#i tried to make this short and right to the point

[bluem1lls]

HEYY, I LOVE UR WRITINGG

i have an idea where thanos flirts with reader and immediately reject him, giving him a dirty look or just being rude to him. se-mi is around there so when reader sees her their entire expression changes, giving her a smile or something like that idk 😭

it doesn't have to be exact to that, just take the idea of u like it and use it however u want!!

✦ content: short fluff, how you met your girlfriend at the game while rejecting her friend!

✦ authors note: thank you so much! i was just rewatching and i kept thinking about this idea so i wrote a short fluff, i hope you like it! thank you for your request♥️

⋆｡°✩ ever since the games started, you've been along player 120 and player 095. until the third game, where you lost them out of sight. as you heard "group of 5", you kept thinking that maybe this was your last round.

⋆｡°✩ i mean there was nothing else to do.. right?

⋆｡°✩ until a girl pulled your hand, and somehow you ended up in a room with a purple hair guy, his weird best friend, this girl and a guy who seemed to be her friend.

⋆｡°✩ she leaned against the wall, catching her breath, crossing her arms on her chest while staring at you. she has nice piercings.

⋆｡°✩ "well, well, well... look at what the wind brought us. a new friend" the purple haired guy spoke, looking at me. "i'm thanos, and who brought this pretty thing?"

you rolled my eyes, trying to copy the brunnete's position.

turning your head to look at her, her piercing gaze stays on you.

"thanks..."

"se-mi" she introduced herself.

"i thought i was about to die out there, thanks se-mi" i said to the girl.

she nodded, thano's best friend chuckled.

"we've been trying to get her name for days, but a pretty girl shows up and that's the first thing she tells her"

i snort as she rolls her eyes and scoffs, mumbling something that sounded like "idiot".

⋆｡°✩ of course you couldn't stop talking to her after the third game ended.

⋆｡°✩ eating with her, chatting and even laughing. it was easy to forget about everything when you were with her.

⋆｡°✩ but sadly, you could never find her alone. if she didn't had min-su following her around, thanos and nam-gyu were teasing her. so that meant you always had to chat with them too, as you tried (really hard) to get her alone.

⋆｡°✩ "doll face, came to hear your boy throwing a few lines?" thanos said getting closer to where me and se-mi were sitting down.

"oh my god" i covered my face as i hear her laughing. "i like talking to you so much, but i dont know if it's worth... this" i pointed at thanos.

she smiled, her arm sneaked to rest on my shoulders.

"it's worth every penny. althought you may wanna tell him that you're not really going for boys" she whispered in my ear. i softly laughed as i stare at her. she's so pretty. and her friends so annoying.

"prettiest girls in the planet, listen out, this one's for you-" thanos started.

"listen" i cut him mid-sentence. "you're such a fun, amazing guy" i said, standing up and placing my hands on his shoulder. "and i bet any girl would be so lucky dating you"

he nodded, proud of himself, as se-mi stared smirking.

"but i think there's something that would make you even a better person" i said looking at him, straight in the eyes. "leave to a corner and please let me have ten minutes alone so i can flirt with se-mi"

⋆｡°✩ his expression quickly fell as se-mi and nam-gyu snorted.

"so im not about to be your boy-"

"you're not. i'm not into guys, thanos. but you're...so...nice"

⋆｡°✩ he quickly understood. apparently. at least he went away along with his best friend. it was more than enough.

⋆｡°✩ "so.. can we go back to the flirting part?" se-mi said, her smile never fading as she played with her lip piercing.

"yeah, i think we finally can" i said, dragging her to sit with me in one of the beds.

⋆｡°✩ no need to clarify anything else. the guys understood when the next time they saw you, se-mi was hugging you from behind, resting her chin on your shoulder.

⋆｡°✩ se-mi couldn't stop teasing thanos for falling for two times for two lesbians girls, which always ended up with him telling her how he'd release a rap called 'revenge is sweeter than girls' against her once they were out of here.

⋆｡°✩ you believe him. you'll hear more about it once you're out of here, holding your girlfriend's hand.

[aliwritex]

franco thoughts: 18+ car quickie 1.6k

“You should’ve stayed back, I know you get car sick”

“It’s fine, we’re not even moving anyway.”

You had been stuck in traffic for a while. You didn’t really know where you were but it was a busy avenue. The car was quiet, the radio barely audible and none of you saying much as the sky darkened above you. You had been sent to get some missing ingredients for dinner before the sun even set.

Now it was night, you hadn’t even gotten to the market yet and you were bored out of your mind. The only thing keeping you entertained was your shirtless boyfriend.

He was coming out of the pool when his dad threw the car keys at him, giving him the chore. You were kind of glad that he was such a stubborn person and didn’t listen to you telling him to change before getting in the car, he only threw a shirt over his shoulder instead.

You wish you could stop starring but the thing was, you had been staying with his family for the holidays so alone time was a tad more difficult. You had tried the first night you got there, of course, you missed each other and couldn’t stop your hands, but the next morning at breakfast you could see his family avoiding eye contact — so there was no way you’d do that again. But it had been more than a week now, and God, you were horny.

You couldn’t help but reach out for his thigh, he looked down at your hand and covered with his.

“You okay?”

He watched you nod and moved his hand away from yours after a squeeze. He didn’t get it. You removed your hand from his thigh and took it to your shirt undoing the first few buttons, exposing your chest and the bikini top that barely covered it. It took him a while to notice but when he did his eyes rolled back into his head.

“What are you doing?”

“Just getting comfortable, looks like we’re gonna be here a while.”

You leaned over to kiss him on the cheek, but not without your hand pressing hard on his thigh. When you sat back on your seat he was glaring at you.

Another idea popped in your head when you realized the first wasn’t working so well. Your hands dropped to your jean shorts, slowly unbuttoning them. Franco started watching you, eyes on your body as you struggled to get out of your shorts.

You heard him curse something in Spanish and it only made you smile as he moved the car a couple meters forwards. You spread your legs open on his passenger seat, only your bathing suit covering your bottom half. You caught him shaking his head from the corner of your eye as your fingers danced around your clothed middle.

“You’re fucking impossible” he muttered

“C’mon, Franco, let me touch you, I miss you so much” you practically whined “please?”

He didn’t say anything at first, just turned back to the road, relaxing and spreading his legs wider.

“You see that street over there?” he pointed through the glass “I’ll stop there to sort you out.”

“If you can last till we get there” you teased, dipping your hand into his shorts before he could even stop you.

He was starting to get hard, you could feel him becoming warmer and stiffer in your hand. His entire body tensed up for a second before he relaxed again. Franco shook his head when you started massaging him. Your palm ran up and down his shaft till you felt him completely hard in your hand, soft sighs leaving his lips.

You pulled away just to move in your seat, settling into a position where you could simply bend over the center console and face his crotch.

"Mi amor, please"

"Please, what?" you teased, lifting yourself till your lips where brushing his cheek, "want me to stop? Just say the word, yeah?" you kissed his face as your hand pulled him out of his shorts, making his eyes screw shut, still not saying anything. "Right, just enjoy, love"

You bent over again, your lips meeting his tip in a quick kiss before you spit on him. He groaned as you paused, waiting for the spit to drip down his shaft. A few more licks, quick kisses and soft touches till you sat back in your seat, leaving Franco confused, looking at you.

"The traffic lights, Franco" you told him, nonchalantly. He drove the car for a couple more meters before turning back to you. "I need you to concentrate, you don't wanna hit anyone in this state, do you?"

Your hand dropped to his lap again, grabbing him.

The spit helped as you started moving your hand up and down. You were being extremely slow with your movements, partly to tease him and partly so he would last.

Your hand worked skillfully around him, squeezing, thumb pressing his veins and his tip, making curses and moans fall from his lips. You tried to stop when he had to drive but it just made him more desperate.

"Don't cum yet, I really need you." you whispered to his cheek.

He nodded, flicking the turning signal on. The noise driving you insane for the next couple of minutes till he finally reached the street. He struggled to turn, almost scraping the car in front but nothing was gonna stop him. He parked behind a building, immediately pulling the handbrake.

"Come here" he whispered, pulling the seat back.

You chuckled as you climbed over him, sitting on his thighs. He finally felt your lips on his, soft and warm as they moved together in a rushed kiss. His tongue pushed into your mouth as his hand dropped to your middle.

You felt his fingers tug your bikini to the side, easily sliding between your wet folds. A sigh left your lips when they pressed against your clit, making you pull away from the kiss. He smiled at your reaction and let his lips drag down the side of your face, meeting your neck.

Franco kissed and nibbled at your neck as you teased each other with your hands, sighs and soft moans leaving your mouths as you did.

“Fran, please” you whined, both of your hands going to his hair, tugging on it.

He nodded and pulled on the side tie of your bikini, making it come undone. Franco didn’t even bother with the other side, he just lifted your hips up and pushed you down on him. Satisfied groans left both of your mouths, your foreheads meeting.

“Ai, mi amor, missed this so much” he whispered, diving his hand into your hair to pull you into a kiss.

Your hands rested on his bare chest as you started moving. His own hand running up your waist to tug your bikini top out of his way. You moaned into his mouth when his cold palm met your breast, your nipples hardening because of the temperature.

Your hips moved against his in a slow rhythm, enjoying the drag of his skin against your clit as he kissed you. That was till he dropped both of his hands to your hips, guiding them up and down. Franco then wrapped his arms around your waist, hugging you close to him.

He bounced his legs to help you move on him. His chin rested on your chest as he looked up at you, watching your face twist in pleasure. He couldn’t care less about his pleasure as he saw you use his body for your own.

You were shocked as you felt the warmth of pleasure grown inside of you so early but when your boyfriend took his hand between your bodies to circle at your clit there was no doubt that your orgasm was creeping up on you. Your walls were clenching around his cock as every single muscle in your body tensed up. His legs still bouncing to work you entirely as you reached your high.

He watched and felt all the little reactions your body had as you moaned. Your hands closed into fists on his hair, making him groan at the sting. Franco almost spilled inside you as you convulsed around him but he managed to ground himself, waiting for you to come down and finally pull out.

You smiled and kissed him, sitting back in his thighs. “You could’ve come inside, you know I don’t mind” you whispered to his neck, still lost in the bliss of your orgasm.

“No, I wanted to cum in your mouth, don’t want you to be a mess while we shop”

You smirked and moved away from him, settling back on your seat before bending over to take him in your mouth. He tasted like you when you first took him in so you made sure to clean him off, licking and sucking away all your wetness from him. His hand dropped to your hair, pulling it away from your face before he bucked his hips into your mouth, holding you in place as he shot ropes of cum.

A Spanish curse left his lips in a sigh as he finished and finally let go of you. “‘m sorry”

“You don’t need to apologize, love.” you pecked his cheek, “if I wanted you to stop you would’ve known.”

“You okay, though?” he asked as he tucked himself away.

“Perfect, love” you gave him a peck on the cheek.

You fixed your clothes as he took off and it turned out, there was a better way to the store, you were there in no time.

[morbidlcve]

⋆｡°✩ work hours

⋆｡°✩ pairings: construction worker! agatha x reader

⋆｡°✩ word count: 2.7k

⋆｡°✩ summary: you bring agatha her lunch and things escalate.

⋆｡°✩ cw: oral (a receiving), intersex agatha, fingering, chocking, oral fixation (kinda?), degradation, p in v, creampie, agatha being a whiny little shit, soft!dom agatha (if there’s anything else, please lmk!!)

⋆｡°✩ a/n: i’m back 😇

Your girlfriend was at work and you just got out of class and decided it would be nice for you to pay her a visit and bring her lunch since she forgot it this morning. You went to your favourite bagel place and got her favourite sandwich before walking the few blocks to the site where she was working for a new real estate company she had been hired for. You walked through the house foundation estate to the break trailer, where employees go for their breaks and coffee breaks. Knocking on the door, Rio, Agatha’s associate answered, she pointed you to the direction where she last saw her. 

You liked Rio, she seemed nice, you’ve only met her a handful of times, she was quite cold but she was always respectable. Following the directions she gave you, you ended up at the end of the cul-de-sac Agatha and her crew was working on. 

You spot her in an instant, she was hanging from a contraption harness secured to her waist as she used an industrial sized drill, presumably drilling more support beams into the foundation. Yet you could not take your eyes off her. The wife beater she had on along with the oversized construction vest and the construction pants that hugged her waist tight and the harness that showed off the delicious globes of her ass, you couldn't look elsewhere if you tried. The sun was blazing, meaning she was a sweaty mess, wiping her forehead with her forearm, her head tilting back just a little to lift the helmet she had on. 

Your knees went weak as you watched her shout at the men above to bring her back up. Agatha all but demanded respect and you’d be a little liar if you said that watching her boss people around didn't affect you. As she got to the top of the building, you watched her look down and fumble with the hooks from the chair and your mind instantly went to the gutter. From this angle it looked downright sinful. You watched as the men on top of the building watched her nudging each other nodding. You scoffed because if they knew Agatha was aware of what they were doing, they would not be standing there right now. 

“Oi pervs, stop looking at my girlfriend!” you hollered at the men, drawing Agatha’s attention down to you. She smiled at you looking back down to step out of the harness, muttering to the men on the roof before they nodded and scurried away. You didn’t mean to get them fired really, they shouldn’t be looking at what’s yours. 

You watched agatha make her way through the house in the making until she reached you. “Hi sweetheart, I wasn’t expecting to see you here, it's not unwelcome though.” She nods, taking a hold of your hips pulling you closer to her. “Brought your dinner, you forgot yours at home so I got us bagels” you grin into the kiss she presses against your lips, her tongue cheekily brushing against your lips before breaking away. 

Her hand easily finds yours and she leads you through the site to her truck parked right on the outskirts of the town she's working in. She opens up the hatch on the back and you both perch on the back of the truck to eat your dinner. “Look at you being all jealous before” she smirks, nudging you before taking a bite of the bagel, moaning at the taste. Your brain short circuits watching her eat, her eyes fluttering closed, the way her head dips back ever so slightly, relishing in the taste. “Hey, you didn’t want to see the way they were looking at you, besides you’re mine to look at.” you smile, taking her hand, stroking your thumb over it slightly. 

“Oh yeah?” she swallowed, her tongue poking out to wet her lips. 

“Yeah, you look so good at work, watching you with that drill, being all hot from the work” you sigh looking up at her. “Careful sweetheart, some might say it turned you on” she teased, pressing a lingering kiss on your neck. You shuddered, thighs clenching. “Oh,” she chuckles. 

“Did seeing me hard at work get you all worked up?” she mocks you, stroking your cheek affectionately. 

You nod, face flushing a beautiful shade of pink, looking down. “Don’t go shy on me now, not when you just made me fire two of my best employees.” Agatha remarks, jumping down from the tail of the truck to insert herself between your legs. “Made me want you so bad,” you whine gripping her shoulders, pulling her towards you. She cups your face, her eyes locked onto yours, “god, there's nothing I wouldn't do for you, you know that right,” she mutters, nudging her nose against yours, her eyes briefly fluttering shut. “I know, me too.” you whisper back to her, kissing her softly. Her quick intake of breath makes your heart skip a beat. Her hands grip your face harsh, holding onto you for dear life. Your lips worked in tandem, her tongue grazing your bottom lip, opening your mouth, you let her in. 

The kiss turns heated as you both return to the places you’re both oh so familiar with you gasp when you feel her hands slide up your shirt coming to cup your boobs. “Please, I need you so bad, it hurts,” you whimper, hips rolling as she pinches one of your nipples through your bra. “How bad do you want it baby?” 

You groan feeling the press of her between your thighs. “Soso bad, please.” You're a mess, she’s kissing down your neck just below your shirt line as to where she can reach. Her lips feel so good against your skin, they’re always soft and warm, just like her really when you get to know her. 

“Hop down for me love,” she mutters lightly nipping at your ear lobe. You’re quick to head her instruction looking up at her; her once messy hair now even messier, her lips swollen and red and the look on her face would’ve brought you to your knees right on the road of a town you didn’t know. 

Which is precisely what she did. “You know what to do,” she sighed licking into your mouth once more before guiding you to your knees. You nervously looked around just to be absolutely positive. “Don’t worry sweetheart, they’ve closed this road off due to my construction, no one will see you” she soothes, taking your hair into her hand, the light breeze gentle on the back of your neck. 

Your hands make quick work of the pants she had on, heavy with tools but you managed, pulling her underwear down with them. Her cock springs out red and raw, looking rather sore. Wrapping your hand around the tip, Agatha hisses, her head flying back. You smirk a little, triumphant. 

Leaning forward you lick the pre-cum gathered at the top, relishing in the taste of her. Her hand presses against the back of your head prompting you to go further. “Please, I need you” she sighs, pushing your mouth around her. “Fuck, yes.” She sighs. 

Your mouth is full of her, her taste so strong you can feel yourself becoming more heated. You want to please your woman the best you can, so you push yourself down her length as far as your throat would take you before you gag around her. “Shit, do that again baby,” she shuddered pushing you further down. 

Eyes rolling back, your hand works to cup her balls. The right choice you gather with the way her moans dance around in your ears and her hips start to thrust into you with more force. “Fuck, sweetheart, I’m gonna cum” Agatha says, she shrugs off her Hi-Vis jacket, one hand holding the tail of the truck, the other buried in your hair working you up and down her cock. 

You moan around her when you feel the lack of oxygen catching up to you and she loses it. She fills your mouth holding you at the base as she floods your throat. “Such a little cockslut for me aren’t you?” she says at the sight of you on your knees in the middle of a road, in broad daylight, looking more fucked out then ever. 

“Only for you,” you mutter, before sticking your tongue out to show her that you swallowed all of her. She smirks, pulling you back up and pushing you against the truck. The cold of the truck reacting with your nipples, making them stand up. She pulls down the pants you had on and shoves your panties to the side. Her hands make their way around to your face, shoving two fingers into your mouth. “Get them all nice and wet for me baby” Agatha said, her hand coming down to land a slap to your ass. You jolt forward on her fingers in your mouth, gagging once more. “Atta girl.” she smirks, pressing a kiss to your neck. Pulling her fingers out of your mouth she watches as a trail of saliva follows along and she groans. 

You don’t really need to wet her fingers, she knows it too but there’s something about her fingers being in your mouth that you love so you’re certainly not complaining. “You gonna tell me how much you need me baby?” she asks, her now wet fingers teasing your slit. 

You groan trying to push back but to your avail she’s pinned you down. “Aht, ask nicely, use your words,” Agatha smirks, proud of how much of an influence she can truly have on you. 

“Please Agatha, I need you so bad. Need you to fuck me so good, you’re the only one who can, please please please, need you,” you whine pathetically. 

Agatha groans at your proclamation before sliding two fingers right into your pussy. Your back arches, her fingers filling you up deliciously. It still baffles Agatha to this day how you're still so tight for her. No matter how many times she’s fucked you senseless, you’re still so tight the next time around. She thinks it’s more fun for her though, she gets to continually break you open for her. 

“Still so fuckin’ fight for me,” she hisses scissoring her fingers into you. Your mouth hung open, the please seeping into every fibre of your being. Just when she curls her fingers just right you jolt at the stimulation, following on by a chorus of moans. 

“Yeah? That feel good baby?” she prompts, grabbing your hair once again and pulling your head back to lean over and crash her lips down onto yours. Her tongue invades your mouth once again, swallowing your moans tailored just for her. 

“So fucking good please don’t stop,” you cry out trying to buck against her hand. “Nono, you just sit still and let me have my way with you, mkay?” she said, sliding another finger in. Heat rises up your body as you feel your orgasm approach. Nerves standing on end you whimper “Please, i’m gonna cum, please let me cum, i’ve been so good.” 

She has the audacity to scoff. “Good? You got my employers fired.” she says fiercely, removing her fingers. Your euphoric buzz fading back out to see. You whined, “I didn’t mean to Agatha, please, I'm sorry, I'll be better.” Trying to reach behind you and pull her closer to you again, missing the heat of her body against yours. 

What you said, worked. She sighed, kicking your crossed legs apart, catching you when you almost stumbled, and pushes you back against the truck. The cold metal sends a chill down your spine. ”You’re gonna be a good girl for me and take it, aren’t you?” she grits, running her length along your slit. “Yes yes please please, i’ll be so good for you.” you cry out when she pushes into you. The fill deliciously burning within you. “Fuck, so fuckin tight for me,” Agatha groans, pulling out slightly before slamming back into you. 

“Fuck!” you cry when she pushes so deep, nudging the sensitive part within you. She begins to set a brutal pace, her hand comes to cup the back of your neck, holding you down, forcing you to take it. “This was all you wanted huh? Just wanted to be fucked stupid by my cock didn’t you sweetheart?” she mocks, grunting when you tighten around her. “Yes fuck just want you all the time,” whining, you try to pick back, and this time she doesn’t stop you. Groaning at the friction. 

You gasp when she lifts one of your legs to reach a further depth in you. Moaning senselessly when her balls come to tap at your clit through her disgustingly rough pace. Hips smack against yours, completely at her mercy. Eyes rolling to the back of your head, your hands try to grip anything to keep yourself stable, finding the sides of the truck. “Can feel you squeezing my cock, you feel so good” she pants, fucking into you with a renewed vigour. Her hand reaches down to circle your clit, the stimulation igniting the flame within you. Like adding gasoline onto a flame, it burns so fiercely in you that you start to quiver. Her other hand pulls your neck, lifting you head to look at her. Sweat glistens on her skin, her eyebrows scrunched and her mouth slightly open. Bliss is evident on her face; her pace picks up further “I’m so close sweetheart, come on, cum for me” she moans, pressing her lips to yours. 

Her hips press into yours with every unmerciful thrust, the feeling so intense your mouth hangs open in a silent scream, legs shaking as your orgasm overtakes you, and you. cum around her cock, squeezing so tight she doubles over groaning. “So fucking tight, one more baby, give me one more” she whimpers. 

You could tell she was so close, her breathing became laboured and she was bucking into you relentlessly. Her cock hitting depths of you that had you seeing the cosmos. Her hand worked from the back of your neck to the front, gripping your throat, restricting your airflow. 

Her fingers worked double the efforts to being you over the edge once more, “Come on baby, cum. Gonna fucking fill this pussy so full, you’ll feel it for days.” She grunts, slapping your clit with quite a force. 

You squeal, your legs shaking, you can't feel your hands with how hard you're gripping the sides of the truck. “Need your cum so bad, please Agatha.” You push back, pressing her into you so far she moans right down your ear. Her breath fanning across your face. She presses into you as she cums, spilling into you. Your mouth hangs open, feeling her so deep in you your knees turn weak. She holds you up as your orgasm takes over you, pushing in and out slowly to draw out the sensation. 

Waves wash over you with each roll of her hips causing you to jolt due to the stimulation. “Fuck,” you sighed feeling her gently pulling herself out of you you sulk against the truck. “God you were so good for me.” Agatha sighed, wiping your thighs with her Hi-Vis jacket she bent down to pick up. Once you were clean, she bent back down to pick up your pants, pulled them back up for you. She fixed your hair with the most gentle touches and kissed you softly. “When do you get off work?” you ask her, your hands drifting up and down the length of her back.

“As soon as I saw you, I told Greg and Mark to tell Rio I was going home, and for them to get gone.” she said, smirking at you looking down at your fidgeting fingers. “Don’t worry about them, they’ll find somewhere else.” 

“I wasn’t? You just reminded me about seeing you hard at work, I need to come see you more often, especially if this is the reward.” You giggle waltzing back to the passenger seat. 

She rolls her eyes and puts the truck into gear.

[eurydicees]

hmm some reflections after finishing. on one hand, yes, he dies and that's all there is. the gale force finds him, and he dies. that's the end of fiyero's story. but his presence is still truly felt for the entire rest of the book. he simultaneously haunts elphaba and his memory pushes her forward. her grief--for him, absolutely, but also later for nessa, sarima, etc etc--is her primary motivation for a lot of the choices she makes in every section after emerald city. her journey to kiamo ko and her staying there is all driven by her need for forgiveness for his death, and she's constantly thinking of him even as she begins to form her own personal connections with sarima and co. it feels like the closer we get to elphaba's end, the more fiyero's death lingers with her. it's in what we see of frex's asking turtle heart's family for forgiveness; it's in how that rejection broke him in some way. it's even more significantly there in how dorothy comes to kiamo ko seeking elphaba's forgiveness. fiyero comes back again and again, subtly, as this presence that is continually shaping her life and her ideals. as elphaba watches dorothy approach kiamo ko, and as she's kind of deluding herself into believing that maybe fiyero is there, is okay, is alive, it's so so so clear that her unraveling starts and ends with him. "she tried not to sleep, on occasion she could not help it; her dreams brought fiyero closer and closer to home" and "no hidden lover returning, no last hope of salvation." right before he dies, he questions what worth he has, but i think the point of his character is that even if he couldn't understand it and even if he was imperfect and even if he made mistakes--like elphaba, he was a tiny pawn in a very, very largescale game of political chess, but he did have worth, and he was loved. fiyero is elphaba's undoing, both in a good way (he is what solidifies her sense of morality and her sense of self in the revolution) and in a truly devastating way (his death and her resulting guilt and loneliness basically drives her to the edge of madness) but above all else, his life, however short and however little good or bad he was able to do in his time, was not insignificant.

book!fiyero's death is like. fucking devastating man. like...having a conversation where elphaba says bystander deaths are acceptable and him disagreeing then, later, her telling him she loves him and thus his death, despite being one of those innocent bystanders, is unnacceptable. aka her realizing she's not willing to pay the price of innocent lives for the sake of the revolution. and him--the one person she wanted to protect, the person who made her realize the value of life--fucking dying anyways. maybe she's not willing to pay the price of civilian lives, but not everyone feels that way and so fiyero dies. fiyero, who challenges her rigid sense of morality, who poses the ultimate question of what she's willing to do in order to do what's right, who gives her the answer that there are some things she's not willing to do, who gives her the hope that she can love and be loved. fiyero, who gets killed because of how he's affected her, changed her, loved her. god. im like. he's present in this book for 1.5 sections and im distraught.

[doctorwhoandfairytaillover]

Worship

Summary: Geta confronts his spouse after a situation and the tables are turned in the way that he wasn't expecting.

A/N: Yes the summary sucks and I'm not sure if I like how this turned out, but please let me know if this was decent. I don't tend to write shorts or scenes that lead to more that often. I tried to make this gender neutral, hopefully I did okay 😅.

“Worship me!” 

Emperor Geta approached his spouse with a beast like hunger, his hand moved to grab their chin roughly. His dark brown eyes darkened as he forced their head to face him, searching their face for any sign of reluctance. Their eyes narrowed in indignation at the tone that their husband chose to speak to them, perhaps Geta was upset or a council meeting had not gone his way, but they refused to let him take out his frustration out on them and not think to speak about it. 

With a lack of response from his spouse, Geta repeated himself, “Are you deaf? You know I don’t like to repeat myself, I said worship me.”

"I heard you" they said. "But I don't care much for your tone and refuse to let you treat me this way.” 

Geta’s sharp gaze narrowed further still at their words, his temper flaring up in a matter of seconds. His fingers clamped down harder, the pads of his fingers tightening.

“Did I give you the impression I was asking for your consideration, beloved? No. I don’t care how the hell you like me to speak, you’re going to listen to what I say and do it without question.” 

They scowled and ripped away from him, "Keep speaking to me this way and acting as you are and I won't hesitate to cut off your cock.”

A snarl formed on the man’s face at their threat, it was uncommon for his spouse to be so blatant in their refusal. They were usually so docile in his presence and his requests. 

He clearly wasn’t happy.

“Is that a threat I hear?” He growled out, his fingers balling into a tight fist at his side. “You would dare make threats against your husband’s manhood?” 

"It seems like you are lacking it without my help,” they scoff. "You can't speak to me curtly with no explanation and expect me to treat you with respect you aren't giving me.”

That snapped the man’s self control and the look in his eyes turned feral in an instant, his hand shooting out to wrap around their throat as he took the last few steps towards them. He pinned them against the nearest wall, his body pressing forward to trap them between him and the cold surface.

“You insolent little -.” He hissed, his grip on their neck constricting. “How many times do I have to warn you not to speak that way to me? I am your husband.”

They smirk and pressed closer, "Go ahead, do your worst, husband.”

A dangerous look flashed through the man’s eyes as he leaned in closer, his body practically flush against them. The anger, the lust, the need. It was all swirling around inside him, his self control slipping away with each passing second. He’d always thought their spouse was cute when they fought back.

“You’re just begging for it, aren’t you? I should teach you a lesson, beloved.”

Their hand reached out and tugged at the belt of his robe, "Do you think I deserve to be punished?"

A shiver ran up his spine as he felt them tugging on the belt of his robe. His self control was a mere thread at this point, the sound of his heavy breath filling the air between them.

“You’re damn right,” he responded gruffly, his hands moving to loosen the tie of his robe just enough for the sash to fall open. The fabric of his robe hung open, exposing a strip of the bare skin of his chest. “On your knees, now.” 

They hum in thought, "I don't think so, husband.” They stepped away from Geta and moved to sit comfortably on the edge of their shared bed. "I think it's you that needs to do some groveling.”

His expression darkened the moment they stepped away, his eyes narrowing once again. He’d been so close to them, so damn close to having them under him where he wanted. But they just had to be difficult.

“Me on my knees?” He repeated incredulously, taking a couple of steps in their direction. “You expect me, a god, the Great Emperor himself, to grovel? You must be delusional.”

They crook a finger and teasingly requests him closer, "But aren't I your spouse and therefore a god in need of worshipping?"

He paused and growled in frustration as they beckoned him closer with that teasing crook of their finger. 

But they were right.

They were the spouse of the Emperor, another god in the flesh. He let out a sigh before slowly approaching them, his hands moving to rest on their thighs as he stood in front of them.

“Damn you. You know I can never resist when you say things like that.”

They wrap their arms around his neck and give him a sultry smile, "But you love me for it, don't you?"

A shiver ran down his spine again as their arms wrapped around his neck, their smile was just as powerful as their words against him. A slow smirk formed on his face as his hands skimmed up the length of their thighs, his thumbs rubbing against the fabric of their own robe.

“Yes,” he purred out, his gaze flickering between their face and the cleavage of the robe. “I love you, but you know just how to drive me insane.”

"Well?" they say. "How do you intend on worshipping your god? Or will I have to find myself another.”

A dark look flashed through his eyes at the mention of his spouse finding another to worship them in the way only he should. Geta would sooner cut his way through an army of men before he let that happen. They were his, no one else’s. His hands gripped their thighs tighter, fingers digging into the plump flesh as he lowered himself to his knees before them.

“You’re not going to find another,” he growled out, his hands moving underneath the fabric of their robe as he looked up at them. “I’m the only one worthy enough to worship a god like you.”

They cup his face and smirk, "Then worship.”

[filiazpink]

HEYYYY IM THE GIRL FROM THE COMMENT SECTION OF YOUR ORION AND D-16 AND THEIR SUPERIOR FIC!!! i just wanted to let you know it was adorable and that if it’s alright with you i would love to see a part two! 💕💕💕

🩷"INFATUATED"🩷

orion pax x femme + superior! reader x d-16 - part 2

warnings: MAJOR transformers one spoilers, sentinel prime likes the reader too HELP, my cutie patootie oc being mentioned once, darkwing being darkwing electric boogaloo

summary: takes place during the iacon 5000, and a bit of the aftermath that follows. orion's crush is still very obvious and d-16 is warming up to you.

a/n: SO MANY NOTES ON PART 1?? TYSM EVERYONE 💗💗💗💗 and also a round of applause to this lovely requester here sending the ask that motivated me to make a part 2 :3 sorry it took so long i was busy with art commissions and writing my dark deception fic :( hopefully this will live up to the expectations of the 30 ppl that sent me in inbox to make a part 2 !! if you guys want a part 3 with even more stuff, lemme know in the inbox! it would be kinda fun to make a mini series with this idea for the whole movie !! ENJOY !!!

word count: 1740

proofread: minimal (lemme know if there's any errors!!)

⋆ ˚｡ ⋆୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡ ⋆

somehow, you managed to gain one of the best spots in iacon to watch the race take place.

well, it was easy to know why.

sentinel prime himself considered you as one of ‘his closest friend’, so he reserved a special seat just for you: right next to him.

best seat in the house.

it was a very overwhelming experience overall, with cameras all pointed towards you and THE sentinel prime, the fact that you were simply next to the savior of iacon, the slight confusion you had for what you and sentinel were. i mean, you only spoke to him professionally, and those were rare occasions. surely, he met thousands of new bots everyday, yet he remembered you of all bots. 

but all of that couldn’t compare to the dread that took over your entire body as soon as you heard sentinel utter the following:

“i’m sorry- are those miners in the race?” the two of you turned around to the giant screen to see that, indeed, there were cogless bots participating in the race.

and not just any cogless bots, bots from your sector!

and not just bots from your sector, it was those two charming bots orion pax and d-16!

your optics widened at the revelation, on the point of transforming to go and stop them before they get damaged beyond repair but sentinel held you back.

“hey- hey, what are you doing??” he mumbled, looking back at the cameras every few seconds to make sure they weren’t focused on him.

“those are workers from my sector!! i-i know them, i have to sto-”

“come on, (y/n), relax! they’ll be fine! besides, think of the inspirational boost it’ll give the other miners if they do win. they’ll be delighted.” he tried coaxing you into relaxing, going so far as to gently rub your shoulder in an attempt at comforting you but you had none of it.

“this is a first in iacon 5000 history!”

“oh primus, please, please, please keep them alive!,,,”

“how are they going to survive?”

⋆ ˚｡ ⋆୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡ ⋆

eventually, the cameras couldn’t pick up feed on the tunnel that the majority of the racers, including orion and d-16, were in. the thought of finding them crushed or in worse condition sickened you. with a trembling hand, you quickly gripped onto sentinel’s, who couldn’t help but look smug at your reaction.

“they’ll be okay,,, right?!” you asked him and the prime sighed.

“don’t worry. if they end up hurt, we’ll just send them to medbay-”

“i don’t believe it! the miners take down darkwing!”

the crowd went wild at the display, somehow getting louder than it already was. the femme and the prime watched in astonishment as the miners went from last place to third place in such a short amount of time. 

well, now you knew that darkwing was going to complain about that to you for the rest of the work cycle.

you let go of the blue and golden bot’s hand (much to his very visible disappointment) to place it over your mouth. your optics shined in absolute amazement, watching the main screen showing orion and d-16 looking more and more hopeful. 

“OHH, MINERS!” darkwing literally roared at them, his fists clenching in total anger. 

“great effort, darkwing!” orion attempted to cheer on darkwing for his efforts, but deep down, he knew once this was over, he and his companion were royally fucked.

“t-that worked! it actually worked! you think (y/n) saw all that?!” d-16 beamed, getting more and more excited at the thought of you watching them- watching him win the race.

“i’m sure she’s watching! she’ll be so proud of us!”

after passing the magnetic obstacle course tunnel (much to your relief, poor bots would have been crushed beyond repair), you felt like your body couldn’t handle all the amount of excitement, especially with the announcer going:

“a four-bot pile-up in the magnetic tunnel and the two miners are now in first position! this is UNBELIEVABLE!”

the speechless prime turned around, facing the finish line, pulling you alongside to observe. 

from the corner of his optic, he watched your reactions with envy. you never reacted that way whenever he showed up to your office unprompted.

were those two cog-less bots really that important when he’s here?

however, his train of thoughts was interrupted as a shattered piece from a nearly crushed racer hit d-16 from behind, making the grey bot trip and fracture his leg. you gasped at the outcome, praying they were still close enough to make it.

orion reached for d-16, pulling him up and slinging him onto his back, slowly making his way to the finish line. 

everyone was losing it, including sentinel, who was on the edge of his seat. will they make it in time? 

even the announcer seemed to be overly excited!

orion quickly looked up to your radiant face, feeling another rush of energy flow through him simply by seeing your wonderstruck expression. by the allspark, you looked glorious with all the different lights shining onto your armour.

“one miner is now carrying the other, mere steps from the finish line in the most amazing, sensational, dramatic, heart-rending, exciting, thrilling finish in the history of-”

and all of a sudden, all of it was cut short as a white and cyan mech ran into the smaller bots, knocking them back down. the mech transformers and slid across the finish line, throwing her fists in the air.

“WE HAVE A WINNERRR!! CHROMIA COMES FROM BEHIND TO TAKE THE PRIZE! talk about an iacon 5000 for the ages!”

your excitement died down. sure, you were happy for chromia, she won fair and square, but,,,

you sighed as you watched every other surviving racer fly past the two miners, still trying to see the small mechs as sentinel let out a chuckle, dragging you away with him to congratulate the winner.

⋆ ˚｡ ⋆୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡ ⋆

“mmh, they should be right here, miss.”

“thank you, mekastat.”

the pale red and pink bot nodded at you with a courteous smile, walking away from the medbay you were informed that orion and d-16 were in. you let out a long sigh, clearing your throat and before you could knock at the door, you managed to overhear the ongoing conversation.

“we are SO screwed!” you could distinguish d-16’s frustrated voice through the commotion, followed by orion’s more gentle tone:

“i thought you weren’t talking to me,,,”

“hey, look, i know it's all a big joke to you, but not me! i was paying my dues. i was going places and now they're going to bust me down- i don't even know how many tiers-”

“d, i’m sorry-”

“A-AND NOT JUST THAT! SHE SAW IT ALL HAPPEN! SHE,,, she saw everything.” she? no, that doesn’t matter. your curiosity will be your downfall.

with a quick knock, their conversation was cut short as you quietly walked in. orion immediately sat up straight, his optics wide open. a blush (that you assumed was out of embarrassment) decorated his face. d-16, however, didn’t even look you in the eye, his head hunched over in shame.

“hi.”

they waited for any form of reprimand from you, but since you simply stared back at them as to wait for them to speak, orion decided to be the first to break the ice.

“,,, i’m so sorry, (y/n), i was the one to s-suggest the idea of us participating. demote me but not d-16, i practically dragged him along into this.” d-16 turned his head just a little bit at his friend, the tension in his yellow optics leaving just a tad bit.

you thought for a while, looking away and missed the way that even in such a situation where you were supposed to, yes, reprimand them, orion looked up at you like you hung the moon and the stars combined. even in the poor lighting the room had, your armour still shined in a hypnotizing way. at least, in orion’s eyes.

“i should punish you for breaking protocol like this.”

“we know,,,” “but.” you got down on your knees, still towering over the miners, and with a small and gracious smile, you said: “i won’t. besides, even if you lost, that was still the coolest thing i’ve ever seen.”

hearing that made d-16’s helm rise back up to stare at you with a bewildered expression, matching his friend. 

“really??”

you then let out a small giggle and gave them a bigger smile, which totally didn’t make the two smaller bots swoon. “it was amazing! you were both so fast, and you managed to take down darkwing?? he’s never going to hear the end of it! do you know how long he’s been training for this day and he was beaten by you two, who never trained for this type of action?!”

they’ve never seen you this excited, just the sight made up for the fact that they had lost and possibly humiliated themselves to millions of cybertronians. 

“if anything, if sentinel doesn’t end up giving you guys a prize for making it this far, i’d think he’d be wasting an opportunity to celebrate true racers!” 

“oh- wait! sentinel! what’s he going to do with us??” asked d-16, nearly getting up from the table, stress once more filling his processors. 

your excitement died down at the mention of his name. oh, right. him.

“um, i could try to convince him to not do anything drastic! he considers me a friend of his, apparently.”

“that won’t be necessary.” another femme’s voice droned out, one that you immediately recognized. 

“i’ll take it from here, (y/n). head back to your post.” airachnid ordered, stepping aside for you to leave. you turned your helm to the miners and waved goodbye, still watching them as you walked away until they were no longer in sight.

as you were about to leave the building, you bumped into darkwing, who despite not having visible facial features, you could tell with the way he was walking that he was still absolutely infuriated.

“darkwing,,,?” you asked and in response, he swiftly turned around, grabbed you by the shoulders and screamed:

“I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE A VERY BEAUTIFUL AND VALUED BOT IN MY LIFE.” and so he power walked into the hospital, leaving you utterly confused.

,,,

what.

wait why was he going in the hospital?

⋆ ˚｡ ⋆୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡ ⋆

🩷send me a burger !! : ko-fi💗 🩷visit my other socials !! : socials list💗 🩷writing requests rules !! : info list💗

[filmabyy]

«Heart On The Window» Cho Hyun-ju x Male!Reader Part 2?

Cho Hyun-ju x Male reader!

Summary: Y/N has always had a crush on her neighbor across the street, Hyun-ju. He has never had the courage to speak a word to her. Until one day they meet again in the most unexpected place.

*Warnings: mentions blood, insults, blows, self-disdain, etc.*

«English is not my first language and I'm sorry if I get some words wrong» 😔🤍

Y/n was at home when she suddenly heard a loud knock on the door.

Curious, him went to open it and found herself face to face with three burly, intimidating-looking men.

Before he could react, they entered her house with large steps and one of them grabbed her arm tightly.

"Hey!" he said surprised and didn't know what was happening at that moment.Only that he received a strong blow to the stomach and fell to the ground hard.

The men came even closer to him and began to intimidate him with harsh words."Where is that bastard Kim? He must pay that rat's debt..."

The one who seemed to be the leader of the group came even closer and kicked the side of his face.

And at that moment Y/N felt her face burn with pain.

Y/N let out a moan of pain and business. "N-no..I don't know where he is. He left here a long time ago, I don't know where he is.."

Exclaimed in pain as he tried to compose himself.

The men sneered as they watched him.

"Oh well, but if he's not there someone else will have to foot the bill for him, right guys?." The eldest said with a smirk and the other men laughed with him as they nodded.

Y/N looked at them scared.

"I don't have money to pay that debt..."

He confessed scared but was interrupted by another blow that this time was towards his stomach. He let out a loud moan of pain, while he felt his body burning.

Y/n felt something hot and liquid dripping down her body at that moment.

Him coughed as she spat out some of that famous crimson liquid and tried to get up but received a kick and fell back to the ground.

The leader of the group crouched down in front of him and grabbed by the hair tightly.

"Listen to me carefully...if you don't pay in the agreed time you will suffer severe consequences."

Then, one of his companions kicked him again in the stomach, making him gasp in pain.

The leader let go and stepped back, giving a menacing look. "We don't have time for your excuses..."

Him pointed towards the door.

"You have two months, or we will come for you again, and believe me..."

He looked at the other men and looked cruel.

"Next time, I won't be so nice boy, okay?" The other men laughed cruelly.

The men walked away a few steps, taking a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and lighting one."So... understood?" He asked with an air of superiority.

The smoke from the cigarette rose through the air, impregnating the smell of tobacco in the room. He took a card from his jacket to throw it on the floor.

"When you have my money, call this number, so I'll come for it."

The older man determined and gave him one last look.

"And don't even think about escaping like your bastard father did. I'm going to find you if you escape." he exclaimed seriously and pointed at Y/N.

The leader took a long drag on his cigarette and remained silent for a few seconds, his eyes fixed on Y/n.

Then he turned around and headed towards the door with firm steps.

Before leaving, the leader turned his head back and spoke sharply, "Remember the deadline. Don't fail us."

The other men's followed him, slamming the door shut, leaving Y/n on the floor, in pain and trying to recover from the brutal beating he had received.

The silence and the smell of tobacco still filled the room uncomfortably, as he tried to come to terms with what had just happened.

He lay on the ground, the pain still present in his body, his mind filled with questions and worries about how him would face the future.

How was he going to get the money to pay off the debt in such a short time? And what would happen if he couldn't get the money together?.

Stood up and dragged himself into the bathroom. I turned on the faucet, let the water run and he began to wash himself, complaining about the pain in his face, then he raised his head and looked at himself in the mirror looking miserable.

As the cold water ran down his face, Y/n felt overwhelmed by the situation him was in.

The marks on her skin were beginning to take shape and the pain was still present. The reflection in the mirror showed a battered and troubled person...

He stayed silent for a few minutes, trying to recover for the moment and finished cleaning his face. Until the sound of a light knock on his door interrupted his thoughts.

Without further ado, he tried to clean himself as quickly as he could and gathered strength in his body to stay standing.

As he walked towards the door, he stopped for a second, whether it was those men again or someone new who because of his father, would have to pay yet another debt.

Thousands and thousands of thoughts came to his head at that moment.

Him stood still for a few seconds, trying to compose herself and recover from the emotional impact. The sound of the knocks rang out again, making Y/n's heart beat faster.

Y/N reached his trembling hand towards the doorknob and opened the door. His eyes widened in surprise at who it was.

"Hyun-ju?..." He said in a sigh the name of the woman was in love with.

Hyun-ju stood in the doorway, facing Y/n. His eyes widened as he saw the state she was in. His gaze filled with concern and surprise ran over her face, observing the marks of the beating that were still present.

"Y/n, my go... What happened to you?.." She asked tenderly, his voice full of concern.

She noticed the bumps and how his face reflected the pain he was feeling. Her took a step inside the apartment with the intention of approaching him.

"Hyun-ju..." He exclaimed and wanted to cover his face to prevent her from seeing him in that state.

Y/N felt embarrassed that she saw him like that, after all this time trying to get his attention and seeing him in this state made him feel bad.

"Let me see, let me see you." She said in a soft, concerned tone.

She took a few steps closer to him, not taking her eyes off his wounds. She wanted to try to understand how he ended up like this, but she also wanted to check that he was okay.

The concern reflected in her eyes was unmistakable as she tried to get closer to check him out.

When he felt Hyun-ju's hands on his face, he couldn't help but feel the softness of her skin. He felt like he was in a dream and didn't want to wake up.

Maybe the beating made him faint and he was having this nice dream.

But he held back and snapped out of his trance.

"This? It's nothing, I just fell while I was working." Y/N quickly apologized.

She knew it was a silly excuse but couldn't think of anything else to say. Hyun-ju faked a giggle but her body hurt but if she was in front of Hyun-ju, the pain didn't matter.

"We have to clean this up or it's going to get infected" she exclaimed worriedly. Without stopping to check on me, she pulled Y/N's hand to enter her apartment.

"Where's the first aid kit?."

"Hey Hyun-ju, I'm fine, you don't have to..." wanted to tell him.

"No, you have to, these bumps don't seem like a big deal at first but if you don't treat them well they get worse."

Hyun-ju cut her words off and Y/N fell silent.

"I have it in my bathroom, I'll go get it " he said but she refused and offered to go get it.

Y/N accepted and then Hyun-ju came back with a small box of first aid supplies. She forced him to sit down and began to treat his wounds carefully.

Y/N couldn't help but look at her, every action and how her hands moved carefully cleaning every wound. Just feeling her close to him and admiring her beautiful face was a great gift for he.

“You’re doing great. I appreciate it, Hyun-ju…” Y/N thanked him with a sweet smile.

Hyun-ju, hearing that, looked at him and couldn’t help but smile the same way. Y/N’s smile was contagious.

“You’re welcome, Y/N. As neighbors we help each other, right?” She repeated Y/N’s phrase with amusement. Him couldn’t help but let out a small giggle as he nodded.

“You’re right.”

The two stayed in a comfortable silence as Hyun-ju finished healing the wounds and Y/N looked at her again.

"Do you want to stay for dinner?." He asked out of nowhere.

Him didn't know how or where that courage had come from but he said it, at least it was a start to getting to know the beautiful Cho Hyun-ju.

Who had captivated his attention that day he moved into the building.

Hyun-ju stopped paying attention to the wounds just as Y/n asked that question, her gaze fixed on him. A small blush covered her cheeks at that unexpected invitation.

Her heart was beating strongly in her chest at the moment he asked her the question, a small feeling of nerves forming in her stomach as she listened to him.

She hesitated for a moment.

Stay for dinner? Was it just kindness or something more? She stayed silent for a few seconds, her gaze full of questions but finally she answered:

"I would love to." She said with a soft shyness as her eyes flashed, smiling slightly and lowering her gaze.

Hearing that, Y/N couldn't help but smile big and internally began to celebrate that she had accepted.

"Great, would you like to eat something specific? I don't mean to brag, but I'm a good cook." He joked and the shyness was fading away at that moment.

Hyun-ju laughed softly at his joke and felt a little more comfortable at that moment.

The tension seemed to dissipate with every word and gesture.

His eyes sparkled as he joked around with a proud smile. “I guess I’ll have to try it out to see if you’re as good as you say you are.”

She said with a playful tone, a slight mischief in his gaze as he responded with a smile. Hyun-ju was really intrigued to see how he would cook.

“Oh, believe me, you’ll love it,” he replied kindly as he laughed and couldn’t help but admire Hyun-ju.

His eyes sparkled brightly when he saw her again.

The tension in the air completely dissipated, replaced by a clear connection between them as they chatted and joked.

Hyun-ju's gaze remained fixed on Y/n, unable to help but admire her presence and gestures.

The moment was comfortable and the atmosphere felt electric, but the excitement of the encounter gave them an addictive feeling.

Hyun-ju couldn't help but look at Y/N and know that he was a good man. Although his insecurities were in his head.

She tried to ignore it. Because seeing Y/N treat her so gently made his heart skip. It felt unreal to see someone treat her the way Y/N did from the first moment, accepting her for who she really was.

Little by little he was getting into her skin without realizing it...

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Y/N opened her eyes in surprise when she saw someone familiar in that place.

She couldn't believe it.

“Hyun-ju?...” he said her name.She looked at him the same way.

They both couldn't believe they were in the same place.

“Y/N… what are you doing here?”.

She exclaimed worried and surprised to find him there.

They were going to have a long conversation.

[shortnspidey]

CHAPTER ONE: ECHOS OF THE PAST

bucky barnes x fem!stark!reader || WC: 3.7K

A/N: In honor of Sebastian getting his first Golden Globe (which was long overdue), I present to you all the first chapter for this series! Thank you for all the love on this series before it was even published! This first chapter is really angsty, BUT there is certainly more to come! Dividers by @sister-lucifer <3

next chapter

➩ main masterlist

➩ series masterlist

The familiar hum of New York City quickly faded as you stepped into the quiet sanctuary of your apartment. It was a stark contrast to the bustling campus of MIT, a place that had once held so much promise. The weight of the past few months hung heavy on your shoulders as you let out a long, weary sigh. You had returned home, defeated and disillusioned.

The keys in your right hand felt heavy, almost like an invisible weight was pushing you down. You shook your head, trying to clear the fog of disappointment and frustration. The sense of relief from being back home was met with the bitter taste of unmet expectations. You had dreamed of making a mark, of proving to yourself and to everyone else that you belonged at one of the most prestigious institutions in the world.

Instead, you found yourself constantly questioning your place, your purpose, and your abilities. As you finally turned the key and stepped inside, the familiar surroundings offered a small comfort. However, that relief was short lived. What you didn't expect was to see your father, in the flesh, sitting in your living room. His presence felt like an additional weight on your already burdened shoulders, amplifying the emotions swirling inside you.

Choosing to ignore him, you walked past the living room and into your room. You could bet that he would be following close behind you not even a second later. Sure enough, as you settled to unpack the little clothes that lay in your suitcase, you heard his footsteps approaching. "F.R.I.D.A.Y told me you were back in New York," The stern voice of Tony Stark, genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist or as you knew him, your father, interrupted behind you.

Letting out a sigh, you could practically feel the disappointment radiating off of him from your doorway. "Which I find very odd since it's nowhere near your winter break." You avoided eye contact as you fiddled with the items on your desk. "Funny enough, I gave a lecture at MIT and to my surprise my daughter was nowhere to be found. Especially since the academic advisor stopped me to inform me you haven't been attending classes for almost a month." God you wished he'd just get right to the point.

"Care to explain?" Not bothering to hide the nonchalance in your voice, you simply shrugged and mumbled, "Dropped out." The tension in the room was palpable, his silence spoke volumes, a mixture of disbelief and frustration hanging in the air. "Dropped out? What do you mean, you dropped out? You were doing so well." You could hear the strain in his voice, the effort it took to keep his emotions in check. “MIT was your dream, not mine.” His eyes widened, and for a moment, you saw a flicker of hurt cross his face.

You almost felt bad. Almost. "But you had everything going for you," He insisted, crossing his arms over his chest and looking down at you with what you could only assume was utter disappointment. "The scholarships, internships, the many opportunities they offered… Why would you throw all that away?" You sighed, feeling the weight of his disappointment. "Because it wasn't making me happy," You replied, your voice barely above a whisper. "I finally realized that I was living someone else's dream, not mine."

You had finally admitted it.

As you finally mustered the courage to confront him, a bruise blooming on his right eye suddenly stole your attention. The conversation about MIT, now seemed like the last thing on your mind. After what seemed like an eternity, you tried to gauge his expression, but came up short. "Well in that case," He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You're grounded." Clenching your jaw you scoffed in disdain. "What the hell do you mean I'm grounded?" You spat, crossing you arms over your chest. "I don't think I stuttered." Tony rolled his eyes which only fueled your anger.

"I'm not five dad, I'm almost twenty-five, you can't ground me." You growled, digging your freshly manicured nails into your palm in frustration. "As your father, I believe that is one of the many privileges I still hold. You're clearly not thinking straight. You need time to reflect on your choices and figure out what you truly want." He looked at you with a mixture of worry and disappointment, his eyes searching for a way to reach you. "This isn't about punishment, it's about helping you." The more he talked, the angrier you became.

Of course, he was making this about him, as he somehow always seemed to do. Completely disregarding what you wanted, he continued to impose his will. The familiar feeling of being trapped under his expectations washed over you, instantly making your blood boil. "Helping me?" You echoed, your voice dripping with sarcasm. "You do realize that I just confessed that I don't want to go back to MIT, and instead of asking me why, you ground me instead. Real mature." You could feel the tears of frustration welling up, but you refused to let them fall.

You weren't going to give him the satisfaction of seeing that he had affected you. This was your life, your decision, and you were growing tired of being treated like a child. He opened his mouth to respond, but you cut him off, the words spilling out before you could find will to stop them. "You don't get it, do you? It's like you only hear what you want to hear. I’m not some kid who needs to be sheltered from the world. I need you to listen for once!" His expression hardened, and you could see the frustration creeping into his demeanor.

Taking his silence as a sign to continue, you pushed back your nerves and tears, and decided a different approach to somehow get your point across. "Can’t you see that I’m trying to figure things out on my own? Grounding me isn’t going to help me in any way." He sighed, and you could tell he was struggling to find the right words. Tony Stark may be the smartest and most successful man in the world, but he sure as hell didn't know how to express himself. In words, at least. "I just want what’s best for you," His voice softer now, was almost pleading.

It almost made you feel bad for yelling. "Then try trusting me for once," Your voice trembled with a mix of anger and desperation. "I'm tired of people not knowing my name, and only knowing me as 'Tony Stark's daughter'. You have to understand that, dad." The silence hung heavy between you, both of you staring at each other, the weight of unspoken words filling the room. You could feel the tension shifting, and for a brief moment, you wondered if he finally understood. After a pregnant pause, he suddenly found the words, just not the ones you were expecting.

"Well, I'm off, there's cheeseburgers in the kitchen." The casualness in his voice, as if the conversation hadn't happened made your frustration and anger resurface. "Just like that you're leaving," You scoffed in disbelief, but never the less expected it. This was typical of him, avoiding the deeper issues with a quick exit. "You really think cheeseburgers is going to make up for this?" You added, hoping for once in his life he was joking. Oh how wrong you were. “Settle in, watch movies, but do not leave this apartment under any circumstances.” He instructed, his tone firm as he moved toward the door.

"And if I leave?" You challenged, standing your ground as his hand hovered over the front door knob. He paused, his back to you. "Just remember I have eyes everywhere," Without so much as a final glance in your direction, he shut the door behind him. The thud echoed through the apartment, leaving you alone with your thoughts. As if on cue, your phone which laid abandoned in your bedroom went off startling you. Looking at the door one last time, you let out a huff, the frustration and disappointment evident in your breath. It was clear your father wasn't coming back.

With a resigned sigh, you turned and made your way to your bedroom. As soon as you picked up your phone, your heart dropped. Notifications filled the screen, each one more alarming than the last. You had been tagged in numerous social media posts, not to mention the messages from colleagues and acquaintances at MIT. Even Pepper had sent you a text regarding something called the Sokovia Accords. Your fingers trembled as you scrolled through the posts, the images and videos of chaos and destruction filling the screen. Your mind raced, trying to piece together what had happened while you were unaware.

Among the thread of messages, Pepper's stood out the most. "We need to talk. This is serious. Call me as soon as you can," it read. You could almost hear the urgency in her voice, and it made your stomach churn. You quickly dialed her number, your heart pounding in your chest as you waited for her to pick up. The phone rang twice before she answered. "Hey sweetheart, are you okay?" She asked, her voice filled with concern. "I don't know," You admitted, your voice barely above a whisper. "What even are the Sokovia Accords?" You heard Pepper sighed on the other end of the line.

"It's a long story, but to put it in the simplest terms, it's a set of legal documents that will regulate the activities of enhanced individuals." You felt a cold chill run down your spine as Pepper explained the implications. The weight of the situation pressed down on you, and you couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. "Just be careful, okay?" You nodded even if she couldn't see you. "I will, I love you." As she echoed those words back, you hung up. The world seemed to be against you today, because not even seconds after you set your phone down, there was a knock present at your door.

It made your heart drop, especially since no one knew you were back in New York. Slowly, you reached for the knife hidden by your bedside table, adrenaline coursing through your body as you slowly inched toward the front door. Your heart pounded in your chest as you approached the door. Taking a deep breath, trying to steady your nerves. Peering through the peephole, you saw a shadowy figure standing just beyond the threshold, their features obscured by the dim hallway light. With your hand gripping the knife tightly, you cautiously unlocked the door, ready to defend yourself if necessary.

As the door creaked open, the figure stepped forward into the light, revealing a familiar face. "Uncle Clint," You breathed out immediately tackling the man in a hug. He instantly reciprocated, tightening his hold on you. “You ready to get the hell out of here, kid?” You couldn’t contain your smile, immediately nodding. Not needing anything else but your phone and keys, you locked your door following Clint down the steps. "Where are we going?" You asked, your curiosity piqued. "Germany," He replied nonchalantly making you stiffen momentarily.

Turning back as if sensing your unease, he gave you a reassuring smile. "I'm assuming you've heard the news about the Accords." You nodded, climbing into the passenger seat of his van as he unlocked it. "We just have to make a quick pitstop first." As you settled into the seat and the van roared to life, your thoughts instantly started racing. "What's the pitstop for?" You asked, trying to keep your voice steady. Clint glanced over at you, a smirk playing on his lips. "Just picking up some... backup," He said cryptically as the sense of anticipation grew as you wondered what lay ahead.

Arriving in Germany at the Leipzig-Halle Airport, it was safe to say you were a nervous wreck. Especially since the 'backup' Clint had meant was breaking Wanda Maximoff out of the Avengers Compound and picking up someone named Scott Lang. Thankfully, the witch had promised to stay out of your head so she couldn't read your inner turmoil. However, just by your body language, anyone could tell you were not 'okay'. "You okay, kid?" Clint's voice asked softly, his paternal instincts kicking in.

You managed a weak smile. "Yeah, just… thinking." The van's engine hummed softly as it entered the airport car garage, the dim lighting casting long shadows on the concrete walls. Clint raised a brow in your direction as the van entered the airport car garage, his eyes searching yours. "About what?" You hesitated, unsure of how to answer. "Everything," You finally admitted. "The Accords, my dad…" Clint nodded understandingly. "Yeah, it's a lot to take in." He paused, then added, "You don't have to do this, you know. You can still walk away." His words echoed in your head.

He was right, there was nothing stopping you from walking away, especially since your father was in support of the Accords. However, something about how he was willing to start a divide within his closest friends made you angry. Maybe it was because he had failed to hear you out, just as he had failed to hear Steve’s side of the argument. The memory of your father’s dismissive tone and the way he brushed off your concerns played over and over in your mind, fueling your decision. It was safe to say you had already made up your mind.

Turning in your seat, you gave Clint a smirk, a spark of defiance lighting up your eyes. "No chance in hell." His smile widened at your words, and he reached over to squeeze your hand. The van came to a sudden halt, jolting you slightly. Only then did you realize that Steve Rogers was a few feet away, his broad shoulders and familiar stance unmistakable. He had his back turned to you, deep in conversation with two other figures. "Does Steve know I'm here?" You asked, a mix of anticipation and apprehension threading through your voice.

"He does now," Clint shrugged, his tone casual but reassuring. "Here goes nothing" You mumbled to yourself as you unbuckled your seatbelt. "You know I wouldn't have called if I had any other choice," You heard Steve say to Clint as he extended his hand in a firm handshake. His voice was steady, but you could detect the underlying strain. Only then did his blue eyes find yours over Clint's shoulder. They widened slightly, a mix of surprise and relief washing over his features. "Y/N?" Steve breathed out, almost as if trying to decipher if you were real or not.

You lifted your hand in an awkward wave, finding the courage to step forward. Only, the super solider beat you to it. In two strides he was at your side, scooping you up into a much needed hug. His embrace was strong and warm, enveloping you in a sense of security you hadn't felt in a long time. You squeezed him back just as eagerly, hoping that through the hug you could tell him you were on his side. "It's so good to see you," He murmured into your ear, his breath warm against your skin. "I just wish it was under different circumstances." You nodded, pulling back your eyes searching his face for any signs of the unease you knew he must be feeling.

"You know I've always got your back." You smiled, giving him a mock salute which made him laugh. "Nice to see you again, kid." You turned locking eyes with Sam Wilson who was giving you a teasing smile. "Hi Sam." You grinned, eyes landing on the figure standing beside him. Dressed in a red Henley, his posture was rigid, and his expression was guarded. "Y/N, this is Bucky." Steve introduced him, almost as if reading your mind. Bucky's intense gaze met yours, and for a moment, you felt a shiver run down your spine.

His eyes were a stormy blue, filled with a depth of experiences that seemed to weigh heavily on his shoulders. Despite his tough exterior, there was something about him that intrigued you, a vulnerability that was almost palpable. Here it comes. Bucky thought to himself watching as your eyes flickered with recognition. "You're Sergeant James Barnes," You couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and empathy for the man standing before you. Bucky nodded slowly, his expression softening just a fraction. "Just Bucky," He corrected gently, as if trying to distance himself from the past that still clung to him.

You offered a small, understanding smile. "It's an honor to meet you, Bucky. I've heard a lot about you." You could have sworn you saw his lip twitch into a faint smile, almost as if for a brief moment the walls he had built around himself seemed to lower. Steve cleared his throat, breaking the moment. "Thanks for having my back." He nodded towards Wanda who stood behind you with her arms crossed. "It was time to get off my ass." Her expression was one of casual indifference, but her eyes held a spark of determination. "It was time to get off my ass," She shrugged nonchalantly, her tone light but her commitment evident.

The corner of your mouth lifted into a smile at her straightforwardness. "How about our other recruit?" Steve questioned, turning his attention to Clint. His eyes met Steve's with a knowing look, and he gave a slight nod, signaling his readiness. "He's ready to go," He coaxed turning to open the sliding door of the van. "I had to put a little coffee in him, but he should be good." As Scott slowly blinked the sleep from his eyes, Wanda stepped in front of you, her stance protective, almost as if shielding you from his gaze. "What time zone is this?" You heard him huff, his voice gravelly and tinged with sleep as he climbed out of the van with Clint's encouragement.

You watched as his eyes widened when they landed on Steve, almost as if not believing Captain America himself was standing in front of him. His expression shifted from confusion to awe, his mouth slightly agape. "C-Captain America," He breathed out, the words barely more than a whisper. "Mr. Lang." Steve nodded politely, extending his hand out for him to shake. The gesture was calm and composed, a stark contrast to Scott's jittery excitement. "It's an honor," Scott beamed, his face lighting up with a wide grin as he proceeded to shake Steve’s hand longer than was deemed normal.

"Wow, this is awesome," You heard him mumble to himself. The awe in his voice was infectious, and you had to stifle a laugh as Steve and Sam shared a knowing look. "I know you too, you're great," He praised, turning to Wanda with an earnest smile. You saw her eyes light up, a genuine smile spreading across her face as she acknowledged his compliment. "Y/N Stark," His attention now shifted to you. "I'm a huge fan, your Mind-Weaver pitch was compelling. Should help a lot of people too." His words were sincere, and you could see the genuine appreciation in his eyes.

That was the first time you had heard someone acknowledge you as well as your work outside of being Tony Stark's daughter. It was a refreshing change, and you had to admit it felt good. A sense of pride swelled within you, and you couldn't help but smile back at him. Turning back to Steve, Scott nervously fiddled with his hands, his fingers twitching as he tried to gather his thoughts. "Uh, look, I want to say, I know you know a lot of super people, so thanks for thinking of me." He smiled appreciatively. "They tell you what we're up against?" Steve asked, his voice steady and calm.

"Something about some psycho assassins," Scott replied, his tone a mix of curiosity and concern. Steve nodded, his expression grim. "We're outside the law on this one, so if you come with us you're a wanted man," Steve warned, his eyes locking onto Scott's, ensuring he understood the full implications of joining their cause. "Yeah well, what else is new," Scott shrugged. "We should get moving." Bucky suggested, speaking up for the first time in a while. His voice was low but carried a sense of urgency. Clint nodded in agreement, his eyes scanning the room as if already planning their next move.

"Thanks to Y/N's help, we got a chopper lined up," He added, acknowledging the crucial role you played. Suddenly, a buzz emitted from the intercom, sharp and insistent, cutting through the tense atmosphere like a knife. It sounded urgent. "They're evacuating the airport." Bucky translated, his eyes narrowing as he processed the information. "Dad," You breathed out, your voice barely above a whisper. You picked at your nail polish, trying to distract yourself from the anxiety that was building up inside you, avoiding everyone's piercing gaze that seemed to bore into you, seeking answers.

After a moment of heavy silence, Steve seemed to mull over his options, his jaw clenched tightly. The tension in the room was almost palpable, each second stretching into an eternity. Finally, he made his decision. "Suit up," He commanded, his voice firm and resolute. You held your breath, suddenly feeling the realness of the situation wash over you like a cold wave. The gravity of what lay ahead settled in, and the room seemed to shrink as your heart pounded in your chest. This was it. You were officially going to face your dad in what very well might be the endgame.

[zz0mbi3]

ʏᴏᴜɴɢ ᴀɴᴅ ʙᴇᴀᴜᴛɪꜰᴜʟ

summary: joel miller headcanons

warnings: slight allusions to spicy stuff, nothing too graphic. ellie's a menace

~now, i'm going to get this out of the way because i know what you fiends came here for

~yes, there's an age gap. nothing too crazy, of course

~definitely grumpy and sunshine vibes, even if you're a grumpy mess too. nothing tops him (especially not in be-)

~he definitely was reluctant at the start when getting to know you. we all know how "amazing" he is as helping others...

tommy: they got a kid, joel-

joel: so do we, keep driving - the incident in question

~nevertheless, and despite what he tries to say, you've grown on him. and maybe the fact that ellie says that you're the coolest person she's met since joel? yeah, he kinda can't get rid of you now

~somehow he has amazing self control with himself

~like there were definitely many times the man was crashing out and was about to do something drastic with you when he had to reign it in and actually think about it

~insanely jealous individual. luckily for him, not too many people to meet nowadays, but whenever you do engage in conversation with someone else, he's right there. ellie has caught him staring at you having a conversation with someone else, eye twitching

~whenever y'all have to squeeze through a small space because i'm sure there are many of those when trying to get away from the clickers, somehow his hands end up on you. not in a sexual way or anything, you just look down at some point and he is GRIPPING your waist to make sure you actually get out of that situation safely

~afterwards, the man has to sit down and just think for a minute. imagine it, just him sitting, hands raised to his chin as he ponders it all

~Mr. Darcy hand flex, think about it now

~if you happen to start walking a little further than he feels comfortable with you going, you're gonna feel one of his fingers curling through the belt loop of your jeans and tugging you back

"nuh, uh, stay here."

~you also have some self control in you, making sure not to be too affectionate right out the gate. you know he has a lot of unresolved trauma to go through (who doesn't in the literal apocalypse) and you don't want to push him to do something he isn't comfortable with or ready for

~there are many times y'all argue, his temper is on a short yet neverending fuse that seems to go out and reflame often. oftentimes he waits for ellie to leave before discussing things with you, and if it gets heated, oh boy

~sometimes, he doesn't think straight and in the middle of arguing you feel his calloused hand wrap around your wrist. not too hard, he doesn't want to hurt you, even if you piss him off sometimes, but enough to know "oh...he's serious".

~although, 99.9% of the time you have to stare at the floor for about 25 seconds to think about it. "oh, so what were we even fighting about?" that kinda stuff

~although he doesn't always show it directly, you can always tell that he cares. like, he's not typically one to look at you in the face and go "i need you to stay safe or else i'm gonna lose it", but somehow you just know.

~there will be days you wake up with an extra sleeping mat stuffed under your head or another warm coat and jacket draped over you that you definitely did not fall asleep with. other times you've gotten back from outside to find a warm drink sitting out for you. (does it taste good? yeah, yk what hell yeah).

~there's definitely been times where your boots have come untied so often while you're walking that before you can even process what's happening, he's retying them, mumbling under his breath about how "it's not that hard to double knot", but you can tell he isn't really mad when he pats your calf afterwards and stands back up

~he always refills your water and food when your rations get low. like you look away from your bottle for one second and he's refilling it with his own water (y'all fought about this for a while)

~surprise you have a teenage daughter now!

~ellie's a menace with you guys, oh my goodness. but at first, she didn't really like you very much. it was nothing against you, but she didn't like that someone else was joining her and joel's life, so it took some warming up to for her to understand that you being there was helping her and joel, and she actually missed your company when you would be away.

~she will follow you guys everywhere with the smuggest look on her face like she did something. always trying to do something stupid so you both end up having to help her and work together. she's also definitely stolen stuff from you guys so you guys have to share

~whenever you have nightmares, it's like he can sense it. and let's be honest, you definitely do have them because those clickers would have me passed out on the ground, dead, deceased. you guys don't get to sleep comfortably often (if at all) so when you're just laying on the ground in a sleeping bag, it's much easier to hear you tossing and turning. he'll wake up almost immediately and watch for a second to make sure it's not just you shifting around before he approaches you. there's a bit of hesitation, but when he sees how you're genuinely struggling, you're gonna end up sleeping against his chest, oh yes you will. he'll definitely wake you up to talk to you about it, and if you aren't willing to share, he's fine with just sitting there and comforting you.

~"i know, i know", when he's comforting you (or talking you through-)

~now when you guys ACTUALLY got together, it was kinda out of nowhere

~it was getting pretty overwhelming for you to keep it hidden (and ellie had been in both of y'alls ears, basically pushing you two closer and closer). so one day, you find yourself sitting with him and you just start rambling

"look, i know i'm young and everything...and i know you don't see me the way that i see you...and it's silly to think that you would or anything, but-"

you're cut off by the look he's giving you, just of pure and utter confusion. he stares for what feels like forever, until he says in a low voice;

"who told you that?" OHHHH MYYYYY

and before you could even get a chance to really respond to the question, BOOM, you're getting kissed

~yeah, when ellie found out she was over the moon, because she thinks she's a genius or something and a wizard and made it all happen (definitely helped)

~now, remember when i said he was jealous? yeah, that gets almost 100x worse when you guys confirm an actual relationship. if looks could kill, everyone would be dead, i swear

~(just letting y'all know, joel does bite. a lot. do with that information what you will)

~he gets pretty pissed off when people say he's too old for you (he's literally not, the age gap ain't that bad guys) and has shouted at someone about it before! (will do it again)

~even before you all were together, i feel like he would help you pack up your supply bags. he wants to make sure you have everything you need, but it's pretty inevitable that you will take something of his almost every time

~when you're not able to sleep, whether it's because of anxiety or you're just not tired, he'll sit with you on his lap and strum the guitar for a bit to get you sleepier

~never let this man shave his face because imagine-

~y'all will be getting the best sleep you can possibly get when you're together. (he wore you out). he's a walking heater and definitely bear hugs you, very clingy

~he's definitely a gentleman most of the time, because you could be walking into an abandoned building and he's holding the door open for you and ellie (she shoved in front of you and laughed)

~he's always checking your temperature, hand pressed against your forehead. he's terrified that you'll get sick one day, that you'll break out into a fever and he won't be able to save you from turning into one of those...things

"you sure you ain't feelin' too hot, baby? i need to know now"

~oh, if you ever got yourself hurt...you're getting a mix of scolding and genuine worry as he fixes you up. it's one of the few times you've almost seen him cry believe it or not

~but yes, he does bite, again, i will say this again

[robynlilyblack]

Something magical

(kinda playboy!) Sirius Black x fem! muggle! reader

Summary: Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith...and sometimes that means running off with a pretty stranger

Warnings/tags: mentions of alcohol and drinking, first kiss, meet cute, strangers to something more, kinda loser! reader (but not really)

A/n: 1.4k words, little random one today ♡

Navigation | Sirius Black Masterlist

You nurse your drink, sitting alone while your coworkers are up dancing. They had insisted you come along, though you suspected it was more out of politeness than of genuine sentiment considering the empty booth before you. It's been a while since they’d come back to the table now, and you wondered if now was the best chance to sneak away, avoiding the awkward and insincere goodbyes.

Unfortunately that plan was short lived as some of the girls come back from the bathroom, giggling as they drop off their bags, slurring a little as they ask you to watch them as it's their song. Your head falls back a little in your seat, your happy mask falls revealing a defeated one, and you sigh a little as you take another sip of your drink

I’m such a loser

“Why so glum, sugar plum?” 

You sigh a little more as your eyes flick up, searching for the lucky guy or girl until...

“Up here darlin” he finally grabs your attention and your eyes snap to his, widening as they tentatively double check he definitely means you of all people, which he seems to get a kick out of, his smirk widening

“Did you really just say ‘why so glum, sugar plum’” you question with a slight giggle, eyes meeting his stunning grey ones as you sit up straighter

“Got your attention didn't I?” he defends with a wink and you shy away, looking back at your drink “Can I join you?” 

“Huh?” your head shoots back towards him “Really?” you reply more surprised than you mean to, causing your cheeks to heat, more so as it seems to make the man before you waver as well

Throughout the interaction so far he had been wearing an easy smile some would even consider a little cocky, but at the sound of your genuine surprise, it softens into something else, something you're not even he knows

“Would that be alright?” he asks carefully

“Oh…yeah of course” you gesture, moving a little deeper into the booth but then realise he might not have meant directly beside you “You meant here, right?” you point, to which he nods with a chuckle, more so as you shuffle a little more allowing him room to sit down

“So…” he starts, hand gently swirling his drink and drawing your eyes to the rings that beautifully litter his fingers “...what's got a pretty girl like yourself sitting all alone?” 

You let out a breathy laugh at the flattery “I’m not much of a dancer” you point towards your colleagues who look like their having the time of their lives

As his eyes follow your direction, taking in the scene, you take him in as well. It didn’t seem like this was his kind of scene either, he looked too much like a rocker to be in a place where the majority of men wore in suits and ties. If you were honest he looked too pretty to be anywhere but the cover of a magazine. And on top of all of that, there was just this air around him, like he was from another world altogether

“Your friends?” he wonders, leaning a little closer, thighs dangerously close to your own as the wisps of his curls threaten to tickle your cheek

“No, coworkers” you clarify with a slow shake of your head, meeting his side eye for a second before he looks back at them, nodding with a smile "I regret coming with them"

“I can see why...terrible dancers" he tries to cheer you up, taking a small swig of his drink “So why did you come out with them instead of…” he trails off, recoiling a little

“...actual friends?” you prompt and he nods with lips pressed together, looking thankful he hasn't offended you “The truth might make me seem like an even a glummer plum” you reply cringing, unable to stop the little sniff of a laugh that escapes at the end 

He grins at that and you can’t help but notice his free arm shifting to lay on the top edge of the booth “Try me” he gives you his full attention, something that makes you relax and feel safe...though your cheeks still feel like they’re on fire

"I figured being here was better than being home alone” you admit, looking down, not wishing to see his reaction and feel further embarrassment "My real friends worry I don't get out enough, that I'm alone too much"

After a second of silence you chance a peek up to find his soft smile hasn’t left "I get that...my friends are the same, though I have the opposite problem" he plays with his glass, a small scoff of a laugh coming through his nose "I don't have the best habit of going home alone" he makes his own confession before his head tilts “Why haven’t you left let?” he wonders, no malice or judgement in his voice "Besides my excellent company" he adds, lighting up at your giggle

“I want to...I just didn’t want to leave those alone” you nod across the table towards the small pile of bags

“Oh" his smile grows "If that's the only thing tying ya down” he places his glass down properly, standing up and grabbing one of the stray coats, throwing it gently over the bags before looking back at you, arm stretched out “Wanna get out here pretty girl?”

You smile back at him about to take his hand without a second thought when you stop yourself, glancing at your coworkers for a moment, then back at the man. You could be responsible, wait for them to get their bags and go home while also avoiding the potential heartbreak from the seasoned and flirtatious stranger before you, or…you be adventurous for once, take the leap of faith and maybe have a night you’ll remember for the rest of your life

“So?” he eyes you playfully, his smile positively beaming as you nod and accept his hand, letting him lead you out of the bar and into the snowy streets, unaware of your coworkers gobsmacked stares

“Where are we going?” you wonder with a laugh, coming to a stop as you wait for the crossing to flick to green, hearing cars hum as they whisk past 

He looks over at you with a toothy grin, turning to face you “Where do you want to go?” he leans down and flicks his nose upwards against yours, causing your heart to swoon and love at first sight suddenly seems like a very real threat “Got anything specific you want to do?” he raises his eyebrows 

“A few” you reveal “One more than the others” you grow brave, eyes locked onto his before they flick quickly down

“What’s stopping you?” he’s whispering now, the hot breath making you to feel lightheaded as he licks his lips

You giggle a little, licking your own before whispering back a soft “I’ve never kissed a stranger before” 

“I kiss too many strangers” he confesses, cheeks tinting but weirdly you don’t feel jealous, something about the way he’s treating you seems just as foreign to him

“If I tell you my name I'm not a stranger anymore” you reply, breathless with how his lips ghost yours "It's Y/n"

“Pretty name for a pretty girl” he states before connecting your lips

It’s softer than you’d thought it would be, sweeter, yet more thrilling than if it was solely fueled by passion. Never would you have thought the playboy boy in denim would kiss like a gentleman, that his hand would cup your cheek, thumb flicking over it like it was the most precious thing in the world 

“Wow” you breathe out, your chests heaving in time together as you pull away, opening your eyes to find his lips are plump, stained slightly around the edges from the remnants of your lipstick and your heart fills with new found pride at your handiwork

“Wow indeed” he lets out a breathy laugh, forehead kissing yours for a second before pulling back  “How does it feel to kiss a stranger?”

“Magical” you reply, looking down at your shoes as your unable to stop the silliest happy from smile taking over your face, but as you glance down at the floor you miss the twinkle in his eyes at your choice of words “How does it feel to kiss a girl called y/n?” you counter when you look back 

“Magical” he repeats your words but his are softer, like it’s the first time he’s truly meant them “I’m Sirius” he finally introduces himself

“Sirius” you confirm and he smiles, nodding “A pretty name for a pretty boy”

Thank you for reading ♡

[sleepy-aletheas]

I think we tend to pit Alhaitham and Kaveh as absolute opposites too often. It's always "one is loud, the other silent" or "one is warm and the other cold" or my favorite (i say sarcastically) "one is overemotional and the other is emotionally unavailable".

Am I gonna harp on the dehumanization of Alhaitham, because his rbf and title of genius makes it so easy to do? :) ...no, not this time, I swear. I stood on that defensive soap box a few too many times already. What I wanna point out how similar their personalities are through their communication/public perception way.

For one side comment before the comparison; their mirroring needs to have a common thing they can reflect off together, or they simply would never find the answers they need. Mindless reflections would just muddle their understanding of one another and themselves.

That being said...

I think all of us fell into the "let's make Alhaitham speak short and to the point" mindset. It's easier to think of him that way — he stands idly by, listening into conversations, and already contemplating the truth about what is going on. But I swear, when he opens his mouth, then he speaks, and not just factually. He wants others to come to their own conclusions, to find the truth of the matter on their own. He tosses some information here and there to lead people on the right path, and then steps back to observe. He is also someone who uses a lot of sarcasm and avoids direct answers for the most mundane things, obscuring his own truth along it. He doesn't mind going on and on to explain things, to take his time and be helpful when someone genuinely seeks answers. Is he blunt? In a sense, yes. Maybe clinical is the way I like to think of it. He often doesn't overstep boundaries (the only one who fully gets his opinion stated is Kaveh, but they're each other's exceptions anyway), so really, the "bluntness" is more of a disregard to "overfriendliness" that is seen as politeness towards strangers or the public at large.

Kaveh on the other hand is perceived as loud and passionate to its own downside, really. Can he be either of these things? Absolutely. He has the passion of a sun, the ambition of a tide. But it's usually perceived by people as overfriendliness and an emotionally charged thing, when he really is more, and I can't really find the right word for it so I'll go with, reserved. He is polite and tries to be as helpful to others as he can be, but he doesn't really divulge that much of himself. He focuses on others, but tries to keep the attention on them or the situation and not himself too much. He will toss in tidbits of himself here and there, but that doesn't mean he's suddenly spilling all his secrets — he keeps to himself, even if his outgoing personality makes it seem he doesn't. He can keep a cool head and be analytical (architect or not, he's still a scholar through and through), and his contemplation is more of a quiet moment that he doesn't mind vocalize to gain more input from the outside. His friendliness is seen as openness, when really he's just playing the social game, keeping his true self away from public eyes (Alhaitham is one of the few, if not the only one, who gets his full opinion, not sanitized, but candid, off the cuff that doesn't need to be "pleasant" and "for polite company").

Both of them use silence and vocalization in equal measure, just in different ways to divert attention from themselves. Alhaitham seemingly riddles people's attention span into a twist until they give up aften not being patient enough to decode it; Kaveh on the other hand speeds through pleasantries to get to the bottom of the problem so no one has, or can, focus on him specifically. Alhaitham doesn't see the point of the social game, and because he doesn't care about the public's opinion of him, he doesn't play along; Kaveh's reputation and work hinge on people's thoughts and knowledge of him, so he plays along, because people being kind to you (because they know you're kind) makes life easier. Two approaches, two ways of keeping their public perception away from their private one.

It's also why their conversations (or old married bickering, either wording works) are often so "explosive". One uses a direct approach to leave the vulnerability hidden, the other leads the attention away from vulnerability through convoluted misdirection; and both of them know this, and it's frustrating. And exhilarating. Because they're going down two paths that end up at the same destination; seemingly parallel lines that are actually intersecting lines.

They are two mirrors that reflect the same object, but one sees the object's shadow and the bright world around, the other sees the object clearly, but the world in shrouded in shadows. Who is who, doesn't really matter, because both of them can fit this.

[redvexillum]

Sixth Kiss: Burning

A/N: This is part of a mini series guys. I will release the related stories in a neat and tidy masterlist after! Enjoy!

SUMMARY: Caught between the past and the future, Charlie clings to a love that no longer belongs to her. Haunted by guilt and unresolved feelings, she tries to move on with you—a hellborn offering her comfort and kindness.

Charlie entrusted Vaggie with not just her heart, but her very essence. Their meeting had felt predestined, etched into the fabric of Hell's chaotic tapestry. She remembered it vividly: Vaggie, crumpled and bleeding in a shadowed alleyway, the air thick with the acrid scent of recent extermination. Without hesitation, Charlie had knelt beside her, gently lifting her battered form, her touch tender and resolute. 

From that moment, Charlie's world transformed. The darkness of Hell seemed a little less oppressive. Her laughter rang truer, her steps carried more purpose, and her smile felt genuine in a way it hadn’t for years. Vaggie became her anchor, her confidante, and her unwavering ally in the task of challenging Heaven's dominion. Together, they faced the insurmountable. 

Together, they were unstoppable. 

Until the day they weren’t. 

The first cracks in their perfect veneer came when they had first entered Heaven together to vouch for sinners. Adam revealed the dark truth of Vaggie's past. 

Vaggie had been an angel. 

Not just any angel—an exterminator, one of Heaven’s elite enforcers, charged with purging Hell's denizens. The woman who had held Charlie with such tenderness had once wielded celestial weapons with merciless precision, extinguishing countless souls without remorse. 

Charlie’s heart fractured. Her mind raced, grasping for any explanation that would make it a lie. But Vaggie’s eyes, brimming with regret, held no deception. The weight of that truth crushed Charlie, leaving her adrift in a sea of betrayal. 

What stung more? The revelation that Vaggie had been one of Heaven’s hunters? Or the knowledge that she had kept this from Charlie for years, hiding a past soaked in blood? 

The hotel became a prison of unspoken words and stifled emotions. Their interactions, once effortless, now felt heavy with unvoiced confessions and lingering guilt. Charlie carried her grief quietly, trying to maintain the facade of a hopeful princess while her heart ached for a love she no longer knew how to trust. 

Lost in thought, she didn’t notice you calling out to her. Your voice, light and teasing, broke through her reverie. 

“Hey,” you called, tilting your head with playful curiosity. “What’s got you so serious, cupcake?” 

Your gentle nudge pulled a soft, startled laugh from Charlie. She rubbed her neck sheepishly. “Sorry,” she murmured. “Just… a lot on my mind.” 

Your expression shifted to one of concern, tempered by understanding. “Heavy stuff, huh?” 

Charlie nodded. The ache of her unresolved feelings for Vaggie never quite left her. The hotel bustled with life and laughter, but none of it could fill the hollow space Vaggie had left behind. 

It was Angel Dust, ever the meddlesome yet well-meaning friend, who first suggested a dating app. Charlie had refused outright. “I’m not ready,” she insisted. But loneliness is insidious, and one quiet night, it led her to download the app in secret. 

Cinder. 

Her profile was cautious, her bio short and to the point. And then there was you—a match she hadn’t expected. From the start, Charlie was transparent. “I’m not looking for anything serious,” she had typed, her fingers hesitant. To her relief, you accepted it without question, never pushing for more than she could offer. 

Your conversations became a balm. You made her laugh, your humour lightening the weight she carried. Yet, guilt lingered, gnawing at the edges of her heart. No matter how much she enjoyed your company, part of her felt like she was betraying Vaggie—even though they were no longer together. 

“So, you’re still planning that New Year’s party at the hotel, right?” you asked, pulling out your phone. “Maybe we can hang out a bit before or after? No pressure.” 

Charlie blinked, her heart twisting with emotion. Your kindness was disarming—never demanding, always respectful of her boundaries. 

“That sounds nice,” she whispered, a soft smile curving her lips. “I know!” Charlie gasped, her entire face lighting up with an almost childlike enthusiasm. Her crimson eyes sparkled as a beaming smile spread across her lips. “What if you come to the party too?” The words tumbled out in a rush, her excitement momentarily eclipsing the anxiety that gnawed at the edges of her thoughts. 

She puffed out her chest in a show of confidence, though a tremor of uncertainty whispered beneath her bravado. Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her jacket, and she took a steadying breath. “I should…” Charlie paused, her voice faltering as her gaze dropped to the floor. Her heart thudded painfully against her ribs, each beat a reminder of the fragile hope she clung to. “I want to introduce you to everyone as my… p-partner.” 

The word hung in the air between you, laden with unspoken fears and lingering guilt. Charlie’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson, a stark contrast to her usual sunny demeanour. Shame prickled at the edges of her mind, mingling with the ache of unresolved emotions. Vaggie’s face flashed in her thoughts—those sorrowful eyes, the silent hurt—and it twisted something deep inside her. 

The pain of letting go. 

The guilt of moving on. 

“Oh?” you smirked, an amused glint in your eyes as you raised a brow. “A partner, huh?” There was a teasing lilt to your voice as you crossed your arms and leaned in slightly. “Shall I dress up for the occasion? It’s a hotel full of sinners, right?” 

Your playful tone brought a momentary reprieve from the weight in Charlie’s chest. She giggled, the sound light but tinged with nervous energy. “No—I mean, unless you want to.” Her laughter faltered slightly, and she pressed her palms together, wringing them in an anxious gesture. “It’s really up to you. You look amazing as always!” She threw her arms out in a grand gesture, as if presenting you to an invisible audience. Her nervous chuckle trailed off, leaving a fragile silence in its wake. 

You snorted softly, a smile tugging at the corner of your lips before you reached out, your hand gentle as it cupped the side of Charlie’s face. The sudden warmth of your touch made her breath hitch, and her eyes flickered up to meet yours. 

“Are you really alright?” you asked quietly, your gaze searching hers with genuine concern. There was no judgment in your tone, only a soft, steady patience that made her chest tighten with emotion. 

Charlie’s heart stuttered painfully, her guilt clawing at her insides. She wanted to be honest with you. She wanted to offer you the same openness and vulnerability that you gave her. But she couldn’t—not fully. The weight of her unresolved feelings for Vaggie hung heavy in the air between you. 

Her smile wavered, a fragile thing barely holding itself together. “Y-yeah, I am,” she whispered, her voice trembling with the weight of unspoken truths. Her eyes darted away, unable to hold your gaze for too long. 

Silence stretched between you, heavy and loaded with emotions neither of you dared to voice. Finally, you pulled your hand away, the absence of your touch leaving a cold, aching void despite the ever-present heat of Hell. Charlie’s cheek tingled where your palm had rested, the ghost of your warmth lingering. 

“I-I should go,” she stammered, her hands fluttering nervously. “Lots to prepare and all that.” 

You nodded, your expression softening with understanding. “Yeah, I’ve got to get back to work too.” There was a hint of something wistful in your voice as you added, “I’ll see you tonight, then?” 

Charlie forced a smile, her lips stretching in an attempt to hide the turmoil roiling inside her. “See you tonight,” she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper. 

As she turned and walked away, each step felt heavier than the last. The guilt clung to her like a shroud, wrapping tighter with every breath she took. The hotel loomed ahead, a familiar beacon in the fiery landscape of the Pride Ring. But today, it felt more like a mausoleum—a place where memories of love and loss intertwined, suffocating her with their weight. 

When she entered the grand lobby, her heart sank further at the sight before her. 

Vaggie stood near the front desk, her sharp eyes softened with an expression Charlie hadn’t seen in a long time. She wasn’t alone. The hotel’s newest resident—a sinner with a striking appearance and a charming smile—was leaning in close, their body language intimate, their laughter soft and easy. 

Charlie’s heart twisted painfully, jealousy burning hot and bitter in her chest. She had noticed them growing closer with each passing day, their interactions more frequent, their conversations filled with quiet familiarity. It shouldn’t have mattered. Vaggie deserved happiness, just as Charlie did. 

But the sight of them together—it hurt. 

Their laughter faded as Vaggie’s gaze lifted, locking onto Charlie’s from across the room. For a moment, time seemed to slow. Vaggie’s eyes held a flicker of something—regret, perhaps? Sadness? Whatever it was, it made Charlie’s chest ache even more. 

But then, slowly, Vaggie looked away. 

Charlie swallowed hard, her throat tightening as she forced herself to keep walking. Each step felt like a battle against the emotions threatening to overwhelm her. Her nails bit into her palms as she clenched her fists, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. 

Everything felt so complicated. 

Why did she have to fall in love with an exterminator? 

If Vaggie had been a sinner from the start, would things have been different? Would their love have been simpler, easier? 

Where had Charlie’s love truly begun? She couldn't say. Maybe it sprouted the first time she saw Vaggie lying broken in an alleyway, fierce and proud despite her wounds. Or perhaps it bloomed later, in stolen glances and soft conversations shared in the quiet corners of the hotel. 

But now? That love twisted inside her like a vine covered in thorns. It wasn't gentle anymore. It was a maelstrom—a swirling storm of confusion, bitterness, pettiness, rage, and frustration. Every emotion clashed against the other, and she couldn’t see the right path through the haze. 

Every road stretched out before her like a fire-lit bridge, burning at both ends. No matter which way she turned, the flames consumed her. 

And Charlie… Charlie felt trapped. 

On New Year’s Eve, the hotel gleamed with a festive glow. Strings of lights sparkled in gold and crimson, casting warm hues across the lobby. Music floated through the air, blending with the low hum of chatter from the gathered sinners. Despite the celebratory atmosphere, Charlie’s heart was heavy with anticipation and dread. 

When you entered through the grand doors, her face lit up instantly. “You made it!” she greeted, her voice bright with practised cheer. Her hand reached for yours, squeezing lightly, as though drawing strength from the simple touch. 

You glanced around the hotel, taking in the decorations. “Nice setup,” you commented, your gaze lingering on the lavish display of firework-themed banners and the elegantly arranged tables. 

Charlie giggled, a soft, nervous sound that betrayed the turmoil underneath. “Come on, I’ll give you a tour.” Her fingers laced with yours as she led you through the hotel, pointing out each decorated room, each carefully crafted centrepiece. Her voice bubbled with excitement, but her grip tightened just a little too much. 

As you reached the lounge, Angel Dust appeared from behind a curtain of streamers, his ever-present smirk widening as he spotted you. “Well, hello there,” he drawled, one brow arching playfully. “Charlie, darling—who’s the hottie?” 

Charlie froze mid-step, her cheeks flushing a rosy pink. Her eyes darted nervously between Angel, your intertwined hands, and your calm expression. The word she wanted to say—partner—caught in her throat, sticking like a jagged stone. 

The pause stretched too long, and you noticed it. 

With a casual shrug, you released her hand, slipping easily into the role she was too afraid to define. “We’re just friends,” you said smoothly, flashing a devil-may-care grin that masked any disappointment you might have felt. “Cool place you’ve got here. Any drinks?” 

Angel’s eyes glinted with amusement as he crossed his arms. “Now you’re speaking my language, sugar. Come on, let’s hit the bar.” He tossed a wink at Charlie before steering you toward Husk, who sat grumpily behind the counter nursing a glass of whisky. 

Charlie stood rooted in place, her hand lingering in the air where yours had been moments ago. The warmth of your touch had already faded, leaving her feeling colder than before. 

She could feel the unspoken judgment hanging in the air. The voices in her head whispered cruel truths. 

I'm being unfair to them. I'm stringing them along. I should let them go if I can’t give them everything. 

Her heart clenched painfully. She wanted to scream at herself. Wanted to take it all back. Wanted to run after you and tell you the truth. 

But before she could move, a familiar voice cut through the festive air. 

“Hey.” 

Charlie’s heart lurched as she whirled around to see Vaggie standing just a few feet away. Her expression was guarded, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. There was a tension in the way she stood, a stiffness that spoke of discomfort and unease. But there was something else, too—a flicker of vulnerability in her eyes, as if she was bracing herself for rejection. 

Charlie’s breath caught in her throat. “O-oh! Hi!” Her shoulders lifted in an awkward hitch as she forced a bright smile. “Long time no… see?” 

The moment the words left her lips, she winced inwardly. Long time no see? Seriously? You saw her ten minutes ago putting up decorations, you idiot. 

Vaggie’s lips twitched, forming a crooked smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Yeah.” Her voice was quiet, hesitant. The air between them felt heavy with everything unsaid. 

Silence descended like a weight, pressing down on both of them. The sounds of laughter and music from the party faded into the background, leaving only the awkward tension hanging between them. 

Charlie opened her mouth to speak— 

“Uhm—” 

Only for Vaggie to do the same— 

“So—” 

They both stopped, eyes widening as they realized they had spoken at the same time. A nervous laugh bubbled from Charlie, and she gestured for Vaggie to go first. “You—you go ahead.” 

Vaggie took a deep breath, her gaze dropping to the floor for a moment before she looked up, her expression softening. “I just… wanted to wish you a happy New Year.” 

The words were simple, but the emotion behind them wasn’t. There was a rawness to her tone, a quiet longing that Charlie recognized all too well. It mirrored her own feelings—the ache of something broken, something lost, that neither of them had figured out how to mend. 

Charlie’s heart twisted painfully. She wanted to reach out, to close the distance between them, to take Vaggie’s hand like she used to. But fear held her back—fear of rejection, fear of causing more hurt, fear of the truths that still lingered unspoken between them. 

“Happy New Year,” Charlie whispered, her voice trembling ever so slightly. 

The conversation with Vaggie had been stilted and awkward—nothing like what it used to be. The warmth, the ease they once shared, was a distant memory now. Every word between them felt scrambled, like pieces of a puzzle that no longer fit together. The silence that followed stretched painfully, and Charlie knew neither of them had the courage to fill it. 

Politely, Vaggie thanked Charlie, her voice strained and tight, before walking away.

You returned then, two drinks in hand, a smile that managed to steady the chaos in her mind for just a moment. 

“You alright?” you asked, your gaze soft but searching. 

Charlie wasn’t alright. She wasn’t even close to alright. But the last thing she wanted was to drag you deeper into her emotional mess—a storm you didn’t deserve to weather. 

So, she lied. 

“I’m perfectly fine!” Her voice pitched higher than she intended, and she winced at the sound. The forced cheer made her cringe inside, but she quickly covered it with a nervous laugh, hoping to drown out the tension. 

You raised a brow, clearly unconvinced, but you didn’t press her. Instead, you handed her a drink, your fingers brushing against hers briefly. “Right,” you said with a smirk. “Well, let’s get this party started?” 

That easy grin of yours—the way you could shake off discomfort so effortlessly—made something tighten in Charlie’s chest. She could only muster a smile in return, grateful you weren’t pushing her for more. 

The party unfolded around her, a whirlwind of music, laughter, and revelry. The hotel came alive with sinners dancing, drinks flowing, and voices raised in celebration. The atmosphere was light, carefree… and yet, Charlie couldn’t shake the weight pressing down on her shoulders. 

She watched you mingle, saw how easily you slipped into conversation with the other guests. Your laughter was genuine, your charm disarming. People gravitated toward you, drawn by your easygoing nature and devil-may-care attitude. 

And that’s when it struck her. 

She was being unfair to you. 

You liked her. She knew that. It was in every lingering glance, every soft touch, every time you went out of your way to make her smile. You’d been patient—so patient—with her, waiting for her to take that final step. To admit she wanted more than friendship. But she couldn’t. Not when her heart was still tangled in memories of Vaggie. 

Charlie barely sipped her drink, the same glass you’d handed her hours ago still cradled in her hands. She traced the rim absentmindedly before finally taking a deep breath and downing the whole thing in one go. The burn of alcohol did little to ease the ache inside her. 

Her eyes scanned the room instinctively, searching… for her. 

But Vaggie was nowhere to be found. 

Disappointment settled heavily in Charlie’s chest, and she scolded herself for it. Let it go. You need to let her go. 

The countdown began. 

Charlie stood at your side, joining in the chant along with the rest of the crowd, but her heart pounded louder than the music. Each number ticked by like a timer counting down to something inevitable. 

Ten… nine… eight… 

Her palms were sweaty, and she rubbed them against her pants, her fingers curling into tight fists. The nervous energy buzzing through her body made her dizzy. 

Seven… six… five… 

Was this it? At the stroke of midnight, would you kiss her? Would that change everything? Would it finally silence the lingering thoughts of Vaggie in her mind? Would she move on? Could she?

Four… three… 

Her breath hitched, her chest rising and falling rapidly as her heartbeat thundered in her ears. 

Two… one… 

A cheer erupted as the clock struck midnight. All around her, people embraced, sharing small kisses and well-wishes for the new year. Charlie’s gaze flickered to yours. You were already looking at her. 

Her heart stuttered. 

Slowly, she closed her eyes, bracing herself. She waited—for the brush of your lips against hers, for the moment that might change everything. 

But what she felt instead was a soft, fleeting kiss… against her cheek. 

Her eyes fluttered open in surprise. You were still close, but the kiss hadn’t been what she expected. Instead of leaning in for more, you took a step back, giving her a smile that was gentle but distant. 

“Happy New Year, cupcake.” 

Charlie’s lips parted, but no words came out. Her mind raced, scrambling to piece together what had just happened. She searched your face for answers, and what she saw there made her heart ache. 

Your expression said everything she hadn’t wanted to admit. 

“I—” she started, her voice catching in her throat. 

But you lifted a hand, pressing a gentle finger to her lips to stop her. 

“Listen,” you began softly. “It’s been fun. It really has.” There was no bitterness in your voice, only a quiet resignation that made the edges of Charlie’s vision blur with unshed tears. “But you and I both know… that’s all this is. Right?” 

Charlie’s chest constricted painfully. Her eyes stung as the cusp of a goodbye hung between you. 

She wanted to apologize—to tell you how sorry she was for stringing you along for months, for being too scared to confront her feelings. But the words wouldn’t come. They caught in her throat, heavy with guilt. 

Her lips trembled. “I didn’t mean to—” 

“I know,” you said softly, your thumb brushing away a tear that escaped down her cheek. “You’ve been carrying a lot, Charlie. More than you should have to.” Your smile was sad, wistful. “But I think we both deserve something more than… this.” 

Charlie’s heart shattered at the kindness in your words. She expected anger, frustration—something to make her feel the consequences of her mistakes. But you weren’t angry. You were understanding, even now. 

It made her guilt all the worse. 

Her breath hitched as more tears slipped down her cheeks. She bit her lip, struggling to keep from sobbing. 

“I wanted to be the one that could mend your broken heart,” you admitted. “But I can’t wait forever. And you shouldn’t have to force yourself to move on just because I’m here.” 

The words pierced through her, shattering the walls she’d been desperately holding up. Her shoulders shook as she fought to keep herself together. 

“I’m sorry,” she whispered brokenly. “I never meant to hurt you.” 

“I get it,” you murmured softly, brushing away a tear that slipped down Charlie’s cheek. Your touch was gentle, lingering just long enough to steady her trembling frame. As your fingers traced her skin, you leaned in, pressing your forehead against hers. The closeness—so intimate, so tender—felt like a final goodbye wrapped in kindness. 

“Loving a sinner is hard, after all,” you hummed thoughtfully, your voice quiet but carrying the weight of something unspoken. 

Charlie choked back a sob, her body shaking as she clasped her hands together in a prayer for forgiveness. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled, voice cracking under the weight of her guilt. The apology felt woefully inadequate—too small, too late. 

You pulled her closer, shielding her from onlookers, though the surrounding crowd was too drunk or distracted to notice the way her world was falling apart. 

“I think sinners have a New Year’s resolution,” you said with a soft chuckle, the sound bittersweet in her ears. “Strange, isn’t it?” 

Charlie blinked through her tears, confused but captivated by the warmth in your voice. 

“Maybe this year, our resolution should be to face our fears head-on,” you added, parting from her gently, as if afraid to let go entirely. 

It was at that moment that realization hit Charlie with the force of a dump truck. 

She never asked you about your fears. Your troubles. Your burdens. 

You had been her rock for months, a steady hand pulling her through her turmoil. But she hadn’t returned the favour. She’d been selfish, wrapped up in her own pain, too blinded by her unresolved feelings for Vaggie to see how much you had quietly endured. 

Her chest ached with shame, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks as she covered her mouth with trembling hands. “I’ve been a terrible partner...a terrible friend,” she whispered, voice thick with regret. “I… I never meant to hurt you.” 

A soft laugh escaped you—a sad, knowing sound that cut deeper than any harsh words could have. 

“I won’t lie,” you said gently, reaching out to ruffle her hair, the familiar gesture making her heart clench painfully. Strands of blonde fell messily over her face, but she didn’t move to fix them. “It’s not great, feeling like a rebound.” 

Charlie flinched at the word. Rebound. It hit harder than she expected. 

“But hey,” you shrugged, as if trying to make light of your own pain, “it is what it is.” 

She wanted to argue, to deny that you’d ever been a rebound. But the truth was undeniable, sitting heavy between you both. 

“It’s been fun, though,” you continued, your smile bright but tinged with melancholy. “Take care of yourself, Charlie.” 

With that, you took a step back. And then another. Until you turned away. 

Charlie’s gaze locked on your retreating figure, her vision blurring with tears. Her lips parted to call out—to stop you—but no sound came. Her voice failed her, just as it always did when it mattered most. 

And so, she watched. 

It was only then that Charlie realized what you had done. You had given her mercy—something she never would have had the strength to give herself. You ended things gently, gracefully. You had set her free, knowing she was too tangled in her past to ever do it on her own. 

She watched as you disappeared into the crowd, weaving through the mass of sinners with the same ease you always had. The path you walked seemed to burn in her mind, the flames licking at her heart until there was nothing left but ashes. 

And for that… she was both sorry and eternally grateful. 

Clutching her hands to her chest, Charlie let out a shuddering breath, her fingers curling tightly against her shirt. Her heart ached with the weight of everything left unsaid, of the love you’d given freely and the love she couldn’t return. 

Charlie stood still, rooted in place as the world moved on without her. 

Where do I go from here? 

Her mind echoed the question, but no answer came. Not yet. The road ahead was uncertain, hazy with smoke and ash. But one thing was clear. 

The road to you… 

Was gone. 

And Charlie? 

She was still standing in the burning ruins.  

❀˖° Like my story? Toss a coffee to the gremlin—probably safe, but no promises! ❀˖° Join Voxtek Server and Follow Me for live updates!

[banqanas]

FANTASTICS manifesto for their 3000th day after debut

a.k.a things they want to accomplish by February 2027

SEKAI

Mine is a group goal...

for FANTASTICS to have a hit song!

A song that anyone anywhere will recognise! I want nothing else other than this!

Seguchi Leiya

To Seguchi Leiya in the future, by the 3000th days after our debut

Do you finally have a terrace in your house?!

I like doing barbecues and I like camping. So I would like to continue working with this dream in mind of having my own terrace

Sawamoto Natsuki

To hold concert tour at 5 main dome stadiums

We weren't able to realise our dream of holding a dome tour by our 2000th day, but I want to push ourselves more so instead of concert tour at just one dome, I hope we can do it at all 5 main domes. So everyone please continue to support us.

Yagi Yusei

In the upcoming 1000 days,

I will become an artist that is recognised by everyone!

Nakajima Sota

To compose and write a song fully on my own❗

And have you become a person that can wear colourful outfits⁉️

by Sota

I want to make a song that can only be made by FANTASTICS.

I tend to wear black most of the time so by our 3000th day, I want to confirm if I can pull off colourful outfits.

Kimura Keito

Dome concert tour! And consequently, overseas concert tour

-10Kei chan

I want us to become a group that can be loved by the whole world!

Sato Taiki

I have three things I want to accomplish by our 3000th day milestone.

For Fanta to have a namesake program that lasts for years,

to hold concerts at dome stadiums around the country, and lastly,

becoming a person that can properly communicate with my parents.

Yusei: How old do you think you'll be by then!!

Sota: You're already old enough to accomplish that last one by now...

Taiki: Maybe by then I'll say goodbye to my rebellious phase...

Sekai: After you wrote "dome tour around the country", you think the mood would get too serious so you added that last part as a joke, didn't you.

Taiki: Exactly as he said.

Taiki: *proceeds to share too much information about his interpersonal relationship with his parents*

Hori Natsuki

To become a guy that can pull off a super tight all back hairstyle

Taiki: Like Akira-san's?

Horinatsu: Yeah. Or Tsurugi's.

[deoidesign]

Hello! I just discovered your blog and I immediately became captivated by your webcomic, but I'm unsure where to read all of it. I know it's on Webtoons, but I can see it hasn't been updated for a while, and you still post about it.

Are your physical novels just prints of the webcomic? Are they a continuation? Is the story complete? Thanks in advance!

Hi there!

Glad you found me and are enjoying my comic!

It's only on webtoons, and the story is not complete yet! We're 2/3 of the way through right now. It's currently on hiatus, and it's scheduled to come back in about 2 months!

I'll explain why it's been so long if you're curious, but also for my followers who might also be wondering about it under the cut. Sorry, it's pretty much just me complaining haha

I took a month off I took 2 months to get the books printed I took a month to prepare my next comic and I took 2 months to write the rest of the series (I knew the character arcs I wanted, but not the time periods or mysteries!!!) I've been working on actual episodes since then

I had to take some time off because of some pretty extreme burnout due to the sheer amount of work it was to draw over 800 pages and write 6 complete stories in a year and a half... I was getting sick almost weekly due to the overwork, it was really really bad honestly. I was having to work 60+ hours every week just to keep up...

The nature of the comic itself is also difficult... Each of the arcs is a complete, self contained story which can be read (ideally) without context, and my arcs need to be about 10-13 episodes each... And since I have an exact number of episodes to work with, it's even harder.

It takes a ton of planning and a ton of refinement, and working week to week with no breaks I was forced to put out second or even first drafts, so I just wasn't happy with the work I was doing... And to do that for the rest of the series? I wouldn't be proud of the work I did.

Plus... To be entirely honest, webtoon has treated me quite badly IN MY OPINION... They deprioritized me before I launched (I had to beg for more promotion, I'm not exaggerating), they outright denied me the opportunity to even ask for a raise, I don't make any money on fast pass and they pay me less than my partner makes working at trader joes. My first editor left me completely hanging, my second editor (who I loved) was fired... And they told me I wouldn't get a third season before my first season even finished. So it was just repeatedly completely demoralizing.

I'm sorry it has taken so long, it'll have been 10 months by the time I come back. But I realized... I won't get promotion either way. I won't get more episodes either way. I won't get more money either way. So to finish everything, to make it feel good, to make it something I'm proud of, I chose to take longer to make it better.

I am fully aware I will lose a significant amount of my readership for this and it might genuinely affect my career moving forward. But it's what I had to do! So I'm sticking to my guns on it, and I'm confident long term it'll be worth it. It never could have been this good if I didn't take this much time.

[stellewriites]

how do you get a guy to realise you’re just not interested? like i can’t make it much clearer without it making my mornings at work awkward :/

[mechahero]

//Quick sketch of the result I got from this wheel earlier. Deeply hilarious that out of all the gems Lambda got assigned out of that generator, it had to be a Sapphire LMAO