#i'm also feeling strange tonight is it a full moon?

[soaps-mohawk]

Sorry about that weird anon, are YOU okay? You can vent if you want. Public or privately

I mean, yeah could have gone without the "it was for someone else" bit like...I already know no one cares about me so 🤘 thanks for the reminder anon.

Anyway, meh. It's been a weird couple days. Waiting on my period to start and that PMDD is kicking my ass rn. I just want it to start so I can go back to being my normal level of depressed and anxious. At least I knew it was coming this time, so it was less of a whole ordeal.

I get to see my doctor like over a month earlier than I was supposed to tomorrow, so that'll be good. Finally get the ball rolling on some things. My appointment today got canceled last minute this morning, and that was the third time this person has canceled on me, so that's cool.

I'm making good headway on chapter 12 though, so that's good at least. Got the first draft done already.

Yeah. That's about it.

[cherryflavoured7777]

Do you miss me, dear? [h.c]

Summary: Stuck at a graduation party, surrounded by memories of your past relationship and your own loneliness, your night takes an unexpected turn when you find yourself dialing the number of the one person you vowed you wouldn't contact.

Pairing: College!Hazel x College!Fem!Reader 

Contains: smut 18+ only, explicit language, drinking, smoking, mutual pining, slightly toxic reader I think, fingering (r! receiving), oral(r! receiving), break-up/make-up sex, idiots in love, this one gets straight-up MUSHY I’m not gonna lie

Word count: 4.1k

a/n: I just need to say I am deeply obsessed with all of you who interacted with either of my last two fics. reading your comments/ replies seriously makes me SO happy you have no idea. Got me giggling and shit fr! I don’t know why my writing always ends up including partying and drinking but maybe it’s because I just graduated college and am having an existential post-grad crisis. Anyway 💀I hope you enjoy and thank you again for reading!!!

Also, this is inspired by this song by one of my favourite bands:  

“I don’t know what I’m still doing here.” You say out loud to yourself, standing up from the musty green couch you were sitting on. An empty beer bottle falls from the cushion onto the ground, shattering into pieces beside your foot. 

This party sucked. Pushing your way through the crowded, stuffy kitchen, you couldn't shake off the feeling of suffocation. Tipsy couples entangled in each other's arms seemed to be everywhere, a painful reminder of what you once had and lost. The memories of being that annoying person in love at a party flooded back, amplifying the ache of your loneliness.

The thumping music in your ears only made your head pound harder. Desperate for a breath of fresh air, you stumbled toward the door, ignoring the intoxicated laughter and clinking glasses that filled the air. As you stepped outside, the cool night breeze hit your face, offering a momentary rescue from the overwhelming atmosphere inside.

The darkness of the night sky above seemed to swallow you whole, but it felt strangely comforting. Leaning against the porch railing, you closed your eyes, trying to regain your composure. In the silence outside, you could hear distant laughter and the faint sound of music, muffled by the walls of the house.

You settled into a seat around a glass table, next to a guy you recognized from one of your classes. You exchanged a quick nod of acknowledgment before reaching into your purse, retrieving a box of cigarettes. Smoking was not a regular habit for you, but you reserved it for moments like these—after a few drinks and a growing sense of irritation. 

You lit the end of the cigarette, watching it crackle, and took a long drag. As you exhaled the smoke, you tilted your head back, noticing the full moon glowing brightly above.

"Full moon tonight," the boy beside you remarked, his voice carrying a note of intrigue. "They say some crazy shit can happen on full moons."

You chuckled bitterly. "Yeah, well, that could explain why I'm stuck at this party right now."

He leaned back, studying you intently. 

“I wish I could be an astronaut and get the fuck out of here.” You mused, gaze fixed on the bright glow of the moon. "I only came to this party because she said she would be here." Another drag of the cigarette punctuated your words.

"Who's she?" he asked, genuinely curious.

"My ex," you replied, trying to seem nonchalant. His gaze was fixed on you, "Hazel."

-

Until today, you hadn't spoken to Hazel in over three months, choosing to cut off all contact in an attempt to speed up the process of moving on. You're both surprised that you managed to endure the silence for so long, and disappointed that she hasn't made any effort to reach out, not even once. 

That was until about six hours ago when you were sitting at a coffee shop on campus with your roommate, Brittany, studying for your upcoming statistics exam. 

"Don't look now, but Hazel just walked in," she whispers, her tone hushed, and her eyes widening. "And she's with another girl."

Your heart plummeted into your stomach. You were seated with your back to the door, and you watched as they both approached the corner, heading in your direction.

"Brittany!" the blonde girl accompanying Hazel exclaims, leaving the three of you momentarily stunned.

Hazel follows a few steps behind, clearly taken aback by the encounter. She looked annoyingly hot, her disheveled brown hair, baggy white t-shirt and black jeans, adorned with her signature silver chains and rings. It takes all your strength not to stare. 

"Hey, Amanda," Brittany replied, forcing a polite smile. "Hazel."

Hazel offers a nod in greeting to Brittany and then to you. You feel like a middle-schooler again, awkward and unsure of how to act around your crush.

"Did you manage to finish that paper for Professor Sharpe's class?" the girl asked. 

As Brittany carries on the conversation with Amanda, you can feel Hazel's gaze on you, catching her eyes occasionally. 

You never anticipated the aftermath of your breakup with Hazel to be this awkward. All those nights spent tangled up together, where you both believed you could read each other's minds, now reduced to this.

"So, Hazel, are you going to Emma’s graduation party tonight? All of us are going," Brittany chimed in, attempting to steer the conversation away from the obvious tension.

Hazel smiled sheepishly, replying, "Yeah, I’m going."

"Cool," Brittany replied, her smile masking the underlying awkwardness in the air.

A beat of uncomfortable silence hung between you all.

"Will you be there?" Hazel asked breaking the silence, turning toward you, her voice almost hesitant.

"Yeah, I'll be there," you said, mustering a small smile. "Wouldn’t want to miss it."

Hazel smiled, "Cool," she said, her voice soft, "I'll see you there then."

Just as the atmosphere began to ease, Amanda abruptly intervened, her grip firm on Hazel's hand. "Hazel, let’s go, I forgot something in my car," Amanda said, her tone strangely possessive, and she dragged Hazel away before you could utter another word.

-

This breadcrumb of information has led you here. You spent the first fifteen minutes at the party searching for her like a lost puppy. When you couldn't find her, you contemplated leaving but opted to drown your thoughts with tequila shots instead. Now, you're clinging to any scrap of attention you can find, desperately trying to purge her from your mind.

Your thoughts were interrupted by the male voice beside you. "D’you have a light?" he asked, his cigarette aimed in your direction. You stare at him for a moment, deadpan, still frozen in your thoughts from the events that unfolded earlier today. 

"Fuck it," you muttered under your breath, reaching for your phone. You’re calling her.

-

“You’re soaked,” Hazel says as you climb into the front seat of her car, her tone a mix of concern and annoyance. “Seriously, you’re getting mud all over the floor of my car.” While you were waiting for Hazel to pick you up from the party, It started raining, you thought enduring it outside would be better than being stuffed in that small house full of people you didn't even really know. 

“You lied.” You retort back. 

“What?”

“You said you were coming to the party.” 

“Yeah well, my plans changed. Put your seatbelt on.” As she shifted the car into reverse, she placed her hand on your seat to steady herself. With a quick glance over your shoulder, she backed out of the driveway in one brisk movement.

You attempted to keep your composure, trying not to make it entirely obvious that you were basically drooling over how hot she looked doing that.  

“I can tell that there’s someone else,” You say after a few moments of silence, trying to disguise your jealousy with innocent curiosity. “Come on, tell me,” You finally click your seatbelt into place. “I can take it well.” 

"Oh, I know you can," she replied, shooting you a smug look, trying to divert this conversation from getting too deep right now.

“Hazel.” You groan at her dumb attempt at an innuendo, throwing your head backward and hitting the headrest. “Just be honest. Is it the girl from the coffee shop earlier? Or what about the girl Isabel saw you with last week at the library? Or both? Who am I kidding, there’s probably even more than that.”

“Do you have like, personal spies assigned to watch over me?”

You don’t respond right away, deciding to avoid her questions like she’s avoiding yours. You crank the window open and throw your head out. The spring wind cool on your face. 

“God, you’re so annoying sometimes.”

She’s quiet for a moment. 

Look, I know I wasn't where I said I'd be, but I was busy, doing stuff," she replied defensively.

"Yeah," you scoffed, your words tinged with a hint of anger. "I'm sure you were."

You sit the next few minutes in silence, wondering if this whole thing was a bad idea. You couldn't pinpoint why you had called her in the first place. The intensity of seeing her earlier mixed with the disappointment of the lackluster party had left you missing her, even though you weren't entirely sure why.

"So, where am I taking you?" Hazel asked, her gaze shifting from the road to you. Strands of her brown hair were tousled by the wind.

Your buzz had faded, and with it, your initial courage waned. Swallowing hard, you hesitated before speaking. "Can I sleep at yours? Not— not like that," you hurriedly clarified, feeling a sudden need to explain. "It's just that Brittany has her new boyfriend over, and I could go back there, but I don’t really want to."

“Yeah, yeah. Of course.” 

After a moment, Hazel hesitantly rested her hand on your thigh, both of you aware of the significance of the touch, even if neither acknowledged it. Her fingers gave a gentle squeeze, the subtle pressure made your tummy flip. Beneath the surface, an unspoken understanding lingered, hinting that this night might entail more than just a ride home.

-

Hazel's apartment is full of brown moving boxes, an aching reminder of why you broke up in the first place. 

“Wow, this place is pretty much all packed up.” You say, slowly walking through the place, eventually landing at the doorway into her bedroom. 

She nods in response, her face reflecting a mixture of anticipation and sadness, settling down at the end of her bed.

"So, when do you leave?" The question weighed heavily on your heart as you voiced it. You wished you didn't have to ask these questions, yearning for a time when you were part of her plans, not just a spectator.

“Two weeks. My Aunt is gonna meet me at JFK and help me move into my new place.”

You sighed, feeling brave, "I wish I had the date circled on my calendar, helping you move, or going with you." You say the last part quiet, mostly to yourself.

The conversation lingered in the air, a bittersweet reminder of what could have been.

You walked over to her dresser, where a mirror was propped up, decorated with photos of you two from a photobooth, still clinging to the glass. Your heart swelled with mixed emotions.

Hazel says your name, breaking you from your trance. 

“Come here,” she says. 

You walk over slowly, standing between her legs. Your hands rest on her shoulders and you take a deep breath.

With both of your gazes locked, her hands came up behind your thighs, gently grabbing them and pulling them on either side of her one by one so you’re straddling her. Her hand comes up to brush a piece of hair from your face. 

“You’re so beautiful, baby” Her voice is barely a whisper as she stares up at you, her eyes practically shimmering with your reflection, Her hands settle on your waist, the warmth of her touch sending a pang of guilt through you. This breakup was unlike any you'd experienced before, and the raw emotions lingered, making you hesitate for a moment.

Your hands move up to cradle her face, your thumb dragging on her bottom lip. Still maintaining intense eye contact, you slowly slip your finger into her mouth, watching her with a mix of awe and longing.

The silence as you stare at each other is anything but awkward. It was charged with the weight of shared mourning, each of you navigating the complexity of a relationship's end.

You removed your finger, and in response, she grabbed your head gently, guiding it down towards her face, her eyes locked onto yours. Your lips barely grazed each other, and you wouldn’t be surprised if she could hear your rapid heartbeat. Hazel kissed you slowly at first, the touch of her lips sending a rush through your entire body. It quickly escalated, and there was a certain neediness to the way you both kissed, scared it could be the last time.

"Missed you," She whispered against your lips. Your mouths slid together, tongues pressing and exploring. The intensity of the kiss speaks volumes, like you were making up for lost time. Her lips found their way to your neck, leaving a trail of hot, lingering kisses, setting your body on fire. 

“Fuck, Hazel.” It was almost embarrassing how quickly you melted beneath her touch. “We shouldn’t be doing this,” You say, your voice strained, a soft moan escaping your lips. You very much wanted to be doing this, you just thought you should at least try to seem like you had stronger breakup morals than you did. Her hands found the curve of your ass, and you instinctively started to rock your hips slowly back and forth, seeking some much-needed friction. 

"Do you want me to stop? Say the word, and I'll stop, pretty girl," she murmured against your neck, her open-mouthed kisses and gentle suction on your pulse point sending shivers down your spine. You didn't reply with words, but your fingers found her hair, silently urging her to continue. "I need an answer, babygirl," 

"Don't stop," you breathed, your voice catching in your throat. "Please, don't stop." Your hips still lazily moving on her. Her mouth was back on yours, deepening the kiss as she guided you both down, her hands roaming over the back of your legs and your ass. She tugged at the hem of your shirt, helping you out of it and leaving you in your black lace bra.  

"So fucking perfect. Missed you so fucking much," she confessed, 

"I missed you too, Haze, every day," you whined, 

"You ever think about me? she asked, breathless. "About this?" she continued 

You nodded, your breath hitching as you confessed, "All the time. Couldn't stop thinking about you, your hands, your mouth."

Her eyes darken as you sit up and effortlessly unhook your bra, leaning back down, your lips finding their way to her collarbone, marking a trail of hot, open-mouthed kisses along her skin. Your hands slowly creep their way up under her shirt, seeking permission. She nods, a silent affirmation, and you gently peel her shirt off over her head. Your stomach flips as you feel her arms effortlessly turn both of you over, trading places, landing on your back as she hovers over you. Her silver chain dangling above your face. It felt like your first time all over again, you felt a sense of shyness creeping over you under her gaze. Anticipation and excitement blooming in your chest.

“Fuck, look at you.” She says. The way she’s studying you makes you feel like the most beautiful thing to ever exist, as if every curve of your body is a masterpiece deserving of praise. Unable to contain your impatience, you pull her head down to meet your lips, your hips instinctively bucking up, frustration showing in the heated moment. Her fingers start to trail downwards under your skirt, meeting your clothed cunt. “You want me to fuck you? Hm?” She whispers in your ear, “Is that what you want baby?” She taunts, her fingers slowly grazing over your underwear. 

You nod vigorously, your enthusiasm evident. She responds by sucking on your neck again, sending shivers down your spine, your face flushed with heat. Your hands instinctively tug at her hair.

“Yes, Haze, please, fuck.” You arch your neck, pressing it firmly into the softness of the pillow beneath, a small gasp escaping your lips as you surrender to the moment. “Want your fingers inside of me.”

She makes a noise of desperation, her warm breath fanning over your face. “Gonna make you feel so good baby” She moves your underwear to the side, running her fingers through your slick folds. You gasp and she groans. “Wanna make it up to you.”

She tugs at the waistband of your skirt. You lift your hips as she guides it down along with your underwear. Hazel curses under her breath, “You’re so wet, it’s so fucking hot.” She plants kisses all over your chest, each one feeling like it could set you on fire. 

She slowly fucks you with her middle finger, the touch leaving you reeling. She adds her ring finger, her free hand snaking under your neck. Her fingers gently grab the side of your face while she fucks you, slightly tugging and grazing them against your parted lips. It's an intimate gesture, conveying both tenderness and desire.

Your hips buck up to meet her fingers. “Holy fuck” you groan as she pumps them faster into you. “Like that,” your voice is completely shot. Your entire body fizzed from the contact. You gently bite down on her fingers near your mouth while she places kisses all over your cheeks and your lips. Your head spun with thoughts of her - her mouth, her hair, her scent, Hazel was everywhere, all-encompassing. 

“Fuck, you’re so good” She half slurs, her voice wrecked, pupils blown and her lips parted. “So good for me.” She whispers, keeping her pace, dragging her digits through the wetness at your core.

Her mouth makes its way down your body, leaving a trail of open-mouthed kisses until she’s on her stomach between your thighs. Pumping faster, her lips suck at your clit. Her other hand presses down on your abdomen, holding you in place. You cup your aching tits, feeling them move with every motion she makes.

“Hazel,” you whine, “Haze, I-” Her fingers pick up the pace, curling inside of you. You tread your fingers through her hair, tugging slightly, the coil in your tummy growing tighter and tighter. 

“I know, honey, I know,” She says in response to your moans. “You sound so pretty baby, missed those sounds so much.” She keeps babbling, telling you how good you are and how pretty you look for her. 

“Fuck, don’t stop” you moan as she continues fucking you with her mouth and fingers, her pace alternating between teasing and fast, pushing you toward the edge. The contrast in her movements intensifies the pleasure, almost giving you want you want but flaking at the last moment, it’s torture.

“Shit, you’re almost there sweetheart” Hazel swears under her breath, voice laced with her own arousal. Her words drive you closer to the edge. You swear you can see stars as the overwhelming feeling shocks through your body. Your heart rate picks up immensley, pounding in your chest.

“Gonna come for me baby, yeah?” “Want you to come all over these fingers.” 

And you did. Your body clenches around her fingers, trembling, moans and curses spilling from your lips. Your eyes form with tears from the overstimulation. Her face landed in the crook of your neck, planting sloppy kisses and whispering reassurances as she guides you through the climax.

“Good girl, that’s it, honey. That’s it,” she murmurs.

Her fingers still slowly pumping in and out of you, riding out your high.

“Holy shit," you say once you've caught your breath. "Haze, c'mere." She lifts her head back up and you yank her face down to yours, tasting yourself on her lips as she lets out a soft moan. When you eventually pull away, both breathless, you lock eyes before bursting into disbelieving laughter.

“I can’t believe that just happened.” You whisper.

"I can," she says smugly. You playfully shove her before she collapses beside you. Both of you lie face to face, studying each other's features, committing them to memory, afraid you might forget what they look like. Her hand rests on your waist, mindlessly grazing up and down.

"What's the real reason you didn't come to the party? You ask. Were you with someone else?" Hazel shakes her head.

She pauses before speaking, "I thought if there was any chance of you being there, that I was gonna walk in and maybe see you with someone else. There was no way I could've handled that. I've been distracting myself with other girls, yeah, but..." Her voice trails off. "You have no idea how in love with you I still am." Her voice cracking with emotion. You can see a tear forming in Hazel’s eye, glimmering in the low light of the room.

“Hazel..” Your own voice slightly breaking. You reach out and drag your thumb delicately against her cheek, wiping the stray tear away. Your heart is breaking with a mixture of guilt and longing for the girl lying beside you.

“I still play pretend, in my head.” She whispers.

You smile, your hand resting on her neck, giving it a gentle squeeze, a signal of encouragement for her to keep going. 

“I picture us, living together in our apartment in the city.” 

Hazel was moving to New York City to work for her aunt after graduation. The reason you broke up, neither of you wanting to do long distance.

“Waking up next to you everyday, cooking you breakfast, fucking you on the countertop for hours” You both laugh at that. “Ever since I met you, I’ve always pictured you just being there. And these past few months…” 

“Absolute hell.” You finish for her. 

“Absolute hell.” She agrees. 

You take her hand and squeeze it, a silent form of reassurance. 

She shifts slightly and hovers over you again, brushing your damp hair off your forehead with her hand, and scans your face. “I don’t want this to end” she whispers. 

You wish you could capture this moment, tuck it away, and replay it whenever you wanted. You’ve been waiting for her to say these exact words for the past three months, you just never thought it would happen. The reason for your break-up still heavily taunts the back of your mind. 

“I love you” you reply, your voice barely a whisper. Taking her face in your hand and capturing her in another kiss. She kisses you sweetly and desperately.

You pull away, gently coaxing her back towards you, and cuddle her into your chest, assuming the role of the big spoon.

She nestles into your arms, finding comfort in the warmth of your body. With a soft sigh, she murmurs, "I wish we had more time.”

You tighten your hold around her, "We'll figure something out, I promise," you whisper, though you aren’t even sure of the reality of your own words. You choose to let go of the uncertainties, preferring to revel in the present moment. She looks back at you, and you kiss her forehead, a silent promise to cherish what you have, even if time feels fleeting.

“God damn full moon.” You mutter to yourself, remembering your earlier conversation at the party.

“What?” She asks.

“Nothing.” You say. “Don’t worry about it.” You kiss her shoulder, settling into the softness of the moment.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

tagging @astroph1les @vster0769

[cookierunauprompts]

OOO I have another one that came to me in a dream! Basically the kingdom yn lives in hosts a ball which anyone can attend and yn let's say they're a maid/Butler attends and shadow milk (I'm obsessed with him right now) asks them for a dance and as they're chatting while dancing the yn notices that shadow milk knows a bit more about them than he should and as the dancing goes on he becomes more dominant practically not letting yn step in their own two cookie feet! And as the music stops a dread suddenly dread enters the dance floor and the only thing yn remembers happening after that is shadow milk leaning down to their shoulder and whispering something before they passed out.

bestie you are literally tickling my silly brain right now, also i may have diverged from the prompt a bit and just made the thing a whole little fic instead of a prompt like I'm supposed to be doing.

Request Prompt #8 - 💓

Reader is fem btw, popping this one under a cut because it is LONG

.

" Princess- No, Reader Cookie. Do you even realize how foolish you're being right now?" Your best friend and private advisor warned as they followed you around your room. " You father explicitly forbade you from going to the ball tonight! if he recognizes you there then I fear you may never leave your room again!" " He can't just expect me to miss out on every important social event until he deems me 'worthy enough to be queen'!" You argue back, already grabbing your masquerade mask and dress. " Besides, my mask is enchanted! There's no way he'll know it's me." You said, holding up your supposedly enchanted mask. " I wasn't aware of how far you planned this... to even sneaking out to purchase a dress for the ball beforehand." Your advisor mumbled in an exasperated manner, you simply just nodded along with their words. Truthfully, you'd gotten the dress and mask as a secret gift upon your windowsill one day. you'd originally planned to sneak out as a waiter... but actually partaking in the festivities sounded a lot more fun. " Oh calm down Crab Claw Cookie," You giggled. " It'll all be fine, I'm still a queen-to-be no matter what my father says. I am his only child after all, and it's not like anyone will be marrying him anytime soon." You spoke with a dismissive wave of your hand, you could still feel Crab Claw Cookie's worried eyes upon you, but you'd be fine, right? Plus, there was that odd dream you had a few days ago. A strange, shadowy cookie had appeared in the darkness, offering to give you your freedom in exchange for what you valued most. You had accepted, not thinking much of it at the time, but now that you thought about it... the dress had appeared once you woke up. And then there was the fact he'd said that he'd come to collect the other part of the deal at a later date. You shook your head, you should just continue to get ready. You have a night of freedom to attend to!

-✢-

The ball was in full swing, and yet here you were sitting off to the side. Why weren't you on the dance floor dancing away with the other cookies? Simple, you were completely unprepared for this kind of event! Because of your father and his overbearing nature, he never allowed you to attend any social events when you were younger. You must have gotten so used to your isolation that you had no idea how to actually interact with real people...! Crab Claw Cookie's social interaction simulations paled in comparison to the real thing... And maybe you were scared of your father noticing and recognizing you in the crowd. In short, you were completely lost. " Oh?" You here a voice speak, and looking next to you you can see a Cookie in quite the fancy blue and black suit, his white and blue haired mostly combed back into a sophisticated style while some covered his left eye. The eye that was uncovered was a rather nice shade of blue, like the ocean illuminated by the light of the full moon, or perhaps a blue moon? The mysterious cookie smiled at you, and you took note that it was rather cat-like. " What's a lovely girl like you doing over here on your own? Shouldn't you be having fun and dancing like the rest of the cookies here?" He asked with a tilt of his head, the playful grin never leaving his face for a moment. You hesitated before you let out a sigh, deciding to air your grievances to the stranger. Because isn't everyone a stranger at a masquerade ball? And yet, there was something familiar about him... " It's just that... I've never had the chance to go to a proper ball before. And now that I'm here, I have no idea what to do..." " Is that so?" The cookie mused with a hum, soon extending his hand after a moment. " Well, why not come dance with me? I can show you the ropes if you don't know how~" He offered, his expectant gaze imploring you to take his hand. So, and almost without question, you place your hand in his. Letting him lead you to the dance floor. The waltz was pretty simple, the music changing to signify that the current song was meant to be waltzed to. You knew how to waltz, but you still let him take the lead despite the fact that you( if only slightly) were the taller of your pair. It wouldn't hurt to strike some quiet conversation, right?

" It's so... odd." You mutter, your soft words having caught the ear of the cookie you were dancing with. " Hm? What is?" He asked, staring up into your masked eyes. Something about his gaze felt as if he were searching your very soul... But that was just a weird feeling, it was nothing. " It's just that..." You look down at your feet, yet a subtle movement from your partner caused you to make eye contact with him once again. " Who are you? I feel like I've seen you somewhere before..." You mumbled to the amusement of the other. " My dear Little Star, are we not at a masquerade ball? We aren't supposed to know who the other attendees are." He said with a chuckle, leading you further into the dance. You felt like you've heard someone call you that before, but where? You aren't sure. Are you even dancing anymore? It feels more like you're being puppeteered. You took a quick glance around, you weren't sure if the people watching you were anything more than shadows. " Princess," your partner begins, and your attention snapped back to him almost instantly like a dog hearing their favorite toy squeak. " You do know that you should keep your eyes on your partner while you're dancing, right~?" He hummed with a light giggle, taking your hands in his own. The music has stopped, in fact, you weren't even sure when it had. The entire ballroom was blanketed in shadows, the people you saw no more than silhouettes painted with glowing blue eyes. You felt like you were dreaming, hell, even your eyelids felt heavy as you continued to sway to the command of your partner. Soon enough, you lost your footing, collapsing into the other cookie's arms as you struggled to stay conscious. You could hear the cookie let out a slow, almost villainous chuckle. " Oh princess~ I've come for your half of the bargain~" He purred into your ear, leaving that as the last thing you heard before passing out.

-✢-

" Sire! Terrible news!" A pair of castle knights hollered, interrupting the king's morning. Reader Cookie hadn't even bothered to come down for dinner the prior night, even though he ended the ball early just to make time for her. If she kept up this pettiness then she would never be fit for the role of queen. " Yes?" He gruffly spoke, " Get on with it. Has another rebel group formed to usurp my throne? Is it an escaped Prisoner? It doesn't matter, we can handle all of those things." He said with a dismissive wave of his hand. " You don't understand sire!" The other knight cut in, stepping in front of the first knight. " It's Reader Cookie, she's gone missing!" It was as if a fuse had gone off inside the king's head. " WHAT!?" He yelled, almost spitting out his coffee. " What are you standing around for? Find her immediately! Her misbehavior will not be tolerated in this kingdom!" He barked out the order, with the knights saluting him and immediately running off to get to work. He slumped back into his throne, Reader Cookie was well above the age to know that her behavior was vastly unfit to be queen. Then, he heard it, that witches forsaken giggle that slowly turned into a cackle. " My my! It seems like your little princess has run off, your majesty!" The voice the laughter belonged to said in a mocking tone, with a certain jester stepping out from the shadows. " What a shame, truly!" " Shadow Milk Cookie." The king hissed, glaring at the jester with searing hatred. " You should know that you, nor any of the other beasts, are not welcome in this or any other kingdom!" He hollered, pointing directly at the beast. " Oh, your coldness wounds my heart..." He sighed dramatically, putting a hand over wherever his heart was supposed to be. " But, if you're going to be so rude, then I might as well just... not tell you what's happened to Reader Cookie." He smiled smugly, knowing that the King was falling right into his trap. " You! What have you done to my daughter?!" The king roared with frustration, which only caused Shadow Milk to laugh even more. " I swear, if you've hurt her then-!" " Then what?" Shadow Milk said with a sickening grin. " What will you do, your majesty? You and I both know that you've cared more about your kingdom than you do her, you just want her back because she's the only blood heir to the throne." He cackled at the revelation, and the horror dawning upon the king's face. " But if you want to prove me wrong... Then give up your kingdom, and I'll make sure she's safely returned." He proposed, eyes glinting with delight as he saw the hesitation in the king's stance. Oh how he loved to watch as cookies tried to decipher whether he was telling them the truth or not, not a single one had managed to catch him in a lie before it was already far too late. Such are the perks of practically embodying deceit, he supposed. He turned on his heel, waving goodbye to the king. " I'll give you a day to think it over. Either give up your kingdom and have your daughter returned to you... Or fail her for the last time, and live with the guilt." He left without another word, fading back into the shadows.

[something-tofightfor]

Liminality: Part 9

Pairing: Frankie Morales x Female Reader

Word Count: 7,976

Rating: This one's actually very tame, but I'm gonna go with M for overall content + language.

Summary: You and Frankie have decided some things about the next full moon, but there are plenty more to consider. Conversations with some of the people that he's closest to prove to you that Frankie's friends do, in fact have his - and your - best interests in mind.

A surprise revelation puts a few more things into perspective ... and widens your new circle of friends a little more.

Author’s note:

The action picks up the next chapter - I promise. This one is a lot more focused on relationship building and setting groundwork. There are also a couple clues in here (as well as some nods to the movie) ... let's see if you can catch them, Thank you for reading! Please come say hello in my inbox or through DMs if you want!

This one goes out specifically to @anniet852 for making the request that I post it tonight. I hope you enjoy, and thank you for reaching out.

Masterlist (for the journal entries and all of the other 'extras' + previous chapters)

There was something warm and soft pressed against the space just in front of your ear, and after you blinked a few times, you realized what it was. It’s Frankie, and he’s kissing me. 

Humming quietly, you rolled back and toward him, but he stopped you with one hand on your side, sighing out your name. “No time. I’m gonna be late.” What? “Didn’t wanna get up so I stayed with you as long as I could.” Oh. “Stay in bed.”

“But -” You voice was hoarse and thick with sleep, but he didn’t seem to mind.

“No, it’s early.” He kissed you again, that time a little closer to your mouth. “Stay as long as you want. Make yourself at home. Spare key’s in the kitchen. Take it with you and give it back next time I see you.” His tone was low and soothing - a quiet rumble in your ear. Even though you wanted to get up, you felt yourself drifting again, sinking deeper into the nest of blankets that smelled like him as he pulled the top one up and over your shoulders. “I’ll call you tonight.” 

You hummed in agreement, nodding, and Frankie squeezed your shoulder but didn’t say anything else. A few minutes later, you thought you heard the front door close, but you were already almost back asleep. 

The next time you woke up, the room was filled with light, and the clock on the bedside table said 10:27. I just slept for almost ten hours. Pushing yourself upright, you rubbed at your eyes with one hand, yawning. 

It was strange to be in Frankie’s house alone, but you felt comfortable, and there was a large part of you that was excited to have the opportunity to look around before you left. You weren’t going to snoop, but you did want to get a better idea of Frankie as a man without him only a few feet or a room away. 

He’d told you to make yourself at home, and so you did, setting the coffee pot to brew while you looked around the kitchen and into the living room. 

There were pictures hanging on the fridge - Frankie and Carmen in his back yard, one of him and a woman you assumed was Becca with a swaddled baby held between them, a group shot of Frankie and the guys. He looked happy in all of them, but you noticed a hollowness in his expression in the one with the baby, dark circles under his eyes and his face much thinner than it currently was. 

Trailing a finger over it, you chewed on your lower lip, feeling your stomach twist. He’d told you about using, but seeing proof of how much he’d struggled just after his daughter was born was a shock. But he’s doing better now, and he’s still in Carmen’s life, and … things are good. 

His past would be something that the two of you needed to discuss in more depth, just so you were on the same page - especially if you stayed in Florida. There was no way around it - the drugs and mission to South America coupled with his adjustment to post-military life and becoming a werewolf were a lot for anyone to deal with. 

But since you knew he’d had talked to so few people, for Frankie, it was likely much more difficult to open up than normal. And I want to help him, if he’ll let me.

After making your coffee, you wandered through the rest of the house, glancing at the books on his shelves. You lingered on a few more photos of him and his family throughout the years and the decor that he’d chosen to fill the space. 

It all made you smile, because the inside of his house was a reflection of Frankie as you knew him. Aside from the hidden millions and the wolf status, he hadn’t lied when he’d said that what you saw was what you got, and that impressed you. Because that isn’t always the case with people.

Curling up on the couch with your mug, you looked around the bright, sunny room and grinned, taking a deep breath. It was a house that you could get used to being in, and the fact that Frankie trusted you to be there alone spoke volumes. 

But the longer you sat, the more your thoughts drifted. And after a little while, they drifted back to the previous night … and what you’d almost said. Is it possible? Could I really… You sipped your coffee and eyed the darkened screen of the TV, thinking. He’d heard you, obviously, and had likely pieced things together, even though you’d managed to keep from finishing your sentence. “But it was right there.” Taking another drink, you closed your eyes. “And I was definitely thinking it.” 

Speaking out loud to the empty house comforted you, as did admitting that what you’d almost said was the truth. 

Nothing about meeting and being with Frankie made any sense. The timeline was expedited. The circumstances were unconventional, to say the least. He was not the type of person you’d ever gravitated toward before, even without the wolf component. But none of that mattered, because from the moment you’d met him, you were drawn to Frankie on every level, and the pull had only intensified as the days passed. 

You wondered exactly how he felt, and what he’d tell you if you asked. 

You were curious to know if he returned your affection to a similar level, or if you were moving too quickly and leaving him behind. It was more than sex for both of you, and he’d been the one to suggest the idea of giving a relationship a shot. But that doesn’t mean he loves me. That doesn’t mean it’s serious for him yet… does it? 

Pushing yourself upright, you went back into the kitchen and cleaned up after yourself, loading the dishes into the dishwasher and then wiping the countertop down. Pausing in front of one of the windows, you stared out and into the back yard, thinking. Your questions needed answers, even if only to give you a better idea where you and Frankie stood … and of what to expect moving forward. 

But more than that, the part of you that craved connection wanted reassurance that even though you’d fallen hard and fast, you weren’t alone in your feelings. You didn’t think you were, especially with the way he’d looked at you and spoken to you, sticking up for you in front of his friends and with Ashley. “I need to fucking go.” Smacking your hand on the counter, you groaned. “I need to be doing something and not just thinking about this.” 

Turning around, your eyes landed on the wall just behind the sink, and you laughed at the sight of it. It was a chalkboard - some of the surface covered in Frankie’s handwriting, other parts featuring notes and drawings from the guys that you snorted as you read through. You had no idea how you’d missed it previously, but with another grin, you reached for a piece of colored chalk and added a message to one of the open spaces. 

LOADED THE DISHWASHER. LEFT @ NOON. CALL ME IF YOU WANT TO. 

Pausing, you chewed on the inside of your cheek and then added the final touch - a heart and your name before spinning away and hurrying back into the bedroom to collect your stuff. 

He’d see it right away, and you knew it. 

And even though it was easily erased, the few words added to the wall were just another example of your insertion into his life … and seeing them next to the ones from his friends made you question things further. And I know I shouldn’t. I know it’s not that big a deal… fuck. 

You got ready to leave in only a few minutes, and when you stepped back into the kitchen to grab the keys, you lingered there, turning in a slow circle. 

Frankie leaving you alone in his home was a big step - no matter how you looked at it. But you still couldn’t get ahead of yourself or expect too much from him. And I won’t. Especially before we find this other wolf. 

The door closed and locked behind you, you headed for your car … but you spent the entire drive home in deep, silent thought. 

— 

Your phone rang almost three hours later, and the number on the screen was one that you didn’t recognize. You contemplated not answering but decided that you needed to, cautiously lifting the device to your ear as you said hello. I don’t know anyone here, and that’s a Florida area code, and … 

“Hey, it’s Pope.” Shoulders slumping in relief, you greeted him. “What are your plans this afternoon?” 

“I don’t have any.” Looking around your apartment, you wrinkled your nose. “I’m working right now, but -”

“Do you want to come over?” His invitation caught you off guard, and before you could reply, he continued. “‘Fish told me where you’re staying, and you’re not too far from Yova and me. You should meet her, and we need to talk.” 

“We do?” He laughed, and you realized how unsure you must have sounded, but Pope replied right away, still laughing. 

“We do. But I swear to god, it’s not the way it sounds.” You agreed, Pope letting you know that he’d be home whenever you wanted to head over. While you got ready, your mind ran wild with thoughts about what Pope wanted to talk to you about - and excitement about meeting Yovanna, who you’d heard a lot about in the weeks since you’d met Frankie and his friends. 

The drive was short, and it turned out that Pope’s house was slightly larger than Frankie’s. But as you pulled into the driveway, you remembered that Tom had told you it wasn’t his, and belonged to his parents. It’s nice, though. 

You parked and headed for the front door, raising your hand to knock. 

Before your knuckles made contact, the door opened and you were met with the smiling face of one of the most beautiful women you’d ever seen. “You must be Yovanna.” She nodded, her eyes widening. “I’m here to see Pope. I’m -”

“You’re Francisco’s.” Her smile grew. “I have heard a lot about you.” She opened the door all the way, inviting you in. “Santiago is outside. I’ll show you where.” She led you through the house, and as you moved, you thought about her words - and how she’d flat out called you Frankie’s, like it was common knowledge. Is it? “Before you go outside, I…” She stopped in the kitchen and turned to face you, blinking rapidly. “What he is, it is … not his fault. Francisco is a good man.” 

“Wait, you…” She knows? Sucking in a breath, you shook your head. “Yovanna, I -”

“They don’t know that I know, but I do.” She reached for your hand. “I’ve seen it before. He’s seguro. Safe, not dangerous. The other one…” She shivered. “Be careful.” Yovanna pointed toward the door with one hand. “Listen to him. To both of them. I -” Your heart was pounding, but instead of interrupting her, you reached over and laid a hand on her shoulder, waiting until she trailed off to speak. 

“I know Frankie’s not dangerous.” She looked relieved, giving you a single nod. “I know it’s not his fault.” Her smile grew again, both of her eyes closing. “I’m here to help him get answers.” That shocked her, but before you could say anything else, she was hugging you, her hold tight. 

“He needs them. Deserves them.” Gesturing when she released you, she chuckled. “I’m going to start making dinner. I’ll let you two talk.” Yovanna turned away from you and then paused, looking back over her shoulder. “If you know about … Francisco, do you know about …”

“The money?” You nodded. “He told me everything.” Yovanna covered her face with both hands, exhaling loudly. And when she lowered them she looked relieved, her eyes shining with tears. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“He needs someone like you.” She wet her lips. “He needed someone like you a long time ago.” Without another word, she left the room, leaving you stunned and standing just inside the door that led to the back yard. 

You were overwhelmed, but didn’t want to keep Pope waiting, and so you headed outside and took a seat next to him on an empty deck chair. “You made it.” He looked over, smiling at you. “Good.” 

“I did.” Getting comfortable, you leaned back and looked out over the yard. “This is your parents’ place, right?”

“Yep. They’re on vacation right now. I paid for ‘em to go back home for a couple months, and my ma says she doesn’t ever want to come back here.” You laughed, watching as Pope rubbed at the back of his neck. “Both my parents were born here, in Florida, but I’ve got a ton of relatives that don’t live in the US, and since I can afford to send my parents to see them… why not?” He shrugged. “They’re happy, and Yova and I get to be here together.” 

“Frankie told me about Australia.” He nodded. “And Tom told me you guys are going back and forth between here and there.” Pope nodded, his eyes on you. “And I get it, Pope. She’s beautiful. And she seems …” Trailing off, you thought for a few seconds. “She seems like she can handle your shit.” 

He snorted, reaching up with one hand to rub at his beard - but he didn’t disagree. “She was the best thing that came outta being down there.The money’s great, but Yova? Fuck. I waited my whole goddamn life for her, and almost lost her for good because I didn’t do anything about it when I should have.” 

“Well you didn’t lose her.” Turning your head to look at him, you shrugged. “She’s here. You’re here. You’re together now, and that’s what matters.” He took a long breath and held it, and when Pope exhaled, he swore. What? What did I say? 

 “D’you know what I see when he looks at you?” He met your gaze, his expression unwavering. “Me, looking at her.” It hit you hard - because you knew that Pope wasn’t the type of man to lie about something so important. But he … he just … “I’ve known Frankie for a long fuckin’ time. And he hasn’t ever been like this with someone. Not even Becca, and there was a couple years when I thought they’d end up together forever.” 

“Pope, it’s only been weeks. We’re still -”

“He told you everything.” Santiago shrugged his shoulders, shaking his head. “He didn’t need to, but he did. He just about attacked Tom last night for giving you shit, and he’s started losing control around you to the fucking point that he can’t keep the wolf entirely at bay. Doesn’t matter if it’s been weeks or months, that shit is the truth, and -”

“I pulled a gun on him.” You looked down at your hands, frowning. “The morning he told me? I don’t know how I got past him and to my room fast enough to grab it, but -”

“And that’s another thing.” He straightened up and then leaned toward you. “The Francisco Morales I know? Never would have let you get to that gun. He never would have given you a chance to aim it. ‘Fish did. He stood there and let you point it at him.” Pope said your name, his smile small but still present. “Keeping you safe is his focus, even if it meant that he might have gotten hurt.” 

That information stunned you. It was something that you should have considered, but you hadn’t. He was in the military for a decade. Of course I shouldn’t have been able to get by him. Of course he could have overpowered me. He’s… “You know why I’m here, Pope.” He nodded, waiting. “For a second, I thought -”

“Did you? Did you really?” He closed his eyes, his fingers curling into a loose fist. “Because I might not know you that well, but if you’ve really been hunting wolves for as long as you say you have, if you thought Frankie was the one you were looking for, you wouldn’t have hesitated to pull that trigger. Instead, you let him explain.” 

“No, I gave him a chance to explain because I lo-” Your mouth snapped shut for the second time in less than twenty four hours, but unlike Frankie simply staying quiet and letting you recover, Pope’s eyes widened and he scoffed, slapping his palm against the arm of the chair. Shit. Shit. 

“I knew it.” His smile widened, the corners of his eyes crinkling in the same way Frankie’s did. “Oh, I can’t wait to tell him how fucking right I was.” 

“You can’t.” Your heart thumped against the back of your ribs, one hand shooting out so that you could grasp Pope’s wrist. “Santiago, it’s not … I can’t. Not until I find the Chaos wolf and deal with it.” You took a deep breath, fingers tightening. “I have to focus. I can’t even think about how much it …  how much he means to me.” 

Saying it out loud felt good, because even though Frankie knew that you cared, admitting how much you cared to someone that wasn’t directly involved was different. And it’s important, because now I can’t just pretend it isn’t the case. “Hey.” He said your name quietly, pulling his arm free from your grip. But instead of withdrawing it entirely, he took your hand in his and squeezed, urging you to meet his eyes.”I won’t say a goddamn word. Not yet. Not until it comes from you, or it comes from him, because it’s not my place.” 

“Really?” He nodded. “Thank you.” It was a relief, but Pope’s words made you wonder just how obvious you were being with your feelings. If he noticed, then Frankie might have, too. And what about the other guys? “No. I didn’t actually think that it was Frankie that was attacking people. And the last thing I was expecting was him to tell me what he is.” 

“But when he did …” Pope squeezed your hand one last time and then let go, pulling his arm up and then crossing both of them over his chest. “What did you do?” It wasn’t the question that you’d expected from him - but based on what you knew about Frankie and his friends, it was probably time that you stopped trying to anticipate how they were going to react. 

“I gave him a chance to explain. And I … told him the truth about myself.” Looking down, you linked your own fingers together, one thumb rubbing over the other’s knuckle. “And then I asked him to stay because I wanted to make sure he got sleep.” 

“You might be,” Pope started speaking, turning his chair toward where you sat before he went on. “You might be the best possible person to know his secret. Because not only do you believe him, you know what he’s going through. You understand wolves and their behavior, and thanks to your cousin, you know that it’s possible to be with one without problems.” 

“That’s why I’m worried.” Giving him a tight smile, you blinked back tears. “Pope, what if all of this is because everything is falling into place just right? What if none of this would be happening if he wasn’t a wolf and I wasn’t hunting them? What if he’s just lonely, and I’m a convenient -”

“‘Fish might not have had anything consistent in his life since he was bitten, but I wouldn’t say he’s been lonely.” He arched a brow. “He’s had no problem keeping all this shit separate from what he does in the bedroom before.” That gave you pause, and even though it stung to think about Frankie with other women, Pope’s words rang true. “But that’s one of the reasons I asked you to come over.” 

You’d wondered when that topic would come up. Pope’s invitation had been friendly, but there was business to discuss, and it seemed you’d finally worked around to that topic. “What reason?” 

“He wants you to see him on the night of a full moon.” You nodded, unsurprised that Pope knew. “And you know that one of us is always with him on those nights, just to keep an eye on things … and on him,” 

“Yes. He told me. And he showed me the tracker.” Pope dragged his fingers through this hair, narrowing his eyes, though he didn’t look away from you. “And yeah. I do want to go with him next time. What’s the problem with that?”

“We made a promise to him. All of us. And as much as we care about him, we’d honor it.” Your blood ran cold at he implication of his words. They’d promised that if Frankie ever hurt anyone - or presented the threat of real danger - they’d take care of it. And I don’t know that I could. I don’t know that I’d be able to. “Could you shoot him? Could you look him in the eye - man or wolf - and pull that trigger if you needed to? If he asked you to?” 

“I …” Your heartbeat quickened again, mouth hanging slightly open. “Pope, I don’t…” Even as you floundered, you knew the answer. “No. No, I don’t think I could. Not … now. Maybe if I saw him hurting someone, but not after the fact.” He didn’t look surprised, but Pope’s expression gave nothing else away, either. “Could you?” 

“I’d have to.” He shook his head, licking his lips. “I wouldn’t want to, but ‘Fish couldn’t live with himself knowing that he hurt someone. And we’d never let him do something to himself that might get back to Carmen later. We promised.” That was understandable; protecting his daughter would always be the most important thing for them. And I get it. I get it, but what is the point of this? “The reason I’m asking you any of this is because if you want to go with him, and he wants you to go with him alone, you’re going to have to be able to make this promise, too.” 

“And what if I can’t?” Your stomach was churning, but you didn’t want Pope to know. “Does that mean I can never -”

“It means that you might have to have one of us there with you, and he’s not going to like that.” Pope shrugged, letting out a deep sigh. “I wanted to talk to you about this first, because I figured you’d be a little more reasonable. ‘Fish is … stubborn. And it’s not like we’d be right there next to you, but this while thing has only worked because we have a system, and that can’t change.” 

He was right, and you knew it. 

Having a second person with you and Frankie on the night of a full moon, at least for the first few times, was the right decision. It meant someone being there if things went sideways. It meant that you’d have backup. It meant that another one of them would see that you could be trusted with their friend’s secret, and that you could handle yourself around Frankie’s wolf. But I don’t like it, because the first time he shows someone, it should be private. 

“Who? You went with him last month. Would it be you next month, too?”

“It’s Will’s turn.” Pope’s reply was immediate, his voice even. “And that might be the best thing for everyonr, because he’s not emotional. Me an’ Benny … we are. Tom too. But Ironhead isn’t … reckless. He’d be a good one for you to be out there with.” 

Neither of you said anything else, and for a few long moments, you and Pope stared out over the well-kept yard. He wasn’t telling you that you couldn’t go, or that he thought it was a bad idea for you to see Frankie’s change. He wasn’t advising against your presence, or trying to downplay your barely-established place in Frankie’s life. He’s just trying to keep people safe. 

“I have to do what’s best for Frankie.” You nodded, blowing out a breath and closing your eyes. “And for everyone else. The last thing I want to do is put anyone at risk, but I’d be lying if I told you that it wasn’t disappointing that we wouldn’t have privacy.”

“You would.” He adjusted his position, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. “There’s a blind up in the trees about fifty yards from the RV. You can see everything from up there, but you can’t hear unless someone’s yelling. We used it the first couple times we were there with him, just to have a backup - someone on the ground, someone in the trees.” 

“So we’d have guns on us.” Pope flinched - barely, but you caught it nonetheless. Well, fuck. “I can’t speak for him, but if that’s what you think needs to happen, then yeah.” Reaching out, you took Pope’s hand in yours. “I trust you. I trust your friends, and if that’s what it takes… it’s what we’ll do.”

He looked relieved, almost like he’d expected you to fight him on someone else being there. But why would I? I’ve already admitted that I don’t think I could hurt him. “We’ll talk to ‘Fish. This shouldn’t be on you.” You agreed, giving him a quick smile before you let go of his hand and leaned back in your chair, averting your eyes. “How’s your cousin?”

You hadn’t expected Pope to ask, but you were grateful that he had. “He’s better. The wound got infected, so they’ve been trying to knock that back, but according to his fiancee, he’s going to be fine otherwise. No bite. Nothing lasting physically, except some scars. If she hadn’t been there, or been what she is, it would be a different story.” 

“You’re not worried about something like that happening to you?” Glancing over, he frowned at you. “Being on your own? What would you have done if you’d found a wolf? 

“I would have dealt with it.” You rubbed the side of your neck, thinking. “I’m always armed while hunting. I know where to aim on a wolf to incapacitate it until morning. That I can do. But shooting someone I know? That I care about?” That’s different.

“But you’re not afraid?” He bit down on his lower lip, sighing. “Seeing Frankie for the first time fucking terrified me. I don’t think you understand how big he is. If I’d been alone, I would have lost my shit.” 

“I’m always afraid, Pope. But I can’t let that stop me. It’s what’s expected because of -”

“Your family. I know.” You caught the roll of his eyes, along with his exasperated chuckle. “He told me all about it. I don’t mean to be an asshole, but it’s kinda bullshit that they’ve put this all on you.” 

“I don’t disagree, but I don’t want to be the one to stop. Why do I get to make that decision?”

“Because you found a reason to stop?” Pope stood, turning so that he could look at where you sat. “Because you decided you wanted to have a life that you chose instead of just doing what was expected of you?” And there’s a fourth. Covering your face with both hands, you rubbed at your eyes. 

Ashley and Alec telling you to choose yourself was one thing; they were actively involved in your life, and knew the burden you’d been entrusted with - and what living with it meant. Frankie, after spending years in the military and then getting saddled with an uncontrollable and unfair outcome advising you to put yourself first also made sense, especially since he was doing it because he cared about you. 

But Pope, someone that didn’t know you well and only knew the basics of your situation doing the same - simply because he wanted you and his friend to have a legitimate shot at whatever happiness looked like for the two of you? That was a shock. Because he understands responsibility. He understands honor.  

“Pope, I …” Raising your head, you eyed him where he stood, one hand on his hip. “I appreciate what you’re saying, but -”

“No one can choose this for you, and I get that.” He wet his lips, lowering himself so that he was squatting down in front of you, at eye level. “But maybe you shouldn’t be afraid to choose it for yourself, y’know?” 

Before either of you could say anything else, the back door opened and Yovanna called out. Pope’s eyes moved from your face to look over your shoulder. Nice save, Yova. “Are you staying to eat? It’s going to be ready soon.” 

“Stay.” Pope murmured the word, nodding once. “No more of this. Just let her grill you about ‘Fish.” That got a smile out of you and you agreed, turning your head toward where the woman stood. That sounds like a good time. 

“Yes. I’d like that a lot. Can I help?” She waved you off and went back inside, and then Pope stood too, the tension between you lessening almost entirely. “You’re not the first person to suggest that to me this week. And you probably won’t be the last, either.” He grinned, the expression taking years off of his face. “He’s lucky to have a friend like you.”

“I know. I don’t ever let him forget it, either.” Pope winked and then stood back up, holding his hand out. “Come on. I’ll show you where everything is. She won’t let us help in the kitchen but we can get shit set up out here on the table.” 

The two of you worked quickly, only needing a few minutes to get everything into place. Pope excused himself to go inside and check on the other woman, which you knew was only an excuse to disappear and kiss her senseless next to the sink, but you didn’t mind. You needed the break to collect your thoughts, and wanted a chance to check your phone. 

There was a missed call from Frankie from only a few minutes earlier, along with a picture message from Alec - of him and Ashley, both of them sitting outside in the hospital’s courtyard. Sending back a quick message to him first - looking good, glad you’re getting some fresh air! - you dialed Frankie’s number, raising the device to your ear. 

He answered on the second ring, and at the sound of his voice, you realized he was in the truck, playing your call through the speakers. “Sorry I missed you, what’s -”

“I just wanted to let you know I’m not going to be able to talk until later.” He sighed, only pausing for a second before he continued. “Carmen’s sick, and she’s asking for me, so I’m on my way to Lakeland. I’m gonna spend the night and go straight to work tomorrow.”

“Is she ok?” You held the phone tighter, trying to figure out just how much panic was in his voice. “What happened?”

“She’s going to be fine. Just has a fever. Probably picked it up at daycare. Becca said I didn’t need to come, that I could just call, but …”

“Of course you’d go.” Turning in a slow circle, you peeked in through the kitchen window, watching as Pope and Yovanna laughed together, the man standing behind her with his arms around her waist as she finished the meal. They’re so happy. “I hope seeing you makes things better for her.” 

“What time did you leave?” His tone softened, and you could picture Frankie’s smile, the corners of his mouth lifted as he watched the road ahead. “You sleep in?”

“Noon. And I did. All that room? I stretched out.” He laughed then, the sound coming through the speaker clearly. 

“It was hard to leave this morning. Wanted to stay in bed with you.” Biting the inside of your cheek, you tried to decide how to answer, and then opted for the truth - something that a week prior, you never would have admitted out loud.

“I missed you after you left. But…” Looking away from Pope and Yovanna, you inhaled. “I liked waking up in your bed, Frankie.” 

“You could do it more.” He cleared his throat. “Whenever you wanted to, and -”

“Dinner’s ready!” Pope’s voice was loud, and interrupted Frankie. “Come and get your plate.” 

“Where are you?” He was confused, and you held back your laugh. “Is that Pope?”

“It is. He invited me over to meet Yovanna and so that we could talk, and now I’m having dinner with them.” You wondered what was going through Frankie’s mind, or if he was angry that you were spending time with his friends without him - if he felt like you were going behind his back. ‘I didn’t think to -”

“What are you having? I’m fucking jealous. I haven’t had her cooking in a couple months.” Pope watched you expectantly, gesturing at the doorway. You made your way toward it, grinning. 

“No idea. But it smells amazing.” 

“She’ll bring you back a plate, ‘Fish.” Pope spoke loudly, leaning in when you got close. “We know how to share.” Frankie laughed at his words and so did you. Pope gave you a nod before leaning back inside and closing the door, giving you a few seconds to say goodbye. 

“I’m getting a hotel tonight. Can I call you later?” 

“Of course. I’ll be home after dinner.” Resting your hand on the door frame, you nodded. “I hope Carmen’s ok, and that a hug from her dad’s all she needs to feel better.” 

“I do too.” He sighed, your name quiet through the phone. “Go eat. And don’t believe a word Pope says about me. They’re all lies and he’s just trying to impress his girl.” 

You were both laughing when you hung up. But when you entered the kitchen and took the plate Yovanna held out to you, all you could focus on was the fact that for the second time in as many days, you didn’t feel like an outsider. 

Not only had you been accepted by Frankie, but his friends had taken an interest in you, too … even when he wasn’t around. 

— 

Over the course of the next few weeks, you continued your research during the day while Frankie worked. 

The weather held, even as September stretched on. And though it wasn’t your favorite place that you’d ever been, you started to see the appeal of Florida. 

Once the beaches cleared out, they became a good place to go and read through your notes. The threat of hurricanes forming in the Gulf didn’t seem to deter many residents from planning and participating in outdoor activities, but there was a definite drop in crowd density on the sand as the days passed and people returned to work and school. 

Frankie’s flight load dropped, too, though he warned you that the closer it got to the winter holidays, the busier he’d get again. You didn’t know if you’d still be in Florida for those holidays, but a large part of you hoped that you would - and you knew that Frankie felt the same. 

The two of you spent most nights together, going over your notes and coming up with theories. Frankie was helpful, the man’s eyes on your previous work helping you to pinpoint a few things that you hadn’t missed, but also hadn’t assumed might be important. 

It gave you hope that between you, you’d be able to pinpoint where the Chaos wolf would strike - and after seeing where he went the night you were with Frankie, you figured you’d have an even better idea. And see if our theory is correct. 

Frankie believed that once the wolf ran out of larger park locations, it would begin the cycle all over again. You thought that he was probably right, but if that was the case, then the next location had a 50% chance of being the park that the RV was in… and that worried you. Because it’s where we’ll be … and Frankie will want to fight.

Alec and Ashley left Florida just under two weeks out from the attack, and though you’d gotten to say goodbye, it was bittersweet. He’d left all of his notes with you, along with a few weapons and tools, which was confirmation that he was done - and you were in fact alone in the hunt. 

But more than that, Alec’s parting words had struck a nerve, the man looking you in the eye and making you promise that you wouldn’t spend the rest of your life on an impossible revenge mission, especially when you had something good right in front of you. You agreed, the words tasting like poison as you spoke them, and even though a large part of you meant it, there was still another part that couldn’t fathom abandoning your mission, even for someone - and something - like Frankie. 

Frankie and Ashley spoke for a few minutes, too, and you heard her reiterate her invitation to Texas, Frankie’s enthusiasm in accepting making you grin. There was no repeat of the first meeting; they greeted each other and then spoke like longtime friends. You were thankful for it, the woman hugging him tightly and then pulling you off to the side to give him a minute with Alec. 

That conversation was slightly less friendly - if their facial expressions were anything to go by. But like with his confrontation with Tom, you didn’t pry Frankie for the contents of it. If he wanted to tell me, he would. He didn’t, though, instead telling you not to worry about anything, and to focus on what the two of you needed to: the coming full moon.  

Days continued to pass, and as they did, you and Frankie grew closer. 

There were no more almost slips, despite your growing emotional connection. You slowly stopped worrying about it being too much, too fast, and just let things happen - because he did the same, and it felt good. 

You saw his friends occasionally, stopping into the bar or going to dinner with Pope or Will and their significant others. You texted back and forth with Benny, and even met Tom’s daughter and wife one night, Frankie introducing you in the lobby of a movie theater. Tessa and Molly were nice, and you were stunned at the difference in Tom when he was with them. 

In the span of two months, you’d inserted yourself into Frankie’s life almost seamlessly. It was comforting, but at the same time, it scared you. 

It scared you because of how well you fit. It worried you because you had the feeling that it couldn’t - and wouldn’t - last. You’d had a few disagreements, but nothing serious, and part of you wondered if it was because he was afraid of angering you and forcing your hand in exposing him. You wouldn’t do that - and Frankie knew it, but it still ate away at you that there was no certain way for you to know exactly why he was the way he was with you. 

One of the disagreements you did have was about Will coming with the two of you during the next full moon. Thankfully, you didn’t have much to do when it came to justifying that decision. Will did it for you while the three of you had a beer together on Frankie’s covered porch, the sounds of early autumn echoing around you in the darkness. 

“So about next week, ‘Fish.” Will took a pull from the bottle, looking over at where the two of you were sitting together on the couch. You had your feet on Frankie’s lap, the man’s thumb rubbing lazily over the inside of your ankle. Here we go. “I’m the one going with you, and -”

“Won’t need you this month, Ironhead.” His fingers tightened and then loosened, Frankie’s voice even. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you about that.” Looking over at Will, you took a deep breath. “I want her t-”

“Frankie.” You sat all the way up, swinging your feet down so that you could move closer to him. “Give him a chance to finish.” 

“So you’ve already talked about this?” He dragged his fingers through his hair, letting out a harsh laugh. “Made plans behind my back?” 

“No.” Will leaned in, head shaking back and forth. “Not behind your back. And of course you’d have the final decision, but it’s something … that needs to be discussed.” 

You reached over and settled your hand on Frankie’s leg, though you stayed quiet. “What?” He snapped the single word out, looking at his friend with narrowed eyes. “What needs to be discussed?” 

“You made us make you a promise. And the only way we can keep that promise is if one of us is there, ‘Fish.” Will clasped his hands together, raising and lowering his shoulders in a shrug. “Any one of us is going to be able to do what we need to do if we need to do it, but she … we don’t know if she will.” 

“”It’s been almost three years. I’ve never ever given anyone the idea that I might -”

“Frankie, I wasn’t even able to follow through when I was on high alert in my apartment, and you were human. What happens if something happens, and you’re a wolf?” Slipping your fingers between his, you let out a shaky breath. “I don’t know what would be worse, not being able to pull that trigger when I need to, or forcing one of your friends to do it after you did something you regret.” 

“So both of you think I’m not going to be able to control myself.” He shifted next to you, but didn’t try to pull his hand free. That’s something. “Both of you are afraid that I’m going to all of a sudden lose my shit, and -”

“No.” Will leaned in, pressing the heel of one hand to his forehead. “But another thing to worry about is that this other wolf might show up. And we’re all used to how you act on all fours, ‘Fish, but she isn’t. If she hesitates and it’s not you?” Will’s gaze flicked over to you and lingered. “That’s not something you’d come back from.” 

You hadn’t even thought of that - if you were in the middle of the forest and the other wolf made an appearance, you thought you’d be able to do what was necessary. But if it’s dark and all I see is a wolf, of course I’m going to hesitate until I know it’s not him. “Shit.” You tightened your grip on Frankie’s hand and then let go, covering your face with both of them. “Frankie, he’s right about that. Pope brought up one of them coming with us because it made sense, but I didn’t even think about the other wolf being there and my hesitation waiting to see if it’s you.” 

He didn’t speak right away, but when you peeked over at Frankie, you saw that some of the anger had bled from his body. Instead he looked worried, lips pressed together and a deep furrow between his brows. “So what’s… what’s the long term plan, Ironhead? It’s always going to be one of you and her there? It can’t ever just be me and my -” 

That time, it was Frankie that stopped himself, mouth snapping shut and his shoulders going rigid. Your what? 

“No. Not always. She’d just need to get used to you and the routine before it could be her only.” Will licked his lips, giving you a quick smile. “I think that’s fair. We started out two of us at a time, right?” 

“Yeah.” Frankie lowered his head. “So what, you’d just be in the RV? I kinda wanted it to just be us when I show her -”

“The blind.” Will leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest. “I’ll be able to see everything and can act if I need to, but you’ll be by yourselves on the ground.” 

“It’s up to you, Frankie.” You shifted closer, reaching for his hand again. “But I don’t think it’s a bad idea, especially if I’d be going out there again after this time. Will can show me the ropes, and give me an idea of what to look for and what to expect from you when you’re a wolf.” 

“We’re trying to keep everyone safe, ‘Fish. Just like always.” You waited - eyeing Frankie as he collected his thoughts. A quick glance at Will resulted in an almost imperceptible nod from the blonde, his head tipped to one side as he watched you. Lighten the mood. Say something to him. 

“I have been thinking about sponsoring one of those sharks with the trackers.” You nudged Frankie with one elbow, letting yourself smile. “But maybe Will can show me how to use your GPS, and then I won’t need to. I’ll have my own -”

“Fuck off.” Frankie yanked his hand free and then wrapped both arms around you, pulling you closer to his chest. You laughed but wound your arms around him, closing your eyes in relief. It’s going to be alright. “You’re right though, Ironhead. Last thing I want to do is leave her alone in the middle of the woods at night on a full moon. I know what’s out there.” And so do I. “Would you stay up in the trees all night?”

“Nah. I’d wait til you were gone and then come down. No reason to stay up there all night, unless you think I need to.” Will was speaking out loud, but you could tell from his facial expressions that he and Frankie were also having a silent conversation. In a split second, you realized that it was likely about the other wolf. But I’m not supposed to know that they’re hunting it too. I’m not supposed to know anything about that side of it, and … 

It would have made everything much simpler if you’d just admitted who you were and what you were doing in Florida. You would have been able to plan with Frankie and his friends, instead of there being two separate scenarios at all times. 

The inability to do so was frustrating, and there was a a part of you that wanted to speak up - to clue Will in, even though it made things more dangerous. Maybe we can talk about it next week. 

“Alright.” Frankie sighed, loosening his hold on you. “I guess I don’t really have a choice in this, but I get it.” You opened your mouth to speak - to tell him that he did have a choice - but he beat you to it, leaning in and kissing you before you could. “If you’re gonna be around you need to know.” Mumbling the words, he nodded before pulling away. “And there’s nobody better to be there with you than Will Miller.” .

A quick glance at Will told you that he was relieved there’d only been a little pushback. It could have gone much worse. You were thankful it hadn’t, because the last thing you wanted was Frankie to be angry with you - or annoyed with any of his friends. Because he needs them. Settling back, you leaned your head against his shoulder, only halfway paying attention as the two of them started talking again. 

And I need him. 

— 

[homeybadger]

Possible Idea?

So, I had a brief idea for a superhero fanfic, but I wanted to gauge your guy's reaction first. Please let me know if you'd read this, if I should write this for the Marvel or DC universe, and who the reader should end up with- if anyone! (I'd very likely write the reader interacting with the Moon Knight or Batman side of things respectively)

Please do not copy my work! Even if I'm uncertain about writing a full fic, I'm still personally invested in this idea.

Dayshade

Word Count: 264

Vigilantes are many things, but they’re also human. They get tired, they make mistakes, they miss something- they slip.

That’s where you come in. 

Dayshade.

Despite lacking the gadgets or specialized training of any renowned heroes, you find a strange sort of contentment in your humble role as the self-proclaimed “guardian of daylight”. By day, you’ve vowed to discreetly intervene in minor crimes whenever possible, offering assistance with a subtle touch that goes traditionally unnoticed by most. 

Your accomplishments currently include returning missing wallets, moving broken down cars from the road, and- most notably- tripping an actual bank robber fleeing from officials.

Under the cover of night, you’ve begun to embark on very brief patrols- you do have a life after all- both striving to lessen the burdens weighing on the shoulders of your city’s defenders and to ensure the people around you directly feel more secure. The moniker itself even started as a joke, something you’d whisper to yourself quietly for your own amusement. Dayshade- who’d ever take that seriously?

Arguably though, it was a good vigilante name. It was two syllables, so it was easy to yell, and the title was easy enough to remember. 

Slowly but surely, you became a figure who operated discreetly under the cover of daylight, subtly shading the city from wrongdoing without drawing any undue attention to yourself. You were simply content to exist in the daytime, unseen and unnoticed by the wide variety of villains who often plagued the city.

That is, until tonight.

Who knew an actual sun god would take the moniker Dayshade seriously?

[little-bumblebeeee]

Moonlight - part 2

Werewolf!Steve Harrington x vampire!Eddie Munson

a teeeeny tiny bit of angst but don't worry

A little bit shorter than I'd like and I'm realizing this might have more parts than I bargained for (also not proofread if you see mistakes no you don't)

Part 1 :)

They avoid each other like the plague. Well, it's mostly Steve avoiding Eddie a little more than usual. He even starts sending Tommy to buy weed instead of just getting it himself, which means that no, that was not in fact a weird ass dream and Steve most definitely is a werewolf. And Eddie called him a good boy. He doesn't know which is more embarrassing, the fact that he cuddled with him like he was a dog or the fact he kind of misses that. Eddie doesn't even attempt to talk to him. He didn't before, why would he now?

But the next full moon has Eddie wanting to go back to those woods. As he hears those cries and howls, he feels the strange need to go back out and help Steve again. So what does he do? He grabs the now cold McDonald's burger he was about to eat and his bag, as well as a pet brush because he doesn't want his fingers getting caught in Steve's matted fur again, walking briskly back to those woods. Just as last time, when Eddie peeks through the trees, he sees the big brown wolf curled up and whining, clearly still in a little bit of pain. "Steve?" Eddie asks tentatively. Steve's head perks up, looking around before his familiar burnt caramel eyes land on Eddie. He jumps up, bounding over to Eddie and tackling him to the ground.

Oh. Great. Eddie's dying now. His throat is gonna be ripped out and Steve is only licking his face to get a taste of Eddie before he absolutely devours him and- okay now why is that making him think about human Steve sucking his- anyways back to Eddie about to die. Which.. isn't happening. Steve hops off of Eddie, tail wagging as he digs his nose into Eddie's bag, fishing out the burger and finishing it off in a single bite, not even chewing once. "Steve.. hey. Uh.." Eddie stammers, sitting up and scooting back a bit. Steve is a lot more affectionate in this form, and Eddie just assumes that Steve doesn't remember shit because in what world would Steve Harrington want anything to do with Eddie Munson? Especially since... well, they have reasons for calling him a "freak" that aren't just about his looks. The one time he tried his hand at asking out a guy, it backfired horribly, and now practically everyone in Hawkins knows he's- that he's...

Different.

He was young. Tried to prove everyone "wrong" by asking out a girl he kind of liked, just to get people to think the rumors weren't true. But it only worsened things somehow, making him eternally damned to be "the freak". Why did life put him here? It's just his luck to be practically tortured his whole life then be told he's going to hell as if he's not already there. Maybe he has died. Maybe this is hell. He's only having this nice moment with Steve as he lays his head on Eddie's lap because it's a way for him to get his hopes up, for him to be happy for at least a few moments before it all comes crashing down again before he even gets the chance to savor it.

He's tired of it. He's tired of getting his hopes up, of crying, of dealing with.. everything. He's just. So. Tired.

Eddie looks back down at the werewolf lying in his lap when he feels Steve's wet nose nudge against his hand, big brown eyes looking right back up at him with a look that almost appears to be worry in his eyes. "Hey, Steve." He says quietly, running his ringed fingers through the light brown fur of the large animal. It's like a sliver of light, a shot of caffeine to wake him up. He feels a little more okay like this, even if his chest aches knowing Steve will only avoid him further by tomorrow. But tonight, he'll savor this tonight.

Before life rips it all away from Eddie, he'll savor this.

part 3

Tag list: @manda-panda-monium (that's it, you can totally ask to be on the tag list if you want, I'll add you no hesitation)

[leonscape]

"Sweetheart, You've Got Stars in Your Eyes"

A fic I wrote for myself for my bday because Leon is a Leo, I'm a Leo; it's a coincidence written in the stars. Leon x OC (Irene); It's a hot summer night so Leon suggests going outside to cool down and they do a bit of stargazing <3 Genre: Fluff Word Count: 904

“It’s warmer than usual tonight,” Irene commented. “Did you drink enough water today?” She affectionately brushed her hand up against Leon’s cheek. He was warm, but he wasn’t sick. 

“Of course.” Leon nodded. He copied her actions and gently caressed her face. “What about you?” 

“I feel fine right now, so I think I drank enough water.”

“Good, I’m glad.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead.

The doors to the balcony were opened to let some of the night breeze into the room. So far, it was quiet and still. It wasn’t windy but at least the doors didn’t trap the heat inside. Leon’s shirt was unbuttoned a bit further down than usual and even Irene was wearing less layers. The couple sat in silence, fanning themselves to cool off even if the difference in temperature was miniscule. 

“Why don’t we just go outside?” Leon suggested. It didn’t take Irene much convincing. She immediately agreed, eager to rid herself of the heat. But she stopped in his tracks when she realized how dark and creepy the night could feel. Leon had led her out into the gardens, a usually tranquil and relaxing spot in the day was suddenly an eerily quiet and anxiety inducing area at night. 

Irene held onto his hand in a tight grip. “Leon, are you sure about this?” she asked. “It’s really dark out here.”

Leon lit one of the lamps and the place instantly transformed from nightmare fuel to cozy romantic date spot. Or maybe it was still creepy and it was just Leon’s presence that made it better. Being able to see the reassuring smile on his face was all she needed to feel comfortable. “There, how’s that?” He gestured for her to take a seat on the settee. 

“I hope no one, or nothing, sneaks up on us,” Irene mumbled. 

Leon’s jovial laugh felt like a safety blanket against whatever may or may not be lurking in the darkness of the night. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you. I won’t let anything hurt you.”

They cuddled under the stars in the company of the soft warm glow of the nearby lamp. As the land continued to cool down, the temperature dropped. It was the darkest night of the month with the moon absent from the night sky. 

Irene clung to Leon, wide eyes and stiff movements. He could only chuckle and lean into her embrace. “Your eyes are so big right now,” he laughed, “you can see the light from the lamp in your eyes.”

“It’s really dark out here!” She frowned. 

“Sweetheart, you look like you’ve got stars in your eyes,” he whispered while tenderly tucking her hair behind her ear. “You’ve gotta be the prettiest thing in existence.” 

He tilted his head and went in for a gentle kiss on the lips. “Leon…” she whimpered in embarrassment.

“What,” he laughed, “you looked like you needed it.” 

“Thank you,” she muttered, turning her attention to the stars. 

He couldn’t tear his eyes from her– he didn’t want to. In a universe full of stars, the only ones he wanted to look at were the ones in her eyes. For a while, he wondered what he could say to get her attention without making her so flustered. But his affections for her made it difficult to contain himself. He wanted to compliment her all the time, have all of her attention, and enjoy all of her affection. 

She took a quick peek at him and promptly looked away when she found him staring at her. “Those stars in the sky are nice,” she said. 

Leon finally averted his gaze and turned his head up to the sky. “Yeah, it’s beautiful.”

“Sometimes I wonder what it’s like up there. It feels so far away and strangely nostalgic.”

“Nostalgic? How so?”

“I don’t know. It just feels like I’m remembering something from long ago when I look at the stars. I also feel like I’m longing for something,” she explained. 

“Wanna stargaze with me?” he asked. “I’m gonna turn the lamp off so we can see them better, if that’s okay with you.” 

Irene nodded and moved closer to him. The light dimmed before completely extinguishing, leaving them in the darkness with the palace the only nearby source of light. “It’s so dark again,” Irene whispered. 

“Here, just hold my hand and don’t let go.” His palm was big and warm, and they did everything to make her feel safe. Their eyes adjusted and somehow the stars looked bigger and brighter. 

“I wish I knew some constellations,” Irene said. 

“Then how about we make some up?” 

“You can’t just make up constellations,” she giggled. 

“Sure you can! Look over there,” Leon pointed to the east, “there’s the constellation of Clavis putting banana peels on the ground.” 

She laughed some more and buried her face into his chest. 

“Look! See that hourglass looking shape of stars? And the clump of stars next to it? That’s Jin flirting with a woman.” 

“Those are strange constellations,” Irene chuckled. “How about a normal one? Like… That one. It kinda looks like a lion right?”

“Oh yeah, you’re right. The one with that big red star right?” 

“Mhmm, and then the legs and body are to the left,” she confirmed. “I guess this is just as fun as finding actual constellations.”

“I’m glad you’re having fun.” He kissed her on the head once more.

(i listened to this while writing it and i may have actually cried while writing)

[braveclementine]

Bonus 3- Werewolf!Remus x Emma

Warnings: 18+ readers only, werewolf sex, aftercare

Copyright: I do not own Remus Lupin or any other Wizarding World/Harry Potter characters. However, Emma is an OC based on a friend. (although since this is a oneshot, it won't be continued and I do not own the rights to the name 'Emma'). I do not condone copying this.

"Remus?" Emma asked nervously, eyeing the werewolf in front of her, cursing herself for being so stupid. Full moon and she had gone out in the woods. The werewolf in front of her was a light grey colour with orange eyes. 

The werewolf growled, coming closer. It's large teeth were bared, showing just how long its' fangs were, saliva dripping down them. 

Suddenly, another werewolf lunged at that one, biting it and scratching it. The first werewolf howled, running off and the second werewolf turned to Emma and she started to blush. 

Obviously, the first werewolf had been female, because it had been missing the very large, very obvious appendage that this werewolf had. This werewolf was also a little darker in colour with yellow eyes. 

"R-Remus?" Emma asked with more difficulty this time, her eyes continuously flickering down to the erect appendage connected to this werewolves body. It seemed that Remus' constant sexual state up to the full moon, carried over into it as well. 

The werewolf leaned forwards, its nose butting against Emmas' cheek and she relaxed. Remus had taken his potion tonight and his mind was more human than animal. 

"I'm so glad you're safe." She whispered, petting along his nose to his head. She had never touched a werewolf- it would've been a suicide mission- and found that he felt pretty much exactly like a dog with short hair- sort've soft, but also not fluffy either. 

Remus snarled, but not in a menacing way. Emma wasn't entirely sure how to describe it, perhaps protective? Or possessive? Or maybe that was his way of agreeing with her? 

Suddenly, her back hit the ground, the air leaving her in shock. Remus' claws ripped her clothes away, leaving her bare to him and her eyes darted to his hanging appendage once more. Her breathing became labored and she was aware that she was becoming slick between the thighs. 

The wolf prowled around her for a second, nuzzling her again with his snout. He came back around the front of her, standing over her. 

"Remus?" Emma asked quietly. "Do- Are- What-" She tried to think of how to phrase her question, trying to figure out what he wanted. He placed a paw on her chest and she found that he wasn't heavy. The paw was soft, not unlike a dog's paw. He'd drawn his claws in so that they didn't scratch her. 

Then he removed it again, lowering his head, nuzzling his nose between her thighs again, before throwing his head back, howling at the moon. 

Emma couldn't help but smile at him. Then Remus was lowering his elongated nose again, before licking her. 

The noise that left Emma's mouth was some mix between a whimper, a squeal, and a surprised gasp. Maybe even a little bit of an unintentional scream. 

But once she got over the fact of what had just happened, she realized with flushing cheeks that she liked it. 

"Remus." She moaned softly, hoping to encourage the wolf, though she couldn't admit even to herself that that's what she was doing. 

The wolf took the encouragement, licking her repeatedly. She fell back into the leaves, panting. His tongue was longer and thicker as a wolf, not to mention able to go deeper inside of her. It was such a strange, unnatural feeling, but Emma found that she craved it. 

"Feels so good." She breathed out, staring up at the midnight sky, the full moon glowing perfectly above her. "Remmy." 

The wolf continued to do as it liked, his licks long and pleasurable. Emma could feel the slowest build up of an orgasm in her abdomen. She craved it, pushing her hips forwards a little as though in a dream, so that Remus would increase the pleasure to cum. 

The wolf growled, tongue actually circling her clit before his tongue delved deeper into her cunt. Her legs shook, knocking against the ear of the wolf, but he took no notice, focused solely on the task in front of him. 

And then, when Emma thought it could last no longer, she burst, releasing on the wolfs' tongue. The wolf growled deeply this time, lapping up her juices, before pulling away. His yellow eyes seemed darker, satisfied, but still craving. 

Emma couldn't help it. She shakily kneeled, reaching forward, wrapping her hand around the wolfs cock. Remus let out a whine, ears drooping, eyes closing slowly. 

Emma realized she was shaking, her hand trembling as she moved it up and down. If Emma were to close her eyes, she wouldn't have been able to tell the difference between the wolf and Remus when touching the long appendage. 

It was still just as thick and long as Remus', no difference at all besides maybe the way it was hanging. 

She found herself on her back again, the small of her back stinging where she'd landed on a small stone. She wiggled a little as Remus stood over her again, yellow eyes having darkened to amber. 

The wolf growled against the side of her cheek, before lowering himself directly in front of her. 

"Remus please." Emma begged before she realized what she was saying. But she didn't take it back, waiting on bated breath, before Remus pushed inside of her. 

Now, there was a difference. She felt fuller than she thought possible at the halfway point and when Remus had pushed his way fully inside, she thought she was going to burst. Remus as a wolf was not patient or kind, only needy. He started to fuck her before she had adjusted and she had to ride out the pain before it turned into pleasure. 

Once it became all pleasure, Emma opened her eyes again. The wolf was moving slower now, as though in a tired way, but not quite. The wolf looked up at the sky and she could see that the moon was becoming lighter as. . . as the sun was coming up!

The wolf started to change, even as it continued to fuck Emma slowly. The snout shrinking back into a normal nose, the yellow eyes becoming a warm brown. The gray fur fading, becoming the smooth tan skin of her husband. 

Remus stilled for a second, looking down at her with shadows under his eyes. He was still balls deep inside of her, one hand tangled in her hair, the other pinning her hands down. 

Emma smiled a little, looking up at him. "Remmy." 

Remus seemed to scan her over, before pulling her up into his arms and started thrusting into her furiously. Emma cried out, clutching at his shoulders, scraping her nails down his back as the pleasure pulsed in her cunt, squeezing around his cock once, twice, five times before she was cumming fiercely. 

Remus snarled, slamming his hips into her, before spurting up inside of her, coating her walls white. He let her back down on the ground, pulling out of her slowly. 

"Em?" Remus asked hoarsely, hands cupping your face. "Emma did I hurt you?" 

"No." Emma murmured softly, sitting up with a tender wince. "You protected me Remus. There was another werewolf and you scared her off." 

"Her? How did you know it was a her?" Remus asked while staggering to his feet, looking around. He found his wand under a bush and summoned clothes for the two of them. 

Emma blushed darkly as Remus wrapped her in his cloak, picking her up in his arms. She reached up, picking a leaf out of his hair and murmured. "She didn't have. . . you know. Your. . . thing." 

Remus went as red as Emma, looking up at the castle instead. 

They made it to his quarters without seeing  a single person and Remus carried her straight into the loo. Emma sat gingerly on the toilet while Remus filled the bathtub with hot water, pouring in an ample amount of apple and honey soap into the water. 

He undressed, groaning and wincing, before helping Emma into the water, following her in. 

"Here bunny." Remus whispered, washing her back gently and carefully. "Does anything hurt? Should I fetch a healing potion?" 

"No." Emma said, shaking her head. She ached, yes, but she wanted to remember this. She looked over her shoulder at him. "Remmy, are you okay? I mean, you know, with what happened? You didn't hurt me or bite me or anything. And. . ." Now she face the front, cheeks burning. "It was really good." 

Remus' chest rumbled against her back, his arms tightening around her. "I'm alright. It was a bit of a shock, coming around to see you really there. I thought I had fallen asleep and it was a dream. But being aware in a werewolf body has always been a dreamlike state. I was more afraid you would hate me for it." 

"Can we do it again?" Emma asked, shoulders hunched as she spat the words out quickly, as though a faster delivery would mean acceptance. 

Remus breathed out, his hand freezing where he had been washing her. "I-" Then he paused an cupped her face so that she was looking at him. "Yes Emma." 

Emma leaned up, touching her lips to his and he pulled her tightly into the kiss. "I love you Remmy." 

"I love you too bunny." 

[chiarrara]

Bro I got more for the 80’s/90’s au:

Title already reminds me of Gojo but the lyrics as well is just. Hhhh. Reminds me of when Geto started spiraling.

Title says it all I think

Mostly here becouse it sounds like something they’d listen to

While this is a 90’s song it reminds me a lot of Gojo. Just the childish/cocky tone, the line “and then you told me how bad you had to suffer, is that really all you have to offer?” Like idk it just screams him to me.

And if I died right now what then

90’s song but Jesus Christ this one is even worse. “I wanna hold the hand inside you,I wanna take a breath that’s true” “you’ll come apart and you’ll go blind” banging my head against the wall

“And if your head explodes with dark forebodings too, I’ll see you in the dark side of the moon”

Also “the lunatic is in my head” good way to say there’s a curse inside your brain Geto

Here mostly becouse it’s an actual confirmed gay song but it’s still a bit satosugu

It’s just here becosue vibes

(1980s SatoSugu AU + 1990s Megumi AU Playlists)

omg omg you're like a musical angel. okay let's do it:

1. Eyes Without A Face - Billy Idol

This is the perfect 1984 sound to me!! Like, quintessential this is so perfect thank you. And yes, eyes theme, of course. But also...

woof 🥲 i can imagine suguru playing this song while he's having a Bad Time™ and thinking of satoru.........i am sad

2. (I Just) Died In Your Arms Tonight - Cutting Crew

😢

Ugh, this is such a classic. Technically it's 1986 so......I can put it near the end of the playlist and it can be like a couple years in the future. So. Things are not going well for them in 1986.....

3. Sowing the Seeds of Love - Tears for Fears

Immediately yes.

So they're back together by 1989 and belting this at full volume down the highway. that's nice :)

(+ BONUS) Everybody Wants To Rule The World - Tears for Fears

I had to go back and see what TfF songs were out around '84 and

4. 21st Century (Digital Boy) - Bad Religion

Ooooh yeah I hear it, that line is so good. But......it's also great for Megumi, beating up some bullies lol. And it's 1994! that's my anchor year for him so that's perfect!

5. Love is a Battlefield - Pat Benatar

Okay, those lyrics hit so hard 😢 tell me I'm wrong, but I feel like Gojo would love Pat Benatar, but Geto would haaaate her lmao. Like Gojo would bring a tape into the car and convince Suguru to let him play it, but Suguru would be like, "don't leave that tape in my car." idk he's just not like other boys.

Also, very Gojo coded song 2 me. This came out in 1983, so I think everytime it comes on Gojo blasts the radio and sings along at top volume all by himself while Geto rolls his eyes in the drivers seat.

6. Fade Into You - Mazzy Star

🥺🥺🥺 I love this sooooong. Giving it to little proto-emo boy Megumi for timeline stability. Gojo can overhear it and have traumatic flashbacks or something

"I think it's strange you never knew" kill me

7. Brain Damage - Pink Floyd

Does Geto just have two full Pink Floyd tapes in his glove box?..........I mean probably

😢😢😢😢😢

"there's someone in my head but it's not me" I don't wanna talk about it.

8. Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've?) - The Buzzcocks

PERFECT. GAY TEEN ANGST. PERFECT.

No notes.

9. Because the Night - Patti Smith

Another Gojo belter. But this one grows on Geto and in a couple weeks he's belting word for word along with him. They love this song 🔥🔥🔥

---

I'm having so much fun 🥰 tyty the playlist is really coming along now

[landgraabbed]

hi! i was wondering if you had game recs for someone that has only played sims and stardew on pc! im the person and i want to start playing more stuff but i dont want to start with something too difficult i hope that makes sense 🐣 thank you and i hope you enjoy your weekend

hi nonners!! sure thing! a huge chunk of my childhood gaming was harvest moon and sims so let's see! my gaming tastes are very unified yet all over the place so don't take this as gospel and something you will For Sure enjoy! feel free to follow up if any game/genre piques your interest!

if you never did so, i would recommend giving the sims handheld games (namely, sims bustin' out, urbz, and sims 2 on the gba/ds). they're still in the universe of the sims so you take care of your lil sim/urb but they're adventure games where you're given tasks and progress through the story. the writing is silly but good, and the characters are fun, though the games may feel grindy at times. feel free to hit me up if you'd like, i can hook you up with them!

in the farming sim/resource manager sim, i can recommend you the harvest moon games, now story of seasons. story of seasons: a wonderful life just came out on the switch, and i think other platforms, and it is a remake of the iconic a wonderful life. just keep in mind that it might feel like a step down from just how much content is in stardew valley! there's also the rune factory series, my time at portia (and the upcoming my time at sandrock), ooblets, graveyard keeper, calico, and animal crossing. oh!! and kynseed. kynseed is lovely and it looks gorgeous and it is a life sim where you play as successive generations, with lots of fae elements. it can get a bit grindy but i've greatly enjoyed my time with it.

(and i just started wylde flowers since i got it on sale this week, and i've been really enjoyed it so far, but can't provide a full recommendation since i've had so little time with it)

if you enjoy the decorating part of the sims, i can recommend you the tenants. it's a game where you play as a landlord, decorate houses, find renters, and most importantly do renovation jobs for clients.

if you're in the mood for something sandbox-y, other than animal crossing i think that no man's sky could scratch that itch (you can fully customize options such as resource availability, combat difficulty, etc) and, of course the legend of zelda breath of the wild (and i can only assume tears of the kingdom, but i haven't started that one yet)

if you're wanting to dip your toes into different genres, such as rpgs, i can recommend you the elder scrolls series (especially skyrim is more streamlined and thus, more beginner friendly) and dragon age. both series have difficulty settings you can change as you feel more or less comfortable. if you're interested in party-based, turn-based rpgs, you can't go wrong with the final fantasy series, golden sun, and octopath traveler (which is a recent favorite that i wholeheartedly love, with the caveat that if someone is looking for a large, overarching story it is not the game that will provide that)

edit to add story-based games. there are many but i won't cite what maybe most people would recommend bc i either haven't played it or dislike it. i really enjoyed oxenfree, not tonight, road 96, and most importantly of all, kentucky route zero. my sibling adores the dreamfall chapters series and i really enjoy watching them play it! and my wife (a much more casual player than me but whom i love watching play and has great taste) loved playing strange horticulture, the sexy brutale, eastshade, and coffee talk (episodes 1 and 2)

please keep in mind there's some overlap between categories! and i think that most games will be approachable to beginners. nobody was born knowing how to play games and i find that most games do a good job of bringing players up to speed.

sorry for the long reply!! gaming is just a bit of a big interest for me since it's my preferred medium and i'm a rambler haha. as i said, feel free to hmu again on or off anon!! and hope u too are having a great weekend

[legit9thlunaticwarrior]

i decided to give reader new music. still the 'illusion' but the idea in my head is that's the heel song, yk? also there might be a little extra part with the full day in arcadia bay so stay tuned

|remember to leave feedback and i love all you heathens|

~Part I~

'The Very First Night: Part II' Angelo Parker (Jeff) x fem!reader

^secret love song by little mix is the only thing im gonna say^

- Wheeler Yuta (James) - there was nothing you could do to stop me from putting life is strange stuff in this, arcadia bay will be a common thing in my work just deal with me - im also aware of how dynamite and rampage are filmed but for the sake of this, im throwing it out the window - it got long, by accident

3rd Person POV

Sneaking around and dodging questions; that was what the days consisted of since the lipstick incident. When the sun fell and the moon rose, that was when they could see each other. Jeff would go to her hotel room and spend the night, only to be gone in the morning; but not without leaving a sweet note beside her.

Dynamite had come around to Y/N's home of Arcadia Bay, Oregon. It was also the show that everyone would hear from her. In all the years Bryan had known her, he's never seen her this excited. Since they got to the arena, the group saw sign after sign for their hometown hero. "Do you want any of us out there with you?" Claudio asked as she got ready to go to the ring, "No, but just be on standby. I have a feeling Jericho and his goons are upset about last week." She responded as it was time to go.

'For it is just an Illusion' playing before her new theme. She brought back 'Psychedelic Girl' by Twirl for her music, the Bay crowd knowing it well. Coming out of the face tunnel still felt strange to her, dressed in a BCC shirt, denim shorts, and her iconic creepers; giving fans highfives as she made her way to the ring. Once inside, she couldn't help but keep her signature; she took the belt off, held it up, and licked the main plate. "This title belongs to me." she always said. She put the belt back on and grabbed the mic. "Arcadia Bay, Oregon; I'm home!" The roar of her people had a few tears slipping. "It truly is so amazing to be back, standing here All Elite, as a member of the Blackpool Combat Club, as the Ring of Honor Women's World Champion, and as an Arcadian. For the time we're here in the Bay, just call me Y/N. I mean this is my home; why not use my real name at home?" Before she could continue, just as she thought, here came the goons. "Y/N, Y/N, no wonder you decided to join those guys; look where you're from. I mean, you say you bring honor to that title? Licking it like a harlot?" Chris started. They all made their way to the ring and the rest of her own gang came out. Jeff couldn't lie; he did flinch a little when Chris called her that; but he knew he had to play along. She'll understand. The ring was full and ready for a fight. "Chris, I wouldn't trash talk these people, we in AB love a good fight. And you wanna talk about honor? Let's talk about all the stunts you pulled when you had the title. I see you're still sore after the loss." "Oh no, we have an offer for you. See, the Jericho Appreciation Society's own Anna Jay A.S. has her eye on that title, so how about it?" Y/N scoffed and looked at Anna and Chris, "Oh? She wants the title? My women’s title? Because right now, it sounds like a little girl needing daddy to do the talking for her. But, who am I to turn down a quick win? I know Anna over there has a match tonight. If she wins with all your lackeys banned from ringside, see you at Rampage. If she doesn't," Y/N got closer to Anna, "Better luck next time, princess." Anna slapped Y/N but she bounced back to the other woman's surprise, "Jokes on you, I'm into that. I look forward to your match Anna." Just to mess with him, she shot a wink to Jeff, making him flush. "Now, get out of my ring." "I started my journey here all those years ago, and so many of you here tonight have stuck with me since. Thank you." That was all Jeff was able to hear while watching on the backstage screens over the nasty comments about Y/N.

And so it was, Y/N sat on commentary during Anna's match. Back and fourth banter with the men at the desk, "Y/N I have to ask, who did that wink go to?" "Oh Taz, who am I to give up secrets? They may not want to admit it, but I know those JASholes very well. I know some of them better than others." She said casually. "And the slap? That was quite an interesting response." Y/N smirked, "I like to mess with my opponents. Those who know, know." Anna had won with the Queen Slayer and the match was over, "Well gentlemen, I came back to the Bay as the champ, and I will leave as the champ. Goodnight."

The next morning, Jeff and Y/N met for breakfast at the diner she always went to growing up. Her friend's stepdad was nice enough to let her borrow the pickup for the time they were there. Two Whales she looked up at the sign and walked in, "Y/N!" Joyce, her childhood best friend's mom greeted as she walked around the counter to hug her. "Hey Joyce!" "It's so amazing to see you honey. Look at you all grown up." The diner held many memories for Y/N, "I've missed this place, Joy. That jukebox still messed up?" she laughed. "Ritchie just won't listen that it needs to be fixed; or thrown out at this point. Oh, Max and Chloe send their love. We wish we could be at your shows but they couldn't make it from Washington. I had it on the TV last night, all the bikers couldn't believe it was you." Joyce had briefly filled Y/N in about her high school best friends when she remembered, "I shouldn't be taking your time; there's a handsome young man waiting for you. What's this one's name?" Y/N turned her head to the booths to see Jeff sitting there with a grin on his face, having watched the entire encounter. "Jeff. We work together, kinda." "When he said he was waiting for you, I had to put him in your booth." The booth in question was the one she and her friends always sat in; littered with graffiti and carvings.

She made her way over and sat down, "Sorry. Joyce is just the type you can get lost in a conversation with. She was always like a mother to me." "Don't be sorry. I know how much this place means to you. I can tell you always loved wrestling by this;" he pointed to the carving clearly done by her hands 'Principal Wells can SUCK IT' "Yeah, Chloe and I had gotten suspended after a little brawl with some of the mean girls. I was always a DX kid." she reminisced as her finger traced the memory on the table. Jeff gently took her hand in his and they shared a look. It can't be, yet.

"Alright lovebirds, what do you want to eat?" Joyce asked. "I've been dying for your famous pancakes since the plane landed." The older woman looked over, "What about you, baby?" "I remember hearing about how good the french toast is here." Joyce wrote it down and left the two. "I can't believe you remember that." "I remember a lot, Dollface." The name made her blush, having not heard it in so long. "I remember that you, Chloe, and Max have matching tattoos; the one on the inside of your bicep. Let me see it again?" Y/N pulled her jacket off to show the smiling omelette, french toast, and pancake with the three girls' initials.

Some time had passed and Joyce came back, "Here you go, eat up kids." Y/N had to take a picture for her friends, "Smile." she told him. Jeff had a goofy smile and two peace signs up and then she took a picture of just the food. "You were right, this is amazing." He told her. "Joyce is a great cook. I miss sleepovers at the Price house and waking up to the smell of home-cooked breakfast and the sound of cartoons." They continued eating until, "Hey, how did you get here, by the way?" He looked up at her "Taxi? Why?" She laughed a little in shock. "I should have told you; public transportation here isn't the best. I'm driving for the rest of the day." "Oh come on, what kind of man would I be if I couldn't drive you around?" She smiled at the sentiment, he was always a perfect gentleman. "Unless you can drive an old pickup truck and navigate the Bay, I'm driving. We're in my hometown, I wanna show you around. You can plan the next." He felt all warm at the sound of 'the next'.

Y/N led him to the counter but Joyce stopped them both from paying, "On the house. Hometown hero special." She tried to push back but Joyce stopped her, "No baby, keep that belt and keep representing this place. I'm proud of you." "Thanks Joyce. I'll probably be back before I leave. I just wanna see oonee thing." She spoke as she hugged the woman in front of her. Y/N just had to check out the jukebox; was it still there? Jeff leaned on the counter and watch Y/N mess with the machine when Joyce started talking to him, "Now I've not kept up with wrestling since the girls were teens but weren't you with the people against her last night?" He looked down, "Yeah. The people I'm with and the people she's with kinda, hate each other. I wish none of us interacted so her and I didn't have to sneak around." "Sneak around? Oh honey, the way you two look at each other? She was also so focused on making it in the industry that she never really dated, but the way she looks at you and how she told me your name; that girl loves you." Joyce saw the blush in his cheeks. "I hope she does, because I lo-" "Oh ho yes! It's still there!" Y/N exclaimed "Jeff, come here." He stood behind her and looked over her shoulder, "I guess the music in this thing hasn't changed because it still has 'To All of You'. Kinda makes me think of you these days." "That's sweet." They left the diner and he was genuinely shocked at the truck in front of him; a mustard-yellow, busted and rusty pickup truck with the most beautiful woman standing by the hood. "Our chariot awaits."

Rampage

"Ready to retain?" James asked as the two of them waited by the tunnel. She asked him to accompany her because they were the closest. "More than." "I have to ask: who were you with yesterday? At that diner?" Referring to the pictures on social media she posted. You could tell that she was with a guy, but who it was was a mystery. "Just a friend from high school. We were partners in, chemistry class." Good lie. She thought, because he bought it. "Let's go!" Anna was in the ring and she brought Jeff with her. Great. Y/N and James walked out of the tunnel to nothing but cheers and love. They got in the ring together and she showed her own love for the crowd. She leaned against the ringpost with James on the apron. Even sending a little kiss to Jeff as, what looked like, a taunt. "And from Arcadia Bay, Oregon, she is the Ring of Honor Women's World Champion, Y/R/N" She took the belt off as she stood in the middle of the ring, licking the title before handing it off to Bryce. He signaled for the bell and it was off to the races. "C'mon princess, show me what you got!" She yelled at Anna.

At some point, Y/N had taken a nasty hit that hurt her arm; but there was no stopping her from keeping this title around her waist. Anna must have learned her lesson because she somehow kicked out of the Hypnosis pumpkick. She thought Y/N was down and decided to gloat but the 'Illusion' had another trick up her sleeve. She got up without her noticing and put Anna in the Deep Sleep chokehold; it only took about ten seconds for her to go night-night. "Here is your winner and still the Ring of Honor Women's World Champion, Y/R/N" Bryce held her arm up but flinched at the pain a bit. Jeff had gotten in the ring at some point because when she turned around, he was there. 'What are you doing?!' she mouthed. Think fast. "You want some of this, Loverboy?" she got in his face and it took everything in the both of them not to say fuck it and kiss. He went to touch her hurt arm but James pulled her away. As they walked up the ramp, she tried to look pissed off but she just couldn't; but James saw how they both looked at each other.

What the fuck is going on with her? he thought about his best friend.

~~~~~~~

lovely taglist babes (comment to be added) @josiewrites @slut4kennyomega @wwenhlimagines @plentyoffandoms @auburnwrites @sunshinevirus @im-just-a-mississippi-girl

[gluttonygirls]

Just enough time wobbling to arrive at the Red Queen's rose garden for her Red Velvet Party. Of course, only people as grand as the Queen are invited, so the guest list is a bit short...might explain the surplus of cake and chatter from the Queen now that she has a guest.

I did think it was odd how the guards had graciously parted for me as I approached the gates of the castle, but... I had half assumed it was to get out of the way of my width. I was nearly twice as wide as I was tall now, by titanic figure quaking and jiggling with every plodding step I took. The dress I had stolen was still fitting decently over me, but I could feel a draft again.

There was no doubt that my doughy couch cushion sized cheeks were straining my underwear as I lumbered through the castle gates, my lower half on full display. I saw a few guards stare at my enormous legs, pointing out how my thighs were heavy enough to crumple their helmets between. That my calves were sagging over my ankles to almost squish against my feet.

I huffed in indignation at the comments towards my belly swinging out from under the front of my dress, but I couldn't refute them. Even with the hem of my dress reaching my waist, my gut fell much farther than that.

Looking up as I stopped to take a breath, staring at the castle grounds, it was pretty, even if it was also very gaudy. All around me were hedges of rose bushes, the same candy kind I had eaten near the Hattress's gardens. Gold and ruby ornaments glistened in the moonlight, showing off just how powerful and rich the owner was.

Stumbling forward, eager to find somewhere to rest my fat ass, I could see a large table set up between the hedge rows. Not only was it set with a huge platter of food and goods, more than I had seen since I had arrived, towering ten feet in the air, but it even had a seat wide enough for my ass!

Yawning as I made my way over, I sat my huge rear down on the wooden seat. Maybe it was magic, but it held as my half ton of weight came down on it. Adjusting my dress, trying to look more decent, I glanced up at the tower of food in front of me.

...Everyone had wanted me to eat since I got here, and somehow I was still hungry...

Reaching forward to the first treat, I stuffed it right past my lips. It was good, but in a strangely bland way, as if it were made to be thoughtlessly eaten and not really enjoyed. And since it was so unsatisfying, I had another. And another. And another.

My arms moved mechanically as a I sat at the table, drearily stuffing my face. As I ate, my belly growing bigger and softer, I had a thought. As I felt my gut touch the grass below me, my fat hips starting to bulging over the sides of the twelve foot wide bench, an epiphany teased me.

It was only as my fat upper arm smacked against my bloated boob, jiggling it, that my eyes widened as the realization hit me.

Can you get tired in a dream?

"Excuse me? What do you think you're doing?"

Pausing mid bite, my hands full of chunks of cake I had ripped out of a confection, my eyes slowly drifted to the side. Blocking out the moon, stars, and most of the torch light as she loomed over me, was a woman even fatter than I am. If I weren't in such a gluttonous haze I definitely would have felt the earth shake beneath me or had heard the sound of her belly dragging along the ground. The royal figure could barely bend her arms they were so encased in fat, but still she managed to set them on her hips in an impatient gesture. Looking at me with her ruby red eyes, she tossed back her fat head, flicking away hair of the same deep color.

"I certainly didn't invite any guests to my midnight snack tonight. The guards told me that someone was stealing my food. It wouldn't be you, would you?"

"...ulp."

Swallowing heavily, I could almost hear the dull sound of the dense piece of cake landing in my stomach. Putting back what I was holding, I smiled nervously.

"I-I'm sorry, it was all so good looking, and I was just so hungry, a-and..."

I'm so, so dead.

Weight: 960lbs -> 1290lbs

[allsadnshit]

I had a very strange and vivid dream about going to the gym and seeing two of my best friends from pittsburgh there and I was so excited to see them but also know they socially like their space so I tried to let them know I didn't need them to stop what they were doing or anything and one of them (the one I'm less close to) gave me a hand written letter just reminding me we are friends and that the same way I made him feel welcome and at home in our early twenties, he was reminding me I can always be around now and I felt like I was going to cry I was so moved and relieved to feel wanted and missed

And then I was in a hospital for a check up and they where wheeling me in for a sudden surgery for my endo and they were putting acupuncture needles into my pelvis and I was yelling for them to stop and that it hurt and they were doing it too hastily and I saw all the things they were about to inject and plug into me and I was squirming freaking out feeling so scared of more medical work being done on me

I woke up and read through the week ahead podcast transcript from my chani app and realized it's the full moon tonight and it's all focused on healing and getting to know our old and prominent reoccurring wounds that might never heal and how we show up different to them each time they resurface and that that itself is significant even if we are never able to mend it completely, it's important to stay in touch and away of it

[talonslockau]

Fire and Ice - Chapter 24

Chapter 23 || Index || Chapter 25

The night of the long-awaited Gathering had finally arrived. Though they did their best to hide it from him, Firepaw could tell Graypaw and Pepperpaw, the winners of the contest, were getting more and more excited to be going to their first Gathering. He couldn't blame them; in their place, he would be excited too.

Ravenpaw had been avoiding him since the morning he'd witnessed the skittish apprentice speaking to the strange calico. He supposed that was because he didn't want any more questions in regards to the mystery cat, and Firepaw understood that. Even now, as all the apprentices sat and waited for Bluestar's announcement, he could tell the black tom would rather be anywhere else.

"I wish I could go with you guys. I bet all the great warriors will be there! Stonestep, Blizzardwing…" Cinderpaw mewed, not trying to hide her envy. "And this will be the first Gathering since Shadowclan invaded Windclan! Do you think it'll be dangerous?"

"It might." Pepperpaw admitted, ducking her head. "But that's why we've been sparring so much lately, isn't it? If Shadowclan tries anything, we'll be able to defend ourselves." Though outwardly the spotted molly seemed confident, Firepaw could tell she was nervous. He had to imagine he would feel the same way. Even with the truce, both Clans had proven to be exceptionally aggressive. Who knew if the truce would hold?

"I'm not gonna let Shadowclan stop me from enjoying myself." Graypaw boasted, puffing out his fluffy chest. "Let all the Clans see how courageous Thunderclan apprentices are! We laugh in the face of those who oppose us."

"What a speech!" Firepaw flicked his tail approvingly as a purr rumbled from his throat. "Well, you give the other Clans my regards. I'll be here protecting camp while you brave heroes are away. You never know, Shadowclan might try to take advantage of the code… they've certainly been doing that enough lately."

"That's what I'm worried about." Pepperpaw sighed at the mention of the code. "One-eye is always talking about how Shadowclan will invade our borders on the night of the full moon. If Brokenstar is in charge, they might take it a step further and attack the camp directly."

"Dad said Bluestar will be sending a patrol to the Shadowclan border, just in case. I'm not worried." Cinderpaw yawned and dipped into a stretch, before leaping out of it excitedly. "Look, there she is! C'mon, let's see which unlucky larks get stuck patrolling while you're at the Gathering."

Firepaw could repeat word for word what Bluestar was about to say, yet still listened patiently as her voice rang out across camp. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join me beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting!"

Cats from all over camp swarmed the Highrock, eager to see which warriors would be selected for the honor of going to the Gathering, in addition to those unfortunate enough to get the first night patrol.

"The full moon rises once more. This Gathering will be the first since Brokenstar cast out the elders and chased away Windclan. I will not let him get away with these sickening transgressions on the warrior code." Bluestar looked down on all of the cats assembled beneath her. "It may be dangerous. We also cannot forget that Brokenstar may break the code once again and make an assault on our borders, or worse, on our camp. Though we are well reinforced through the efforts of each and every one of you, I still want fighters to remain behind tonight." She paused, glancing towards the apprentices, and Firepaw thought he felt his heart skip a beat. "For this reason, I want all queens and elders to remain behind, ready to defend the camp."

Firepaw let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding as he looked towards the elders. He expected them to be angry, as they had the last time they'd been barred from the Gathering, but this time they seemed unsurprised. Perhaps they had decided to stay behind themselves, given the circumstances.

"Tonight I will be bringing with me Tigerclaw, Lionheart, Tinyfrost, Dappleshine, Mousefur, Mistspring, Ravenpaw, Pepperpaw, Graypaw, and Firepaw." Bluestar announced as she picked each cat out of the crowd with her piercing blue gaze. "Sandstorm, Patchpelt, Longtail and Dewpaw will have the first night patrol, while Whitestorm, Darkstripe, and Willowbranch will have the second. I expect our borders to be guarded as well as our camp while we are at the Gathering." She flicked her tail towards the entrance. "Clan dismissed."

"Firepaw?" Cinderpaw gasped from beside him, wide blue eyes turning to stare at him. "Did you know about this?"

"No! I had no idea!" Firepaw protested, his tail bristling in shock. Why would Bluestar have called his name? "It must be some mistake. I'm still being punished for what happened with Yellowfang. Maybe I should talk to her-"

"It's not a mistake." Tinyfrost interrupted, pushing his way through the crowd to stand in front of his apprentice. "And as much as I'd like to claim it, it's not my doing either. It was actually Yellowfang that requested your presence at the Gathering."

"Yellowfang?" Firepaw glanced over at his friends in disbelief. "Why would she want me to go? I attacked her and broke her leg!"

Tinyfrost twitched his whiskers in amusement at his apprentice’s words. "Yes, I do recall that happening. And it surprised me as well when Bluestar told me. But it seems as though you've made quite the impression on her. She insisted on it, and Bluestar agreed you've been performing admirably otherwise. She decided you deserve a treat."

He couldn't help but break into a grin. "She really said that?" If Bluestar thought he was doing well, then…

"She did." Tinyfrost confirmed with a dip of his head. "Now come on. We're going to miss the patrol if we don't hurry up."

Firepaw nodded, leaping to his feet. "Right away, Tinyfrost." He purred, looking at the others. "C'mon, let's get going!"

"You know, I hoped I'd get to experience my first Gathering with you, after our first patrol together." Graypaw said as he brushed up beside the ginger tom on their way to meet Bluestar and the other cats chosen to go with her. "I'm glad Bluestar changed her mind. This feels right."

"I know what you mean." Firepaw grinned at his friend. "I was looking forward to a Gathering with you too. We saw Fourtrees during the day, but it must look so different under the full moon… I can't wait."

"What am I, crowfood?" Pepperpaw asked from behind them as Bluestar gave the signal to move forward. "I'm here too, you know."

Firepaw pushed his way through the well-fortified entrance, his fur snagging on a stray bramble. "Of course, Pepperpaw. I would never forget you or Ravenpaw." He replied as he made his way up the ravine side. "It's too bad Dewpaw and Cinderpaw can't be here too."

He paused at the top as the rest of the apprentices scrambled up after him. "I think it's better Dewpaw isn't here. She's never liked meeting new cats. A whole event about that isn't really her thing." Pepperpaw spoke softly at the mention of her sister, as though she was afraid that the small molly would somehow overhear. "As for Cinderpaw… I'd rather not spend my first Gathering trying to put out whatever fires she manages to make."

"Cinderpaw would definitely challenge a Shadowclan apprentice to a spar the moment she got there." Graypaw purred, tail flicking in amusement. "Or get into an argument with a Riverclanner over Sunningrocks. Or find a way to-"

"I'd prefer not to think about it." Pepperpaw interrupted him, ears flat as she padded alongside them. "C'mon. We should hurry if we want to keep up with the rest of the patrol."

Indeed, Bluestar was beginning to quicken her pace as they entered the forest. It was a similar pace to that Lionheart, Whitestorm and Tinyfrost had taken when Firepaw had first entered the forest; now, however, he kept pace with them easily. Two moons of training had done wonders for his endurance and speed.

He couldn't help but admire how far he had come. He was the same size as Tinyfrost now, maybe even a bit bigger. He could identify each cat in the Clan by sight, sound, or smell alone, and was a formidable hunter and fighter in his own right. No cat could look at him now and call him a lazy kittypet; he was as capable as any forest-born Clan cat.

Their trip through the moonlit forest was quiet and uneventful, the patrol focused on the Gathering that awaited them rather than concerning themselves with idle chatter. Even Firepaw couldn't find it within himself to talk to the other apprentices; his thoughts were focused on what awaited them.

It seemed like both an eternity and no time at all had passed when they reached the stream that separated their territory from the land around Fourtrees. "Be careful." Quickflash stood next to the fallen tree that stretched across as the warriors and apprentices filed past. "It can be slippery, especially after a rain-"

"We know, Dad." Graypaw purred, brushing his cheek against his father's before leaping atop the sturdy log, his claws digging into the wood below him as he made his way across.

"Just making sure." Quickflash sighed as his daughter stepped up next. "Your first Gathering… I only wish Willowbranch could be here to see it too."

"I know, Dad. You're just looking out for us." Pepperpaw nuzzled under his chin reassuringly. "There will be another Gathering with Cinderpaw and Dewpaw that she can see. And she'll get to see us introduced as warriors, too."

The young deputy looked away, but Firepaw didn't miss the smile that flashed across his muzzle. "I know there will. Up you go, now." He nudged his daughter up on the log as Firepaw stepped forward.

"Yea, yea." Pepperpaw made her way halfway across before looking back to Firepaw, green eyes shining brightly. "Hurry up, slowpoke!"

"Why don't you hurry up first!" Firepaw called as she made her way safely to the other side before bounding up himself. "We'd already be there if you weren't holding up the line."

"Oh, hush." She rolled her eyes as he landed nimbly beside her. "You know I'm just as excited as you are to see the other Clans."

He heard another thud behind him, and turned to see Quickflash approaching Bluestar. "That's everyone." He told the leader smoothly, dipping his head respectfully as he stood beside her.

"Very well." The leader gracefully stepped forward, the flash of silver catching the gaze of all the assembled warriors. Wordlessly, she signaled for the assembled cats to follow her with a flick of her tail. As one, each of the warriors stalked through the bushes, silent as they ascended the smooth slope that surrounded Fourtrees.

As they reached the crest, the patrol halted, looking down on the glade that contained Fourtrees. Below them, the Great Rock glowed under the moonlight, casting a dark shadow below it. He could see two figures on top, seemingly talking to each other.

Below them, cats milled around in the grassy hollow. He could see four elders basking close to the Great Rock, their white muzzles reflecting the moonlight. In the roots of one of the giant oaks, three apprentices played a game that looked like a mix between tag and hide-and-seek. It looked almost like a Clan camp at the height of sunhigh, were it not for the lack of dens and wide, open space.

"Do you smell that? Seems like only Riverclan is here right now." Mousefur murmured to Quickflash nearby. "I can't smell any sign of Windclan or Shadowclan yet."

"The night is still young." Quickflash replied in a hushed whisper. "There's still plenty of time for both to arrive."

"You think Windclan might still make it after they were chased out by Shadowclan?" Tinyfrost's eyes were narrow as he watched the cats below them. "I hope Shadowclan isn't off invading our camp while we're out here."

"Enough." Bluestar hissed, lashing her tail in a clear signal for silence. After several moments of tense silence, she stood, the other cats following her in one fluid motion. "Remember this is a night of peace. I expect you all to be on your best behavior." She glanced warningly at the patrol on both sides of her before arching her head regally as she gazed at the clearing below.

Firepaw hesitated, wondering if she might say something else, but instead her tail rose and lashed once from side to side. The Thunderclan cats moved as one, bounding down the slope together. His heart raced with anticipation as he followed them, the other apprentices beside him.

The scent of Riverclan swirled around them as they joined with the waiting crowd, warriors greeting the other Clan as warmly as they would their own. It was strange to think that on any other day, these cats would be at each other's throats; tonight, however, they were like old friends.

Bluestar and Quickflash strode through the crowd to the Great Rock, climbing it in a few swift bounds. Above them, two warriors were waiting, an old grizzled tabby and a sleek, strangely-spotted molly.

"Look! That's Crookedstar and Leopardflame." Graypaw hissed in his ear as Firepaw looked on. "Riverclan's leader and deputy. They're so big up close!"

"They're also on a rock several fox lengths above us." Pepperpaw observed dryly on his other side. "Looks like Ravenpaw's found the other apprentices. Should we join him?"

"Not yet." Firepaw mewed, scanning the clearing. "You guys mentioned that we might get to meet some legendary warriors, right? I want to see them first." He could only imagine what they must look like; he had to imagine most of them were bigger than Tigerclaw, with giant teeth and claws to boot.

"Well, only Riverclan is here, but I bet the best place to look is wherever Tigerclaw and Lionheart are." Graypaw strained to look over the heads of the assembled crowd. "They love one-upping the other warriors with their achievements, so I'm sure they'll have found similar warriors in the Riverclan group. They only have one night to boast, after all."

"There!" Firepaw spotted the white-tipped tail of Tigerclaw disappearing through the crowd. "Let's go!"

"I'm going to go find Spottedleaf, actually." Pepperpaw mewed as she stood and stretched. "I promised Dewpaw I'd tell her about the other healers when I got back, and I'm sure Spottedleaf can help point Mudwish out to me."

"I understand. We'll come find you, when we're done." Graypaw grinned at Firepaw as his sister departed. "Shall we?"

"We shall." The two hurried in the direction of Tigerclaw, where he sat with several Riverclan warriors and Tinyfrost. They matched the giant tabby in physique, though he still looked the biggest out of all of them. It seemed even here, the Thunderclan warrior's strength was unparalleled.

His eyes were shining as he told a tale Firepaw had heard many times in camp before: the day that Redtail had died. "I wrestled like a Lionclan warrior. I had three warriors trying to hold me down, but they were nothing compared to my strength." He boasted proudly, looking down on the assembled cats smugly. "By the time I was done with them, two lay knocked out while the last was running for the river."

"Bah, I bet they were all apprentices." A tom as black as a new moon spoke up. "Have I ever told you about the time I fought Spiderfoot and Raggedstar - and won?"

"Not that old story. You've told it so many times, Shadepaw can recite it by heart!" A tom that looked as though he were made from moonlight spoke next. "I'm telling you, that was just a fluke. I bet I could take on Brokenstar, Spiderfoot, and Tigerclaw all at the same time."

Tigerclaw snorted. "Oh really, Stonestep? You're only saying that because Shadowclan isn't here yet."

The silver tom - Stonestep, Firepaw had to guess - merely chuffed at the tabby's words. "Am I? Or are you just scared I'm right?" He looked away from the muscular tabby and caught sight of the two apprentices standing there, listening. "And who might you two be? Curious little Thunderclan apprentices, I can see."

"This is my new apprentice, Firepaw, who hails from outside the Clans." Tinyfrost spoke up, flicking his tail idly. "And his friend, Graypaw, the son of Willowbranch and Quickflash, who is being mentored by Lionheart."

The ginger tom stiffened under the gaze of such mighty warriors. "H-Hello there." He mumbled, his fur prickling as he averted his eyes. Beside him, he could hear Graypaw stutter out something similar.

"Son of Quickflash? You must have been proud to see your father made deputy. I know I was, before…" He could hear Stonestep pause, his voice warbling slightly before he did. "And it's good to meet you, Firepaw. I hope Tinyfrost is teaching you well."

"He is!" The young apprentice spoke quickly as he looked back to the Riverclan warrior. "I'm learning lots. Hunting, and fighting, and-"

"Are you really Stonestep?" He had never been more grateful for Graypaw interrupting him. "Son of Oakheart himself? I've heard loads about you! The elders say you're one of the best warriors in the Clans!" He paused as he caught Tigerclaw's glare. "Not better than any of our warriors, though, of course."

"Do they?" Stonestep purred at the young tom's words. "Did Smallear ever tell you about the scar I gave him, just before he retired?"

"Alright, that's enough out of you two. Leave the real warriors to talk." Tigerclaw huffed at the two of them, flicking his one torn ear. "I'm sure you have plenty else to see before the night is over."

"Yes, Tigerclaw." The two spoke in unison, turning away with a conspiratorial grin that the warriors hopefully didn't see. He had met one of Riverclan's greatest warriors! He couldn't wait to tell Cinderpaw, when they got back. He knew the molly would be green with envy at the mere mention of him.

"C'mon, let's go see how my mentor is doing." Graypaw flicked his tail toward the golden warrior, who was sitting with the Riverclan elders. They seemed charmed to be sitting with one of Thunderclan's greatest warriors, smiling and perking their ears as he spoke.

"So then he told me he'd take all of my dawn patrols for a half-moon if I could beat his record in the Great Sycamore." As they approached, Lionheart was regaling the elders with a tale Firepaw hadn't heard before. "I was so determined to beat him, I forgot that most of the top branches couldn't carry my weight. I fell nearly two fox-lengths before I finally caught a branch sturdy enough to hold me!"

"Young warriors have always been the most foolhardy." One of the elders shook his head with a sigh. "I'm surprised Redtail didn't try and stop you two."

"That's because he beat both of us!" Lionheart roared with laughter at the memory. "He stuck us on dawn patrols every day for a whole moon! That's actually how we got to know each other." He caught sight of the two apprentices approaching, taking in a deep breath as he regained his composure. "Ah, Graypaw, Firepaw. Are you two enjoying the Gathering?"

"Yes, Lionheart." Firepaw dipped his head in greeting to the elders. "Who was that you were talking about?" He asked curiously, perking his ears to hear the golden tom's reply.

"Ah, so you two did hear that. Well, I was just telling the elders here about how Whitestorm and I became close." He flicked his tail invitingly towards them. "This is my apprentice, Graypaw. And Tinyfrost's apprentice, Firepaw. They've both been working diligently the past couple of moons. More diligently than I ever did!"

"Ah, to be young again." Another elder sighed, her whiskers twitching at unmentioned memories. "Able to fight with the strength of Lionclan and hunt with the stealth of Tigerclan. Those were the days."

"Lionclan? Tigerclan? Are those other Clans?" Firepaw asked, his brow furrowing. "I thought there were only four."

"Don't tell me Thunderclan doesn't teach their kits about the Great Clans!" The first elder scoffed at his questions. "For shame, Lionheart. No wonder the other elders didn't show their faces tonight."

"Firepaw here wasn't born in the Clans." Lionheart said quickly, glancing at the young ginger tom with an unreadable gaze before fixing his eyes on Graypaw. "My apprentice, however, was. Why don't you tell Firepaw of the Great Clans, hmm?"

Graypaw shuffled his paws nervously. "Uh, well. The three Great Clans came long before us, and ruled before even the Twolegplace existed. They were all as big as monsters, or so One-eye told me." He hesitated as he glanced at Lionheart for reassurance, to which his mentor nodded for him to continue. "Tigerclan were cats of the night, with jet-black stripes. Then there were Lionclan, with pelts like gold and a mane with rays like the sun. They're who Tigerclaw and Lionheart are named after."

Lionheart dipped his head approvingly. "Indeed. I like to think I would make quite a good Lionclan warrior, even if I am a bit small compared to them." He chuffed in amusement at his own words. "And what of the third Clan, hmm?"

Graypaw hesitated. "I, uh, I don't remember…"

"One-eye would be so disappointed." The elder molly from before spoke up, her light gray tail swishing languidly. "The last of the Great Clans is Leopardclan, swiftest of the three, that ran like the wind over prairie and forest and swam like fish in the river. They were covered by black pawprints, like our deputy Leopardflame is." She bowed her head solemnly. "It was a sign from Starclan when she was born that they are still with us today."

"Every warrior is descended from the Great Clans. It is thanks to them that we have the gifts that allow us to thrive within the forest." An old tom huffed, stretching out a brown striped paw. "It's what separates us from those kittypets the Twolegs adore."

Firepaw shifted uncomfortably at that, unsure how to respond. "Oh, go on, both of you." Lionheart rumbled with a flick of his tail. "You're obviously not interested in hearing us old-timers speak, so go find something that does interest you."

"Yes, Lionheart." Graypaw replied quickly, standing up and stretching out his back paws. "Come on, Firepaw. Let's see if we can find my sister. Hopefully she's had time to speak to Mudwish by now."

Firepaw quickly followed after him, the elder's words still on his mind. "Clan cats will really come up with anything to think they're better than kittypets." He grumbled to Graypaw as they passed through the crowd.

"Don't let it get to you." The tom replied smoothly, even as he cast a worried gaze at his friend. "It's all just an old queens' tale, anyways. Could you even imagine a cat the size of a Monster? It's just not possible." He flicked his tail towards the Great Rock. "I see her! There, at the base. She's talking to Spottedleaf and- that has to be the other healers. C'mon, let's get going."

He followed quickly on the other apprentice's heels, spying the two mollies sitting next to two other cats. One was a Riverclan tom, he could smell as he approached, but older than Spottedleaf; he smelled as though he were nearly an elder himself. He was covered in scars, including a particularly nasty one across his face.

The other was much younger, though their scent was masked in herbs, making it hard to make much else out. They sat stoically off to the side, cleaning at their ears with their white paws.

"I can't believe that he would just let a healer leave like that, even if they still have Wetnose. After Windclan, I had feared the worst, yet even I never expected that." The older healer shook his head slowly as the pair approached. "I'm glad to hear they're in your capable paws, though. If you need any herbs, you know we're only across the river. Crookedstar may not be as generous as Bluestar, but I'm certain we can spare a little help in times of need."

"Your offer is most kind, Mudwish, but we're doing well at the moment. Even with the late newleaf, herbs have been growing well in our territory. Starclan has blessed us with a good harvest." She flicked an ear towards the two apprentices. "Firepaw, Graypaw. I don't suppose you've come to learn our healer secrets, have you?"

"We're actually here for Pepperpaw." Firepaw nodded to the spotted molly as she stood up. "Are you sure you should be talking about the Shadowclan elders? I thought we weren't supposed to mention them."

Spottedleaf shrugged. "Healers are held by a separate code. We look after every cat in all of the Clans, not just our own. There are no secrets between us and Starclan." She nodded to the molly beside her. "Go on, then. Don't keep your friends waiting."

The three didn't linger, instead moving back through the two Clans mingling. "So, did you find anyone interesting?" Pepperpaw inquired, studying the two of them curiously.

"We got to talk to Stonestep!" Graypaw exclaimed, his tail waving in excitement at the memory. "He seemed to take an interest in me, too, can you believe that?"

The gray molly purred at her brother's enthusiasm. "I'm glad to hear it. What about you, Firepaw? What have you learned so far?"

"Well, Lionheart and Graypaw told me about the three Great Clans." He recalled slowly, the elder's parting words still fresh in his mind. "I hadn't realized the Clans had such a history."

Pepperpaw scoffed. "The elders love telling those tales. I doubt such giant cats have ever existed, and even if they did, why aren't they here anymore?" She paused for a moment. "Then again, I suppose if they did exist, we couldn't be here, so we should be glad they don't."

"Cinderpaw always loved those stories." Graypaw murmured thoughtfully. "She boasted she was going to become a warrior of Lionclan one day." He snorted at the thought. "Anyways, let's go see what Ravenpaw's been up to."

They found Ravenpaw on the roots of the giant oak that represented Riverclan. Beneath him sat the three Riverclan apprentices that he had spotted earlier, completely enraptured by the story he was telling them.

"Fur was flying everywhere. Blood splattered against the leaves, deep red against bright green. I'd just fought off a warrior when the ground shook, and I heard someone cry out in agony." Ravenpaw's eyes were shining brighter than Firepaw had ever seen as he spoke animatedly, his tail lashing excitedly. "Then Redtail ran past me, his fur torn and his mouth dripping blood. 'Oakheart is dead!' He howled to me, before leaping back into the fray to help Tigerclaw."

"Wow! I didn't know Ravenpaw could tell a tale like that." Graypaw whispered to the other two apprentices. "He might beat One-eye in a story-telling contest."

But Firepaw wasn't listening. "Did I hear him right?" He hissed to Pepperpaw. "If Redtail killed Oakheart…"

"Then who killed Redtail?" Pepperpaw finished for him. "I don't know. But we can ask questions once he's done."

"Finally, Redtail dragged the warrior off Tigerclaw, and with the strength of all of Lionclan, flung him into the bushes!" Ravenpaw announced triumphantly. "It was then that he spotted me crouching in the tall grass. 'Run! Bring back help!' He yowled at me, before sprinting back into battle."

The Riverclan apprentices inched forward eagerly, crowding around him with questions on the tip of their tongue.

"What were Oakheart's dying words?"

"Is it true Oakheart fought off three warriors at once?"

"Who do you think would win, Tigerclaw or Oakheart?"

Firepaw looked at Pepperpaw with his own questions. "Come to think of it, Tigerclaw said there wasn't a battle at all, and that they pinned down both him and Ravenpaw." He tilted his head in confusion. "If that was a lie, what else did Tigerclaw say that wasn't true?"

"Don't tell me you're indulging him." The duo jumped as Tigerclaw's voice rumbled from behind them. They turned to see the warrior looming over the two, his eyes ablaze with cold fury. "Ravenpaw has always had an overactive imagination. He's just pretending to have been there to impress the Riverclanners."

The ginger apprentice could feel his heart nearly beating out of his chest as he stared back at the huge tabby warrior above them. "I-I'm sorry, Tigerclaw. I didn't know."

"You do now." Tigerclaw hissed as he stormed past the two of them. "Ravenpaw! Come along now. You're almost a warrior; you ought to be socializing with them instead of these apprentices." He spat the last word as he reached the roots next to them.

At the sight of his father, the black apprentice's eyes went wide with a horror that Firepaw had never before seen in a cat. "Y-yes, father." He all but whimpered as he stood and approached his father, the fur along his tail bristling as he crawled towards him.

"Oh, no…" Firepaw couldn't help but whisper as he watched the two depart, the Riverclan apprentices looking after the two in bewilderment.

"That didn't look good." Graypaw observed as he watched them leave. "What was all that about?"

Pepperpaw's ears were back as she replied. "I think maybe Ravenpaw saw something he shouldn't have."

"Something he shouldn't ha-"

Graypaw didn't get to finish his sentence as a loud yowl sounded across the clearing. All the assembled cats turned as one to see the source; a large patrol of cats streamed down the slopes, headed by a cat as large as Tigerclaw.

"Shadowclan!" Pepperpaw hissed from beside them. "See the leader's tail, kinked like that? That's Brokenstar."

The Shadowclanners stayed in a tightly knit group as they charged through the crowd to the Great Rock, forcing the other warriors to move out of their way. The apprentices looked at each other uneasily as two of the warriors leaped atop it; Brokenstar and a large white tom with dark paws.

"Spiderfoot." Graypaw hissed to Firepaw. "There aren't any cats in the Clans like him. I heard he was giant, but he's bigger than Brokenstar, even with all that matted fur!"

Brokenstar stepped forward, almost pushing Bluestar and Crookedstar out of his way as he gazed down at the ruffled crowd below him. "Friends, I come to speak to you about the needs of Shadowclan-"

"Where is Tallstar?" One of the Riverclan elders yowled from beside Lionheart.

"We can't start yet! Windclan hasn't arrived!" Another Riverclanner spoke, though Firepaw couldn't pick out who it was in the crowd.

"As the leader of Shadowclan, it is my right to address you all here!" Brokenstar roared over the angry dissent of the crowd. Below him, the Shadowclan warriors formed a defensive circle around the base of the rock, clearly ready to go on the offensive. The crowd fell into an uneasy quiet, forming pockets as they stared down the enemy warriors.

"As you all know, the harsh leafbare and late newleaf has meant less prey runs in our hunting grounds. Many lost warriors, elders, and kits to starvation because of it." The dark leader bowed his head as if in mourning. "But Shadowclan did not. We have spent generations hardening ourselves against the cold northern winds. We are born stronger than other Clan's kits."

"What a load of mousedung." Graypaw hissed to the other two. Similar sentiments seemed to be echoing through the rest of the crowd. "Shadowclan just got lucky, plain and simple. I bet-"

Pepperpaw hushed him as the tabby tom continued. "And so we find ourselves with many mouths to feed and too little prey to feed them." He sighed loud enough that all the cats could hear him. "The needs of Shadowclan are simple. In order to survive, we must increase our hunting territory. You must allow us to share in your hunting grounds."

Shocked yowls filled the air at his words. "Share our hunting grounds? It is unprecedented!" A tortoiseshell queen from Riverclan cried.

"We would never submit to such demands." Tigerclaw hissed, his tail lashing as he glared up at the enemy leader.

"You must." Brokenstar spat back at them. "Windclan failed to understand this. In the end, we were forced to drive them out."

Cries of outrage came at his words, though the Thunderclan warriors were muted compared to the Riverclanners. It seemed Mudwish had not yet shared with them what had happened to Windclan. "How dare you disturb the natural order? Who are you to go against Starclan?" One elder called out furiously.

"I am Brokenstar, leader of Shadowclan, and I will do whatever it takes to ensure my Clan stays fed." His eyes glittered as he looked down on all of them. "We will have more hunting grounds. And we will drive out all of you to make sure that happens if we have to!"

There was silence at his words. Each cat looked to those beside them, as though their companions might have some answers that they did not. For his part, Firepaw could not turn away from the darkness that stood atop the Great Rock, threatening to engulf Clan life as they knew it.

"I do not ask for your answers now." Brokenstar's voice was smug now that he at last had the silence of the crowd. "I understand such a decision may seem difficult to make. Yet, as you leave, you must ask yourselves; would you rather share your hunting grounds, or be driven out and left homeless? Windclan refused to believe our strength." He wasn't close enough to hear, but he could only imagine the leader purring at the horror on each cat's face. "I would not make their mistake."

Hushed whispers broke out among the crowd, discussing the leader's proposal. On the rock behind Brokenstar, Crookedstar looked shaken, obviously caught off guard by Shadowclan's display of force. Beside him, Bluestar stood still, staring down the scarred tabby furiously. He was glad to see the Thunderclan leader would not be so easily swayed.

"I also bring news of a grave danger to your Clans." Brokenstar called as the din below him quieted. "Shadowclan warriors drove off a group of cats that had spurned the warrior code and killed several of our kits so they would not have to share their prey. We chased them out of our camp, but we do not know where they went afterwards. They are led by a mangy old molly with dark gray fur and a bite like Tigerclan." He looked over the assembled warriors, tail lashing at the mention of these rogues. "They are all dangerous, and must be brought to justice. Until then," The leader's matted fur bristled, "Keep a close eye on your kits. None of them are safe."

Firepaw felt fear course through his veins as the assembled Thunderclan cats began muttering to each other. It was obvious he was talking about Yellowfang and the others. And while they had been begrudgingly welcomed into the Clan before, they were now accused of murdering kits. As he spotted Tigerclaw's scruff rising, his giant claws digging into the dirt, he knew immediately that the molly that had granted him her trust wasn't safe from the warrior's wrath.

He had to tell her.

[hungry--on--main]

(if you need to)

oh wow a fanfiction from hom. the new NA // TM comes out in a month so i whipped up this funky little story abt the gay miniatures. if you’re coming from the main tag i would like to know how the fuck you got here

this will also be posted to AO3 in a few weeks bc they take 98 million years to make ur acct

anyway vorefic below the readmore. godspeed

An odd rumble came from Ahkmenrah's chambers one night in late September. The full moon shone a shade of orange through the skylights of the Natural History Museum in New York City, its light cascading down to Earth the same way it had for thousands of years. Those milennia hadn't been too easy for Ahkmenrah, most of them spent mummified and stuck in a sarcophagus. It was only recently that he had been freed from those bonds by a kind night guard and his gaggle of strange museum exhibits one fateful night in a year he didn't recognize. Calendars change with time, after all - his original system, which had housed an extra five days for the births of five important deities, had been abandoned; replaced with something called the Gregorian calendar. Now, in this part of the world, only one god's birth was celebrated, as well as his conception, death, and resurrection. Ahkmenrah found the concept fascinating, when he got the time to study such things. According to said calendar, the year was 2013 of the "Common Era" - and he had died about four thousand years before then.

No matter the human ways of counting the circling of the Earth around the Sun, the celestial bodies remained. The moon would occasionally shine a shade of red or orange, and had done so before there were scribes to write down their witnessing of such a thing. Tonight was one such night, the orange light of the full moon dyeing the chambers of Ahkmenrah a glittering amber as the light cascaded over the gold he'd been buried with. Ahkmenrah himself was bent at the waist, on his knees before his coffin for the past four millennia. One arm kept him from the floor, the other clasped around his middle as if he'd been gored. His belly hurt. It didn't merely ache, it hurt. He was utterly empty in ways that shouldn't be possible, his stomach roaring with hunger not felt for the span of empires and civilizations.

He wondered how he could even feel this hunger, knowing that the mummification process removed his stomach, and most of his other organs. He grit his teeth as his stomach rumbled again, the grrrrrrble echoing on the stone walls of his exhibit. Ahkmenrah panted as the hunger pang cascaded through his center.

"Ahk? You all right?"

Larry Daley heard that growl, thinking it was one of the prehistoric animals getting uppity. All he found was Ahkmenrah curled over his sarcophagus, clutching his center. "Larry, I..." Ahkmenrah strained, "I'm so hungry." Larry raised a brow. "Hungry? That's a first." He walked over to Ahkmenrah, kneeling next to him. "Are you OK?" Ahkmenrah looked to Larry, meeting his gaze with a ravenous stare. "I need food. I need something in me. It hurts." Larry furrowed his brow, then nodded. He extended a hand to Ahkmenrah as he rose from his knees. "C'mon, I've got some extra noodles up at the front desk." Ahkmenrah took Larry's hand, letting him lead the way forwards. That trek from his exhibit to the front desk was agonizing, comparable to the hottest days of his reign all those years ago. Seeing the front desk was a small comfort in comparison to the smell. Salt and cooked vegetables and starch permeated the air. Chinese food.

"Hey, Gigantor, you're missin' the good bit!"

A familiar voice called from the desk. Perched atop one of the boxes of rice was Jedidiah, one of the many miniatures from the Western Expansion diorama. He was accompanied by another of the miniatures, a Roman general from the diorama next door by the name of Octavius. The two sat beside one another in front of the computer’s screen. The video they were watching was a compilation of people playing stupid games and winning stupid prizes, otherwise known as “fails.” The pair burst out laughing when a man tried to clean snow off his roof, only to be buried beneath it when it gave way. Larry sat in one of the rolling chairs behind the desk, and sat Ahkmenrah down in another. “Pick whatever you want, Ahk. I’m full.”

It was no royal banquet, but Ahkmenrah was too busy enjoying the taste of noodles to complain about anything. He put away at least three plates of the squiggly starches before switching to another dish. Occasionally, he slowed down to laugh at something on the screen, especially those involving cats, but he never stopped eating. He reached for the last container of rice, but confirmed with Larry that it was okay to finish it off. “Takeout rice goes bad after a day, anyhow.”

Jedediah felt a blush come to his cheeks when Octavius put an arm around his shoulders. Granted, he was supporting himself, trying not to fall off the box, but still. Jed hadn’t felt like this in a long time. Not wanted for his skills, but desired. Octavius came from a different time, before the Wild West, and before the idea of being in love with other men was brought into question. It fulfilled a part of Jedidiah that he hadn’t considered before, a part he tried to cover with machismo and showmanship that played well with Octavius’ ideas of Roman glory and his personal theatrics. He put his arm around Octavius’ shoulders, prompting the Roman to look at him.

A moment passed, the two gazing at one another. They began to lean closer. Jed could feel Octavius’ breath on his lips. His eyes closed, and…

Ahkmenrah poured the container onto the plate he’d been using for the past two dishes. “So I knew the Chinese had rice, but I had no clue you could add a simple spice to make it taste so… so flavorful!” He said with his mouth full. Larry chuckled a bit. “It’s MSG, and it’s the best thing ever.” Ahkmenrah continued to enjoy the rest of the meal, absentmindedly bringing forkful after forkful to his lips as the two watched the screen. Before he knew it, Ahkmenrah had eaten the entirety of Larry’s leftovers. “Oh, forgive me, I seem to have left you without any to take home.” Larry shrugged. “Eh, I probably wouldn’t have finished it anyway.” He checked his watch. The time read 3:45. “You think you’ll be all right now, Ahk?” He asked the Pharaoh. Ahkmenrah nodded, giving his middle a gentle pat for emphasis. “I do. Thank you, Larry, I-…” He stopped in the middle of his sentence, keeping his hand flat on his center. “Uh, Ahk? You good?” Larry asked. Ahkmenrah looked at the desk, and all around. “Larry, please tell me you saw Jedidiah and Octavius leave the room.” Larry raised a brow, seeing the concern on the Pharaoh’s face. “No, can’t say I have.” Ahkmenrah met Larry’s gaze again, his eyes wide with fear.

“I… I think I’ve eaten them.”

Octavius’s expression turned to horror as he watched his vision be eclipsed by Ahkmenrah’s teeth. He’d heard of such things happening in legends, from the pages of the Odyssey to the tales told by old storytellers, of heroes and innocents alike being devoured by monsters. But to a general of Rome! The shame of disgracing the legacy of Aeneas was almost as agonizing as the betrayal he felt from Ahkmenrah, his friend, his ally, tossing him into his starving jaws like a stray grain of couscous. Octavius felt the tongue beneath him lurch, and found himself pressed against the soft palate. His eyes caught a glimpse of the abyss before him, the esophagus mere centimeters away, before a thick glob of saliva blocked his vision.

“Ahkmen-...!!”

He attempted to call out for his friend, but he was cut off by a thick gulp. Octavius was compressed from all sides, his agony heightened by a dash of claustrophobia. He could tell he was moving down, and he considered himself lucky that he had no blood to pool in his head. The barely chewed rice didn’t impede his descent, hours of hunger lubricating Ahkmenrah's throat and sending the general downwards with little issue. “Jupiter, protect me,” he strained as he encountered a ring of muscle. A fleeting moment of stillness passed before the ring gave way and let the meal with a side of Mediterranean fall into Ahkmenrah’s stomach. Octavius looked around the dark space, his breathing harsh from the new freedom he was allowed. Well, what little freedom he could enjoy in such a space, anyway.

The organ was surprisingly intact. Octavius knew the mummification process removed such organs, but he also knew the Tablet wasn’t bound by the laws of reality. By Neptune’s beard, he was a miniature brought to life by its magic, why couldn’t it regrow organs? The stomach was much quieter to an outsider’s ears now that it was sated, but within it was a cacophony of acid and half-chewed food. Despite the lack of light, Octavius could hear and feel that much, the rice and vegetables and noodles slowly congealing into a chyme that he did not want to be caught in for too long.

“Augh, it’s like Jedediah’s hourglass debacle all over again.” Octavius muttered to himself as he trudged through the dissolving slop. Unlike that scenario, smacking the wall with his helmet probably wouldn’t help. He felt a mild relief, knowing he was made of much hardier stuff than the meal the Pharaoh had just eaten, but knew better than to stand in a pool of acid and enzymes. Keeping his arm extended out for good measure, Octavius finally felt a fleshy wall and got his footing. OK, get it together. You’ve been in worse conundrums, General, he thought to himself. He’d survived an encounter with the mighty squirrel, this was nothing! …Right?

“Wagh!”

The solitude was broken when a certain cowboy unceremoniously landed face-first in a pile of noodles. Spluttering soy sauce and acid, Jedediah got his face out of the Pharaoh’s dinner. “Ahkmenrah, you undead idiot! You fuckin’ ate me, you-...!” Jed’s no doubt witty retort was cut off when a third lump of food landed atop him. Octavius sighed with some semblance of relief. “Jedediah! Over here!” He called as Jed got his head out of the carbohydrate-filled mush. “Octavius?!” He said, face dripping with stuff he couldn’t see. “Thank the gods you’re safe.” Octavius said with genuine relief. “Yeah, ‘bout as safe as I can be in a mummy’s gullet.” Jedidiah grumbled as he tried to walk through the slop on the spongy flesh. “Any ideas on gettin’ outta here, Octy?” Octavius reached out for Jedidiah, and finally took his hand as they touched the wall. “I’m afraid not. But have faith in our allies, Jedediah. Larry and Ahkmenrah will not allow us to perish here.”

The stomach wall lurched.

“...I hope.”

Ahkmenrah was attempting to say, “Get them out, Larry, get them out,” but he was too busy hyperventilating to get the words out. He’d just eaten two of his most treasured allies, and he could feel them pressing against the wall of his stomach. “Easy, easy!” Larry said, trying to calm Ahkmenrah down, “We’ll get them out. Just breathe.” Larry led Ahkmenrah in a small breathing exercise, with a deep breath in… and a deep breath out. Ahkmenrah was still hyperventilating. Larry got up from his chair. “I’ll go get the scissors.” Ahkmenrah stopped his panic dead in its tracks and furrowed his brow. “You will do no such thing.” Larry put his hands on his hips. “There, that calmed ya down?” He tapped his hip with a finger or two. “How do we go about this…” His nail hit his flashlight, which dangled from his hip. “Oh, hey…” Larry unclipped the flashlight, and shined it up against Ahkmenrah’s middle. “Uh, Larry?” Ahkmenrah questioned.

“One sec, Ahk. Hey, Jed? Octavius? You in there?”

Within, the two had gotten quite comfortable leaned against the wall, or as comfortable as you could be in a place that was actively leaking acid. "I just... never expected it to be so... lively." Octavius said over a particular gurrrble. "It's his gullet, Octy, can't get much livelier." Jedediah found himself wringing fluid out of his hat. "Well, he has been preserved in salt for four thousand years. I thought this thing should've shrivelled up by now." Octavius scooted closer to Jedediah. "That magic moon tablet, man. It'll do things to ya." Jedediah felt Octavius press against him. The same blush came to his face, the same one that glittered across his cheeks when Octavius put his arm around him.

“Octavius?”

“Yes?”

“...hold me.”

Octavius raised his brow. He hadn’t expected Jedidiah’s voice to break so easily, or his spirit. He put his arms around the cowboy, the leather of his jacket crumpling against the steel of his own armor. “I’m not ready to die.” Jedidiah choked before breaking down into sobs. He buried his face into Octavius’s chest. Octavius felt his heart break when the man began to cry. “Jedidiah, collect yourself. We are going to live.” He barely believed the words he said aloud. He knew that their cries couldn’t be heard through the layers of flesh, even if the organ was silent. They’d have to hope that the two didn’t forget their presence. The acid kept rising up. Jedediah looked up at Octavius, his face wet with tears and juices. Octavius’s face flushed red when Jedidah placed a kiss on his chin. “If, if we don’t get outta here, I, I wanted to make sure I did that before I…” Jedidiah couldn’t finish his sentence.

A reddish light illuminated the chamber.

“Hey, Jed? Octavius? You in there?” The muffled voice of Larry Daley echoed from the other side of Ahkmenrah’s skin. The two inside sighed with something resembling relief. “Yeah, we’re in here!” Jedediah called, shaking off the sobs. After a moment with no response from outside, Octavius tapped the wall three times. Outside, Ahkmenrah communicated their response. “He’s tapped thrice.” He said, holding up his tunic so Larry could illuminate his interior. Larry spoke, “OK, you two, listen up. We’re getting you outta there. Ahk is gonna swallow this thing,” he held up a gummy bear wrapped in dental floss, “and we’re gonna lift you out.” Jedediah had scooted closer to the illuminated side. “We can’t see it from in here, Gigantor, just send it down!” He yelled against the skin. Larry actually heard him. “That’s your cue, Ahk.”

Octavius and Jedediah were looking up at the entrance to the esophagus, waiting for whatever Larry had in mind to descend. The ring of muscle twitched, and parted to reveal a cherry gummy bear, with dental floss tied around it. “Aw, yeah!” Jedediah trudged through the slop one last time to get atop the candy. “C’mon, Octy, let’s get outta here!” Jedediah held a hand out to Octavius, the other holding onto the floss. Octavius smiled, and took the cowboy’s hand. Getting atop the candy, he put his arm around Jedediah again and pulled the cord twice. Jed’s confidence immediately dissolved when Octavius embraced him. Carefully, Larry pulled the floss out of Akhmenrah’s throat, taking care not to break it off. In the esophagus, Jedediah was pressed tightly against Octavius’s chest, their faces mere millimeters away from each other. Damn it, when I finally get to be close to him, it’s here, he thought. For an instant, he felt Octavius’s lips touch his own. It wasn’t an accident, it was intentional, from the fact that Octavius went in for another. “Octavius…?” Jedediah asked in a hushed tone. “Once we get out of here, you and I can get closer than that.” Octavius said with a smile. “You… you feel like that, with me?” Jedediah’s face was red with reciprocity. “I’ve felt that way for fifty years, Jedediah.”

Their conversation was interrupted by the light of the museum’s main hall breaking past Akhmenrah’s teeth. Carefully, they were pulled from the Pharaoh’s jaws and placed on the counter. Covered in gut juice and saliva, the two breathed the beautiful fresh air and wrung out their clothing. “You two OK?” Larry asked, finally turning off his flashlight. “Yeah, we’ve been in worse, Gigantor.” Jedediah replied as he shook a few bits of chewed-up noodle off his vest. Larry was about to speak again, but was shoved to the side by Ahkmenrah. “Octavius, Jedediah, I am so sorry I did this to you. I wasn’t looking at what I was doing, and the next thing I know, you were gone, and-...”

“It’s all right, Ahkmenrah. I know you wouldn’t have done this to us on purpose.” Octavius replied. Ahkmenrah picked up both miniatures in an embrace, hugging them close to his chest. “I shall gift you each ten of the finest crocodiles in the Nile for your troubles.” Ahkmenrah said with regal repentance. The two miniatures managed to hold one another’s hand underneath their regal predator’s grasp.

“Hey, beats mummy guts any day, kemosabe.” “You said it.”

[monstermaster13]

Becoming the Other Brother Werebelushi In Shades to Dan Aykroyd tf/full moon theme ~~~~~~ Matthias T Radke was a reviewer who was known as That Werebelushi In The Shades, mainly because well…he was a John Belushi-esque monster with supernatural powers, he put on the persona of an aggressive ranter originally but he eventually branched out. Naturally he looked like Belushi in his normal form and his monster form, although most people knew that. One evening he had returned home to his apartment from work and was about to do another episode of his show when he got a warning from a friend who he was chatting to on the computer. 'Hey Matt..it's me Jason the Pikachu.' 'Hey Jason, what's up?' 'Nothing much, but I have to tell you that it's a ghostly green full moon tonight so you might have to be careful.' 'You don't need to tell me, i'm already a werecreature, remember?' 'Ah yeah, you are.' 'So i'm not likely to transform.' 'But remember what happened with those Nickelodeon characters?' 'Oh yeah, Moldy Spongebob…' 'And the vampire penguins…and Monster Poof.' 'But those are Nickelodeon characters, as far as I can tell..'

'What if it happens to you?' 'Don't you worry I've got things under control…but thanks for the heads up.' 'No problem.' He looked through his files and picked some videos to watch while also using an app to keep track of the green moon sighting, as the minutes went by he didn't feel any different, mainly because he was already a monster though. He sighed as he sat back and watched as the moon tracker app did its job. 'Ah, there we go.' 'So far so good, right?' 'I think so…' He stretched his arms for a little bit, only to feel a little bit strange as his stomach gurgled. 'Ugh…what did I eat? I don't remember eating anything bad.'

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah i'm fine…I think i've just eaten some pretty terrible food or something…"

"Are you sure?"

He pulled up the sleeves of his jacket and he was shocked to see a small selection of brown hairs covering his arms, he hid both arms behind his back as his hands slowly enlarged…'That's odd, usually when I transform my fur is black.' Normally when he grow hair or furs he'd be turning into his monster form but the hairs on his arms were brown and not black like they usually were, he looked at his much larger hands and then gasped, noticing his fingernails had lengthened a little but they looked different than his claws…they were a bit shorter.

'My werebelushi claws…they don't even look like them.' He murmured as his chest and torso broadened, examining his chest he could see the same small selection of hairs developing on their and a little down his stomach. His stomach had grown quite a bit as his legs altered in the same his arms had, he felt a tingling sensation in between his toes as his feet enlarged, two of the toes on both feet slowly altered to become webbed. His back broadened with a crack as he slowly shot up in height to 6'1.

He examined his body as his shoulders broadened and his neckline altered, he still had some hair on him but it wasn't the same type of fur he had when he was in his usual Werebelushi form, the hair on his arms and on his chest and stomach was brown, and he was taller than he usually was. He weighed himself, and was shocked at what the result was. '249lbs? Wait a minute…if i'm not becoming my Werebelushi form…' Matthias was panicking, he didn't know what to do. He attempted to focus on his normal form and to turn back to normal but this transformation was wreaking havoc on his DNA.

'What the?' He gasped as his hair slowly lengthened by just a little, but rather than becoming the mane he usually had it turned from black to brown. His ears did get their regular pointed tips but they looked a bit elfin and smaller while his ears in general grew larger, his eyebrows thickened as his forehead/brow altered. 'Are you sure you're alright?' 'Yes, i'm alright…i'm fine…okay i'm not alright, something's wrong with me.' His eyes widened as one of them turned from brownish to green and the other remained brown, he looked at his face for a little..examining his changing appearance.

His nose broadened as a tiny dimple formed down the middle of it, his lips altering to become more than a little bit kissable, half of the tip of his nose did turn black as two sideburns sprouted on his cheeks..but sadly, no other hair or fur sprouted there. His two canine teeth did sharpen a little, resembling the fangs he normally had. But his features slowly lost their Belushi resemblance as they reshaped themselves, he couldn't recognize himself…'Wait…not my face too.' His face slowly morphed and reshaped itself, until his features looked less John Belushi-esque and morphed into those of Dan Aykroyd, and that's when he realized…he was going Aykroyd.

"Are you turning into Dan Aykroyd?"

"That's impossible..no wait, it's totally possible. I'm turning into him."

"How though?"

"I thought the ghostly green moon didn't affect people who already had supernatural powers but it appears I may have been wrong. Now look at me, i'm turning into Aykroyd. Yep, i've gone from being a Werebelushi in shades to being an Aykroyd."

"Aaaaaaw…you look adorable."

'Hey…DON'T call me adorable!' He snapped as he responded to Jason's quips. 'I'm sorry I can't help you it, you're so cute and Aykroyd-like.' 'Yes I KNOW, I know I look Aykroyd-like.' He was used to transformations, but not this specific kind…and he was reacting to being referred to as adorable. He coughed for a few seconds as his voice deepened and contorted, sounding less like John Belushi's and more like Aykroyd's complete with the same mannerisms and Canadian accent. 'My voice is his now too?'.

He groaned a few more times, examining his new appearance and watching as his personality altered slightly…his mannerisms and traits becoming a bit more Aykroyd-like as his transformation completed itself. 'Aaaaaw…' 'Shut it Jason!' 'Sorry…it's just you're all Dan Aykroyd-like.' 'I know…I suppose i'm going to have to get used to it.'

"How exactly does it feel?"

"Weird…i've only been Aykroyd once. But this is the second time."

"Do you think you're going to have to change the name of your show?"

"I'm That Werebelushi In The Shades, i've always been."

'But you're Dan Aykroyd now…wouldn't your viewers be confused as to why you're calling yourself Werebelushi when you're clearly Aykroyd?' Jason inquired, raising an eyebrow, curious as to why Matt wouldn't change the name of his show. 'Just because i'm Dan Aykroyd now doesn't mean i'm not me. Besides, the show is called That Were-BELUSHI in The Shades…Were-Aykroyd in the Shades does not have the same ring to it.' And he had a point, just because he was Dan Aykroyd it didn't mean he had to change the name of his show, the name of the show stayed as it was as such.

"You do look adorable like that…"

"I'm not supposed to be adorable though, i'm supposed to be fierce."

"You can still be fierce while being Aykroyd, you know."

"I don't know how this happened. I used to own this town, now it's all turned upside down."

"Heh heh…that's the theme song to BWOC."

"Big Wolf On Campus?"

"Yeah…I LOVE that show!"

Matthias chuckled to himself, immediately feeling a lot better about what had happened to him, it was odd hearing Aykroyd's voice coming out of his mouth…yes, but he didn't mind, he looked and sounded and acted like Aykroyd, but he was still himself. He hadn't been altered completely, and he still had a few of his monster traits too like his pointed ears, fangs and his claws..and he still had some of his powers, granted he didn't have his quills since he wasn't well a 'Werebelushi' anymore, but he still had heightened senses and inhuman strength. 'You know this being Dan Aykroyd thing isn't so bad. Yes, i'm not usually an Aykroyd but this is actually pretty interesting.'

And so rather than opting to figure out how to turn back to normal he decided to stay for a while in his Aykroydian state, however he did have to explain to his fans about what happened to him and his change in appearance and personality, but they accepted him…because they loved him no matter what. Sometimes a little change and a little walk in someone else's shoes can really teach you how to appreciate them for what they are, and that's a lesson we can all learn.