#if someone wants to take this joke and present it better please do and tag me in it/send it to me?

[chungledown-bimothy]

is this anything?

[chronicbeans]

Let's Make a Deal! (Yandere Queerplatonic Alastor x Fallen Angel Reader)

Part 3: Deal, dear?

Part 1, Part 2

Tag List: @repostingmyfavs

TW: Invasions of Personal Space, Shady Deals

As much as you hoped having that conversation would stop Alastor from staring at you, it only seemed to make things worse. Now that he knows you are open to talking to him, he's gotten into the habit of walking over to you, asking you invasive questions, then walking away. Usually something along the lines of "Do you miss your family? Did you have any family in Heaven? Have you had a relationship before? If not, why not?" Then, he'd end the conversation with something more lightheaded, such as "What's your favorite color? Do you prefer coffee, or tea?". After that, he'd just leave. You feel way too unnerved and uncomfortable to say no to answering, most of the time...

A lot of his questioning seems to revolve around family, for some reason. You've also noticed Alastor becoming much more touchy with you. Not necessarily in an inappropriate manner, though. More like a sudden arm around your shoulder that lasts much longer than before, a hug, or him suddenly holding your hand. You don't really mind. It's definitely a lot better than you expected from somebody in Hell, but it's still noticable.

Today is one of those days, as you're sitting on the couch in the main lobby, watching some television, when you suddenly feel Alastor sling an arm around your shoulder. "Dear, what are you doing, looking at that picture box? I'm sure that there couldn't possibly be anything of interest on it."

You look up to him, raising an eyebrow. "Well, there's a nice show on. So I want to watch it-" You're cut off by him shutting off the television. "Well, I must speak with you about something. I want to make a deal with you, dear. Deals are much more important than a dumb little picture box." He then stands up, pointing to you. "You fell out of Heaven due to someone convincing them that you deserved such damnation, correct?"

You stare up at him, surprised by how forward he is being. You raise an eyebrow at him, crossing your arms. "Yes... but what-" "I want you to convince them to drop someone else from Heaven's grace, down here, into Hell." "What?!"

You then stand up, confused and dismayed. "You must be joking, Alastor- this joke isn't funny! Why would you possibly believe I'd be willing to do such a thing? Nobody deserves to be cast out due to an over exaggeration or lie!" You glare up at him, only to be surprised once you notice his ever present grin looking extremely strained.

His voice fills with static as he points to you, his eyes seeming to glow with either irritation, or desperation. "Dear, you're my friend. I promise you, whatever you want in return for this favor, I'll give it to you." You instantly lean away, continuing to glare. "I never agreed to be your friend." "That doesn't matter. You're my friend whether you like it or not. Please. At least consider it. Consider all of the things you could get out of this deal!"

You think, genuinely... At first, you are going to say no, but... what if he can get you to Heaven? Or, at least, find a way to increase your chances of getting to Heaven? "... Fine, but you have to try to find a way to get me into Heaven... Not just so I can get whoever you want to damn down here, but also so that I can return there. For good." Alastor pauses, before nodding, though you can tell he is upset. "Fine, dear. I suppose that is fair."

He then walks over to him, smiling. "The person I want you to get damned, is... actually, come over here. I don't want anyone else to hear." You nod, walking over to him. He quietly whispers a name into your ear, alongside a few of their negative traits, before pulling away. "I'm sure Lucifer may be able to help you set up an appointment with Heaven... it might just take some convincing on my end to get him to agree..."

"Well, why do you want this person damned, Alastor...?" You stare up at him, flinching as his smile turns cold, for a brief moment. He then looks away from you, before his eyes snap back towards you.

"You'll understand once they get here, my dearest friend. Now, shake my hand, and the deal is sealed. I'll get this person into Hell, and you'll get your precious home in Heaven back."

Without hesitation, you grab his hand and shake on it. Alastor's grin widens as you do so, but you barely even notice it. Your thoughts are trained on getting the poor sap he mentioned into Hell, even if you'll feel guilty in the end... you don't know how much longer you can stand being in Hell with him constantly looking over you.

[thepersonperson]

Ngl your post summarises so well why i love sukugo and why im so insane about them

Like of fucking course those two would work together when Sukuna deeply does not care about any social rules to ever exist. Of course they do when Gojo is confronted with someone gay for him and not hiding behind anything. This is not survivable and i love them and care them. I even had written in the notes for my fic about Gojo being the person who generally prefers to keep things as they are but i couldnt actually formulate why i think that. You are so smart your analysis is so wonderful

This is also why I like Sukugo a lot. It's not just that Sukuna matches Gojo's freak, he enables it. Encourages it even. Makes it worse. Sukuna's existence is a twisted opposition to Jujutsu Society. It's very hedonistic, sadistic, and selfish but by golly it is rebellion.

The flattery is also appreciated, but please understand that I am very stupid and am capable of making mistakes. Alternate perspectives like yours are just as valuable. Which is why I'm shoehorning your tags on this post into this ask. (They are great tags and everyone should see them. Also I don't know how to respond to them otherwise.)

#yeah youre right # sorry i got time to think about it #and im kind of writing gojo rhe same but a vit more influenced by sukuna lmao #tbh as the person coming from a post soviet country #i honestly cant like #fully agree with everything due to just #like i understand that what people want from socialism isnt what was in soviet union #but its still very much hard to accept that anyone could want what we went through lol #when i tell you that socialism actually pitted everyone against each other isnt not a joke #but i understand what you lead into and yeah yeah true

#tbf to gojo he really tried even if his method ultimately failed #like he had genuinely tried to do better for the kids that came after him despite the desperate lack of empathy of understanding of others #and himself #like i can appreciate the desperate desire to make change for the better

#and yeah geto was so horribly jealous its insane #of anything really #i also kinda really think geto has the mentality that after toji gojo is different? #that the boy he knew died and this is someone else #and what he does it ultimately for the boy he loved and for the boy who survived through changing #it also may be a bit of a fucked up coping mechanism how to deal with it all and differentiate what gojo was to him and is

#but yeah i was thinkinf about it and talking a lot #they were so badly exploited as children #we know its better with gojo than it was before #but then also if gojo takes on the hardest missions for the students that means he’s not present to teach its a fucked up circle #he doesnt understand enough to be a full leader to make a rebellion but he is trying god damn #but yeah the only way he could articulate what he’s actually feeling is through battle which is sad

#i take the way he stopped looking for exciting battles growing up is him growing up #like sending yuuta for cursed tools. he made his peace that he cant just chase men while he needs to take care of the kids #idk its all deeplt fucked up and im very sad for them

That's a fair criticism and even better commentary. I understand the aversion to some of the words I'm using to describe this. It's just that I don't know how else to effectively communicate what I think is the main issue. I do appreciate you're willing to hear me out on this though! (You're applying Umineko's "Without love, it cannot be seen." which makes me very happy.)

I'm US based which is a hypercapitalist hellscape, so when I talk about socialism it doesn't mean "do exactly what the Soviet Union did" (that would be very bad) but instead some of the ideas behind workers rights are good and desperately needed to curb stomp the type of labor exploitation they're experiencing. (Like unions for better pay, hours, and working conditions.)

Theory is useful because it give you the words to describe exactly what's wrong and the ideas that can guide you towards productive solutions. I can say Jujutsu Society is bad because of labor exploitation from the higher ups and therefore unions would help mitigate their power because I learned about those things.

Gojo and Geto don't have those words or background so they see part of the problem but have no name for it. And because they don't understand why it's happening, their solutions are surface-level treatments that don't address the real source of their suffering.

Toji was a symptom of the problem. Geto saw Toji as the entire problem so he thinks eradicating anything like Toji is the solution. Gojo saw Toji as a symptom and a potential solution to the real problem—Jujutsu Society. He recognized that Toji being strong is what helped him escape this problem so he laser focused on it. If he and his students are strong, they can change things. What things exactly? Gojo doesn't have the knowledge or time to dwell deeper on it. To him strength=revolution. He neglects the need for mutual aid, addressing overwork, and limiting child labor because the words and framework to deal with that are missing.

Gojo can't really do anything other than keep things the sameish because he doesn't know how the better world he's seeking works. (Similar to how you recognized this flaw of his, but couldn't put it into words since you didn't have them.) He both does things better for his students and screws them up in whole new different ways as a result of this. It's very tragic.

And everything wrong with Jujutsu Society is still just a microcosm of Japanese work culture that leads to this exploitation in the first place. Nanami is the only character that makes this connection and he has no idea what to do about it other than work where he feels less bad about it.

It's kind of like knowing a grease fire is dangerous but not knowing how to put it out.

>Gojo throws water on the grease fire trying to put it out and makes it worse before he starts suffocating it with his body instead of a blanket.

>Geto tries to eradicate grease from existence not knowing that other types of fire exist.

>Nanami realizes oxygen and fuel are the source of fires but he has none of the tools to put them out or prevent them.

>Sukuna understands that letting the fire burn everything to ash means there will never be fire again. ...While ignoring this also means there will be nothing left in the aftermath.

If any of these people were taught fire safety (labor theory), their methods of dealing with the fire (labor exploitation) and preventing it in the future would be so much better.

Japan has some of the lowest union memberships and the worst working conditions amongst rich countries. JJK has a lot to say on the topic so I'm being very annoying about it because I don't see others talking about it this way.

[crownedtargaryen]

cruel summer. - modern!jacaerys

Part 1 ; Part 2 ; Part 3 ; Part 4 ; Part 5 pairing: modern!jacaerys x modern!stark reader (a/n): this part includes sensitive topics. please, PLEASE read the trigger warnings below. as a SA victim, this is not to romanticize such things. TW: attempted rape, blood, sexual assault rating: NSFW 18+, this chapter holds sensitive. prns: she/her all notes are appreciated. words: 1.7k tag list: @hopelesswritergall @twizzy123 @howyouloveyourdragon @daenerysapologist @fairysluna

It's been a few hours since my encounter with Jacaerys and I'll admit, I've missed those corny jokes. He's annoying at the moment, but I seek his company now. I walk to my brother, Cregan, who prepares dinner for me and my siblings.

"Hey Creg," I start sweetly, seeing him look at me and smirk slightly. He knows I'm about to ask for something, he always knows. I move up next to him and look at the meal he's preparing. "Looks good!" "Stop tryna' sweet talk me, what's up?" Cregan says, cocking a brow at me. I feel anxious, knowing he might say no.

"You know Jacaerys Velaryon…" I start, seeing his expression contort into something I can't place. He nods in response, increasing my anxiety. "Could I have his number?"

He pauses for a moment, considering, then sighs heavily. "Why? You don't like him, do you?" He takes the food off the stove, leaning his side against the counter and crossing his arms. "You've gotta be careful about guys like that. I know him better than anyone. He has girls flocking to him by the second. He'll play you like a pawn in some filthy game. I don't want that for you." He grabs his phone despite his words, letting me consider as he finds Jace's contact. Cregan and Jace are close friends from being on the hockey team together, so I trust his judgment. Being co-captains develops a bond that might let you discover some darker sides of each other.

"Trust me, I have no interest in him. It has to do with tutoring," I lied through my teeth, smiling uncomfortably. Now, it was a half-truth! I don't have an interest, but I also want to get closer. It has nothing to do with tutoring him since he won't give me the chance to teach him a damn thing. Cretan examines my expression before handing me his phone with Jace's contact open. I can't help but smile at the contact photo.

It was when Jace let his hair grow out, his curled hair down his shoulders. He posed all pretty with his leg up and batting his eyes with his jersey on. I quickly enter the contact and hand Cregan back his phone, moving over and giving him a gentle kiss on the cheek. "Thanks, Creg. It means a lot. You're the best!" I affirm, patting his shoulder as he rolls his eyes and chuckles. I scramble off, entering my bedroom and texting Jace.

(Y/N): hey it's (Y/N)! I was wondering if you were still up for a hangout? :)

I was shocked by the response time. My phone vibrates in a matter of minutes.

Jacaerys 😐: Yeah. I have a party I was invited to. Sound good?

(Y/N): who's gonna be there?

Jacaerys 😐: Idfk it's a high school party, do you really expect me to know everyone who's showing up?

Well damn, okay asshole.

(Y/N): yes, I do. I expect a list of first names, last names, parents' phone numbers, and their ages before you pick me up 🤨

Jacaerys 😐: Are you going or not.

(Y/N): what time?

I try to figure out when we'll be heading out, mostly because I want to look presentable. Maybe I'll find someone at the party who is interested in me, who knows? He told me he could pick me up in an hour or so. The sun has already set, so I can only assume we'll be out for a while. I text him the okay and get myself ready for a night that changed my whole perspective on Jacaerys Velaryon.

He pulls up across the street in my neighbor's parking lot, not wanting to seem obvious. I'd never snuck out before, nor planned to. Surely my brother wouldn't mind, he parties all the time! But maybe he'd be hesitant to let me spend time with his best friend. He almost didn't give me his number. I could only imagine how he'd react if I told him I was actively seeking to hang out with him.

Without a second thought, I slip out of my window, closing it and glancing at Cregan's window. The light is off, I can only assume he called it a night early. I rush across the street, trying to keep my head ducked in case he looks out his window and sees me. I quickly open the car door, slip into the passenger side, and slam the door. Jace looks at me in surprise for a moment before bursting into laughter at my anxiety.

"Jeez, you're terrible at this!" He playfully nudged me, causing me to roll my eyes as he pulled out of the driveway and headed toward the party. I check my phone, my leg bouncing as I fumble loosely with my shirt. I feel his eyes glancing at me, worsening my frustrations. "You look beautiful," he suddenly says. I look at him, my brows furrowed. Looking ahead, he has a cheeky grin on his face. "I mean, seriously. You'll have guys all over you."

"Speaking from what you wanna do?" I suddenly say, trying to distract myself from my overwhelming fear that Cregan will message me at any moment. I notice his hesitance to answer and the growing color on his cheeks that I can barely see in the limited light. "Maybe? So what?" He replied, making me laugh. I didn't take him seriously. I know he wouldn't want that. Would he? I sigh heavily and comfortable silence falls over us. Jace turns on a song to fill the quiet space.

We park on the side of the street, music muffled from behind closed windows and doors. It's a Lannister party. I look up at the looming building. I swear it's four floors high. Jace gently takes my hand and walks me inside, obviously impatient and ready to have fun. A few people cheer as Jace walks in. He laughs and greets them, letting go of my hand and leaving me alone. I can't help but feel disappointed watching him talk to different girls and his friends. I sigh and head to the drink table, downing two shots.

"Woah there, Tiger, watch yourself," a voice calls out, revealing Aegon Targaryen. I hadn't interacted with him since middle school when he was head over heels for me. He'd cheated on me, but I hadn't held a grudge. It was middle school. We were all imbeciles unaware of romance. He seems to be getting there, his words only slightly slurred as he smiles flirtatiously at me. I return the smile, except it's awkward. He doesn't seem to notice, offering me a drink which I take. "Aegon! How've you been?" I ask, trying to make a polite conversation. He sighs heavily, brows raised, then chugging his drink with a small laugh. That told me everything, and I felt pity for him. His home life has always been challenging, so I give him the benefit of the doubt in most situations.

I feel myself growing tipsy as Aegon continues idle chitchat. Mostly conversed about life and relationships, and even asked me if I'm interested in smoking some weed with him. I politely decline, scanning the crowd for Jace. The more I drink, the more I feel myself becoming scatterbrained and drunk, and the faces of those around me look all the same. The blaring music triggers a headache and I continue to drink.

Then, before I know it, Aegon has his hand in mine and says words I can't understand. I giggle at him, assuming he said something playful. Then, his hands are on my waist and pulling me close. I grow uncomfortable as he grinds his hips to mine. I push him away a little, but he grows aggressive and starts gripping me tighter. He whispers words that will stick with me forever.

"You love me, admit it. There's nothing I want more than you. You're mine tonight."

I feel sick, tears coming to my eyes. I plead with him to stop, but my words are slurred and incoherent. No one around us pays attention as he pulls me toward the bedroom.

Everything happens so fast. One moment I was wrestling with Aegon, crying and trying to beg him to let me go, the next he was on the floor and Jace was in front of me with his hands clenched into his fists.

I watch Aemond emerge from the crowd, looking at his brother's bloodied nose and bruising face on the floor. It blurs together. I watch as they crash to the floor, glass shattering. I see blood, a broken bottle in Jace's hand, and then Aemond bruised and bloodied on the floor. Jace looks at me, his gaze softening as he grabs my hand and pulls me out. He makes sure I have everything. I look at his face, his nose bleeding and cuts on his arms and hands. I feel my sickness surface, pulling me from Jace and vomiting in the front yard. I hear him say something, but I can't hear him over my vomiting. He pulls my hair back, waits until I finish, and then helps me to his car.

I have thrown up on my shirt. I can smell it. Jace gets in the front seat as I lay in the back, whining and curling up. He watches me through the rearview mirror.

We drive for only a bit before he stops his car. I look out the window, seeing we're at a nearby gas station. He turns around, looking at me then unzipping his backpack that's rested on the floorboard of the back seat.

"Jace..?" I whine, and he softly shushes me. I look at his bloodied hands, my eyebrows furrowed.

"You're okay, you're safe. I'm here," he whispers, pulling out his hockey jersey. He hands it to me. "Can you change into this for me?" I stare at him, shaken up and still scared from the party ordeal. "I won't look." He turns away, covering his eyes. Hesitantly, I strip off my shirt and throw his jersey over my torso. I softly murmur his name, and he looks back at me, smiling lovingly at me. The blood on his face has dried up, and I feel guilty. I feel responsible.

"Jace I'm sorry," I slur out, the brunette reaching for my hand and holding it tightly.

"You have no reason to apologize. Let's go back to your house and clean you up. Okay?" He whispers, making my heart clench as tears fall down my cheeks. "I won't let anything happen to you, ever. You're safe."

[elvisabutler]

1k angst prompt request with professor presley x belle? “Please don’t talk about yourself that way.”

i can shout louder than any voice

fandom: elvis presley | elvis ( 2022 ) rating: t pairing: elvis presley x female reader ( nicknamed belle ) wordcount: 1860 warnings: negative self talk! period typical misogyny. slut shaming. student/teacher relationship ( everyone is of consenting age ). mention of pregnancy just because of where in their timeline i set it. mild unwanted sexual advances. no use of y/n. author’s note: you threw absolutely no punches with this prompt, anon. good lord i was worried everyone was just going to request smut ( which i have no problem with but variety sometimes ). and then you drop this in my lap. best present. i almost wrote this in the obvious way of her saying it to him- and if you want that i have no problems writing it but i went the opposite way of him telling her it. this is the professor presley universe, i'm assuming if you're reading this, you've already read the previous parts. if not, click the tag and join us along for their ride. y'all know the drill, real elvis or austin elvis works fine for this despite the moodboard.

You know how people talk about you when they think you're not listening, you've always known how people talk about you when they think you aren't listening. It doesn't always get to you, doesn't always make you want to curl up and hide away until you feel the tears go back to their rightful place in your eyes and not outside of them. Some days though, some days like today you're reminded of how your actions are always going to come back to haunt you even if you were perfectly content with them at the time.

Dating- officially dating Professor- Elvis meant that everyone knew about you, knew that the rumors and jokes they had made when you wore his jacket were true. That you were in love with him and he was in love with you and that you were sleeping together with an alarming regularity. It meant that some people questioned your grades in his class until almost every student who was with you and half of Elvis's little Mafia defended you and made it clear that no you hadn't slept with him for grades. Officially dating him- being with him- meant you didn't take precautions as much as you should despite this being your last semester and you found yourself growing the consequence inside your belly, watching as it rounded out these last few months as you wore more flowing outfits to accommodate it. Though with one more month to go before graduation, you're beginning to think you're running out of room to honestly hide it.

You like to think that with him in your corner, with his Mafia in your corner everyone would refrain from the comments about your previous escapades that would happen every so often. You figure that people knowing you're finally in a committed relationship would keep them at bay and yet you find that somehow it makes it worse. Most people who still want to comment don't say it to your face, a fact you're thankful of for a number of reasons. And yet, yet there are those few individuals who should know better, those adult men who are older than you just barely but should know better if they're going to be teaching students younger than you.

"Hey, are you the one they call the Tour Guide?" You hear a deep voice from above you ask and you feel your blood freeze and feel your nausea come back with a vengeance. You should ignore it but your body instinctively looks up as you square your shoulders and move to stand up, unwilling to potentially argue this while sitting down.

"I haven't been for a while. Do I know you?" Your eyes study his face, trying to see what his angle is as you subtly step away, holding your books and work you had been doing in front of your stomach.

"New professor." He says looking at you not unlike you're a piece of meat. "Wanted to see what the fuss with you was about. See what charmed someone like Presley." His eyes rake over your form. "I can see it. You sure you don't want to-"

The words come from your mouth as quickly as they pop into your head as you take another two steps back. "I'm happy with him. We're-" You stop yourself, knowing you're about to spill your secret that you want to keep until graduation at least. "I'm not interested. Now if you excuse me, I'm going to be late for my class. I'll-"

"See you around, Tour Guide." He finishes off your sentence with what he thinks you're going to say and a nickname you've been trying hard to shake leaving you to clench your jaw in shame and to pull your lower lip in between your teeth even while knowing it'll ruin your lipstick. It shouldn't bother you as much as it does. It shouldn't affect you like it is. After all, you were happily with Elvis, you were expecting a child- children if the ultrasound and his intuition were right- with him. It shouldn't matter if someone new- someone who had just come to the school- knew you as the Tour Guide versus just as another student. You'd have taken them knowing you as Professor Presley's girlfriend if you had to, truthfully, but to be known as the Tour Guide, that stupid little nickname bestowed upon you because you could show them a good time around campus makes your stomach roil and has you making a beeline for Elvis's office, ignoring the concerned look you get when you practically slam into- god you think Jerry only to ignore his question of whether or not you were alright.

Elvis has a class, you know this and you aren't expecting him to be in the office any time soon but you find his jacket- the extra one he keeps in his office for when you're cold and were too lazy to grab one in the morning draped over the couch. As silly as it is you wrap it around yourself, inhaling the scent of your boyfriend- your future husband you think and try to calm your brain, try and calm the way everything swirls around your head over and over again. You're expecting to have an hour at least to do this only to hear the door to his office open revealing his worried face. It takes only a minute for him to make his way to the couch and pull you close to him. Your vision blurs for a moment as he speaks.

"What's wrong?" He murmurs against your hair. "Jerry- ya ran into him and looked- ya worried him enough that he came and pulled me outta class, told 'em it was dismissed." His hand moves to press against your stomach. "Somethin' wrong wit'-"

The speed your head shakes is a little violent before you realize you ought to use words. "No, no, nothing. Nothing wrong with the baby. Nothing wrong." Except they have a whore of a mother. A whore of a mother who won't ever be known as more than that around here. They have a Jezebel for a mother and even their father knew that.

Elvis studies your face, studies how it appears to be darkening and how it seems as if you're in your own head far too much for his liking. His hand moves to cup your chin. "Belle," he starts, using his nickname for you, "tell me what's goin' on in that pretty head o'yours."

"No." You answer simply, shaking your head, because this is silly and you're only bothered by it because you're emotional and not because- not because you think it's true. Think that deep down you're still that Tour Guide. "I don't- it doesn't matter."

"It's got you practically cryin' on the couch in my office. It matters plenty. Spill you stubborn woman." There's no real malice directed toward you when he says it, and you know the forcefulness is because he's worried.

"There's- Someone called me Tour Guide. There's a new professor, I don't know the department, I didn't ask, but he- he-" You take a deep breath. "He wanted to know what the fuss was about and said he could see it. Could see why you fell for me. Couldn't have gotten you with my mind or anything like that. No, I just got you because of how I look and my skills." He hadn't said all that, you knew that first hand but he might as well have, after all it's all your brain could think about. "Because that's all I'm good for, right? Being a whore. A jezebel-"

Elvis grip loosens on your chin as he pulls you into his lap, knowing fully well his knees are going to regret this decision later. "Belle, don't. Please don't talk about yourself that way."

"But you even called me that, Elvis. You called me a Jezebel. And I'm- that's all anyone's going to think about me aren't they? Especially when they see-" That you're pregnant when you graduate.

"That you're carrying my babies that were made out of love? Outta me wantin' to give you a child even if God's got some funny timin' 'bout the whole damn thing? Darlin'- Who the hell cares what they think. They've been havin' me in a grave for years now n' ya don't see me agreein' wit' 'em do ya?"

You shake your head as you allow at least a tear or two to fall. You're not crying, you're just releasing the tears. You don't want to cry over this, not in his lap, not right now when today had been fine otherwise. "No. But you're-"

"But nothin'." He puts his hand back under your chin and tilts it up so he can look you dead in the eye before he kisses you. "I called ya that when I was angry as a bull at ya. Ya know 'm in love wit' ya 'cause of that brain of yours. 've got the strongest woman this side of the Mississippi as my future wife. N' I don't care what anyone else wants to say 'bout her 'cause it ain't true. Yeah, ya got a past, but so do I. Makes me who I am but isn't me any more. Jus' like it made you who you are, and brought ya to me but that's not the woman I know. Ain't the woman carryin' my children. Ain't the woman I wake up ta. Ain't the woman I'm gonna marry and I'm gonna watch teach students."

It's then that the damn breaks, it's then that you finally start to tear up properly and bury your face into Elvis's chest, allowing yourself a moment to let out the frustrated cry you had been holding back. All Elvis does is rub your back, doesn't shush you, just reassures you as you let it out and as you release the tension in your body. After what feels like an eternity you finally pull away and look at Elvis.

"I- I just want people to know me as more, Elvis. That's all I want. I don't want to become a professor if that's what I'm-" Elvis cuts you off with a wave of his hand.

"Trust me. If anythin'? Ya gonna be known as the hardass who grades papers so harshly they'll be beggin' me to talk some sense into my wife. And you know what I'm gonna tell 'em?" You hum softly and shrug. "That they oughta jus' pay more attention in class. Maybe then they won't be failing."

That's what does it, what finally makes you smile and has Elvis giving you a small one back as he looks at you with such a look of love you remember just how and why you fell for him. "I mean it, Belle. Don't- Don't talk 'bout yourself like that, a'right? Promise?"

"Only if you promise to actually tell my students that when the time comes."

The laugh Elvis as he answers lets out rumbles against you and you feel the last final bits of tension you were clinging to finally disappear. "Promise."

[virtie333]

Day 4 - Life Day Damerey Celebration

Prompt: Presents/ce

Summary: Life Day means a secret gift exchange.

Maybe it's just me, but doesn't the chain Poe wears in TRoS look a lot more shiny/glittery than the one he wears in TLJ?

Warnings: None. Pure fluff.

AO3

Rey looked askance at the colorfully wrapped box sitting next to the bed. Though she had known about Life Day back on Jakku, she had never celebrated it, and just last week both she and Finn (who had also never celebrated it) had learned about the tradition of giving gifts. Leia had let her know that those who wanted to participate in the secret gift exchange needed to have their gift ready by today, but there had been no pressure to take part in it.

Finn had been excited by the prospect, and his enthusiasm had spread to Rey, so she had agreed to do it as well. However, after she drew the name of the person she was supposed to find a gift for, she had regretted her hasty decision.

What the heck was she supposed to get for Poe Dameron?

Almost immediately after drawing his name, Rey wanted to go to Finn and ask to switch. Finn knew Poe much better than she did, as they were the best of friends, but that almost felt like cheating. She could at least ask Finn for help, couldn’t she? Or Snap. Or Karè. Someone who knew him better than she did. But something held her back. If she looked closely at herself, she knew it was just her stubborn independence that kept her from seeking help.

She spent three almost sleepless nights trying to come up with something. Something simple. It didn’t have to be meaningful, did it? It was the thought that counts, after all. It was while she was eating dinner one evening, sitting with several of the others around the fire pit, that her eye caught on something that gave her the answer. The firelight was glinting off of something around Poe’s neck.

She had noticed that he wore a chain around his neck, and had even asked Finn about it, wondering if he wore ‘dog tags’ or some other identification. Finn had told her that what Poe wore was much more important that an ID; he wore his late mother’s wedding ring. He had been very close to his mother, Finn explained, and his father had given Poe the ring after her death.

Rey suddenly knew exactly what to get Poe for Life Day.

But now, as the dinner where everyone was to exchange gifts drew closer, she wondered if she had made a mistake. It was too personal, she thought. He would know she had asked about him. About the ring. She didn’t want him thinking she was overly curious about him, possibly even fixated on him. Because she wasn’t.

Was she?

He was handsome, she had to admit. He was funny. Smart. Confident but supportive of everyone around him. He was Leia’s second in command for a reason. And sometimes she caught him looking at her with an intensity that would unsettle her if it had been anyone else. He would always look away quickly when he realized she had noticed him staring, as if he was embarrassed, and she found that rather interesting. She trusted him and she did want to know more about him, but she didn’t know how to go about it without embarrassing herself.

So, maybe this was the way to open that door between them. Give him the gift and hope he didn’t take it the wrong way.

The opening of presents began right after dinner. One by one, names were drawn, and that person would open their present. The person who had gifted it would then step forward and either receive sincere thanks or some joking would go one, depending on the gift and the people involved. Rey’s name was called before Poe’s, and she had a brief moment of panic. She had never even given a thought to her present. Cautiously, she opened the small box, pleased when she found a strip of beautiful, soft tanned leather. She had been telling Finn she wanted to make some new arm cuffs. Therefore, she wasn’t at all surprised when Finn stepped forward.

“It’s Runyip leather,” he told her. “Just like the jacket.” He grinned, adjusting the leather jacket Poe had given him on his shoulders.

Rey grinned back. Finn had loaned her that jacket more than once, joking that it was ‘the family jacket.’

“Thank you, Finn,” she said, genuinely touched he had remembered her comment about the cuffs. But her whole body stiffened as Poe’s name was called next.

She watched the pilot accept the small wrapped package from C-3PO (who had insisted on MCing the event). He looked at it curiously, shook it softly, then started opening it. His eyes widened as he carefully removed the silver chain from its nest of onion-skin paper. He looked around the room, his expression confused.

Taking a deep breath, Rey stood. “I know how important that ring is, and I felt like the chain you are using is just too fragile to keep something so special safe.” She shrugged as Poe’s eyes focused on her. “I worry it will break.” She gestured to the chain hanging from his fingers. “It has Beskar in it. I would wager it’s almost unbreakable.”

“Beskar?” Poe gasped. “How?”

Rey smiled softly. “A scavenger never gives up their most profitable site.”

Poe laughed, then looked back down at the chain. He nodded his head and blinked rapidly before looking back at her, his eyes soft.

“Thank you, Rey. Thank you.”

[faustquillpen]

Apollo Justice x Reader from Apollo's POV, writing style to emulate the game

Warnings for death mentions, injury mentions, pretty much what you would expect from the game. Let me know if I need to tag more.

[There will be a dog mentioned in the story, but a cat or other pet can fit too if the reader desires!]

Chapter 1: Ruff Day (sfw)

|Prev| |Next|

Apollo: Red

Apollo's thoughts/muttering: (Red with parentheses)

Trucy: Blue

Reader: Purple

-----

N - No! Get away from me!

Heheh, I'm just tryna get a lookacha

Fuck off!

Augh....!

Crash!

Is he... Dead?

Someone call the cops, I saw them push that dude!

No! He must've lost his footing or something, please...!

----

April 18th, 7:00 AM

Wright Anything Agency

New case, Apollo! But you miiight not like it...

(It's been a bit since the last case... Whatever it is it's better than cleaning this place for the 100th time) Oh yeah?

Yeah... They denied it at first, but now they're saying it was them! Daddy thinks they're hiding something... And Daddy usually is good at guessing!

(Hiding something by taking credit for a murder? That doesn't seem right.)

He was some sorta creep anyway, the "victim" I mean. Known for harassing people of all genders. A sleezeball with a record.

(Sigh, I guess it's better than nothing.) I'll at least talk to them I guess. Your Dad better be right about this though.

He's always Wright! ... Eh? Eeeh???

Shut up. You've used that joke before.

----

April 18th, 7:35 AM

Detention Center

Visitor's Room

Well, we're here.

I wonder where the defendant is?

....!

(Oh!! It's... I-it's)

You're that sweet guy I met last week ... Apollo I think?

(They remembered my name!!!!!) OH hey!!! (oh no oh no oh no I am not prepared for this!!!)

Ummm...

(Oh yeah! This must seem weird) Oh! I'm a defense attorney!!! Defense attorney Apollo Justice that's me hah

You mean Jupollo Astice...?

(shut up shut up shut up shut up)

*Giggles*

(Oh no, they're still really cute...!)

Ah-em. I'm Trucy, the best assistant and magician, and we're gonna defend you!

(Wait I hadn't agreed to that yet!!! I... Can I defend someone who I feel this way about...? It's so hard to focus when they're around... Augh!!! They're looking at me again!)

But I uh... I really did it. Yeah.

Hmmmm kinda sus to me, bro

(They won't look me in the eye, there's something extra going on here... How can I show them I know for sure they didn't do it?)

[Present Paper Ladybug]

Take That!

Huh? Oh! It's...

Do you remember this?

Y... Yes

You cried when you thought you killed a bug. I really don't think you'd ever be able to kill a person.

Okay... *Sigh* I'll tell you the truth. It happened at around 3 in the morning at my apartment, I had invited him in since he was the landlord and said he needed to fix something. He started to try to touch and flirt with me... It was.... It was my dog... They were protecting me! The police will kill them if they find out!!!

(The... Dog...?)

Awww, so you're trying to protect your puppy!

I don't want [Dog name] to be punished!! They were protecting me from that creep!!! But he fell over from the momentum when they bit him on the arm... Plus...

Plus?

I heard... There was a witness walking past my open door who said I pushed him into the table on purpose...

(Liar!!!)

Woah Apollo, you look really intense right now! Like you're gonna rip off a chunk of the table!

Oh-uh... S-sorry (I guess I just got really mad for a second...)

Woah... Cool...

(... They think I'm cool!!!!? F-face... Flushing... I think I hear Trucy snickering at me...)

So... You're going to defend me then?

YESOFCOURSE IfYoullHaveMe... You don't have to say yes or anything ahah...

... I.. I'd really like that...

OKAY!!! *cough* Okay. We'll uh... Start on the investigation and... See you tomorrow!!!! Aaaah!!!

Well... There he goes... Well! Goodbye [name]! Don't worry, we'll get you an innocent verdict!

I... I trust you guys. Thank you. Oh and uh... Will you go to my apartment please? My poor dog is probably hungry and confused....

Sure thing!

----

April 18th, 9 AM

[Name's] Apartment Complex

So... Why exactly are we here?

Well, you'd know if you weren't such a dork and ran off!

... I... Had a thing I had to do, okay!!!

Apollo, I found you holding your chest trying to calm your breathing down right outside the detention center.

... Shut up.

Heheh, whatever you say.

(Why me...)

Okay, we're here! They said the food was on top of the fridge...

(Food...? I thought we were watering some plants of someth-- EEK)

Woof

(That's the murder dog!!!! And it's... Licking Trucy's face and wiggling)

Wuf wuf!

Hehe! They said you were sweet as long as we were friendly. Good dog!

(I guess I'll keep this in mind in case I need to "defend" the dog too...)

Snooping time!

Wh- Nonononono we can't!!!

Ooh, a diary~

Put it down put it down put it down put it down

C'mon Polly, maybe it'll give us info on the night of the murder! If could be important! We'd of read it during any other investigation! If you didn't have a crush on the defendant.

IDONTHAVEA--

Awww, the night of the murder is blank. Hmmm....

Trucy. Seriously. It's not right to go through it

Relaaaaax, I'm just looking for one particular day... Ah! Here it is

Trucy....

April 6th....

...!

Went to the art fair today, got some cute dog sculptures.... Blah blah...

We really should put it down--

... Aaaand today I met a really cute guy!

WHAT?! LEMMESEE!!!!

Oh yeah?? What about it being wrong? Heheh

Well-- it is but I... ugh

Hahaha! Your face is soooo red!!! Anyways I was joking, this is a completely blank notebook.

Oh.

Aw, now I feel bad. You look like you just deflated. ... Just kidding it's hilarious.

Mehhhh...

[End Chapter]

Next chapter will be a nsfw fantasy/dream so I have an excuse to do nsfw before you two actually have time alone together!!! WOO!!

[lizardrosen]

I'll Board Him Presently

Part Three of my ongoing Viscount's Men series, about the Bridgerton siblings performing Hamlet. This covers the first half of 2.2: Hamlet's antic disposition up to the entrance of the Players (Part One, Part Two)

tagging @glintglimmergleam and @avocado-moon

Anthony doesn’t think Eloise should go to university, but his Hamlet thinks her Ophelia should get to go study wherever she pleases. It’s something he has in common with Benedict’s Laertes, and with Benedict himself for that matter. (Hamlet would say one of the few things they share; Laertes would say one of the many things). They’re both in awe of her “most ingenious wit” and the more Hamlet observes the corruption of this place he’s always taken for granted, the more he thinks it’s no place for her.

Hamlet also shares Laertes’s irritation with Polonius, which is both less personal and less tempered by love, and now that he’s pretending to be insane he can say whatever he wants as obnoxiously as he can manage, and no one will stop him. When he tells Polonius, “Let her not walk in the sun,” he’s mocking his policy of keeping her locked away because it’s obvious that he’s the one behind Ophelia refusing Hamlet’s letters.

Hasn’t he learned by now that she’ll find a way to do what she wants, with or without his permission. Hamlet’s also playing a game with himself to see how silly he can get Polonius to act to try to humor the prince, and the answer is “quite a bit, actually.” The asides justifying his near-nonsense as wiser than his years is even better than Hamlet could have planned.

“Will you walk out of the air, my lord?” “Into my grave?” is a sincere question, he’s really asking if that’s where he’s headed, and “except my life, except my life, except my life” starts out joking but then he thinks about how hard and how easy it is to take a life, and if someone kills him first he won’t have to kill anyone. It could almost transition straight into To Be Or Not To Be, but even though Anthony is fairly open to different character interpretations, he’s a purist when it comes to rearranging scenes, so instead he’s greeted by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, of young days brought up with him.

Tom Stoppard hasn’t come along yet, and neither has Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot which inspired him, or the world wars which inspired that, so Ros and Guil don’t have the existential terror of being written characters with no context but each other, or the double-edged sword of fate and probability. What they do have is Gregory, who’s quite used to playing small roles that move the plot along and are forgotten again, and he gives them enough of an inner life to make them interesting to perform and to watch.

As far as he’s concerned, it’s just saying the quiet part loud that the king and queen have summoned them from nowhere to learn as friends what royalty cannot, and even though he’s destined to die offstage, Horatio’s horrified reaction to Hamlet’s casual slaughter is memorial enough for him.

So here they are, wearing a hat he can turn around on his head to show and R or a G depending who he is for each line. Sometimes he changes his name with a flourishing bow, hat in hand, but if the dialogue’s quick enough he’ll just reach up to spin it around. He’s also got enough energy to move around quickly and appear to be in two places enough, if you suspend your disbelief a little.

Anthony agrees that Hamlet hasn’t seen them for several years, almost a decade, which is of course an unfathomable amount of time for Gregory. They were schoolfellows, but not at Wittenberg. Hamlet hasn’t talked about his life to his parents for so long that these two were the only ones Gertrude knew for sure he’d ever been friends with and knew where they were living so she could send for them. And clearly they don’t know Hamlet very well because if they did they’d be trying to hide incredulous snickers at “Sure I am two men there are not living to whom he more adheres,” because ma’am, Horatio is right there.

Still, she’s not that far off the mark, Hamlet does remember them fondly and becomes a younger, more carefree version of himself — “Then you live about her waist, or in the middle of her favours?” “Faith, her privates, we,” becomes a tickle fight.

When Hamlet asks why his friends have been sent to prison he’s not testing them or doubting their motivations, not yet. It’s just self-evident to him that Denmark a prison and no one would come here willingly, but he thinks it’s bad luck and not a plot that brought him here, so he’s a little jealous that they’re such strangers to Elsinore that they don’t feel trapped by it.

Ros jumps on the chance to steer their talk to ambition and shadows and dreams, and Guil follows his lead because that seems a likely reason for him to be acting so strangely. Hamlet takes note of the abrupt change but is more interested, for the moment, in chasing down the shadow of a dream, but he’s observing them more closely after that, and after intentionally muddling the imagery of who’s following whom, the kings or the beggars, he abruptly changes their direction again — “Shall we to the court? For by my fay I cannot reason!” — and they’re too quick to wait upon him. This is when he really starts feeding his own suspicion with little tests and needling questions.

Gregory doesn’t play them as nervous or guilty when Hamlet questions them more in particular, or even sly when they’re trying to figure him out — they’re just innocently doing the task they’ve been given, so they have no idea how much danger they’re in, and they’re confused why it’s so important whether they were sent for or not, but there’s no hasty consultation for them to get their story straight, and no awkward regret before Guildenstern answers, “My lord, we were sent for.”

Hamlet’s almost relieved that this was relatively easy, but then he gets suspicious of the feeling of relief, and weary of his own suspicions, and he figures they’ll come up with something to tell the king and queen no matter what, so if he at least gives them something true that doesn’t touch on Claudius he’ll be that much safer.

And maybe he hopes they’ll understand how he’s feeling, and he’s disappointed but not very surprised when Rosencrantz makes it into a joke. Why should he have hoped for them to be other than they are? Ros fumbles for an explanation and comes up with the players, so Hamlet switches his attentions to finding out everything about them.

[puzzlingxisxlove]

Hi, guys, welcome to my Yu-Gi-Oh OC rp sideblog. :) You can refer to me as Bast/Bastet, Ghost, or Envy! I'll be your host through this wild ride. Also, all likes/follows will come from my main blog.

All rules and character information will be under the "read more" tab. :)

I hope you all have fun with this.

Rules!!! First and foremost, the most important information for all people wanting to interact.

All messages and posts in this blog will be completely in character, unless DMs are questions or posts are about updates. In which case, things will be tagged with OOC at the beginning of the post.

Nsfw is. Just please no. Not on Tumblr. Discord, maybe, but I have to get to know the character and Player first. Steamy romance, jokes, and things of that sort are fine, but no outright sexual content.

All images of my OC, Reza Ketto, will be either things I have commissioned or things I made in avatar makers. I can't draw, guys, cut me a little slack, please.

Please send me things with at least decent grammar and punctuation and spelling. I understand typos, but I need to actually be able to read the stuff.

Also! Please send at least 3-5 sentences for RP. I can't do oneliners or responses that are too short, I won't know how to respond.

Angst is like. My favorite genre ever. So there will likely be quite a bit of that mixed in with silly posts. You have been warned.

All ships must first also present possible chemistry before it is made official. This includes people with canon muses.

More rules will be added as needed. Be sure to check back often.

---

Cool, character info now!

Name: Reza Ai Ketto

Age: 16 (main canon of YGO DM), 18 (postcanon)

Sexuality: Bisexual Polyamourous

Gender: Demiboy

Pronouns: He/They

Occupation: Daycare attendant and College student (postcanon)

Physical description: Reza stands at 5'9 and has a fairly lean and fit body with black hair that reaches just past his shoulders and electric blue eyes. He typically wears clothes that fall under an androgynous punk/alt style, including leather harnesses, plenty of belts, collars and chokers, several wristbands and rubber bracelets, spikes, chains, etc. He also wears makeup fairly often, mostly a lot of eyeliner and exaggerated lips. He likes to stand out.

Personality description: He's a pretty laid back guy, and they love kids. As the eldest of 6, they grew up taking care of kids, and so that carries over often. They may seem like they're talking down to people, but they may actually just be trying to deescalate or teach something to someone. He's very kind, but he's also very blunt at times. He doesn't hold his thoughts about things to himself, and if he doesn't like you, you'll know. They try to help everyone, regardless of how they feel about you, too, and this often leads to them burning themselves out. They're also a very fast learner, though they tend to put things off until the last minute.

Background: As a child, Reza was a very gifted child. He was consistently ahead of his peers. However, he was not very active, other than playing games with their younger siblings as they came along. This led to a lot of bullying as a child, and not just from his peers. His siblings were harsh, as siblings are, and his parents did little to stop this. This led to his developing a few different mental illnesses he still struggles with. Despite knowing that the things he's struggling with aren't good for him, he refuses to seek therapy. He went to public school for the majority of his life in a small town near the coasts of Japan, but he eventually moved to Domino for college and better work opportunities. He now studies behavioral sciences and game design, and aspires to be a child psychologist and create games to promote good mental health and habits to build for a healthy lifestyle. He still keeps contact with his family often, despite the verbal abuse from his siblings and lackluster parenting.

• Reza suffers with depression, EDNOS, R-OCD, BPD, and chronic migraines. These things will likely appear in roleplay. This is your warning.

• All posts with content warnings will be tagged appropriately. Feel free to block these tags.

• I am not attempting to glorify or romanticize any of these disorders or illnesses. These come from a place of experience and are simply aspects of the character that are crucial to who they are as a person. If you are struggling, please reach out to a professional who can help you.

•All rps will either take place during Reza's highschool years or during his college. College is postcanon, highschool is during the canon events of DM and S0. He doesn't know about the canon events other than the tournaments that Yugi and Yami participated in that were broadcast on TV. He does not know how to play Duel Monsters, however it is something he has enjoyed watching since his highschool years. He has collected cards, but he does not actually know anything about building a deck. Duels iirp are not available for this reason (and because I don't feel like using online dueling platforms, I prefer physical cards-/lh).

[teaberrii]

The Birthday Photo

Accidents happen. In Heizou's case, he's glad it happened.

Heizou/You

Inspired by Heizou's official birthday photo.

Tags: Slightly suggestive themes, funny, birthday fluff

Cross posted on Ao3

You're standing outside Heizou's apartment when you receive a strange photo. The man is yawning, or at least he looks like he's yawning with a light blush across his face. You want to assume his hand is on his lower stomach, but you can't tell as it gets cut off. While you don't want to make any weird assumptions, the angle plus his expression makes the entire photo questionable.

But the real question is why he sent it to you.

Suddenly, you hear a short scream behind the door. Then, “Unsend it! How do you unsend it?”

"What? What happened?" You're almost sure that's Aether.

“...How do you accidentally send a photo when I asked you to delete it?” You instantly recognize Venti’s voice.

“I don’t know! You were the one who took it in the first place!”

“Yeah, and you wanted to delete it yourself because you didn’t trust me with it. So… jokes on you.”

“Well, did she read it?” Oh, Xiao’s here too.

"...Yep, it turns out she did." Leave it to Kazuha to deliver the traumatic news.

You hear footsteps. “...I can explain to her. It’s—I’ll—”

“How are you going to explain something like that? You look like you’re—”

“Gah! Shut up!”

“Oh, stop being a drama queen. Here, I’ll fix it,” Venti says. You see the indication that someone is typing on your phone. “How’s this?”

You hear some laughter and some disgusted groans. “No… that’s… no,” Kazuha says. “‘Waiting for you’? Please, no. She won’t come within fifty feet of you.”

“It’s better than nothing,” Aether says. Is he forcing back a smile? “I mean… when are you going to make a move?”

You hear a loud thud. “Do you think I can make a move now?” Heizou asks, clearly annoyed. “After this, I’m clearly in the negative.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” Xiao says. “...I mean… maybe she digs stuff like this.”

You choke back a laugh but quickly go quiet when you hear silence behind the door. Then, you gather your emotions and knock on Heizou's door. You hear footsteps, and then the door opens. As soon as Heizou sees you, he instantly turns red, as if he isn't enough already. You see wine bottles and two large pizza boxes on the table. Multiple gaming controllers are scattered on the floor, and you hear the nostalgic Final Fantasy soundtrack.

“Happy birthday,” you say cheerily. Then, you hold up a small present which Heizou can already guess is a book.

Heizou takes it and looks away, clearly embarrassed. "...Thank you." Then, he steps aside, and you walk in.

You exchange hellos and hugs with the rest of the 5WIRL gang, but no one mentions the photo. Not even you. The night goes on, and you enjoy wine, pizza, and a fun gaming session with the boys. You pass your controller to Xiao, who takes over as you head into the kitchen. Heizou is putting some food away in the fridge. As soon as he closes it, he almost jumps when he sees you behind the door.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you,” you say.

Heizou refuses to meet your eyes. “...It’s okay.”

"Hey," you say quietly, just before he can walk away. Heizou doesn't turn around. So, you walk beside him and take his hand, the action cleverly hidden behind the counter from any wandering eyes. He immediately looks down and then back at you. "...How long are you going to keep me waiting?" Heizou's face gets redder, if that's possible. He wants to look away, but you quickly tilt his head back to you and put your finger on your lips. "It'll be our little secret."

Your wink sends his emotions into overdrive as he grips your hand tighter. Maybe sending that photo wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

A/N: I couldn't resist. His official birthday got an unholy amount of attention, and I strangely got inspired.

[daisiesandshakes]

Hi can I request jealousy headcanon for Isaac,Arthur,Mozart,comte please

Hi dear nonny! Thank you so much for your request 💖

Sorry it took so long, night shifts were exhausting...

Here you go, I hope you like it! 💝

(@ashavazesa , I'm tagging you, maybe you like it!)

Jealousy headcanons

for Isaac, Arthur, Mozart &

le Comte

Isaac

The shy, poor boy doesn't know what hits him, he wasn't prepared... It is the first time he's really in love and it is his first time being jealous.

He wouldn't talk about his feelings in the beginning, because he feels a bit ashamed about them. Additional he's not used to talk about feelings anyway, so he bottles up.

You recognize his strange behavior like avoiding your glare, his abrupt short answers (especially towards the male who causes the jealousy), but at first you can't figure out where it comes from. He would also act more possessive than usual, suddenly kiss you firmly in front of others or pulling you close.

Though he knows you love him truly, he's unsettled deep inside and needs your reassurance. You'll have to push him slightly to open up, to tell you what's on his mind. When he does...oh boy.

With glowing eyes and fervent words he'll beg you to SHOW him your love, pushing you onto the bed. Needy for your touch and your words of love, nothing remains from his shyness. He won't let you go the next hours, making sure you're really his.

"Isaac, please tell me what concerns you... did I something wrong?"

You're sitting next to him in his room on the edge of the bed.

"N- no... It's not that."

His behavior was oddly brusque today and you are really concerned.

With a sigh you overthink what happened all day and then something klicked. You spent a lot of time with Napoleon while he teached the kids. Could it be?  "Isaac, are you jealous?"

The vampire flinches and draws his gaze away from yours, a blush appears on his handsome face.

You cup his face, forcing him to look at you. Gazing deep into his beautiful cherryblossom eyes you ask "Isaac, you know that I love you, that my heart belongs only to you, don't you?"

"Y- yes. My head knows it, but..." suddenly he pushes you down.

"Show it to me." He whispers, his voice husky and deep, his eyes dark with passion before his lips captures yours in a fiery kiss, his fingers ripping your blouse open.

Mozart

Mozart is probably the worst with jealousy (besides Theo). He even can't stand the thought of another male being too close to you. It doesn't matter if it is another resident or a complete stranger, he is very possessive and you only belong to him. No other has the right to touch you.

If someone touches you by accident, his possession drives him to get rid of the foreign scent on you immediatly.

When it's a strange male (talking to him would be enough to drive him crazy), he would be broiling jealous, unable to express himself. Normally Mozart is very straight forward, but not when it comes to express his feelings for you. Blaming you for being too trustful, he would even start an argument.

But Mozart loves you so much, you're so precious to him, he'll regret his harsh spoken words soon and searches for a way to talk.

Admitting his jealousy, he shows you that there is only one way to calm him down. Claiming your body and mind he would train you to who you belong until the sun rises and your voice is hoarse.

"M- Mozart, what-" you gasp as he pulls you behind the thick curtains, sealing your lips with his. "You spent enough time with the other residents." He breathes hard as he pulls away. "Especially with Leonardo. I don't like his cigarello scent on you." Your eyes grow wide. "Wolf, are you jealous?"

A faint rose appears on his cheeks. "I don't want to be...But yes I am."

"But... You don't have to be jealous. I love you so much, Wolf. There is no room in my heart for another man."

"I know, meine Liebe. But it seems that my heart doesn't accept this truth fully." His radiant violet eyes pierces into your soul.

"What can I do to make you feel better, Wolf?"

A slight smirk plays at the corner of his lips as he leans forward. "Await me in the thermae. I'll make sure the only scent that remains on your body is mine, and obviously I'll have to remind you the next hours to who you belong." fervent spoken words next to your ear, sending shivers down your spine.

Arthur

He never felt jealousy before. Being a rotten flirt, Arthur is used to be the reason for that emotion, he never thought it could happen to him.

Trying to hide his feelings he'd cover them with playful words and actions. But when a male approaches you and gets too close, he won't think twice to make clear you are HIS girlfriend, holding you at your waist, whisking you away.

Deep inside Arthur has the feeling he doesn't deserve you, so he is afraid to loose you and gets easily jealous. He wouldn't like to admit it to you , worried he could scare you off.

But you are not able to overlook the pout and scowl on his handsome face or to overhear the truth hidden behind his joking words, irrelevant how much he tries to mask his feelings.

Arthur has a deep longing for your reassurance in words and body language, he needs your touch so bad, be prepared for exhausting, delightful hours between the sheets after he got jealous.

You are sitting on the couch in Arthur's room, rambling about your day with Vincent. Lately he gives you advices in painting techniques and you enjoy them, happy to make progress in your hobby. Arthur looks up from the papers with a smile, sitting at his desk.

"Darling, you sound really happy. I know you enjoy painting with Vincent, but are you sure you didn't decide secretly to leave your filthy boyfriend for this pure angel, Luv?" Arthur chuckles. For a split second a hurt expression appears in his loving gaze and his voice didn't sound as lighthearted as it should. You set your cup of coffee down with a surprised look on your face. "Are you jealous?"

A slight rose tints his cheeks as he pulls his gaze away.

You hurry over to him cupping his face and locking eyes. "Arthur, you are the only one for me. You are the love of my life, you know that, don't you?" Your thumbs caress his cheeks.

Arthur's big blue eyes waver at your words and he inhales deeply.

"You have no right to be this adorable" he whispers with a husky voice as he pulls you on his lap. Kissing your lips ardently his fingers already unbutton your blouse. "Say that again, luv" he smiles at your lips. "And then I'll make sure you won't ever forget that you are MY adorable girlfriend" he breathes at your skin as his lips travel from your jaw to the neck.

Le Comte

Comte seems to be always so calm and thoughtful, but when it comes up to you all this is nothing but dust in the wind. He waited for you and your love for centuries, now that you are his he's confronted with the deepest fear of loosing you.

Also he is insecure inside, thinking he doesn't deserve someone so precious like you (are you surprised?). This uncertainty is more fuel to the fire of the jealousy that rages in his heart.

Despite his always graceful and sublime conduct le Comte is very passionate and possessive. He can't bear another man touching you, even it is only your hair. On the other side he wants you to live freely, interacting with the other residents as usual. So he would get jealous real quick, but:

Wearing a mask of gentlemanly behavior and used to lock up his feelings you wouldn't notice his jealousy until it's "too late". Maybe it was only you and Leonardo in the library, sticking heads together and giggling about something. Maybe it was a stranger at the market, picking up an apple for you that dropped to the floor, holding your delicate hand while putting the apple into it.

When he corners you after that in his room, there'll be no escape. Le Comte will make sure that you're his, taking possession of your body and mind until there is nothing left but thinking of him and moaning his name. He will only stop when you pass out due to the overwhelming passion.

Le Comte cocks slightly an eyebrow due to the sight that is presented to him in the library. Arthur stands in front of the bookshelfs, carrying you bridal-style. "What happened?" he asks with honest concern. "Oh, our pretty dove wanted to spread her wings. I catched her as she fell from the ladder" Arthur replies lighthearted. "Luv, if you want my touch so bad, all you have to do is ask. You don't have to risk your health to get it" smirking he looks deep in your eyes. You feel your cheeks grow hot as you hit him at his shoulder. "Put me down, Arthur!" With a wry chuckle he lets you go, giving le Comte an amused sideways glance. "Okay, my performance as a hero is over, back to work then." With these words Arthur leaves the library and you exhale, looking concerned over to the pureblood. "You know that it was only an accident? I feel a bit embarrassed and.." Le Comte cuts you off, smiling gently.

"Ma cherie, don't worry. I understand what happened, everything is fine."

With a relieved smile you pick up the dropped books "I should have known, that something stupid like this doesn't concern you..."

You hear a sharp inhale and look up. His expression is serious, his eyes burn like melting gold in a furnace. Approaching you with slow, predatory steps he asks softly "When did I say I don't care?"

With a fluid move he pins you against the bookshelf, kissing you senseless. You both pant for air as he breaks the kiss. "I await you in my room. Now. Your chores are done for today." Comte leaves you with trembling legs.

Thank you for reading! Hope you enjoyed it 💝

[makeste]

BnHA Chapter 325: Deku VS the Outside of U.A. ~Conclusion~

Previously on BnHA: Ochako was all “dear bloodthirsty mob, this kid you see standing before you has fought harder than anyone and put his life on the line to protect you all, so please chill the fuck out, jesus christ. like, putting aside that he’s humanity’s best hope and so it’s very much in your best interests to let him rest and recover someplace safe so that he can keep fighting for us, are y’all seriously going to turn away an injured and exhausted child in front of his sobbing mother?? seriously?? come on now.” I’m paraphrasing here but that’s basically how it went down. Anyway so then the mob was all, “...” and Deku collapsed to his knees in tears, and Gigantic Fox Lady and Kouta ran over to give him a hug but then the chapter ended.

Today on BnHA: Horikoshi is all “FINE, YOU CAN HUG HIM”, which, was that so hard?? The U.A. Clown Mob is all “come to think of it, we’ve kind of been taking the heroes for granted this entire time, maybe we should be less passive in the future. anyway so Deku if it’s not too much to ask, can you please save everyone and fix everything.” Deku is all “I sure can, and by the way I forgive you for swarming around all menacingly two minutes ago and trying to deny me basic shelter and stuff.” Ectoplasm is all, “hey Todogang get a load of this. [walks in a circle].” Hawks is all, “that’s literally the greatest thing I’ve ever seen.” Rat Principal is all, “anyway so that’s what your students did today, hope you’re enjoying your new *~*ROBOT LEG*~*, Aizawa.” Aizawa is all “[lots of exposition about Kurogiri and for some reason, Toga, while being all brooding and sexy].” All Might is all “[standing here right outside of U.A. doing absolutely nothing and being foreboding AF]” and that immediately sucked away all of the warm fuzzy feelings from the hugs, goddammit.

each new week has become a waiting game of “when will Deku finally get to take a bath so people will actually be willing to go near him and give him the hugs he deserves.” the stakes have never been so compelling. I’ve almost forgotten about AFO entirely

lmaoooooo

me: for the love of god will someone please give Deku a hug before I die of old age

Mineta: YOU GOT IT!! --

Iida: [SWIFTLY CUTS HIM OFF] NOT YOU

fucking losing it at Mineta’s crying face. he really wanted to hug him. I legit feel bad but this is also the funniest thing I have seen all week, omg

somehow Kouta, who last week was only a hand’s breadth away from touching Deku’s head, is now twenty miles away from him in this new chapter

can I make a Loki reference here. is this recap a good place to insert a joke about someone using a TVA time-rewinding device to fuck with my poor boy Kouta over here. well anyway there it is

AND NOW HE’S BACK ALL OF A SUDDEN OMG

(ETA: since when is he “niichan” omg?? can’t handle this cuteness.)

BUT THEY’RE STILL NOT HUGGING HIM FFFFKFFFFF. WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO. WHO DO I HAVE TO BRIBE AND/OR BLACKMAIL

OH NO KOUTA IS CRYING THAT’S IT I’M DONE FOR

“when I heard that lady I knew that I had to go, but then stop again within inches of actually touching you because you smell like week-old rotten onions.” listen Kouta, I’m not saying I don’t get it, but you all can’t keep doing this to me. it’s the way you guys keep teasing it. like, if you’re gonna hug him, hug him. don’t just stand there with your arms held rigidly out in front of you like a molded action figure

OH MY GOSH BUT HE SAID THE THING

KOUTA SWOOPING IN AT THE LAST MINUTE TO TAKE ALL THE CREDIT FOR FIXING DEKU LIKE THAT ONE KID IN THE GROUP PROJECT WHO DOES ABSOLUTELY NOTHING BUT STILL TAGS HIS NAME ONTO THE REPORT ANYWAY, WHAT A KNAVE

GASP

(  ´͈ ᗨ `͈ )

SHE PICKED HIM UP LIKE A LITTLE BABY OMG?? she just leaned right over and lifted this child like he was a small animal. like a lil baby futon that she was about to hang up to dry. oh my god

-- HEY WHAT

(: well that’s extremely fucked up. though sadly not too surprising given what we just saw these past couple chapters

incidentally, I hope that anyone who was legitimately defending the civilians’ perspective earlier takes note here of how quickly that line of thinking -- “we’re just trying to keep our families safe” and all that-- can lead to straight up bigotry. if you’re willing to deny a child shelter and protection simply because he’s not YOUR child, and because you’ve decided based on Internet rumors (no real-world parallels there, I’m sure) that he might present a threat, it’s really not that much further of a leap to discriminating against entire groups of people simply because you perceive those groups as being dangerous. I’m sure the people who turned Gigantic Fox Lady away also told themselves afterwards that they did it to protect their families. “better safe than sorry.” “she’ll be fine, someone will take her in, but as for us, we can’t afford to take that risk.” people can come up with all kinds of justifications for treating other people as less than human, and the really scary thing about it is how fucking easy it is

one last quick side note, which is that Horikoshi does a great job here of showing how scapegoating works, given that AFO is the one who’s really to blame and who presents the actual threat, and yet Deku is the one who ultimately winds up being the target of the mob’s fear and outrage despite him being as much of a victim as they are. gotta love that irony, which unfortunately plays out far too often in the real world as well.

anyway I’ll get off my soapbox now, sorry about that. let us continue

YES, FINALLY OH MY GOD!!!!

AND THAT’S THE STORY OF HOW GIGANTIC FOX LADY BECAME THE GREATEST HERO. PACK IT ALL UP, WE’RE DONE HERE KIDS

holy shit. the real MVP right there. thanks for getting it done champ

jesus christ I have had it up to here with these people

literally the bar is set so low at this point that I’ll go ahead and take it. helping him because it offers them a tactical advantage is at least one step up from not helping him at all

“WHY NOT SHIKETSU” MOTHERFUCKER I SWEAR TO GOD

-- thank you!!

okay this one guy with the antennae hair is having himself a character development speedrun here

-- okay, but this part?? fucking this part, right here??

can we repeat that again?? the part where this guy acknowledges that the problems of hero society were caused not just by said heroes, but also by said society?? the part where he acknowledges that they treated the heroes like celebrities who were putting on a show for them?? the part where he acknowledges that when push came to shove, the vast majority of those heroes, when faced with a situation that offered no reward, were nonetheless willing to put their lives on the line to protect the very same people who then turned around and blamed them rather than thanking them?? are the civilians of BnHA even allowed to have actual deep thoughts about this stuff. holy shit

bro!!

ANTENNAE HAIR GUY SHOVING KOUTA AND GIGANTIC FOX LADY OUT OF THE WAY TO SLAP HIS NAME ONTO THE END CREDITS AS EXECUTIVE PRODUCER. CONGRATULATIONS SON YOU FIGURED OUT THE CORE PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTION AT THE VERY HEART OF THE MANGA. WAY TO GO BUD

meanwhile, on today’s episode of “one more chapter to go till the big volume cliffhanger, how else can I drag things out let’s see”

it’s a panel. of people’s feet. just a bunch of normal feet. with sneakers and shit

this All Might shirt guy is getting more screentime in this arc than 90% of the class 1-A kids

I guess I’m supposed to feel sorry for this dude now that he’s all “if we let you stay here do you promise to somehow magically fix every single problem that we are now currently facing?” those are some ridiculously exacting standards my dude. come on now

KACCHAN SIGHTING

thank fuck I’m not the only one who’s thoroughly unimpressed by absolutely all of this lol. I feel better now. meanwhile Iida and Kouda and Kiri are ready to run over there and hug them all. you guys are way too forgiving. damn you and your pure hearts

anyway so Deku’s like “yeah, definitely”

(ETA: almost forgot to comment on the “I’m no longer alone” part – he basically corrects the guy and says “sorry, but you’ll need to direct that question towards all of us, not just me, because moving forward we’re a team.” good stuff.)

you know what though, all joking aside... fuck yeah. because perfect victory, right. the strongest guys don’t settle for anything less. so I guess Deku has pretty exacting standards himself

also can you all just take a look at this fucking kid who’s got so much light in his eyes now that I’m gonna need eclipse goggles. hot damn. “you’re welcome” says All Might Shirt Guy as he is frantically interviewed by several local news networks asking him how he daringly managed to save Deku all by himself. “well I guess I’ve just never been the kind of guy who can sit back and let a bunch of rabble-rousers blame a little kid for all of humanity’s problems. someone had to step in and take action, you know?”

oH MY GOD THE SCENE IS FINALLY ENDING

don’t let the door hit you on your way out All Might Shirt Guy

but meanwhile, sudden Tododrama action??

oh shit

there are honestly so many ways in which Ochako’s very moving speech could have wildly backfired that I genuinely have no clue where this is headed lol. how exciting!!

so now Horikoshi is once again stalling for time with random filler panels, but this one is 10x better than the shoes lol omg

(1) was Ectoplasm’s jacket always this oversized. (2) did you guys know that if you go back to chapter 319 you can see that Horikoshi gave us a sneak peak at Enji’s Sad Detective disguise and I in fact made a joke about it in the 319 recap not realizing it was actually the stone cold truth. (3) did Shouto deliberately speed up out of impatience because Hawks was walking so fucking slow and he couldn’t take it any longer. (4) and what, I ask you, is up with these dramatic speedlines. so many mysteries here. what a masterpiece

everyone is acting all shocked about something ahh what’s going on

wait what

what the heck. did they just loop around behind everyone. what was the point of that lol. “anyway, so this is what they look like from the back” well okay, thanks for that Ectoplasm

(ETA: so it seems like they were actually hanging out someplace else away from the crowd this whole time, I guess? here I thought they had more faith in Enji’s disguise. I guess Shouto and Hawks don’t particularly want to attract this crowd’s attention themselves right now either, though.)

I am so fucking confused lmao

speaking of All Might WHERE THE FUCK IS HE lol. but yes, good, OFA brings everyone together, and Hawks is very deeply moved about this out of the blue all of a sudden. you know how it is

aw heck yeah now this is another filler panel I can get behind

Mineta really wants that hug, good lord. I genuinely love this actually. Mineta if you could just stay little and cute and keep crying about how much you love your classmates in a non-gross way for the rest of the series I would be so appreciative. you’re doing great

IIDA IS HOLDING DEKU’S HAND THIS IS NOT A DRILL. ONE TIME WASN’T ENOUGH FOR MY MAN HE’S ADDICTED NOW

what did I tell you. Kiri wants to get all of the mob’s autographs now. Kiri you’re a peach

Shouji having a conversation with another mutant type is a very nice touch! we really need to get to his backstory soon. I feel like that casual remark from GFL earlier was kind of hinting at more to come

is this the first time we’ve ever seen the Yaoyorictionary in action?? never forget that Viz tried to call it the “Yaoyorozu Reference Book” because they hate fun

last but not least, KAMIBAKU IS BACK ON THE MENU, FUCK YEAH. Kaminari trying to spice things up and introduce a little bit of controversy by smacking Kacchan on the back of the head for god knows what. I will be deeply disappointed after this if I can’t find at least one person unironically declaring that KamiBaku is now toxic and abusive

lfkdlWLWK TODODRAMA??

oh my god. Shouto’s face. Enji’s face. the back to “oyaji” again. the blunt, not-taking-no-for-an-answer, “I don’t know how much louder the universe can scream at you that doing things alone is not it, so hopefully you got the point” directness of it. fffdlkslj I’m so ready for this Horikoshi please don’t fuck it up my expectations are so high

HOLY FUCK

I SCROLLED DOWN AND HE WAS ALL “( ❛‿❛)” AND I JUST WASN’T FUCKING EXPECTING THAT OKAY. JESUS CHRIST. GIVE ME A SEC

lol okay moment over and now Enji’s pulling his hat down all dramatically like a world-weary Cowboy

OH MY GOD WERE YOU FACETIMING??

AHHHHHHHHH

(ETA: not to put Iida down or anything, but it’s kind of strange that Aizawa is all “the class rep sure did great” when Ochako is the one that was giving that whole big speech for like twenty minutes just now lol.)

(ETA 2: “thank god Iida stepped in just in the nick of time to keep Mineta from hugging Deku.” sorry Mineta I really do like you lately but it’s still low-hanging fruit lol.)

HE LOOKS SO SAD??! HE LOOKS LIKE HEARTBREAK ITSELF??! I AM BESOUGHT WITH THE URGE TO REACH INTO MY SCREEN AND PULL HIM INTO THE SAFETY OF MY ARMS??? MY GOD, AND I THOUGHT DEKU NEEDED HUGS

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH okay I was gonna just hold down the letter H for a full minute and count it out loud but within about ten seconds I realized I needed to chill lol

-- but then again NO, I DON’T NEED TO CHILL, I HAVE ZERO CHILL, ACTUALLY, BECAUSE IT’S AIZAWA WITH A ROBOT LEG AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

COMPLETE WITH ROBOT TOES FOR THAT EXTRA TOUCH OF AUTHENTICITY!! I LIKE HOW HORIKOSHI PUT ALL THIS EXTRA “!!!” EMPHASIS AROUND IT IN CASE WE COULD SOMEHOW POSSIBLY FAIL TO TAKE NOTICE. “REMEMBER, EVERYONE?” SAYS HORIKOSHI HELPFULLY. “REMEMBER THAT TIME AIZAWA CHOPPED OFF HIS OWN LEG?” oh wow now that you mention it we somehow forgot all about that. like who do you take us for

OH NO NOT THE SAD BOYFRIEND ANGST THAT I WAS SECRETLY LOOKING FORWARD TO WITH GLEE

well at least he’s not M.I.A. or back with the villains again like I thought he might be. still, that’s gotta be brutal to know your friend is in there somewhere, but to not be able to reach him again no matter how hard you try. that’s the kind of angst that pays off in final battles just when you most expect it. such is my hope, at any rate

what’s this now??

trying to decide if this is Horikoshi’s way of saying don’t worry about that, or his way of saying definitely worry about that lol

anyway so Aizawa is out here being all irresponsibly handsome once again. when is someone going to do something about him

here for Sexy Robot Leg Eyepatch Aizawa clenching his fists and making speeches about revenge. pretty sure we’re all here for that

WELL, WELL, WELL

IT’S ABOUT FUCKING TIME

I’M VERY GLAD YOU’RE ALIVE AND SEEMINGLY WELL, THOUGH!

BUT WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK THOUGH, ALL MIGHT

ffff. bracing myself for that cliffhanger next week. you’d better not touch one hair on this man’s head Horikoshi. I’m watching you 

[shadeswift99]

Déjà Vu

Characters: Etho, Bdubs, Tango, Skizz

Tags: Angst, Hurt/comfort, mostly canon compliant, platonic intended (don’t really care if you read it otherwise but please don’t tag as ship)

Words: 2323

Description: A second week of bearing the Boogyman curse, a second gut-wrenching moment of watching Bdubs die, a second string of deals and favours he’ll probably regret...to Etho, this week is starting to feel awfully familiar. Except this time around, he’s not sure if he has it in him to endure any more.

(A take on the Boogyman stack kill moment from Etho’s perspective, continuing into a kind-of-alternate but mostly canon compliant Team BEST “reunion” back at the snow fortress. Featuring: Etho Has A Horrible Time, Tango doubts himself while also having a horrible time, Bdubs has it rough, Skizz isn’t doing too great either - you know, happy fun times all around! :) )

(I recommend reading The Way Back before this one, both stand alone but they do connect nicely)

Read it on Ao3

The world stopped.

Just a few moments earlier, Etho would have thought such a feeling was impossible. A full week of the Boogyman curse, followed by a rest so short it felt like a blink and then the dreaded message in chat for the second time in a row had left him reeling through the action at breakneck speed. Nothing slowed down for Etho anymore: not his heart rate, stuck beating at a frantic maximum even when he stood still, not his eyes, darting between his allies with the terror that someone might call his bluff. Not the shake in his arms and legs as he leaned against the snowy wall away from the others, stealing a few short moments of weakness without worrying friends or tipping off enemies about how heavy a toll this curse was costing him.

Still, he'd sworn not to be reckless. Last time he had waited - maybe too long, but it was for a good reason. This time he didn't want to (couldn't) wait that long again, but he was still going to take his time. Better to force a few more casual excuses to the rest of Team BEST than to die on a bad judgement kill and blow his cover. Besides, everyone was safe now. Bdubs was safe now. He was on yellow, and after Tango's panicky transfer to Scar there were no red names on the server left to worry about.

So, Etho had steeled himself for a wait. He'd scribbled down a few trap diagrams, joked around with Skizz and Tango in the most normal way he could manage, and kept himself upright and unwavering until the right moment would present itself. The days tended to go by in a dizzying blur when he was the Boogeyman, but still, Etho had time to kill.

That is, he did. Until it all stopped.

The moment Mumbo's end crystal clicked onto the obsidian, time held its breath: but it wasn't until Etho turned and saw that shard of crystal glass rip through Bdubs' chest that his world, his entire universe, jittered to a frozen, razor-edged halt. His heart skipped a beat.

And Etho became rage.

He doesn't remember the kill. Every blade of grass and every leaf on every tree jolted into perfect focus as his hand closed white-knuckled around his axe, and then a blink later he was ten feet from the spot he stood before, hands coated in the slick of Mumbo’s yellow life. The pumping adrenaline of the curse faded as he was cured, but he barely noticed. His heart beat faster now, if anything, the shaking twice as bad. The air stung at his throat and eyes. He breathed hard.

"Etho?"

Bdubs.

Etho didn’t turn at the voice. He couldn't force his limbs to move, and besides, the last thing he wanted was to come face to face with his old friend as a Red Name again. After all the fear...all the startling and suspicion, all the walls built between them and the pain of still not being able to leave him, this dear enemy of his whose only wish was to kill him but still made him tea in the mornings...after everything he'd done to see his friend again past that battered face... None of it mattered now. None of it mattered. This wasn't how it was supposed to go! This isn't how it works, sacrifices are supposed to mean something, loyalty is supposed to mean something, you can't just risk your world one day and have it all reduced to dust the next, the Universe can't be that cruel...

"...Etho?"

Etho had seen uncountable years. He knew that the world isn't fair. He knew that a deal can be dishonored, that betrayal is a fact of life, that fate has its own will and it cannot be predicted. But even so, as the blood he drew far too late to help dripped down his sleeve and soaked into the soil, the weight of it all was suddenly enough to bring tears to his eyes.

The last bit of unnatural energy leaked from his bones, and his body finally gave out. He barely felt himself crumple to the ground.

"Etho!"

The shout came from Skizz this time. Faces wove in and out of Etho's view in a rolling, muted haze as Skizz and Tango rush over to help him. They were saying something, he was sure. "Are you okay?", Tango was probably asking, and "of course he's not okay just help me here you idiot" would be Skizz's reply, as they do, as they are. Etho would smile if there was anything left in him to do so. Some things never change. Somebody patted his vest down, looking for injuries. Arms reached around him and dragged him up. He mumbled a protest as his aching body was shifted, but he didn’t make their job any harder than it needed to be.

Hands tried to pry the bloodied axe from his fingers. He didn’t let go.

"Hey."

The voice was gentle, though battered and rough. Etho forced his eyes to focus enough to see a worried face framed in a singed moss hood. He opened his mouth, I'm sorry and I tried and curse you for getting yourself killed again fighting to be said first, but Bdubs held up a hand and he stayed quiet.

"You were the Boogyman?"

Etho swallowed weakly. "Yes." The voice sounded strangely steady, not at all his own.

"Okay." Bdubs sighed. He looked around, back at the remaining Southerners hovering in awkward terror at the edges of the scene, over Etho's shoulder to whoever must be holding him up right now, then finally back to Etho himself. This time, he didn't bother trying to hide the tears in the corners of his eyes.

He took a half step forward, arms beginning to lift for an embrace. He hesitated, and Etho saw the flash of red ferocity flare deep in his eyes. He fell back.

When he next spoke, his tone was flat.

"Do you feel any better?"

Etho took a long look at Bdubs for the first time since the blast, taking in the bloodied holes in his clothes and the giant tear in his sweater where the glass stabbed through.

"Do you feel any worse?"

Neither of them answered.

Neither of them wanted their last friendly words to each other to be a lie.

"Take him back to base." Bdubs turned away. "Make sure he rests. While he still can."

Reaching backwards, Bdubs yanked the axe from Etho's grip and walked away.

Etho let him.

~

“Do you...want a potion, or something?”

Tango shifted his weight awkwardly from foot to foot, looking down at Etho. He’d practically carried him back inside the fortress, depositing him as gently as he could manage on the floor with his back leaning up against the wall. The man looked utterly exhausted. He hadn’t even tried to catch himself. Still, it looked as though most if not all of the blood staining his vest and right arm was Mumbo’s and not his, so...he really didn’t know what else he could to do help. Would a potion even fix the kind of wounds he’s dealing with?

“Etho?” Tango nudged his leg a little with his shield.

“Mhm?”

“I said, do you want a potion.”

“No, it’s...I’m fine.” Etho finally looked up, sweat plastering his dirty white hair to his forehead in a pathetic fringe.

“Well that’s a lie.” Tango chuckled dryly.

“I think it’s the Boogyman thing.” Skizz slipped through the doorway behind him, stepping around to hand Etho a freshly collected bottle of water. “ ’Dubs said when he had it it made him all jittery. That’s gotta be rough two weeks in a row.”

Tango winced. He’d forgotten Etho had the Boogyman curse last week, too. He hadn’t even been there...something had obviously gone down between Bdubs and Etho, but he’d missed it entirely. Last time he’d seen the two, Bdubs was chasing him around and begging him to give him a life, and Etho was shouting at him for letting Bdubs fall...he just hadn’t wanted to go back to face Team BEST after that. It had all been a little too much for a little too long. He’d needed the break he took. A nice long vacation, a good long walk to process what happened and deal with the -

Guilt.

No matter how much he tried to deny it. Not at the fact that he hadn’t given Bdubs a life. Guilt at the knowledge that if he could do it all over, he would choose the same thing again.

Tango cleared his throat and shook away the thoughts. In the past now. Now, he was back, and it was his job to help his team however he could to make up for the absence. And right now, that looked like tending to Etho and doing something or other to take that lost and helpless look off of Skizz’s face.

“Hey Skizz, speaking of Bdubs, have you seen him lately?”

“No, I...” Skizz hesitated. “I was scared to go look. He split off sometime before we said goodbye to the Southlands crew, I don’t think he’s been back yet.”

“Well, even if he is going to go join the red gang, I don’t think he’d leave without his stuff.” Tango gestured towards the battered B shield on Skizz’s back. “Why don’t you go be lookout on the wall in case he comes back?”

Tango purposely left it unclear whether “lookout” meant “welcoming party” or “last line of defense,” but either way, Skizz took the meaning. He left with a worried backward glance and a “let me know if you need anything”.

Tango turned back to Etho and sighed. Medic was not his role of choice.

“I’m sad about Bdubs.” The voice was so small. Its speaker barely moved.

Therapist was even less Tango’s area of expertise.

“Uh.” He crouched down, gently taking the half-drunk bottle of water from Etho’s hand. “Here, how about we make it so you’re just sad instead of sad and covered in blood?” He poured out some of the water onto a scrap of wool and started blotting away at Etho’s shirt.

He made no move to stop him, so Tango spent the next few minutes cleaning him up as best he could. Etho tried to help, but after the third time his shaking hands spilled the water all over himself Tango just pushed his arm away and reassured him he could handle it. He carried on with the work, no sound to break the silence but the slosh of water and the whistle of chilly air cutting through the fort’s towers.

Gradually, that silence grew heavy. Tango’s heart sank to match. He knew what was coming.

When next he looked up, Etho was staring him right in the eyes.

“I’m just going to go rinse this off, and then I’ll be back to finish up -” He tried to turn and leave.

“Tango.” Etho grabbed his sleeve.

The unease in his stomach blossomed into dread.

“You need to give him a life.”

“No.” Tango pulled away. “No! I’ve got six lives, he doesn’t! We all got the same lottery in the beginning. It isn’t my fault he’s already down to one. Maybe he should have budgeted better!” He crossed his arms, burying his hands in his armpits to hide the shake.

“I never said it was your fault.” Etho eyed him up from the floor. “Interesting that you would come to that conclusion yourself.”

“I said no.”

“I didn’t ask again.”

Tango pressed his lips together nervously. He said nothing.

“He’s killing me.” Soft, barely audible, but still distinct from behind the mask.

Tango rolled his eyes. “We won’t let him kill you. Skizz has his bow, and I’ve got - well, I can figure something out...you know we’ll defend you if it comes down to that -”

“No, Tango, I didn’t say he will kill me.” Etho let out a huff of frustration. “I said: he’s killing me. I can’t stay. I can’t leave. I have to stay close to him, and as long as he’s red, I’ll be dying a little more every day just waiting for the hammer to fall. You have to give him a life to make it stop. It’s the only way.”

Tango stared at him, looking him over with new eyes. In all his years spent with Etho from a distance as a fellow Hermit, he didn’t think he’d ever seen his face look this hollow.

“You really are hopeless, aren’t you,” he whispered.

“Don’t say that.” Exhausted though he was, a tiny bit of fire leaked back into Etho’s voice.

“You’re going to have to give him up sometime.” Tango met Etho’s stare full on, for the first time since he got back. He wanted to make extra sure that Etho knew just how screwed he was, if he’d really let it get this far. “A stray arrow, some lava, Scar or Joel or whoever the next Red Name of the week is causing mayhem...that’s all it’ll take, and then one of you will be gone for good. You know that, right?”

“Yeah.” Etho leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. “That’s why I’m not giving up my life for him. That, and if I did, he’d know.”

“Know you can’t bail on him even though the whole ship is sinking.” Tango glowered down at the floor. “Know you’re willing to take the rest of us down with you if this goes sideways.”

“So you’ll do it?”

“I didn’t say that.”

Etho said nothing.

Tango cursed under his breath.

/givelife Bdoubleo100

“If this gets me killed somehow, you’d best believe there’ll be hell to pay.”

Tango dumped the remaining water out over the floor and left, slamming the door behind him.

[avewritesmr]

Stray kids reaction to y/k having tattoo sleeves? 🙏🏻 I’ve seen reactions where they specified a couple tattoos but I wanna know what their reaction would be with someone that has sleeves. Or wants to get more tattoos (; also could some of the settings be like on a date? Like during the stage where they’re getting to know y/k?) thnx 💓

Reaction to boyfriend who has a tattoo sleeve

A/N: So I only did three members (picked at random) to avoid this getting repetitive, I think I strayed a little off topic, not sure, but please let me know what you think of it anonie, I loved writing it, and I am so sorry it has taken me so long to write it, all the love and in hopes of having more time to write now that college application and decision time is coming to a wrap 💖

Seo Changbin (Implied NSFW Content)

y/n and Changbin meet on the coldest day of winter, it’s literally freezing and the entire city is basically iced over.

y/n is the new producer at JYP and it just so happens that Changbin is asked to work with y/n on a project.

At first Changbin is really skeptical, y/n is this quiet, kind of scary looking person and he communicates through glaring and frowning instead of words.

Then Changbin starts to slowly get to know him and things change, he finds out that y/n isn’t rude or scary and they get pretty close throughout the time they are working on the project.

When they are no longer work colleagues and the project is complete, Changbin works up the courage to ask y/n out on a date.

They don’t officially date or anything for a while, they go out together on a couple dates and hang out, they spend lots of time together and it is very obvious they are both basically in love with each other.

y/n doesn’t try to hide his tattoos or anything, Changbin’s seen a few of them, the one on the side of his neck and the ones on his wrists and knuckles but he’s never seen the whole thing.

Then one day they’re sitting in Changbin’s studio and somehow y/n spills an entire thing of iced coffee on himself and he’s only wearing a long sleeved shirt.

Changbin has a spare shirt from dance practice so he goes to grab it and in the meantime y/n pulls his dirty shirt off.

Changbin finds the shirt in a drawer and turns around to give it to y/n and he just freezes.

y/n doesn’t even notice him staring, he takes the shirt offered to him and slips it on going back to whatever he was doing before while poor Changbin stares on in shocked silence. “Why are you staring at me like that?”

“You have so many tattoos.” Changbin mutters quietly.

y/n smiles slightly, “You don’t like them?”Changbin shakes his head quickly, he loves them, if he had wanted to kiss y/n before now he wants to jump the other man’s bones, he thinks they are hot and such a turn on.

y/n seems to understand as much and he goes out of his way after that to put them on display even though it’s still freezing outside.

Changbin isn’t complaining (at first), after a while he just finds himself staring at y/n’s tattoos, they aren’t even officially dating so he can’t just grab y/n’s arms and trace over the tattoos or ask the older to do anything to him.The whole thing leads to a lot of frustration on Changbin’s end and a lot of amusement on y/n’s.

“You know you can look at my tattoos if you want, you don’t need to look away every time I look in your general direction.”Changbin’s cheeks flare read but he hesitantly moves to sit closer to y/n and runs the tips of his fingers across one of the many tattoos.

“They’re so hot.” Changbin slaps a hand over his mouth as soon as the words leave it, y/n on the other hand finds this hilarious.

“Are they?” He is so close to Changbins face and his arm has moved to wrap around Changbin’s waist.Changbin remembers every thought he’s ever had about y/n’s hands and the tattoos and what he wants the older to do to him and he can see all the tattoos so close that it makes everything so much worse.

y/n’s smirk is enough to convince him to move towards the older and pull the other’s arm around his waist, he has no idea where the confidence comes from but at this point he has nothing to lose and he’s been fantasizing for way too long anyways.

Things end up so much better than he had every dreamed of and he has to concede that tattoos are the hottest thing ever, especially when they’re y/n’s and they stand out on white knuckles that hold Changbin’s hips down.

Hwang Hyunjin

Hyunjin loves tattoos, he thinks they're cool and the moment JYP lets him get a tattoo (I am not sure if he already has a tattoo tbh) he is getting a tattoo because tattoos are just so cool.

So why doesn't Hyunjin know that his boyfriend (of like 4 months) has enough tattoos to cover 90% of the skin on his right arm? Simple, answer.

y/n is an idol, he isn't aloud to show his tattoos on national television, and since a lot of his initial interactions with

Hyunjin had been backstage at music shows...

music shows = no tattoos being shown.

So let's go back to the beginning to get a clear picture

Hyunjin and y/n first meet at a music show backstage, Hyunjin has heard of y/n but he hasn't really seen pictures of the other that often and now he is face to face with probably the most attractive person he has met in a long time.

y/n is leaning against a wall in the hallway outside the bathroom in a beautifully tailored suit and Hyunjin, who is walking out of the bathroom, is completely enamored by this man that he might know the name of but can't be sure.

person walks past Hyunjin and y/n shoves his phone into his pocket talking happily to said person before they disappear down the hallway.

Detective Hyunjin mode = activated.

His detective work involves a quick google search to identify what group y/n is in and confirm his name, turns out he was right about the name and so he spends the next 2 hours of waiting before he has to preform just scrolling through pictures and tweets about y/n.

He resolves that day that he needs to talk to the other no matter what it takes, he just needs y/n's number.

His first plan is to recruit Jisung and Jeongin's help because they tend to find talking to new people easier and maybe he won't be as awkward if he talks to y/n with other people present.

This plan falls through very quickly because instead of helping all Jeongin and Jisung do is laugh at him.

He turns to his second (and last) plan.

Lee Minho is 2 months older than y/n, so maybe by some stroke of luck Minho knows y/n, or someone in his group, and Hyunjin can maybe convince Minho to help him start a conversation with the other.

Hyunjin is in luck, not only is Minho more empathetic about his hardships than Jisung and Jeongin but he just so happens to know y/n well enough to be able to walk up to him and strike up conversation.

Hyunjin follows Minho with gradually decreasing confidence. Sure he is going to get the chance to talk to y/n, which is what he wanted, but what the hell is he going to say?

Should he just ask for the others number?

Just introduce himself and maybe y/n will ask for his number? Maybe he can just turn around now and run away before this gets particularly embarrassing for him?

Maybe the floor underneath him will open up and swallow him whole because good lord y/n just smiled in his general direction and why are there so many people in this area at this specific time?

Turns out y/n wasn't smiling specifically at him, he was smiling more at Minho.

"This is Hyunjin, he wanted to tag along."

"Hey, I'm y/n, it's nice to meet you." Maybe his smile will kill Hyunjin before he remembers how to talk.

"uhh-hh, yes I know, I- uh, Hyunjin." God why was that so awkward someone save him, where did Minho walk off to? who is that? why did he take Minho away from him?

"Are you okay?"

"yeah, yeah, I am good." god he needed salvation right now.Basically, Hyunjin is awkward and nervous and he feels like the first meeting is a complete disaster and y/n will never talk to him again.

Somehow though y/n decided he isn't pitiful enough to ignore and walk away from, it takes a bit of prodding and joking on y/n's part for Hyunjin to relax a little and they hold a decent conversation. When Minho informs Hyunjin they have to head back y/n is typing his number into Hyunjin's phone and urging him to send a text whenever.

y/n and Hyunjin talk often after that, they meet again just a little over a week later backstage at a music show again and decided that they should take the risk and start dating.

They're moving a little quickly true, but, they can learn more about each other as time goes on.

Neither one of them is necessarily free at any one point in time, they see each other at a few events but their dating is limited to talking over the phone and basically texting all the time.

And then the day comes.

Hyunjin has the day off and y/n has wrapped up a photo shoot, the timing is perfect, the managers are okay with it and Hyunjin is buzzing with excitement because it's been almost 4 months and he is going to go to his boyfriend now.

They decide to meet at y/n's empty dorm just to be in each others presence.

So Hyunjin is standing outside the dorm door waiting for y/n to let him in and he is just shaking with happiness.

So when y/n opens the door with his hair a little messy and no make up on, Hyunjin's first instinct is to launch himself at the other and hug him as tightly as he can.

They might not have been able to see each other these last four months but that doesn't mean Hyunjin hasn't learned enough about the other to love him.

y/n only laughs and pulls him into the dorm hugging back with a soft smile on his face.

Hyunjin is so busy hugging y/n that he doesn't see the tattoos covering y/n's right arm.

He doesn't see them in fact until after he's been ushered into y/n's room and is about to head towards the cat laying under the window.

He turns around to ask y/n about the cat's name and then freezes because holy mother of all beings is that a tattoo sleeve?

"Yeah, is it a problem?"

"A problem? god no!" Hyunjin moves closer to war his fingers around y/n's arm and raise it so he can inspect the intricate designs.

"They look so cool, this just makes me want a tattoo even more." y/n laughs, "I can take you to get one." Hyunjin looks up with starry eyes.

"Management would kill, but I don't really care anymore."

"Maybe you should get it okayed before you do anything?"

"If they try to kill me you'll come riding in on a motorbike and wearing a leather jacket and save me." Hyunjin replies with a serious face.

y/n laughs, "That is just a stereotype, my mom would kill me if I got on a motorbike."So what did Hyunjin learn today?

He definitely wants a tattoo and wouldn't mind getting yelled at by management for getting one behind their back. He wants y/n to go with him because this man is an expert and if anyone (y/n included) disagrees then Hyunjin will be inclined to fight them.

y/n is 100% a mama's boy and Hyunjin is living for it (Another one of his life sources at this point in time is y/n's tattooed arm wrapped around his waist but he doesn't want to discuss those emotions just yet).

Yang Jeongin (I.N)

So y/n’s a barista at a cafe and that is how Jeongin meets him first, it is late summer, the uniform for the cafe workers is a button down white shirt so even though it is 35 degrees (Celsius) out Jeongin never sees y/n in anything but his work uniform which is a long sleeve button down white shirt.

After 2 months of (not really) subtle crushing Jeongin asks y/n for his phone number, they chat for a few days and then go on their first date in early October.

The date is a sweet, cliche outing, Jeongin is a blushing mess 90% of the time and y/n treats him with so much care. Dates aren’t that frequent after the first one but just before winter Jeongin and y/n make it official.

At this point it is so cold that there is never a moment for Jeongin to see y/n without a coat, hoodie or long sleeved shirt, so he lives a life of blissful ignorance for almost a month.

And then one day he is sitting at the counter in the cafe, y/n is just finishing his shift and Jeongin is waiting for him.

The manager walks by and tells y/n to clean up before he hands over to the next person and so y/n moves to the sink and rolls up his sleeves.

Jeongin isn’t really paying attention, he’s a little focused on his phone, but then he looks up.

😯 = Yang Jeongin when he saw y/n’s tattoos.

“Your face literally just derailed.”

“I didn’t know you had tattoos.”

“Well you didn’t really ever get a chance to see them.” Silence.

“I am sorry I probably should have told you before this.”Jeongin doesn’t respond to that, he doesn’t know how to, so he sits in silence contemplating the situation, while y/n finishes up. When they walk out of the cafe it is in strained silence, Jeongin doesn’t like it at all.

“Can I see them?”

“Sure, let’s go sit somewhere.”They end up on a park bench, y/n with his sleeves rolled up and Jeongin carefully tracing the ink covering y/n’s arm his eyes widened in awe.

“What’s the meaning behind thisone?”

“Nothing really, I got it because I thought it looked nice.”Jeongin laughs lightly and goes back to studying the tattoos on y/n’s arm, now that he is over the initial shock of discovering the tattoos he is enraptured by them.

He’ll probably stare at them whenever y/n wears something short sleeved, or rolls up his sleeves.

He genuinely thinks they are really cool and thinks his boyfriend is like a million times cooler with them.

[gale-gentlepenguin]

ML Fic: Soulmate Survey Part 35

(Master post)

(Insert excuse on why it took so long) (Insert comedic joke on why I didn't update sooner) (plea of trying better) (Heartfelt compliment on why all of you are awesome and patient)

Okay so now that we got that out of the way. But in all seriousness. Thanks for your patience and I hope you enjoy.

If you do enjoy the fic, please Comment and reblog. Reblogs are like Gold on Tumblr and being a writer and posting to Tumblr is difficult. So every little bit helps.

Alright so now lets get to it.

_____________________________________________________________

The nurse heard the commotion going on in the halls. She knew that shortly after Chloé left, things outside the office became… restless. She turned off all the lights and locked the door to the nurse’s office. She did her best to stay quiet and not draw attention to the room. She knew those akuma were out there and she needed to focus on stabilizing her patient.

“I hope that Chloé managed to get that message out.” The nurse whispered to herself.

The woman felt weird pinning her hopes of escaping this place on a spoiled teenager, but at this point, beggars can’t be choosers.

She heard someone approach the door. The nurse felt her blood turn to ice. She refused to move a single inch. She hoped and prayed that the person would go away. She could hear the screams of students outside. She knew the akuma, whoever they were, were out there, and they were taking anyone they could find. Right now, all she could do was pray they don’t check.

“Please… for all that is good… let them leave.” She prayed under her breath.

After what felt like an eternity, she heard the sound of footsteps away from the door and everything returned to eerie silence.

She felt her essence sigh in relief.

She got up from the ground and went to go attend to the unconscious woman in the cot.

“Its strange for someone so young to be so exhausted… but then again, when I get into the line of work I am hoping for, it is likely I will be seeing a lot of cases like this.” Angela joked, trying to keep herself in good spirits. “Society is such a mess.”

Angela checked Nathalie’s pulse. It was present, but it felt off. It was weaker than she was expecting from someone of her age. Perhaps she has a much more serious medical condition. Angela would probably recommend that this woman see a professional when this is all said and done. Though for now, she was stable and calm, which was a very good sign.

The nurse considered that maybe she wasn’t getting an accurate reading, was something off with the assistant’s breathing? She would need to check. The nurse grabbed a stethoscope and moved closer, getting ready to check again.

“Ow!” She yelped as she felt something grab her arm. Nathalie had awaken and she had a firm grip on the woman's wrist.

“What are you doing!?” The surprised assistant exclaimed

“You're awake!? Oh, thank goodness.”

“Awake?”

“Yes, you passed out at a most stressful time. Right now, I recommend we keep our voices down.” The nurse hushed.

‘S***’

Nathalie mentally cursed to herself. She knew it had to be Masquerade. Her little episode resulted in her being far too late to get in and out without issue. She was planning on getting Adrien out of here before things went south.

She got up from the cot she had been laying in.

“Hold on a second.” Angela called out. “You need to stay and rest. I am glad you are conscious. But that sudden fainting spell could be indicative of…”

Nathalie did not have time for this. She gave an ice-cold glare at the nurse.

“If you intend on making me stay here, you will need to do so by force!”

The nurse felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. This woman’s eyes clearly showed intent on fighting. Angela was not a fighter, she helped people, not hurt them.

“You are my patient, and there is a lot of danger outside. You are in no condition to go out there.”

Nathalie had to respect the woman’s guts for standing up to her, despite the nurse’s knees shaking as she maintained eye contact.

“Okay, so how will we deal with the akuma breaking in then.”

“What!”

Angela turned her back to Nathalie, who took full advantage, giving the school nurse a fierce chop to the neck. Causing the nurse to drop like a sack of potatoes.

“Rest up.”

Nathalie put the nurse in the cot that she had previously been resting in.

“Seems I don’t have time to be subtle. Duusu.”

The blue Kwami popped out.

“Nathalie! Do you want to play?”

“Yes Duusu, the game is find Adrien and get out of here.”

“Horray!”

“Duusu! Spread my feathers!”

_____________________________________________________________

“Get down!” Ladybug dived into Chat noir, helping them both avoid the pause symbols and deadly bubbles headed their way. The akuma on both sides of them managed to avoid the incoming attacks they had sent towards the heroes.

“Thanks LB.” Chat noir thanked. “While you are the second person I want to be dancing with. We can't keep dodging forever. Even if their moves are predictable. Maybe those masks are the key to stopping them."

“Hardly a dance, its ettiquette for the boy to lead if it is. And I don't think so. Those masks appear to be unbreakable and impossible to remove” Ladybug said as she pulled her partner quickly back up, both noticing the akuma were ready for more.

“We still haven’t tried cataclysm.” Chat noir comments as he runs and jumps over a trashcan to avoid getting nailed by Bubbler’s attack bubbles.

“Right, but that would leave you exposed. Call it a hunch, but we will need to save it for later.” Ladybug responds as she jumps away and opens a door to block several pause symbols. "Besides, do you want to be mask-less at this Akuma calamity?"

“I was going to say it was more like a Masquerade ball. And no I would not."

Ladybug rolled her eyes at the lame joke, but still had a bit of a smile. Lightening the mood.

"Silly kitty"

"But seriously, we need a plan. If we can’t free them, what can we do?”

Ladybug focused for a moment. She noticed the way they were attacking, it was predictable and slow. Normally the akuma change up their attacks, or at least seem more aware of what the heroes are doing. The akuma were acting a lot more like controlled puppets. Much like when she had to deal with Puppeteer. Seems this akuma had some drawbacks that could be exploited. This was where Ladybug realized there was a way to deal with them.

“We disarm them. Break Bubbler’s wand and I will terminate Lady Wifi’s phone plan. Their reflexes are way more sluggish than usual. My bet is that having so many servants is starting to have a drain on the effectiveness of her forces. We just need to act quick.”

“Alright, sounds good to me.”

“On my mark we charge.”

Ladybug kept an eye on both akuma, after they sent a flurry of attack, they would usually have to take a moment to recharge. Bubbler would need to dip his wand back into his bubble pack and Lady wifi would have her hand cramp after sending 10 swipe symbols and would need to pull her hand back.

“Now!”

Chat noir and Ladybug both pounced at the two akuma, moving fast enough that their foes couldn’t retaliate as the heroes swiped the weapons from their respective wielders.

“Sorry to burst your bubble.” Chat noir joked as he snapped the bubble wand.

“And you’ve reached your data limit for the month.” Ladybug chimed in as she crushed Lady Wifi’s phone.

Both akuma began swinging their fists at the heroes, trying to turn the fight into a bare-knuckle brawl. But Ladybug’s assessment was correct, their attacks were too predictable. Ladybug caught Lady Wifi’s fist and flipped her over her shoulder to the ground.

Chat noir ducked under bubbler’s punch and slipped behind him. The cat used his staff to swipe at the feet of the forward moving akuma and knocked him mask first onto the floor.

“Alright, their disarmed. Now what?”

“Move him over here.”

Chat noir picks up the akuma by his bubble pack and throws him over to ladybug like a curling stone.Ladybug uses her yo-yo to tie the two dazed akuma back to back.

“Let’s put them somewhere where they won’t cause any trouble.”

_____________________________________________________________

“Next!” Masquerade called out in annoyance.

She had gotten her akuma servants to capture as many teachers and students as possible. She had the element of surprise and with the amount of akuma she had at her disposal, it was easy to capture several. Though she figured none would escape and cause panic, Timebreaker was guarding the parameter and kept her informed of any people she ��Tagged’. Horrificator finished sealing all of the exits so no one would be able to come in or out.

She figured there was a good chance for adding more akuma to her rank. The problem was, most of the akuma sucked. She ended up developing a system for them. If they turned out to have no useful ability, she would humiliate them, have reflekta turn her into replicas of herself and then have Princess Frangrance spray the rejects to turn into obedient servants, this way she had something useful out of them. Make them get snacks or whatever. There were multiple uses for mind-controlled students and teachers. So far, she didn’t find a single one worthy of her time.

“I SAID NEXT!” Masquerade shouted louder.

Masquerade sized up the black-haired girl that one of the Reflekta duplicates had pushed forward. She recognized the shy smile from television. She was one of the weather girls on the KIDZ+ network. That was a contest Lila would have KILLED to have been a part of. She mentally told herself she would have won if she had entered.

“Your Mirelle aren’t you?”

“Y-Yes, please don’t hurt me.” She pleaded.

Masquerade rolled her eyes.

“Let’s, see what the deepest parts of your mind hold.”

“Stop!’

Masquerade stopped to turn to the person that shouted.

“Well, well, well, seems we have both weather girls that go to this school.” Masquerade commented. “What a coincidence.”

Masquerade’s eyes went to the honey blonde weather girl. The akuma had to respect the fierce glare the girl was giving her.

“Aurore don’t.” Mirelle tried to plea.

“Fragrance, shut her up.”

The perfume akuma moved from the wall and sprayed the shy weather girl.”

“No!”

Masquerade felt her bracelet glow, indicating that there was an akuma victim present.”

“So, stormy weather, does this rain on your parade?”

“Don’t call me that!” Aurore spat with disgust.

“That loss still bothers you. How the city voted and you were blown out of the water.”

“I know your trying to get under my skin, it won’t work.” Aurore said. “I’ve dealt with Chloé, and she is way meaner.”

Masquerade kept her smile.

“You’re right, that wouldn’t bother me. The comments by everyone else questioning why you are there would. All of those people wondering what the point of that vote was. So now you have to constantly push harder and harder to prove you deserve to be there with Mirelle. It has become your obsession; the way people perceive you. You need to be the perfect weather girl, with the good looks and the good grades. You can’t let anyone begin to doubt your ability.”

Aurore felt her heart shatter at the comment. It was like this akuma had reached into her chest and pulled her heart out. She could see her biggest fear.

“Shut up! I am good enough! You can’t tell me otherwise.”

Masquerade felt a twinge of annoyance, but a sinister idea came into her head. She touched the perfume bottle charm, her colors shifted to match the color scheme of the Perfume akuma.

“Mirelle, tell her what she needs to here.”

The controlled weather girl felt something intrude in her mind, for a brief second, she winced, before turning into a creepy smile.

“Mirelle?”

Aurore felt her skin crawl as she turned to see her coworker and friend staring at her, a creepy smile on her face.

“You aren’t good enough. You were never good enough. You tried so hard to be charming and cute, but the network thinks your redundant. They were going to get rid of you as soon as they could. I hear they are aiming for the end of the month.” She sing-songed.

Aurore dropped to her knees. Her confidence shattered. She broke down, tears streamed down her face. She covered her hands to cry. To hear her say those awful things, was it true? Was she gone? Was all her work for nothing?

Mirelle’s creepy forced smile stayed, but from the corner of her eye, a single tear began streaming down her cheek. Unbeknown to Aurore, Masquerade was using the controlled teen like a ventriloquist dummy.

“Excellent work.”

Masquerade shifted back to her original colors and grabbed a mask from her dress before she flung it right at the depressed weather girl. She took joy in watching it clamp onto her face like an alien face-hugger. There was a brief moment of struggle, but Aurore was no more. Stormy weather had taken her place. Masquerade laughed as a new charm appeared on her bracelet.

“Finally, some better servants. And these powers are no joke.”

Stormy weather raised her umbrella at Masquerade.

“Oh? Are you trying to resist?”

The akuma’s arm was shaking, but then dropped. Her body becoming inactive, like a toy robot with its batteries removed.

“And there goes the last of your resistance. Now go out and find Ladybug and Chat noir. Lady Wifi and Bubbler haven’t returned.”

Stormy weather nodded and headed out of the classroom.

Masquerade noticed the cowering captured students and took a moment to appreciate the power she wielded. Sure, she would have preferred to have been loved by the school, but being feared is a close second.

Her joy was cut short when something pinged into her mind.

Requirements met for new akuma. Confirm merge?

‘Merge?’

Masquerade tried to figure out what that meant. What was merging.

‘The components for the akuma Oblivio are now available, would you like to merge the two akuma to make new akuma?��

“Oblivio? I don’t remember an akuma by that name?” Masquerade said to herself. “Well, if two people are needed to make it and it is making something new, it must be good. Confirm!”

A new charm appears on her bracelet, one in the shape of a question mark.

"Creating Lady Wifi, Bubbler, Oblivio fusion.'

“I wonder what this will bring.”

_____________________________________________________________

Hawkmoth got felt a sudden shift in the mood of his akuma.

"So Lila found a way to merge akuma with multiple different forms into one. And now she is able to create a completely new akuma. Perhaps Ladybug and Chat noir have finally met there match."

The butterfly villain rubbed his hands smugly as he continued observing. Though part of him wondered if Nathalie was able to secure Adrien safely.

_____________________________________________________________

“Okay, these should work.” Chat noir exclaimed as he opened two empty lockers.

Ladybug removed her yo-yo that had tied the two akuma together and shoved the two of them inside each locker before slamming it shut.

“We need something to lock them in for a while.” Ladybug exclaimed as she held the doors closed. The akuma started trying to break free. Moving in any way they could to bust out.

Chat noir looked around, looking for something to shove in front of the lockers.

“Ugh, there is nothing to barricade them with!” Chat noir exclaims.

“Just seal the doors.”

“Right!”

Chat noir put his hand on the lockers where the doors would open, he focused all his strength into his hands and crunched doors by the lock, making it impossible to open in the conventional way.

“That should hold it.” Chat noir exclaimed with relief.

Ladybug slid down the door as resistance finally ceased.

“I think they realized they can’t escape.” Chat noir eased.

Ladybug got up from the floor. They give each other a fist bump on their success.

“Well thankfully that deals with two troublesome akuma. Now we need to get to Lila before we get overrun with them.”

The two heroes quickly leave the locker room.

"By the way, you mentioned earlier I was the second person you wanted to be dancing with. Who is the first?"

Chat noir felt a faint blush on his cheeks.

"How about we talk dances later." Chat noir dodged the question.

Both heroes hurrying down the hall to try and get to Masquerade.

But after they left, the lockers they had left the akumas in started to shake wildly…

_____________________________________________________________

“Heads up!” Viperion exclaimed as he pulled Ryuuko out of the Akuma’s range. The vanishing miracular was a far more difficult opponent then both reptilian heroes were expecting. The akuma vanishes just before Ryuuko could retaliate.

“Every time we lose sight of her, she vanishes and I can’t get a clean hit!” Ryuuko grumbles.

Viperion looks around frantically.

“Yes, but I do believe we have some interesting intel. The akuma seems unable to use both her powers at the same time. She needs to turn visible in order to try and attack us with those Tonfa of hers” The snake hero explains

Ryuuko backs up, looking around to see if she can notice anything that could help her locate the sneaky servant.

“And whatever its other power is seems to involve using those Tonfa. Call it a hunch but we can’t let her use it on us.” Ryuuko discussed her instinctual feeling.

“Guard my back, she can’t sneak up on us if our backs are covered.” Viperion instructs. “Her strategy is very straight forward. We just need to wait for an opening”

“Got it.” Ryuuko says just as she notices something from the corner of her eye. “There you are.”

Ryuuko makes a charge at what appeared to be a wall, but her sword contacted Miracular’s tonfa. Forcing her visible again.

Viperion took noticed of the poor stance that Miracular had while blocking Ryuuko. He wasn’t an expert but even he could see that an unexpected hit would knock her off her feet.

He threw his lyre right at the akuma’s knees and made contact, the force causing her to buckle and Ryuuko disarmed the akuma by parrying her tonfa.

Viperion caught the weapons and broke them over his knee.

“Well that takes care of her weapons.”

Ryuuko noticed the akuma tried to get away but she dove tackled her before she could turn visable.

“Nice work. But what are we going to do to stop her from getting in the way?” Viperion inquired.

Ryuuko band the akuma's face repeatedly against the floor in order to break the mask. Sadly there was not even a scratch on it.

"Well this mask is durable. Might need to lock her somewhere."

The snake hero thought for a moment. he remembered back to a previous akuma attack. Chat noir had put him in a locker to be safe. He still remembered the playful wink the cat gave.

"Any ideas Viper piper?" Ryuuko inquired as she maintained her hold on the akuma.

"Huh? Oh right. Why not take to the locker room and throw her into a locker. She isn't super strong so we could easily just toss her in and lock it. Also, what is with the nickname?"

"I heard that giving people nicknames helps endear people to you."

"Okay, well you can keep trying, but I don't play pipes. What other ones do you have."

"... That was the only one I had... Ill try and come up with more as we go."

"Looking forward to it ... Dra-girl"

Ryuuko paused to look at him as she stood up with the akuma.

"Yea... It felt wrong as soon as I said it. Lets just go."

_____________________________________________________________

Chloé had given most of the akuma she encountered the slip. Not from expert hiding of fighting skill, she simply walked passed them. A normal individual would realize how amazing it was that as long as you don’t freak out, the akuma basically don’t notice. But to Chloé, it felt insulting. Did the akuma seriously believe she was not worth chasing?

“Un-be-lievable.” Chloé huffed. “Most of these akuma would have been chasing me like crazy by now.”

She grumbled to herself as she made it to the front entrance, which she realized had been slimed on.

“EWW, they got that nasty slime monster on their side.”

The mayor’s daughter felt a mix of disgust and annoyance. With this door sealed, she would need to get to one of the other exits, on the other side of the school.

“This would be a really good time for Ladybug to show up and let me be Queen bee.” Chloé stated aloud.

But the area she was in was practically empty.

“Figures.” Chloé sighed. “Why do these gross rejects always have to make things so annoying!”

Unfortunately for her, her complaints did attract some attention from a group of Reflekta copies roaming the halls.

“We order you to come with us!” The three reflektas sang in unison. Chloé didn’t know or care if the original was among them.

“How about no.” Chloé scoffed. She pushed one of them down and walked past them. The other two rushed to her to capture her. But Chloé easily knocked both of the reflektas down easy. The servants were not use to walking in heels. They may be controlled, but Chloé can tell when an amateur walking in gaudy heels from a mile away.

“You 3 need to learn how to walk and a lesson on fashion before you can even THINK of taking me hostage.” Chloé flipped her hair and smugly continued walking, as the three reflektas tried to get up.

Hidden from view, hiding in what appeared to be an abandoned janitor’s cleaning cart, an old man popped his head out slightly.

“Ladybug does need all the help she could get right now…But would she be the right choice?”

_____________________________________________________________ (End of Part 36.)

What other akuma will be joining Masquerade's ranks?

Will Ladybug and Chat noir be able to face the old and new threats?

Will Mayura cause more problems or solve em?

Also, what do you think this new akuma fusion will look like?

I would love to see your takes.

[baronessblixen]

Ficmas Day 1 ~ mistletoe kiss (from this list)

Post-ep for "How the Ghosts Stole Christmas", wc: 1048. Tagging @today-in-fic

There's Always Mistletoe

"I promise you I have nothing to do with this," Mulder says as they both stare at her car. Her decidedly dead car. No matter what she tries, it won't start. All it does is sputter in desperation before it gives up.

It's Christmas morning, just after 5 a.m. She's stuck here with Mulder for the foreseeable future. Her family will celebrate Christmas without her. Again.

"I know it's not your fault," she assures him, struggling with the words. "I should call my mother, let her know I won't be coming." Her unshed tears constrict her throat. She'd been looking forward to Christmas, to seeing her nephews and nieces - even her brother Bill.

For once she was hoping tragedy wouldn't strike and she'd get to see them all, have a good time. She should have known better.

"How about... I'll drive you."

"Mulder."

"My car is working just fine."

"I can't ask you to do that."

"I'm offering. Please let me do this. I feel responsible. If I hadn't asked you to come to the haunted house, your car probably would have made the trip to your mother's. So please, Scully. As a Christmas gift."

"You already gave me a gift."

"Another one then. Consider it an early birthday present." He smiles but there's mournfulness in his expression.

"Fine. You think we can get there before 6 am?" Mulder opens his mouth to reply but stops when she bites her bottom lip. Who knew she could distract him like that? He recovers and nods, his eyes glinting with mischief.

"I will get you there on time," he promises.

They arrive at 5.57 a.m and Mulder grins at her, looking young and boyish. There's a dimple in his cheek and it takes all her willpower not to reach out and touch it.

"Let's unload the gifts," he says, breaking the spell. "Before anyone sees us."

They sneak inside the house. Their entrance masked by excited voices coming from upstairs and the kitchen. Scully hears her name being uttered somewhere. She and Mulder share a look and quickly put the presents under the tree. A moment later her mother walks into the living room, startling them.

"Dana, there you are. I thought I heard a noise. Fox, what a lovely surprise to see you."

"Good morning Mrs. Scully," he says, "And Merry Christmas. I'm just here to drop off Dana. I-"

Before he can finish his sentence, an onslaught of little feet and flailing arms comes rushing in.

"Santa came! Santa came!" The kids chant in unison. They run past Scully and Mulder, only seeing the shiny presents that they know are for them.

"I should leave now so-" he's cut off again when the adults follow suit, walking into the living room with messy hair and sleepy eyes.

"Dana, I'm so glad you're here." She gets hugs from Tara, several cousins, and finally, from her brother. Even as he hugs her, she knows his eyes are fixated on Mulder.

"Merry Christmas," she says, hoping the situation won't escalate.

"I'm leaving now," Mulder says, walking backward. "I will, um, Scully if you need me to pick you up and take you home," everyone stares at him and then at her. They both blush. "You know where to- just call me. Merry Christmas." He gives an awkward wave and as he turns around, he crashes into a sideboard.

Someone giggles and somebody else groans. She can just imagine who that was.

"Mulder wait." He's almost to the door when she catches up with him.

"I'm sorry, Scully."

"Are you all right? Did you hurt yourself?"

"Bones of steel," he jokes. "Have a wonderful time with your family, okay?" She nods, too baffled to reply. She wants to ask him to stay. The truth is she doesn't want to spend Christmas without him.

"Are you sure you don't-"

"Oh look," Tara says, joining them in the hall. "You're under the mistletoe!" They look up at where the offending plant dangles over them inconspicuously. "You know what that means." She winks at them and Scully is 15 again, caught with her secret crush. To make matters worse, their mother walks into the hall to see what the hold-up is. So does Bill.

"I was just about to leave," Mulder says.

"You have to kiss first," Tara sing-songs.

"It's tradition," her mother chimes in with a big smile. Bill just grunts, taking a sip from his coffee.

"Let's get it over with," Scully mumbles, turning to Mulder.

"Ouch," he says, smiling softly. "I hope kissing me is not that bad."

"No," she says quickly. Not that she has any experience kissing Mulder. This will be their first kiss and her whole family is here to witness it. "I just always imagined it differently," she adds quietly.

"You imagined us kissing?" He asks and she notices his warmth pressing against her. His hands have snuck to her hips, holding her still.

"I- maybe? After Antarctica, I - have you thought about it?"

"Only every day." They stare at each other and she loses herself in his eyes. His pupils are dilated and if she's not mistaken, she can feel his heart sprint against hers. Or maybe it's her own. Her neck protests as she continues to gaze up at him. To hell with her neck and her family. She wants to savor the moment.

"Just do it already!" Bill's voice bursts through the magical atmosphere.

"Let's give them something to talk about," Scully says knowing Mulder won't be the one to take the last step. She leans against him and their toes touch as she grabs his neck to get him closer to where she wants him. Her mouth. Their first kiss isn't perfect; it's crooked and awkward and over way too quickly. Just as their tongues touch for the first time, Mulder draws back, gasping for air. He stares at her, his bottom lip glistening and she's never felt so thirsty in her whole life.

"Oh for fuck's sake," Bill mutters and Scully doesn't need to turn around to know that their mother is giving him a stern look.

"I should leave now," Mulder says, looking at her lips with a dreamy look.

"No, I think you should stay."

And so he does.