#if you think for one moment you wont be misses when you are gone you are wrong

[skunkes]

if life is categorized by Before Loss and After Loss then I exist in the before but with a countdown to the after. and the countdown is always always present and debilitating. the loss will be debilitating too but i cant help myself. i will always suffer twice.

[jellyfishdoodler]

Three years ago yesterday, my friend took his own life and I still miss him almost every day. I hope he would like this little piece.

I also wrote something under the cut- mostly just kinda rambling about him but its more just for me.

Take care of yourselves out there and I beg of you, if you are struggling, please reach out to somebody. Because if you leave then you will be so dearly missed by more people than you know.

You are loved, you are cared for, you matter so somebody.

Take care 💛

I think about you a lot. 

But the things that come to mind are mostly about the video games you used to play with me.

You adored the giant mushrooms in minecraft. We explored far lands and deep caves together. You always killed the mobs for me because I was scared of dying even though we had Keep Inventory on. We would have long strip mining sessions and talk about how we were doing. Tell jokes and stories from our lives or just quietly enjoy each other's company. You always got so excited to see any of the in-game critters. You would have loved the cherry blossoms they added.

You always picked dark green in Among Us but always changed your hat for silly situations. Once you thought I was smart for going back and killing you while you were behind the Admin table, but I was just panicking. We laughed about it in the lobby after I lost. I tried looking for screenshots but I think they got lost. But we'd always run around the boxes while we waited.

You loved to wear the cute outfits in Animal Crossing. I gave you the pretty umbrella and it became your favorite item. We gathered on my island like it was a party to catch shooting stars and spin our umbrellas in unison in between the showers. I remember you lighting up like the sun when you got the New Horizons themed Switch for a really good price because it was in a small local game shop everyone overlooked. 

You enjoyed playing Grounded in early access. Telling me how decorating your base was your favorite part even though you couldn't sit in the little grassblade chairs. There's been a major update with story and more items added. It's also multiplayer now... 

I would give almost anything in the world to be able to play with you again, Gydeon.

I think about you a lot.

You were deeply protective and loved your friends with your whole chest every day. Even when it was damaging to you.

We would talk privately outside the server we met in. Saying how so many of them were in the wrong for so much of the drama they caused and that what they were doing was not okay. But they were our friends. We held each other's hands while walking on eggshells together. Trying to settle their emotions and each other's when we had nothing left to give. 

I still remember your bright laugh. I remember your sleepy mumbles not wanting to leave the group call when it got late in your timezone. I remember you being bored out of your mind while you waited in your dad's car. I remember you getting furious over the actions of someone and losing your cool. I remember you being so excited when you figured out and came out as Pansexual. You decorated all your avatars with Pan flag stickers and were so giddy to find out that part of yourself. I remember you joking about your depression. I remember you being down low and I remember how we would go online and play together to escape for a while.

I think about you a lot. 

Finger snapping has become a stim for me because you taught me that the sound comes from when your finger thumps against your palm. 

Whenever I need to feel brave I think about you standing up for what was right even though you got backlash for it. 

You had so much courage and pride but the thing you inspired in me most was to choose kindness above all else. No matter what. Its easy to be rude and angry and violent. It takes a strong spine and head to be able to let petty shit go and to choose to remain soft and gentle in spite of everything.

I think about you a lot. 

Its been 3 years and I still hold some guilt in my heart for what happened. I don't think it will ever go away and I almost don't want it to, but I've worked hard to make it bearable. Your memory still weighs heavily in my chest when I think about you, but it's more like a comfortable weighted blanket rather than an unrelenting mountain trying to swallow me whole.

You were an incredible young man and I'm one of the luckiest people in the world to say I was able to meet you. Even if the time spent with you was far, far too short. 

You were funny. You were smart. You were the kindest, sweetest person I have ever had the honor to get to know. 

You were one of my close friends and I miss you dearly, Gydeon. I love you, buddy.

[cryptidghostgirl]

Make You Wish Chapter Four -- Vox

Pairing: Alastor x Reader

Warnings: I don't think there are any for this chapter? Correct me if I am wrong.

Word Count: 1,225

Previous Part: Chapter Three -- A Reunion

Master Lists 

Hazbin Hotel Master List 

Make You Wish Master List

A/N I wasn't planning on posting this until tomorrow, but it seems to have some rather excited fans so here is chapter four (and the fourth thing I'm publishing today. We're very done for the day. I am tried and have actual work to do.) Also guys, I'm screaming. I accidentally deleted the whole things right before I was gonna post it. Thankfully I had a draft from when it was almost done save but like, god that sucked.

On the screen was Vox, seated behind a desk.

"Top of the hour and we're discussing a certain has-been how has been spotted cavorting around town after a seven year absence." Vox was saying, a poorly drawn image of Alastor displayed on the screen to his left.

Y/n saw Alastor's ear twitch with irritation.

"Yeah." she sighed, folding her arms across her chest, "Vox has gone kinda crazy since you left. I told you, things got tough."

"Did anybody miss him? Did anybody notice? More on tonight's program." Vox said through the TV, shuffling a stack of papers.

Alastor changed the channel with another flick of his finger.

"Hun, don't worry yourself with it." Y/n advised, "He's still gonna be there tomorrow."

The new channel showed a talk-show set up, Vox-2-Nite, where Vox was both host and guest.

"So, the old Radio Demon is back in town." host Vox was saying to himself as guest.

"Why is he hanging around?" guest Vox asked, taking a sip from a mug that had 'fuck Alastor' written on the side.

"Al." Y/n warned, sensing her friends irritation growing.

"What does that mean for your family?" Host Vox asked before Alastor changed the channel again.

Vox was on the screen again, before a bright red curtain.

"Well, handily, I've got good news." he was saying theatrically, "He's a loser, a fossil, and I don't mean to sound hostel-"

Alastor changed the channel again. This time to one of Vox's mega church broadcasts. Vox stood in the center of the screen wearing a pope's hat with an inverted cross on it.

"But the demon is a coward!" he announced, his words matching the previous channels sentiments perfectly.

"Jesus, V." Y/n asked, eyes wide, "How many channels are you running this on?"

"You can take that as gospel. Pulling my viewers? Impossible. I'm visual, he's barely audible."

"Y/n." Alastor hummed, his eyes still fixed on the screen.

"Yeah?"

"You wont mind if I handle this quickly. We can have our little chat after, I promise. It wont take more than a moment."

"I don't know, Al..." Y/n sighed, crossing her arms and tapping her foot slightly, "This isn't good for you, letting him get under your skin like this."

Alastor changed the channel again. A cooking show appeared and Vox was standing before the oven, singing along to the music playing in the background.

"But he should've stayed away! While he hid in radio, we pivoted to video!"

Vox on screen turned to the oven as he sang, opening it and pulling out a deer's head on a plate. Y/n bristled at the site, her horns growing just the tiniest bit longer, her teeth just the smallest bit sharper.

"And now his medium is getting bloody rare!"

"Al?" Y/n asked sharply.

"Yes, darling?"

"I lied." Y/n turned to face him, "He took this shit musical. Rip him a new one."

"Oh!" Millie exclaimed, excitedly grabbing onto Moxxie's arm, "We're gonna get a show!"

Alastor's grin widened at Y/n's words, if that was even possible. He stuck his hand out to the side, his microphone materializing in his grasp.

"Lucky for me, I've got the best voice this side of the divide on my side." he noted, shooting Y/n a look.

Her eyes flashed red.

"You flatter me."

Alastor brought his microphone to his mouth, suddenly exceedingly calm. The imps present in the room watched in shock as his ears flattened along his head.

"Salutations, good to be back on the air!" he announced into the device, "Yes I know it's been a while since someone with style treated hell to a broadcast. Sinners rejoice!"

Vox's brow furrowed on the TV screen as he inched up close to the camera.

"What a dated voice." Vox shot back, clearly listening to Alastor's broadcast on the set of his cooking show.

"Instead of a clout chasing, mediocre, video podcast." Alastor continued, not showing any sign he had noticed the TV demon's insult, "Is Vox insecure, pursuing allure? Flitting between this fad and that, is nothing working?"

"Ignore his chirping!" Vox commanded from the TV.

Y/n laughed and, turning to face Alastor, realized the man held a hand out to her. With a smile, she took it and he spun her into his arms as he spoke. The music echoed through the office as Alastor raised the volume on the TV once again.

"Every day he's got a new format."

Alastor spun Y/n back out again as the pair began dancing.

"You're looking at the future!" Vox yelled back, "He's the shit that comes before that!"

As Alastor spun Y/n back into his arms, she laid one of her hands on top of his holding the microphone and pulled it closer to her face.

"Is Vox as strong as he purports, or is it based on his support?" she sang in a clear voice, Blitzo, Millie, and Moxxie's eyes widening with recognition at the sound, "He'd be powerless without the other Vees."

"That's true!" Alastor noted, pulling the microphone back to himself as Y/n let go of his hand and he spun her back out again.

"It can't be..." Moxxie muttered under his breath.

"Holy shit!" Millie cut him off, excitement creeping into her voice, "There's no way, Y/n is the guest star?"

"The fuck are you two talking about?" Blitzo asked, turning to Millie and Moxxie as they watched the couple continue to dance.

"Well, Sir," Moxxie began, fiddling with the cuffs of his jacket, "back before the Radio Demon went missing, he used to bring guests onto the show on occasion. There was one guest he never named during his broadcasts however. She mostly just sang songs and chatted with him but, she sounded an awful lot like Y/n did just now."

"You don't say." Blitzo hummed, his arms crossed as he turned back to Y/n and Alastor, "So much for little miss 'oh, my life has been so boring. You'd probably just fall asleep if I started talking about it!' She is so gonna get it later."

Alastor let go of Y/n's hand and leaned into the microphone, beginning to sing as well, using the music emanating from the TV as a base.

"And here's the sugar on the cream: he asked me to join his team!"

"Hold on!" Vox yelled.

"I said no and now he's pissy, that's the tea!" Alastor finished, ignoring the demon once again.

"You old timey prick!" Vox exclaimed, his face glitching slightly as Y/n wandered back over to Alastor.

She leaned an elbow on his shoulder, tilting her head to the side in amusement as they watched Vox struggle.

"I'll show you suffering!"

"Aww, the TV is buffering." Y/n said, leaning into the microphone, her voice dripping with sickly sweet pity.

"I'll destroy yoo-o-u-u" Vox exclaimed as his technical difficulties seemed to grow worse.

Alastor and Y/n exchanged a wicked pair of smiles as the TV flickered out. Shadows crept from the edges of the room, encircling their feet. Alastor held an arm out to Y/n once again which she took with a smile. In a flash of darkness, they were gone.

"What the fuck was that?" Loona asked, stalking into the room.

----

Next Part -> Chapter Five -- The Conversation

[kyunzin]

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟

character; 𝐏. 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧

cw; he needs a way to de-stress after coming back from a mission and what better way to do that than fucking his more than willing wife (f!reader)

tags; nsfw, slight hand job, standing sex, praise

a/n; I think I like this a bit more than I should, a like longer gang

all he wants to do when he wants to do when he gets home is release all of the pent up frustration that had accumulated over the day from working with the other operators and what better way to do that then sinking into the right heart of his precious wife.

it was no surprise to you when he came home and greeted you with a heated kiss upon his arrival or the way he hoisted you up from your thighs holding you up as he stands by the wall with your legs and arms wrapped securely around him the two of you making out like pubescent teenagers.

it’s not unusual to him when when he slips a hand under your dress and finds that you’re wearing a laced thong, smiling when he feels how wet you are when he runs two calloused fingers down your sex.

“looks like someone missed me. I was only gone for two days love and you’re already this needy”

he says that although he’s the one that’s been itching to sink his cock into you the moment he walked in, pulling your underwear to the side being to impatient to take them off. he makes quick work of doing so by fingering you properly with no fanfare marvelling at the way his fingers slip inside with ease, scissoring and cuing his fingers making sure to hit the spot that makes you arch into him

it’s not long before he’s satisfied and unbuckles his belt pulling out his heavy cock from his boxers letting it spring free hanging between the two of you, watching as you reach down to stroke it without breaking eye contact with him. pumping his cock up and down before he decides you’ve had enough fu, pulling your dress off you in one swift movement.

“don’t tease me, it wont end well for you” you kiss him without warning and he readily accepts. while your occupied with his lips he works on lining up his cock to your entrance and rubbing his cock-head against you folds collecting your juices on the tip before pressing in slowly, swallowing the moan you let out into his mouth.

with an little effort he lift you up and drops you back on his cock mercilessly, moaning at the way you grip him tightly at the sudden movement not that you fare any differently, slipping your hands into his hat ridden hair and gripping onto the soft short strands. he quickly finds a satisfying pace that leaves the both of you panting into each other’s mouth, the kiss soon becoming sloppy though neither of you care.

he knows he won’t last much longer with the way your sucking him I’m so he flips the two of you, leaning you against the wall fucking you with sharp thrusts setting a brutal pace. “just look at how well you’re taking me right now, such a good girl” knowing that you won’t last longer as well he leans down to kiss the side of your neck, sucking bruises into you skin and he lets go of one of you legs to flick and pinch your nipple.

with all the added stimulation it’s no surprise that you’re cumming around his cock with a shout of “m’cumming yesyesyes!” your pussy convulsing around him, nails digging into the back of his head while he continues to fuck you through your orgasm.

you can tell he will soon follow by the way his thrusts start to stagger as he begins to let out low groans. you’re not wrong as he soon locks his hips with yours, filling you full of his cum as he lets out a sigh of relief. his lips meet yours again while you both cool down.

he efficiently bring the two of you to the bathroom to clean up pulling you into the shower with him where you have to stop him from trying to fuck you against the shower wall again. drying off and putting on comfortable clothes before the two of you cuddle in the sofa and you tell him how your days were without him while he lazily strokes you arm all the stress now or off his system.

𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

[cuinaminute229]

Just a glimpse

⇒ You’re drunk and Natasha’s eyes are your favorite view. 

Hold my hand

⇒ You still feel responsible, still feel broken because this time you’re left with more than the guilt of a mission gone south.

A request

⇒ At a party Natasha asks you for a dance.

Fire

⇒ Betrayal burns like the blaze of a roaring fire.

Good as you

⇒ A lazy day in bed with the love of your life.

The last cookie

⇒ You ate the last cookie, her cookie and now she’s not talking to you.

Lemonade and sweet tea

⇒ A summer afternoon turns heated when Nat loses a bet (18+)

Into the woods

⇒ The team is ambushed and become separate. You take Natasha and run when there are too many to fight.

If only

⇒ If she had just listened to you, she wouldn’t be here.

A night of fun

⇒ At one of Tony’s parties you get a little too drunk. You’re determined to lift Thor’s hammer even though it most certainly wont happen. 

Soul

⇒ People stayed together if they were destined to or not, some were happy, some made it work. Some refused to look for their other half, some even said they didn’t have a soulmate.

Her

⇒ This was never gentle, never soft and sweet. Never something that you could have with anyone else, this is only you and her.

Glass

⇒ Because you can’t erase the past, you can’t change the outcome. You can’t do anything, except break. Like shattering glass.

Moving on

⇒ She wants to move on, see better thing. And yet she’s leaving you behind.

Silver bullet

⇒ You were the stuff of legends, stories told in the dark, spoken as a tale but true. You were immaculate and invincible, immortal in her eyes. But immortality doesn't always mean forever.

Just a moment

⇒ Natasha comforts you after a mission.

Everything

⇒ Simple interactions that mean so much more than what she thought leads to a life that she's only dreamt of.

Movie night

⇒ It’s Natasha’s turn for movie night and you want to say up and watch it with her but you’re exhausted.

A mistake

⇒ After a brutal workout, Natasha comforts you on your latest mission.

Always you

⇒ You try to give the ring back but she won't take it. 

Nightmare

⇒ She’s there to help calm you down after a nightmare.

Stay a little longer

⇒ She's missed the small moments the two of you share, so what does she do first when she returns after a harrowing mission? She visits you and basks in the moment that’s shared.

One way

⇒ She wants you to stay but you cant stay, even if she makes it almost impossible to walk away.

Soft touches

⇒ An early morning with the only one who has your heart.

See the sun, hide the moon

⇒ You will run like it's a fire, as if the heat from the flames is on your back and if you stumble, if you hesitate then those flames will pull you back in and consume you.

Till the world ends

⇒ She will always be there for you, she will always love you.

The end of a story

⇒ You don't think you can do this because doing this means an end to something you don't want to let go of. She's gone but you can't let her go. Doing this feels like you're admitting that this is the end of a story Natasha left you to finish.

[nhoirr]

𝕱𝖗𝖔𝖒 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖆𝖑𝖑

— 𝔖𝔩𝔢𝔢𝔭𝔦𝔫𝔤 ℌ𝔬𝔲𝔯𝔰

drabbles. “GOJO HOURS."

“LOVESICK LOVER — !” : When he's away from you.

GOJO SATORU is not a patient man, especially when he's kept long time away from you.

'I miss you,' 13:42

your phone dings with a message you've been anticipating all this while, all this afternoon you spent fidgeting in place; waiting for something, or well—someone.

'i'll come home soon.' 13:43

the message rings out from a sender that was no other than your lover—GOJO SATORU, who seems to have been impatient at work; he's been gone for less than an hour, though you couldn't blame him when you felt the same.

'I want to be with you." 13:43 — not even two seconds later, your phone gets bombarded with messages.

Often it would be like this when he's gone, busy with exorcising curses.. hours to days of no contact, to sudden barrages of messages come in endless downpour; you couldn't even begin to count how many times he'd say — 'I want to come home.' every time, and every moment he has.

its silly, how he makes the butterflies burst in your stomach. You wonder how he feels so near when he's so far—perhaps distance really does make the heart grow fonder.

'Hey, don't leave me on read!' 13:45

At his reminder, you can't help but imagine him saying this. Bickering about your imprudence to dare leave him on read, you quickly tap away at your phone.

—'take care of yourself,' wouldn't be much too cliche to say right..? should you be adding anything more? it felt like your message was too short, maybe you should throw in a—'ill wait for you.' too, in there.

.. okay maybe too much—you internally cringe at your own words, attempting to delete the message.

Though unfortunately, your finger slips to press send a bit too hastily, not even given a chance to delete the message when he's seen it in a heartbeat; you could only close your eyes and pray he wouldn't tease it out of you all day, he wouldn't let you live this down.

at long last—your phone dings and you couldn't help the curiosity, peeking reluctantly at what he had to say.

'I don't think I can wait.' 13:50

but you could guess he probably won't be able to come home tonight; he probably has a lot to finish, he wont be home anytime soon..

so.. that makes you wonder, during this time of night—just when you were about to close your eyes..

"who.." Theres sudden motion, noise of shuffling before the sheets slowly dip and you sink into the softness of the bed. Although your eye lips felt heavy, you peel open your eyes—the blurred figure of a man answers with his voice, "Are you asleep yet?" he—the familiar voice of a man you've been waiting for all day, whispers in your ear.

He hovers above you, leaning over so much that the bed creaks, "Don't sleep on me, sweetheart." he presses a chaste kiss to your cheek, another one to your neck—till he littered your body, every inch of your skin his lips could find; his lips latches on to you, as if a leech.

and one last time, he presses a long kiss to the side of your lips—as if asking for you to wake up through your groggy state of mind.

"keep your pretty eyes open for me, will ya?"

through your hazy vision, you could make out that charming smile of his that you've engraved into your mind—the image of a man you love so dearly, your heart treasures so.

and you know he loves you too—just as much.

your phone dings with his last text you never got to read before he came home—

'I love you.' 24:59

your impatient lover probably couldn't wait another day to come home, not when you were waiting for him—not when he'd miss your welcome greeting, not when he still hadn't kissed you goodnight.

and god, that was all he could always think of when you're not in his moment of sight.

'I'm coming home.' 00:09

how unfortunate, that the moment you wake in the morning after, you would never get the chance to read this message.

©NHOIRR — DO NOT COPY, TRANSLATE NOR PLAGIARIZE ANY OF MY WORKS!

[📨] — Yes I'm working on the series, but i've been thinking about this scenario for a while.. I had to get it out of my head somehow.

<-. come back to navigation?

[rindough]

omg song charac pairings is so cute! 🩷🩷 dan heng x f! reader

Anti-Hero - taylor swift (but in dan heng's perspective 🫢)

thank you!!!

-☁️anon

i love this song qwq sometimes this song just pops up in my head while im doing smth n im not complaining :PPP ITS JUST CATCHY and the melody is nice,,,, so okay im going based on the vibes i get from the song!!! ngl i would love to hear your scenario in pairing him to this song :DD

dan heng had always admired you.

he admires your bravery, your carefree attitude towards certain shenanigans or how sometimes you'd be part of those acts. he admires your strong sense of justice, how it grows in each of your travels no matter how sarcastic, weird, or funny your replies might be when responding to things.

it's true that he's missing out on those trips where he informs that he wont be joining, but through the images that march has sent to him through chat, or even when you discuss the current situation to him and have some little daily catch up. not only does he find himself smiling at those tiny glimpses of you in the background or up close, he finds happiness to see you enjoying your time during those side quests or even when you partake in those silly shenanigans with people of different planets.

through countless of trailblazing journeys that everyone has gone through, from absorbing the stellaron, witnessing the rebirth of belobog and the tragedy in xian zhou luo fu, to fighting against dominicus. he remembers and still faces those times where he wakes up groggy, heart filled with this slight worry that what if you... lose yourself?

At certain instances during these adventures he had seen moments that could easily let one lose their humanity or just lose their life, and he finds it a little hard to grasps that you're still by his side, alive and well (and sane) up until this point. but he's grateful nonetheless.

dan heng thinks sometimes that he's undeserving of your love, he doesn't exactly get why out of everyone you've met, you've decide to settle with him, staying by his side at night or during those train leaping moments. he fears one day that he might wake up to news that you might not be there anymore during your distant travels with the other members of the astral express. it's a fact that every trailblazer would at some point face their demise if it is fated, and he sure knows that he wouldn't know what to do when the time comes where the Aeons have decided to steal you out of his and everyone's grasps.

this makes dan heng all the more appreciative of you. this makes him want to live each day more happier, to look forward to every coming day and adventures with and without you (depends on the task!).

he admires your instinct to automatically look for his eyes in a room full of people, he admires the encouraging words you'll give at things he's reluctant to do. he admires the compassion you hold for people you've never once met or recognize in your current consciousness. even admiring the way you'd tease him in situations that's meant to be taken a liiiiittle serious.

dan heng finds you to be inspiring, to be full of life in ways you don't realise, and that is why he loves you.

[eisdendrobium]

I couldn't save you tonight

pairings : geto suguru x reader summary : how can something so beautiful turns into a nightmare?

"suguruu!!" you run towards him with your arms outstretched, ready to give him a big hug after he came back from his mission.

suguru's tired eyes gleam at the sight of you and open his arms as well, gracefully embracing you. feeling like his fatigue instantly disappear when he wraps his arms around your waist.

he buries his face at the crock of your neck, sniffing in your scent that he misses so much. your hands went up to his hair and brushes your fingers through his locks.

"come, you must be tired" you gently took his hand and tug him towards his dorm so he could rest.

suguru comply and walks behind you with a small smile plastered on his tired face.

stopping in front of your dorm you stop and looked at him, "do you want to eat something?"

suguru just shakes his head "no, i'm fine, i've already eaten on the way here" in which you just nods and gives him a quick "okay!" before walking to his dorm again.

opening the door, suguru went to the closet and took his clean clothes and change in the bathroom while you wait, sitting on his bed.

after a few moments suguru walks out of the bathroom fresh and clean. he approaches you and sit down beside you, laying his head on your shoulder and wrapping his arms around your waist.

watching him being clingy is not a rare sight when it's just the two of you in the room, so you just giggle at his action and ruffles his hair.

"you should rest now suguru, you've had a tough day" you said soothingly which only make suguru tighten his grip around you and buries his head into the crook of your neck.

"don't want to, just want to be with you" he muffled, sending vibration to your neck which made you shiver.

"you're just extra clingy today aren't you?" you laugh at his action and push him away gently, looking into his eyes.

"but seriously though, you need to take a rest" seeing your serious expression make suguru pout like a child.

"only if you accompany me" he said.

how could you possibly say no when he's looking at you with that adorable face?

you sigh and push his shoulder so he'd lay on the bed "okay, i will. but you have to rest, okay?" i raise an eyebrow at him, and he nods at your order "yes ma'am" he said before pulling you to lay next to him on the bed.

"you're not going anywhere pookie" he spoons you, locking you in his arms so you couldn't get out.

"who taught you that word suguru?!" you exclaim after processing his words.

"no one" he nuzzle his head on your shoulder, dozing off into his slumber.

if only things always went that way. if only things stays the way it should be. he'd still be here for you, he'd still smile and be his clingy self with you.

but he wont.

gone without any trace.

you curse yourself every day when you think about him.

that night, the last night you spent together like any other night, though he was acting a lot more clingy and romantic towards you. yet you thought nothing of it.

those days where he starts being distant and quiet. when he force a smile whenever you come and talk to him, when he always looked so drained.

why didn't you notice? why didn't you pressed more so he'd open up? why weren't you good enough?

those thoughts keep haunting you everyday since the news that geto suguru had murdered his entire family and other non-sorcerer was presented to you.

they must be joking, they must have the wrong geto suguru. because the geto suguru you know will never do that kind of thing, your geto suguru will never do it.

from that moment on, you felt like all the colours in your life was drained.

everything is only black and white, everything hurts.

suguru's absence really made a huge impact on your life and everyone keeps on telling you to move on, forget about him and continued living your life.

but how could you?

geto suguru was the first person that taught you what love is, geto suguru was the only person you love, the only one you're accustomed to love,

geto suguru was your everything, and you were his everything too, or so you thought.

a/n : i may make another part but idk, also as always reblogs and likes are very much appreciated!

[toasttt11]

ethereal

February 20, 2022

It was supposed to be the happiest day for her, she just won gold at the olympics again, breaking history and accomplishments dreams she never thought were possible to accomplish. It was supposed to be a day she was going to celebrate all night but instead it was a day that she knew was coming.

Fredrick and Vera were two peas in pod since the moment they met, the two connecting in a way that was just ethereal.

They quickly become one of the best pairs in history. Most days were spent together training, laughing, smiling, spinning around the ice together.

They grew up together as their friendship grew with them. Fredrick and Vera had a beautiful connection anyone could see it by the way Fredrick treated Vera with love and affection, the way he always was softly touching her, always gently picking her off the podium, Fredrick never once dropping her ever, The wha Vera would light up around him, the way she always relaxed fully again him, how Vera talked about him whenever someone asked about.

Fredrick and Vera just had a connection that was priceless and special and it slowly turned into something more even. In January of 2020 they admitted what they felt for each other and it just grew from their, it was so natural and passionate between the two anyone would think they would be together forever.

Except they weren’t.

Vera never knew when it changed but it did. One day, slowly but surely the sweet boy who use to bring her flowers and make her laugh turned into someone she couldn’t ever recognize a flash of. The boy she fell in love with was gone.

Vera noticed the way he slowly moved into the guest room and on the road suddenly ever room had two bed. The once loving and affectionate touches became nonexistent, the only time she felt his touch was when they were on the ice. And the once sweet comments and lovingly words she received turned into cold condescending words or pure ice cold silence and ignoring anything they came out of her mouth.

Vera noticed it at the end of the summer of 2021 they had been together for a year and half and everything was great until it wasn’t anymore.

Eventually the more she was treated this way she noticed she was falling out of love with him, and at the end of the day she could handle losing his love and losing being in love with him but she missed her best friend.

Vera planned to split up their partnership after the Olympics were over because she was done trying fighting to save something that he doesn’t even want to save.

She knew she made the right decision when they went to sign their contract for the next year of being pairs when she read the requirements. He wanted her to pay for everything. Everything for skating or to do with skating was to be payed by her. The money they receive from winning would not be spilt but would go all to him and Fredrick had the finally say on everything.

Vera slowly looked up from the contract looking right into Fredricks eyes as she picked the contract up ripping it down the middle, “No.”

“What why not?” Fredrick angrily snapped, the lawyer looked between his two clients nervously, having seen the requirements but was told by Fredrick they both wanted them.

“No i won’t sign this. I won’t sign another contract to continue being your pair.” Vera slowly stood up still maintaining eye contact, “You forgot something Fredrick, i never needed you. But you have always needed me.” Vera turned around walking towards the door, hiding the heartbreak from showing on her face.

“You’ll regret this.” Fredrick yelled towards her back slamming his hands on the table. Not ever been known to control his temper.

Vera held the door knob in her hands before turning around, “No i wont.” She turned around ready to leave before she turned her head once more to see the fumes coming from Fredrick, “Oh and if you couldn’t tell, we’re over.” Vera shut the door behind her walking out the hotel confrence room heading straight to the elevator, she clicked her phone on calling to have her plane ready in a hour to go back to California.

Vera walked down the hall to her hotel quickly opening the door slamming it behind her, sliding down against the door hitting the floor burying her face into her hands.

Apollo and Aries jumped off the bed where they were sleeping and ran right to their mother, Aries nudged his nose into her hands and Apollo leaned his body on Vera’s side.

“Thank you my loves.” Vera whispered to her two babies cuddling with them needing the comfort more than ever. She took a few minutes to just hold her dogs before she gently let go of them getting up and starting to pack up their stuff, she packed all of her stuff back into her large suitcase and all of her dogs stuff into their suitcase she clicked on the leashes for her dogs before exiting the hotel room with the two suitcase, her backpack on her back, her purse on her shoulder and both of her dogs on the leashes.

Vera walked out of the hotel into the car that was waiting for her, thanking the driver who took took her bags before hopping into the back with her two dogs.

The drive was quick to the the airport and she quickly climbed up the steps into her plane, nodding at her employees before heading to her bedroom she has in the back of the plane she closed the door and un clicked Apollo and Aries leashes and sat on the bed pulling her knee to her chest resting her forehead on her knees feeling both of her boys sit on either side of her. Aries layed his head on her arm looking at his mom with sad eyes giving her a small whine, Apollo leaned his whole body weight into Vera’s and licking his mom’s arms.

Vera remembered meeting Frederick when they were young, only just kids and when they went onto the ice together for the first time they just clicked and they knew they had to be partners, their connection was so natural and so easy for them. It was a connection many other skater’s envied wanting to be that connected to their partner.

Vera and Fredrick had met Alexandra who quickly became their other best friend, the three quickly became a trio. Becoming each other’s safe space, where they didn’t feel as the whole world was watching. Alexandra and Vera becoming platonic soulmates the two pushing each other to only become better on the ice. Alexandra and Fredrick finding a sibling in each other and having a very teasing relationship.

Traveling the world and spending most your time on the ice you tend to grow close with the people you skate with and Alexandra and Vera don’t know what was wrong with Fredrick but Alexandra slowly stopped respecting her once best friend that was a big brother to her when she saw how he was treating her best friend.

Alexandra could see how hard Vera just wanted their best friend back and she only hoped that Vera will get her happy ending one day.

Vera woke up hours later running a hand through her hair seemingly to fall asleep with her dogs cuddled with her and checked the time realizing the flight was over half way done and decided it was time to get away from California and fast and she knew exactly where she wanted to go.

New Jersey.

New Jersey a place she’s always loved staying in and the biggest factor as it has one of her most favorite people in the world living their her big brother Nico, and the Devils who have all become like family to her and one of her closet friends Jack.

She pulled up the apartment complex she knew Nico and Jack lived and quickly found an apartment that would be perfect for her and her dogs and quickly applied for the apartment and was surprised when her request was immediately approved and the contracts quickly emailed over for her to sign and put into the money and she would already have the apartment. Vera quickly finished everything letting out a small smile seeing how quickly everything fell into place.

She pulled out the book she was currently reading to past by the rest of the time and before she knew the plane was landing and she was waking up her dogs putting their leashes back on and grabbing her backpack and purse.

She walked down the stairs to the plane heading into the car that was waiting for her and got into the car, the drive to her house was quick and she quickly thanked the driver before unclipping the leashes of the dogs and walking into her house in California, one of her more favorite places and had made some of her closest friends here and the first place she bought a place not rented.

She breathed out a sigh of being home and for once she thanked Fredrick for having moved out a while ago so she didn’t have to worry about him coming over to get anything that is his.

She took out her phone as she walked up her stairs towards her room and texted her group chat with Trevor and Jamie telling them she is home and she knows they don’t have a game today or tomorrow before throwing her phone on her bed and heading into her bathroom and taking a long shower.

Vera walked out of the bathroom with her hair freshly washed and brushed before grabbing a pair of grey sweatpants and a purple loose long sleeve, she slipped on a pair of fluffy socks and walked down stairs and across the long hall to the living room and throwing the throw blanket across her lap as Aries and Apollo layed on both sides of her.

Vera heard the door open and knew exactly who it was especially when her dogs tails started excitedly wagging.

“Honey we’re home!” Trevor’s voice echoed through out the house.

“In here babes!” Vera called back not getting up.

Trevor and Jamie walking into the living room making Aries and Apollo jump up and run over to the two. Trevor set down the bag he brought and kneeled down petting them like crazy as Jamie softly petted the top of both their heads before looking at one of his best friends nothing the dimmed look in her eyes that has been more common recently and the way her lips were naturally more downturned.

Trevor bounced up from the dogs jumping onto Vera, “Congratulations VeeVee!” Trevor hugged his best friend tightly.

Vera tried not to think of everything that happened but she couldn’t help and starting sniffing in the hug from the comfort from her best friend, she burrowed her her head into her chest feeling the tears running down her face and her shoulder began to shake.

Jamie and Trevor looked at each other with concern, Trevor hugged her tightly as Jamie sat on the other side of them brushing a soft hand through her wet hair.

The two let Vera cry all her tears out onto Trevor’s hoodie before she slowly calmed down.

Vera lifted her head looking between her two best friends, Trevor wiped off her tears as Jamie looked her in concern, “What happened Vee?”

“He wanted to sign a contract to continue our pair and it was fucked, he wanted me to pay for everything including all of his expenses, all the earnings were to go to him and he had final say in everything, so i ripped up the contract and broke up with him.” Vera fiddled with Jamie’s hands as she told them what went down a day ago.

Trevor clenched his jaw hearing about Fredrick, Trevor having known Vera before she dated Fredrick and with Vera living mostly in California he was one of the few who truly saw how much their relationship got extremely toxic and how much Vera has been heartbroken over the last year.

Jamie frowned looking at one of his best friends, “Is that why you came home early?” He knew she was supposed to be there a few more days celebrating her gold medals.

“I had to leave.” Vera mumbled resting her head on Jamie’s shoulder while Trevor laided on top of her.

“Well i for one am glad you broke up with that asshole!” Trevor grinned looking at Vera making her let out a soft laugh.

“Of course you are ZeeZee.” Vera fondly smiled knowing how much Trevor hated seeing her in that relationship getting hurt.

“How are you feeling.” Jamie looked towards her in concern.

Vera took a deep breath, “Honestly kinda free, obviously it still hurts to think about losing him as my best friend but i’m relieved to have finally cut that part of me.” Vera for the last year as she noticed Fredrick slowly changing she had hoped everything would get fixed and she could have her best friend back but she knew she really needed to end things with him.

“Good.” Jamie kissed the top of her head.

“I got an apartment in New Jersey.” Vera blurted out into the comfortable silence.

Trevor’s head popped up from where he was laying on Vera, “What! Why?”

“I thought maybe a fresh city to live in could do some good, besides my new location will be opening there soon and Nico apartment complex had an open space and Jack will be there too.” Vera explained her thoughts to the boys.

“I think it will be good for you.” Jamie reassured her thinking a new city could be good for her.

“As long as you don’t forget about us!” Trevor pouted, “And we have a lot of games in New York and New Jersey so we will be able to see you a lot.”

“And i’m keeping my house here in California and i still have to come out here a lot anyways so it won’t be that bad.” Vera reassured the pouting Trevor.

“Alright but as long as i’m still you favorite hockey player best friend, Jack cannot past me.” Trevor looked at Vera extremely seriously making Vera and Jamie throw their heads back laughing at their silly best friend.

[merrygoesaround]

THE POPPY WAR AS TAYLOR SWIFT LYRICS

rin-nezha: “cause i loved you, i swear i loved you. till my dying day. i didn’t have it in myself to go with grace, and you’re the hero flying around saving face. and if im dead to you why are you at the wake? cursing my name, wishing i stayed.” “and you can aim for my heart go for blood, but you would still miss me in your bones.” “YOU HAD TO KILL ME BUT IT KILLED YOU JUST THE SAME.”

my tears ricochet

rin-nezha: “i vowed not to fight anymore, if we survived the great war.” “it turned into something bigger. somewhere in the haze, got a sense i’ve been betrayed.”

the great war

rin-kitay: “if im on fire, you’ll be made of ashes too.”

my tears ricochet

rin-kitay(sinegard days): “but i can see us lost in the memory, august slipped away into a moment of time. cause it was never mine.” “back when i was living for the hope of it all, for the hopeee of it all.”

august

rin-kitay(sinegard days): “and i know it’s long gone and there was nothing else i could do.” “cause there we are again in the middle of the night. we’re dancing round’ the kitchen in the refrigerator lights. down the stairs, i was there. i remember it all too well.”

all too well

rin-venka: “cause all of my enemies started out friends. help me hold onto you.”

the archer

venka: “and they tell you that you’re lucky but you’re so confused, cause you don’t feel pretty. you just feel used.”

the lucky one

venka: “they told me all of my cages were mental, so i got wasted like all my potential. and my words shoot to kill when im mad. i have a lot of regrets about that.”

this is me trying

rin-jiang: “don’t call me kid, don’t call me baby. look at this idiotic fool that you made me. you’ve taught me a secret language i can’t speak with anyone else.”

illicit affairs

rin: “time wont fly it’s like im paralyzed by it. i’d like to be my old self again but im still trying to find it.”

all too well

rin: “please, i’ve been on my knees, change the prophecy.”

the prophecy

rin: “whose afraid of little old me? i was tame, i was gentle, til the circus life made me mean. don’t you worry folks, we took out all her teeth.”

whose afraid of little old me

altan: “you wouldn’t last an hour in the asylum where they raised me.”

whose afraid of little old me

rin-kesegi: “and though i can’t recall your face, i’ve still got love for you.”

seven

rin-altan: “and isn’t it just so pretty to think, all along there was some invisible string… tying you to me.”

invisible string

rin,kitay,nezha-the trifecta: “i think i’ve seen this film before, and i didn’t like the ending.”

exile

[alectoperdita]

Who's ready for a random and silly short featuring hacker!Seto, hitter!Jou, and that "Girl Dinner" Monster sticker design that gave me a uniquely bad case of brain rot today?

Taking a moment to explore the group dynamic a bit, so no smut this time. Just Seto and Jou being cute? And also Seto's made a friend???

Read on AO3

---

Everyone was getting awfully chummy.

Don't get him wrong, Jounouchi thought it was a rather good thing. Nothing worse than a group of criminals who couldn't even pretend to play nice with each other. He learned that from experience.

The transition happened as abruptly as everything else with their motley crew. One day they were each squared away in their individual offices, and the next they were gathered in the conference room shooting the breeze.

Or maybe, upon reflection, it wasn't so sudden.

The conference room was furnished like the real deal: plush chairs, multiple 4K screens, and a killer sound system for their teleconferencing needs. The only official meetings they had were briefings before their next job.

But the second most common use?

When Yuugi and him cracked open a few beers, kicked back, and watched the game projected across a grid of six-by-four monitors. As he and Seto became "close," the hacker drifted out of his office to sit with them when he wasn't actively working on anything.

It didn't take long before Bakura and Mai started watching movies together in the same way. Jounouchi frequently drifted in partway through, which often brought Seto to the table, too.

Comradery—Jounouchi hadn't realized how much he missed it until he had it again. As warped as it got at times, gokudo's brotherhood had been a significant factor of his adult life. The kinship with this group was tentative, newly forged as it was, but he was confident they abided by many of the same principles, even if they were crooked.

Gone were the days of smoke-filled mahjong parlors. Jounouchi had traded them for Bakura and Mai debating French surrealist films, a lukewarm beer in one hand as he and Yuugi shouted at someone striking out in the final inning, and Seto's hand gripping his thigh under the conference table.

(Oh, he and Seto still spent plenty of time behind closed office doors, hungry hands and mouths drawing muffled grunts of pleasure from one another.)

Interacting out in the open also revealed interesting dynamics between people. The criminal underworld was a tiny, insular one. If you lasted long enough, you eventually got to know everyone. A few of them knew each other from before teaming up in the present day, such as him and Mai. Yuugi and Bakura shared a History that was palpable. While Jounouchi didn't know the details, he wasn't blind to their "will they, won't they" energy.

(And he did his best not to think about what the others thought about him and Seto. Seto hadn't outwardly adjusted his attitude because he'd stood too close to Jounouchi from the very beginning. But sometimes, he caught a Look from Mai or Yuugi when he let Seto do as his wont.)

But the most baffling pair was Mai and Seto.

At first, Seto was no more cold toward her than he was to everyone else. But he became progressively more standoffish over the course of the first few jobs. Jounouchi had wondered if it was because she was the lone woman on the team. He soon discarded the theory for one where Seto took offense to her profession, which was even more silly given they were all very much criminals.

Then something shifted, he didn't know what, but the two settled into a more neutral relationship. Or more accurately, Seto appeared to be warming up to her.

(Jounouchi asked Mai once. She studied his face for a second before laughing, giving him the "you're cute when you're dumb" pat on the cheek she used to do when they were both younger, and walking away without another word. He thought it best to drop the matter afterward.)

But Jounouchi wouldn't classify them as fast friends.

"Everyone knows what they're doing?"

Yuugi's question jolted Jounouchi from his reflection. He nodded along with the various "yes" coming from around the conference table. One by one, the members rose from their seats, ready to tackle their next job. Jounouchi hung back because he wanted to ask Seto if there was extra equipment to be loaded.

Mai also stayed to speak to the hacker.

"I almost forgot. I saw these and thought of you," she said, blase. She fished something thin, paper-thick, out of her purse and slid it across the conference table to Seto.

Jounouchi leaned over to catch a glimpse around Seto's laptop. They were cut-outs of hand-drawn art depicting he was intimately familiar with: Seto's favored energy drink. Each can was rendered in its trademark black with an electric green M. The only oddity was, instead of the brand name, "Girl Dinner" was rendered in the same jagged font.

Seto glanced down at them and pulled them close. "I love it," he deadpanned.

"Anything for you, bestie," replied Mai in the same tone before she sauntered away.

Okay, that had to be a joke because she proudly proclaimed money and diamonds as her best friends.

Seto gathered the gift(?) and his laptop before making his exit. Baffled, Jounouchi remained rooted to his spot. No, now wasn't the time to question his teammates' sanity. He had to get the van out of the garage for the job.

***

After parking the van in a lot across the street from the cafe, he joined Seto in the back. Yuugi and Bakura were already in the cafe, waiting for their mark. They'd distract him while Mai did "intelligence gathering" at his home several blocks away.

Which left him and Seto as backup and surveillance from the van.

Jounouchi used to dislike being in the van. Nowadays, he didn't mind it as much. The interior was a bit stuffy, but Seto did what he could to make it comfy for himself. There was a desk in the back to hold Seto's computer and any other equipment they needed. Jounouchi unfolded a stool and settled next to the hacker, who was pulling up the CCTV cameras from inside the cafe and apartment building on the dual monitors. His laptop sat on the left side of the table, right in Jounouchi's direct line of view.

He noticed a new sticker among the collage blanketing the device's lid. Nestled between a clown and "Bad Dragon" sticker, in a tall, thin space seemingly tailor-made for it, was the black can labeled "Girl Dinner."

Air hissed as Seto grabbed an energy drink from the minifridge and cracked it open in comedic timing Jounouchi never guessed he had.

Seto's poor eating habits were hard to miss, so it was possible Mai took notice. Was that what "girl dinner" referenced? Seto's appetite resembling that of a bird or a runway model? He was rail thin enough to pull it off.

More questions plagued him, though. Had he not been sarcastic when he told Mai he "loved it?" Did he earnestly enjoy the present? Was it a barb from Mai and he called her bluff by accepting it?

Or even more unthinkable, was this an in-joke between them??? When did they have time to develop one of those?

"What?" Seto sighed, sounding exasperated.

"Huh?"

"You have that 'I'm about to BSOD thinking about this' look."

"Hey!"

Seto punched several keys. On the window showing their commlinks, his and Seto's lines were muted. They weren't deafened, though. Yuugi and Bakura's quiet chatter droned on in their ears. Next, Mai reported she was in place near the mark's home.

Jounouchi tapped a knuckle against the newest sticker. "It's nice to see you and Mai getting along."

"Of course, we do. Why wouldn't we?" Seto remarked dryly.

Jounouchi recalled the "back off" glares Seto cast at Mai months ago. Brat thought he was subtle, but he really wasn't.

Now that Jounouchi thought about it, Seto stopped around when they started fucking...

A wandering hand crept up the length of Jounouchi's thigh. He considered batting it away, but Seto would merely become more insistent. Plus, it was nice to have a pretty young thing like Seto all over him.

"You mind explaining one thing to me, though? Why 'girl dinner'?"

Seto's hand stopped in its tracks. They gazed into each other's eyes for several long beats. Jounouchi resisted the urge to bounce the leg upon which Seto's palm laid. Seto broke first, shifting from his seat to Jounouchi's lap in one graceful motion. He brought his hands up to cup Jounouchi's cheeks, one in each palm, and lifted his chin to lock eyes once more.

"You're not on social media, are you?" he asked, studying him.

Jounouchi shook his head.

Pause.

"You are adorably offline," Seto declared.

"Uh, thanks?"

"I could explain it," drawled Seto, squirming before settling more firmly atop him. "Or we can use the fifteen minutes before the mark shows up to not talk."

Without thinking, Jounouchi gripped Seto's slim hips to steady him. He really should put up more of a fight. Giving into Seto spoiled the brat. The best he could do was not let him have the last word.

He poked the side of Seto's belly. He may be belaboring the point, but he had to press every advantage he could. "Fine, but you have to promise to eat solid food for dinner tonight. Not more 'girl dinner.'"

Seto laughed and wiggled closer. "I want katsu curry, and I want you to make it."

Again, he should resist spoiling Seto. Yet he muttered "whatever you want" before sealing their lips together.

[20001541]

so about chapter 423 and how it stands as a conclusion to the ofa and afo plotline....

overall I think it's a fitting end for afo. I know what I've said before with not wanting a repeat of 410, and while this is similar in some ways it's still different enough to not bother me as we see the true afo instead of the afo clouded by hate.

while we got the "yoichi without you it's all for naught" in 410, afo at that time had his mind clouded by hatred and is mainly concerned with getting to tomura and izuku. there's no true confession of the extent of his feelings nor is there any conclusion with yoichi, besides he didn't even speak out loud then. he couldn't he was a baby, what we saw were only his thoughts. what bakugo really heard was just wah and you can see that if you go back to the chapter. that's why I wasn't satisfied with 410 as a conclusion to his character. I think 423 does a good job of this instead.

now getting into the details of 423, I'm glad we finally got to see him and yoichi have one final conversation with each other. it's what I've been wanting for the past hundred chapters and man did it hurt to read. he spent the whole story acting composed and as if everything will always go his way, but here we see him for who he truly is: just a man who is desperate to be with his brother again.

when he thought yoichi fully shattered immediately all his arrogant boasting and smiles were gone. he could no longer hide behind the persona of the demon king, yoichi's supposed shattering was too much for him. he didn't care about looking tough in front of his enemies, he made it clear that without yoichi there's no point to anything he does. this last conversation they have together really highlights just how much he is emotionally dependent on his brother.

and while the only reaction we saw from afo witnessing yoichi die in front of him was a blank stare, I feel like this chapter shows just how devastated he was to lose him. he's screaming at him to show him his face and he's trying to hold onto him as long as possible because he's scared of him disappearing again. without yoichi his life is completely meaningless and he doesn't care what happens as long as yoichi stays by his side. I think it's fitting that his last moments are spent with him begging for yoichi to show him his face and not being allowed to see it in return. yoichi didn't owe him anything after the hell he put him and many others through. all yoichi wanted was to put the fighting to an end after a whole century so he allowed the others to kill afo that way he wont ever hurt anyone again. kind of poetic to see all of the people afo victimized come together to end him as afo holds what's left of yoichi.

I still wish this confrontation was longer, the brothers should've been allowed to have their own chapter. I know some argue that yoichi wouldn't have had much to say to afo anyways as he's made his peace of what was about to happen, but maybe we could've gotten some flashbacks to their past where we see yoichi keeps trying to put afo on the right path and afo just doesn't care to hear it. I know there's two instances where we see yoichi trying to tell afo to stop what he's doing, but I would've liked to see some more of that. that's one gripe I have is that we didn't get to see enough of yoichi's perspective concerning their past. we saw some in 193, but I feel like it would've been a lot better if more was shown from his viewpoint as it would've fleshed him and their relationship out more. for now all we can hope is that we get some extra content about them in the future.

as it stands this was a good way to end their plot line. I've been worried that their conclusion wouldn't be that great, but I'm happy with what we got. I'll miss both of them dearly.

[chiiyuuvv]

heyy can I request xikers reaction to you being insecure about something in yourself(anything, u name it) thank youu and I love your writing 🤍✨

• PAIRING — xikers x fem!reader

• GENRE — comfort, insecurities, yeah

• WORD COUNT — 695

• AUTHOR'S NOTE — Everything that i have written has been pulled from here so if there was something i didnt name or you'd like to read more about, i highly suggest it :)

• TAGLIST — @lil-elle , @hyunukitty , @cake1box , @mars101 , @nenede , @soul-is-a-strange-kid , @the-lemon-boy , @yuniniverse , @hunchan444 , @s00buwu , @cherrycolaberry

MASTERLIST! – JOIN THE TAGLIST!

"I'm not going to get into that college"

First and foremost, minjae understands the pressure to get into a certain college in order to please your parents. But you wanna know whats more important? Why do you wanna go? Other than pleasing your parents. After a long talk and cuddle, you should come into a better sense of whether or not college is something you want to do. But either way, you should always believe in yourself! ♡

"I don't have many followers"

Junmin's going to take away your phone. Not because you did something bad, but so you can take a break. Go outside, turn on do not disturb and take a walk with your lovely boyfriend. Its a win-win for you, him, and his dogs. A win-win-win, technically ♡

"I don't have a good fashion sense"

As someone who likes to dress a certain way, sumin knows what its like, but he has a tip; dress for you. When you wear things that make you happy, you often forget about the others around you, and their opinions. It also helps you stand out from the crowd. Wear what you like ♡

"I cant do any better"

Grabbing both of your hands, jinsik will give them a tight squeeze in front of the mirror, making you repeat the same mantras every morning. They may feel silly at first, but over time they help you convince yourself that you are worthy of whatever you desire ♡

"I dont have many friends"

First, hyunwoo will talk about the importance of friends. Friends that help you grow to become the better you and give you a good laugh. Friends that would never judge you for their own benefit. That being said, you need to eliminate the ones that dont actually care for you. Worry less about the quantity, and more about the quality. Who cares if you only have 3 friends? As long as youre happy and growing, thats all that matters ♡

"I'm not pretty enough"

Beauty is subjective. You may be insecure about one thing, but junghoon, 9 times out of 10, finds it really stinking cute. But what he feels doesnt matter, what others think doesnt matter. How you think matters!! So stop worrying about other peoples eyes and work on your inner self. If youre happy.. youre at peace, and if youre at peace, you start to smile. And thats very attractive ♡

"I'm not that smart"

"Why dont you think youre smart?" Seeun would ask, his chin resting against his hand. "Why do you want to be smart?" These questions may be dumb but they have meaning. We all have the ability to learn something. After all, life is about experiencing things and growing from it. It all just takes time, so dont stop believing in yourself, 'kay? ♡

"No one will miss me when im gone"

Although you may feel alone and think no one would care, yujun would care. Yujun would always care. But, stop worrying about the future, you know? Live your life in the present with no regrets. Every moment spent worrying is a moment spent not really living. When you obsess over that type of stuff, you are missing out on whats in front of you. And when you miss that, you wont realize the people who love and support you ♡

"I feel overweight"

Hunter will take you to the gym, but not just so you become 'thin' and everyone will accept you, to focus on being healthy, mentally healthy too. Focus on getting in shape with a well balanced diet and exercise program. Hunter will help! ♡

"People talk behind my back"

"Do you know that for sure??" Yechan would ask, poking his fork in his salad. "Because most of the time, its just an imaginary conversation you have in your head. Stop worrying what other people think and focus on your well being. But what you said is true, expect to see me at your school." He finishes, shooting you an innocent smile ♡

[darealstethan]

BENNY WEEK DAY 4 : CHEERLEADER + FOOTBALL MENTION!

L word

Rory and Betty have been dating for while, but haven’t said the L word!

Rating : T | Betty and Rory | Words : 387

Read on ao3, or below cut!

“BE AGRESSIVE BE-BE AGGRESSIVE!”

pompoms in the air, crowd cheering, and the best football player ever! Rory joined the football time not too long ago, probably because of how fun it is for him to chase a ball and tackle people. I’ve been… cheering on the side, as in, im a cheerleader!

After pretending to be one of the girls with Ethan, I finally realized who I truly am. Rory has been so supportive and in return he exchanged the mascot with shoulder pads. Being his cheerleader is the greatest thing ever!!

“BETTS” Rory throws me into a hug, “I missed you! Im glad to have you as my hot babe”

He kisses me quickly, and my cheeks light up pink. We share a stare that makes standing in the cold night worth it! My heart is beating out my chest and it feels like the world has stopped.

“Rory I-“ My soon to be confession is cut short when the rest of the team quickly rushes Rory off. The light that once was in my eyes are definitely gone now.

When me and Rory started dating it felt unreal, but I want to take things slow. It’s only been a couple months and I think I’m ready to say the “L” word. Every moment I think I’m closer SOMETHING pulls us away. We packed our pompoms away and got ready for the after party.

I slipped into a wine red dress, I’m sure to get Rory’s attention with this. I walked into the dimly lit dinning hall, Rory’s eyes traced me, leaving a wanting face. I placed my hand bag on the table and took a seat across from Rory. I watched as he mouthed, “You look drop dead gorgeous darling.” Making pink spread on my face. Dinner went amazing, celebrating the work from both the players and cheerleaders. It was the final moments before everyone goes home. I step outside, the night is beautiful and brisk. This is the perfect night to-

“Betty” Rory speaks breathlessly, “You look… amazing” He wraps his hands around my waist, pulling me into a kiss. His hand finding a way up to my head, working its way to my hair. If I don’t break away now, we wont ever stop.

“Rory I-“

I’m interrupted by Rory, “I love you”

[gothic-thoughts]

Eres Mia

Miguel O'Hara x Black Fem Reader Angst

YandereAU, ExesAU

CW: stalking, breaking in, non spider-person reader, she/her pronouns, afab parts mentioned

TW: poorly proofread

Word Count: 1611 (give or take)

A/n: any Spanish is used/confirmed by DeepL translator so it wont be as trash as google, but still lmk

He wishes he could've just stopped loving her. Miguel wishes he could've forgotten about her and gone back to work but her lack of presence was ruining him. Despite her not being a spider person, she was in his office so often that not hearing her humming to herself was driving him to madness. Either that or the lack of any breaks in general.

It had been a month since she left him alone again and Miguel had yet to leave his desk, waiting for her voice to pull him away. But it doesn't, leaving Lyla to do it herself by turning off the monitors causing him to growl in the dark. slams both his fists on the desktop with a loud groan.

"Always something. What now?" He calls exasperated, "Lyla, what happened?"

"I helped." The AI woman appeared next to his right fist with her arms crossed, "You're welcome~"

"Woah-woah," He stands up at crosses his arms, "What did you do?"

"You need to go talk to her."

"I'm not in the mood."

"You're a mess and you know it."

"I'm not, I'm busy. Busy, you know, monitoring the multiverse."

"We both know you're just looking at her selfies and--"

"Drop it." He snaps before sighing, "She's in the past."

"She doesn't have to be. Face it, you miss her and there's nothing you can do but talk to her."

"Turn the power back on."

"Stays off until you get back~"

She disappears with a shrug before he can say anything making him growl loudly and toss his chair across the room. He punches his desk again, sighing shakily as he realizes she was right. As the fiery colors of the portal lit up his desk and back, he reluctantly activated his mask and only took a deep breath when it covered his face completely. He faces the portal and adjusts the settings on his watch.

"She better be alone." He whispers, “I don't know who I'll be if she’s not.”

“Wasn’t she alone last you were spying on her?”

“I wasn’t spying and no; no she wasn’t.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Miguel stepped out of the portal and onto a roof, now in his ex's version of Earth. He stood on the roof right across the street from her apartment complex, wondering how to even begin speaking to her after so long. He jumped off and pulled himself to the fire escape with bright orange webs before quietly scaling her building. He made sure to be slow, giving himself more time to clear his head and think of what to say. 

Once he reached her bedroom, he took one last deep breath before opening the unlocked window and squeezing his muscly body through. He stood up as straight as he could, keeping his head hung forward because of her ceiling. He turns to her bed and locks eyes with his ex sitting on the bed with her arms crossed over her red tank top. 

"Really?"

The dark eyes that he loved so much were narrowed at him with annoyance making his mouth dry as he opened it to speak. All the words he prepared for this moment disappeared and his mind cluttered seeing her sitting up against her headboard rigidly. Her eyebrow raises while waiting for an explanation but he opts to stare at her.

"Did you really just climb through my window like we cool?"

"Not exactly discreet if I just walked up here past the doorman, is it?"

She crosses her arms, "Why come at all, Miguel?"

"I just came to talk--"

"It's been a month, and now you a fan of talking?"

"Not my fault you wouldn't answer your phone."

His mask dissipates to reveal his tired face and dark eyes, making her internally gasp. She knew he was a workaholic and had so much to do that he'd sleep very little, but he looked like he hadn't slept in months– and they had only broken up 3 weeks ago. Remembering that it was his actions that brought them to this point, she conceals her concern with an eye roll. She pulls her legs into her chest and leans against the headboard, letting him sit on the edge of her bed with a reasonable distance between them.

"What do you want, savior of the multiverse?"

He winces at her words, "Look, like I said I just want to talk."

"Clearly. Although, inconvenient cuz I don't."

"Don't talk, that's fine; you don't have to, solo escucha. You're not...you’re not seeing anyone else yet, right?”

"Are you being serious right now?!" She snapped, jumping off the bed, "Get the hell out of my room and go back to that job you love so fuckin' much." He stood from bed abruptly, palming the ceiling to keep from hitting his head as he followed her to the door. 

"What did I do?!” 

She rolls her eyes, and spins on her heel, “That how you start apologies in the future?!”

"I'm sorry if I can't help but get angry at the thought of you with someone else!"

"So why not just get your jealousy out of the way at the start of the apology, right?"

“Oh, well I’m sorry for making sure I still have time to make things right with you! I was just making sure that guy you were with wasn’t...”

He trails off, jaw clenching. She looked up with wide eyes and raised eyebrows with a fury that made the 6’9” man swallow thickly in realization. She slaps him. He sighs deeply feeling the intense pressure of her eyes on him, his heart breaking knowing that he deserved it. “You stalking me now?” She crosses her arms, “That's what we doing?”

"It’s not like that, I’m just used to hearing from you every day," He murmured, “You know my job can be dangerous; I was just checking up on you.”

"My nigga, if I’m not aware of it, then it’s stalking."

"Like you would’ve let me willingly! If I seem like a stalker now and then to make sure you’re safe then whatever. I just happened to see you with someone else when I did."

She remains silent, thinking of something to say knowing she couldn't deny the fact she felt the same. Just knowing he was head of a society full of people who were a lot more interesting and strong than she was. It just made her feel inferior as a partner but she bypassed it because he convinced her it didn’t matter to him. She snapped out of her thoughts in time to watch him stalk closer, causing her to back away with her hand extended back to find the doorknob. Expecting to see malice in his eyes, she looked into them to see how soft his gaze was in contrast to their color and his movements. 

They looked desperate as if he was about to cry so she dropped her resolve and allowed him to get close enough to press against her, pinning her against the door with a large hand on her hip. Miguel shivered when touching her, a sign he needed to keep himself from falling apart. Missing his touch, she made no move to push him away, instead watching him lean in to kiss her but his other hand pressed against the door to stop himself from crossing any boundaries.

“I can’t let you go; I’m sorry I can’t. You mean the world to me; the world and so much more." His grip tightened as if she’d disappear from his life again, "Quiero empezar de nuevo, mi amor (I want to start over, my love). Just tell me you're not with that man."

"And if I was?"

Miguel's fingers twitch at the thought, allowing his shorter counterpart to hear his claws scratch near her ear. With the way he slipped in and out of his native tongue mixed with his desperateness lit a different kind of fire in her stomach. He shakes his head realizing how fast they went from their argument to needing each other but when her hands glide up his broad chest to hold his shoulders, he hugs her closer and leans down to her ear, plump lips brushing her earlobe.

"Lo mataría." He breathed, "Lo mataría a sangre fría."

She stammers, "...what?"

"I'd kill him in cold blood."

Before she could fully process his threat, she was back on her bed with Miguel standing at the edge, pinning her to the mattress. He tugged her pants off while leaving kiss after kiss along her neck, fangs grazing her. Her light gasps and moans fill the room as he rambles praises and apologies in Spanish before shutting down his suit. Her body was already ablaze from watching his lips and hands roam her body so when he kneeled on the floor to get at her thighs, she grabbed his face and guided him back up.

She shakes her head slowly, eyeing his lips with dilated pupils before sliding her hand into his hair and closing the space between them. The kiss was sloppy, complete with panting and moaning that filled the bedroom which made Miguel’s claws sink into the mattress. He groans with her, waiting for her to let him have her again while his hard-on twitches against her thighs. Little did he know that her insides clenched around nothing expecting him to take charge like he usually did but seeing he wasn’t going to move, she stopped.

"You're panting like a dog, but haven't made a move yet? That's unlike you."

“Déjame entrar, mi amor(let me in, my love).” He whispers, desperately, “Please let me; fuck, please let me.”

[gayregina]

The case of two lovesick fools!Dead boy detectives fanfic by gayregina

When the agency decides to take up on a mysterious case, the boys find themselves in an unfavorable situation and are forced to face the challenges of a very persistent ghost, at the cost of their own feelings.

Enjoy ;)

The case of two lovesick fools

“Please, miss Whistledown describe to us what the evil entity you claim to have take over your home is like.” Charles asked the client seated in front of him while hanging from his usual spot on the desk. He found himself so often perched up on the wooden vintage piece but for the first time he realized the numerous instances in which he had found the space to be perfectly empty, as if it’s waiting for him, in total contrast with the rest of the surface which was stuffed with all kinds of paperwork and books that solely belonged to Edwin. He wondered if his best friend was doing it deliberately, perhaps a sign that Charles would always have a place next to him. Before he could think of an answer, the woman’s voice brought him out of his busy mind.

“I don’t know the exact nature of this creature but I know for sure it is a vicious beast that roams my house and I want it gone as quickly as possible.” Her tone was extremely loud, perhaps in a desperate attempt to cover up her fear but her body gave her away as it trembled and breathed frantically. The poor woman looked like a wounded animal ready to strike and she could very much be. What she certainly was, however, is very much alive and she struck so different in the quiet of their office. Not even Crystal had made such an impact when she had first arrived.

“I will need you to calm yourself madam and then explain to us in detail what supernatural activity you have experienced so we may decide if we will work on your case.” Edwin said facing directly at the client, in a collective and cool tone as he always seem to do.

“Well, it started as a mere problem that all old houses seem to have in common; some creaking and pounding on the floors but never something so crude to draw my attention. Then, the whispers started and the laughter echoing from the walls. I tried to brush it off and started bringing over friends to the house so i wont be alone. But that was when the madness began." The lady took a deep breath and paused for what felt like a century. In the meantime, worried looks were exchanged between the boys and Crystal who stood on the other end of the desk.

“In the middle of a conversation between myself and my two friends, when I dared to turn my gaze away from them, I looked back after a moment of unresponsive silence to find them nowhere in sight. I searched the whole house and there was no sign of them. They didn’t respond when I called their names and their phones were still on the table next to their unfinished cups of tea. Needless to say I was already freaking out when I heard the haunting laughter coming from the attic.” Edwin had sat up fully now, almost hanging from the edge of his chair, the familiar look of intrigue in his eyes and Charles could almost see the wheels turning in his head. The plan was already set in motion and there was no version of him that would deny the adrenaline of a good mystery. Charles’s lips curled up at the sight.

“I checked the attic as well but no one was there either.” She went on. “I was thinking about enrolling myself in a psychiatric institution when suddenly my friends appeared out of thin air on the exact same spot I last saw them, looking exactly the same on the outside but all-together changed on the inside.”

“How do you mean?” Edwin asked in professional curiosity.

“They were acting awkwardly and couldn’t bring themselves to look me-or each other for that matter-in the eye. They both grabbed their belongings and stormed out of the house almost immediately, refusing to answer any of my questions. I haven’t heard a word from them since.” She sank down in the chair, seemingly defeated and temporarily run out of words, and the agency shared a knowing look. They squeezed together in the corner of the room, heads bumping into each other.

“Now this is an odd circumstance.” Charles proclaimed with an unimpressed expression on his face.

“Not gonna lie, at first I thought she was bullshiting like crazy too but I haven’t seen anyone so upset in my life. Maybe she almost scared herself to death or something and that’s why she’s able to see you, guys.” Crystal added in a hashed tone.

“Judging from the fact that she went all the way to search for us alone, makes me think she is being truthful.” Edwin answered and took an unsure pause. Charles watched the boy as he lowered his gaze and his demeanour shifted. “We haven’t taken up on a case for an alive person since-“ He stopped but the devastating scream of the name was ringing still in Charles’s head, the same way he knew it did for Edwin. Niko. He squeezed the other boy’s shoulder sympathetically. “But from the sights of it, the case is a proper supernatural mystery.” he continued, putting on a happy facade.

“Can’t argue with that.” Charles went along with it and at the same time all three looked at each other and nodded. They twirled around and left a breeze in their wake. Or at least, Crystal did.

“We will help you.” Crystal told the woman in distress and she, in return, jumped up due to her excitement.

“Ah yes, thank you so-“

“In exchange for proper payment, of course.” Edwin cut her off. “And I wouldn’t be quick to thank us, if I were you, until the case is closed.”

“Yes, of course.” she replied and offered them a smile for the first time that evening.

-

“Let’s hope you haven’t forgotten anything important this time, Charles. Although it would not pass off as a surprise, seeing the terrible state of the office which you refuse to tidy and organize as I often had shown you. The latter would prove to be, in fact, very efficient in our case but nobody seems to be listening to me these days.” Edwin complained for the second time that morning concerning the same subject. Charles didn’t think he was being fair on him. It wasn’t like he had forgotten anything vital on the last couple of cases. Only a few books Edwin wanted for some spells and one time, the key of the office had slipped from his pocket on a case and Crystal couldn’t get into their workplace for two days until he found it. But that one wasn’t his fault!

“I don’t understand why you are so fixated on cleaning up my side. It never bothered you and it had been this way since the day we moved in. Even the Night Nurse didn’t seem to mind. Don’t tell me you want personal space all of a sudden.” Charles glanced at him from the side and he looked another level of frustrated under the sunlight.

“You give me more than enough with all the time you spend away doing god knows what with Crystal.” The bitter answer caused his head to turn immediately in order to look at his best friend who was not facing him but whose unpleasantness was visible from ten miles away.

“Oi, that isn’t fair. We weren’t doing any-“

“Sorry to break off your lovely chitchatting but that’s the house.” Crystal cut them off before things could get out of hand and Charles was grateful for it. She was truly an amazing addition to the group, not only because of her psychic abilities but because her fresh energy and perspective daily reminded him and Edwin not to get lost in petty things. Their friendship was stronger thanks to her.

“Right.” Edwin cleared his throat and straightened his bow tie.

The two boys stepped through the door, momentarily forgetting that Crystal couldn’t follow them, and startled miss Whistledown who awaited at the nearby couch. She opened the door for Crystal and welcomed them in her home. She offered to show them around but the agency reassured her that they would find their way around the house.

Surely enough, there they stood in the infamous attic with a reputation for unexplainable activity. Edwin had the magnifier in his hand, inspecting the overflowing boxes, acting as if the ghost was hiding inside one of them.

“Mate, I don’t think your magnifier is very useful on this case.” Charles explained civilly, not wanting to start yet another argument.

“You’d be surprised, Charles.” He simply answered. “You never know if something important is right under your nose. Most of the times if you are not searching for it, you can’t see it.”

“I think you took this a little too literally, mate.” Charles said and Edwin sighed and lowered the magnifier from his face.

“And what would you have me do, Charles? We have been here for more than an hour, searching all over the house and there hasn’t been a single clue as to what is going on. I am starting to think this is a waste of time.” He was losing his patience but it was obvious the case wasn’t really what bothered him. Neither was the messy nature of Charles.

“Okay, I don’t know what is up with you two today but can you please shut up for a minute?I think I heard something.” Crystal interrupted them and signaled towards the corner of the room. They took a few steps forward and listened in carefully.

And soon enough, there it was. Quiet at first but stronger as time passed; humming. Not any kind of humming either but it had a rhythmical pattern to it as well.

Charles turned his head over to Edwin to check if he was hearing the same thing but the boy was already looking at him with the familiar gentle gaze that Charles could recognise anywhere. And he had recognised him, even in the depths of Hell covered as he was from head to toe with blood, terrified to the bone and running for his life. The sight of him that day had reached a part of Charles that unlocked a whole new wave of emotion and need to protect the boy who meant the most to him. That part was very present now in this very room where it had no reason to be but then again it had stayed with him ever since. Surprisingly enough though, he didn’t mind it. That was the last realisation he made before everything flashed white.

-

“Edwin?” Charles exclaimed quietly, still recovering from the temporary blindness. “Edwin!” He shouted when he didn’t hear a response and he squeezed his eyes in a desperate attempt to find him. But wherever they were, wasn’t the same place they had been seconds ago.

“I am here.” Edwin’s voice rang back and Charles let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. “Where are we?”

“I don’t know.” Charles looked around and took in the colourful environment with profound suspicion. He was pretty sure it was supposed to be a ball room but the choice of colour on the walls resembled a child’s room. There was a lot of pink everywhere. His eyes finally fell upon a throne on the other side of the room but what he found weirder than the piece and the placement itself was the person currently sitting on it. “But something tells me we’re about to find out.”

“Well, good evening boys.” Said the lady in the elegant gown and it was no surprise really when he noticed that everything she was wearing represented different shades of pink. Even the edges of her blond hair faded in hot pink! By the looks of his face, Edwin appeared to experience utter shock, perhaps living his personal nightmare and that said a lot, considering he had spent more than 70 years in Hell. Charles rushed over to the other boy, exchanging unsure glances with him the whole way. No sign of Crystal so far.

“Young love!” She sighed blissfully. “How much I adore to witness it.”

“Are you the one that has been harassing the owner of this house?” Edwin asked but the woman only swung her legs on one side of the throne while dipping her head backwards the other side dramatically.

“I am Pandora and I find harassing to be a very barbaric use of language. I was merely trying to help.” The lady pouted as if she was offended and she kicked her legs childishly under the long Victorian dress that was missing its long sleeves. And by missing, he meant ripped off completely.

“And what kind of services would those be?” Edwin went on with the interrogation, trying desperately to find out as much as he could about this unique creature. Was she a ghost? She could have been but then again what kind of ghost have powers or a special place to hide in?

“I specialise in bringing people together and watching as a fruitful relationship grows and inevitably flourishes into a successful marriage.” She smiled to herself, looking all proud, and Charles barely contained his chuckle. They were in for a treat.

“You are a matchmaker!?” The two boys said at the same time. Charles gave up and started laughing but Edwin, on the other hand, seemed repulsed at best. Charles remembered the stories his best friend had shared with him about the failed attempts of society members to find him a young lady to pursue a family with and he also remembered all too well his efforts to avoid anything relevant, as well as their disastrous results. It only caused more erupting laughter from Charles’s side.

“Well, if you must diminish my art so.” She rolled her eyes and stared daggers into Charles who then, admittedly fearful, cleared his throat and straightened his back.

“I am afraid this is a poor excuse for unfinished business and it is essential you move on to your afterlife.” Edwin demanded in a way that seemed to catch Pandora’s attention.

“You cannot force me to leave.”

“No. But if the housekeeper was to state her refusal with authority, then you would be obliged to. No spirit can stay where it’s unwanted.” The words and the seriousness of the situation looked like they finally clicked inside the woman’s brain. She let out a groan and turned her body around to face them properly this time. She rose up from her seat and slowly started to make her way towards them.

“Fine.” Edwin smiled in triumph but Charles had a feeling it wouldn’t be that easy. “But on one condition.” Charles signaled her to explain further. “You allow me one last case.” She held her head high with her hands behind her back, smiling cunningly, and Charles could swear he saw her batting her eyelashes at them.

“I suppose there is no harm in that.” Edwin answered and glanced at Charles to see if he was on board. He just shrugged his shoulders. Then Edwin turned to the woman again, simultaneously pulling out his notebook and his pen: “Alright, where can we find them?”

“Oh, that won’t be necessary.” Both of the boys frowned in return. “They are in this very room, after all.” Charles didn’t need to look at Edwin to picture his expression and he was pretty positive it mirrored his own. Pandora smiled sweetly at them and quickly snapped her fingers.

In that moment, the room seemed to come to life. The colorful walls were glistening and the dull pink ground turned into a dance floor painted like a chessboard. Charles even jumped up when he heard violins next to his ear and thought he was going crazy when he couldn’t find the source of the music. When he looked over to Edwin, the boy seemed to be identically lost and confused. So distracted they were that they hadn’t notice that the woman was no longer next to them but sitting on her throne once again. Her attire had changed as well; She was wearing a red glimmering gown and in her hands she was holding a bow. But that wasn’t the strangest part. Leaning on her throne was a case full of heart shaped arrows. Charles had to rub his eyes for the last part, just to make sure.

“Tell me this is a joke.” He whispered to Edwin but his best friend was not having it.

“What is the meaning of this? Do you wish to humiliate us?” He yelled at her and Charles was surprised at the loud display of annoyance.

“Humiliate? No, young child. Just to make you aware of what you so desperately try to deny.” Her tone was serious, perhaps for the first time, and Edwin scoffed in frustration. Charles watched as the other boy clenched his fists against one another. Uh oh. Charles stepped close and took hold of his gloved hands.

“You need to relax, mate.”

“How can I? This is insanity!”

“We’ve been through worse. I am sure we can handle this.” Charles smiled reassuringly, managing even for a split second to break Edwin’s angry facade and have him offering a smile in return.

“Now, now hush lovebirds. May the music be your anchor.” She clapped her hands and bright lights were immediately on them. Not only that, but there was a sparkling path which due to the structure of the floor, looked like a winning formula for a chess game. Something clicked in Charles’s mind. He knew what they had to do.

He hastily removed his gloves and placed them in his pockets. He grabbed Edwin’s waist so fast that the boy jumped at the contact. He widened his eyes and looked at Charles like a madman.

“What on earth do you think you are doing?” Charles ignored him. He took his one hand into his own and placed his other one on his shoulder before he returned his own to its rightful place on the other boy’s lower back.

“Have you lost your mind?” He whispered dangerously to Charles but he chose to let it go this once.

“Follow me and please don’t step on my shoes. They are new.” He offered Edwin’s baffled face one last smile before he started dancing to the tune of the music.

Dancing classes from the 1900s seemed to suffice because Edwin followed gracefully, perhaps because the meaning of their actions had yet to register in his mind. Light feet followed the winning line while their bodies were moving in perfect synchronisation. Something about the way everything felt so natural and easy with Edwin, made Charles slow down the pace. Their eyes, which had been stuck to the magic pathway, found each other instead. A question lingered in Edwin’s blue ones. Charles could almost hear them spelling it out, the same way they had on the staircase in Hell, where once again they were seeking out the ticket for their escape. When the stakes were high and their long since silent hearts could be heard thumping across the different realms. How the threat never stopped Edwin, whose courage served up his heart to Charles on a silver platter, not afraid to be vulnerable and ready to take a hit. In the moment where neither of them was hesitant to reach out and touch because the ghosts of their short-lived existence were still hovering above them, aiming to open the wounds they worked so hard to heal. A moment Charles had replaying in his mind consistently ever since.

“Are you okay?” Edwin asked softly and they weren’t moving anymore. They weren’t running and he had him still in his arms, not a single reason why he shouldn’t. They didn’t need to count the seconds or hide in his backpack again. They could simply stay on the same spot for the rest of time and Death or even Hell wouldn’t bat an eye. But it wasn’t the right question now and it hadn’t been the right answer then.

“I would do it all over again, you know.” Charles didn’t take his eyes off of Edwin because he didn’t want him to reduce the meaning of his words.

“What?” He answered breathlessly and Charles noticed that their faces had never been so close, Edwin’s lips had never seemed so soft. Their bodies were still snapped into place and their chests were connected proudly.

“I would refuse my afterlife again if it meant I’d get to spent one more moment with you.” Edwin looked taken aback by his best friend’s words, an insecure part of him not believing them and another taught to reject them.

“Don’t do this just because it will guarantee us a way out. This isn’t Hell, Charles. I don’t need you to save me and I certainly don’t need you to say things you don’t mean.” Edwin started to pull away from him but Charles couldn’t let him go just yet.

“No, you’re not listening to me, Edwin. I meant everything I said in Hell and everything I am saying right now. I never doubted my love for you and neither should you.” He took Edwin’s face in his hands, gently caressing his skin, the same way he had at the core of his best friend’s nightmare. But Edwin was right; this wasn’t Hell. His eyes weren’t glistening with tears that were threatening to fall, neither was his body trembling with fear for the inevitable. Instead, he was warm and radiant and something familiar sparkled in his eyes. Charles could even dare to name it without fear of jinxing it.

“I just want you to show me how to love you in the way you want me to. I am ready this time.” Charles smiled and Edwin’s lips curled up in return. It was the first time Charles wished the world could see them, could see him. The people didn’t know they were missing out. But this exchange rang out as a secret promise too, just between the two of them, the same way it had been for three decades. “So what do you say, deal?” Edwin chuckled and rested his hands on the other boy’s wrists as they were still on his face.

“Deal.” He agreed and as if almost on cue, the hard lights showering them dimmed. Slow clapping was heard across the room as it started retreating into its previous form.

“Bravo! I knew you were made for each other. My services have once again proven to be most efficient.” Pandora smiled proudly at them, admiring her work. “I didn’t even need to use my arrows!” She exclaimed happily and Charles was reminded of the heart shaped devils. He and Edwin shared a look of relief. They pulled away from each other.

“Now, please let us accompany you out of here and into the afterlife.” Said Edwin and the woman’s smile died down.

“Yes, of course.” She turned around and spoke to the empty room. “I’ll miss you a great deal, miss Diana!” The boys frowned at that.

“Who is she talking to?”

“I think it’s the room.”

“Well, let’s go, you beautiful lovesick fools.” She wiped a single tear from her eye and snapped her fingers. This time, however, the sound transported them back to the dark and quiet attic.

“Oh my god, there you are! You scared the shit out of me! Where have you been?” Crystal yelled the second they appeared in the room but the boys’ attention was elsewhere. Specifically, on each other.

Charles realized for the first time that there was nothing holding him back and judging by the look on Edwin’s face and the smile that he flashed him, he had realized the same.

They were walking before they could let the thought sink in, before the taught hatred could get in the way of the only normal thing in their troublesome existence. Their eyes closed as soon as their lips made contact. Charles’s hands tangled up in the other boy’s hair, holding on for dear life, and Edwin grabbed him by the waist, trying to balance them. Charles would have stayed in this embrace forever, which was possible because they didn’t need the air anyway, but he remembered they weren’t alone. He pulled back slowly and looked over to Crystal to find her holding out her hands in question and to Pandora to find her beaming and jumping because of her excitement.

“Is anyone gonna explain to me what the hell is going on?” Said Crystal on the verge of a mental breakdown but the boys couldn’t help themselves. After a long time, they laughed.

-

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