#i was feeling kinda ehh just now but this made me smile :)

[inupibaldspot]

Film through Shoko’s Lens

Pairing : Gojo Satoru x Reader

Note ₊˚⊹♡ : You’re looking through Shoko’s perspective:) clumsy!reader

Shoko grumbles as rubbles and specks of dust fly over, a tornado forming as a foreign force destroys the house. “He is going too far again…”

“I mean… He is a show off.” Geto, who had a smile on his face, hand shading his eyes which were squinted. The debris finally stopped flying and was now settling down. “I guess he is done. Let’s go.”

Shoko walks over to see Gojo peer over the ledge as the first thing he decided to do was squabble with Utahime, she could also see Mei Mei sitting on amongst the rubble. Mission complete.

She suddenly feels a force as she peers over to see you hold her hand, fingers intertwining and a wide smile on your face. Shoko smiles back as guides you near the rubble. “Utahime— you okay?”

“Shoko—!”Utahime gleamed at the fact her friend was also on this mission as she ran up the stairs and then pulled her into an embrace. “Never become like these two.”

Shoko could almost hurl imagining to be as egotistical and shameless as her two mentioned friends. “I won’t become scums like them.” Her eyes wander to you where Gojo was now standing next to.

She watches you saying something which makes Gojo grumble and him proceeding to pull on your cheeks as you complain.Utahime and Meimei had already left the vicinity now probably headed back to Jujutsu Tech. “You guys can go ahead. I need to do some shopping in town.” Shoko says.

Geto turns around and looks over to Shoko. “Oh alright.” She hears footsteps come closer to her. “I’ll come with you, Shoko—woah-” You smile at her while walking towards her , before almost tripping over nothing as if you have two left feet.

“Holy shit.” Shoko hears Gojo shouts before he is quickly beside you, propping you up straight in the air with his hands on your collar. “I’ll come along too then. y/n might get into an accident.”

Shoko shrugs. “Ehh—? Stop being so clingy Gojo.It’s pathetic.” She says as she takes a cigarette piece from her pocket, while Geto throws her his lighter. “I can take care of y/n just fine.”

You jump in, one hand in the air, made into a fist; the other hand on your hips. “I can take care of myself just fine!” You chirped.

“The fuck you mean, Shoko?” Gojo shouts back while Shoko huffs, lighting her cigarette both completely ignoring your earlier statement. You were incompetent in taking care of yourself! “The last time I let her out with you, she roamed around the park alone and got lost!”

“I needed to go pee. What was I supposed to do?!”

“They completely ignored me, Geto…” You cry as you hold onto the tall dark haired boy’s shirt comically making him laugh. Geto brings his hands up to your head as he tousles your hair.

He turns to the side to find Gojo fuming, stomping his legs on the ground while Shoko smokes, completely ignoring the other boy. “It was kinda funny how they make you seem like a kid who can’t go unsupervised.”

“Argh— Come on let’s go.” Shoko watches Gojo walk over and grabs your hand making you give him a confused look. The white haired boy doesn’t say anything, his hands feel as if they are burning and his heart seems to accelerate at an inhuman pace. He grumbled something Shoko could not hear before she watched you smile at him.

Shoko puts down the cigarette bud on the ground and stomp it under her feet before she follows the bunch. She noticed Gojo dig out a packet of gummy bears from his pocket and wave it infront of your face.

You gleam with excitement as you jump clapping your hands together as you wait for Gojo to open the packet of sweets. Gojo smiles before he brings it up to himself to feed you the sweets, and if Shoko was seeing it right she swears she sees your cheeks bloomed with the faintest shade of red, making Gojo take a step back with mouth slightly agape. How cute!

“Satoru, don’t feed y/n too much. She has been having dental problems.” Shoko hears Geto say, making her look in your direction; there was Gojo his head placed on top of your head nuzzling into you with his arms slinging from your shoulders cooing ‘how adorable you are.’

While you were there with your face grouchy over Gojo’s weight on you and your cheeks filled to the brim as if resembling a chipmunk. This made Shoko let out a quiet laugh as warmth spewed into her heart.

She is sure in due time, Gojo will finally win you over and are sure to date; if there is any indicator last night she found you both snuggled together under a blanket on the sofa of the common room, you asleep leaning into Gojo while he plays with your finger, face full of fondness.

Geto will become stronger with well deserved respect. She will also graduate and quickly become a doctor. When she is done, maybe Gojo and you will probably be living together somewhere with fingers intertwined yet— She doesn’t want this moment to end, a moment with all four of them as she then brings her phone up to her three friends already squabbling about something followed by a thud of you falling on the ground and Geto and Gojo shouting ‘y/n—! She passed out!’ and ‘call an ambulance!’

*click*

Reblogs, like and comment are appreciated! Love this work? Check out other here (ෆ˙ᵕ˙ෆ) ♡

[quitealotofsodapop]

Was Red Son going up to heaven and being granted unlimited access to their library the first time he met his grandmother or ANY of his grandparents?

Idk about DBK'S extended family situation, but if that's Red Son's first introduction to her (biological) extended family OMG that's probably a lot to handle with everything else going on in their life.

Ref.

In terms of paternal family; there isn't much left. DBK's parents kicked him out after he made it clear he was marrying Iron Fan, and her alone. His younger brother Ruyi inherited everything as the sole heir after their parents passed from age. DBK always thought that his parents had strayed from their demonic roots, many demon clans had - preferring to mimic the mortal or celestial politics beyond the Underworld.

DBK kinda wishes Red had time to know his paternal grandparents, but he knows they wouldn't have approved of the boy either. They might have seen him as a worthy bargaining chip for marriage contracts, but doubts much else.

The less said about Ruyi the better.

As for PIF's side of the family? Well...

My hc is that Red Son accidentally met his maternal grandmother before - during New Years when he and Mei broke into the Peach Orchard.

Xiwangmu can recognise her daughter's features from a mile away. And farther still, the flickers of her own True Fire. But she simply patted both of them on the heads and sent them on their way. Her heart grew fond seeing "little ones" running around the gardens again, like how her daughters used to as cubs/hatchlings. If she knew her kin, she knew that the little fire opal would stumble back into their lives again eventually.

After the events of Season 3 and with LBD nearly destroying the world - Heaven had to get involved with the clean up (LBD broke a lot of laws).

Nezha, who knew Red Son when he was an infant, was ultimately the first one to ask openly;

Nezha: "Haven't you ever actually met your mother's parents?" Red Son, busy fixing the van: "No. She never discussed them. The only time I asked, she said that they were not welcome in our lives. I felt it was rude to pry." Nezha: "...you know we're cousins right?" Red Son: "EHH!?!"

In Red Son's defence; he just thought Nezha babysat him as a favour to an old fighting buddy. Turns out the real reason was because Nezha was the only member of the Celestial Royal Family brave enough to sneakily keep contact with Iron Fan after the war.

So now Red Son is dealing with the knowledge that he's a Celestial Royal Prince!?

Red Son begins accompanying Nezha to the Celestial Realm - not feeling comfortable without a chaperone to defend him. At first just to tag along with boring post-battle stuff; notably returning Lao Tzu's furnace. The alchemist was annoyed by the loss of three pills, but impressed that Red Son managed to concoct a cure to whatever LBD added to Spider Queen's venom on the fly.

And Lao Tzu is terrible for keeping secrets...

Within the next few visits; Nezha and Red Son are stopped by Celestial Guards. Seems that the Jade Emperor himself wants an audience with the fire demon.

Red Son swallows a lump in his throat. Nezha gives him a sympathetic, but supportive smile.

The Jade Emperor is... a lot taller than Red Son expected. But the woman at his side is familiar somehow...

Xiwangmu, delighted: "I told you he'd return, my jade!" Jade Emperor, stony face: "So he has." Red Son, remembering: "Hey, wait a minute! You're the woman from the orchard! You let me take a peach!" Xiwangmu, tittering: "Of course! I cannot deny my own grandchildren the fruits of my garden!" Red Son, stuttering: "Y-you knew...?" Xiwangmu, dismounting her throne: "Of course. It's not hard to recognise the tiny face I saw the day I nearly lost my youngest daughter. I still have my duty as Goddess to protect new mothers from misfortune after all... Tieshan is a proud woman. She rejected my help up until she lost consciousness. Then your father begged for me to intervene. Despite our animosity, he still kowtowed to me to save her and you. I respect him for it." Red Son, realising: "You... you knew about me since I was born. Then... why didn't you try contacting me?" Xiwangmu, shares sad glance with her husband: "If I had... It would have placed a terrible spotlight on our youngest grandchild. If the Realms had even suspected, imagine how many demons and celestials alike would have gladly torn you asunder?" Jade Emperor, finally speaking: "Once your True Fire emerged, it would not be long until people began questioning your heritage. Only my wife and your cousin Li Nezha have wielded it before you." Xiwangmu: "We were so delighted when Guanyin took you on as her disciple! It eased our worries so much that your aunt was keeping an eye on you!" Red Son, first time hearing this lore: "Wait what?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN AUNT!?!"

Red Son was starting to get used to visiting the Celestial Realm and getting to know his maternal family.

IF PIF and DBK saw him leave the palace and return with books from the imperial library, they didn't make any comment on it.

Then Season 4 happened...

Red Son's warning may have been too late to truly save his grandfather, but it was enough to evacuate the Queen Mother and the Princesses. The celestial army didn't believe him at first, but Nezha was quick to support his judgement. It only took a quick fact check with the Ten Kings to confirm that the Scroll of Memory was indeed missing, and that the three former-celestial agents were now loose upon the mortal realm.

The last time Red Son saw his grandfather alive was when he tried dragging him off his throne, not even big enough to fully grasp a finger.

The Jade Emperor refused to budge.

Jade Emperor: "Why are you here alone?" Red Son, crying from panic: "The Brotherhood-! They wanted to recruit Father back into their ranks, but he refused! Mother leapt to take the blow meant for him and he-! His last act was to try and save her!" Jade Emperor, noticeably stiffens: "The Brotherhood struck them down?" Red Son: "N-no. But they captured them in the Scroll of Memory. But! If Azure wanted to, he could snap the bamboo containing their souls! Please! I beg of you! Evacuate with the Queen Mother, so you won't suffer the same fate!" Jade Emperor: (*sighs with relief upon hearing Iron Fan is alive. settles back into his throne*) Jade Emperor: "...Child. If you are so insistent on protecting this world, go confront the Brotherhood at your cousin's side. I am not a helpless old fool." Red Son: "But-!" Jade Emperor: "But nothing! I am not ordering you as an Emperor. But as your grandfather. Leave me here to greet my foes, as a demon king facing a warrior's end." Red Son, stops trying to drag him: "I... I will ensure that they never make it past those doors! You can count on me! Nezha and I will crush them!" Jade Emperor: "I know you can. You are my daughter's son." Red Son: (*says nothing else, but tearfully nods to his grandfather for what he correctly feels is the last time. fire teleports away.*)

In canon it was only after the Scroll was collected and the captives free did anyone in the Celestial Realm confirm that the Jade Emperor was no longer with them.

But in the case of the extended royal family; they knew the moment Xiwangmu roared to the Heavens. A connection in her heart severing like a line of red string cut. The last time her grief shook the realms, she tore open the Heavenly River itself and flooded the earth. Now the skies are beginning to crack... doesn't take a genius to know why the Queen Mother is weeping.

In the aftermath, Red Son and his parents are released from the Scroll. Only to see Xiwangmu and the Maidens. The elderly tigress crying waterfalls into her hands as her elder daughters cling to her robes and sob.

Iron Fan's normally stoic expression breaks. She calls to her mother, dropping to her knees and burying her face in her arms like she's a child all over again. Even without words, the princess knows.

The Bull King does not join the women, but he gives clear permission to his child to. Red Son didn't even need to ask.

Xiwangmu: "You were the last one to see him, fire opal. What were his last words to you?" Red Son, clinging to PIF: "He said... that I was his daughter's son." PIF: (*breathes a shocked gasp through her tears!*) Xiwangmu, smile breaking through: "Typical Yudi. Deciding things without telling me." Red Son: "What do you mean?" Nezha: "The Jade Emperor has not recognised Princess Iron Fan has his daughter since the war." DBK, voice a mix of shock/delight: "He recognises your mother as his daughter again. Which means he-" PIF, determinedly wiping her tears: "He recognises you as his legitimate grandson, and as an heir to the Celestial Throne." Red Son: (*too shocked to speak. makes tea kettle sound as flame hair dies to embers. faints Yamcha-style*)

[starluvsx]

★𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐬

𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐨 𝐱 𝐟𝐞𝐦!𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

Word count:1015

Proofread:yup

WARNINGS: insecure reader,kissing,kinda angst and fluff

A/N: this took embarrassingly long to finish😭

𖦹 𖦹

"Okay so the next question is 'who was your first kiss' and what's the story behind it" Nick shouted over Chris and Matt trying to explain why fairies are and aren't real to each other.Everyone in the car immediately had their own separate reaction to this question.

Nick was smiling ear to ear, most likely because of the embarrassment that came with answering the question.matts head was down with a cringed face.me and Chris both looked at each other knowingly before my cheeks flushed and he looked away.

Once everyone had their stories in their heads we looked around for who should go first. "y/n i think you should go first" chris said with a cocky smile.

5 years ago

"ok so what do you wanna watch?" chris said as he sat down next to me on the bed.a good amount of distance between us for friends so it's too bad i wanted to be more than that.i played the lack of romance off by just ignoring it,refusing to look over at his side profile while he flicked through an assortment of movies.

"no clue, what are my options?" I asked while staring at the tv.

“Uhm maze runner ‘Nah’ nightmare before Christmas ‘ehh’ hairspray ‘YES OMG YES’ ”was how the interaction went before he clicked on the movie I wanted.

𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐞

While watching the movie we had gradually moved closer together.not on top of each other but definitely closer than before.now I was slouched down slightly with our shoulders touching, nothing crazy i know but I’ll take what I can get.

Once we got about an hour into the movie I began to zone out.letting myself to wander in my own thoughts.watching the romance movie only made these thoughts worse. “Jesus” I muttered under my breath.

“What, what’s wrong?”he asked, looking down at me.

“It’s nothing, just movies like this always make me sad.” I replied truthfully.I knew what I was about to say but I was ok with it.he was one of the few people I didn’t mind sharing these thoughts with.

“Why?” He asked with a puzzled look on his face.just one word for him but years of insecurities,self hatred and yearn for love for me.

“Cause I know I’ll never have anything like that, nobody will ever love me like that, ya know”I answered hesitantly while still staring at the tv.I had now sat up a little from the previous position I was in.being at the same level as him made me nervous especially since the topic of conversation but I had to,my back was killing me.

“Why do you think that?”Chris said with a slight laugh,as if he couldn’t believe I thought like that.now although the thought he was shook I found myself unloveable was comforting,I knew he was only being nice.

I looked at him for a second before saying what I had been thinking my whole life. “Dude I’m like the ugliest girl at school.” I answered honestly. “I mean it’s whatever, I know everyone thinks that.”I continued with a shrug at the end of my sentence.it felt weird talking about this but also for some reason, reliving.

The look he gave me after I said that wasn’t one I could describe or replicate.he looked shocked and confused at the same time almost. “I don’t think that…”he mumbled.if I hadn’t tuned out the movie long ago I wouldn’t have even heard him to be honest

“What” was all I could say.had i misheard him?I must've, right?

"I don't think you're the ugliest girl in the school, you're...you're beautiful ''he said, making me feel like I was in a scene from a movie.although i wanted to keep up my nonchalant act of not caring about what others thought,i simply couldn't.

i was shocked he had said this.my lips were slightly parted due to me knowing i wanted to say something but not really knowing what to say.i mean how does one respond to that.his eyes flicked down to my lips before the one thing i never thought would happen, happened

Before I could realize what he was about to do, the boy in front of me who I had been crushing on for like forever grabbed my jaw and connected our lips passionately.I was shocked at first but slowly melted into the kiss I had been longing to have for most of my life.

our mouths moved in sync while both of our eyes were closed.it felt like we were the only two people on the planet.once we pulled away i took a moment to look at the boy in front of me.his disheveled hair,piercing blue eyes, pinkish lips, he was perfect.i then said words i don't think i will ever forget saying. "i-i think your beautiful too"

my face heated up as i finished the story. "You guys are too cute, it makes me wanna throw up."Nick said jokingly. Normally I would respond with something snarky but if I opened my mouth i think I would burst out laughing out of embarrassment and nervousness.chris's head was just down, most likely with the same expression as me.

"We were so corny" he said, laughing as he picked his head up.although i thought the moment was really cute,it was pretty cringe when i think back on it.

"We were like 15,"I said in my own defense.

"yea and you wouldn't even get with me till like 2 years later!" my boyfriend responded.

"ok ok next story"i started with a huge smile on my face still.

[ukit4m4]

How would bi han confess to reader and what would he's type be(Sfw or nsfw)

★┆HOW BI-HAN WOULD CONFESS TO U & WHAT HIS IDEAL TYPE IS !!

my Bi-Han is cold ok I'll try to keep his canon personality 🙏🙏🙏 slight warning for cursing. not too much though :P

Tbh I don't think Bi-Han would actually, like, meet you in person or confess face to face ??

You've been friends with Bi-Han for a few years now, and he DOESN'T admit it, but you kinda caught his eyes. Your personality, the way your movement is always full of grace when you're training. You also catch up quickly if there's a new combo or somewhat. Bi-Han.. is surprised.

This feelings has been bothering him ever since he saw you interacting with Madam Bo. You were helping Madam Bo with retrieving some vegetables, and you seems.. so.. beautiful/handsome while smilling even though the day was hot that sweat trails down your forehead.

At first, Bi-Han tried to ignore the feelings, but you KEPT. APPEARING. IN. HIS. MIND. while he's training, about to sleep, showering (😊), when he's doing paper works, etc. Your smile is literally buried in his mind. Your voice.. fuck.

'K!ll me already...' Bi-Han thought to himself as he rolled over in his bed, still unable to sleep. He knows he have to do something about this. After counting sheeps, crocodiles, birds,.. he finally fell asleep at like 4 A.M.

That morning, He was all grumpy, because he's NOT morning person, and he only got 3 hours of sleep because he had to wake up at 6 A.M to continue his training routine. As he walked to the training hall, he'd walk past you. You made eye contact with him, but didn't really say anything, and continued talking with your friend. Bi-Han, on the other hand, wanted to smash the wall. Why? He didn't even want to know.

As he enters the training hall, he'd lean against the wall, waiting for his brothers and other warriors. He'd close his eyes, his jaw clenched as thoughts about you appears in his mind again. In the hallway, his hand almost touched yours, and his fist clenched once again. Why the fuck can't you just leave his thoughts alone ?????

After that, he'd make a decision to ignore you for as long as it can, until this weird feelings finally leave him. He'd purposely use another route just not to find you. He'd purposely eat a bit late in the cafeteria so that he won't bump to you. He'd purposely walk away from his brothers if you walked up to them.

Still, and of course, he still can't put away the feelings. He knows now's the time. He overheard that your schedule is empty today, so he wrote a letter to you. Too flustered to talk and confess to you face to face.

" Dear Y/N. It is Bi-Han, and I want to talk about something that has been bothering me for a few.. months, for now. It is about you. The thing is, I've been getting weird feelings everytime you're around, and I do NOT like it. Though I am not sure what you think of me, but it is what it is. I like you. That's all, I guess. And don't even think about showing this letter to my brothers. I'll be waiting for a response soon."

WHAT I THINK HIS IDEAL TYPE IS

note : I'll try my best to be accurate as possible and idk no offense to anyone ok !!!!!

Personally, I'd think he like, like...... submissive partner??? like, some1 that will obey his commands without no question. I mean, he's the grandmaster after all. He expect obedience from everyone, especially his partner.

ehh probably he'd prefer having short partner. not that heights matter much to him, but he'd make sure and will always know that the dominance in the relationship is his.

if he really loves u, he doesn't rlly care if you're a loud ass person, as long as u don't bring down his reputation and annoy him when he's working or sumwhat

he's THOSE typa husbands.. expect u to cook breakfast, lunch, dinner etc. he expect u to wait for him at home after his training with your arms open, greetings and such. (and maybe open your legs too idk)

[mechaknight-98]

Gathering Side story: Overwhelming stampede

Author's Note: when I started this series it was all vibes and now that it some somewhat coherent a character who got pushed to the wayside was Dino. Which sucks because he's a lot more interesting to write for me than the others. However, at times his powers were tied to Dinosaurs and the toku inspiration I did with his powers seemed incongruent with the tone I was trying to go for. which made writing him harder and harder as I wanted it to gather to be more introspective, but for side stories I can do whatever I want. Dino for me was always a mix of Hayato and Eji from Kamen Rider. Z from Ultaman Z a little bit of Gambit/Deadpool (Comic Deadpool) from X-men, and my personality. As you will see by his slightly changed powers. Whereas TJ was always meant to be more Takeshi, Ren (Ryuki) from Kamen Rider and Cable/Wolverine from X-men, and Max McDaniels from the Tapestry series by Henry H. Neff … (please read it if you haven't.) So this is meant as a mini-story that gives him space to be as crazy and outlandish as possible so for all of my long-time readers here is Dino restored in all his over-the-top Toku temur comic(y) glory.

You know who we should call to fill our game...," Sakura starts before pausing dramatically to Connor and Yunjin. Yunjin and Connor stare at the young woman pensively, before she makes her suggestion.

"Cival," Sakura said suggesting me to her group of friends. Connor and Yunjin look at her wary as the last time they saw me, I was (successfully) trying not to freak out as Sakura let me down easily by telling me that she was a lesbian. Yunjin however saw the excitement on Kkura’s face and ran with it.

"You know what? it's been a while since we've seen the madman and even longer since we have played with him. let's see what he's got?" Yunjin says exuberantly. This leads to them calling me. well, Sakura calling me.

"Yo Kkura what's up?" I ask

"Oh great answered you answered Civy. we need a fourth for our commander game. You down?" Sakura said

"What about Dexter he's usually y'all's resident Temur player," I asked confused

"He's exploring Naya so currently we need an Unhinged Calm Man." Sakura teases

" So you are telling me that Dexter Mr "Yeah I am so Ketria" is trying the shard I told him he would like, and best suit him? Wow, I'm surprised; not really of course, but you thought of me in his stead...well...I am touched. Okay, I'll be there in a bit. Does it need to be a Temur deck or can it be something else?" I respond

"Yes. We are playing our wedges and shards so you need to as well." Yunjin insists in the background

"Okay, Kkura." I groan. I end the phone call. I finish my in-n-out order adding them to it. After getting the food I teleport to Le Sserafim's dorm. the popping noise that accompanied it jolted the people present.

"Yah Cival-oppa you just can't pop in on us like that," Yunjin says holding her heart

"But I have food," I say as I hold the in-n-out bag with their food. Kkura and Yunjin smile. Connor groans.

"Ah no shake shack," he says disappointed

"Hey, when you're willing to pay for it I will pick it up for you all you want. In n Out is cheap and delicious so don't complain. " I say to him.

I hand Kkura her strawberry shake, Yunjin her vanilla, and Connor his chocolate one.

"Oh, you remembered our orders," Yunjin says elated

"Of course. yall are still my friends." I reply

Sakura looks at me guilty and says, "Sorry for forgetting about you Civy."

"It's no big deal. I couldn't afford to move to Korea, and you guys moved on. No hard feelings. the only hard feelings I have are for Dexter. I mean how did he of all people get Eunbi freaking Kwon?" I joke which gets the laugh I was kinda fishing for with Yunjin, Connor, and Sakura.

"So how have you been Civy?" Sakura asks

"Ah, you know same old, same old. fighting monsters taking pictures writing stories.. I reply

"Oh, how are you adjusting?" Connor asks

"Ehh, it's fine. It feels scummy at times but it's a job someone has to do" I answer

"Yeah, it can be weird," Connor says and leaves it at that.

I stayed silent about Voruna and her training me because last I heard Connor and her had a falling out

"So Cival" Yunjin says in a tone and a shoulder shake that lets me know I am not going to really *appreciate* what she says next, "Meet anyone "Lovely?" I groan and reply

"No Jen. I am still a single pringle although I am less ready to mingle." I reply. Sakura looks dejected hearing that.

"I am sorry," Sakura says as she takes a dejected sip of her shake.

I turn to Kkura look her in her eyes and say, "Look Kkura, I don't want this to be awkward. You are fantastic and while I believe we would have made an excellent power couple I understand that your heart is elsewhere, and honestly good for you Siyeon is such a hottie I mean sheesh." Kkura finally cheers up and Yunjin just has to sour the mood.

"See this is why we need you Cival around more. You are the best hype man and Cheerleader." Yunjin exclaims.

"I have been told I am good in limited amounts so that's why I stay in the background," I say before taking a bite of my burger and some fries. Kkura and Yunjin laugh.

"So Madman what crazy build are you on now?" Connor asks

"Borb and Phb food chain, but casual. I have a Thrasios Krark deck in the works but it needs time to bake. Or maybe I should just switch it to Jeska Thrasios." I answer as I ponder my next higher-power deck.

"Is it your definition of casual?" Yunjin asks me pointing. I nod which makes her bring out her "Big Guns"

"Oh, Kaalia my favorite," I say sarcastically. Sakura laughs and pulls out her equally menacing. Simmone and Dina deck. I face her and she points to Yunjin. This leads to Connor bringing out Narset Enlightened Exile.

“Narset!” I point out exaggerated “bleugh now I have to play mean.” I tease

Yunjin smirks before saying, “Cival you always play mean.”

I laugh and give a hyperbolic groan before taking out my deck. Sakura grabs my commander and reads it “Oh I like it.” she says. As we get ready for the game Kazuha walks in and smiles when she sees me.

“Oh hi Percival long time no see,” she said as she walked over to hug me. We hug and I say

“Yeah well, your friends called me up to beat them and I couldn't say no.” I relate to Kazuha. She laughs as she steals a couple of fries “Eh? How rude!” I scoff feigning disapproval while Kazuha just rolls her eyes as she walks out. I turn to face my opponents who laugh.

“I forgot how friendly you were,” Kkura says.

I shrug and say, “Yep friendly and ferocious like a bake kujira.”

Yunjin rolls her eyes before saying, “Ugh you and those yokai.” I shrug her off as we start. I mulligan down to four and then we begin. Sakura opens up with turn one lotus petal and goth Triome. Yunjin starts the game with land, a “Sol ring” and a “talisman of conviction”

“Wow, an overloaded vandal blast or cyclonic rift would be so good here.” I joked and the look I got from the table was hilarious. So I just played a land and mystic remora.

“Civil please don't scare us like that,” Connor whined

“Well gotta keep you on your toes because I know y'all get complacent and that's when bad things happen,” I respond. Curious as to where my replacement was I asked “So where is the big man?”

“Oh, he and Eunbi are working. He's filming a bunch of videos for her new mini album.” Sakura answers

I nod and smile as I say, “You know what…good for him.”

The next turn Sakura plays an arbor elf and an overgrown tomb. Yunjin gets more ramp for her commander plus another land, and Connor plays an esper Sentinel and arid mesa. On my next turn, I play commander and I pay for remora having played another land. To play my commander I needed to use the Jeweled lotus, lotus petal, and rejuvenating springs to play Borb and Phb. On his ETB Sakura flashes in orchish bow masters and kills Esper Sentinel. I chuckle and pass. The door opens and Chaewon drudges in along with Eunchae. I turn around and I see Chaewon and Eunchae make the visible connection.

“Percy!,” the two girls yell excitedly. I groan and stand up as the two race over to hug me.

“How are my two favorite Chaes?” I ask

Chaewon holds me tighter while Eunchae says, “Oppa please bully Kkura unnie and Yunjin unnie they have been teasing me and calling me baby all the time.” Eunchae lamented

I turn to my friends who look at me in terror. I shrug and say, “I have to win now.” they look at me in abject terror as I hear both Chaes laugh maniacally in the background.

Chaewon smiles as she and Eunchae break the hug and say something in Korean I couldn't pick up (because it was too fast) all I got was Astrid Wesker.

“Hold up Astrid who?” I asked

“Astrid Wesker.,” Yunjin said confused.

I turned to Connor who read my confused expression and said “The Weskers are cool now. They have done their time and are repentant.,” My eyes widen as I get back to the game it's my turn and I swing my commander at Sakura. She takes six which leaves her almost out of ad nauseam range. On Yunjin’s turn, I exile Kaalia in response to her equipping a swift foot boots to it. This leaves me open to using counterspell on Narset the next turn. On my next turn I swing at Sakura again leaving her completely out of naus range which gives me space to breathe I play a Ragavan and another land as well as paying for mystic remora and pass. Sakura biting the bullet destroys mystic remora. I shrug and make sure to kill Kaalia, and Narset again. Sakura is missing land drops Simone and Dina aren't opposed to me, and the other two decks are so commander-reliant that facing them equated to don't let the commanders resolve. which I told them, and now they're realizing it firsthand. This beatdown goes on for three more turns before I just draw into the food chain and hit draw my deck before casting Laboratory Maniac. Only for Yunjin to have me lose the game by killing it with Esper Sentinel, with a little help from Kkura and Connor. Instead of casting the breach that was in my hand and brain-freezing them to death. I let them have their pyrhic victory, which of course leads to Narset winning because Narset is good at punishing health totals. After the game Yunjin winces.

Connor laughs at Yunjin's expression then turns to me and says, "Dang Cival back at it again with the big beaters." I shrug and tell them that play better which gets a laugh out of Kkura and Connor Yunjin just scowls then joins in.

Cut to 45 minutes later the girls had just finished getting ready and looked like they were about to head out, "So, what's next?" I ask hoping to tag along like old times.

"Well, we gotta go to Astrid's office. you can come if you want." Connor suggests.

"Ah, I don't know," I replied still reluctant because of Weskers being well Weskers.

"There will be pretty girls there," Sakura said

"I'm there," I responded without hesitation. I didn't come off my adrenaline high until we were outside her office and thought this would be a bad idea. I debate whether this is a good idea but I remember that I have no self-control around pretty girls. So here I was walking into the intimidating gray building with the only thought being "Oh God why am I here"

"Oh hey, Muffins," I say out loud as I walk over to the bakery. The lady working the counter is super nice and knows English which makes my attempts at broken Korean invalidated. Admirable but invalidated nonetheless. I pay for my blueberry Muffins (Because they are top-tier) and begin to eat them. As I walk back into the Lobby I look to see several men with guns pointed at my friends

"I take it you're not security are you," I ask. One of the men angrily gestures at me and yells in Korean. I groan as I can only really make out "That black guy." I finish my muffin and outstretch my hand. when I bring it back to my face I am surprised to see Destroyor. I shrug and slot it into my Riser. I transform in a flash of colors before my Destroyer armor comes on. The guys shout more Korean before shooting me. I sigh as the bullets melt before they can reach me.

"You'd think that they would see the transformation and ponder. Hey, maybe we shouldn't fight the one who just did that." I lamented as I summoned My Lava Lance. I ran to the nearest man in the suit and slashed at him he fell to the ground with a searing wound. I charged to the next one who was still reloading, and slashed at him as well. I turn to the last few who look at me confused. I lift the Lance and spin Lash letting the lava spread all over them. After they were handled The elevator opened and I could hear a high-pitched voice say

"Well it's about time you apologized TJ." I am shocked to see a young lady who bears an uncanny resemblance to Ada Wong, and to her left a tiny blonde woman who is following her.

"You're not TJ. you're much too colorful and vibrant." The not Ada said.

I deactivated my armor and replied, "Sorry to disappoint but I did just help you I think."

"Yes, you did a fine job. Do you want a medal?” the not Ada says sarcastically. I look at her confused before she apologizes and says, “Sorry it's just usually my person who handles this is not here..." The not Ada trailed off.

"You must be Astrid Wesker. I am..." I started but was cut off by the blonde woman

"Percival you are a nexo from southern California, and friends of Connor, dexter, and le Sserafim." The blonde woman says bluntly in her high-pitched voice

"That's not creepy at all." I sigh. "Well, I should probably get going. This was not enough excitement for me, and I am growing bored with this conversation." I say feeling uncomfortable.

"No, since you're here and a powerhouse maybe you can help me," Astrid said not taking the least subtle hint I could give. "I'll pay you good money too."

"Oh well, That works," I say as I follow The two ladies into the Elevator along with Connor, Sakura, and Yunjin. The ride is awkward.

"That's quite some psionic power you've got there Percival how does it work?"

I turn to Emma confused, "So you know who I am but not how my power works." I exclaim

"I can't be bothered to learn every Nexogebics power, especially one so extravagant as you," she said exacerbated

"Your tone indicated that was supposed to be insulting, however, I am choosing to take it as a compliment. To answer your question since you are too lazy to do basic research my power is channeling Primal Elements that have combined with spirits to make armor, and weapons and increase my abilities. I also have some legendary forms based around mythical creatures but if I use those forms my opponent is trouble," I explained, like she was five but hey this blonde lady lost her right to complain when she insulted me. we get to the penthouse overlooking the massive view of the city and we all sit down.

"So how much money are we talking for helping you, and what would I be doing for it?" I ask Astrid excited

"Well you'd be head of Supernatural security for the event and making sure no one gets any ideas. As for payment how does 21k sound for the three weeks of filming and an additional 9k for the preproduction, and POS production (flights travel, etc.)? Also, there is a chance for a bonus if you intermingle with the girls seamlessly to not cause us fuss but that will be based on your performance." Astrid says

"That's tempting, but can I ask why you're not asking your last guy to do this," I ask

"He and I had a falling out of sorts. He didn't like changes in my personal life, and so I made an excision." Astrid says with an extremely rigid tone

I sigh and say, "Fine deal but based on the way you said all of that weird stuff you should just apologize." I reply

"Wait why?" Astrid asks

"Your diction about the whole thing was weird which to me implies you were close and you're trying to use weird jargon to not fall apart about it. So, my take is you should reach out, and see if he is willing to help you." I reply

Astrid looks at me with Narrow eyes, before saying "You are extremely presumptuous you know that right?"

"Okay and. I am just calling it as I see it. you don't get a lot of friends in your life. Especially long ones so keep them close and keep them happy. You'll live longer that way." I said annoyed. The room was silent except for Sakura who was laughing.

"How is he worse than TJ." I heard Emma whisper as the meeting ended as we all discussed setup and various emergency plans.

I turn to her and say, "I don't believe in obstruction of my path I walk forward. Based on your interactions it sounds like TJ plays the game more, " With that I exit the office. the smell of the two ladies competing perfumes made me irritated. As I wait for the elevator I hear a voice I don't recognize. I turn to see an absolute bombshell of a young lady walk to me.

"Oh thank you." the young woman says. her blonde bounces around her neck in cascading waves of gold. to distract myself and not be caught staring I pointed to Sakura and company who were close behind.

"I was waiting for them but you are welcome....um what's your name?"I ask

"Oh, Ahin." the young lady says with a smile.

"Oh like the Momoland Member," I say. the girl chuckles and then looks at me with sparkling eyes.

"Yes that's me she says." my eyes widened at that because my limited recollection of Ahin had more in line with the girl next door and not a vivacious vixen.

"You seem surprised."

"Well, the last time I heard or saw Momoland y'all were cuter...not...this( I say gesturing to her.)

"Do you not like all of this?" Ahin questioned as she gestured to all of her actively alluring curves. I sense the game she's playing but I am too stupid to play.

So my response is not the most Euridite, "Look I wasn't expecting you to be an absolute smoke show or babe okay." I sputter out.

Yunjin, and Connor both laugh at my crash and burn while Ahin just smiles and says, "So you think I am pretty like this."

I turn around confused before replying, "Yeah absolutely." before I can make a further fool of myself the elevator opens and my friends drag me out of the Elevator, but not before Ahin gets my number to all our surprise.

we get back in Connor's car and Yunjin says, "Huh would have never thought she'd be into a black guy." Sakura and Connor look at her wonky. She's from the east coast so I just expect outta line stuff from her. We get back to the apartment when I get a call from an unknown number.

“Hi Ho it's Cival.” I greet

“Hey Cival it’s Ahin wanna come to

A party with me?” the other voice asks. I remain silent for a moment most parties bore me as they only really lead to debauchery and not much else.

“Come on it will be fun. Plus I'll make it worth your while,” Ahin says

“Deal,” I say with no hesitation. I could almost hear Ahin smile over the phone.

“Perfect” the young lady on the other phone purrs. “Send me your address and I'll pick you up in 15 minutes,” Ahin says giddily.

“Okay,” I reply.

Sakura smirks after the call ends at me. I shrug

“Oh does little Civy have a date?” Yunjin teases.

“Kkura I'm still older than you, but no Ahin wants me to probably be her “guard dog at a party.”

“Why do you say that? She was totally into you earlier today” Yunjin laughs.

“Well, little sis I read her body language and it was less. Oh, he's cute and more hmm he's built menacingly but is an awkward dork. Which is the same look Astrid gave me when she saw me after the fight. So based on that and other previous experiences, she's going to use me as her guard dog.”

“So why did you say yes?” Connor asks confused.

“Either there's going to be pretty girls, Food, or Excitement that I don't have to pay for. all I have to do is play the lost puppy role it's a win-win.” I elaborate

Yunjin’s eyes narrow before she says, “I can't tell if that is insanely smart or insanely dumb.”

“It's probably both,” I reply before taking a quick nap.

I wake up to my phone going off and I go down to the apartment lobby to meet Ahin. Upon entering the car I see Ahin is with a guy. The way they're attached makes me assume they are together (or en route to it) I sit in the back and the man who looks about Connor or Siyeon’s age says, “he looks a lot less goofy than you said earlier Ahin.”

Ahin looks back at me. I smile and wave hiding my confusion.

“Will there be food at this party by chance I'm starving?” I ask

The man nods and chuckles “Yes but you're going to need a suit for this party though. I nod and teleport back to my apartment to get the suit, shave, shower, etc, and put the suit on before I teleport back to the car to both of my companion's surprise.

“Neat trick,” Ahin says with a smirk. I chuckle and as we drive a bit more

Ahin noticed I was fidgeting with something and turned back to me

“Nervous," she says with a head tilt that is somewhere between flirty and friendly

I nod lightly, Ahin smiles pleasantly and reaches out her hand. I take it. "it will be fine. You will fit in, and if not you can just teleport out of there."

"You're right," I said which made Ahin smile. She took her hand back as she sat forward and she took my card.

Ahin looks at the card confused, and says as she turns back"Imperial Mega Dragon. Is this a part of a game or toy?"

"Not exactly" I respond and before she can ask more questions we arrive at the party which turns out to be more of a gala/ball. I walk in with Ahin, and her significant other and they guide me to… I squint and see that it's Kim Lip of ARTMS. Kim lip looks at me shyly but Ahin consoles her.

“See Lippie told you I'd find a nice piece of arm candy for you tonight,” Ahin says with reckless energy

“He is also foreign so he can't bore you too much.” I notice Ahin whisper before turning back to me and her date waving at the two of us. we follow the girls in. Kim Lip and I look at each other. As a fan of Loona, I knew that she spoke a lot through nonverbal communication. So it made sense that when I saw her stealing glances at me they were often accompanied by questioning looks.

“Aye don't worry it will be fine,” I tell her.

[astrotoilet]

|| Anything For You||

|| Firecracker x Male Reader || SMUT

Summary: When firecracker meets a fan of her, she promises she will do anything for him, anything...

WARNING: This story contains: Swearing, Awkward situations, sexual acts and breastfeeding scene.

Read at your own risk

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.

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It was a good day for Y/N L/N, Today was the day where he was going to meet The Seven, America's most powerful supes, he was really excited to meet Homelander, A-Train, The Deep, Black Noir and Firecracker.

She was his personally favorite one, she was also kinda stunning for him, creating a feeling of butterflies in the stomach in him, Misty Tucker Gray was her real name, everytime she was on TV or in other media this butterflies started to fly intensely on him, making his situation even worse, and the fact that he was going to meet her tomorrow made it even worse, he tried to calm down and refresh his mind so the intrusive thoughts didn't win.

He just decided to draw a few things before going to sleep, he draw a lot, a lot of thing, between them was an art of Firecracker, it was in fact the one he put most of the effort on.

Satisfied with it, he ripped it and nailed it on his wall.

After it he did more things before going to sleep.

The next day...

It was finally the day of the event and he was excited and very nervous too, Y/N had breakfast, went to shower, brushed his teeth and got ready for the outing.

His mind was about to explode from all the emotions he was feeling right now but he had to stay calm if he wanted to be fine, he got in his car and drove to the place, after a few minutes he finally got to the pace and it was time for it.

.

.

.

The event was incredibly good, meeting The Seven and the vibe of the event was amazing, he felt very happy on there.

however he noticed something...

Firecracker was giving autographs and he could NOT lose this chance to interact with her, so he walked to where she was and with his notebook filled with The Seven's autographs he asked her for one.

"H-Hello....ummm i am a very big fan so i just... wanted to ask you for an autograph" Y/N said incredibly nervous

Firecracker smiled and nodded

"Sure, give that notebook" she said with her usual charisma

Y/n smiled too and gave her the notebook

She gave him the autograph and he smiled

"Uhh you know something?, i really enjoy hearing and seeing you it is very good" Y/N said

"Oh thanks, you're surely not the only one that tells me that" She answered laughing

"Oh...in that case i have to wach it more frequently to become the number 1" y/n said laghing

She laughed too

"You really do that?, i mean you really spend hours listening to my podcasts?" Firecracker said

"Well not hours but actually a good time" y/n replied

"I like some things you say sometimes" y/n added

"Oh, amazing im glad you like them" she said

"Some of your thoughts are relatable...sometimes...you get it right?"

"Society sometimes treat us like absolute fucking shit, im so done of that"

"This country is corrupt...beyond saving"

"America is lost and we need ti save it, it doesn't matter what we have to do, even if we need to do terrible things, at the end of the day, they are for the greater good" y/n said

"Sadly..it's the truthbomb" she said

"Well i think i have to go back with The Seven so im sorry goodbye" she said leaving

"Oh...uhh okay bye ehh thanks for the autograph" Y/N said a bit sad

Y/N then turned back to leave but she stopped me

"Hey!" Firecracker said

"What?" Y/N replied

"Do you really think i'll let you go that way?, i liked you, you're cool so here's my number" Firecracker said

"Y-your n-number?....." Y/N said almosy fainting

"Yes bug, but don't tell anybody" she said winking and smiling then finally leaving

Y/n's trembling hand was holding a paper with her number written on it

'Is it a joke of her ?'

'How this happened to me?'

A lot of thoughts where on his mind right now

"Thanks!!!" Y/N said

He drove back to his apartment, a lot of thoughts on his mind, whe he got to home hr quickly went to his room and texted her

The name of the contact was "Misty TG" so it was probably actually her.

He waited for her to answer but nothing, it had just one check, she didn't even got it.

The hours passed and he had already lost his hope.

It was really late, near 10 of night when his phone sounded, quickly he went to grab it and he saw it.

"Hey, how are you" it was Firecracker, she answered his text

He quickly replied "Heyyy good good, and you, how was the rest of the event?"

"Pretty boring to be honest, a lot of weird dudes came here asking weird things lol"

"Like what?"

"You don't wanna know"

"Please, i promise i will not laugh"

"Well well one of them asked me to suck his dick, can't you believe it?"

"Damn, and what did you do?, how you got rid off him?"

"I had to call security, if it wasn't a public event with kids and people i would have crushed his head"

"Would have loved to see that"

"You fr get me"

"Haha thanks i guess"

"Tell me more of you, what you work at, where do you live, your favorite things, tell me"

"Uhhh well i work as a cashier on a candy shop, it is sometimes torturing to see all these sweetness and not being able to eat anything"

"Relatable"

"And...uhhh i live on an apartment and i can give the direction"

"Sure"

After a long chat Firecracker and Y/N became good friends and she was actually planning to met with him somday.

Their views on politics and the sytem matched perfectly, they grew very close

Y/N and Firecracker continued to talk until a day she told him to met with her at neraby park outside the Vought tower, this excited y/n.

"Sure sure i'll be in there as fast i can" Y/N texted her

In her room Firecracker was planning something a bit.... spicy?, something she had planned to be a surprise

When he arrived to the park he sat on a bench to wait for her and after a long time, she finally arrived.

She had casual clothes and was wearing a pair of sun glasses so people didn't recognized her, she aproached him and greeted him

"Hey how are you?" Firecracker greeted him

"Im good, im glad you finally arrived" y/n answered

"Yup, i had to convince Homelander that i had to do something very important" Firecracker said.

"It was pretty hard to be honest" she added

"Oh, no problem, it's okay" y/n said

"What do you want to do now?" Firecracker asked.

"Well we can hangout a bit" y/n said

"Sounds great, i support the idea" she answered.

"Well let's go then" y/n said

Reader and Firecracker went to a lot on places, spending the time together and having a lot of fun.

They went to eat candy apples and after a long time they where done on their outing.

"I enjoyed this day so much!, i wish i could do this even more" Firecracker said

"Yeah, same i wish i could be with you more time" y/n answered

The the idea shot firecracker in the head, she just remembered it and blushed, looked down with a serious face and thought if she really wanted to do this, the she decided it was a good way to confess.

"Is something wrong?" Y/n asked her

"Hmmm, yes" she answered

"And what is it?"

"Look uhhhh, i don't wanna go now, i want you to take me to your apartment as i want to show you something"

"Uh..well sure you are welcome, it's a surprise for me"

"And what is that thing you wanna show me?"

"It's a surprise"

He already was getting nervous

"Okay let's go then"

During the whole road she stay silent, she didn't talked to him amd that only made the ambiance awkward.

When they already arrived his apartment y/n prepared some coffee for her and they talked about a few things before y/n brought her words from a few moments again.

"What was the surprise you wanted to show me?"

"Oh that?, well i first will ask, you wanna see this?"

"Yes sure, what is it?"

"I hope you like this..."

she stod in front of y/n and removed her clothes revealing that she was wearing her supe costume

Y/n was surprised and he wasn't able to hold his blush, also her suit was a bit more short and he was trying his best to hide his erection.

"W-Wow Firecracker what are you doing?" Y/n asked her

"You told me once that you liked the way i look with my suit, so i am doing it for you" Firecracker said getting closer to him

Y/n felt very nervous

"Yes, uhhh i like it a lot, t-thanks"

Firecracker was now very closed to his face and made him sit on the couch

She then jumped in top of him and now was sitting on his lap, her arms wrapped around his neck.

He couldn't believe all of this

"I'll do anything for you....anything..anything..." Firecracker said

"Oh yes oh shit, do it" y/n said

Her mouth then leaned in on his and she started to kiss him, all he could do was kiss back and wrapp his arms around her waist.

She started to run her hands on his back, then she felt something and she stopped....

"Are you hard?" she asked him

"Oh yes Firie im so hard right now" Y/N said

"Someone should do something about that..., also don't call me firie" she said kissing him again and now grinding on his erection

she moaned as the feeling was driving her insane.

She licked his cheeks, his neck and all of his mouth, y/n at his part was touching her ass and her tighs, and there was a moment where he touched her tits wich made her stop and remember her idea once again.

She stod up and looked at y/n

"Would you like something to drink" Firecracker asked him

"Sure, like what?" He answered

She then unzipped her suit and let her tits out and aproached him..

Lay down on my lap and close your eyes, i will give you milk.

"What?...really!?" Y/n said half disgusted but also excited

"Yes, you want?" She asked innocently

"Sure, oh my god"

Y/n then sat next to her and catched one of her breasts on his mouth and started to suck it

She moaned as the milk started to fill his mouth, she was sweating so hard and wanted to get fucked so hard, it was when y/n started ti press his fingers in her crotch making her moan loudly

"Oh fuck, yes!" She said

He then inserted them in and she moaned even louder, he started to move them.

The firecracker decided to help him a bit, unzipped his pants ans started to jack off his hard-rock cock, y/n also played with her tits, touched them and sucking them.

The whole situation was spicy with them fucking eachother as milk travelled down y/n's throath.

It was when she came that y/n pulled her breast out of his mouth.

"Fucking delicious" he said

"Now it's time for you to get your milk"

Firecracker had no time to realised as y/n grabbed her head and inserted his cock in her mouth, making her suck it all.

He didn't asked her but she could care less

She sucked his cock as the wet sounds sounded in the room, she massaged his balls and licked his tip

"Fuck yes, don't you dare to stop bitch" he said

"Y-yes m-master" she said in a choked voice

she continued to suck him until he came, filling her mouth with his cum

She moaned as she opened her mouth full of cum

Y/n the inserted his hand in

"Look at you fireslut"

"Oh yes daddy treat me like your bitch"

She sat on his lap and inserted his cock in her pussy.

She almost screamer as his big cock entered her.

"Oh my fucking god y/n, don't stop"

"Fuck me harder ah ah, oh im gonna cum, im gonna cum" she said out of breath

His hands where spanking her fine ass as he was once again sucking her milk

She felt she was on fire, she started cry of plesure

"Y/n, oh fuck, i love you"

" i love you too Firie"

"Don't call me like that please"

He continued to fuck her, filling his ears with her moans.

And then y/n came and her screams pleased him

After that they laid on the couch kissing even more.

"It was amazing, i enjoyed it so much" y/n said grabbing her chin

"I love you y/n, im being serious" she told him smiling, happiness in her eyes.

"I love you too Misty" he said smiling too

"Would you like to....be my girlfriend?" He asked her

"Of course i want baby" she replied happily kissing him

"You are the best thing that has happened to me" she said kissing him even more

"I'll make sure to get you a spot in Vought so you leave that shitty job" she added

"Really?" He said surprised

"Yes" she replied smiling

"Gosh i love you so much sweetheart" he said cuddling her

"Let's stay here, i love you so much and want to spend time with you" she said cuddling him and then turning on the TV.

THE END

Hope you like it guys :)

[raccoon-eyed-rebel]

Send me an anonymous ask completing the sentence "I wish you would write a fic where..."

...you are constantly arguing with your annoying neighbour Mike. Until your anger turns into something else...

Next door

Masterlist

A/N: So this anon ask has been in my inbox for the LONGEST time, and I finally got around to writing this... My brain is on fire right now, so if there are any tags missing please tell me!!!

Pairing: annoying neighbor Mike x reader

Summary: This new guy next door is really bugging you... Until - yet another - noise complaint one night gets a happy ending.

Word count: 4.1k

Warnings: SMUT, NSFW, 18+, MINORS DNI. Oral (m and f receiving), p-in-v sex (unprotected. Be smarter!), a reflective surface is involved (not a mirror, but ehh), cum play, Mike calls reader 'little missy' once. Oh yeah and they're taking nudes, which I feel I should at least mention.

@deandoesthingstome @geralts-yenn @ellethespaceunicorn @mayloma @summersong69 @ylva-syverson @sillyrabbit81 @livisss

“Turn the fucking music down!” You slammed your fist against the door for the hundredth time. The left-hand neighbor had always been a minor pain in your ass, but this... Maybe it wasn’t the middle of the night, but the walls of these apartments were pretty much made of glorified rice paper, and you hadn’t bought tickets to this impromptu rave, so...

The door opened suddenly, leaving you standing in front of it, looking like an idiot with your fist raised up in the air. Especially when your jaw dropped to the floor to boot. Firstly, because this wasn’t your neighbor, secondly because the guy in front of you was kinda really fucking cute, and lastly because he was wearing nothing but a pair of grey sweatpants. His chest and face were covered in paint splatter – some dark color you couldn’t quite make out.

“Hi, are you my next-door neighbor? I’m Mike, I moved in like three days ago. I’ve been meaning to stop by!” He stuck out a hand, looked at it, and pulled it back. It, too, was covered in paint. “Right, sorry, just finishing up some painting. Didn’t realize the walls were so thin.”

His smile was so disarming that you were immediately annoyed by it. Nevertheless, you introduced yourself and went on your way. He kept his promise. Approximately. You could still hear the music, but it was a manageable volume, at least.

***

Now that you’d been introduced, Mike seemed to be everywhere. In the elevator right when the doors closed, making you those few seconds late to catch your bus to work. In the supermarket, buying the last of whatever you really needed or liked. Having the audacity to ask if he could borrow some eggs...

But what really seemed to cement your irritation was Blondie – not the band, but the girl you had seen leaving his place at 6 in the morning, when you’d ventured out for a double espresso after already having been kept up all night by... noises of the obvious kind. You’d wanted to slap that fucked-out smirk off his dumb face. And whatever dumb expression that woman had had on her stupid face, too. Not that you cared who he slept with. No, he could fuck whoever he damn well pleased, but he didn’t have to keep you up while doing it.

“Can you bone quieter?” you’d snapped at him when you ran into him that afternoon. He’d grinned. Bastard. And then he’d had the stones to promise he’d ‘try next time’. You honestly didn’t know which had bothered you more: ‘try’ or ‘next time’.

***

“Mike, for fuck’s sake!” Yes, it was the weekend. No, you didn’t have work in the morning. Yes, the movie was only a little loud, and you could technically elect to ignore it. So why were you in the hallway, in your pajamas, making a fuss at Mike’s door? You didn’t have time to think about it, because it wasn’t long before the door opened, and Mike appeared, with a beer in his hand. And wearing nothing but his underwear — boxer briefs with tiny pizza slices on them. Kinda cute. Impressive bu— alright, moving on!

“What?” he snapped.

“Well, you’re obviously dealing with something, so I’m gonna…”

“Got passed over for a promotion,” he muttered. “It’s no big deal.” You’d have believed him if it wasn’t so glaringly obvious that he was lying his ass off. “I’ll turn the TV down. Sorry.”

“Eh,” you said just before he could close the door, “you want some company?”

“Sure,” he said, opening the door again so you could walk in.

“Right, I just poured myself a glass of wine, so I’m gonna go get that, and you can” — you gestured at his mostly naked body — “put on some clothes?”

“Oh… Right, yeah,” Mike said, his ears quickly going red. It was adorable, especially combined with the way he looked at you as he bit his lip…

You retrieved your wine, and joined a now disappointingly appropriately dressed Mike at his place. It was dark – as in; most of the walls were painted a very dark color that you still couldn’t really put a name on because of the interesting lighting. It looked like Mike was singlehandedly responsible for keeping manufacturers of RGB LED-lights in business.

The interior was cozier than you’d expected from a single guy Mike’s age, but that was balanced out nicely by the pretty top-of-the-line gaming PC on the desk next to the couch, and the slightly-too-big-for-the-place TV on the wall opposite the couch.

“Make yourself comfortable,” Mike said, gesturing at the comfy looking couch. “You want snacks? I was going to make myself popcorn.” He lingered by the kitchen counter until the popcorn was done, and then hesitantly joined you on the couch. “Wanna watch a movie or something?” he asked carefully.

His Netflix suggestions were almost exclusively horror — typical — which you weren’t overly fond of — equally as typical.

“You don’t happen to have a blanket?” It was quite cold in the apartment, even though Mike didn’t seem to think so; he seemed quite comfortable in his t-shirt and sweats.

“Yeah, I do,” he said, hopping off the couch and making his way towards the bedroom, only to return moments later with a heap of fabric in his arms.

“Tell me this didn’t touch a naked Blondie,” you said before taking the blanket from him, glaring up at his beaming smile.

“Best I can do is tell you I washed it afterwards,” he answered. Fine. It’d have to do. “You’re going to have to share this, though.” Sneaky bastard! It was a pretty big blanket, but nowhere near big enough to stretch to both ends of the couch. “Come on, Sweetcheeks, I don’t bite!”

You didn’t believe that for a second.

You didn’t want to believe it.

***

“Oh my god, don’t go into the kitchen! Are you dumb?” you yelled at the TV when the characters in the movie made yet another extremely poor decision. Moments later, you hid your face in Mike’s t-shirt when the person in question got slashed. “All these people have a fucking death wish. Why is this fun again?”

“I mean,” Mike muttered, tightening the arm he had draped around you, “this is pretty nice, don’t you think?”

You snuggled closer to him. He was right; this wasn’t so bad. In fact, it wasn’t bad at all… His fingers trailed slow circles over your arm, moving down — over the blanket, much to your surprise — until his hand was at your waist.

“You’re making a move on me,” you noted dryly as you leaned forward to put your wine glass down on the coffee table.

“Absolutely,” Mike responded equally indifferently. “Do you, eh… want me to stop doing that?”

No.

                “Yeah.” What was wrong with you? “No?” Right. “Maybe?” Oh, for fuck’s sake!

                “Maybe?” Mike repeated, raising an eyebrow at you. “Can I help you make a decision?”

                You wanted to be mad at that sweet smile and those bright blue puppy-eyes that made a mess of your brain — and a second, undisclosed location — but the look on his face did spark the sudden urge to kiss him, which solved the problem you were having nicely.

Although… You could make him try a little harder, right?

“I hope that’s not all you’ve got,” you teased. Flirting wasn’t your specialty — neither was subtlety, so it was very nice that you were just openly discussing how your evening was going to go.

“Babe, I have like… two moves, and you’ve already seen half of them,” Mike replied with a goofy grin on his face. It was so adorable that you had to look away in order to not start giggling like an absolute buffoon.

“Well, what’s the other one?” you managed — barely — while forcing yourself to meet his eyes again.

You felt Mike’s hand on your cheek; he tilted your head up and pressed his lips to yours before you even truly realized what was going on.

It was a soft little peck on your lips — nothing like the tongue-heavy drool-fest you had imagined during those nights when his escapades with Blondie had kept you up with nothing else to do but fantasize about your neighbor’s obnoxiously loud sex-life.

In those fantasies, the sex hadn’t been any good.

There had been a few dreams, however — dreams, not fantasies. At least, that’s what you told yourself so you wouldn’t have to take any responsibility for them — in which Mike had been very skilled. The key difference between the two was the object of his desires. Because those dreams sure as fuck hadn’t been about Blondie.

“Good move,” you noted dryly, rolling your eyes as you watched that goofy grin spread over his face again. “Show me again?”

This time, you grabbed the back of his neck when his lips touched yours, and you kissed him back. Hard.

Your sudden outburst made him chuckle, and within seconds you felt his lips part and his tongue slide along your bottom lip, instantly taking you back to those dreams you'd had. A moan escaped you before you could stop it, and Mike took that to mean you were game for more.

He wasn't wrong.

Soon — very soon — he was pulling on your arm in an attempt to move you into a more practical position, and once you let him, he didn't waste a single second trying to get you under him.

His eagerness should have felt different than it did. Juvenile. Insulting, even. Instead, it made you feel giddy and desired, and it turned you on to no end.

His hands were as enthusiastic as his mouth, greedily exploring your body — your chest, in particular. This guy clearly had a preference.

You moaned into Mike's mouth as he roughly squeezed your breast through your sweater, relentlessly kneading the flesh hard enough to give you that faint edge of pain you didn't mind. That said, you could live without it.

“Easy,” you warned him, and at first your words fell on deaf ears. “Mikey. Down, boy.”

He lifted those gorgeous blue eyes of his to look at you. “Sorry,” he muttered, a faint blush covering his ears. “Pretty titties make me a little dumb.”

The… interesting compliment made you laugh louder than you had planned, but Mike didn't seem to mind. He just boldly pushed your sweater up until you saw no sense in keeping it on at all, and it ended up on the floor.

For a brief moment, Mike admired your bra — and by ‘admired' you meant ‘stared at it like he was losing his mind'. He spent more time with it than you'd expected, and his next move surprised you quite a bit, if you had to be honest; he moved his hands down to the waistband of the sweatpants you were wearing and pushed it down.

As soon as he saw that you were wearing matching panties, he got up on his knees and pulled your sweatpants off, before you even really realized what was going on. The string of profanities Mike muttered under his breath definitely helped you understand what was happening, and you chuckled.

“Like it?” you asked, reveling in the attention he was giving you.

“Sweetcheeks, are you for real?” he said, looking at you as if you were nuts while grabbing your hand and guiding it to his crotch. He was rock hard — which wasn't surprising at all, but flattering nonetheless.

Mike sucked in a sharp breath through his teeth when you ran your hands over his length. For a moment you thought that you liked what you felt just about as much as he liked what he saw — and then you looked at his face again, and you were fairly sure you'd never enjoy anything in life the way Mike was enjoying the view he had of you.

That said, the hard-on he was sporting was impressive, and you were more than happy to investigate further.

You sat up while grabbing the waistband of his sweatpants.

“Hmm,” you hummed softly. “Can I take a look, baby?”

“Oh, you can do a lot more than take a look, Sweetcheeks,” Mike laughed — but his laughter died down quickly when you pulled his pants down and wrapped your hand around his shaft without hesitation. “God damn, you're not wasting time. Love th—ah!”

You chuckled when his talking was replaced by an uncontrolled grunt as you bent your head and took the tip of his cock in your mouth.

As you'd already suspected, he liked it sloppy; every objectively disgusting sound you made was rewarded with sweet sounds of pleasure, every flick of your tongue made him squirm. Everything about it was fantastic. Mike was grateful and vocal, and no annoying head-shoving moves were made.

The downside was that he must have thought it was pretty fantastic, too, because it wasn't long before you got a somewhat disappointing warning.

“Fuck, Sweetcheeks, I'm gonna cum,” he rasped between heavy, ragged breaths while you just prayed the guy had enough stamina for a second round later on.

He seemed a little surprised that you didn't take your mouth off him after his warning, even going so far as to ask you if you'd heard him, to which you couldn't really respond with anything other than a vague nod and affirmative hum. Just moments later, a seductive look up at him became his undoing.

His sticky, salty release coated your tongue and you managed to surprise Mike again — and possibly even more than before — by swallowing.

“Hot.” The look in his eyes told you he wasn’t lying, but you didn’t get much time to analyze his expression, because he leaned in to kiss your neck, steadily making his way down, placing sloppy kisses on your skin as he moved down your neck.

You shivered when his fingers brushed past your nipple, which he picked up on. His hands lingered, toying with you through the fabric of your bra while his mouth continued its exploration of your body, all the way down your stomach, and you let out a frustrated moan in anticipation of his next move.

Impatiently, he pulled your underwear to the side and settled between your legs.

“Pretty,” he concluded after taking a look at you, and you felt your cheeks heat up. Before you could even reply, you felt his tongue against your skin as he started his next — again; sloppy — expedition of your body.

He was genuinely remarkably good at figuring out what you liked, and soon he found the perfect spot, getting everything right. Rhythm, pressure… everything.

When you moaned his name, he let out an adorable chuckle with a slightly cocky edge to it, but you couldn't be annoyed by the confidence. Good lord he deserved to be a little arrogant. The man had skills.

Of course, it was best not to dwell on the what, how and when of how he'd acquired those skills, and you tried your best to banish any thought that had anything to do with that sort of thing from your mind, the occasional infuriating image of Blondie flashing in your brain as he went along with his scheme to drive you absolutely crazy.

It wasn't long before your legs tensed up — he noticed and hummed appreciatively, looking up at you through the thick, long eyelashes that surrounded those incredible eyes. You only managed to lock eyes with him for a moment before a particularly well-placed flick of his tongue forced you to throw your head back and screw your eyes shut as he worked you over the edge.

Not long after, he got back on his knees, a cocky grin on his face. “You look pretty when you cum,” he noted. “Can't wait to do that again. But now…” He grabbed his cock and gave himself a few slow strokes. So he did have the stamina.

Slowly, clearly gauging your reaction, he teased you with the tip of his cock — laughing again when you whined softly.

“Please…” You barely managed more than a whisper, but he heard you just fine, taking his time to guide himself to your entrance, and pushing into you as slowly as his enthusiastic and horny self could manage.

You relished the feeling of your walls struggling ever so slightly to accommodate him. Through your eyelashes, you saw the corners of his mouth twitch up every so often. God, he was an insufferable jerk, but he was hot and good and adorable, so you forgave him.

After the first few slow thrusts, he grabbed one of your legs and lifted it until it was resting against his chest, a renewed sense of impatience radiating from him — it made you laugh; this guy really couldn't go slow for more than seven seconds before getting bored with it, could he?

“Come on,” you teased, “I thought you were going to fuck me?”

His mouth morphed into a silent O before widening into that smirk again. “Alright, alright,” he chuckled, “little missy's all talk, huh?”

“I can walk the walk,” you replied.

“Maybe not tomorrow, though,” he said with a (botched) wink. You gently nudged the side of his face with your leg by means of punishment for that horrible joke, but when he responded with a little bite, you groaned.

An even louder moan escaped you when he grabbed your hip with one hand and your thigh with the other, and thrust his hips forward. If this was what he had planned for you now, then maybe he was right after all…

His thrusts were fast and hard now, falling into a rhythm so fast he could barely keep up with it himself — which he soon discovered, causing him to stop.

Without hesitation, he rolled you over and dragged you onto your knees, immediately sliding his cock back into you from behind. It took you a moment to get the angle right, but once you did, you found yourself grasping for a pillow to bury your face in. You knew how thin these walls were.

Suddenly, you didn't find Blondie quite as annoying as before; there was no way to keep quiet.

“I really like this thong, Sweetcheeks,” Mike said while he absentmindedly played with the sheer fabric. He had good taste, you decided. You loved this set, too, and part of you found it really nice that he hadn't rushed to take it off — or tried to take it off at all.

It started to become clear to you that he was going to be able to keep this up way longer than you were, so you moved away, prompting Mike to make a very disappointed sound that made you feel so bad for him that you almost moved right back.

“Sit down,” you said sternly, and he listened immediately, that dumbass grin widening until he was smiling from ear to ear.

It was cute of him to think that he knew what was going to happen… Indeed, he seemed surprised when you didn't straddle him like he was expecting. Instead, you turned around.

“Sweetcheeks, I'm trying really hard to not actually cheer for myself right now,” he laughed when he realized what was going on. He reached for the remote and turned the TV off — and not just because of the particularly unromantic, bloody things that were going on in the movie, but also because the shiny black surface mimicked a mirror with almost annoying accuracy.

Despite your warning that you'd stop and leave him to his own devices if he let out a single peep, he couldn't help himself. “Woohoo,” he blurted out when you guided him to your entrance and sank down on his cock.

“What did I just tell you?” you laughed, slapping his knee to help make your point — it didn't make much of an impression.

“Sorry, the view is just… God, you're sexy,” he muttered before leaning forward and pressing a kiss to your shoulder.

“Alright, I forgive you,” you said with a smile, looking back over your shoulder to see Mike there, with a blissful smile on his face.

When you began to move, you couldn't help but think how you could easily skip your next leg day, because this was hard work, but the appreciative sounds that spilled near-continuously from Mike's gorgeous lips made it all worth your while.

That said, looking in your reflection in the TV, you had to admit it did look pretty hot — and that wasn't even the premium view of your ass Mike was currently getting.

Soon — although, according to your burning thighs, not quite soon enough — Mike’s fingers dug into your hips hard, and his breathing became erratic.

“Not gonna be long,” he whispered barely loud enough for you to hear. “Where… eh…?”

“Wherever you want, baby,” you said in your most seductive tone. It worked flawlessly; Mike let out a pained grunt before surprising you by pushing you off of him and dragging you onto the couch again.

He pulled your panties to the side, his eyes never leaving yours as he gave himself a few rough strokes that finished him off.

“Fuck, I mean… I think I know what the answer is going to be,” he sighed as he looked at the mess he'd made of your pussy, “but can I take a picture?”

You honestly had no clue what came over you, but you answered his question with a decisive nod. The feeling you got when he grabbed his phone was indescribable; filthy, sexy, but mostly taboo.

While you still reveled in that feeling, Mike surprised you again by pulling your panties back into place and running his fingers over the fabric again a few times, soaking it with his cum. You whined softly when he brushed past your swollen clit, sparking your desire all over again.

“You like that, Sweetcheeks?” he asked before pulling you into his side. “Let's see if we can mess up these pretty panties some more, huh?”   

He settled on a steady rhythm, leaving you gasping at all the different sensations you felt at once; the coarse texture of the fabric, the slick mix of your own arousal mixed with Mike's cum, the feeling of his teeth on your earlobe and his hot breath on your ear as he moaned and gasped every time you did… It wouldn't take him long to unravel you completely, and he knew that.

“Cum for me, pretty little thing,” he whispered when the final flick of your fingers pushed you over the edge, and you couldn't stifle a scream.

Mike showered you with compliments and sweet little nicknames, stroking your hair and covering both of you with the blanket. You just collapsed into his side and held onto him. ‘Good girl' was a personal favorite of yours, which was odd, because you'd never particularly cared for it before.

***

“Do you want to go get cleaned up?” he asked after you'd just spent a while hanging out on the couch. A faint sense of panic washed over you. Was he telling you it was time to go home? Couldn't you just stay with him a little while longer? Why did he want you to leave?

Luckily, Mike picked up the change in your mood. “After that, we can watch another movie?”

A sigh of relief escaped you, and you looked at the time. It wasn't late yet, you could definitely watch another movie. Maybe then you'd be ready to leave… But even that thought freaked you out a little.

“I'd love for you to stay the night, babe,” Mike whispered, picking up on your quiet panic again.

One quick shower later, you were back on the couch, nestled into Mike's side again. Neither of you had bothered to put on any clothes — it just felt right that way. This time, Mike had gone through the trouble of finding you both a romantic comedy that seemed fun — it was, although the plot was a little predictable and the acting wasn't great. It still beat something from the top 100 worst horror movies of all time by a landslide.

“We could do this again, maybe?” Mike said carefully after a while. “But maybe next time it can be a date?”

“What about Blondie?” you scoffed. It came out harsher than you'd intended, but he didn't seem to mind.

“She's just a hookup,” he answered plainly, “and I obviously won't be seeing her anymore if we're going to start dating.”

“Oh,” you replied. It wasn't clever, but it was the only thing you could come up with. “What if we don't work out?”

“I promise I’ll move out,” Mike laughed, and you joined him — despite that tiny part of you that was absolutely certain the next time either of you moved, it would be into the apartment next door…

[aldryrththerainbowheart]

Ehh... Hello again! Last time my request was kinda incomplete, I think... I re-read what I needed to write... so, can I please get a warm Vergil x fem! Reader about baking sweets? I suck at writing when it's not a fic, I'm so sorry 😭

I gotchu fam👍

"Dearest, are you sure the recipe said egg whites only?"

Vergil was standing in the middle of the kitchen with a lost expression, dressed in an apron that said 'do NOT kiss the cook' and a wooden spoon in hand. Not soon after he got back into the human world, Vergil realized that he no longer had to sustain himself on demon guts and instead he had a wide variety of human foods to choose from. Thanks to you, he learned that he can just make any food he wants to with the right ingredients. So, with every holiday his valiant efforts at cooking came with vengeance. You had to admit that Vergil made a lot of progress from putting a can of butane right on the stove (good god) to making simple palatable dishes. You still haven't left him in the kitchen alone though.

"Yup." You put a piece of caramel crisp in your mouth and walked around him to point at the paragraph in the book.

"You make a snow out of egg whites and then slowly *carefully*" you give him a poignant look he chooses to ignore, "you mix it in the batch."

"Very well then," Vergil grabbed eggs from the refrigerator, "and how do we make this snow exactly"

You whipped out a hand mixer from one of the cabinets and Vergil scrunched his nose at it.

"It looks like a torture device."

He made quick work of the eggs and there were almost no eggshells in the bowl (this pie will be really crunchy). Soon, there was a fluffy cloud resting in the mixing bowl.

"Remember to mix it in slowly."

"I have trekked the ground of hell with nothing but my sword, I think I know how to follow a simple instruction." Vergil sniffed haughtily.

You raised your hands amused and decided to plop on the kitchen sink to watch him fuss with the mixing bowl. At that moment, you were struck by the domesticity of the moment. You would never imagine that you would ever feel relaxed in the presence of Vergil Sparda. Then again, it was thanks to the genuine effort he put into building connections with everyone around him. Whatever happened with Dante in the Underworld, he changed. And now he was making pumpkin pie in your kitchen with a concentrated pout on his face.

"This is nice." You heard yourself say.

"Hm?" Vergil hummed in question as he put the baking tray in the oven.

You vaguely gestured over the room. "This, y'know? Baking, talking, spending time with you..." Then, to busy your hands, you grabbed a can of whipped cream a sprayed some in your mouth.

Vergil finally turned his eyes from the oven to you and with a small smile at your stuffed face, sat on the kitchen sink next to you.

"Half the reason why I decided to learn how to cook is because you are the one showing me how. And I suspect the reason you're helping me is so you can eat everything in sight."

Instead of an answer, Vergil got a splurt of whipped cream on his face. With deep laughter, he fought with you over the can until he finally managed to get it from your hands.

"No more cream for you."

Taking it as a challenge, you took his face in your hands and licked the cream from his cheek.

"You're impossible," Vergil grumbled as he felt his face reddening.

"I know." You whispered back and kissed the tip of his nose.

[projectnewmoon]

Sonic - Project: New Moon

Chapter 4 - Ghost Hunt

Summary: Sonic and Tails set off to find the next Chaos Emerald, and are joined by unlikely allies along the way.

Warnings: none.

Word Count: 2,116 words

-

“... Sonic…”

“... Sonic, can you hear me…?”

A voice, familiar, resonated in Sonic’s mind. It was close, warm, yet riddled with worry.

A small figure floats before him, blurred, yet there was a distinct green orb in its chest, glowing gently.

What was this? A dream? A vision? Sonic couldn’t tell. Whatever it was, it didn’t feel real.

“Chip?” The name leaves Sonic’s mouth before he can really think about it.

“Oh, thank goodness!” The figure becomes clearer, the form of a small canine with fluttering green wings revealing itself to him. “You can finally hear me!”

“Chip! It’s really you!” Sonic cried, reaching out to embrace his friend, “Oh, it’s been so long! I missed you!”

Chip hugged him back with a smile, his embrace feeling warm like the rays of the sun on a summer’s day. His little fluffy tail wagged excitedly.

“I missed you too, Sonic. I wish we could’ve met again under better circumstances, but…” Chip looked up to Sonic, a grim expression on his face, “I don’t have much time. Talking to you like this is taking a lot of energy, and I don’t have much to spare…”

“What’s going on?”

“Someone is tampering with Dark Gaia’s Energy, disrupting the balance… Using its energy to hurt people and power an army of robots.”

“That someone wouldn’t happen to be a spider, would it?”

“Yes, that’s right! Sonic, you need to stop him, no matter what. If you don’t, he could–”

A deafening roar breaks out in the dream, filled with primordial rage and madness. Somehow, it feels as if the earth shakes, despite the fact he was floating in a void of light.

Sonic can feel the dream begin to slip away, like sand slipping through his fingers.

“Sonic? Sonic! Wait…! He’s going to destroy everything… You have to…”

Chip's voice grows distant, and he drifts away from the dream…

Sunlight streams into the living room from the window as dawn breaks. Sonic slowly opens his eyes, sun rays hitting his face and dragging him away from his slumber. His limbs are heavy and sore, protesting even the slightest movement.

He didn’t want to get up, but he had to. He didn’t have any time to sleep in, not today, so he rose from the couch, hurried to raid Tails’ fridge for any leftover chili dogs, and made his way to the garage to meet up with his little brother.

“Good morning, Sonic!” Tails greeted him cheerfully. “How do you feel?”

“Ehh, kinda sore, but alright. Could be worse,” Sonic replied, taking a bite of his breakfast chili dog.

Was it just him, or did Tails somehow look… shorter than usual? Or was he taller?

“Good to hear. I was worried your condition would be getting worse considering just how much Dark Gaia Energy is in your system, but you seem stable now, at least.”

It doesn’t look like he’s noticed anything different yet, so maybe he was just imagining things.

“Still, the amount of energy I saw in those scans is dangerously high, to the point of being lethal to the average person,” Tails continued, “You’re not the average person, but it could still be pretty bad for you to have so much inside of you for prolonged periods of time. I still don’t quite know how your body is reacting to it exactly, and if your already unusual Chaos Energy signature is affecting anything…”

“Isn’t there a way to, I dunno, get it out?”

“Not that I know of, no. Usually, when someone is exposed to Dark Gaia Energy, it’s in a gaseous form that’s easily expelled naturally after some time. But in this case, it was directly injected into your bloodstream as a concentrated liquid. With it being administered like this, the energy could bond to your cells much more easily, which is most likely causing your sudden fur growth and who knows what other mutations we haven’t noticed yet.”

Sonic pondered Tails’ words for a moment. “So… you’re saying it could be permanent this time?”

“If we don’t find a way for you to get that energy out of your system, then… yeah,” Tails said grimly, “But we’ll figure out how to fix this, I know it.”

“Yeah. I’m sure we will,” Sonic assured, though he didn’t feel so sure himself, “Anyhow, where’s our next stop?”

Tails takes a look at the map on his Miles Electric. “Looks like there’s an Emerald located in the middle of Sand Ocean Zone. That’s a few ways away, but we should be able to get there in no time with the Tornado.”

“Well, then, what are we waiting for?” Sonic takes the last few bites of his breakfast before jumping up onto the Tornado’s wing with a sharp-toothed smile. “Let’s go!”

“Yeah!” Tails’ tails spin excitedly as he jumps into the pilot’s seat of the plane. The engine roars to life, the propeller begins to spin, the garage door slides open, and before they knew it, they were rushing down the runway and the Tornado took off towards the clear blue skies above.

-

Desert wind blows gusts of sand as the Tornado flies overhead. Sonic looks down at the sprawling dunes of Sand Ocean Zone below from his spot on the Tornado’s wing, observing the remains of an old Eggman base built into ancient sandstone ruins. He can’t help but wonder what the old man’s thought process was, building into what once was some kind of tomb that was steadily sinking into the surrounding desert, but the guy was never known to have that much foresight, despite his grandiose ambitions of world domination. He always seemed to value spectacle over practicality, at least back then when this base was constructed.

“Look there!” Tails called out to Sonic, pointing at a large structure down below, “According to my readings, the next Emerald should be inside that old building! I’ll find us a safe place to land nearby!”

“Sure thing, bud! At this rate, we’ll get that Emerald before the sun… sets…”

Sonic finds himself trailing off, losing his previous train of thought when he notices people treading the desert in the distance. Three figures, one much larger than the other two, steadily approach the same structure Tails and him were heading towards. He squints in an attempt to see them through the sun’s harsh glare.

“Hey, wait a sec, that’s…” He couldn’t believe his eyes. Specter and Phantom, the twins that had rescued him that fateful night, and that wolf-beast again. What could they possibly be doing in a place like this?

He calls out to them, waving hello and hoping they would notice. Thankfully, it seems like he caught their attention as the twins waved back and the beast glared at him from the ground below.

After landing, Sonic hurries over to the odd group with Tails following close behind.

“Woah, hey! It’s you guys again!”

“Oh my gosh! Hi, Sonic! Good to see you!” Specter greets him with a smile.

Meanwhile, Phantom’s attention is completely taken by Tails, whom he stares at as he walks up to them.

“Are you the people who helped Sonic out back in Spirit’s Grove?” Tails asked the two cats, namesakes wagging slightly. “Sonic told me all about it. I can’t thank you guys enough for taking care of him!”

“Aw, it’s no problem at all, kid,” Specter replied, before asking, “What’s your name?”

Tails stood tall and confident. “I’m Miles Prower! But everyone just calls me Tails,” he proclaimed with a smile.

“Miles Prower… Miles… per hour…?” Phantom mumbled to himself.

“What are you guys doing here, anyway? This is pretty far off from Spirit’s Grove.” Sonic walked on, leading the others to do the same.

“Ghost hunt,” Phantom replied bluntly.

“Yeah, it’s kinda, like, our thing,” Specter then elaborated, “We can see ghosts and stuff, so we hunt evil spirits in places like these to stop them from causing trouble. In fact, we heard some whispers in the woods saying the King of Spirits got its claws on a Chaos Emerald, and we can’t have that.”

“Woah, cool! That means you can help us with our Emerald hunt!” Sonic smiled.

“Awesome!”

He would’ve never guessed that the twins had such a connection to the supernatural, but now that he thought of it, the strange markings over the two cats left and right eyes respectively should’ve been an indication that there was more to them than he initially thought.

There was something else off about them, though, and he knew he'd thought about it before, but it seems to have slipped his mind…

Until he notices the beast that was with them earlier, the one he’d met when he found the first Emerald, walking a few meters ahead of the rest of the group.

“Wha- hey, wait a minute!” Sonic rushed to the giant wolf’s side, leaving the others behind in a cloud of sand, “What’s up with you?”

“I thought I told you to stay out of this,” they grumbled, their gaze still fixed on their destination.

“Not gonna happen.” Sonic grabbed onto their cloak and pulled on it to stop them.

They quickly snap at him, growling. But he was unfazed.

“What’s your name? And are you friends with Specter and Phantom?” Sonic asked, looking into their eyes.

The beast didn’t answer, instead ignoring him and continuing to walk off towards the old ruins, dragging Sonic along as he refused to let go of their cloak.

“Hey! Come on! Just tell me already–”

“It’s Rue,” they growled, before grabbing his hand and forcing him to let go, “And we are just acquaintances. Nothing more. Now leave me be.”

Rue walked through the dark entrance, leaving Sonic and the others right outside the old abandoned base. Sonic scowled as everyone entered after them.

Old sandstone walls now surround the group, reinforced by now slightly rusted metal beams of Eggman’s design. carvings and pictures were etched into the walls, lit up by the warm orange light of torches still aflame even after all this time. Hieroglyphs that once told a tale that is now lost to time. 

Not like the group had much of a chance to admire the ancient history that was all around them, because Sonic and Rue were rushing ahead, leaving the others to play catch up. Their footsteps echoed down the hall as they walked.

“Um, do you guys know this Rue person?” Sonic heard Tails ask behind him.

“Ee-yup, sure do,” Specter answered, grumbling.

“She lives in Spirit’s Grove,” Phantom continued, “She’s a loner. Patrols the place like she owns it. Scares people away.”

Specter nodded. “She’s, um… She’s something, that’s for sure.”

“Are you guys friends?”

“I like to think we are, but,” Specter shrugs, “It’s kinda hard to tell with her, to be honest.”

“Ah…”

Eventually, after walking down the seemingly never ending hallway, the group reach a large chamber, lit up in golden light. A large Warp Ring sat in the very center, floating. But something wasn’t quite right- the light looked off, and Sonic didn’t feel that hair-raising tingle of Chaos Energy in the air. No, this one felt… cold.

The lack of Nox's Badniks nor any resistance from the resident evil spirits struck him as odd, too. And it seemed he wasn’t the only one who was suspicious of the scene, as Specter and Phantom were looking around the chamber with scrutiny.

“Yo, Tails? Is this it?” Sonic turned to ask his brother.

Tails looks down at the Miles Electric. “Yep, looks like it,” he said, nodding.

“Hm. Ghosts are hiding,” Phantom says.

“Yeah, there’s no way this isn’t some kind of trap.” Specter’s tail thumped on the floor as she looked around, no doubt at some entity, or entities, he couldn’t see. “I wouldn’t go in there if I were you.”

“We can’t leave that Emerald in that monster’s hands,” Rue growled, “We can’t let Nox get ahold of it, either.”

“Eh, I’ve jumped face-first into traps plenty of times before, and I’ve come out fine,” he said with a shrug, “Whatever’s on the other side of that ring, I can take it.”

Tails gripped his Miles Electric tightly. “Sonic, please be careful. We don’t really know what we’re dealing with here.”

“I’ll be fine, Tails,” he assured as he took a step through the ring, “Don’t worry about it. I’ll be back with that Emerald before you–”

Suddenly, he felt something pull him down into the ring. Tails cries out his name.

The last thing everyone hears is the sound of maniacal laughter, before the entire chamber was consumed by a pitch black darkness, and everyone was dragged down into frigid nothingness.

[thehiccupingbanana]

Main Street Drive-In Theater

PAIRING/FANDOM: Patrick Jane/Teresa Lisbon (The Mentalist) GENRE: fluff WORD COUNT: 6,462 WARNINGS: emotional and mental abuse from parent, mention of a dead parent, mention of alcohol abuse, parent using child for financial gain, mention and use of a gun but it's a carnival game not a real one SUMMARY: A new drive in theater opens up in town and the gang goes one day after school. There they meet Patrick, who has a cool car, and who Lisbon had taken a liking to almost immediately. OR Inspired by the song Main Street Drive-In by The Moxies ADDITIONAL TAGS: Song: Main Street Drive-In (The Moxies), AU: Highschool, Strangers to Friends to Lovers, Strangers to Lovers, background van pelt/rigsby

[MAIN STREET DRIVE-IN -THE MOXIES LYRICS] [READ ON AO3]

Lisbon sits down with her friends at the lunch table on the outside patio after their Criminal Justice class lets out. She notices how much nicer it is outside now that winter and all the cold fronts have passed. When Pike sees her at the table, he smiles at her, and she gives a half smile back.

“Guys, the drive-up movie theater is opening up this weekend again, we should go!” Van Pelt says glancing at her boyfriend of four years, Rigsby to let him know it is not a question. “They are going to be playing WALL-E, and it could be fun!”

“That would be fun to go watch an old movie and just hang out!” Hightower agrees, “Cho, Pike, Lisbon? What do you think?”

“I won’t mind going, I love WALL-E.” Lisbon nods. Cho and Pike nod when they notice Hightower is still looking at them for an answer.

“Yay!” Grace cheers.

~

“Yo, Cho, check out this car.” Pike grabbed Cho’s attention, “This car is so cool.”

“Thanks, it’s a Citroën.” A guy looking around their age, presumably the car owner, announced walking toward the car holding a drink and popcorn.

“How did you get this car?” Cho asked suspiciously, narrowing his eyes.

“Ehh, that’s a long story, short story is a client gave me this car as payment.” the guy chuckled, setting his drink and popcorn on the roof of the car.

“I think you just made Cho very suspicious of who you are and what you do.” Rigsby cut in, reaching out his hand for a shake, “I’m Rigsby, that’s Cho and Pike. We go by our last names because we are going to be detectives one day and we are just trying to get used to it.” Rigsby explained.

“Well, my last name is Jane if you want to call me that.” the car owner, Jane, replied.

“Rigs, do you want to find a spot somewhere, the movie is supposed to start soon…” Van Pelt ran up to them, Lisbon and Hightower right behind her, threading her left arm through one of Rigsby’s arms, “Oh, hi sorry, I’m Van Pelt.” she smiled, reaching out her right arm for a handshake that was returned by Jane.

“Hey guys this is Jane, he has this cool car. Jane, Van Pelt here is my beautiful girlfriend, and the girls are Hightower and-”

“Lisbon.” Lisbon cut off Rigsby, and held out her hand for Jane to shake, both holding on for longer than necessary. Pike shot daggers at Jane with his eyes when he saw this.

“Nice to meet you, Lisbon.” Jane smiled, “And you Rigsby and Van Pelt.”

“Nice to meet you as well Jane.” Lisbon replied, still feeling the memory of the warmth of his hand in her hand.

“Well, Van Pelt, let’s go find a spot to sit like you said.” Pike interrupted, but was looking at Lisbon.

“I’m gonna go now. See you around?” Lisbon asked Jane, turning her body towards her friends but not breaking eye contact with him.

“Yeah, go ahead. See you around.” Jane smiled watching Lisbon run back to her friends after a quick goodbye.

When Lisbon caught up to her friends, she noticed that there were some blankets laid out on the ground for them.

“So, Lisbon, Jane’s kinda cute, isn’t he?” Van Pelt knocked her shoulder with Lisbon’s playfully.

“What? I didn’t even notice.” Lisbon blushed.

“Yeah okay, if that helps you sleep better at night, Lisbon.” Hightower joked.

As the movie was going on Lisbon wasn’t really paying attention but thinking back to Jane, there was just something about him that she couldn’t stop thinking about him. Once the movie was over and they got up to leave, she noticed that the blue Citroën was gone. Trying to hide her disappointment, she said bye to her friends and all went their separate ways.

~🛣️ 🎥~

Jane walks out of the tent that his father uses to give “psychic” readings to carnival visitors, defeated just wanting the day to be over. This morning he finally told his best friend Angela that he liked her more than friends and wanted to know if she wanted to go on a proper date with him that night, to which she replied that she thought of him like a brother but they could still hang out that night if he wanted. Jane just shook his head and continued talking and hanging out with her like he normally would, trying to ignore the feeling of his heart breaking in his chest. Now his dad just involved him in a con, tricking an old woman into buying a rock that would “heal” her terminal granddaughter. He hates these cons his dad involves him in and can’t wait until the day when he can finally leave the carnival and never look back. Jane stood outside the tent gently kicking around some rocks to take his mind off the horribleness of the day, wondering what it would be like to actually have a happy day and ending, not like the lies his dad tells the visitors.

“Did you hear the drive-in theater is opening back up this weekend?” Jane heard the voice of a girl at a distance.

“The one on main street? They are playing WALL-E, it’s a cute movie and I want to go just to experience the drive in.” he heard another girl's voice say.

“Me too! Ask John if he wants to go and we can go on a double date with me and Tyler.” the first girl insisted.

“I will! It will be a lot of fun.” the second one said with what sounded like a smile in her voice.

Jane thought that maybe watching a movie would end his terrible week on a good note. Although he has never seen the WALL-E movie, and doesn't know if it's a good movie, but if it can take his mind off of the week, he will watch it.

~

Once Jane found a good spot for his car he parked and headed to the concession stand to grab something to snack on. He decided on popcorn and a drink after seeing most people with that combination walking around.

“Yo Cho, check out this car.” Jane saw a brunette guy maybe around his age staring at his car, this not being the first time his car was admired. “This car is so cool.”

“Thanks, it’s a Citroën.” Jane smiled when he got a little closer, not sure what else he could say.

“How did you get this car?” a raven-haired guy asked with his eyes narrowed, his voice dripping in suspension.

“Ehh, that’s a long story.” Jane said not wanting to explain to complete strangers what he does on a daily basis. “The short story is a client gave me this car as payment.” Jane chuckled out the word payment, while setting down his popcorn and drink on the roof of his car.

“I think you just made Cho very suspicious of who you are and what you do.” a third guy cut in reaching out his hand for what Jane had to guess was a hand shake. “I’m Rigsby, that’s Cho and Pike. We go by our last names because we are going to be detectives one day and we are just trying to get used to it.” Rigsby explained while shaking Jane’s hand.

“Well, my last name is Jane if you want to call me that.” Jane replied.

“Rigs, do you want to find a spot somewhere, the movie is supposed to start soon…” a girl with red wavy hair ran up and threaded her left arm into Rigsby’s right arm while two other girls walked up behind her. “Oh, hi sorry, I’m Van Pelt.” she smiled, reaching out her right arm for a handshake that was returned by Jane.

“Hey guys this is Jane, he has this cool car. Jane, Van Pelt here is my beautiful girlfriend, and the girls are Hightower and-”

“Lisbon.” the most beautiful girl Jane has ever seen, said cutting off Rigsby, and holding out her hand for a shake which he took and held onto for longer than most handshakes, but he knew he wasn’t the only one holding too long. Jane noticed that the brunette guy, Pike, had a look of jealousy and envy looking at their hands.

“Nice to meet you, Lisbon.” Jane smiled, “And you Rigsby and Van Pelt.” Jane remembered other people were there, letting go of her hand.

“Nice to meet you as well Jane.” Lisbon replied, clasping her hands together in front of her.

“Well, Van Pelt, let’s go find a spot to sit like you said.” Pike interrupted the conversation, looking at Lisbon.

“I’m gonna go now. See you around?” Lisbon asked Jane, turning her body towards her friends but not breaking eye contact with him.

“Yeah, go ahead. See you around.” Jane smiled watching Lisbon run back to her friends after a quick goodbye.

‘Just earlier this week I was thinking all about Angela, but Lisbon… Wow.” Jane thought, getting into his car driver’s seat with the popcorn and his drink. Jane watched the movie considering just leaving the drive in when EVE left WALL-E, but the tears pooling in his eyes stopped him from actually leaving. When the movie was over, Jane was smiling, but he still had some tears left. As the credits were rolling, he did leave the theater, not wanting to chance seeing anyone in the state he was in.

~🛣️ 🎥~

Over the week Lisbon’s mind kept drifting off to that blue-eyed boy she met at the drive-in who introduced himself as Jane. Lisbon wanted to go to the drive-in again to see if Jane happened to be there, but both Van Pelt and Hightower were busy this weekend and couldn’t go, and Lisbon did not want to go with one of the guys, especially Pike. She eventually decided she could go by herself, she was 18 and almost out of high school, one time at a drive-in by herself isn’t going to kill her. She kept telling herself this every day up until the moment she was at the drive-in after being dropped off by Van Pelt after school on Friday. Luckily for Lisbon, she did see that blue car that made her know Jane had to be nearby. She walked up towards it and saw he was not in it or around it. Lisbon started walking to the stands in the back to sit down to watch the movie and that’s when she saw him.

“Hi Jane.” Lisbon smiled at him.

“Hi Lisbon.” Jane grinned, turning towards where Lisbon was standing, hitting his cup that was next to him and knocking it on the ground behind him. “Wow, I’ve really done it now huh? I’m sorry about this.” Jane reached behind him to pick up the now empty cup, tossing it into a nearby trash can.

“I don’t think you really care about that drink.” Lisbon joked, before asking. “Are you here by yourself?”

“Is it that obvious?” Jane gestures around him slightly.

“Would you like some company?” Lisbon asks, already shooing him more into the stands so she can sit next to him.

“Even though I made a complete fool of myself?” Jane moved over enough to give her space but still where it wouldn’t take much movement for their thighs to touch.

“Especially since you made a fool of yourself, Jane.” Lisbon never stopped smiling.

“Well, I guess I can be good company; if you’ll excuse me for dropping my drink. Would you like some popcorn?” Jane offered some popcorn her way which Lisbon accepted by taking a handful of popcorn.

“So Jane, how was your week?” Lisbon asked, trying to get to know Jane better, looking at his blue eyes.

“Well, I’m glad to be here and glad to see you here again.” Jane smiled, his gaze never leaving her. “Also, you can call me Patrick if you want, I know your friends have the thing with last names and I don’t want to intrude on that.”

“In that case, Hi Patrick, I’m Teresa.” Lisbon beamed, holding out her hand which Jane shook with a small squeeze.

“Hi Teresa.” Jane replied, causing Lisbon to feel happy inside. “Thank you for spending time with me, but if you want to go back to your friends, you can, I’m sure your boyfriend, Pike isn’t it, is waiting for you.” Jane shifted.

“Pike isn’t my boyfriend;” Lisbon chuckled, “and I came here by myself today.”

“Oh! I’m sorry, I guess I misread him.” Jane replied happily with her response, “What’s his deal then?”

“No, I don’t think you misread him. He has asked me out multiple times, he’s a good guy, but not the guy.” Lisbon grabbed a few more pieces of Jane’s popcorn.

The rest of the movie Jane and Lisbon went from watching the movie to making jokes and comments to each other about the movie. When the credits were rolling Lisbon sighed, disappointed that she would now have to go home and deal with that .

“You can tell me if I am overstepping, but would you like to go get something to eat? I know a diner down the road that makes really good eggs.” Jane asked.

“You are not overstepping at all, I would love to go get something to eat with you, but I need to start heading home before it gets dark. It’s only a fifteen-minute walk home from here, and I don’t want my dad upset with me for staying out past the time I told him I would be out until.” Lisbon replied, despite what she was saying, wanted to spend the time with him.

“Okay.” Jane smiled a sad smile, “Can I drive you home so you don’t have to walk? I promise to drive the speed limit.”

“Okay, but next time I’ll buy the popcorn.” Lisbon replied, following Jane to his car.

Jane stopped and turned around facing her, “Next time?”

“Well, yeah.” Lisbon replied in a tone reflecting on that was obvious, not missing the smile on Jane’s face as she walked past him. They both got into his car and she gave him directions to her home.

Once in front of her house Lisbon unbuckled her seat belt but stayed in the seat. “I had a lot of fun this afternoon with you.”

“That’s lucky, because I had a really fun time with you as well.” Jane grinned, “I want to see you again if you would allow.”

“Of course, I do owe you popcorn after all.” Lisbon waved her hand, “What do you say about next Friday evening? The drive in?”

“It’s a date?” Jane questioned.

“It’s a date, Patrick.” Lisbon smiled, opening the passenger side door to get out of the car. “Oh, before I forget, if you want to text me before Friday, here’s my phone number.” Lisbon grabbed Jane’s hand and a pen out of her bag to write her phone number down. “I’ll catch you later.” This time Lisbon did get out of the car and walked to the door to her house when her phone vibrated in her pocket.

Unknown: Just checking :) Oh, BTW this is Patrick

Lisbon looked back to see his car still parked in front of her driveway, so she waved at him, walking inside. She looked through the blinds of the windows at the front to see him driving away. She ducked her head to hide her blushing as she went upstairs to her bedroom getting ready for bed, but knowing she is not going to be going to sleep any time soon. Lisbon turned on her TV for just some mindless background noise thinking about how she just grabbed his hand and he didn’t even flinch, when her phone vibrated on her night stand.

(Patrick) Jane: Thank you for keeping me company earlier, you made the movie much better.

Me: thank you for letting me join you and steal your popcorn xD

(Patrick) Jane: You can steal my popcorn anytime you want.

Me: that sounds like a plan

(Patrick) Jane: That does sound like a great plan. Have a goodnight Teresa :D

Me: goodnight patrick :D

~🛣️ 🎥~

The next Friday when Lisbon got to the theater and she didn’t see that blue car parked anywhere, she was worried. Before leaving school for the day, Jane had texted her that he would see her soon, which Lisbon replied saying that she couldn’t wait. Now she stood there, knowing she might be a little early, but really hoping to see that car.

‘ i’m here whenever you get here. ’ Lisbon texted Jane not expecting a text back if he was driving. Lisbon went to take a seat at the stands in the back and absently scrolled through her phone until choosing to rearrange the apps on her phone to pass time. As more and more people were arriving, Lisbon started to feel more defeated, she didn’t know if this was a date or not, but it sure felt like she had gotten stood up. Lisbon checked her messages and nothing, she sighed and decided that she would watch the movie since she was there already. About ten minutes into the movie her phone vibrated with a message from Jane.

(Patrick) Jane: Hey, I’m sorry, something came up, but I am headed up there right now. Are you still there?

Lisbon contemplated if she should reply or not, upset that he wasn’t there, but relieved that he texted her back.

Me: yes, i am still here. are you okay?

(Patrick) Jane: I think I will be once I see you. Give me 10 minutes please. :)

Lisbon’s heart felt like it skipped a beat, he wanted to see her too, but he obviously isn’t okay and she is a little worried. Sure she has only known Jane for barely two weeks, but she does care about him. Lost in her thoughts she barely noticed when she got a new text message.

(Patrick) Jane: I am here in the back viewing row if you want to join me in the car.

Lisbon walked behind the stands to the car viewing row and when she spotted his car, walked over and lightly knocked on the door, while Jane was already reaching over to unlock and open the door from the inside. “Hey.” Jane whispered, as Lisbon shut the car door.

“Hey.” Lisbon whispered back.

“It’s good to see you.” Jane breathed slightly over a whisper.

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” Lisbon asked aloud this time.

“It was a bad day today. I don’t want to bore you with the details, but it wasn’t good.” Jane sighed.

Lisbon reached over the center console and held his hand, “You won’t bore me with any details. I care about you Jane, let me know what I can do to help.”

Jane sighed and rested his head on her shoulder, squeezing her hand a little more, “My dad is not a good person, and working with him gets harder every day. I just want to leave but I can’t leave them all, they are my family. You know?”

Lisbon shook her head, she didn’t know what he was talking about, but related to the part where he said that his dad is not a good person. “I’m not sure I understand in a whole, but my dad too, he’s not very nice.”

Jane looked up at Lisbon, not removing his head from her shoulder, “Your dad hurts you? I’m sorry Teresa. I shouldn’t be acting like this over my small problem.” Jane shook his head.

“Hey,” Lisbon grabbed Jane’s face, her hands on either cheek, “It’s fine, well it’s not fine, but it doesn’t matter what size problem you have, you can tell me and I’ll be there for you.” 

Jane leaned into her touch and chuckled, “This is a lot for a first date…” 

Lisbon froze for a moment. ‘ Is this still a date?’

“Oh, is this not a date? I read this all wrong.” Jane shook his head, “I am so sorry, I shouldn’t have assumed and used your shoulder as a pillow. I am so, so, sorry Lisbon.”

“Hey,” Lisbon whispered again, causing Jane to look up at her eyes. “I just wasn’t sure if this was a date or not, but I’m happy that you thought it was. And you didn’t do anything wrong, if you want to rest your head on me again you can.” Lisbon smiled and moved her thumbs along his cheeks. 

Jane chuckled again, “Maybe later, I’ll tell you the long story, but the short story is I grew up and still live with the carnival. My dad likes to use me to con innocent people, and I am sick and tired of it.” Jane put his hands over Lisbon’s hands, bringing them to rest in between the both of them. 

“My dad started drinking when my mom died, and likes to yell at me and my younger brothers. So, to answer your question, my dad doesn’t hurt me, no.” Lisbon replied. “If he hurts your feelings, that’s still hurting you.” Jane replied. “Did you want to watch the movie, or do you want to go get something to eat? I still have to get you to try those eggs at the diner.” Jane asked, trying to change the subject.

“I believe I still owe you a bag of popcorn.” Lisbon smirked, accepting the change in conversation. 

“How about next time you get us some popcorn?” Jane asked.

“Next time? Mr. Confident over here.” Lisbon joked.

“Well, if you want there to be a next time… My answer is yes if you want to ask me.” Jane joked with less confidence. 

“Jane of course, I’ll get us popcorn next time.” Lisbon smiled, “Also, yes, let’s get something to eat, please.” 

Both Lisbon and Jane buckled their seatbelts, while Jane put the car in reverse and left the drive-in to head to the diner.

~

“So, you and that Jane guy have had like seven dates already, is he your boyfriend now?” Van Pelt asked Lisbon, sitting down at the lunch table.

“What?! No!” Lisbon blushed, “He hasn’t asked me yet…”

“Wait, that guy with the car?” Pike interrupted, “That’s not the kind of guy you want.”

“Marcus, you don’t know what kind of guy she wants.” Van Pelt argued.

“You’ve been on seven dates, he is your boyfriend.” Cho stated.

“Plus, you told me that you hold hands and cuddle up on each other.” Van Pelt started.

“Hey! Hey! I didn’t tell you that for you to tell everyone else!” Lisbon stopped Van Pelt.

“Yep. Boyfriend.” Cho stated again, taking a bite of his apple.

Van Pelt smiled at Lisbon, “See he is your boyfriend, just admit it to yourself.”

“Well, I would like for him to be my boyfriend, but as of right now he’s just a guy I talk to. Besides, now is not the time to get serious, I’ll be leaving for college in a few months, I can’t expect anything to happen there.” Lisbon signed defeatedly.

“Why don’t you just ask him and see what he wants?” Van Pelt asked.

“Yeah, you’re right, I will do that.” Lisbon answered. 

~

Jane and Lisbon sat at the table at the diner they had started to become regulars at. Jane was pushing his eggs back and forth, not really eating it.

“Hey, Jane, what are you thinking about?” Lisbon put her hand lightly on top of his hand that was pushing the fork.

“Just thinking.” Jane barely smiled.

“What are you thinking about?” Lisbon pushed.

Jane ran his fingers through his hair, “I- I don’t want to ruin anything, but maybe? Teresa, would you want to maybe be my girlfriend? It’s okay if you don’t-”

“Patrick.” Lisbon cut him off, “Am I not already?” Lisbon joked, echoing a joke he had made to her several weeks prior.

“Well, aren’t you Miss Confidence?” Jane completed her joke.

“Maybe a little bit.” Lisbon smiled using her fork to pick up a piece of egg off his plate and ate it. ”But yes, to answer your question. If I’m not already, I would like to be your girlfriend.”

Jane breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, “That’s lucky.”

~

Jane made his normal drive to Lisbon’s house to drop her off after they finished their meal, but this time there was something different, a man sitting on the bench on the front porch. The sun was beginning to set so Lisbon knew she didn’t go out past her curfew. “Jane, my dad can be a lot, so if you want to drop me off and drive off-” Lisbon quickly explained unbuckling about to open the door to the car.

“Teresa. House. Now.” Lisbon’s dad suddenly appeared. 

“I’ll text you.” Lisbon whispered before running up the driveway and into the house, peeking out the window blinds. 

“And who are you?” Mr. Lisbon bellowed at Jane.

“My name is Patrick Jane, sir.” Jane replied weakly.

“And what are your intentions with my daughter?” Mr. Lisbon leaned down to make eye contact with Jane.

“I don’t have any plans, just to be her friend first, and love her unconditionally. See where life takes us together.” Jane smiled, slightly embarrassed. 

“She’s 18, she doesn’t know what love is, she’s not allowed to have any boyfriend, she needs to take care of her brothers.” Mr. Lisbon scoffed. 

“Respectfully sir, I believe that is her choice to make.” Jane contradicted.

“Lose her number, and don’t speak to her again.” Mr. Lisbon stated before walking back into the house.

“Teresa, get in here now.” Mr. Lisbon yelled up the stairs.

Lisbon quickly ran down the stairs, hearing her little brother saying ‘someone’s in trouble’, and shooting him a glare.

“You need to be here for your little brothers, not messing around with some boy you just met. Delete his number before I delete it for you. Now go back to your room, I don’t want to see you for the rest of the night.” Mr. Lisbon demanded, without getting her a chance to speak, heading to the fridge to presumably grab a new beer.

Lisbon ran upstairs and closed her door with a little too much force, cringing, hoping her dad wasn’t about to yell at her for ‘disrespecting his house’. After a couple of minutes, when her dad had not come up the stairs, she breathed out and looked at her phone, unsure of her next move. When the screen lit up with a notification, she guessed her decision was made for her.

(Patrick) Jane: I don’t think your dad likes me very much.I like you very much though.I understand if you want me to delete your number, like your dad told me to.But I don’t want to, but I will if you tell me to.

Lisbon was mad that her dad told Jane what to do, she was sad that he even considered the thought that she would stop talking to him just because her dad said so. Overall, she was happy that Jane told her he likes her a lot.

Me: i like you very much too Patrick :)

and i don’t want to stop talking to you

don’t even think that for one moment

Lisbon stopped typing for a moment considering if she really wanted to send the next text message or not.

Me: i’m sorry you had to witness his behavior

(Patrick) Jane: I’m sorry I can’t be holding you right now.Or sitting next to you, whichever you are more comfortable with.

Me: i think i would love a hug from you right now.

(Patrick) Jane: I can be back at yours in less than 20 minutes. Just tell me which window I need to climb through.

Me: haha jane

(Patrick) Jane: No, really Lisbon.

Me: i’m not going to sneak a boy into my room when my dad is already mad at me

(Patrick) Jane: Would you like to come to the carnival next Friday? I can teach you all the tricks to win. You can bring your little brothers if you want. Or your friends, I’m sure Rigsby might like to win a giant stuffy for Grace.Only if you want to though.

Me: trying to make good with my siblings and my friends to get the stamp of approval?

(Patrick) Jane: Maybe :DBut also looking for a reason to see you more.

Me: i’ll ask grace at school on monday.it’s getting late, i’m gonna go to bed, i had a fun evening, sorry it ended the way it did.

(Patrick) Jane: It’s okay, I had fun too. Have a good night, Teresa 

Me: goodnight patrick 

~

“Van Pelt, how would you and Rigsby like to go on a double date to the carnival on Friday?” Lisbon asked Van Pelt as she was pulling books from her locker.

“What’s at the carnival?” Van Pelt replied, shutting her locker door and walking to their next class.

“Jane asked me if I wanted to go, and make it a double date. He met my dad on Friday.” Lisbon finished when she saw Van Pelt raise her eyebrows at the initial statement. “How was your dad?” Van Pelt sighed, not having a good experience with Lisbon’s dad herself.

“He was probably three drinks in. He told Jane that I’m not allowed to have a boyfriend and I needed to take care of my brothers first.” Lisbon answered.

“So, everyone says he’s your boyfriend except for you.” Van Pelt paused her walking.

“For your information, Jane only asked me Friday, before he met my dad. When my dad told him that, Jane and I were only official for like 2 hours.” Lisbon defended.

Van Pelt squealed in excitement and continued walking, “I’m happy for you Teresa, I’m sure Rigsby would love to go on a double date on Friday.” 

“Awesome, I will let Jane know.” Teresa smiled as they walked into their classroom.

~

Lisbon steps out of the back seat of Van Pelt’s car already looking for where Jane might be, sending him a quick here :) text. 

“Where did Jane tell you to meet him?” Rigsby asked Lisbon, getting out of the passenger seat of the car and stretching his legs exaggeratingly, getting a small chuckle out of Van Pelt. 

As if on cue, Jane was walking up to them, grabbing Lisbon’s hand when he reached her. “How are you my dear?” Jane asked, squeezing Lisbon’s hand.

“I’m good.” Lisbon blushed, from the endearment. Jane gave her a smile in return.

“Van Pelt and Rigsby! Nice to see you again. Is there anywhere special you would like to see here? I can tell you the tricks to win every one of these booths if you want.” Jane said, guiding them into the gates out of the parking lot. 

“What about that balloon dart game? Why do the balloons not pop?” Van Pelt asked.

“Easy, they put a balloon inside of another before airing them up and half the darts aren’t sharp enough to pop them.” Jane replied.

“The game where you have to shoot the bottles as they move?” Rigsby piped in.

“The guns are slightly pulling to the right, so you need to shoot just before you think you should.” Jane answered.

The group continued asking questions about different booths before Rigsby decided he wanted to test Jane’s theory and see if the rifles did shoot a little to the right. Rigsby quickly found out they did, adjusted his aim a little, and ended up getting every bottle and winning a top shelf stuffy for Van Pelt, much to the booth keeper’s dismay.

Rigsby and Van Pelt decided they wanted to go into the Fun House and Lisbon would rather not do that, she would much rather just walk around through the different tents and booths, and enjoying her time with Jane.

As they were walking past one of the tents, a man’s voice interrupted their mindless chatter, “Patrick. What are you doing?” 

“Dad?” Jane turned around to face the voice, “I’m hanging out with my… friend. Showing her around and-”

“Why aren’t you here making us money?” Mr. Jane questioned.

“Because I don’t want to.” The younger Jane shrugged.

“Patrick Jane, I am not going to ask you, but tell you, to get into the tent and make me money.” Mr. Jane stared at Patrick.

“No, I don’t want to be a con man for the rest of my life.” Jane said sternly.

“Is it this girl here telling you that? You don’t need a girlfriend if they are just going to tell you what you can and cannot do.” The elder Jane asked pointing towards Lisbon.

“Nobody told me to say anything. I decided I don’t want to be pushed around anymore by you, and I don’t want you making decisions for me anymore either.” Jane exclaimed before he  quickly took Lisbon’s hand and ran off, hearing curses from his father, knowing tonight was not going to be fun, thinking he may just sleep in his car tonight.

Jane led them to an area behind the Ferris wheel where no patrons would go, where there was a bench and table. He slowed them down and sat down pulling Lisbon’s hand lightly to convince her to sit next to him. 

“So that was my dad.” Jane chuckled full of awkwardness. 

Lisbon sighed, “Our dad’s both don’t want us dating each other - nice.” 

“Do we need their permission?” Jane took Lisbon’s hand.

“Nope.” Lisbon started, “There’s been something I wanted to ask you; you don’t have to say yes. And there’s never a good time to ask, but I’m running out of time.” Lisbon squeezed Jane’s hand. “Patrick Jane, would you like to go to prom with me?

Jane let out a chuckle, “That is not where I thought you were going with that, but yes. I would love to go to prom with you, when is it?”

“It’s on Saturday. Yes, this Saturday.” Lisbon replied, “I told you I was running out of time, you can still say no if-”

“I’m not going to change my mind.” Jane smiled, “Can I ask you a question too?”

“Of course, Jane, you can ask me anything.” Lisbon replied

“Can I kiss you?” Jane asked. Lisbon answered by kissing Jane, hesitantly at first, but found the rhythm of his lips shortly. 

“Wow.” Jane breathed, breaking away resting his forehead on Lisbon’s forehead.

“‘Wow’, is right.” Lisbon smiled. “Should we go find Van Pelt and Rigsby?”

“Nah.” Jane put his index finger under Lisbon’s chin to lift it, while capturing her lips in his again.

After several minutes of enjoying kissing each other, Lisbon put her hands on Jane’s chest and pushed him back a little before whispering, “I think we should stop for now. I don’t want to, but I think we should.” 

“I think you’re right. However,” Jane paused and gave Lisbon another light kiss, “ now we’re done.”

~

“When are the guys supposed to be here?” Lisbon asked Van Pelt as they were finishing up their prom makeup.

“They should be here very soon, if not right now.” Van Pelt replied. “I’m done, what about you, want to go wait in the living room for the guys?”

“Yeah. let’s go do that.” Lisbon replied, already walking out of Van Pelt’s room down the stairs that led to the living area, both seeing the guys right away. 

“Wow.” Both Jane and Rigsby said at the same time. 

“You look absolutely beautiful Teresa.” Jane breathed, holding out his arms to grab Lisbon’s hand and planting a light kiss on it. 

“Thank you, Patrick. You look absolutely beautiful as well.” Lisbon smiled.

After complimenting each other, the four friends got into Patrick’s Citroën and headed out to the venue that was hosting the prom, and enjoyed the rest of the evening together.

~🛣️ 🎥~

“Do you want to go on a walk? One last walk around the neighborhood before you leave for college?” Jane asked Lisbon after loading the last box she had into her SUV, shutting the rear-hatch.

“Jane, I’m moving one town over, I will probably come back to see my siblings a couple of times a month. I don’t need to see everything in the neighborhood I grew up in again. Plus, I’m tired.” Lisbon sighed.

“Just a short walk?” Jane pleaded with the eyes that Lisbon couldn’t say no to.

“Fine. No more than ten minutes.” Lisbon bargained.

“Deal.” Jane smiled, grabbing Lisbon’s hand. They walked in the direction towards the end of her street for a few minutes, before turning back around. “Before we get back, I just wanted to let you know something, you are not obligated to say anything back, I just wanted to let you know… I love you, Teresa.”

“That’s lucky, cause I love you too, Patrick.” Lisbon squeezed Jane’s hand that was in her hand. “Now what do you say we get to heading over to the apartment, you can help me unpack, and I’ll drive you back home tomorrow?”

“Are you asking me to spend the night, Lisbon?” Jane cocked an eyebrow.

“Yeah, you don't mind sleeping on couches, and I’m too tired to drive anymore after we get there today.” Lisbon poked her tongue out at Jane in a joking manner, jogging the rest of the way to her car pulling Jane with her.

~

“Can I ask you a crazy question?” Jane asked Lisbon while sitting on the couch in the apartment Lisbon and Van Pelt are renting during their freshman year of college. 

“How crazy?” Lisbon raised her eyebrows.

“Maybe a little?” Jane questioned.

“Well, I’ll say yes, just because I’m curious about what is going on in that head of yours.” Lisbon chuckled, pointing at his forehead.

“Do you want to get married?” Jane asked, turning his full body to Lisbon, watching her cough as if she choked on air.

“Are you serious?” Lisbon squeaked between trying to catch her breath.

“Well yeah. Not now though, that would be crazy, but like some day?” Jane replied.

“Wait here for a moment.” Lisbon told Jane, avoiding the question.

' I knew it was a crazy question. I should not have said anything. She’s going to tell me to leave. ’ Jane thought.

“Here.” Lisbon started, holding out her class ring from high school, startling Jane as he didn’t know she was there. “Yes, one day in the future I will marry you.” Lisbon smiled, slipping her ring onto Jane’s pinky finger.

“Wow. Did you just give me a promise ring Lisbon?” Jane half-joked.

“Yeah. I guess I did.” Lisbon breathed, still smiling.

“I love it, and I love you, Teresa.” Jane said, leaning in to kiss Lisbon.

~~~

i had this in my drafts mostly written since oct 2022, just wrote the last scene in january of this year 🫠. if i missed any tw/cw, please let me know and i'll fix it. thanks for reading!

[mica949]

Beginnings of Toppat Android!Charles

Henry didn’t know when their ‘arch nemesis’ relationship had turned into something like a game. 

It happened all on its own. It had become practically routine at this point: Henry would capture Charles, who would eventually find some way to escape, and then Charles would capture Henry, who had the power of retries and Toppat engineered gadgets at his disposal. In the meantime came many encounters which, at some point, started being fun. Ellie agreed with him on that regard, and also agreed that Reginald would find him crazy if he ever shared that fact. It all sort of melted over the last time Henry was captured, and pointed a shrink ray at Charles, who had only laughed.

“Honestly, Henry, I don’t expect to ever catch you for good. But, this is kind of fun, huh?”

It was. He had fired the gun at Charles’s headphones, which made him let out a noise of offense as Henry made his escape. 

Now was just another part of their game. He had Charles in some fancy magnetic cuffs, and the man was trying to exercise by seeing how far he could pull them apart. Henry had already given a little speech on how he was going to take down the US government, and it had been about 30 minutes without a sincere escape attempt. Honestly, it was kind of concerning. 

Henry snapped his fingers a couple times to get Charles’s attention, then signed, [Aren’t you going to do something?] 

Charles shrugged. “Sorry man, normally I’d do some witty banter and all that while waiting for my backup, but I’m kinda out of it today. Haven’t gotten any sleep in a couple days, some mission trying to stop you guys or something… I fell asleep during the debriefing.”

Was that normal for the military? Probably. There was a reason he’d double crossed them. He didn’t have enough fingers to count the horrible things he’d heard from members who ended up in Galeforce’s custody. 

[I won’t kill you if you want to rest.] He signed after a couple seconds of thinking about it. Not that he’d kill him anyways, he was pretty sure that the both of them were aware that getting blood on their hands wouldn’t do any good. However, the slight smile that bloomed Charles’s face made his stomach twist in a weird way.

“Thanks, I guess.” Charles moved his magnetic cuffs to a more comfortable position, then laid down. “You know… You guys aren’t actually all that bad. I mean, you steal stuff, and kill people who get in your way, but you’re mostly just… silly.”

Despite the truth to that statement, he couldn’t help but take a bit of offense. Henry made a particularly grumpy expression at Charles, who laughed and closed his eyes. 

“Don’t deny it. You wear a black trench coat and prepare evil monologues for me. Your girlfriend Ellie couldn’t stop making the interrogators laugh” Henry’s cheeks reddened, despite the fact that they were indeed dating. 

Apparently Ellie had a routine planned for when she was captured for information. Her stories of derailing her torture with puns made Henry feel a bit better as the doctors were patching her up. 

He snapped his fingers again so Charles would open his eyes before signing, [Would you believe me if I told you she practiced the jokes?]

“Honestly, I would. It seems like something you guys would do.” The soft smile Charles had fell, which made Henry’s stomach do another uncomfortable backflip. “I honestly felt kinda bad that they did that to her. She’s pretty cool, you know? You guys don’t deserve half the hell we give you.”

Henry tilted his head. What was this leading to? He’d never heard something like appreciation from the other, besides sarcastically in their ‘witty banter’. 

Charles seemed to take the hint, and sighed. “I don’t know. Just ranting, I guess. I’m tired. It’s been 27 years, and I'm finally realizing that we kinda suck. Or maybe I’m just grumpy cus I haven’t slept.”

[They should let you sleep, too.]

“Ehh, I’m used to it. When there’s a big mission going on, it’s pretty normal to pull all-nighters and skip meals.”

[We don’t do that.]

“You don’t?” Charles looked away from Henry, furrowing his eyebrows. “…Huh. Guess that’s another point you guys have on us.”

It wasn’t about points. Henry didn’t know why he suddenly cared. Charles was his enemy after all, even if they mostly just messed around instead of genuinely trying to hurt each other. Though, if he thought about it, maybe he could kill two birds with one stone. Get Charles out of his hair, and get him in a better place as well. It didn’t mean anything. 

[Why don’t you leave?] 

Charles chuckled, but there was no happiness in it. “Well… I’ve told you already, I’m a government android.” He knew that. An initiative that created robots to fight wars, or something. It sounded like the beginnings of a dystopian story. But Charles didn’t seem like the type to overthrow humanity. Charles seemed to realize it wasn’t clicking, and continued. “I don’t have an ID, birth certificate, or even a social security number. Even if I didn’t have a tracker built into my head, where am I supposed to go?”

Henry had an idea. A stupid, stupid idea. He knew it was stupid, but he couldn’t stop himself from thinking, what if everything could be perfect. In this timeline he had everything. Almost everything. Everything except…

[You could come with us.]

“Oh man, can you imagine? Me, a Toppat? The general would be so mad. Where would my hat even go, on top of my headphones?”

He wasn’t taking it seriously. Henry probably should have seen that coming. [You could. I would vouch for you.]

“As if you’d ever accept me. I’m better off hoping they’ll let me retire when I hit my 50s.” 

“Charles.” 

Henry rarely ever spoke. His voice failed him at the worst of times in the past, so he stuck to sign language unless absolutely necessary. He couldn’t remember if he had ever spoken to Charles with his real voice. Maybe he hadn’t, if that bewildered expression said anything. 

“You’re uh… really serious, huh?” Charles smiled, but there was something Henry couldn’t read in his eyes. “I… don’t know. It sounds nice, doing whatever I want whenever I want with nobody to tell me no. But I’m not a criminal. I can’t just… I dunno…”  he was silent for a moment. “…It really does sound nice.”

Henry shrugged. The brief courage to talk had left him all at once. He switched back to signing to say, [Think about it.]

Charles didn’t have a response to that.

[munsontm]

'my most significant influence is just real life.' A candid discussion with Corroded Coffin frontman Eddie Munson. Gerri Miller.

Metal Edge, 8th March 1991.

On the fifth of February, 1991, Corroded Coffin, a four-piece heavy metal band from Hawkin's Indiana, a rural town rife with tragedy and mystery, made Grammy and music history by being not only the first of the genre to win album of the year but said album also happened to be their debut. The album in question, entitled Stranger Things, is being hailed all over the country as a truly original and thought-provoking journey with a multitude of themes contained in a fantastical and, frequently, dark world narrative. I caught up with the band's frontman, Eddie Munson, in hopes of learning more about the mysterious and polarising figure who shot for the stars on his first try and made it all the way to the moon.

It was a rare rainy morning in downtown LA when I met Eddie at The Beverly Hills Hotel. He told me he'd have preferred to meet at Starbucks or something, but management insisted on somewhere 'fancy' in his words. There's not a shred of his theatrical stage wear or make-up to be seen except for chipped black polish on his nails. He's dressed down in stonewash jeans, a black vest, and a red plaid shirt complete with Nike sneakers that he tells me aren't his. Eddie offered me a cigarette once we got comfortable in the hotel bar, and I felt struck by the disarming power of his smile. I couldn't say no to him, and apparently, neither can America.

How's it going, Eddie?

Eddie: Yeah, you know. Pretty good. This hotel is weird, though, right?

You don't like it?

Eddie: Ehh...it's just kinda snobby for my tastes. It's not very me, I guess. And it's not what I'd like Corroded Coffin to be associated with. None of us come from money, and neither do our fans. We're a band for the 99%, and we're determined to stay true to that. I think I'd straight up quit music if someone told me that Bush liked our tunes.

You're not a fan of the president, then?

Eddie: Dude, what do you think? I grew up with Nixon, Ford, Carter, and Reagan, each more useless than the last, and determined to keep up the status quo of anti-queer, pro-guns, and the nuclear family. That's all they do, like glorified caretakers, I guess. People bitch about change, but they still keep voting for the same two dumb fucks every single time. Where's the progression? It ain't there, man.

Anti-queer, anti-guns and the nuclear family are pretty polarising subjects. How do you feel when people in the industry label you as a polarising figure?

Eddie: I fucking love it. I knew years ago that if we ever made it big, people were gonna hate us. I've always been loud and weird and annoying, never knowing when to shut my mouth. But I'm at peace with it, proud even. Yeah, I'm queer. Freddie (Mercury) doesn't hide it. Why should I? Yeah, I'm pro-feminism, anti-government, anti-society, an atheist, anti-guns, pro-abortion, and pro-drugs. Whatever has been said about me in pro and anti-contexts is probably all true. I'm the antichrist to the normie Americans, and that makes me giggle at night. Let them be mad about it and live in fear of the other for once.

People back in my very conservative hometown hated me, too, because I was different and poor. It's no different from that, and I'm not scared about it anymore, like when I was that kid in Hawkins. The difference now is that there are people out there who like my big mouth. There are freaks all over the country who are just like me. It's pretty fucking cool.

Those are some pretty brave statements to make.

Eddie: Nah. Lots of them are already there on the album. I've never been shy about any of 'em, even when meatheads at our gigs decide to throw bottles at us and act like little bitches. Go watch Axel Rose if you want some fresh bigotry with your metal. Although, is it even really a metal concert if someone doesn't throw something at you? The answer is no. The point is that the stage and the studio are my space to say what I want and then reach other people with the same thinking. I'm not going to stop doing that ever.

What's your private life currently like?

Eddie: Private. Next.

You're very secretive about that part of your life, aren't you?

Eddie: Yeah. Cus, like I said, bigots exist. I might like to suck both dick and eat pussy, and be okay with admitting that to the world. But I'm not stupid enough to give away my private life details where any creep can read them. Can we move on now? [This next part was originally redacted by Eddie, but then he changed his mind.] Still, my partner could be the shit outta any phobe. They fought a bear once and won...more than once.

Sure, Eddie. What first got you into music?

Eddie: I think the first time music really crawled inside my brain was when I heard All Along The Watchtower by Jimi Hendrix on the radio one summer. Mmm, I can't remember if I was four or five, but it was around then. It wasn't even about the lyrics. I didn't learn what they were until later. It was the guitar work that blew my tiny baby mind to somewhere else, maybe another plane of existence, albeit temporarily, so unfortunate. But I couldn't get that raw sound out of my mind, and I became instantly addicted, looking for similar sounds everywhere. I'd heard guitars playing before, but never like that. Never that level of genius. It kinda made me wanna cry with the emotions it brought out of me because I grew up in an environment where emotions weren't allowed if you were a boy. Jimi gave me my first outlet, and I'll be eternally grateful for that. Rest in peace, dude.

Is that what music is for you, an expression of yourself?

Eddie: Well, yeah. Music is part of who I am. Even when it's not a personal expression of myself, it's still an expression of my beliefs and ideals. Music is art; music is political and radical. But I also can't deny there's plenty of very personal shit in my lyrics. The day I write a fluff song is the day I'll have officially lost my marbles.

Who inspired you to make music?

Eddie: Haha, I'm pretty sure this is the most well-known fact about me, which is my boner for Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne. In 1972, Children Of The Grave was released, and I was lucky enough to see it performed live on TV. If Christ were real, that moment would have been my coming of Christ. I was like eight then, so the lyrics mattered more. But Ozzy himself was like a fantastic madman, and no one was doing it like him. He just didn't and still doesn't give a shit about what anyone thinks of him. I admire that so much, and I strived to be like that, too, for as long as I can remember. Not giving a shit was my shield in high school. People were afraid of that, that I didn't follow the rules or pretend to be good as gold. Yeah, it invited trouble, too, being loud and annoying. But it felt great at the same time.

How would you describe the music that you typically create? What are your influences?

Eddie: Uhh, if you wanna talk genres, then I guess I'd describe it as horror or fantasy metal. I wouldn't want to be described as your average metal band. That'd be the freaking worst. Many of my influences come from Dungeons & Dragons, Heavy Metal (the science-fiction and fantasy magazine/comic), and Lord of The Rings. But then you got literary influence from Edgar Allen Poe, Stephen King, Mary Shelley, and H.P. Lovecraft.

But I guess my most significant influence is just real life. Take real life and smash it together with all the aforementioned shit. Things get crazy pretty quickly. I've been able to channel a lot of the bad things that happened in my life through those things, and apparently, I'm not the only one that likes it. Although, my dad probably hates that I'm getting rich from what a cunt he is. But I love it.

Who would you most like to collaborate with?

Eddie: Ozzy Osbourne, of course. But there's also DIO too. Slayer would be sweet too—ugh, and Judas Priest. Basically, there are too many potentials to pick from, and I'm indecisive, so I don't think I should be allowed to pick in any realistic context. Gare and Jeff can deal.

What is one message you would give to your fans.

Eddie: First of all, I love them very much. Each and every single one of them made Corroded Coffin possible. Artists are nothing without their fans. Right from the three drunks back in Hawkin's to the dude who flashed his pink nipple tassels at me during every indie gig, he's awesome. We wouldn't be here without them. I hope they continue supporting our madness and being just as mad themselves. The world always needs more freaks in it.

What is the most useless talent you have?

Eddie: I can tuck my dick and balls back and do Gonzo impersonations with em'. Just draw some eyes on my guys, and wiggle it all about. It's a great party trick. But I'm not allowed to show it to anyone because that's embarrassing, according to my partner. And I can quote Lord of The Rings by page number, depending on the edition. Though people in my circle consider that to be pretty cool, just saying.

Do you sing in the shower? What songs?

Eddie: Man, all I do is sing around the house. It drives the neighbours fucking nuts. Fortunately, my partner is fully endeared by it. But I usually sing what comes to mind or whatever trash is on the radio. There's a WHAM song stuck in my head right now, and I hate it. Fully hate it. I want to make it stop.

What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?

Eddie: Honestly, I don't even wanna think about it. Music is all I ever wanted to do. Considering something else was never an option for me.

What's a typical day like for you?

Eddie: I have to be dragged out of bed wherever I'm sleeping. Whether it's at home, the studio, or in a hotel. I'm not a morning person, and it's a lucky day if I manage to hit the toilet rim without a cup of coffee in me. After that, I'm usually writing for most of the day, right now, until my partner makes me eat and take a chill pill. There are also lots of scheduled interviews and shoots going on, what with the Grammy win and all. I'm not used to such hectic schedules, so it's been completely nuts as of late. I only get around four hours of sleep, and that sucks. But it's just part of the job.

What is your favourite song to perform?

Eddie: Fuck. I hate this question because I can never answer it the straightforward way. There isn't one song to beat all, but it's usually a tie between Red and Sword and Shield. They're my magnum opus, at least for now. Because as a musician, I always strive to outdo my last song.

Why those two songs, what do they mean to you?

Eddie: Red is just a sick tune, ya know? I took inspiration from a person in my life, a kid who used to live in the same trailer park as me. She's probably one of the bravest people I've ever met, and my batshit brain couldn't let go of the idea of making a song about her bravery. If it wasn't for them, myself and many others wouldn't have made it out of the Hawkin's earthquake alive. That's why Red is so bassy and riffy, and Gareth even broke a fair couple of sticks while we were recording—the musical energy needed to match her intensity and what she went through to help people. Women's heroics ain't recognised enough in any media, so it was a no-brainer to me to include her story as part of Stranger Thing's overall journey.

As for Sword and Shield, that's way more personal. The context behind that changed my life. It's about two people casting aside preconceptions of one another and fighting their inner demons together cus I found out around the time of writing it that you can't do that alone; fight your inner demons and get past your past. And yeah, there's a splash of homoerotica; sue me. It's one of the...no. It's the only balladesque song on the album cus it's the only balladesque song I've ever written. Most of the music for Sword and Shield was me and a guitar; everyone else is a more subtle background, I guess. It needed to be like that. I needed it to be a private experience for me and my sword.

Your sword?

Eddie: Yup. Next question.

What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into

Eddie: Aw, c'mon. Do ya'll really gotta bring it up in every interview? Every goddamn tabloid in the country went off about it. Murder accusations and Satanic worship, which were all overwhelmingly disproven. The state even apologised to me. I'm done talking about that part of my life.

Apologies, Eddie. You're right. What is the best advice you’ve been given?

Eddie: Smooth recovery, buddy. Alright. I've had plenty of decent advice from people like Ozzy, Doro, Dio, and Dave Mustaine. Lots of D's, for some reason. But, I think my Uncle Wayne probably gave me the best life advice, which was always to be myself. Never pretend to be someone you're not, even when it's hard. He told me that when I was thirteen, and I've always stuck by it. What you see is what you get. I don't have a stage persona like a lot of people do. It's all just me. I don't think I'd be able to handle this kinda life if I had to pretend to be someone else, ya know? Being true to myself and my vision is what has gotten me here, that and my boys, my fellow losers and freaks.

If you could change anything about the metal industry, what would it be?

Eddie: Well, shit. That's a loaded question, and it's gonna get one of those so-called controversial replies that I always apparently have. There are not enough women in this industry, at least not in the American mainstream, aside from Doro, and she takes a lot of shit. Bands like Girlschool, Black Knight, Messiah Force, and Rock Goddess, they're all absolutely badasses, who are just as good, if not better, than many of their male contemporaries. Man Metal, let's call it that for a moment, has way too many tunes about sexualising cars and having sex with women and boohooing about our drug problems. It's all repetitive, gets boring, is boring.

I think heavy metal should be more of an open genre. Manufactured pop music always has centre stage in the music industry, sadly. But rock 'n roll is about rebellion and doing what society doesn't deem normal. Why is the heavy-metal movement just entrenched in working-class dudes? Bearing in mind I am one of those dudes. We've got more in common with the many marginalised groups in this country, mainly that the government hates us, instead of the upper classes who use pop culture, music included, to promote the fake American Dream. If we could all come together under the power of rock 'n roll. I think beautiful things could happen. We could have a revolution.

What do you think are the chances of such a grand scale thing happening?

Eddie: Uhh, pretty much zero.

What’s next for you?

I'll be writing Corroded Coffin's next album while on a national tour that I think is being announced next week. I can't remember. Maybe I wasn't supposed to talk about that. Oh, well. Surprise! I've also been asked to pose for Playgirl, which is fucking wild. I didn't see that coming in a million years.

What? Like full frontal?

Eddie: God, I fucking hope so. The pearl clutching will be spectacular.

Corroded Coffins album, Stranger Things, is out now via Mercury Records.

[itsukismoon]

Event story - Chapter 10 (Grateful Days)

>> part 11

When Lannes announces the Grateful Festival Special Area Award, everyone starts talking to each other. Lannes thanks all the meisters who made such an event possible, and adds that Velvet will be opening the park to everyone around the world. He thanks everyone for creating such a joyous event, and the crowd cheers.

Velvet: Of course, there will be times when everyone’s help will be needed in order to continue operating. In order to deliver to the world this dream created by everyone, let’s keep working together.

lannes also thanks the Chevalier knights for granting security to this place which is visited by many dignitaries.

Harriet: It is an honour for me to be able to protect a place full of wonderful love!

Alex: I vow to protect everyone’s smiles until the end. Please continue enjoying yourself peacefully without worries.

Then, the Special Area Award begins. Lannes would like to praise all guilds, but alas the world of craftsmen is based on friendly rivalry. The most popular area was the Gourmet area run by Gastronomy! Lannes invites a representative of the guild to leave a comment on the stage, and Oscar sends Kuchen over since he’s an ambassador, much to Kuchen’s dismay (Oscar is an ambassador too btw lol). Anyway, he heads to the stage with a slightly listless look after being encouraged by Emma.

Kuchen: I— No, everyone at Gastronomy is all about making the most delicious food, that’s all there is to it. However… I think that by getting involved with other people, our skills can be further refined. (YESSSS CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT!!!!) If those who gave us such an opportunity would want to eat our best food from now on— No, if they feel like they would want to make it together, then I’d be happy.

He meets Emma’s eyes and suddenly smiles admits the crowd’s roaring applause. She feels her heart warm at his words as a chocolatier and as a member of Gastronomy.

Next, the Alliance award goes to Tokohana, due to their role in preserving the traditional culture and their praising of peace through their work. Aoi steps on stage and admits that although he’s the ambassador, Asahi is the one who actually created Tokohana and continues to lead it. At first, he only thought of it as a fun occupation, and he probably does think that now, too; still, he now believed it is something very interesting too, and continuing to pursue being a meister at Tokohana will surely make him happy in the future. They will put to good use and continue cherishing their culture, their friends and the people who support them.

Velvet, as the landlord of this place, announces the Velvet award: the Water area, led by Jounetsu Taikai.

Searle: Aniki (= big bro)!! They called us!!!

Elma: Eh…? EHH…!? F-FOR REAL!?

According to Velvet, they were the ones who best embodied the concept of entertainment, and as an entertainer himself, he can’t help but respect that. He then invites Elma onto the stage.

Elma: EH, wait a min’! What am I even supposed to say at a time like this?! Hey, Shii-chan!?

Searle: Sheira and Uru are getting drunk over there~? Aniki, do your best!

Elma: Wait a minute! I need to think of the perfect phrase— Ah! Dassu, you come at the perfect time! runs over to DasteHey hey, don’t you have some kinda cool phrase to say?!

Daste: Hell if I know. Just go with your usual Whey Whey. I’m busy so don’t get me involded in this. walks away

Elma: EHH———!? Ah, uhm… first of all, thank you! I didn’t think we were going to be chosen for something, so I’m really happy! We only think about surfing all the time, and we get yelled at a lot… we caused problems during this Festival too. But, that’s because of how addicting it is! Really, I think surfing will save the world! It’s a lot of fun, so make sure you come to our guild! Even the people who never tried it before, we will teach you real quick! Also, Emma-chan! For before and now… thanks a bunch! I’m gonna tell you now!

All the awards are given out, and everyone gets off stage.

Adel: …don’t tell me this is the end. How pompous.

Then, Lannes announces a special prize.

[sakura-samsara]

Yoichi Main Story: Chapter 6

← Chapter 5 Normal Story

CW for this chapter: mild violence. Please read with care!

✦ part one

Now that the ayakashi had been vanquished, the only shadows that fell on the forest floor belonged to the trees and to us.

(It’s awfully quiet now.)

I opened my mouth in an effort to break the awkward silence. 

Yoshino: Do you think my hair and eyes will change back to their normal color by the time we’re back in town? 

Yoichi:  Well, from what I’ve seen of Yoshitsune-sama’s eye, it takes some time for it to go back to normal… 

Yoichi: But I guess it doesn’t take all that long.

Yoshino: I hope mine change back quickly too. I—I mean, it’s not like I can see what my own eyes look like, but it still feels a little unsettling. 

Yoichi: Well, besides it feeling a little unsettling, you seem like you’ve gotten used to the whole magic powers thing pretty well.

Yoichi: I’m kinda surprised that it’s not a big deal to you.

(I wouldn’t quite say that…)

Yoshino: Maybe I've just gotten desensitized to it since the night I came to Kamakura. At this point, I have no idea what is and isn’t normal anymore.

Yoichi: Is that so. You were just a regular old doctor before you came here, right? 

Yoshino: That’s right. …Do you pity my situation?

Yoichi: Maybe a little bit. But it’s none of my business, yeah?

You’re right, but… (Romantic +2, Dramatic +4)  That’s inconsiderate (Romantic +4, Dramatic +4)  I thought you said you were interested in me (Romantic +4, Dramatic +2) 

Yoshino: That’s not very considerate of you to say.

Yoichi: Did you expect me to comfort you instead? I can be sweet to you if that’s what you want. 

Yoichi: But you’ll have to be just as sweet to me, too. 

Yoshino: …No thanks. 

Yoichi smiled in the way he always did when he was enjoying the reactions he got out of me, 

But then his gaze shifted to my hair, lingering on it as it reflected the silver moonlight, before returning to my golden eyes. 

Yoichi: You know…

Yoichi: Your hair and your eyes are the same color as Tamamo’s, but it doesn’t make you look mysterious like he does. 

Yoshino: Huh?

Yoichi: It definitely gives you a different vibe, and I can't say it isn't easy on the eyes, but… you still look like yourself. 

Yoichi: Maybe ‘cause you’re so… I dunno, honest?

Yoshino: Honest? What do you mean?

Yoichi: You aren't so self-aware, are you?

The dark of night half-obscured Yoichi’s wry smile. 

Yoichi: That serious face you make when you’re fighting, and the look you’re giving me now when you get confused...  It’s like you wear your heart on your sleeve.

Yoichi: You don’t tell any lies, make any bluffs… or hide behind any sort of facade. 

(Why is he saying this…?)

He held my gaze, making me keenly aware of the pounding of my own heart. 

My efforts to calm my escalating pulse only made me feel more agitated. 

Yoshino: …Do you mean that I’m simpleminded?

Yoichi: Hm? Ehh, well, when you put it that way…

✦ part two

Yoshino: …Do you mean that I’m simpleminded?

Yoichi: Hm? Ehh, well, when you put it that way…

Yoshino: You weren’t supposed to agree with that.

(Am I... really smiling right now?)

I could still feel the fervor of battle lingering in the air, even after the ayakashi had disappeared. 

Surely that must have been why I was feeling so restless. 

(This isn't good. I shouldn't let my guard down around him. Just because Yoichi-san and I fought together doesn’t mean that we’ve gotten any closer with each other.)

The conversation we had before fighting the ayakashi flashed through my mind.

—flashback

Yoichi: You’re lucky I’m such a nice guy. I’ll only ask you for a contingency fee.

Yoshino: What do you want…?

Yoichi: Your trust.

Yoshino: Huh…?

Yoichi: I’m not asking you to trust in me completely.

Yoichi: But if you can manage to get rid of that ayakashi, I want you to let me into your heart a little.

—flashback ends

(That was what Yoichi-san said, wasn’t it?)

(Before I knew it, I’d started to feel like I could trust him… Is this going exactly as he planned?) 

My brow furrowed as an uneasy feeling built up within me. 

Yoichi: Whatcha thinking about, Yoshino?

Yoshino: Nothing, really.

Yoichi: Hmm…

Yoichi’s gaze wandered away as though he’d lost interest.

I supposed he was right that I wasn’t a good liar. 

(But I should still keep my feelings hidden as best as I can when I’m around him.) 

(No matter how much he helps me, and no matter how reliable he wants to make himself seem to me… This man is my enemy.) 

Yoichi: ……

Yoichi’s eyes returned to me as I had fallen into silence, looking at me as if there was something he wanted to say.

Yoichi: …I haven’t been feeling like myself while talking to you today. Dunno why.

He shrugged his shoulders, his voice having returned to its usual carefree tone. 

(Is that a lie, too? Or could Yoichi-san be feeling just as restless as I am right now?) 

Agitation smoldered like the embers of a fire within my chest. 

Yoshino: …Are you ready to go back now?

Yoichi: Sure thing. Just give me a second.

Yoichi responded as he started picking up his throwing knives from the ground.

Yoichi: ……

All of a sudden, I saw his gaze dart over to a bush nearby. 

Yoshino: What happened?

Yoichi: Nothing. Must have been a rabbit or something. 

Yoichi: Anyways. Yoshino, how’s your leg been feeling? 

✦ part three

Yoichi: Anyways. Yoshino, how’s your leg been feeling?

Yoshino: Oh—I feel fine. It’ll be alright as long as I don’t run or put too much pressure on my ankle. 

Yoichi: Then we’re good to go. Let’s get going.  

Yoshino: Yeah.

We slowly began walking, standing side-by-side.

(...I’m still unsure of how to treat him, but at the very least, there’s something I should tell him.)

Yoshino: Yoichi-san?

Yoichi: Hmm?

Yoshino: Thank you for helping me. I couldn’t have fended off the ayakashi without you. 

Yoichi: …You’re very welcome. 

Yoichi: You owe me big time for that~

Despite his readiness to make a joking remark, his eyes were avoiding mine. 

(Is he embarrassed? …No, surely not.)

(But perhaps he really was telling the truth when he said he wasn’t feeling like himself today.)

The thought that I might have gotten a glimpse of Yoichi’s true feelings made me strangely happy. 

We had already been walking for a while when Yoichi suddenly stopped. 

Yoichi: Oh, shoot! Hold up.

Yoshino: What happened?

Yoichi: Dammit, I must have forgotten to grab one of my knives before we left. 

Yoshino: Oh, should I go back and get it for you? 

Yoichi: You’re injured. It wouldn’t be fair to make you walk more than you have to.

Yoichi: You keep going ahead; I’ll just go back by myself to get it. My bad, sorry. 

Yoichi: I’ll probably catch up with you before you’ve left the woods, anyways. 

Yoshino: Okay…?

(It’s so dark now. Will he really be alright, searching for his knife without my help?) 

Yoichi: Hmm? Are you gonna be scared without me by your side? 

Yoshino: No, no, but…

Yoichi: Then I’ll be off for a bit.

He turned in the other direction with a jaunty wave. 

(And he’s already gone...)

(Well, there’s nothing I can do about it now. I guess I’ll keep moving.)

Yoichi had disappeared from my sight in a flash. I would have kept walking in the same direction like he had told me to do, but…

(Why am I getting a bad feeling about this?)

I had no solid evidence that there was anything to suspect about the situation, but I felt my gut churn in unease nonetheless. 

Yoshino: …Well, worrying about it isn’t going to help.

(I don’t know whether or not this suspicion is justified, but I should follow Yoichi-san anyways just in case.) 

I retraced my steps in the direction we’d come from, being careful not to trip over any stones or roots in the way, when… 

(Is that someone’s voice?)

???: AAAH! Stop!!!

✦ part four

I retraced my steps in the direction we’d come from, being careful not to trip over any stones or roots in the way, when… 

(Is that someone’s voice?)

???: AAAH! Stop!!!

I heard the sound of a man’s scream coming from the place Yoichi and I had been just a moment ago. 

(What in the world is happening?!)

I tried to be as quiet as possible as I hurried towards the sound of the voice.

My injured ankle burned with the pain of bearing my weight.

(I think sound is coming from behind these bushes…)

I peered through the shrubs to see two figures illuminated by the moonlight.

(Oh...!)

Priest: I-I haven’t done anything!!

Yoichi: If you want me to stop, you better have an explanation for why you were hiding here and watching us. 

(Is that Yoichi-san… with the priest who scammed Yashichi-kun’s family?!)

I had never seen Yoichi’s face look as cold as it did in this moment. 

He was pinning the priest down from behind as he held a knife against his throat. 

Yoichi: Answer me quickly and clearly.

Yoichi: Did you make that ayakashi attack us?

(What? Could it seriously have been him?!)

(The magic beads that he used in front of us turned out to be a fake trick. He was clearly just a fraud… wasn’t he?) 

Priest: I… I don’t know…

Yoichi: So it’ll take some pain to get you to talk, huh?

Priest: Hrk… S-Stop!! 

(...!)

Yoichi casually wrenched the priest’s arm behind his back.

Priest: I—I’ll talk…! Please don’t break my arm…

Yoichi: Well? Don’t keep me waiting too long. 

(...Yoichi-san looks like a completely different person now.)

Priest: Urgh… Listen, I just—some stranger gave me this talisman…

Priest: A-And he told me that you can use it to summon a lesser ayakashi and make it attack someone.

(I can’t believe it…)

Astonished, I continued to listen to Yoichi’s interrogation.

Yoichi: Really. So you used it to terrorize a woman and a child? 

✦ part five

Yoichi: Really. So you used it to terrorize a woman and a child?

Priest: I-I wasn’t even sure whether or not it would really work!!

Priest: And when I saw that woman and the boy go into the woods, I…I just acted on impulse! Believe me!!

Yoichi: ……

Yoichi: Who was the man who gave you the talisman? What did he look like?

Priest: That’s what I don’t remember…

Yoichi: Are you kidding me? It didn't happen years ago, did it? 

Priest: I-I mean it! I truly mean it! My head feels all fuzzy whenever I try to remember who he was…

(How could that be possible?)

Yoichi: Somehow, it feels like you really are telling the truth. 

The priest nodded his head frantically at Yoichi’s chilling voice.

Yoichi: I wouldn't be surprised that a guy who can get his hands on that kind of talisman would be up to some shady stuff.

Priest: So you believe me, right?!?

Yoichi: Sure.

Yoichi: Is that everything you know?

Priest: Y-Yes.

Yoichi: Got it. 

Yoichi’s eyes narrowed, bereft of even a single hint of emotion. 

The hair on the nape of my neck stood up in fright as it suddenly became clear to me:

(Yoichi-san is going to kill him…)

Yoichi: …

One of Yoichi’s hands clamped over the priest’s mouth.

I couldn’t hold myself back once I saw it—I rushed through the bushes at that very moment.

Yoichi: …! Yoshino?

Yoshino: Stop!!

Yoichi’s eyes widened as he looked to me, and the knife in his hand stilled just as it was about to slash open the priest’s throat. 

(My ankle… It hurts…)

Searing pain radiated from my ankle; I collapsed to my knees, unable to bear the agony of standing. 

Priest: Y-You’re…

Yoichi: …The hell are you doing here, Yoshino?

Yoshino: I just… got a bad feeling when you left.

I looked up at Yoichi, speaking in a hoarse voice.

Yoshino: …Did you lie to me? When you said you forgot your knife?

Yoichi: That was because I knew that someone was watching us.

Yoshino: Then why did you hide that from me?! 

Yoichi: Because something like this would have happened.

His frigid, unfeeling gaze sent a shiver rattling down my spine. 

Yoichi: You wouldn’t stand back and watch without intervening if someone was about to be killed in front of you. Am I wrong, Yoshino?

Yoshino: …You’re not wrong. 

(I knew that Yoichi-san is the kind of man who would do anything it takes to achieve what he wants.)

(But I’d never personally seen him go to such extreme lengths before now, so I didn’t truly understand...)

(....That he was capable of looking at someone with such cold eyes.)

Yoshino: But don’t forget what you promised me. If you kill any of the townspeople of Kamakura, our deal is over. 

Yoichi: …

Yoichi stared hard at my face, as though he was trying to discern the true reason that I'd spoken to him so coldly.

I felt my palms grow clammy with sweat.

Yoichi: That said, it’s gonna make for a headache to let this guy free if he can’t keep his trap shut. 

Yoichi: For me, at least. But I bet he'll be trouble for you, too.

Yoichi: Don’t you think, Yoshino?

Chapter 6 Letter · Chapter 7 →

[sapphos-corner]

As the Seasons Pass ch. 4 "Mid September" ☆

Notes: Sabrina/Genie focused chapter. If you're just now joining, feel free to check out the first parts, which are linked in my pinned post.

Warnings: Regardless of what's in this chapter, this story as a whole is not intended for minors. Please do not interact with this if you're not 18+

Word count: 2K

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

Little butterflies flutter around in my chest as I open the door, revealing Sabrina. She's wearing a baggy tee shirt with army green cargo pants. Her skin is glowing and her eyes are sparkling. She's smiling big and reaches towards me for a hug.

"Hiiiiiiiii" in unison. We embrace for a couple seconds before I step aside to let her in. Gumball runs up to her, barking and tail wagging.

"Gumbaaaallll I've missed you so much little bit"

"Do you want a water or a soda or anything?" I'm still smiling at the interaction between the two.

"Water please"

I walk to the cabinet and grab a cup.

"How was the drive, what's new, any bitches you hate?"

"Drive was good, no new bitches to hate, and I've been okay. Joel took me to the arboretum the other day, my mom's being a trainwreck as usual, roommates are good, work is tolerable. That feels like the main updates. How about you? What's new?"

I hand her the full cup and we head to my room. She gets settled and we sit criss-cross on the bed facing each other.

"I've been pretty good. School's been stressing me a little, work has been ehh....its retail, ya know? My dad's doing well, mom is also a trainwreck but I haven't really heard from her recently. That's kinda it for me. Are you watching or listening to anything new?"

We continue on for a while, playing music we've discovered in our time apart. Eventually, we shift positions so we are sitting side-by-side on my bed. Both of our legs straightened out with my laptop resting on my thighs.

"Ooo, play this one, I watched it the other day, it made me think of you."

I drag the mouse over to the thumbnail and click. A few seconds into the video she inches a bit closer. By the end of the video her head is resting on my shoulder. She lays her hand on my bicep. When i look down in her direction, she is staring up at me.

"Hey"

"Hi"

Like anyone in this situation, I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do right now. I press my lips together and face forward. I lock my eyes on the screen and try to ignore the bubbling nerves. Is she aware of my side of this? Is she doing this on purpose, and if she is, does she realize how sadistic it is?

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

"Yeah it's so crazy dating someone that actually likes you, you know? Like sometimes I catch myself being mean to Joel because I don't say anything when he actually does make me upset. It just feels so weird to be able to tell him I'm upset and knowing he'll listen, like, I'm so used to just having to swallow every problem I have. And, I get really nervous about sabotaging my relationship with him because of that. So, I've been trying really hard to communicate and it just feels so weird," Chuckle "Like, what do you meeeaaan I can just tell you how something you did made me feel," Chuckle. "Like, what?? Anyways, yeah, I totally see where you're coming from with the joan thing. It's good she received that well."

"Yeah it was really cool for us to just talk it out and make up with each other cause we always used to get into such dramatic fights with each other over stuff like that. But with you and Joel, It does sound really difficult, but it's great he's being supportive and understanding of you while you break that habit. I'm really happy for you, you deserve someone that will do that for you. Don't get too down on yourself about it, I think it's normal to have phases like that with people when your connections start becoming long-term."

"Yeah, that's true. That makes me feel a little better about it cause I've been kind of upset with myself. Do you have your eye on anyone, or are you wanting to start dating again soon?"

"Ehhhh not particularly. I've been pretty happy by myself recently, like no one is in love with me right now but-"

"I'm in love with you" She coos this jokingly but it feels intentional.

"You're a straight woman" Chuckle

She covers her face with the pillow and laughs a bit, when she comes back up she looks at me through her furrowed eyebrows, her face is twisted in what looks to be embarrassment.

"But yeah, no ones in love with me right now and that's a good thing, ya know? I think a relationship would really throw me off right now."

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

"I had so much fun it was really nice to just have an us day agin. I feel like i haven't gotten to see a lot of you recently."

"Same! I missed you a ton. Let me know when you get home, okay? And send me your schedule when you can."

"Of course! I'll see you soon."

She walks out of the door and i'm hit with a mixture of grief and relief. A pretty common theme recently after i see her. I walk back to my room and fall backwards on my bed.

Fifteen minutes after her departure i receive a text from her.

Sabrina: Made it home okay ^.^ thanks for having me over, it was so refreshing to see you again.

Me: Same same, i hope u have a good night, love u!!

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

I open instagram and notice i have a dm, it's from one of sabrina's friends

Ingrid8shit: Heeeey renee is having a birthday party this weekend, ur invited!! It's gonna start at 7:30 and we're just gonna party and eat and such, lmk if you can make it!

Geniespamhell: Omg yay that's gonna be so fun, I'll be there. What does she want for her birthday?

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

I feel unusually exhausted after today. After my skincare, I slide into bed. I check the airbuds app to see what everyone's listening to and i notice that Sabrina has been listening to sofia by clairo on repeat since she left. This feels like progress, but i have to remind myself that my feelings tend to be false. But she doesn't even really like that genre so for it to be on repeat this whole time, it'd have to mean something.

In the midst of indulging in the emotional equivalent of overreaching on a ladder thirty feet from the ground, my phone starts to buzz. It's Val.

"Heeeeeeey" She's holding the camera at a low angle.

"You gotta booger"

"Not even, anyways what're you up to?"

"Not too much, I'm gonna go to bed soon i think"

"Oh, do you want me to let you go?"

"Ohemgee no, not even. What are you doing? Did you have a good day?"

"I'm not really up to anything, I just finished rewatching over the garden wall, and it made me think of you and I was wondering if you've seen it?"

"No, i haven't, what's it about?"

"Oh my god we have to watch it, you would love it. I can't even tell you what it's about, we just gotta watch it!!"

"I'm so down. You always recommend bangers. Also, did Ingrid message you?"

"Yeah. Are you gonna go?"

"I think so, yeah, are you?"

"For sure. Do you know what youre gonna get Renee for her birthday?"

"Ah, not yet, do you have any ideas?"

"I have no clue. I was thinking about maybe a trinket or something? We could go to the thrift together and look for some if you want?"

"Yesss that would be so fun."

"How was your day today?"

"It was...good."

"What'd you do?"

"I hung out with Sabrina."

"Was is gay?"

"Not really. I'm trying to stop entertaining it."

"That's real, you could do better than that."

"What do you mean?"

"Like, you could absolutely find someone that would publicly commit to you, is all. She's cool and everything don't get me wrong, but yeah you know? Just the typical sentiment of 'anyone that gonna treat you that way doesn't deserve you' Yada yada and so on."

"Yeah. It still makes me kinda sad though. But yeah, enough of that. What did you do today?"

"Well, I rewatched over the garden wall, as you already know, I made some chicken gnocchi soup, I worked the morning shift, so i was out by 1:30, I took a nap, all typical things."

"Agh that sounds so nice lowkey i wish we hung out today. I was thinking about texting you earlier but i figured you would be busy."

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

The day of the party, sabrina finally responds to the text i sent her after the last time we hung out

Sabrina: Heyyyy sorry i took forever, I've been running around all day cooking and stuff for the party tonight, but can you still make it?

Genie: No worries! Also yes ofc i wouldn't dream of missing it:))

Sabrina: Yaaaay I'lll see u when u get here<3

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

Of course fuckass joel is here. He's on the edge of the couch with his face buried in his phone. Sabrina finishes a cup of wine and turns to me

"We got a bouncy castle and I've been IN that bitch. Do you wanna go?"

"For sure"

Me, sabrina, and Charlie bounce around for a few minutes and sabrina falls on her back

"Do you wanna hangout with me and joel on the couch inside?"

"Yeah, sure."

Just like always, once we get around joel, it's radio silence from sabrina. There's no way she expects me to just sit here in silence with them during the party. I turn towards sabrina and attempt to start conversation just to get snubbed. She cuts me off before i even get through the sentence.

"Yeah, I get it." She stares daggers at me as she says this. Her eyes squint slightly, yet there's a strange desperation in her eyes. It's as if she's begging me to not interact with her around him.

I roll my lips and look the other way. Val's in the kitchen. She's laughing and just being a goober like usual.

"I'll be back, I'm gonna go say hi to Val"

This falls on deaf ears. Obviously. I roll my eyes and head over to the kitchen

"Heeeeeey!!"

"Hi!!"

She pulls me into a hug and we squeeze each other before separating. She grabs my hand and leads me to the table

"Do you wana take a shot?"

"Absolutely!"

A couple of sabrina's roommates join in and we take the shot. As usual, Sabrina is just sitting in silence with her fuckass boyfriend and doing absolutely nothing.

Everything stays the same until Joel leaves and sabrina makes me a plate to take home. After putting the plate in the fridge, she proceeds to glue herself to my side for the remainder of the night. At this point I'm fucking exhausted. What is the truth? She's the one person that I'd expect to treat me nicely, yet she's the only person here who's treated me like a gnat all night. Until he leaves, of course. Right. Got it.

She proceeds to interrupt any conversation that Val and I have. She makes it a point to cut off Val specifically. She keeps making jokes about our friendship being homoerotic. She laughs at everything Val is saying with an air of spite. Making jokes about being a lesbian. Why is she doing this? I'm not cool with this behavior. In fact, I'm extraordinarily embarrassed that i have been stressing over this bullshit for a year now. Fuck. this.

The party starts to wrap up. i leave the plate she made me and i get into my car. I sit in silence for a few minutes before starting to scream at the top of my lungs. I hit the steering wheel and cry and scream and basically just lose my shit after spending the last year as contained and patient as possible. I have lost hope and trust in this. I'm so sick and tired of this. The damage caused by this constant push and pull is beginning to surface. She's being cryptic for sport, that's the only conclusion i can come to at this point. She knows what she's doing. Why else would she flip her behavior like that? I call Joan because I don't know what else to do.

[dahliasanddimples]

DAY FUCKING 30 THIRTY!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHH omg

I’m more excited about making it to day 30 than actual day 30.

Feels the same as day 23ish-29 but whatever lol I made it. Weird how fast I got over you. and I say it all the time but it’s really bc you played me so bad the first time during Valentine’s Day. Like nothing can hurt as much as that. Being left to my own thoughts after reaching out to you all week actually seriously concerned bc what other acceptable reason was there for you to ignore me all week especially during Valentine’s Day?? Like BE FUCKING FORREAL. I think about all the times I was there for you and damn I was really down for you. I WAS YOUR BOTTOM BITCH I FUCKING RODE FOR YOU. I was actually super concerned about you and then we tried it again, coincidentally, for 30 days and then boom. We weren’t together anymore, officially. The toxic part of me wants to ask if we’re done breaking up lol if heart break was a thing it would be that. Like I actually cried bc of how drunk I was. I cried so fucking much like I would just go about my day and start crying. It’s the fact that I reached out to you and I didn’t get any response back. Like are we done? Are we not done. Like I’ve never been so heart broken that I actually cried bc I was so drunk!! I know there are good men out there

Side note: men who don’t know how to flirt literally flirt like kids in elementary school. And it’s cute when they’re not ugly but its harassment when they’re ugly lmfaaoooo

Good men but I’m out of they’re league. Good men only bc im out of they’re league. Good men. Great men. Men who want the same life as me. And the same future.

Day 30 and I think I’m at a point where I’m not mad at you, I miss you but I don’t think I want you. I almost pity you. Like I actually feel bad for you? That you’re a total loser? Like it’s so unlike me to not text my ex but here I am. And it’s not something in me telling me not to text you. It’s not a feeling but something just tells me not to text you. I mean okay I do think about texting you sometimes. And you do pop up in my dreams sometimes.

Side note: I just think about who I am as a person and where I grew up and I think about the people I grew up with and can’t believe I actually made it to where I am today. Like my peers, idk. But I can say we really did all start from the same beginning and I had the same hardships as them and my mom raised three fucking kids by herself and we’re all doing pretty fucking good. Well at least I am. Like wait. I’m almost supernatural 😨😨😨😨 and I don’t mean to brag but HOLY GWAC A FUCKING MOLIE MOLE I can’t. Like I know I’m above average looking, that’s facts. Like facts on facts. But it’s beyond that. Like I grew up ugly actually lol so I have a personality. Like I’m actually super fucking witty. And funny. And entertaining. And I’m a hot fucking bitch. But I’m humble about all this. ON TOP OF I HAVE FUCKING RARE DIMPLES AND AN AMAAAAAAAZING SMILE. And beautiful legs. And a cute and perky little butt. If I was given boobs it would actually bc game over. Like not fair to the world lol. I’m driven. I’m motivated. I’m lazy sometimes and I’m a procrastinator (when it comes to work) but you know I’m actually not a bad catch. I know how to cook and I love to cook. I love being organized and clean and I’m very innovative.

Your qualities are… well social media flaunt. Maybe when we had to end for the betterment of both of us. Maybe now you’re thinking, what can I offer the next girl. Bc if you think about what you can offer, ehh, it’s not much. Maybe you’re used to girls, emphasis on girls and not women, throwing themselves at you. And that’s cool but like what do you actually have to offer? Like yeah boy I seeeeeeenT that hairlike receding 👀 did your forehead get bigger? Gotta be both. Aweee it’s actually kinda sad and I do feel bad for you but you have the power to change your life. You have the power to want to better your life! Yes I do feel bad but I don’t bc I don’t understand how someone struggling with money can spend so much on drugs, call off so much from the two days that they do work, and not get a real job. I pity you. And I think it starts with your hair line. I’ve seen old pics of you and damn you had nice ass hair. I caught like the end piece of you. Caught you after your super long relationship. Caught you off guard a little probably. I re downloaded my trap phone and I saw our old messages. For a second, and nothing more, I think I was sad and I missed you. I think you were still working in finance.

Our feelings for each other were ok different schedules. I liked you so much early on and with all the let downs from you I guarded myself and when you liked me so much I was still guarded.

Feelings are such a blur sometimes. It’s like, I can’t e en fathom how sad I felt after that Valentine’s Day incident. To make it worse, you didn’t even make it up to me? At this point I’m actually sad for myself. I PITY myself. I’m so sad for me and what I let slide. You didn’t even make it up to me? Valentine’s Day. It’s always, I’m going to. I was going to. And always ends there but actually never did. Did not even make it up to me. I can’t believe I let that slide. Did not even make it up to me. Sometimes I feel bad but financial burdens are not an excuse especially with you bc you have 5 days off in the week. Like my Uber driver said, working two days is just like throwing out the garbage. The. Bare. Fucking. Minimum. And you know what. You were the bare fucking minimum. Love don’t pay the bills. I do feel bad for you and I know I made the right choice to leave. And it really is the best for the both of us.

I realize I don’t wanna date until I’m fully healed from this. I wanna come into the next relationship completely me with no baggage. And right now you’re baggage. It’s sad that I feel sad for you.

Literal, sorry for your loss ✌🏼🥺

Day 30 and I’m gonna stack it up. And when I’m completely healed and ready to date im gonna get a cute loft apartment downtown. A part of me would want to invite you over just so you can see where I live but I know I shouldn’t.

As I write all this I have flashbacks of you and me and us just being cute. Just being hugged up. And being cute. You were actually my best friend at one point. Like I had to see you everyday and talk to you everyday. And it is a habit. I used to long for you, actually yearn for you. And now I just think about you. Less and less. Everyday.

Day 30 and yes, I still think about you. But now I’m can socialize and not think about you so much. Day 30 and I’m finally focusing on me again. Day 30 and I realize you had nothing to offer, me at least. You were not benefiting my life you were actually holding me back.

There’s times where I think about the disrespect I let slide. Mid convo to just ignore me. It’s weird it’s like we see each other too much and we need space but as soon as we leave each other I just wanna be back with you. Like I hate you but I need to be with you. I need space but I can’t leave your side. That’s a bit toxic.

Day 30 and I just imagine the love I deserve and want. It’s really on some cute shit. It’s really on some kick my feet in the air cute shit. It’s with a buff guy with a nice chest and broad shoulders. Beard obvi WITH a jawline. Patience is virtue and I feel I’m not ready to settle down anyways so why rush it. I’m not ready for that and I do wanna see what’s out there. Plus the man of my dreams needs to date more women to see that I’m actually a catch lol

Day 30 and I’m finally able to focus on me. Day 30 and I’m at my own healing phase and I can’t wait until I’m healed enough to actually date!! Day 30 and I’m gonna focus on me and work on me and stack my bread and build these cakes OOHHHHHHHHH. Day 30 and I have goals again. Day 30 and I realize you’re a bit of a loser (British accent).

Less of you and more of me. Day 30 <3 😌🤪♥️