a string of farewells as you walk toward the door. However, you do not make it far, as you find your hand encapsulated in Tetsurou's as he yanks you back onto your spot on the couch.

"You can't just leave after saying something like that," Tetsurou mumbles. His ears are burning bright red while his cheeks are dusting a soft pink.

"Don't worry about it, I'll just download tinder and relive my frustrations there," you stutter, trying to stand up. However, under Tetsurou's grip and stare, your attempts are rendered futile. Fully realizing the situation, you sigh and throw your head back against the back of the couch.

"Fine," you mumble, blushing, "sorry for making you uncomfortable, I definitely did not mean to say that out loud."

Silence.

Unsure of what to do, you start to explain yourself.

"I'm just so frustrated, and I just wanted to... you know... get him back, like an eye for an eye type of deal," yo ramble on.

Tetsurou dropped his head into the palms of his hands, nodding his head left and right.

"And while you were gone, I kinda realized how attractive you were and i-"

"I never said I wouldn't, did I?" Tetsurou asked, not lifting his face out of his hands.

With that statement, the air is sucked out of your lungs. Your heart beats faster in your chest, while simultaneously wrapping itself tight within your body.

"No, uh, you don't have t-"

""Honestly, I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to... for a while now," Tetsurou admitted, "So I'll do it, my only rule being that we won't go all the way today."

You press your fists into your plush thighs. "Why not? You literally just admitted that you were attracted to me," you ask.

"Because I don't want to give myself false hope."

"Why would fucking give y-" you tried to ask before Tetsurou interrupted your interruption.

"You just broke up with your long time boyfriend, a messy break-up I may add. Your emotions are all over the place. I really like you, (y/n), I just don't want to be your rebound. I want to be with you because you truly like me, not to get back at your shitty ex next door." He let out, like a breath held underwater.

"Oh," you whisper. He made a great point. What were your intentions right now? Was this all a ploy to get revenge on your ex? Did you actually like Tetsurou that way?

Did it really matter?

"So what?" you ask, stunning Tetsurou into silence.

Tetsurou swallows the lump in his throat and asks you to clarify.

"Well, there is a mutual attraction, and we both clearly want this, why don't we just go for it and see what happens?" you ask.

The pause is long and silent. Tetsurou’s eyes were looking everywhere but at you. Did he actually want this? Yes, but in this way? He took a glance in your direction and saw you still staring down at your tea, swiveling the ice around in circles.

You were definitely a sight for sore eyes in Tetsurou’s ever so humble opinion. The way your face was tinted the slightest red color made his heart melt. He would never forgive his neighbor for what he did to you, making your larger than life personality look small and meek.

Overwhelmed with feelings of both attraction and adoration, he simply couldn’t help himself. He promised himself he wouldn’t do this, but after all this time of him secretly crushing on her from a distance, he just couldn’t hold out anymore.

He grabbed your face and turned it toward him, crashing his lips onto yours.

The kiss became more feverish as the seconds passed. A simple peck turned into moments of locking lips, trying to taste each other.

His lips were thin, however soft, with the slight sting of mint chapstick tingling your tongue. You decided to take initiative and slipped your tongue out to taste his bottom lip. He took the signal and included his tongue in the dance, the two muscles stroking together as he grasped the hair on the back of your head and pulled you closer.

As the make-out session continued, the two of you started to position yourselves on the couch; you lying against the armrest and him balancing himself on top of you. Once in this position, his hands started to wander across your body.

Every curve of yours was not left without attention. His hands traveled from behind your head to your chest, from your chest to down your stomach, from your stomach to your thighs, and finally spread your thighs apart to gain access to your covered core, where you wanted to feel his hands the most.

His kisses started trailing south to the crook of your neck, moving from kissing to sucking as he started to rub your clothed slit. An airy gasp escaped your lips, enjoying all the sensations you were feeling at the moment. Once he was satisfied by the purple bruise left just above your collarbone, he started to sit up, causing you to whine from the loss of contact.

Your whining soon stopped however when you noticed him grabbing at your shorts, working to pull them down. As he started to pull down, your breath got caught in your throat, causing it to be held in. Flinging your shorts and panties behind him, he gently kissed your thigh and asked, “Do you still want this, you seem a little tense?”

“Yes!” you gasp a little too fast. His breath was so warm against your wet pussy, teasing you to the point of no return.

“Ok, you have to let me know if you get too overwhelmed or want to stop at any point,” he says before diving down. You are about to acknowledge him until a heavy gasp escapes your lips before you can give your confirmation.

Tetsurou didn’t hesitate going down on you. He simply couldn’t wait any longer. Simply pumping his fist wasn’t doing it for him anymore.

He started to kiss, flick, and suck at your clit, making you breathe harder with the rising pleasure. His movements were soft and light, but they were shaking your very core. He grabbed your thighs and placed them over his shoulders, giving him more access.

His movement was simple, something you could easily replicate with your fingers and maybe a quality toy, but that didn’t change how it was working on you. Your heavy breaths turned into soft whimpers as the pleasure began to bubble up.

You were progressing nicely, but Kuroo didn’t think it was progressing fast enough. To remedy his frustrations, he rubbed his fingers against your wetness, slicking it up to start thrusting into you.

The anticipation of his fingers slipping into you made your whimpers louder. He switched up his mouth to sucking your clit between his teeth and flicked it with his tongue and slowly inserted a finger. He pressed the pad of his finger against the ceiling and started to thrust in and out, rubbing against the entirety of your g-spot softly.

This new sensation had you bucking your hips and bubbling over with pleasure, pretty much ripping the orgasm out of you. Tetsurou smiled as you rode out your orgasm, moaning and whimpering small vowel sounds.

The orgasm was nice, but Tetsurou knows you can be louder, he's definitely heard you get louder at least.

Before you can fully recover from your high, his lips reattach to your clit and insert two fingers into you. The moan that escaped your lips was loud and almost pornographic. He smirked, knowing your shit ex next store most likely heard it.

Although, he knew that the fun this round was only just beginning.

Instead of thrusting his fingers in and out, he started to press his fingers up against you, as if he was motioning for you to come here.

The new motion of his fingers mixed with his lips sucking and tongue flicking at your clit was causing you to sprint to the edge way too fast. You couldn’t hold back your moans by control alone, so you bit the back of your hand in an attempt to suppress the noise.

Tetsurou was having none of that today. Using his other hand, he rips your arm away from you, silently implying that he wants to hear how loud you were being.

You try to ground yourself by grasping the armrest behind you, although that doesn’t do much to stop yourself from the orgasm that's rising far too quickly.

Your moans are getting louder and louder as you get closer and closer. Tetsurou has you teetering on the edge as his movement gets faster and faster. Soon your coil snaps and you find yourself cumming harder than you ever have before.

You thrash your head side to side as your hips buck up toward his fingers. He removes his lips and fingers and starts to quickly rub his fingers back and forth on your clit as you ride out your orgasm, extending the peak longer than what you're used to.

As you start to once again come down from your high, you hear soft chuckling coming from Tetsurou. You look up to find his shirt soaking wet.

“Di-did i-i do that?” You ask, afraid of the answer.

“If you’re referring to the squirting, yes, you just did. Hard,” Kuroo smirks, causing your already flushed face to burst even more red in embarrassment. Instinctively, you hide your face behind your hands, as if you could magically disappear if you couldn’t see him.

“Pretty hot,” he mutters to himself before beginning to suckle on your inner thigh, allowing you to completely come down before going back at it. Beyond your blissful sighs, Tetsurou heard your phone buzzing in the background.

Blocked Number.

An evil smirk came to his face as a sinister idea popped into his mind. While you were blissfully unaware of your phone buzzing, Tetsurou opened your phone and unblocked your ex, just to see if he was reacting to the pretty sounds you were making.

And reacted, he did.

Countless messages flooded your phone after Tetsurou unblocked his number, with messages ranging from ‘come back, let’s talk baby,’ to ‘you better not be with Kuroo right now.’ The final message read, “I know that’s you at Kuroo’s apartment, you fucking bitch.”

“Tetsurou, what are you doing?” you ask, finally in grip with reality.

“Just giving your ex a bit of a show,” he replied, diving right back in.

Breathlessly, you grasp his bed head, trying to get a grip on your once again slipping reality. In the heat of the moment, he pushed your thighs down to each side, revealing your flushed pussy. While flicking his tongue on your clit once again, he snapped a selfie. In the frame was his face, smirking with his tongue out flicking your clit. To make the picture even better, your manicured hands were in view, gripping his hair in pleasure.

Perfect for a porn twitter account.

Tetsurou typed out ‘your loss, pal,’ and sent the text, blocked your ex’s number once again, and tossed your phone to the side, getting back to work, soon bringing you to your third and final orgasm.

After cleaning you up and bringing you a glass of water, Tetsurou snuggled up to you under a cozy blanket. As your endorphins went down, the pure dread of what your ex did came back.

“What’s wrong, (Y/N), do you regret what we did?” Tetsurou asked, the expression of pure concern expressed on his face.

“No, I’m just angry about this whole thing! Three years gone!” you shutter, trying to hold back tears. Tetsurou held you tighter.

“He doesn’t deserve you,” he whispered, brushing your hair out of your face.

For the next ten minutes, you were crying into his chest as he rubbed you back and whispered soothing words.

As you calm down and sip your water, Tetsurou breaks the silence saying, “We need to talk about what just happened and what we are.”

You don’t reply, instead, you stare off to the side past Tetsurou’s shoulder.

“I kinda like you, but I’m not sure,” you meekly reply.

“Understandable. I want you to sleep on the idea of us. After you think of it, I want you to call me. Then we can get dinner.”

Space is what she needs, and space is what Tetsurou is willing to give her.

“Sounds great, but can I stay a little longer?” you ask, nuzzling seemingly closer into his warmth.

“Stay as long as you need, sweetie.”

[bowandcurtsey]

Okay okay okay. A little backstory context. Does anyone remember the lanyards you could learn to make at summer camps when you were a kid? (I’m referring to these if you have no idea what I’m talking about) Well when I was younger, I loved the different color combos… but for the life of me, at the time, I just could not ever get the weaving right and a lot of the time I would just get frustrated and start tying knots with the string pretending it was my own version of a lanyard 😓dang that sounds sad now that I’ve typed it out…

ANYWAY, the important part of that backstory is the getting frustrated and tying knots instead.

What about a scenario where Nozel’s wife is on a mission for a month or 2. So she’s going to work with daddy during the day (at the hideout/his office- not on missions) until mommy gets back (she’s still a little young to start school/lessons + Nozel wanted to be a hands on parent like Acier and didn’t feel right passing his child/children off to nannies if it could be avoided) After a couple weeks of seeing her sweet daddy looks so commanding, respectable, and authoritative with his squad and subordinates, Nozel’s little girl wanted to try braiding her little bangs like daddy. Maybe it would make him proud of her and he might smile at work too!🤩😍 So she gets up as early as she can muster one morning (which really isn’t very early but she’s really little so let’s give her credit) She got dressed and sat in front of her little vanity table and started to try braiding her bangs. Easier said than done. Mommy hasn’t taught her how to braid her hair yet. Eventually (you guessed it) she starts getting frustrated and tying a stack of knots with her bangs to somewhat, kind of, sort of not really resemble a braid. Right as she finishes tying the House-Silva-fleur-de-lis pendant at the end, Nozel knocks on her door to tell her it’s time to go and she runs out in front of him with a nervous blush and smile saying I tried braiding like daddy!”

Could you please do Nozel’s reaction to this? Maybe like mentally his reaction (what’s he thinking? Is he freaking out?) and then how he actually handles the situation (says it looks nice but tries to help get the knots out and teaches her how to braid) how much his heart swells after he asks her why she wanted to do this and she responds with something like “Daddy is so respkable and serious at work. I wanted to be like that and make him proud having me at work. Make his smile at work…” (she still has a little trouble with pronunciation, especially when she get shy or embarrassed [which she is a little because she didn’t do it right])

I just really needed to request some daddy Nozel & daughter fluff 🥰

Hope you have an awesome day!

Hi lovely bby, I have to say, I gushed at this request so much, it's so cute!!! Ahh, Nozel and his little girl (*ฅ́˘ฅ̀*)

I love this concept so much.

d/n = nozel's daughter's name

Nozel Silva

"I tried braiding like daddddyy!"

Nozel looked at d/n with knots in her fringe, it was surely going to be a tough time taking out those knots. But he looked at her determined face, her eyes bright and her cheeks a rosy pink. She was an exact replica of her mother, the love of his life.

His heart did a little flip as it welled up with pride, realising that his daughter wanted to be like him.

"Why do you want to be like daddy?" he kneeled down and carefully carried her up in his arms and brought her back to her little vanity table, where it was a mess. There were brushes, combs, hair ties all over the table.

She really did try her best to do this and make it on time to head to work with daddy.

"Daddy is so respkable and serious at work. I wanted to be like that and make him proud having me at work. Make his smile at work…"

Nozel's lips couldn't help but curl into a smile at how adorable his little girl is, he'd be sure to show it off to his wife when she comes back from her mission.

"Respectable." Nozel corrected her, "And 'make him smile'"

"Res.. pek.. ble.." she tried her best to follow what he said.

Nozel chuckled. He seldom did that in his younger days, but ever since he got married and had d/n, he smiled and laughed more. He slowly took out the knots in her hair, one by one.

Then, he tied a little braid on the side of her hair instead, because her fringe was actually too short.

d/n pouted a little, "daddy, I want to be like you!"

Even her pout was like her mother; irresistible, and he had to give in to her.

"Cupcake, it's a little too short, so daddy did it along the sides instead, when it grows longer you can tie it like daddy ok?" he explained patiently to her.

Nozel Silva only had patience towards his woman and little girl. He simply doted and spoilt them too much.

d/n nodded and Nozel patted her hair gently, "let's go, we're late for work."

She waddled along, holding onto her dad's long and slender fingers, "sowwie for daddy late!"

"It's okay, cupcake," Nozel formed his Mercury eagle, a sight d/n never got tired of seeing. She's happy that she got to ride on daddy's cool and fast Mercury Eagle everyday lately.

"Daddy! I want to sit on eagle everyday!"

"only until mommy comes back," he patted her head

"But I want to go to work with daddy everyday!"

"so.. you won't miss mommy then?"

"..."

Nozel chuckled, thinking to himself, she is a mummy's girl after all.

"But I would miss daddy when he goes to work!"

He looked at her with widened eyes.

"Bring me when mummy comes back, ok daddy?" she tugged a little at his braid, "Sometimes!"

"Okay cupcake," Nozel pecked the top of her hair, "daddy will."

-end-

SO MUCH FLUFF AND EXTRA SUGAR, AHHHHH!!

[yournotsolocalcryptid]

Hello!!! Could you do anything Ben related? We need more Ben concepts in this site 🤧

Thank you!!

Sure can!

this was sposta be a quick blurb/concept but it got away from me and is now one of the longest fics I've ever written lol

fake it 'till ya make it

pairing(s): Ben Hardy x Gender Neutral!Reader

Warnings: sexual themes throughout, avert your eyes, children! 18+. this is barely edited and barely proofread so yeah... I apologize in advance for any mistakes.

Word count: 1.6k

You and Ben have been neighbors for going on a year now and you’d always been friendly, greeting each other when you pass, helping the other carry in their groceries and so on and so forth but most recently every time you spoke, no matter how briefly you ended up commiserating over your new neighbor. A few months ago a man had moved into the apartment closest to both you and Ben. he seemed to always be partying, yelling at the TV, fighting with his girlfriend all of which was predated by or immediately followed by sex with the fakest moans and fakest orgasms you’d ever heard.

You and Ben had joked once or twice about it and had felt bad that she was having to fake it but before too long most of your sympathy had gone, especially after an encounter with her in the hall. You and Ben were speaking quietly and joking around a bit when you heard the door open and you both instinctually looked up to see her leaving his apartment. You both went back to your conversation immediately as you had no reason to keep staring at her or to converse with her. As she passed she glared at you two and you heard her harshly mumbling something about how you two should just fuck already and some not nice words but he was too far away at that point to catch more than a word here and there. You and Ben looked at each other eyebrows raised in surprise before dissolving into giggles.

A few weeks of the same things over and over again went by and one day they were having another very loud fight about seemingly nothing when you heard a knocking on your door.

You peered through the peephole and immediately opened the door when you saw Ben. the second the door was open he said “I have an idea”

You stepped aside to let him in and he plopped down on your sofa. Ben looked around and said, “do you realize I’ve never been in your flat before?”

“Ben?”

He hummed still glancing around

“You had an Idea?’

“Oh, yeah. I think we should shag, or rather simulate shagging”

“Okay…” you sat down next to him, “I think I’m gonna need more information”

Ben goes on to explain his idea which was, in short, to give them a taste of their own medicine and fake a fight and then fake having sex, loud fake moans and all. When he was done with his explanation - which was lengthened by some nervous rambling- you asked,

“Do you think it would work?”

To which he replied with a shrug and “who knows but I think it’s worth a shot”

You somewhat hesitantly agreed and by the time the two of you hatched your plan and discussed some of the finer details whatever hesitance you had was long gone.

So the next time you heard her fake as fuck moaning you knocked on Ben’s door, gulping nervously, and when he appeared you started loudly hurling insults his way which he skillfully reciprocated. As the two of you shouted you wandered his flat, looking at all the things you’ve never seen before having never made it past his front door before. It became increasingly difficult to hold it together and not laugh as this went on. At one point, you heard her moans falter you both started grinning as you continued to “rage” at the tops of your voices. Not too long after that, you heard the “moaning” stop and a few moments later the man said loudly “well what do you want me to do about it?! It’s not my fucking fault they’re arguing now is it?”

When you’d talked this out you had agreed to argue a few minutes after they started arguing then you’d move on to… the next bit. This was the part that made you really nervous. Ben is a gorgeous guy it’s not hard to pretend to be attracted to him but pretending to be having sex with him, trying to make it sound real… that’s the challenge.

“Ugh you’re so infuriating!” ben shouted which was the cue to switch over. But you froze when Ben asked very quietly, “can I kiss you?”

Your eyes flicked to his with your mouth slightly agape. You were completely taken aback.

Ben walked to you “can I kiss you?” he asked again his face inches from yours “I’ve faked sex before but never a kiss. Kissing in films may include faked emotions but the kisses themselves are actually happening” his tone was light and quippy but there was something more in his eyes.

You nodded and your lips touched. The kiss was sweet, then rougher as he got back into character. You broke apart after a moment and he left you breathless where you stood, headed to his bedroom. You drifted after him and found him crawling onto his bed and placing his hands on the headboard.

He glanced back at you and said, “come here love. if we move right the bed will creak and the headboard will hit the wall” you joined him on the bed a mimicked his position. “Ready?”

You nodded and you both started rhythmically shifting to simulate the classic creaky bed, headboard thumping you hear and see in films. Then, you and ben started sighing and moaning and swearing and just generally be as loud as you could. You glanced and ben and found him already looking at you and you both grinned widely and bit back laughter as you kept rocking and getting louder and more obnoxious with your noises. You could hear your neighbors yelling again but you were lost in this ridiculous moment with this ridiculous man and you were enjoying every minute of it. Ben was captivating, his eyes glimmered with joy and mischief, his pink lips were parted from grinning and groaning, and while you didn’t know it, he was just as immersed in you as you were in him.

“Ready for the big finale?” he asked again quite quietly so only you could hear

You nodded again and let out a loud “fuck yes! Ben!” and quietly to him “let’s end this with a bang”

You both started rocking more erratically but still in sync and your sounds followed suit. You slowed and gave a few slow hard rocks, making sure the headboard hit the wall, Ben let out a final raspy groan and you both collapsed back onto his bed. You lay, looking up at the ceiling with only the sound of heavy breathing filling the room. You looked over at Ben just to find him already staring at you and you both broke out into a fit of giggles.

You lay in your bed that night unable to sleep. You found yourself thinking of Ben and that kiss and what he’d sound like when really having sex. Was he really that vocal? Was that final groan anything like what he sounded like when he cums? Your mind wandered and it wouldn’t stop. You glanced at the time, 1 am. Then again, 2:30. You pulled your covers back and slid out of bed. You hesitated as you reached for the handle on your front door, then continued to Bens and knocked. After a few moments, the door swung open revealing a disheveled Ben, wearing a white t-shirt and boxers, and from the glow of his TV, you knew he couldn't sleep either. Neither of you said anything for a while, then you stepped forward so you were chest to chest, his hands cupped your jaw and your lips connected.

Ben took a few steps back and you went with him, your lips still moving with his. You reached out blindly behind you until you found the door and swung it shut. You tugged on Ben’s shirt as his hands were making their way to your ass. He retracted his hands, broke the kiss, and pulled his shirt over his head. His hands went to the hem of your shirt, then he paused and looked at you, his question clear in his eyes. You nodded and he pulled your shirt off as well. Stepped back for a moment, taking your body in, then his lips were on yours once again and his hands gripped your ass. You had a hand in the hair on the back of his head and the other was wandering steadily lower. It slid down his chest and down his abdomen but when you reached the waistband of his boxers you hesitated and he noticed.

“Touch me” he whispered against your lips “please”

And your hand continued on its path, slipping down the front of his boxers and softly down his length. You wrapped your hand around him and the most delicious sound slipped from him. A mix between a whine and a moan, a groan and a plead for more. And the look on his face as you touched him… you hoped to never forget that expression of pleasure and want. Then his head dropped to your shoulder with another beautiful groan.

“Ben?” you murmured “take me to bed”

He complied, directing you in the direction of his bedroom as you walked backward this time, each of you too desperate to let go of the other. His lips reattached to yours as your legs hit the edge of the bed.

“Lie down,” he said, his lips brushing yours as he spoke “let me taste you”

Your knees went weak and you did as requested. His lips trailed down your torso and he pulled your underwear down your legs, pressing kisses to your inner thigh then finally focusing where you needed his attention most and this time, the sounds emanating from you weren’t fake at all.

writing tags: @transeliot

wanna be added to or removed from my writing tags? just lemme know :)

[amyrose051]

Could you write a part 2 to forever? I loved it 💗 part 2 could be Bucky's POV after reader dies?

𝔅𝔢𝔞𝔯. 𝔅.𝔅

Character(s): reader x Bucky Barnes

Warning: grief I guess? Idk

Not proof read.

GIF NOT MINE.

Time was a weird concept. It was weird how when you’re having fun it can fly by. Yet when Bucky looked at the date he frowned at how slow a year had gone by. Today was the anniversary of your death but it felt as though the last time you were in his arms was over a life time ago.

God how Bucky wished this life was over already. But it wasn’t and he knew that he had to try live it out for as long as possible. Because that’s what you would have wanted. For Bucky to carry on and live his life seeing as for most of it he wasn’t in control of his own life.

Your funeral wasn’t a big party of people but a small gathering of the ones you loved the most. Bucky had made a speech but he wasn’t able to finish it, so Steve spoke the rest for him.

The first month or two had been the hardest. He’d drink most nights and find himself calling out to you, forgetting that you were never going to show again.

At one point he begged Wanda for help. She had woken up to banging on her door and when she opened it she saw a distraught Bucky drenched from the rain outside. He begged and begged for her to help him so he’d be able to see her again, even if he knew it wasn’t real. She had assured him it would only cause him greater pain.

Now though, he sat in bed with his laptop on his lap watching the videos you insisted on taking when you were out. His favourite video to rewatch was always when you had gone to the fair and you couldn’t win the prize you wanted so he had a go. The prize was a big teddy bear that you insisted that you had to have. And you did as Bucky won it for you.

The bear had a permanent spot on your shared bed. It lay on your side of the bed and on his loneliest nights he found himself cuddling to it as your signature perfume lingered on it.

As long as Bucky had that bear, he figured he could give living without you a go.

I could have sworn I published this but I guess not as I just found it in my drafts.

[lightningclaw288]

Starry Night

Warning: Alcohol use, mentions of Alcohol, Characters are age up, mentions of cheating/assumption of cheating, Characters are aged up

Pairing: Akaashi x fem reader

Jealous reader, shy reader?,insecure reader? 

Meanings: (f/d) means favorite drink in this case your favorite type of beer, alcohol and that stuff. (f/n) means friend name.

Word count: 2,341

(y/n) Pov

I was nervous. “Hey, Keiji how do I look?” My boyfriend looked at me with a small smile. 

“Perfect. Now come down love. We're just going to meet my friends.” He replied softly.  

“But what if they don’t like me?” I mumbled softly. Akaashi chuckled. 

“(y/n) look at me. You’ve already met most of them.” He did have a point. 

“Alright. I’m ready, let's go.” I replied. We intertwined our hands as we walked out the door. The cool breeze rushed to great us. We walked quietly to the car.  

“Hey (y/n)?” I hummed. “In your dreams do you ever think of us like. You know.” A light blush forming on Keiji’s face. Cute I thought. 

“Think of us like what Keiji?” I asked. Now a full visible blush on his face. Can this man get any cuter than he already is? “Think of us getting married and having kids?” He mumbled. I looked at my boyfriend of 6 years. I blush now forming on my cheeks. How was I supposed to answer this question? I really wanted to scream YES. But If I said yes he could think I’m creepy. If I said no then he may think I don’t love him or I don’t want to settle down with him.  “Y-you don’t have to answer the question if you don’t want” He quickly added. “Yes.” My boyfriend looked at me confused. I continued. “ I do dream of us getting married and having kids” I mumbled.  He sighed softly and continued to drive. 

Time Skip

“Just relax babe and if you need something or want to go home come find me.” I chuckled softly.  “Keiji I’ll be fine. I’m a big girl. Now go have fun.” I chuckled.  Keiji chuckled as he intertwined his hand with mine as we walked into the club. 

When we walked into the club I immediately saw Yukie and Koari by a corner of the bar. There was a table for 3 in the corner.  ( do bars have tables? Idk never been to one. If there isn’t one then plz pretend)Keiji noticed them too and gave a soft nod. I walked up to them as Keiji walked up to his former teammates.  

“Yo (y/n), hhhow arrrre youuu?”. Yukie slurred.

“Hey Koari, I’m good. How many bottles have you had?” I asked, chuckling. 

“That’s her first,” Koari answered. 

“How have you two been?” I asked. 

“We’re doing pretty good.” 

“Have you done the “thing” yet?” I asked. Koari blushed. 

“I have no idea what you're talking about,” She replied.  (Also for this story the “thing” isn’t sex . I’m srry to disappoint you all but it’s not sex. And yes for this story Koari and Yukie are dating because why not. I don’t ship them but I thought it would fit the story).

“Whatsss the “thing”?” Yukie asked. 

“Something,” Koari answered. “Say (y/n)-san did Akaashi do the  “thing”to you?” I flushed. 

“N-no why? I m-mean it might happen-n soon. Idk” I replied.  As I started to nervously play with my hands/fingers. Koari laughed. At my response.

“Hmm I guess Akaashi would have  done it by now conjuring the fact you’ve been dating since college.  Anyway want a drink, I’m going to get one?”.  

“Sure, why not. Can you get (f/d)”/”No thanks, I don’t drink” I replied ( I wanted to add a different thing for people who don’t drink because not everyone does) 

Koari ordered and came back with two (f/d)s.  “ Thanks”. I said as I got my drink from her. I took a sip. “So-” 

“HEY HEY HEY LOOK WHO’S HERE”. A man-child yelled. He had black and white hair that was spikey( I have no idea how to explain  Bokuto’s hair help me and don’t hate me plz). I face palmed. I was going to continue my sentence when I heard a familiar chuckle. I looked to my left as I found to my shock the Akaashi Keiji chuckling in public. I smiled. Guess he was starting to show his emotion a little bit freely in public. I turned around to 

face Koari and Yukie. 

“Who’s that?” I asked. 

Koari answered “That’s Bokuto Koutarou.  He was the ace for our team in Akaashi’s second year.“

“Him and Akaashiiii were reallyy close too. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were dating back then” Yukie added on.  I just nodded. Something started to bother me. A tiny voice just a what if. What if they did date back then? What if Keiji still loves Bokuto-san. What if I’m not good enough for him?

“Hey (y/n), everything ok?” Koari asked worriedly. I nodded. 

“I’m fine.” I replied. I chugged down my drink. I wanted to have fun today and I told Keiji I didn’t need him to worry about me.  I decided to drink away my worries. ( I’m sorry if you don’t drink alcohol I’m going to keep this part. (f/d) normally means favorite drink. I have no idea what a bar sells other than they have alcohol so choose something else I guess).“Hey Yukie, want to see who can drink the most?”. There was no way I was going to win but it would be fine. 

“OI I’m not going to be the only one that isn’t sober and has to keep an eye on you guys.” Koari replied. 

“Then join us.” Yukie and I replied in sync. 

“But then who will keep an eye on the guys and you two?”. She replied. 

“The sky,” Yukie replied. Her lover face pamed.

“Soo are you going to join us or not? I mean we could only drink 3 cups and call it quits.” I said, smirking.  Yukie joined me “ Orr we could drink 3 bottles and call it quits.” Koari put her hands up. Surdering. 

“Fine. Just one cup tho.” She replied. We all laughed. 

“I’ll go get it (f/d).” Yukie called.  

Mini time skip

We all got a cup and poured a  (f/d) in it. 

“3”

“2”

“1”

“Go”

We all started chugging out drinks. Koari stopped after 8 cups. I went to 12 . Which means Yukie won. We ended up finishing the 3 bottles we got. I volunteered to go get some more. It was probably the most fun I’ve had since  my last date with Keiji. 

He had been busy for the past two to three months.  He come home late and went to work early. He’s been acting strangely too. It wasn’t anything big but it did worry me at times. I shook my head. Think positive. 

I was walking through the crowd when I saw Keiji with ex-teammates talking and having fun. Something that stuck out to me was Bokuto had his hands on his thighs. It’s fine. Keiji said Bokuto could be really touchy and doesn't have the concept of person space. I  continued on my way to the bar.  I bumped into someone. I fell to the ground. Baka watch where you're going. I got up and brushed my dress. I got and bowed. “Gomen (sorry).” I replied.  The guy who bumped into was a good looking man around 2 years older than me. Keiji was definitely better. I must have won the boyfriend lottery. So I thought. 

”tch watch where you're going.” He replied. He looked me up and down. I rubbed my arm nervously. “Say how about we get a drink you and me? I mean you did bump into me.” 

“No thanks I have somewhere to go.” I replied briskly and walked away. He grabbed my arm. “I don’t take a no for an answer.” He replied. I tugged my hand out of his grasp. “Leave me alone.” I replied. I was a bit surprised that he let me go easily. Then I saw him talk to someone familiar. Then the guy walked up to me. I quickly recognized him. 

“(f/n)?” I asked. 

“Yo, (y/n). What are you doing here?” he asked. 

“I’m here with my boyfriend and his friends.” I replied “What about you?”   I asked.

“Me and my friends come here often. Also sorry about my friend he’s um a little I guess edgy might be the word.” We laughed. My phone lit up. There was a text from Yukie.

Where are you??

I sighted. “Hey (f/n) I gtg I told my friends I’d grab drinks and be back.” He nodded. I was about to walk away. 

“Hey (f/y) do you maybe want to meet up later? L-like a date or something?”. (f/n) was kind and sweet but he wasn’t Akaashi. And Akaashi is the only man I want to be with. “Sorry (f/n) I have a boyfriend, we could still meet up tho.”I offered. 

“Yeah that seems nice” He replied. “ You might also want to go get those drinks”.I nodded and  walked  to the bar. I felt bad for (f/n) but I didn’t love him. I ordered and paid for  3 more (f/d).  

 I was walking back when I saw something I didn’t want to see. After everything. There was my boyfriend of 6 years kissing his best friend and his ex-teammate Bokuto Koutarou. I dropped the drinks by accident. I just wanted to get out of there and drink more with Yukie and Koari. Talk to Keiji about it tomorrow. The drink hit the ground with a loud bang. 

The two broke the kiss. Akaashi eyes found mine. The first thing his  eyes were the first part of him so show any  emotion.  First fear then worry. He was about to call my name and reached for my hand.  I ran out of the club. I’ll come and clean the mess later. 

I ran. I didn’t know where I was going, I just let my feet carry me. When I  stopped running after some time. I took out my phone and messaged Yukie  an Kaori about what happened. Then I turned my phone off. I just wanted to be alone now. I knew the beach. It’s where Keiji and I went during the summer. I whipped my eyes. It didn’t help. The tears come on after another.

 I felt numb. Wasn’t I enough? Did he not love me? Did I do something wrong? Is it how I look? How I eat? The way I sleep? Do I take up to much of the blanket? What is it? What did I do wrong? I laid on the sand. The only I could hear was the waves and crickets.”It’s starry night isn’t it?Just look at the stars, they are always there at night if you look for them. No matter if anyone can see them or not there. And when you can see them there they are shiny , bright and beautiful.” That’s what my dad would have said. I just looked up at them. I’ll pack my stuff and stay with my parents tomorrow. Till I can get an apartment in Tokyo.

 I heard footsteps. I turned to see my boyfriend. Tears streaming down his pretty  face. He was breathing heavily. He must have chased after me when I ran out. “(y/n) I-” I cut him off. 

“Shouldn't you be at the party with him, with your friends?” I asked. He sat down and tried to hug me. I slapped his hand away. He looked like a kicked puppy. I hated it. I didn’t want to hurt him. Be strong. I told myself to be strong. 

“(y/n) please let me explain.” I looked at him, waiting. “It was an accident. This guy shoved me on to  him. I swear I didn’t mean to kiss him and you come right after. Y-you saw us kiss. I got scared. Please don’t leave-” I interrupted him. I felt like an idiot. I kissed him. It was a nice gentle kiss. It ended too soon for my liking. Why do we need air?

I looked him in the eye “I’m sorry  I shouldn’t have assumed you cheated. I love you” I whispered. He smiled and hugged me.” Come one let’s go back everyone going to be worried. Plus I need to clean up the mess and I need to apologize so Bokuto-san.” I chuckled. I allied on his chest. “5 minutes that’s it” I replied. He smirked. 

“sure.” 

“That can wait.” Keiji replied.We sat there in silence.After ten or more minutes. We heard more footsteps. I turned around to see the rest of keiji’s ex-teammates. “(Y/N)-SANNN DON’t BREAK UP WITH AGGKAAASHI HE LOVES YOU!” Bokuto-san screamed.I chuckled. 

“Don’t worry, Bokuto-san we’re not breaking up, Keiji explained everything. Also I’m sorry I shouldn’t have assumed you two were together.” I replied. 

“That’s ok (y/n)-san. Know can we get more drinks??” Bokuto-san asked. Everyone laughed. 

“You guys go ahead, we'll join you in a minute” Keiji called.

Mini time skip 

Keiji  got up. “Come (y/n) it’s been 20 minutes since we said we’d come.” He replied. I chuckled. He offered me his hand and I took it.  I brushed the sand of my dress. “One last thing before we go.” He got down on one knee and took out a box from his pocket. 

“(Y/n) we’ve been dating for 6 years. You mean everything to me. You’ve been through the ups and downs in my life. So will you be willing to spend the rest of your life with me? Will you marry me (y/f) (l/n)?” 

Extra:

“Keiji did the “thing” FINALLY.” Keep ur head down Koari we can’t see. 

“Did she say yes?”. “Yes Bokuto she said yes.” “Akaashi’s swinging her around. And know their kissing.” “move Kohna I want to see”. “Outch.” 

Author note:

Yo how is everyone? I know I haven’t been able to update a lot and I’m sorry about that. I normally don’t write stuff because the don’t normally do well. I had this idea and wanted to put it in paper. Anyway I hope you enjoyed it if you read this far 😂. I didn’t have a certain age I wanted the characters to be but they could be sometime time from second year of collage to young adult if anyone wanted to know. Anyway have a great day/night.

-Lightning

[drkineildwicks]

BH6 Snippets--2/10/2022

Let’s just assume I’ll be posting at stupid o’ clock until further notice

Anywho--today was real productive as far as BH6 writing was concerned--did a page for both Obake Itoko and that time-travel AU (actually considering a name change on that one not sure yet) and FOUR pages on Ghost’s Fury which finishes that chapter out and gives us an update yay! :D

Anyway...this snippet is from the page I did for Obake Itoko, where I’m working on chapter one...got a list of fics I want to get with a lot of consecutive chapters so I can start posting, we’ll see.

For context, this is the one where teen-Obake is the same time as Hiro and company, with a story that has some Lilo and Stitch flavoring (read the first book on FanFiction and AO3).

Hiro’s guess at the big huge honking breakfast Cass Hamada had prepped in excitement for this day had been right on the money.  Honestly, he had probably understated it.

“I’m going to be making a big celebration dinner too and I’ve got a couple of bento boxes prepped for your lunches I mean I’m sure SFIT has a cafeteria but just in case,” Cass was rattling as Obake sat at the table nursing a coffee and trying to figure out what part of this spread he felt up to tackling.  Let’s see, eggs were out, bananas also made him gag, rest was dampened by not really having an appetite first thing in the morning….

Mostly because he still wasn’t used to the luxury of eating well on a regular basis.

Sigh—it had been several months now, since this little family took him in, and he still wasn’t used to the whole concept.  It all honestly felt surreal, felt fake, this happy little normal family that he felt like some dark shadow in comparison to, some ghost haunting them.

Glance at a photo on the wall, showing a larger, happier family.  Well, one ghost out of several.

What was he even still doing here?

The answer came bounding down the steps, doing his best to psyche himself up with that shadow still haunting his eyes—Hiro Hamada.  Clever boy, potential future cohort, that had proved himself worthy of Obake’s time.  That the rest of this followed was a bonus.

Plus, as Hiro had shown, it wasn’t like he didn’t live an interesting life.

Gust another sigh, give him a squinty-eyed look as he came over—yes, the incident with Callaghan, the man who had ruined both their lives, had been very interesting…but at the same time, hopefully it was a past incident, a one and done deal.  Obake, at least, had been content to take the summer easy and properly(ish) heal up from the injuries he had racked up, firstly from the explosion itself, secondly from getting banged up when they had confronted Callaghan.

As he understood it, the man was serving life in prison and Obake was very happy with the concept of him staying there.  The man who had always given him a cockeyed consideration, expecting the worst of him, had shown himself to be worse and was now reaping his just desserts.  Obake was back on top, life was good.

Now if only he could get rid of that shadow in Hiro’s eyes.

Past year or so I accidentally read a lot of books that were sequels to other books and what really struck me about the good ones were where you could totally guess at what went on in book one just from the context and brief recaps the characters gave--been making it a point to try to incorporate that.

Also Aunt Cass emotes with food if she stress-eats she happy-cooks.

[the-ace-with-spades]

(4/6) the best is yet to come

five times someone realized Ronan and Adam were basically married and one time they actually were

Part 1 │Part 2 │Part 3 │Part 5 │Part 6

Read on ao3

Matty liked Adam. It was not the simple liking he gave everyone he met but something much deeper and more familial — it had a lot to do with how Adam could make Ronan smile the way their whole family used to could.

But also with the way he could explain math.

Declan offered to get him a tutor when they moved to DC but he never liked the idea of a stranger in their house or a stranger seeing how stupid he was exactly. There were probably other dangers with engaging the Lynch family into the normal business, like prep school — which Matty hated the very idea of — so Declan often preferred to tutor Matty himself. It usually ended up with thrown textbooks, screams and another promise of getting Matty a tutor but Matty didn't mind. His grades weren't as critical and he could still get into college, even if it wasn't an Ivy League like Declan would prefer.

In the worst-case scenario, Matty could help Ronan with the farm. Being a farmer was something that sounded like a nice way to make a living. Although that would probably give Declan a hernia.

Matty would usually come to the Barns for the weekend, unless he had other plans with his friends, and help Ronan around until Sunday Mass, after which they would eat dinner together and then Ronan would drive him to catch the bus to Washington or Declan would pick him up, if he was going to the Mass that week.

Most of the time, Adam was also there for at least some of his stay. Matty was pretty sure he moved in with Ronan a few months before and was just pretending he didn't have his own shelves in Ronan's wardrobe, or his own laptop in their dad's study, or the shoes on the porch, or the weird, super-caffeinated green tea, all for the sake of appearances.

When Matty arrived on Friday evening the day before and Ronan went to the bus station to pick him up, the first thing Matty saw at the Barns, was Adam, lying shirtless under a tractor.

It was the one in obnoxious yellow color that their dad used to say was his favorite and it hadn't worked since before their dad died. It was easy to forget Adam was a simple mechanic, as of right now, when he could talk in this weird, Declan-sque way when he sounded both like a teenage boy and a lawyer of twenty years. It was even weirder to remember that Adam was the one that finally coerced Ronan to set up a legitimate firm and pay all the necessary taxes on the property and invest in the modern stuff while Declan tried to do that since he heard Ronan was dropping out to become a farmer.

Matty didn't say anything to this because he was still feeling the wariness Ronan had when it came to the whole being gay thing. Declan said they should leave him alone with it until he was completely ready so Matty never said anything about anything Adam, or Ronan, or Adam and Ronan had done.

He wasn't complaining when Adam offered him to help with algebra while Ronan prepared dinner.

This was also what made Adam feel so familial very quickly — the obvious naturalness of the whole motion.

Matty didn't remember much of their father as he never had that much of contact with him. He supposed that if he did, his parents would probably be in the same position as Ronan and Adam — mom would be preparing dinner and dad would be helping one of his sons with homework. And as strange as the concept of Ronan taking their mom's place on the farm was, it was actually true. Their dad was away so often that throughout most of the year, their mom was the head of the farm and did most of the chores that living with animals and acres of land involved.

Adam didn't look much out of place either. Even though he was at the house more than their dad had — or so Matty assumed, since they were still lying about the moving in thing — despite constant school and work, he belonged there in a way that felt like he was born to live there.

Adam explained his homework, Ronan cooked spinach cream pasta. They ate dinner.

"I'll do the dishes," Adam offered.

"Shut up and sit down, Parrish," Ronan replied, with a tone that was more suited for love confessions or romantic songs.

"Ronan."

"You're not doing the dishes, you worked the whole day so sit on your ass for five minutes and do this thing we normal people love called rest."

Matty wouldn't exactly call any of them normal.

Adam sat down and sighed. He and Ronan had the exact same conversation every time Matty came for the weekend.

"But I'm doing the dishes next time."

Matty had never seen him do the dishes despite him saying it every time.

"Are you staying for the night?" Matty asked because he liked to indulge people — if Adam moving in was something they wanted to hide, then he would pretend it was still a secret.

There was banging on the back door, which was also in the kitchen. Ronan opened the door grumbling and Opal came through.

"Go wash up, munchkin," Ronan said, sounding very much like their mom.

Matty decided to focus on Adam, who admitted, "Yeah, I'll be staying for a couple of days."

By a couple, he probably meant forever but Matty didn't plan to call him out unless it'd be in the speech he was going to give at their wedding.

Opal came back from the bathroom with wet hair and even a wetter t-shirt.

He had never thought someone could sigh with a tone of a tired parent without actually being a tired parent but Adam did.

"Let's get you in your PJs, sugarplum."

Ronan stared after Adam with his hands still in the sink. Matty stared at him.

"What?" he asked when he finally turned his gaze away from Adam and Opal.

"Nothing."

They watched Fast and Furious until Opal fell asleep on the floor and Ronan took her to bed. Matty said goodnight and went to his room, clean of dust and dirty clothes like every weekend he was staying at the Barns and that was it.

Matty woke up in the early morning hours and went down to the kitchen. Adam was there, making coffee, with a book in one hand.

"Ronan is out?" he asked, instead of a greeting.

"Nah," Adam said. "I let him sleep in today and fed the chickens earlier. He doesn't sleep that well still, you know. Coffee?"

There was a lot to unpack in those words so instead of doing that, Matty said, "Yeah."

Lynches were very good at not addressing the obvious, really.

And so were Adam.

They drank their coffee, Adam left their empty mugs in the sink when the stairs creaked.

Adam put the kettle on again.

Ronan came through the door, with a well-rested face but sleepy eyes, looking just the same way he used to look on Christmas morning. He smiled in an easy manner that had become uncommon for him over time and went straight for Adam, halting an inch or two before his face. Adam's lips quirked when he leaned in his direction.

"Had a good sleep?"

Ronan's arms wound around his waist and said, "The bed was cold."

And then he closed the gap and kissed him, with Adam's palm curling around his nape in one smooth move.

One of the things Matty remembered clearly about their parents, as a single entity and not two separate people, was how affectionate they were. Their mom had a soft touch that worked on almost anyone but especially on their father — he had melted under her hands, melted into long hugs, longs stares, long kisses.

So Matty tried to look at his coffee instead of at Ronan and Adam because this kiss did feel like watching your parents, with the second-hand embarrassment and the general confusion, and he hadn't been quite ready for that.

"Morning breath, babe," Adam said, between breaths.

Ronan's lips were just in the corner of his mouth.

"Don't care."

And then Ronan's hand was moving lower and lower on Adam's waist, lifting his t-shirt, until his fingertips were dipping into the elastic band of Adam's pajamas and—

Matty cleared his throat. This was way more than kissing and way more than he wanted to ever see.

Adam stepped away from Ronan, seemingly as awkward as Matty felt on the inside.

"Sorry, Matty," he said.

And then, in a manner that was very much alike their dad's, Ronan said. "I'm not sorry."

[tasteslikepepsicola]

I Know What You Did Last Summer Part 2 (Sodapop Curtis x Reader, Dallas Winston x Reader)

Authors Note: I can’t believe I disappeared so long after posting the first part, I’m so sorry, I have so much motivation to write now and the next part might even be up in the next few days. Again, I’m so sorry for the wait but I hope you like it. I love the concept for this series, (as you can tell I really like love triangles) and I hope you guys do to! Also, might change my username soon, but I’ll keep you updated. Make sure to follow so you can stay up to date with the series! Thanks again <3

Warnings: Cursing, slight angst, implied smut

Word Count: 1,600+

One month later…

After Sodapop had dropped her off that night, nothing had been the same. They hadn’t been in contact since then, and it was finally starting to hit the two that they were no longer together. That didn’t make it any easier, however, on either of them. Both lied awake at night wondering when they lost what they used to have, gazed at their ceiling wondering what they could have done differently. And both would have given anything for another chance at loving each other. But Y/N knew that wasn’t her place anymore. She lost the right to love Sodapop the moment she gave her love to someone else, while he was at home waiting for her. And worse, she lied about it. She hoped he never forgave her, she didn’t deserve it.

Meanwhile, Sodapop reminded himself of this fact every time his mind wandered off to her...which was often. He couldn’t be with someone who could betray him like that, it wouldn’t be fair to himself. But he also wasn’t sure how much longer he could stand being away from her. She was like his oxygen, without her around, he couldn’t breathe.

Avoiding each other wasn’t hard. Y/N started getting her gas elsewhere, and Sodapop took a different route to work that didn’t require passing her house.

Y/N was sitting in the booth of their local diner when her friend pointed to a pair of boys who walked through the door. “Ain’t that Sodapop’s kid brother?” she asked.

Y/N whipped her head around quickly, noticing Ponyboy and Johnny as they started walking towards them. “Act normal,” Y/N muttered through a forced smile. They walked past the girls towards an empty booth a few seats in front of them. Neither acknowledged her presence, though she was sure they must have seen her staring at them. 

After a few agonizing minutes, the waitress brought them their check, and Y/N decided to try to get out of there as fast as she could. She didn’t need to say anything for her friend to catch on, she didn’t know much about their breakup, but could tell it was an awkward situation. As they wordlessly stood up to leave, Y/N felt a hand lightly grab her arm.

“Y/N?” Ponyboy asked, now standing behind her.

“Oh, hey Pony…” her voice trailed off.

“Sorry- uh, can we just talk for a minute?” he asked through the biting awkwardness of the whole situation.

Y/N glanced at her friend, who only said, “I’ll pull the car around, come out when you’re ready to leave” and then scurried away quickly.

The greaser boy and her sat down at the table she had been sitting at. Johnny still sat a few seats down, more focused on his lunch than the situation happening a few feet away. 

“What’s up?” Y/N tried to ask casually.

“Sodapop…” Pony started. “He’s- he’s real messed up about this whole thing. He keeps saying he doesn’t want to talk about it, but I know he hasn’t slept right in a month. I know he misses you.”

Y/N felt her heart break as he continued. How could she do this to someone so good? Someone who had never, who would never hurt her. What was wrong with her?

“Be straight with me, Y/N, please. What happened between you two?” his voice dropped low, like he was expecting the worst.

“I-” Y/N couldn’t find the right words. “I made a mistake. And it’s not something that can be forgiven.” she fought back tears she hadn’t realized that were building as she spoke.

“You- you cheated on him?” Ponyboy concluded, anger suddenly rising within the young boy.

“I don’t know. I thought we were broken up...maybe we weren’t. But it doesn’t matter. Sodapop will never forgive me, I don’t even forgive me. We both just need to forget about it. Me, him, Dallas...whatever, the only way this can get better is if I stay away from him.” Y/N couldn’t meet the greasers eyes, feeling nothing but shame and pain.

“Dallas? Dallas Winston? That's who-” Ponyboy stopped himself, almost on the verge of yelling at her. But he couldn’t, not in front of all these people, not at a girl, he knew that wasn’t right.

Y/N looked at the boy she used to consider a little brother, the boy who used to idolize her. The boy who used to question Sodapop about why he wouldn’t just marry her already. Now, he looked at her like he didn’t know who she was anymore.

“I got to go.” He mumbled.

“Ponyboy!” Y/N yelled after him, but he was already walking away. People looked their way, startled by the sudden scene that was coming from their table. Hot tears began to roll down her cheeks, she wiped them as she stood and got out of there as fast as she could.

When she got in the car out front, her friend asked, “Woah! What the hell happened in there?”

Y/N didn’t answer, instead she only said, “Don’t take me home. Drop me off at Buck’s. I need to talk to someone.”

*****

The whole ride there, she had rehearsed what she was going to say. Now, standing outside the notorious party spot, Y/N suddenly felt very self conscious. She tried to remain determined as she banged on the door. Nobody answered. She continued to pound on the door, finally crying out, “Dallas Winston I know you’re in there! I need to talk to you!”

She then heard footsteps clambering down the stairs. The dark haired boy opened the door quickly, grabbing her arm and dragging her inside.

“What the fuck?” she quipped.

“Sorry…” he mumbled, lighting a cigarette as he spoke. “Shepard’s pissed at me, gotta lay low for a bit.”

As she stood there, arms crossed and pouting, everything she had mentally practiced saying to him in the car had escaped her mind.

“What do you want doll? Why are you just standing there looking at me like that?” he smirked slightly as he spoke.

“Don’t play dumb Winston, I know you know what happened.” she vented.

“What? Something happen with your boyfriend?” he mused.

“I know you know we broke up.”

“Yeah I might have heard something about that.”

“Well...he knows.”

“Knows what?”

She rolled her eyes, angered at his desire to play dumb. “Don’t make me say it.”

“Y/N, of course I know he knows we slept together. He didn’t give me a black eye and split lip for no reason.” 

Y/N swallowed her words, shocked at what she was hearing. Sodapop didn’t fight.

“I could’ve taken that pretty boy, but I figured I deserved it. And no, nobody else knows, not even the gang, if that's what you're worried about. Your reputation is safe.”

“Fuck you, Winston.”

“You already did.” he replied with another grin.

Y/N turned to leave, yelling, “You’re a terrible person! You know that?”

“Newsflash, honey, it takes two people to cheat.”

She turned back around, anger spilling over, “I hate you! I had a perfect boyfriend before what happened. My life was perfect, I was probably gonna marry him.”

“Alright little Miss. Perfect, I get it, I’m the cause of all your problems, you hate me. What do you want me to do about it? Why are you even here?” his voice remained calm.

“I want you to apologize, to say sorry for once in your life for fucking up!” she yelled, stepping closer to him.

“I’m sorry, I truly am, sorry to Sodapop, for sleeping with his girl. But I’m not gonna apologize for what happened between us, because honestly, I’m not.” he replied, the distance between the two getting slimmer.

“God, what is your problem?” she asked.

“You wanna know what my problem is? It’s you! You were all over me that night, I didn’t just fuck you, I was there for you. You were crying when you walked in, you told me what happened and I listened.”

She shook her head, trying to ignore what he was saying, trying to avoid replaying the night in her mind.

“And you kissed me. And we got together, and the next day you just left. And went back to him. And I had to watch as you pretended like nothing happened. As he hugged and kissed and held you. And now, you show up here blaming me. So yeah, you are my problem.”

“He was my boyfriend!” She fought back tears for the second time that day.

“Why’d you avoid me?” he questioned.

“Are you kidding me?” she cried.

“No, why the fuck did you avoid me? Obviously it wasn’t guilt, you were fine lying to him. So why? Why couldn’t you be in the same room as me? Even without him there?”

She shook her head, “I’m not doing this.” She tried to pull away, but he caught her elbow and kept her there.

“I think I know why now, Y/N, because you and I both know you stopped loving him before that night, or else you wouldn’t have done what you did. You avoided me cause it was easier than facing the reality of the situation.”

“You’re wrong…” she said.

“Deep down, you know you don’t hate me, not even close, doll.”

She raised her hand, to slap him, he caught her wrist and said, “Prove me wrong then, leave if you want, I’m not gonna stop you. But, just so you know, I want you to stay.”

He started to pull away, then, and Y/N didn’t know what came over her, but she grabbed him, and smashed her lips on his. Without a second of hesitation, he reciprocated. His hands traveled to her thighs, he lifted her up, and she responded by wrapping her legs around his waist.

They didn’t move from that position until they were in his bedroom, and he was slamming her onto his bed.