#i'm a puzzle but all of my pieces are jagged

[natigail]

PEDIA 2024 complete!!

I can hardly believe that another PEDIA (Posting Every Day In August) has come and gone! It's been a more chill time for me this year, with only posting fic every other day and filling the rest of the days with my little spilled thoughts post. Nonetheless, I'm so proud of the fics I've been posting this year.

Another longass chapter to my phan Stardew AU, four new chapters to my skz wolfpack AU, a new svt omegaverse AU introduced, completing my verkwan mafia AU two-shot, two new domestic phanfic one shots, dipping my toes into not one but two new fandoms with canon-aligned one shots. What a haul! Behold:

So many words, all in one little month! I know that fandomwise it's a bit all over the place, but thank you to anyone who's been reading any of these fics, I really appreciate it and it's been a delight to see the many comments that have been pouring in. Links to the fics below and a general link to the spilled thoughts posts:

Broke, Gay and New in Town

Rest in the Belly of the Wolf

I'm like a puzzle but all of my pieces are jagged

돈’t Resist (at least not me)

tumblr spilled thoughts posts

some of the most normal pictures

Nah, you wouldn't have spared me

Go out with a bang as it were

Wavering Hope

[milcycyrus-archived]

text - hayley williams

miley: miss you rockstar miley: where about's in the world are you right now? miley: your niece and nephew miss you we've been going through a paramore phase in the house and nova lights up so much it's adorable!! :') // @hayleyfame

[milcycyrus-archived]

miley: oh for sure - i'm not as sentimental but my mom is trying to make me into one but it's just not happening even with the kids, thanks boo, that means alot. miley: yes i'm down but i'm currently filming ;) only for a small cameo but still filming for something.

Maddie: It happens, as sad as it is. I'm sure you will hold onto the copy you might have as a memory forever though, right? I would as I'm a sentimental person. I will, always for you, girlie!

Maddie: Well, how about we meet for a ladies lunch first and go from there?

[milcycyrus-archived]

text - cari fletcher

miley: cari my girl!! miley: tell me why has it been so long since i last saw you and please, how's married life treating you and tori? miley: better than mine was? 😂 || @cariielise

[milcycyrus-archived]

text message - taylor zakhar perez

miley: i saw a car number plate with your initals on it this morning and thought it might have been you, but clearly it wasn't!! miley: anyway thank you for coming to nova's birthday party, loved seeing you and finally getting that hug!! || @therestayzakhar

[milcycyrus-archived]

miley: i'm not looking forward to being away from you, how long is this tour again? i swear baby brain is kicking in and you've told me so many times, but i just keep forgetting. hmm a short vacation with my favourite human next to nova sounds something i could get down with. i know why you did and i get it. miley: remember when we first started dating and we'd just sit in your apartment for days watching so much trash tv, that honestly sounds so much nicer than going away isn't that weird? miley: it's a done deal baby. i'll see if momma cyrus wants to watch her grandchild.

awsten : what if we did something -- just you and me ? i only have so much time before tour and i won't get to see you , kiss you , touch you . baby , we should take a short vacation or just escape for a bit . just us . make up for ditching on you and show you how sorry i am and how much i missed you and fucking love you . awsten : we don't even have to actually go anywhere , could just be a few days at my old apartment . just bring your beautiful self . what do you say ?

[moghraidhs]

For the angst prompt list ❤️

“you can’t expect me to believe nothing happened, not when you flinch everytime something touches you. ” (Buck x Bucky)

some angst for my fellow angst junkie <3

Gale's always been a light sleeper. Too many nights spent curled up on benches outside the racetrack or the bar have left him sensitive to the slightest threat, and the war hasn't done much to change that.

He wakes sometime in the early hours of the morning. It's snowing outside, and the little cabin is freezing. All around there are men coughing or shivering or snoring, but they're not the problem.

Bucky is.

He's turned away from Gale, facing the wall, but there's something unnatural about his stillness. Like he's holding his breath, waiting for something bad to happen.

Nightmare. Gale knows it without even asking.

He's not sure what bothers him more, how quiet the nightmares are, or how often they come - which is every few nights since Bucky's release from the infirmary. He'd had them there too, and Gale had tried to put together the bits and pieces slurred out in delirium into a whole picture of what had happened since Bucky landed. The puzzle remains just as jagged and unsettling, however.

He shifts a bit closer to Bucky, not touching him, but just enough so Bucky knows he's there. "You okay?"

It's a while before Bucky answers. "M' fine, Buck. Go back to sleep."

He's quiet. Too quiet.

"Was it the crash?" Normally Gale would leave it alone, but he can't help pushing this time. "You never said how you ended up like you did."

Bucky shifts. "I'm here now, aren't I? I'm okay. Promise."

Gale closes his eyes, fighting the urge to scream. At their situation, at the cold, at whoever had done this to Bucky, of all people. Bright, reckless, soft-hearted Bucky. He doesn't deserve this. None of them do.

He waits until the stinging behind his eyes has abated to speak again. "You can't expect me to believe nothin' happened, not when you flinch every time someone touches you. But you don't gotta tell me if you don't want to, alright? I'm here, John."

It's quiet for a long while, with nothing but the sound of the wind outside and the occasional cough to disturb the stillness.

Finally, Bucky rolls over. The bunk creaks slightly as he burrows against Gale like a giant Labrador puppy, burying his face in Gale's neck. "Sorry, Buck."

There's a lump in Gale's throat, but he answers anyway. "Nothin' to be sorry for." He strokes Bucky's tangled curls, and when Bucky starts to tremble in his hold, Gale kisses the top of his head, fighting his own tears.

He'll get them both out of here, he promises himself. One way or another.

[grimfox]

became so small,

i didn't exist at all

i tried to be happy

i did the things that we're all told to do

i found someone who made me think that i

had found a piece of truth

but then the lie kept seeping through

this was not i

there was no heart to prove just

duty and a tomb

a private ire/burning fuse

i watched my life ignite, consumed

the jagged puzzle pieces tossed in the tornado

hollowed through

i wandered aimless in a doom

that had no name

and i'm to blame, it's true

i knew i wasn't happy

never could be

out of tune,

with nothing gained/my life to lose

[milcycyrus-archived]

miley: another two weeks? what the actual fuck why are you doing this to me? i'm kidding, i was trying to be dramatic but i can't be well can just not to you haha. i would love to be the reason why you have a little break though plus it'll be an even better time. miley: it was so incredible to be able to watch two of my set of friends doing thier shit on stage, makes me a little sad that don't do it anymore. yes and yes. i know she turned one back in may and emerson is growing too quickly he's four months and i don't like it. yeah we are good, we just had a bit of an argument over a couple of things, normal couple things.

𝒕𝒆𝒙𝒕 ⇢ 𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒚 ❤️‍🔥 sarah: for another two weeks, lady ! so either you come to me within then and we totally be bad influence's on one another, or i'm heading to Malibu for a little break right after, so if you can wait a teeny tiny bit longer and i'll come smother you in love sarah: uhmmm consider me JEALOUS. i need to catch another eras tour before it all ends. so what i'm hearing is, we'll be breaking out the strong tequila. i can't believe she's turning one, what the fuck ???? but you and awesten, are things okay there ?

[milcycyrus-archived]

text - liam hemsworth

miley: hey you miley: what happened to us hanging out in ireland? to break the internet? just kidding miley: tell me all of your gossip, please. // @theliamhems

[navybrat817]

Reluctant

Pairings: Max Burnett x Female Reader, Nick Fowler x Female Reader, Max Burnett x Female Reader x Nick Fowler Summary: Max and Nick say you're not playing a game, but you find yourself to be a reluctant player anyway. Word Count: Over 1.3k Warnings: E.S.C., reference to threesome, possessive behavior, manipulation, bickering, slight feels (it's me), Max Burnett and Nick Fowler are kind of assholes (and they're warnings, okay?). A/N: Didn't plan for more this week, but here we are! Set after The Truth Will Set You Free. ❤️ Not beta read and written on my phone, so any and all mistakes are my own. Moodboard by yours truly, banner by the wonderful @sgt-seabass, and divider by the amazing @firefly-graphics . Please follow @navybrat817-sideblog for new fics and notifications. Comments, reblogs, feedback are loved and appreciated!

Laying in bed in the unfamiliar and impersonal room, you wondered how it came to this. True to Max's word, he didn't tell you where he and Nick brought you after their little interrogation. Though you were angry, it didn't stop you from letting them wreck you once they got you back to this room. Their stamina shouldn't have surprised you, but it did and you graciously took them up on their offer to rest.

They were even nice enough to clean you up.

Not that it did you much good. While your body needed to recoup, your mind didn't stop racing. You felt like you hadn't slept at all.

What do they want with me?

"Get up."

Nick stood beside the bed already dressed for the day in jeans and a light blue sweater. It should've frightened you how quiet could be, especially since you hadn't seen him come back into the room. You could smell breakfast on the other side of the door, tempting you to leave. Despite the small growl in your stomach, you didn't move.

"Good morning to you, too. And no. I'm sore and worn out thanks to the two of you."

Only a little sore. I could go again.

Nick sighed and extended his hand. "You're a better liar than that. And as much as I love seeing you in bed, you can't stay here all day."

"Why not?" you asked, letting the sheet fall as you sat up and stretched your arms over your head. You didn't miss the way Nick eyed the swell of your breasts with a kind of hunger that made you shiver. "I should be on vacation and it's not like I have a job at the moment."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that," he said, his hand still waiting for yours.

"What? You have a job for me?"

"Possibly working with me, yes," he answered without going into more details. "Now get up. I won't ask again."

"Are you always so bossy?" you asked rhetorically.

Reluctantly, you placed your hand in his and allowed him to pull you to your feet. Instead of backing up to give you space, he tugged you close so your naked body brushed against his. You stiffened in his grasp when he grabbed your chin, but you didn't push him away.

"I can't have you uncomfortable being close to me if we're going to work together," he said as his thumb swept over your lower lip. "But I'm happy to remind you how much you liked me being inside you if that's what it takes."

You allowed Nick to slip his thumb past your lips. The stretch you felt when his cock breached you earlier was a beautiful thing. Being between his and Max's bodies, you fell to pieces. The problem is you didn't recognize yourself once you put yourself back together. You had some jagged edges before you met Max, but you were no longer your own puzzle master.

You were a puppet on a string.

Nick hissed when you bit down on his thumb and wrenched his hand free. You didn't draw blood, but you wanted him to feel a sting. It wasn't wrong that part of you felt a little vindictive.

"Not interested in working with you, Nick," you said as you grabbed his hand. Looking into his eyes, you brought it back to your mouth and kissed the bite mark on his thumb. "But thanks for asking."

"Told you so," Max said from the doorway, clad in boxers and a t-shirt.

Your stomach twisted as you glanced at him. There was still so much you needed to say to him. Was your head even in the right place for it?

Nick glared as the darker haired man. "Yeah? And you think you're in her good graces?"

"Working on it," he shrugged.

"Don't talk about me like I'm not here!" you said, your patience starting to run thin. "We still haven't talked about what the two of you did! I should be on a beach enjoying my day, but now I'm stuck here. And I don't feel like playing any games today."

"We told you this isn't a game," Max said, pointedly ignoring the fact that they played you. "And if it were, do you really think you're winning? We have your phone, ID, and passport locked up for the time being in case you try to run."

"And even if you manage to leave, you don't have access to your money. You don't have anything. Who would help you?" Nick added.

Maybe the man back home you don't know about.

"So I'm a prisoner unless I do what you tell me. And here I thought I was winning because I got the two of you. I'm so lucky. Instead of one dick to deal with, I have two."

Your heart pounded as you glanced between the two of them. Both of them smiled in return.You expected that they'd have full control over the situation. Some part of you deep down thought you deserved this. Most people in your life before didn't care if they ever saw you again.

Most. Not all. But why are these two so eager to hold onto me?

"I thought we fucked most of that brattiness out of you," Nick mused as you tried to shove him away. He didn't budge.

"That's the thing about brattiness. It comes back," Max smiled.

You would know all about that.

"You watched me," you accused Nick, not having to fake the tears that swelled in your eyes. "And you lied to me," you spat at Max.

"Don't look at me like that," he said.

"Like what?" you asked, keeping your gaze as impassive as possible as you blinked the tears away.

"Like I'm going to hurt you," Max said as he walked toward you.

"You already did," you pointed out.

"And I'd do it all over again if it means having you here," Max told you, gripping your chin the way Nick had moments ago. "But we won't hurt you again now that we have you."

The conviction in his voice had your next breath a bit shaky. You stared into his eyes, trying to see beyond the walls he built. You thought you knocked them down, but he had more right behind them.

And Nick was another story. You'd have to peel back the layers to get to the root of him. It was a matter of how to do so.

Because neither of them were sorry since they got you in the end.

"I don't trust either of you. You have to realize that," you said.

Nick brought his mouth to your ear. "We know and can't change what we did."

"But we can show you that it's better to face forward," Max said, brushing his fingers along your neck.

"Show me? How?"

"We know you won't trust our words uet," Nick said, bringing a hand to your hip. "So you'll have to trust our bodies for now."

"It felt good, didn't it? Taking both of us?" Max asked, his voice softening as you briefly closed your eyes. "You nearly soaked the sheets."

"And you did soak our cocks," Nick said as you trembled. "You can do it again."

Before you let them get any further, since your body liked the idea of being between them again, you slipped out of their grasp. "After I eat breakfast," you said, grabbing the nearest discarded shirt to put on.

"After breakfast," Max agreed all too easily.

"And maybe we can talk about the job," you said to Nick. "I'll have to have separate conversations with each of you because I'm still pissed."

Maybe I can tear you each a new one for basically keeping me hostage here.

"A maybe is better than a no," Nick smiled.

You ignored their lustful stares as you stepped backwards toward the door and left the room. You were their prey, but you could also be the predator. It was just a matter of setting the trap.

And if you truly wanted to escape these two men who seemed hellbent on owning you.

Oh, what will we do with them? Hehe. Love and thanks for reading! ❤️

Masterlist ⚓ Read Between the Lies Masterlist ⚓ Ko-Fi

[lustrous-dawn]

A tap on the mirror, a golden glow enveloping it before it vanished. Blinking, Zhen looked up at Caelus, “That’s all you're going to show me?”

“I believe you need to process this information before I continue any further.” Claws placed over one another, the Rayquaza rumbled, “You have a golden heart like Reiko. I believe you allowed the humans to take advantage of it and this is why you have found yourself in this… state.” 

Zhen bristled. “It would have been better if I was left with anything to go off of.” Memory bloomed. 

Zhen cradled the cup in his hand carefully. It was something new and refreshing, warm to the touch. Beside him were scrolls, dimly lit by the candlelight, the tiny flame flickering in the breeze. His mind could only process so much before becoming overwhelmed. He took the moment to unwind, staring down at his reflection.��

The scrolls taught him transformation, a means to mingle with the humans and adapt. Yet the shape he manifested teased at his memory. He held his hand aloft in the soft glow, making note of the calluses across his palm and knuckles. Fit but lean, his skin tawny within the light yet his eyes retained the same piercing gold as his true form. 

A small shuffle at his side attracted his attention. He had all but forgotten about the small pup slumbering next to him.

"Hikori," he murmured, a hand softly stroking the Growlithe's fur. A soft whine from the dog as he felt on his side, leg slightly kicking, tail wagging. 

Zhen smiled softly, taking a sip of his drink. Warm. Sweet with a hint of spice. Combee honey? He chased after it with another sip, resting back, relaxed.

“Not all of it was completely useless,” he amended, earning himself a raised brow from the Rayquaza. “But still. What is there to copy when there is nothing?” 

“Much like you, Reiko had no plan. She went with her instinct alone and with my advice. Did your prior self truly leave nothing behind? I find the notion difficult to believe.”

Prior self… I'm all manners of fucked up.

A thought he kept to himself. He remembered… other things. Memories of a kind lord, thoughts of ambition and strength. Thoughts of a sword. Nothing of a Ho-oh. Jagged pieces of a puzzle that hurt his brain more often than not since seeing the gravestone. 

My gravestone.

None of it made sense. 

“I see all of this is too much.” Caelus murmured. “Rest on it. We will return to this at a better time. For now, we need to focus on your abilities.”  

[emma-m-black]

Soul Mate Magic - Chapter Twelve

Rupert Giles x OC (FanFiction) - MATURE 18+

A new magical transfer comes to Sunnydale High, and ends up discovering a magical connection with our favorite Watcher.

OC is 19+ (Not a Minor), Age Gap, Slow Burn-ish (with a little preview thrown in there during the Bandy Candy Episode).

____

Okay so I just finished writing Chapter 20!! I'm so glad that some people seem to be enjoying this story and reading it haha 🩷 I cannot wait to get these all uploaded, and it is taking all my willpower to not just post everything right now, but I'm gonna try and do a few days in between each post.

____

Author Master List

Read: Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three, Chapter Four, Chapter Five, Chapter Six, Chapter Seven, Chapter Eight, Chapter Nine, Chapter Ten, Chapter Eleven,

Chapter Twelve:

Since Christmas Eve, Rose had barely a moment to herself, suffocated by the constant presence of her new-found friends. It wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate their concern, but their pitiful glances and whispered conversations behind her back gnawed at her nerves. She needed time—time to breathe, time to think. She craved silence from their endless protection. When classes finally resumed, it was her first chance to at least be alone in the crowd, despite Buffy and Giles’s lingering disapproval.

The ride to Sunnydale High in Oz’s van was a brief escape, but not nearly enough. By the time Rose sat down for English, the weight of everything pressed on her once again. She let her mind wander, her pen idly scratching across the notebook page when she felt it—a flicker of magic, like the brush of cold air against her skin. Her notebook lifted ever so slightly off the desk.

Her heart pounded as she found a folded scrap of paper underneath. The ink had bled through hints of jagged letters on the other side. Rose glanced at Willow beside her, but her friend was engrossed in her own work. Slowly, with careful fingers, she unfolded the note beneath her book.

If you want answers, you need to get away from your annoyingly attached friends. Use the cafeteria exit. Your equally annoying family isn’t watching it. - Ethan

Her breath caught in her throat. Ethan. A trick, maybe, but what would her family gain from pretending to be him? And why now? Despite the warning bells ringing in her head, it was tempting. Ethan was part of Giles’s magical past—a piece of the puzzle Rose had been desperately trying to solve.

It’s worth the risk.

There was no slipping away unnoticed if Willow caught wind of her plan. Rose steadied her breath, whispering a word beneath it, “Subsisto.“ The world around her froze mid-motion: the teacher, the ticking clock, the tapping of pencils. Time held still as she darted from her seat, her bag and books clutched to her chest.

Once in the hall, the spell’s effect ebbed. She could already feel it faltering. Heart hammering in her chest, she rushed toward the cafeteria exit, knowing Willow would soon be on her trail. Sunlight blinded her as she burst through the doors, but she barely had time to register Ethan’s dark, triumphant smile before everything went black.

When Rose awoke, cold tile pressed against her cheek, the metallic stench of mildew filling her lungs. Disoriented, she blinked through the haze clouding her mind. Where am I? A dingy bathroom spun into focus, and her stomach twisted as fear anchored in her gut.

“What—?” Her voice came out hoarse, barely above a whisper.

Ethan’s face came into view, a smirk plastered across his face as he crouched in front of her. “Why, hello love.”

Her first instinct was to lunge at him, but a sharp jolt of pain held her back. She looked down—her wrists were bound in thick iron cuffs, etched with runes that pulsed faintly. Chains rattled as she struggled, securing her to a rusted pipe behind her. Panic surged through her as she reached for her magic, only to find emptiness. The familiar spark was gone.

“They negate your magic.” Ethan’s voice dripped with amusement as Rose continued her futile attempts to summon her power. “Did you really think I’d meet you without a way to nullify your power? Plus, this keeps you hidden from both your lover and your family.”

Rose gritted her teeth. “So, this was all just a trap.”

“Yes and no,” Ethan replied, standing up and dusting off his hands. “I needed to separate you from your babysitters. As much as I enjoy chaos, I have information you want and I don’t need the band of misfits trying to kill me.”

Her mind raced, but it kept circling back to Giles—how furious he would be, how reckless she’d been. “How do I know you’re not lying?”

Ethan’s smile widened, a glint of malevolence in his eyes. “Because it will kill Ripper to know the truth, and nothing gives me more pleasure than watching him self-destruct. So don’t worry, today is not the day you die, Rose.”

His words struck like a knife, slicing through her resolve. The air around her felt heavier, suffocating. “Why do you hate him so much?” Rose spat, though her voice wavered.

“Hate? Oh, darling, I don’t hate him. I pity him.” Ethan crossed his arms, his tone thick with sarcasm. “Your white knight, hiding behind his books, preaching about morality when he’s done worse than most of the monsters he fights.”

Rose’s heart pounded in her chest. “If I’m here to just listen to you slander him, you’re wasting your breath. Rupert is a good man.”

“Is he now?” Ethan’s gaze bore into her. “Tell me, those feelings you have for him—do they feel real? Or are they just a spell, carefully crafted to bind you to him?”

Her blood ran cold. “What are you talking about?”

“It’s a spell, love.” His voice was low, almost gentle, as though he enjoyed watching her break. “Years ago, Ripper and I performed a little ritual. A spell to draw out the one person whose magic would perfectly complement our own. Someone who would satisfy every need, every desire. We were lonely men dear, you have to understand. However, it is my luck that your pesky family curse has made everything so much more fun. “

Rose’s breath hitched, the world around her narrowing into a suffocating tunnel. “A spell?“

Her heart splintered under the weight of his words. Everything she had felt—her attraction to Giles, her growing connection—was it all fabricated and by Giles himself? Tears stung the corners of her eyes, but she blinked them away, refusing to give Ethan the satisfaction of seeing her crumble.

“We thought we did it wrong, that it didn’t work. Then, to my surprise, about five years ago, I found him. Hugh was my everything; we complimented each other perfectly... until the Watchers killed him for using dark magic.” Ethan’s voice was quieter now, but the bitterness behind his words cut deep. Then he left the room, his retreat leaving a hollow silence.

Rose’s pulse quickened, her heart pounding against her chest. It wasn’t just the realization that Ethan had lost someone—someone who completed him, just like she thought Giles did for her—but the creeping fear that slithered into her mind. Was her bond with Giles just an illusion? Just another manipulation?

“So this is all revenge on Rupert because the Council killed the man you bewitched into loving you?” she asked, her voice strained as she pulled at the cuffs, trying to loosen her wrist even a fraction.

Ethan reappeared, a twisted smile tugging at his lips. “No, I’ve wanted revenge on Ripper for much longer than that. Hugh... he gave me a purpose, a new life. But now that he’s gone, what else is there?” He stepped forward, the glint of something cold in his hand catching Rose’s attention.

Her heart dropped as she saw the blade—a ceremonial dagger, its hilt adorned with the same runes that marked her family’s coven. Recognition hit her like a punch to the gut. “How did you get that?” Her voice trembled with fear she could no longer suppress.

“You’re not the only one with friends, love.” Ethan’s smirk deepened as he leaned casually against the doorframe. He twirled the dagger, the metal catching the dim light, making her stomach churn. “Now, here’s where you find yourself, Rose. I want access to your coven’s magic. In exchange, I’ll give you the spell to sever the magical aspect of your romantic connection with Ripper. He’ll still be your guardian in this little curse of yours, but you’ll be free from the... nasty effect your death will have on him.”

Rose felt the walls closing in, her breaths growing shallow as panic settled in her chest. “Why would I even bother? I’m going to die anyway. What difference does it make?” The words came out sharper than she intended, though beneath them was a thread of desperation she couldn’t mask.

“The spell, love.” Ethan’s eyes gleamed with a cruel satisfaction. “Judging by how close you two were when I first met you, I’d wager you’ve already consummated your bond—emotionally and physically. That’s how the spell fully connects, you see. It ties you to each other in ways you can’t escape. If you die...” He let the words hang in the air, his grin widening. “Rupert dies too.”

Rose’s heart stopped, her blood running cold. “What?” Her voice barely escaped her lips. A strangled whisper as the weight of his words settled on her like a shroud. “But...”

Ethan’s smile widened. “But I’m alive, aren’t I? See, I severed the connection between myself and Hugh long before his death. I’m not one for being tied down and when I realized the love, I felt was a result of the spell, I found a way to break it.” He paused, watching her intently, savoring her unraveling. “Unfortunately, we really did love each other, so it still felt like my heart was being ripped out when his was pierced with a dagger. So, here’s your dilemma, love. If you die, are you going to take Ripper with you?”

“No...” Rose’s throat tightened, her vision blurring as tears welled in her eyes. The book Anya had shown her—the passage about the bond—it had been true. All of it, just not in the context they thought. “No,” she whispered again, as if saying it enough times would make it false, but deep down, she knew. She had known for a while that what she felt was deep down was only magic.

“You really are unlucky, aren’t you?” Ethan cooed, circling her like a predator, savoring its prey. “Cursed by your ancestors and bewitched by a warlock... It’s almost poetic.”

The first tear slipped down her cheek before she could stop it, but once it started, more followed. She couldn’t hold back the flood of emotions crashing into her all at once. The love she thought was hers—real and pure—was a fabrication, an enchantment woven into the very fabric of her being.

“So... it’s all a lie?” Her voice cracked, barely above a whisper. The room felt impossibly small, the walls pressing in as her heart broke into pieces.

“No, not entirely. The love I felt for Hugh was still there after I broke the spell, even when I didn’t want to feel it.” Ethan crouched down in front of her, brushing a tear from her cheek with a mockingly gentle touch. “The connection would have been there, but without the spell and given your age differences, you’d have dismissed it as a fleeting crush. And Rupert, well, he would’ve remained the saintly, rule-abiding Watcher, keeping his distance, never acting on his feelings.”

A sob caught in her throat as another tear slipped free. Ethan’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he watched her crumble. “But I could have never expected what I would find here in Sunnydale, here you are... bound to him in ways you can’t control. Tell me, Rose, do you really want to take him with you to the grave?”

Rose closed her eyes, leaning her head back against the cold wall, feeling utterly defeated. Her mind raced, spinning through the impossible choices laid before her. She couldn’t bear the thought of Giles—Rupert—dying because of her. But to sever the bond meant surrendering to Ethan, allowing him into her coven’s magic. Was there any way out? Any path that wouldn’t end in ruin?

“I can’t do the ritual like this.” Her voice was hoarse, broken as she lifted her shackled wrists slightly in a half-hearted gesture.

“I’m well aware,” Ethan responded smoothly.

“Well?” Rose whispered, her voice trembling as she glanced down at the enchanted cuffs biting into her wrists.

“I’m not stupid, love,” Ethan replied smoothly, his tone condescending as he eyed her restraints. “I’m not releasing you until we’re ready for the ritual. Besides, I’d like Ripper to stew in his own guilt a little longer before we meet up again. Once the time comes, we’ll gather with your do-gooder friends, and once you’ve brought me into the coven, I’ll give you the spell to sever your connection with your beloved Watcher.”

He straightened himself, his gaze cold and calculating as it bore down on her. “But I think I’d like to see you a bit weaker before that. Can’t have you overpowering me, now can we? You see, with those cuffs binding you, the longer you and Ripper are apart, the weaker you’ll both become.” His smile was a cruel, deliberate thing, full of satisfaction. “Gotta even the playing field somehow, because I want to enjoy watching Rupert lose yet another woman he cares for.”

Rose’s heart pounded painfully in her chest as Ethan turned and left, the door clicking shut behind him. The moment she was alone, the silence of the musty bathroom swallowed her whole. It was as if every fear and doubt she’d been holding back came crashing down in an unrelenting wave. Her breath hitched, and before she could stop it, the sobs ripped from her throat, raw and helpless.

Her body shook as she cried, the weight of Ethan’s words crashing over her. Every tear that fell was a reminder of how trapped she was—physically, emotionally, magically. The truth carved itself deeper into her heart with every ragged breath. Her love for Giles twisted into a cruel, unnatural connection. It wasn’t real, none of it was real.

And yet, the pain that tore through her wasn’t a lie. The fear of what was happening to them—of what could happen to Giles—was all too real. Ethan’s game, his twisted manipulation, had reduced her to this—bound, broken, and desperate, with no clear way out.

Each sob that wracked her body felt like a betrayal of her own strength, but she couldn’t stop.

Chapter Thirteen

[secretlywritingstories]

I'm like a puzzle but all of my pieces are jagged | svt omegaverse AU

Summary: Lee Jihoon only had one more season on the marriage mart to snatch up an alpha, but he didn't want to bind himself to a life of servitude. He'd done a pretty good job driving away suitors until the very eligble Earl Choi, who seemed immune to his sharp tongue. He was not in a position to deny such an alpha's interests.

So, he ran away to the city and disguised himself as a beta. Unfortunately, he ended up right in front of that very same alpha. To get involved with him could be a chance to achieve his musical dreams but he would have to keep his identity hidden or risk losing everything.

Tags: Omegaverse, non-traditional A/B/O, enemies to friends to lovers, secret identity, musical genius!Jihoon, runaway

Any warnings will be in the top notes of each chapter

Read on AO3

[milcycyrus-archived]

miley: mason is one of my literal best friends and i know what you mean to him and you are literally carrying his child after all, so two pregnant women can't be arguing with one another now can we over something dumb? yeah i'm pregnant again, didn't think it would happen so quickly but here we are....i'm four and half months, i haven't been telling many people about it yet keeping this kind underwraps but it felt the need to tell you. miley: yeah and i get it, my bad - i'm sorry. {i never apologize btw} but i am sorry. miley: it is hard to tell someones personaitly over a text and to see when they are joking. i'll try my best to be there. <3 // @mollymaehague

text - mollymae hague

miley: i don't really know you very well to have something against you? look you're pregnant, your emotions are all over the place and i'm pregnant too so we both can't be at one anothers throats over something so dumb now can we? miley: i'm forever joking, it's just who i am even over text. miley: thank you for the invite to the shower though it's appriacted. // @mollymaehague molly-mae: I don't know, it just seems like you do. I was never at your throat nor do I want to be. I wouldn't do that to mason. you're pregnant? oh wow, congratulations. how far along are you? molly-mae: yeah but you see where I'm coming from? we're just getting to know each other so I'm not familiar with your sense of humor and didn't know it was a joke. molly-mae: of course, I know mase really wants you there. @milcycyrus

[i-like-anything-water]

The clicking of pens never ceased to annoy her.

The library used to be quiet during the lunch period since she started school here. People never really bothered coming unless they wanted an easy make-out session hiding place. She sighed as she placed down the book she was trying to read and snapped her eyes to the other occupant of the room.

Blue eyes, blue hair, and a blue shirt under a pink blazer.

Chloé wasn't really a fashion expert so her impression of 'ridiculously childish' would have probably been, well, ridiculous. Still, she liked to scan people without them noticing. Keeping the observations to herself when the time comes she'll use them, or god forbid, need them.

She looked back to the book she had picked up and sighed, deciding she could do more reading at home. While it was only one person within her vicinity that can actually see her clearly, she did not want to take the risk of adding another person to that list. Gathering her things, she squared her shoulders and grabbed her bag. With once last glance to the mystery blue person, she walked out.

Marinette needed to tell Jagged Stones he should consider touring internationally with all the praises his music is garnering. She'd invest personally should he ever decide. Grabbing a pen and twirling it mindlessly, her eyes wandered around and landed on the only other person in the library at lunch time. Usually, there'd be more students but she guesses it's one of those slow days.

She hummed absentmindedly as she looked down at her sketchbook and frowned. The lines were too thick and it made the whole piece awkward. Scribbling the notes to change it later, she looked up to see just in time for an old man to slip and let go of his cane. She bolted from her seat and helped him up, his frame wobbling from the ground's impact.

"Are you alright, Sir? Is any part of your body in pain?" She said as she held out his cane. The old man smiled kindly and accepted. "No, no. I am well. Thank you for helping me, Miss. It's not everyday someone helps others with no immediate wants of reciprocation."

Puzzled by his response, she shrugged and offered what she hoped to be a comforting smile, "Well, I'm sure a lot of people would have helped. Not just me. Would you like me to assist you to the nurse? See if everything is okay?" He looked strangely familiar, like a grandpa she never had.

He shook his head, "Thank you but I am fine. I must be on my way as well, I need to get to my class. Thank you again, Miss Dupain-Cheng. I hope to see you soon."

And with that, he walked towards the exit. It's only when she couldn't see him did she furrow her brows.

"Huh, I never told him my name."

-

The accompanying story for 'golden hue with shades of blue' featuring alternate! chloenette. title is in the works but so far I'm calling it 'hardened lines, soft smiles'.